Category Archives: Narconon

Vista Bay Discusses Alcohol Addiction And How To Take Control Of The Situation

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Alcohol is often an unexpected addiction.  It starts out as a social pastime and seems to engulf you until you are drowning in the sole desire to drink.  No matter how deep the waters, you can always return to dry ground and find yourself again.  This article will help you find some ways to take control of the situation.

Coming To Grips With The Problem

One of the hardest thing for an addict to do is to admit that he has a problem.  No matter what brilliant excuses you come up with, the truth is, alcoholism ruins your life.  Step back and look at the signs.  Are you in control, or is alcohol controlling you?

Signs of alcohol addiction:

•    You need to drink more to get the same effect (a sign of tolerance).
•    You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking.  These include nausea, vomiting, sweating, shakiness and anxiety.
•    You cannot control how much you drink, nor can you stop drinking.
•    You spend a lot of time drinking and recovering.
•    You neglect other activities for drinking, especially hobbies and activities you used to be interested in.
•    You drink even when it ruins relationships or causes health problems, or when there are risks involved (such as when behind the wheel of a car).
•    You drink in the morning or drink alone.
•    You often feel guilty about your drinking habits, or you feel the need to hide how much you are drinking.

Make A Decision

Recovering from alcohol addiction is not easy.  Not everyone makes it.  It is going to take a rock-solid decision from you in order to make it through.

Consider the pros and cons of drinking.  While it may make you feel good, help you relax, enable you to sleep, ease social situations, and help you forget your problems, what is it doing to help you move toward your goals?  Is it helping or ruining relationships with friends and family?  In the long run, does it truly make you feel good about yourself?

Once you have made a firm decision to stop drinking, the road will be less bumpy and the trip far shorter.

Don’t Be Afraid To Get Help

Depending on the severity of your drinking problem, it is likely that you will need help to make it through–be it from an understanding friend, family member, or treatment center.  Do not be ashamed to admit that you have a problem.  Having a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on can make the road to sobriety substantially smoother.

Alcohol withdrawal can be mild or severe and can include some of the following symptoms:

•    Headache
•    Shaking
•    Sweating
•    Anxiety
•    Stomach cramps
•    Diarrhea
•    Trouble sleeping
•    Nausea
•    Vomiting
•    Elevated heart rate
•    High blood pressure

Nutrition plays a big part in withdrawal pains.  As alcohol burns vitamins and minerals, supplements can assist treatment.  For example, B vitamins and Calcium and Magnesium can remedy sleep problems.

If you know someone with an alcohol problem contact Vista Bay now.

Source: http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Taking-control-alcohol-addiction/2Pk9UFLQIUmghGDc14pOLQ.cspx

Vista Bay Says Use Of Substances During Pregnancy Can Do Permanent Damage

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Pregnancy is a time of joy and excitement, but with it comes responsibility.  Taking care of yourself takes on new meaning as you nurture the tiny body inside you.  Every substance that you consume, be it food, drugs, alcohol or chemicals, enter your baby’s bloodstream through the umbilical cord.  Even smoking can pass nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals on to your unborn child.  It is essential to your child’s future wellbeing that you eat well, stay healthy and avoid ingesting anything that might be harmful.  If you have a problem with substance abuse, get help immediately.

This article will enlighten you on some of the effects various drugs can have on your unborn baby.

Marijuana Use During Pregnancy

Legal or not, marijuana is a drug.  Smoked by a pregnant woman, it remains in a baby’s fat cells for seven to thirty days.  It can decrease the amount of oxygen and nutrients the baby receives, which may affect growth.  Marijuana can cause miscarriage and is linked to premature births, small birth size, difficult or long labor and an increase in newborn jitteriness.  It can have long-term effects on children, leading to attention or learning difficulties.

Marijuana is never safe at any stage of pregnancy.

Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

Alcohol can raise the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).  FAS causes low birth weight, heart defects, facial defects and learning problems.  It can produce mental retardation.

