by: Steve Joseph
Drug abuse is a most divisive force within a family unit. It causes people to lie to those that trust them, to use violence against those that love them and above all, to loathe themselves. In many cases the abuse of drugs goes on for many years, causing an ingrained type of damage that becomes a feature of daily life. Yet amidst the pain and suffering that is caused by drugs, there often remains an inability for individuals to fully heal themselves. In fact http://www.1drugrehabcentre.com says that the incidence of drug abuse amongst children of drug addicts remains disproportionately high, in spite of first hand experience with the devastating disease. This fact clearly outlines the need for and the significance of expert rehabilitation programs that counters the disease to the same extent that drug abuse has negatively impacted the family.
There are a variety of methods and programs that exist with regard to drug rehab programs but the priorities of almost all drug rehab programs are defined by the level of abuse of the drug addict. The process of successful drug rehab programs is usually based upon a series of fundamental needs which are designed to:
-Allow the immediate effects of the drugs in your system to dissipate
-Safely detoxify the body and remove lasting traces of drugs from the body
-Avoid relapse by undergoing individual counseling
-Identify the things that may trigger a relapse
-Undergo family or marital counseling as appropriate
The last point which relates to family and marital counseling can be extremely significant for the purposes of breaking a lasting cycle of abuse. Like http://www.rehabcentreinfo.com , most rehab programs are keen to point out the need for families to tackle drug abuse and agree that the role of family and friends as a means of support cannot be overstated. Hand in hand with this issue is the need for individual members of the family to be reconciled with the pain of their experiences. Family members simply cannot provide a supportive network for recovering addicts if they are continuing to harbor resentment or unresolved issues that stem from the drug user. Secondly, the chances of forming a multi-generational pattern of drug abuse are far greater if family reconciliation is not undertaken.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Why Drug Abuse is Rampan
by: Karen Nodalo
In almost all over the countries across the world, drug trafficking issues are dealt with and are the most difficult case to resolve. Every year, the rate of drug abuse cases and trafficking has been mounting from its number. Be it young or old, it chooses no one. No matter how heavy punishments were implemented, still the government found it to be very impenetrable to stop such case.
The government finds remedy to this matter. Most drug cases involve the minor entity especially the out-of-school youth so they find it very hard to trigger. They lack knowledge and education for the use of prohibited drugs. Young minds’ curiosities are harder to comprehend and figure out. It is hard to cease because as long as there are hidden resources, still it spreads out unnoticed. Drug issues are immediately to be solved because it is an auxiliary in bringing out other pertinent and relevant cases such as murder and slaughter cases.
Annual news about increasing number of addiction continues to inflate. How do we stop these cases? The public and the media have been very immune to hearing this inexorable problem and it appears to be not so very surprising at all. The larger it gets the larger chances of inviting associated tribulations not only in the community but for the whole.
Drug prevention programs or anti-drug campaigns have been implemented and focused on but still, it is to no avail. Minor children who are in sheer addiction are subjected to isolation and rehabilitation. Why do these children involve to these problems at such a young age? The main reason for that matter is because they lack attention and guidance at home and the society. Treating children is a sensitive and crucial part. Every little change in the environment catches their attention and draws out to what they think is right. Peer pressure comes along with losing family ties that makes them feel unwanted in the community. Discrimination is also another factor that affects them emotionally. When they feel indifferent from the other youngsters especially those with a higher standard of living, they tend to seek attention resulting to mental, social and emotional distractions.
The law has been fatherly conducting reforms to sweep this case. The implication of this will initiate analysis and observation. Hidden plantations of prohibited drugs are not easy to locate and stopping them to manufacture evenly is a complicated task.
There is an underlying problem to resolving this issue. It has been found out that some law enforcers violate their rules. Implementing these laws is useless if they are the ones who abide the rules they make. Some use it to make money while some intend for their personal pleasure. Serious treatment to this problem should be treated to secure the youth from incongruity.
If such problems could not be resolved, so much for the underlying cases that goes with it. To resolve this, further observance and keenness is required not only for the institution but for the family which is called the training grounds of every person.
