Tag Archives: anti-drug abuse

over the counter drug abuse

Drug Abuse: Why you need to be cautious Of Where You Keep Your Over-The-Counter Prescription Drugs

July 23, 2016

Parents of today have a lot to worry about. The most disturbing one is drug abuse by kids. It is not about cigarettes and alcohol anymore. It is not even the about the likes of marijuana and any other drug that can influence the brain. Kids have a hard time accessing such illegal drugs. The bad news is, hard-to-reach drugs doesn’t keep them safe from drug abuse.

Drug abusers are now dependent on anything that can influence their brain and body to function the way they like it and nothing comes in handy as an over the counter prescription drug. Parents of today, can’t claim their kids are safe with drugs in their unlocked cabinets and drawers.

According to US government’s survey, up to 3.1 million young adults aged between 12-25 are claimed to have tried over the counter prescription drugs such as the ones intended for cold and coughs. Teens of today are abusing drugs such as cough syrups to see hallucinations.

over the counter drug abuse

In 2006, another study was carried out to investigate the matter. The study focussed on the abuse of OTC drugs by young people. It also targeted up to 45 thousand interviews with young people aged within 12 to 25.

The results were shocking for many parents and acted as a warning to parents who don’t mind where they keep their medicines. Among the culprits are parents who leave their medicine in open cabinets where they can be easily accessed by kids. It also important for the young people to know the risks of taking over the counter drugs for purposes they are not intended for.

Studies reveal that those fond of misusing such drugs are young adults and kids in the adolescent stage. Over the counter drug abuse isn’t a new thing. What remained undisclosed was the kind of people who are more often involved. The study by the US government was a finding; most wouldn’t believe. However, the survey results haven’t touched anything on whether over the counter drug abuse is constant, decreasing or decreasing.

Among the top three over the counter drugs that are abused include, Coricidin, Robitussin and lastly, NyQuil. It was realised that coughs and cold medicines have a certain chemical called dextromethorphan often abbreviated as DXM that the young adults are fond of. You will find this substance in up to 140 cold and cough drugs that are availed without prescription in the US.

If taken as prescribed, DXM should not be harmful in any way. However, if larger doses that are not prescribed are taken, it can lead to hallucinations or anything close. An overdose may also result in vomiting, irregular heartbeat, delirium or even worse, death. So, the only way to stay safe is to take the dosage prescribed by a doctor.

The Bottom Line

Every drug should be safe, but only when taken in the right dosage. Taking larger dosage may give you the hallucinations and the feelings you desire, but the end results can be ugly. For parents with kids, it starts at home and the only way to ensure it doesn’t happen is to keep your over the counter drugs away from your kids’ reach.

 

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drug abuse

Juvenile Crimes and Drug Abuse

July 21, 2016

Studies show that drug abuse triggers many crimes committed by teens. According to Shiloh Carter in the article with a title, ‘’The relationship between drug addiction and teen crime’, The relationship between offences committed by teens and drug abuse is a fact. Carter went on and said that a larger percentage of youths who commit crimes take drugs.

In the year 2010, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission revealed that up to 25% of all the juvenile criminals referred to them were regular drug abusers. The remaining 47% of those who were referred showed no signs of using drugs.

The figure above is a clear indication that juvenile crimes are more often encouraged by substance abuse. If nothing is done to stop the influence, there is a higher chance that these young offenders would turn to dangerous thugs, and that is the last thing the community needs.

So, what is the solution?

Such cases need to approach by an effective strategy plus strict laws that aim to tackle the problem wisely. Some studies show that the best way to address the situation is to involve an approach that is risk-focussed.

The risk-focussed approach involves identifying the triggers as well as risk factors associated with drug abuse as the strategy that needs to be implemented to tackle the problem.

One of the known effective ways to deal with drug abuse that leads to crime is Functional Family Therapy simply because, it is the most immediate and the cheapest way to go. Functional Family Therapy focusses on encouraging the participation of the parents and other family members. For this to happen, a therapist who will be working indoors is needed.

drug abuse

By attending a Functional family Therapy, the members of the addict’s family acquire many values as well as skills needed to solve such problems in future. They learn how to deal with the patient while he or she is trying to recover.

It has been noticed that most young offenders come from power families or the ones who are not stronger financially. Functional Family Therapy is important because it is much cheaper compared to other treatment plans. It also allows focus on the drug abuser’s family which is the best strategy for dealing with juvenile offenders influenced by drug use.

However, if you need another approach, you can choose a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that is often advised by many specialists. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one the most used remedies for juvenile drug addicts. It follows a particular goal setting that is structured, planned and most importantly, repeated to ensure that nothing is left behind.

The final word

Juveniles go with the flow. They will grab any opportunity that gives them a chance to try out new things, and drug addiction is one them. The good news is, it all depends on how you raise them. As a parent, it is important that you monitor whatever goes on in your son’s or daughter’s life to prevent him or her from becoming addicted. Besides, it is your responsibility to lead them towards the right path.