If you have a problem with alcohol addiction, get help as soon as you find out you are pregnant or if you are planning a pregnancy.  There are no known “safe” levels of alcohol during pregnancy.  Even one drink a day has been shown to have negative effects on the growing fetus.

Street Drugs During Pregnancy

One of most heart-wrenching effects of street drug use during pregnancy is that the newborn baby will arrive addicted to the same drugs his mother was using.  Shortly after birth, the infant will be wracked by withdrawal symptoms including all-body pains, fever, chills, vomiting, refusal to eat, and blood-curdling screams.  They are usually unable to be consoled by hospital staff or their mothers.  While most hospitals are now equipped to treat such newborns as the problem becomes more and more common, such a condition often leads to seizures and death.

Cocaine is one of the most harmful substances to the unborn baby.  It can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, bleeding, fetal death and fetal strokes, which can lead to brain damage and death.

Speed (amphetamines) are also extremely harmful to the unborn baby.  Fetuses generally have decreased weight, length and head size, and can experience strokes or bleeding in their brains.

Prescription drugs also affect the unborn baby, especially when they are abused.  Opioids like Oxycontin and Vicodin act like heroin; ADHD medication like Adderall and Ritalin are essentially amphetamines.  Be sure to consult with your doctor and do your research before consuming such substances if you are pregnant.

The truth is that the healthiest thing a woman can do for herself and her baby is to stay away from drugs. It will allow for a safer birth and healthier child.

If you know someone who does need help get them into a treatment center now. Don’t wait.

Source: http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20130306/SHE04/303060307/Substance-use-during-pregnancy

Stimulant Drug Use Growing Concern

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Many kids in school are now getting addicted to a new kind of drug. A drug that you can get a prescription for. Adderall is a drug that most physicians are monitoring carefully now because of its known addictive properties and because of the fact that many kids in school have gotten the idea that it is safe to abuse.

Prescription drugs like those for ADHD and other such things are made of such powerful and addictive drugs that many people who decide to take them find themselves unable to stop. At first they think they will use it to get ahead in school. The drug makes you able to study longer because you don’t need sleep and can focus longer. But once you have taken it, it is usually difficult to stop. You’re body gets hooked and you will do anything and everything to get your next fix. This is where kids end up in trouble, because even if their doctor doesn’t refill that prescription they know of another kid in school taking it and will offer them money for a pill or two. Being able to continue their addiction, below the radar and without supervision can be very dangerous.

Addictive Solutions

Many teachers have noticed this trend in schools and are starting to keep an eye out for it as well. Kids who are addicted to these drugs will often perform better in their schoolwork in the beginning of the abuse but then they will start to have issues both personally and academically which will not only be noticeable in school but to their loved ones and those around them.

Physically these drugs can cause problems as well. Such things such as:

Increased heart rate
Problems with the nervous system and central organs
Mental problems including suicidal tendencies.

If you have a child who is prescribed any drug be sure to do your research and know what you are potentially signing up for before you allow them to take them. Many times people can use natural methods to handle things that a doctor will prescribe drugs for. Things like vitamins and fresh air have been known to go a very long way in terms of handling physical or mental problems. These solutions have been downgraded by modern medicine these days but are in actual fact very helpful and effective.

Rehabilitation For Stimulant Abuse

If you or someone you know has become addicted to one of these drugs it is important that you get help to get off of them. There are actual methods that have ben tested and proven to relieve the body of the addiction to drugs. Finding a rehabilitation facility that uses these methods can be very helpful in getting the body to release the stored drugs from the body and be able to live without addiction.

The body stores drugs in it’s fatty tissues making it very difficult to ever feel free of the effects of the drugs or to alleviate the feelings of addiction. In order to fully rehabilitate yourself from these drugs it is necessary to detoxify the body fully. This can be done and is being performed daily all over the world in approved rehabilitation facilities. With health programs including vitamins and minerals the body will start to rebuild itself and you can live a normal and healthy life again.

Before picking a facility do your research and make sure that you are using one with proven results that can not only help you handle your body but also offers workable solutions for the emotional side of getting off of drugs. This can be a difficult process and having effective help can be the best way to make it a smooth process.

