California Drug Abuse

Common Drugs abused in California

ALCOHOL

Alcohol often is the most dangerous drug to withdraw from. Clients often require a Medical Detox to assist with withdraw syptoms and prevent life threatning seizures. Most alcoholics in recovery will be faced with social situations that involve drinking. Therefore the client will need real relpase prevention skills to handle these situations as they arise. Chronic use of alcohol is known to cause :

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Alcoholic liver disease
  • Alcoholic hepatitis
  • Alcohol and cancer
  • Alcohol and weight
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
  • Alcoholism
  • Blackout (alcohol-related amnesia)
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

After excessive drinking, unconsciousness can occur and extreme levels of consumption can lead to alcohol poisoning and death (a concentration in the blood stream of 0.40% will kill half of those affected). Death can also occur through asphyxiation by vomit. An appropriate first aid response to an unconscious, drunken person is to place them in the recovery position.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, with a range of side effects. The amount and circumstances of consumption play a large part in determining the extent of intoxication; for example, consuming alcohol after a heavy meal causes alcohol to absorb more slowly. Hydration also plays a role, especially in determining the extent of hangovers. The concentration of alcohol in blood is usually measured in terms of the blood alcohol content. Initially, alcohol generally produces feelings of relaxation and cheerfulness, but further consumption can lead to blurred vision and coordination problems. Cell membranes are highly permeable to alcohol, so once alcohol is in the bloodstream it can diffuse into nearly every biological tissue of the body.

High levels of alcohol consumption are correlated with an increased risk of developing alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from sustained alcohol consumption. Long-term use of alcohol in excessive quantities is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Most people take medicines only for the reasons their doctors prescribe them. But an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse. It is a serious and growing problem.

Abusing some prescription drugs can lead to addiction. You can develop an addiction to:

  • Narcotic Painkillers (opiates)
  • Sedatives and tranquilizers
  • Stimulants

Experts don’t know exactly why this type of drug abuse is increasing. The availability of drugs is probably one reason. Doctors are prescribing more drugs for more health problems than ever before. Online pharmacies make it easy to get prescription drugs without a prescription, even for youngsters.

NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse

OPIATES

Opiate addiction is more and more prevalant with our youth today.Opiate addicts between the age of 17-30 make up 70% of California treatment center  admissions.Oxycontin is a powerful synthetic opiate that can be bought in almost any High School for about $30 a tablet. Soon the body needs more and more to sustain the same high (Tolerance) and creates Flu like symptoms and cravings when one does not have the drug.Many people soon discover that Heroin can be purchased for as little as $10 a bag and it produces the exact same effects. Of course it is much easier to overdose on heroin as there is no way for average addict to know how pure it is. Often a dose that simply takes away withdrawal symptoms one day will often kill the user the next. Overdose of a opiate will depress the respiratory system to the point that it just shuts down.

Opioid dependency is a medical diagnosis characterized by an individual’s inability to stop using opioids even when objectively it is in his or her best interest to do so.  “Dependence” is “A cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive phenomena of variable intensity, in which the use of a psychoactive drug (or drugs) takes on a high priority. The necessary descriptive characteristics are preoccupation with a desire to obtain and take the drug and persistent drug-seeking behaviour. Determinants and problematic consequences of drug dependence may be biological, psychological or social, and usually interact”.

The core concept of the definition of “drug dependence” requires the presence of a strong desire or a sense of compulsion to take the drug; and the DSM-IV-TR clinical guidelines for a definite diagnosis of “dependence” require that three or more of the following six characteristic features be experienced or exhibited:

1. A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the drug;

2. Difficulties in controlling drug-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use;

3. A physiological withdrawal state when drug use is stopped or reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;

4. Evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of the drug are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses;

5. Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of drug use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the drug or to recover from its effects;

6. Persisting with drug use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as harm to the liver, depressive mood states or impairment of cognitive functioning.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal

Symptoms of withdrawal from opiates include, but are not limited to, depression, leg cramps, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, and cravings for the drug itself.

Additional withdrawal symptoms include, but are not limited to, rhinitis (irritation and inflammation of the nose), lacrimation (tearing), severe fatigue, lack of motivation, moderate to severe and crushing depression, feelings of panic, sensations in the legs (and occasionally arms) causing kicking movements which disrupt sleep, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chills, gooseflesh, headaches, anorexia (lack of appetite), mild or moderate tremors, and other adrenergic symptoms, severe aches and pains in muscles and perceivably bones, and weight loss in severe withdrawal.


CRACK AND COCAINE

Both powder cocaine (snorting/IV ) or Crack/ Freebase (smoking) cocaine are still prevalent and in heavy use today.  Freebasing or smoking crack cocaine often produces instant addiction from the first hit. Almost immediately one will desire to do more and more of the drug, foregoing both food and sleep. A cocaine binge can often last days on end.

Withdraw is mild , sleep ,food and vitamin therapy will handle most cases . However cravings can last months or years if not addressed through therapy.

When large amounts of dopamine are released by cocaine consumption, it becomes easier for the brain to generate motivation for other activities. The activity also releases a large amount of adrenaline into the body, which tends to increase heart rate[and blood pressure, leading to long-term cardiovascular problems.  Many of these issues relate to the specific effects on the heart, lungs, and liver.

The short-term effects of cocaine include: constricted blood vessels; dilated pupils; and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Large amounts (several hundred milligrams or more) intensify the user’s high, but may also lead to bizarre, erratic, and violent behavior. Large amounts can induce tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches,and paranoia.In rare instances, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter.

The long term effects of Cocaine include:

  • A toxic reaction closely resembling amphetamine poisoning. Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.
  • An appreciable tolerance to cocaine’s high may develop, with many addicts reporting that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first experience. Some users will frequently increase their doses to intensify and prolong the euphoric effects. While tolerance to the high can occur, users might also become more sensitive (sensitization) to cocaine’s anesthetic and convulsant effects, without increasing the dose taken: this increased sensitivity may explain some deaths occurring after apparently low doses of cocaine.

Cocaine overdose can cause seizures, cardiac arrest and death.

CRYSTAL METH

Crystal Methamphetamine use is still popular both in Northern and Southern California. Made mostly in bathtubs from some of the most toxic chemicals known to man. Meth labs have to be disassembled by Hazmat crews in protective gear. These toxic chemicals can metabolize in the body and create cravings for years after use stops unless some type of flush therapy is employed.

Methamphetamine users and addicts may lose their teeth abnormally quickly, a condition known as “meth mouth”.Serious health and appearance problems can be caused by unsterilized needles, lack or ignoring of hygiene needs (more typical on chronic use), and obsessive skin-picking, which may lead to abscesses.Users may exhibit sexually compulsive behavior while under the influence of methamphetamine. This disregard for the potential dangers of unprotected sex or other reckless sexual behavior may contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Amphetamine overdose can cause irregular heart beats , cardiac arrest and death.

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