Marijuana is often considered a “gateway” drug, because its regular use among teens has been shown to contribute to the use of other addictive substances later in life. Teens often ask, however, “Is it really such a bad drug? It’s natural. Can it really hurt me?”

The simple answer is, yes, the use of marijuana has been demonstrated to be harmful for teenagers. Let’s take a closer look.

A survey of 12-17 year olds, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), found the following self-reported behaviors among regular users of the drug:

• Adolescents who use marijuana weekly are 9 times more likely than non-users to experiment with drugs and alcohol
• They are 6 times more likely than non-users to run away from home
• They are 5 times more likely to steal
• They are 4 times more likely to engage in violence
• They are 3 times more likely to have thoughts of suicide
• Additionally, adolescents who use marijuana weekly are more prone than non-users to physically attack other teens
• Teens that regularly use marijuana have been shown to have more social withdrawal, physical complaints, anxiety and depression, and attention problems.

As with smoking cigarettes, smoking marijuana can cause lung health issues, such as wheezing and coughing. However, marijuana cigarettes contain three to five times more cancer-causing agents than tobacco cigarettes. Smoking five marijuana cigarettes is roughly the same as smoking an entire pack of tobacco cigarettes.

Perhaps the greater cause for concern is the effect marijuana has on the still-developing brains of teenage users. The use of marijuana among teens has been shown to cause behavioral changes, cognitive impairment, and mental health problems. Even those in favor of legalizing the drug argue that the use of the drug is harmful for teens. Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said, “One can argue before a young person reaches full brain development in their early 20’s they should not use or have legal access to marijuana.” (The Ledger, Lakeland Florida, January 3, 2005)

The use of marijuana among teenagers is clearly harmful on many levels. The use of marijuana among teens has been shown to increase participation in risky behaviors, impair judgment and reaction times while driving, leading to crashes, impair academic performance, and a host of other problems. Beyond that, elements of the drug remain in the body for a days, weeks, or months after smoking it, creating long-term health problems that do not simply go away.

Marijuana is harmful. The high is not worth the consequences.

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Before you confront your loved one about their substance abuse, realize that you cannot change their behavior. The goal of talking to your loved one is for you to be able to express your feelings, your concerns, and to clearly state what is acceptable for the future of the relationship you share. Recognizing that any changes made in their behavior, including the desire to seek treatment and pursue recovery, must be made by their own choice. If a person feels forced into treatment and recovery, it will not only become a source of conflict and resentment for the addict, but the recovery will not last.

As you speak with your loved one, be specific in explaining how their addiction is affecting you. Do they become violent when they are drunk or high? Is their substance abuse ruining your financial stability? Are you concerned about the effect the addiction has on your children? Are you consumed with worry for the addict, or experiencing depression and anxiety because of their addiction? Be as specific as possible when explaining the impact your loved one’s substance abuse is having on your life.

When you talk about the relationship you have with the person struggling with substance abuse, be clear on what you will and will not accept in the future. Keep in mind that if you cannot follow through on what you are asking for, then there is no point in asking for it. Establish clear boundaries, with clear outcomes for crossing them. For example, “If you continue to drink, then I will (leave you/divorce you, not spend time with you when you are drunk, get separate bank accounts).”

Avoid placing or taking blame for the addiction. Do not criticize or call the person names, as this will be unproductive and cause undue conflict. Be mindful of using “I” instead of “you” statements, such as, “I feel really upset when you drink as much as you do,” rather than, “You are making me upset with your drinking.” Own your feelings and behavior, as much as you want them to own theirs

Plan the confrontation for a time when they will be most coherent, and do not confront them if they are under the influence. As you plan the confrontation, think about how they may react. While they may have an awareness of their problem with substance abuse, they may not be ready to admit it. They may become angry, engage in self-harm, have a breakdown, or blame you for their problems. Carefully think through how they may react, and be prepared to handle it. However, if there is any chance of violence, do not confront them alone. In any situation, approach them non-judgmentally, with love, caring, and the intent to offer help and not blame.

