Hashish

Hashish (or hash) is an extract of marijuana formed into a gummy substance ranging in color from gold to brown to black, or it is formed into a thick, dark oil called hash oil. Because hashish contains a higher concentration of THC than marijuana, hash and hash oil are more potent and are sold and used in smaller quantities. Hash is most often packaged in aluminum foil, and hash oil is stored in small vials. As with marijuana, both hash and hash oil are smoked in pipes, but they may also be mixed with tobacco in cigarettes or pipes; thus, the paraphernalia associated with hash and hash oil is the same as for marijuana: pipes, bongs, rolling papers, roach clips, and stash boxes. Hash and hash oil also have a very strong, pungent odor when smoked. The effects of hash and hash oil are similar to marijuana, but can be more intense because of its higher concentration of THC.

Depressants

Depressants are often medically prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety, tension, insomnia, muscle spasms, and irritability. However, depressants are also abused for their intoxicating effects. They are obtained by theft, through illegal prescriptions, or they are purchased on the illicit market.

Drugs included in this classification are chloral hydrate, barbiturates, glutethimide, methaqualone (Quaaludesr), benzodiazepines, and antianxiety or sedative drugs such as Valium®, Miltown®, and Equanil®. Depressants are produced in pill or capsule form.

If your teenager is abusing depressants, he or she may appear to be in a state of intoxication much like that of alcohol, with impaired judment, inebriation, slurred speech, and loss of motor coordination. Other symptoms include a weak and rapid pulse, slow or rapid but shallow breathing, and cold and clammy skin.

As with narcotics, the body acquires a need for increased doses of depressants in order to achieve the same high. If your teenager is unaware of an increased dependency on depressants, he or she may increase their intake to dangerous, toxic levels in order to achieve the same intoxicating effects, Mixing depressants with alcohol is a particularly dangerous combination that can cause an overdose and death.

Withdrawal from depressants can be extreme, After 24 hours without the drug, symptoms such as anxiety and agitation may develop, Depending on the potency of the drug, withdrawal will peak between two to eight days, causing appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased heart rate, and excessive sweating, Some severe symptoms of withdrawal may be delirium, convulsions, and in some cases, death.

Be aware that you may have prescription depressants in your medicine cabinet, such as Librium®, Xanax®, Valium®, Dalmane®, and Doriden®, that have the potential to be abused by your child.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates were once among the most widely used depressants, prescribed by doctors to induce relaxation and sleep. Like other depressants, barbiturates are sold on the illicit market or are legally prescribed to addicts by physicians.

The three most abused barbiturates are Nembutalr, Seconalr, and Amytalr, which are capsules or pills that may be red, blue, yellow, or white. Their street names include downers, barbs, red devils, blue devils, and yellows. They are usually sold in plastic bags or pill bottles. Barbiturates are taken orally and their effects may last up to six hours.

The physical effects of barbiturates include intoxication much like that of alcohol, slurred speech, and disorientation. An overdose can cause dilated pupils, shallow breathing, clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and death.

Crack

Crack and rock cocaine are forms of cocaine that are extremely addictire and very dangerous. (Crack and rock cocaine are nearly identical drugs, hence they will be referred to as crack only.) Crack has quickly become a major problem in this country because it is inexpensive, readily available, and highly addictive. Crack comes in white to tan pellets and is sold in small vials. It is smoked in glass pipes and makes a crackling sound when it is smoked. Paraphernalia associated with crack includes glass pipes called "base" pipes, homemade pipes, and small vials used to store the drug.

Crack is absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs in just a few seconds. If your teenager is using crack, he or she will temporarily appear euphoric, extremely alert, and highly energetic. Other symptoms include dilated pupils, loss of appetite, elevated heart rate, elevated respiration rate, and higher body temperature. The high lasts only a few minutes, leaving an intense depression called a "crash" and an immediate desire for more of the drug. The severe addiction associated with crack stems not only from a desire for the euphoria of the high but a desire to escape from the "crash" following the high. Prolonged use of crack can cause extreme irritability, depression, paranoia, convulsions or death.

Methamphetamine - Ice

Ice is the translucent crystal, smokable form of methamphetamine. It is also commonly called glass or crystal and, like other stimulants, is highly addictive. (In terms of molecular structure, ice and methamphetamine are the same). The use of ice results in a longer, more intense high and an enhanced and more rapid onset of the negative effects of other forms of methamphetamine.

Similar in appearance to rock candy or rock salt, ice is sold in clear, heat sealed cellophane packets. It is smoked by using a one-chamber pipe (bong) where the ice is heated until it turns to a gas, and then inhaled by the user.

If your teenager is using ice, he or she may experience increased alertness, euphoria, appetite loss, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, increased respiration, and elevated body temperature. Prolonged use can cause blurred vision, dizziness, loss of coordination, collapse and toxic psychosis. Prolonged use of ice will also cause damage to other organs, particularly the lungs, liver and kidneys. Heavy short-term or prolonged use can also cause delusional states or even a toxic psychosis similar to paranoid schizophrenia. Acute depression and fatigue may result when the use of ice is stopped. An overdose can result in high blood pressure, fever, stroke, heart failure and death.

Some law enforcement and treatment professionals see ice as a growing problem because of its purity and its immediate and intense effect, which may, depending on the dose, last from 2-14 hours. In addition, its use may become popular because the smoking of ice eliminates the use of a needle, thereby reducing the risk of AIDS and other blood diseases; while the low cost of production results in large profits for the dealers who sell ice and the clan lab operators who produce it.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamines and amphetamines are also highly addictive and dangerous stimulants. Commonly referred to as uppers and speed, these drugs are sold in powder, pill, and capsule forms that can be inhaled through the nose, swallowed, or injected.

Like cocaine and crack, the physical effects of methamphetamines and amphetamines are in creased alertness, euphoria, appetite loss, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, increased respiration, and elevated body temperature. Prolonged use of these drugs can cause blurred vision, dizziness, loss of coordination, and collapse. An overdose can result in high blood pressure, fever, stroke, and heart failure.

The most popular of the two drugs are methamphetamines, commonly called speed, meth, crank, crystal, or crystal meth or in its smokable form, ice, glass or crystal. Methamphetamines are usually found in powder form in colors ranging from white to tan, and can be swallowed, inhaled through the nose, or injected. It is sold in small plastic or paper packets or plastic bags. The paraphernalia associated with inhaling the drug are razor blades, mirrors, straws, and rolled dollar bills; the paraphernalia associated with injecting the drug include syringes, spoons, and surgical tubing, bandanas, or a belt used to constrict the vein

Marijuana

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW


Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States. A dry, shredded green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa, it usually is smoked as a cigarette (joint, nail), or in a pipe (bong). It also is smoked in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana, often in combination with another drug. It might also be mixed in food or brewed as a tea. As a more concentrated, resinous form it is called hashish and, as a sticky black liquid, hash oil. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour odor.(1)

The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The membranes of certain nerve cells in the brain contain protein receptors that bind to THC. Once securely in place, THC kicks off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana.(2)CONTROL STATUS


Marijuana is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Schedule I drugs are classified as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

back to topSTREET NAMES


Grass, pot, weed, bud, Mary Jane, dope, indo, hydro(3)SHORT-TERM EFFECTS


When marijuana is smoked, its effects begin immediately after the drug enters the brain and last from 1 to 3 hours. If marijuana is consumed in food or drink, the short-term effects begin more slowly, usually in 1/2 to 1 hour, and last longer, for as long as 4 hours. Smoking marijuana deposits several times more THC into the blood than does eating or drinking the drug.(4)

Within a few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, an individual’s heart begins beating more rapidly, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red. The heart rate, normally 70 to 80 beats per minute, may increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute or, in some cases, even double. This effect can be greater if other drugs are taken with marijuana.(5)

As THC enters the brain, it causes a user to feel euphoric— or “high”—by acting in the brain’s reward system, areas of the brain that respond to stimuli such as food and drink as well as most drugs of abuse. THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do, by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine.(6)

A marijuana user may experience pleasant sensations, colors and sounds may seem more intense, and time appears to pass very slowly. The user’s mouth feels dry, and he or she may suddenly become very hungry and thirsty. His or her hands may tremble and grow cold. The euphoria passes after awhile, and then the user may feel sleepy or depressed. Occasionally, marijuana use produces anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic.(7)

back to topLONG-TERM EFFECTS


Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers do, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illnesses, a heightened risk of lung infections, and a greater tendency toward obstructed airways. Cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs may also be promoted by marijuana smoke. Marijuana has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because marijuana smoke contains 50 percent to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke.(8)

Marijuana's damage to short-term memory seems to occur because THC alters the way in which information is processed by the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory formation. In one study, researchers compared marijuana smoking and nonsmoking 12th-graders' scores on standardized tests of verbal and mathematical skills. Although all of the students had scored equally well in 4th grade, those who were heavy marijuana smokers, i.e., those who used marijuana seven or more times per week, scored significantly lower in 12th grade than nonsmokers. Another study of 129 college students found that among heavy users of marijuana critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning were significantly impaired, even after they had not used the drug for at least 24 hours.(9)

LSDw

LSD, aka "acid," is odorless, colorless, and has a slightly bitter taste and is usually taken by mouth. Often LSD is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small, decorated squares, with each square representing one dose.

