February 23, 2012

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I think my child is taking drugs – what do i look for?

Various prescription and street drugs may caus...

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We all know as parents that teenagers go through a difficult time in puberty.  They change as their bodies are full of physical and emotional battles and growth.  But as parents you also know when something is out of the norm.  Maybe your child is hanging out with older or a different crowd, maybe they are increasingly asking for money with no idea where it is going.  Or worse they have stolen from you or completely shut you out of their lives.  Below are some tips of behavioural changes to look for if you suspect your child is taking drugs.

Ecstacy users can grind their teeth and experience “come downs” and memory impairement.  After a high they may also encounter sleep problems.

Heavy marijuana usage can trigger anxiety, lethargy, binge eating or “the munchies” a widening of the pupils and in soem cases of heavy usage it can lead to respiratory issues.

GHB is a strong chemical drug which has grown increasingly popular.  This drug can cause hallucination, slurred and slow speech and even lead to convulsions and seizures.

The worst of the much addiction wise is the big H, heroin.  This highly addictive drug grabs hold of users and pulls them out of main stream society.  You will notice mood swings, extended sleep, poor skin, poor diet and depression.  This is an expensive habit which can lead to stealing.

The best way to handle a situation where you suspect your child of being on drugs is to firstly avoid confrontation and conflict.  Be “present” and positive in their lives and not judgemental.  As hard as it may seem, keep talking and gain trust and openeness.  Conflict and arguments only widens the gap.  If you are unsure of the next steps always speak to your doctor or a recommended drug councillor.

Filed Under: Drug Abuse, Drug Rehabilitation Tagged With: , ,

Statistics and Treatment: Understanding the Truth

A percent sign.

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Numbers and percentages, the variables that seem infinite: the notion of rehabilitation is carved to statistics. Information is flung about. Supposed facts are offered. And the consequence is confusion — with those suffering from substance abuse or addiction unable to understand the truth. There are too many contradictions. There are too few reliefs. Treatment seems to be an impossible thing, if only because the tallies are disheartening.

They don’t have to be, however. They can instead provide hope.

There is only one figure to remember when considering rehabilitation: as of 2011 those who begin it are almost 50 percent more likely to succeed with their goals of battling abuse. Addictions can be tamed. Stability can be offered. Through the use of inpatient treatment (which involves intensive counseling, detoxification and more) individuals can see genuine results.

And this is what must be understood.

Rehabilitation is not a guarantee. None could ever argue this. Relapses may occur; therapy may prove to be difficult; and substance abusers may find themselves overwhelmed by the very concept of healing. Half of those individuals will be able to reclaim their lives, however, and this statistic must be embraced — especially when compared to the 85 percent of users who will fail when trying to conquer their addictions without any form of support.

Treatment is therefore essential. Don’t allow the numbers to dissuade. Don’t assume rehabilitation can’t be achieved. It is instead possible — as long as effort, diligence and patience are offered. The process is long but its success can’t be denied.

Half of all compulsions can be defeated: this is a fact worth remembering… and worth trying to earn.

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Marijuana Use Declining Among Young Adults

Marijuana leads the list of scariest drugs for some because it is the most widely used illicit drugs in the world. For several decades now, the drug has remained popular because of the happy sensation it creates and the perpetuated feeling that it has no harmful effects. Indeed, as far as illicit drug go, pot is considered to be safe by many members of society. However, there is some good news. Marijuana use seems to be declining in the age groups where it is most popular. These group include:

1.) Junior High Students- No one likes to think about junior high kids doing drugs but we can’t pretend they aren’t either. 2010 statistic have show that the rate of user in the prior month has declined from about 7 percent to closer to 5 and a half percent in the last year. This is a measure of the percentage of eighth graders who used pot in the previous thirty days. Also, the rate of users who tried pot at least once is also down. Here, there are about 14 percent of 8th grade students who tried pot once compared to about 16 percent just last year.

2. College Students- By the time kids reach college, they are most in danger of smoking a lot of marijuana. For students under 21, pot may be even easier to get than alcohol therefore making it a more enticing opportunity. By the time a student arrives in college, about 42 percent of them have tried marijuana at least one time. This is an improvement however as just a year ago it was about 45 percent of students who had tried pot at least one time.

Even if marijuana use is declining, it isn’t by much. Too many members of the general public do not treat pot with the same regard as harder drugs like cocaine, heroin, or crack. The relative safe nature leads to overuse, which can cause many problems including loss of memory, bronchitis, and too much money wasted.

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Comparing America’s Drug Abuse With The Rest of The World

The United States has the highest rate of drug abuse in the world in regards to marijuana and cocaine. Indeed, when compared to 17 other nations, America had the highest instances of use and addiction for either elicit drug. There are many reasons why America is the leader in use of the drugs. First of all, Americans tend to have more income to use for recreational drugs. Better paying jobs are associated with using cocaine as it is a drug few poor people can afford. Once we come to terms with the fact we have many people using these drugs, we must then ask what can be done about it.