It is very possible that your loved one may not admit their addiction as you confront them on your own. When one person who is not a substance abuser decides to confront someone who is, it often becomes a situation of the addict vs. the sober person. Often, a group intervention becomes necessary, and should be compiled of friends and family who see and are ready to confront the person about their substance abuse, and explain how it affects each of their lives. A group intervention is often successful, because the person can see that it is not just the opinion of one person, but that of several people. They can see that their addiction is something that impacts a life beyond their own.

After you have talked with your loved one about their addiction, be prepared to offer a few treatment options to them, and to be supportive if they choose to go forward in getting treatment. It is a good idea to be aware of what insurance coverage is available to them in order to help pay for the treatment.

Once you have drawn the line in the sand, do not do anything to support the addiction. Do not “call in sick” for them if they have a hangover. If they are broke because they have spent their money on drugs and alcohol, do not pay their bills for them. Do not make excuses for them anymore. If there are no consequences for their behavior, there is no motivation to change.

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This assessment tool could serve as an eye-opener for the individual and force them to admit that they may have a problem with drugs.

Ask them to answer the following questions as honestly as possible, or leave the questionnaire in a place where he or she will most likely find it. Answers are yes or no.

• Have you had problems at work or school due to your drug use?
• Is your drug use making your home life unhappy?
• Do you use drugs in order to help you feel more comfortable around people?
• Have you spent money on drugs that were supposed to be spent on other things, like children’s clothes? Rent? Money owed to others?
• Have you been spending time with people that you don’t really care about because of your drug use?
• Has your drug use led you to take dangerous risks?
• Do you get cravings for drugs?
• Has your drug use led you to do things you are ashamed of?
• Have you ever used drugs in the morning?
• Have you ever been involved in a serious physical or verbal fight when using drugs?
• Do you ever use drugs to escape worries?
• Is it hard for you to imagine living without drugs?
• Have you ever thought you should cut back on your drug use?
• Has anyone ever criticized your drug use?
• Have you ever been arrested for a drug-related incident?
• Have you ever had trouble remembering what happened as a result of your drug use?
• Have you ever had a health problem because of your drug use?
• Have you ever lied about your drug use?
• Have you ever lost interest in things or activities that you used to find enjoyable?
• Do you feel like your life simply isn’t working out?

If the individual answers yes to three or more of these questions, then they probably have a drug problem that will only get worse without the proper help. Encourage them to seek the professional help that they need. Provide them with literature and contact sources. Give them a list of web sites that they can visit for more information. If all else fails, schedule an intervention to confront the individual with a drug problem.

For more information about intervention methods and techniques, there are a variety of resources available on the Internet and via local, community organizations.

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Drug and substance abuse among children, especially teens, is substantial. According to the most recent statistics available, 1.1 million of our youth age 12 to 17 meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs and approximately 1 million of our American youth are being treated for alcohol dependency. Although these statistics may be startling, there are many things that parents can/should know about the prevention of drug addiction including how to recognize the signs/symptoms of drug/alcohol addiction and what they can do to help their child once a problem has been recognized.

Studies have shown that parents are often the first line of defense in the prevention of drug addiction. Numerous public service commercial announcements advertise parents as “the anti-drug.” Parents need to understand that ignorance is not bliss. Parents need to be well armed with the facts on prevention and treatment.

Parents need to spend quality time with their children and be open to discussions on drugs and alcohol. Parents need to know who their child’s friends are, where they are going, what they are doing, etc. Parents need to make their expectations very clear and establish that they will not tolerate drug use of any kind. If all of these factors are utilized, children will be less likely to use drugs.

It is also important that parents educate themselves about the types of drugs currently available. Although some of the standard drugs (drugs that may have been popular while the parent was a youth) are still around (marijuana, LSD, etc) there are also a number of new drugs that are very popular with today’s youth such as the inhalants (huffing). Conduct research on the Internet or attend a local community meeting regarding substance abuse.