For more information check out our forum that covers drug of abuse, frequently asked questions and addiction at www.forum.narconon.org.

Source: http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=62361

Fast Growing Prescription Drug Abuse Problem

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While they provide fast-acting relief to those in desperate need, prescription drugs are being abused at unprecedented levels.  In fact, prescription drug abuse has never been this bad–especially in the United States.  Americans are known the world over for their pill-popping mentality, and with good reason.  The U.S. has the fastest-growing prescription drug problem on the planet, and it’s still growing.

Most Common Prescription Drugs

The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids like hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Oxycontin).  These powerful painkillers derive from morphine and are cousins to heroin.  In fact, those who abuse prescription opioids say the high is comparable to that of heroin.  Many addicts who can’t afford prescription drugs eventually turn to heroin.

Other popular prescription drugs include psycho-stimulant medication such as Adderall or Ritalin (used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).  These are amphetamine-like drugs (stimulants).  They have mind-altering effects and can be difficult to withdraw from.

Prescription drugs have very high rates of addiction, and many users don’t know when they’ve crossed the line from recreational or medicinal use to abuse.

A Slice Of The Problem: Oklahoma

A look at Oklahoma shows the devastation left in the wake of the prescription drug epidemic.  Pharmaceutical abuse is the state’s fastest growing drug problem, with shocking statistics:

•    From 2007-2011, there were 3200 unintentional poisoning deaths in Oklahoma and 81 percent involved prescription drugs.
•    By 2010, Oklahoma had the fourth highest rate of unintentional poisoning deaths in the nation, with 17.9 deaths for every 100,000.
•    The most common reason for overdose deaths since the late 1990’s has been prescription drugs.
•    Prescription painkillers like Oxycontin and other opioids are now the most common class of drugs involved in overdose deaths.
•    2011 left 417 dead from opioid overdose.
•    The most common prescription drugs involved in overdose are hydrocodone, oxycodone and alprazolam (Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication).
•    Approximately 75 percent of overdoses occur at home.

How To Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse And Poisoning

You can help cut down on prescription drug abuse by familiarizing yourself with the signs.  Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly and don’t take more than the recommended amount.  Get help immediately if you think you have developed a dependency to prescription drugs, especially opioids.

Never share or sell your medication; dispose of it through drug disposal sites at pharmacies or local law enforcement offices.  Keep all pharmaceuticals (including over-the-counter drugs like cough syrup) in a safe place, preferably locked.  Be sure to keep medicine in their original containers.

Protect your children by keeping your medication safely stored.  Do not take medicine in front of your children as they mimic adults, and do not call medicine “candy”.  Be aware of potential hazards with house guests leaving pill boxes or medication out where children can find them, and never leave a child alone with a drug, even in a closed container.  When taking your medication, do not leave the next dose on the counter where a child could reach it.

For more Vista Bay reviews of prescription drugs check out our blog or contact us now.

Source: http://www.miamiok.com/commentary/article_d36d69d8-9709-5aad-8d4f-8c5df0b92183.html

Heroin Use Increases In Suburbs

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Heroin is no longer just a big city drug.  The formerly-taboo Big H appears to be invading suburbs across America, and while officials are concerned, addiction experts are not surprised.  It’s right in alignment with the prescription drug epidemic.

It Started With Prescription Drugs

Heroin users are no longer just the haggard, homeless wraiths of the inner city–they wear Abercrombie and get their drivers’ licenses in nice cars.  In many cases, heroin addicts aren’t even noticeable until their bodies are found.

Experts say that most cases follow a similar curve.  It starts out as prescription drug abuse, becomes a full-blown addiction, and turns into a needle full of heroin.

Prescription painkillers like Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin are sweeping the nation, pulling people down like pawns in a deadly game.  Users pop a few pills for a good time, only to find themselves hooked before they know it.  But a prescription drug habit can be expensive and may draw suspicion, especially if dad’s health insurance is paying for it.