About The Author
Karen Nodalo
In almost all over the countries across the world, drug trafficking issues are dealt with and are the most difficult case to resolve. Every year, the rate of drug abuse cases and trafficking has been mounting from its number. Be it young or old, it chooses no one. No matter how heavy punishments were implemented, still the government found it to be very impenetrable to stop such case.
The government finds remedy to this matter. Most drug cases involve the minor entity especially the out-of-school youth so they find it very hard to trigger. They lack knowledge and education for the use of prohibited drugs. Young minds’ curiosities are harder to comprehend and figure out. It is hard to cease because as long as there are hidden resources, still it spreads out unnoticed. Drug issues are immediately to be solved because it is an auxiliary in bringing out other pertinent and relevant cases such as murder and slaughter cases.
Annual news about increasing number of addiction continues to inflate. How do we stop these cases? The public and the media have been very immune to hearing this inexorable problem and it appears to be not so very surprising at all. The larger it gets the larger chances of inviting associated tribulations not only in the community but for the whole.
Drug prevention programs or anti-drug campaigns have been implemented and focused on but still, it is to no avail. Minor children who are in sheer addiction are subjected to isolation and rehabilitation. Why do these children involve to these problems at such a young age? The main reason for that matter is because they lack attention and guidance at home and the society. Treating children is a sensitive and crucial part. Every little change in the environment catches their attention and draws out to what they think is right. Peer pressure comes along with losing family ties that makes them feel unwanted in the community. Discrimination is also another factor that affects them emotionally. When they feel indifferent from the other youngsters especially those with a higher standard of living, they tend to seek attention resulting to mental, social and emotional distractions.
The law has been fatherly conducting reforms to sweep this case. The implication of this will initiate analysis and observation. Hidden plantations of prohibited drugs are not easy to locate and stopping them to manufacture evenly is a complicated task.
There is an underlying problem to resolving this issue. It has been found out that some law enforcers violate their rules. Implementing these laws is useless if they are the ones who abide the rules they make. Some use it to make money while some intend for their personal pleasure. Serious treatment to this problem should be treated to secure the youth from incongruity.
If such problems could not be resolved, so much for the underlying cases that goes with it. To resolve this, further observance and keenness is required not only for the institution but for the family which is called the training grounds of every person.
About The Author
Karen Nodalo
Friday, August 17, 2007
Drug Use in School
The availability of drugs at schools has increased over the last ten years although the overall use of illicit drugs has declined. Yet too many teenagers are still abusing drugs. In the National Institute on Drug Abuse 2005 Monitoring the Future survey researchers found that 50% of high school seniors report some use of an illicit drug during their life.
Drugs are easily obtained and teenagers know who they can contact to get them.
The Bureau of Justice reports that 85% of teens say they know where to get marijuana and 55% know how to get amphetamines. Knowledge of drug availability is similar regardless of race or location. Students living in rural, suburban, and urban areas all reported similar levels of drug availability at about 35% overall. Even more frightening is that 29% of students say that someone has "offered, sold, or given them an illegal drug on school property."
Some officials believe that the percentages of actual drug abuse are low because of the number of teenagers that have dropped out or are truant are not represented in the survey. These teenagers often have a higher involvement with drugs than those still in school.
Alcohol is the most common substance used, with 75% of seniors having at least tried alcohol and 23% within the last month. Alcohol use is often glamorized in the media and teens try to imitate the behaviors they see.
Cigarettes are the next most common drugs abused by teenagers. Most teens assume they can quit smoking at will. Instead they often find themselves addicted. Few people start smoking after the teenage years.
Marijuana has been used by 44% of seniors. The NIDA reports that 60% of teens that do use drugs use marijuana. The most recent survey found that fewer eighth graders today see a risk in smoking marijuana than in the past.
Inhalants are the most commonly abused illegal drug among those in middle school with 17.1% of eight graders having tried them. Inhalants are cheap and easily purchased. Most of them are common household substances like paint thinners, glues, spray paint, whipped cream dispensers, hair sprays and other substances.
