How To Prevent Alcohol And Drug Addiction By David Richards

Drug addiction is a serious disorder. If not treated, it can lead to crises like loss of employment, living quarters and important relationships. And as if this weren't enough, this kind of addiction can cause illness and even death. Drug addiction is multi-layered and has a variety of causes as well as contributing factors. With the knowledge we have today, Simplistic anti-drug campaigns, such as the "Just Say No" program back in the 1980's, and even more complex programs like "War on Drugs" is not very effective. The reason for this is that these campaigns do not address the root causes of drug addiction but battles the symptoms not the causes of drug addiction.

When most people consider a drug addiction problem, their minds go automatically to old movies or TV-series. A junkie trembling on a street corner, selling her own body for her next fix, or a tragic, pale old man lying in a gutter with a needle in his arm, or even a college girl snorting a line of crystal meth in a frat house bathroom during a wild party. These images are powerful indeed, but drug addiction generally creeps up in a slow but determined pace. Months or years are passing, during which time the addicted person is still able to function in a job, maintain a place to live as well as keeping relationships going. A drug or alcohol addiction problem generally passes slowly through several phases. Just because someone you know has not lost everything he or she owns to drugs does not have to mean that he or she does not have a drug addiction problem.

One of the most insidious drug addiction is prescription drug addiction, followed closely by alcohol addiction. Let's face it; we are a nation of pill poppers and alcohol beverage drinkers. Since we were children we learned that if something hurts, we should take a pill to make the pain disappear. We also see that children are being prescribed drugs such as Ritalin in increasing amounts, as parents and doctors smudge the line between active, healthy kids and kids with a true Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). All the time we are bombarded with advertising for pain relievers, sleep medication and a lot of other remedies; prescribed and over the counter. Seen from this point of view, prescription drug addiction is not hard to understand. We hardly question the doctor thoroughly about the risk of dependency on any medication, since using medicine for almost any problem is so widely accepted. It's so easy to take the drug without question and before we know it, we may have developed a prescription drug addiction.

Alcohol addiction is almost as easy to develop for much the same reason. We live in a culture of drinking. We often go out for cocktails after work or drinking beer with friends during a sports event slowly gives way to having one, two, three, even six or eight beers every night. It feels normal to continually re-visit the bar during a night at a pub. Next thing we identify is a full-blown alcohol drug addiction.

How harsh (or maybe great) it may sound, you are the only person that can prevent alcohol or drug addiction, due to the choices or decisions you make. Although addiction is classified as a disease, it may well be one of the few diseases that people choose to get. Each drug or alcohol addicted person started their life as an addict by making a choice. You are free to make the same choice or you can choose to not allow drug addiction to be your disease. It's your choice and whether you like it or not, it is the price you have to pay for being a human with a free will.addiction a seat in your life. It's up to you.

David Richards is a publisher of facts about alcoholism. You can go to alcoholism treatments for more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Richards

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/757465

Combination of Nicotine, Alcohol and Drugs Increases of Health Damage By Sasha Maoory

Nicotine and Alcohol

Individuals who smoke and drink heavily are 38 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal (mouth-throat) cancer. By comparison, those who just drink have 6 times the risk, those who just smoke, 7 times. The risk of combined use is closer to being multiplicative than merely additive.

One clue lies in studies showing that long-term alcohol consumption increases levels of cytochrome P450, a metabolic enzyme responsible for converting the tar in cigarettes to cancer-causing chemicals.

Nicotine can also mitigate alcohol-related motor and coordination difficulties-hence the drinker who lights up to "steady his nerves."

By normalizing levels of vasopressin, a neurochemical messenger, nicotine can help counteract alcohol-induced memory impairment.

Nicotine and drugs

While the combined use of tobacco and other drugs can increase their pleasurable effects, it can also have grave health consequences.