Heroin is an opioid just like prescription painkillers.  The high that teens crave from pills can be provided by heroin, which is cheaper and easy to get through school dealers or online.  Some teens even sell their pills to buy a longer-lasting dose of heroin.

A Look At The Problem In Michigan

Officials in Michigan are concerned about the number of Heroin overdoses that have surfaced in suburban communities recently.  Two overdoses in the same house have raised the loudest alarm.  The house was located in an upscale home in Ottawa County.

Experts say that the greatest influence seems to occur between the ages of 18 and 26.  It seems to be particularly popular around the cities of Grandville and Jenison.

Deadly Side Effects

A teen turning to heroin from prescription drug abuse is playing with fire.  Prescription drugs are issued in an exact dosage, so it is easy to see what you’re getting.  Heroin, on the other hand, comes in a powder that could have been cut several times–or not.  While you may think you’re dealing with the same animal, you’re not.  A purer batch may be enough to kill you.

People are often shocked to find a loved one hooked on heroin, because of the stigma it has always carried.  Nowadays, however, it’s everywhere.  Don’t rule out heroin use if you notice unusual symptoms in a friend or family member.

Signs of heroin use include:

•    Abnormal sweating
•    Behavior changes
•    Dry mouth
•    Flushed skin
•    Heavy arms and legs
•    Extreme itchiness throughout the entire body
•    The head may slump forward as weight of the skull seems to be too much for the neck to handle (this is known as the heroin nod)
•    Drowsiness
•    Confusion
•    Muddled thinking
•    Nausea and vomiting
•    Decreased ability to feel pain
•    Depressed respiration
•    Constipation
•    Depression
•    Needle marks on arms and legs, or hidden areas such as between the toes
•    A gaunt, starving appearance
•    Collapsed veins
•    Infections at needle sites

The key with addiction is preventing it all together or catching it early enough. This is before an individual gateway’s from prescription drugs to heroin. Information from Vista Bay methamphetamine rehab as well as the prescription drug program indicates that the problem can be 100% resolved with treatment. Contact us today for more information or to enroll yourself or a loved one.

Source: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/experts-more-suburban-heroin-use

Study Suggests That Kids With ADHD At Increased Risk For Substance Abuse

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Kids suffer through many problems on a daily basis. Some of them suffer through school at such a rate that they get themselves labeled and prescribed drugs. These drugs in turn can lead them down a dark path of drug or alcohol abuse. Studies show that kids who are labeled and prescribed drugs are much more likely to turn to other drugs as a result. Many studies have shown that any drug use whether prescribed or not can be dangerous and many people would be wise to simply skip the drugs altogether and look towards a more natural and safe treatment plan.

Powerful Drugs

Prescription drugs like those for ADHD are made of such powerful and addictive drugs that many kids have said that after being prescribed them they felt it was difficult to live a normal life at all. After experiencing the addiction, they will usually tell you that they feel they wish their doctor had never prescribed them the drug at all and had just let them deal with their problems naturally. The benefits usually do not outweigh the risks involved. Very few people have the ability to handle the effects caused by these powerful drugs without winding up addicted and worse off then they started out.

Drugs that are prescribed for children are some of the most powerful drugs available. Using these drugs will often lead kids down a path of hard drug abuse and many problems and worst case scenarios.

Addictive Solutions

If taking something that is supposed to be helpful in fact end up ruining your life than how helpful is it actually?

Prescription drugs are one of those double edged swords. Thought to help people by altering their bodies make up they often backfire and cause side effects worse than the original problem. Once a person is hooked on these drugs they have no problem in using other drugs because in their minds they are already addicted. Many kids have reported being willing to try heroin or cocaine after using the prescription medication because they now feel that they are familiar enough with drugs to feel they know what they are all about.

Another alarming trend these days is that many people seek out these prescription drugs solely for the purpose of abusing them. Kids will sell their prescriptions at school to other kids and the results can be deadly. If you research what has happened as a result of this in recent times you will start to see that prescription drugs are as deadly as other drugs such as heroine.

