Todd Lange asked:


Prescription drug addiction in Arizona has become one of the most serious issues in the state today. There are no fixed statistics on this kind of usage because it mostly goes on surreptitiously in the homes of the people. At the same time, there are no fixed trends and no data on the kinds of people that are into this kind of addiction.

However, it is assumed that people of two age groups are more vulnerable to this kind of addiction. One group is that of senior persons. They are assumed to be predominantly into prescription drug addiction in Arizona for the simple and obvious fact that they have access to most of these drugs. Since most of the prescription drugs that are available for various geriatric problems in Arizona are also habit-forming, this possibility cannot be refuted. The other group is of the very young people, i.e. of people who are in the age group of 10 to 14 years. Prescription drug addiction is possible here because they can obtain the drugs lying in the house and discover that they can use it for their recreational purposes. Younger people are found to be more into this form of addiction because of their inherent curious and experimental nature.

There is a mentality among drug abusers in Arizona that makes them think that getting hooked to prescription drugs is not as dangerous as using the mainstream street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. That is one of the reasons why most people are indiscriminately into this kind of drug abuse. However, people who check in for treatment of prescription drug addiction in Arizona in rehab centers are counseled on how prescription drugs are just as dangerous as the narcotic drugs and how their addictions can prove to be just as fatal. Hence, counseling becomes an important part of the treatment of prescription drug addiction in Arizona.

Let us check out some available trends on prescription drug addiction in Arizona.

1. The highest prevalence of prescription drugs that are used in Arizona falls into three groups. The first group is of the drugs that contain the chemical substance oxycodone. Examples of this drug which is very highly abused in Arizona are OxyContin and Percocet. The second group is of the drugs that contain the chemical substance hydrocodone. Examples of this type of drug are Vicodin and Lortab. The third class is of phentermine addiction. Together, oxycodone, hydrocodone and phentermine form the major bulk of the prevalence of prescription drug addiction in Arizona. Other substances that are very commonly abused in the state are the benzodiazepines such as Xanax, and opiate products such as codeine. Even methadone, which is used for heroin addiction treatment in Arizona, is widely abused, especially when provided in an outpatient treatment format. Tramadol (brand name Ultram), Nubain and Soma in conjunction with other drugs are also very commonly abused in the state.

2. Though there are no concrete figures for overall prescription drug addiction in Arizona, from the number of people that check in for rehab treatment in the state, it has been assumed that at least 50% of all addicted people are into some or the other kind of prescription drug abuse in the state.

3. The region where the prevalence of prescription drug abuse is highest in the state is in the capital city of Phoenix. This is where about half of all addicted people are using some kind of prescription drug on the sly.

4. The most common method of obtaining prescription drugs for recreational drug abuse in Arizona is through doctor shopping. This is where a person will visit a number of doctors for the same ailment, which might be faked, and get multiple prescriptions for it. There are also other criminal methods in which these substances are obtained in the state. These include ordering over the Internet, thieving from chemist stores mostly by involving one of the employees of the store, forging prescriptions, etc.

5. It is also seen that prescription drug addiction in Arizona usually occurs in conjunction with some other kind of addiction, usually smoking or alcoholism. People who are alcoholics, for example, will lose their taste for the alcohol quite soon. After a prolonged addiction with alcohol, the person will not be able to feel as much of a high with the substance as they once used to feel. This is when the person begins to look for other forms of addiction. Prescription drugs can look quite appealing for people who are looking for a higher addiction after getting into a smoking or alcoholism habit.



Lasik Milwaukee

Rosemary Grace Brooks asked:


Narcotic drugs and alcohol are very physically addictive substances accounting for the rise in drug and alcohol addiction rates yearly. Once the body is dependent on the substance for normality, the absence of the substance will cause great pain and discomfort to be inflicted on the individual, known as withdrawal.

Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction counselling and detox are highly controversial topics and met with many mixed beliefs and schools of thought, especially when physical and non-physical drug addiction is concerned. Unlike previously when addiction was considered a moral failing, professionals have now been opting towards a more successful approach of addiction treatment. Many experts and professionals have come to view addiction as a disease which is progressive and fatal if not treated. The disease can however be arrested through ceasing all addictive behaviour accompanied by counselling and a daily programme of recovery.

Physical addiction and the need for detox

Opiates such as heroin and codeine, benzodiazepines such as Valium and Rohypnol, some amphetamines such as methamphetamines (eg Tik) and ethyl-alcohol (the type of alcohol found in regular alcoholic drinks such as whisky and beer), are substances which the human body becomes dependant on when exposed to their effects over a certain period of time. Quaaludes, anabolic steroids, beta blockers, caffeine and nicotine also cause dependence.

Physical dependency can only be overcome through the addicted individual abstaining from use of the addictive substances. This will cause the body to go into a state of withdrawal, as it is dependent on the substance for functioning.

Treatment centres, rehabilitation centres and hospitals usually offer detoxification programmes for drug and alcohol addiction. Detoxification can be extremely harmful, even fatal. The process is nick-named “detox” and is carefully monitored by professionals.

In many instances, the patient is given medication to ease their discomfort during the detox. This discomfort usually results in the use of drugs to rid themselves of the symptoms. It has been found that regulated and decreasing doses of a pharmaceutical replacement with similar actions as an addictive drug is useful in allowing addicts to be “weaned off” the substance without unbearable discomfort.

Detox

When an addict or alcoholic is willing to enter a treatment programme to treat their addiction, many rehab centres require that patients are “clean” of all drugs and substances. The patient will need generally to pass a drug or alcohol test indicating that their systems are free of substances. If a client enters a treatment programme whilst still under the influence of a narcotic or alcohol, it may affect the safety of the other clients and the individual themselves.

The process of a drug and alcohol detox differs for each treatment centre offering the service. Some rehabs do not offer detoxes and require the client to attend a detox in a hospital or separate clinic as the rehab may not have the correct facilities to offer detoxification. The process is an extremely difficult ordeal for the addict to experience and must be handled with a great deal of professionalism. Alcoholic detoxes can cause delirium tremors, inducing hallucinations and violent behaviour. Only qualified, experienced and able professionals should administer a detox to a withdrawing addict or alcoholic.

Counselling

A detox programme can take a week or more to complete, although secondary withdrawals will follow after this; they are less severe than initial withdrawals, not requiring medication or facilitation. Once a detox has been completed, the client is advised to enter an addiction treatment programme at a rehab.

Drug and alcohol addiction counselling is an effective method of treating any form of addiction, helping the client to become a normal and functioning member of society. Group therapy and individual therapy is widely considered the most effective method of drug and alcohol addiction treatment, coupled with a healthy lifestyle and the adoption of a Twelve Step Programme as a way of maintaining abstinence and sobriety.

Counselling and a Twelve Step Programme help to enable the patient to cope with behaviours, past grievances, emotions and dynamics in their lives and to piece together a practical and realistic approach to life. Whilst the patient needs to stop using drugs and alcohol, counselling will help improve their lives much further. Abstinence plus change is the main aim of a recovering addict.

The life of a drug addict and alcoholic needn’t be bad or hindered. Addicts have the potential to be very successful and productive people if they are able to stop their drug and alcohol use. Whilst this may require a detox, if followed with proper counselling and therapy plus the endorsement of a healthy lifestyle and application to a Twelve Step Programme, the person suffering from drug or alcohol addiction can arrest their disease and live a normal life again.



Online testimonials