Great Quit Smoking Methods That Are Proven To Work

Quitting smoking is usually about more than getting rid of your cigarettes and resisting the cravings. You do not have to make it quite this hard on yourself. There are a number of different approaches to take if you want to throw those cigarettes away for good. Read on.

Give hypnosis a try if you want to quit smoking. An experienced, licensed hypnotist could help you to quit smoking for life. When you are under hypnosis, the hypnotist will fill your mind with positive thoughts about giving up smoking. When you leave the hypnotist, your desire to quit smoking will stay with you.

If you want to stop smoking, you need to make a list on how you will go about quitting. Customizing and personalizing the list will make it more effective. Each person is unique as to how they get things done. It's vital that you figure out the ways that work best for you. Creating your own list does this.

Make sure you are eating well. Substituting healthy foods will minimize the amount of weight you may gain. Eating more is okay as long as you make the right choices.

Tell your relatives that you are quitting, so that they can provide support. It is vital you tell them you need and value their support, and you can do without them being judgmental. Let them know that you will probably be crabby at the beginning. Quitting is one of the most difficult things a smoker may have to go through in their life and gaining the support of your loved ones is imperative to your success.

Hopefully, you now have a clearer plan of how to successfully quit smoking. While it might not be realistic to think you are never going to be tempted again, you are more likely to quit in a way that not difficult if you apply the tips in this article to your life.

Addiction To Pain Meds Affects Everyone

One of the most easily addicted medications to become addicted to are pain killers.  Pain killers are prescribed everyday to every type of patient.  Whether you are recovering from surgery, have cancer or have an infected tooth, chances are that you have been prescribed some type of pain medication.

In general, most people do fine on pain medication.  Some people, especially those with a history of substance abuse or addiction issues, have a more difficult time with prescription pain killers.  Often times if the person has escaped addiction they will attempt to not take prescription pain killers in fear that they will relapse.

It has gotten to where some urgent care facilities will not prescribe high dose pain killers.  Even if the person has chronic pain issues due to a medical condition, they will be referred back to their regular doctor.  This is to help cut down on any possible misuse.

The sale of prescription pain killers illegally has grown as more people have become addicted.  Many of these addictions began when the person was prescribed the drug legally.  While taking the drug they either developed an addiction or grew tolerant of their original dose.  Often times doctors will attempt to taper a person off of a pain medication to decrease the chance of addiction.

If someone in your family has an addiction to pain killing medication it is important to try to get them help.  It is very likely that the person may not even realize that they are having a problem.  This is especially true if a doctor is still prescribing them pain medication.  Their addiction will affect the entire family, whether it be their attitude or if they start stealing pain medication from other family members.  They may even turn to other illegal sources.

Addiction to Synthetic Drugs

Recent years have seen the rise of a new drug mutation. In an effort to evade drug laws and avoid a positive result in a drug test, marijuana users have taken to a new substance to achieve the pot-like high. Referred to as synthetic marijuana, K2 or spice, the substance is actually not marijuana and not all that closely related to the original, natural product either.

While the drug is designed to produce an effect similar to THC in the body through the use of cannabinoids (and other various substances) sprayed on non-marijuana herbs, it is actually far more dangerous than natural marijuana and often much stronger, depending on the compounds in the particular blend.

The drug is also highly addictive—far more than natural marijuana—making fake pot addiction a new area for drug addiction and treatment professionals to address. Many users have experienced disturbing hallucinations, psychotic episodes and convulsions. For some, use of this synthetic drug substance has resulted in death.

The Appeal

One thing that marijuana users typically appreciate about the traditional form of the drug is that it is, essentially, a natural plant. Unlike lab-created drug products such as crystal meth, cocaine, or ecstasy, it is generally the case with marijuana that what you see is what you get. Relative to other drugs, the high and any other side effects of the drug are fairly predictable.

However, new methods of drug testing for K2 may put an end to its popularity. Synthetic marijuana is not detectable in most drug tests; however, it is possible to test for metabolites of this designer drug in urine ensuring that the drug is not completely invisible in the body.

It is important to note that this drug, though a synthetic, is by no means safer than its natural counterpart. Research on the effects of K2 is in the beginning stages, but more and more is being discovered about what sorts of compounds these mixtures actually contain and how they affect the body. At this point, medical and drug professionals have only the several cases of misuse resulting in death as their guide to the many potential risks of the drug. As scientists are able to better analyze the contents of the drug mixture, lawmakers will continue pushing to see these components banned.

