Category: Australia

narcotics types dara

Narcotics And Their Types

Articles, Australia, Education, International

A narcotic is a natural drug that inhibits pain and increases sleepiness. A narcotic is an illegal substance when used and not prescribed by a doctor nor used for medical reasoning. Narcotics are also at high risk for abuse when not taken explicitly as prescribed by a medical professional.

Types of narcotics:

Opioids These drugs include hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and codeine. Opioids are the most commonly used narcotic drug, and they are the most tightly regulated. These drugs are typically prescription medications one receives from a physician for chronic pain management. They are highly abused and are very addictive; so much so, that they are rated as the leading cause of hospital admittances for accidental injuries as well as complications due to overdosing. Opioids have serious side effects when not used properly. Some side effects from using opioids could include constipation and nausea. Others include insomnia and vomiting. There are other serious side effects that occur when using opioids improperly.

Cannabinoids Marijuana and hashish are considered types of cannabis, or cannabinoids. THC, the active ingredient in these drugs lower the perception of pain throughout one’s body. THC is a very potent drug, and it moves quickly through the body to the brain causing it to begin working rapidly just after it is inhaled. Marijuana produces an instant feeling of relaxation and mellowness. It can also cause one to feel light-headed, and one can even experience slight vision changes. It can enhance the other senses also. Some other more serious side effects include short term memory complications, impaired coordination, issues with learning and diminishing problem solving skills. Furthermore, it can cause feelings of paranoia and cause feelings of panic as well. It has, however, been shown that these types of narcotics have less probability for abuse, and one is less likely to become addicted to marijuana. However, the side effects from this drug cause concern for those who take them.

Hallucinogens The most common hallucinogens are LSD and PCP. These drugs can be extracted from plants or mushrooms or the can be manmade. They can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, brewed, injected or inhaled. These drugs are not as popular as they were about 25 years ago, but they are still being used today. These psychedelic drugs are dangerous because they put the user into a dreamlike state, which could potentially cause the user to harm himself or even someone else. Hallucinogens alter one’s thoughts and feelings. They can affect one’s mood, cause sleeping problems, change one’s eating habits, alter body temperature, affect one’s sexual behavior as well as functioning and can alter the control one has over her muscles. More short term effects include rapid heart rate and nausea. Moreover, one may experience elevated blood pressure and excessive sweating. Other possible long term effects can be problems with speech, anxiety as well as depression. Flashbacks can also happen due to taking hallucinogens, and can even interfere with daily functioning. Not to mention there is a risk of poisoning from taking these sorts of drugs. They can also cause more serious side effects such as seizures and possibly even death. Death typically occurs due to accidental injuries while taking the drug or by suicide from the effects of the drug. Their effects can become apparent as soon as 20 minutes after ingesting the drug, and the effects can last up to 12 hours. The effects depend on how much one takes as well as the individual’s brain makeup. Psychedelic drugs have more potential to be abused and have the potential to develop a dependence to them quite easily. Therefore, they are illegal and controlled more heavily by law enforcement. The effects of hallucinogens are highly unpredictable and, therefore, are quite dangerous to ingest.

Stimulants Types of stimulants include diet pills, caffeine, Ritalin, amphetamines and methamphetamines. Stimulants increase alertness and energy. They elevate blood pressure and stimulate quicker patterns of breathing. With stimulants one may also experience lack of appetite, sleep changes and headaches. Compulsive behaviors may also develop as side effect from taking this category of drug. Also, taking stimulants can increase anxiety in those taking these drugs. In children, stimulants may also cause them to grow at a slower rate. These drugs have a high potential for abuse. Oftentimes when one uses stimulants they become less concerned with things they would normally deem as important because they are more interested in pursuing their next high. Tolerance for these types of drugs can happen quickly and dependence can develop rapidly. One should use caution when using this group of drugs.

 

If you or someone you know is using narcotics, please seek professional help to aid you in quitting the use of narcotic drugs.

talking with addict dara

Say This Not That

Articles, Australia, International, Understanding Addiction

If someone you care about has a drinking problem, the best way to approach them in is a kind, considerate and empathetic manner. Put yourself in their shoes and think about how you would want to be approached if you had a problem like them.

Here are a few ways to consider approaching the topic with your family member or friend, who has a drinking problem: Say this, not that.

