Category: Understanding Addiction

According to an International Overdose Awareness project, more than 2000 people per year die from a drug overdose in Australia. Breaking this down this means that five people die every day from a drug overdose. These numbers include all kinds of drug overdoses, many of which are in fact older people taking prescription drugs without proper supervision or care. These numbers also include the staggering number of young people who die experimenting with illegal drugs like heroin and other opioids. Taking a look at the facts about drug overdoses seems worthwhile. 

Heroin Addiction Is Now At Global Epidemic Proportions

Since abuse of heroin is now something of a global epidemic, it makes sense to talk about heroin first. Heroin is now the most abused illegal substance world-wide. Highly addictive, it can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Heroin, like all opioids, causes an increase in dopamine production in the brain which is the chemical associated with pleasure. This is why it is so addictive. An overdose of heroin can be lethal.

Heroin Overdose Symptoms

The symptoms of a heroin overdose include bluish nails or lips, depressed breathing, weak pulse, disorientation and delirium, repeated episodes of loss of consciousness, and coma. In the event of a heroin overdose, victims require immediate medical attention of they will likely die. The suppression of breathing alone will ultimately kill someone experiencing a heroin overdose.

The final stages of a fatal heroin overdose consist of what is termed the overdose triad: pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure. Respiratory depression is ultimately the most deadly aspect of a heroin overdose. Since heroin effectively shuts the respiratory system down, if a person is not treated they will stop breathing altogether.

What To Do In Case Of A Heroin Overdose

In the event of an overdose, contact emergency services first. The immediate treatment for a heroin overdose is Naloxone, also called Narcan. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids especially during an overdose. Because Naloxone does is not as long acting as heroin, multiple dose may be necessary in reversing the toxicity of an overdose.

There are side effects to Naloxone. Because it reverses the effects of opioids, particularly heroin, people will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms as the drug begins to reverse the effects of the opioid. They will experience nausea, sweating, aching, and agitation. The heart rate will increase. This can be alleviated by administering small doses of Naloxone, but the unfortunate reality is this is a consequence of the drug as it reverses an overdose.

While Naloxone is effective in reversing the effects of an overdose, it is not a treatment for heroin addiction. Anyone who has gotten to the point of abusing heroin that they experience and overdose is in need to drug treatment. In most cases, inpatient treatment is required for heroin addiction. Heroin is powerfully addictive and people generally cannot get sober on their own.

DARA Rehab Can Help With Heroin Addiction

Inpatient treatments are available. Dara Rehab in Thailand provides a full treatment program for heroin and opioid addiction. Medical treatments are available to assist with the pain and discomfort of withdrawal. Heroin is simply too dangerous to tackle alone, and the deadly nature of heroin overdose cannot be overemphasized.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Heroin Rehabilitation Assessment.

All around the world, drug use is an ever-present epidemic that has long plagued people of all ages, all races, and all color. As children grow, they tend to see the use of drugs as ‘normal’ or ‘necessary’ to prove their maturity. Modern-day drug use has become an issue of concern. Its cancerous tentacles have spread into the minds of kids all over the world. With its potent effect on children, pre-teens, and teenagers, it is leaving almost nothing for the future. Unfortunately, some of the victims of these designer drugs may become addicted and can potentially lose their homes and their loved ones. And in extreme cases, their lives.

Many people that have fallen victim to drug abuse confessed to having developed this habit in their pre-teen and teenage years. The reason is not far-fetched. Peer and societal pressures have pivotal roles in whether or not kids decide to use drugs. Without a proper understanding of drugs and guidance on how to be drug-free, the habit, once developed, can become a very serious addiction. And a life-threatening problem in some instances.

How to Begin Teaching Kids About Drugs

1. Drugs, their effects, and the aftermath

When we teach kids about drugs, their effects, and the aftermath, we utilize a powerful tool in making sure that the next generation doesn’t become addicts. The job of educating teens about drugs does not only fall on the parents. But also on educators and the community at large. If what they learn at home and see on the streets correlate with what they learn at school, they will grow to believe that drug abuse is harmful and should be avoided. Educating children about drug use will make them better informed and hence, more likely to avoid drug use.

