Statistics

To look at some statistics from outside of the United States, in England an estimated 6,000 deaths in men are from coronary heart disease that can be attributed to heavy alcohol use over the course of many years. Approximately 400 out of 1,700 deaths that result from mouth cancer are linked to a habit of heavy drinking. That works out to be one in four deaths. During the run of a year in both England and Wales, 33,000 individuals are admitted to the hospital for liver disease that can be traced back to overuse and misuse of alcohol.

Complications of Long-Term Misuse

If you consistently misuse and abuse alcohol and refuse to stop at one or two drinks you put your body, and the state of your future health, in terrible jeopardy. There are many long-term complications that can make themselves known but it could take many years. Some of these complications include:

-Brain damage, dementia and varied levels of memory loss

-Increased risk of having a stroke and of developing heart disease

-Damage to the lining of the stomach

-Susceptibility to any number of types of cancer (in particular breast cancer)

-Diseases of the liver, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis of the liver

-Potentially fatal alcohol poisoning risk

Other Causes for Long-Term Concern

But the long-term hazardous effects of over drinking do not end there. As a person ages and their body becomes wearier, the risks of drinking too much also become greater. The body then has a difficult time processing alcohol as the years pass. The concern that you could stumble and fall and therefore hurt yourself increases as well. Other unfortunate effects you may notice include:

-Loss of body hair

-Lower sperm count

-Lower rate of fertility

-Irregular menstruation

-Long-term damage to a fetus you are carrying

-Weight gain

-Skin and complexion problems

The essential element here is not the quantity of alcohol that an individual has consumed but instead the behaviors that result because of the drinking. How much you drink is an element of concern, but it is not the only relevant factor that needs to be taken into consideration. To use an example, one individual may drink less than another person but the amount they drink may bring more harm and destruction to their life.

When you decide to have a drink, you must think not just about how much you plan to consume but you also must consider the context in which you plan to consume alcohol. In other words, the five “W’s” must be taken into account. Who will you be drinking with? What will you be drinking? When will you be drinking? Where will you be drinking? Finally, consider the “why” that surrounds your drinking pattern and behavior. The consequences of your actions should play an integral role in your drinking choices.

Consequences of High-Risk Drinking

When you engage in high-risk drinking, you must be willing to accept the consequences, whatever they may be. The consequences can be short term or long term, and can be composed of any number of physical, mental and social aspects.

Some potential consequences that are closely connected to harmful involvement with alcohol include:

-Injuries and possible death that can result from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol

-Increased risk of violent behavior such as fighting and sexual assaults

-Possibility of injury to yourself or others, such as falls, drowning, damage to property, fights or brawls.

-Increased chance of injury while at work if you drink on the job

-Health risks are great if alcohol is combined with other types of drugs and/or medication

-Poor judgment and lack of focus

-Increased risk of developing any number of cancers (such as mouth, liver, colon, breast, and many others)

-Increased risk of other diseases, including heart disease, hepatitis and pancreatitis

-Drinking while pregnant can cause irreparable damage to the developing fetus

-Conflicts can arise with family members, friends and co-workers

-Legal issues can arise

Myth- Marijuana use can lead to permanent mental illness.

It is thought that occasional use of marijuana can bring about psychological damage due to the fact that users often behave irrationally and erratically when they smoke it.

Fact- There is no scientific evidence to support the belief that mental illness is connected to marijuana use. However after using marijuana, some users experience feelings of anxiety, panic and irritability. The effects of this are short-lived. When marijuana is ingested in large doses is can bring about temporary toxic psychosis. This is rare. When it does happen it is related to the drug being eaten as opposed to being smoked. The real problem is in relation to the adverse effects upon the memory of a marijuana user. Short term memory is dramatically impacted, and over prolonged use, this can begin to effect long term memory as well.

Myth- Marijuana is a more powerful and potent drug today than it was back in the 1960s and 1970s.Fact- Marijuana is the same today as it was 30 or 40 years ago. Only the users have changed. The Drug Enforcement Administration samples the THC content of marijuana regularly and only a small portion of the marijuana seized has been shown to be more potent that the marijuana from yesteryears. Important to note is that the potency of marijuana is not necessarily what makes it more harmful.

Myth- Offenses regarding marijuana use are not punished in a severe manner.

Fact- The arrests in the United States related to marijuana use doubled between the years of 1991 and 1995. For example, in the year 1995, more than an estimated one-half-million individuals were arrested for offenses connected to marijuana. Punishments range from fines, civil sanctions, probations, property seizures and the revoking of driver’s licenses.

The state of Arizona has created the Arizona Hepatitis C Coalition. Most Hepatitis C infections occur due to the sharing of non-sterile syringes. The harm reduction programs in this state are therefore geared towards decreasing the occurrence of this, or preventing it all together.

The coalition has a number of valuable functions:

-It provides education to drug users about the dangers that are inherent in sharing cottons, cookies and syringes, as well as other types of paraphernalia that are used to inject illegal drugs.

-There is advocacy in place to provide clean syringes for those who choose to continue to inject drugs even after they have been informed of the risks.

-There is Hepatitis C testing made available for those who need it most.

-Vaccinations are made available to drug users for both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.

Points Awareness Project Arizona (P.A.P.A.)

As an offshoot of the Arizona Hepatitis C Coalition, an educational program known as the Points Awareness Project Arizona (P.A.P.A.) has been created. The goal of this program is to bring awareness about the connection that exists between non-sterile syringes and Hepatitis C. The program is aimed at drug users, pharmacists, pharmacy owners and the general public at large.

It is important to point out that in Arizona a person can obtain a syringe from a pharmacy without requiring a prescription from a doctor. However most pharmacies have an unwritten  policy that they reserve the right to refuse to sell a syringe without a prescription to an individual who looks as if they are a user of illegal drugs.

The Hepatitis C Coalition is working hard to change this policy. By changing it, thousands of infections of this kind can be prevented on an annual basis. This will also save drug users from a tremendous amount of pain and suffering and it will save tax paying citizens millions in terms of their tax dollars. Another advantage to modifying the policy is that it will help to reduce the spread of HIV as well as other types of diseases that are related to the sharing of dirty needles.