Health Hazards

Physical Psychological short-term effects. The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken; the user's personality, mood, and expectations; and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.

Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. The user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. If taken in a large enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations. The user's sense of time and self changes. Sensations may seem to "cross over," giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. These changes can be frightening and can cause panic.

LSD trips are long - typically they begin to clear after about 12 hours. Some users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and despair while using LSD. In some cases, fatal accidents have occurred during states of LSD intoxication.

Flashbacks. Many LSD users experience flashbacks, recurrence of certain aspects of a person's experience, without the user having taken the drug again. A flashback occurs suddenly, often without warning, and may occur within a few days or more than a year after LSD use. Flashbacks usually occur in people who use hallucinogens chronically or have an underlying personality problem; however, otherwise healthy people who use LSD occasionally may also have flashbacks. Bad trips and flashbacks are only part of the risks of LSD use. LSD users may manifest relatively long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression. It is difficult to determine the extent and mechanism of the LSD involvement in these illnesses.

Ecstasy

MDMA, called "Adam," "ecstasy," or "XTC" on the street, is a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and methamphetamine, which are known to cause brain damage.

Beliefs about MDMA are reminiscent of similar claims made about LSD in the 1950s and 1960s, which proved to be untrue. According to its proponents, MDMA can make people trust each other and can break down barriers between therapists and patients, lovers, and family members.

Health Hazards

Physical and psychological symptoms. Many problems users encounter with MDMA are similar to those found with the use of amphetamines and cocaine. They are:
Psychological difficulties, including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia during and sometimes weeks after taking MDMA (in some cases, psychotic episodes have been reported).
Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating.
Increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special risk for people with circulatory or heart disease.
Long-term effects. Recent research findings also link MDMA use to long-term damage to those parts of the brain critical to thought and memory. It is believed that the drug causes damage to the neurons that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with other neurons.


MDMA is also related in structure and effects to methamphetamine, which has been shown to cause degeneration of neurons containing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Damage to dopamine containing neurons is the underlying cause of the motor disturbances seen in Parkinson's disease. Symptoms of this disease begin with lack of coordination and tremors, and can eventually result in a form of paralysis.

Ativan Addiction

An estimated 9 million people aged 12 and older used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in 1999; more than a quarter of that number reported using prescription drugs non-medically for the first time in the previous year.

Q) What is Ativan?

A) Ativan is the brand name for Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety agent. Ativan is a benzodiazepine and mild tranquilizer, sedative, and central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Ativan is manufactured in pill form as well as liquid form for injection.


Q) How is Ativan used?

A) Ativan tablets are a nearly white powder and are almost insoluble in water. Each Ativan tablet intended for oral use contains .5mg, 1mg, or 2mg of lorazepam. In liquid form Ativan is intended for intramuscular or intravenous use. Each ml or Ativan injection contains either 2.0 or 4.0 mg of lorazepam, 0.18 ml polyethylene glycol 400 in propylene glycol with 2.0% benzyl alcohol as preservative.


Q) When are the effects of Ativan typically felt?

A) The effects of Ativan are usually felt one to five minutes after receiving it intravenously, 15 to 30 minutes after muscular injection, or 1 to 6 hours after oral administration.


Q) Is Ativan considered addictive?

A) Yes, Ativan is very addictive and can cause psychological and physical dependence.


Q) What are the side effects of Ativan?

A) There are many side effects that come with the use and abuse of Ativan, they included but are not limited to:

clumsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, unsteadiness, weakness, amnesia, insomnia, agitation, disorientation, depression, headache, visual problems, nausea, abdominal discomfort, drowsiness, blurred vision, tachycardia, weakness, disinhibition (where they act inappropriately grandiose or out-of-control), anterograde amnesia (decreased or lack of recall of events during period of drug action) has been reported after administration of Ativan and appears to be dose-related, injectable Ativan results in an increased incidence of sedation, hallucination, and irrational behavior, some patients on Ativan have developed leukopenia, both elevation and lowering of blood sugar levels have been reported.

OxyContin Addiction

Q.) What is OxyContin?

A.) OxyContin, approved by the FDA in 1995, an opium derivative, which is the same active ingredient in Percodan and Percocet. OxyContin is intended for use by terminal cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. It has been linked to at least 120 overdose deaths nationwide. OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release) tablets are an opioid analgesic supplied in 10 mg, 20 mg,40 mg, and 80 mg tablet strengths for oral administration. The tablet strengths describe the amount of oxycodone per tablet as the hydrochloride salt. The structural formula for oxycodone hydrochloride is as follows: The chemical formula is 4, 5-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride.

Oxycodone is a very strong narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. OxyContin is designed so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time, allowing it to be used twice daily. You should never break, chew, or crush the OxyContin tablet since this causes a large amount of oxycodone to be released from the tablet all at once, potentially resulting in a dangerous or fatal drug overdose.

Oxycodone is a white, odorless crystalline powder derived from the opium alkaloid. Oxycodone hydrochloride dissolves in water (1 g in 6 to 7 mL). It is slightly soluble in alcohol (octanol water partition coefficient 0.7). The tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: ammonio methacrylate copolymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, red iron oxide (20 mg strength tablet only), stearyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin, yellow iron oxide (40 mg strength tablet only), and other ingredients.

OxyContin is an opiate agonist. Opiate agonists provide pain relief by acting on opioid receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and possibly in the tissues directly. Opioids, natural or synthetic classes of drugs that act like morphine, are the most effective pain relievers available. Oxycodone is manufactured by modifying thebaine, an alkaloid found in opium. Oxycodone has a high abuse potential.

Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant. Oxycodone's action appears to work through stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia to respiratory depression to euphoria. People who take the drug repeatedly can develop a tolerance or resistance to the drug's effects. Thus, a cancer patient can take a dose of oxycodone on a regular basis that would be fatal in a person never exposed to oxycodone or another opioid. Most individuals who abuse oxycodone seek to gain the euphoric effects, mitigate pain, and avoid withdrawal symptoms associated with oxycodone or heroin abstinence.

Heroin Addiction

Q) What is heroin?

A) Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive opiate drug. Its abuse is more widespread than any other opiate. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as "black tar heroin." Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is "cut" with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Heroin also poses special problems because of the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment.


Q) What are the current trends for heroin abuse?

A) A generation ago, the heroin (colloquially known as "smack") available in the U.S. was barely five percent pure and used by a relatively small percentage of young people because it had to be injected with a needle. Now, it appears smack is back with a vengeance and it's addicting large groups of new users.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a report (April 1992, No. 5, pp. 1-6) claiming "a massive increase in heroin use and addiction is not likely." One reason for this was, "...the apparent absence of new initiates (i.e., heroin users with little or no prior drug-using experience)." However, based upon recent news reports and other sources (see the A.T. Forum Web site for News Updates), the ONDCP report appears to have been premature, to say the least.

Just this past February, Attorney General Janet Reno admitted heroin is more plentiful, purer, and less expensive than it was just a few years ago. "If we do not counteract the heroin threat now," she said, "we risk repeating the terrible consequences of the 1980s' cocaine and crack epidemic." Authorities estimate that heroin addiction has increased 20 percent and worldwide production has grown sharply, even as other illegal substance abuse is declining.

Reports of problems have sprung-up countrywide. In California, heroin sold in the San Joaquin Valley is cheap, potent, and plentiful - business is booming in area emergency rooms as two or three overdose cases appear each day. In Colorado, Boulder County officials may establish a methadone clinic for the first time in 16 years to deal with increasing heroin addiction. On the East Coast, heroin is reported to be 40 to 70 percent pure and around $10 for a small packet. The number of heroin-related hospital emergencies has more than doubled in New York City and surrounding areas.

Many drug abusers mistakenly believe inhaling heroin, rather than injecting it, reduces the risks of addiction or overdose. In some areas, "shabanging" - picking up cooked heroin with a syringe and squirting it up the nose - has increased in popularity. Street heroin carries prophetic names: "DOA," "Body Bag," "Instant Death," and "Silence of the Lamb." Rather than scaring off young initiates, the implied danger seems to actually increase the drug's allure.


Q) What are some other names for heroin?

A) "smack", "junk", "horse", "skag", "H", "China white"


Q) So Heroin is an opiate. What are some of the other opiates?

A) Opium, Morphine, Codeine, Merperidine , Hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), Oxycodone (Percodan, Roxicet, Roxiprin, Tylox, Percocet), Stadol, Talwin, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Buprenorphine, Methadone, Propoxyphene (Wygesic, Darvocet)

Ambien Addiction

Q) What is Ambien?


A) Ambien with the generic name of Zolpidem belongs to a class of medicines that effects the central nervous system, called sedative hypnotics. Ambien is closely related to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure), and have anti-anxiety properties. Ambien has selectivity in that it has little of the muscle relaxant or anti-seizure effect and more of the sedative effect. Therefore, it is used as a medication for sleep.


Q) How is Ambien used?

A) When abused, Ambien tablets are taken orally, crushed and then snorted, or dissolved in water and "cooked" for intravenous injection.


Q) What are the effects of Ambien?

