Drugs and Alcohol Affect the Brain and Body

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August 18th, 2012

For some people it is difficult to understand why the addict continues to abuse drugs and alcohol despite the damage it is doing to his or her life. As both drugs and alcohol alter the mind and the body, it seems all but impossible for the addict to quit and stay sober.

When someone gets high, dopamine is released by the brain and gives a sense of pleasure and even euphoria. It is that “warm and fuzzy” feeling described by many addicts. The brain wants more and so demands it by physical and emotional cravings. Eventually, the body cannot do without and screams at the addict to get high. The addict finds it harder and harder to get high, so to get the high he is seeking, he uses more and more of the drug. The physical and emotional “lows” begin to get lower and lower.

Helpguide.org writes, “While each drug produces different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions.
* If you become addicted, the substance takes on the same significance as other survival behaviors, such as eating and drinking.
* Changes in your brain interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs.
* The urge to use is so strong that your mind finds many ways to deny or rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the quantity of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use.”

In order for an alcoholic or addict to salvage their mental, physical, and emotional health, they must get sober and stay that way.

If you or someone you love needs a Louisiana drug rehab

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for alcohol abuse, call our hotline now.

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More Prone to Alcohol Blackouts

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June 20th, 2012

Have you ever had an alcohol blackout?  According to a new study there are some people that are more likely to have these blackouts because there are differences in the way alcohol affects their brain.  The findings of these studies are published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research coming out this June.  There were researchers that examined MRI brain scans that were conducted while a group of people did a memory task with and without alcohol.  12 people had a history of alcohol-related blackouts and 12 people without a history.

Reagan Wetherill, author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at University of California, San Diego said, “Our study’s findings suggest that some people are more likely to experience alcohol-induced blackouts than others due to the way alcohol affects brain activity in areas involved in self-monitoring, attention and working memory.  Given that approximately 40 percent of college students experience alcohol-induced blackouts and, in some cases, later discover they engaged in unwanted/risky sex, drove or other complex behaviors, our findings highlight the fact that alcohol impairs brain functioning and some people may be more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects than others.  In other words, just because your friend may be able to drink a certain number of drinks and appear to be functioning fine, it does not mean that you or everyone else can.” While this may seem like simple common sense, taking it seriously and thinking about it may just keep you out of an alcohol detox or one of California drug rehabs

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Alcohol abuse is prevalent in this country.  This study may explain why my friend can throw down 6 beers and still look sober and my other friend does 3 beers and he looks too drunk to sit up.  But I already knew they had different tolerances.  That is my study.  If you know someone who wants to stop drinking get them to an inpatient treatment center

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where they can get safe and natural detoxing and withdrawing.  Something can be done about it.

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Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers

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June 17th, 2012

The April issue of Archives of General Psychiatry is reporting that a majority of teenagers have tried alcohol or experiments with drugs.  The researchers in this study highlight that patterns of alcohol and drug use during the teen years are increasingly seen as indicators of subsequent substance abuse.  That mean if they try it when they are teenagers then are much likely to use and abuse drugs and alcohol in their later years.  They surveyed 10,123 teenagers between 13 and 18 in the US.  Here are some statistics they reported:

78.2 % of adolescents reported alcohol consumption

47.1% reported drinking at least 12 drinks per year

15.1% met criteria for lifetime abuse

81.4% of the oldest teenagers revealed they had the opportunity to use illegal drugs

42.5% reported drug use

16.4% reported drug abuse

The researchers said:  “Because the early onset of substance use is a significant predictor of substance use behavior and disorders in a lifespan, the public health implications of the current findings are far reaching.”  They also conclude: “The prevention of both alcohol and illicit drug abuse requires strategies that target early adolescence and take into account the highly differential influence that population-based factors may exert by stage of substance use.” So whether you’re trying to keep a teen out of Connecticut drug rehabs

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or just figuring out when and how to talk to your young child about the dangers of drugs, consider the possibility of early onset of substance abuse.