Addiction and Treatment

Currently, synthetic cannabinoids appeal to younger males, typically the under-thirty crowd. As use of this lab-produced herbal mixture increases, addiction and treatment professionals must find new ways to address the problem of addiction to the substance and the psychological effects of use, many of which are more severe than traditional marijuana and, given the anonymous nature of the substance, largely unknown and unpredictable.

Synthetic marijuana use, abuse, and addiction among younger drug users are of special concern. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic marijuana is “the second most used illicit drug among high school seniors.”

It is important to help your child to understand the many risks of synthetic marijuana. If you suspect your teenager may be using synthetic marijuana and are wondering what to do when your child has a drug addiction of this nature, begin by speaking with a professional at a local drug treatment center for advice on how to best proceed in getting help for your child.

Inhalant Addiction Can Become Life Threatening

There are many popular drugs available today, but one of the most destructive types is a class all its own known as inhalants. These drugs provide a "high" feeling and teenagers as well as adults are at risk. Inhalants are more commonly used by teenagers and oftentimes, those who start using at a young age continue to do so well into adulthood.

Many of the inhalants that we commonly classify as drugs are regular products that are often found in most households. For example, products such as shoe polish, glue, alcohol based markers and aerosol spray cans are all household products which are identified as inhalants. The "beauty" of inhalants is that when they are huffed or inhaled, they create a feeling of pure bliss, but often result in slurred speech as well as slow loss of muscle control.

Most people don't understand that addiction to inhalants can result in sudden death. What's even more shocking is that there are no warning signs as to when death can occur. For some, one huff can kill them and for others, it may take several uses. Statistics in the United States alone show that one in every five students has already used inhalants at some point before they reach the age of 13.

Common symptoms and signs found in those who are addicted to inhalants are:

-irritability
-sudden weight loss
-dizziness
-confusion
-a constant euphoric state
-lethargy
-delirium
-disorientation
-impaired judgment
-drowsiness
-muscle weakness

There is no lack of danger involved when people decide to use inhalants. In fact, the dangers are more likely to increase as many of the users are mere children. It is very important to take action if you know someone who is using inhalants, as each day of use brings them closer to death. Never take chances with a loved one and know that drugs in any form can be toxic, often causing permanent damage.

Addiction and Recovery

It can be very hard for a person with an addiction to face their problem head on. It can feel overwhelming and embarrassing. However the first step is admitting that there is a problem which needs to be fixed.

Substance abuse is often used by people who feel that they need to escape from their day to day lives. They take drugs in order to alter their mood and create feelings of happiness.

This type of abuse does not just happen with illicit drugs, but also with perfectly legal substances like alcohol.

This type of abuse starts out innocently enough many times. Often a person at a party, or with some friends decides to try some drugs that are available. They usually believe that there is no way they could become addicted, but as the usage increases the chemical dependency on the drug also increases. After this dependency kicks in it can be very difficult to get over the habit.

Using any abusing any drug for a long period of time has terrible consequences that come along with it. From a mental perspective you will find that your ability to think clearly has been compromised. Making good decisions becomes far more difficult. You will also suffer from terrible mood swings and will have a hard time functioning when you are not high. From a physical perspective you can severely damage your brain, lungs, heart and other essential bodily functions.

Anyone who is addicted to drugs can recover. There are numerous rehab facilities out there that want to give you the help that you need. Leaning on your friends and family and creating a support network is a great way to begin this process. You do not have to let the drugs beat you. You can take control of your life and rebuild it into something better.

Why People Have To Steal To Feed Their Drug Habit

If you or someone you know is on drugs, then you may want to learn a little about why people are likely to steal so they can feed their habit. Here are some things to look out for when dealing with this kind of a thing.

When a drug user first runs out of money and can't get any drugs, they will probably start to sell off all of their things. If they're able to hold down a job and keep a place of their own, then they may be living with barely anything because they sold most of their things to get high. It's very possible for a user to hide what they do because they're just supporting themselves. The main problem will occur when the person doesn't have any income and has no way to afford their drugs.

There are some drug users that will go out and rob houses or steal things like power tools from job sites. Just about anywhere where there is something expensive, a drug user will try to get to it if they don't have the money for their habit. If you have someone you know that's addicted to drugs living around you, it's a good idea to lock up things like your electronics. Car stereos and other car related items may go missing too when dealing with a drug addict. It's best to not let them around you or your things until they're in some kind of treatment.