If you or your child is prescribed prescription drugs you need to first do your research before agreeing to any dosage. There is much data out there which shows the drugs to be harmful and unnecessary.

Education Is The Best Form Of Prevention

Educating both yourself and your children can be the best form of prevention when it comes to both prescription and other drug abuse. Researching together can be an extremely helpful way to make sure that everyone in the family is on the same page and understands what drugs can do to the body and the mind and what a person can expect to experience as a result.

Many schools these days are starting to realize that the best form of prevention is knowledge and they are introducing programs that educate kids on what drugs really are and what effects they have on the body and the mind. Once you have this data it is so difficult to ignore that choosing to use drugs would be like signing your own death sentence. This in essence protects kids from ever having to know the pain of addiction and also works to salvage our community one person at a time.

To locate a Narconon facility in the US or for more information contact us now.

Source: https://login.medscape.com/login/sso/getlogin?urlCache=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRzY2FwZS5jb20vdmlld2FydGljbGUvNzc5NzU1&ac=401

Cheaper Prescription Drugs Could Be Easier To Access Through Apps

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The United States is notorious for its lavish prescription drug habits.  Americans pop pills as freely as doctors distribute them, and as a result, addiction is at epidemic proportions.  To add fuel to the fire, a new app may enable shoppers to find the best deal on prescription drugs–for, contrary to popular belief, drug prices are not standard.  In fact, far from it.  And while the new app gives hope to cancer patients and others in need of pain management, others worry about the impact on addiction.

Some Profits Bigger Than Others

When you fulfill a prescription, do you ever wonder how much of your money pays for profits?  Even when a drug is nearly two hundred dollars?  While some may sputter and cough, most Americans don’t bat an eyelash.  That is, after all, the price of medicine these days.  And when you’re in pain, you do whatever it takes.

The new app, GoodRx.com, reveals a startling fact about prescription drug prices: they’re inconsistent.  Sometimes over a hundred dollars inconsistent.  While one pharmacy may sell a drug for $15, the one down the street may sell the exact same drug for $140.

While this fact may be startling to many Americans, they do not necessarily want to take their time calling every pharmacy in their area to compare prices.  This is where GoodRx comes in.  All you have to do is type in the drug you are looking for and your area, and the app will come up with the best price and find you coupons, to boot.

GoodRx

The new app not only find you the best deal on prescription drugs, it will  give you the pharmacy’s contact information and give you directions on how to get there.  Coupons can be downloaded to your smartphone or printed from the GoodRx website.

Every twelve years, drug patents expire and pharmaceutical companies are forced to release generic medication to the public.  The next year and a half will mean the end of patents for Nexium, Celebrex and Symbicort.  GoodRx alerts members when a generic drug is put on the market.

Although the FDA monitors prescription drugs, it does not set price standards.  Therefore, drug costs depend upon the contract between pharmacies and suppliers.  This is where the discrepancy occurs, and why consumers sometimes pay an eighty percent price difference for the same medication.

Concerns

What does this mean for the prescription drug epidemic?  An estimated 48 million people, approximately 20 percent of the population, have abused medication at one point or another.  Addiction rates and emergency room visits are at an all-time high.  The baby boomer generation are hooked on Oxycontin while their grandchildren rely on Adderall to get through college.

Experts from Vista Bay rehab attribute much of the increase to accessibility, especially through the Internet.  Teens and adults alike can order drugs online and get their questions answered in online forums.  With the click of a button, a box of pills could show up at your front porch the next day.

Apps like GoodRx only make it more crucial that people understand the dangers involved in prescription drug abuse and learn safe consumption.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/03/05/apps-could-mean-cheaper-prescription-drugs-at-your-fingertips/

Third Leading Cause Of Illness In The World Is Alcohol

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Nearly half of the world abstains from alcohol use, yet it is now the third leading cause of illness in the world.  Next in line only to tobacco and high blood pressure, alcohol is responsible for 5.5 percent of disease across the globe.

A new study by Canada’s Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) released its findings in the journal Addiction.

