Category: Education

USA Drug Use 2017

USA Drug Use 2017

Articles, Education, Treatment, United States

The worrying and rising trend of USA drug use 2017 shows no signs of slackening. While it is true that some sections of the population are cutting back on one substance or the other there is evidence that far more are either maintaining or increasing their use of substances.

One major area that deserves close attention is that which may surprise many due to its legality:

Prescription medication:

The amount of people in the USA addicted to prescription medication has reached crisis point in the country. Estimates given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that the total economic burden of this type of misuse alone is running at $78.5 billion each year. This includes costs for:

  • Healthcare
  • Lost productivity
  • Addiction treatment
  • Criminal justice involvement

Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs:

These can be broken down into:

  • Opioids – For pain
  • (CNS) Central nervous system Depressants – For anxiety and sleep disorders
  • Stimulants – For ADHD and narcolepsy

The opioids that cause most addiction problems are seen as: Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, the CNS category includes Pentobarbital sodium, Diazepam and Alprazolam while the Stimulants most abused are Dextroamphetamine, Methylphenidate and Amphetamines. All of the above medications have common registered trade names and while there has been a crack-down on the number of prescriptions issued legally, it is also known that such medication is widely available through ‘street dealers’.

Inherent dangers of abusing prescription medication:

We are all aware that prescription medication should be used “as prescribed and as stated”. With some prescribed medication, there is leeway to overdo things, but this is certainly not the case with the prescribed drug which is causing huge problems and contributing to death by overdose according to the USA Drug Use 2017 statistics. This frightening drug is:

Fentanyl:

Anyone using or considering the use of fentanyl must understand that this opiate is one of the most powerful painkilling drugs currently available. It certainly has its uses for those recovering from surgery or those in need of temporarily easing “breakthrough pain” when using other painkillers.

Fentanyl is a short-duration medication that must be administered with great care. It’s strength alone offers a fine line between a dose which eases pain and one that can be fatal. Sadly, many illegal users have learned to their cost through such a misjudgment.

When fentanyl is prescribed it must be done so under supervision and administered over short periods. The reason for this is that the drug creates a rapid increase in tolerance for higher doses.

A stark example is that a dose giving the required feelings taken over a period of 5 or 6 days of continuous use will not register those feelings the following week. The obvious answer for many is to take more, thus rapidly increasing the chances of addiction.

What is being done about the USA Drug Use 2017 crisis?

In response to the opioid crisis the HHS and the NIH are focusing their efforts in 5 major areas. These are:

  1. Improvement of access to treatment and recovery services
  2. Promoting the use of overdose-reversing drugs
  3. Strengthening understanding of the crisis through more effective public health surveillance
  4. Offering and providing support for cutting-edge research related to pain and addiction
  5. Progressing and advancing better practices for pain management

Let’s hope these initiatives and continued education as to the problems of drug abuse can help turn this crisis around.

Substance Addiction

Just What Is Addiction – Part 2

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

This is the concluding article of 2 on what substance addiction is. This complex condition affects individuals in many different ways, so let’s start with:

Why do some suffer addiction and others do not?

The exact reasons why some fall quickly into addiction while others using similar substances or amounts do not, but a family history of addiction is known to have an effect.

This means if a blood-relative such as a parent or grandparent suffered with substance addiction then the chances are increased that you will.

There is also the environment in which you are living to take into account. If this is one where drugs or alcohol are freely available and openly used, then the chances are that a person will begin substance use at an earlier age than those living in environments where substance use is not so prevalent.

 The earlier a person begins using drugs or alcohol the greater the chance of them becoming addicted to a substance later in life.

Mental disorders:

Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress are also common factors when it comes to determining whether a person will fall foul of addiction.

The problem with such disorders is that we all feel these conditions during some periods of our lives, but those suffering more than most with these mental problems often do not realise that their condition is serious enough to warrant medical attention.

It is known that those who have a diagnosable mental disorder are far more likely to develop more than one addiction. Dealing with one addiction is difficult enough, to have to cope with multiple addictions can be devastating.

Those with more than one substance addiction are termed as having co-occurring disorders and it is crucial that once this is identified that specialised treatment is given to that person to ensure each condition is treated separately.

One thing is certain:

The more regularly a person dabbles with substances the more they will want. This is because the body builds a tolerance to that substance. As tolerance builds it means that more of the same is required to achieve the same effects as previously experienced.