Prescription Drug use among teenagers has been rising at a rate of 25% per year since 2001. Most teens take prescription drugs because of personal or family-related stress.
Many teenagers are getting the message through school, parents, and the media that drugs are harmful. But many are still not receiving or are choosing to ignore the message. The best way to combat teenage drug abuse is by education that means consistently talking about drugs both formally and informally.
written by Teresa McEntire
About the Author: Resources:
Parenting Troubled Teens
Drugs are easily obtained and teenagers know who they can contact to get them.
The Bureau of Justice reports that 85% of teens say they know where to get marijuana and 55% know how to get amphetamines. Knowledge of drug availability is similar regardless of race or location. Students living in rural, suburban, and urban areas all reported similar levels of drug availability at about 35% overall. Even more frightening is that 29% of students say that someone has "offered, sold, or given them an illegal drug on school property."
Some officials believe that the percentages of actual drug abuse are low because of the number of teenagers that have dropped out or are truant are not represented in the survey. These teenagers often have a higher involvement with drugs than those still in school.
Alcohol is the most common substance used, with 75% of seniors having at least tried alcohol and 23% within the last month. Alcohol use is often glamorized in the media and teens try to imitate the behaviors they see.
Cigarettes are the next most common drugs abused by teenagers. Most teens assume they can quit smoking at will. Instead they often find themselves addicted. Few people start smoking after the teenage years.
Marijuana has been used by 44% of seniors. The NIDA reports that 60% of teens that do use drugs use marijuana. The most recent survey found that fewer eighth graders today see a risk in smoking marijuana than in the past.
Inhalants are the most commonly abused illegal drug among those in middle school with 17.1% of eight graders having tried them. Inhalants are cheap and easily purchased. Most of them are common household substances like paint thinners, glues, spray paint, whipped cream dispensers, hair sprays and other substances.
Prescription Drug use among teenagers has been rising at a rate of 25% per year since 2001. Most teens take prescription drugs because of personal or family-related stress.
Many teenagers are getting the message through school, parents, and the media that drugs are harmful. But many are still not receiving or are choosing to ignore the message. The best way to combat teenage drug abuse is by education that means consistently talking about drugs both formally and informally.
written by Teresa McEntire
About the Author: Resources:
Parenting Troubled Teens
Teen Drug Use Warning Signs
Raising a teenager is a difficult task. There are many things to worry about, and one subject many parents are concerned about is teen drug abuse. Parents who discover that their teens are drinking or using drugs are often not surprised, as they noticed many changes in their teenager. The difficulty is in telling which changes in behavior mean your teen is using drugs, and which are just the normal result of teenage hormones. These can also be signs that your child is ill.
Some warning signs of teen drug abuse can include:
* emotional changes - a personality change, or frequent sudden mood swings, or a happy child becomes an irritable teen
* low self esteem - poor self image or depression
* general lack of interest - your teen stops participating in a favorite sport or no longer is willing to participate in family activities
* school - dropping grades, cutting classes, or discipline problems can be signs of teen drug use
* health - constantly tired, glazed red eyes, or constantly coughing
* friends - new, less conventional friends, or friends who are often in trouble
* trouble with the law, or other authority figures
Of course, any combination of the above mentioned changes or signs are not necessarily a sign of teen drug use. As teenagers, there will be changes in friends, hormonal issues, and in general, many changes. It is hard to tell from one change in behavior whether your teen's reluctance to be around their parents is due to teen drug use, or because they find it uncool. Problems with school or friends could be due to a fight, or some incident which happened.
The important thing to do is to talk to your teenage child. Several of the above warning signs combined mean that something is going on in your teen's head, and finding out sooner rather than later could save your family and your teen a lot of problems. If your teen is using drugs, get help in dealing with this problem.
