My Doctor the Addict

Health care professionals see the results of drug abuse every day. Some of them see the overdoses, car wrecks, shootings, and beatings – and they still use illicit drugs themselves. And they are impaired while they are taking care of our families.

Doctors and nurses have easy access to prescription drugs and can divert medications from patients or declare medications as “waste”. Many professionals are never reported to authorities and, indeed, are protected by other staff members.

SurgeonIllustration courtesy of http://3.bp.blogspot.com/

It is bad enough when a salesperson or office worker is under the influence, but something else when a surgeon is addicted. How does someone justify operating on a patient while taking drugs? Most believe they can handle the drugs and still perform normally.

Their co-workers enable some drug-abusing professionals. They are given lighter work schedules or absences are excused. Co-workers can fear retribution, particularly from powerful professionals, or they may fear they will ruin a co-worker’s life by reporting drug abuse.

Some states have responded to health care professional addiction by making reporting suspect behavior mandatory. Authorities then intervene and require the addicted person to enter treatment. Failure to report an addicted person is subject to discipline. The addicted physician is required to follow a specific treatment plan and report to the state licensing board. If the addicted person refuses to follow the plan, he or she can lose their medical license.

There are several residential rehab centers specializing in the treatment of health care professionals. All the programs focus on returning the addicted person to his or her professional life free from the temptation of relapse.

Filed Under: Drugs, General Tagged With: , ,

Embalming Fluid and Your Children

The young girl stood in front of her parents and their friends and started to read the list of all the drugs she and her friends had been able to buy in their small community. The long list included heroin, marijuana, cocaine, oxycontin, and finally, embalming fluid. Embalming fluid? What on earth do you do with embalming fluid?

Teenage girl accepting a marijuana cigarette Photo compliments of http://www.drugfreehomes.org

Smoking marijuana cigarettes or tobacco cigars and cigarettes laced with embalming fluid and PCP was popular in large cities several years ago. It is now becoming popular with young addicts in small towns.

Sometimes called fry, fry stick, or wet, these cigarettes produce hallucinations or paranoia and aggression. Users often think they posses super human powers and exhibit erratic behavior. The typical hangover includes crushing headaches and loss of memory.

The long-term effects of substance abuse of embalming fluid and PCP range from brain damage to death and can include kidney damage, lung damage, muscle damage, and spinal cord destruction. Most young drug users are unaware of the damage fry sticks can cause.

Early studies have concluded fry is highly addictive and can be addictive with the first use. It can also have important medical consequences of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, and mental health issues. Because embalming fluid is legal and available online, even young dealers can process their own fry sticks.

Law enforcement and hospital emergency departments are training employees to recognize fry stick users so they can receive proper treatment. Parents and health care professionals now have to educate themselves to stay ahead of their children in order to recognize this and related addictions.

Filed Under: General, Health Tips Tagged With: , ,

Signs Your Loved One Might Be Addicted

If you suspect that a loved one may have an addiction problem, but aren’t really sure, there are signs that you can look for that may help you determine if this is truly the case. Some of them are listed here, but be aware that there are others. These can be the most recognizable, however.

Changes in behavior are usually the “tip-off” that an addiction may be a problem. These include extreme mood swings, which can be caused by the person suffering withdrawal symptoms, inattention to personal hygiene, and failure to meet responsibilities (work, attend classes, pay debts or bills, and others).

Changes in social interaction can also be a sign that an addiction exists, especially if your loved one changes the people with whom he socializes, choosing only those who drink or engage in the same type of addictive behavior that he does. In fact, if alcohol is the culprit, you may notice that the first question your loved one will ask will concern whether or not alcohol will be served or can be brought to the function. If the answer is no, he may refuse to go.

Physical drug addiction changes can also be a sign. If you notice a change in a loved one’s appetite (generally skipping meals or eating very little), which can lead to weight loss, an addiction problem may exist.

People who are addicted to meth, for example, often do not feel hunger, and may go for days without eating. Alcohol has “empty calories” which means it causes a feeling of fullness; again something which may result in a person eating less frequently or not eating at all.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs Tagged With: , ,

Rehabilitation Centers Offer a New World of Sobriety

When someone becomes highly addicted to drugs their life moves downward very quickly. The drug will take over every aspect of their being and could lead them to homelessness, poverty and a life of crime. They will turn into a person that they never thought they would become and even begin alienating people that they once cared about. Luckily, there are many rehabilitation centers that will take in addicts and give them a more positive atmosphere where they can pick themselves up and change the sloping momentum of their lives.