1.) Recognize the signs- As a society, we cannot afford to keep our heads in the sand regard illicit drug use. For instance, many people will rationalize that it’s not a big deal that their friend uses cocaine or marijuana each and every day. Just because this person can function well and work, it does not means it’s okay for them to be driving their kids around while on drugs. Sadly, this is exactly what many addicts do. It simply becomes part of their day to get high before every activity.

2.) Suggest treatment- Most addicts are not able to get sober on their own. Once you recognize this, it becomes easier to envision yourself providing or suggesting treatment to people you care about. Indeed, they are likely to get angry with you at first but any good long term relationship will come out better for you having drawn attention to the issue. If you experience resistance, which is more likely than not, remain tough and firm in your stance.

It is good to lead the world in economics or manufacturing, but drug use is a different matter entirely. Let’s commit to helping pur addicts and reducing addiction rates.

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Addiction Treatment Facilities

Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
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For a speedy recovery, and a better post-addiction treatment health, a good addiction treatment facility is of paramount importance. Professional rehabilitation centers are the need of the hour. Before heading to one, one needs to conduct a background check to verify if the rehabilitation center is a successful one, and has been recommended by others.

Although you can take a gamble with a newly opened rehabilitation center, you can easily find out if the facilities are up to the mark by taking a look inside. New rehabs can wait for serious addiction problems.

Rehabilitation centers use a multi-pronged approach to treat drug addiction problems. It might be suppressing withdrawal systems through psychological healing, quarantining treatments, and programs that encourage the drug addict to work in a controlled environment.

By getting a person with addiction problems to start working, half the battle is won. When the body starts to get tired, the addiction weans away. Giving the patient constructive and purpose-full activity is a way to rejuvenate the nervous system.

Most drug rehabilitation centers will have programs that are designed with a lot of research. Ultimately the success of a rehab center depends on the success of a person afflicted with addiction problems. Rehab centers are like mini-hospitals that have people who are on call all day and all night. Indeed, this is a very attractive feature, given that drug addicts can become panicky at any time during the day.

Rehab centers will have counseling services to counsel patients with addiction problems. Sometimes rehabs might invite former drug-addicts themselves to take a counseling session. This feat will inspire existing drug addicts to come out of their addiction problems.

For women, single gender rehabs are the best thing to do. In single gender rehabs, the women are treated in an only-for-women drug addiction center that takes only women addicts. It can be helpful for women to concentrate on their healing instead of getting distracted by other things.

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Families Coping With Addiction

Something’s wrong.  Your daughter is staying out too late, hanging around with a tough crowd, and coming home drunk.  Her grades are sliding and she doesn’t seem to be “available” anymore.  Then she crashed the car.

All the signs are there: the late night “partying” with friends has turned into a full-scale addiction, and there’s no end in sight.

Medical professionals define addiction as chronic dependence on a substance, which causes chemical changes in the brain.  Regular use of drugs and alcohol for their mood altering properties can lead to a dangerously compulsive dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms.

When a family member becomes deeply addicted to drugs or alcohol, the cycle of pain can be almost unendurable.  It’s an illness that affects not only the drug abuser, but also all of their loved ones.  Relationships deteriorate as the user becomes more and more unable to take on responsibility.  It’s a cycle of pain that grows exponentially as long as the person continues using drugs. What can a family do to help?

Today’s openness about addiction has taken away the shame involved for families seeking help. Some families stage an “Intervention;” a counseling approach in which the family intervenes, with the guidance of a professional drug and alcohol counselor, to encourage the addict to enter treatment immediately.

There are many rehabilitation centers today to treat substance abuse.  Some require the patient to live at the center, while others only involve daily meetings.  Costs for in-patient rehab centers can be high.  How does a family handle the costs for rehab?  Do they take out a payday loan for the cost, or borrow from family or friends?  Or will a lower cost plan, like attending daily AA meetings and checking in with a medical professional be enough to help?  These are all issues a family must consider when dealing with a family member suffering from addiction.

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Find Help for Your Child’s Drug Addiction

In today’s world, experimenting with drugs at a young age is common. Children are trying drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol at younger ages than when their parents were their age. Because of this, more teenagers are facing the dangers of drug addiction. If you’re worried that your child is addicted to drugs, there are steps you can take to get him help.

First, you’ll want to know the dangers to watch for that could indicate that your child has a drug problem. Some of the signs to watch for include mood swings, sleeping more, a change in appetite, and a lack of interest in activities he used to love. You should also trust your own instincts. If you feel there’s a problem, then you should talk to your child about it.

Identifying the problem is the first step to getting your child the help he needs. The second step is determining what type of treatment he needs. You should seek help from your family’s physician, school guidance counselor, or a mental health professional. Talk to them about the signs and symptoms you’ve noticed in your child. Ask them for appropriate actions to take in your individual case.