 

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drug abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse Facts

July 16, 2016

Nowadays almost every drug is abused. And this includes prescription drugs such as anti-anxiety medicines, stimulants and painkiller and much more. Taking prescription drugs in large amounts may lead to several effects similar to what drug abusers often experience from other illegal drugs. Unfortunately, being legal doesn’t mean they are safe to take in large amounts. The main reasons, doctors are too strict on the dosage, is the fact that taking more or less than what is recommended might either lead to serious health problems or fail to work as specified.

According to 2011 data by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people who died as a result of prescription drug abuse surpassed the number of those who died as a result of heroin, cocaine and all other illegal drugs in the same year. This means that prescription drug abuse is popular than any other illegal drug abuse.

Each and every year, over 500, 000 visits and 15,000 deaths occur annually as a result of opioid dependence. Such drugs have led to many accidental deaths that include traffic accidents. Among the most common addictive prescription drugs include oxycodone, oxymorphone as well as hydrocodone.

Treatment of Chronic Pain Using Addictive Prescription Drugs

As a result of the findings that opioids had some addictive effects and would if taken in large amounts lead to serious illnesses, health experts decided that it would be better used to treat terminally ill cancer patients. Nowadays, doctors see it as one of the best options for treating pain. They are often used on patients who are recovering from surgery to prevent the pain that they have to go through during the process.

drug abuse

Sadly, continuous use of the drug even without bad intention will lead to addiction. The other bad news is that it is common among all ages putting it on the top list of the most abused prescription drugs. Studies even show that it is the veterans that make a larger percentage.

How legal is it?

One of the thing that makes abuse of prescription drugs quite complex is the fact that it is hard to distinguish between the time when it is right to use them and when not to. Most of the times, you’ll find them in a possession of any person who was previously sick and had to use the drug. Unfortunately, most of them don’t intent to use the drugs alone. They will give the drug to any other family member whenever they feel it is right to give them.

Prescription Drug Abuse versus the Government

Misuse of prescription drugs has become a threat to public health. As a result, the government has chosen to chase after those responsible for their supply as well as those who go out and buy them in hiding.

The point is, prescription drug abuse has become a big problem, not only because people use them in hiding but also because they are partly legal. It is harder to realize the intent of the person buying the drug especially if he or she had medical issues in the past. The only way to reduce the deaths that occur as a result of prescription drug abuse is to be an example, and this starts with you.

 

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Drug-Abuse

Drug Abuse

July 15, 2016

A critical look at drug abuse and how to get help

Drug Abuse can be defined as a habitual use of illegal or addictive drugs. Addicts take drugs, not for medical purposes but to alter the state of their minds and body. It involves taking illegal drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, heroin or cannabis. It may also include the unlimited use of legal drugs such as painkillers, tranquilizers as well as sleeping pills. In short, substance abuse means using a particular drug wrongly. For example, using a syrup without following your doctor’s prescriptions is considered drug abuse.

Among the consequences often overlooked by drug abusers are high risks of injury or death that might result from an overdose. It might also damage your brain, liver, mental health, encourage aggression or even worse, an accident. Drug abuse does not only cause harm to you but may also affect your relationship with friends and family. Lastly, it might lead to incarceration accompanied by heavy fines.

What happens is, ones the drug being abused gets into the system, the victim loses control. He or she won’t be okay until a drug is administered. He or she will steal or get involved in dirty jobs such as sex so as to get the drug. And this is where the drug abuser might end up injured, in prison or dead.

Drug abuse is a widespread habit among young people, who aren’t well aware of what it can do to their future. Several studies show that a significant percentage of people aged from 15 to 24 die as a result of drug abuse or excessive use of alcohol. Also, drug abuse makes it easier for them to participate in crimes such as rape, murder or assault. Some of them just take the drug to deal with anxiety. Unfortunately, drug abuse has its pre-planned effects.

drug abuse

Among the signs of drug abuse in young individuals include bad performance in school, awkward behaviours or joining a new group in the name of friends. Other symptoms include a nagging cough, changes in sleeping and eating patterns and habits or red eyes that weren’t there before. Most of the time drug abusers will hide their new habits making it harder for you to detect their change in behaviour. And the only time you’ll realize that they are using the drug is the time they can’t control it. It is, therefore, important to always watch the moves made by your kid to prevent them from becoming addicts.

The best way to deal with drug abuse at its later stages is hiring a helping hand from a specialist with all the experience needed. There are a variety of treatment options that will be determined by the needs of the patient or the drug he or she has been using. Drug abuse treatment often includes medication and psychological therapy intended to help the patient withdraw from drug use. Among the areas that should be considered during medication include long-term rehabilitation as well as prevention of relapse where the specialists will have to monitor the behavioural change of the patient for a specified period. However, all these occurrences depend on the steps you take to ensure your kid doesn’t even think of abusing any drug.

Call us today if you need help with these topics and more on 8432131480

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