Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Types of Addiction
Drug Addiction
Drug addicts are typically those individuals who are addicted to some substance other than alcohol. Drug addiction is a three stage process according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). They are preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. The Drug Addict, as opposed to the alcoholic, can be addicted to anything. It is common for drug addicts to have a "drug of choice," or a particular drug that they prefer over other drugs. There are typically "upper" people who prefer stimulant drugs such as cocaine and/or methamphetamine, and there are "downer" people who prefer drugs such as heroin, prescription pain killers, and marijuana. Recently there has been an influx of multidrug addicts who use both uppers and downers.
The drug addict can also be addicted to alcohol and many drug addicts who assume that they are not alcoholics and attempt to drink without doing drugs find this a difficult task to accomplish. Many drug addict are alcoholics and visa versa.
Alcohol Addiction
There are many types of alcoholics. Some are binge drinkers and others have developed into daily drinkers. According to the DSM-IV, the alcoholic is someone who continues to drink despite negative consequences. Often the dependent alcoholic will develop severe withdrawal and tolerance to alcohol. The alcoholic will also have a preoccupation with drinking.
It is currently unclear what causes a person to become an alcoholic, but the general consensus is that it is a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Many people assume that a person must enjoy alcohol to be an alcoholic, but this is not true. An alcoholic may detest alcohol, but drink it anyway. An alcoholic drinks alcohol essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol.
Coke Addiction
Cocaine is essentially a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It suppresses appetite, produces a euphoric feeling, and increases energy. Cocaine can be smoked (freebasing), inhaled (Insufflation), or injected. Often people begin using the drug recreationally by inhaling into the nasal passage (snorting or sniffing). Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. People who use the drug only once or twice can become addicted to the drug physically. Cocaine is almost never pure. Cocaine is mixed with other substances such as baby laxative by dealers looking to increase their profit.
Crack Addiction
Crack is the most addictive form of cocaine. It produces and intense high that only last for minutes. Only half of Crack is made up of actual cocaine. The rest is often baking soda or some other adulterant. Crack addiction is hard to treat. The euphoric recall of the drug is intense and often people in recovery who's primary drug of choice is Crack tend to have a lower chance of success in treatment. Crack cocaine releases a tremendous amount of dopamine quickly and then the level of dopamine drops suddenly, causing depression and an intense feeling of sadness. The extreme highs and lows of the drug is what often creates psychological addiction.
Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine or Meth is a cheap and highly addictive drug. There are often methamphetamine epidemics in towns across America as methamphetamine labs pop up and people begin to abuse the drug and then offer it to their friends, who then become addicted. There have been reports that the methamphetamine currently being produced in makeshift labs across the country is the most addictive drug there is. Methamphetamine produces a tremendous amount of energy coupled with euphoria. Methamphetamine addicts can stay awake for days and even weeks at a time. Methamphetamine often causes symptoms identical to Paranoid Schizophrenia after extended periods of use (Amphetamine induced psychosis). The symptoms often dissipate after drug use stops, but sometimes the symptoms persist for some time. The drug can be smoked, inhaled, ingested, or injected.
Drug addicts are typically those individuals who are addicted to some substance other than alcohol. Drug addiction is a three stage process according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). They are preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. The Drug Addict, as opposed to the alcoholic, can be addicted to anything. It is common for drug addicts to have a "drug of choice," or a particular drug that they prefer over other drugs. There are typically "upper" people who prefer stimulant drugs such as cocaine and/or methamphetamine, and there are "downer" people who prefer drugs such as heroin, prescription pain killers, and marijuana. Recently there has been an influx of multidrug addicts who use both uppers and downers.
The drug addict can also be addicted to alcohol and many drug addicts who assume that they are not alcoholics and attempt to drink without doing drugs find this a difficult task to accomplish. Many drug addict are alcoholics and visa versa.
Alcohol Addiction
There are many types of alcoholics. Some are binge drinkers and others have developed into daily drinkers. According to the DSM-IV, the alcoholic is someone who continues to drink despite negative consequences. Often the dependent alcoholic will develop severe withdrawal and tolerance to alcohol. The alcoholic will also have a preoccupation with drinking.
It is currently unclear what causes a person to become an alcoholic, but the general consensus is that it is a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Many people assume that a person must enjoy alcohol to be an alcoholic, but this is not true. An alcoholic may detest alcohol, but drink it anyway. An alcoholic drinks alcohol essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol.
