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Other than addiction, what  are some other health consequences of abusing drugs? 

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Other than addiction, what  are some other health consequences of abusing drugs? 

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Some health consequences of abusing drugs is the persons behavior. then in the future youll have to  face more consequences .

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Where can I find information about drug treatment?

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Where can I find information about drug treatment?

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To find information about drug treatment programs visit the website below.  or call 1-800-662-HELP.

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samhsa behavioral health treatment services locators

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SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

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An online source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.

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Are there effective treatments for drug addiction? 

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Are there effective treatments for drug addiction? 

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Yes there effective treatments for drug addiction. Researchers show that combining addiction treatment medications and with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients.

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Drug addiction is a complex and chronic brain disease. People who have a drug addiction experience compulsive, sometimes uncontrollable, craving for their drug of choice. Typically, they will continue to seek and use drugs in spite of experiencing extremely negative consequences as a result of using.

Characteristics of Addiction

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is characterized by:

Inability to consistently abstain from the substance or rewarding experience (as in gambling, sex, or overeating)

Impairment in behavioral control

Craving for the substance or rewarding experience

Diminished recognition of significant problems with your behavior and interpersonal relationships

A dysfunctional emotional response

Although the above five characteristics are usually present in most cases of addiction, ASAM noted that these five features cannot be used to diagnose addiction. "The diagnosis of addiction requires a comprehensive biological, psychological, social, and spiritual assessment by a trained and certified professional."

Behavioral Manifestations of Addiction

When friends and family members are dealing with a loved one who is addicted, it is usually the outward behaviors of the person that are the obvious symptoms of addiction.

Those behaviors are primarily centered around the addict's impaired control:

Excessive frequency of drug use in spite of attempts to control

Increased time using or recovering from drug effects

Continued use in spite of persistent problems

A narrowing of focus on rewards linked to addiction

An inability to take steps to address the problems

The Inability to Abstain

Research has shown that prolonged drug use causes a chemical change in the brain of the addict that alters the brain's reward system that prompts compulsive drug seeking in the face of growing negative consequences.

This state of addiction, when the activity continues in spite of negative consequences and despite the fact it is no longer rewarding, is termed by addiction experts the " pathological pursuit of rewards." It is the result of chemical changes in the reward circuitry of the brain.

How Addiction Gets Started

The reason that people engage in activity that can become addictive in the first place is either to achieve a feeling of euphoria or to relieve an emotional state of dysphoria -discomfort, dissatisfaction, anxiety, or restlessness. When they drink, take drugs, or participate in other reward-seeking behavior (such as gambling, eating, or having sex) they experience a "high" that gives them the reward or relief they are seeking.

This high is the result of increased dopamine and opioid peptide activity in the brain's reward circuits. But after the high they experience, there is a neurochemical rebound which causes the reward function of the brain to drop below the original normal level. When the activity is repeated, the same level of euphoria or relief is not achieved. Simply put, the person never really gets as high as they did that first time.

Lower Highs and Lower Lows

Added to the fact that the addicted person develops a tolerance to the high-requiring more to try to achieve the same level of euphoria-is the fact that the person does not develop a tolerance to the emotional low they feel afterward.

Rather than return to "normal," the person reverts to a deeper state of dysphoria.

When becoming addicted, the person increases the amount of drugs, alcohol, or the frequency of the addictive behaviors in an effort to get back to that initial euphoric state. But the person ends up experiencing a deeper and deeper low as the brain's reward circuitry reacts to the cycle of intoxication and withdrawal.

When Reward-Seeking Becomes Pathological

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), this is the point at which the pursuit of rewards becomes pathological:

Reward-seeking becomes compulsive or impulsive.

The behavior ceases to be pleasurable.

The behavior no longer provides relief.

No Longer a Function of Choice

To put it another way, the addicted person finds himself compelled-despite his own intentions to stop-to repeat behaviors that are no longer rewarding to try to escape an overwhelming feeling of being ill at ease but find no relief.

