Tag Archives: narconon meetings

Addicts In Recovery May Be At Risk For Another Addiction

Posted on by
Reply

Many recent studies show that once someone has an addiction they are more likely to become addicted to something else. Whether it be another substance or another form of addiction all together such as gambling, porn or sex. Many of these addictions go hand in hand, heroin addicts may turn to alcohol after treatment for heroin addiction, with the feeling of that since alcohol is legal they have improved upon their addiction or food addicts may turn to alcohol while alcoholics may turn to prescription medication or gambling.

Bariatric Surgery And Addiction

One interesting study has been done that shows a link between bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery where the stomach is reduced or banded) patients and alcoholism.

Considering the fact that most patients that have bariatric surgery are addicted to food they then try to replace that addiction, sometimes unaware that they have even replaced their addiction. After bariatric surgery alcohol spends less time in the patient’s stomach and is absorbed into the bloodstream much faster that of someone who has not had the surgery. Bariatric surgeries patients are also advised not to drink liquids when they eat so many patients consume alcohol on an empty stomach so the alcohol hits them faster. It also takes these patients longer to get back to a sober state. Now whether these people had preexisting addictions to alcohol is unknown.

Opioid Addiction Relapse

One of the most deadly addictions is opioid addiction many addicts who are treated for addiction to opioids relapse. Opioid addiction has one of the highest relapse rates of any drug 95%. One of the most dangerous drugs many alcoholics turn to after they are sober and have completed treatment for alcohol addiction is opioid addiction.

This often happens innocently; someone goes in for surgery years after being sober and is prescribed a pain medication. They then get that feeling of numbness or excitement that they used to get from alcohol abuse and they are addicted. While many people who take pain medication after a surgery do not enjoy the feeling of their heart racing or making them feel nauseous, many people that are prone to addiction associate these feelings with the escape they used to feel.

Many Addicts Turning To Other Addictions That Don’t Involve Drugs

Many addicts turn to gambling to get the high that they used to get from abusing drugs or alcohol while many gambling addicts also have another substance abuse addiction. Some addicts turn to internet porn or an even more dangerous sex addiction. There are definite consequences to these addictions that effect, not only the addict but the addicts family and friends as well.

They key may be in finding a rehabilitation program that looks at you as a whole, that takes care of all aspects of your life, one that has a very high success rate, and can handle any type of addiction problem. Never be afraid to seek treatment for an addiction that has come about after a previous addiction.

This can happen through Narconon meetings or residential treatment offered by the facility that achieves a 76% success rate for permanent recovery from drugs and alcohol. If the addiction is not with substances but things like gambling, food or sex, it is important to see professional help. The most effective kind of help for these problems is usually long term and involved nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on Narconon meetings or to get someone help now contact us today.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2012/09/recovering_from_one_addiction.html

PTSD Drug Abuse Connected Through Study

Posted on by
Reply

The effects of drugs can last longer than just a few days or even a month after a person uses them. Drugs can leave permanent damage to the individual and alter the primary response and thought system of the body. Because they are toxic substances or poisons they damage the organs of the body.

But, drugs also cause users to have symptoms related to what many diagnose as mental illness.

A recent study has just found a connection between the abuse of drugs or Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. The study reported that 27% of women and 34% of men who had PTSD also had struggled with a drug problem.

Symptoms of PTSD

An anxiety disorder characterized as the inability of the body to respond to stress after a traumatic incident, Post-traumatic stress disorder has affected millions across the country.

Some of the incidents that have brought on the problem of dealing with stress are as follows:

•    Violent incidents such as those witnessed by military personnel in Iraq.
•    Rape
•    Death of a loved one.
•    Divorce
•    Violent crimes such as assault or domestic abuse.
•    Child abuse.
•    A car accident.
•    Any major bodily injury or accident.

Those with any history of addiction have a greater possibility of developing PTSD after experiencing a traumatic incident such as any of the ones listed above.

Those experiencing PTSD usually have symptoms where they experience flashbacks of the incident; they have nightmares, or re-experience the event after it is over. There are also those who act the opposite and completely forget the event or block it out, some even pretend like the event did not happen.