About the Author: Resources:
Teens and Drug Abuse
Parenting Troubled Teens
Some warning signs of teen drug abuse can include:
* emotional changes - a personality change, or frequent sudden mood swings, or a happy child becomes an irritable teen
* low self esteem - poor self image or depression
* general lack of interest - your teen stops participating in a favorite sport or no longer is willing to participate in family activities
* school - dropping grades, cutting classes, or discipline problems can be signs of teen drug use
* health - constantly tired, glazed red eyes, or constantly coughing
* friends - new, less conventional friends, or friends who are often in trouble
* trouble with the law, or other authority figures
Of course, any combination of the above mentioned changes or signs are not necessarily a sign of teen drug use. As teenagers, there will be changes in friends, hormonal issues, and in general, many changes. It is hard to tell from one change in behavior whether your teen's reluctance to be around their parents is due to teen drug use, or because they find it uncool. Problems with school or friends could be due to a fight, or some incident which happened.
The important thing to do is to talk to your teenage child. Several of the above warning signs combined mean that something is going on in your teen's head, and finding out sooner rather than later could save your family and your teen a lot of problems. If your teen is using drugs, get help in dealing with this problem.
About the Author: Resources:
Teens and Drug Abuse
Parenting Troubled Teens
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Dating, Drugs And Alcohol
by: Alan Yarbrough, Ed. D.
Dear Daughter,
I love you so much. I wish that I could always protect you from all dangers, but I know that I can’t. You are growing up and you will have to face dangers and make some decisions on your own. However, I am always here and I can always be a pretty good coach. Please talk to me anytime about any problem you may have, even if you have messed up. I have messed up a few times myself.
I was thinking about my last letter on dating. I would like to continue those thoughts. As I think about the potential dangers to avoid, drugs and alcohol are at the top of the list.
The moment you learn that a boyfriend is using any type of illegal drug, begin choosing the location for the break up. Never let the relationship continue thinking that he will give up the drugs for you. I know this sounds cruel, but it is true. People who are using drugs will look you in the eye and convincingly lie about the drug use. The drug use actually alters their personality. They will lie and do things that they wouldn’t normally do.
When you break up with someone over drug use, it’s a little different situation. As described before, choose a semi-private but public location, such as a restaurant. Take your own transportation and enough one dollar bills to pay for whatever you order, if you are meeting in a restaurant.
Get straight to the issue. If you like him, tell him so. If he has some good points, compliment him. Then tell him that you cannot continue dating him because he uses drugs. Tell him that this is something you decided long ago and that you are sticking to it. If it is true, tell him that you still consider him to be a friend, but you will not date him.
He will try to minimize the drug use. He may say that he doesn’t use drugs that often, and that it’s no big deal, everyone does it. He may say that he can quit anytime he wants to quit. He may try to make you feel guilty for treating him so badly. Don’t believe any of this. Tell him that only he can decide what he wants to do, you wish him the best and that you hope, for his sake, he does decide to give up the drugs. Get up and leave.
In about a week or so he may call to tell you that he is off all drugs and doing great. Congratulate him and tell him that you will not consider dating him until he has been drug free for at least a year. He will then try to make you feel bad for being so unreasonable. He may even try to make you feel guilty for not helping him stay off drugs by continuing the relationship. Without you he may start using drugs again. Don’t buy any of this. Tell him that it is up to him to quit the drugs, not you. You are not responsible for his behavior. By the way, if you are thinking that everyone does some drugs so there is no one left to date, you are hanging around the wrong people.
While we are on the subject, do we need to talk about drug use? I don’t think that we do, but if we do, please, please, let’s talk. You need to know that there is a lot of false information out there, most of which comes from the people who are using the drugs. They make it sound really good. It’s not. I have seen many people lose their family, friends, their productive lifestyle, and sometimes their life, because the drug became number one in their life.
Do you know what upsets me the most? Not a single one of those people set out to destroy their life. I am certain that if these people had known what destruction lay ahead, they would have never taken that first drug that seemed so harmless. In reality, the most dangerous illegal drug is the first one taken. It seems so harmless in the beginning.
In spite of the seriousness of drug use there is a simple solution; simply don’t do it. Don’t take that first drug. No matter how harmless it may seem or how good other people make it sound, don’t do it. Make that decision now, before you find yourself faced with “friends” who are encouraging you to “just try it.” Make the decision now so that you will not have to decide when under pressure. There comes a time when you have to make some decisions about yourself. Make good decisions.
