Long Term Effects Of Weed Causes Problems Across The Boards

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Marijuana is the most widely abused drug in the country and has been for many years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse marijuana is used by 42% of high school students before they graduate and 32% who are monthly users of the drug. Kids as young as 8th grade are smoking marijuana and nearly 14% have used the drug.

Marijuana Information

Marijuana is a green or brown shredded leaf that often contains the leaf as well as the step and seeds. The drug is usually smoked through a pipe or rolled in a joint. Some marijuana is also rolled in a cigar casing and smoked. This type of marijuana is called a blunt. In addition to these ways there are many apparatuses that are used to smoke marijuana including a jug type contraption called a bong that is filled with water and a hookah which marijuana is smoked through by several people at once.

Some will also use marijuana orally by cooking it in food. One popular type of marijuana food is a marijuana brownie, also called a hash brownie.
There are many street names for marijuana. Some of these include reefer, dope, weed and pot.

Weed Effects

There are many effects that marijuana causes to both the brain and the body. The drug greatly affects the lungs and the rest of the body, traveling through the blood stream to the brain. Along the way the drug does damage to many of the organs in the body.
As far as the brain goes smoking weed modifies the natural reward system in the brain and the creation of natural chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. When marijuana enters the system the natural production of these chemicals stops to a certain degree. Once the marijuana “buzz” wears off the brain has to readjust. This can take up to 30 days for the brain to make the natural reward chemicals at the same level.

Physically the drug takes a toll on the body causing an increase in heart rate, and putting users at risk of cancer through the carcinogens found in the drug. The most common cancers are digestive track and upper respiratory. Those using the drug are also at risk for lung infections and many respiratory illnesses.

In addition to the mental and physical effects of marijuana the drug is addictive and accounts for the highest numbers of treatment admissions in the country with more and more people becoming addicted to the drug daily.

Users that come down off of marijuana experience withdrawal symptoms just like other drugs which include depression, anxiety and trouble thinking clearly.

Narconon Rehab Uses Two Phase Program To Stop Weed Abuse

Narconon rehab, a long term residential drug and alcohol treatment program has been helping those that struggle with marijuana addiction for many years. The treatment group uses a two phase approach in regards to both treating the problem as well as preventing new users from getting involved in smoking marijuana and experiencing the long term effects of weed.

For those already addicted Narconon rehab has a residential program that achieves a 76% success rate. Not like NA, Narconon uses life skills as well as a drug-free physical detox method to handle addiction.

To prevent the problem with potential new users Narconon rehab travels across the country delivering drug prevention lectures to schools, businesses and church groups and describes the damages that weed can cause to users with true stories from ex-marijuana addicts. The drug prevention has proven to be successful with individuals stating that they will not try marijuana after hearing the lecture and learning about the dangers of marijuana.

For more information on Narconon rehab call 888-874-3197.

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Vicoden Addiction Signs

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Vicoden is one of the most prescribed pain medications available. Most take it for moderate to chronic pain and the problems it is prescribed for can range from dental issues to surgeries to physical injuries.

The drug contains ingredients which are a mix of hydrocodone which is the most abused prescription in the country and acetaminophen. Vicoden is considered an opiate and a pain reliever.

Vicoden Effects

Using Vicoden or any prescription pain medication will likely slow down the body and reaction times so many are warned when getting a prescription for the drug. However some have not been warned enough about the additive nature of Vicoden. Some will crave the drug after only taking it for a few days. Others will become physically dependent on Vicoden in a matter of weeks.

When someone is high on Vicoden, the following may be apparent:

1.    The individual’s eyes, the pupils will be constricted or small.
2.    A person may be itching their body when high on the drug.
3.    They will seem tired or be acting lethargic.
4.    Some will become irritable when under the influence of Vicoden.
5.    An individual may be nodding off or going through periods of consciousness or unconsciousness intermittent.

Some adverse effects of taking the drug include constipation, sweating, drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness, and feeling lightheaded, as well as anxiety and rashes. These should also be looked at to determine if someone is using the drug.

The drug can cause death if too much is taken. Those who have cold, clammy skin when under the influence of the drug or individuals who have gone unconscious are at risk for coma or even death. Vicoden also can cause seizures in users of the drug.

