Medication

The Responsibility Flaw: MichaelsHouse.com

You are a master of control. Of this you have no doubts. You can manipulate your body, shaping it into an undeniable precision. There is no temptation you can’t refuse. There is no indulgence you can’t ignore. Life does not define you. It must instead bow to your whims, meet your needs – and this certainty has led you to believe that all substances (even those deemed dangerously addictive by the masses) will be of no harm to you. You won’t succumb to obsession. You will instead merely sample the wanted tastes and then cast them away. You’re sure of this.

You’re wrong.

Countless individuals have considered this philosophy before you and far more will consider it after. It is known as Responsible Drug Use, but its reality is far different than its name promises. The belief is that a person can partake in recreational substances but must limit his amounts. Moderation is the point and caution is to be adhered to.

But that same caution is quickly forgotten when an individual overestimates his own abilities.

Responsible Drug Use (despite how appealing it may seem) is not an answer to addiction or abuse. The process is too reliant on the human condition and this destines it therefore to fail. No strength of will is enough to combat this problem. There will only be a false sense of security, which will allow users to take more than they should and become suddenly dependent on the tastes.

It is important then that all individuals abstain from recreational substances. Should that prove impossible, however, then institutions like MichaelsHouse.com must be immediately sought. There should be no hesitation.

Trying to conform to the notions of Responsible Drug Use is as futile as it is harmful. A disease must instead be eradicated through good sense, determination and intervention. Help is needed – and it is fortunately available.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Health, Responsible Drug Use, Substance Abuse

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

How to Quit Smoking

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

You can quit smoking, although it won’t be easy. The first word of advice is to get help because those who try on their own usually relapse within a week.

Many forms of treatment are available, including behavioral and medical. The first form of treatment, behavioral, teaches smokers coping mechanisms other than tobacco use. These programs advice smokers on their behavior patterns and show them how to change their behaviors, how to substitute healthier behaviors for smoking.

Counselors are usually available, either over the phone or in person, to help. Some programs suggest using simple medications that can be purchased over-the-counter. These include the much-touted nicotine patch, as well as gum and even lozenges. Research maintains that these substances minimize the withdrawal symptoms of quitting nicotine by replacing the toxic ingredient.

These medicines are safe to use because they have low nicotine levels that are not addictive because they do not induce the pleasure of the drug. They also do not have the other toxins present in cigarettes and the like, such as tar, which can cause lung cancer and other fatal diseases.

You can also ask for a prescription, including varenicline tartrate (Chantix). Research shows that the most effective way to quit smoking is to use both medications and behavioral treatment programs. Using both behavioral treatment and prescription medications is the most effective way to quit.

An individual’s health improves immediately, even as soon as 24 hours without a cigarette or pipe, when smoking is stopped. Health benefits include decreased blood pressure, as well as increased lung capacity.

In the long term, quitting reduces the chance a person will contract various cancers, heart disease, stroke and lung conditions, such as emphysema. So what are you waiting for — set an example and get started today to see immediate health improvements. You’ll live longer!

Filed Under: General, Medication Tagged With: Addiction, Cigarette, Health, Heart disease, Smoking cessation, Substance Abuse, Tobacco, Tobacco smoking

Drug Abuse Prevention

As research continues into how to prevent and treat drug addiction, new terms are surfacing so that the wheat can be separated from the chaff.

One term being increasingly used is science=validated. If a recovery or prevention program is labeled as scientifically valid then it means it is a cutting-edge program based on the science of addiction.

Using the latest research into addiction, these types of programs have been tested as any scientific hypothesis or new drug would be tested and have proven results. Researchers have designed programs that help prevent drug abuse by reducing the number of young people who try smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or taking an illegal drug.

Usually, these programs, designed by the federal government, deliver a two-pronged approach by decreasing the factors that put youth at risk of using drugs and amping up those that protect teens from trying drugs. Different programs address different age groups. Some address groups, while others are designed to work for individuals, either at home or at school.

Programs such as Red Ribbon Week in California teach elementary school kids about the consequences of using drugs, such as getting sick, damaging the lungs, and isolation from friends and families. Local high schools get in on the act by performing skits illustrating how alcohol and drugs can make you act. The cheerleaders who pretend to have drunk alcohol are unable to perform their cheers and can’t even dress themselves right. Kids are also given red plastic bracelets to wear.

Other programs are geared toward kids and teens who are at risk of using drugs, and still others are for those young people who are unfortunately on their way to addiction.

Studies have shown that if kids understand that drugs are dangerous, the use of drugs goes down.

