Know About Various Risks of Using Painkiller Drugs

Painkiller drugs are generally prescribed by doctors to treat illnesses such as migraines, arthritis, back injuries, to aid in recovery from surgery etc. As with any type of drugs, painkillers carry various risks and can be dangerous if abused or misused. But many people perceive that painkiller drug abuse is 'safer' than other illicit drugs.

Unfortunately, many people are getting addicted to these harmful drugs. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), around 2.2 million people used pain relievers for the first time for non-medical purposes in 2008. Also non-medical use of pain reliever initiatives were three times more than Cocaine initiatives (0.7 million). This shows that millions of people ignorant of risks associated with painkiller drugs are getting addicted. Various risks associated with painkiller drugs are:

Addiction
One of the major risks of using painkillers is that they are highly addictive. Some users pleasure the sedative effects and numbing of pain by painkillers. Tolerance quickly develops using painkillers, making the user take higher doses to maintain the same intensity of the drugs. Painkiller withdrawal is also very unpleasant, making the user suffer from bone pain, intense anxiety, diarrhea, tremors, vomiting, sweating etc.

Heart problems
Painkillers, apart from causing a feeling of sedation, can also cause many cardiovascular complications. Many researches have already shown that painkillers can slow down the heartbeat rate, and even cause possible heart attack. Another possible side effect of abusing painkillers on heart is thrombosis or blood clot.

High blood pressure
Over The Counter doesn't mean that they are safe, they can raise the risk of high blood pressure. Many painkillers can push your blood pressure to higher levels. Painkiller drug abuse is even more dangerous for people suffering from blood pressure. Since high blood pressure has no physical symptoms, you may be getting yourself into risk without even realizing it.

Bleeding
Higher doses of painkiller drugs can increase the risk of bleeding or torn stomach lining by several times. Painkiller drug abuse can be related to many of the hospitalizations and deaths due to gastrointestinal bleeding. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently stated that over-the-counter painkillers are required to carry labels warning consumers of the potential risks of liver damage and internal bleeding associated with painkillers.

Hearing loss
Painkiller drug abuse is said to double the hearing problems when compared to non abusers. According to a study conducted by researchers from Harvard University, men who regularly abuse painkillers are two times more likely to suffer hearing problems than non-abusers. They have also found that younger men are at higher risk. Although they did not study women, they believe that painkiller abuse will have an effect on their hearing also.

Pregnant women
Like any other illicit drug, painkiller drug abuse can be very harmful to pregnant women by increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature labor and low weight babies. This abuse is said to cause respiratory dysfunction, and substantially increase the risk of pre- and postnatal complications. A study by researchers in California found that painkiller drug abuse increased the risk of miscarriage by 80% in pregnant women.

Drug Addiction: A Not So Good Combination

At present, resourcefulness is a trait which aids a person in living day to day. If environmental adaption is need to allow one to continue paddling, then the skill to reuse and recycle materials for other purposes can surely help. The trouble however is that resourcefulness is not just used in attempts to survive. Drug addiction to ketamine is one good example.

Ketamine refers to a drug that is mainly used for medical purposes. It is utilized as an anesthetic by veterinarians. Some individuals however began to believe that the drug should not only benefit animals. But since ketamine is consumed by some people for the mistaken rationale, that is definitely a bizarre and ill-advised idea.

Even though physical dependence is out of the question, ketamine still generates psychological addiction. A ketamine-induced high heightens the emotions of a user before the buzz comes. This leads to elation prior to drug injection which enables a user to trip on idyllic circumstances as the high sets in. In accordance, being sad or glum prior to ketamine ingestion will result in a miserable state that is so forceful it would be like a living hell or nightmare.

Nonetheless, in spite of your mood prior to ketamine use, the lasting effects of drug abuse remain bothersome, whether you see things positively or otherwise. A "cloudy condition" can result from ketamine addiction. The mind and body can be disconnected to a certain extent, which can lead to unproductive or alteration in functioning. Decision making could also be altered as thought processes are affected. Individuals may have a difficult time doing what must be done and resisting what is prohibited. Moreover, heart palpitations as well as respiratory depression can likewise occur. Furthermore, when ketamine is combined with other substances such alcohol, the mix can be lethal.

Ketamine is a substance which is constantly proving to be effective when used the proper way-and maybe a drug that is manufactured for such exclusive purpose. Using the drug as a cause for addiction wipes out the original intention for the substance. Like any other drug misuse, ketamine abuse will never result to nice consequences. If individuals continue to miss the purpose of a drug and indulge in drug misuse, complications are note unlikely to happen.

Addict, Alcoholic Or Substance Abuser?

For many people, the facts about addiction are not clear. What is addiction, exactly? How does it differ from alcohol abuse? When should a person seek help for a problem related to his or her drug use? Find out more about both addiction and alcohol abuse, the symptoms of each, when and where to seek help, treatment choices, and additional helpful resources.

