Bad Habits That Lead To Drug Use

According to statistics from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, there were 12.8 million Americans (or 6% of the population) that were current drug users. Over a one-year period statistics from the National Institute on Drug abuse indicate that there are 23.5 million that have used drugs over the course of a year.  So, why do so many people come to use drugs? First, one must understand addiction. Drug addiction, which also includes alcohol, is a chronic, relapsing condition that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the drug addict and those around him. For most people, the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary. Over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse may affect an individual’s self-control and ability to make prudent decisions. This happens when the chemicals from the drugs interfere with the brain’s communication system, disrupting the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. Addictions can form from pretty much any type of drug or alcohol. Once the body is used to having something on a regular basis, it will want in all the time. This can be comparable to sugar, or caffeine. Most people can relate to needing their morning latte or their sugar fix in the afternoon. Addictions to drugs work in a similar way, only they are much more intense and much more detrimental to ones health.

Most Common Reasons For Drug Use

There are many reasons why one begins to use drugs. Listed below are the main culprits. One should take the time to go over them so that they are able to recognize and prevent them.

• Boredom/Lack of Productive Activities

Some people, especially teens, have trouble keeping themselves occupied. Many also crave excitement, but lack the resources to fulfill these desires with productive activities. This can lead to drug use, commonly marijuana and alcohol, often with other teens who do the same. This furthers the drug use, as it becomes a group activity.

• Escape/Self-Medication

Many people begin using drugs as a way to escape from the everyday problems of life. This is common with teens, as they are beginning to experience the pressures of responsibility and growing up. Stress from homework, low grades, drama with friends and/or relationships, and home life can lead to a teen using drugs. As for adults, stressful situations such as, loss of job, break-up, and money problems are all common reasons to start self-medicating with drugs.

• Giving In To Peer Pressure

There is a tremendous amount of bullying and peer pressure that takes place in schools and other social groups. Many teens believe that by giving in to these pressures, they will fit in and won’t be tormented anymore.

• Following Popular Media

As with peer pressure, there is a lot of pressure to fit in and be cool. Media also sets the standards of what is considered cool. In fact, 42 percent of teens agreed that movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an OK thing to do. In addition, 12 to 17 year olds who viewed three or more “R” movies per month were more likely to smoke cigarettes, use marijuana and drink alcohol compared to those who didn’t watch “R” rated films.

Habits That Lead to Drug Use

With that said there are also some bad habits that lead to drug use. Some of these include things like excess drinking, not saying no to drugs, staying out to late or hanging with the ‘wrong crowd.’ The best way to stay away from drugs is to not develop these bad habits in the first place as well as being educated on why people take drugs so you don’t fall into the trap.

How Do Rehab Centers Get Accredited

Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented. There are several types of accreditation programs, which include the Joint Commission, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the All-States, and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The standards for CARF accreditation are a product of over 40 years of development, by international teams of policymakers, service providers, consumers, payers, and family members. CARF designates certain classes of accreditation to each rehab facility. These include a one-year accreditation, provisional accreditation, nonaccreditation, preliminary accreditation, accreditation with stipulations, and finally the highest, the three-year accreditation. In order for a rehab center to achieve CARF accreditation, the facility has to go through grueling process. This process begins with the facilities commitment to continuous improvement and finishes with an external review and recognition that their business and service practices meet international standards for quality.

Narconon Accreditation

Narconon is a drug rehab facility that follows a highly successful program, which does not consist of the use of drugs. Narconon Arrowhead of Oklahoma was awarded a three-year accreditation by CARF, and has continued to uphold their high standards in order to keep this accreditation over the years. Along with this prestigious accreditation, Narconon has been awarded other forms of credentials, such as full certification from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. This verifies that Narconon Arrowhead is 100 percent in agreement and compliance with these criteria. The Narconon accreditation, like other rehabs is one that is renewed in a specific period of time.