The person may have factors in the environment that constantly remind him or her of the incident. They may show a lack of interest regarding life in general or feel anxiety, anger or sadness over what happened. There are also those who fear things after something traumatic has happened or become startled easily. There are also those who cannot focus or thing about anything other than the event causing a feeling of stress about living in general.

When a loss occurs or a major negative event an individual will often display emotions like apathy, grief, anger and fear. In most cases with enough time and positive changes in the environment they can overcome this. With those with a history of addiction and the connection between this and PTSD it can be difficult because in addition to the incident and symptoms related the body is often now equipped to deal with stress because of past or current drug use.

How Drugs & PTSD Are Related

When a person uses drugs they stay trapped in the body for several years, stored in the fatty tissue. When the body is dealing with stress and especially when there is stress occurring because of strain or upset over a past major incident the body goes to the stored fat for extra energy. Unfortunately because the drug residues lie in this stored fat they are re-released into the blood stream and the brain throwing off the normal function of the body.

The person could re-experience symptoms of feeling high on the drug, start to crave the drug or be unable to respond to day to day living. As a result they can display PTSD symptoms regularly because the stored drugs are still in the body causing negative effects.

Narconon Meetings Help Those With Addiction Related PTSD Symptoms

There is a way to handle the body and get the residues out that were left by drugs. Narconon meetings, or inpatient treatment has a sauna detoxification program that removes stored residues enabling ex-drug users to think more clearly and not be negatively affected by past drug use.

The program does not use NA but utilizes the sauna as well as life skills therapy for the mental issues attached to addiction.

For more information on Narconon meetings call 888-292-4999.

Alcohol Addiction Study Says Alcohol Not Safe For Pregnant Women

Posted on by
Reply

Even with successful long term treatment through Narconon meetings, no pregnant woman should be engaging in alcohol use, according to a new study. The study indicates that any use of the substance during pregnancy can cause damage to an unborn child such as fetal alcohol syndrome and many other problems that can last an entire lifetime.

Narconon Meetings & The Centers Take On The Problem

Narconon is a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility that has been in operation since the 1960’s. The inpatient program has a special method of handling alcohol addiction that has been considered a real solution for any type of alcohol problem.

According to the Narconon International web-site seven out of ten alcoholics end up permanently sober after completion of the treatment program. This without the use of drugs, or heavy therapy and involves the person taking responsibility for and controlling themselves and others to live a life free from alcohol use.

Alcohol addiction affects 17 million people in the United States according to the United States Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health. Stopping the use of alcohol without some type of treatment is nearly impossible.

Narconon meeting, which consists of their residential treatment program recommends that no pregnant woman should engage in alcohol use and if addicted should seek help through their inpatient treatment or NA.

Additional Information On Alcohol Abuse

Additional information on the National Institute on Health reports that alcohol addiction is a process that follows several phases. The Narconon rehab program has a similar philosophy which includes additional steps that every addict will go through.

1.    Alcohol use will start as something done to solve an issues one one’s life. This is usually a basic intention someone has to do something, the barrier that gets in the way and the use of alcohol to make it easier to deal with that barrier.
2.    The person begins to crave alcohol and have a strong urge to drink.
3.    At this point alcohol starts to become the central area of attention in the person’s life. They will start to alienate those around them or become incapable of handling responsibilities because of their alcohol use.
4.    Now they will start to drink more and more. They will have an alcohol tolerance and have to drink more to feel the same that they did previously drinking lesser and lesser amounts.
5.    The individual will become physically dependent on alcohol. They will experience withdrawal effects when they try to stop drinking.
6.    Now the alcohol addiction is out of control and the person must get help to stop drinking.

The longer this goes on the harder it is to stop alcohol use. The person may come up with a wide variety of reasons why it is okay for them to continue to drink even if their life is falling apart around them.

One of the most difficult problems with alcohol addiction is determining when someone needs help. The following are questions to determine if someone is struggling with an alcohol addiction problem:

•    Does the person give up basic responsibilities in order to be able to drink alcohol?
•    As alcohol negatively affected this individual’s life in any way?
•    Does the person continue to drink despite the negative effects alcohol has on him?
•    Is the drinking excessive or does the person drink more and more to achieve the same effect?
•    Do you find the person sick from drinking; either from drinking too much or from alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
•    Is alcohol the central part of the person’s life?
•    Has the individual had any financial or legal troubles that are the direct result of drinking too much?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions than it is possible that you or a loved one have an alcohol addiction.

