If you have been through rehab you know how difficult it is to stay committed to your sobriety through the holidays. Hopefully these tips can help provide a sober new years. If you are not an addict or do not intend on staying sober for New Years read this anyway. Perhaps it will help you help others.
1. Be the host of your own party. This will allow you to set your own rules about whether alcohol will be consumed and if so how much. By mixing or serving the drinks yourself you can make sure guests do not abuse alcohol. Limiting the amount of alcohol you purchase for guests will limit how much they are able to consume. Put the money you save towards purchasing more food which will help your guests eat more and drink less.
2. Offer to be the designated driver. If you know you have committed to others that you will make sure they get home safely you will be less likely to overindulge.
3. Focus on how great you feel. If you are tempted to get drunk just bring to mind of past times when withdrawal or hangover symptoms got the best of you and you were not able to function the next day.
4. Ask someone to look after you. If you confess or share your goals to remain sober with a friend or family member you will be more likely to accomplish this goal. Asking them to keep an eye on you or reminding you will help you stay more conscious of your choices. If someone you know has a similar goal create a buddy system with them so you can provide support for each other.
5. Eat! If you will eat a larger dinner prior to going to the party you will not feel like consuming a bunch of alcohol. Eating a healthy dinner will also keep you from overeating the high fat and high sugar finger foods often found at parties.
6. Make your party a "family" party. If you invite friends and family and let them know that children are welcome you will be less likely to have a bunch of belligerent drunks at your party. Most people will be more conscious of how much alcohol they consume if children are around or if they know they are going to have to be responsible for the safety of children. Provide all of these guests with the option of games, movies, activities, and other drink options to keep their mind off drinking. Teens will also be less likely to drink alcohol if you can provide them with a party they want to attend with their family.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Prescription Drug Abuse (part 2)
Although there are many OTC (over the counter) medications that people can abuse and become addicted to I specifically want to talk about the use of prescription drug abuse and even more specifically teen painkiller drug use and abuse.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs amongst teen are called "opiates" or "opioids". Opiates being listed as the number 3 drug that teens use, only falling 3rd to the number 1 alcohol and number 2 marijuana. Teens often use these kinds of drugs either for the "buzz" or to stay awake for homework or a party. Most start by just taking one or two here and there from the home medicine cabinet or getting them from friends. After time they need more and more to get the same effect.
There are way too many street names for opiates but I will list a few of the most common amongst the top 3, which are morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone.
Morphine: M.S., Miss Emma, morf, morpho, Emsel, dreamer, first line, unkie, hows etc..
Fentanyl: China girl, China town, china white, apache, great man, he-man, jackpot, dance fever...
Oxycodone: Hillbilly heroin, OC, Os, Ox, Oxicotton, Oxy 80's, pills, 40, 40 bar, 80, kicker ...
Teen Drug Statistics show that over 10% of 12th graders have abused prescription drugs. When speaking of "abused prescription drugs" I am referring to the definition typically used by professionals. That being someone who has taken prescription medications without a prescription or without any physical need to. These studies also show that about 2,500 teenagers will abuse prescription drugs for the first time every day.
Some of the effects of teen prescription drug use are declining grades, lack of money, mood swings, and feeling shaky or nauseated when not on the drugs. There are also physical signs such as drowsiness, depression, nightmares, euphoria, dysphoria, paranoia, hallucinations, and (in the case of injecting) track marks. Because opiates depress or stimulate the central nervous system when someone has become addicted to them and try to go without their withdrawal symptoms are often related to the nervous system such as; restlessness, pain in their muscles and bones, diarrhea, insomnia, involuntary shaky muscles (usually in the legs), and cold flashes.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs amongst teen are called "opiates" or "opioids". Opiates being listed as the number 3 drug that teens use, only falling 3rd to the number 1 alcohol and number 2 marijuana. Teens often use these kinds of drugs either for the "buzz" or to stay awake for homework or a party. Most start by just taking one or two here and there from the home medicine cabinet or getting them from friends. After time they need more and more to get the same effect.
There are way too many street names for opiates but I will list a few of the most common amongst the top 3, which are morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone.
Morphine: M.S., Miss Emma, morf, morpho, Emsel, dreamer, first line, unkie, hows etc..
Fentanyl: China girl, China town, china white, apache, great man, he-man, jackpot, dance fever...
Oxycodone: Hillbilly heroin, OC, Os, Ox, Oxicotton, Oxy 80's, pills, 40, 40 bar, 80, kicker ...