Coke Addiction
Cocaine is essentially a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It suppresses appetite, produces a euphoric feeling, and increases energy. Cocaine can be smoked (freebasing), inhaled (Insufflation), or injected. Often people begin using the drug recreationally by inhaling into the nasal passage (snorting or sniffing). Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. People who use the drug only once or twice can become addicted to the drug physically. Cocaine is almost never pure. Cocaine is mixed with other substances such as baby laxative by dealers looking to increase their profit.
Crack Addiction
Crack is the most addictive form of cocaine. It produces and intense high that only last for minutes. Only half of Crack is made up of actual cocaine. The rest is often baking soda or some other adulterant. Crack addiction is hard to treat. The euphoric recall of the drug is intense and often people in recovery who's primary drug of choice is Crack tend to have a lower chance of success in treatment. Crack cocaine releases a tremendous amount of dopamine quickly and then the level of dopamine drops suddenly, causing depression and an intense feeling of sadness. The extreme highs and lows of the drug is what often creates psychological addiction.
Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine or Meth is a cheap and highly addictive drug. There are often methamphetamine epidemics in towns across America as methamphetamine labs pop up and people begin to abuse the drug and then offer it to their friends, who then become addicted. There have been reports that the methamphetamine currently being produced in makeshift labs across the country is the most addictive drug there is. Methamphetamine produces a tremendous amount of energy coupled with euphoria. Methamphetamine addicts can stay awake for days and even weeks at a time. Methamphetamine often causes symptoms identical to Paranoid Schizophrenia after extended periods of use (Amphetamine induced psychosis). The symptoms often dissipate after drug use stops, but sometimes the symptoms persist for some time. The drug can be smoked, inhaled, ingested, or injected.
Labels: addiction, Alcohol, Cocaine, Crack, Meth, Methamphetamine
Monday, March 24, 2008
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction
In recovery from substance abuse, it is important to not only address the addiction itself, but also any mental health issues that the addict suffers from as well. Here, trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder will be discussed as it relates to addiction.
Trauma, the experience of being emotionally overwhelmed by something that is not to be expected in your childhood or lifetime, is commonly reported by addicts as they enter treatment. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a set of emotional problems that can occur after someone has experienced a trauma, is a common diagnosis for addicts in drug and alcohol treatment. Among women in treatment for substance abuse, 30%-59% have a current PTSD diagnosis. Among men in treatment, 11%-38% have a current PTSD diagnosis. These statistics only include those "reporting" the symptoms, but it is believed that the percentages are actually higher. For instance, it is estimated that 90% of women in treatment have experienced trauma in their lifetime.
With these rates of trauma and PTSD, it is clear that addiction and trauma/PTSD are linked. It is important for the addict to understand the link and also to understand the symptoms that can occur with PTSD- nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive images, numbing, dissociation, and hypervigilance. For some, the addiction follows a trauma and is utilized as a coping strategy. For others, the addiction has already begun when they experience the trauma and then spirals afterward. Once the addict enters treatment, it is common to have traumatic events from the past and PTSD symptoms surface early in recovery, so it is important to have a treatment program that offers treatment from both.
Trauma/PTSD recovery is possible as you heal from addiction. As in recovery around addiction, trauma recovery happens in stages. The first stage in healing is safety. This stage is the stage all addicts are in when they enter treatment for addiction. At this stage, you are to become clean and sober, remove yourself from destructive situations/relationships, learn skills to stabilize your mood and any PTSD symptoms, and attain stability.
Stage two is mourning. In this stage you are already feeling safe within yourself and your environment. This is a time of grieving about the past and the losses that resulted from the trauma. The work at this stage is usually done with a therapist who can assist in the process and support you through this time. Stage three is reconnection. After you have completed stage two you can begin to connect to your environment and others in a new way.
It is important for these stages to be completed in order, to assure that you are safe and able to work through the grief and loss in a healthy way. Many addicts have used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain experienced around their trauma or PTSD symptoms. If the addict isn't safe before processing the trauma in recovery, it can lead to relapse and/or self-destructive behavior.
Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction and recovery from trauma/PTSD are similar in that they require stabilization first and then exploration into other issues. Part of that stabilization for trauma/PTSD is working with professionals to learn skills to cope with the symptoms, gain better understanding of the symptoms and to begin to take medications if necessary. Recovery from trauma/PTSD is possible and many have healed from both the trauma and addiction.
Click here for help with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction
Trauma, the experience of being emotionally overwhelmed by something that is not to be expected in your childhood or lifetime, is commonly reported by addicts as they enter treatment. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a set of emotional problems that can occur after someone has experienced a trauma, is a common diagnosis for addicts in drug and alcohol treatment. Among women in treatment for substance abuse, 30%-59% have a current PTSD diagnosis. Among men in treatment, 11%-38% have a current PTSD diagnosis. These statistics only include those "reporting" the symptoms, but it is believed that the percentages are actually higher. For instance, it is estimated that 90% of women in treatment have experienced trauma in their lifetime.