A)
Daytime drowsiness
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Difficulty with coordination
Tolerance
Dependence
Changing in thinking and/or behavior

Ambien may cause special type of memory loss known as amnesia. When this occurs, a person may not remember what has happened for several hours after taking the medicine. In addition, addiction, or dependence, can be caused by Ambien, especially when used regularly for longer than a few weeks or at high doses. People who have been dependent on alcohol or other drugs in the past may have a greater chance of becoming addicted to Ambien. Some people using Ambien have experienced unusual changes in their thinking and/or behavior.
Less common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal dreams, abnormal vision, agitation, amnesia, anxiety, arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, burning sensation, chest pain, confusion, constipation, coughing, daytime sleeping, decreased mental alertness, depression, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, difficulty swallowing, diminished sensitivity to touch, dizziness on standing, double vision, dry mouth, emotional instability, exaggerated feeling of well-being, eye irritation, falling, fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms, gas, general discomfort, hallucination, hiccup, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, increased sweating, infection, insomnia, itching, joint pain, lack of bladder control, lack of coordination, lethargy, light-headedness, loss of appetite, menstrual disorder, migraine, muscle pain, nasal inflammation, nervousness, numbness, paleness, prickling or tingling sensation, rapid heartbeat, rash, ringing in the ears, sinus inflammation, sleep disorder, speech difficulties, swelling due to fluid retention, taste abnormalities, throat inflammation, throbbing heartbeat, tremor, unconsciousness, upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, vertigo, vomiting, weakness
Rare side effects may include:
Abnormal tears or tearing, abscess, acne, aggravation of allergies, aggravation of high blood pressure, aggression, allergic reaction, altered production of saliva, anemia, belching, blisters, blood clot in lung, boils, breast pain, breast problems, breast tumors, bruising, chill with high temperature followed by heat and perspiration, decreased sex drive, delusion, difficulty urinating, excessive urine production, eye pain, facial swelling due to fluid retention, fainting, false perceptions, feeling intoxicated, feeling strange, flushing, frequent urination, glaucoma, gout, heart attack, hemorrhoids, herpes infection, high cholesterol, hives, hot flashes, impotence, inability to urinate, increased appetite, increased tolerance to the drug, intestinal blockage, irregular heartbeat, joint degeneration, kidney failure, kidney pain, laryngitis, leg cramps, loss of reality, low blood pressure, mental deterioration, muscle spasms in arms and legs, muscle weakness, nosebleed, pain, painful urination, panic attacks, paralysis, pneumonia, poor circulation, rectal bleeding, rigidity, sciatica (lower back pain), sensation of seeing flashes of lights or sparks, sensitivity to light, sleepwalking, speech difficulties, swelling of the eye, thinking abnormalities, thirst, tooth decay, uncontrolled leg movements, urge to go to the bathroom, varicose veins, weight loss, yawning


Q) What are the symptoms of Ambien overdose?

A) People who take too much Ambien may become excessively sleepy or even go into a light coma. The symptoms of overdose are more severe if the person is also taking other drugs that depress the central nervous system. Some cases of multiple overdoses have been fatal.


Q) What adverse drug interactions are caused Ambien?

A) Alcohol has an additive effect with Ambien and the two should not be combined. Ambien should be used cautiously in patients with respiratory diseases because of its depressing effect on breathing. Ambien may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, other sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. However, caution should be used when combining it with other sedative drugs. Ambien used at higher dosages can cause withdrawal symptoms (muscle cramps, sweats, shaking, and seizures) when the drug is abruptly discontinued. Ambien can cause abnormal behavior with confusion and paradoxical insomnia and should be discontinued if these symptoms appear.

What makes holistic Addiction Treatment different?

It’s the same old story, yet another celebrity has entered rehab, again, or been arrested, again. Lindsey Lohan, the Olsen twins, Amy Winehouse, Brittney Spears, the list is endless. It seems a day doesn’t go by without at least one celebrity getting arrested for drug or alcohol abuse, or entering treatment for the umpteenth time. It seems addiction and entertainment have become intertwined. But you know better. You know addiction is no laughing matter and it’s more than just another headline to you. When addiction hits home, when the ugliness of drug or alcohol abuse become personal, you need real answers and real solutions, not just another empty promise.

A popular and common method of Addiction Treatment is to use drugs to combat drugs. Basically, in a medically supervised setting, clinical staff use a variety of drug therapies to combat the effects of withdrawal. But there is another approach, a more natural, highly effective approach that cleanses the system of drug residues while offering a step-by-step system for learning positive behaviors, replacing negative, addictive patterns with positive, life-changing techniques, which arm the recovering addict with the knowledge and certainty to lead a happy, addiction-free life.

The key is a holistic Drug Addiction program that addresses the whole person, including the reasons, thought processes and methods of addiction, not just the chemical dependency. The Narconon program does exactly that. Through the program, the substance abuser undergoes a holistic detoxification process and learns to communicate effectively with others, defining a set of personal ethical standards to become a responsible and contributing member of the community. If that sounds like a tall order, it is. And it’s not an easy road. But the Narconon program has met with success time and again.

The program starts out with detoxification in a social setting where participants, called “students,” take part in a non-medical, drug-free program of prescribed exercise, sauna and vitamin and mineral supplements. This first step serves to remove the student from the negative environments that encourage substance abuse, discontinue use of alcohol and other drugs, and begin the process of ridding their bodies of all toxic drug and alcohol residues. Students are closely monitored throughout the process and staff members keep track of withdrawal symptoms, vital signs and even hours of sleep and food and fluid intake. The staff offers techniques to improve comfort, reduce symptoms and increase awareness. Students don’t move on to the rest of the program until they are free of physical symptoms of acute withdrawal.

Once the detox process is complete, students move into a series of classes designed to examine the old behaviors, thought processes and lifestyle choices that led to addiction. In the process, students learn new ways of thinking and living, with a focus on personal responsibility as each student takes an active part in drafting their own recovery plan. This is not a one-size-fits-all Drug Addiction Treatment. Instead, the Narconon program is highly personal, with staff members working with students through group and individual activities. Students work through a series of “courses” which teach important life skills, and encourage the students to create their own set of values and ethics based on social “norms.”

The Drug Rehab program doesn’t stop there, since the focus is on effective and addiction-free reentry to society. The reentry plan is a therapeutic contract that specifies strategies that will be applied by the student once he returns to society. The first step of the reentry program is an assessment of the student’s participation in the detox and life course processes. Next, the focus is on involving family and loved ones, establishing healthy relationships. Third in this Dynamic Assessment is helping the student evaluate and understand the availability of drug-free individuals in their community, as well as resources for drug-free groups, further establishing healthy, addiction-free social behaviors. This is also the stage where work experience, skills and assessments of vocational abilities are done and an action plan created for seeking further training if needed, and ultimately, employment. Next, students make plans to engage in volunteer work and finally the plan addresses housing, transportation and financial needs.

When the graduate leaves the Narconon center, they are fully prepared to enter their new life, addiction free. But the care doesn’t stop there. Staff members from the Department of Success follow up on a regular basis, ensuring the graduate has continued support. Should the graduate not move successfully into their new life, the staff is there to help, addressing each situation on an individual basis. In serious cases, the graduate is encouraged to return to the center to work through the difficulties.

With the Narconon program, you aren’t going to find a cookie-cutter answer to addiction treatment. Instead you will find the most effective drug rehab program in the world, with a program that saves lives, doesn’t kick their participants out if they aren’t “cured” in 28 days, doesn’t replace one addiction with another, but instead treats the whole person, body mind and soul in a non-sectarian, non-judgmental environment. The end result? Graduates who have successfully achieved the stated goal of the Narconon program: A drug free individual contributing to society and leading a happy, drug-free life.

Intervention 101 – Getting your Loved one into a Rehab Center

When addiction hits home, when it has torn your family apart, when all else has failed and your loved one has hit rock bottom, it’s time to act. In recent years, the term “intervention” has become almost a buzz-word, an over-used and misunderstood term. But when rock bottom is where you’re at, it’s exactly what you need, and there are right and wrong ways to stage an intervention. There are things you can know and do that will help ensure the plan works, and your loved one gets the Addiction Treatment they need.

Things to be aware of when you think it’s time to organize an intervention:

Do be sure the person really is suffering from alcohol or Drug Addiction. Look at behavior, how their behavior has changed, how they interact with family members and other signs. Get multiple opinions.

Do seek out professional help. That may sound like an ad for the pros, but it’s just facing reality. Family members may have little experience dealing with conflict in a positive manner, and an intervention is a time to show support, not a free-for-all condemnation match. Interventions also have the potential to turn violent, and having a professional involved helps avoid the addict’s ability to manipulate family members.

Do present a united front. A family divided cannot stand firm in their goal. Make sure all family members who are committed to helping are there, ready to lend emotional support and presents a united front, so the loved one who needs help sees their entire family there for them, in agreement.

Do act in love and caring. This is not a time for anger or confrontation. This is a time to address the addict with love and support, getting them the help they need because you care.

Don’t forget to prep! Spend time with the professional you’ve brought in, discuss everything thing with them. Talk with each family member and share both good and bad experiences about your loved one. Practice how you will share these experiences during the intervention.

Don’t ambush unless you have to. If at all possible, let them know you’re having a serious meeting. If you can’t do that, resort to the “white lie” and tell them there’s a family get together. Just showing up at their home should be the last resort.