Ninety day inpatient rehabilitation centers are popular choices for addicts that have been abusing drugs for many years. These places offer an environment of positivity that will allow the person to get well. Many people with substance abuse problems get so used to a life of anxiety and depression that they forget what it was like to actually be happy. Rehabilitation centers reintroduce the good things in life to these individuals, while removing them from the muck and mire they were used to. Add in the fact that doctors and counselors are working around the clock with the addicts, and choosing a rehabilitation center can be a great place to kick any substance abuse habit.

Removing yourself from a situation is one of the best ways to accurate see what is going on. This is one of the main benefits that checking into a rehabilitation center offers. While many people are reluctant to commit three full months of their life to living in a new place without the comforts of their addiction, the possibilities gained are endless.

Filed Under: Addiction, Rehab centers Tagged With: ,

Government Web Site Offers a Wealth of Information About Substance Abuse

Once someone realizes that they have a drug problem, they are already heading in the right direction. However, knowing what to do after admitting that a problem exists can be difficult. There are questions like ‘Which type of treatment center is right for me?’ or even ‘Where can I go for treatment?’ The United States Department of Health and Human Services has a very easy to use web site that can be a great place to check out to get the answers that you are looking for.

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov), or SAMHSA, is designed to get people moving in the right direction when they are seeking treatment for substance abuse. They have an easily navigable map that provides information about all the substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States. You can easily locate and research all the facilities near you and contact them for more information. SAMHSA also has a 24-hour helpline, in case you have specific questions and can’t find the information on the web site.

This site is a great resource for anyone who has questions about treatment for substance abuse. This government site offers tons of reliable information that you can privately review before deciding what options are best for you. If you have decided to seek treatment or know someone who needs it, SAMHSA is great place to begin your journey towards finding the help that you need. You can log on to their site today and continue heading in the right direction.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs Tagged With: , ,

Admitting you have a Problem is the First Step to Recovery

Drug addiction is a very serious affliction that ruins the lives of many people. The addiction does not happen over the course of a day or two, it takes time. You may just do a drug every other weekend. Then it spills into every weekend once the winter comes along and then a few times during the week because your job or family are frustrating you. The need for the drug continues to increase and before you know it, you lose your job and all you care about is the drug.

This vicious cycle is all too familiar among drug addicts. The problem is that when you are addicted, you cannot see what is really happening. The drug will cloud your vision and take control of your life. Denial that a problem exists is one of the first signs of an addiction. If everyone else can see the problem except you, there is a good chance that other people are right. Admitting that you have a problem is one of the hardest things to do, but it is the first step at getting your life back on track.

Being able to admit that you have allowed yourself to become addicted can be extremely difficult. No one enjoys admitting that they screwed up. However, there are many directions to go to seek support if you want to overcome your addiction, including rehab centers, support groups, counseling and therapists as well as friends and family. When you have an addiction and are ready to admit that you have a problem, you will quickly find that you are greeted by many helping hands.

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

A&E’s Intervention Explores the Dark Reality of Substance Abuse

The cable channel A&E has documented the trials and tribulations of many different types of drug addicts on the show, Intervention. This program has shown some of the most extreme cases of addiction in people of every age, gender and walk of life. While many people on the show appear to be far too gone for help, the families and interventionist often times will succeed in convincing the addict to seek help by their own choice. The program is not always successful but has helped to give many people a second chance at life.

The pain-staking journey through addiction is documented by a few cameramen who follow the individual around their daily routine, often times filled with non-stop drug use. You can watch how the addict’s life is spiraling out of control and how it effects their family and friends, who are interviewed throughout the documentary. While it can be hard to watch someone destroying their life, you know that there will be an intervention at the end where the addict is given a chance to go to rehab.

During the intervention, the friends and family are joined by a professional interventionist to try and convince the addict to save their own life. If simple pleading is not enough, they step it up a notch. The addict is given consequences for continuing their ways, such as not being allowed to see their children or going to prison for using illegal drugs. Most addicts end up deciding to go to rehab. Some people complete it and embrace their new lifestyle, but some relapse and go back to the path they were on. Either way, the show is very compelling and gives viewers a look at the dark side of life.

