Category: International

OTC drug addiction

More People Getting Addicted to OTC Drugs Than Heroin

Articles, Education, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom

OTC Drug Addiction. Data from treatment centres in the United Kingdom has shown that rehab admissions for pain killer abuse has risen by over 17 per cent in just 2 years.

New research coming out of the UK has revealed that over-the-counter medicine use and addiction has become much more prevalent. Admissions to one of the top rehab centres in the UK, UK Addiction Treatment, (UKAT) for OTC’s and prescription medication has increased by 22%. They claim that this is because people are unaware of what the warning signs are.

Data released by UKAT shows that over the last 2 years across their 6 treatment centres, admissions for prescribed benzo’s and painkillers has increased by 17%. At this current rate it is likely that admissions for drug abuse and alcohol will be overtaken.

Therapists at the centre have been calling on the government to better implement education systems that explain the dangers that over-the-counter and prescription medication abuse. They have warned that people are unaware of the risks of OTC Drug Addiction and that situation at large is very real.

In just the last 6 months, 48 people have been admitted to UKAT centres for the treatment of Codeine and Benzodiazepine addiction. This is compared to only 26 people being admitted for cannabis abuse and 17 people for gambling addictions.

Cross-addiction like cocaine and alcohol abuse represents 64% of all addictions to the centres.

So out of a total of 140 people that UKAT admits each month, 6% of these are admitted for prescription or OTC addiction.

When receiving treatment, it can often take an addict of pharmaceutical drugs around 4-6 weeks to get clean. This is generally a longer time than it takes for most heroin addicts to come clean when at rehab. This is due to the fact that there are often horrible side effects that need to be contended with.

OTC Drug Addiction.

Often, when a doctor stops prescribing these medications, an addict will try any means necessary to get their next hit. Most often these types of medications can be easily bought on the web.
The price is also a big factor in the reason people are becoming addicted to prescription and OTC medications. The street price of a Valium tablet is less than £1, yet a 0.1g bag of the much harder drug, heroin, can cost 10x that at £10 per hit.

However, due to the strength of Valium and other prescribed drugs, people’s tolerance can increase much faster than those who take hard drugs and this can result in OTC Drug Addiction and overuse.

Many people consider that they are not an addict if the drug has been prescribed or they can purchase at their local pharmacy. UKAT claims that people are often admitted to their centres without even realizing that they are an addict.

Most addicts are forced into continuing to take these medications purely to cope with the side-effects that occur when stopping suddenly or going cold turkey.

Eytan Alexander, founder of UK Addiction Treatment Centres stated “It’s currently a hugely vicious cycle but, with support from the newly-elected Government, one that we can break with better education, advice and support.”

Drunk & Disorderly Aggression Relationships Driving

Drunk And Disorderly

Articles, Australia, International, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom

Drinking alcohol is an accepted part of life for millions of men and women the world over. It is appreciated and enjoyed by the majority, but far too many let things get out of hand when they have had one too many and get drunk.

Here are 3 reasons how getting drunk can cause disorder, disaster and detention.

Looking for trouble:

Aggression affects many people who are drunk and disorderly. They become obnoxious, rude and a good percentage are ready for violence at the drop of a hat.

This violence can be between those who have personal grudges, others from out of town or strangers who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Because alcohol affects the way a person thinks and acts, many have a completely reckless attitude and go way over the top.

This violence can wreck bars, cause extensive damage to property and vehicles and hospitalize those on the wrong end of a beating.

It can also cause those involved to be apprehended by the police and face criminal charges of varying severity.

To purposely go looking for trouble when drunk should tell those responsible that it really is time to leave alcohol alone and get a life.

Driving while drunk:

This is such a reckless and irresponsible act that it is astonishing how many men and women commit the offence.

It is not as if ignorance of the laws can be used as an excuse. Drink driving limits are clearly stated and extremely well publicized in all western countries, so those who do get behind the wheel of a vehicle deserve everything they get if apprehended.

Worse still are the greatly increased chances of those driving while drunk either causing or being involved in an accident. Alcohol slows responses, distances become more difficult to judge and road courtesy often goes out of the window.