In the year 2005 the state of Arizona admitted 46,010 individuals to alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs. This was up from 37,295 in 2004. Data taken from a national survey showed that there were 130,000 (which equals an estimated 2.86%)  individuals who were in dire need of the services of drug rehab but were unavailable to receive treatment because there was simply no room to treat them in any of the facilities.

Drug Availability in Arizona

As long as there is a plentiful supply of drugs, they will continue to be abused. At the present time in Arizona, marijuana is the easiest illegal drug to come by and it is also the most commonly abused of all illegal substances.

Cocaine is also a very big problem in Arizona. The highest concentration of cocaine users are to be found in the larger metropolitan areas. Crack is another dangerous illegal substance that is widely used and abused in the inner cities of Arizona as well as in a great majority of the smaller more rural areas.

The purity of the cocaine sold in Arizona is to be found in a range from 50 percent to 90 percent. The price of powder cocaine is estimated at around $80 per gram. The average price to purchase crack on the street is $20 to $50 for a rock.

Heroin use is alive and thriving in Arizona. The main type of heroin found in the state is Mexican black tar heroin.

Methamphetamine (meth), which comes in from Mexico, is found in plentiful supply in Arizona. It is the most common form of meth in the state. Looking at the years from 2000 to 2005, the disposal costs for gross contamination that were connected to meth labs in the state were estimated at over $4.1 million.

Although drug abuse is not limited to the state of Arizona, drug addiction, and those subsequently seeking assistance, is very prevalent in Arizona.  As a direct result, an increased demand for treatment facilities continues to rise.

Oregon has as a big problem with a variety of drugs, as do all of the other states. According to a study performed that covered the years 2003- 2004, an estimated 283,000 (9.47 %) Oregon residents who were aged 12 years and over admitted to using an illegal drug sometime in the past month.  Drug users are getting younger all of the time as drugs have become more readily available to them in their schools and neighborhoods.

The Drug Problem in Oregon

Marijuana is widely available in the state of Oregon. However, those who use the drug for medicinal purposes are awarded legal protection under the state’s laws.

Heroin is one of the most widely abused drugs in Oregon. The two most common types are Mexican black tar and brown powder heroin. Meth is also a highly abused illegal drug in the state. In fact, heroin and meth are at the top of the list in this particular state. The meth found in Oregon is both produced locally as well as produced in Mexico.

Ecstasy or MDMA is very accessible to college students and is a drug staple on many campuses throughout the state. The larger the college campus is, the easier Ecstasy is to find.

Cocaine is not used and abused as much in Oregon as it is in other states yet it is available if a person were to know where to look for it. The same scenario exists for crack cocaine. The availability of the latter has been rising over the past few years in southern Oregon and in Salem.

Illegal drugs are not the only type of drugs that are abused in Oregon. Pharmaceuticals are abused as well. At present the most widely abused pharmaceuticals in the state are hydrocodone products.

In case you have been laboring under some untruths regarding substance abuse and employment, here are some myths and their accompanying facts.

Myth # 1

Individuals with substance abuse issues use this as an excuse because they simply do not want to work.

Fact

People who suffer from substance abuse issues want to work every bit as much as anyone else. Many find their work a positive outlet which enables them to decrease the amount they are drinking or to end the abuse completely. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse is a crippling disease, one that effects every aspect of life, including work.

Myth # 2

Work is simply too much pressure and stress for a substance abuser to cope with.

Fact

Work is good for those who suffer from substance abuse because it gives them a sense of purpose to their days and helps to increase self esteem. Working is a positive step in the right direction toward recovery for a substance abuser.

Myth # 3

Individuals with substance abuse do best if they have extensive prevocational assessment done as well as readiness programs in place before they can move forward in their field of employment.

Fact

The very best predictors of success for those who suffer from substance abuse and/or a form of mental illness include an interest in and enthusiasm for working, and the previous work history of the individual in question. It is important to note that substance abuse or lack thereof is not a worthwhile predictor of how successful a person will be at any job.

Myth # 4

The chance of relapse when it comes to a substance related issues is very great.

Fact

The possibility of relapse is always there. However working on a consistent basis has been shown to have a positive, uplifting effect on most substance abusers. Relapse is more often linked to being out of work, as well as having problems finding adequate housing and a lack of a social network of family and friends. Working on the other hand, is positively correlated with healing and recovery.

Myth # 5

Individuals who have substance problems lack a good set of work skills.

Fact

Work skills have nothing to do with substance abuse issues. There is so much more to a person than their problems. Those in recovery have much to offer in the work force, including core work skills, goals, a variety of interests and different types of job histories.

The Passage of Alcohol from Mother to Baby

When an expectant mother consumes alcohol, the alcohol travels through her bloodstream and through the placenta to the baby. The liver of an unborn baby is one of the last of all of the bodily organs to develop fully. The liver of a fetus does not mature until the mother is in her third trimester. This means that if the baby is exposed to alcohol at this critical stage it can be extremely destructive to its development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Some women wrongly assume that as long as they don’t drink during their first three months of pregnancy that their baby will be fine. This is not the case. You should not drink at any time during your pregnancy for the health of your unborn child. If you drink excessively throughout your pregnancy, your baby could be born with “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” (FAS).Children who enter the world with FAS can have a variety of health problems including:

-Abnormalities of the face

-Restricted growth

-Behavioral problems and learning disabilities that can last a lifetime

Women who drink while pregnant, even if it is not excessively can give birth to infants who are afflicted with lesser versions of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This is known as “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder“.

If you discover that you have become pregnant when you were not trying to and you drink on a consistent basis then stop as soon as you find out. Talk this over and all other medical considerations with your doctor. Do not risk the health of your unborn baby.

Meth is white in color, and it is odorless. It is a bitter tasting crystalline powder that will dissolve very quickly and easily if it is placed in alcohol or water. This innocent looking substance is very harmful, to the point of being deadly. Meth is composed of highly volatile and toxic substances that can be made into any number of dangerous combinations. It is not uncommon to hear meth described as being a “mix of lighter fluid and laundry detergent”. This is a dangerous substance no matter how you look at it.