By the way, what would you do if you were with a group of friends and suddenly alcohol or an illegal drug turns up? You may be thinking “Don’t take it.” That’s a good answer, but you must do more in this situation. You must leave the group immediately. If the individual with the drugs or alcohol is caught and arrested, the whole group will be arrested. It is important that you choose wisely when it comes to friends. I will have more to say about this in a future letter.
Let me also mention a few things about alcohol. Alcohol is probably the most dangerous drug available in terms of destruction to individuals and families. The reason it is so destructive is because it is legal, socially accepted and readily available.
For those who have trouble with alcohol, the onset of problems is slow and not even noticeable to the victim. Victims of both drug and alcohol dependence often have their world falling apart all around them, and they are in total denial of the problem and the consequences.
You are under age. It is illegal for you to drink alcohol. This makes my advice simple for now. Don’t do it. It’s that simple. No doubt you will find yourself at a party and there will be alcohol present. Don’t do it, leave immediately. It’s illegal and you could be arrested.
When you become an adult and are living on your own, you will have to decide what you will do about alcohol. Some people can drink socially and never have a problem with alcohol abuse or dependence. Other people begin with social drinking and the use slowly increases until it becomes abuse with the entire range of social, and eventually, physical problems. Which group are you in? I don’t know either.
I want you to know that there is a danger involved. To avoid the danger, the best thing to do is choose to not drink alcohol. This is the safest route and the one that I recommend to you.
As far as dating someone who is using alcohol, it is similar to the drug issue. You are under age. If your date brings alcohol around you, he is putting you in danger. You could be arrested. He is being irresponsible and this is your cue to plan the break up. What if he is older and is of legal age to use alcohol? It doesn’t matter. He is still endangering you. Plan the break up.
What will you do later on, when you are of legal age to drink alcohol, and your boyfriend drinks alcohol? This is not a black and white situation. If you have chosen the safe route and you do not drink alcohol, you may have decided that you will only date people who, like you, do not drink alcohol. If so, this simplifies things.
On the other hand, if you wish to continue dating the person, there may or may not be danger. As discussed earlier, some people have trouble with alcohol and some don’t. If the relationship becomes serious, discuss your concerns with him. If you have a good relationship, an in-depth discussion should not be a problem. Remember that you always have access to professional drug and alcohol counselors who can help you evaluate your situation. Be sure you are comfortable with the situation up front rather than after the marriage.
Dear Daughter,
I love you so much. I wish that I could always protect you from all dangers, but I know that I can’t. You are growing up and you will have to face dangers and make some decisions on your own. However, I am always here and I can always be a pretty good coach. Please talk to me anytime about any problem you may have, even if you have messed up. I have messed up a few times myself.
I was thinking about my last letter on dating. I would like to continue those thoughts. As I think about the potential dangers to avoid, drugs and alcohol are at the top of the list.
The moment you learn that a boyfriend is using any type of illegal drug, begin choosing the location for the break up. Never let the relationship continue thinking that he will give up the drugs for you. I know this sounds cruel, but it is true. People who are using drugs will look you in the eye and convincingly lie about the drug use. The drug use actually alters their personality. They will lie and do things that they wouldn’t normally do.
When you break up with someone over drug use, it’s a little different situation. As described before, choose a semi-private but public location, such as a restaurant. Take your own transportation and enough one dollar bills to pay for whatever you order, if you are meeting in a restaurant.
Get straight to the issue. If you like him, tell him so. If he has some good points, compliment him. Then tell him that you cannot continue dating him because he uses drugs. Tell him that this is something you decided long ago and that you are sticking to it. If it is true, tell him that you still consider him to be a friend, but you will not date him.
He will try to minimize the drug use. He may say that he doesn’t use drugs that often, and that it’s no big deal, everyone does it. He may say that he can quit anytime he wants to quit. He may try to make you feel guilty for treating him so badly. Don’t believe any of this. Tell him that only he can decide what he wants to do, you wish him the best and that you hope, for his sake, he does decide to give up the drugs. Get up and leave.
