Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse

October 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

An important question that people are always asking is what the signs of prescription drug abuse are. If you’re worried that you may know someone currently abusing prescription drugs, it’s important to fully understand the symptoms of having a problem with prescription drugs.

Just remember one could be a coincidence, but having all these symptoms would be a huge warning sign that someone is currently abusing prescription drugs. This is a serious problem that needs to be dealt with immediately.

The first sign of prescription drug abuse is a person will be more irritable. This is usually caused from a lack of access to their drug or even more drugs since they’re not always easy to come by.

The second sign of drug abuse could be a change in their sleeping patterns. This means they’re either getting a lot more sleep or not enough sleep.

One big sign of someone having a problem with prescription drugs is that you’ll start noticing that some of you medications have gone missing. This is because most prescription drug addicts will do anything they can to get high, even if it means stealing over-the-counter medicine that belongs to a family member or a friend. A drug addict gets depressed, so if you notice your medicine is missing, it’s time to have an intervention.

Depending on the prescription drug the addict prefers; they could also drink more alcohol. Most addicts, who prefer an upper, will begin drinking even more alcohol in order to get back down. Those struggling with this addiction could also create an alcohol problem because it’s their only way of being able to fall asleep.

Another sign of prescription drug addiction is that the person will start seeing several different doctors. Most of these doctors will be at an emergency room because they’ll have quicker and easier access to getting more prescription drugs.

Filed Under: Drug Addiction Tagged With: ,

What is a Residential Drug Abuse Program?

October 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A residential drug abuse program, also referred to as inpatient rehabilitation, is a type of rehabilitation service where the patients stay in a residential setting as opposed to traveling to the program’s clinic or center for appointments and therapy sessions. When some patients find that outpatient programs are not sufficient enough to support their extensive physical and emotional needs during rehabilitation treatment, many find residential programs to help much more.

Inpatient programs are offered in a range of venues, from remote locations, like camps and wilderness programs, to private, resort style clinics. There are also many physical rehab programs attached to area hospitals for those struggling with drug addition. This allows the resident to access quick medical attention if necessary. Being in close proximity to medical care facilities also gives the family of the patient peace of mind in knowing that their treatment is closely guarded.

Some inpatient rehab programs last as little as 28 days and some go on for as long as 12 months. The length of the program is determined by the patient’s problem and its severity and is further determined by the attending physician. These programs typically consist of very structured daily activities. Usually, the first step in treatment at the clinic will be supervised detox. Other forms of structured treatments will follow, such as group therapy sessions and personalized exploration.

Many addicts find that entering a residential drug abuse program alleviates the pressures they feel in their everyday lives in the outside world. This allows the patient to focus on recovering without the added stress from relationships, family, friends, and work. The structured parts of rehabs are also found constructive in creating long-term success for patients, helping them learn to cope with stress and pressure without the use of drugs.

Filed Under: Care & Cure, Drug Addiction, Rehabilitation Tagged With: , ,

Medical Complications Due To Drug Addiction

August 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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People who abuse drug start using them repeatedly in order to get a superficial pleasure or illusory pleasure out of it. The euphoric feeling compels them to take drugs again and again as they start feeling depressed soon after the drug effects wear off from their bodies. Thus, they become addict and as a result of prolonged addiction, many medical – both physical and psychological — complications arise in their body.

Psychological Problems

Due to sudden increase in the need of money, drug addicts start stealing and become criminals. Even using illicit drugs is against the law and this causes lots of psychological problems in the drug addicts that includes –
• Reduced level of performance at work place or school is very common.
• Lose their near and dear ones due to the changes in their behavior after taking to drug addiction.
• They can easily fall a prey to sexual abuse and can become a victim of Hepatitis or HIV infection. With prolonged addiction, addicts can succumb to psychosis or disorientation advancing to cerebral hypoxia and hemorrhage.

Physical Problems

As the abused drugs impede functioning of brain, they are at a risk of overdosing most of the times. Many drug addicts resort to drug abuse by assembling in groups. They also have a habit of sharing needle for injecting the substance. Thus they become an easy victim to HIV infection, gangrene, lymph edema, cellulites or pseudo aneurysms. Other infections like endocarditis, pneumocystis pneumonia, amyloidosis, renal failure and more are very common in drug addicts as a result of opportunistic infection.

What Studies Indicate?

According to a study conducted to know about the medical complications of drug addiction, medical conditions like tetanus and malaria which frequently occurred in the past in drug addicts have now become rare. But conditions like HIV (human Immunodeficiency Virus) occur quite frequently in drug addicts these days.

Final Word

The complications that arise after drug addiction are much more than the euphoric highness you get from their abuse. Hence, keep safe distance from drugs and tackle your peer pressure with the help of trusted elders.

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