With these rates of trauma and PTSD, it is clear that addiction and trauma/PTSD are linked. It is important for the addict to understand the link and also to understand the symptoms that can occur with PTSD- nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive images, numbing, dissociation, and hypervigilance. For some, the addiction follows a trauma and is utilized as a coping strategy. For others, the addiction has already begun when they experience the trauma and then spirals afterward. Once the addict enters treatment, it is common to have traumatic events from the past and PTSD symptoms surface early in recovery, so it is important to have a treatment program that offers treatment from both.
Trauma/PTSD recovery is possible as you heal from addiction. As in recovery around addiction, trauma recovery happens in stages. The first stage in healing is safety. This stage is the stage all addicts are in when they enter treatment for addiction. At this stage, you are to become clean and sober, remove yourself from destructive situations/relationships, learn skills to stabilize your mood and any PTSD symptoms, and attain stability.
Stage two is mourning. In this stage you are already feeling safe within yourself and your environment. This is a time of grieving about the past and the losses that resulted from the trauma. The work at this stage is usually done with a therapist who can assist in the process and support you through this time. Stage three is reconnection. After you have completed stage two you can begin to connect to your environment and others in a new way.
It is important for these stages to be completed in order, to assure that you are safe and able to work through the grief and loss in a healthy way. Many addicts have used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain experienced around their trauma or PTSD symptoms. If the addict isn't safe before processing the trauma in recovery, it can lead to relapse and/or self-destructive behavior.
Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction and recovery from trauma/PTSD are similar in that they require stabilization first and then exploration into other issues. Part of that stabilization for trauma/PTSD is working with professionals to learn skills to cope with the symptoms, gain better understanding of the symptoms and to begin to take medications if necessary. Recovery from trauma/PTSD is possible and many have healed from both the trauma and addiction.
Click here for help with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction
Labels: addiction, Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, Substance-Abuse
Friday, March 21, 2008
Bipolar Disorder, AKA Manic Depression
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental disease that causes severe shifts in a person's mood. The ups and downs experienced from a bipolar disorder are much different from the normal mood changes everyone goes through. These emotional extremes can result in damage to a person's degree of daily functioning.
Bipolar disorder typically develops in early adulthood. Some may experience symptoms in late adolescence however, it is not recognized as an illness. A person can suffer from symptoms for many years until the bipolar disorder is properly diagnosed and treated.
In bipolar disorder, changes in mood are experienced on a spectrum or continuous range. The changes in mood can bring on severe changes in attitude and behavior. A person with a bipolar disorder will experience periods of highs and lows. These highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
A bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a combination of manic and depressive symptoms are present. Symptoms of mania may include, increased energy, racing thoughts, or unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers. Depressive symptoms can include, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest, or thoughts of death or suicide.
Severe episodes of mania or depression can include psychotic symptoms. These symptoms may include hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, or strongly believing false concepts. People that have a bipolar disorder are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having another severe mental illness such as, schizophrenia.
Most scientists agree that there is no single cause for bipolar disorder. It has been suggested that bipolar disorders may result from a specific gene, passed down from family generations. Other research suggests a combination of factors including a person's environment to be the cause of the disease. Whatever the cause, a bipolar disorder can be treated and the person can lead a productive life.
Proper treatment can help reduce the manic and depressive episodes experienced by people with a bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be a life long struggle, therefore long-term treatment is strongly recommended. A combination of psychotherapy and medication management has proven to be an effective form of treatment for a bipolar disorder.
Medication management is a crucial component in the treatment of a bipolar disorder. Medications known as "mood stabilizers" can be prescribed to help control the extreme levels of highs and lows. Popular medications for treating a bipolar disorder include, Lithium, Depakote, or Neurontin. Side effects from medications may include weight gain, nausea, or anxiety.
Working closely with a doctor and therapist can improve daily symptoms experienced by a person with a bipolar disorder. A therapist can provide education and insight to a person with a bipolar disorder and their families. The most common forms of therapy used with a bipolar disorder are cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy.
It is important to keep in mind that a bipolar disorder is a life long mental illness. Even when a person is feeling at their best, they must continue treatment. The mania and depression episodes can occur at anytime and currently has no cure. However, if a person is properly diagnosed and remains aware of their symptoms, they can lead a fulfilling life.