Drug users have to steal sometimes when they run out of money to get their drugs. It also may provide a thrill to them while they are on the drugs. Hopefully this article has taught you what to look for so you're able to see if someone's stealing before it affects your life too much.

Long Term Alcohol Rehab Solutions

 

It is no secret that addiction to alcohol is a rampant problem in the United States. Of all of the cases of alcoholism and alcohol abuse, men round out the top statistics. Alcohol is a very dangerous chemical, especially if an individual has become completely and physically addicted to the chemical.

Laguna Beach Recovery in California offers long term alcohol rehab treatment for men at their Laguna Beach Residential Treatment center. This long-term program is designed to detox individuals from alcohol, begin them in the rehab process, and instill values and techniques that will help recovering addicts to continue their sobriety for the rest of their lives.

Buying Legal Drugs In Mexico or Canada That Need An RX In The US

It takes the US Food and Drug Administration a long time to approve most new prescription medications. It takes even longer for this same organization to approve some medications for over-the-counter use. This is not always a bad thing, and it may have protected the public from drugs with dire side-effects or that really were not effective.

Sometimes the latest medication is available in Mexico or Canada because they may have shorter lead-times to get new prescriptions to market. Americans have tapped our northern and southern neighbors as a sort of black market. Some folks might run across the border to pick up new drugs. Others might even be able to order a supply off of the Internet from Mexican and Canadian online pharmacies without ever leaving their house.

Smugglers also bring some of these prescription medications across the border, though the government has been cracking down on that quite a bit. It might be much easier to capture a smuggler with a truck full of illegal medications than it is to catch one individual with a pill box in his pocket.

Some of these medications actually are legal in the US, but require a doctor's prescription. It is possible to walk into a Mexican pharmacy, for example, and simply purchase these medications with no prescription. In addition, many border towns have clinics set up to supply US visitors with what they ask for with few questions asked. Valium, for example, requires a prescription in Mexico. But it is very easy to get a prescription from one of these border clinics.

It is a crime to carry these medications back across the border, but it happens all of the time. There is, indeed, a thriving black market for prescription medications, between Canada, Mexico, and the US.

What to Expect From Holistic Alcohol Detox

 

There is a moment of realization that alcoholics have, when they first discover the extreme seriousness of their alcohol abuse -- often times, this is the realization that they are an alcoholic, addicted to alcohol, and begin having withdrawals if the attempt to stop drinking.

The first time an alcoholic experiences severe alcohol withdrawals, it is a very scary time. While withdrawal symptoms can vary from patient to patient, one of the most prominent symptom related to alcohol withdrawal is anxiety or panic attacks. These are very frightening spells of extreme worry, where the individual is terrified that they are going to die, or be hurt. While there is no one thing that this fear can be attributed to, it is simply the mind's frantic response to the alcohol levels in the body dropping.

The only way to successfully combat these alcohol withdrawals is through a holistic medical detox program that will allow the alcohol dependent patient to slowly ween off of alcohol, under the supervision of medical professionals, to prevent any of the many medical conditions that can happen during alcohol detox, such as seizures, stroke, or heart failure.

Being a holistic detox, the idea is to treat the entire patient's mind, body, and soul. During the medical detox process, counseling, and mental health experts are also with you while undergoing the process. These counselors are there for mental and spiritual support, and to assist you in getting through the detox process.

Are you considering a holistic alcohol detox?

Suitable Treatment Programs For Phencyclidine Addiction

Phencyclidine, which goes by the street names wack, PCP and angel dust is a kind of drug with hallucinogenic effects and can be smoked, inhaled or snorted. Consumption of this drug has numerous effects like nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, increased blood pressure and pulse rate, loss of balance, drooling and dizziness. The long term effects include schizophrenia where one has delusions, paranoia and hallucinations, respiratory failure and coma. Immediate treatment for addiction to PCP is important in order for one to recover from the addiction.

Angel dust is not physically addictive thus, there are no specific drugs that can be administered to an addict to enable them recover. Different forms of therapy are available to enable a person recover from the addiction. The most common kind of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. This form of therapy enables the addict replace negative coping skills for various situations with positive coping skills to ensure that they do not turn to using drugs every time they are going through a difficult time.

Interpersonal therapy is the other kind of therapy that an addict may go through. This therapy focuses on a person’s interpersonal relations and social roles. This form of therapy enables patients to be able to handle various existing problems in their lives like disputes, unresolved grief and loss so that they do not turn to addiction.