Do have an immediate action and treatment plan. Know your goals for the intervention – the goal is to get your loved one into a Rehab Center. Have it researched out. Know what kind of Drug Treatment Program is available and have a plan to get the addict into rehab within 24 hours after the intervention. Promises to do it “later” rarely come true. Go so far as to set up the admission, have plane tickets ready, rides and escort set up. That way you can say, “We love you and your bed is waiting for you.”

The fact is, by this point, the ability to stop substance abuse is no longer in your loved one’s control. Their lives have spiraled so far off course, their perceptions of the world have become so skewed by their addiction and the pursuit of it that they simply can’t make those kind of choices any more. They don’t even remember how.

Substance abuse dumps toxic levels of chemicals into their bodies, the lifestyle choices that support their addictions are self-destructive and only lead to further abuse. They need their “fix” just to feel “normal” and they don’t care what it takes to get it.

We all know the signs of addiction, but it’s easy to turn our backs and pretend we don’t see when it’s our own loved one caught in that cycle. When they can’t break free for themselves, those who love and care about them have to do it for them. You have to be willing to help the addict take that first step to recovery.

Intervention can seem overwhelming and even scary. It’s not an easy thing and should not be underestimated. The first steps are educating yourself, find a Drug Rehab center that’s right for your loved one, talk to an intervention specialist for help in scheduling this life-changing event, talk to family members and set up the rehab program so that everything is ready to go. Then take a deep breath and realize that no matter how hard it is, you’re saving the life of someone you love.

All About Drug Treatment Programs

Deciding to go into a drug treatment program is one of the most daunting and frightening things a person can do. But while drug rehabilitation centers provide dedicated support and care for addicts, the fact there are so many to choose from makes coming to that decision a little more difficult than perhaps it should be.

Among the many drug treatment centers around the country are various types of treatments, which can be very confusing. It’s therefore vitally important to find a treatment that suits the individual, as well as the addiction.

Three Stages of Rehabilitation

No matter what type of addiction program is entered into, there are three factors that should be present in all successful drug rehab programs:

Detoxification – where the body is relieved of the chemicals and poisons that are present within it.

Therapy – where the body and mind learn to cope with the withdrawal from the chemicals they were reliant on.

Integration – where the individual learns to cope with stress and a drug-free life, with a view to integrating back into society.

Residential Versus Outpatient

In most cases the type of addiction will determine the most suitable treatment, but there are other factors that come into play. These include the personality of the individual, the degree of dependence they are under, and their social background.

Treatments may be carried out as part of a residential program or as an outpatient, with residential treatment a more intense form of therapy. Other types include voluntarily outpatient treatment, where the individual will live and work under normal circumstances, but attend counseling sessions and group classes.

Types of Detox

Drug detoxification varies depending on the treatment type, but most rehab centers are similar in that they provide treatment to avoid the symptoms of physical withdrawal. Most treatments incorporate counseling and therapy during rehab to help with this process.

Traditional Detox

Traditional treatments involve a detoxification period that addicts normally find debilitating and painful. Statistics have shown that under traditional methods of detox, 85 to 90 percent of patients have suffered a relapse within a year. This prolonged method has as many supporters as it does detractors, but under the right circumstances, can prove to be fruitful.

The 12-Step Program

The 12-Step Program is a set of principles to provide guidance in recovery from addictive problems. It was originally developed for alcoholics, but also has been used successfully in drug rehab.

It involves the addict coming to terms with their addiction under the following principles:

- admitting that one cannot control one's addiction
- recognizing a greater power can give them strength
- examining past errors
- making amends for these errors
- learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior
- helping others who suffer from the same addictions

Rapid Detox

Rapid detox is a viable treatment for certain patients, particularly those suffering from addiction to heroin, prescription painkillers and opioids.

The most common is the Waismann Method, which involves cleansing the opiate receptors in the patient’s brain of narcotics while the patient is under general anesthesia. The patient reportedly experiences no conscious withdrawal, and is able to return home within days.

This method can be dangerous, however, and should not be entered into without discussions with experienced and trained medical professionals. Also, this method does not address any underlying causes of addiction or offer any change in behavior. It is strictly a physical detoxification.

Holistic Treatment

Holistic treatment attempts to address the root causes of an individual’s addiction. It can also provide addicts with the opportunity to learn new job and life skills they can use to prevent relapse.

Narconon

For individuals with severe drug addictions, a long term inpatient drug rehab program may be most suitable. The Narconon New Life Detoxification Program is unique in that it boasts a 76% success rate and that it is NOT based on time, but on the individual’s ability to rehabilitate.

The Narconon treatment generally lasts around 3 to 5 months, and does not use psychiatric medications as part of its philosophy, but instead eliminates accumulated drug residuals from the patient’s body through a natural regimen of exercise, vitamins and sauna. Once the body is cleaned of toxic residues, the individual then addresses the basic root-causes of addiction. This is a life-skills process where the individual learns what led him/her to drugs in the first place, and then takes steps to confront the past, repair any damage done, and start with a clean slate. Graduates of the Narconon program often claim that they feel just like they felt before they ever started using drugs.

Whatever the treatment decided upon, for any drug rehab to work the core of the program must involve the individual. Only a combination of detox with therapy in whatever form, can boost an addict’s self-belief to the point they feel they can, and want to, integrate back into society within a drug-free lifestyle.

Stopping the lies: Breaking drug addiction & making a change.

Drug Addiction tears apart families, ruins lives and kills. Addiction recovery is a rough road, filled with stumbling blocks and it often leads nowhere but failure, throwing the addict still deeper into their destructive, addictive behaviors. Stopping the drug use and going through the withdrawals are only the first steps. No matter how effective the withdrawal process, unless the “why” and “how” of the addiction are addressed as well, the recovering addict is left with no coping skills, no way to deal with a sober life. And all too often, they return to the familiarity of their addiction.

Most Addiction Treatment relies on drugs like methadone to ease symptoms of withdrawal, effectively replacing one drug with another. The recovering addict is still left chemically dependant, it’s just a different chemical. As often as possible, the ideal solution is to navigate the withdrawal process naturally, without the aid of additional chemicals, returning the body to a state of health and balance.

That’s just what Narconon does. The first step in the Narconon Drug Rehab program is detoxification, a monitored process where the “student” stops all drug and alcohol use and begins to rebuild the health they damaged through abuse. Vitamin and mineral supplements help sooth the body’s reaction to the detox process while relaxing exercises calm muscles and mental stress. Complimented by physical exercise and sauna to further detoxify the body, the process is carefully monitored and continues until the student no longer feels the physical effects of withdrawal.

All students entering the program undergo a complete medical examination, including routine lab tests like a metabolic panel, lipid profile, blood count, toxicology, sexually transmitted disease tests and others. During their time at the Rehab Center, their health and vital signs are closely monitored. Students who, in the eyes of the admitting nurse or physician, are in need of medically supervised withdrawal are referred to an appropriate provider to undergo treatment before entering the program. Most students rarely need such specialized services and are able to enroll directly into the program and detoxification process.

Detox is just the first step, however, as students of the Narconon program embark on a journey of recovery, engaging in a series of learning programs to help them draw away from substance abuse and the lifestyle choices that led them there, and learn to communicate with others, taking responsibility for themselves and finding new ways to live without the use of drugs or alcohol.

Students are guided through a structured series of courses, done in sequence, each building upon the last. Through these courses, they learn, or relearn, how to reenter the community. That’s the whole focus of the Narconon program, returning their students to the community as happy, whole, healthy and addiction-free individuals.

Course work includes communications and perceptions, where students learn to establish healthy communications with others, and combat their own negative perceptions; a course in learning to handle life’s hills and valleys without resorting to anti-social behavior; work on personal values and integrity, and extensive work on addressing past mistakes and poor choices, and learning to make positive, life-affirming choices.

The program also includes a comprehensive reentry plan, where students who have completed their detox and courses work closely with staff to help craft a personalized plan for success. The plan includes assessment of the student’s skills and abilities, and encourages them to take a proactive role in creating a plan that will guarantee them a successful reentry to society. Graduates are encouraged to become involved in community or volunteer work and staff members conduct frequent follow ups, checking on graduates and their success and providing help and support when needed.

Indeed, this is not the typical Drug Addiction Treatment program. From the very first steps, the Narconon program seeks to involve the student in all phases of their recovery, encouraging personal accountability and responsibility and addressing the core reasons why they became addicted in the first place, then seeking to heal the hurts caused by their addiction. The program acknowledges that addiction has both biochemical and psychological processes, and that the body has been poisoned and debilitated by substance abuse.

Through the detoxification process, the body is cleansed of the biochemical poisoning and put on the path to healing. Course work addresses the psychological aspects, teaching new behavioral approaches and life techniques, and helping students to formulate, or rediscover, a personal, constructive system of values supporting an addiction-free life.

The end result is a graduate who is armed with the knowledge and ability to face life with renewed hope and joy, successfully moving into society and leading a happy, drug-free life.

Drugs in the Office - Problems and Prevention

In modern-day America drug abuse is more widespread, and reaches into more sections of society than ever before. It is now possible for almost any type of illegal drug to be purchased on the black market, and the manner in which these drugs manifest differs from person to person. In short, it is not always possible to tell who is a drug user and who isn’t.