There are three categories of substance abuse:

• Use (the occasional use of drugs without developing tolerance of withdrawal symptoms when not in use).
• Abuse (the continued used of drugs even while knowing that the continued use is creating problems socially, physically or psychologically).
• Dependence in which three of the following factors must be present: the substance is taken in large amounts over longer periods of time; their child has a persistent desire for the substance and has been unable to control their use; child may suffer from repeated periods of intoxication or detoxification; child continues to use even though the substance is causing problems; and the child takes more of the substance in order to relieve any withdrawal symptoms they may be experiencing.

Symptoms of substance abuse include the following:

• Personality changes
• Unusual outbreaks of temper
• Withdrawal from responsibility
• Changes in overall attitude
• Loss of interest in favorite hobbies and pursuits
• Changes in friends
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Increased secretiveness
• Sudden jitteriness, nervousness or aggression
• Deterioration of physical appearance/grooming
• Unusual borrowing from friends, co-workers or parents
• Stealing

It is important for parents to note that different substances lend themselves to different groups of drug addiction symptoms. In all cases however, the most glaring symptom is a radical change in behavior.

If you suspect that your child is abusing drugs, consult with your personal physician or pediatrician. You may also want to discuss the matter with your clergy or spiritual leader, an educational consultant, a therapist or a counselor. These professionals will help you assess the situation and seek the proper addiction treatment for your child.

Once your child has been diagnosed as having a drug addiction, there are a number of treatment options/programs available including:

• Outpatient treatment
• Day Treatment services
• Residential programs

Residential drug rehab and treatment programs may include Therapeutic Residential Boarding Schools or Therapeutic Wilderness Programs. Therapeutic Residential Boarding Schools stress holistic education whereas Therapeutic Wilderness Programs use outdoor therapy to work on issues. Residential Treatment Schools are highly structured environments whose emphasis is on treatment and learning coping skills and independent living techniques. Chemical education and treatment are also provided. To determine which method will be most beneficial to your child, research and discuss your options with a professional.

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The following is an up close a personal look at what one young women experienced while entering into an addiction treatment program.

When I was seventeen I was given an ultimatum. I could ether willingly admit myself to an addiction rehabilitation program or I could go to jail. I did not think that this was much of a choice at the time, and was convinced that neither would be of benefit, so I chose the lesser of the two evils. My parents, possessed of little or no financial means could only afford to send me to a short term facility which consisted of an interment of thirty days. This was considerably less time than the alternative. I decided to go to addiction rehab. Despite my refusal to admit to my addiction, I was curious.

The first thing that I experienced in addiction drug rehab was the removal of my “street clothes”, to be replaced by a set of hospital scrubs. I was expected to wear these for a week so I could come to understand, physically and emotionally, that what I was suffering from was a disease. I found this to be rather absurd. I was seventeen; young, and still in the early stages of my addiction. Most of my experiences with drugs were limited and I did not believe they could be the cause of my problems or behavior. Later in my life, it began to make more sense to me. They were trying to install the idea, that although I had made bad choices, I was not totally at fault. I suffered from an affliction of the body and the mind, that as of yet I had no control over, and without treatment would progress and possibly become fatal.

There were about twenty of us in the program. It was a coed adolescent facility, so we consisted of both male and female and were all in our late teens. We ranged from a variety of backgrounds, environments, and levels of abuse. There were a few individuals suffering from a melange of psychological problems and drastic cases of withdrawal that had to be frequently medicated. In my opinion these teenagers received little or no help from this particular rehab, and was not surprised to discover they would shortly be removed to attend long term residential facilities.

A typical day consisted of three meals with snacks in between, sessions of both individual and group addiction counseling, an hour long period of recreational exercise, and a classroom session where we were expected to do the home work assigned from our individual high schools. The food was all right, but considering the amount of exercise we were receiving it was excessive and not adequately balanced. In thirty days I gained thirty pounds. The recreational period was very like an elementary recess, where we were basically left to our own devices. Considering how reluctant we were to do anything we were not forced to; none of us got any exercise.

