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Pill for Every Pain – Part 2: Women Are at A Greater Risk of Developing Opioid-Dependence

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Pill for Every Pain – Part 2: Women Are at A Greater Risk of Developing Opioid-Dependence

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The problem of prescription drug abuse has almost crippled the United States. In a nation where almost 70 percent adults take at least one form of prescription medication, even strict guidelines to curtail prescription drug abuse has not done much in improving the situation.

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The problem of prescription drug abuse has almost crippled the United States. In a nation where almost 70 percent adults take at least one form of prescription medication, even strict guidelines to curtail prescription drug abuse has not done much in improving the situation.

According to a 2013 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the deaths from prescription painkiller overdose since 1999 has risen over 400 percent in case of women as compared to 265 percent for men. Women are more likely to seek professional help for problems related to their health. This could be one of the factors why women receive more prescription drugs than men.

Prescription drug overdoses in women have risen alarmingly

According to the CDC, nearly 48,000 women lost their lives to prescription painkiller overdose between 1999 and 2010. Women in the age group of 25-54 were more likely than any other age groups to go to the emergency department for misuse or abuse of painkillers. For every woman who died due to prescription overdose, 30 were taken to the emergency department for non-medical use or misuse.

The CDC also stated that white women were at a higher risk of prescription painkiller overdose than black women. The risk is higher among older women as compared to younger women and women between 45-54 years have the highest risk of dying from prescription painkiller overdose.

Several factors have contributed to the severity of the prescription drug abuse problem-the increasing numbers of prescriptions handed out, growing culture of accepting medications for various treatment purposes and aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies. These have created a conducive environment where availability and acceptability of prescription drugs, including opioids, have become common.

Dangers associated with prescription drug use

The use of prescription painkillers can affect women differently than men. Differences in hormone production, body composition and metabolism should be considered while prescribing medications as their effects can vary from person to person.

Women are more likely to develop chronic pain (like fibromyalgia) and receive more prescription medication than men. They are more likely to receive higher doses and experience greater pain relief from opioid painkillers. This could be caused by the presence of estrogen which regulates pain response as it fluctuates through the menstruation cycle.

Studies have shown that men tend to overdose more on prescription painkillers, but women have a higher probability to develop a dependence on them. They also have a harder time quitting and are more likely to relapse, especially in the middle of their menstrual cycle as the glucose levels in the brain decreases at this point. Glucose level in the blood has been linked to exerting self-control. Once they get dependent on prescription drugs, they have a higher chance than men to engage in "doctor shopping," a term using for obtaining prescription pills from multiple sources.

Prescription opioids taken by pregnant women can affect their children as well. It puts their fetuses at risk and can result in withdrawal syndrome in newborns, namely neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). During pregnancy, it can also lead to other complications, such as premature labor, birth defects and miscarriages.

Treatment for prescription abuse is possible

If you or someone you know is in need of treatment for prescription drug abuse, contact the 24/7 helpline number 866-922-5915 where our medical advisors will help you find the best prescription drug abuse treatment centers in Colorado. An evidence-based treatment can help patients get one of the best inpatient prescription drug abuse treatment centers in Colorado.

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Pill for Every Pain - Part 2: Women Are at A Greater Risk of Developing Opioid-Dependence

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The problem of prescription drug abuse has almost crippled the United States. In a nation where almost 70 percent adults take at least one form of prescription medication, even strict guidelines to curtail prescription drug abuse has not done much in improving the situation. According to a 2013 report by the Centers for Disease Control...

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Pill for Every Pain – Part 3: Growing Trend of Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens

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Pill for Every Pain – Part 3: Growing Trend of Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens

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A gripping concern that the United States is battling is the prescription drug abuse by teens. Unaware of the consequences of misuse of such drugs, teens and young adults put themselves in danger by abusing them. Teens are at a greater risk because they are more open to experimenting with prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances that can aggravate the effect.

