A recent drug treatment study released by Chang-Guo Zhan of the University of Kentucky suggests that natural enzymes may be a successful treatment for an overdose of cocaine. The few treatment methods currently available for overdoses do very little and may even result in death. If this enzyme treatment works as Zhan believes, it could save thousands of lives every year.
How The Body Naturally Treats Cocaine Overdose
This drug poses a significant threat to the user because even the smallest amounts can cause severe damage and even death. When someone takes a hit, it raises his or her blood pressure, restricts the amount of oxygen to the heart, and possibly complicate breathing. If your body is sensitive to these reactions or take too much, you overdose leading to seizures, breathing problems, and heart failure. This can occur regardless of how much or how often you take the drug.
Under normal conditions, these substances add water to the drug causing a series of chemical reactions. When the process is complete, only two completely innocent ingredients are left behind. The biggest downside is that it takes a minimum of 90 minutes for trace amount of the drug to be broke down.
With an overdose, the required time for the process can increase to 12 hours or more leading to a high rate of death and permanent injury. The enzyme method that Zahn is introducing into society merely speeds up a natural process.
New Cocaine Treatment Research
To determine how to modify the natural substance, the cocaine treatment experts identified the precise reaction that required the most energy and gave the cells a boost. In the end, they only modified 5 of the 574 amino acids found in the enzyme to create a new molecule. The new drug treatment works quickly enough to prevent any permanent damage to the body or its nervous system. In fact, they react and break down the drug 2000 times faster than normal.
To test this, researchers gave 18 mice a lethal dose of the drug and injected 12 of them with the new cocaine treatment. They found that all six of the subjects who did not receive the new drug treatment and two of those who did all died. The other 10 mice survived. If this treatment does become available to emergency rooms across the country, it will become the world's first overdose preventative.
Possible Risks Of This New Drug Treatment
The experts believe that because the modified version is so close to the original, there is a very low risk of severe side effect. However, this cocaine treatment does present a few concerns. It is believed this drug treatment would have to be administered within a short time of the overdose in order to be effective. Some experts also worry that these new super enzymes may breakdown other substances in the body that are needed for normal life processes.
What Does This Mean?
This new concept is only in the testing phase, but should things go well, this could offer a significant amount of help for addicts. The modified enzymes could play an important role in the rehabilitation of cocaine users. While it won't stop them from using, it is possible that it could help to speed up and lessen the effects of the dry-out phase. Researchers are hopeful that it will help save the lives of those who overdose.
Until this new cocaine treatment has been thoroughly tested and approved, there isn't much available in terms of help. It doesn't guarantee that the patient will survive either. When an overdose occurs today, lowering the victim's body temperature and heart rate is the only real drug treatment medical staff have forcing them to wait it out and hope. In the end, something will certainly be better than nothing.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Residential Drug Rehabs Reveal Five Tips For Staying Clean
Talk to anyone who has come out of residential drug rehabs, stopped smoking, or has gone through AA, and they will tell you that getting through the initial program is only half the battle. Once addicts have overcome their initial addiction and they return to their normal lifestyle many find themselves tempted back to their old ways. This common problem is not easy to overcome and it may likely never go away. Drug rehab experts say the five following tips can greatly reduce your risk of relapsing regardless of your addiction.
1. Learn A New Way To Battle Stress
Most addicts turn to their vice when they are faced with a stressful situation or difficult choice. After leaving residential drug rehabs or other method to overcome addiction, reducing stress is still important, but you need a different way of doing that. Some people go for a walk, some listen to music, and others knit. Whatever it is, make sure it is something that you enjoy doing so that you don't have to make yourself do it and add to an already stressful day. Some drug rehab experts say that carrying a rock or small item in your pocket is enough -- simply rub it or move it around with your fingers so that you are forced to think about something else.
2. Avoid Temptation
Most people use their drug at a certain time or in a certain place say drug rehab experts. For smokers, this is often with their first cup of coffee in the morning. For shopping addicts, this could be lunch hours spent at the mall. Identify when these danger times are for your and eliminate it from your life. Smokers can have juice in the morning after having a shower while the shopaholic can avoid malls completely.