According to ASAM, at this point addiction is no longer solely a function of choice. Consequently, the state of addiction is a miserable place to be, for the addict and for those around him.

Chronic Disease and Relapses

For many addicts, addiction can become a chronic illness, meaning that they can have relapses similar to relapses that can happen with other chronic diseases-such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension-when patients fail to comply with their treatment. These relapses can occur even after long periods of abstinence. The addict can take action to enter remission again. But he remains at risk of another relapse. The ASAM notes "Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death."
Frequently Asked Questions. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/frequently-asked-questions. The Definition of Addiction (Long Version). American Society of Addiction Medicine. https://www.asam.org/quality-practice/definition-of-addiction.

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What Are the Typical Characteristics of a Drug Addiction?

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Drug addiction is a complex and chronic brain disease. People who have a drug addiction experience compulsive, sometimes uncontrollable, craving for their drug of choice. Typically, they will continue to seek and use drugs in spite of experiencing extremely negative consequences as a result of using.

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When is this thee best time to get someone into treatment?

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When is this thee best time to get someone into treatment?

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Thee best time to get someone into treatment is when a loved one is in need  of treatment, it is advisable to do everything in your power to help them find the courage, determination and means to seek treatment as early as possible.

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There are no simple answers as to why some people develop an addiction and others don't, but most experts agree that there are contributing psychological, biological and genetic components. Fortunately, with recent scientific advancements in our understanding of addiction, treatment programs that address both the biological and psychosocial dimensions can be very successful.

Looking at these four major types of symptoms of alcohol and drug addicts may provide some insight:

1. Loss of control - The inability to limit use despite the negative consequences

2. Cravings - An overwhelming psychological need or compulsion to drink or use any other mood-altering substance

3. Physical dependence - When attempting to stop using, there are withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shaking, or anxiety

4. Tolerance - The need for larger amounts of mood-altering chemicals to achieve the same effect

Click here to learn more.

Substance abuse is common in today's society, especially with alcohol. Abuse starts with a person using drugs or alcohol more frequently and, at intermittent times, it gets out of control. Telling signs of abuse include becoming argumentative, getting into a fight, having a wreck, becoming uncharacteristically promiscuous or adversely impacting a job or relationship.

Once a person loses the ability to willingly stop using or drinking, they are now dealing with the disease of addiction. This lack of self-control is one of the key indications that the drugs or alcohol have damaged the brain in both structure and function, making it physically impossible for the individual to stop using on their own for any prolonged length of time. By this point, since the brain has been damaged, it is highly unlikely that traditional twelve-step programs could work for any significant length of time.

Click here to learn more.

30 years ago, the scientific and medical communities didn't know as much about addiction and the brain as they do today. Part of what we've learned is that, for millions of people, overcoming addiction is not about a lack of will power or a lack of discipline. It's about their brains being literally injured and their brain chemistry being physically altered.

This has led the scientific community to acknowledge addiction as a chronic and progressive brain disease. And that means that treating addiction may require medicine, just like any other disease. Therapy is necessary for recovery, but it's not going to heal the brain. Believing therapy alone will work is one of the primary reasons so many people struggle and relapse.

Click here to learn more.

We understand that residential rehab is disruptive to families, careers and everyday life. But that's the point. If a thorough assessment leads to a medical prescription or recommendation of residential care for your loved one, it's because their brain needs disrupting in order to break the harmful patterns it has created. Every patient is unique, of course, but medical studies show that the optimal amount of time needed to reboot the brain's chemistry and rewire its neurological pathways is about 45 to 90 days. We realize that sounds like a lot, but isn't two to three months of effort now worth a lifetime of sobriety?

In addition, people who enter residential treatment typically have problems that require combined medical, psychological and/or physical therapies over a sustained period of time in a controlled environment. Residential treatment is often the most practical and effective course of action.

Click here to learn more.