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A gripping concern that the United States is battling is the prescription drug abuse by teens. Unaware of the consequences of misuse of such drugs, teens and young adults put themselves in danger by abusing them. Teens are at a greater risk because they are more open to experimenting with prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances that can aggravate the effect.

A teen might want to indulge in such practices for various reasons. Raw emotions and moods that a growing adolescent faces, along with the body's hormonal changes, might push this group to experiment with prescription drugs without giving much heed to warnings.

Some of the commonly abused prescription drugs include opioids like OxyContin, Vicodin, depressants like Valium, Xanax, stimulants like Adderall, Concerta, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Nearly 8 percent teens aged between 12 and 17 years were reported with non-medical use of prescription drugs in 2010.

In 2013, approximately 24.6 million Americans aged 12 years or older had taken an illicit drug in the past month. It is also alarming that teens usually experiment with marijuana and alcohol before moving on to prescription pills. Perhaps, this stems from the widely misunderstood notion that prescription drugs are safer because they are prescribed by a doctor.

Prescription drugs can be as dangerous as any street drug

Studies show that two in five teens (9.4 million) agree that prescription drugs are safer than drugs procured from the street even if they are not prescribed by a doctor. They also acknowledged that acquiring cough medication or painkillers from friends and family was fairly easy.

Using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is another problem. This drug seeking behavior that was once identified commonly in middle-aged white women is now also being witnessed in teens who are forced to partake in doctor shopping to fuel their addiction.

Bias towards prescription drugs by teens

Not all teens use prescription drugs to get high. Some of them take prescription drugs to deal with their specific problems like anxiety, staying awake to concentrate and study, or sometimes even to lose weight.

Some of the reasons why teens use prescription drugs are:

To get high: These drugs help them escape reality, deal with their perceived harshness of life and get rid of boredom. They give in to the allurement without being aware of the health hazards they expose themselves to.

Embellish performance: Stress from high competition, a will to achieve ambitious goals, especially during college admissions, placements and scholarship exams can lead to the abuse of such drugs like Ritalin and Adderall.

Peer pressure: Social pressure to prove themselves in romantic relationships or other fields can force them to abuse prescription drugs. Teens care a lot about their image and what their peers think of them. These factors also contribute to the abuse.

To cope: It gets difficult to manage the stress from school, studies and extracurricular activities like clubs and sports. Inability to cope efficiently can lead to abuse.

Parents sometimes notice these changes but have a hard time believing that their teenager has a prescription drug abuse problem. Even as they take their young ones to the doctor, they attribute the changes they notice in their child to alcohol or pot. Acting immediately and seeking professional help is the best course of action a parent can take.

Road to recovery

If you or a loved one is showing signs of prescription abuse, it is imperative to seek help. Contact the Colorado Prescription Abuse Helpline to connect with the best prescription drug abuse treatment centers in Colorado. Call at our 24/7 helpline number 866-922-5915 or chat online in locating the best inpatient prescription drug abuse treatment centers in Colorado.

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Pill for Every Pain - Part 3: Growing Trend of Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens

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A gripping concern that the United States is battling is the prescription drug abuse by teens. Unaware of the consequences of misuse of such drugs, teens and young adults put themselves in danger by abusing them. Teens are at a greater risk because they are more open to experimenting with prescription drugs, alcohol and other...

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Goldie Hawn Endorses Mindfulness Training to Curb Mental Disorders in Children

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Goldie Hawn Endorses Mindfulness Training to Curb Mental Disorders in Children

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Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common among children due to the compulsion of keeping pace with an exceedingly competitive world. As a result, instead of growing into happy and carefree souls, as witnessed earlier, they are now burdened with grief, stress and trauma. Therefore, incidents of children committing suicide are also going up consistently.

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Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common among children due to the compulsion of keeping pace with an exceedingly competitive world. As a result, instead of growing into happy and carefree souls, as witnessed earlier, they are now burdened with grief, stress and trauma. Therefore, incidents of children committing suicide are also going up consistently.

