Overcoming Your Fear of Quitting Smoking


Quitting smoking isn't the easiest task to achieve, especially if you have a fear of not knowing what your life will be like once you sever the strings with nicotine.

The fear of quitting is a terrible affair,you've smoked so long that you can't remember what its like to live without it and that scares you.
This was the main reason that kept me smoking for over 10 years, I was scared to quit because I thought I was about to lose something special in my life. But this is a scam that's fabricated by the big addiction. It warps our perception and tricks us into believing that its something we need or want.
Some of the main scenarios are;
I can't enjoy a night out or party without having a smoke.
If we have a night out with friends that smoke, we tend to believe that we may be left out. You subconsciously look at the situation as a membership to a special club and you do t want to leave. But there's no better feeling than not have to leave a party or club to step outside in the freezing cold or pouring rain to light up.
Smoking helps me deal with the stress in my day-to-day life. This must be the most common, what we don't realize as smokers is that stress can't be solved by having a smoke. Lets say you're having a bad day at work and you get into an argument with a co-worker. You decide to leave the room and have a smoke to 'calm' yourself. You return to the room but the situation is still there. So has smoking helped? Of course not.
Smoking is a part of my daily routine, a part of my life and I cant break it.
Although smoking does become routine it's definitely not a part of your life. For something to become a part of your life it must be wanted or needed and I'm pretty sure you neither want or need smoking.
I've tried to quit smoking with patches and gum and failed so I guess I'm stuck with it.
Nicotine replacement is not the be all end all. There are much more effective ways to quit smoking. Don't ever give up giving up!
Over half a million Americans die each year from smoking related illnesses. Don't let nicotine trick you into needing it,don't put yourself in that half a mil statistic.
For an effective method of quitting smoking that doesn't rely on NRT or going it cold turkey


Pharmacotherapy + Behavioral Therapy = Save Your Life


The pity is the vast majority of smokers start as tweens or teens - easily influenced by media, marketing, peer pressure, that burning desire to look grown up and be the popular one - and that feeling of immortality - "it won't hurt me I can quit any time I want."
Smoking is an addiction - yes people get addicted to different extents. Addiction is a complex brain disease with symptomology of compulsive or uncontrollable cravings, & continued use of the substance - even though the user knows its detrimental torment of the body. An addiction control's the brain, thereby controls a person's behavior - explaining the compulsive aspect of the disease. As with drug addictions the underlying changes to the brain from the tobacco smoke necessitates the smoker to seek more and more to avoid withdrawal. Smoking hits the brain faster than any other drug, especially with the help of the diabolical filters designed by the tobacco industry.
A behavior is our action on thoughts and feelings based on our response to internal (brain) & external ( environmental) stimuli. Smoking, as any unhealthy habit has an environmental, biological & behavioral stimuli. To treat the addiction, we need to make sure we are addressing all 3 aspects of each individual's smoking habit.
And consistent with that are our cold hard facts. Statistically, the greatest quit rate at the 1 year mark is:
Pharmacotherapy + Behavioral Counseling = Success
The combination of both, is more effective than either alone.
The same is true with prescription meds - get the addiction assessed carefully, there are contraindications - & use in conjunction with behavioral therapy.
However, depending on the number of CPD (cigarettes per day) and a few other factors, a behavioral counsellor can assess if pharmacotherapy is beneficial.
The long term (over 150 days) of unaided quit attempts, "cold turkey", is a measly 3%-5%.
The Long term success over 2 years is much higher with the addition of behavioral counseling, vs. NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) or prescription medications. Again, we need to address all aspects of the addiction for long term smoking abstinence.
There are many forms of NRT now available, in varying dosages: The Patch, nicotine inhaler, nicotine gum, mouth spray & lozenges. There is a great deal of thought that goes into the choice - a good behavioral counsellor can do a an assessment - and together figure out the right choice.
NRT helps minimize withdrawal symptoms which helps smokers hang on through the rough spots. And yes, it can be very helpful in a reduce to quit program choice.
But again, every person's case needs to be assessed and the level of dependence needs to be determined - it is not just about cigarettes per day.
Serious life threatening habits have been etched into the brain. It takes an analytical approach to "unetch" the deadly path. Consult an expert, to determine your unique quit smoking program.
Shira Litwack, Medical Fitness Professional... proud creator of thousands of health enthusiasts & corporate health cultures world wide...
Medical Fitness Professional,Lifestyle & Weight Management Health Coach, Fitness & Nutrition for chronic illness recovery, Smoking Cessation Counsellor
Radio Talk Show Host/Producer bestinhealthradio
Director of Health Mentoring & External Resources Canada For International Center of Excellence The Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ariel Ortiz
1-855-TRUEBFF