Getting Help Now

Through Narconon meetings, and inpatient treatment a real solution for alcohol addiction. Success with the program happens with a vast majority of graduates who go on to live stable, productive and alcohol-free lives.

Narconon handles addiction on several levels doing the following:

•    A sauna detoxification program to help remove alcohol residues from the body and drastically reduce physical alcohol cravings.
•    A series of life skills courses to handle deep-seated emotional issues related to the reasons that the addiction began in the first place.

For more information on alcohol addiction help through Narconon meetings call 888-292-4999.

Teenage Drug Abuse

Posted on by
Reply

Teenage drug abuse has been a major problem for many years. Many teens are exposed to drugs before the age of 13 and many in their teen years have tried several different types of both illicit and prescription drugs.

The latest Monitoring the Future Survey found that drug use has continued to increase amongst teens and it is starting at an even younger age. In addition to this the main culprits affecting teens include marijuana, prescription drugs and newly abused drugs called synthetics.

Marijuana Abuse Among Teens

According to a new release from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, abuse rates continue to climb for marijuana use amongst teens. More than 36% of seniors in high school have reported using the drug during a one year period. In addition to this, only 22% of 12th graders saw great risk in using the drug occasionally. There are also reports that teens are exhibiting the same attitude in regards to the use of synthetic marijuana, called K2 or Spice.

The long term effects of weed and its dangers have recently been outlined in a publication entitled “What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana” that was released by The Office of the National Drug Control Policy. The publication notes that among the long term effects of weed are the number of 12-17 year olds seeking treatment for the drug. The number of marijuana admissions amongst 12-17 year olds tops out at 62% of all rehab admissions for that age group. In addition to this the drug causes many health consequences to users including risk of cancer from the carcinogenic smoke from the drug, lung infection, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Marijuana was responsible for nearly 110,000 emergency room visits and the percentage of the visits has gone up 176% since 1994 alone.

Drug rehab programs like arrowhead Narconon as well as NA have not only seen a continuous stream of individuals seeking help for illicit and prescription drugs but marijuana.

The continuous high rates of marijuana use amongst teens are causing long term negative effects to teens across the country.

Prescription Abuse

Prescription drugs are also a major area of concern for teenage drug abuse. Teens are abusing three main types of prescription drugs. These include Central Nervous System depressants, opioid drugs and stimulants. The most commonly abused opioid drugs include codeine, methadone, Percocet, Oxy Contin, hydrocodone and oxycodone.

The most commonly abused central nervous system depressants are Valium, Xanax and sleep medications. Stimulants, the third category of most abused drugs include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder drugs like Adderall and Ritalin.
Nearly 8% of teens are abusing prescriptions and they are the most commonly abused drugs by seniors in high school.

Synthetic Abuse

Teens are also abusing synthetic drugs including synthetic marijuana known as K2 or Spice and synthetic methamphetamine or Bath Salts.
Increases in ER visits have occurred because of side effects from the drug and drug enforcement groups have been forced to take action to get them off the streets.

Narconon Meetings Handle Teen Drug Abuse

Narconon drug prevention meetings along with school and church prevention programs can stop drug abuse before it starts. There are also solutions through Narconon drug treatment and NA for those already addicted.

Narconon meetings, called drug education presentations are delivered to schools, communities and churches across the country to educate teens on the dangers of drugs and minimize abuse rates with this group of people.

The outcome is that teens are less likely to use prescriptions or illicit drugs. For more information on scheduling  Narconon meetings or to find help for a teen suffering with a drug abuse problem call Narconon at 888-292-4999.

Why Binge Drinking Occurs

Posted on by
Reply

A common problem not just with college aged kids, binge drinking accounts for many alcohol related problems, accidents and domestic incidents. Over 75% of heavy alcohol users reported that they engaged in binge drinking according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 70% of those were over 26 years of age.
Binge drinking is something that affects much more of the population that originally thought. More than 38 million individuals over 18 binge drink a minimum of 4 times every month. In addition to this many are drinking more than the definition for binge drinking allows at 8 drinks per incident. The national average is set at 5 drinks for a male and 4 for a female.