Smokers who regularly use tobacco in combination with marijuana or crack cocaine likewise run an increased risk of cancer when compared to single-substance users. Many of the carcinogenic chemicals present in tobacco are found in marijuana, some at substantially higher levels. Individuals who smoke both drugs receive double doses of carcinogens.

On balance, though, the use of tobacco with other drugs is have a harmful effect on health, both because of the tendency to consume more of the combined substances and because of specific interactive effects like multiplied cancer risk.

Smoking is an acquired skill. By learning to inhale smoke into their lungs, individuals acquire the behaviour necessary for consuming marijuana and crack cocaine. Because underage smoking is illegal, adolescent tobacco users also learn to develop a set of masking behaviours that can serve to hide later illicit drug use.

Nicotine and caffeine

The relationship between nicotine and caffeine is complex, but researchers have shown that rats chronically exposed to caffeine self-administer nicotine at higher-than-control levels.

Compared to non-smokers, heavy smokers also prefer more heavily caffeinated beverages, such as coffee rather than tea. In addition to caffeine, other drugs shown to increase nicotine consumption in animals include pentobarbital, amphetamines, methadone, and heroin.

Finally, there is the effect of tobacco itself. Smokers have significantly lower levels of monoamine oxidase-B, the enzyme responsible for breaking down dopamine in the brain.

As a result, they are able to sustain higher levels of dopamine for longer periods of time, particularly if they continue smoking. Elevated dopamine means elevated pleasure; tobacco works synergistically with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and narcotics to provide a sustained high.

Hence alcohol and other drug users tend to smoke more heavily. The reverse is also true. Alcohol, a depressant, mitigates some of the adverse effects smokers' experience, such as an increased heart rate.

And alcohol activates nicotine metabolizing enzymes, which makes it necessary to consume more tobacco to achieve the accustomed effect.

Sasha Maoory - doctor and Internet writer. Visit my personal blogs http://saysmokingno.blogspot.com and http://waysquitsmoking.blogsome.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sasha_Maoory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1802350

What You Should Know About Alcohol and Recreational Drugs and Their Effects on Fertility By Maria Antonopoulos

Before you actually get pregnant, it's a good idea to evaluate what your lifestyle habits are. While doing things in moderation is a good motto to have, there are actually some things that you want to totally eliminate if you are trying to get pregnant. Drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs are two things you definitely want to eliminate if you are trying to get pregnant. The following are some things that you need to know about alcohol and recreational drug use and their effects on your fertility and chances of getting pregnant.

• Most people are now aware that drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects. There's also lots of evidence that women who consume a significant amount of alcohol (more than ten drinks per week) prior to conception have a more difficult time conceiving.
• A Danish study of 430 couples between the ages of 20 and 35 trying to conceive for the first time, revealed that women who continued to drink one to five alcoholic beverages per week were 39% less likely to get pregnant within six months compared to women who consumed no alcohol. Those women who consumed six to ten drinks per week were 45% less likely to get pregnant and women who drank more than ten drinks per week were 66% less likely to conceive. This is almost certainly because alcohol alters estrogen and progesterone levels which in turn can cause problems with ovulation.
• Men should also be aware of their alcohol consumption because it can affect the quality of sperm as well as lower testosterone which is necessary for sperm production.
• Recreational drugs, besides having a negative impact on your ability to conceive, can also have some serious effects on your fetus's development once you are pregnant. It is highly recommended that drug use be stopped at least two to three months prior to conception for women and three to six months prior to conception for men.
• How can marijuana and cocaine affect your fertility? Well, both marijuana and cocaine use can lower sperm count in men. Marijuana can also lower the amount of testosterone which is necessary for normal sperm production. Cocaine use can result in an increase in the amount of abnormal sperm.
• In women, marijuana smoking can result in an increase in the number of abnormal eggs. Additionally, studies have found that the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in the woman's reproductive fluids made it more difficult for the partner's sperm to reach the egg. It is believed that THC harms the sperm's biological pathway to the woman's eggs. Cocaine can cause menstrual irregularities which could make it more difficult to conceive.
• Men should also stay away from anabolic steroids (drugs that build muscle mass), because these steroids suppress the body's ability to make testosterone. This damage can actually be permanent.