Alcohol Consumption Across The Globe

Researchers at CAMH clarified the demographics involved:

•    Europeans and sub-Saharan Africans are the world’s heaviest alcohol consumers, on average.

•    North Americans have the most dangerous drinking patterns, with consumption more than fifty percent above world drinking averages.  Binge drinking is at its highest among Americans and Canadians.

•    North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia contained the least number of drinkers in the world.

Alcohol And Illness

Alcohol-related illnesses are varied and plenty, with many the direct result of alcohol abuse and others an unexpected side effect.  Common alcohol-related diseases include:

Cirrhosis of the liver, a condition in which liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, making it unable to function.  The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and is essentially a filtration system, dispensing of toxins and cleaning the blood.  Alcohol abuse is extremely taxing on the liver, and liver cirrhosis is a common result.  It is more frequently found in women than men.  It can result in immune dysfunction, which causes frequent infection.

Liver cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the world, and most patients live only a maximum of one year after diagnosis.  This is one form of cancer that is known to be entirely preventable by lifestyle changes.

Other chronic conditions that can be caused by alcohol include:

•    Breast cancer
•    Infertility
•    Decreased testicle and ovary size
•    High blood pressure
•    Trouble with blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding
•    Chronic infections as immunity is depressed
•    Malnourishment, as alcohol prevents proper absorption of nutrients
•    Inflammation of the stomach and ulcers
•    Memory loss
•    Insomnia
•    Gout
•    Pancreatitis
•    Gallstones
•    Dementia andAlzheimer’s Disease

Alcohol has been found to cause more than two hundred different diseases and injuries.

Recovery From Alcohol Addiction

Reviews for Vista Bay indicate that it is never too late to recover from alcohol addiction.  Even men and women in their sixties and seventies have sought help for a lifetime of alcohol addiction and have been able to regain their health and vigor.  There are a number of factors to look at when addressing alcohol addiction, in addition to its health impact.

The price of alcohol addiction is shocking, if you really do the math on it.  A number of sacrifices have likely been made to fund your habit.  In addition to monetary costs, the emotional and mental impact is something you can’t put a price tag on.  When considering alcohol recovery, examine the impact your addiction has had on relationships, your job, your family and your own self-esteem.  While you may feel confident and happy when you drink, the emotional roller coaster that accompanies alcohol addiction is just not worth it.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/alcohol-now-third-leading-cause-of-illness-worldwide

Abuse Of Synthetic Drugs Is On The Rise Again

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They hit the streets with a boom before legislation put them on the illicit drug list last summer.  Despite a slight dip, abuse of synthetic drugs is on the rise again as teens and young adults get shipments of synthetic marijuana and bath salts via the Internet.

Officials fear the next deadly aftermath.

Synthetic Drugs

When synthetic drugs like Spice (also known as K2) and bath salts came on the American market, it was not through the black market.  In fact, anyone could walk into a convenience store anywhere in the country and buy one of the brightly-colored packets.  Since officials had never seen anything like it, they didn’t know what to do with it.

Time soon revealed the dangerous consequences of synthetic drug use.  After a number of high-profile suicides and psychotic incidents, lawmakers set to work to ban the popular substances.  And last summer, they did.
The trouble is that synthetic drugs are made up of such a variety of substances, any amateur chemist can alter the formula to create something “new”.  This enables drug pushers to continue to promote their products as a safe, legal high.

Strange Cases

Officials can testify on the volatile nature of these potent drugs.  Users often act manic and require physical restraint to stop their dangerous, violent behavior.  Unconsciousness, coma and death are common.

Other well-known manifestations of synthetic drugs include:

Hallucinations.
Paranoia.
Acting invincible and unaware of any consequences of one’s actions.
Hyperthermia (extremely high temperature, often resulting in brain damage or death).
Suicide.
Homicide.
Other violent behavior.

Officials say that the new batch of synthetic drugs to hit the street is more dangerous than the last, but because it is different, shopkeepers are attempting to sell it and promote that it is legal.  These are what officials call “look-alike drugs”.  Lawmakers are busy with new bills that would outlaw such replacement drugs.