Quality Of Service And Its Importance  

Quality of service is one of the most important factors in choosing a drug rehab facility. It could literally mean the difference between life and death. By choosing a center with exceptional service and quality, the individual could go on to live a happy, drug-free life. In the unfortunate event that one chooses a facility that is lacking, he may very well go on to face a miserable life of continual relapse or even death. Patients and their families want the best out of the facility that they choose. Many factors play a huge role in the successful recovery of an addict. These factors include program accreditation and licensing; the effectiveness of the program’s treatment methods and aftercare services to prevent relapse. Finally, a supportive and friendly staff is very important. These are people who are going to be surrounding the addict through recovery. They should be knowledgeable, friendly, and display a good level of ethics. The best place to start in choosing a drug rehab facility is to research which type of treatment would work best for the addict. One should then look into the success rate of the program. Finally, the facilities can be narrowed down by checking on their accreditations and credentials. These accreditations are very necessary, and should not be brushed aside because of cost or financial situations. There is always help or assistance if money is a factor. Cost should never be a deciding factor, but rather the quality of service and success. Resources for accreditation: http://www.jointcommission.org/state_recognition/state_recognition_details.aspx?ps=100&s=FL http://www.carf.org/home/ https://www.ncqa.org/   

How to Not Go Back to Drinking Alcohol

Recovering from alcohol abuse can be extremely difficult for many reasons, but the prevalence of alcoholic beverages is a major one. Imagine trying to recover from a meth addiction and finding it easily available in grocery stores, advertised on TV and recommended with your meal at restaurants. You might feel that society was stacked against you getting sober. Luckily, there are several successful strategies you can use to stay sober.

Stop Going Where the Alcohol Is

It takes work, but one successful strategy is simply to stop going where the alcohol is. DonÕt agree to meet friends at bars, and avoid parties where you know alcohol will be served. Only go to restaurants without a wine and beer list. It takes time and attention beforehand to select out these establishments, but itÕs worth it to avoid the extreme temptation of seeing alcohol poured and consumed around you. For some types of businesses, such as grocery stores, it can be almost impossible to find one that doesnÕt sell some form of alcohol. In these cases, it may be a good idea to arrange grocery shopping with a friend or family member. Give them the money to buy the groceries and you can avoid going near alcohol altogether. In time you may be able to build up the strength and self-control you need, but be willing to go out of your way to avoid alcohol on the way to this stage.

Stop Associating With Heavy Drinkers

Many recovering alcoholics realize that many of their friends are also heavy drinkers. One of the most difficult parts of recovering can be trying to maintain these friendships while not relapsing. In many cases, it simply wonÕt be possible to stay sober and continue to associate with heavy drinkers. In addition to not going where the alcohol is, a recovering alcoholic should also consider not hanging out with other heavy drinkers (unless these other drinkers are also willing to get sober.) ItÕs awful to lose a friend, but a recovering addict needs a support team that isnÕt going to tempt him or her to return to drinking. Many addicts report that their drinking buddies not only donÕt help them recover, some actively encourage the addict to return to drinking. Build yourself a supportive community that will help you get and stay sober. YouÕll find that these relationships are much healthier than any that revolve around the consumption of alcohol.

Address the Triggers that Tempt You to Drink

Many alcoholics have specific ÒtriggersÓ that can lead to a relapse of drinking. In addition to simply being around alcohol as mentioned above, some alcoholics have relapses triggered by stressful situations. These stressful situations can include dealing with stressful people like an overbearing boss at work. For others, it may be coming home to an abusive spouse. Other stress triggers could be dealing with credit card bills or trying to come up with enough money to pay the rent. Whatever your triggers are, a large part of staying sober can depend on addressing these stressful situations in your life. This step is probably the most difficult, as many of these stress triggers can be ingrained parts of your life that youÕre not ready to change. While it may seem extreme, sometimes finding a new job, moving to a new area or completely revamping oneÕs finances are included in the actions an addict has to take to stay sober. A recovering addict may have to make a lot of changes in his or her life, but most would agree these changes are worth it to stay sober. References: Examples of Alcoholic Peer Pressure: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/226293-today-day-one.html Drinking Triggers: http://www.treatmentsolutions.com/triggers-to-binge-drinking/

Eating Healthy While Recovering From Addiction

Of all the negative health effects caused by drug addiction, one that is often overlooked is malnutrition. Many types of illegal drugs suppress the appetite and can cause a person to not feed themselves properly. This leads to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies and unhealthy weight loss. A number of the negative health effects attributed to drug use itself are actually caused by the addict simply not taking care of themselves nutritionally. Even when an addict is recovering from addiction, for example, they will experience withdrawal. During this process the addict can experience vomiting, nausea and dehydration. ItÕs easy to observe that an addict may not have the willingness or ability to eat when they constantly find themselves lying on their sides and throwing up. Proper nutrition and hydration, then, can be some of the most important parts of successfully recovering from addiction. Here are some of the key areas to focus on.