Alcohol or recreational drugs are not the only unhealthy habits that can affect your ability to conceive. There are many other factors that should be taken into consideration especially if trying to conceive has been a challenge. If getting pregnant naturally is important to you, but you have been confused about what is the best way to go about it, then all you may need is some easy to follow, step by step guidance to make sure that you haven't overlooked anything. This guide to getting pregnant naturally can be found at the website http://naturalfertilitysolutions.info/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Antonopoulos

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4636604

Avoiding Drug and Food Interactions By Brenda Williams

Medicines are powerful substances and when you ingest them they can interact with the food you eat. This can make them work slower, faster or even prevent them from working. Some food and medicine combinations can even have toxic results. So you should be sure to ask both your doctor and your pharmacist if there are any foods or beverages you need to avoid while you are on the medication. You should also be sure to inform your doctor of all the medications you take when getting a prescription. This includes a complete list of vitamins and supplements.

Drink a full eight-ounce glass of water when taking pills and capsules. This will prevent irritation of your esophagus and stomach lining and increases the absorption of the medication by your body. This should be done with both prescription and over-the-counter medications. But don't drink a hot beverage with the medication as heat interferes with the effectiveness of some medications. If a medication is taken on a daily basis, try to take it at the same time every day. Always adhere to the recommended dose. Taking more can be dangerous. Taking less may interfere with its effectiveness.

Since some medications are not compatible with certain foods it is important to ask your doctor and pharmacist about this when you receive any prescription. For example, tetracycline is a commonly prescribed antibiotic however consuming dairy products while taking the antibiotic can completely destroy its effectiveness. It has also been found that certain antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure if taken with any food that contains a substance known as tyramine. Aged cheeses, preserved meats such as salami, certain kinds of beans, sauerkraut and alcoholic beverages all contain tyramine. Since this blood pressure rise can even be fatal, if you are prescribed MAOIs, you need to be very certain of all the foods and beverages you should avoid.

Just recently, it has been discovered that grapefruit juice and grapefruit can increase the levels of some medications in the blood. The medical profession does not yet know all of the drugs that may be involved. They do know that it is true for most calcium channel blockers and for triazolam, a common sleeping pill. Because of the current uncertainty about this interaction, it is recommended that people wait at least an hour after taking any medication before eating citrus fruits or drinking citrus juices. Also, many medications are not compatible with alcoholic beverages as alcohol interacts with many different drugs both prescription and non-prescription so you need to check this on the label of any over the counter medications that you are purchasing.

Often prescriptions will specify whether a medication should be taken on an empty stomach or with food. If it is to be taken on an empty stomach, you should wait two to three hours after eating or take it an hour before eating. One bit of information that you also need but may not be included with the prescription, is what to do if you miss a dose. Since it is easy to forget, especially if you are not accustomed to taking medication, you should be sure to ask either the doctor or pharmacist about this.

Continuum of Care Women

Women's Transitional Sober Living

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3017655

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3017655

Combination of Nicotine, Alcohol and Drugs Increases of Health Damage By Sasha Maoory

Nicotine and Alcohol

Individuals who smoke and drink heavily are 38 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal (mouth-throat) cancer. By comparison, those who just drink have 6 times the risk, those who just smoke, 7 times. The risk of combined use is closer to being multiplicative than merely additive.

One clue lies in studies showing that long-term alcohol consumption increases levels of cytochrome P450, a metabolic enzyme responsible for converting the tar in cigarettes to cancer-causing chemicals.

Nicotine can also mitigate alcohol-related motor and coordination difficulties-hence the drinker who lights up to "steady his nerves."

By normalizing levels of vasopressin, a neurochemical messenger, nicotine can help counteract alcohol-induced memory impairment.