Filed Under: General, Medication Tagged With: Addictions, Centers and Counseling Services, Health, Illegal drug trade, Red Ribbon Week, Research, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence

Tobacco Use in Teens

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While the good news is that smoking continues to decline in America, there are still upwards of 3 million teens from 12 to 17 who are trying tobacco. Statistics report that approximately 60 percent of new tobacco users were teens when they first lit up — they tried their first tobacco when they were younger than 18 years of age.

In a sobering statistic, research indicates that approximately 6 million smokers who are under the age of 18 will die early from smoking. And diseases caused by smoking are particularly horrible, as those ads to prevent smoking testify.

Teens start to smoke for a variety of reasons. Most parents are award that there may be peer pressure to smoke, but may not be aware that scientists have discovered that biological sources are also at play. Research on animals indicated that teens are more vulnerable than adults to the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products, increasing their likelihood of becoming addicted even if the teen smokes only occasionally. Young rats proved to ingest more nicotine than adult rats, and were more vulnerable to nicotine’s pleasurable effects on the brain.

In addition, researchers found that the acetaldehyde in cigarettes increased the addictive power of nicotine when smoked by teens. This chemical does not act the same way in adults, probably because the teen brain is still developing.

Studies are under way that propose a genetic component to teen addiction to smoking. The studies report that individuals with certain genes may be at a higher risk of becoming addicted if they start smoking as teens.

Specific prevention and treatment programs are being studies that are specifically geared to teens. The best treatment, of course, is prevention. One of the best ways to prevent smoking by teens is by hammering home the danger of the substance.

Filed Under: General, Medication Tagged With: Cigarette, Health, Nicotine, Research, Specific Substances, Tobacco, Tobacco smoking, United States

Effect of Drugs on the Brain

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You may know by now that drugs release a copious amount of dopamine to the brain, a chemical that makes the brain transmit a feeling of pleasure. But what you may not understand is that the brain will start to make less dopamine or will reduce the amount of receptors that can get signals, because of the increased levels of dopamine introduced by the drug.

Because of this, when the user stops taking the drug, dopamine can become unusually low, and the brain’s ability to record pleasure is stunted. Then the user will often become depressed and will not get pleasure from those things that used to be enjoyable.

Then the user needs to take the drug so that the dopamine in the brain will be at a normal level. Then tolerance develops, as the user needs to have increasingly larger doses of the drug to get that rush — or the high they experienced when first taking the drug.

Scientific studies reveal that continued drug use makes significant changes in the neurons of the brain and can cause permanent damage. For instance, when the level of a neurotransmitter called glutamate is changed because of a drug, users do not learn as well. Glutamate is involved in the brain’s ability to learn.

Drug abuse can also cause long-term damage to memory as well. In addition, as many may know, drug abuse loosens inhibitions. An addict often will engage in very risky behaviors because drugs affect self-control and impair the user’s ability to make safe decisions.

Who hasn’t seen colleagues who have had a few too many drinks at the office party embarrass themselves and others with behavior they regret later? For an addict, this loss of control becomes a way of life — and when in the throes of physical addiction, the need for the drug takes over, and even regret flies out the window.

Filed Under: Drugs, General, Medication Tagged With: Addiction, Brain, Dopamine, Drugs, Health, Neurotransmitter, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence

What Makes a Leader?

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The qualities that make a good leader are debated by many. Some are listed below, so take a look to see if you or a family member might qualify to be the next president of the United States.

Most leaders need to have a vision of where they want to go — the future they want to create for their organization or country, if we are sticking to the president analogy. A good leader will know that crafting and communicating a vision is key to getting buy in from clients, partners and employees.

A good leader should be able to inspire people to carry out the vision. You need to be passionate about what you do and what you want others to do. Otherwise, everything will fall flat. There are many ways to inspire others, including public speaking and leading by example. Ronald Reagan was a great example of an inspirational leader.

Good leaders are generally very focused on achieving their goals. They often think in a linear fashion and set out to finish one task before starting on another. Good leaders know what their priorities are and don’t lose focus.

In addition, leaders are often results oriented. In their minds, it is not the process that counts, but the results. Just get it done is their motto!

Good leaders know how to persuade people and how to encourage people to see things their way. One thing that often trips up individuals hoping to be leaders is that they don’t realize that it is more effective to lead by persuading than to force people through intimidation. That is a strategy that often backfires when people eventually rebel.

Other qualities in a good leader include charm — an ability to appeal to all types of people and be liked. Think of a Bill Clinton — his affability made him likable.