Drink Lots of Water

In order to handle the dehydration that accompanies drug or alcohol withdrawal, water is your first and best choice. A recovering addict should simply drink more water all day. If signs of more serious dehydration present themselves, however, be aware that itÕs a medical emergency and call 911. While re-hydrating, itÕs important to avoid coffee, tea and soda, as these drinks contain caffeine and can cause further dehydration. Sports drinks such as Gatorade can be helpful, though, as they also contain some simple carbohydrates and electrolytes.

Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods

One of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol is that they can negatively affect the bodyÕs ability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. As the body recovers from addiction, it is therefore very important to eat nutrient-dense foods. Leafy greens are one good choice. Spinach, broccoli and kale all contain important nutrients like calcium and folate, and when you chew them they even release compounds called isothiocyanates that lower your risk of developing cancer. Beans and seeds are both nutrient-dense foods as well, and they have a large number of cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties. If you want something a bit sweeter, many types of berries have a lot of nutrients in addition to health-improving antioxidants. Whichever ones you choose, these nutrient-dense foods can help repair the damage done to your body by drugs and alcohol, and theyÕre a lot better tasting, too.

Eat More Protein

Due to the general neglect of proper eating during drug addiction, protein is another of the bodyÕs necessities that can be out of balance while an addict is in recovery. Protein has an important part in almost all cellular functions, so getting it back in balance is vital to repairing the damage of drugs and alcohol. A good place to start is with lean meats such as poultry and seafood. These meats have a lot of protein without the potential high fat of red meats. An important point, though, is to avoid recipes with alcohol as an ingredient. A recovering addict shouldnÕt have any excuse to have alcohol around the house or in their life.

Consider a Multi-Vitamin

Some of the key nutrients depleted by drug addiction are B vitamins. While many vitamins can be absorbed through proper nutrition, many doctors recommend that a recovering addict take a multi-vitamin. Taking these vitamins can help the body replace the vital substances it is missing while the addict works to fully recover with proper eating habits. There are many different multi-vitamins on the market, and a recovering addict should consult with an addiction specialist on which ones to take. Recovery from addiction is a long process, but healthy eating can make the journey a lot easier. Start using these steps to repair malnutrition today. References: ProteinÕs Role in the Body: http://biology.about.com/b/2008/08/23/the-role-of-proteins-in-the-body.htm B Vitamins: http://www.livestrong.com/article/430209-vitamins-and-nutrition-for-brain-recovery-after-drugs/

How Teenagers Get Access to Drugs

The teenage years can be a wonderful time for children to grow and learn about life, as they get closer to becoming an adult. But, for many teens these years consist of experimenting with things they shouldn’t, like drugs. This drug use could be a result of peer pressure or just curiosity, in general. Unfortunately, this curiosity often leads to addiction. This can happen without the teen even realizing what is happening. At first he is just trying something. Then he does it again and again, and before he knows it he needs it just to get through the day. Peer pressure is another big problem. A teen may be trying to do the right thing and stay away from drugs, but sometimes the pressure to use is too much. Kids want to fit in with the group and if their group of friends just so happens to use drugs and alcohol, the chances of them starting to use as well are very high.

Where Do the Drugs Come From

Many parents wonder the same question: Where are these kids getting drugs? The answer may surprise some people.

• Home

Many teens get drugs, particularly prescription drugs, from their own home. Unsuspecting parents may leave potentially dangerous prescriptions out in the open. Some of these drugs can be extremely addictive, such as painkillers and anti-anxiety medications. These types of prescription drugs can also be taken from relative’s houses, like the grandparents for example.

• School

According to a recent survey, more than 60 percent of teens said that drugs were sold, used or kept at their school. What better place to share or sell drugs to your friends than somewhere where they are all congregated? As they acquire drugs, from their home for example, they bring them into the school, exposing their peers to them.

