Marijuana

Some states have made the use of marijuana legal for medical purposes. Marijuana is also used illegally for recreational uses. Marijuana is typically smoked and it comes from the cannabis sativa plant. As a drug that is easy to become addicted to, it can cause short-term medical effects including increased blood pressure, dry mouth, rapid heart rate, and slowed reaction time. The drug can also cause mood swings from calmness to a state of anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, and aggression.

Crystal Meth

Crystal meth is another illegal drug that can cause a drug addiction. Crystal meth is a poison that will destroy a person’s body over time. It causes serious health issues including psychotic behavior, aggression, and memory loss. It can also cause brain and heart damage. It is a highly addictive drug and can result in terrible health problems and lead to death.

Cocaine

Cocaine is another drug that affects the central nervous system and is very addictive. The brain and heart are also negatively affected by cocaine. It can cause severe health problems and even sudden death. Using cocaine can cause almost instant effects including an elevated mood that a person notices. What they do not notice is the cocaine affecting the entire body as it harms the brain, kidneys, blood vessels, heart, and lungs. As with most drug addictions, a person does not think they are addicted even when they are.

Opium

The narcotic analgesic drug, opium, comes from the seed pods of the opium poppy before they are ripe. Drug addictions to opium include a psychological and physical dependence on the drug. Users will find that they will need to increase their usage as they become tolerant to the effects of opium. The drug can cause their blood pressure to drop and they may start to have a drop in their pulse rate. It is highly addictive and the withdrawal symptoms can include depression, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and vomiting.

Heroin

As with opium, heroin comes from the opium poppy and drug addictions to this drug can happen easily. Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs there is as well as being one of the most destructive. A person can become addicted in as little as three days if using heroin. It can make people feel euphoric and content. Because many people inject heroin there is a high risk of infection, AIDS, and lethal injections. Withdrawal is usually nasty and includes shivering, diarrhea, restlessness, and intense craving of the drug.

All drug addictions are bad and can lead to serious health issues or death. Some people are more easily addicted than others are. Most people do not realize they are addicted. It will take time to kick any drug addiction and cause many different side effects, most of which are not very pleasant. Getting off the drugs is not an easy process and it should be done with medical attention.

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Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is a substance that is very easy for a person to get their hands on almost anytime they want. This is a legal substance for adult users to use but sadly can get into young adults and childrens hands. Only a small dose of alcohol can cause a person to become impaired and lead them into other dangerous activities.

There are different treatments that an alcoholic can get help from. One of the most popular resources is called Alcoholics Anonymous. This is a fellowship for both men and women to get help and the strength to stop drinking.

Smoking

When a person smokes a cigarette they are not becoming addicted to the cigarette itself, but the nicotine that the cigarette contains. Cigarettes are another substance that is legal in America for anyone over the age of 18 to buy and smoke.

There are several different medications that a person can either get over the counter or prescribed by their family doctor, to help them quit smoking. It is also a good idea to get a quit buddy while they quit. This will give both of them the encouragement they will need from each other to quit for good.

Shopping

Another common addiction is shopping. While many people believe that this is a silly joke about women and their shopping habits, it is a serious addiction for many men and women. A shopping addiction can lead to other serious problems such as hoarding. A shopping addiction is usually caused by the person trying to fill a void in their life.

There are different routes a person can take to help them with a shopping addiction. It is best for them to try to get the support first from their family and friends. Also, there are many different therapists and professional organizers that can help a person experiencing this addiction.

Marijuana

In many states in America, it has now became legal for someone to be able to smoke marijuana for health related problems. There are also many people that rely on this drug for non medical related issues.  Marijuana is often used for anxiety or to help a person chill out. Marijuana can be a very addicting drug that can lead a person into more illegal activities.

When a person is looking for help with their marijuana addiction problem, it is best for them to stay clear of other marijuana smokers. The person can also try individual or group therapy,  speak to their doctor about medication they may be able to help the addiction or try local support groups in their area.

Sex

There are many different people who have an sex addiction. A sex addiction is simply a person that has an progressive intimacy disorder that is characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and activities.

There are a number of different treatment programs that someone with a sex addiction can get help from. There are group and individual therapy programs, 12 step programs and medication that can be taken.

Prescription Drug

Prescription drug addiction is common for people who take prescription for pain after an accident or other health related problem. They will often start to take the drug too much and start to depend on it everyday. It has been researched that 20% of the US population has experienced a prescription drug addiction.

The best place for a person with a prescription drug addiction to go is to their doctor. The doctor that prescribed the medication needs to know that they have become addicted to the drug. They will be able to help the person overcome the addiction and help get them admitted into a drug treatment program.

