Health Tips

Understanding Prescription Drugs

It is an undeniable epidemic, fueled by an undeniable lack of sense: prescription drugs have become a favorite among adults and adolescents alike. Offering easier thrills (and far less difficulty in obtaining them) than their illegal siblings, they have quickly risen among the world; and, as of 2010, they now rank only behind heroin as the flavor of choice. Common medications — such as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone — are now taken as pleasures.

And this must stop.

The effects of prescription drug abuse are well charted; and yet they are too often ignored, with an estimated 20 percent of the American population indulging in recreational usage. From this there has spawned dependency, addiction and even fatality. Too many fail to understand the risks involved with these medications and don’t consider the possible reactions. Most instead confuse them as simple treats. They believe a doctor’s sanction allows them the power to do as they wish. It doesn’t.

It must be understood that prescription drugs are vital. Their purpose can’t be denied nor should any ever try to. They must be kept available to those who need them.

The concern, however, rests with those who would instead abuse them. Medication is meant to heal, not damage. When used improperly, these chemicals can offer a dizzying array of side-effects and complications; with many leading to brain damage, heart attack or even death. They must not be misused. The results can be tragic.

If you suspect a loved one of suffering from an addiction, seek help immediately. Do not hesitate. This is an all too common worry that must be defended against. Don’t wait.

Prescription drugs, when used properly, can be a salvation. If they are offered as casual tastes, however, they will become dangerous. This is a truth that cannot be challenged. Understand their necessity, their concerns and their effects.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Drug, Drug abuse, Health

Substance Abuse Withdrawal

Before a drug rehab program will work, it is necessary for a person to go through a withdrawal period from the alcohol or drug that has been abused. This is usually a very unpleasant time for the person, both physically and mentally, but it must be done before anything else can happen.

The withdrawal phase can start in as little as thirty minutes after the last drink of alcohol or last episode of drug use. As soon as the levels of the alcohol or drug in the blood and other body fluids, such as urine, start to drop, the brain receptors that have been affected by the addiction will start sending signals that another drink or another “fix” is needed.

As time progresses without a drug or alcohol being taken, the signals become stronger. These cause the urges or cravings to increase. In addition, physical changes start occurring. The first physical signs of withdrawal can be extreme nervousness/anxiety and excessive sweating. As the withdrawal phase continues, muscle cramps can occur, especially in the abdominal muscles. This can cause vomiting and loss of bladder and bowel control.

As more and more time passes, and the person continues to abstain from drinking or drug use, muscle tremors in the form of uncontrollable shaking or twitching start. Further, as the brain receptors continue to repeatedly send signals, as well as start their own reaction to the withdrawal, hallucinations can occur and extreme paranoia can set in.

Withdrawal can be physically dangerous; therefore, it is often best if a person is in a medical facility or at least in a position where medical help can be quickly obtained if necessary. If breathing difficulties, uncontrollable vomiting or other loss of body fluids, or other physical symptoms worsen, time is of the essence to avoid possible irreversible damage or even loss of life.

Filed Under: General, Health Tips Tagged With: Addiction, Health, Substance Abuse

The Link Between Addiction and Mental Illness

: Image by LunaDiRimmel via Flickr

Reatment for addiction can be complicated when a person who is seeking treatment for drug abuse also suffers from a mental illness. Unfortunately, individuals who have a drug or alcohol addiction are twice as likely to have some form of mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, individuals with addictions often have a mood disorder, anxiety disorder or some type of personality disorder.

Research through the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates that there are several factors contributing to the link between addiction and mental illness. It may be a form of self-medication; many people who are depressed or anxious will try to alleviate their discomfort by using alcohol or drugs.

There are some indications that drug abuse can trigger mental illness, perhaps because the same area of the brain that causes mental illness is adversely affected by frequent drug use. Dr. Nora Volkow of NIDA has said that early drug use can damage development of areas of the brain linked to depression.

There are others ways that substance abuse and mental illness overlap. The triggers for substance abuse and mental illness are often the same. These include trauma such as a death in the family, a job loss, or divorce as well as any increased stress. Abuse, whether sexual, physical, or verbal, is a trigger that often results in both mental illness and some form of addiction.

The clear link between addiction and mental illness makes it difficult to treat either illness when both are present. If a person is seeking treatment for substance abuse but is not properly diagnosed and treated for an accompanying mental illness, the chance of successful treatment plummets.