Signs Someone May Be Addicted To Vicoden

Like most drugs the addictive potential for Vicoden is high and millions struggle with prescription abuse problems every year. There are a number of signs which indicate that someone could be hooked on Vicoden and needs help according to Narconon International whose more than 110 drug treatment programs have treated prescription addicts for many years with successful results. These include:

1.    Changes in eating patterns where a person may eat more or less than usual. Often those on Vicoden will eat large amount of food when high on the drug but as withdrawal sets in, be unable to eat at all.

2.    Changes in sleeping patterns that cause a person to act very lethargic when on the drug laying around or sleeping much more than usual. When they stop using the person may experience anxiety or insomnia, being unable to sleep for several days.

3.    Lack of responsibility for things in life that don’t revolve around using drugs. The person will start to lose interest in many things in life that don’t center around their drug use. They may miss appointments, slack on paying bills or keeping up on normal work or personal responsibilities.

4.    Cravings, tolerance and withdrawal from the drugs will be experienced by the addicted person. They will want to take the drug when they don’t need to, make up reasons why they need more and more of it and even have to take more and more to achieve the same effect. When they stop using they will experience physical withdrawal symptoms.

5.    The individual will start to have financial or legal problems. Different areas in life will start to suffer because of the drug use. They may get arrested in connection with the Vicoden; either by trying to obtain the drug illegally or committing crimes to get more and more of it. Bills will go unpaid, they will let things to entirely on their finances.

Programs like Narconon International and Narconon Georgia have been dealing with helping people find Vicoden addiction signs for some time. For more information or to help someone get treatment through Narconon International for a Vicoden problem call 800-874-3197.

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Primary Effects of Methamphetamine And General Information On The Drug

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

The drug methamphetamine is a stimulant or upper; some classify it as a central nervous system stimulant. It is a Schedule II narcotic and has a high potential for abuse. Over 1 million people, on average, use methamphetamine during a one year period. A percentage of those enroll in rehab for help to stop abusing the drug.

General Meth Information

The following is general information about meth and it’s use:

•    Meth comes in a powder form and sometimes in a pill form.
•    The drug is rock-like, and looks like glass or has a bluish white tint.
•    Individuals smoke, snort and inject meth to use it.
•    Meth is often made in homemade labs located in rural areas.
•    Meth contains a number of chemicals, namely pseudoephedrine.
•    Many meth users binge-use meth, staying up for several days without food.

Effects From Meth

When an individual uses a drug like meth, or any other drug, it modifies the natural reward system of the brain by giving them an extra boost of “feel good” chemicals. When they come down they crash and often feel depressed, completely out of it or even have anxiety or feel sadness. The solution is to use more meth. The more they use the worse the problem becomes. This is one of the most negative effects which is addiction.
Other effects from the drug are in the form of mental problems. Meth users often feel paranoid when high on the drug. They can have delusions or hallucinations or think that things are occurring that are not happening. Lack of sleep only complicates this problem.

Meth user will sometimes not sleep or eat for days or weeks and become emaciated. Their pupils will become dilated when on the drug and they will form dark circles under the eyes from not sleeping.

Meth causes severe anxiety and violent behavior in users. An individual can become completely psychotic and be aggressive to others or even harmful to themselves and others through homicidal and suicidal thoughts and actions.

The drug will play so many trick on the users that in the end they just become paranoid and apathetic. They are unsure of themselves and their surroundings. Many of them need extensive therapy to overcome the problems related to the effects of methamphetamine.

Physical Effects of Methamphetamine

Using a drug like meth, which contains so many chemicals, there is a high likelihood of physical problems related to the addiction. Some users will overdose on the drug experiencing seizures or convulsions. Too much of the drug will also cause a breakdown to the cardiovascular system and other organs causing death to users. There is also the risk of kidney failure from the chemicals in the drug overloading the main filtering system of the body.

Meth addicts often look gaunt and undernourished with lack of sleep and food and the deficiencies formed in the body as the drug depletes the body of needed vitamins.
The longer an individual uses meth, the more physical harm the drug will cause to their bodies.