It’s a common misconception to assume that all drug users are unemployed vagrants involved in petty crime, with a tendency to hang around with undesirables of a similar nature. In reality many drug users are in well paid jobs, go home to families who enjoy annual vacations, and appear as normal as the next person.

Take a look around your workplace and consider the possibility that one, or several of your colleagues, may have a drug problem, yet be entirely unaware of it.

It’s because of this reality that many companies have introduced drug policies designed to tackle the problem of drug abuse. It’s not a combative measure in an aggressive sense, but rather an appreciation of the fact that drug abuse is an area of health and social concern, and should an employee develop a problem with drugs, the ultimate effect will be a negative one on the company as a whole, and not just the individual.

Drug policies usually become active in one of three ways:

- An employee is unfit for work because he is under the influence of drugs.
- An employee has admitted a dependency on drugs, and is seeking help.
- The company has evidence of the sale, supply or use of drugs at work.

Drug policies generally apply to all employees, contractors and agency temps who are employed by a company, and while within the working environment. The term "working environment" can vary from company to company, but in general it will include during working hours, stand-by time, lunch or rest breaks, and while on company or customer premises, corporate or hospitality events, or team events out, even if not paid for by the company.

Drug policies normally cover the abuse of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines, heroin, prescribed drugs, over the counter medication, alcohol and every day items like glue, lighter fluid and solvents.

In the first instance, a dependency should be treated as a medical problem rather than a disciplinary matter, but if a person has a problem with drugs, most policies will encourage the individual concerned to discuss the matter, in confidence, with his manager or human resources department, so long as this is practical and within the boundaries of the law.

A good drug policy will help the individual deal with the problem through referral to a rehabilitation program, designed to support the person while undergoing treatment. This is usually at an external organization, and is dependent upon the person’s cooperation.

If, because of drug abuse, a person is unable to continue in his current role, a good drug policy will also help that person find another role within the company to allow them to continue safe employment while treatment is ongoing.

Drug abuse in most cases will, however, be regarded as a disciplinary matter, such as where the employee:

- presents a significant risk to the business, himself, other staff or customers
- is involved in supplying or selling drugs within the work environment
- operates machinery or drives a company vehicle on company business
- has consumed drugs in the workplace
- refuses to accept there is a problem of dependency
- refuses or fails to respond to support or rehabilitation
- has not responded to previous treatment for dependency
- has previously been involved in disciplinary matters stemming from drug abuse
- has allowed drug abuse to lower their behavior to an unacceptable level
- persistently uses or sells drugs in the workplace
- or where he is deemed unfit to work because of his addiction.

More companies across the country are introducing random drug tests in their contracts of employment, as well as at the interview stage. Not only does drug testing protect companies from potential embarrassment or legal hassle, it also acts as an indicator of employees who may need their help.

Keeping Your Child Off Drugs

Protecting a child from harm and enabling him with the confidence and decision-making abilities required for adulthood is something most parents hope for. But while parents are the single most influencing factor in a child’s life, what can they do to protect their children from the influence drugs have in today’s thrill seeking society?

Teach by Example

What parents say and how they act goes a long way to enabling a child to make the right decisions as he grows older. But a child can be subject to confusing signals from his parents, especially when rules laid down in the home are disobeyed by others, or when conflicting behavior causes the child to doubt what he has been told.

For example, a child who is told that alcohol is bad for his health, and who then witnesses his parent drink too much at a family barbeque, will be confused. Similarly, a child who is told smoking will kill him, and that he should never start--like his parents did--will not understand when he sees his parents’ friends being allowed to smoke in the house.

And there are other, more subtle conflicting signals that a child may pick up on, such as being asked to fetch a beer from the refrigerator, or watching an adult open a wine bottle in order to cope with an unhappy or tense situation.

But when drugs are involved, a whole new set of problems present themselves.

When a parent uses illegal drugs, not only does he compromise his child's safety, but he also destroys the child’s ability to form consistent moral codes. The opposing conflict of right and wrong becomes grayed, and the child will try to follow the example set by his parents.

Parents that think they can hide drug use from their children are self-delusional, and the day their children discover the secret, all credibility and parental authority will be lost. After all, if the parents do not respect the law, then why should the children?

Values are handed down through generations of families by the manner in which they are displayed and lived by, but there are other things that can be done to lessen the controlling influence that drugs might have.

Set Boundaries

By setting clear boundaries of expectation and enforcing them in a consistent manner, parents can ensure their children do not receive mixed messages. Confidence in decision-making is enhanced, if the children feel they are behaving in a manner that is safe within these boundaries.

The consequences of breaching your boundaries must be explained in advance, i.e., what your child can expect to happen as punishment. Accordingly, punishment must be appropriate, and should be implemented without exception.

When you begin to talk about drugs, don't assume your child will know where you stand; it must be made clear but in a non-aggressive manner. Don’t be ambiguous, or the child may be tempted to stray.

Explain that you forbid him to use drugs (and perhaps even other substances, such as alcohol and tobacco), because you love him and always will. Hold your child, and back up your wishes with an emotional statement about how it would break your heart. Research has shown that a child will base his future decisions about whether to use drugs on what his parents would think if they found out.

Communicate

As your child grows up, it can become harder to find suitable opportunities to discuss issues about drugs. In an increasingly polarized culture, it is important to talk to your child from an early age and at regular intervals, to keep communication from stagnating.

Family meetings are an excellent way of ensuring communication lines are kept open, provided they are balanced and honest. A weekly meeting in which all members of the family can discuss their personal triumphs and problems, without fear of prejudice or punishment, is a valuable tool in helping your child grow secure within your moral code. Issues about drugs can be brought up at these meetings without your child feeling singled out or under pressure, and it will help him feel more involved as he develops into an adult.

Get Involved

There are many advantages to getting involved with your child’s life. Being active shows him you enjoy his company, and keeps him embraced in the family spirit. It also allows you to set a positive example, and ensures you remain close to your child.

If you suffer from stress, it is a great way of helping to relieve it, but perhaps more importantly, it provides an opportunity for you to strengthen your bond, and build a solid foundation of trust and respect away from the influence of drugs.

Show Your Child You Care

A child who decides not to use drugs often makes this decision because he has developed strong convictions against their use. This may be because of the values you instilled as he grew up, but unfortunately in some cases, it is because the child witnessed the effects drugs have had on people close to him.

You can make your family's values clear early on by explaining why you chose a particular course of action, and how that choice is reflected in your values. By showing your child, and not just telling him, that you care about the choices he makes, particularly about drugs and other substances, you are encouraging him to make good decisions now, and in later life.

Always let your child know how happy you are that he respects your boundaries. Praise him when he deserves it, but punish accordingly when it is deserved. Emphasize the things your child does correctly, instead of focusing on the mistakes he makes.

When parents are quicker to praise than to criticize, children learn to feel good about themselves, and they soon develop the self-confidence required to trust their own judgment. In the end, that is what every parent wants.

Are Drugs Affecting Your Work?

“Do you have a drug problem?” is a question most people answer one way: “No.” But the reality is a lot of people in society do have problems with drugs, and are either in denial, or simply do not realize it.

Many people with drug problems are not unemployed, are not involved in crime, do not dress down, and don’t hang around street corners looking for their next hit. In reality, many drug users manage to hold down good jobs, have a family, and live relatively normal lives. For them, drug addiction is someone else’s problem.

From Recreation to Addiction

Many people view drug taking as a recreational activity, perhaps abusing drugs only on the weekend, or in the evening to help them wind down after a hard day at work. Just as there are millions of people who enjoy an alcoholic drink, there are as many lighting up a joint or swallowing a pill.

But at what point does this casual drug abuse become a life threatening problem? At what point can someone in this situation be classed a drug addict, and be in need of help?

It may very well be the case that one of your co-workers has a problem with drugs and is unaware of it. It might be the girl sitting at the next desk, the man working the production line machinery, or even the woman who works in the canteen. It could be you. All of these people need help and advice in the same way serious drug abusers or alcoholics do.

Drug Policies in the Workplace

Many companies now operate a drug policy, recognizing that drug abuse is an area of health and social concern, and that an employee who develops a problem with drugs can have a detrimental effect on the business, if the problem is kept hidden and left untreated.

Drug policies are designed to encourage people with problems to recognize they need help, and ensure they feel comfortable approaching their employers without fear of retribution. A good drug policy will help a person get his problem under control, so he can return to work fully engaged in his job.

A drug policy will also cover drug use or sale in the workplace, or when an employee is deemed unfit to work because of his addiction. In these instances, dismissal may be a consideration, but more companies are introducing drug tests at the interview stage, as well as random testing on an annual basis, in order to protect themselves, as well as their employees.

But for those employees with a drug problem that genuinely seek help and advice, it can often be found within the boundaries of the modern workplace, and a good drug policy.

Advancement

It is important to remember the shift from using drugs recreationally to addiction can be a slippery slope for most users. Even if a user thinks he does not have a long term problem with drugs, occasional use can often result in significant health and mental problems later in life.

When most people try drugs for the first time, they do not enjoy it, and it requires an amount of ‘practice’ before addiction takes hold. For example, it takes around three months of daily use to become physically addicted to heroin. It is for this reason that heroin causes mental addiction to occur before physical dependence.

Drugs like cannabis do not make the user want to take other drugs in the natural progression of use. In most cases it is a dealer who convinces users to move on to other drugs, usually drugs that are more addictive, and therefore more expensive.