To improve success rates, everyone being treated for addiction should be screened for mental disorders as well. An integrated approach for both abuse and mental illness needs to be used, and patients and families need to be educated about the importance of treating both problems.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs, Health Tips Tagged With: Addiction, Alcoholism

The Dangers of “Shake and Bake” Meth

As opposed to the traditional way of making meth, in a quasi-lab, this method only involves a container as small as a soda bottle that can be carried around in a backpack. In this method, the container is filled with the ingredients then turned upside down or shaken to create the chemical reaction that forms methamphetamine.

The result is a large build up of toxic gasses in the container that needs to be released from time to time in order to prevent the container from exploding. The explosion can spray toxic chemicals everywhere, causing serious chemical burns on any one close by. And since the mixture is also highly flammable, it can ignite easily, burning anything it touches.

The increased mobility of manufacturing this drug also makes it more dangerous. Meth can be brewed not just in a drug house far removed from your safe neighborhood, but in the backpack of the guy sitting next to you on the bus, or the car rolling down your street.

Although this method results in only a small amount of the drug, it is appealing to some drug users because they can make it themselves and not have to go to a dealer, and is, thus, growing in popularity. It can be identified by its muddy, brown appearance and is usually found in a used soda bottle or sealable glass container. If you suspect you’ve seen a bottle of it, don’t touch it. Contact your local law enforcement immediately.

The use of methamphetamine is one of the fastest-growing and most dangerous trends in American drug use. Not only is the drug itself addictive and dangerous, but creating the drug involves a number of highly-toxic, flammable chemicals mixed in a controlled environment. However, some users and meth manufacturers are turning to an easier way to make the drug called “shake and bake” meth or “one-pot” meth. But these new ways of manufacturing the drug are not any safer. In fact they may even be more dangerous, due to the increased mobility that meth manufacturers have with this method. As opposed to the traditional way of making meth, in a quasi-lab, this method only involves a container as small as a soda bottle that can be carried around in a backpack. In this method, the container is filled with the ingredients then turned upside down or shaken to create the chemical reaction that forms methamphetamine. The result is a large build up of toxic gasses in the container that needs to be released from time to time in order to prevent the container from exploding. The explosion can spray toxic chemicals everywhere, causing serious chemical burns on any one close by. And since the mixture is also highly flammable, it can ignite easily, burning anything it touches. The increased mobility of manufacturing this drug also makes it more dangerous. Meth can be brewed not just in a drug house far removed from your safe neighborhood, but in the backpack of the guy sitting next to you on the bus, or the car rolling down your street. Although this method results in only a small amount of the drug, it is appealing to some drug users because they can make it themselves and not have to go to a dealer, and is, thus, growing in popularity. It can be identified by its muddy, brown appearance and is usually found in a used soda bottle or sealable glass container. If you suspect you’ve seen a bottle of it, don’t touch it. Contact your local law enforcement immediately.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Law, Methamphetamine, United States

Signs of Heroin Addiction

One of the first things you will notice about a person with a heroin addiction is their mental or emotional state. Teen heroin users will often experience a drop in grades or performance in school, just as adults will experience a loss of performance or interest in work. Many times a person addicted to heroin will vacillate between a sleepy and a wakeful state, coming in and out of consciousness. More than just being tired, this will appear as if the user has no control over these functions, not being able to pay attention to conversations or things going on around them.

As well, heroin addicts will appear to be physically “heavy.” Their shoulders may always look droopy and heavy and they may walk slowly and have slurred speech. In addition to a general lack of interest or apathy toward activities they used to find interesting, often times users will have a sloppy appearance with a complete lack of personal hygiene and unkempt clothing and hair.

In addition, one of the greatest signs on heroin addiction is needle marks. Marks are often found on the inner arm, but can be located on any part of the body. Because of their lack of hygiene, heroin users will often let these needle marks get swollen and infected.

If you know someone who may have these symptoms, seek help online or through a local substance abuse clinic.