Have questions and need help with Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression? Click Here
Bipolar disorder typically develops in early adulthood. Some may experience symptoms in late adolescence however, it is not recognized as an illness. A person can suffer from symptoms for many years until the bipolar disorder is properly diagnosed and treated.
In bipolar disorder, changes in mood are experienced on a spectrum or continuous range. The changes in mood can bring on severe changes in attitude and behavior. A person with a bipolar disorder will experience periods of highs and lows. These highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
A bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a combination of manic and depressive symptoms are present. Symptoms of mania may include, increased energy, racing thoughts, or unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers. Depressive symptoms can include, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest, or thoughts of death or suicide.
Severe episodes of mania or depression can include psychotic symptoms. These symptoms may include hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, or strongly believing false concepts. People that have a bipolar disorder are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having another severe mental illness such as, schizophrenia.
Most scientists agree that there is no single cause for bipolar disorder. It has been suggested that bipolar disorders may result from a specific gene, passed down from family generations. Other research suggests a combination of factors including a person's environment to be the cause of the disease. Whatever the cause, a bipolar disorder can be treated and the person can lead a productive life.
Proper treatment can help reduce the manic and depressive episodes experienced by people with a bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be a life long struggle, therefore long-term treatment is strongly recommended. A combination of psychotherapy and medication management has proven to be an effective form of treatment for a bipolar disorder.
Medication management is a crucial component in the treatment of a bipolar disorder. Medications known as "mood stabilizers" can be prescribed to help control the extreme levels of highs and lows. Popular medications for treating a bipolar disorder include, Lithium, Depakote, or Neurontin. Side effects from medications may include weight gain, nausea, or anxiety.
Working closely with a doctor and therapist can improve daily symptoms experienced by a person with a bipolar disorder. A therapist can provide education and insight to a person with a bipolar disorder and their families. The most common forms of therapy used with a bipolar disorder are cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy.
It is important to keep in mind that a bipolar disorder is a life long mental illness. Even when a person is feeling at their best, they must continue treatment. The mania and depression episodes can occur at anytime and currently has no cure. However, if a person is properly diagnosed and remains aware of their symptoms, they can lead a fulfilling life.
Have questions and need help with Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression? Click Here
Labels: Bipolar-Disorder, Manic-Depression
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a highly addictive drug which enters the brain rapidly. It particularly affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence.
Slang, Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown Sugar, Junk, Black Tar, Big H, Dope, Skag.
History of Heroin:
Heroin which is a very popular drug of choice on the American drug culture today is not a new drug that just showed up in the late 1960's nor is its negative effects unique to modern times. Heroin is an opium derivative and, as with any of the opium derivatives, there is a severe physical/mental dependency that develops when it's abused.
Get the Facts:
Heroin affects your brain. Heroin enters the brain quickly. It slows down the way you think, slows down reaction time, and slows down memory. This affects the way you act and make decisions.
Heroin affects your body. Heroin poses special problems for those who inject it because of the risks of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles. These health problems can be passed on to sexual partners and newborns.
Heroin is super-addictive: Heroin is highly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly. It particularly affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence.
Signs and symptoms of heroin abuse are:
1. Euphoria
2. Drowsiness
3. Impaired mental functioning
4. Slowed down respiration
5. Constricted pupils
6. Nausea
Signs of heroin overdose:
1. Shallow breathing
2. Pinpoint pupils
3. Clammy skin
4. Convulsions
5. Coma
Heroin can and will kill you. Heroin is one of the top two frequently reported drugs by medical examiners in drug abuse deaths.
Click here for help with Heroin Addiction
Slang, Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown Sugar, Junk, Black Tar, Big H, Dope, Skag.
History of Heroin:
Heroin which is a very popular drug of choice on the American drug culture today is not a new drug that just showed up in the late 1960's nor is its negative effects unique to modern times. Heroin is an opium derivative and, as with any of the opium derivatives, there is a severe physical/mental dependency that develops when it's abused.
Get the Facts:
Heroin affects your brain. Heroin enters the brain quickly. It slows down the way you think, slows down reaction time, and slows down memory. This affects the way you act and make decisions.
Heroin affects your body. Heroin poses special problems for those who inject it because of the risks of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles. These health problems can be passed on to sexual partners and newborns.
Heroin is super-addictive: Heroin is highly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly. It particularly affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence.
