Drug addiction doesn’t always begin with peer pressure or experimentation. Sometimes it’s prescribed to you. It’s happened to soldiers in wartime, and to the elderly in nursing homes, and to you children and teens. In the U.S. and Canada there’s another group that is being medicated faster and more heavily than ever before, and this group is children. Every year more and more children are given medication by their family physicians; psychiatric drugs that often act like street drugs to alter brain chemistry, and that can lead to the very same abuse and addiction. Most of these medications can be sold on the street, for example Ritalin is considered ‘kiddy cocaine’.
This drug is often prescribed for behavioral disorders, and many of these children when transitioning into adolescents, turn to street drugs, marijuana in particular, to deal with stress or life problems. Marijuana, especially, mellows out the angry student and can make him or more attentive. This usually occurs in the early teen years, and many parents or teachers may not question the change in behavior. They just welcome it.
Kids who grow up drugged often feel lost when they aren’t medicated and can also build up a tolerance to their medication at a rate their physician may not catch. When these kids become teens and gain access to pot, alcohol, and other pills they know two things for sure: taking drugs is okay with their authority figures, as long as you know what you’re taking, and they finally feel good again. In some cases, the kid feels like he has a messed up brain anyway, so why not smoke up, too?
What’s supposed to happen when children and teens are medicated and end up addicted to their pills or street drugs? Are they supposed to feel bad about it or suffer in silence? If you or someone you know has had to deal with doctor-imposed drug abuse or drug addiction, don’t feel that you have to rely on those same doctors to help.
It happens innocently enough; someone goes to the doctor with an ailment and the medication the doctor prescribes not only takes care of the ailment, but also produces an addiction. There are many people who are addicted to pain killers, anti-anxiety medications, and muscle relaxers, among others. Of course, it was not the doctor’s intent to have anyone become addicted.
Certain drugs affect the brain in a very pleasant way. These drugs can make one feel euphoric, they can decrease inhibitions and they can just make a body feel fantastic. Because of this, the need for the drug continues on after it is therapeutically necessary. Many addictions begin in this way. Most people do not seek help because of the fact that a doctor prescribed the medication to begin with. Regardless of how someone got the drug, if there is a drug addiction, it needs to be addressed.
Prescription drug addiction is no better or no worse than any other addiction. It needs to be handled just the same. If possible, when you first realize you may be addicted, contact your doctor. If you do not feel comfortable contacting your doctor, contact a rehab center. They are experienced in handling prescription drug addiction problems.
Women are three times more likely to be prescribed sedatives and two times more likely to become addicted. The elderly and teens are also more susceptible to prescription drug addiction. Seniors take more drugs than any other age group so they are very likely to form addictions. The sharpest increase in prescription drug use is within the 12 through 17 age group.
Prescription drugs should be taken only for the ailment for which it was prescribed. When the prescription is gone, one should not seek a refill unless the condition has not improved. In that case, see the doctor again. It is very easy to become addicted to prescription drugs and it can happen to anyone. No one is immune. Prescription drug addiction affects rich and poor, young and old. Always use prescription drugs with caution and contact your doctor if you feel any indication at all that you may be becoming addicted. It is almost impossible to tell how many people are actually addicted to prescription medications because there are so many who will not admit to it. It is very common, however. Chances are at least one person you know is addicted to prescription medication.
The Meth problem has become so severe that it is often referred to not as a meth addiction, but a meth obsession. Crystal Meth immediately releases dopamine, which induces the cravings. This drug is one of the most often used drugs globally. Whether in powder or rock form, Crystal Meth has immediate euphoric effects and also increases energy. Along with the fact that Meth is fairly easy to make and acquire, many people have made it their drug of choice.
You can snort, inject, mix in with drinks, or smoke Crystal Meth, but regardless of how you get it into your system, the affects are instantaneous. There is a loss of inhibitions, an incredible feeling of euphoria, and amazing increased energy. The combined affect of the drug has no doubt contributed to its popularity. There also are some telltale signs that generally identify Meth users after time. One of these is scabs and sores on the face. This is caused by the sensation of something on their face (referred to as meth lice), which makes the addict pick and scratch at it. Eventually this leads to many sores and scabs on the faces. Also, because Meth dries out the skin, users can have a shallow look about them. A dropped jaw is also another side effect of using meth. Unfortunately, sustained Meth use also can lead to child neglect and crime.
The effects of Meth are long lasting (up to 24 hours), which also makes it appealing to many users. Heroin and other drugs tend to only last for a couple of hours, depending on the dosage, can last longer. The problem is, Meth never, ever leads to good things. There are many tragic stories, but never good stories concerning Crystal Meth. Meth drug addiction has reached pandemic stages and it is a global concern. It does not matter how the abuser chooses to get the meth into their system it will lead to trouble. If you suspect a loved one has been using Meth, seek help immediately. If you are addicted to Meth, get help now. Things will go from bad to worse. There are no happy endings with Crystal Meth, only tragedies. End the suffering now by getting into a good drug rehab and getting help. It is possible to beat Crystal Meth and there is a happy life ahead for those who do. Avoid becoming another Crystal Meth statistic and instead become a success story.