It is a myth that an addicted individual must hit "rock bottom" to be ready for treatment. Helping your loved one get help early in their addiction cycle will result in fewer accompanying psychological and physical problems and a better prognosis for long-term recovery. Furthermore, "rock bottom" is a dangerous place to be; for many addicts, that point is when a near-fatal or fatal overdose, serious accident or criminal justice consequence has occurred.

Click here to learn more.

Science has detected approximately 12 to 15 different types of alcoholism and 12 to 25 types of narcotic addiction. Depending upon the type of addiction, anti-addiction medicines may be the only solution. Simply put, the brain's chemistry has been altered and needs re-balancing.

Research shows that combining anti-addiction medicines with evidence-based behavioral therapies is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches personalized to address each person's abuse patterns and co-occurring medical, psychiatric and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without addiction.

It is important to remember that addiction is a chronic and progressive disease -- like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease -- and can be managed successfully. Medically based treatments allow people to recover most - if not all - of their functionality, counteracting addiction's powerful disruptive effects and enabling people to regain control of their lives. As with other chronic diseases, of course, relapses will occur if you stop following the treatment protocols.

Click here to learn more.

We have put together a list of ten questions you should ask of any treatment program, including Enterhealth Ranch. Click here to learn more.

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There are no simple answers as to why some people develop an addiction and others don't, but most experts agree that there are contributing psychological, biological and genetic components. Fortunately, with recent scientific advancements in our understanding of addiction, treatment programs that address both the biological and psychosocial dimensions can be very successful.

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If a pregnant woman abuses drugs, does it affects  the fetus? 

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If a pregnant woman abuses drugs, does it affects  the fetus? 

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A pregnant woman who abuses drugs may have other risk factors that could adversely affect the health and well being of her child. Since the fetus health is directly related to the mother

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If you're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant and want a healthy baby, then it's very important to avoid drug use during pregnancy. Illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine aren't the only drugs that are harmful to fetal development; Commonly used over-the-counter medicines, along with substances such as caffeine and alcohol, can have lasting effects on an unborn child.

Why are pregnant women warned not to use drugs?

It's possible that you may not have a serious or long-lasting problem after using drugs. But the same is not always true for a fetus. Drug-using mothers often give birth to "drug babies." These children have a host of developmental problems.

Studies show that using drugs -- legal or illegal -- during pregnancy has a direct impact on the fetus. If you smoke, drink alcohol, or ingest caffeine, so does the fetus. If you use marijuana or crystal meth, your fetus also feels the impact of these dangerous drugs. And if you are addicted to cocaine -- also called coke, snow, or blow -- you're not only putting your own life on the line, but you are risking the health of your unborn baby.. The consequences of using cocaine include heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, and seizures. And these life-threatening health problems can also be passed to an unborn baby.

Taking drugs during pregnancy also increases the chance of birth defects, premature babies, underweight babies, and stillborn births. Exposure to drugs such as marijuana -- also called weed, ganja, dope, or pot -- and alcohol before birth has been proven to cause behavior problems in early childhood. These drugs can also affect the child's memory and attentiveness. In addition, some findings show that babies born to women who use cocaine, alcohol, or tobacco when they are pregnant may have brain structure changes that persist into early adolescence.

While cocaine's effects are usually immediate, the effect it can have on a fetus may last a lifetime. Babies born to mothers who smoke crack cocaine during pregnancy -- so-called ''crack babies'' -- usually have their own set of physical and mental problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, exposure to cocaine in the womb can lead to subtle, yet significant, deficits later in children. These deficits usually show up in areas such as cognitive performance, information-processing, and attention to tasks. These are areas that are vital for success not just in school, but in life.

Continued

Which drugs have the most serious consequences for the fetus?

Taking almost any drug during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the fetus. For instance, babies who are exposed to cocaine have a tendency to have smaller heads that indicate a lower IQ. Cocaine-exposed babies have a higher risk of birth defects that impact the urinary tract or heart. Cocaine may also cause a stroke in an unborn fetus, resulting in brain damage or even death.