For most people who drink or use drugs, it can be a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use, up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and seniors, is not harmful for most adults. Nonetheless, a large number of people get into serious trouble because of their drinking and/or using. Currently, nearly 14 million Americans; 1 in every 13 adults; abuse alcohol or drugs or are addicts or alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky behaviors that can lead to addiction problems. These patterns include drug binges and heavy drinking on a regular basis.

In addition, 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their friends or relatives have a drug abuse or drinking problem. The consequences of alcohol and drug misuse can be life threatening. Heavy drug use or heavy drinking increases the risk for certain cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx (voice box). They can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, using increases the risk of death from automobile crashes as well as recreational and on-the-job injuries. Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be committed by persons who were under the influence. In purely economic terms, substance abuse-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year. In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated.

Alcoholism and/or Addiction include four symptoms:
Cravings: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink or use.
Loss of control: The complete inability to limit ones intake on any given occasion.
Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and anxiety, occur when substance abuse use is stopped after a period of heavy use.
Tolerance: The need to use greater amounts of substances in order to get high.

People who are not addicted rarely understand why an addict or alcoholic can't just use a little willpower to stop. However, addiction has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics and addicts are in the grip of a powerful craving, or uncontrollable need, that overrides any ability to stop. This need can be as strong as the need for food or water.

People are able to recover and stay sober without help, but others need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop their destructive behaviors and rebuild their lives. Many people wonder why some individuals can use without problems but others cannot. One important reason has to do with genetics. Scientists have found that having a family member that is or was an alcoholic or addict makes it more likely that you too may develop addiction. Genes, however, are not the whole story. In fact, scientists now believe that certain factors in a persons environment influences whether a person with a genetic risk for addiction ever develops the disease. A persons risk for developing addiction can increase based on their environment, including where and how he or she lives; family, friends, and culture; peer pressure; and even how easy it is to get drugs or alcohol.

Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse differs from addiction in that it does not include the extremely strong craving for drugs, loss of control over use, or physical dependence. Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of using that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period: Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities; Using drugs in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery; Having recurring drug-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence or for physically hurting someone while under the influence. Continued use despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the drug use. Although substance abuse is different from addiction, many effects of substance abuse are also experienced by addicts and alcoholics.

Understanding Drugs and the Effects That They Have on the Brain and Body

Addiction is a serious disease and one that is difficult to overcome once you are hooked. Prevention is probably the best form of drug control there is, so it is best to teach your kids the dangers of drugs and why they want to stay away. The information in this article will inform you about a few drugs and the effects that they can have on your body and brain.

Even though marijuana may seem like a very wide used and harmless drug, it actually can be very harmful for you. Considering that there are more than four-hundred different chemicals found in the plant and the smoke inhaled into the lungs include carcinogens that may cause cancer, it would be a good idea to keep this smoke far from your body. People that smoke marijuana on a regular basis also report feeling very lackadaisical, unfocused, and detached about things that would normally be of the utmost importance to them.

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can cause you to feel hyper and more active. The cocaine releases dopamine in the brain which is what makes the body feel pleasure and satisfaction. The more you use cocaine, the less dopamine your brain will produce normally. So even though it will make you feel good temporarily, you will just need more of the drug to feel good like that again. Thus, that is how the addiction gets started and it is a slippery slope to even try it for the first time.

Illegal drugs are not the only drugs that get abused and are addicting and dangerous. Prescription drugs like those that are used to treat pain are becoming quite a problem as well. These prescription drugs also affect the way the brain gives and receives messages through its neurotransmitters. There are several different drugs that get abused. Ones prescribed for anxiety, sleeping disorders, and for pain are most commonly misused and overused. Once the abuser stops using the drug it can cause the body to go through severe withdrawals and even seizures.

For those that are in need of help, there are plenty of drug treatment facilities that have the proper personnel, medical professionals, and counselors to give the addict the best chance to recover fully and live a normal happy and healthy life. The treatments they use will depend upon the specific case of each individual. Some will need 24 hour inpatient treatment while others may be admitted to an outpatient therapy program.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Rehabilitation

Just what is addiction, you asked? Addiction is a physiological dependence on something, and is both physical and psychological in nature. When a person is addicted they literally need to feed that addiction constantly. Addiction is a traitor it sneaks up on you. People who are addicted often do not recognize that they have a problem, they think that the problem is with everyone. Addiction is different from abuse, a person can abuse drugs and not be addicted. The two most vital factors in determining addiction are tolerance and physical dependency. Addiction is very destructive, and most of the time people who are suffering from it end up hurting themselves and their love ones. It is hard to overcome but once the person began to see addiction as a problem in their life they can immediately seek alcoholism treatment or addiction treatment.