Despite these circumstances, I learned a lot at that rehabilitation center. The sessions of both individual and group counseling were very therapeutic in teaching me positive thinking and ways of dealing with my personal and mental disabilities. I became educated on addictive substances and learned the range of medical facts and potential damage that they could cause. Through family counseling, my parents and I were able to work out some of our issues, that might have otherwise taken years. It gave me a start; a new beginning, which I never would have achieved on my own.

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Since the drug addiction consumes your life, it is hard to imagine life without it. Addiction recovery involves change and not many people embrace change with open arms, especially when they know that the change is going to be difficult to come by. Some people don’t admit to having an addiction until something traumatic occurs such as the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one. Others may never admit to their addiction and will continue to live their lives in denial. However, the sooner you can admit to your addiction, the sooner the healing can begin. Once you can admit that you have a problem, there are a number of resources available to assist you on your road to recovery.

Once you have admitted to your addiction, the next step in the recovery process is to cleanse your body, mind and soul of the damaging effects of the addictive substance. This process of detoxification can take place in a hospital or other medically related treatment facility. Once your body is cleared of the negative addictive substance, work can begin on the mind and the soul. This process may involve individual counseling where the addict is educated about their addiction and provided with a number of new methods for dealing with this addiction. Problem solving skills may be introduced, as well as methods and techniques, which will aid in the event that a relapse occurs. Core issues leading to the addiction will also most likely be explored. Group counseling and family counseling are other options that may be helpful in the recovery process. In addition, addicts going through detoxification will be educated on a variety of helpful healthy topics, including nutrition and exercise, which will aid in the recovery process by boosting the individual’s self-awareness and self-esteem.

Family support throughout the recovery process is essential. While the addict is in recovery, the family members and loved ones of the addict must also deal with their own issues involving the addiction. This may be achieved by family and individual addiction counseling sessions as well as by attending support groups specifically geared towards family members of addicts. Through this educational process the family members should also be providing the addict with their love, support and encouragement. Nothing is more encouraging to the addict than knowing that their family members and loved ones are also working on their own issues.

Finally, once detoxification is complete and the addict returns to society, they need to continue to receive support from their family and loved ones. They may also choose to continue to attend support groups and counseling sessions to help to prevent relapses.

The road to recovery, is a major life-altering journey. The work will be hard but the reward, living a clean, drug & alcohol free life, will be worth it in the end.

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Cycles can be a positive thing such as the annual review and raise that you might receive at work, the sleep cycle so that our bodies can regenerate and heal, the merri-go-round of love and, yes, even the dreaded menstrual cycle if there is concern regarding an unplanned pregnancy can be a positive experience.

When is a cycle a negative or dangerous pursuit? When is threatens to destroy a quality life. If the Earth does not have snow and rain in the winter season it dehydrates and is parched in the summer. It starves and so do we. If the wheels on the bike stop moving, the bike and rider fall over. The cycle of drug addiction is never a positive outcome and all efforts should be made to achieve a healthy, productive and long term recovery from this dark and sinister downward spiral.

To recreate a new pattern of living from a tattered and deeply worn path will be the greatest and most empowering inner expedition an addict will ever encounter. The first step is to truly want it…so sincerely that you can think of little else other than getting clean. It may be for you, your loved ones or better yet a combination of both. Unfortunately, the reality of the drug and alcohol addiction cycle and breaking free from its grip is not that uncomplicated. It can be a very difficult process with occasional periods of personal let down, but this fact cannot in any way be allowed to discourage those seeking freedom from addictions.

Your body, in almost every aspect of its being, is addicted when you are a mild to chronic user and abuser. Your peripheral nervous system, your brain, your muscle tissue are all living in anticipation of the next high. So, for the addict, it is crucial that the cycle of behavior, like that circular bare pathway that the tethered dog creates running and running trying to get beyond its chain and stake, is broken. The addict needs to yank up the anchor that keeps them from moving forward and progressing outside of their chemical bondage and this means changing environments, patterns and even sometimes friends and social associates. Sometimes it is necessary to invoke an intervention or enter the addict in a drug rehab program in order to change the behavours.

