The Facts Of Alcohol Abuse

 

The prevalence of alcohol abuse has continued to increase over recent years, and is particularly excessive in college students. There is some confusion over the difference between heavy social drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism. This is an important distinction for those who need help in recovering from the consequences of alcohol abuse.

Drinking socially is part of our culture, and in fact, four out of every five college students consume alcohol. It's part of the college experience. However, it can lead to serious danger, injury, and even death. Every year over 1,800 college students between 18 and 24 years old die from alcohol related injuries. These are injuries that are unintentional, not deliberate crime related injuries.

Over 690,000 students in the same age group are assaulted by students who have been drinking, and over 97,000 students in that age group are the victims of sexual assault or date rape related to alcohol abuse.

These alcohol abuse statistics highlight a serious need for education in the college arena, on the risks and dangers of overindulging in alcohol, along with how easy it is to fall into the trap of alcohol abuse without realizing it.

Alcohol abuse affects academic results as well as health issues. A quarter of students report that their drinking has led to negative academic consequences, including falling behind, missing classes, and low grades.

In addition to this, abuse of alcohol comes with a serious suicide risk. Around 1.5% of students have attempted suicide within the past year as a result of alcohol or drug abuse. The education of college students on the consequences of alcohol abuse, and informing them of alcohol abuse facts, is a top priority in order to prevent the tragedy of abuse, and to help students achieve the best foundation in life.

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Drug Abuse With Psilocybin - Get Help This Week

Magic mushrooms or shrooms as they are referred to on the street, our natural products that are sold because of their hallucinogenic abilities. There is a chemical in the mushrooms called psilocybin which is able to cause people to hallucinate, a product that is primarily found in the United States, South America and Mexico. In most cases, it will have about half a percent of psilocybin for every dose that you take. It can be produced synthetically like other illegal drugs, however the effects may be slightly different. Here are some tips on finding treatment centers for individuals that would like to stop using magic mushrooms this year.

What Does Psilocybin Look Like

Magic mushrooms can be purchased dried, or fresh, and they will have slender stems with dark gills under the caps of the mushroom. If it's fresh, it will be whitish gray, whereas the dried variety is either an off-white or a rusty brown. When taken in excess, which is possible simply ingesting it as a tea, the body will convert the psilocybin to psilocyn which will cause the effects. Although Magic mushrooms look very harmless, and people use them in food and drinks every day, it is still something that you should avoid using because of the many risks that are involved.

Risks Involved With Magic Mushrooms

When you ingest the magic mushrooms, it will affect you for at least six hours. It will cause lack of coordination, muscle weakness and vomiting. Although tests had shown that people may not become physically dependent on psilocybin as they would on opiates or cocaine, the experience itself is what is addicting. You can have a bad trip where you will be unable to tell the difference between reality and fantasy, and people with depression often have very scary experiences. You can get help for your addiction by finding a treatment center in your city or town that specifically helps individuals addicted to shrooms.

Since psilocybin is actually a schedule 1 substance, the same level at which LSD and heroin are ranked, it can get you into trouble if you are found with it in your possession, which is why getting help for your addiction to this drug is of utmost importance. Do a search on the web, or talk to your physician about treatment centers near you. You can contact them in full confidentiality, and get the help that you need.

10 Signs of Dependency on Prescription Painkillers

 

Many people all over the US and the world in general depend on prescription painkillers for pain relief for ailments such as headaches and menstrual cramps. The problem is that too much reliance on these may lead to an addiction to pain meds. The following are 10 signs to watch out for if you believe that someone is developing dependence.

First, the individual will develop and increase in the usage of the painkillers since the patient’s body starts to get tolerant of the drug’s effects thereby making them need even more.
Noticeable change in the user’s personality. The user will experience shifts in their behavior and temperament since their major goal is to get a ‘fix’ of the drugs.

Social withdrawal whereby the user will not be interested in any form of interaction with family, friends or society in general will inform you of possible abuse. Continued usage of the painkillers even long after their medical condition has improved.  Increase in the time the user spends looking for pain medication prescriptions for drugs such as OxyContin and Oxycodone.

Change in the changes in the appearance and dressing of the user. The user may start neglecting their personal hygiene due to the addiction to drugs. Neglect of personal responsibilities is another sign. The individual will start neglecting their personal obligations and responsibilities.

Forgetfulness and blackouts. The user may start forgetting even very basic details about their lives.
Defensiveness. This is whereby the user starts getting defensive once they realize that their addiction is getting discovered.

Lastly is the increased sensitivity whereby normal sights and sounds may tend to be too stimulating to the user and they may even suffer from hallucinations. In conclusion, those are the main signs to look out for if you suspect someone of abusing painkillers or has an addiction to pain meds.

The Extent Of Alcohol Abuse In The USA

The abuse of alcohol can be a difficult issue to address since it is the most commonly used, and accepted drug - and of course, it's legal in most parts of the world. Close to 50% of Americans aged 12 years old and over have consumed alcohol. Alcohol abuse statistics report that as many as between 10 and 15 million people in the USA would be classified as alcoholics.

Almost half of those are teenagers. These statistics show that a dependency on alcohol affects around 8% of women, and 17% of men. Reports by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) state that the number of deaths, annually, attributed to alcohol abuse stands at 79,000. Alcohol abuse is the third most common cause of death in America, and it jumps to number one for those aged between 15 years and 24 years of age.

Alcohol and drug abuse can be difficult subjects to approach with loved ones, and it is advisable to get professional help if you're not sure how to handle the situation. Alcohol abuse treatment is more effective today than ever before due to the advances in the treatment strategies and resources. Recognizing an alcohol addiction, or alcohol abuse in someone you know, or in yourself means noticing the signs of dependency.

