Category: Education

Ice Use in Australia

The Drug “ICE” In Australia

Australia, Articles, Education, International, Treatment

The level of Ice use in Australia has grown to levels of extreme concern and there is little evidence that things will get better any time soon.

It is no exaggeration to state that the drug “Ice” in Australia is affecting whole communities and is being used by a wide range of people. Students attending “pharm” parties, city business workers and long-distance truck drivers all dabble. The problem with Ice is that most of those who try it do not realise just how addictive it is.

What is Ice?

Commonly known as Crystal Meth, Ice is the crystallised form of Methamphetamine. It is also the purest and strongest form of the drug. Ice is a synthetic (man-made) drug that is fairly easy to produce. This is evidenced by the number of makeshift laboratories that are regularly discovered by authorities.

How is it used?

Ice can be snorted, swallowed or injected, but the most common method of use is to smoke it using a glass pipe. Whichever way Ice is taken it needs to be understood that this drug is wickedly addictive.

What’s the attraction?

Ice is a stimulant drug and as such it increases dopamine levels in the brain. This increase produces an instant, euphoric rush, leaves a user brimming with confidence and energy and offers huge increases of confidence.

So, what’s the problem?

Ice Use In Australia – The “high” received is intense but short-lived. This means the users need more on a very regular basis. Once an Ice binge begins it is not uncommon for it to last 3 days. Users are chasing the initial euphoric buzz received and while it is true that each subsequent blast will give effects, these effects are not as intense as first use.

The obvious solution to this is to take a little more each time. Because of its “moreish” nature once an Ice session begins it will only end when supplies and money runs out or the users crash-out through sheer exhaustion.

Addiction develops quickly:

Make no mistake, once a person begins to use Ice that use will rapidly increase. This is in terms of regularity as well as the amount taken. The result of this is a dependence upon the drug which means that the user cannot do without it.

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Drug Withdrawal

Drug Withdrawal

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Drug Withdrawal is no easy feat, but it is important to understand that millions before you have managed it and millions more will continue to do so.

Let’s take a look at the issues which surround drug withdrawal and how best to achieve a life of continued sobriety.

When withdrawal begins:

Once a person forms a dependence upon a substance it means they cannot do without it. From the moment they cease use withdrawal symptoms will follow. It is important to understand that different drugs will have differing withdrawal symptoms and timespans. This is dependent upon how they interact with your brain and bodily functions.

When taken, drugs are absorbed and remain active in the body for differing amounts of time. You will often hear this being referred to as the drug’s “half-life”. This is in relation to the different withdrawal time periods for each substance.

Severity and duration:

The severity and duration of drug withdrawal is certainly influenced by the level of a person’s dependency on that particular substance as well as other factors which include:

  • The length of time you have been abusing the substance
  • The type of substance being used and abused
  • The favoured method of drug taking – This relates to whether you snort, smoke, inject or swallow the drug
  • Amount of the substance taken for each “hit”
  • Genetic makeup and family history
  • Medical factors that include the state of your physical and mental health

It stands to reason that the longer you have been addicted, the more pronounced the withdrawal symptoms will be.

Timeline examples of drug withdrawal:

The following information is a general overview and will not be specific to all. Some will feel withdrawal symptoms for a shorter period of time, others longer.

  • Heroin: Withdrawal begins within 12 hours from last dose, peaks between 24-48 hours and can last between a few weeks and a few months
  • Prescription opiates (e.g. methadone, OxyContin, Vicodin and morphine): Withdrawal starts within 8-12 hours for the majority of prescribed opiates, peaks between 12-48 hours and lasts 5-10 days. Methadone withdrawal is the exception. This begins within 24-48 hours, peaks in the first few days and lasts between a fortnight and one month.
  • Benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium, Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan): Withdrawal generally begins within 1-4 days and peaks during the first two weeks. It is possible that this group of drugs can cause protracted withdrawal lasting months.
  • Cocaine: Withdrawal starts within hours of the last dose, peaks in a few days and lasts between 1-10 weeks.
  • Alcohol: Withdrawal generally begins between 8 hours and a few days from the last drink, peaks within 24-72 hours and lasts a few weeks

Overcoming drug addiction is achievable:

While the above does not make particularly pretty reading, the fact is that the time spent going through withdrawal is nothing compared to the length of time you will have been addicted. As we stated at the beginning, drug withdrawal can be achieved. With strong will-power, determination, courage and self-belief you can kick your habit and look to a far better future.