Nicotine and drugs

While the combined use of tobacco and other drugs can increase their pleasurable effects, it can also have grave health consequences.

Smokers who regularly use tobacco in combination with marijuana or crack cocaine likewise run an increased risk of cancer when compared to single-substance users. Many of the carcinogenic chemicals present in tobacco are found in marijuana, some at substantially higher levels. Individuals who smoke both drugs receive double doses of carcinogens.

On balance, though, the use of tobacco with other drugs is have a harmful effect on health, both because of the tendency to consume more of the combined substances and because of specific interactive effects like multiplied cancer risk.

Smoking is an acquired skill. By learning to inhale smoke into their lungs, individuals acquire the behaviour necessary for consuming marijuana and crack cocaine. Because underage smoking is illegal, adolescent tobacco users also learn to develop a set of masking behaviours that can serve to hide later illicit drug use.

Nicotine and caffeine

The relationship between nicotine and caffeine is complex, but researchers have shown that rats chronically exposed to caffeine self-administer nicotine at higher-than-control levels.

Compared to non-smokers, heavy smokers also prefer more heavily caffeinated beverages, such as coffee rather than tea. In addition to caffeine, other drugs shown to increase nicotine consumption in animals include pentobarbital, amphetamines, methadone, and heroin.

Finally, there is the effect of tobacco itself. Smokers have significantly lower levels of monoamine oxidase-B, the enzyme responsible for breaking down dopamine in the brain.

As a result, they are able to sustain higher levels of dopamine for longer periods of time, particularly if they continue smoking. Elevated dopamine means elevated pleasure; tobacco works synergistically with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and narcotics to provide a sustained high.

Hence alcohol and other drug users tend to smoke more heavily. The reverse is also true. Alcohol, a depressant, mitigates some of the adverse effects smokers' experience, such as an increased heart rate.

And alcohol activates nicotine metabolizing enzymes, which makes it necessary to consume more tobacco to achieve the accustomed effect.

Sasha Maoory - doctor and Internet writerVisit my personal blogs http://saysmokingno.blogspot.com and http://waysquitsmoking.blogsome.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sasha_Maoory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1802350

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center By Ras Reed

What transpires in an alcohol treatment center? An alcohol treatment center is where you get assistance to conquer your drinking difficulty. They also educate you and the rest of their patients how to accept responsibility for their drinking problems. When you're at the center, you are taught how to maintain your distance from booze or bottles of alcohol. If you've not been able to conquer your drinking urges or cravings since your last visit to an alcohol treatment center, there is no cause for you to make merry. Available figure show that lots of people usually have a relapse after staying in a center.

Booze, binges, liquor, alcohol bottles, name it whatever you wish, isn't a friend but a foe. That is why you won't set eyes on it inside a good and reliable alcohol treatment center. You will be deprived of it all through your stay at the center. Some centers even go to the level of cutting you off from all method of contact. Each one of these actions are taken to assist you concentrate on what brought you to the center- freedom from alcoholism and alcoholic beverages.

The problem with drinking alcohol often begins when it affects your brain. You'll require the assistance of pros at an alcohol treatment center to stop the dependency. It's been discovered that several people who drink too much alcohol find it arduous breaking it unaided. Your healing comes slowly at the center. When it comes to treating alcoholism, you need to realize that the exercise must be firm. Even if your medical examiner is well attentive to your predicament, he or she can't and must not be lenient with you and your drinking addiction. Your drinking problem will only be broken when a rigid grip is dole out. As a result, do not expect experts at the center to laugh with you.

Before a person can be instructed to go to an alcohol treatment center, the matter must be unending. But, it is often smart to nip the problem in the bud and don't let it escalate. When you become a drunkard, genetically and neurologically, you turn out to be a slave to alcohol. A lot of people are not alert to this circumstances. This is why you should try to fight it with the help of experts at the center.