• Internet

It may come as a shock that people, even teens, are able to buy drugs online. Most of the drugs sold over the Internet are a fairly new type of drug called synthetic drugs. Two of the most popular of these synthetic drugs are synthetic marijuana, or “Spice”, and “bath salts”. Believe it or not, it is actually legal to sell and buy these drugs. Because they are marketed as herbal incense or bath salts, they are not required to adhere to the FDA. Although officials are on to this scheme, they having trouble keeping up with the makers of these drugs, as they continue to find their way around the law. These drugs are extremely dangerous and many parents may not even recognize them as drugs when they see them. [Ref: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-drugs]

How to Help an Addicted Teen

It is important for parents to know how to handle their teen in the case that they learn he is having trouble with drugs. The first thing would be to let the teen know that he is not alone and that he is supported. Then the parents should look into getting professional treatment for their child. The best way to prevent teen drug use and addiction is for parents to lock up prescription medications in the home and make it a point to be involved in their teen’s life. In addition make sure that drug prevention and education is something that is an ongoing action. This can be effective as shown by the results in the Narconon drug prevention program with a teen. After receiving drug education through his school the teen admitted that the talk made him realize that he never wanted to use drugs. This is the conclusion that most teens will come to if they are told the truth about the dangers and risks of these substances.

How Alcohol Use by Teens Affects Brain Growth

Alcohol is a drug that achieves its effects by acting as a depressant on the brain and central nervous system. While anyone who drinks heavily, and especially over a long period of time, is liable to suffer negative consequences in terms of brain health, this risk appears to be especially high among young people. This is due to the fact that alcohol apparently affects the brain of an adolescent differently than it does an adult brain. In the light of recent research, it is evident that now is the time for increased efforts to keep young people away from alcohol. In the same way that pregnant women are discouraged from consuming alcohol due to the damage that drinking can cause to the baby in utero, teenagers should also be restrained from drinking alcohol because by doing so they may be causing themselves to suffer serious and long-term brain damage.

 This is above and beyond the reasons that are currently forwarded against teen drinking. Adults already try to keep young people away from alcohol in order to prevent a number of different negative possible outcomes that can include: 

• Poor academic performance
• Absenteeism and truancy
• Getting involved in fights and other types of violence
• Starting to use other drugs
• Development of alcohol dependence or alcoholism
• Overdose and alcohol poisoning
• Having unprotected sex, leading to sexually-transmitted disease or unplanned pregnancy
• Injury or death in a drunk driving car accident 


Despite the efforts of parents, teachers and others to prevent adolescent drinking, the problem continues to be a serious one. According to the results of the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey, published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 11 percent of 8th-graders, 27.6 percent of 10th-graders, and 41.5 percent of 12th-graders admit to having used alcohol in the past 30 days. Even those who escape the above-listed dangers of teen drinking apparently unscathed may still face a future of suffering long-term consequences of their youthful excess.

Why Teenage Drinking Is More of a Problem

The human brain does not finish developing until some time in the mid-20’s. Drinking during the period when the brain is still growing and building new pathways and connections, therefore, sets the stage for future problems. Alcohol is essentially a poison, as reflected by the fact that someone who has been drinking is said to be intoxicated. Some of the most recent research seems to demonstrate that people who subject their brains to the assault of drinking at a young age may be breaking down their natural resistance to getting hooked. A survey published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine involved the responses of more than 43,000 American adults. It was found that only 9 percent of those who waited until age 21 before starting to drink became alcoholics. Those who began before the age of 14 years, in contrast became alcoholics at a rate of 47 percent, more than 5 times more often.

Alcohol’s Physical Effects on the Brain

The possible reasons for this are easy to understand. As has been demonstrated through studies involving rats, whose brain response to drugs and alcohol is similar to that of humans, heavy alcohol consumption can cause damage to two key areas of the brain. The first, the forebrain, is involved in impulse control and prediction of consequences. Loss or impairment of these two qualities and abilities can make it all but certain that a young person will end up becoming dependent on alcohol, since he or she will be less capable of saying no to having another drink and of recognizing the possible ramifications of heavy drinking. The other component of the brain that is often damaged by drinking is the hippocampus, the area commonly associated with learning and memory. This type of damage may account for the blackouts that drinkers often experience, in which they cannot remember what happened though they did not lose consciousness.

Teenagers may be especially liable to suffering alcohol induced brain damage. A study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that of rats who were put on an alcohol binge, the adolescents suffered approximately double the rate of neuron death as other rats. To make matters worse, teenagers who drink have been found to be less sensitive to the neurotransmitter associated with falling asleep, so that they are often able to stay awake for longer periods in order to keep drinking and therefore to do even more damage. Most teens who drink do so with an attitude of “you only live once,” but if they understand that they are far more likely to suffer long term brain damage as a result, they may be less likely to do so.