Intervention can be disturbing and graphic at times but has a powerful message of hope. Substance abuse is on display and the grim consequences of it are fully explored. Whether you know anyone with an addiction or not, the show will entertain you as well as educate you about life.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs Tagged With: , ,

Curb the Possibility of Addiction

If you come from a family where addiction is common, you know your children have a high probability of developing a problem of their own. Even if this isn’t the case, you may have already noticed that your child appears to have an addictive personality. In either situation, it’s important to take early steps to prevent addiction before it happens. One of the best ways to do this is to stress the importance of a good education. Let’s take a closer look at education for your child.

Education as Prevention

Not only does working hard at school exercise your brain and expand your mind, it also gives your child a wonderful goal to work towards. Having a target in mind is a great way to help them resist peer pressure and stay on the right track. Exercising your brain also helps maintain or improve your mental health. Because mental illness is a leading predictor of future drug abuse, this benefit shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Statistics Will Be on Their Side

Because college graduates are statistically less likely to suffer from a life-changing addiction, a degree is just one more weapon in your child’s arsenal of preventative measures. It means they will earn more money, have less stress in their lives, and be less likely to come across tempting situations. Although it’s not an absolute guarantee, it definitely helps! If you’re worried that you can’t afford to send your child to college, there are affordable options. Take a look at earnmydegree.com to find a good online university that fits your budget! In addition to the low tuition rates, an online education will mean your child can avoid many of the college parties and other situations where someone might try to tempt them with drugs or alcohol.

An education can help protect your child’s bright future!

Filed Under: Addiction, General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Substance Abuse

Your commitment to your loved one is the most important thing in your life. There is nothing that is more important than making sure they are happy and healthy. When you find out that the person you love is being overcome by drugs and alcohol, it can be a very difficult experience. The effects of their addiction can not only damage their own life, but rattle your world.

It’s important to let them know you are aware of the problem. Many times an addict will live in his own world and convince himself he is alone with his disease. It’s important that you let him know just how much you care and that you are willing to do whatever it takes in order to see him get the help he needs. The most important thing you can help an addict do is help himself. Finding treatment for addicts will be the best way to end their struggles with substance abuse. If the addict is a dependent, like a child or a spouse, then help may be easy to find.

Contact your insurance company. In most cases the insurance will be for both in-patient and out-patient counseling. There are rehab facilities that they can connect you with. In many cases, insurances have an out-of-pocket maximum. This means they will cover up to a certain daily allotment. If you are without insurance, take the time to get the insurance you need. There are plenty of companies out there. It would be best to compare the different online insurance quote prices you get and find out which one fits best within your budget. The cost of going out of pocket to treat addiction can be incredible. Make your best effort to obtain insurance before resorting to that measure, even if it is necessary. Substance abuse is no laughing matter, and treating it immediately is vital to beating the disease.

Filed Under: Addiction, Drugs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Substance Abuse Can Cause Mental Anguish

If you’re abusing a substance – whether it’s an illegal drug, a legal drug (like a prescription, whether for you or for someone else), or alcohol – there is help out there for you. What’s important to realize is that you might need more than just physical help. You may also want to consider your mental and emotional state. If you’ve been involved in substance abuse for a while, or even if you’ve only been using for a short time, it may cause severe feelings of worthlessness and other problems. You can work through these kinds of feelings with some help and support, though.

The first thing to do, once you realize that you have a problem, is to seek help. Don’t put it off, or feel that acknowledging it will be enough to get through it. Instead, you’ll need to put your focus into getting clean and also into getting a better understanding of your value as a person. It can be hard to feel valuable if you’re abusing drugs and alcohol, but once you begin to get clean you should involve yourself with counseling that can help you see that you have worth and importance. Giving back to others is another good way to feel as though you have value.

If you work with people who need to get clean once you’ve gotten clean, you can show them that they can do what you did – get and stay clean, and have value and purpose in their life. You can’t reach everyone, of course, and some people really don’t want to be helped. Some people also respond to help in different ways, so you may have to try different tactics. The bottom line, though, is that you’ll be able to work on your mental and emotional state once you’re free of the drugs and/or alcohol that are trying to control you.

Filed Under: Drugs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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