Injuries and fatalities for those involved in accidents as well as innocent bystanders are tragic and unnecessary. Those who commit this crime will as a minimum receive a driving ban and hefty fine, for more serious incidents a jail sentence awaits.

Relationship issues:

Those people who regularly drink to excess are vastly increasing relationship issues. This can be between them and their partner, family members and quite often supposed friends.

These issues can be blown out of all proportion and rifts formed that fester. Repeat offenders can expect separation and divorce proceedings to eventually follow, family feuds to boil over and friendships to crumble.

Anyone who is regularly the perpetrator of such trouble due to excessive drinking really does need to take a step back and consider the hurt, heartache and worry they are causing others.

Professional help is available:

The bravest decision a person with alcohol problems can make is to seek professional help. It is far easier to get into the habit of regular, heavy drinking and becoming drunk and disorderly than it is to escape from it.

Making a conscious decision to seek assistance from your doctor, local rehab clinic, an inpatient rehab clinic, or going along to one of the meetings organized by a local voluntary association must be seen as extremely positive.

Preparing For Drug Rehab

Overseas Inpatient Rehab – An Option To Consider

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

Inpatient rehabilitation is considered a very positive way to help those with dependence issues overcome addiction.

In-country rehab establishments:

When considering which rehab establishment is suitable it is natural that many look close to home or within their own country. While this is perfectly understandable there are drawbacks. Here are two that regularly surface:

Waiting lists:

Many inpatient rehab establishments in the west have waiting lists. There are more people with addiction problems in need of this treatment than spaces available.

If an addict has taken the brave step to confront their problem they deserve near-immediate treatment. Being told that inpatient treatment is available, but there is a waiting list before this treatment can begin is the last thing they need to hear.

The likelihood is that while waiting to be admitted the addict will continue with their habit and their addiction will deepen.

Cost:

Western rehab establishments are not cheap. This means that if personal medical insurance does not help meet the financial outlay required for a stay, the expense is beyond many.

Being unable to meet such costs will restrict treatment options and make beating addiction that much more difficult.

Overseas rehab establishments:

Opting to spend time at an inpatient rehab establishment outside your own country is an option that many do not consider. It is something they should!

South-east Asia is a perfect example of a region that has professional, well-established inpatient rehab establishments. They are internationally approved, employ staff with international qualifications and deliver treatment that meets international standards

There are also considerable benefits in terms of waiting lists and cost if a client opts for overseas inpatient rehabilitation treatment.

Waiting lists:

These overseas establishments are not under the same pressures in terms of client numbers as their western counterparts. In the majority of cases a person wishing to stay at one of these respected establishments can be admitted and treatment started within timescales that suit the client. I.e. Almost immediately.

What this means is that a person’s addiction problems will not deepen while they wait for admittance. It is an obvious fact that the quicker addiction treatment begins, the better.

Costs:

This has got to be a major influencer. The overheads at such an establishment are nowhere near as high as those in the west. The accommodation and facilities are of a high standard and, as mentioned, the treatment methods are the same internationally approved ones that a client would receive in their own country.

This treatment is delivered by staff who have achieved international rehab certification and many of them have worked in western rehab establishments.

Thailand is an excellent example of low cost, high quality treatment. In many cases the cost of a 3-week stay is less than one-third of the cost a person would pay in their own country. This means that rather than treatment being out of reach for many it is accessible for most.

These overseas rehab establishments also accept personal medical insurance policies. This means that where applicable this cover will help meet costs for an addicts much-needed addiction treatment.

drug addiction

Stop Trying To Hide Your Addiction

Articles, International, Understanding Addiction

The amount of men and women currently struggling with addiction is quite frightening. Many will hide this fact from themselves and their loved ones far longer than they should.

We will consider why professional assistance is a must, but first let’s understand why addiction is allowed to deepen.

Embarrassment:

Many addicts are too embarrassed to admit their problem. They feel it will bring shame and disappointment upon themselves. This excuse cannot and must not be used.

There is no shame in admitting that addiction currently has the better of you. Indeed, it is a very brave and sensible thing to do.