Once an addict has made the personal commitment to change old habitual cycles, the next step is to establish new, safe and positive influences in their life. These can be found in quality support groups, hospital substance abuse centers and rehabilitation clinics. No matter what the setting, it is important to be around strangers. Being in proximity to familiar places and people may promote the tendency to fall back into old thoughts and behaviors. Of the before mentioned options, private drug rehabilitation, addiction treatment programs, and retreats seem to be gaining popularity, in part, due to the impressive success rate they boast.

To break the drug addiction cycle, one merely needs to stop walking the ring. Make the conscious decision to either step out of the beaten trench or stand still, just stand in one place long enough to gain a new perspective that will inspire you to desire an unpolluted field that your footprints leave only one impression in as you walk toward new, always fresh pathways too not follow, but create.

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When a person who has a drug addiction is married or in a relationship, it is important that you realize that the person who has a drug addiction is acting upon their partner in a very negative way.

They might be unresponsive, and they might fail in the things that they have always done in the relationships. It might be that a person who has a drug addiction is harsh with the people that they love, and it might be that they don’t know how to relate with the person they are in a relationship with because the person that they are in a relationship with is not part of the drug or alcohol addiction and is therefore not as important.

It is true that when a person is addicted to a certain drug, they are going to be very selfish and they are going to have many things that they don’t take care of because they are busy dealing with their own drug addiction. A person will forget about everything in order to get the drug that they are addicted to, and sometimes, most times, this takes a toll on the people that they are closest to.

Often times, when a person has an addiction, their other family members are going to suffer as well. If the person who has an addiction is a child, their parents are going to feel as though they could have done something differently, or that t hey failed in some way by not stopping their child from getting addicted to a certain drug, alcohol, or substance.

They are going to feel like they have lost their child, and that they have not raised the child in the way they would have wished. If the person who has a drug addiction has children, those children are going to have lots of problems. Often they are abused and neglected because of their parent’s search for the drugs that they are addicted to.

In many cases, the children end up feeling like they have done something wrong because they weren’t able to be as important to their parents as the drug that their parents are addicted to. In many of these cases, it takes children a long time to heal after their parents have gotten help for their drug addiction.

Even when a person does not have a spouse, parent or child to be concerned with, there is still going to be a negative impact on that person’s friends. They will feel left out, and they will feel that their friend has been pushing them aside in favor of the drugs. They will also feel that the person with a drug addiction has become a different person and they will often not be aware of who that person really is.

Friends, family and others aside, drug addiction also takes a toll on society as a whole. A person with a drug addiction is going to stop showing up for work, which is going to hurt the place that they work and the other people that work there. They are going to be more likely to need government assistance, which is going to hurt taxpayers and government officials. Also, they are going to be a detriment to society as a whole because they are just not functioning members of the place in which they live. Anyone who is not a functioning member of society hurts society. Drug addiction hurts everyone.

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Alcohol treatment coordinators typically subscribe to two different beliefs – either that alcoholism is a disease or that alcoholism is a choice. The first step of alcohol treatment is admitting that the drinking has gotten out of hand, it is a problem, it’s time to stop now and help is required in order to successfully do so. Alcohol treatment facilities typically require detoxification of some variety. This involves an immediately effective abstinence from all alcohol, with help from counselors and group support meetings. During the detox phase, some alcohol treatment centers administer drugs that mimic the effect of alcohol to help the addict wean off the substance with as few side effects as possible. Other alcohol treatment centers may prefer all-natural approaches to detox, with saunas and massages.