Why Synthetic Drugs?

If they are so dangerous, why are synthetic drugs increasing in popularity?

There are a number of reasons for this.  One is brilliant marketing.  Synthetic drugs are sold in brightly-colored packages that seem to cater to young adults.  Many products look like candy.  Kids can stuff them in their bags or leave them lying around the room and their parents don’t blink an eye.  Because they were only recently outlawed, users believe that they are safer than traditional drugs.  This false marketing is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of synthetic drugs.

Another reason for synthetic drug use is that it is undetectable in current drug tests.  Those who are screened regularly, such as those in the military, have a particular interest in synthetic drugs for this reason.

Unfortunately these reasons are not enough to save the countless lives that have been lost due to synthetic drug use, says Vista Bay reviews.  Officials fear more dangerous behavior as other; more potent batches hit the streets.

Source: http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/police-synthetic-drugs-a-problem-again

Molly Causing Addiction Experts To Worry

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Ecstasy is back and this time it’s harder than ever.  The new club drug “Molly” is powdered MDMA, and while it’s promoted as a purer and safer form of Ecstasy, most mixtures are nothing but unadulterated deception.

Therein lies its danger.  Though users are led to believe that what they’re snorting is just an easy high, Molly is usually a mix of other dangerous drugs like meth.  Kids pay a pretty price for an often fatal mistake.

What Is Molly?

Molly is a powder form of MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), the chemical name of Ecstasy.  It earned its name in electronic dance music (EDM) scenes across the country, as it is known to produce heightened awareness, pleasure and camaraderie.  It is fairly inexpensive, causes a very strong euphoria, and lasts several hours.

Molly is extremely unpredictable, especially because it comes in powder form.  It is easy for dealers to taint it with other, cheaper drugs like meth, which blend in and are unrecognizable.  Some users react differently than others–and for many, the reactions may be fatal.

Molly can cause a number of side effects, including:

•    Severe anxiety
•    Seizures
•    Suicidal thoughts or behavior
•    Depression
•    Lasting sensitivity to light
•    Excessive mood swings
•    Decreased mental capacity
•    Lack of motivation or drive (due to depleted serotonin levels)
•    Paranoia
•    Psychosis
•    Overdose

Celebrities Backing Club Drugs

With teens vastly influenced by celebrity behavior, it is unfortunate that a number of celebrities make references in their songs to Molly.  Artists who have voiced support for the drug include Trinidad James, Kanye West and Nicki Manaj.  Madonna was vehemently attacked for her obvious reference to the drug when she asked fans at a Miami concert, “How many people in this crowd have seen Molly?”

In addition to celebrity drug promotion, teens and young adults have to fight hard against peer pressure, especially if they are involved in the EDM scene.  For many, it is an unnecessary part of an otherwise enjoyable pastime.

A Grisly End

Unfortunately Molly has extremely high rates of overdose, especially since users don’t know what they’re getting into.  One particularly horrifying case of mass overdose occurred in 2000, when dealers sold a drug called PMA but told users it was MDMA.  PMA is a strong psychedelic that causes extremely dangerous hyperthermia.  This over-heating of the body often leads to death.  The case in 2000 led to an estimated twenty deaths worldwide.

Signs of overdose include:

•    Music rigidity
•    Convulsions and seizures
•    Overreactive reflexes
•    Hyperactivity
•    Palpitations
•    Disorganized thinking
•    Hallucinations/delusions
•    Mental impairment
•    Agitation or restlessness

A number of online companies sell testing kits so that users can test their drugs before consumption.  However, even if they do have pure MDMA, they still run the risk of overdose, according to Vista Bay methamphetamine rehab.

They will also experience a fast addiction as Molly depletes their bodies of nutrients and hormones it needs to feel happy.  They will soon be unable to get through the day without the drug.  And what kind of life is that?

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/02/27/mb-molly-mdma-drug-rebranding-concerns.html