All of this may sound very official to you as it does it me.  What I think this all says is that when teenagers start to drink and drug in their early years they are most likely to continue using and abusing.  From that I get it is up parents and teachers all over the US to help educate teenagers.  They need to know that this behavior is harmful and could lead to future problems, like the necessity of enrolling in an alcohol treatment center

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, for example.  At that age they think it is “cool” to do what their peers are doing.  If they don’t get more information than that they will use drugs and alcohol.  Get to them the correct information and these teenagers will have a better future.

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The Age of Alcohol and Drug Abusers

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June 14th, 2012

Joel Swendsen, Ph.D., of the University of Bordeaux, France and others looked at the prevalence, age at onset and sociodemographics factors having to do with alcohol and illicit drug abuse by U.S. adolescents.  Their survey was cross sectional and it included a sample of 10,123 adolescents from age 13 to 18 years of age. They came up with the fact that alcohol and drug use patterns in these young people are increasingly seen as indicators of later substance abuse.  By late adolescence, 78.2 percent of teenagers reported having consumed alcohol; 47.1 percent having reached regular drinking levels of at least 12 drinks within a year; and 15.1 percent having met the criteria for lifetime abuse.  The opportunity to use illicit drugs was reported by 81.4 percent of the oldest adolescents, drug use by 42.5 percent and drug abuse by 16.4 percent.

The authors of the study note: “Because the early onset of substance use is a significant predictor of substance use behavior and disorders in a lifespan, the public health implications of the current findings are far reaching.”

An analysis of this study reports that the median age at onset was 14 years old for regular alcohol use or abuse with or without dependence; 14 years old for drug abuse with dependence; and 15 years old for drug abuse without dependence.  The probability of each stage of alcohol and drug use increased with age, but the rates were almost always lowest for black and other racial/ethnic groups compared with white or Hispanic adolescents.

The authors of the study conclude: “The prevention of both alcohol and illicit drug abuse requires strategies that target early adolescence and take into account the highly differential influence that population-based factors may exert by stage of substance use.” Whether you’re a social drinker in gay Paris or a parent trying to keep your child out of the New York drug rehabs

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, this is information that should be of interest.

What all this says to me is that this survey shows that most cases of alcohol and drug abuse start out at age 14 which is an important period of development in their lives.  It is important that we talk with our teenagers and help them to not buckle under peer pressure to start drinking and drugging. It may just keep your kids out of an alcohol treatment center

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Alcohol Abuse

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June 11th, 2012

Alcohol abuse is the same the world over.  Now in the UK they have come up with a new strategy and in this plan there are steps that will ensure the General Practitioners (GP) advising the heavy drinkers that are presently going to see them.  The plan is called The Government’s Alcohol Strategy and now we must know what will the GP say to their patients?

The scientific journal Addiction did a study and published the results after they had analyzed all the advice given by GPs in all major clinical trials when they were giving this kind of advice.  Among the different parts of the advice like giving information on the harms of excessive drinking, trying to boost motivation and self-confidence and avoidance of social clues; what they found was the most effective piece of advice was to get the patient to monitor his or her alcohol consumption and they could do that by keeping a daily record of how much they drink when they drink.

Susan Michie, Professor of health Psychology at University College London, gave this statement:  “In brief interventions, it’s important to advise people how to reduce their drinking rather than just saying they ought to drink less.  Getting patients to record how much alcohol they drink each day provides a concrete, easy task that raises their awareness of their behavior and how well they are doing in staying within limits that they set themselves.  This may seem like common sense but common sense needs to be supported by hard evidence for it to be acted upon in official policies.” This seems like sound advice no matter where you are — whether it’s England or New England, whether you consider yourself a social drinker or have spent time in New Hampshire drug rehabs

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I suppose that could be one way to help those who drink too much.  If you know someone who wants to stop drinking get them to an inpatient treatment center

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where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw.  Something can be done about it.