An annual survey by the Mental Health America (MHA) reveals gross anomalies in the mental wellness of children across America. The number of adolescents showing the signs of depression and suicidal tendencies has increased rapidly. Nearly 50 percent of children aged 11 to 17 years screened for mental health displayed suicidal thoughts and self-harm tendencies throughout the week.

In a worse scenario, a staggering 76 percent of the children with severe depression did not receive any treatment at all. Despite the massive increase in mental disorders in children, their symptoms were often misunderstood by parents and educators. This was primarily due to the misconception that mental health problems affect only adults and not children. Sadly, this belief is fast proving untrue.
Goldie Hawn speaks up for children
In the light of this mental health crisis among youngsters, Hollywood actor, director and producer Goldie Hawn has taken it upon herself to improve the mental health of children worldwide through her Hawn Foundation. The foundation hopes to make children happier through its unique MindUp program, a teaching and learning framework providing mindfulness training and emotional learning tools to children and preteens in 11 countries around the world.

Many of the mental disorders that are rife in the world today arise because people have not fully capitalized the hidden prowess of the brain. Instead, they inadvertently allow the brain to be fogged up by negative thoughts, unrealistic expectations and unnecessary foreboding. As the brain is an organ with limited capacity, an overload of stress and overwhelming emotions causes malfunctioning.

Commentating on the importance of understanding brain functioning, Hawn said that children do not understand how their brain function. Therefore, it becomes imperative to teach them the basics of brain working. The curriculum of MindUP has been designed to train kids to relax, reduce stress and develop social behaviors.
Role of parents
According to Hawn, parents play an important role in raising a positive and happy child. If parents are happy and optimistic, children are likely to feel less stressed and less burdened when things do not go their way. On the contrary, when parents set unrealistic expectations, the child is more likely to feel unhappy, disoriented, etc.

The actor also spoke at length about the role of social media in causing distress to children. In a candid interview to CNBC, Hawn said, "Social media has a tremendous amount to do with aspects of our mind, and keep in mind that the brain itself does not finish growing till you're 24 years old." Because of the social media, children are becoming exposed to malpractices like bullying, violence and assault at a young age.

Since their mental faculties have not fully developed to understand the enormity of any problem, the repercussions of the social media immensely affect their mental health. In such circumstances, the role of parents becomes more important than ever. They should spend quality time with their growing children to identify any worrying sign of mental disorder. It is also equally important to discourage them from immersing in social media.
Seek treatment for mental issues
Some effective ways to grapple with any mental issue is to practice experiential techniques like yoga, meditation, etc. Rather than pondering unnecessarily over the past and the future, children should be taught the significant ways to handle daily stress and tension. Parents should motivate their children to develop positive behavioral traits to take any challenge in good spirits.

If you know someone who is in need of help to cope with a mental illness, contact the Colorado Mental Health Help for reliable information on the mental health treatment centers in Colorado. Call our 24/7 helpline number 866-899-5063 to find out more. If not treated in time, mental disorders can have life-threatening consequences.

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Goldie Hawn Endorses Mindfulness Training to Curb Mental Disorders in Children

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Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common among children due to the compulsion of keeping pace with an exceedingly competitive world. As a result, instead of growing into happy and carefree souls, as witnessed earlier, they are now burdened with grief, stress and trauma. Therefore, incidents of children committing suicide are also going up consistently....

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Rising drug overdose deaths concern America; it may dip by 2034, Says Report

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Rising drug overdose deaths concern America; it may dip by 2034, Says Report

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The alarming rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States stresses on the fact that drug addiction has snowballed into a major health concern today. Looking at the worsening situation, Robert Anderson, chief of mortality statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has given it the status of an epidemic, just like the HIV epidemic of the late 1980s and early 1990s, said a report in the New York Times.

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Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Brain and Body

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Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Brain and Body

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Taking to drink is easy and one may cite a host of reasons to justify it, but getting rid of alcohol addiction is a huge challenge. There are individuals who are unaware of the truths of alcoholism or are just ignorant about it. Moreover, such people may even deny calling themselves alcoholics.