In about a week or so he may call to tell you that he is off all drugs and doing great. Congratulate him and tell him that you will not consider dating him until he has been drug free for at least a year. He will then try to make you feel bad for being so unreasonable. He may even try to make you feel guilty for not helping him stay off drugs by continuing the relationship. Without you he may start using drugs again. Don’t buy any of this. Tell him that it is up to him to quit the drugs, not you. You are not responsible for his behavior. By the way, if you are thinking that everyone does some drugs so there is no one left to date, you are hanging around the wrong people.
While we are on the subject, do we need to talk about drug use? I don’t think that we do, but if we do, please, please, let’s talk. You need to know that there is a lot of false information out there, most of which comes from the people who are using the drugs. They make it sound really good. It’s not. I have seen many people lose their family, friends, their productive lifestyle, and sometimes their life, because the drug became number one in their life.
Do you know what upsets me the most? Not a single one of those people set out to destroy their life. I am certain that if these people had known what destruction lay ahead, they would have never taken that first drug that seemed so harmless. In reality, the most dangerous illegal drug is the first one taken. It seems so harmless in the beginning.
In spite of the seriousness of drug use there is a simple solution; simply don’t do it. Don’t take that first drug. No matter how harmless it may seem or how good other people make it sound, don’t do it. Make that decision now, before you find yourself faced with “friends” who are encouraging you to “just try it.” Make the decision now so that you will not have to decide when under pressure. There comes a time when you have to make some decisions about yourself. Make good decisions.
By the way, what would you do if you were with a group of friends and suddenly alcohol or an illegal drug turns up? You may be thinking “Don’t take it.” That’s a good answer, but you must do more in this situation. You must leave the group immediately. If the individual with the drugs or alcohol is caught and arrested, the whole group will be arrested. It is important that you choose wisely when it comes to friends. I will have more to say about this in a future letter.
Let me also mention a few things about alcohol. Alcohol is probably the most dangerous drug available in terms of destruction to individuals and families. The reason it is so destructive is because it is legal, socially accepted and readily available.
For those who have trouble with alcohol, the onset of problems is slow and not even noticeable to the victim. Victims of both drug and alcohol dependence often have their world falling apart all around them, and they are in total denial of the problem and the consequences.
You are under age. It is illegal for you to drink alcohol. This makes my advice simple for now. Don’t do it. It’s that simple. No doubt you will find yourself at a party and there will be alcohol present. Don’t do it, leave immediately. It’s illegal and you could be arrested.
When you become an adult and are living on your own, you will have to decide what you will do about alcohol. Some people can drink socially and never have a problem with alcohol abuse or dependence. Other people begin with social drinking and the use slowly increases until it becomes abuse with the entire range of social, and eventually, physical problems. Which group are you in? I don’t know either.
I want you to know that there is a danger involved. To avoid the danger, the best thing to do is choose to not drink alcohol. This is the safest route and the one that I recommend to you.
As far as dating someone who is using alcohol, it is similar to the drug issue. You are under age. If your date brings alcohol around you, he is putting you in danger. You could be arrested. He is being irresponsible and this is your cue to plan the break up. What if he is older and is of legal age to use alcohol? It doesn’t matter. He is still endangering you. Plan the break up.
What will you do later on, when you are of legal age to drink alcohol, and your boyfriend drinks alcohol? This is not a black and white situation. If you have chosen the safe route and you do not drink alcohol, you may have decided that you will only date people who, like you, do not drink alcohol. If so, this simplifies things.
On the other hand, if you wish to continue dating the person, there may or may not be danger. As discussed earlier, some people have trouble with alcohol and some don’t. If the relationship becomes serious, discuss your concerns with him. If you have a good relationship, an in-depth discussion should not be a problem. Remember that you always have access to professional drug and alcohol counselors who can help you evaluate your situation. Be sure you are comfortable with the situation up front rather than after the marriage.
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