SAY: “I wonder if you drank less, if your health problems would improve.” It is true. You can even backup your statement with some facts, but do your best not to sound like a know-it-all. Some facts after one stops drinking include one’s complexion and skin looking and feeling better. One can also drop some pounds after cutting out alcohol since it is loaded with calories, and considering it is full of sugar, it can cause sugar cravings to decrease as well. After stopping alcohol use, one will also experience more clarity and concentration. It can also benefit one’s mental health as well. After quitting alcohol, one’s mood will increase as can their mental clarity. Health problems can be drastically affected by drinking alcohol. However, if one chooses to stop drinking, his physical and mental health can improve over time.

NOT: “Since you have become an alcoholic, your well-being greatly decreased.” Accusing someone of being an alcoholic, especially before they are willing to accept the fact they have a drinking problem, will quickly shut them down. There are many health concerns that are increased that come with being a chronic drinker, such as heart problems and cancer, but choosing your words wisely is incredibly important when trying to talk to a friend who abuse alcohol. Try saying the above statement, instead of this one, and it will hopefully come across much more loving.

SAY: “I have noticed since you have been drinking, you are not as happy as you used to be.” Yes, alcohol is a depressant, so it alters one’s mood. Not only could alcohol be adding to someone’s depression, but it could also be causing anxiety. Even if the person is taking medication for depression or anxiety, the medications may not be working if they are drinking alcohol while taking the medications. The alcohol will counteract the medication causing it to be ineffective. Alcohol can cause or deepen one’s mood disorder, but one’s mood can rise when he chooses to stop using alcohol.

NOT: “Are you unhappy because you have a drinking problem?” This type of question could backfire on you. The individual may not think they are unhappy or she may not think she has a drinking problem. She may be in denial about both of these issues. She may not be able to see the effects alcohol is having on her, especially not in the same way you can see it. The feelings she is experiencing may feel quite normal to her, so she might even be unaware her own feelings unhappiness. She might even blame her unhappiness on life or other circumstances and will not correlate it to her alcohol use. To avoid these statements, ask an open ended question like the one above instead of this one.

SAY: “I have been doing some research, and I am wondering if you should take an assessment about your drinking.” Talking to a friend your believe has an alcohol problem about completing an alcoholic assessment is a step in the right direction. Mentioning the information you have learned, while educating yourself about alcoholism, will also be beneficial. Any insight you can give them into their alcohol problem will potentially get them thinking about their alcohol use as a problem. Again, be careful with your wording. You do not want to sound like a wise guy or a walking encyclopedia either. You simply want them to see they may have a problem with alcohol.

NOT: “You have to stop drinking.” He does not HAVE to discontinue drinking. It is better for addicts to make their own choices about quitting. Him choosing to end his alcohol consumption usually produces better results throughout the recovery process. Also, this type of statement does not show concern or care about the person either. This is your opinion, and he may not believe the same thing. A better way to allow him see his alcohol use is a problem is to get him to take an alcohol assessment, like with the statement mentioned above.

Cutting out alcohol has both short term and long term benefits. Helping your friend realize she has an alcohol problem and helping her toward the path to recovery is a crucial step. No matter what, it is important for your friend to know that you will always be there for her, even if she decides now is not the time for her to own her alcohol problem.

hydrocodone dara

Why Is Hydrocodone An Opiate To Respect And Fear?

Articles, Australia, International, Understanding Addiction

Let us take a look at a highly effective painkiller and address some answers to the question: Why is hydrocodone an opiate that should be treated with caution?

What is hydrocodone?

It is a semi-synthetic opioid that is derived from codeine. This is one of the more commonly known opioid alkaloids found in the opium poppy.

It acts as a powerful narcotic painkiller and works very effectively by interfering with your central nervous system pain signals. When taken it prevents nerves in the body from sending pain signals to the brain.

While it is prescribed on its own it is often combined with other drugs. Two examples are by adding acetaminophen. This combination works in a two-fold way.

The acetaminophen helps to calm a person’s mood, and it boosts the effects of hydrocodone’s painkilling abilities. The prescribed drug Vicodin is an example of this combination.

It is also commonly used in lower quantities with antihistamines and sold over the counter in pharmacies as cough medicine and medicine which is used to give relief from pain caused by coughing.

So why is hydrocodone an opiate to be feared?

This is because of the very strong addictive properties it contains. Those using hydrocodone should only do so as prescribed by their health practitioner. It is also very important to be fully aware of the drug’s potential for addiction.

When it comes to recreational use many users may be aware of its addiction qualities, but this is certainly not stopping it being abused. Indeed, it is claimed that hydrocodone is the most abused opiate in the United States.