Alcohol always makes you feel pleasant and indomitable after you had the first drink. You feel on top of the globe until the impact of what you've done begin to dawn on you. That's the time you suddenly come to life and realize that you're lost. Several folks simply fail to take the right step at this stage. The proper and counseled action is to appear for and enroll at a good and reliable alcohol treatment center.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4422782http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ras_Reed

Medications Currently Available For the Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Addiction By Anne Ahira

There are several medications available on the market today which can be very beneficial when it comes to the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. While there are only three medications which have been approved by the "United States Food and Drug Administration" for alcohol addiction, these medications along with a few others can also be used for drug addiction. It is important to note that when it comes to the medications prescribed for alcohol addiction, none of these are prescribed to patients who are currently using alcohol and only prescribed to those who have stopped and are trying to maintain their sobriety by seeking treatment for their addiction. One of the first medications developed and prescribed for the treatment of alcohol is "Disulfiram" which is more commonly known as "Antabuse". Antabuse acts as a deterrent to drinking alcohol as it causes a severe reaction when someone consumes an alcoholic beverage and reacts in a similar a manner as is experienced with a hangover such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, headache, and other symptoms which are generally associated with the after effects of drinking alcohol. "Naltrexone" is drug which is used in both the treatment of alcohol and individuals who are addicted to opioids which are drugs such as cocaine or heroine. This medication works in such a way as to block the effects from alcohol or drugs so the user does not get that "buzz" or "high" which they normally would experience when using these substance. "Campral" or "Acamprosate Calcium" is one of the most recent drugs approved by the "FDA" in the year of 2004 for the treatment of alcohol but has been used worldwide for many years. Campral has been effective in helping alcoholics abstain from drinking by reducing the effects of alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as the anxiety and sleeplessness which often occurs soon after the alcohol begins to leave their system. ---------------------------- About the Author: Anne Ahira is an established entrepreneur and successful coach in her country of Indonesia. Her success story has been published in many nationwide publications in Indonesia. Making a lucrative income online is a challenging endeavor, but by getting the *right* information, it is an endeavor that you can succeed at! If you want to LEARN how to make a LUCRATIVE income online from Professional Marketers you can TRUST, below is the *only* product Anne Ahira recommends: [http://www.AnneAhiraRecommends.com] Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Ahira Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4729549

Acne Scar Treatment - Facts You Should Know By Jason L Clifton

You may have to patiently investigate different treatments in order to find the right one for your unique acne scars. Remember, what works for one person isn't always the best solution for another. The severity of your scarring, and the type of scars that have developed, will determine which method of treatment is best for you. To help you make the right choice, especially if your scars are severe, you should consult with a dermatologist and get his or her opinion as to the correct treatment. The most effective treatment techniques available today for acne scarring will be the main point of this article. The different types of acne scars have been identified and named, so it's easy to identify which types you are afflicted with. By far the most common scars left by acne are called Icepick scars, due to their distinct appearance as punctures made by an icepick. Treating icepick scars is difficult because they tend to be very deep. Boxcar scars, on the other hand, are usually shallower than icepick scars, and can be identified by their round or oval shape and sharp edges. Rolling scars are those that appear wavelike, or rolling, on the skin. These are the most common scar patterns and, whichever one you have, will determine which kind of treatment you will require. If you can eliminate the conditions that cause your acne to scar, that's the best solution to solving the acne scarring problem. It's always best to remember that an active acne attack won't always result in scars. Nevertheless, preventing scars from forming isn't always straightforward or easy. Whenever you realize that an acne attack is commencing, immediately start a treatment routine to clear it up. It's not wise to ignore the acne with the hopes that it will clear up by itself. Sometimes an acne outbreak will disappear on its own, but take matters into your own hands and treat the problem so it will clear up faster and with better results. Indeed, it's very important that you don't cause your acne to become inflamed. Be careful what you do so you don't inadvertently cause more scars. Don't delay visiting your dermatologist immediately if you want to get started on a good treatment plan that will reduce the risk of scars whenever you have a severe outbreak of acne. One acne treatment is collagen injections. When the collagen is injected into the acne scar area, the scars are not as noticeable Your dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, is who you would go to for a collagen treatment. It's a good idea to get the opinion of your dermatologist to see if he or she recommends collagen injections if you are seriously considering this option. It could be that other surgical procedures may be more suited to your particular case. How deep your scars are, and the type of scars you have, would be the determining factors. Dermabrasion is another surgical procedure that has been successful. A fine wire brush effectively rotates on the surface of your skin, removing the top layer. Another option is a chemical peel, where your outer layer of skin is removed by chemicals. Acne scarring has been treated successfully with the above surgical procedures. Acne scar treatments are important in that they can help you feel better about yourself if you're self conscious about how you look. While in most cases, other people aren't as critical of issues such as acne scars as you are towards yourself, it still can be nice to find a way to get rid of any scars you have. The treatments we've outlined for you in this article are just a few of the possibilities you may want to explore to get rid of your acne scarring. Jason l Clifton is a blogger http://www.acne-support.com who shows a great interest in acne and looking at different ways in treating the skin condition. If you would like to read more about acne scar removal techniques click on the link