Using cocaine or methamphetamine -- also called speed, Tina, crank, or ice -- increases the risk of miscarriage early in the pregnancy. Later in the pregnancy, these illicit drugs may cause pre-term labor and low birth weight, as well as babies who are irritable and have feeding difficulties.

Pregnant women who smoke marijuana face a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Smoking pot may cause developmental delays in the child. And after delivery, babies who have been exposed to marijuana seem to undergo withdrawal symptoms with excessive crying and trembling.

What about cigarette smoking during pregnancy?

Cigarette smoking causes serious illness and premature death in the general population. But pregnant women who smoke pass the nicotine and other carcinogenic chemicals to the growing fetus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mothers who smoke early in their pregnancy are more likely to deliver babies that have several different heart defects, including septal defects - essentially a hole in the wall between the heart's left and right chambers. Sadly, most infants with congenital heart defects die in the first year of life. Those infants who survive often face lengthy hospital stays and numerous surgeries along with a lifetime of disabilities.

Women who smoke are also more likely to have placenta problems. This is a serious concern because the placenta provides nourishment to the baby in the womb. Smokers also have low-birth-weight babies, premature deliveries, and babies with cleft palate. In addition, smoking during pregnancy and after delivery is one of the causes associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Does drinking during pregnancy cause fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) refer to a range of disorders caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause abnormal facial features, growth deficiency, and problems with the central nervous system. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome may also have learning disabilities, attention span disorders, and other physical disabilities, including vision and hearing problems.

There is no "safe" limit of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Some studies have found that small amounts of alcohol consumption can have the same adverse effects on the fetus as binge drinking.

Continued

Why is caffeine considered a "drug" during pregnancy?

Caffeine is legal and prevalent in foods such as chocolate and drinks such as coffee and sodas. But experts claim it's still a drug and should be limited. Caffeine has been a controversial subject in FDA guidelines. In the early 1980's, the FDA released a study that stated caffeine use had toxic results in studies of rats. However, this warning has since been loosened a bit.

Pregnant women who need caffeine should regulate it. It can cause low birth weight and irritability if taken in large quantities.

Are prescription drugs harmful to the unborn fetus?

They might be. It's necessary to monitor intake of prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications if you are pregnant. However, because it's unethical to test drugs on pregnant women, the effects of many drugs during pregnancy simply aren't known.

Pharmaceutical companies are required to report any problems with medications to the FDA. You and your doctor can also report problems with a medication to the FDA. The FDA has guidelines for drug companies to follow in labeling medications about their effect on pregnancy and the growing fetus. By reading the product information, you can learn more about how the medication may affect your pregnancy.

The FDA requires drug companies to conduct special studies called pregnancy registries. Women who take a certain medication may enroll in the study. After delivery, their babies are compared to babies of moms who didn't take the medication during pregnancy. When the data is compiled, these studies can help agencies monitor the effects of medications after they are made available.

Some women must take drugs during pregnancy. They may need to take them for pain or for a serious condition such as asthma, epilepsy, hypertension or depression. If you are concerned about using a prescription or over-the-counter medication during pregnancy, talk with your doctor and get more information about the drug's safety.

How many pregnant women abuse drugs each year?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.4 percent of pregnant women between ages 18-44 had used alcohol during their first trimester, 4.8 percent in their second trimester, and 2.4 percent in the last trimester of pregnancy. Similar numbers were seen with marijuana, cigarette, and binge alcohol use.

Continued

Are any drugs safe during pregnancy?

While a few prescription and over-the-counter medications are considered "safe" during pregnancy, most drugs are not. If you are taking medications for medical purposes, here are some safety tips to follow when you are pregnant:

Always read the medication label. Many of the products will tell you on the label if they are safe for use while pregnant. If you are unsure about taking an OTC product, call your doctor.

Natural dietary supplements -- herbs, amino acids, minerals, mega-vitamins -- might be considered natural, but that does not mean they are safe. Talk with your health care provider before taking any unproven or "natural" remedy.