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ADHD and Drug Abuse

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June 8th, 2012

A study was done and it was found that 6.2 million physician office visits resulted in a diagnosis of ADHD in 2000 and by 2010 this number had jumped to 10.4 million office visits.  So in just the last 10 years children getting a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder has gone way up to 66 percent more.  Dr. Craig Garfield, assistant professor of pediatrics and medical social sciences at Northwestern University of Chicago stated: “This study is really a 10,000 foot aerial view of this issue.  We looked at the trends in visits to doctors for ADHD over the last decade, and we were interested in overlaying some of the FDA’s public health advisories and the introduction of new medications to see the effect of those trends.”  This study gave us findings that are published in the march/April issue of Academic Pediatrics.  This study told us that ADHD is now a common condition in children and teenagers in the United States.  According to the National Institute of mental health (NIMH) the symptoms for ADHD include an inability to focus, trouble controlling emotions and hyperactivity.  This is what is eye opening…  Treatment for ADHD may include medications and those are usually stimulant drugs along with some behavior therapy.  Albeit new medications and new health concerns have changed treatment decisions over the last ten years.  Here is some background on why.  In 2002 a nonstimulant medication called Strattera was approved for use in ADHD.  In 2005 the FDA issued warnings that sudden death and suicidal thinking had been attached to Strattera.  Adderall came under concern for a potential link between this drug and cardiovascular risks and also psychiatric symptoms.  Then in 2007 the same warnings were issued to all approved ADHD medications.

Even though possible concerns are out there about the safety of the stimulant medications they remain the mainstay of treatment.  These drugs are potentially highly addictive–and they could land you in Chicago drug rehabs

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.  Some will tell you they are not but all you have to do is talk with someone who was put on these drugs when they were young and now they want to get off.  It is a tough road to get off these drugs. It is the beginning of getting on more drugs in the later years of their lives.

More parents need to get educated about these drugs.  Children don’t need to be put on these drugs they need love and understanding that maybe something is just not right in there daily world.  Help someone get off drugs by getting them to an inpatient drug or alcohol treatment center

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where they can get a safe and natural way to detox and withdraw.  Something can be done about it.

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Drug Abuse and Your Mental Health

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June 5th, 2012

Did you ever stop to ask yourself, “Why do I feel different when I take these drugs?”  The fact of the matter is these drugs are affecting your brain.  Drugs can make you feel high, low, fast or slow and one more thing it can make you see things that are not there.  Some people take drugs and it affects their brain and how they act, or how their body feels.  Most of us would call that a problem and it could be with us for a short period or the rest of our lives.

There are drugs that will change your mood quickly.  For instance you may get sad, angry or you may get scared and there is no reason for it.  Overreacting is another thing that can happen.  You can act crazy and see or hear things that are not even there.  Oh yes, this one is most uncomfortable; you can think someone wants to hurt you and you may even get violent. If you’ve seen people on drugs before, as I have at our Louisiana drug rehabs

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, you will undoubtedly be familiar with some of these effects.

On another subject of paying attention, drugs may take that away from you.  You can’t remember things or even think clearly.  The next step with that is that you make bad decisions.

Enjoying things is an important part of living each day and some drugs can take that away from you.  When you are addicted things that use to make you feel good don’t work anymore, like visiting a friend or watching a movie.

Here are some of the things that can happen to you when you abuse drugs.

Depression – you feel sad and tired.  You moods change; energetic then tired and hopeless.

Anxiety – you feel nervous, worried and afraid.  Hard to pay attention, sit still and not act out.

Antisocial disorder – you will have a hard time to have good relationships and care about other people’s feelings.

Drug abuse affects you in all these ways.  Some people feel bad so they think taking the drugs make it better; that does not work for long.

If you would like to get off drugs get to an inpatient treatment center

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where you can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw.  Don’t let anyone put you on a drug to get off of a drug.