Continued tolerance will eventually lead to dependence because the body and brain cannot do without your substance(s) of choice. These substances alter the way your brain works and this makes it extremely difficult to resist the strong urges to continue substance abuse.

Don’t let things slide:

It is far easier to continue using substances and ignore the growing need for them than to do anything about it. Many put their use down to ‘enjoyment’ and convince themselves they can stop use whenever the wish, but ‘now’ is just not that time.

The importance of recognising your substance abuse is getting out of hand is crucial and there should be no shame in admitting this.

You are not alone:

If you have tried, but failed to stop your substance use it is important to understand that embarrassment should not come into the equation in terms of seeking assistance. Quite the opposite, by seeking professional help you are making a brave statement about your character and desire to quit.

It is also important to understand that countless people before you have been in your position and countless more in future will be, but with professional help you can leave addiction where it belongs; in the dim and distant past.

What is Addiction - Dara Rehab Can Help

Just What Is Addiction? – Part 1

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

It is far too easy for those who do not fully understand addiction to dismiss this illness as one that affects only those who are weak-willed, easily lead or should know better. They also cannot understand why an addict does not simply cease use of the substance(s) concerned immediately.

If Only:

Such thoughts are obviously formed without an understanding of exactly how complex addiction is, why some people are more prone to becoming addicted than others and the reason it drives many to an early grave.

No control:

Those men and women who are addicted do not have control over their actions.

Where drugs are concerned an addict does not know exactly what different chemicals they are putting into their body. The ‘main’ substance responsible for their devastating dependence will obviously be the major ingredient, but they are also pumping their bodies full of a wide range of chemicals and mixing agents that can also do substantial harm.

Addiction is not just drug-related:

Again, it is easy for those who are unaware of exactly what addiction is to assume that illegal substances or the abuse of prescription medication is the only cause of dependence.

Yes, addictions are caused by the physical things a person consumes, so alcohol and drugs certainly top the list, but addiction can strike in many ways. Gambling is a valid and worrying example but there are many others.

When considering, it is important to understand that this can either be a substance or a behavioural addiction.

Addiction wears 2 hats:

History shows us that a person classified as an addict was one who was dependent upon psychoactive substances which affected them by crossing the blood-brain barrier and temporarily altered the brain’s chemical balance.

Major psychoactive substances are alcohol, certain categories of drugs; the opioid family are a powerful example, and tobacco.

Over time this single reason causing addiction had been challenged. It is now accepted by medical and addiction professionals that a second strand of dependency exists. This is psychological addiction. Gambling has already been mentioned in this category, but sex, exercise, work and internet addiction are also placed in this category.

Different reasons – similar negative feelings:

Whether your dependence has been caused due to physical or psychological issues there are common feelings of negativity to contend with. Examples are:

  • Enhanced feelings of guilt
  • A deeper and more pronounced feeling of shame that will generally be very well disguised
  • A sense of helplessness at their situation which only serves to fuel addiction
  • Deep despair where an addict often feels they have nowhere to turn
  • Self-failure will be a regular visitor to their thoughts as will how they have failed others
  • Rejection will deepen. An addict will reject anyone close to them in various ways while those affected can eventually reject the addict due to unreasonable and erratic behaviour.
  • Anxiety is a common companion. This is increased if there are extended periods without an addict’s substance of choice.
  • Humiliation is also something that has significant effects on an addict’s self-respect.

We will continue to look at exactly what addiction is in the 2nd article, but anyone who relates to things mentioned above really would benefit from seeking urgent professional assistance.

CLICK HERE to get a Free confidential assessment or call.

Quit Drinking Alcohol Dara Rehab

Free Apps That Can Help You Quit Drinking – Part 2

Australia, Education, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

This is the 2nd article giving information on free, downloadable apps that can help efforts to reduce the amount you are drinking, help quit drinking alcohol altogether, or encourage you to stay on the sobriety path if those temptations are starting to overwhelm you.

Sobriety Counter:

Free on Android

Sobriety Counter will certainly brighten up your day. It is loaded with striking icons and vibrant colours that go to gamify the ways in which sobriety can be maintained.

One powerful reason to quit drinking alcohol is to save money and the inviting dashboard displays this clearly. The app also allows you to set a goal with a personal image that culminates in you receiving a deserved treat. The duration timer can be prominently displayed and counts down until you have reached that particular goal.