Supportive programs are important as an addict is able to know that they are not alone and that they can share and seek advice from people who have been in similar situations. Supportive programs such as group counseling sessions offer an opportunity for the addicts to share their problems without being judged. An addict who goes for these sessions gets to interact with people going through similar situations and they will not feel alone.

The treatments for phencyclidine addictions vary depending on the extent of the dosage a person may have been using. More thorough programs are available for people who may be addicted to consumption of huge dosages of the drug. Some people who may have just began consuming the drug can even attend the rehabilitation clinics during the day and leave for home in the evening.

The United States' Sugar Addiction

Well, there is no denying it... The United States, and the world, have a major addiction to sugar. In the past few generations, human beings are showing all the signs of addiction, and the rise in preventable diseases shows exactly how the addiction has spiraled out of control.

Take a look at this info-graphic that shows the figures for our sweet addiction:

America’s Sugar Addiction: How Our Need for A Sweet Fix Has Expanded Our Waistlines

How Methamphetamine Destroys the Body and Mind

Methamphetamine aka Meth aka Crystal Meth is considered a highly addictive drug. Its users testify that they would feel a sudden rush of pleasure and a prolonged period of euphoria as soon as they take Meth. A sudden increase in their focusing faculty, increase in sexual energy and a sudden rush of confidence would prevail for some time. But after the initial stage, the users would require more and more quantities of Methamphetamine, in order to maintain the same levels of energy and pleasure. This is why it is considered an addictive drug.

Amphetamine aka speed is a similar addictive drug as Meth, but the power is a little lesser than Meth. It would increase the speed of all body functions, once taken. Hence it is referred to as "Speed". People take Amphetamines in order to lose weight due to this reason. The Amphetamine would speed up the body's metabolic rate and thereby help to lose a little weight temporarily. But it is not permanent and as soon as you stop taking the drug the weight would return back. Since it is also addictive in nature, you would need to take more and more quantities on a daily basis, in order to maintain the initial weight loss.

Both, Methamphetamine and Amphetamine are not conducive to the human body. It could destroy the body's physical appearance as both these drugs would cause the blood vessels to constrict and restrict the supply of blood to all parts of the body, thereby weakening the internal organs. The sores would take a long time to heal, the skin would lose the elasticity and suppleness, the immune system would weaken and curing diseases would be impossible for people, who have been on Meth or Amphetamine for a long period of time.

Prolonged usage of these drugs would change the brain chemistry of people who are addicted to them. It would destroy the wiring of the brain's pleasure centers making it impossible for these people to feel pleasure again. This is how Meth would destroy an addicted person's body and mind.

The Many Dangers Of Using Heroin

While heroin has been used as a drug to help relieve pain in the medical field, it is now often used and greatly abused by people who are using it for a recreational high. Usually, people who do heroin will feel euphoria, pain relief, muscle relaxation or even the effects of sedation. A well known depressant, heroin goes by many other names such as junk, smack, H, black tar, dirt, scag and much more. Due to the tremendous side effects and the overall danger of this drug, it is important that you educate yourself on the signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect a loved one might be using.

Some of the ways that users will get their high from heroin will be through snorting, smoking and most often injection into the veins. For a user who snorts their heroin, you will often notice that they will sniffle, snort and even touch or rub their nose quite often, People who smoke their heroin will often have chapped lips and a variety of dental issues. Finally, a user who likes to inject their heroin will often appear to have rashes, flushing, itching of the skin and scars on areas where there are major veins such as the arms and feet.

All in all, every user regardless of the method that they take the drug, will show signs of confusion, inebriation, disorientation, pupil constriction and sedation. If a user is out of heroin and in need of a fix, you will often see them becoming paranoid, easily scared and even violent if they start to have withdrawals from the inability to use.

It goes without saying that the risk of death from heroin abuse is very high. In addition to that, people who abuse heroin will often be subject to infections if they inject and even a chance of developing any number of heart conditions or brain diseases. Because of these and many other dangers, it is important to seek help for anyone that you suspect to be using heroin.

For more information on the effects and warning signs of heroing use, or if you would like to learn about the various drug addiction treatment programs that can treat those with an addiction to heroin, there is a wealth of information at Mountain Village's In-patient Recovery Blog:

The Facts About Alcohol Abuse In Teenagers

Alcohol abuse is a growing problem among teenagers and young people around the world. Many teenagers as young as 14 start drinking due to peer pressure or our of rebellion to their parents or society. Sadly, in many instances the first ‘starter’ drinks leads to a repeat pattern of behavior of drinking, drugs and addiction.