An inability to stop drinking even when continuing to drink is causing problems, is a sign the person needs help. Certainly, a dependency on alcohol in order to feel okay is cause for concern, and seeing a professional immediately to talk about alcohol abuse treatment options is a must. The earlier you are able to catch it, the less damage alcoholism will do. Treatment for an alcoholic, will involve detoxing he body completely of all alcohol in order to rid the body of its dependency.

Marijuana Or Pot Is Indeed Drug Abuse

 

Many people feel that marijuana isn't a drug or that it is fun for recreational use. However, what they don't realize is the negative effects it has on them while using. In fact, it is a drug, and it hinders a person from living life to its fullest. 

First, users who smoke often continue to increase the amount they smoke daily. This not only costs them a lot of money and hinders their finances, but it also limits the activities they present themselves with daily. 

It can really pull the wool over your eyes. Just as with other drug abuse and addiction, marijuana causes people to lie to themselves, attempting to justify the drug use. The people base this on the fact that not only is it fun, but that they really aren't physically addicted and that there aren't any severe consequences of smoking marijuana. 

Indeed, smoking marijuana does have health consequences. While there is no chance of overdose, people use this as a reason to justify their recreational use. 

Smoking marijuana can also hinder relationships, and it can make a person not able to perform job duties or communicate properly with other people. People who report stopping smoking for a few days after a long period of time often say that they never realized it had such a grasp on their lives. 

Marijuana may appear not to be dangerous, but it truly is a dangerous drug just like everything else. It alters your mood, thought patterns, communication, schedule and more. How are you going to pursue your goals and dreams if you're constantly smoking something that alters your life completely? The answer is you're not, and that is why seeking help to stop smoking marijuana is your best solution. The help is out there waiting for you.

What Addicts Need To Know About Painkiller Addiction

People may be surprised to learn that many addicts are not addicted to street drugs.  A large number of addicts are using prescription medication and painkillers such as Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Oxymorphone and Meperidine.

How do People Become Addicted to Prescription Medication?

People often get addicted to the drugs their doctors prescribe.  They may be using these drugs for a legitimate purpose at first.  However, when their body becomes reliant on the drugs, they start taking them when they no longer have a medical need for them.

A perfect example of this scenario is a person who has been in a car accident.  He or she may have been prescribed painkillers to help cope with the pain as their body heals. 

If they become addicted to these painkillers, they might start taking it to satiate their body's need for the drug.  This situation is not uncommon as painkillers are highly addictive.

Some people simply abuse their prescription medication for fun.  They believe that it may give them the same high as alcohol and other drugs.  This is extremely foolish and rarely works.

How to Deal With a Painkiller Addiction

Painkiller and prescription medication addictions can be just as dangerous as other addictions.  Addicts risk their jobs and personal relationships when their pursuit of drugs becomes more important than other aspects of their lives.

So, what are addicts in this situation to do?  The answer to this question is simple - get help.

The first step of recovering is admitting their is a problem and seeking treatment.  Addicts will find that they will be more likely to be successful at kicking their habit if they have the support of their loved ones. 

There are several treatment options available to addicts.  The one selected will depend on their personal preferences and/or budget.

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Rehab For Barbiturates

Drug addiction comes in many forms and it is caused by many different drugs. In this article, we will focus on the abuse and the rehab of the abuse of barbiturates such as, Amytal, Seconal, Nembutal, and Phenobarbital. These are not the hard drugs that school specials and PSAs are often made for but they are plenty dangerous and deadly, they are also just as difficult to quit when a person becomes addicted to them and abuses them. This is true of most drugs and rehab is the key to returning to a very healthy life, that is free from drug abuse.

The Road To Recovery Is A Marathon

People rarely are successful at their first time at rehab. Rehabilitation is a lifelong struggle and at no point is someone not a drug addict, at most they are sober and recovering addicts. If you are someone you love struggles with the abuse of barbiturates, then this is probably not what you want to hear but this is a truth that has to be told. Becoming free from addiction is hard, you will likely fall off the wagon along the way, but it is more than worthwhile, it might even save your life. 

There aren't any cheerleaders or super pitchmen to tell you how easy it is and that so many people will be happy for you. The reason to become drug free is for yourself and so that you can fill the role that your loved ones need you to fill. With addiction comes guilt and a lot of other issues that you will have to deal with. All of this is a long process but one that you can handle, you just have to be willing to do the work that is needed to become sober and drug free.

The Ease Of Getting Addicted To Pain Meds

Getting addicted to pain meds is one thing that is a problem for people of all walks of life. While many people think of certain drugs as only prevalent in poor communities, this is one problem that has plagued people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Have you ever been hurt and the doctor wrote you a prescription for a pain pill? This is the beginning of the end for many people. While some people find relief right away, others start to take more than they were prescribed in order to ease the pain. You may ask yourself why they would not talk to their doctor before doing this, but it is usually a spur of the moment decision made while in pain.

The worst thing about painkiller addiction is the fact that eventually the prescription runs out and people turn to illegal means in order to get the drugs they are craving. This includes going to multiple doctors in order to get several prescriptions and buying them from people who are prescribed the drug. Either of these options is a recipe for disaster.

Since most people think of drug abuse as something that only happens with things like cocaine and heroin, getting people to admit that they need help for painkiller addiction is quite complicated. Instead of arguing with them, it would be best to print out some information from online and share it with them.

It is a long and hard road to recover from any type of addiction, and this isn't any different. If you or someone you know has been using pain medication more than prescribed, this is cause for concern and the issue should be addressed right away. Do not wait around until things get so far along that lives are irreparably affected.

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