3. Choose A Healthier Lifestyle
Residential drug rehabs say addicts often choose friends and lifestyles that surround their addictions. Their friends often share the same addiction making it difficult to resist the urges to relapse. It also helps if you make your addiction difficult to come back. Remove the substance or problem from the home and try not to carry cash. If you are a former smoker, toss the ashtrays and give away your lighters.
4. Remind Yourself Why You Quit
As time goes by, it can be difficult for the addict to remember why they sought help to begin with. Experts from many of the leading residential drug rehabs recommend that you do what you need to so that you don't forget. Put signs up in your bathroom with bullet points stating the benefits of overcoming your addiction. Most experts agree that having friends and loved ones help by taking time to remind you why you quit can have remarkable effects on the after-care of an addict.
5. Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself
Take time out on a regular basis to congratulate yourself on a job well done. Rejoicing in even the smallest steps is often all most former addicts need. This added boost to your motivation is enough to remind yourself why you started in the first place and gives you the encouragement to start new goals.
While nothing will guarantee that a relapse will not occur, drug rehab experts say these five methods can make a significant impact on the addict's chance of success. As a last little piece of advice, residential drug rehabs recommend that all former addicts should seek help immediately if they find their life starting back in the opposite direction.
1. Learn A New Way To Battle Stress
Most addicts turn to their vice when they are faced with a stressful situation or difficult choice. After leaving residential drug rehabs or other method to overcome addiction, reducing stress is still important, but you need a different way of doing that. Some people go for a walk, some listen to music, and others knit. Whatever it is, make sure it is something that you enjoy doing so that you don't have to make yourself do it and add to an already stressful day. Some drug rehab experts say that carrying a rock or small item in your pocket is enough -- simply rub it or move it around with your fingers so that you are forced to think about something else.
2. Avoid Temptation
Most people use their drug at a certain time or in a certain place say drug rehab experts. For smokers, this is often with their first cup of coffee in the morning. For shopping addicts, this could be lunch hours spent at the mall. Identify when these danger times are for your and eliminate it from your life. Smokers can have juice in the morning after having a shower while the shopaholic can avoid malls completely.
3. Choose A Healthier Lifestyle
Residential drug rehabs say addicts often choose friends and lifestyles that surround their addictions. Their friends often share the same addiction making it difficult to resist the urges to relapse. It also helps if you make your addiction difficult to come back. Remove the substance or problem from the home and try not to carry cash. If you are a former smoker, toss the ashtrays and give away your lighters.
4. Remind Yourself Why You Quit
As time goes by, it can be difficult for the addict to remember why they sought help to begin with. Experts from many of the leading residential drug rehabs recommend that you do what you need to so that you don't forget. Put signs up in your bathroom with bullet points stating the benefits of overcoming your addiction. Most experts agree that having friends and loved ones help by taking time to remind you why you quit can have remarkable effects on the after-care of an addict.
5. Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself
Take time out on a regular basis to congratulate yourself on a job well done. Rejoicing in even the smallest steps is often all most former addicts need. This added boost to your motivation is enough to remind yourself why you started in the first place and gives you the encouragement to start new goals.
While nothing will guarantee that a relapse will not occur, drug rehab experts say these five methods can make a significant impact on the addict's chance of success. As a last little piece of advice, residential drug rehabs recommend that all former addicts should seek help immediately if they find their life starting back in the opposite direction.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
What Is The Best Drug Rehab?
What is the best drug rehab and how do I know it’s the best. These are all common questions people ask about drug and alcohol addiction and rightfully so. When trying to find the best type of treatment program there are few things to consider. First a good program is always going to offer long term care. If you call a drug rehab facility and all they offer is 21, 28 or 30 days of treatment than you know at the point they do not offer any effective type of help for addiction. 21, 28 and 30 days programs were started because insurance companies would only pay for 21, 28 or 30 days of rehab.
An inpatient drug rehab is usually the best form of treatment because they can focus on the underlying issues. When a program incorporates replacement drug therapy this can become very dangerous and make the problem even worse. Holistic drug rehab programs usually have the highest success rate so make sure to find these.