The Solution To Meth Abuse Through Narconon Objectives

In addition to the mental and physical effects of meth the drug will also take the user out of present time and they are generally unable to adapt to their environment. Most treatment centers and even meeting like NA are unable to completely address this issue.
The Narconon program, a long term treatment solution does this with Narconon Objectives. These are processes which unstick the individual’s attention units so they are able to leave the mental issues regarding the addiction behind and move forward with their life. This, plus the remainder of treatment delivers a 76% success rate with meth abuse.

For more information on Narconon Objectives call 800-874-3197.

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According To New Study Alcohol Never Safe During Pregnancy And May Lead To Severe Problems

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Since reports surfaced back in 1973, pregnant women have been warned about the dangers of drinking and the problems it causes for an unborn baby. For years pregnant women were told to cut down on their drinking, eliminating it during the first three months, possibly even being able to have one drink now and again during the second and third trimesters. Many were told to just eliminate it all together; especially those with any history or excessive alcohol use or alcoholism.

However a new study indicates that a new connection exists that links alcohol use with problems related to pregnancy to such a degree that a pregnant woman should never have a drink of alcohol. The study, used on 1000 pregnant mothers and done by The Teratogen Information Service in California has found direct links between a disease called Fetal Alcohol Syndromes (FAS) and the consumption of alcohol while pregnant.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome affects averages of 40,000 children and is a condition that causes a number of mental and physical problems for a child. These include behavioral disorders, learning problems and disorders, mental retardation, vision problems and physical deformities.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Study Results

Information from the study done by The Teratogen Information Services in California indicates that the more a woman drinks after her first 6 weeks of being pregnant the more physical problems the child will have. These mostly consist of deformities including a small head, low set ears, flat mid-face, indistinct philtrum, low nasal bridge, think upper lip and small chin.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome occurred more when a mother drank during this time period as well.

The result of the study was a new warning to expecting mothers to abstain completely in alcohol use.

Dangers & Statistics Concerning Alcohol Abuse While Pregnant

It is not a surprise that alcohol use, or even drug use for that matter is not healthy for an unborn baby. However, despite this information, one in eight pregnant mothers has drunken alcohol while pregnant. In addition to this, an average of 17% of those ages 35 to 44 drank while pregnant. Over 13% of pregnant women who were unmarried drank and 14% of mothers had graduated from college.

Reasons Pregnant Mothers Drink Alcohol

There are many reasons why a pregnant woman could consume alcohol despite the damage to the unborn child. The first is that they have a current problem with alcohol which is not uncommon because alcoholism affects 17 million people in the United States alone. In addition to this some mothers may drink to relieve stress about the upcoming birth and motherhood. There are also those who drink because they are now aware that they are pregnant.

No matter the reason, when a pregnant mother decides to consume alcohol, they are not only hurting themselves but their child and doing damage that cannot be undone.

Narconon International Solution For Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

Alcohol use is never safe during pregnancy, says Narconon International, a management organization for over 110 alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs across the world. The best advice the organization gives to expectant mothers is to stop drinking. In addition to this, Narconon International advises those who are pregnant and struggling with alcoholism to seek immediate help to overcome the problem before damage is done to the child.

Programs like NA as well as Alcoholics Anonymous also exist to try to help those with alcohol problems; even those who are expecting.

For more information on Narconon International or to find an alcohol treatment program for yourself or a loved one call Narconon at 800-874-3197.

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Zohydro New Painkiller May Add To Prescription Epidemic

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

The abuse of prescription painkillers is being called an epidemic and has caught much state-wide and national attention. Unfortunately some organizations feel that the money made off of these medications is more important than the lives taken from them. Hence, the release of a new super painkiller called Zohydro.

Attracting concern from enforcement, prevention, government and rehabilitation groups across the country Zohydro is a drug that could cause as many problems with abuse and addiction as its preludes; Oxy Contin and hydrocodone. An article from the New York Daily News indicates that the drug was schedule to be released in spring of 2012 and is said to be the most addictive new drug that has hit the shelves in years. Created by a pharmaceutical company named Zogenix, Zohydro is promoted to be a hydrocodone duplicate, except stronger and taken in a time-release capsule. The drug has already reported the side effects of nausea, constipation and urinary tract infections.