Meth goes by a number of slang and street terms including speed, crystal, and crank. Crystallized meth is often referred to as glass or ice and this is one of the most dangerous and powerful combinations of the drug.

How is Meth Taken?

Meth is used in a number of different ways. It can be injected directly into a vein or snorted like cocaine. When it is in its crystallized form it can be smoked in a pipe. Using meth brings about a sharpening of concentration and focus and it also brings with it a short lived feeling of euphoria. The instant rush of the drug to the brain can cause the feeling of elation and euphoria to last anywhere from two to 16 hours, depending on how much meth has been consumed and how the brain processes the drug.

Most often the effects of the drug last for a period of six to eight hours. Once the user begins to come down from their meth high, they often enter a period of irritability and high agitation. In some people this can lead to violent and dangerous behavior.

 The Effects of Meth

Using meth causes an arousal of two neurotransmitters in the brain- dopamine and norepinephrine. This goes to work immediately on the central nervous system. When meth is smoked in low doses it blocks the need for food and sleep while increasing a person’s alertness to stimuli. When meth is taken in greater doses, it can bring about irritation, paranoia, anxiety, mood swings, and strange and/or violent behavior. Some users experience hallucinations and paranoid delusions.

Data is constantly being compiled in regards to drug rehab and drug treatments in the state of New York. According to a survey that looked at statistics collected in 2003 and 2004, an estimated one million individuals needed help for illicit drug use but were unable to receive the help they needed to get better. The need for more drug rehab programs and the need for drug rehab programs that are cost effective for lower income individuals are of paramount importance in the state of New York.

Drug Availability in New York

Drugs of many types are readily available in New York. In particular, cocaine and crack cocaine are widely available and are considered to be a large problem across the state as a whole. Heroin is another drug that presents a terrible threat and is very easy to come by, regardless of where you reside in the state of New York.

The drug that is the easiest to obtain of all drugs is marijuana. Marijuana is also the drug that is abused more so than any other type of drug in the state.

While methamphetamine (or meth) can be purchased in most areas of the state, the drug is not as widespread as other types of drugs, such as those listed above.

Those who use club drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy), LSD, GHB or ketamine, can find these drugs widely available in New York. The drugs are brought into New York by way of New Mexico. In particular, club drugs are very widespread in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

What Type of California Drug Rehab is Best Suited for You?

With the help of your doctor and/or your loved ones you will be able to decide whether you need to consider an inpatient or outpatient program. Depending on your age and the type of addiction you need to go to drug rehab for, there are a variety of adult treatment programs available. There are also family programs at many centers and programs designed specifically for adolescents. Many centers, such as the Camp Recovery Center, located in Northern California, offers aftercare programs and even online therapy programs to help you once you have completed your program.

Costs to Attend Drug Rehab in California

The cost to attend a drug rehab program in California is an important consideration. What is affordable to one individual might be expensive and out of the question to another. It is important to factor in the cost of a drug rehab program when you are comparing one center to another. You want to get well, thus it is important to explore all resources, such as your current medical plan, as they often cover a percentage of fees associated in this type of endeavor.

If you need to find a drug rehab center that is affordable to a low end budget then take the time to research non-profit centers. Non-profit (or not-for-profit) drug rehab centers are most often funded by way of religious organizations or the federal government.

Affordable Non-Profit Drug Rehab Centers in California

Some of the better non-profit drug rehab centers in California that offer reasonable rates for their programs include:

-Pemarro in Ramona, California (drug and alcohol addiction recovery center)

-Ohlhoff Recovery Programs in San Francisco, California (inpatient and outpatient alcohol and drug treatment center)

-The Gurley House (center for women who have a history of alcohol or drug related problems). The length of stay at this non-for-profit center is a maximum of six months.

-COPE Behavioral Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization that has drug treatment and drug rehabilitation programs available to men and women. The organization also helps those who have substance abuse as well as other forms of mental problems.

National survey data from 2003 to 2004 showed that an estimated 861,000 residents of California (this works out to be 2.99 percent of the state’s population) needed drug rehab treatment but were unable to receive it. All of these individuals were in need of treatment for illicit drugs as opposed to other types of drugs such as prescription drugs.

The drug problem and the need for more openings in drug rehab centers for individuals is as significant to the state of California as it is to any other state. Studies have proven that drug rehab does work, but first there must be an opportunity for individuals to have access to the services that they require.

Cocaine is a very real problem in California with the concentration of the problem in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other parts of northern California. Los Angeles is one of the country’s “largest cocaine trans shipment and distribution centers”.

But cocaine is not the only drug that is infecting the state of California. High purity heroin is readily available, and the new wave of the younger population of individuals is more inclined to use heroin and to inject it with a needle.

At the present time marijuana is the most widely available, as well as the most abused, drug in the state of California. On the other hand, methamphetamine (meth) is the number one drug threat in the state. The purity levels of this drug are in a range from low, which is 10 percent, to high which is 100 percent pure. Caucasian and Hispanic persons are the most common users of this drug.

Ecstasy was once a very popular drug used in clubs across the state by teenagers and young adults. In recent years it is showing a decrease in popularity.

The BAC is what the police use as the determining factor of whether or not an individual is legally impaired. Your Blood Alcohol Concentration is decided upon by looking at four specific items. These include:

-The quantity of alcohol you have consumed

-The speed at which you drank the alcohol

-The individual’s body weight

-The individual’s gender

Be aware that the liver processes alcohol that enters it at a rate that it sets for itself. Due to this, no matter how quickly you consume  alcohol, it will not leave your body any faster or slower than the liver deems appropriate.

If your BAC is either equal to or lower than the legal limit, which is 0.08, then  under the law you are still impaired. An example of when this could happen is if you are taking prescription medication but then decide to have a drink. You could then become tired much easier or you could appear tipsy and more impaired than you actually are.