Is there a difference between dependence and addiction?

When asking this question there can be confusion. Even medical authorities are changing these terms because of such confusion.

It is generally felt that when the word “dependence” is used this is referring to a physical dependence upon a substance. Such dependence is marked by symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal.

Even though it is accepted that some users have a physical dependence on a drug it is also acknowledged that they are not classed as being addicted to it. Having said this it is also the case that addiction is very likely to follow dependence.

Addiction is generally acknowledged when biochemical changes take place in the brain after continual substance abuse.

Such addiction is seen in a person’s behaviour, their all-consuming need that prioritises the abused drug above everything else and irrational acts when they do not have the substance in their system.

Why is hydrocodone an opiate you become so quickly addicted to?

This is because it creates effects very similar to heroin and morphine although the intensity of the hydrocodone ‘hit’ and its associated highs are slightly lower.

Euphoria, relaxation and being at one with the world are common feelings that recreational users chase. The problem is that with regular use the mind and body quickly become tolerant of the drug.

Such tolerance often means that mentally you are quickly convinced that another hit is due, and physically you will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms if you do not feed your need.

The more often you take, the more you want, and quickly it becomes evident that you require more hydrocodone simply to achieve the same feelings as previous ‘highs’.

When such a cycle continues you are facing hydrocodone dependence and addiction.

If you are in this position or feel that hydrocodone is beginning to take over your life it is absolutely vital you seek the help of your medical practitioner. Better still, take a long look at the services offered by a professional rehabilitation centre.

Is hydrocodone an opiate to be messed with?

The answer here is very clear: NO! Many users have an attitude of “It will never happen to me”.

Sadly, while experimenting with hydrocodone on its own is bad enough, many users take an even more damaging step and begin to mix the drug with other illicit substances or alcohol in their effort to reach an even ‘higher high’.

It is true that this can be achieved, but please understand that you are also leaving yourself open to serious psychological and physical damage that has resulted in many fatalities caused by overdose.

Side effects:

Similar to other opiates, hydrocodone comes with a variety of side effects that affect different users in different ways. Some of the more common are feeling nauseous, constipation, a runny nose, chills or sweating and derogatory changes to your diet.

There are a whole host of other side effects that can rise in seriousness such as increased anxiety, feelings of depression and insomnia. Those suffering from such effects must seek professional help either from a rehabilitation centre or their doctor very quickly.

Is hydrocodone an opiate you can withdraw from easily?

The truthful answer is that it is easier to withdraw from hydrocodone than it is to stay clean from thereon in.

This is why the withdrawal process should be seen as just part of your ongoing rehab care. It is common for a medical practitioner to taper your dose. This means gradually reducing the amount taken over a given timescale.

While this is certainly a step in the right direction many feel it is simply not enough to see your doctor once a week while trying to kick your hydrocodone habit.

One major reason here is that in all likelihood you will be living in the same environment you became addicted in and temptation will be everywhere.

Consider a residential rehab clinic:

While tapering will be used to lessen your withdrawal symptoms when you enroll as an inpatient at such an establishment there are a host of other mental, physical and spiritual aspects included during your stay.

Caring councillors and medical staff fully understand what you are going through. Their mission is to help you manage what is undoubtedly a testing time of your life.

Just as importantly they realise how vitally important aftercare is when it comes to keeping you off hydrocodone.

When considering inpatient rehabilitation establishments it is very important that you look at the aftercare options offered. You should choose one that gives a variety of options.

Is hydrocodone an opiate addiction you can beat?

Without a shred of doubt the resounding answer to this final question is: YES!

dara thailand rehab

Thailand Rehab Where Addiction Can Be Beaten

Articles, Australia, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

For those dependent upon alcohol or drugs and looking to kick their habit, South East Asia may not be the first port of call, but please think again; Thailand rehab resorts should most definitely be a consideration.

Let us first understand why you need professional rehab services, regardless of whether you take these in your own country or at an overseas rehabilitation establishment.

It is time for change:

If you are currently in, or heading towards a cycle of addiction you will have realised the damage you are doing to yourself and your loved ones. Realising such damage is one thing, admitting to it is another.

But, it is very important to understand that once you face up to, and take responsibility for your addiction issues, and the baggage your action is leaving behind it is the first crucial step in challenging your dependence problems.

This is when it is time to change your world.

Kicking your habit alone:

Before we consider the advantages of using a fully qualified, professional and extremely cost effective Thailand rehab establishment it should be pointed out that the first course of action for many addicts is to try and beat addiction on their own.