Regardless of the drug rehabilitation program your loved one also has to be willing. This can sometimes take days or even years for the person to finally accept help. This process can be speed up if you hire a drug and alcohol intervention specialist. Most drug rehabs can help find a interventionist that will help aid in getting your loved one to go to treatment.
An inpatient drug rehab is usually the best form of treatment because they can focus on the underlying issues. When a program incorporates replacement drug therapy this can become very dangerous and make the problem even worse. Holistic drug rehab programs usually have the highest success rate so make sure to find these.
Regardless of the drug rehabilitation program your loved one also has to be willing. This can sometimes take days or even years for the person to finally accept help. This process can be speed up if you hire a drug and alcohol intervention specialist. Most drug rehabs can help find a interventionist that will help aid in getting your loved one to go to treatment.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Can People Get Addicted to Porn And Sex?
When most people here the word addiction, usually they think of alcoholism and drugs. Unfortunately in today’s society we are exposed to many other addictions and sometimes we don’t even know its occurring. Tobacco, TV, video games, gambling, shopping, and eating can be addictions which cause a person much trouble in life. Though these situations can be tough to overcome one of the most dangerous, even worse then drug addiction and alcoholism is sex and porn. Sex and porn have wrecked families, turned innocent people into criminals, caused people to become drug addicts, caused people to commit suicide, and worst of all, has slowly desensitized our society into thinking that this is a part of normal life.
These two things are used by harmful individuals to destruct people and lower their ability to succeed in life. These destructive people created sex and porn to decrease a person’s alertness, power, and ability to create. If you look at prostitutes, pimps, porn directors, escorts, and dancers you will notice how they are usually very fake but appear to be your friend. Very covert and sneaky but at the end of the day you certainly would not trust them to take care of your kids. Why is that?? The reason is they want you to get fixated on these sexual and aberated things and once they do that they get you hooked. The more a person has to use porn or sex to feel good you have a problem.
Now I am certainly not saying that having sex with your wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend is a bad thing. As a matter of fact, sex is a wonderful form of communication that you can express with that person that you love. What I am talking about is a person who is promiscuous or pays for sex in order to “get off.” This is very dangerous and leads to worse things. We need to take a look as a whole and not allow our kids to get involved with this degraded form of entertainment which can be found all over the internet. We also need to help those people that have found themselves addicted to sex and porn and get them to fix this problem so that they can live a happy life.
These two things are used by harmful individuals to destruct people and lower their ability to succeed in life. These destructive people created sex and porn to decrease a person’s alertness, power, and ability to create. If you look at prostitutes, pimps, porn directors, escorts, and dancers you will notice how they are usually very fake but appear to be your friend. Very covert and sneaky but at the end of the day you certainly would not trust them to take care of your kids. Why is that?? The reason is they want you to get fixated on these sexual and aberated things and once they do that they get you hooked. The more a person has to use porn or sex to feel good you have a problem.
Now I am certainly not saying that having sex with your wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend is a bad thing. As a matter of fact, sex is a wonderful form of communication that you can express with that person that you love. What I am talking about is a person who is promiscuous or pays for sex in order to “get off.” This is very dangerous and leads to worse things. We need to take a look as a whole and not allow our kids to get involved with this degraded form of entertainment which can be found all over the internet. We also need to help those people that have found themselves addicted to sex and porn and get them to fix this problem so that they can live a happy life.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Educating People On Addiction
A person suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism can feel hopeless and sometimes trapped. Addicted individuals don't know where to turn or who to trust. Family, friends, co-workers are not always the easiest person to tell about an addiction problem. Fear of letting family member down, loosing the trust of friends and getting fired from work are all common thoughts. Our addiction blog is here to help you understand and give you a confidential location to write, post comments, or ask questions about drugs, alcohol, and addiction.
Before finding a drug rehab program learning about addiction and learning about yourself is very helpful. Before making a decision always learn about what you are going to be doing. There are so many drug rehabs out there and they will tell you how their program is the best. Sometimes they don't have the best intention for the addicted individual though there intention is still good which is to help. Please do not think that you should wait around for weeks or days when you think that the abuse of drugs or alcohol has gotten out of control. Getting into a treatment facility should happen pretty quickly.