With addiction related issues, accidents and other problems related to binge drinking the cost to society is over $200 billion. A problem that was pinned on sororities and fraternities is actually a national epidemic when really looked at.

Problems Related To Binge Drinking & Excessive Alcohol Use

Binge drinking can not only cause problems for the drinker but those around him or her. Drinking excessive alcohol can cause alcoholism; a problem that wreaks havoc on an individual and anyone connected to them. Alcoholism affects 17 million United States citizens and is characterized by craving for alcohol that usually come after several incidence of binge drinking. There is also a tolerance where a person has to drink more and more for the same effect. In addition to this when someone stops drinking they will experience alcohol withdrawal when they will get physical symptoms that turn on several hours after drinking alcohol. With this comes a continuous and excessive need to drink despite the problems it is causing a person.

Another problem related to binge drinking are criminal acts committed by those under the influence. Many will do things they could never imagine doing when they are intoxicated. Many sexual assaults happen in this state, domestic disputes, fighting in the household, abuse issues and even public assault.

Health problems can also occur because of binge drinking. Pregnant women should never consume alcohol because of the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. In addition to this, those consuming large amounts of alcohol regularly are doing damage to their organs and could easily wind up with kidney problems, cardiovascular issues, seizures, liver problems, alcohol related injuries and accidents and even sexual problems and sexually transmitted diseases.

Problems related to binge drinking per person cost about $700.00.

Why Binge Drinking Occurs

It may be the alleviation of stress, boredom or to deal with a major loss but binge drinking occurs because the person feels that the alcohol use is a solution for some type of problem they are facing. They initially make the decision to drink and do this again and again until the alcohol begins to take over. In the end the drinking is really what becomes the problem and life begins to turn in on the alcohol user as a result.

Narconon Meetings Mean Treatment For Addicts

Narconon meetings or Narconon residential treatment done in both group and individual settings help binge drinkers to really assess all the reasons why they have started to use alcohol excessively in the first place. Not using meeting like NA or Narcotics Anonymous, Narconon focuses on life skills and individual therapy that involves taking responsibility for the problem.

The program also uses a sauna detoxification method to get alcohol residues out of the body and reduce physical alcohol cravings for relapse prevention.

The Narconon meetings alcohol rehabilitation method achieves a 76% success rate. For more information call 888-292-4999.

Teen Drug Use Rises Teen Alcohol Use Declining

Posted on by
Reply

As teen drug use rises, teen alcohol use declines. That is the latest report by the Monitoring the Future Study just released. Alcohol use is the lowest amongst teens that it has been in 4 years. Tobacco use amongst teens is also declining. However there is a dangerous trend emerging with some teen drug statistics that is getting national attention.

Prescriptions

While teen alcohol use continues to go down there is a new problem with drug use amongst teens. That problem is prescription drug abuse. National statistics report that 1 in 12 seniors in high school are using these drugs for non-medical reasons. The most abused prescriptions by teens are opioids or painkiller drugs followed by depressant ants or benzodiazepines and then stimulant prescriptions.

With 70% of teens getting their drugs from a friend or relative, many don’t feel that these drugs are dangerous or addictive. Some of the main reasons for this include:

•    Their availability.
•    The fact that doctors prescribe them.
•    The number of people that currently have valid prescriptions for them.
•    The promotion of the drugs to handle mental or physical problems.
•    The number of people that use them.

The availability of prescription is one of the number one reasons for the abuse problems as prescriptions for painkillers alone jumped from 75 million to over 200. In addition to this, prescriptions for stimulants also increased dramatically going from 5 to 45 million.
The most commonly abused painkillers among teens are:

1.    Oxy Contin
2.    Oxycodone
3.    Vicoden

The most commonly abused depressants amongst teens are:

1.    Sleeping Pills
2.    Xanax
3.    Valium

The most commonly abused stimulants amongst teens are:

1.    Ritalin
2.    Adderall

Synthetics

In addition to prescriptions, synthetics are another problem affecting teens. Over the last few years drugs have come on the market that mimic the effects of illicit substances that have proven to be just as dangerous. The primary synthetic drugs abused by teens are:
Spice or K2 – A mix of herbs, sprayed with various chemicals, Spice or K2 are the primary names for synthetic marijuana. The drug is smoked and produces a variety of effects on users. It has been responsible for several deaths and ER visits amongst teens and can produce psychotic breaks in teens as well as permanent lung damage and even death. The drug is unpredictable and the chemicals in it, toxic.