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Alcohol and Pregnancy

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June 3rd, 2012

I had quite a surprise today.  My Aunt Charlene called me from Topeka today to tell me that she is about to adopt a Russian toddler and wanted the family to know.  Normally, I would be overjoyed by such news, especially considering that she never married or had a child.  However, Aunt Charlene quickly went on to say that the child has fetal alcohol syndrome, but that the adoption agency did not think it was particularly grave because the mother supposedly stopped drinking when she found out that she was pregnant.  I was bowled over.  I did not want to be unhappy for Aunt Charlene or down on her for wanting to help an unfortunate child, but at the same time, I did not want to see her take on a child with overwhelming problems.  I decided to do a little research to see what occurs with fetal alcohol syndrome.

According to the Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, “Using or abusing alcohol during pregnancy can cause the same risks as using alcohol in general.  However, it poses extra risks to the unborn baby.  When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it easily passes across the placenta to the fetus.  Because of this, drinking alcohol can harm the baby’s development.  A pregnant woman who drinks any amount of alcohol is at risk for having a child with fetal alcohol syndrome.  No ‘safe’ level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been established.  Larger amounts of alcohol appear to increase the problems.  Binge drinking is more harmful than drinking small amounts of alcohol.”  The article further states that “timing of alcohol use during pregnancy is also important.  Alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first 3 months of pregnancy.  However, drinking alcohol any time during pregnancy can be harmful.” For these reasons, any future mother who is having trouble quitting drinking during pregnancy should try to contact an alcohol recovery center

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Considering that the child’s mother drank until she found out that she was pregnant is a worrisome piece of data.  This is a key time for growth and development.  The website kidshealth.org stated that “mothers who drink during the first trimester of pregnancy have kids with the most severe problems because that is when the brain is developing.  The connections in the baby’s brain don’t get made properly when alcohol is present.  Of course, in the early months, many women don’t even know they’re pregnant.”  What, though, might be the child’s current problems and what might be in store for Aunt Charlene as the adoptive mother?  I checked the Mayo Clinic Website and found a list of serious problems that FAS children suffer from: deformities of joints and limbs or fingers, heart defects,  slow physical growth before and after birth, vision difficulties or hearing problems, small head circumference and brain size (microcephaly), poor coordination,  mental retardation and delayed development, learning disorders, and abnormal behaviors  such as a short attention span, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, extreme nervousness and anxiety.

It really did not sound like my aunt had any idea what the future would realistically hold for her and the little Russian child.  She kept asserting that love and care now would make up for what the child lacked in her early development and that she could bridge the gap.  However, the kidshealth.org website pointed out that “problems associated with FAS tend to intensify as children move into adulthood.  These can include developmental health problems, troubles with the law, and the inability to live independently.” I know from witnessing the success stories from some of our Topeka drug rehabs

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that even individuals with psychological and physical challenges such as a drug addiction can overcome their circumstances and go on to lead wonderful lives. I wonder, though, what it’s like to begin life with a potential setback, though.

I am sending this research to my aunt today, but wanted others to know about it.  I don’t think its right for an adoptive parent to be uninformed and lead to believe that such grave problems as microcephaly can be handled with love and care.  I do admire my aunt’s good intentions, but for her own sake and the sake of the child, I want her to know exactly what she is getting herself into.  Hopefully, she can arrange for a competent medical evaluation of the little girl and that with the proper care and my aunt’s generous love, this child can grow up to be a successful adult.

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Omaha, Nebraska Drug News

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May 31st, 2012

A special agent in Charge (SAC) of the Omaha Office of Federal Bureau of Investigation made an announcement of 12 people arrested on March 23, 2012.  They were taken into custody at different locations in Omaha.  These arrests were part of a joint operation of the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force (GOSSTF).  They went after the Must Be Criminal (MBC) clique of the Sureness XIII street gang in Omaha, Nebraska and associated Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) supplying the MBC with narcotics.  They were alleged distributing cocaine and methamphetamine.  Dun emphasized that it is important to remember that a subject is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.  U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg stated:  “This represents exceptional teamwork by all agencies that participated.  A significant drug trafficking ring was dismantled due to their efforts.”   SAC Dun stated:  Thanks to the cooperation of the many federal, state, and local law enforcement officers involved in this operation, today’s takedown has struck a major blow against the drugs and violence in Omaha.  The city of Omaha is a little bit safer.  This coordinated effort is but one more solid step in the process of taking back our communities and giving young people the chance to make important life changing choices, alternatives to the often short-lived gratification that membership in a gang offer,”