According to the FDA, aspirin and ibuprofen should not be taken during the last 3 months of your pregnancy unless you are instructed by your doctor to take it. These drugs can cause problems for your baby or cause problems when you are in labor.

Talk with your doctor about special prenatal vitamins that are safe for mom and baby. OTC vitamins may have doses that are too high.

Sources

SOURCES:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - National Survey on Drug Use and Health, September 2014.

National Toxicology Program: "Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)."

March of Dimes: "Illicit Drug Use During Pregnancy."

Medline Plus: "Pregnancy and Substance Abuse."

CDC: "Smoking Early In Pregnancy Raises Risks Of Heart Defects In Newborns."

FDA: "Pregnancy and the Drug Dilemma."

National Toxicology Program: "Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)."

Bruce, D, PhD. Making a Baby: Everything You Need to Know to Get Pregnant, Ballantine Books, 2000.

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If you're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant and want a healthy baby, then it's very important to avoid drug use during pregnancy. Illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine aren't the only drugs that are harmful to fetal development; Commonly used over-the-counter medicines, along with substances such as caffeine and alcohol, can have lasting effects on an unborn child.

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What  happens to your brain if  you keep taking drugs?

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What  happens to your brain if  you keep taking drugs?

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If you keep taking drugs your brain becomes less reactive to the drug. Which then it will show the brain of drug addicted.

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Champlain Valley School District / Homepage

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What are withdrawal and detoxification (detox)?

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What are withdrawal and detoxification (detox)?

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Withdrawal is the all  inclusive term used to describe a complex variety of unpleasant physical symptoms that occur when the use of some addictive drugs is reduced or stopped. Detoxification is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of a drug.

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How do I know   someone is addicted to drugs? 

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How do I know   someone is addicted to drugs? 

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The more risk factors  an individual  has, the greater the chance that taking drugs  can  lad to  addiction.

- family history of addiction

-early use of  drugs http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htms. To learn more about if someone is addicted.

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Why do some   people become addicted while others do not?

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Why do some   people become addicted while others do not?

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Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm

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Drugs work in the brain by affecting the brain stem, the cerebral cortex, and the limbic system. It can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-  sustaining functions and can drive compulsive drug abuse that marks addiction.

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What are the costs of substance abuse to society?

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What are the costs of substance abuse to society?

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The costs of substance abuse to society is $181 billion/year for illegal drugs, $185 billion/year for Alcohol, and Tobacco for $193 billion/year which is total of $559 billion/year.

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Opioid Summaries by State

APA Style MLA Style AMA Style

NIDA. (2017, April 24). Trends & Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics

Other Articles of Interest

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There are a variety of sources of information NIDA uses to monitor the prevalence and trends regarding drug abuse in the United States. The resources below cover a variety of drug related issues, including information on drug usage, emergency room data, prevention and treatment programs, and other research findings.

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Drugs that are commonly abused are marijuana, Alcohol, Amphetamines, Cocaine and  Hallucinogens.

http://www.drugs.com/article/drug-substance-abuse.html

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 Where can I learn more about the
     science of drug addiction?

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 Where can I learn more about the
     science of drug addiction?

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To learn more about the science of drug addiction.

Following websites:

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/

http://hiv.drugabuse.gov/

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Addiction is a disease because addiction is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain - in structure and in function.

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For many decades it's been widely accepted that alcoholism (or addiction) is a disease. The "disease concept" is taught in addiction training programs and told to patients in treatment programs. It is unquestioned by public figures and the media. But is it true? And if it is not true, is there a better and more helpful way to define addiction?

Let's start with a short history. In the bad old days, before the disease concept became widely popular (about 40 years ago), our society was even more prejudiced against people with addictions than it is now. "Addicts" were seen as different and worse than "normal" folks. They were thought to be lacking in ordinary discipline and morality, as self-centered and uncaring. They were seen as people who were out for their own pleasure without regard for anyone else. They were viewed as having deficiencies in character.

