VICODIN ADDICTION

Vicodin addiction, like addiction to other painkillers, is a disease of the mind and body characterized by the use and abuse of Vicodin under conditions different than the original intended prescription. Vicodin addicts typically continue to use the drug after the physical pain is gone and for the mood alteration that Vicodin provides. Vicodin is generally prescribed for pain relief over a short period of time. Continued use causes the development of tolerance which means that larger doses are required to achieve the original effect. Once hooked, the addict experiences withdrawal symptoms which make it difficult to discontinue use.

Withdrawal symptoms from Vicodin include: intense cravings, nausea and vomiting, agitation, and anxiety. The anticipation of these symptoms is often enough for the addict to continuously plan the purchase of future doses. Often, in order to ease the discomfort of withdrawal, the Vicodin addict will enter a professional detox facility. Following detox, if the individual is honestly committed to recovery, the best chance to get and stay “clean” is to enter a structured, sober environment, such as a professional rehab center.

Often, the Vicodin addict is prescribed the drug from a doctor for relief from medium to severs pain and never intends to abuse Vicodin or become an addict. However, the effect the drug has on a potential addict leads to an obsession as the prescription begins to run out. Many doctors, aware of the potential for prescription drug abuse, are hesitant to refill the prescription. If a dependence upon the drug has taken hold, the patient may turn to “doctor shopping” or look to the streets for painkillers being sold illegally. If this is the case, the addict should seek out professional help before the addiction destroys his or her life and those around them.

METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION

Methamphetamine has become a scourge nationwide, which has, and continues to, ruin lives. Meth, or “ice”, is an amphetamine (upper), which became popular as a way to stay awake, often-in order to work, drive, or party longer. The highly addictive nature of the drug soon hooked many experimental users. The need for meth addicts to always be “high” just in order to feel normal often leads to crime, identity theft is common, in order to afford the quantities necessary to function. Meth is produced in dangerous “labs” using known chemicals, which alone can be deadly.

The ingredients, which go into, the manufacture of meth includes: acetone, ammonia, Freon, and sulfuric acid among other such volatile chemicals. “Cooking” these ingredients together during the production stage has led to many fatal explosions and fires. Although these deaths were not from ingestion of Meth, not much of an imagination is necessary to consider what inhaling such poisons can do to the human body.

Meth addiction can lead to any number of physical harms, such as: meth mouth (rotting teeth due to ingredients and/ or neglect), the appearance of rapid aging, and scabs which can cover the body due to the feeling of bugs under the skin and strenuous scratching. Meth, as a stimulant, has been shown to put enormous strain on the cardiovascular system. Meth addiction leads to such changes in personality such as increased aggressiveness, irrationality, and extreme paranoia. Neglect of responsibility, appearance, health, and personal belongings is typical of the meth addict.

MARIJUANA ABUSE

Marijuana is the most widely used recreational drug in the world today. Many argue that marijuana is harmless and is non-addictive. The facts show otherwise.

The effects of marijuana use clearly illustrate the overall dangerousness of the drug as one tries to function on a daily basis. Within moments of use, marijuana causes a loss of balance and coordination, a delay in reaction, rapid heart rate, and other characteristics of intoxication. The individual is often unaware of these effects and has an overall feeling of being high yet in control of their faculties. This unawareness can lead to driving, working around others and other potentially dangerous activities while under the influence of marijuana. As with many other drugs and alcohol, the user experiences a tolerance which leads to use of greater amounts to achieve the same results.

It is this tolerance which may lead to the abuse of marijuana. The marijuana user often starts out smoking “pot” with friends or at the occasional party. Soon he finds that it takes more and more in order to get high. This effect leads to habitual use and eventually abuse. Long term, chronic abuse often leads to negative physical and psychological effects.

Long term use of marijuana can lead to the similar effects on the respiratory system experienced by long-term cigarette smokers. Shortness of breath, congestion, increased colds, and chronic bronchitis are a few of the adverse results of smoking marijuana. Studies have shown marijuana smoke to actually destroy lung tissue. Among the negative psychological effects are an overall loss of memory, impairment relating to learning and processing new information, and a decrease in attention span. Marijuana abuse is real and has extremely negative long term effects over time.

CRACK COCAINE ADDICTION

Crack Cocaine is a smokeable form of cocaine, which was introduced to major cities in the mid 1980s. Crack production made cocaine affordable to those of lower income and by smoking cocaine; the high is more intense and fleeting. Crack Cocaine is known to be one of the most addictive and dangerous drug on the streets today. The addiction to crack cocaine is so powerful that its dependence has led many addicts down the path of property crime.

Also known as hard, rock, cavvy, iron, and base, crack cocaine use can lead to a powerful psychological dependence. Crack elicits a strong feeling of euphoria, increased energy, reduced appetite, and a supreme confidence within the user. Crack also leads to a strong paranoia and an overwhelming craving for more. Crack addicts are known to binge, without sleeping or eating, for days on end.

Addiction to crack cocaine can become so severe and many addicts found themselves hooked after only a few “hits” of crack. Although recovery from crack is possible, crack cocaine addiction has been shown to be extremely challenging to break. Relapses in crack cocaine recovery often lead to full blown addiction in a very short period of time. Professional rehabs are often required for the addict to put some clean time together and to have a better chance for long term sobriety. Physical and psychological damage from crack cocaine addiction has been shown to be reversible and a clean, productive future can be achieved for the addict who is highly committed to his or her recovery.