Remember, learn about drug and alcohol addiction first. Then find some programs that sound like they might be able to help. Call these programs and get more details about the program and also request an information pack. Then make a decision and enroll into the drug rehab program.
Before finding a drug rehab program learning about addiction and learning about yourself is very helpful. Before making a decision always learn about what you are going to be doing. There are so many drug rehabs out there and they will tell you how their program is the best. Sometimes they don't have the best intention for the addicted individual though there intention is still good which is to help. Please do not think that you should wait around for weeks or days when you think that the abuse of drugs or alcohol has gotten out of control. Getting into a treatment facility should happen pretty quickly.
Remember, learn about drug and alcohol addiction first. Then find some programs that sound like they might be able to help. Call these programs and get more details about the program and also request an information pack. Then make a decision and enroll into the drug rehab program.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Successful Drug Rehabs
Why is it that every drug rehab program you talk to on the phone claim that they have the best form of treatment. Trying to sort through 12 step programs, detoxs, outpatient facilities, and long term drug rehabs can seem really overwhelming. Effective cocaine treatment and heroin treatment are good avenues for cocaine and heroin addiction because they specialize in these addictions.
Also people need to realize that not always do people want to go to drug rehab. In these types of situations drug interventions are necessary to get people in a treatment facility. Whether it is for drug or alcohol addiction hiring a professional intervention specialist teamed up with family who love and care for the addicted individual can really help the intervention be effective which will result in escorting the addicted the individual into a long term drug rehab.
The most successful drug rehab is one that offers long term care, natural detox like a sauna cleanse, life skills therapy and cognitive counseling.
Also people need to realize that not always do people want to go to drug rehab. In these types of situations drug interventions are necessary to get people in a treatment facility. Whether it is for drug or alcohol addiction hiring a professional intervention specialist teamed up with family who love and care for the addicted individual can really help the intervention be effective which will result in escorting the addicted the individual into a long term drug rehab.
The most successful drug rehab is one that offers long term care, natural detox like a sauna cleanse, life skills therapy and cognitive counseling.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Alcohol Rehabilitation Program
Why is it so hard to find an alcohol rehab program. Everywhere on the internet you find drug rehabs but have a tough time finding a program that just specializes in alcohol addiction. Many people who are looking for a program that helps people who suffer from alcoholism give up and send a person into a drug rehab facility.
Our alcohol rehabilitation will help educate you on addiction especially alcoholism. Not only do we probide treatment but also a medical detox for addiction. Most people who have an alcohol problem can not quit "cold turkey" and must be admitted into a hospital or medical detox.
Our alcohol rehabilitation will help educate you on addiction especially alcoholism. Not only do we probide treatment but also a medical detox for addiction. Most people who have an alcohol problem can not quit "cold turkey" and must be admitted into a hospital or medical detox.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Celebrities and Addiction
Why is it that celebrities like Paris Hilton, Steven Tyler, Amy Whinehouse, and Britney Spears get all the attention. Personally I think they should make a drug rehab program for celebrities where they have to share rooms with bunk beds or sleep on the floor. They are required to cook, clean, and then feed the homeless for at least a month. None of the celebrities would be allowed to watch TV, internet, cell phone or any for of communication to the real world.
These guys really need to understand what type of life they have and not take it for granted. I am certainly not saying that they aren't wonderful artists or are extremely talented but I do feel that they need to be humbled and appreciate what they have and look at giving back a little more. Not so much in a financial way, but more on setting a better example for people that look up to them. Instead of using drugs, and going in and out of drug rehab and gettting arrested, they need to try becoming more wholesome.
Unfortunately people like Will Smith, Tom Cruise, David Becham are given a hard time for stupid reasons. Tom Cruise gets attacked in the media way too much. Look at that guy, he has a nice family, takes care of his wife and kids, doesn't party, and the media makes him out to be some bad guy. Thats a joke.
These guys really need to understand what type of life they have and not take it for granted. I am certainly not saying that they aren't wonderful artists or are extremely talented but I do feel that they need to be humbled and appreciate what they have and look at giving back a little more. Not so much in a financial way, but more on setting a better example for people that look up to them. Instead of using drugs, and going in and out of drug rehab and gettting arrested, they need to try becoming more wholesome.