Bath Salts – Created to duplicate the effects of methamphetamine, bath salts are another category of synthetic drugs which are getting attention from teens. With the active ingredient mephedrone, bath salts were initially manufactured in China and are sold for between $25.00 and $50.00 per packet. The possession and use of these drugs has been banned and bath salts have been labeled Schedule III substances.

Marijuana Use By Teens

Another area of increase use by teens is the use of marijuana. Over the last 4 years the numbers of teens what have been using the drug have gone up and it remains the drug responsible for the largest number of drug rehab admissions in the country.
Statistics report that 60% of teen drug use is the use of marijuana and right now there are averages of 14 million marijuana users.

Teen Drug Abuse Help

The teen drug use rises, alcohol use declines is a serious matter that deserves attention. Teens can attend NA meetings or find treatment through Narconon drug rehabilitation program. Though the organization does not do Narconon meetings they do treat addiction on two levels and achieve a 76% success rate for permanent recovery.
For more information call Narconon Vista Bay at 888-292-4999.

College Alcohol Hazing

Posted on by
1

One of the biggest problems on college campuses is college alcohol hazing. Many fraternities and sororities have implemented this method as a means to test recruits into the group forcing the applicants to use abuse alcohol.

College alcohol hazing can be done in an indirect way, using hidden comments and communication to cause recruits to drink. This can also be in the form of other frat brothers and sorority sisters binge drinking and setting an example in which recruits feel that they have to follow to fit in.

The other way that this hazing can take place is through direct means. This is when sororities and fraternities demand that applicants drink or use drugs to pass “tests” set up to be allowed in the groups.

Problems With Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol is abused by over 50% of the United States population; many of which are college aged students. In addition to this over 23% of the population has participated in binge drinking. With more than 1,800 college students dying from injuries and issues related to alcohol use and 600,000 injuries, the misuse is a major problem across college campuses.

In addition to these negative consequences there are also many alcohol related crimes committed against college students. These include more than 700,00 college students who are victims of assault and another 97,000 who have been victims of sexual abuse.

Sexually transmitted diseases are another consequence of alcohol misuse on campuses. Those binge drinking or participating in hazing are putting themselves at risk for these problems every time they take part in the behavior. Right now statistics report that because on alcohol related unprotected sex 400,000 college students are negatively affected.

The other problem with college alcohol hazing is the potential for addiction. There are currently 17 million people addicted to alcohol in the United States. Many college students will start out using alcohol during hazing in their first weeks of college, continuing to drink and end up addicted to the substance and finish their education.

Alcohol Misuse Symptoms

When a college student misuses alcohol the symptoms are very clear. They include:

•    Binge drinking or drinking more than 5 drinking in one sitting for a man and more than 4 drinks in one siting for a woman.

•    Craving alcohol or feeling the need to drink frequently. This includes drinking at inappropriate times like in the morning or before classes etc.

•    Instability to stop drinking once one has started. Or the inability to go a day without drinking alcohol.

•    Building a tolerance where one has to drink more and more to get an effect from alcohol.

•    Developing withdrawal symptoms when one stops drinking. Some include shaking, vomiting and nausea, headaches, severe depression and body aches.

•    Problems related to the alcohol use including inability to handle general responsibilities, relationship problems or sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol related health issues, or grades dropping because of alcohol use.

How to Stop College Alcohol Hazing

There are several ways that college alcohol hazing can be stopped. Colleges across the country can take a stand against this action, setting up pledge guidelines as well as punishment for those participating in college alcohol hazing.

Education can be provided for college students on the misuse or alcohol, hazing and drug use across campuses. In addition to this rehabilitation resources should be available to students whether it’s through Narconon meetings or inpatient help through Narconon Georgia or Vista Bay.

With preventative and rehabilitative measures in place, college alcohol hazing can be prevented and stopped if it has already started. For those college students in need of help for alcohol abuse, rehabilitation options are available.

For more information call 888-292-4999.