Archive for April, 2009
- Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
When a drug user undergoes detoxification, the goal is to stop using drugs. But the process of becoming drug-free is not without side effects. Depending on the type of drug used, or combination of drugs, the side effects may be moderate to severe. Other variables include the quantity of regular use and the length of time of drug usage. The treatment may involve a gradual weaning off the drug, or medications to help minimize the withdrawal effects. The individual undergoing detoxification may also require medical supervision in a specific residential treatment facility, while others may be able to participate in outpatient therapy.
- Klonopin Addiction
Klonopin is the brand name for the drug clonazepam. This benzodiazepine derivative has highly potent anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and anxiolytic properties. It is also the drug that is second only to Alprazolam as the most abused benzodiazepine in the United States. Read More…
- What Is Addiction
It is very easy to assume that addiction is associated only with illicit drugs or hard liquor. For those of us who abstain from these substances, we could easily assume we are immune from addiction. Unfortunately, in reality we are not so safe. Addiction is actually a chronic brain disorder.
- The Perils of Vicodin Addiction
Vicodin is an opiate pain killer prescribed for extreme high levels of pain. It is very addictive and kicking such an addiction has often been compared to trying to kick heroin. The popular hospital drama House M.D. features a main character, Dr. Gregory House, addicted to Vicodin. The show has received both praise and criticism from drug activists. The praise often comes from the fact that the show doesn’t shy away from showing the depths a person will go to obtain more Vicodin, but criticism that House is often portrayed as a sympathetic character.
- What Is Valium Addiction
Brand Name: Valium
Generic Name: Diazepam (dye AZ e pam)Uses: Valium is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. Valium is used to treat anxiety disorders and for short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Read More…
- Fast Facts about Halcion
Halcion is generally prescribed to treat a variety of sleeping disorders. Tolerance levels tend to build up in people rather quickly with this drug, which necessitates steadily increasing their dosages over time so that they will still experience the “original” effects of the drug.
- Oxycontin
OxyContin is a Schedule II narcotic (Controlled Substances Act). Schedule II drugs have a significant risk of abuse, particularly by those at risk of addiction. OxyContin carries a boxed warning, more commonly known as a “black box warning”. The black box on oxycontin warns users not to use broken tablets, chew, crush, or dissolve the tablets as it may cause rapid release of the drug and even bioavailability of a fatal dose. OxyContin abusers typically figure out ways to obtain a faster high; hence the warnings specifying such dangerous practices as ill-advised.
- Talking to an Older Parent with an Addiction
If you are worried about your older parent and you think that he or she may be addicted to some type of drugs or alcohol, you may feel that there is no easy way to discuss the situation. You might even think that at your parents’ age, there is simply not much point in trying to initiate lifestyle changes. Read More…
- Undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder and Self-Medication
Bipolar disorder is a disease that often goes undiagnosed for many years. People who exhibit symptoms of bipolar disorder are frequently misdiagnosed as suffering from simple depression. The cycles that take them through elevated and depressed moods are categorized as manic depression only if those symptoms exhibit themselves often enough and consistently enough. Once that diagnosis is made, it is much easier to then diagnose bipolar disorder.