Alcohol abuse statistics show that 48% of all alcohol in the US is consumed by underage drinkers, with over 13 thousand children taking their first drink daily. This pattern of behavior has led to over 150 thousand college students developing alcohol related health issues every year, problems that were completely avoidable if they had chosen to drink less. It is no surprise given these statistics that car accidents are the number one killer of children under the age of 16 in the US to date.

The danger with starting alcohol consumption at such a young age is that these teenagers become four times more likely to become alcoholics. In other words the danger of them becoming alcohol dependent teenagers increases by 400%.  The effects of alcoholism on children who are still developing can be catastrophic in the long run.

Education and open communication about alcohol and its dangers is essential to protecting children from making life altering choices do to their youth and immaturity. It is important to be open and frank, but not judgmental or exaggerated when talking to young people about alcohol and drinking. Most teenagers react negatively to overly preachy or sanctimonious lectures about alcohol and will many times do exactly the opposite of what you suggest if the subject isn’t addressed correctly.

If you suspect that your teenager might be drinking, don’t ignore it and just attribute it to ‘being a teen’. Teenage drinking is a massive problem, and due to the level of maturity involved, many teenagers make life altering dangerous choices while under the influence of alcohol.  Open and honest communication about drinking, and the dangers of drinking are one of the best ways to protect your child from this dangerous addiction.

Texas Drug Rehabilitation Facilities

There is an urgent need to provide reliable and quality services to families as well as victims of drug addiction all across the different cities across the world. In the US state of Texas, there are various different facilities available to provide healing in different forms to victims. Affected and afflicted families should take intervention action and oversee the hospitalization and treatment of their loved ones. Such services are available at the Touchstone Ranch Recovery center. Here, experts provide regular treatment to their patients such as detoxification and rehabilitation. They also provide additional services such as drug rehabilitation with horses.

There are different approaches families or loved ones can take on behalf of these victims. The first is to consult a doctor who specializes in these addictive conditions such as drug addiction. A well trained and experience medical expert, especially one who focuses in treating victims of drug addiction is the best placed professional to diagnose and make a treatment program. Others, such as the doctors and other health care officials at the facility will also be able to provide reliable and good quality treatment. This local facility provides quality drug rehab with horses in order to ensure the therapy is suitable in treating the patient.

This is very important because good quality treatment will ensure that the patients receive the best chance of healing and recovery. A patient may need admission into a facility. These offer some of the best solutions in terms of treatment and rehabilitation. The reason is because these individuals will get the chance to heal and recover and hopefully resume normal life as productive members of the community. Some of the facilities that admit patients for treatment and rehabilitation look at treatment from all angles. It is especially important that the well being of the family members or spouse and other important people in the life of the victim also be counseled. Such facilities as the drug rehabilitation horse ranches provide awesome opportunities for patients at the Touchstones rehab facilities.

Help A Loved One By Doing A Family Drug Intervention

Many people wonder exactly where is the bottom for a crack addict, and the answer is when they run out of money and still need the drug. It is very important that you help a friend and loved one get over their addiction by doing a crack cocaine intervention. This intervention will go well and your loved one will get the help that he or she needs if it is done the right way.

Many people do not know how to do a family drug intervention the right way, but this does not mean that you should not try to help a loved one. When you are going to do a cocaine intervention it is best to do it with a bunch of people who care about the person. Each person should talk to the loved one about why they feel it is time for them to get help. You do not want to witness your loved one hitting rock bottom, so getting the help that they need today is a must.

When you are doing a cocaine intervention it is a good idea to get the help from a professional. You can find this person from your local rehabilitation center. This specialist will be able to help you and your family plan the perfect intervention so that you do not freak out your loved one. It is a good idea to have the intervention in a private place such as your home. Invite your loved one and everyone else over. You need to try and not freak out your loved one, because the goal of the intervention is to get them the help that they need.

At first the person you are doing the intervention for might be scared, and this is normal. Give them some time alone to think about what they will be going through. In the end they should agree to get the help that they need knowing that their friends and family will be with them every step of the way. You should go with your loved one to check out the local rehabilitation centers, and find one where visitors are welcome. This way you will be able to visit him or her so that they are not alone. In the end your friend and loved one will have gotten the help that they needed, and you will be able to say that you helped them beat their addiction.