Prevention: Battling Addiction Through Education

Various prescription and street drugs may caus...

Image via Wikipedia

It’s a secret none will share. It’s a truth none will confess. Addiction is deemed to be the great shame of the world, is buried deep within the public’s social consciousness. The masses won’t admit that it exists — beyond demanding abstinence. All harmful substances must be avoided: this is the only warning that’s offered.

Such a warning isn’t enough, however. It doesn’t persuade; it merely intrigues.

The dangers of addiction are understood. Too often, however, are those same dangers silenced. Information is censored and conversations are avoided. The notion of substance abuse is deemed to be too awkward — and individuals refuse to consider it.

And this leads to interest from youths: all of whom care nothing for the concerns, want only to experience what their parents seemed so frightened of. It’s a rush of disobedience and the aftermath is a disease.

It is believed that 14 million teenagers are dependent on drugs — with eight percent of the total high school population admitting to a reliance on marijuana and five percent using prescriptions to gain the wanted highs. These numbers are tragic… if only because they could have been prevented.

Battling addiction requires more than refusing to speak of it. It instead demands an education. Students must become aware of the consequences — with all drugs explained and all health concerns examined. Statistics must be offered, with the symptoms of abuse classified again and again. Knowledge is necessary. It must not be denied.

The act of prevention must begin in schools. Children must be offered facts, not simple chides. The result will be success.

Recognizing the Signs of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a very serious matter. But when it comes to our friends, family, and co-workers, being able to recognize the signs of addiction can actually be life saving. Drugs can destroy lives, so if you suspect someone close to you has an addiction, it’s time to suggest help. Below are signs for recognizing drug addiction.

1.       Mood swings. If your loved one is suddenly acting uncharactiscally moody or temperamental, this could be a sign of addiction.  Drugs can often change a person’s temperament.

2.       Unable to meet responsibilities. If a person is missing work, school, or not helping out at home, this is a sign of addiction. The drug takes top priority in the addict’s life.

3.       There’s legal trouble. Drugs can often get the addict into legal trouble, whether it’s buying and selling, or simply using drugs and then getting into trouble. Any sign of a person suddenly getting into legal trouble is when it’s time to take action.

4.       Ignoring dangerous symptoms. If your loved one continues to abuse drugs, even when he knows the dangers, there is a problem. This is a sure sign of addiction because the addict doesn’t care about himself or others around them when it comes to safety.

5.       Problems with relationships. Often, a drug addict will begin to withdraw from friends and family. If you’re noticing a sudden urge to be alone or to ignore friends, this is a sign of addiction.

 

If you recognize any of these signs, get help immediately! Now is not the time to be fooled into thinking there isn’t a problem.

Various prescription and street drugs may caus...

Image via Wikipedia

Addicted to Cough Syrup? Some Surprising Facts you should Know

It’s just cough syrup, right? You just need a small high, an opportunity to get through the upcoming math test or your next job interview.

But is it just….?

These facts may just change your mind:

  • Just because cough syrup is easy to obtain doesn’t mean it isn’t harmful. Mixed with soda or marijuana cigarettes, the danger only increases.
  • Mixing cough syrups with antidepressants or allergy medicines can bring death.
  • Children can and do get addicted. Know what’s in your medicine cabinet; be aware that a child constantly asking for cough medicine because of a “cold” may just want the cough syrup for a little high.
  • It isn’t the alcohol that’s giving you the high, it’s the drugs codeine and promethazine. Both act as a cough suppressant, but when taken in a large amount gives the user an unnatural high.
  • Cough syrup isn’t easy to give up once begun and you still have to go through detox.
  • Cheap doesn’t mean harmless and you can get addicted to cough syrup after only one use.
  • Withdrawal of cough syrup means anxiety, diarrhea, pain, nausea and more. The experience feels like a heroin withdrawal.

If you’re addicted to cough syrup, you’ll know it by your intensive desire to use it without the least caveat of being sick. The syrup will “make your day” or give you that “high” to get you through it. Think of it as a small “sin,” but, in the long run, you’ll need to know that you may be just as addicted as the guy shooting up.

What Constitutes Drug Abuse? How do you know if you have a Drug Problem?

You drink; do you drink too much? You take doctor prescribed drugs for your hip pain and feel the dose is too low, you use over the counter drugs to help your body out, you may have even experimented with hard drugs, and wonder, “How much is too much?”

Get the information you need here:

  • The informative videos from “5min.com” entitled, “How to Know if you are Addicted” has you take quizzes to find out where you stand.
  • At “queendom.com” a 29 year old female asks, “How do I know if I’m addicted to prescription meds?” and gets her answer, including questions the person can ask themselves.
  • Do you feel like you are not the “addictive type”? That you won’t get addicted if you pay attention to what you are doing?  Maybe you don’t take drugs frequently, or feel as if you are in better control than most. Check out this question and answer from a teen at: about.com under the heading, “Teen Life Q&A—Drugs and Addiction, will I be an Addict?”
  • This “APA 7” test is excellent. Whether you are addicted to heroin or pot, or one of the many over the counter varieties, these questions will get you thinking about your own personal drug use. Find it at HubPages.com under the heading: “Am I Addicted? Take the APA 7 Questions Test.”
  • Can you become addicted to over the counter drugs? Get the help you need at: “blurtit.com” under the question, “Can You Become Addicted to Over the Counter Medication and is it Safe to do so if you are Bipolar and Take Prescribed Medication?”
  • What about cough medicine? See this informative Dateline NBC video, “Addicted to Cough Medicine.”

Knowing if you have a drug abuse problem comes in many forms and from many individuals—including yourself. If others have been concerned, if you feel as if you “might” have a problem, or if your business and personal life is somehow mixing more than it should, it might be time to check your “potential” drug problem—and see what you can do about it.

Staying in the Boat—How to Avoid Drug Relapse

Been trying to overcome a drug problem? Keep relapsing into old behaviors? Find yourself struggling to stay on top of the waves?

You’re not alone. Many drug abusers find themselves in the same boat—without a paddle. But what if you had one, a paddle, I mean? What if there was some help to keep you in the water, and in the boat?

Good news.

There is.

  • Make new friends. I know, I know, it’s hard to get rid of the old ones, but do it. Find someone with a similar hobby (other than drinking), take a class, and make room in your life for your family.
  • Go out to family restaurants—forgo the bars. Take along friends that will help you stay sober.
  • Attend AA Meetings. Get involved with others who are struggling and wanting to make a change in their life.
  • Try counseling, even if the counselor is someone who wants you to heal and isn’t a professional. One on one time with a motivating person will help you to continue your newfound journey. Perhaps the counselor is God. Call on this person when you are feeling the need to relapse.
  • Keep a journal or diary. Record your thoughts. Get it out on paper so that you aren’t tempted to live it in person.
  • Watch your stress level. Do some meditation when you feel your stress going high. Give yourself a candy bar instead of a drug.
  • No more secrets. Share what you are feeling and doing with those who understand.
  • Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, and make time in your day to enjoy nature.
  • Keep positive. Forgo listening to those voices that bring you down. If a negative voice is your mother, take a break. Make phone calls and visits only when necessary.

Be honest with yourself. The best way to avoid another drug lapse is to make sure you are doing all you can do to prevent it—and that means no secrets from yourself either.

«Older Posts