The Omaha Chief of Police Alex Hayes stated:  The operation exemplifies what cooperation and collaboration between agencies can do to make a positive difference in our community.  We will continue our efforts working together with community partners and various agencies to make Omaha safe.” Let’s hope that this police action helps keep more at-risk individuals off drugs and out of Omaha drug rehabs

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It seems that there are many cities just lately making large drug bust.  The war on drugs goes on with the hopes of cleaning the streets and the availability of drugs.  If you know someone who need to get off drugs get them to a inpatient treatment center

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where they can get a safe and natural way to detox and withdraw.

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Albuquerque, New Mexico Methamphetamine

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May 28th, 2012

There has been a nine month investigation by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) El Paso Division and it has brought about law enforcement officers seizing more than 13 pounds of methamphetamine, with a wholesale value of about $208,000 and a retail value of about $585,000.  They also picked up $105,000 in currency and other assets and five firearms.  On March 2, 2012 the U.S. District Court unsealed a 23 count federal indictment charging 15 alleged members of a drug trafficking organization.  It is supposed that this organization was distributing large quantities of methamphetamine to drug dealers in the Albuquerque area.  The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales and Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in charge.  Arabit stated, “Methamphetamine exacts a terrible toll on its abusers and the overall quality of life in communities where its illegal distribution takes hold.  These arrests and seizures are expected to have an immediate positive impact by disrupting the distribution network of an organization responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine in the Albuquerque area.  We will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to pursue those who threaten public health and safety in our communities by dealing dangerous drugs, including methamphetamine.”  I do believe they did a good job with this investigation.

U.S. Attorney Gonzales stated: “This investigation has dismantled what we believe was one of the larger and more lucrative methamphetamine distribution organizations operating in Albuquerque area.  Methamphetamine is an absolutely devastating drug that destroys lives, families and entire communities.  We have to do everything possible to keep people from trying methamphetamine in the first place because of its highly addictive nature = too often it only takes one try before people begin a long very destructive path with no easy way out.  I commend my law enforcement partners for their unwavering resolve to do battle every day against the blight of methamphetamine that afflicts so many in our communities,”

These two gentlemen have said it the best.  Here are some descriptions of what methamphetamine does.

The Rush This is the first thing you get when you take meth is “the Rush” your heart beat races as well as your metabolism.  Your blood pressure and pulse go really high.  Meth is not like cocaine totally, because cocaine gives you a two to five minute rush but meth gives you a 30 minute rush.

The High This is when we get in what they call “the shoulder” which is the high.  During this high the abuser often feels aggressively smarter and becomes argumentative.  They will interrupt other people and finish their sentences.  Then the user gets delusional like intensely focusing on insignificant items.  An example of this is repeatedly leaning the same window for several hours.  The high can last 4 to 16 hours.

Meth hangover When the crash is over the abuser is in a deteriorated state.  You are starved, dehydrated and utterly exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally.  This stage ordinarily last from 2 to 14 days.

Withdrawal This may take 30 to 90 days after the last drug use before the abuser realizes he is in withdrawal.  He becomes depressed loses his energy and the ability to experience pleasure.  The craving for more meth Hits hard and you may become suicidal.  That is when you revert back to the METH. And this is exactly when you need the kind of professional help available at Albuquerque drug rehabs

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If you someone who wants to get off methamphetamine get them to an inpatient treatment center

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where they can get safe and natural detoxing and withdrawing.  Something can be done about it.

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