Other Factors

There are other factors that play an integral role in how an individual reacts to the consumption of alcohol. These include tolerance, mood, environment and health.

Tolerance

A person who makes it a habit to drink on a frequent basis needs to drink more and more in order to get the same effect that they used to get when they drank only a little. Tolerance builds over time.

Mood

The type of  mood you are in when you start to drink can have an impact on the behavior you exhibit when you are drinking. For example feeling in a negative state of mind is likely to cause you to drink more than when you are feeling positive and uplifted.

Environment

The environment you drink in plays a role in how you act. For example you will behave differently when you drink at home alone from when you drink with a couple of friends. In turn being out at a bar or a party will also bring about other types of behavior.

Health

The state of your health is significant in relation to how you react to alcohol consumption. If you have a medical condition, if you are in bad health, or do not take care of yourself these factors will all figure into how your body copes with the alcohol.

While it may appear that ingesting alcohol is a simply process with little to no consequences, but rather only feelings of elation, it is easy to see that alcohol is indeed much more than this. The possibly negative side effects can be felt in the mind and body, including your liver,  mood and even your coordination.

The liver is the first organ to feel the heat of alcohol consumption. The liver needs an hour on average to process approximately one unit of alcohol. One unit of alcohol equals 8g (or 10 ml) of pure alcohol. To use a concrete example, this equals half a standard glass of red wine, a third of a pint of beer, or the amount of alcohol contained in a 25 ml single helping of spirits.

If you consume two or three drinks in an hour or less this can make it difficult for your liver to break the components of alcohol down fast enough. This in turn can also lead to problems with other organs of the body.

 The Effects You Notice First

If you consume alcohol quickly, or if you consume a great deal of it at once, you will immediately notice the effects. These effects take the shape of feeling nauseous and/or dizzy, or you may experience headaches and problems with balance and coordination. Many people stumble when they attempt to walk if they have had too much to drink.

Hangovers are not Healthy

Nobody enjoys having a hangover after a night of drinking. The number one most common side effect of drinking too much is waking up with a hangover the next morning. How bad your hangover is depends upon how much alcohol you drank, what type of alcohol you drank and how well (or how badly) your body is able to process the alcohol you consumed.

A hangover can cause you to feel overtired and irritable. You may have an excruciating headache, bloodshot eyes and your mouth will likely feel dried out from being dehydrated. If you have to go to work the day after you have drank too much, you may find yourself unproductive and unable to concentrate on the tasks at hand. This is especially the case if your job involves complicated tasks or those that require agility or are physically demanding in nature. You are more likely to be in a bad mood than a good one and those around you are bound to notice.

One should consider the many negative side effects that the body and mind endure when consuming alcohol in volume.  If you process this information, and find yourself unable to factor these consequences into your drinking routine, but rather find yourself drinking specifically to achieve the inebriated effects, you may in fact have a drinking problem.

1. Make meetings and aftercare an essential component of your life. Through committing yourself to aftercare therapy you will reap all of the necessary benefits such as finding the support and encouragement you need to get on with your life. It will also help you to stay centered, focused and grounded in your new reality. Two of the most common causes of relapse include a lack of aftercare and being overconfident.

2. Keep yourself as busy as possible. You have left an unhealthy lifestyle behind and now need to find new healthier ways to spend your time. Increase your belief in your self by finding gainful employment. Ask your sponsor and/or your new friends you have met through the program what sort of activities and hobbies they can recommend.

3. Take good care of yourself. Be determined to get yourself into a healthy routine of eating well balanced meals. Get plenty of exercise and plenty of sleep. When you are feeling discouraged or upset, reach out to others who know you, love you and are there for you. Do not let stress push you to the point where you start using again. Remember the H.A.L.T. theory, do not get to Hungry Angry Lonely or Tired.

4. You have a relapse prevention plan for a reason. Use it. Do not ignore the recommendations of the plan, especially in the first year. Follow the plan to the letter. Constantly refresh your mind with what the plan is made up of. This is an essential element of your healing and recovery. Do not dismiss it.

5. If you slip once, don’t allow yourself to fall back into the black hole of drug or alcohol use. If you slip up once, don’t automatically assume that it is all over and that you are hopeless. Fight the urge to fall back into the habit. Be strong with yourself. Call your sponsor and talk the situation out with him or her. Figure out what caused the slip up and how it can be avoided in the future. One small mistake does not constitute an abandonment of the program or a life of sobriety.

 Why Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient treatment is a more subtle toned down version of inpatient therapy. For many who must work full-time, or have otherwise restricted schedules, outpatient treatment is also a more convenient form of therapy. However, it is not for those who need constant supervision or around the clock care. A person attending an outpatient treatment program has the opportunity to work at their job and to take care of their life responsibilities while at the same time attending therapy and counseling sessions for several hours during the day or evening.

Who is Outpatient Rehab Designed For?

Outpatient drug rehab is comprised of group and individual therapy sessions as well as attending meetings with support groups. This form of drug rehab is not for those patients who are suffering from a severe drug addiction, those who are going through extreme withdrawal symptoms, or those who could be a danger to themselves or others. Drug rehab on an outpatient basis is for those with lesser addictions but who still can function normally in their daily lives. If you need only low intensity care but not the elements that make up a residential treatment program then outpatient drug rehab could be for you.

Outpatient drug therapy basically equates to a patient having therapy sessions with a counselor or psychologist. Not all drug rehab facilities offer the same type of outpatient drug treatment program. Some facilities offer counseling and therapy sessions on a daily basis while others do not. Most of the sessions last anywhere from two to three hours at a time.

Who Should Consider Other Options?

This form of rehab is not recommended for those patients who are experiencing rehab for the very first time. Instead, outpatient treatment is geared towards those who have received inpatient treatment in the past and now are looking for counseling to keep them on track and also for support and follow-up care. If you are have already been through drug rehab but feel that you require more for your sobriety then support group meetings, outpatient drug rehab could be the right treatment option for you.