While this is an admirable route to take, it is filled with obstacles that in the majority of cases will derail your efforts to stay ‘clean’.

It is important to understand that this is not because you are weak, it is simply because the tolerance your body and mind have built up to your drug of choice mean they demand more of the same on a crushingly regular basis.

There is also a strong likelihood that you will have the distractions of being in the same social surroundings that helped begin, and continue to cement your love/hate relationship with your ‘poison’ of choice.

Such an environment and the ease of which illicit substances are freely available to you mean the slightest set-back, or temptation you are given will be the best excuse ever for ‘just one more hit’.

Addiction is easy to achieve, beating it is far more challenging!

Make no mistake, the illegal substances that are readily available on the street are ruthless. They will give you a cracking high, they will leave you feeling at ease with the world and of course, you will feel you can control your use and abuse.

If only this was the case! The payback is that your body and mind quickly build up a tolerance to such drugs and the vicious circle begins.

This tolerance begins a very hungry habit. The brain demands feeding, but because it continues to be fed, it needs more of the drug to achieve the same high as your last hit.

Simple solution: Take more!

As sure as day follows night, the more you take the more you need, the more you need the more you want.

No get out of jail free card:

Many already realise and many millions more will quickly find out that once your body is dependent upon and expecting its next ‘feed’, you will not be able to simply step away from it and stop use.

Withdrawal symptoms will remind you of this in a nagging, nauseous and not very nice way. The solution to curbing such withdrawal symptoms is either to “get back on it” or take the route that is inevitable:

Inpatient rehabilitation services:

Professional help is required if you are to face, challenge and beat your addiction problems. Here are some of the reasons why Thailand rehab resorts should be strongly considered.

Professional, qualified staff:

It goes without saying that those suffering from alcohol or drug addiction need the assistance of caring, professional and qualified staff. The luxury rehab resorts you will encounter overseas are based along exactly the same lines as your in-country options in terms of treatment, counselling and qualified staff, but they also give a whole host of additional benefits.

Challenging and caring:

While overseas rehab resorts offer idyllic settings and luxurious comfort, this alone will not resolve your addiction problems.

You need to receive caring, professional help from staff that fully understand the issues and challenges you face.

Such staff will have the knowledge, skills and presence to challenge you and your current problems in a way that will help you realise the extent of the problem, the damage it is doing to you from a physical and psychological point of view, the unnecessary heartache you are causing to your loved ones, and the steps required to overcome such challenges.

Out of your environment into tranquility:

Your current environment is not conducive to kicking a habit. By remaining in an often sterile environment this will do little to aid your efforts, indeed it simply adds fuel to the fire in terms of temptations and opportunities when it comes to relapsing.

The tropical and idyllic settings of a Thailand rehab recovery resort are exactly the opposite. They will give you a chance of a new start in a fresh, exciting and exhilarating setting, and such a setting will help prepare you to face the personal mountains you need to climb in beating your addiction in the short term, and then laying a solid foundation for long term rehabilitation assistance.

Tranquil surroundings, internal angst:

Please do not fool yourself that withdrawal and staying “clean” for the long term is an easy ride, but climbing and overcoming your initial withdrawal and angst issues is a far more achievable task if your surroundings give a calm and peaceful environment to do so.

Thailand rehab resorts offer such a setting over and over and over again.

Physical, Psychological, Spiritual:

Luxury rehab resorts will address your problems through physical exercises that are within your reach, they will help you explore the psychological reasons as to why alcohol or substance abuse has overtaken your life, and calming spiritual teaching is offered as part of your recovery process.

Cost effective care – Prompt attention:

Luxury overseas rehab resorts are often thought of as a bridge too far in terms of cost for many who have an addiction problem, or for those who feel their use of alcohol and/or illicit substances has taken a step too far.

THINK AGAIN: In many cases the cost of such care is far cheaper than in your own country, if appropriate it can be supported by medical insurance policies, and you will be entering a brand new environment with a fresh feel and ambience.

This on its own lends itself to positive thoughts, total encouragement and a determination you will find falls into place thanks to the surroundings and settings you will gladly expose yourself to.

THINK AGAIN: Waiting lists are the bane of anyone who has made a very hard and conscious decision to finally admit they want to quit their drug of choice.

When such a decision is made, this can and should be a monumental time of your life.

The last thing an addict needs is to be told: “Yes”, we understand you have a problem, join the queue, we will be back to you in 3, 6, 9 months’ time.