In all likelihood those closest to you will be aware that you have a problem. The longer you refuse to discuss it and keep it hidden, the deeper addiction will become, the deeper personal problems will become, and the more you will damage your physical and mental health.

Denial:

This is the cornerstone of addiction. Anyone who is addicted to something will work extremely hard to convince themselves that the problem is nowhere near as serious as it really is. This denial then spreads itself into defiance towards anyone who tries to raise the topic.

The addict will vehemently deny any comments and vigorously deny there is a problem, but this stance is only fooling themselves.

It is crucial for an addict to end denial. Until they do so there will be no attempt to seek much needed help for their problem.

Those closest want to help:

While the fear of anger and disappointment prevents many addicts from seeking the help of those closest to them these thoughts must also be overcome.

Confiding in someone close to you will often mean they are only too keen to help in any way they can. Of course, they will be upset, perhaps shocked, but they will also be relieved that you have finally admitted the seriousness of your problem and will then look at ways to help.

This help can take different forms:

An immediate benefit for the addict is that this admission will take a huge weight of their shoulders and hidden fears can be revealed.

Those willing to help will often take it upon themselves to research and understand more about your current addiction. They will encourage you to visit your doctor, the local outpatient rehab clinic or to contact an inpatient rehab establishment and talk with a counsellor.

From these contacts and the advice received it will make an informed decision on what treatment will suit best far easier.

Their support can make the difference:

Treatment for addiction will not be a walk in the park. It will require self-determination and courage to get through, but the love and support of those closest to you can make a huge difference during what is certain to be a trying period for all concerned.

What needs to be remembered is that leaving addiction behind is a very real possibility. Countless men and women have achieved this in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

intervention alcohol

Can An Interventionist Help You?

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

Watching a loved one spiral deeper into addiction of any kind can be frustrating, heartbreaking, stressful and infuriating.

It is a given you will have tried:

Those closest to the addict will have tried many ways to convince them that professional help is needed because of the damage they are doing to themselves and the anguish it is causing those closest to them.

The problem is that addiction changes the way the brain works. Addicts do not always think rationally, sensibly, or as you would expect them to. The draw from their substance of choice is an extremely powerful one.

Even if they realise the damage this is causing they will not stop because their need is far stronger.

Where to next?

When trying to help an addict it is important that you understand as much as possible about their addiction. There are endless resources available on-line relating to every type of addiction.

Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the problem in confidence and contact a local self-help group to seek advice on the different ways to deal with your loved one’s addiction.

Armed with such knowledge and insight you will be in a much stronger position to re-approach the addict.

Consider the use of an interventionist:

While this step may not be for everyone it is something that should be considered if the addict will not listen to your reasoning in terms of the professional help needed.

It must be understood that employing an interventionist will cost money. They are professionally qualified men and women who deal with addiction and as such are paid for their services.

Benefits of an interventionist:

If you have been unable to persuade the addict they need help then you need help to convince them this is the case.

In many cases a professional interventionist can be the difference that makes the addict sit up and listen. Confronting the addict with intervention assistance will not be an overnight occurrence. The interventionist will want to discuss things with you and any other family members or friends who will be involved.

This includes, but is certainly not limited to:

  • Understanding the background of the addict and personal history details.
  • Understanding their addiction history.
  • Understanding the substance or addiction they are currently saddled with.
  • What their recent and current state of mind is. Are they aggressive or hostile towards any attempts at assistance?
  • What steps have been taken to try and persuade the addict to seek help?
  • Have they received addiction treatment in the past?
  • Relationships of those family members or friends who will be involved in the actual intervention.

What you need to consider:

While telephone and/or e-mail contact will be essential it is also very important that you meet with the interventionist at least once before the actual intervention meeting with the addict takes place.

You need to understand such things as what qualifications they have, their experience relating to the addiction in question, their success rate in persuading addicts to accept treatment and what treatment options are available.

It is also crucial that all those involved understand how things will proceed and their role during the meeting.

Interventions are not for everyone:

This type of assistance may not suit everyone, but if all else has failed in terms of persuading your loved one to seek help it is certainly a route that is worthy of consideration.