The post List of Common Addictions & Recommended Treatment appeared first on Addictions.

A recent study that took place in Finland has found that adults who live close to a bar are more likely to indulge in drinking alcohol on a regular basis. The study found that when an individual moved just a single km close to a bar, their risk of becoming a heavy drinker increased by 17%. The study further defined a “heavy drinker” as a woman who drank 7 ounces of alcohol per week or a man who drank 10 ounces of alcohol per week.

This recent research suggests that alcohol consumption is likely to increase significantly for those who have bars close to their homes. Although this proximity is not the only factor that contributes to an individual’s alcohol abuse, and a bar alone will not “make” you become a heavy drinker, there is validity in the principle that living close to a bar will increase your risk.

Research does further suggest that there could be other factors that contribute to the heavy drinking but in general, those who like to drink and live close to a bar are more likely to drink. Those who live close to a few bars, or a few restaurants that have bars inside are also more likely to drink regularly. Heavy drinking is common among those who live in areas that are littered with bars and the open opportunity to drink more regularly.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol, there is help. If you’re looking for treatment for alcohol addiction, call 1-800-943-0566 to speak with an addiction specialist today. We can help you find a solution that will work for you and we can assist you in finding a local addiction rehabilitation program in your hometown.

The post Does Where you Live Affect Your Level of Alcohol Use? appeared first on Addictions.

Florida is an epicenter of prescription drug abuse and one of the leading states in the epidemic of opioid use that has swept the nation in the past 10 years. Every single day, thousands of doses of oxycodone, oxycontin and other powerful narcotics are dispensed in pain clinics known widely throughout the state as “pill mills.” Although it may be the addicts who are the true face of the prescription drug crisis, some say that it’s the doctors who provide these medications and allow them to make their way to the streets who are the real problem.

Regardless of which came first, the chicken or the egg, the addiction or the pill mill, one thing is certain—thousands of new cases of opioid dependent babies are being born to drug addicted parents every year resulting a a wealth of complications that health advocates in Florida are now taking a leading role in to prevent. The task force, which was formed by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, will have the role of defining the severity of newborn opioid addiction and in devising solutions to prevent future cases from occurring.

There are recommendations to include a $22 million expansion of residential treatment and substance abuse intervention that will allow mothers to keep their newborn with them in treatment if she seeks help. There are also recommendations for education campaigns that will inform to-be mothers about the dangers of prescription drug use during pregnancy as well as educational campaigns that will inform medical professionals of better ways to recognize drug addiction and prevention.

The state is seeking additional resources to help the newborns who are born already exposed to opioids. The legislation proposed by the task force will protect women who seek treatment, barring child welfare services from taking a baby away if the woman seeks treatment for a prescription drug addiction.

In a single county alone during 2010, 113 babies were born with neonatal withdrawal syndrome. There were only 13 available treatment beds for mothers and their babies in that county at that time which left 100 babies in a poor predicament. The babies that are born in this condition suffer from shaking, skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and other withdrawal symptoms that require special treatment.

Although a task force may not be the only answer, it is a start in the right direction. Helping to reduce the number of opioid dependent newborns and providing effective treatment for the mothers who are addicted to prescription drugs can reduce the economic impact that such births have on Florida’s society as a whole.

The post Proposed Group in Florida to Reduce Newborn Opioid Dependence Cases appeared first on Addictions.

What is Codependency?

Codependency is a situation that can occur anytime addiction is a problem in someone’s life and it is the result of a spouse or loved one overlooking addiction, helping the addict to control their drug or alcohol use, and rescuing them from the consequences of their addiction. As a result of these behaviors, the codependent loved one feels like he or she is needed by the addict and the addict justifies his or her drug or alcohol abuse because of this implied feeling of being needed.

The end result of codependency is a losing battle that leads to many consequences. Codependent behaviors are often learned when growing up, especially when the individual grew up in a dysfunctional home. Children of alcoholics and children of addicted parents are not only more likely to become addicts when they grow up, they are also more likely to duplicate codependent behavior models that they exhibited in their parents when growing up.

 Signs of Codependency

If you show any of the following signs, or if you know someone who is showing the following signs of codependency, you should seek immediate help:

If you are codependent on an addict, there is help available. Just like your loved one, partner or friend who is addicted to drugs or alcohol will require treatment to get well, you too can get the help that you need. Support groups and counseling options are available to provide effective treatment for codependency. Your recovery is about restoring your faith in yourself, restoring your own health and learning how to love yourself first.

The post Are you Addicted to Someone Who’s Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol appeared first on Addictions.