In the vast majority of cases, anyone contacting a Thailand rehab resort in need of care, professional attention and a real opportunity to beat their addiction in both the short and long term will be offered a placement that ensures treatment begins very quickly.

cost of alcohol dara

The Cost Of Drinking Alcohol

Articles, Australia, International

Overcoming an alcohol addiction can be a hard feat. If you have tried it in the past, you may even think it is impossible. Others may just not be ready to quit. However, when you are ready to quit, there are many ways to support your decision. You do not have to wait for a major life change to decide to quit either. Your choice to change may simply come after weighing the pros and cons of your alcohol consumption. Here are some ideas to help you decipher the benefits and the consequences you may be experiencing due to your alcohol intake.

Those who drink and associate forgetting their problems and alcohol together, view this as a gain for their lives. Some people, especially teenagers, who drink, may use drinking as an escape from having to deal with their family problems. Others may drink to avoid dealing with other negative relationships in their life, such as their boyfriend or spouse. Other people drink to deal with depression or other mood disorders they deal with everyday. Other individuals drink because they do not feel secure in their identity, so they withdrawal with alcohol. Often those who have been drinking for a period of time, have become addicted and cannot stop drinking. Whatever the case, they are using alcohol as a means to avoid complications in life.

Others use alcohol to help them relax; another positive outcome in their opinion. Alcohol can improve one’s mood and make you feel less stressed for a period of time. These people might also be the ones getting drunk in order to not have any feeling at all, where they are almost in a euphoric state because their body is totally relaxed, and they are no longer themselves.

Those who drink often worry about what will happen when they stop drinking alcohol, so they keep drinking because they are afraid of the negative results. Individuals, who use alcohol to loosen up, often worry about having to find a new way to cope with their problems if they give up their alcohol use. It is normal to fear the unknown when changing a lifestyle, specifically when choosing to quit using alcohol.

Other people also fear having to deal with responsibilities they have been putting off because of their alcohol consumption, so they choose not to deal with the consequences. However, if you stop drinking, you will have more money to deal with the responsibilities you have put on the back burner. You will no longer have to worry about missing work deadlines or school assignments because you will be more involved without alcohol in your life. You will have more time to fulfill your responsibilities rather than sitting at a bar. You can also be more involved in your spiritual life you have neglected because you will not have guilt standing in the way. After stopping consuming alcohol, this fear will be replaced with optimism because you will realize you will have more time, energy and other resources to deal with the responsibilities you have been ignoring.

Nonetheless, alcohol consumption can often leave you feeling more depressed and having more consequences. Alcohol is a depressant, so by nature, it is going to leave you feeling depressed at the end of the night. Drinking is often an easy way to self-medicate; to help you forget about your problems and your depression. However, alcohol abuse can worsen depression as well as other mental health issues. Alcohol abuse has also been linked to suicidal behavior. Since it is a depressant, it increases inhibitions and lowers judgment creating a dangerous atmosphere for suicidal thoughts. There are tons of resources dedicated to this topic, so if this idea is a concern in your life, check out some other reliable resources online to educate yourself better on this topic.

Some people also say a benefit to consuming alcohol is that boozing allows them to have more fun. It is true that alcohol can arouse your senses. Alcohol consumption, especially with teens and young adults, is viewed as having a good time with friends and partying, yet there are many facts disproving the notion that alcohol actually creates a more enjoyable atmosphere. Despite these facts, there are also many other ways to have fun and be fun without hitting the bottle, such as dancing or watching movies.

Another fear of those who are considering ending their drinking habit, is the fear of losing friends they often drink with and this negative consequence may prevent them from quitting. Many drinking companions will not understand the decision to stop drinking. They have not seen the effects that it has had on your life, so it will be hard for them to understand. Losing friends is never easy, notably, when someone is making a major life change. Even though your companions may not understand, you have to consider all the other benefits you will gain by not drinking, even if that means losing some people close to you in the process.

Some others associate problems in their relationships because of their alcohol consumption, which could end up leading them to a path of recovery. Alcohol can have many effects on relationships. If you see complications in your relationship due to boozing, it is a good sign that you may need to seek professional help for your drinking issue.

If you are relying on alcohol to solve or lessen the troubles you are having or are drinking because you think it creates a more enjoyable atmosphere, you may need to consider the costs of the habit you are developing. Weighing the costs and benefits is a good way to determine if you are ready for a change. Once you decide you need a change, please explore appropriate, professional options to help guide you to a path of recovery.