In this case, no natural progression occurs, only external influences or the desire to take more and different drugs. So if you think drugs are causing problems for you, seek help now. It is best to deal with addiction problems as early as possible before they cost the loss of your employment, your family, or worse.

Might I Have A Problem?

Because of the availability of illegal drugs, and the manner in which drugs affect people in different ways, it is not always possible to tell if drugs are being abused.

If you think you may have crossed the line from recreation into addiction, or you feel that drugs are beginning to impair your performance at work or in your personal life, ask yourself the following question, remembering that it is important to be entirely honest with yourself when you answer it: Have drugs ever caused you a problem?

Your answer could be related to a physical or mental problem, or perhaps to an odd event that “just wasn’t you.” If so, speak to your doctor, your manager, or a trusted friend. If you think you need clarification, the chances are good that you already need help in some form.

The CAGEID Questionnaire

The CAGEAID Questionnaire is based on four simple questions designed to get to the truth behind your suspected drug problem.

Ask yourself:

1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drug use (quantity/frequency)?

2. Have you ever felt annoyed at people criticizing your drug use?

3. Have you ever felt guilty about using drugs?

4. Have you ever used drugs first thing in the morning, or to get the day started?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you should seek help immediately.

Reasons Why Rehab Fails

There are many reasons why drug rehab fails for some people, yet works very well for others. Even with the best care and treatment some people relapse, and find themselves feeling more emotionally fragile than before they went in. Occasionally, an individual may be able to pull himself through, but very often, going back to rehab is the only answer.

Returning to rehab is just as tough a choice as the initial decision, but some analysis of what triggered the relapse is needed in order to come to terms with it, and then tackle the root cause.

Structure

Structure in a person’s life is vital if he has been through rehab, and it must come from more than one source.

After checking out from a rehab center, a person must start his new life with a program of recurring events to support the transition. This will help him move more easily into a normal way of life, and will encourage him to use his new-found coping skills acquired during treatment.

Structure means making a commitment; a commitment to building a weekly schedule and keeping to it. These events may come in different forms, such as playing tennis, exercising in a gym, or volunteering for a charity. Activities like these not only help to improve a person’s fitness and positive energy, but also promote feelings of well-being and prevent isolation.

Family Support

When a person goes into rehab, it is understandable that his family will want him to recover quickly. But the family may not know how to cope or provide support when the treatment is complete.

The completion of rehab treatment means a new beginning for the individual, as well as the family he is returning to. It is therefore imperative that the family members reinforce their love and support, by talking and spending time with their loved one.

Counseling for the family is also important; it's a good way to help everyone cope with the stress and guilt they may experience. It is not uncommon for family members to harbor resentment and anger over the past, or about the cost of rehab, but these feelings can be overcome through communication, bonding exercises, and staying healthy.

The patient may also experience guilt and anger because of the pain he feels he has imposed on the people he loves. Family members must be prepared to offer understanding and words of support, to help their loved one cope with the mental anguish of his addiction, because guilt and anger can often be enough to trigger a relapse.

Eating healthy and getting plenty of rest is vital for everyone, because family members will feel stressed and may also find their own sleeping and eating patterns are affected. Tiredness only leads to poor communication and a perceived lack of understanding, which is not good for anyone. A family that is irritable due to the stress of seeing a loved one suffering, can offer no effective support.

Persistence and Change

It is a common misconception that someone who has to return to rehab has failed. This is not the case. It demonstrates the person has recognized he has not fully recovered, but still has the desire and will to change his life in a positive manner. At the same time, it also means that something about the rehab process must change if any difference is to be made.

Repeat visits to rehab should not be frowned upon, if the individual is prepared to make changes to other aspects of his life in order to reinforce the recovery.

Moving to a new place where there are no drugs available is an extreme way to go, but one that has worked for many. In the same way, volunteering to work for an organization where drugs are not available can help the individual immensely. The change may be big or small, extreme or slight, but whatever it is, it must be change.

Focus

When some people decide to go into rehab, they look for a treatment center that has extra benefits attached, such as outdoor pursuits, skills training, or a strong social element. They lose their focus on what is really important, and go into rehab forgetting that it is an opportunity to change their lives for the better, and to try and get to a point where they can live drug free.

While learning new skills and making friends is a healthy aspect of drug rehab, it is important not to let these things distract the individual from the only path that will set him or her free of drugs. Rehab can be fun and interesting, but that should not be the main reason to go to a drug rehab center.

A Unique Approach to Drug Addiction Saved My Life

A month before my dad passed away, he told a close family friend that I would be dead within a year.I was only 21, and drugs had destroyed my life and my relationships. I went through four drug rehab programs and none of them worked. I always went back to drugs and caused more damage. I simply did not care. After my dad died, I spiraled down to the point where I no longer wanted to live. My dad’s premonition almost became reality.

Then, a worried friend drove me to a drug rehab program that had just been started in the Mountains. I don’t remember much of what was said that night, but I do remember asking the director of the drug rehab, “Will I still want to use drugs if I complete this program?”

I’ll never forget his response. He looked directly at me and replied, “Lora, you may always want to use drugs. But if you do this program, you won’t needto use drugs.”

Finally, someone had said something that made sense. He didn’t fill me full of unrealistic goals. He didn’t try to sell me a quick fix, something that I was craving by that point in the evening. So I did what any committed drug addict would do. I left. Two weeks later, I was in jail, sitting in a holding cell and staring at the phone on the wall. I picked up the phone and called the drug ehab – collect.

“Are you sure you’re ready,” the man on the other end of the phone asked.

I answered, “Yes,” and within two hours, my bail had been posted. I remember driving up a heavily wooded, winding road. It was dark. I was scared. I couldn’t see what was ahead of me, and I was not convinced that this drug rehab would be any different from the last. I was wrong.

I graduated from that drug rehab fourteen years ago. I’ve experienced the death of my husband, received my black belt in Tae Kwon Do, lived through a life-threatening illness, gone to college, repaired my relationships with my mother and my brother, and am currently in the process of raising my, now, 13-year-old son. And I’ve done all this without the need for drugs.

The drug rehab that I went through approached drug addiction in a way that I had never been exposed to. The program focused first on cleansing my body of all drug residues. I learned that drug residues had been stored in my fatty cells and that the majority of my cravings were tied to small amounts of these residues releasing back into my blood stream.

Next, the drug rehab taught me practical life skills and helped me sort through the issues that had led me to drugs in the first place. I never once sat in a group therapy session. Instead, I worked through the books that were given to me in a classroom setting. I worked at my own pace, never feeling rushed to complete or understand some aspect of the program. I had my own realizations about what had led me to drugs, about the person I truly am, and about how to live a drug-free life.

Over the years, I have stayed in contact with this drug rehab. I have watched it grow from a small six-client facility tucked at the top of a heavily wooded, winding road to a drug rehab that now can help over a 100 drug addicts at a time.

Because of this unique drug rehab, I no longer view myself as a drug addict. I don’t even view myself as a recovering drug addict. I am simply living my life in a productive way, and the power of drug addiction no longer has its hold on me. Those words from long ago became a reality for me. I no longer need drugs, nor do I want them. My dad would be proud.

Drug Free Rehab vs. Medication as a Drug Rehab

I do not understand western medicine's fascination with medication. It seems these days that everyone is searching for a pill that will be the answer to all of their ailments. Take this pill for that. Take that pill for this. Research which drug will cure this or aid with that. It simply goes on and on. We have become a medicated nation.

I am baffled by this when we see the consequences of drug addiction in our communities. We think our problems with addiction will be solved if only we can get a handle on the meth problem or the heroin problem or the marijuana problem. We can't see that many of the medications that are being handed by our doctors and pharmacies can be just has destructive as so-called street drugs. What's frightening to me is that we are trying to solve the drug addiction problem in our country by creating new drugs that these drug addicts can take to cure their drug addiction.

Does this faulty thinking make any sense? Are more drugs truly the only way to handle a drug addict's drug problem? Why can't we provide those suffering from addiction with a comprehensive drug free rehab program? Yes, I said it. Drug-free. This means skip the methadone clinic. Skip the Subaxone. Skip the anti-depressants. Skip the quick fix.

The cover story for the July 16, 2007 issue of Time Magazine delves into the nature of addiction and how "new brain research is helping us understand why we get hooked." The researchers involved use addicts' brains to "design new drugs that are showing promise in cutting off the craving that drives an addict irresistibly toward relapse." Great! Right? If an addict just didn't crave the drug, he would be fine. Partially, yes. But there is so much more to what causes an individual to get hooked on drugs. There are always underlying issues that the once sober individual is trying to escape. Giving an addict a drug to stop the craving only addresses a part of the problem. There must be drug free ways to reduce the cravings an addict experiences and provide a complete drug free rehab for the drug addict.

Holistic approaches to drug addiction have been developed and have been proven to work. One such program, the New Life Detoxification program offered at Narconon Vista Bay, truly addresses the cravings an addict experiences by cleansing the body of drug residues in a drug free setting, using vitamins and a sauna program at its base. The end result is that the cravings for drugs have disappeared. However, the program also addresses the underlying causes for the addiction in the first place. None of these wonder drugs for addiction deal with the root causes, which in all honesty, makes me question the motivation behind developing these types of drugs.