The Current Prescription Drug Epidemic

The United States Department of Justice’s latest National Drug Treat Assessment indicates that prescription drugs are used non-medically by over 15 million people every year. Averages of 3 million people are using these drugs for the first time yearly and broken down that equates to 8,000 new uses per day. Prescription drugs account for the second largest number of admissions into treatment following marijuana.

In addition to this the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports the following percentages of high school students have abused both Oxy Contin and Vicoden:

•    Nearly 5% of 8th graders.
•    14% of 10th graders
•    14% of seniors in high school

Even with current prescription tracking systems to investigate fraudulent prescriptions and “Take Back Programs” to educate people on how to properly dispose of prescriptions, the drugs are being continually abused.

The Zohydro Comparison Drugs

Zohydro is being compared to the two most abused prescriptions on the market. The first is Oxy Contin which is a drug that was released to treat severe chronic pain. Often given to those with cancer, or severe injuries the drug has been abused by millions synthetically resembling the illegal drug heroin. To try to prevent the initial abuse of the drug, Oxy Contin began putting a time release for on the capsules to avoid the abuse of the drug, however then was tampered with by abusers.

Hydrocodone, the second drug of comparison is the number one abuse prescription on the market. There are over 130 prescriptions filled for it per year and users can experience a variety of problems from the drug besides addiction including health problems. There were 2,400 deaths from hydrocodone and 80,000 drug poisonings. Hydrocodone, like all painkillers slows down the major organs of the body and can cause major damage to these.
Both Oxy Contin and hydrocodone can be taken orally but many are also crushing up the pills and shorting them or even injecting the drugs.

Narconon Rehab Experiences Prescription Fall Back

Narconon rehab, a residential substance abuse treatment facility has experienced a major increase in the number of people seeking treatment for prescriptions. The organization reports that many, who have no history of addiction end up hooked on prescriptions and often it they have fallen into it unknowingly.

Programs like NA have also has more and more people attending meetings for prescription abuse.
The addition is difficult to stop without some treatment and many will live for years not able to even go a day without taking a prescription. With treatment, prescription abuse can be overcome completely.

Narconon rehab achieves a 76% success rate for this problem. Call today for more information at 800-874-3197.

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Drug Rehab Movies And The Path Of Addiction

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Some famous movies have been on topics related to substance abuse and addiction. From the 1936 version of “Reefer Madness” to “Leaving Las Vegas” to the hit “Trainspotting,” drug rehab movies have been popular amongst audiences ever since they came out. Two of the most popular movies, “Pulp Fiction” and “Crash” are still cult favorites.

Many wonder what the pull is to these types of movies. As a simple answer, many are wondering if this entertainment will provide an answer to how addiction starts, who’s affected and what the outcome will be. Others will use drug rehab movies to promote or support their own drug use. Either way, they are one group of movies that standardly pull an audience.

How Movies Promote Drug Use

The path that a person takes when they decide to use drugs or alcohol is a very specific one. This path is usually taken by every addict, although the reasons they take the path vary from person to person as to the personal circumstances. They are as follows:

1.    A person has goals in life or things they want to do. Could be something very simple like keeping one’s room clean daily or could be very challenging like becoming President of the United States.
2.    The individual experiences barriers or problems reaching their goal. An example could be someone whose goal it is to get married and their parter breaks off the relationship. This is barrier and is counter to their intention of getting married.
3.    To handle the problem or barrier they start to use drugs as a solution; either to numb the pain, forget about the problem or because they think the drugs help to make things not as bad.
4.    Immediately they think the drugs or alcohol are valuable. This is where drug rehab movies come in because this feeling that drugs and alcohol are valuable is supported by seeing people using drugs in movies, having a good time and not usually facing consequences.
5.    From here the person continues to use drugs or alcohol as a problem solver. They begin to crave the drugs and use them more and more.
6.    An addiction develops and the person has a drug tolerance and has to take more and more of the substance. As a result their whole life becomes consumed with getting and using drugs.
7.    The person ends up losing things in his life as a result of his addiction. He usually forgets why he used in the first place.
8.    At this point he is in need of intervention. He gets it either my falling into legal troubles, major financial difficulties or if he is lucky, rehab.