Unfortunately people like Will Smith, Tom Cruise, David Becham are given a hard time for stupid reasons. Tom Cruise gets attacked in the media way too much. Look at that guy, he has a nice family, takes care of his wife and kids, doesn't party, and the media makes him out to be some bad guy. Thats a joke.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Prescription Drugs Are Addictive Too
I was labeled ADHD as when I was 14 years old. I fit the diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. I was full of life and energy. I was bored in school but usually found other ways to entertain myself throughout the days. One day my teacher phoned my parents and told them that these behaviors were symptoms of a mental disorder called ADHD and that if I wasn't properly treated for it, I wouldn't be allowed to stay in school.
Doing what they thought was best, my parents put me on the medication prescribed to me. It was soon after this that I became addicted to the drug and started abusing it. I figured out how to manipulate the mental health system to get what I wanted. Eventually I began selling this drug to my friends in school, but I soon grew bored of the prescription and turned to marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy and alcohol. I entered long-term rehab at the age of 22 after overdosing, nearly reaching death, twice. Once a bright and energetic young kid, I was now a fully dependent drug user. And it all started because I became addicted to my ADHD medication.
I wish I could say my story is a novel one and that nobody else has experienced this same pattern of events. Truthfully, millions of children and adults have been mislabeled with ADHD throughout the United States. And thousands of those diagnoses have resulted in a worsened condition or illicit substance abuse.
This is why it is important to seek alternative treatment for substance abuse. A prescription drug simply acts as a band-aid for the real underlying situations, and this is true no matter what age you are.
I completed a long-term, in-patient treatment program and re-established life skills that I had become dependent on both prescribed and illegal drug for.
Your prescription may be your problem. Look for a drug free, long-term treatment program.
Doing what they thought was best, my parents put me on the medication prescribed to me. It was soon after this that I became addicted to the drug and started abusing it. I figured out how to manipulate the mental health system to get what I wanted. Eventually I began selling this drug to my friends in school, but I soon grew bored of the prescription and turned to marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy and alcohol. I entered long-term rehab at the age of 22 after overdosing, nearly reaching death, twice. Once a bright and energetic young kid, I was now a fully dependent drug user. And it all started because I became addicted to my ADHD medication.
I wish I could say my story is a novel one and that nobody else has experienced this same pattern of events. Truthfully, millions of children and adults have been mislabeled with ADHD throughout the United States. And thousands of those diagnoses have resulted in a worsened condition or illicit substance abuse.
This is why it is important to seek alternative treatment for substance abuse. A prescription drug simply acts as a band-aid for the real underlying situations, and this is true no matter what age you are.
I completed a long-term, in-patient treatment program and re-established life skills that I had become dependent on both prescribed and illegal drug for.
Your prescription may be your problem. Look for a drug free, long-term treatment program.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Psychiatric Drugs and The Pharmaceutical Industry
Psychiatry and Pharmaceutical companies have launched a worldwide campaign to convince society to take psychiatric drugs. Peter Breggin in the “Your Drug May Be Your Problem” stated that at the 1998 annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association; an alliance of “mental illness advocates” announced the results of its international survey: Two thirds of people “with psychiatric disorders” often wait two to five years or more before seeking treatment. This survey was funded by the Bristo-Myers Squibb Company, which manufactures both an antidepressant and antianxiety drugs.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Alcohol and Drug Treatment
People from all over the world who have addiction problems never find effective treatment for their problem. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment is something that is always needed. Families who have a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol can experience emotional pain and loss. Parents who spend their entire life raising their kid to become happy, healthy and succesfull to then find them addicted and losing everything because of their addiction can experience loss and frustration.
This drug rehab blog is intented to help educate addicts, alcoholics, and families on addiction and treatment. Our addiction counselors not only are highly educated in this field but many have personal experience with drug addiction or alcoholism.