Who profits from these wonder drugs? Is it the drug addict who now has to support his new habit? What happens to this addict when he can't afford to get his medication? Will he return to using the bad street drugs and find himself caught in the trap of addiction all over again? These drugs to cure addiction are new. That means long term side effects are unknown. What will they be? What side effects will the addict have to deal with?

We have already seen what happens to those on methadone. We know that Subaxone is classified as a narcotic. We have seen that Ritalin, a methamphetamine, causes serious problems for our children. And yet, we keep pushing this idea that medication is the answer to addiction. When will see that drug free rehab is truly the only solution to our drug addiction problems?

About the author: Lora French writes articles regarding drug rehabilitation methods. For more information on a drug free rehab, visit

METH: The New Crank of the 80’s and Drug Treatment Center “Killer” of Today.

"Mom, was it fun growing up in the eighties?” My 13-year-old son asked me this morning. “Of course, it was fun,” I replied. “I had a blast.” Those of us who experienced the end of the sex, drugs, and rock & roll era had a blast. However, when the eighties ended, so did our ignorance in terms of the consequences that drugs would have on us and those who loved us.

If you were like me, you partied hard as a teen - drinking, smoking pot, and in the small town in Nevada that I grew up in, snorting bathtub crank – a highly addictive methamphetamine. Shortly after my first Ozzy Osborne concert in January of 1989, my parents drove me out of the fine state of Nevada and dropped me off at my first of many drug treatment centers. At eighteen, the fun had stopped, and I had to face the destruction that I had created while using crank.

Crank was cheap, cooked in bathtubs, and cut with ephedrine. Back then, it was known as the poor man’s cocaine. Today, crank is almost never found on the streets. Ephedrine is illegal, and the bathtub labs designed to cook up a batch are a scientific experiment of the past.
Addiction to methamphetamine, however, is not. Drug treatment centers have seen methamphetamine addiction skyrocket as Crystal Meth, crank’s evil stepchild, has taken hold of many people across the nation, including many in my hometown in Nevada.

Recently a report released by the office of Nevada’s governor, Jim Gibbons revealed alarming statistics. Of those who used drugs, 45% of adults, 41% of adolescents and 82% of pregnant or parenting women report that crystal meth is their drug of choice. Per capita, Nevada has the highest meth use statistics in the nation according to several sources.

You’ve Completed a Drug Rehab Facility, Now What? 8 Rules for Living Drug Free:

Take Care of Yourself. This may sound pretty simple; however, for most drug addicts this was never high on the priority list. More than likely eating right and getting a good night’s sleep didn’t happen until you were in a drug rehab facility. Now that you are back in the real world, you must continue to eat healthy and sleep well. Adding exercise to your daily plan will also increase your chances of staying sober. Many doctors say that exercise produces a better effect on one’s mood than anti-depressants.
Stay Close to Your Family. This will look different for each of you as you define who your family is. If it’s your husband, your mother, your children, or your closest friends, keep them near. Those who helped you get to a drug rehab facility and succeed will be the ones who will want to see you stay clean. Foster those relationships. Remember those that love you and have helped you clean up are the best people to keep in your inner circle and your spending time with them and helping them will help undo any past harm and damage from drug use or alcoholism.
Pay Attention to the People You Hang Around. If you are hanging around with people who are using, even socially, you are setting yourself up for failure. You already know this. However, this rule extends outside of just your peer group. Remember the groups of people in the drug rehab facility. There were those who really wanted to be there and worked hard at the program, and then there were those who remained negative, who were only there because someone has forced them to attend, or because they were avoiding jail time but were not really ready to quit. Choose, even now, to befriend the positive people. Surrounding yourself with negative people can have destructive consequences, so make sure you pick your groups wisely at work, school and in your free time.
Realize that You Are Not Alone. You are part of the human race. Drug addiction does not differentiate between race, religion, or gender. As you may remember from the drug rehab facility that you attended, everyone who was there came from a different place, but you were united in the pain and destruction that drug addiction causes. Remember that even now you are connected, not just to other drug addicts, but to everyone. If you live as though you are connected to everyone, then you will find that you truly are not alone in this world, and your chances of staying sober will increase. Helping others is an incredible cure for boredom and restlessness, and will fill you with accomplishment and pride. Make sure that you spend time giving of yourself in some way to others.

Could Rapid Detox Suit You?

While traditional drug rehab treatments often involve painful and dangerous detoxification periods, with a statistical failure rate of between 85% and 90%, there is another method that may be considered.

Rapid detoxification is an option for addicts suffering from addictions to heroin, prescription painkillers, or other opioids, and it promoted to be a far less painful method of rehabilitation.

It has always been the case that people who wish to come off drugs would love to do so overnight with the least amount of discomfort as possible. The Waismann Method, for example, promises to offer a quick fix to drug addiction, but it’s definitely not a suitable treatment for everyone.

The method involves the addict being placed under a general aesthetic, and having the opiate receptors of his brain blocked from any opiates. Additional medications are administered, which accelerate the physical reactions to the rapid withdrawal, all done while the patient remains unconscious.

The effect is that after 4 to 6 hours (or 12 to 48 depending on the drugs used); the patient will awaken with no drug dependency, and with no conscious awareness of having experienced a withdrawal.

However, the rapid detox method, which has been hailed as the biggest advancement in drug rehab treatment, like all recovery methods, also has a downside. The most obvious of these is the danger of being put under general anesthetic for such a long period of time, basically creating a coma-like state.

Unfortunately, most research into this method has been carried out under the sponsorship of the institutions involved with promoting its benefits. Due to this, rapid detox has taken off in a huge way, and promises a magical solution to drug addiction that could never be dreamt of before. Its seductive qualities and promises of an instant cure can be misleading if not understood correctly.

METH: The New Crank of the 80’s and Drug Treatment Center “Killer” of Today.

"Mom, was it fun growing up in the eighties?” My 13-year-old son asked me this morning. “Of course, it was fun,” I replied. “I had a blast.” Those of us who experienced the end of the sex, drugs, and rock & roll era had a blast. However, when the eighties ended, so did our ignorance in terms of the consequences that drugs would have on us and those who loved us.

If you were like me, you partied hard as a teen - drinking, smoking pot, and in the small town in Nevada that I grew up in, snorting bathtub crank – a highly addictive methamphetamine. Shortly after my first Ozzy Osborne concert in January of 1989, my parents drove me out of the fine state of Nevada and dropped me off at my first of many drug treatment centers. At eighteen, the fun had stopped, and I had to face the destruction that I had created while using crank.

Crank was cheap, cooked in bathtubs, and cut with ephedrine. Back then, it was known as the poor man’s cocaine. Today, crank is almost never found on the streets. Ephedrine is illegal, and the bathtub labs designed to cook up a batch are a scientific experiment of the past.
Addiction to methamphetamine, however, is not. Drug treatment centers have seen methamphetamine addiction skyrocket as Crystal Meth, crank’s evil stepchild, has taken hold of many people across the nation, including many in my hometown in Nevada.

Recently a report released by the office of Nevada’s governor, Jim Gibbons revealed alarming statistics. Of those who used drugs, 45% of adults, 41% of adolescents and 82% of pregnant or parenting women report that crystal meth is their drug of choice. Per capita, Nevada has the highest meth use statistics in the nation according to several sources.

Choosing the Right Drug Rehab Facility

It’s a decision that can be as daunting as it can be frightening, and it’s most certainly a tough choice for those who have had their lives affected by drugs. Drug rehabilitation centers provide vital support and care for drug addicts in need of treatment, so choosing the right one is crucial to the success and speed of the individual’s recovery.

Deciding that you or someone you love needs to go to a drug rehab facility is a tough call. Once the decision is made, finding a suitable facility should be as quick and painless as possible, since the 24 to 48 hour period from making that decision, to going out and actually getting help, is the most crucial, if success is to be achieved. Decisions need to be implemented based on solid information. This article describes the options to consider, and the questions that need to be asked in order to make that decision.

It is important to find a treatment center that has professional skills and support systems in place that can deal with the addiction. A good drug rehab facility will build on an individual’s strengths and provide support without judgment or blame. It should guide the individual towards personal accountability, and combined with a detoxification and therapy program, it should enhance a person’s self-confidence to a point where it is possible to integrate back into society.

8 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Residential Drug Treatment Center

Facing the fact that someone you love is not only suffering from drug addiction, but now must receive help to overcome the addiction, is difficult for anyone. Where should you start? Who do you turn to? What questions do you need to ask about drug treatment programs? Perhaps, you may have been at this point before, and you now feel a sense of hopelessness in finding a residential treatment center that will work this time around. Maybe, though, this is the first time you’ve had to take these steps to help someone you love. The process can feel overwhelming.

Ultimately, you want your loved one back. You want that person you love free from drugs. You want that person to live a healthy and productive life. By asking the right question on each of the following areas when choosing a residential drug treatment center, your chances of making this happen for your loved one will increase.

Is Your Child a Drug Addict?

The thought that one's child may be abusing drugs is not something most parents wish to contemplate. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that around twenty eight million Americans have at least one alcoholic or drug-addicted parent, and that by inference, their children are at least 34% more likely to suffer from an addiction than children who don't. If both parents suffer, that figure increases to 400%, an astonishing but true statistic.