On the Outside

When you enter drug rehab, the healing begins to start right away. You should notice positive changes of a physical nature in the first week. The body starts to work immediately to heal itself once you begin to rid it of toxins. Your skin will become clearer and you will be less inclined to breakouts. The normal color will begin to return to your cheeks. Your hair will have a shiner, healthier look to it and your eyes will appear much clearer and alert.

On the Inside

On the inside, your organs are breathing a sigh of relief. You will experience better digestion and your kidneys will no longer be overburdened. Every organ in your body will start to repair itself every day that you work towards recovery. You will begin to feel better and more like yourself again. You may not be able to explain it in words but you will notice a change for the better.

The long-term benefits of drug rehab in relation to your physical body are in direct proportion to the type of drug you abused, how long you abused it for and the overall damage that has taken place to your internal organs.

If you abused alcohol then your liver is your most damaged organ. Once you enter drug rehab and go through detox, your liver will slowly but surely begin to function much better because it is no longer being polluted. For those addicted to cocaine, your heart and all of your circulatory system will thank you. The heart will respond to the positive step you have taken by growing stronger with each passing day.

If you abused marijuana then the biggest change for you will be how your mind works. Your thinking will become clearer and so will your level of concentration. Focusing on everything will no longer be a difficult task and you will not have to attempt to reason through a fog. This is because you are no longer launching an assault on your mind and body with harmful chemicals. You have broken free of the choke hold drugs had on your life!

Myth- A person makes the decision to become addicted to alcohol or drugs.

Fact- The choice to become addicted is not a cognitive decision. While drinking alcohol and taking drugs is a voluntary choice, often the person begins to partake of the drug more and more. They may do so because they like the way the drug makes them feel or they may find it helps them cope with stressful life circumstances. Before long they become dependent on the drug on a physical and emotional level, and the addiction begins to take over their life.

Myth- A user must desire treatment in order for it to work.

Fact- Most users do not want to be treated nor do they acknowledge that they have a problem. Most individuals who seek treatment do so because their family or friends urge them to or else it has been ordered by a court. According to studies, the reasons cited for seeking treatment have very little to do with the eventual success of the treatment program.

Myth- There is one type of treatment that is right for everyone.

Fact- This is absolutely not true! A successful drug rehab program is one that is tailored to suit the individual needs of the addict. No two situations are exactly the same. There are different issues and problems. Some people have a worse problem with drugs or alcohol than do others. As well some people require more intense therapy than others. Another important point is that some people have other problems that need to be dealt with, such as depression, a learning disability or an undiagnosed mental disorder.

Myth- Quitting is something that requires strength, will power and discipline.

Fact- Addiction takes place in the portion of the brain known as the mesolimbic dopamine system. This system is not under the conscious control of a person. This means that sheer will power is not enough to get the person to stop using. This also goes for self discipline or simply being strong. Cravings are even stronger. Drugs alter the way the brain works. For this reason the addict needs to be taught learning, behavioral and cognitive skills to help him or her get back on track. Being in the right type of environment to foster these necessary skills is important as well.

The Questions:

 Is your rehab center accredited?

Drug and rehab centers in the United States do not have to be accredited, however, the best ones generally are. They offer the highest level of care possible and their staff is made up of qualified professionals. Quality care as well as expert service is a top priority at accredited facilities.

Is detox support offered at the center?

Detox is the first step to recovery. Some young people suffer extreme withdrawal symptoms and therefore detox can be difficult and dangerous for them to undergo. The detoxification should always take place under the close supervision of trained medical staff. If the facility does not have a detox program that is medically assisted then find out what it offers instead. For example, some centers work closely with clinics that offer detox while others offer some type of detox support through other means.

Is the rehab center clean, tidy, well kept and comfortable?

Your teen will be living at the facility for a specified length of time and therefore you need to choose a facility that is well cared for and hygienic, as well as comfortable. It also helps if the environment has a pleasant, hopeful feel to it as opposed to a depressed gloomy one. What color have the walls been painted? What types of pictures hang in the rooms? Are there lots of windows? Is the bed comfortable?

What is the admission procedure for the facility?

This varies from place to place but most drug rehab centers post their admission requirements on their websites.  If you are unclear about anything regarding the admission procedure, find it out beforehand.

What is the average stay at the center and how is that decided upon?

It is important for your teen’s unique needs to be taken into consideration. The treatment program must be customized to fit the situation. There is no “one size fits all” approach as everyone who has a drug problem is different and therefore all aspects of the problem need to be assessed of their own accord.

When a patient gets involved in day treatment their day is spent in drug rehab. This includes therapy sessions, counseling sessions, group classes and they also must attend meetings. The day is most often spent with other patients who are in residential treatment.

What is the difference between day treatment and inpatient drug rehab?

There is only one significant difference between the two. A day treatment starts in the early morning (generally around 7 or 8am) and takes place throughout the course of an entire day, up until around 5 or 6pm in the evening. The patient can then go home. Meanwhile the residential drug rehab patient must return to the treatment center where they are residing for the duration of the program.

Day treatment is intense, much like inpatient treatment, because it takes place every day until the program is finished. It is usually held during regular working hours but some centers have hours that fluctuate slightly. Not every drug rehab center offers day treatment programs, but many that have inpatient treatment programs do offer it as an alternative for those well suited to it.

Who is a good candidate for day treatment?

Day treatment was created for those who don’t need on call 24 hour help or the treatment that can be found in a residential setting, but rather they may need more structure than the outpatient program can give them. It is important to consider your particular drug problem and your life situation before making a decision about day treatment.

Day treatment programs are the most effective for those individuals who need guidance for their recovery period that can only come from long sessions in a treatment program. It is also best for those who need an extended period to spend with others in the same situation and with the counselors assigned to them.

Most people who opt for day treatments are those who know that at the end of a day they can go home to a safe, secure loving environment where sobriety is encouraged. Many people with families choose this option in order that they do not have to be away from their husband/wife or children for too long and can still participate in family life.

Often cited as the number one benefit of inpatient drug rehab programs is the fact that patients can always find the help they require any time of the day or night. No matter what problem a patient may be having, be it a physical or emotional problem related to the detox process, the staff at the facility are there to lend a helping hand, whether it is three o’clock in the afternoon, or three in the morning. This makes these types of programs very beneficial as the withdrawal symptoms from a drug or alcohol addiction can be very extreme.