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Australia Drug Use

Australia Drug Use 2017

Australia, Articles, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Australia Drug Use 2017 – Like so many western societies, Australia has a huge drug problem. We will consider the major influences in terms of substance use and abuse and consider what is being done by authorities in respect of drug addiction and abuse.

Reports state that the number of people seeking treatment for drug and alcohol problems continues to rise and although amphetamines are rapidly gaining in popularity, alcohol is still the major drug that people seek assistance for.

Those using cocaine are from the wealthier sections of the population as Australians pay the most per gram for the drug in the world. It is probably this fact that has kept addiction to cocaine at lower levels than in other countries.

Demographic changes:

Australia Drug Use 2017 – It was also noted that demographics are changing. An increasing number of older Australians are seeking treatment for their drug problems. Those over the age of 40 made up one-third of the numbers seeking assistance, although an equally worrying trend is seen from the younger population with those in their 20’s accounting for a quarter of those seeking help.

Cannabis and Ice:

While many do not feel the need to seek assistance for cannabis its use is extremely popular and by far the most used illegal drug in Australia. Indeed, the country is amongst the highest users of cannabis in the world. In terms of addiction the amphetamine; Ice, is seen as being the biggest problem for drug users.

The surge in Ice use has been phenomenal. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showing a very worrying 175% increase in the number of treatments delivered to amphetamine users over the last five years.

For the uninitiated, here’s what Ice is:

It is methamphetamine. This white crystalline drug can either be snorted, injected, taken orally, or used in its most popular form; smoked. Whichever way the drug is used it quickly builds up a tolerance for the user. This means that more is regularly required to reach the same ‘high’ as previously experienced.

These strong cravings make it extremely difficult for a person to resist the urge to take more and it is not unknown for Ice binges to last 3 days or longer. The two things that will stop a binge are complete exhaustion or an exhaustion of funds. Either way, once a binge ends the user will fall into a deep sleep that can easily last a full 24 hours.

What’s the buzz?

Ice affects the brain and the way a person feels as well as thinks. Creating a false sense of happiness and contentment it leaves users with feelings of well-being and added self-confidence, hyperactivity and boundless energy.

These feelings make the drug an extremely popular club drug with many using it as their perfect partner for all-night parties, clubs and music concerts.

A worrying trend:

It was also noted that in South Australia and Western Australia that amphetamine-related treatments have now overtaken treatments that are alcohol-related. As an aside, cannabis remains the main drug of concern in Queensland.

What is being done:

Australia Drug Use – Health authorities are increasing their efforts in terms of education and treatment facilities. It is clear that due to the country’s remoteness in terms of borders that the drug using community are prepared to experiment with whatever they can get their hands on, but the fact that Ice is relatively easy to produce shows that their efforts must be concentrated on reducing manufacture, supply and use of this wickedly addictive drug.

UK Drug Use 2017

UK Drug Use 2017

Articles, Education, United Kingdom

Let’s take a look at what the UK Drug Use 2017 scene tells us about users in the United Kingdom.

Most commonly used substances:

According to statistics the overall use of drugs has declined in the UK over the last 10 years. However, the UK is still a leader in Europe in terms of drug abuse. Due to the ease of access for growing, purchase and use, cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug. It will certainly be interesting to see if a future UK Government decides to decriminalize this drug as has been seen in several countries around the world.

Cocaine remains the most prevalent stimulant and is 2nd to cannabis in the overall drug use charts. Younger users (aged between 16-34) are also more likely to dabble with MDMA/Ecstasy, allowing this stimulant to reach 3rd place.

Drug treatment:

Those entering treatment in the UK drug use 2017 findings indicate that opioids were top of the list as primary substances amongst those seeking treatment. As many had predicted, heroin remains the chief opioid related to rehab treatment.