This drug rehab blog is intented to help educate addicts, alcoholics, and families on addiction and treatment. Our addiction counselors not only are highly educated in this field but many have personal experience with drug addiction or alcoholism.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Alcohol Rehabilitation
Alcohol abuse treatment is not easy to find. Many facilities advertise that they address “drug and alcohol addiction” but really their specialty is drug addiction. Though usually it does not matter whether you are treating drug addiction or alcoholism, sometimes a person who has an alcohol problem is not able to relate with other people who have a drug problem. That is why when researching alcohol rehabilitation centers make sure that they specialize in alcohol addiction.
During this process you should know whether or not the alcoholic will require a medical detox. If they have delirium tremors or have shown signs of seizures when coming off of alcohol then you should definitely pick an alcohol rehab program that offers a medical detox. The detox process makes it easy for a person to come off of alcohol rather than “cold turkey it.” Most alcohol rehab facilities require a person to go through detox first before treatment starts.
Once a person is detoxed than counseling and therapy will be used to treat the underlying issues. This is very important because this is what will keep the person from returning to alcohol as a means to cope. This is where the person will learn life skills to better manage their life as a whole. Many alcohol programs offer an aftercare which can be very helpful as well.
During this process you should know whether or not the alcoholic will require a medical detox. If they have delirium tremors or have shown signs of seizures when coming off of alcohol then you should definitely pick an alcohol rehab program that offers a medical detox. The detox process makes it easy for a person to come off of alcohol rather than “cold turkey it.” Most alcohol rehab facilities require a person to go through detox first before treatment starts.
Once a person is detoxed than counseling and therapy will be used to treat the underlying issues. This is very important because this is what will keep the person from returning to alcohol as a means to cope. This is where the person will learn life skills to better manage their life as a whole. Many alcohol programs offer an aftercare which can be very helpful as well.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Does Intervention Work?
Drug addicts and alcoholics are not always the most responsible people in the world. Nor are they the most trust worthy either. Families who have a loved one suffering from drug or alcohol addiction can get so frustrated because they try so hard to get the person to enter into a drug and alcohol rehablitation center and fail.
That is why an intervention is so important. Whether it is a drug intervention or an alcohol intervention, these are the first step to overcoming addiction. The reason is a trained intervention specialist knows how to educate the family on enabling an codependency and then organize a strategic game plan on how to confront the person refusing to get help with their addiction.
Once the family has been educated then the intervention occurs, usually the next day. The drug intervention is considered to be done once the person has agreed and is then escorted into a long term drug rehab.
That is why an intervention is so important. Whether it is a drug intervention or an alcohol intervention, these are the first step to overcoming addiction. The reason is a trained intervention specialist knows how to educate the family on enabling an codependency and then organize a strategic game plan on how to confront the person refusing to get help with their addiction.
Once the family has been educated then the intervention occurs, usually the next day. The drug intervention is considered to be done once the person has agreed and is then escorted into a long term drug rehab.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Drug Addiction Treatment
Drug addiction treatment centers are finding new ways to cure addiction. The old philosphy of treating an addiction like a disease is stale and out dated. Not to mention there is absolutely no science that can back any type of theory like that up. A disease is something that will show up on a blood test like diabetes or cancer. Addiction is not a disease rather it's a choice. Please do not think that my philosphy is that an addiction is something easy to overcome. I too was an alcoholic and drug addict for years but learned how to live life drug-free and found ways to be more resposible and accountable for my condition in life.
Any type of drug rehab program whether its an inpatient faclity, or long term drug rehab always remember that you hold the power of overcoming anything in life.
Any type of drug rehab program whether its an inpatient faclity, or long term drug rehab always remember that you hold the power of overcoming anything in life.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Drug And Alcohol Rehablitation
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation can be very confusing to locate. There are so many websites on the internet that a person can get overwhelmed at which program is the best. Many times it is good idea to speak with family references that have sent their loved one to a drug rehab program that you are looking at. We recommend you do this before you send your son or daughter to a treatment facility. You may want to speak with one of the addiction counselors of the medical doctor on staff. Usually they can provide medical information on the program that an admissions counselor can’t.