It is important that students also learn about the effects of drugs on the human body and brain. Also the possible dangers that drug use can pose. Painting the whole picture for these teens to see how drugs can destroy their emotional and physical life is essential. When students can see a relationship between drug use and real life. They begin to see drugs for what they truly are.

2. Resources to enhance learning

Different resources should be used to achieve the aim of a drug-free world. Guest speakers could be brought to school. Projects could be given among peer groups. It could be included in the lesson plans, etc. No matter the method of approach, learning about drugs is key to prevention. Everyone in the community should get involved so that kids feel like they have all the solid support network they need. Local police precincts should also be involved and speak at school and educate kids about drug use and abuse.

Kids will feel more confident in their choices to avoid the use of drugs when everyone pulls together to show support for kids. They will feel more confident in their choices to avoid drug use. Talking to students about drugs may not always prove to be easy. However, with good resources, and the right teaching strategies, parents and teachers can help to explain drug abuse in a way that kids will understand and remember. Kids should be made to understand that the risks of drug use far outweigh the benefits. This will help them to say a firm ‘no’ to drug use. Educators should also be on the alert and constantly update themselves with information on newer “designer” drugs.

3. Earn their trust

Always be available for the students when they need someone to talk to. Who knows, they might just need a little pull to drag them from the beckoning hands of drug addiction. Let them know that there is always someone they can talk to if they are worried about drug use issues or need help. Schools should make their counseling more effective and refer kids who might be struggling with drug use.

Educating Teens About Designer Drugs Conclusion

Working together in synergy while educating kids about drugs is the best way to help ensure that they enjoy a safe, drug-free adulthood.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Perhaps you like to buy a scratch off lottery ticket once a week. Head to the dog or horse races once every couple months for fun. While activities that involve betting on people or objects are fine and can be entertaining. It crosses the line into an addiction when gambling becomes an integral part of life. This means that your addiction to gambling is put ahead of other things in life, including family and friends. This may also mean that work, finances, and thought processes are negatively affected. If you are gambling with money that is needed or has been set aside for something else. Continue betting even though you have lost a large amount. Or just waiting for that ‘next big break’, then you probably have an addiction to gambling.

Like any addiction this can happen slowly over time or after one attempt at gambling, usually a win. Also like other addictions, gambling addictions are treatable.

Addiction To Gambling

Addiction To Gambling goes by many names. Pathological gambling, gambling disorder, and compulsive gambling, but all are impulse control disorders. If you have an impulse control disorder you cannot control the impulse to gamble. Even when the effects are known and negative. You probably gamble when you are up, down, broke, or flush with cash. Maybe you fall more into the category that you are not totally out of control, but if gambling is disrupting your life at all you have an addiction that will likely get worse over time if not treated. Gambling addiction problems tend to be associated with co-morbid behavior or mood disorders. This means that those with gambling issues may also have ADHD, bipolar, anxiety, substance abuse issues, or a host of other related problems.

If you are still unsure if your gambling is an issue consider the warning signs shared below.

Problem Gambling

Feeling the need to be secretive about your gambling, even if you are winning, typically means there is a problem. Having trouble controlling your gambling, such as trying to win back lost money or placing increasingly higher bets regardless of your financial situation means there is a problem. Choosing gambling over paying bills or stealing to get more money to gamble and having friends and family worry about your gambling are also signs of an addiction.

As with any addiction, gambling addiction treatment starts with the realization that you have a problem. You are not the first with this issue and you will not be the last. As gambling is often a way to deal with strong emotions, good and bad, you must learn to handle these emotions in a healthier manner. Some people exercise, some find others to spend time with who do not like to gamble, and others find other hobbies to fill the time.

Getting Help

Know that this is not an addiction that can be handled alone and a strong support group should be in place. This group should have people you can trust and be honest with and who will confront you when you are failing while supporting your victories. If you need to turn your finances over to a trusted individual short term so you can get your life back on track. Finally, if a co-morbid disorder exists, seek treatment to it no longer effects the gambling urges. You can recover from a gambling addiction, but it is not easy. However, if you are willing to do the work a normal, gambling free life is possible.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.