Ecstasy Overload

By Stacy Barnes | July 30, 2010

Not since LSD in the 1960s has the world witnessed a drug phenomenon like the rapid and widespread emergence of Ecstasy. In the past five years, Ecstasy use has doubled among teens; 11% of American high school seniors now report they have tried the drug. This summer in New York City, officials seized over a million tablets in the largest Ecstasy drug bust. In Illinois, possession of fifteen tablets now carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison. Enthusiasts describe Ecstasy (also known by its chemical name MDMA) as the most intense euphoria they know, while detractors maintain that it is a cause of brain damage and even death. With its growing use, Ecstasy has created an unprecedented level of controversy-and misinformation.

Merck, the German pharmaceutical company, developed ecstasy in 1912 in the process of trying to find a substance that would stop bleeding. It was not studied on its own until 1927, and then again in 1959, but no human trials were conducted. It was re-synthesized in 1967 by US pharmacologist Alexander Shulgin. For a period, with its serious side-effects unknown, it was used in psychotherapy particularly for people who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As it became better understood, this work ceased, and it was made illegal in 1985.

MDMA (ecstasy) is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences. Typically, MDMA (an acronym for its chemical name 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is taken orally, usually in a tablet or capsule, and its effects last approximately 3 to 6 hours.

MDMA can affect the brain by altering the activity of chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, which enable nerve cells in many regions of the brain to communicate with one another. Research in animals has shown that MDMA in moderate to high doses can be toxic to nerve cells that contain serotonin and can cause long-lasting damage to them.

Overdose from ecstasy can occur. It is usually presents with a very high body temperature and blood pressure, hallucinations and an increased heartbeat. This is especially dangerous for those who have preexisting heart or lung disease and for individuals with psychiatric disorders. Although the exact cause and number of deaths from ecstasy are difficult to determine, hospital admission records indicate that ecstasy is known to cause deaths by inducing:

• bleeding in the brain
• kidney failure
• overheating of the body, dehydration
• excessive increase in blood pressure

MDMA is an addictive drug and can cause both physical and psychological dependence. Besides the side effects, the drug has severe social, behavioral and health consequences. As to who and when someone becomes addicted remains unknown. Even though long term use of MDMA is known to cause addiction, it is very likely that even short term use may cause partial dependence.

Ecstasy recovery or full treatment for the consequences of ecstasy intoxication and addiction, should include a full and complete Ecstasy Detox. As Ecstasy gets trapped deep in the body tissues, a long sauna detox sweat out program would be needed to remove the build up of these chemical residues from the body. The body has an amazing ability to repair itself and rebuild itself once there is no more threat to its survival. If you cannot stop, you need to learn what it is that makes you crave intoxication, learn how you can overcome cravings to use, and learn how to enjoy yourself without a need to get high. A period of in or outpatient treatment may provide you with the therapy and re-education you need for a better life free from ecstasy and other drug abuse.

Topics: Ecstasy Addiction, MDMA Abuse | No Comments »

Betting on Addiction

By Stacy Barnes | July 20, 2010

Gambling for fun and problem gambling draw a fine line between the divide of healthy versus harmful. The biggest question poses: where is this line drawn? Problem gambling, also known as ludomania is an urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler’s behavior. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria. Although the term gambling addiction is common in the recovery movement, pathological gambling is considered to be an impulse control disorder and is therefore not considered by the American Psychological Association to be an addiction. Although this may not be “classified” as an addiction, the damage that is done by this impulsive behavior is non-reversible is most instances.

Identifying that there is a real problem is the first step. Signs of problem gambling are commonly characterized by a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, “chasing” losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences. No matter how large or small scale the damage is, the main focus is that damage is being done. Problem gambling doesn’t have to take place in casinos and racetracks; it can literally take place anywhere. The compulsion to gamble or bet can transcend all over, today people are even betting on the outcomes of political elections or the winner of reality shows.

As with any other form of compulsive behavior and/or addictions, there is help available for problem gambling. Gamblers come in all forms; a person that suffers from problem gambling can very well be the person next to you. Look for the warning signs, as they may vary is severity but generally they include the use of gambling as a way to escape problems or relieve depression, inability to stop playing regardless of winning or losing, and despite constant vows to abstain, use of alcohol, sleep, or drugs to escape, restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling, and many other signs alluding to gambling addiction.

Topics: Gambling Addiction, Problem Gambling, ludomania | No Comments »

Sex Addiction

By Stacy Barnes | July 12, 2010

Tiger Woods, Jesse James, and Charlie Sheen all share what similar quality? They are all addicts. Their addictions may vary in different forms, but as of recent gossip news, it seems that these men all share an addiction for sex. Some say for these men, it is the hubris that enables them to defy the lines of fidelity or it is truly an addiction for sex that drive these men to do what they do, in excess. Chances are you’ve known someone, maybe even someone in your own family, who’s struggled with an addiction to cigarettes, alcohol or drugs. But what about an addiction to sex? A growing number of medical experts are saying compulsive sexual behavior is a very real disorder that an estimated 16 million Americans, both men and women, are fighting.