Living at a rehab facility on a full time basis during treatment means that the person is not around other people who may have introduced the person to the drug or others who actively live a lifestyle that includes drug use. Since the temptation to use drugs again tends to occur at the early stages of the program, being away from bad influences is very healthy for the person who is doing everything they can to break free of the hold that drugs have on their life. Inpatient treatment allows the person to begin to move away from an unhealthy toxic lifestyle and to move towards a better way of living life.

An inpatient drug rehab program gets a person away from their everyday life and places them in a safe, steady and calm environment where they are free to explore the causes of their addiction with a counselor. They also are given an opportunity to meet others who share the same problems and struggles that they do. These things aid in the healing process.

A person who resides in an inpatient treatment program is kept busy and his or her day is planned out in advance. This routine and familiarity provides a good foundation for the detoxification process and is a building block for rehabilitation.

Drug addicts and alcoholics routinely neglect their health in many ways. One of which is that they neglect their diets and do not eat properly. This can lead to a poor appetite and a host of gastrointestinal problems such as an inability to properly digest foods, constipation, diarrhea and an upset stomach.As a result of this, recovering addicts have very specific nutritional needs to help build their bodies back up. They require a diet that is rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals in order to get all of the systems back on track and to rebuild damaged organs and tissues.Nutrition has an impact on a person’s craving for drugs or alcohol. Food affects an individual’s mood and state of mind. The food you eat can make things easier for yourself or can worsen the situation. Sober living can be encouraged by the consumption of carbohydrate rich foods as well as those rich in protein.

Sugar and caffeine should both be decreased when you are just entering the recovery phase as both contribute to mood swings which you do not want. Keep in mind that sugar is an ingredient in many products such as cocoa, over the counter medications and a variety of condiments.

There are two important amino acids that drugs and alcohol readily deplete from the body. These are tyrosine and tryptophan. To receive ample supply of the former, consume foods high in protein such as chicken, meat, seafood and tofu. In order to increase your intake of the latter, drink milk and eat turkey meat, bananas and sunflower seeds.

Studies looking into the nutritional needs of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts recommend that these individuals eat small meals but eat often throughout the day. Eat small but frequent meals that are more akin to mini-meals. For example eat six times a day (three can be meals and three can be made up of healthy snacks).

Other Dietary Suggestions

-     Use the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid to learn about what makes a well balanced meal.

-    Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

-    Eat whole grains and stay away from white flour.

-   Consume herbal teas or decaffeinated coffee in order to reduce your intake of caffeine.

-   Consume more beans and grain products than you do meat products.

-   Eat more poultry and seafood than red meats. (Red meats are more difficult for the body to digest.)

Inpatient Drug Rehab Programs

Inpatient drug rehab programs in New Hampshire are a person’s best choice when it comes to being successful in the long-term. You want to end the addiction to drugs for good, and not just for a specified length of time. If a drug user stays in an inpatient facility on a full time basis then he or she will be able to completely concentrate on the process of getting well again, they they will be far away from outside influences and other stressors that could affect the outcome of treatment.

Inpatient treatment allows for the greatest level of continuity for drug treatment. During this time away from home, work, family and friends (in other words, the person’s “real life”), the individual will be able to confront and deal with the problems surrounding the drug dependency issues.

Two Types of Counseling

The individual will have counseling on a one-on-one basis with a trained professional and can also participate in group counseling. Both types of counseling can be beneficial to the drug dependent person. In group counseling the individual can talk openly and honestly with others who have gone through the same experiences in their struggle with drugs. This is a way of feeling less alone, which is very important for the drug user who often feels isolated from others.

Inpatient drug rehab centers offer the necessary help to people addicted to drugs or alcohol. The duration of the treatment program depends on the person involved. It is customized to fit the needs of the person. One of the greatest advantages of inpatient drug rehab centers is that there is help round the clock for the occupants.

Detoxification (or detox), be it for alcohol or drugs, is meant as a first step down the road to recovery from addiction. It is an essential step that can often be physically, as well as mentally, uncomfortable for the addict. Detox is not something that one can simply decide to do from home alone. Detox must take place under the careful supervision of professionals. Without the necessary medical assistance most addicts will not be able to free themselves from the hold that a drug has on them.In order to be successful in the long-term you must master the short-term, and that can be summed up in one word- detox. Bear in mind however that there is no miracle cure per se for a drug or alcohol addiction.

What is Rapid Detox?

Rapid detox is defined as “a hospital procedure to rapidly detoxify the body from those drugs that cause prescription medication addiction or opiate dependency, while under anesthesia and supervised doctor’s care”.

Sometimes called “Anesthesia Assisted Opiate Detoxification” this is a first step in a long process towards healing and recovery.  Doctors involved in this process for a drug patient seek to decrease or completely eliminate all of the signs and symptoms that are connected to withdrawal from opiates. It is believed that rapid detox decreases the possibility that relapses will occur and also paves the way for a better recovery period.

It is important to understand that rapid detox is in no way meant to replace a comprehensive drug treatment and recovery program. It provides a drug user with more comfort as they begin the transition period from drug user to drug free life. It also acts as a means for the user to be better equipped to tolerate the withdrawal symptoms they will face.

After a person’s body is “clean” of drugs the next essential step is to receive counseling. First comes the physical start to healing and then the emotional and social. Aftercare is also essential in order for the individual to deal with everything that he or she has had to cope with.

Studies show that approximately 14 million individuals in the United States either abuse alcohol on a regular basis or are alcoholics. Another way to put it is that 1 in every 13 adults consumes alcohol to a point where it is destructive to themselves and to others.When alcohol controls your life, then you have crossed the line from a social drinker to a person who is borderline dependent on alcohol to a full fledged alcoholic. Unfortunately many alcoholics do not even realize that they are out of control and family members often worsen the problem by either making excuses for the person or worse, burying their heads in the sand and hoping the problem will simply go away on its own. It will not.