The Benefits of Alcohol Rehab Centers


Alcoholism is an ailment that is difficult to understand for most people, particularly those who do not suffer from it. Most addicts live in a world of fright and embarrassment when it comes to acknowledging that they have a problem. When a struggling alcoholic finally starts to realize the negative effects of alcohol on his life, relationship and career, he should take action in order to get rid of his addiction.

One of the top recommendations for addicts willing to deal with their drinking problem is to enroll into a rehab center for alcohol addiction. The staff at these facilities is very well trained. They will give the addict not only the right physical support in his delicate condition, but mental care as well. Below are some benefits of alcohol rehab centers.
Alcohol rehab centers offer the best ambiance to relieve addicts from the disease of alcoholism. These centers are designed to distract the brain from the burdens of alcohol dependence. They do this by offering activities to engage the body and mind while allowing time to fully recover. A good environment will help to keep addicted patients away from temptations, while being in a secure environment.

Peer Support
Alcohol rehab centers house individuals from every walk of life in various stages of flushing alcohol from their systems. This is very beneficial to new arrivals, since one gets the sense of empathy, motivation and support from individuals facing the same problems. When addicts are assembled in one room, they can express themselves easily without the fear of rejection.
Aftercare Support
Aftercare is vitally important and should be part of every treatment facility's program. It can help avert a relapse, which keeps any alcohol addict from going back to their addiction. Aftercare planning starts when an individual is at the treatment facility. The center will prepare the addict for their transition back home to aid them stay free from alcohol.
Day to Day Routine
This is an integral factor in any alcohol rehab center. Addicted patients go through one on one therapy, group therapy, and numerous activities which retrain the brain and the body to live alcohol free life.
Emotional Support
The medical staff at alcohol rehab facilities doesn't fail to empathize and provide emotional support particularly when addicts require them. On the professional level, health care providers render a tremendous amount of support to assist alcoholics cope with withdrawal stress. The health care team consisting of the most competent physicians, nurses as well as psychotherapists are well trained to therapeutically interact with the addicted patients.
Learning
Learning about alcohol addiction, how to beat it, preventing relapse, and more is another advantage that assists addicted patients to realize that there is a way to live an alcohol free life. Learning the appropriate tools and how to utilize them is the key to any alcoholic trying to recover.
Alcohol creates many problems in our society and people's personal lives. But the good thing is that there is help through alcohol rehab facilities. Alcoholism can easily be treated if the right treatment is offered to the addict.
If you're looking for a very good alcohol rehab, visit The Cabin Chiang Mai.

The Fun Easy Way to Quit Smoking in 6 Weeks


I have been cigarette free since July 2012. I had tried many times to quit. Now I feel each time I attempted to quit really counts as a learning experience. There are a few added suggestions on helpful supplements and non prescription medications at the end of my article. Please check with your physician as to weather any of my suggestions would interfere with medications you are currently on.

Back to how I quit smoking and made it fun. Here is the breakdown and the break free of it all.
One: You should create a plan that works for you. To create that plan the best way you might have to experiment with your own tolerance level and symptom reducers. If you have tried to quit cold turkey before, great: Look at every time and ask this question: What happened? For me it was stress and a feeling of deprivation. Beyond the usually stomach cramps and headaches and lousy flu like complaints that most people experience within the first week of quitting, there are emotional land mines. All the emotional highs seemed to need a cigarette to balance them out. If I was very excited and happy, I needed a cigarette, if I was bored, I needed a cigarette, if I was angry and irritable, I needed a cigarette, but stress trumped all those emotional moments for me. Nicotine mixes with brain chemistry, and sets off a pleasure bouquet of adrenaline and blood sugar and dopamine. It creates an intense release that lasts for about 10 minutes and then starts to subside. It takes you down.
Two: Create a pre-planned withdrawal day. Pick a day or just a half day where you go without a cigarette. I already know that I will become a bitch and people should not come anywhere near me. That is a given. I also already know that I will want to "snack." Chocolate works pretty well for me. Salty foods seem to work too. This is where you experiment. Have a supportive friend buy you Nicotine patches and snacks at the store. Then have them pick up a funny movie from a DVD rental place. Tell them to not venture into the dragons lair. They should simply leave all items on your door step and tip toe away. They should not even stick their vulnerable head in the door and say good luck. It is best to text message this if needed. I would wear the patch for about 8 hours. 


Then peel it off and have a pre planned cigarette. That was the best cigarette ever and I would feel dizzy after smoking it. Start picking more days like that. Plan for a day of abstinence, and then reward it. In psychology we call this creating self efficacy. I knew that I could survive 8 hours without a cigarette. 
I grew in confidence. I also want to suggest some other supplements to add to your arsenal in quitting. There is natural antidepressant called St Johns Wort. I took 300 mg a day and found that I handled life better. I have been Type A for a long time and need to chill out sometimes. There are other mood lifters as well and those include taking B complex Vitamins with GABA. Also add 2000 milligrams of Vitamin C as well as MSM at 2000 milligrams a day. This little cocktail is a chemical balancer and will help fill in the gap that nicotine is leaving. Taking walks and doing Yoga Stretches is great too.

Three: Around the second or third week of these planned periods of abstinence you will want to go a bit longer. Perhaps a whole week-end would be nice. Some people venture into nature and hike and camp without a cigarette around for about two days. Take patches and anything that might aid you in not losing your mind. My friends would hide an "emergency cigarette" somewhere for me. If needed I could call and ask for it in an extreme emergency. They would say OK wait one more hour and then I will tell you. That worked the first time. I am psychic and so the next time I received a visual image of where the cigarette was hid. That was not going to work anymore. Sometimes just a little barrier will help people go a bit longer without a cigarette.
Four: During the smoking days start limiting your daily intake of cigarettes. Wrap a piece of note paper around the box of cigarettes and the place a rubber band around this. Tally the cigarettes by placing a mark on the paper each time you remove the rubber band. It helps to explore what you're feeling as well, so instead of a mark, you can write a one word description, like "upset", anxious, "on the phone" or whatever will help explain the need for that cigarette. On the phone was a big one for me. I wanted to light up when I talked to certain friends. I started eating sun flower seeds instead. Drop you cigarettes by two a day each week. By week five I was using patches most of the day but smoking two in the morning and two at night. This is when the health crisis starts.
Five: Up to now, I am working with being gradual but now my lungs are starting to wake up and they wish to clean up. I start having a productive cough and if I am not very careful it will become pneumonia or bronchitis. I learned to stock up on Mucinex, or any Guaifenesin product. Take more vitamins like B, C and D3 and rest all that you can. Drink plenty of water. Start treating yourself for the lung cleansing crisis that is sure to happen. You are doing a great thing for your lungs, heart, cardiovascular system, liver and even bladder. There is an odd connection between the bladder and cigarettes. I would experience a weak bladder and some accidents too and became prepared for that as well. It seems unfitting that nature would reward the withdrawal away from nicotine with that cold/flu sickness. That is very common and it is the not a fun part of quitting. It is a bridge to the other side. Imagine having nice pink lungs. I say wear pink all day every day and sing along with Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and they "want to" have pink rosy lungs too. And if you are a guy who is quitting... hey you can wear pink too. It is your secret.
Six: Start replacing the cigarette with fun things that you can enjoy. This is an interesting task. I often heard myself say, "This is my 5 minute vacation". This is my only vice and I would defend this terrible habit of mine. It is necessary to do something else. Go to You Tube and use the search bar to watch and ASMR videos.
Take up dancing or new hobbies and figure out some short activities that will replace a dependency that once gave you pleasure. This part six still goes on for me. I will probably be seeking short little vacation moments in my day for the next ten years. I like blogging, bubble baths, talking to friends, taking walks and reading. I got through the sixth and seventh week smoking one cigarette a day and finding some new pleasures. Eventually, I was not buying cigarettes or patches. One day in July, it hit me, I am free of this. Praise God and Hallelujah! I did not suffer with this all that much. I found it to be an experiment and a slow transition. If I did badly on one day, I would just get back on track the next day. It actually was a fun and uplifting time for me. I feel great now and have more energy. I do not have a morning cough and I did not get a cold this winter. These are the signs of success for me. I sincerely hope this article will help you with your own personal comfort in quitting.




Hitting The Milestones Of Drug And Alcohol Treatment


We recently celebrated a number of recovery milestones here at our drug and alcohol treatment center, and given the nature of drug addiction and alcoholism, we are overjoyed with these miracles. Here are some simple tips for those looking to hit these milestones for themselves.
It is all well and good to have a sponsor, but if we never actually make use of them, it does not do us a lot of good. We might think we have the answers, but our own histories with drug addiction and alcoholism should be enough to show us that is not always the case.
A sponsor has a deep understanding and knowledge of recovery, and the life experience clean and sober to help us navigate through our own lives. All too often, we do not make use of them until we are in desperate need of their assistance. If we maintain that relationship and keep open minds, we can often avert some of those troubles altogether.
Be of Service
There is nothing quite like helping someone to help forget about whatever it is we are going through at the moment. By helping others, we are reminded that the world does not revolve around us, and that, compared to where we used to be, our problems today do not stack up to what we used to endure.
Something as simple as giving a ride, or even just introducing yourself to someone who you have not seen before, is a great way to give back, and more often than not, helps you far more than the other person. Whether that person is going through a drug and alcohol treatment center or has any interest in recovery does not matter. It is our own willingness that makes all the difference.
If we stay around long enough, there will come a time when life just is not going the way we want it to. This is where we learn the real strength of our recovery. It is all well and good to champion the merits of drug and alcohol treatment when things are working out in our favor, but it is much harder to do that when we might feel as though the world around us is falling apart.
The good news is that this need not be so difficult, so long as we ask for help from those around us and tell them honestly how we are doing. If we keep a straight face and say that everything is going well when that is not true, then it becomes very hard for those around us to help. There's an old saying in recovery: "It's better to save your butt than save your face," and sooner or later, every old-timer learns this truth firsthand.
Do you have any words of wisdom for those just starting out, or for those with some time under their belts? Let's hear it in the comments section!
449 Recovery is a drug and alcohol and rehabilitation center helping people overcome their fears and assisting families to deal with a loved one's challenges. Visit HERE to find out more about our services.


New Review Spotlights Damages Of Binge Drinking


The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that binge drinking is four or more drinks at a time for women and five or more drinks at a time for men. Some people think that the issue may be on the rise worldwide, and, maybe partly some people associate the binge drinking phenomena with partying U.S. college kids.
The U.S. seems to have an especially bad reputation when it comes to excessive drinking. Some studies have also suggested that men binge drink more often and more aggressively than do women, although other studies seem to suggest that women are catching up to men in this regard.

The new review of studies has just been done regarding the problem and the damaging physical effects of this issue. Researchers say that this is a new set of findings in alcohol-caused damage to the liver, but also points the way towards new and innovative treatments and therapies, educational programs, and recommendations for ways to make positive lifestyle changes.
What Can Happen When Someone Drinks Too Much
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, someone is binge drinking if they consume enough alcohol in two hours to reach a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of.08. Generally speaking, and depending on a person's size, it normally takes men five drinks in two hours, and women four drink in two hours, to achieve this BAC of.08.

The effects on the body of this sort of fast paced and intense drinking, some say, are far-reaching and long lasting. A whole class of diseases called Alcoholic Liver Diseases (ALD)-cirrhosis, fatty liver, and hepatitis, among them-apparently result from alcohol abuse in general, but especially from drinking large amounts in a small period of time. The problem, some researchers say, is that the liver is a very important organ, the location for most of the body's metabolic action, and that because the liver and its metabolic function play a large role in the functioning of the kidney, the heart, immunity systems, the blood and blood vessel systems, and the mind, that binge drinking caused ALD can in fact have cascading effects and consequences for the health of the whole human body.
Some research suggests that it can do damage at a cellular level, to the mitochondria of cells specifically, and that this type of acute injury to liver cells can do great harm to the overall health of an individual.
Going Forward In More Research And Better Health
Researchers point at the information and intelligence gained from the new review of studies as a road-map for the future.
They also point to the review as a stepping off point for further research into ways to attempt to treat, control and cure related health issues. Researchers hope to uncover new therapies and treatments that will allow people to better care for themselves and manage their own health, to avoid binge drinking in the first place, and attempt to reverse or at least mitigate the damage done by binge drinking.
Binge drinking continues to be a major problem. For more information on the topic or to get someone help for an alcohol problem contact Narconon.


Drugs and Biologics


The efficacy of drugs vs. biologics is one of the hotly debated topics in the medical fraternity. Drugs and biologics are distinct and different from each other, but both are important components of the health industry.
How is a drug different from a biologic? 
Let us understand at the elementary level: right at the level of their core. Drugs and biologics are derived from different sources. While a drug is made from a chemical synthesis and through a very precisely and scientifically defined set of processes; a biologic is derived from a living thing, such as plants, animals or microorganisms. While tablets, syrups and elixirs are typical categories of drugs; the categories for biologics generally are vaccines, gene therapies, tissues, nucleic acids and proteins. This explains the basic difference between drugs and biologics.


Processes 
Another major area of difference between drugs and biologics relates to the processes that to into drugs and biologics. A drug is more precise in the sense that its processes and ingredients are properly defined. When a drug is dissected, it is possible to easily analyze the ingredients and the exact method in which it was prepared. On the other hand; a biologic is prepared using living organisms through the use of recombinant DNA technology. Since there is no chemical that it is made up of; a biologic is far less predictable and analyzable than a drug. The terminology scientists in the field use to describe the difference between drugs and biologics is that while for a drug, the process is the process, for a biologic, the product itself is the process.

It is possible to change the chemical composition of a drug at almost any time of the manufacturing process. The same cannot be said about biologics. Since they are composed of living thing, it is difficult to say the processes and proportions of the product.

The way they work 
Another major difference relates to the way drugs and biologics work within the system. A drug gets dissolved much faster than a biologic. A biologic, such as vaccine, has a different purpose. Its mode of action is different from that of a drug. Thus, a drug and biologic are vastly different in the way they work on the human body.

Regulation 
Yet another very big difference between a drug and a biologic is in the way they are regulated. The FDA regulates both drugs and biologics; but its ways of administering these regulations are different. One of its branches, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is in charge of regulation for biologics.

Which is better? 
While there is no disagreement on the basic difference between a drug and a biologic; a more heated debate is on the difference between the two in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. It is often claimed that drugs are prone to more side effects even if they give immediate relief from an ailment, while biologics take their time to get rooted into the body, but offer long-term benefits. There are also debates about the cost of production and their effects on the environment. While these are largely left to polemics, it is perhaps best left to one's discretion to use the two prudently and judiciously, based on the nature of the ailment and the desired outcome.

GlobalCompliancePanel is an online training gateway delivering high quality regulatory & compliance trainings in a simple, cost effective and in a user friendly format. 
GlobalCompliancePanel offers a broad range of channels for broadcasting and exchange of information through web based training, web alerts & discussion forums.

Heroin Death Shows Issue Of Access And Potency


Heroin is no longer the taboo of yesteryear. Once limited to veteran drug addicts, the opioid known to enter through a hole in the arm is now soaring in popularity. Officials attribute the increase to the prescription drug epidemic that's sweeping the nation, as many of the drugs prescribed by doctors happen to be close cousins to heroin.
From Pills To Injections
Opioid painkillers like Oxycontin, Vicodin and Percocet are not merely used to ease the pain of cancer patients or those recovering from surgery. Addicts take them for the fast, long high and for their numbing effects. They are highly addictive, which is why users often inadvertently find themselves hooked after legitimate use.
When prescriptions are no longer available or the addict runs out of money, heroin is a cheaper alternative. It's easy to get, easy to use, and no longer carries the stigma it had a generation ago.
Opioid abuse (painkillers and heroin) appears to be more popular among teens, especially girls.
Tragic Deaths In Toledo
A number of tragic heroin-related deaths have made headlines in Toledo, Ohio. In 2006, death by unintentional poisoning surpassed motor vehicle crashes, according to the Ohio Department of Health. In 2010, more than 1600 state residents died from overdoses; 45 percent involved prescription opioids.
A number of Ohio families continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones to heroin. Many say they had no idea heroin would impact their lives; they never expected such devastating consequences. Even when a heroin user decides to clean up, it is a long and difficult runway back to sobriety, and many don't make it.
Officials say that heroin use is not confined to one economic or social class. It's everywhere.
Potent Poison
The trouble with heroin is that batches are not all the same. While prescription pills are standard and have their quantities clearly marked, heroin comes in a bag of white powder that could be laced with anything.
A notorious batch of heroin known as China white--far more potent than the brown kind popular in the U.S.--has been the culprit in a number of overdoses. Imports of China white appear to be increasing, however, and officials are seeing major shifts in the type of heroin popular on the streets. In Toledo, Ohio, for example, police seized 5.3 grams of China white heroin in 2011, less than one percent of all heroin seized that year. In 2012, 68 percent of the heroin seized was China white; and so far this year, approximately 80 percent of all heroin seized was white.
Officials attribute the increase to the fact that a lot of white heroin is now refined in Mexico, which means that it's coming in through experienced drug-trafficking gangs south of the border.
Users often don't know what they're getting when they try China white, which is the reason for its high levels of overdose.
For more information on this topic contact Narconon Vista  

Gender Gap Shrinking When It Comes To Addiction


In the United States, approximately 7% to 12% of women are dependent on alcohol, meaning that they need it to feel happy or cope with difficult situations. About 20% of men are alcohol-dependent, making women's rates roughly two-thirds of men's.
The rest of the world, however, surpasses the United States by a considerable amount. In fact, the American gender gap is one of the smallest in the world. Women's drug use in India, Pakistan and Indonesia is less than 10% that of men's. In Brazil and Argentina, it is 33% of men's. As these countries develop, officials expect to see drug and alcohol rates increase, especially for women.
History

Statistically, experts have seen the gender gap on addiction shrinking since the 1970's, after the feminism movement of the 1960's. The stigma against women drinking began to diminish and they gained more access to alcohol. Rates of increase began among the upper class and was eventually taken up by the middle and lower classes.
Researchers speculate that alcohol use increased as women became more career-driven and more competitive against men. It also has a great deal to do with advertising.
Massive advertising campaigns in the United States began after World War II, and an increase in affluence among women provided more leisure time. Alcohol became part of the culture, and it is especially true today, when television and the Internet glorify drinking. Wine is women's drink, and a number of TV shows promote the sophistication and cultured aspect of alcohol consumption. It may seem perfectly normal for women to unwind with a glass of wine or two at the end of a hard day, but addiction can creep up when they least expect it.

Experts urge women to watch for the following signs of alcohol addiction and get help immediately:
• Cravings for alcohol.
• Requiring it on a regular basis, being unable to get through a day without it.
• Finding oneself drinking earlier in the day.
• Reckless or dangerous behavior, such as driving under the influence or endangering children.
• Severe mood swings that are eased when you've had a drink.
• Withdrawal symptoms when you haven't had a drink in a while--these are similar to those of illness and include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, coughing, runny nose, and so on.
• Sacrificing relationships, family, health and personal hygiene for your drinking habits.
• Neglecting activities and responsibilities, such as forgetting to pick up children from school, withdrawing from groups, and becoming more and more secluded.
• Feeling shame or embarrassment about your drinking habits.
• Becoming defensive when confronted about a potential problem.
• Becoming secretive about your drinking habits.
If you see one or more of the above get help or seek help for a loved one.
Addiction is a major problem in the United States but it doesn't have to be. Contact Narconon Vista Bay today through Twitter for more information on how to help a loved one.

Among Adolescents Prescription Abuse Is Growing


Imagine your teen son or daughter is having a problem with prescriptions. Their grades have dropped and they have cut off communication with family and friends. They are in a state of panic about getting more drugs and you are not sure what to do. Think you're in the minority? Think again.
More and more high school counselors and teachers, as well as emergency room doctors, are seeing an increasing amount of teenagers addicted to prescription medications. These teens are not just becoming addicted to the opiates or painkiller drugs, but also benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin. As this trend continues to grow, more and more teens are at risk of the serious mental and physical side effects of these drugs, including overdose and addiction.
Benzodiazepines Or "Benzos"
These drugs were created as muscle relaxants and to mitigate the symptoms of social anxiety. They are highly addictive and actually lose much of their effectiveness after two to four weeks of use, but at that point a person will have become dependent on them and needs to take more and more to experience the same calming qualities. There have also been cases where a person becomes more aggressive on benzos, but this is uncommon.
Benzo abuse is actually a big problem all across the world. The United Kingdom, for example, requires benzos to be behind tow locked doors with every dosage signed out and accounted for. When it is time to dispose of any number of benzos and other controlled substances, a law enforcement agent has to be on hand to oversee the disposal. These are very serious drugs.
Opiate Painkiller Drugs
These drugs ease pain. That is their main use. They also cause a person to become "worry-free" and happy. Some would call it euphoria. They are highly addictive and dangerously easy to overdose on. They are prescribed all too often for non-emergency related pain such as headaches or backaches. Many doctors feel that opiates should only be prescribed in terminal or possibly terminal patients in an effort to reduce stress or increase likelihood of recovery.
However, all a person has to do to get opiates, one of the most addictive substances on Earth, is complain of chronic lower back pain or headaches to a General Practitioner. This doctor will usually prescribe Oxycontin or something similar and send the uneducated person his or her way to the pharmacy and possibly addiction. There are many who believe that opiates are too strong for most applications, but they are prescribed every day to almost anyone who wants them.
Ease Of Access Primary Reason For Use
The drugs have to come from somewhere if a teen is getting their hands on them. The most common place, probably, is mom or dad's medicine cabinet. Or even grandma and grandpa's medicine cabinet. Most parents wouldn't keep close tabs on their medications if they didn't have any known reason to. If you don't keep track of the pills in your medicine bottle, one or two going missing can just be chalked up to forgetfulness.
There is also the matter of drug dealers. A person might doctor shop, get a bunch of prescriptions from a bunch of different doctors filled at different pharmacies, collect a whole bunch of drugs and sell them on the street at a profit. They probably wouldn't mind selling these drugs to teens who can in turn bring the drugs to school and sell them or just hand them out.
All drugs have side effects which are uncomfortable. These vary from physical side effects like nausea and diarrhea to mood swings and personality shifts. This is the human body's way of telling a person that these drugs are not supposed to be in their system. Drugs have some use in the treatment of disease and injury and should only be administered by competent doctors. Any use beyond that necessary to save life or limb, drugs have questionable usefulness.
For more information on adolescent prescription use contact Narconon centers now.

A Large Percent Of Addicts Are Addicted To Designer Drugs


The opium craze of yesteryear appears to have been replaced by designer drugs. The trend is notable in Malaysia, where more than sixty percent of drug abusers are on synthetic drugs like bath salts and spice. But the rest of the world feels it, too, as new concoctions are released every week, making it very difficult for law enforcement to do anything about it.
From Opium To... What?

Opium and its byproducts have been around since ancient Mesopotamia. After the Opium Wars in the mid-nineteenth century, Chinese immigrants brought opium to America during the building of the railroad and the gold rush. Opium dens became popular particularly in San Francisco's Chinatown, later spreading east to New York.
Opium was soon used to produce medicinal painkillers like morphine, codeine and oxycodone. Heroin was its illicit byproduct. All opium derivatives (called opioids) are highly addictive. Today prescription opioids are widely abused in the United States, and more people die from prescription drugs than from heroin and cocaine combined.
While it took centuries for opium to reach its peak today, synthetic drugs take the cake in terms of rate of expansion. In just the last seven years, designer drugs have become some of the most popular substances in schools and on streets all over the world. In Europe, authorities are seeing new designer drugs hit the streets every week. Eight years ago, they were appearing at a rate of five per year.
Most of these drugs are so new that parents don't even know what they are.
What Are Designer Drugs
Designer drugs are substances created by chemists in a lab to mirror the effects of other drugs. They are often made with a combination of easy-to-find materials. Some of the most notorious designer drugs on the market are Ecstasy, Bath Salts, Spice and Smiles. Spice, also known as synthetic marijuana, is made to act like pot. Bath Salts and Smiles are stimulants much like amphetamines, but hallucinogens like LSD.
These substances rarely have any natural components to them. Spice is promoted as a natural high and often has herbs listed in the ingredients on the packaging, but the leaves and twigs listed on the packaging do not matter--it is the chemicals sprayed on top that provide a fast, long-lasting and terrifying high.
From Legalities To Education
While law enforcement authorities the world over are flustered over how to address the designer drug problem, experts continue to push education as a remedy to the problem. While most parents have never heard of designer drugs, especially the newer ones, experts urge them to study up.
Understanding what they are and the effects they produce will help mom and dad have a proper heart-to-heart with their teens before their drug-addicted friends do. Learn the tragic consequences of designer drug abuse and prevent it from happening to you and your loved ones.
Designer drugs are a major problem but they don't have to be. If you know someone addicted that needs help or more information on Narconon Vista Bay