OxyContin Use on the Rise

The U.S. Department of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently reported that the recreational use of OxyContin has become a significant problem in recent years. The abuse of this drug affects people of all ages, including adolescents. OxyContin is an opioid, and as such is a powerful and highly addictive pain reliever.

OxyContin is the brand name of a time released formula of oxycodone and it is produced by Purdue Pharma, a privately held pharmaceutical company.
Recreational use often means the drug is injected or inhaled in powder form to intensify its euphoric effect. At the same time, the danger to the user also increases. Not only is this drug powerful, it is highly addictive. Those users who ingest medium to high doses may experience euphoria, nausea, depressed respiration and sleepiness. Higher doses can also cause seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, cardiac arrest and clammy skin. If the dose is high enough it can depress respiration to a fatal level, especially if it is combined with alcohol or another depressant.

Addiction is both physical and psychological and the withdrawal is intense. Symptoms of withdrawal may include cold sweats, insomnia, severe diarrhea, clinical depression, abnormal body temps, immobility, abnormal heart beat and suicidal ideation.

OxyContin is synthesized from the opium derivative thebaine. Thebaine is similar to codeine in some respects but it is more powerful and potentially addictive. These drugs were intended to be taken orally and be time released which dilutes the effect of the drug to a safe level. Crushing the tablets and snorting it is one method an addict will use. They can also mix it with water and inject it. ‘Mainlining’ the crushed drug negates the time release feature while intensifing the high. This also increases the potential health risks associated with this type of use.

If you, or someone you know, are addicted to OxyContin, there is help available. Make the call today, to A Better Tomorrow.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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Inhalant Use

Inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of common products found in homes and communities for the purpose of getting high. There are a number of illegal drugs that are inhaled but those drugs do not fall under this terminology. The term inhalant refers to products that are not illegal, in and of themselves, but through improper use, can produce similar effects to illegal drugs. The most commonly used products include nail polish remover, spray paint, hair spray, rubber cement, paint thinner and gasoline.

Inhalants can be used in a variety of ways, but the three most common are sniffing, huffing and bagging. Sniffing is the most common, because it is the easiest. Fumes from the product are sniffed directly from the product. Huffing is done by soaking a piece of cloth with the product and holding it over the mouth and nose or by stuffing it into the mouth. Bagging occurs when the product is sprayed or put into a paper or plastic bag and the fumes are inhaled from the bag.

Regardless of the product and method used, inhalants are dangerous. They can cause blackouts, seizures, lung damage and even death. Inhalants are especially dangerous for young children. Most products used as inhalants are found in most every home. Children as young as 5, have used inhalants to get high. Three percent of all children will have tried it at least once before they reach the fourth grade. One of the gravest dangers of inhalant use is called Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (SSDS). This occurs when the inhalant causes the heart to beat erratically and quickly and simultaneously the fumes keep the body from being able to produce enough oxygen. The deadly result is suffocation. It can occur with the first use or the fiftieth, or not at all. Even if death does not occur there can be damage to the brain and central nervous system.

Children are not the only ones who use inhalants. Those who do may appear to be disoriented, dizzy or uncoordinated. They may also have a red or runny nose, unusual breath, slurred speech or sores around the mouth. Inhalants are often a gateway to illicit drugs and/or alcohol. If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs, call A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center, to get the help they need.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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Concern for Loved Ones

The majority of drug users have someone who cares about what they are doing to themselves. Should you be more concerned about one drug as opposed to another? Is it a case of the lesser of two evils? That would be a difficult question to answer because addiction is based on a complicated mix of biological, social and psychological factors. One person may get hooked on marijuana after using it a few times because it helps them to relax. Another person may have no interest in the high that marijuana produces, preferring the effects of methamphetamine.

When determining the addictiveness of a drug, there are specific things that may have an impact. Look at the degree of intoxication produced by using the drug. Will the drug induce users to take it repeatedly? Will the amount of the drug fix have to increase for the user to achieve the same results? How hard will it be to quit using the drug, and stay away from it? What withdrawal symptoms will be encountered by stopping the use of the drug and how severe will they be?