Compulsive sexual behavior symptoms vary in type and severity. Some signs that you may be struggling with compulsive sexual behavior include:

There’s a broad range of sexual activities that can be warning signs of compulsive sexual behavior. Examples include:

No matter what it’s called or the exact nature of the behavior, untreated compulsive sexual behavior can damage your self-esteem, relationships, career and other people. But with treatment and self-help, you can manage compulsive sexual behavior and keep your urges in check.

For more information:

MayoClinic

SexAA

Topics: compulsive behavior, sex addiction | Comments Off

Abuse of Household Products

By Stacy Barnes | July 12, 2010

When we think of drug abuse, we commonly think of prescription drugs, marijuana, street-drugs, such as crack-cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, etc. But sometimes drug abuse can be right under our noses. Not only kids, but also adults heavily abuse several household products as well. These products are easily accessible for kids to use and also for the recovering addict who cannot obtain their drug of choice, household products such as, model airplane glue, nail polish remover, cleaning fluids, hair spray, gasoline, the propellant in aerosol whipped cream, spray paint, fabric protector, air conditioner fluid (freon), cooking spray and correction fluid can induce the high they are craving for. These inhalants are a rising problem among American households. In 2008, 2 million Americans age 12 and older had abused inhalants. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 8.9% of 8th graders, 5.9% of 10th graders, and 3.8% of 12th graders had abused inhalants at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site).

Inhalants are used in various ways; these products are sniffed, snorted, bagged (fumes inhaled from a plastic bag), or “huffed” (inhalant-soaked rag, sock, or roll of toilet paper in the mouth) to achieve a high. Inhalants are also sniffed directly from the container. Street names commonly used are whippets, poppers, and snappers. Although one may think the effects may not be as serious as other drugs, they indeed are. Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness. Irreversible effects can be hearing loss, limb spasms, central nervous system or brain damage, or bone marrow damage. Sniffing high concentrations of inhalants may result in death from heart failure or suffocation (inhalants displace oxygen in the lungs). The user can also suffer from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. This means the user can die the 1st, 10th or 100th time he or she uses an inhalant. The scariest part about this addiction is its accessibility. All these products are easily found at local stores and commonly kept within households.

Treatment facilities for inhalant users are rare and difficult to find. Users suffer a high rate of relapse, and require thirty to forty days or more of detoxification. Users suffer withdrawal symptoms that can include hallucinations, nausea, excessive sweating, hand tremors, muscle cramps, headaches, chills and delirium tremens. Follow-up treatment is very important.

Topics: prescription drugs | Comments Off

Capital Overdose

By Steve Campbell | June 25, 2010

Capital Overdose

In real estate, they say the most important factor is, “location, location, location,” and the same can be said for drug abuse. Year after year, national polls are conducted to see where the concentration of drug abuse and drug related problems exist. And year after year, some of America’s biggest cities continue to arise on this list.

It may not be surprising that well-known sprawling urban centers such as New Orleans, Baltimore, and San Francisco appear on the Forbes list of cities dealing with the worst drug problems in the nation. But some smaller communities are also facing epic battles with drugs, including tiny Española, N.M. For one reason or another, drug abuse in certain areas has continued to be extremely problematic.

For example, in New Orleans, an increase in drug problems arose after Hurricane Katrina reconstruction. As the drug-dealing returns, its effects are proving deadly for New Orleans, where the police say that fights over turf for distributing the drugs are the main reason for a spike in killings that threatens the city’s recovery. Even though its population is less than half of what it was before the storm, New Orleans recorded 22 homicides in July, the same number that it averaged each month in the three years before the hurricane. The San Francisco metropolitan area has a higher percentage of people who are regular drug users than any other major metropolitan area in the USA, a study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found. The two main reasons behind the dramatic growth of prescription drug trafficking in the Baltimore region and across the country are this: access and money. According to federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors, millions of dollars flow across the internet – from unscrupulous pharmacists into the hands of street dealers every day.

Although mega cities are easily prone to such problems, of the recent, smaller cities are now being subjected to drug problems and crime. Espanola, New Mexico. Española is a small city in rural Rio Arriba County, north of Santa Fe. Its population of roughly 10,000 includes a large Hispanic community, relies largely on Los Alamos National Lab for employment and struggles with a high poverty rate. This is the U.S. city that consistently ranks among the top in the nation in drug overdoses, according to federal statistics. It is tough to find another American city that records 42.5 drug-related deaths per 100,000, compared with a national average of 7.3.

Society as a whole may not be able to ever completely eliminate this problem, but help is available, and with that we can contribute to decreasing the overwhelming drug infestations in some of our countries most prominent cities.

Topics: News | Comments Off

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