Treatment programs very state to state. Whether you are looking for a Michigan drug rehab or a Georgia drug rehab, don’t rule out the possibility of sending someone out of state. Sometimes the most effective form of treatment is changing a person’s environment.
Treatment programs very state to state. Whether you are looking for a Michigan drug rehab or a Georgia drug rehab, don’t rule out the possibility of sending someone out of state. Sometimes the most effective form of treatment is changing a person’s environment.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Does Outpatient Treatment Work?
A question that many families ask is does outpatient drug rehab really work? Statistically speaking you have about a 1-5% chance of being successful after completing some type of outpatient treatment. This is not a high rate of success for many reasons.
For cocaine treatment or heroin treatment to be effective one should change his or her environment. The reason is friends and family can actually cause a person to crave drugs and alcohol or even remind them of the wrong things they have done.
The other reason is they need to be in a controlled environment for at least 90 days before entering into real life situations. They must detox first than learn how to deal with life issues and learn coping skills before facing underlying or emotional problems.
For cocaine treatment or heroin treatment to be effective one should change his or her environment. The reason is friends and family can actually cause a person to crave drugs and alcohol or even remind them of the wrong things they have done.
The other reason is they need to be in a controlled environment for at least 90 days before entering into real life situations. They must detox first than learn how to deal with life issues and learn coping skills before facing underlying or emotional problems.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ritalin Addiction
In America today we face a grave issue, the overuse of prescription drugs to combat attitude and emotional problems. America has become a drug society, and I am not speaking of common street drugs such as marijuana, heroin, or cocaine, I am speaking of prescription drugs, drugs that you can obtain from your local physician or psychiatrist. One drug in particular that is being sold on the black market, college campuses, high schools, and even middle schools, is a drug called Ritalin. The prescribing of the drug Ritalin to cure Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD is a serious problem today I will inform you as to why Ritalin is not the solution to the problem.
In his sophomore year of high school my uncle was recommended to visit a psychiatrist. After a series of tests the psychiatrist diagnosed my uncle with ADD, and he prescribed the drug Ritalin as a medicine for this diagnosis. Within the next two months following the prescription my uncle became very addicted to Ritalin, he crushed and snorted it, and even dealt this drug to other kids at his school for two to five dollars a pill. Later, my uncle had a , which is a common story for people who take Ritalin, because of the similar nature of the two drugs. In fact the Drug Enforcement Administration categorized all drugs, legal and illegal into five categories. The first category of drugs has the highest addictive capabilities and lowest medicinal use. Essentially, category one contains the hardest drugs. Category two is only a notch below one, and it contains drugs such as Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Methylphenidate, or Ritalin as it is more commonly known. Yes, both Cocaine and Ritalin have been classified Category II narcotics by the DEA, yet one is illegal and the other is given to young children by doctors and their parents.
From 1990 to 2000 over 569 children were hospitalized due to Ritalin prescription, 38 of them were life threatening conditions, and 186 died. The National Institute of Health has even stated that “[They] do not have an independent, valid test for ADHD, and there is no data to indicate that ADHD is due to brain malfunction,” which is what Ritalin treats. Dr. David Williams, who has researched ADD and ADHD has found that “ADD/ADHD is not a chemical imbalance in the brain, but rather is caused by food and additive allergies, heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxins, low protein and high carbohydrate diets, mineral imbalances, thyroid disorders, amino acid deficiencies and other acid deficiencies.” Often times schools will recommend students to see psychiatrists, to fix their behavioral problem, these doctors in turn will then unnecessarily diagnose the students with either ADD or ADHD and prescribe them Ritalin, in order to give the student a quick fix solution to their behavior problem. According to a recent Washington Post article, an FDA advisory board recently voted to require a health warning on Ritalin. According to the article, “members of the board said the recommendation was driven as much by worries that the drugs are being overused in the United States as by the possible side effects: About 10 percent of 10-year-old American boys are taking such medications, and there have been recent sharp increases in the number of adults taking them.” It’s incredible to think that 1 out of every 10 ten-year-old boy in American is legally taken a category II narcotic.