Once a person becomes an alcoholic, alcohol is now in the driver’s seat and they will not suddenly just stop drinking. Instead the person needs to find a drug rehab treatment program that can address the problem and help them to once again be back in the driver’s seat of their own lives. This is a process that can be difficult and painful, not just for the alcoholic, but for the family as well.

Alcohol is a Drug

Alcohol is a type of drug known as a depressant. It “depresses” the body which is to say that it slows down a person’s thinking, as well as their ability to act and react accordingly. Alcohol affects the brain and its effects keep going to invade the rest of the human body. To use an example, for an average person the liver can break down one drink in the span of 60 minutes. However the remainder of the alcohol you consume freely circulates everywhere to wreck havoc wherever it can.

The Need for Drug Rehab Programs is Huge

There are not enough drug rehab programs to keep up with the growing need, according to the National Study on Drug Use and Health, done in 2005. In that year alone there were 52,000 individuals who were badly in need of these services who did receive them.

The types of addiction treatments that exist for drug users vary from rehab center to rehab center. The right treatment for you depends on your unique situation. Some examples include short-term inpatient treatment (which is generally a 30 day program), long-term residential treatment (can be anywhere from 60 days to a few months), detoxification and outpatient counseling.

Iowa and other states across the U.S. have another type of addiction treatment program that is often called the “medical model” form of drug rehab. What this means is that substitute drugs are used in helping the patient through the treatment plan. Drugs such as anti-depressant drugs, Suboxone and methadone are prescribed to the patient to help to wean them off of the drug they are addicted to. This approach works in some cases but has been widely criticized because some users go straight from one drug addiction to another.

The most effective approach is a drug-free program that offers counseling during the program and also some form of aftercare or follow-up program.

The state of Massachusetts is situated in a prime location for drug trafficking cartels to set up shop. Massachusetts is found in the northeastern portion of the United States and is surrounded by coastal areas. It has large expanses of land and plenty of interstates. The geography of the state therefore plays a role in why drugs are so prevalent here.

The most popular drugs in the state are smuggled in by way of air, road and the seas by Colombian and Dominican drug traffickers. These drugs include cocaine, club drugs (such as Ecstasy), marijuana and methamphetamine.

Unfortunately, these are not the only drugs that are abused in Massachusetts. Pharmaceutical drugs are abused very frequently in this state, with the most popular being OxyContin. OxyContin is a prescription painkiller that is made from an opiate derivative called oxycodone. The drug is taken for moderate levels to high levels of pain that are connected to such health problems as lower back pain, bursitis, neuralgia, arthritis, fractures, pain from cancer and other types of injuries. This drug is readily available for those who are looking to get their hands on it.

Other pharmaceutical drugs that are commonly abused in Massachusetts include Percocet, methadone, Percodan, Roxicet, Vicodin and Xanax. Individuals who abuse these drugs access them by means of shopping around for different doctors, pharmacy theft, prescriptions that are forged, and also by buying them through the Internet.

Massachusetts is a leader when it comes to treating people suffering from drug addiction. The state boasts 356 substance abuse treatment centers. There are 20 drug courts in the state as well. Money that the government receives from drug busts is used to build rehabilitation centers.

The rehabilitation services offered in Massachusetts can be found by way of the Internet. There are crisis intervention services, alcohol and drug abuse information and treating and SAMSHA drug and alcohol rehab programs in the state. If you need help, reach out to those who are there to help.

The Rise of Drugs

In recent years the interest in certain drugs has seen an increase. These drugs include hallucinogens such as LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy) and prescription drugs. Teenagers are trying more dangerous drugs at younger ages because they have not been educated to understand what the repeated use of drugs can do to their minds and bodies.

In the year 2005 an estimated three million individuals in the United States began to use illicit drugs for the first time in their lives. Looking at this from a different perspective, this means that approximately 8,000 individuals a day, aged 12 years and over invited drugs into their lives, and for many, allowed them to stay.

The use of drugs may be declining but the need for drug rehab and treatment centers is more needed than ever. The toll drugs takes on a person’s life is far reaching. It is a lot like the ripple effect that takes place when a stone is thrown into a calm lake.

Future Implications of Drug Use and Abuse

 The future implications of drug abuse are very obvious. There is the potential for serious health conditions that can reach far into the user’s future. There is loss of productivity at school and in one’s career. There are damaged familial relationships and friendships. Some relationships become completely severed as a result.

But that is not all. There is the tremendous cost to society at large to treat drug abusers and the effect that drugs have on a person’s overall well-being and sense of self.

Education is key to stamping out drug abuse and preventing it from getting worse. Education must take place in rehab and treatment centers but it must also start long before a person tries drugs for the first time. Do your part to educate those younger than yourself!

There are short-term and long-term effects of abusing alcohol. Do you know what they are?  Let us take a look.

Short-Term

The short-term abuse of alcohol can show itself in a number of ways. What happens to you when you drink alcohol in the short-term is related to how much you drink at any one time. The more you consume at once, the more severe your symptoms will be.

The short-term effects include:

-Dizziness

-Slurred speech

-Blurred vision (and in some cases seeing double)

-Impaired judgment and loss of inhibition (which can lead to risky and dangerous behavior)

-Unconsciousness

-Movements that are unbalanced and uncoordinated

-Concentration problems

-Increased reaction time

In the worst case scenario, the short-term effects of “tying too many on” with your buddies can lead to a person slipping into a comatose state and then dying.

Long-Term

The long-term abuse of alcohol can cause serious health problems. Overconsumption of alcohol over a long period of time can systematically destroy every organ in the body.