Getting Answers Through Narconon Rehab

Why a person gets addicted varies but it is centered on a life problem in which drugs become a solution for. Narconon rehab has been using this philosophy for 48 years through their successful drug and alcohol treatment program which achieves a 76% success rate for full recovery in patients. Handling those core problems and issues along with the use of a physical component to take away cravings helps the treatment to be successful.

Others will use the NA approach or other types of rehab that are outpatient or short term but Narconon is a long term, residential program that last an average of 4-6 months.
The Narconon rehab program allows those addicted to really take a look at all the reasons and things in their lives and learning how to take responsibility for themselves and others.

The treatment helps them to identify different personality types as well as uses a special process to get addicts to take responsibility for and make up damage they have caused to others.

For more information on Narconon rehab call 800-874-3197.

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Marijuana Dispensaries

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Marijuana dispensaries have existed for several years and are facilities that are charged with overseeing the release of medical marijuana for those approved to use it. The medical marijuana in the United States is an over 1 billion dollar industry with plans of growing.

The two states that account for over 90% of its use are Colorado and California. They are generally new with two-thirds such facilities in operation for less than one year total.

There are, however many problems with marijuana dispensaries such as regulatory issues and keeping the drug out of the hands of addicts. Secondarily there is problem of obtaining financing for such facilities as they are a liability; also due to possible crime surrounding them set off by addiction.

According to California Police Chiefs there have been many health and safety issues related to marijuana dispensaries. In a recent report suspects are cited with many crimes related to the drug and repeat offenders in counties involving dispensaries. These organizations have had continued escalated crimes related to their possession of the drug.

This information should not be new as many areas in the country, which do not make marijuana so available, are also running into addiction related problems with it.

Marijuana Addiction Information

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration marijuana is the most widely abused drug amongst United States citizens and accounts for the highest number of rehab admissions. Marijuana is a Schedule I substance and is classified as having a high potential for abuse and no medical use. The drug has been allowed to be used under medical supervision in certain states.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that marijuana use among high school seniors is at its highest rate with 6.1% of seniors using the drug on a regular basis.

Marijuana abuse also accounts for many emergency room visits among users and is related to a high percentage of crime across the country. Some common health problems caused by marijuana include certain cancers, ill health, distorted perception or memories, increased heart rate, reduction in blood pressure and trouble thinking, coordinating, remembering or learning.

Dangers Associated With Dispensaries

There are several dangers associated and even reported from existing marijuana dispensaries. These include:

•    Fake prescriptions from doctors that are purchased and then sold on the street.
•    Robbery and burglary at dispensaries.
•    Dispensary workers fraudulently selling the drug to addicts.
•    Addicts faking illnesses to obtain prescriptions to get marijuana from dispensaries.
•    Criminal robbing those with valid medical marijuana prescriptions as they leave the dispensary.
•    Businesses surrounding dispensaries hurt because of continued crime surrounding them.
•    Marijuana from dispensaries used in baked goods sold to people.
•    Police unable to control areas of crime around dispensaries.

Marijuana Addiction Help

Drug rehab facilities across the country like Narconon Arrowhead have been treating those with marijuana addictions for more than 48 years. Narconon Arrowhead as well as Narconon Vista Bay have a successful treatment approach to fully handle marijuana addicts that is 76% effective for permanent recovery from the drug addiction. The facility’s approach is completely drug free and involves a detox program where an individual can free themselves from marijuana drug cravings which are the number on reason for relapse.

In addition to this Narconon Arrowhead also uses life skills therapy to free addicts from the crippling mental effects of their addiction. Narconon also implements a successful treatment approach using Narconon objectives, which are processes used to help get the individual unstuck from past evens due to his drug addiction.

The outcome is that the individual is able to live completely marijuana free. For more information call Narconon Vista Bay today at 800-874-3197.

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Binge Drinking Influenced By Romantic Partners

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Many people in relationships where alcohol use is a problem wonder if binge drinking is influenced by their romantic partner. Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances across the United States with more than 50% of the population being current users. While some couples may use alcohol social, at party’s events and special occasions, others struggle with alcoholism in their relationships. As a result many problems within and outside of the relationship can occur.