Essentially, the end goal of alcohol treatment is to help the person heal their whole person – mind, soul, body and emotions. Most alcohol addictions have an underlying cause and this will be examined during the treatment process. If the alcohol addiction treatment is successful, the recovering addict will emerge with renewed self-confidence, optimism, purpose and a whole group of supportive friends who are going through the exact same life experience. By no means does recovery conclude when a patient exits the alcohol drug rehab center’s doors. It is instead a lifelong process of exerting willpower to overcome alcohol’s temptation, but alcohol addiction treatment gives a person the tools, confidence and support needed to embark on that journey.

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Studies show that those who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to abuse or depend on alcohol as an adult, as opposed to those who begin drinking after age 20.

Overwhelmingly, the percentage of teens abstaining from alcohol is greater than those who drink. About 71 percent of people ages 12 to 20 have not had a drink in one month.

Binge drinking: Consuming five or more drinks at a time. Over 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem demonstrated symptoms like binge drinking by age 19.

Research shows that traffic-related deaths involving alcohol were at their highest in 2006 than in the previous 14 years. That number, 17,941, was 43 percent of all such deaths.

Increased risk of cancer, obesity, depression, heart and liver disease are just some of the physical afflictions that can be linked to alcohol.

Excessive drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, when vomit aspirates due to a drunk person passing out while lying on their back. This can cause brain damage or even death.

The chances of knowing an abuser of alcohol are great. About 1 in 13 U.S. adults fall into this category, highest among those ages 18 to 29 and lowest among the elderly.

You can help. Patience and encouragement are key in helping loved ones recover from alcoholism. Between one-third and two-thirds of all those who try to recover are successful, once they make the initial decision to refrain from all further alcohol use. However, relapses are common and the recovery process can be very lengthy.

The alcohol in alcoholic drinks is made up of a chemical compound that includes ethanol and grain alcohol. The more general concept of alcohol – in chemistry – would be any organic compound that contains a hydroxyl group. This can also be called hydroxide. Bonded to a carbon atom, in turn bonded to other atoms of hydrogen and carbon, the hydroxide becomes the alcoholic compound in our beers and other liquors.

When it comes to the parts of alcohol that actually make up the chemical compound responsible for the structure, the hydroxyl group of the alcohol is usually bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon. When it comes to the types of alcohol, there are generally three kinds, which are, primary, secondary and tertiary. These three levels will always make a reference to the various number of carbons in the compound that the C-OH carbon is bonded to.

The most common types of alcohol, which are called Ethanol and methanol, are both primary alcohols. When it comes to secondary alcohols, the most simple of them is called propan-2-ol. The third level, tertiary, also has many simple alcohols. One of the most common is 2-methylpropan-2-ol.

When it comes to the alcohol that is used in alcoholic drinks it is usually a grain alcohol. This is made via the fermentation of either a fruit or a grain with yeast. Ethanol is commonly used in this way, and this creates a compound that has been made and used by humans for thousands of years. Because of the history of grain alcohol, it has become one of the oldest used recreational drugs in the entire world. Because of the properties of the grain or fruit that has been fermented, drinking alcohol will cause a person to become intoxicated.

Alcohol itself might have adverse effects on your liver and kidneys, and might slow down the functions of these organs. Alcohol will also erode the lining of your stomach and your throat, so you will have problems with heartburn and upset stomachs because of alcohol.

Besides for the effects on your body, you will also see negative effects that are visible on your body. People who use alcohol a lot might have bad skin and hair because of the damage that they are causing themselves. They might also have bad breath and teeth because of the excess amounts of alcohol that they are putting into their systems.

When you are using alcohol, it is also easier to gain access to other drugs, and to other things that you might not normally have contact with if you aren’t drinking. Other drugs might be dangerous, and your lack of good judgment while you are using alcohol might lead you to try things that you never have before.

Alcohol is something that can be both beneficial to you when used in moderation, and harmful to you when used in excess. Certain things in alcohol, especially in red wine, can be very good for your health, if you use it once in a while, and never to excess. In certain places, people drink red wine for their health, and as long as they don’t abuse it, they never have any adverse health effects.