Teen Drug Statistics show that over 10% of 12th graders have abused prescription drugs. When speaking of "abused prescription drugs" I am referring to the definition typically used by professionals. That being someone who has taken prescription medications without a prescription or without any physical need to. These studies also show that about 2,500 teenagers will abuse prescription drugs for the first time every day.
Some of the effects of teen prescription drug use are declining grades, lack of money, mood swings, and feeling shaky or nauseated when not on the drugs. There are also physical signs such as drowsiness, depression, nightmares, euphoria, dysphoria, paranoia, hallucinations, and (in the case of injecting) track marks. Because opiates depress or stimulate the central nervous system when someone has become addicted to them and try to go without their withdrawal symptoms are often related to the nervous system such as; restlessness, pain in their muscles and bones, diarrhea, insomnia, involuntary shaky muscles (usually in the legs), and cold flashes.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Prescription Drug Abuse (part 1)
According to experts prescription drugs are becoming the drug of choice amongst drug users. Prescription drug abuse is amongst the highest addictions being treated nation wide. Partially because unlike street drugs, like cocaine and heroin, used by addicts many people who have serious injuries, health problems, or surgeries are becoming addicted to the medications that are initially taken only to help alleviate pain associated with their treatment. Some of the other causes include people using them to "relax", many students use them to get "an edge" or stay awake, people perceive them to be "safer", and they are easier to obtain.
Arrests for prescription drug use, prescription fraud, dealing of prescription drugs, and robbery of pharmacies has recently increased significantly. Many drug rehabilitation treatment facilities have also seen an increase in pain killer abuse. In a recent article, Las Vegas reports a new wave of prescription drug problems they have labeled "prescription drug diversion". One doctor there had his car broken into and they stole a prescription pad along with the stamp that validates the prescription. He has helped authorities by getting a copy of what these fraudulent prescriptions may look like to pharmacies throughout the city.
Some of the warning signs of prescription drug dependency include dramatic changes in behavior, continued use after treatment, dramatic changes in appearance, presents of paraphernalia, and a unusual or constant need for money. These signs are just some indicators to look for and do not always mean drug abuse, they may be other underlying things going on but if you suspect someone you love may be addicted to prescription drugs it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Arrests for prescription drug use, prescription fraud, dealing of prescription drugs, and robbery of pharmacies has recently increased significantly. Many drug rehabilitation treatment facilities have also seen an increase in pain killer abuse. In a recent article, Las Vegas reports a new wave of prescription drug problems they have labeled "prescription drug diversion". One doctor there had his car broken into and they stole a prescription pad along with the stamp that validates the prescription. He has helped authorities by getting a copy of what these fraudulent prescriptions may look like to pharmacies throughout the city.
Some of the warning signs of prescription drug dependency include dramatic changes in behavior, continued use after treatment, dramatic changes in appearance, presents of paraphernalia, and a unusual or constant need for money. These signs are just some indicators to look for and do not always mean drug abuse, they may be other underlying things going on but if you suspect someone you love may be addicted to prescription drugs it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Marijuana
According to statistics on marijuana use it is estimated that about 40% of the U.S. population has at least tried marijuana at some point in their lives, which would equate to over 97 million people. Because marijuana has been around for some time, so many people have tried it, and it does not have the same reputation as other harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin for being a drug of choice for drug addicts it often more accepted and overlooked as an addictive drug.
If you suspect someone you know or care about is using marijuana or is addicted to marijuana but are not sure, some of the things you can look for is blood shot eyes, drug paraphernalia, lack of interest in outdoor or other activities, and significant changes in weight loss/gain.
Although not many people choose to enter drug treatment centers specifically for addiction many drug addicts will use marijuana as a gateway drug for another drug and when getting treatment for another drug will be treated for withdrawal from marijuana as well. It is important to know that there are withdrawal symptoms to stopping the use of marijuana such as, restlessness, irritability, inability to sleep, anxiety, and headaches. Depression can also play a role in withdrawal symptoms and will need to be treated as well.
If you suspect someone you know or care about is using marijuana or is addicted to marijuana but are not sure, some of the things you can look for is blood shot eyes, drug paraphernalia, lack of interest in outdoor or other activities, and significant changes in weight loss/gain.
Although not many people choose to enter drug treatment centers specifically for addiction many drug addicts will use marijuana as a gateway drug for another drug and when getting treatment for another drug will be treated for withdrawal from marijuana as well. It is important to know that there are withdrawal symptoms to stopping the use of marijuana such as, restlessness, irritability, inability to sleep, anxiety, and headaches. Depression can also play a role in withdrawal symptoms and will need to be treated as well.
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