The most important thing you should know about choosing proper treatment is that no one treatment is best for everyone. The type of treatment and where treatment is given should be dependent on your child’s particular needs. Finding the right kind of treatment for your child is the most important step you can take in his recovery.

Other factors should be taken into considerations when seeking treatment. What factors lie behind the use of the drugs in the first place? Are there other emotional or physical factors in play? What kind of stresses is your child dealing with? Knowing the answer to these and other questions regarding your child’s individual needs will help you and his therapist set up a proper treatment plan.

You should also take into consideration the needs of the rest of the family. Your child is not the only one dealing with his drug addiction. So are you and your spouse and the rest of your children. Seek counseling for the rest of your family.

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Signs That Your Teen has a Drug Problem

As a parent in today’s world, there are many risks you’re worried about your teen being involved in. One of the main risks you worry about is her exposure to drugs and alcohol. Teens are starting to drink and experiment with drugs at earlier ages than ever before, and the younger they start, they easier it is for them to become addicted. If you’re worried your child may be addicted to drugs, there are ways you can determine it.

First, look for the signs that your child is abusing drugs. They can include compulsively seeking and using a certain drug despite negative reactions to them; continuing to use drugs despite negative outcomes, such as job loss, lower grades, loss of friends, family problems, or physical or mental problems; and physical signs, such as fatigue, mood swings, depression, and unexplained anger or rage.

If you believe your child is abusing drugs, you can start a discussion with them about it by asking her the following questions, which health care professionals use themselves to determine if a patient is abusing drugs:

1. Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who has been using alcohol or drugs

2. Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?

3. Do you ever use alcohol or drugs when you’re alone?

4. Do you ever forget things you did while using drugs or alcohol?

5. Do your family or friends ever tell you to cut down on your drinking or drug use?

6. Have you ever gotten into trouble while you were using alcohol or drugs?

If you still believe your child is abusing drugs after your discussion, your next step should be to find help for them. Help comes in a series of options, including in-patient counseling, out-patient counseling, and drug rehab centers. Try to convince her to seek treatment on her own, with guidance from you. You should seek treatment for your child yourself if she’s unwilling to seek help on her own. She’ll still benefit from the treatment regardless of whose idea seeking treatment was.

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Drug Treatment Centers for Teens

One of the most recommended treatments for teens abusing drugs is a residential treatment center. Here, your child will have access to counseling, medical care, and peer groups. Most centers also include a full academic center, so your child will be able to keep up in school, and return to their school when they’re done in rehab.

Most treatment centers have a 6-18 month program, depending on how much treatment and counseling your child needs. He’ll receive one-on-one counseling with a therapist assigned to him, as well as group counseling sessions, in which he’ll be able to share his experiences with other teens going through the same thing, and hear their stories in return. Peer counseling can help show your child that he’s not alone.

But is a residential program right for your child? How do you determine this? That depends on how much help your child needs to overcome his addiction. Some factors that play into the decision to place your teen into a residential program include if he’s been abusing drugs or alcohol for a long period of time, whether or not he’s getting into trouble at school, and whether or not he has other behavioral or emotional problems. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then he will most likely benefit from a residential program.

However, if your child has only a moderate problem with drug abuse, is getting into minor trouble at school, and has just started talking negatively, he may not need the full benefits of a residential program. In this case, a “quick fix” could be enough to get him off of drugs, before he gets into a stage where he’s addicted and having major problems. These quick fixes could include out-patient counseling and family therapy.

If a residential treatment program is necessary, know that it will help your child not only overcome his addiction, but will also help with any behavioral problems he’s having, such as anger or depression. Treatment for these problems will help him make changes that will last for the rest of his life.

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Tools to Keep Your Chld off of Drugs

One of the best tools you have in preventing your child from abusing drugs and alcohol is you. You are his first advocate when it comes to understanding the risks of trying drugs and alcohol, and their preventive measure from struggling with them. There are several steps you can take to prevent your child from becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The most important step you can take is talking openly to your child about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, including cigarettes, at an early age. Let him know that you don’t want them to try drugs or alcohol. You’ll be surprised how much this information alone will prevent your child from trying them. Tell him he can come to you with any questions any time. It’s an open topic in your family, and there’s nothing he can’t ask you about the subject.

Another step you can take is making sure you know who his friends are. These include his close friends he hangs out with all the time, classmates he spends time with, members of his after-school activities, and any other peer he spends a significant amount of time with. Talk with your child about his friends and peers from school to see who he’s spending time with. Talk to his teachers and school counselor about any new friends or peers he might start hanging out with. The more you know about your child’s friends, the more you can protect your child from potential danger.

You should also encourage your child to participate in after-school activities he would like, such as sports or clubs. Find out what your school and community center offers, and look at the list together with your child. Let him pick out the activities he wishes to participate in. The more involved he gets with activities he likes, the less likely he’ll be to experiment. Make sure you are supporting him in his choice of activity by going to any sporting events or club events he’s participating in.

By taking an active role in your child’s life, you can keep him from experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

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