Filed Under: General, Medication Tagged With: Bill Clinton, History, Leadership, President, Public speaking, Reagan Ronald Wilson, Ronald Reagan, United States

Taking Prescription Medicines Without Addiction

In a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 2 million Americans admitted to substance abuse related to prescription medicine. While this is an alarming statistic, most of those people admitted they were not getting their medication from their original doctor. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, over half of all prescription drug abuse is the result of individuals obtaining the medicine from friends or family members, not their doctor. One in five bought prescription medications from a stranger.

Addiction is rarely the result of the proper use of prescription pain or anxiety medicine. Doctors are increasingly aware of the need to strictly control how much medicine patients take for everything from anxiety to acute pain. Most physicians prescribe only as much medicine as they feel is necessary to help patients cope with pain, insomnia or anxiety and are usually hesitant to refill prescriptions for potentially addictive medications.

Prescription medications that can lead to substance abuse and addiction include benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium and opiates such as Percodan, Tylox, Darvocet and Darvan. Using these for longer than prescribed or taking more than is necessary can lead to addiction.

There are steps that can be taken to minimize the chance of addiction to prescription medicine:

• Take any prescriptions only as directed.
• Use the medication only when needed, using the smallest suggested dose for relief.
• Be careful not to combine prescription medications with other drugs, including over the counter pain relievers or alcohol.
• Don’t increase or decrease the amount of medication you are taken quickly. Slowly tapering off pain relievers is best.
• Never take someone else’s prescription medicine. The prescription is written for a specific person and takes into account their size, weight and medical history.
Despite careful regulation by doctors and pharmacists, some patients will still develop an addiction to prescription drugs. This is more likely to happen if the patient has psychological problems or a past history of drug abuse. For this reason, full disclosure of medical history is always important.

There are steps that can be taken to minimize the chance of addiction to prescription medicine:

Despite careful regulation by doctors and pharmacists, some patients will still develop an addiction to prescription drugs. This is more likely to happen if the patient has psychological problems or a past history of drug abuse. For this reason, full disclosure of medical history is always important.

Filed Under: Drugs, Medication Tagged With: Pharmaceutical drug, Prescription drug

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

The Cost of Addiction Treatment in Jail

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The problem of inmate drug treatment is, then, not an issue that is removed from our cities and neighborhoods. It is a societal problem and we fund it every day through our tax dollars. Recent figures indicate that the US spends about $3,000 on every inmate in a drug treatment program. That number is on top of the already $20,000-24,000 it takes to house an individual inmate each year.

There is no doubt that inmate treatment programs help some inmates to get off addictive substances and rehabilitate back into society. For example, estimates say that of the approximately $3,000 spent to rehabilitate an inmate, more than $9,000 are saved in society from drug crimes. That is an almost three-fold investment by the state. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that of those who received substance abuse treatment in prison, only a little over 3% were arrested again within 6 months, compared to approximately 12% of those inmates who did not receive treatment. Further, only 20.5% of those who received treatment were likely to use drugs again in the first 6 months after being released, but almost 38% of those who did not receive treatment were likely to reuse in the same period.

Despite these successes, tax dollars can only go so far, and 60-75% of inmates who need substance abuse counseling are still not receiving it. But instead of finding new ways to fund recovery, perhaps there are better ways the money can be spent on prevention programs. If many of these inmates were not introduced to drugs in the first place, they may never have been inmates at all.

According to the latest data tracked by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, alcohol and drug counseling is available to over 40% of inmates in the US, in federal, state, and local incarceration facilities. And that number is a result of the estimated 70-85% of inmates with current and former drug and alcohol abuse problems. However, only about 11% of inmates receive any type of help or have access to these programs. The problem of inmate drug treatment is, then, not an issue that is removed from our cities and neighborhoods. It is a societal problem and we fund it every day through our tax dollars. Recent figures indicate that the US spends about $3,000 on every inmate in a drug treatment program. That number is on top of the already $20,000-24,000 it takes to house an individual inmate each year. There is no doubt that inmate treatment programs help some inmates to get off addictive substances and rehabilitate back into society. For example, estimates say that of the approximately $3,000 spent to rehabilitate an inmate, more than $9,000 are saved in society from drug crimes. That is an almost three-fold investment by the state. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that of those who received substance abuse treatment in prison, only a little over 3% were arrested again within 6 months, compared to approximately 12% of those inmates who did not receive treatment. Further, only 20.5% of those who received treatment were likely to use drugs again in the first 6 months after being released, but almost 38% of those who did not receive treatment were likely to reuse in the same period. Despite these successes, tax dollars can only go so far, and 60-75% of inmates who need substance abuse counseling are still not receiving it. But instead of finding new ways to fund recovery, perhaps there are better ways the money can be spent on prevention programs. If many of these inmates were not introduced to drugs in the first place, they may never have been inmates at all.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs, Medication Tagged With: Prison, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration