substance abuse

National Drug Take-Back Day on April 27 Is One Answer to Prescription Drug Abuse Sweeping Texas

Bigger is better in the Lone Star State – except when it comes to the number of deaths caused by prescription drug overdose. About 1,900 people die every year in Texas due to fatal overdoses from drugs that doctors prescribed for them. From 2000 to 2008, the number of overdoses nearly doubled.

Why the Increase of Drug Abuse

There are a number of reasons the abuse of prescription drugs is steadily climbing — the biggest being that they are easy to obtain. Teens like to experience what is called a “pharm party,” in which parents’ medicine cabinets are raided and the prescription and over-the-counter drugs are swiped to be blindly mixed with other pills and possibly alcohol for a fun yet conceivably fatal event.

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Tags: prescription drugs
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Five Classic Rock Musicians Who Died From Substance Abuse

“Sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” was once the motto of a generation during a time of great social and economic change.  Back then, drugs were often viewed as mind-expanding and, in some cases, a right of passage.  Drug use is not seen that way today, due, in part, to the many prominent people who have lost their lives to the disease of addiction.  Drug abuse is one the most serious problems facing our nation and, while addiction treatment and addiction recovery have saved many individuals, there are still far too many who lose their lives to this disease.

The music industry has had its fair share of talents lost to drug addiction and drug overdoses. We’ve compiled a list of classic rock musicians whose deaths signaled to us all that drugs were not harmless but, in fact, far more dangerous than we could have ever imagined. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: alcohol addiction, drug addiction, drug addiction, substance abuse treatment
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Beware of the Bubbly

Benjamin Button said, “You never know what’s comin’;” He was right. I never would have guessed that criminal minds would put to market new designer drugs cleverly disguised as bath salts. I was not that surprised that smokable potpourri laced with synthetic marijuana was sold in smoke shops across the country. Sad, yes but not shocked. On the other hand, the newest over the counter mind-altering substance known as MDPV is marketed mainly as bath salts but is also marketed as pH optimizer, pond scum remover and odorizer. MDPV is related to cathinone, a compound found in Khat, a plant in Africa.

MDPV is similar to both a stimulant and hallucinogen and is very potent. It is usually smoked or snorted. Because it is entirely synthetic and new, we have very limited knowledge on its mechanism of action, effects, and long-term consequences. What we have so far, however, is alarming. Users experience a psychotic break from reality with hallucinations and paranoia much of the time. Anxiety, panic and addiction are also common. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: bath salts, designer drugs, drug addiction, drug rehab
Posted in addiction treatment, Designer Drugs, drug addiction, drug and alcohol recovery, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment | 1 Comment »

Substance Abuse a Growing Problem Among Middle Aged & People

A typical day for a middle-aged parent is many times made up from a long list of tiring activities including taking the children to school, picking them up and immediately taking them to soccer practice, and returning home to make dinner for the family. The long and tedious hours that come with days like this can be very daunting on a person’s social well-being, which can lead to certain self-medicating actions such as heavy drinking, and drug use.

A misconception among many people today is that the majority of people that die from substance abuse overdoses are under the age of 20. According to a report by the Drug Abuse Warning Network, more than half of overdose deaths were among 34 to 54 year olds in 2003 and that number has undoubtedly increased since. But why the change? Maybe it’s because of all the pressure an adult feels from different social situations. Take for instance the pressures one may feel from their occupation. There are a number of people who work 50-60 hours per week, which in turn can put a tremendous amount of stress onto their already heavy plate filled with family and personal duties. This added stress is often a reason that many middle-aged people turn to substance abuse, especially in the areas of alcohol and prescription drugs. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: alcoholism, drug addiction, drug overdose, signs of alcoholic, substance abuse treatment
Posted in addiction treatment, alcohol addiction, alcoholic, alcoholic signs, alcoholism disease, drug addiction, signs of an alcoholic, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment | No Comments »

10 Celebrities Whose Names Have Been Sullied by Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol

Celebrities battling addiction to drugs, alcohol or prescription medication is nothing new in this day and age. Now it seems that there are some celebrities whose careers which were once the center piece of their fame have taken a back seat to their reported struggles with the disease of addiction. Lindsey Lohan for example was once known famous for her role in the remake of the Disney movie The Parent Trap, Mean Girls etc. is now known more for her alleged  battle with addiction. Lindsey is not alone in this as there are many other celebrities whose very well reported struggles with addiction have come to define their public image.

10. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman, once known by his nickname “The Worm”, was famous for his rebounding and defensive prowess on the basketball court. A five time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls, Dennis has become known more so in recent years for his purported struggles with addiction, specifically alcoholism and a stint on the popular reality show Celebrity Rehab.

9. David Hasselhoff

In the 1980s David Hasselhoff was famous the world over as Michael Knight driver of the super advanced car K.I.T.T.  in the NBC TV show Knight Rider. David’s fame continued in the 90s as lifeguard Mitch Buchannon on the syndicated TV series Baywatch. Hasselhoff even enjoyed a success as singer in the late 80s early 90s in Germany. In recent years a video shot by Hasselhoff’s daughter depicting him intoxicated and attempting to eat a hamburger and is repeated, yet often disputed, reported hospitalizations for alcohol poisoning have come to dominate his public image. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: addiction recovery, alcoholism, celebrity rehab, drug addiction, drug rehab, substance abuse treatment
Posted in addiction treatment, alcohol addiction, alcoholic, alcoholic signs, alcoholism disease, celebrities, drug addiction, drug and alcohol recovery, signs of an alcoholic, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment | 1 Comment »