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Taking to drink is easy and one may cite a host of reasons to justify it, but getting rid of alcohol addiction is a huge challenge. There are individuals who are unaware of the truths of alcoholism or are just ignorant about it. Moreover, such people may even deny calling themselves alcoholics.

Residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient program, counseling, sober living and brief interventions are just some of the treatment plans for alcoholics. If you know someone who is alcohol-dependent, consider familiarizing him or her with its damaging effects on the mind and the body. This will be your first step toward discouraging your loved one from consuming alcohol regularly.

It's heartbreaking to see how alcoholism can ruin a friend or family member's life. But then, it's not enough to request the person to stop drinking. An alcoholic must be educated about the long-term damaging effects of this addiction on his mental and physical health. You can actually show your care to the drinker by discussing how alcohol can destroy him completely.

BRAIN INJURIES FROM HEAVY DRINKING

Alcoholism is linked to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) or alcoholic encephalopathy, which is a severe brain disorder due to deficiency of thiamine or B1. Up to 80 percent of drinkers can become thiamine-deficient and suffer from alcoholic encephalopathy. Overall poor nutrition, mental confusion, paralysis of the nerves that move the eyes and difficulty with muscle coordination are some of the symptoms of this incapacitating syndrome.

Intoxication can also result in blackouts and memory lapses. This condition causes alcoholics to forget the key or entire details of events. Drinking large quantities of alcohol quickly and on an empty stomach can lead to blackouts. Alcohol addiction can also shrink the key regions of the brain, resulting in dementia.

A study on rats at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory revealed that drinking alcohol can affect the brain volume. In the study that continued for six months, half of the rats were given pure water, while the rest were offered a 20 percent ethanol solution. MRI scans showed that prolonged consumption of alcohol caused overall damage to the brain and shrinkage of cerebral cortex in the tiny mammals deficient in dopamine D2 receptors. However, those with normal receptor levels suffered no injuries to the brain.

According to Marlene Oscar-Berman, Ph.D., a professor in the Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Neurology, alcohol can cause injury to the brain. Nerve damage or alcoholic neuropathy can cause weakening of muscles and painful needle pins or numbness in the extremities.

Although new studies indicate that neurogenesis can help treat brain damage, scientists reiterate that the number of nerve cells in an adult brain is fixed early in life. Diagnosis of alcoholic brain damage is possible with electrophysiological brain mapping, magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and positron emission tomography.

PHYSIOLOGICAL DAMAGES FROM HEAVY DRINKING

An alcoholic may have to fight diseases such as anemia and cancer in various body parts such as mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast and colorectal region. Heavy drinking can also lead to clotting of blood, which can cause an array of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, cardiomyopathy and heart rhythm abnormalities. With disruptions in the sympathetic nervous system, an addict may suffer cirrhosis or scarring of liver and high blood pressure. Depression, seizures or epilepsy and gout are other bad effects of heavy drinking.

Alcohol can weaken the immune system which makes the drinker become more susceptible to infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, pneumonia and HIV/AIDS. Gastritis or stomach irritation, and pancreatitis or pancreas inflammation can also occur frequently in alcoholics. According to Dr Kieran Moriarty, a consultant gastroenterologist, alcohol can induce the stomach to produce more acid than usual, causing irritations to the stomach lining.

It is a choice to assist or neglect an alcoholic, but we must support because we can. We can help open a drinker's eyes to the risks and realities of alcohol addiction. The ill effects of alcoholism on health are long-term. So, if there is an alcoholic who is your friend or relative, consider it a serious issue and do not hesitate to take professional help. Please do not hesitate to contact the Colorado Alcohol Addiction Helpline today at 866-592-9261.

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Effects Of Alcohol Abuse On Brain And Body

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Taking to drink is easy and one may cite a host of reasons to justify it, but getting rid of alcohol addiction is a huge challenge. There are individuals who are unaware of the truths of alcoholism or are just ignorant about it. Moreover, such people may even deny calling themselves alcoholics.