Some include one or both of the people in the relationship engaging in binge drinking. Government statistics report that this is not uncommon as 23% of citizens of the United States have done so over a one year period.

According to a new study by the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Massachusetts, there is a connection between binge drinking and violence against dating partners. Evidence has been known for years about the domestic abuse problems that can occur with males as a result of alcohol use. However this new study indicates that the problem can occur with both genders and personality characteristics also have to be taken into account with regard to the behavior.

Anti-Social Traits Can Be Primary Reason For Problems

Evidence actually suggests in the study done on binge drinking and violence amongst partners that the behavior and attitude of either of the partners can cause the negative or violent behavior towards one another. These issues or negative tendencies are often present without the alcohol but come to fruition or are more apparent under the influence of the substance.

Some partners with anti-social traits will encourage binge drinking with their partner for many different reasons. Some include wanting to trap the partner with alcohol use, or to get the person intoxicated so they can then take advantage of them.

The partner who does not have the anti-social tendencies may binge drink to ease the tension or pressure in the relationship or to cope with the pain of dealing with the anti-social partner.

The binge drinking could also be promoted by both partners as a tool for communication or to “have a good time” or “let loose.”

Either way those engaging in binge drinking are at risk for several health, safety and addiction related problems.

Binge Drinking Risks

When romantic partners are binge drinking there are many risks they are taking with their health and well-being. Some of the primary problems that can occur as a result of this are:

•    Domestic problem in the relationship like domestic abuse, assault and general fighting and discourse between partners.

•    Addiction – Those continuing to drink will develop an addiction to alcohol. This includes a tolerance to the substance where someone has to drink more and more of it to get the same effect and withdrawal when one stops drinking. Alcohol withdrawal can cause a person to be extremely ill and lasts for several days or weeks depending on the severity of the addiction. Statistics report that more than 17 million people struggle with alcohol addiction every day.

•    Health Issues – Those binge drinking can be at risk for major health problems like cancer, seizures, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, and even liver damage and gout.

•    Legal Problems – Partners under the influence can get into many different legal problems including public intoxication, drunk driving and those mentioned above with domestic problems between each other.

•    Sexual Problems – One additional risk to partners who are binge drinking are problems that have to due with sex. Cheating under the influence of alcohol is common and with that the risk of sexually transmitted disease that can be passed to a romantic partner.

Alcohol prevention through Narconon schools as well as rehabilitation through Narconon Vista Bay, NA and other programs can help to stop binge drinking influenced by romantic partners.

For more information call 800-874-3197.

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Drug Trends: Then and Now

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Marijuana. Cocaine. Alcohol. The list goes on, but the problems remain. Surprisingly enough, these drugs weren’t always considered a problem. Narconon California gives an outline of the most abused drugs in the US history.

Marijuana

Marijuana (pot, grass, reefer, weed) has been around for a long time. Hundreds of years, in fact. Smoking it was not its original use; Marijuana comes from the hemp plant, and it was used to make fabric before anyone considered smoking it. It was even used as food as it is very rich in fiber. In India, it was known as “Sacred Grass” and used for medicinal purposes.

Christopher Columbus brought the hemp plant to North America in 1492. In 1937, President Roosevelt signed the Marijuana Tax Law, which made it illegal to possess marijuana without a “government stamp.”  If you had the stamp (which could be purchased for $1.00), you were able to possess and use marijuana. However, the U.S. Treasury didn’t issue any stamps, which pretty much made the drug illegal throughout the entire United States.

The debate about whether marijuana should be legal started heating up in the mid-1960s. A study proclaimed marijuana as not harmful in any way. By 1972, almost twenty-four million Americans had tried marijuana.

The U.S. Federal Government has still not budged when it comes to changing marijuana laws, even though it has now proclaimed marijuana an important medicinal aid and even issued a patent for the drug. However, state governments are beginning to legalize marijuana: In 1996, California passed Proposition 215, the first medical marijuana law. Since then, fourteen other states have passed marijuana legalization laws.

Today, marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the United States. Results of latest Monitoring the Future survey show teen smoking marijuana up and alcohol use down.