The level of dependence is the common denominator for determining the addictiveness of a drug. Nicotine is probably the highest in dependence. Ask any smoker who has tried to quit. Heroin and Cocaine are pretty much neck and neck in the race. The body builds up a tolerance for both of these drugs, requiring ever increasing amounts the get the high it is seeking although Cocaine would have the highest reinforcement value for the feelings the drug causes. Alcohol would be the highest in intoxication and for an alcoholic the withdrawal symptoms are more severe than the rest of the drugs discussed. Caffeine ranks pretty high in more than one area. Certainly dependence would be an issue. Consider how many people don’t want to face a day before they’ve had at least one cup of coffee or a soda. It is something that is used over and over again. There are some withdrawal effects when you quit using it. Some days you crave more than others, depending on the stress of the situation. Marijuana, still a drug, probably ranks lowest in most areas.

If we had control over those we love, we would opt for no drug use at all. Unfortunately, not many people have that kind of control or influence over another. If someone you love has a drug or alcohol problem, there is help available. A Better Tomorrow can give your loved one back the life they enjoyed before the addiction began. They’re waiting for the call.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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SUBOXONE Basics

Suboxone, (sub-OX-own) is a prescription name of (buprenorphine HCI/naloxone HCI dehydrate, sublingual tablet). Sublingual merely indicates that the pill is put under the tongue and allowed to melt. Suboxone is actually a combination of 2 medicines. The first is buprenorphine (BYOO-pruh-NOR-feen) which is a painkiller. It relieves pain similar to morphine, heroin and methadone but without the ‘intense high’. The second medication is naloxone (nal-OX-own). Naloxone is added to keep people from injecting Suboxone. If the tablet is put under the tongue to melt and be absorbed into the system, the naloxone does not affect the buprenorphine. If the pill is crushed and mixed with a liquid to be injected, the Naloxone blocks the effects of the buprenorphine. If this medication is injected it will likely cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If mixed with a tranquilizer and injected it can cause death.

Suboxone is prescribed to treat narcotic (opioid) dependence. Buprenorphine is actually a type narcotic itself and as such it prevents withdrawal symptoms. It is intended to be used as part of a complete narcotic dependence treatment plan. Periodic blood tests, including liver function, should be done to monitor your progress and to check for side effects.

Do not take this drug unless it was prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing. Possible side effects include feeling faint, dizzy, confused, slow breathing or any other unusual symptom. The medication can cause liver problems. It can cause a drop in blood pressure causing you to feel dizzy if you stand up too fast. It can also cause allergic reactions making it difficult to breathe, hives, swelling of your face, asthma type wheezing of shock. If you have any of these side effects notify your doctor immediately. Some more common lesser side effects are headache, pain, sleep problems, nausea, sweating, stomach pain and constipation.

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Drugs and Pregnancy

As a rule, no drugs should be used during pregnancy, unless they are absolutely necessary. More than 90% of pregnant women take some type of unnecessary drug during their pregnancy. It may be a prescription drug, an over the counter drug, tobacco, alcohol or an illicit drug. Many drugs, no matter what category they fall into, may harm the fetus. Two to three percent of all birth defects are the result of some type of drug use other than alcohol. If you are pregnant, do not take any type of drug unless you have talked to your doctor and he has given you the go ahead.

When a pregnant woman takes drugs, the drugs cross the placenta and are absorbed by the fetus. The drug takes the same route as oxygen and nutrients which are needed for growth and development. Drugs can act directly on the fetus, causing damage or abnormal development. This can lead to possible birth defects and/or death. Drugs can alter the function of the placenta. Constricting blood vessels can reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients and the result could be an underweight or underdeveloped baby. Drugs can cause the muscles of the uterus to contract hard enough to reduce the blood flow and thus harm the baby. It can also start preterm labor and delivery.

The development stage of the fetus and the strength of the dose of drugs will determine the affect. Certain drugs taken within 20 days of conception may kill the fetus in some and not affect it at all in others. Birth defects at this early stage are rare. Between the 3rd and 8th week organs are developing and drugs at this stage can cause a miscarriage, an obvious birth defect, a subtle defect that is not noticed until later in life, or it may have no effect. Drugs taken after the development of the organs may not cause birth defects, but they can alter the growth and function of normally formed organs and tissues.