However, alcohol can also be very harmful to your health if you use it too much. A person who is using alcohol to an excess might not be sleeping as well as they should be, and will wake up feeling like they are not well rested. Their cells will not be getting enough oxygen, so they will feel sluggish and tired no matter how often they sleep. They might have chronic headaches or muscle aches because of the adverse effect of alcohol on their body.

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Alcohol addiction treatment coordinators typically subscribe to two different beliefs – either that alcoholism is a disease or that alcoholism is a choice. The first step of alcohol addiction treatment is admitting that the drinking has gotten out of hand, it is a problem, it’s time to stop now and help is required in order to successfully do so. Alcohol addiction treatment facilities typically require detoxification of some variety. This involves an immediately effective abstinence from all alcohol, with help from counselors and group support meetings. During the detox phase, some alcohol addiction treatment centers administer drugs that mimic the effect of alcohol to help the addict wean off the substance with as few side effects as possible. Other alcohol addiction treatment centers may prefer all-natural approaches to detox, with saunas and massages.

Essentially, the end goal of alcohol addiction treatment is to help the person heal their whole person – mind, soul, body and emotions. Most alcohol addictions have an underlying cause and this will be examined during the treatment process. If the alcohol addiction treatment is successful, the recovering addict will emerge with renewed self-confidence, optimism, purpose and a whole group of supportive friends who are going through the exact same life experience. By no means does recovery conclude when a patient exits the alcohol addiction treatment center’s doors. It is instead a lifelong process of exerting willpower to overcome alcohol’s temptation, but alcohol addiction treatment gives a person the tools, confidence and support needed to embark on that journey.

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When most people think of addiction they think in terms of substance abuse, but it relates to any number of circumstances that fill a desire that the addict can not deal with properly.

Some of the more well known subjects of addiction include, substance abuse, alcoholism, eating and gambling disorders, compulsive working, shopping, cleaning, exercising and other objects of obsession. Despite the many differences, all of these subjects contain elements of the same behavior. Whether it is to escape, to feel good, to forget or to maintain, the addict is not in control and lacks the components to make healthy decisions.

One of the major obstacles of addiction is the social acceptance or even encouragement of the negative behavior. Addiction is not a case of black and white; good or bad.

Some addictions are illegal, while others can evolve from participating in condoned activities. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are examples of substances that are not only legal but available on almost every street corner. Sometimes it seems that our entire economy revolves around the marketability of these substances.

These perspective industries are a huge part of our society and spend a lot of money in advertising. Between commercials, billboards, movies, and magazines, they portray the idea that it is not only a good thing to partake in, but will some how change the individual for the better. It does not help that these substances are highly addictive and dangerous as well. The negative influence of society on helping to create and maintain drug addictions, can also include the aspects of gambling and eating disorders.

We live in a country based on the idea of the availability of opportunity. It is the country where anyone can quickly become rich with hardly any application or involvement. Gambling addictions affect a variety of individuals and can be equally as harmful as substance abuse. Eating disorders are also very harmful and aggravated by society. Anorexia and bolemia are two types of abuse that are brought on by the individual’s idea of being overweight.

This perception is not helped by the fashion industries absurd portrayal of the “desired woman”, who is six feet tall and weighs no more than a hundred and twenty pounds. Young women all over the world are starving themselves to death in imitation of something that is not only unrealistic but unhealthy and abnormal.

Eating disorders also include behaviors in the opposite extreme, where the individual is addicted to food and chronically over eats. The situation is quite ironic. While we typecast our ideal versions of the “perfect” people, we are also the country of the overly obese. We are the inventors of the fast food chain.

Whatever the degree or type of the addiction, no matter what the substance or behavior is, it is not a healthy way to live and one should get some addiction treatment from a drug rehab as soon as possible.

