Returning To Normal Behavior After Taking Amphetamines

 

Amphetamine addicts may find it more difficult than others to walk the road of recovery because of what these drugs do to your body.  Unlike depressants, these 'uppers' cause the body to speed up, which is why many amphetamine addicts don't get much sleep.  This can be highly detrimental and very painful, so if you are considering moving away from your upper addiction here is some useful advice.

Firstly, an amphetamine detox is one of the more difficult experiences as the withdrawal symptoms can be terrible.  If you are looking to come off the drug, it is advised that you check into a drug rehabilitation center where professionals can help you through your withdrawal process.  Furthermore, you won't have to worry about any other health problems that may arise during this time as these professionals will monitor your vital signs and even provide medication to help ease the transition from user to non-user.  The key to successful recovery is taking your time and ensuring you are safe when coming down.

Amphetamines are a type of hallucinogen which means that it can severely alter your perceptions.  In the beginning you may feel a slight change in reality, but after a while you may require speed to function on a daily basis and feel 'normal'.  If this is the cause, and you cannot imagine life without the drug, then you should look at yourself as an addict.  This is the time when you must find alternate distractions in your life and associate with other people who are not using the drug.  For a while you may be tempted to return to your old habits, but the trick is to keep busy and avoid temptation as much as possible.  By keeping busy you will maintain sobriety.

Now that you have more information on how to tackle an amphetamine addiction, use the advice and seek out help.  There are various medical professionals available to consult if you have any more questions on this matter.

R-Ball - Methylphenidate And Addiction

One of the most popular drugs used today in order to help people that have narcolepsy or ADHD is Ritalin. There are other drugs that are prescribed including Concerta and Methylin. These drugs fall into a class of psychostimulant drug called Methylphenidate. It is able to increase the amounts of dopamine in the brain, mostly in the prefrontal cortex, helping people become more functional and less aggressive. This lack of the so-called happy hormone seems to be to ADHD and aggression. Therefore, by increasing the amounts to normal levels, some people are able to become functional in society. Unfortunately, this is also highly overused by people seeking a high. Let's look at how Methylphenidate works, and how you can get treatment if you become addicted.

Recreational Uses Of Methylphenidate

In the same way that amphetamines are used to help people with ADHD, and also with performance enhancement, Methylphenidate is also used in the same way, especially recreationally. Although it is supposed to be used for those that actually have problems with producing enough dopamine, when people get excessive amounts of dopamine, they are able to do very well in sports, hence why it is called doping when using this particular substance.

How To Not Get Addicted

The first step in not getting addicted is to not use this drug for recreational purposes. Also called  MPH, R-ball, and vitamin R it is easy to obtain, and therefore controlling the substance is very difficult. You have to consider the fact that it has adverse effects such as causing people to become depressed, anxious, and may even cause men to lose their hair. As a result of these side effects, it's in your best interest to not get addicted, and to not use this drug if it is not for medical reasons.

The Shifting of Addictions

 

When I was 22, I had a real problem with alcohol... It got so bad, that friends wouldn't come near me, if I'd been drinking. Eventually, I gave up alcohol because I could no longer control myself under its influence. That's when the problems began...

The above quote comes from a 30 year old recovering drug and alcohol addict. He has been sober for 18 months, and recounts how his attempts to stop using one particular substance, lead him down a path of addiction and abuse of other substances.

Addiction occurs in the brain, so even though the chemicals and substances are the triggers for addiction, the processes of addiction are solely playing-out in the brain. For the above-referenced addict, addiction was already present; this is why the stopping of alcohol abuse merely morphed the addiction into the abuse of another substance.

This shape-shifting of addiction is quite common, and is often most evident in those that quit smoking -- as ex smokers tend to become addicted to exercise, eating, or other habits. To protect against these shifting addictions, it is important to seek comfort in healthy activities and pastimes, rather than picking up another troublesome habit. 

Avoiding picking-up secondary, or follow-up addictions, is one of the main goals of residential rehab addiction treatment programs. In an inpatient setting, it is easier to avoid picking up habits while learning to stay sober. This ensures that you are not only healing from your past addictions, but you are replacing your bad habits with healthy living, and better choices.

All You Need To Know About Angel's Dust (Or Devil's Dirt)

The technical name for PCP, also known as 'Angel Dust', is Phencyclidine.  Similar to the majority of illegal street drugs, Angel Dust began as one used for medicinal purposes; however, it was quickly rejected as medicine due to the highly detrimental psychological reactions noted by users.  Some of these damaging psychological reactions included such negative effects as paranoia, anxiety and chemically-induced schizophrenia.  This also led to the user not only being a danger to themselves, but also a danger to others.