It offers scientific and medical statistics to help a person understand how they are contributing to health improvements through their non-drinking. This includes information on such things as:

  • Blood Circulation
  • Cell Regeneration
  • Grey Matter
  • Mental Health
  • Risk of Heart Disease
  • Risk of Cancer

Another innovative scientific approach Sobriety Counter offers is via its Memory game.

If the urge is strengthening to have a drink, click on this game and it will keep you occupied for longer than the scientifically proven 3-minute mark where desire and need for a drink are strongest.

‘Rewards’ include 57 badges in total. Each achieved as you progress with your non-drinking strategy. As a badge is received this can instantly be shared with friends in just one click.

AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker:

Free on Android

This sobriety app tracks your alcohol consumption and can also be used for dual advantage in terms of being a drinks diary and a calculator. Put the two together and it will help determine your blood alcohol content.

The aim of AlcoDroid is to allow you to be responsible for your alcohol intake and from there change your drinking habits.

As you log the drinks you consume the app estimates your blood alcohol content and plots it on a visual chart. This chart indicates quite clearly when you slip below the legal limit as well as when you climb back to sobriety.

Drinking habits can be monitored via charts on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and your consumption statistics given. This allows the user to set targets for their desired alcohol intake and see how they match up to reality. These statistics prominently display what your alcohol intake has been over any timeframe you set.

Added determination:

These apps and others can offer effective encouragement in your efforts to reduce or quit drinking alcohol altogether.

While they will not do it alone they can be another tool in that alcohol-prevention locker. The benefits in terms of improved health, better diet, energy and a “get-up-and do” attitude will be further enhanced by the money that is saved when not spent on alcohol.

Set yourself reward targets. Reaching these in terms of money saved will allow you to treat yourself to something that is thoroughly deserved due to the sterling efforts made and goals achieved.

Free Quit Drinking App

Free Apps That Can Help You Quit Drinking – Part 1

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, United Kingdom, United States

Regular drinkers will at certain times feel they would like to either reduce their intake or quit drinking altogether.

This is the 1st of a 2-part article on apps that are free to download on Android and iPhone devices or on both.

Temporary thoughts:

It must be said that these thoughts often surface after a particularly heavy session. Usually when those who have overdone their booze quota are feeling sorry for themselves. That “morning after” feeling is not something to be welcomed, nor are any embarrassing situation caused by too much drink.

These temporary thoughts usually fade and little, if any action is taken, but if you are worried that your drinking is getting out of hand try letting technology help.

Try technology:

As with most things today there are a host of apps awaiting download that can help those with a determined attitude to reduce or quit drinking.

Here are the 2 that are free and surely worth consideration.

Sober Grid:

Free on Android and iPhone:

This app takes sobriety global! Sober Grid has been designed to help those looking to get sober, or who are currently in recovery.

Sober Grid members are a mix of those looking for support, and those offering it.

This mix is highly effective for those in need of advice, support and help. One feature that can be particularly effective is the “Burning Desire” icon.

This allows a user to find sober acquaintances either locally or while they are away from home. The latter option can be particularly useful for those who are working away, on holiday, at an airport or in a particular town or city anywhere in the world.

It offers a news feed where members can post and read sobriety-related experiences. This app majors on tracking your progress and giving peer-support, both of which are vital initial steps on the road to sobriety.

Nomo

Free on Android and iPhone

This app certainly provides detail. It was created by 2 fathers who wanted an application to keep them motivated while going through recovery. Their intention was to design an attractive app with multiple clocks which kept them and others in their support group connected.

The detail to timing information has certainly been achieved. Nomo breaks down the time you have remained sober to the minute. This means you can track your sobriety down to minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years.

Every milestone reached is rewarded with a recovery milestone chip aimed to help you remain motivated while celebrating your achievement.

Money saved can be calculated on the app and you can share your milestone chips on social media. Another useful feature is that your sobriety clock can be shared with an accountability partner. This will then allow them to check-in on you, check how long you have remained alcohol free and comment on your continued progress.

Benefits aplenty:

There are plenty of reasons to reduce or quit drinking altogether. These include feeling physically healthier, mentally more agile, likely weight loss, increased appetite with more desire to eat healthier meals and the potential to achieve considerable financial savings.