Heroin is an especially dangerous drug, not only because it is extremely addictive but because it can put users at risk for other diseases, like HIV, when injected through shared needles. Although heroin is a drug associated with many rock stars and artists, the real effects of the drug are not sexy at all and users can experience extreme addiction, depression associated with the effects of the drug, sores on the body, malnutrition and more. If you are worried that a friend or family member—maybe even your son or daughter—is using heroin, there are some signs that accompany its abuse, that you can look out for. One of the first things you will notice about a person with a heroin addiction is their mental or emotional state. Teen heroin users will often experience a drop in grades or performance in school, just as adults will experience a loss of performance or interest in work. Many times a person addicted to heroin will vacillate between a sleepy and a wakeful state, coming in and out of consciousness. More than just being tired, this will appear as if the user has no control over these functions, not being able to pay attention to conversations or things going on around them. As well, heroin addicts will appear to be physically “heavy.” Their shoulders may always look droopy and heavy and they may walk slowly and have slurred speech. In addition to a general lack of interest or apathy toward activities they used to find interesting, often times users will have a sloppy appearance with a complete lack of personal hygiene and unkempt clothing and hair. In addition, one of the greatest signs on heroin addiction is needle marks. Marks are often found on the inner arm, but can be located on any part of the body. Because of their lack of hygiene, heroin users will often let these needle marks get swollen and infected. If you know someone who may have these symptoms, seek help online or through a local substance abuse clinic.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs, Health Tips Tagged With: Addiction, Drug, Heroin

Pay Your Medical Bills With a Payday Loan

It seems like unexpected bills are always popping up. They’re just part of life. When you’re sick or injured, though, an unexpected medical bill can put a lot of stress on you. Even when you are trying to get your life back from substance abuse, life doesn’t leave you alone. You still have to pay for the effects of your substance abuse.That’s especially true if it puts you out of work for a few days or if your money is already tight and you can’t pay it until you get your next check. If that’s the case with you, there are options. One of those options would be to borrow from family or friends, but they may not be able to help you – and you may not feel comfortable asking them to.

Another choice is to get a payday loan. These are small loans, and you don’t need a credit check for them. You can use it to pay your bill and pay the loan back later. Then, you can stop worrying about that bill and concentrate on getting better, so you can get back into work and the rest of your life. Before you pay that medical bill, however you decide to do that, make sure that you look at it carefully. If the charges aren’t accurate or they don’t look like items you actually understand, ask about them.

Your doctor or hospital should be willing to tell you what the charges were for. If they can’t explain them or they’re for things you don’t remember having done, you should definitely challenge them. Billing departments can and do make mistakes, so don’t automatically assume that everything is correct just because the bill was sent to you. If you don’t act as your own health care advocate, who will? Even if the charges are correct, it’s always better to question them if you’re unsure. That way you’ll know what you’re paying for – and you might be able to work out a payment plan while you’re there.

Filed Under: General, Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Hospital, Money, Payday loan

Ways That Substance Abuse Affects the Body

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A typical sign that a person is addicted to drugs is when they express a false disposition that they are impervious to any affects that drugs may have on their body. Many abusers convince themselves that they have a higher tolerance, permitting them to consume large doses. Such thinking is certainly not true.

The introduction of chemicals and exotic substances will always have some detrimental affect on the body. Initially, most drugs will produce an ecstatic feeling within the user, only to leave them feeling sick as the drug wears off. Abusers begin the road to addiction by trying to chase that first high. However, after continued use the body becomes dependent on the drug as it replaces the body’s natural chemicals, forcing the user to have it in their system just to feel normal or have to suffer the symptoms of withdrawal.

Under addiction the chemical makeup of the body changes and it starts to expect and dangerously rely on the drug. When it is absent, the body releases alerts for it, causing a negative reaction which will make a person feel extremely ill. This is why withdrawal is such a painful process as an addict’s cells are sure something is wrong and the body may be near death without the drug.

Along with malignantly rearranging the chemical functions of cells in the body, the abuse of drugs will deprive them of much needed oxygen affecting their health. As the body becomes infected with harmful toxins from the drugs, major organs like the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver will work overtime to dispose of them. This causes them to perform improperly and will also result in the bloodstream from rejuvenating.

And if the blood does not have proper amounts of oxygen, then neither will the brain which garners its supply of oxygen from the blood. The lack of oxygen will destroy the brain cells; a destruction that is irreparable. While some substance abusers can appear normal on the outside by hiding their addiction, they eventually will not be able to hide the havoc happening inside their bodies.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Addiction, Drug addiction

Implementing a Successful 12 Step Recovery Program for Better Health

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Educating Yourself Towards Good Health

There are many educational programs available that will show a person how to achieve good health. These programs vary according to a person’s needs, but they will basically show an individual how to go from one lifestyle extreme to another one that’s full of enjoyment. By using resources, a person can adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Weight loss programs, programs to help you stop smoking, and 12 step recovery programs are all ideal plans for people who want to stop damaging and unpleasant behavior in their lives. Their recovery may consist of body detoxing, counseling, behavior modification, and in extreme cases, hospitalization.