Individuals who are under the influence of Angel Dust have been known to physically assault loved ones in the belief that they are someone or something else.  Law enforcement officers have reported PCP users to be extremely violent and difficult to restrain due to the nature and intensity of their presenting hallucinations.

To overcome these highly negative effects, it is important you gain proper, professional help from those who understand the harmful effects of PCP.  Not only is smoking PCP damaging your brain, but it can also cause second-hand intoxication and damage to any individuals around you.

If you are aware of someone who is abusing Angel Dust, then it is in your and their best interest to do research and find an effective rehabilitation center in the area.  Professionals at this center are trained at completing interventions and providing expert medical care to help drug abusers overcome this highly addictive and dangerous drug.

If children are present, there is no time to waste!  Have the authorities involved so the children may be protected during an intervention, which in many causes will be forced.  It is often seen that the user will object to the treatment, but once they have undergone treatment they should realize that PCP is no joking matter.

For further information on PCP and other addictive substances have a look at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.  It provides information on treatment and recovery support for drug abusers and the loved ones: 
http://www.samhsa.gov/

Dealing With Drug And Alcohol Addiction

 

When a person starts taking a drug regularly, their body becomes accustomed to the substance.  This is true whether or not a person is drinking or taking drugs such as ecstasy and/or hallucinogens.  This reliance is the beginning of drug addiction.

Eventually addicts will want more drugs than they can afford.  This level of addiction will also make it difficult for them to maintain their everyday lives.

The end result is that addicts will suffer financial problems.  Many addicts lose their job and turn to crime and/or prostitution to feed their habit. 

When people fall this low, it is hard for them to pull themselves up again.  It is for this reason that addicts need the support of friends and family.

One of the most common ways of letting a person know they need help is hosting an "intervention".  This is when an addict's loved ones get together and let him or her know that they have a problem with drugs.  The people present will also inform them that they will support them if they wish to get clean.

No addict can be helped unless they want to get clean and sober.  Many people have to hit rock bottom for this to happen.

When an addict does seek help, he or she should be enrolled in an inpatient facility.  While this treatment option is expensive, it is far more effective than its alternatives.  Also, the center may be able to give families suggestions on how to finance the treatment.

Whilst in treatment, addicts will detox and attend therapy sessions.  These sessions will help them figure out why they turn to drugs at difficult times.  The addict will then be given tools to resist temptation in the future.  For those who are self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, this may mean going on prescription drugs.

Hydrocodone And Oxymorphone For Pain Relief

 

A condition that many people have today is dealing with a constant state of bodily pain. Chronic pain has been steadily on the rise, prompting more people to use painkillers so that they can get through the day. There are several different types of painkillers available including Oxycodone HCL, Hydrocodone, Oxymorphone, and Meperidine. Let's have a look at two of the most prominently used ones, and help you decide which one might be best for you.

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid which is actually derived from codeine. It is taken orally, and is sometimes used in cough medicine to help people suffering from the flu. It will have a combination of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and is used quite a bit in the United States. It is typically used for severe pain, and has some addicting side effects.

Oxymorphone

Oxymorphone is also a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic, first developed 100 years ago. It is administered as an injection, or it can be taken orally. It is a preop medication that is used to eliminate apprehension, and is also used to control severe pain. It is also used in veterinary medicine because of its ability to help tranquilize larger animals that need to have veterinarian work done.

Between the two, hydrocodone seems to be the one that is administered for humans, for the most part, in order to control chronic pain. You might want to talk to your doctor about this if you have chronic pain issues, as well as Oxycodone HCL to get their opinion on what might be best for you. Always remember that an addiction to pain meds is always a real probability simply because of how these medications interact with the receptors in your brain. By using these as recommended, addiction should be minimal, and you should be able to get the pain relief that you deserve.

Steps to Take to Remove Alcohol From Your Life

 

•  Instead of thinking of alcohol after your work day, concentrate on preparing a healthy meal for that evening. This will not only sate your cravings for alcohol, but will place the concentration on food instead, which will allow you to begin to associate the cravings with nutrition, rather than alcohol intake.
  
• When going out to social events, explore non-alcoholic drinks. Interesting and sweet drinks will take sate the cravings for experimenting with different forms of alcoholic drinks.
  
• Find a hobby that can be engaged-in quickly, whenever cravings come about. Playing guitar, or other instruments, will give you something to go to and distract yourself from alcohol cravings that you might end up having. This helps get through those short periods of cravings, as well as stronger and longer-lasting alcohol cravings.
  
• Routines and schedules are your friends. Plan out your day into a routine or a schedule to ensure that there are no "empty" periods of your day that you might rather fill with alcohol.
  
• Engage in social interaction. People, and the conversations you have with them, can be a great distraction from the allure of alcohol.