Some of the many long-term effects include:

Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord)

-impaired senses

-impaired motor skills

-hallucinations

-blackouts

-tingling and loss of sensations in hands and feet

-early onset dementia

-Wernicke’s Syndrome and psychosis

Circulatory System

-high blood pressure

-weakening of the heart muscle

-irregular heartbeat

-increased risk of heart attack or stroke

Liver

-inflamed and swollen

-liver failure

-cirrhosis

-fluid buildup (edema)

Gastrointestinal System

-inflamed stomach lining

-ulcers of the stomach and duodenum

-varicose veins and/or inflammation of the esophagus

-lack of appetite

-nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

-cancer

Reproductive System

-reduced fertility

-decreased sperm count

-impotence

-irregular menstrual cycles

-increased risk of breast cancer

-early onset of menopause

The long-term abuse of alcohol can damage the pancreas and the intestines. Pregnant women can give birth to babies who have fetal alcohol syndrome. The baby can be born with an unusually small head and can have brain damage. The infant can suffer from retarded growth and development in many areas of his or her life.

As far as the general overall state of the body is concerned, abusing alcohol can cause a person to put on weight, experience a lot of headaches and suffer from weakness in the muscles.

Would you recognize the signs if a family member or friend were abusing drugs? There are changes that show themselves in a person’s character and behavior when they first become addicted to drugs that are not always easy to pinpoint. Loved ones often attribute telltale signs to problems related to work, school or simply to a person being under too much stress.Some drugs produce a feeling of euphoria such as cocaine and marijuana. These can also bring about an artificial sense of well being. After the drug begins to wear off, there are subtle changes in mood and behavior such as irritability and anxiety that if you are not paying attention to could easily be missed.

When a loved one’s work performance or school performance starts to decline, this is just the beginning of the problems. Signs can include depression, hyperexcitability and periods of restlessness and sleepiness. The individual can become very run down and their general level of health can start to deteriorate at a fast rate.

The drug user often begins to spend money recklessly but is very evasive about where the money has gone. The person starts to miss work or school and the absences are left unexplained. There can be periods where the person spends a great deal of time away from home and refuses to divulge any of the particulars of their time away.

It is common for drug abusers to begin to withdraw from the people they used to enjoy spending time with and to show a lack of interest in their favorite pastimes. In fact many drug users develop lethargy and a general feeling of apathy toward their lives in general.

Other Classic Signs to Watch For

Be on the look out for these signs of drug abuse in a person you are close to:

-Small pupils in the eyes

-Withdrawal symptoms can take over if the person misses out on a dose (these   can include sweating, nausea, vomiting, goose flesh, abdominal colic, diarrhea and generalized muscle pains)

-Sleep problems

-General restlessness

-Severe depression accompanied by thoughts of suicide

There are many types of drug addiction treatments that are used in the United States. Individual programs and treatment approaches are constantly evolving in order to be of the greatest benefit to those who need them the most.

Agonist Maintenance Treatment

This form of treatment is often referred to as methadone treatment and it is a program designed to help opiate addicts. In this process, the individual is given a long-acting synthetic opiate medication (methadone or LAAM). It is taken by mouth for a sustained period of time. The dosage is considered adequate enough to prevent the effects of withdrawal as well as to decrease the craving for the drug.

Narcotic Antagonist Treatment (using Naltrexone)

This treatment program is also used for opiate addicts in an outpatient capacity. A medical detox must first take place in a full time drug rehab center before this drug can be used. Naltrexone is a long-acting synthetic “opiate antagonist” that has few side effects. A patient must take the drug orally three times a week or daily, depending on the physician’s instructions. It must be taken for a sustained span of time. This drug serves to prevent the effects that the patient once enjoyed when taking the drug.

Outpatient Drug-Free Treatment

This form of treatment depends on the severity of the drug problem as well as the kind of services that are available to patients. Outpatient services are less expensive and may be best for those who are presently unemployed, without insurance, or those who have a close-knit unit of family and friends who can support them.

There are different types of outpatient treatment programs. Some are low intensity and offer mainly drug education while others, such as intensive day treatments, offer much the same as inpatient residential programs but in a slightly different manner. Group counseling is an important part of outpatient programs. Many of these programs work to address other problems a person may be experiencing such as medical problems and/or mental health problems.

Long-Term Residential Treatment

These programs are inpatient programs that involve a person checking into a residential facility for a specified length of time. Here, care is available round the clock. The most commonly used residential treatment model is called the therapeutic community (TC). Resocialization is the goal at these facilities where most people stay for a 6 to 12 month duration.

Short-Term Residential Programs

The short-term programs involve an intense but brief inpatient treatment. These programs are based on a modified version of the 12-step approach that was originally designed to treat alcoholics. In the mid 1980s this program branched out to embrace cocaine and other types of drugs.

Drug addiction treatment can take a variety of forms. The treatment often depends upon the characteristics of the individual patient and the drug that has been abused.Drugs are equal opportunity problems. People from all different walks of life can become addicted to drugs. It does not matter what your socioeconomic status, education level, age, gender or marital status is, you can still develop an addiction to drugs.

Some drug addicts have other types of problems that complicate their conditions. For example, some people suffer from mental or physical problems, social problems or job related problems that can make their treatment even more problematic. Regardless of whether you have other problems or not, the severity of your drug addiction plays a key role in the treatment process.

Scientifically Based Approaches to Drug Treatments

There are a number of scientifically based approaches to treating drug problems. Behavioral therapy can be undertaken. This takes the form of counseling, cognitive therapy or psychotherapy. Yet other physicians recommend medications for their patients. In some instances a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is used.

How do Behavioral Therapies Help?

Behavioral therapies offer a coping mechanism for those who crave a drug. These therapies provide alternative options and teach the user effective ways to avoid the drug in the future. Behavioral therapies also help to prevent relapses from occurring. If relapses do take place, then these therapies can be used to assist the person in getting back on track.

If a person’s drug behavior puts them at a great risk of contracting AIDS or other types of infectious diseases (such as in the case of heroin users), behavioral therapies are an effective tool to decrease the concern over the transmission of the disease from one person to another.

The very best types of drug treatments are the ones that focus on not just the addiction, but also the other problems that a person is experiencing, whether they are physical, mental, social or a combination thereof.  Many issues play a role in what contributes to an addiction to drugs. These factors include a person’s age, gender, race, culture, and sexual orientation. Other factors include parenting, pregnancy, employment, housing, and forms of abuse (such as physical and sexual).