Teens partying late at night and imbibing drugs and alcohol for added fun, often dominated the silver screen. Quite a pretty picture isn't it? Oftentimes teens see it as an epitome. Although Hollywood does its part to show a different side of alcohol and drug addiction with movies like "Trainspotting" and "Girl Interrupted", the character still ended up being glamorous and ideal in nature and often overshadows the dark side of addiction. It is important to look at this depiction with a cynic eye. Movies are after all for entertainment purposes only, and there is nothing remotely entertaining about the reality of alcohol abuse and drug addiction. Addiction can be hell on earth and life in an Alcohol rehab and Drug Rehab can be a nightmare.

Illegal drugs and alcohol are addicting. Records show that the younger you are when you experiment with illegal drugs or alcohol you are more prone to become an addict in the future. Addiction often runs in families; you do not choose addiction, addiction chooses you. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol is a gamble, and the stake is your life, your personality, and your future.

Individuals often hide their drinking or deny that the fact that they have a problem. Signs of a possible alcoholism include having friends or relatives express concern, being irritated when people comment on their drinking, feeling guilty about their excessive alcohol consumption and thinking that they should moderate it but finds themselves unable to do so, or needs a morning drink to steady their nerves or relieve a hangover.

On the other hand, drug dependence often begins with the misuse of legal drugs like prescription drugs and inhalants. Inhalants are legal substances that becomes illegal when use in a manner that causes a person to get high. These also include aerosol cleaners, gasoline, cleaning fluids, butane, and acetone. These things are legal to sell or buy however, they are not controlled substances and they are relatively cheap when compared with drugs.

People with addiction work hard to resolve them, and with the support of family members and friends they are able to recover on their own. However in most cases, people they usually cannot stop drinking or using drugs by willpower alone. A lot of them require outside help, mostly from Alcohol Rehab or Drug Rehab. Alcoholism treatment and addiction treatment may need medically supervised detoxification to avoid possible life-threatening withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and convulsion. Once they are stabilized, they need help resolving psychological issues associated with their problem drinking.

Prescription Drug Rehab

Prescription Drug abuse can be defined as compulsive use of mood-altering Prescription Drugs that have not been authorized by a medical practitioner. These drugs that are easily available through doctor's prescriptions are abused by any people who grow addicted to them after the disease has been cured.

The symptoms of addiction are a constant physical craving for the medicines and withdrawal symptoms when not in use. In such a condition, the person uses all means, legal or illegal, to obtain these drugs. This addiction, which afflicts millions of Americans, is as serious as illegal drug and alcohol addiction. It should be treated carefully under medical supervision by medics or Rehab centers.

To free yourself from Prescription Drug addiction, you need treatment, counseling and Rehabilitation. The patients must be referred to Rehabs that treat drug, alcohol and substance abuse, where they will receive a thorough treatment and counseling therapy to make an effective recovery.

Prescription Drugs are as potent as street drugs. They start out as prescriptions for genuine pain or sleep complaints, but later become addictive. There are three main classes of Prescription Drugs that can be abused: Opioids (used for pain treatment), CNS depressants (used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders) and Stimulants (used for sleep disorders, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders).

Opioids are narcotics and commonly prescribed pain relievers such as Morphine and Codeine, used for symptoms from surgery pains to cough disorders. The drug attaches itself to opioid receptors and stops pain messages to the brain. Addiction is common after a stipulated dosage and results in legal and illegal activities to procure this drug.

CNS, or central nervous system depressants, are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. They are used to slow down brain activity. CNS medicines include Barbiturates (Mebaral) and Benzodiazepines (Valium and Pro Som). Continued use of these drugs can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when usage is stopped. Since CNS depressants work by slowing brain activity, stopping them will lead to the brain's racing out of control, or even seizures. Using these drugs with alcohol can lead to death.

Stimulants enhance brain activity. Stimulants such as Ritalin or Dexedrine increase the amount of stimulating chemicals like dopamine in the brain. Short-term abuse can lead to paranoia. It may also cause high body temperature and irregular heart beat. This may lead to a fatal cardiovascular failure or seizure.

Research reveals that Prescription Drug abuse is most common among the elderly, adolescents, women and health care professionals. The misuse of Prescription Drugs is the most common form of drug abuse among the elderly. Adolescent use of drugs like Ritalin has increased in recent years. Studies also show that women are more likely than men to get prescriptions for drugs that can be abused, like narcotics and anti-depressants. They are also more likely to get addicted than men.

Rehab for Prescription Drug abuse consists of two methods--behavioral and pharmacological treatment. Behavioral treatment teaches the patient how to cope without the drug, how to handle cravings, how to avoid situations that encourage drug use, and how to prevent and handle relapse. It consists of counseling, group therapy, family therapy and occupational therapy intended to totally Rehabilitate the patient.