If drugs aren’t part of your life, don’t think for a moment that your child is immune from their influence. Drugs can enter a child’s life through many routes and at any age, from simple experimentation or peer pressure, to being unable to cope with feelings of stress or depression. It is not always until children are in their teens that they might experiment with mind or mood altering substances.

Drug abuse and addiction is extremely serious. It devastates the lives of those who fall under its spell, and for those around them. The longer a child remains addicted, the less s/he will be able to develop biologically and mentally. Adolescence in particular is a time of rapid change in both of these areas, when children moving towards adulthood, and seeking out their own identity and independence. The temptation to experiment can be very strong, but comes with the risk of devastating consequences.

When does Help become Enabling? Guidelines to Follow:

Anyone who has dealt with a loved one suffering from drug addiction has heard the words, “You’re not helping. You’re just enabling.” These are not easy words to hear, let alone fully understand. To make it simple, helping is when the situation actually improves. In other words, your actions have led your loved one to deal with the drug addiction, perhaps by attending a drug rehab center. Enabling, however, is when the situation worsens, and your actions have contributed to the drug addiction. Although this may seem straightforward, many people unconsciously fall into the trap of enabling. If you’ve ever wondered about your own actions, here are 3 steadfast guidelines to follow to ensure that you are not contributing to the drug addiction.
Do not give him cash. Ever. Cash equates to drugs. Period. Regardless of the story he tells you, never hand him that $100 to pay his phone bill, or that $50 for groceries. Inevitably, the cash will turn into drugs. It is not always easy to follow-through with this as you want to believe that he is telling you the truth this time. Drug addicts, unfortunately, are usually master manipulators and will stop at nothing to get their next fix. If you are even contemplating handing over some cash, ask yourself this: would you purchase the drugs for him? Of course you wouldn’t, but if you hand over the cash, you’re essentially getting in your car, driving to his dealer’s house, and buying the drugs for him.

Instead, every time the question for cash arises, tell him you will put that cash towards paying for a drug rehab center.
Do not bail her out. Yes, this includes bailing her out of jail; however, bailing her out goes beyond incarceration. When she needs a ride at 3 am, don’t go get her. When she was up all night and now asks you to call her boss, don’t make the call. When she asks you to do something that she should be able to do for herself, don’t do it. Yes, this sounds scary. What if she’s in danger when she calls you at 3 am? What if she’s about to lose her job if she calls in one more time? Yes, it is very scary to let go of her. You are afraid you will lose her forever.

Instead, when the 3am call comes, offer an alternative. Perhaps, say “I’ll come get you and take you to that drug rehab center we’ve been saving for.” Or when she does lose her job, offer to help her get her life under control by going to a program that will really help.

Addiction: Is it Really a Disease as Believed by 12-step Drug Rehabilitation Programs?

Despite the fact that 12-step drug rehabilitation programs have extremely low success rates, many addicts and alcoholics flock to this modality of drug treatment. Why? The reasons are simple. Many 12-step drug rehabilitation programs receive state funding, and consequently, the required meetings are free. But is it a true concept that drug addiction is a disease, a concept that 12-step drug rehabilitation programs are based upon? Most importantly, does this belief actually aid the addict in overcoming addiction?

These 12-step drug rehabilitation programs spread the word that there is “No known Cure,” and, in actuality, this belief contributes to the high relapse rates among members. Here’s why. If an addict believes that he suffers from a disease that is incurable, his belief system is already preset for failure. This belief sets up the revolving door of recovery and relapse that plagues 12-step drug rehabilitation programs.

In 2003, the Baldwin Research Institute published an article on its website titled Alcoholism: A Disease of Speculation that asserts the idea that addiction is NOT a disease. The article states: “The disease concept has proven to be far more damaging to the substance abuser then anyone could have predicted. Therapists claim the disease concept helps the patient to understand the seriousness of [his/her] problems. But in reality, this idea has backfired. The disease concept strips the substance abuser of responsibility. A disease cannot be cured by force of will.” And yet, this is exactly what 12-step drug rehabilitation programs expect of their members.

Not only does the addict believe that he must abstain from drugs by sheer force of will, but he also believes that his addiction is a “disease,” an ailment outside of his control. With such beliefs that contradict each other, it’s no wonder so many addicts relapse under this form of drug rehabilitation. Because of the faulty foundation, 12-step drug rehabilitation programs offer no real solution for the addict seeking control over his life.

Top 5 Steps Reasons why Interventions Fail

A successful intervention can lead a person you love toward a drug rehab treatment program that can help them improve their lives and bring happiness and relief to those around him. However, many interventions fail because the families of those afflicted by drug addiction do not know how to lead a successful intervention. Certain factors must be in place and followed in order to get the addict to a drug rehab. Treatment may seem impossible if the addict isn’t willing to seek help. However, a formal intervention will work if done in the proper way.

After spending time interviewing several interventionists and intake counselors from various drug rehab treatment programs, I have come up with the top 5 reasons why an intervention would fail:

1. Failure to use a Professional: This may sound pitch for interventionists, but the plain fact is that most family members are not accustomed to confronting and addressing problems easily amongst themselves. They may carry guilt from the past, bring up unresolved and unrelated issues and the entire situation may turn into a screaming match which results in nothing but pain for everyone. Interventions can get so ugly that the exact opposite effect occurs, that the addict refuses help and swears off his family and jumps deeper into his own self-destruction.

Many drug rehab programs have staff trained to facilitate an intervention, or can refer you to one. These individuals guide the intervention towards the ultimate goal, which is to get your loved one to a drug rehab treatment center. They bring an unbiased opinion to what is bound to be an emotional and difficult situation for those involved and are able to see things far in advance and can lead the way towards success.

2. Wavering from the Determined Goal: Ultimately, you want your loved one to check into a drug rehab. Treatment is the only option if you are even considering an intervention, not meetings or to let him do it on his own. Do not lose focus on this once the intervention starts and make sure that all involved are willing to do what it takes to make this happen. Sometimes the addict will shift blame to other family members and try to take on the role of a victim. This can be a powerful tool of manipulation as there may be truth or guilt connected to it. Once this happens, family members start to negotiate with the addict or doubt themselves. This will have disastrous effects on the success of the intervention.

Regardless of what “dirty laundry” may come out on the table, the fact of the matter is that the addict is the one that needs help the most and although everyone may have problems in life, the addict is the one who the focus must be on. He may do or say terrible and hurtful things to get our of the intervention and back onto drugs and that must not happen.

3. A Family Divided: Involve all members of the family in the intervention planning, providing they are there to help. Ensure that everyone who will be attending is in agreement with the ultimate goal of getting the addict to a drug rehab treatment center. If one family isn’t on board, he may secretly tell the addict about the intervention in advance or may take sides with addict, thus weakening the argument for treatment and ensuring a failure. If the family members doing the intervention are bitter towards each other, the addict can turn the entire meeting into a circus of finger-pointing in order to escape the situation.

There must always be an ultimatum which is: Drug Rehab Treatment or nothing. This can be difficult for a mother who doesn’t want to “see her baby on the street” or a father who knows his son or daughter “can’t survive on their own”. If the addict knows that the parents will cut him off but the grandparents will ALWAYS take him in no matter what, the leverage is lost. If all family members have the same goal in mind and stick together, the better chance the intervention has of succeeding. After all, the idea is to HELP the addict, right? Enabling someone to continue their lifestyle of self-destruction is hardly help but a silent condoning of it.

4. Failure to have an Immediate Plan of Action.Prior to the intervention, make sure you have a plan of action that will actually get your loved one to a drug rehab where he can be treated for his addiction. Often the addict will agree to go to treatment “later” after he “takes care of a few things”. Offer to take care of those things for him so that it is one less thing to worry about. He may make excuses as to why he can’t go now; his job is too important or his school is almost done. In fact, he may convince you that his considerations are valid and it can seem like there really is no way her can go.

However, you must not let that happen. The odds are against him that he will actually make it to the drug rehab treatment center. Have a plane ticket, a ride, and an escort ready to get him there within 24 hours after the intervention takes place. You may be able to stretch this time to 48 hours at the VERY LATEST, but make sure the addict has close supervision the entire time. I spoke to several parents who were devastated after they allowed their child to put off treatment until some “important things” were taken care of, only to find their child had overdosed. Not one of these parents felt that it was worth it to wait to get the addict into treatment and all of them regretted not doing whatever they could to get their child into the drug rehab. Also, none of them foresaw the danger the addict was really in.

5. Inadequate Research of Drug Rehab Treatment. There are many types of drug rehab treatments out there and it is important to research which one will best help the addict in your life. Once you have made a decision, get in contact with the drug rehab treatment center and let them know about the intervention and you can often get some great advice. Have some of their literature on hand during the intervention, so the addict realizes that drug rehab is not prison, but simply a place to change your life.

Every drug rehab program has rules, and rightly so. Learn what they will allow and not allow. For instance, some programs do not allow cigarette smoking. If the addict smokes, this program would not be a good choice. If the intervention is on the right track, having this information immediately available will help speed the process along.

An intervention can seem overwhelming and frightening to the family of an addict and should not be underestimated. However, it can be successful if the reasons above are resolved and the corresponding steps above are followed. There is hope in getting your loved one into a type of a drug rehab treatment program that changes their lives for the better. For more information on interventions and a successful drug rehab center, visit www.drugrehab.net.