Then came the idea that addiction is a disease: a medical illness like tuberculosis, diabetes or Alzheimer's disease. That meant that people with addictions weren't bad, they were sick. In an instant this changed everything. Public perceptions were less judgmental. People were less critical of themselves. Of course, it wasn't welcome to hear that you had a disease, but it was better than being seen as immoral and self-centered. So, the disease concept was embraced by virtually everyone. With all its benefits, it's no wonder this idea continues to attract powerful, emotional support.

Widespread enthusiasm for the disease model, however, has led to willingness to overlook the facts. Addiction has very little in common with diseases. It is a group of behaviors, not an illness on its own. It cannot be explained by any disease process. Perhaps worst of all, calling addiction a "disease" interferes with exploring or accepting new understandings of the nature of addiction.

This becomes clear if you compare addiction with true diseases. In addiction there is no infectious agent (as in tuberculosis), no pathological biological process (as in diabetes), and no biologically degenerative condition (as in Alzheimer's disease). The only "disease-like" aspect of addiction is that if people do not deal with it, their lives tend to get worse. That's true of lots of things in life that are not diseases; it doesn't tell us anything about the nature of the problem. (It's worthwhile to remember here that the current version of the disease concept, the "chronic brain disease" neurobiological idea, applies to rats but has been repeatedly shown to be inapplicable to humans. Please see earlier posts in this blog or my book, Breaking Addiction, for a full discussion of the fallacy of this neurobiological disease model for addiction.)

As readers of this blog or my books knows, addictive acts occur when precipitated by emotionally significant events, they can be prevented by understanding what makes these events so emotionally important, and they can be replaced by other emotionally meaningful actions or even other psychological symptoms that are not addictions. Addictive behavior is a readily understandable symptom, not a disease.

But if we are to scrap the disease concept and replace it with something valid, our new explanation must retain all the beneficial aspects of the old disease idea. It must not allow moralizing or any other negative attributions to people suffering with addictions. In fact, we'd hope an alternative explanation would have more value than the disease label, by giving people with addictions something the disease concept lacks: an understanding that is useful for treating the problem.

Knowing how addiction works psychologically meets these requirements. Recognizing addiction to be just a common psychological symptom means it is very much in the mainstream of the human condition. In fact, as I've described elsewhere, addiction is essentially the same as other compulsive behaviors like shopping, exercising, or even cleaning your house. Of course, addiction usually causes much more serious problems. But inside it is basically the same as these other common behaviors. When addiction is properly understood to be a compulsive behavior like many others, it becomes impossible to justify moralizing about people who feel driven to perform addictive acts. And because compulsive behaviors are so common, any idea that "addicts" are in some way sicker, lazier, more self-centered, or in any other way different from the rest of humanity becomes indefensible.

Seeing that addiction is just a compulsive symptom also meets our wish for a new explanation: unlike the "disease" idea, it actually helps people to get well. As I've described in this blog and my books, when people can see exactly what is happening in their minds that leads to that urge to perform an addictive act, they can regularly learn to become its master, instead of the urge mastering them.

Despite all its past helpfulness, then, we are better off today without the disease idea of addiction. For too long it has served as a kind of "black box" description that explains nothing, offers no help in treatment, and interferes with recognizing newer ways to understand and treat the problem.

And there is one more advantage. If we can eliminate the empty "disease" label, then people who suffer with an addiction can finally stop thinking of themselves as "diseased."

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For many decades it's been widely accepted that alcoholism (or addiction) is a disease. The "disease concept" is taught in addiction training programs and told to patients in treatment programs. It is unquestioned by public figures and the media. But is it true?

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Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that affects the brain and causes compulsive drug craving , seeking, and use despite harmful and often devastating consequences.

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Official Tickets and Your Source for Live Entertainment | AXS.com

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AXS.com brings you inside access to tickets, artist news, and exclusive stories on concerts, tours, sports teams, family events, arts, theater, and festivals - nationally and in your town.