Non-Violent Drug Offenders Need Drug Rehab Not Bars By Mary C Hines

Our prisons are full. This is true from coast to coast. This is despite the reported decrease in numbers incarcerated. As of the beginning of 2013 the figure was approximately 1.6 million prisoners behind bars. Some have quoted it as 2.2 million. But what about the numbers of those who are non-violent drug offenders? Seems that the quoted figures again vary quite a bit, but we might be safe to assume that at least 22 percent of all prisoners in the U.S. are non-violent drug offenders. Legislation to Change Matters Many states are introducing legislation that would send drug offenders to rehabilitation rather than putting them behind bars. New Jersey is one, with the Governor last year proposing to put the non-violent drug offender through a drug rehab rather than stick him in prison. It is less expensive to put an addict through rehab than to support him for one year in prison. Additionally, drug addicts usually go right back out and begin using drugs again. The New Jersey Governor estimated that 50 percent relapsed and would end up back in jail. Recently in Indianapolis it was reported that the Indiana Legislature approved a bill which overhauls penalties on drug offenses, putting those convicted of non-violent offenses on work release programs. That is a step in the right direction, although nothing goes into effect until 2014. There are about 2,700 drug courts in the U.S. and these courts have the ability to sentence an offender to a drug rehab program. However, currently this is coming after the person has already spent time in jail. What do these people learn in prison? They are not addressed regarding their addiction. They don't learn life skills important in maintaining a drug-free life. Longer Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders It seems that prison sentences for non-violent drug offenders are longer than for someone who has molested a child, robbed a bank or committed rape. Supporting this was one lady commented on a blog post that she was raising eight of her grandchildren because two of her daughters were in prison for meth use. One of these women had never been in trouble before but received a sentence of 28 years. Cravings Drive an Addict Addicts who commit non-violent crimes are normally trying to get their next fix, driven by uncontrolled cravings. In talking with numerous addicts who were going through rehab programs, they admitted doing things they never would have normally done due to the desire to get money for more drugs. They manipulate people, steal, lie - whatever it takes to satisfy their urges. You hear it time and time again, addiction destroys lives. It's true. It is of the highest necessity to save addicted lives as well as protect our society by getting non-violent drug offenders into an effective drug rehab program that will allow them to live a life without drugs, where they can be contributing members of society and live productive and happy lives. Solution to Addiction is an effective drug rehab referral service committed to finding the right drug rehab facility for those addicted to any drugs. Those addicted to prescription drugs, cocaine, heroin need to get the best help obtainable. Drugs really can be left behind for good. We help find the right drug rehab program for you or your loved one. Call us today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7794726