Good Health Begins with Good Habits

The integral part in pursuing good health is in establishing good habits that people can incorporate into their lives on a daily basis. Whether that’s a small task like drinking more water or a more engaging task like taking another route to work to avoid temptations, the idea is to get people to participate fully in their own recovery efforts while giving them the tools and resources they need in order to be successful.

Diet and sleep are also important for successful recovery, and the individual should approach this with honest intentions. The body is going to depend on its internal resources for support, and if it’s at a disadvantage, results will reflect so.

When people are just starting out on their road to better health, they should always seek the advice of professionals before embarking on their lifestyle change and journey. Doing so will not only clear them for beginning the process, but it will also give the doctor an opportunity to offer advice to the patients based on their medical history, their family’s medical history, and the goals that they’re pursuing. This will instill confidence, which is very important for their success, and give them an action plan to use.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Health, Twelve Step

Is Joining Alcoholics Anonymous the Right Step for You?

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Alcoholism is a disease. When the urge to drink alcohol is no longer a choice, it’s time to find help. Here are some questions you can ask yourself that can help you decide if joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the right choice for you.

Have you found it hard to stop drinking, even for week?

You might have made promises to loved ones that you would not drink for a week and you were unable to keep that promise. In fact, you may have many broken promises about drinking. Maybe your spouse asked you not to arrive drunk at your daughter’s birthday party but you did or you missed your son’s soccer game, which you promised to be at, because you were drinking.

In the past year, have you had any problems connected to drinking?

This could mean receiving a DUI, hurting other people because you were drunk, and other similar problems.

Have you lost relationships with people you were close to because of drinking?

This could be a spouse who divorced you, a sweetheart who dumped you, friends who no longer want to hang out with you, or family members who have disowned you.

Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?

You might call it a sick day, but would you truthfully categorize it as a “too wasted to get out of bed and work” day? It’s especially not good if this has caused you to lose your job or flunk out of your classes.

The next one is the biggest question that you can ask yourself: Has the thought ever entered your mind that your life would be better if you weren’t drinking alcohol?

If you answered yes to the above questions then AA is right for you. Unfortunately, the cure for alcoholism doesn’t come is a pill bottle or prescription from your doctor. Getting over your disease will take hard work and a strong desire to not have the chains of alcoholism make decisions for you. With the support of your AA group and Alcohol treatment center, you’ll be able to get over your addiction and find happiness.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Health

Tips about Drinking and Hangovers

When it comes to drinking alcohol, no one wants to wake up the next morning with a hangover. It can include a headache, nausea, dizziness, throwing up, and more. It comes from the poison that is found in alcoholic drinks, and if you get enough poison in your system, the result is a hangover. But many people don’t know what causes a hangover or what you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing one.

So here are some tips to help you reduce the chances of hangovers:

Watch how much you drink. Many believe that only those who binge drink will get a hangover, but you could feel the effects after only a few drinks. It all depends on your body composition and how much water is in your system. Women are more likely to feel the effects of alcohol with the same amount of drinks since they typically weigh less and therefore have less water in their systems, which can dilute the alcohol. If you drink other drinks in between alcoholic drinks, such as juice or water, you’ll consume less alcohol and less likely get a hangover.

Drink beer or clear liquors. Wine is more likely to trigger hangovers and malt liquors will increase your chances of severe hangovers. Bee and clear liquors, such as vodka or gin, will reduce your chances of a hangover.

It’s the amount of alcohol that matters. Some think that if you drink liquor first and a beer second, you’ll be okay or if you drink diet cocktails, you’ll less likely have a hangover, but these are just myths. It has been found that drinking beverages with sugar (such as fruit juice) will decrease hangover intensity, though.

Eat fatty foods before drinking alcohol. Having food in your stomach helps reduce the body’s absorption of alcohol, especially food with fat, but it only helps if you eat before you drink.

Avoid caffeine. Many think a coffee will help you with a hangover, but actually anything with caffeine can make it worse and can cause dehydration (which you may already be experiencing because of the alcohol).

Filed Under: Health Tips Tagged With: Drink, Hangover