Cocaine

Like marijuana, cocaine (white, cola, crack, blow) comes from the leaves of a plant and is grown all over the world. Originally, the coca plant was only given to royalty in Peru (the Incas), but then it began to drift down to the lower classes. When it was obvious that laborers worked better when they chewed the plant, they were given leaves to chew.

In the U.S., cocaine was used as far back as the mid-1860s to treat depression and morphine addiction, but it began to cause even more problems, so using it slowed down tremendously. Cocaine made a comeback in the 1970s, and it is still used heavily today, although Narconon meetings found recent studies showing that its use seems to be declining. Cocaine works on the central nervous system and gives the user an intense, euphoric high, which can lead to addiction.

Cocaine is the second-most abused drug in the United States behind marijuana.

Alcohol

Many people either don’t know that alcohol is a drug or ignore the fact that it is. Alcohol has been around for more than 10,000 years. In the 1880s, bootleggers began smuggling alcohol into the United States from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. In 1920, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, import or export of alcohol, yet the trade continued to boom. In 1933, the prohibition of alcohol was immediately repealed by the 21st Amendment.

President Jimmy Carter signed a bill legalizing home beer brewing in 1978. Freedom of expression is an American right, and alcohol is advertised on television, but it has many restrictions. It is mostly regulated by the Federal Government. Alcohol causes physical, psychological and behavioral changes and alters the user’s mood intensely. Most people get a “high” when using alcohol; although, ironically, alcohol is a depressant.

Alcohol is the most widely abused legal drug in the United States.

Drug trends seesaw back and forth, up and down. One thing is certain: most drugs are addicting, regardless of their legality. If you or someone you know has a drug addiction, consider to check out the Narconon reviews about their drug treatment.  The program offers effective help and support for addicts and their families. Contact an Addiction Specialist at 1-800-556-8885 for information on getting the help you need.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Drug Test Kits for Your Teen

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Drug Rehab Cocaine

Alcohol is being abused worldwide, but now Narconon centers find that teen drug use rises and teen alcohol use is declining at schools. Parents who suspect their teens of using drugs want answers and need help finding them. Turning to at-home drug test kits for quick and easy results may seem like the best choice. At-home drug testing kits carry some advantages, but parents wanting the most accurate results should consider drug testing through a laboratory or their child’s physician.

Drug test kits used at home provide privacy. Since communication between the parents and the child may already be an issue, allowing the teen to test at home under parental supervision could be used as a first step to finding out if he or she is using drugs. Once a test is completed at home, further testing can be done through other resources should the parent still not be satisfied. Teens who are able to convince their parents to let them test at home may already realize that they have a problem, or they may want to quickly prove to their parents that they have nothing to worry about.

One of the biggest problems with home drug-testing kits is that they are not always 100 percent reliable. Results can be skewed due to prescription medications, illness or certain types of herbs. Over-the-counter cold medicines, vitamins and even cough syrup can affect the results of home testing kits and create unnecessary worry.

With the increasing popularity of home drug-testing kits, an abundance of tests are now on the market, making it difficult for parents to choose the right test kit for their unique situation. Many home test kits test for one drug at a time rather than screening for a variety of substances. Having to test for the presence of each individual drug can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Because most parents are not properly trained in how to administer a drug test, many false positives and negatives can result. Everything from specimen collection to storage must be done according to the directions to guarantee accuracy.

Contaminated collection containers, dirty hands and unsterile test conditions can all lead to unreliable test results. Laboratory drug testing is done in a sterile environment, which means the results are more reliable. Laboratory testing is also more accurate and can pick up many drugs that at-home kits are unable to detect.

Narconon schools warn that teenagers are very creative when it comes to drug testing. This makes home drug-testing kits susceptible to tampering of both the test contents and the results. The Internet offers a variety of tricks on how to get around home drug-testing kits, from drinking excessive amounts of water to taking a mouthful of vitamins. Teens also get advice from friends on how to fool a drug test given by parents at home.

Parents with teens who are using drugs need to get help right away. Narconon objectives are to provide rehabilitation for teens addicted to drugs, while offering support and education to their families. The program is specifically designed to address the special needs of teens and college students and can help those addicted to drugs get the support they need.

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