Why do doctors and psychiatrists prescribe a highly addictive and poisonous drug that is ranked at the same level as Cocaine? Why do they want the quick fix drug that does not address the real issue of nutritional deficiency? Why don’t they instead work with their patients to improve their diet and put them on a strict vitamin and mineral regimen? Improving nutrition and diet is the non-narcotic solution to the ADD and ADHD problem, not the extremely dangerous Ritalin, which can cause death and is considered a gateway drug.
In closing, let me tell you about what finally happened to my uncle. Fortunately, he went through a successful drug rehab program and now lives a drug free life. He has often told me that he regrets ever being prescribed Ritalin, because it was the beginning of his major drug problem. He says that that many of the people who he met in the drug rehab facility and still meets today through his work as an intervention specialist have the same regrets. Ritalin was the beginning of a serious drug problem for them.
We as a society cannot allow the extremely dangerous quick fix solution of Ritalin for ADD/ADHD, but instead must work together to prevent doctors and psychiatrists from prescribing Ritalin as a cure for ADD/ADHD.
In his sophomore year of high school my uncle was recommended to visit a psychiatrist. After a series of tests the psychiatrist diagnosed my uncle with ADD, and he prescribed the drug Ritalin as a medicine for this diagnosis. Within the next two months following the prescription my uncle became very addicted to Ritalin, he crushed and snorted it, and even dealt this drug to other kids at his school for two to five dollars a pill. Later, my uncle had a , which is a common story for people who take Ritalin, because of the similar nature of the two drugs. In fact the Drug Enforcement Administration categorized all drugs, legal and illegal into five categories. The first category of drugs has the highest addictive capabilities and lowest medicinal use. Essentially, category one contains the hardest drugs. Category two is only a notch below one, and it contains drugs such as Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Methylphenidate, or Ritalin as it is more commonly known. Yes, both Cocaine and Ritalin have been classified Category II narcotics by the DEA, yet one is illegal and the other is given to young children by doctors and their parents.
From 1990 to 2000 over 569 children were hospitalized due to Ritalin prescription, 38 of them were life threatening conditions, and 186 died. The National Institute of Health has even stated that “[They] do not have an independent, valid test for ADHD, and there is no data to indicate that ADHD is due to brain malfunction,” which is what Ritalin treats. Dr. David Williams, who has researched ADD and ADHD has found that “ADD/ADHD is not a chemical imbalance in the brain, but rather is caused by food and additive allergies, heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxins, low protein and high carbohydrate diets, mineral imbalances, thyroid disorders, amino acid deficiencies and other acid deficiencies.” Often times schools will recommend students to see psychiatrists, to fix their behavioral problem, these doctors in turn will then unnecessarily diagnose the students with either ADD or ADHD and prescribe them Ritalin, in order to give the student a quick fix solution to their behavior problem. According to a recent Washington Post article, an FDA advisory board recently voted to require a health warning on Ritalin. According to the article, “members of the board said the recommendation was driven as much by worries that the drugs are being overused in the United States as by the possible side effects: About 10 percent of 10-year-old American boys are taking such medications, and there have been recent sharp increases in the number of adults taking them.” It’s incredible to think that 1 out of every 10 ten-year-old boy in American is legally taken a category II narcotic.
Why do doctors and psychiatrists prescribe a highly addictive and poisonous drug that is ranked at the same level as Cocaine? Why do they want the quick fix drug that does not address the real issue of nutritional deficiency? Why don’t they instead work with their patients to improve their diet and put them on a strict vitamin and mineral regimen? Improving nutrition and diet is the non-narcotic solution to the ADD and ADHD problem, not the extremely dangerous Ritalin, which can cause death and is considered a gateway drug.
In closing, let me tell you about what finally happened to my uncle. Fortunately, he went through a successful drug rehab program and now lives a drug free life. He has often told me that he regrets ever being prescribed Ritalin, because it was the beginning of his major drug problem. He says that that many of the people who he met in the drug rehab facility and still meets today through his work as an intervention specialist have the same regrets. Ritalin was the beginning of a serious drug problem for them.
We as a society cannot allow the extremely dangerous quick fix solution of Ritalin for ADD/ADHD, but instead must work together to prevent doctors and psychiatrists from prescribing Ritalin as a cure for ADD/ADHD.
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