Signs and symptoms of heroin abuse are:
1. Euphoria
2. Drowsiness
3. Impaired mental functioning
4. Slowed down respiration
5. Constricted pupils
6. Nausea
Signs of heroin overdose:
1. Shallow breathing
2. Pinpoint pupils
3. Clammy skin
4. Convulsions
5. Coma
Heroin can and will kill you. Heroin is one of the top two frequently reported drugs by medical examiners in drug abuse deaths.
Click here for help with Heroin Addiction
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Marijuana The Safe Drug?
There are many illegal drugs being abused by people throughout the United States today, methamphetamines, cocaine, crack, heroin, benzodiazepines, opiates, alcohol, etc.; of all of these drugs, marijuana is the most common. Often described as the 'gateway' drug, the myths surrounding marijuana abuse are many. This article is written to debunk those myths and expose the truth behind the dangers of marijuana use.Marijuana has been described as a "safe" drug that is no more harmful than alcohol, that it is a normal part of the coming of age process. Marijuana abuse has become so common place in today's society that it has become socially acceptable. These ambivalent attitudes towards marijuana usage have led many people to be lulled into the belief that it is harmless. The facts surrounding marijuana are quite different than what one would expect.
Marijuana is not the same drug that was introduced to today's adults in the 1960's. Advances in technology as it relates to cultivating, harvesting, and preparing the drug for sale has led to dramatic increases in THC levels. THC levels have risen from 6% in 1975 to as high as 33% in 2003. Modern marijuana is a much more dangerous drug than it was when it was first introduced many years ago. Parents need to keep this in mind when they are educating their children about the harmful effects of its use.
Marijuana dealers have also introduced far more dangerous substances into the drug; recent tests have revealed an ever increasing amount of codeine, formaldehyde, cocaine, and PCP. As worldwide marijuana distribution becomes much more commonplace, users have little to no knowledge as to where their drug of choice is originating from and would have no idea that it could be enhanced with lethal drugs such as the ones mentioned above.
The affects of marijuana can be felt almost immediately after ingestion, either by smoking or eating. Some physiological effects can include increased heart rate, blood shot eyes, enhanced feelings of hunger or thirst, and heavy breathing.
Psychological effects can include intensification of sound, sight, and physical touch, extreme relaxation, along with impaired motor skills. These feelings can last any length of time, depending upon method of ingestion and the amount of THC levels in the marijuana. Usually the effects last from 1 to 4 hours.
Marijuana is psychologically addictive and is very harmful to the health; any statement to the contrary is false. Extended use of marijuana leads to extreme cravings combined with compulsive use of the drug without regard to the consequences. After a relatively short time of habitual use, the marijuana user will require ever more increased amounts of the drug, combined with using it more frequently throughout the day, sometimes ingesting the drug up to 10 times per day. This habitual use often leads to mixing the drug with even more dangerous drugs such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, etc. in order to increase the effects. This is why marijuana is the 'gateway' drug and nothing to shy away from when it comes to treating the habitual user and educating the casual user.
Labels: drug abuse, drug myths, Marijuana
Monday, March 17, 2008
Porn Addiction
Pornography often becomes an addiction that people resort to both when they are high on drugs and when they are sober. With the accessibility of pornography at an all time high, we are seeing much higher rates of pornography addiction. Most rehabilitation facilities have strict policies prohibiting all pornographic material.
The problem with pornography, despite its growing acceptance in America, is that it tends to be a damaging element when introduced into committed relationships and marriages. From an addiction standpoint, the problem with pornography is the same as that for cocaine, heroin, speed, ect. There is no end to the hunger it creates. The hunger is never satisfied. Lust is never satisfied when it comes to pornography. So, people addicted to pornography tend to search for more and more of the pornography drug so to speak. They may start out with rather mild, tame pornography, but sooner or later they will graduate to more extreme pornography in an effort to satisfy the growing lustful curiosity. Eventually, and inevitably, it will manifest itself in their lives.
For addicts and alcoholics, it is possible that pornography addiction could lead to a relapse if unchecked.
The problem with pornography, despite its growing acceptance in America, is that it tends to be a damaging element when introduced into committed relationships and marriages. From an addiction standpoint, the problem with pornography is the same as that for cocaine, heroin, speed, ect. There is no end to the hunger it creates. The hunger is never satisfied. Lust is never satisfied when it comes to pornography. So, people addicted to pornography tend to search for more and more of the pornography drug so to speak. They may start out with rather mild, tame pornography, but sooner or later they will graduate to more extreme pornography in an effort to satisfy the growing lustful curiosity. Eventually, and inevitably, it will manifest itself in their lives.
For addicts and alcoholics, it is possible that pornography addiction could lead to a relapse if unchecked.
Labels: addiction, porn, pornography