Perhaps surprisingly, cannabis was the 2nd most common substance to send users in search of treatment and it was the most prevalent for those seeking first-time treatment. Those seeking help for cocaine abuse followed this.

Another interesting fact in terms of treatment was that the long-term trend is indicating a continual increase in the age of those users seeking treatment assistance for opioid use.

Harm reduction initiatives:

The government bodies concerned with harm reduction initiatives in the UK cover activities that include information campaigns stating the risk of drug use and its associated consequence, providing information on how to inject more safely and pressing home the need for safer sex. There are initiatives underway that allow for the increased provision of free needles and syringes as well as a push on how to safely dispose of used drug paraphernalia.

Infection counselling is being offered and increased to addicts. Support and testing is being encouraged at drug advice and prevention establishments and facilities for vaccinations against HBV as well as HIV and HCV infection are being expanded.

While any initiative to prevent people from taking drugs in the first place, or assistance offered and provided for those who have abuse or addiction problems should be applauded, it is clear that much more needs to be offered.

Drug-induced death:

One of the reasons for stressing this is the fact that drug-induced death is the 5th most common cause of preventable death among those aged 15-49 years old. While heroin was involved in the majority of these fatalities other drugs causing death were benzodiazepines, cocaine and amphetamines.

UK Drug Use 2017 – The latest figures collated from European nations (2014) showed that drug-induced death among UK adults (aged 15-64) was 60.3 deaths per million. This is almost 3 times the European average of 20.3 deaths per million.

Taking such a statistic as evidence, it is clear that the UK authorities responsible for drug enforcement, prevention and education need to continue pushing home the message advising just how damaging drug use can be. They also need to provide further support and funding for those who find themselves addicted.

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Rehab Aftercare

Why Aftercare Must Never Be An Afterthought

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Rehab Aftercare – It cannot be stated too strongly to those who have successfully finished a stint in rehab just how important it is to continue with aftercare treatment and therapy.

Rehab is just the beginning:

Those recovering from addiction have taken 2 major strides.

  • Ended denial: They have quit denial, admitted that their substance of choice currently has the better of them and sought professional assistance.
  • Completed inpatient rehab: They have been through an extended stay as an inpatient at a rehab clinic where their treatment and healing has begun and progressed. Counselling has helped them to understand the root cause of their problems and given them the physical and mental ‘tools’ to help maintain sobriety.

Continuous care required:

While most addicts are fully aware that their challenges do not end with a successful rehab stint, many fail to understand the importance of continued, regular counselling and therapy.

This is known as Rehab Aftercare and it should never be an afterthought.

Here are 3 of the many reasons why aftercare is such a crucial part of the continuous journey of recovery:

Transition from rehab to a home environment:

Remaining sober during your time as an inpatient is relatively easy. This is due to the blanket-ban on substance use and the fact that you have every resource required to help with recovery.

Moving from this protective environment into reality can be a shock to the system. This is one of the major reasons so many recovering addicts relapse during the early stages of recovery.

A key way to avoid negative thoughts and temptations is to fully lean on the rehab aftercare services that should have been arranged before you left rehab.

Please understand that you cannot really have too much aftercare during the initial stages of your homecoming.

Achieving a program for success:

We have already mentioned the huge step taken in accepting and doing something about your addiction. This impetus needs to be maintained, and a solid, sensible, aftercare program can help achieve this.

Aftercare provides a path that can be followed for the long-term future. There will be different branches of this path to travel, such as the one that helps maintain a safe distance between you and your old addiction, and the ones that help you understand, achieve and surpass the goals your purposely set.

The important thing to remember about aftercare is that there are many different flavours and there will certainly be one that is to your liking.

Helping to create a new social network:

Your old social network is likely to be littered with those who continue to use and abuse substances. While this social network needs to be left behind, it is important that some type of social network is established and maintained.

By taking advantage of a comprehensive aftercare programme and availing of the services that best fit your needs means you are opening new social network doors.

New friendships will be formed with those who are also striving to maintain sobriety and these relationships will give added impetus to your determination in maintaining sobriety.

The key to continued sobriety:

Committing to a comprehensive aftercare programme means a recovering addict is committing to a life of sobriety. They are giving themselves the best chance of a future free of substance abuse and the issues it brings.