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Addiction treatment and addiction recovery are two distinct processes. The treatment process revolves around investigating the history of the addict and identifying the critical issued that lead the initial addiction. Once those have been identified the process of defining the circumstances that have allowed the addiction to continue or escalate can occur. For many addicts these processes can be traumatic, causing them to reflect on issues that they may not be ready to confront. Critical to the success of these processes is the willingness for the addict to face the issues and require closure. If this level of commitment cannot be achieved, the likelihood of achieving any long-term success is effectively nil. There may be some reduction in the frequency of abuse or there may even appear to be complete success, but sitting underneath the façade will be an addiction waiting to resurface with a vengeance.

In order for an addict to survive the drug rehab treatment process there will need to be a period where the cold hard facts of the situation are discussed and the benefits and pitfalls of the treatment options outlined. The addicts will be setting themselves up for failure if they commence treatment without being fully aware and committed to the entire treatment process. In reality any treatment process will not be completed if this is the case and relapse is likely to occur.

Additionally in the addiction treatment process the addict will require ongoing support and encouragement. This will be required from family, professional staff and potentially peers or others suffering the same or similar addictions. There will be no quick fix and the addict will need to set and achieve short-term goals. Depending on the nature of the addiction this may be in terms of hourly, daily or weekly goals. It is important for the addicts’ sense of self worth that they are able to look themselves in the mirror and believe that they are worth the time and effort required to make the change.

The addiction recovery process has a focus on maintaining the long-term success of the treatment undertaken. The addict will need to understand that there is no timeframe that can be placed on recovery as an ongoing process. To survive in recovery the addict will need to identify the situations that could potentially bring about a relapse and identify alternatives to those situations. The previous life that the addict led will not be appropriate and significant changes must occur in relation to lifestyle and acquaintances.

It is important that the addict focus on the positive aspects of their recovery. Too much attention directed on what the addict will not do is in fact likely to cause the addict exhibit the behavior that they are trying to avoid. There are many opportunities in the treatment and recovery processes for celebrating milestones, and while this is important for the overall success of the program and esteem of the addict, it is also important that they don’t become the focus of a recovery program. Celebrating with individuals who are undergoing a similar process can encourage addicts to maintain their focus. Critical to any recovery process is having the knowledge that others have suffered the same ordeals and survived.

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The word cocaine comes from the plant that it is extracted from. The leaves of the coca plant contain what is called a crystalline tropane alkaloid (not identified until 1855). When this material is removed from the leaves of the coca and ingested, injected or inhaled it gives the body a momentary jolt of energy, excitement and euphoria. The alkaloid is the ine and the beginning of the word is the plant name coca which is how we end up with the name cocaine. This is what we technically know cocaine to be called, however, there are over 137 documented street names with more being created on a daily basis. You may be familiar with the standards such as coke, snow, nose candy and toot, but what about the less obvious and sometimes even hilarious terms used by everyday people to describe cocaine. Words like Bing (as in White Christmas), ching (like the noise from a cash register), devil’s dandruff, Lucifer’s left nostril, showbiz sherbet, shnazzle, sleigh ride, just about anything with the word white in front of it and booger sugar.

In spite of the illegal stigma attached to producing, possessing and distributing cocaine, this drug remains extremely popular amongst the party crowds, social settings, society gatherings and personal bedrooms. Media star icons in music, theater, big screen, intellectual giants and athletes help to perpetuate the glamour and exhilaration associated with its use. But the blame cannot all be placed on those in the rich and famous category who the youth idolize and look up to. In 2003, the estimated market revenue for cocaine sales exceeded $35 billion in the U.S. (more than AT&T) and it is the average everyday individual longing to be a part of the dazzle whose numbers far exceed that of the celebrity world that keep the industry rolling.

What does cocaine look like? If it is in its purest form, it will appear pearly white, in a powder form it tends to look a great deal like salt, also called cocaine hydrochloride. Much of the cocaine purchased on the black market is anything but pure and, in fact, is mixed with a wide variety of blending agents such as baking soda, lactose, talcum powder, powdered sugar, chalk and caffeine with additional numbing agents like benzocaine and/or lidocaine which mimics the loss of sensation when it comes in to contact with mucous membranes. These concoctions may contain no cocaine what-so-ever,