The use of illicit drugs can cause complications and serious problems in the developing fetus. Injecting drugs increases the risk of transferring hepatitis and STD’s, including AIDS. The fetus is more likely to be smaller and premature births are more common. If the mother is addicted, the baby most likely will be also. Withdrawal symptoms in a newborn can occur 6 hours to 8 days after delivery.

If you are using drugs, protect yourself against pregnancy. If you use drugs and you are planning to get pregnant, get help with the drugs first. After you are healthy, your baby stands a much better chance of being born healthy. If you are using drugs and find out you are pregnant, get help immediately. Give your baby every chance to make it into this world healthy. A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center can make this happen for you and for your unborn child. You both deserve a fighting chance.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Barbiturates

Barbiturates act as central nervous system depressants, and because of this, they produce a numerous effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. They also work as anticonvulsants (to treat seizures), anti-anxiety and hypnotics. They are potentially addictive physically as well as psychologically. Barbiturates are derivatives of barbituric acid which is an odorless powder that dissolves in hot water and is not pharmacologically active by itself. In routine medical practice barbiturates have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines because they are significantly less dangerous in overdose. Barbiturates are, however, still used in general anesthesia and in the treatment of epileptic seizures.

Barbiturates in high doses are commonly used for physician assisted suicides. They are also combined with a muscle relaxant for euthanasia and lethal injections for capital punishment. Sodium Pentothal is an ultra short acting barbiturate that is sometimes used as a ‘truth serum’. It can be swallowed or used in an intravenous injection when dissolved in water. The drug does not actually force people to tell the truth. It decreases inhibitions that make people more likely to be caught off guard when they are being questioned.

Barbiturates are intoxicating and produce similar effects. Symptoms include respiratory depression, lowered blood pressure, fatigue, fever, irritability, dizziness, poor concentration, confusion, impaired coordination and judgment, unusual excitement, sedation and respiratory arrest which can lead to death.

The biggest risk of acute barbiturate abuse is respiratory depression. Physical and psychological dependence can develop with repeated use. Other effects of barbiturate intoxication include drowsiness, slurred speech, decreased anxiety, loss of inhibitions, lateral and vertical involuntary eye movement and a gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. A Better Tomorrow can help break the barbiturate habit, but you have to make the contact. Do it now, for yourself, or for someone who loves you.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Ways to Beat Public Speaking Nerves without Drugs or Alcohol

Speaking in public in front of groups of people you don’t know or even know can be more than nerve racking – it can be downright scary. For some the thought of having to do it is enough to make them self medicate to calm their nerves. Some people self medicate by what is thought of as liquid courage- alcohol. Others use a variety of drugs, some legal, some not. Both ways of alleviating the stress of public speaking can lead to abuse and later addiction.

If you stress out about speaking in front of groups, you are not alone. Most public speakers, even the experienced ones, are nervous on some level about making a mistake and/or being laughed at. Nervousness before a performance is your body’s way of making sure you do well. Adrenaline can actually help you focus.

Some people experience more severe worry and stress. They may feel cold or sweaty, get butterflies in their stomachs and feel like they can’t think straight. Rather than taking something to calm you down, whether it is a prescribed tranquilizer or something illegal, try some of the following techniques.

Be prepared. If you practice enough and know your material, you’ll do much better. If you can, practice in front of another person, if not, use a mirror. Think positive. Look yourself in the eye and say, “I can do this”, and believe it. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before and eat healthy. Feeling better physically, will help you psychologically.

Learn some relaxation techniques. Some people rely on yoga and deep breathing exercises. Some compile a list of soft listening music that puts them at ease. Some people need to be active to relax. If that sounds like you, take a nice long walk or a run, followed by a warm shower. Find out what works best for you and then use it.
Check on tips from the experts. There are DVD’s, CD’s, books and on-line information about how they deal with pre-performance jitters. Believe me, stage fright is not new and it is something that most speakers deal with constantly. Whether you are giving a talk in school in front of other students, at work in front of a group of your peers, or in a room full of strangers, you can do it. Not only can you do it, but you can do it without drugs.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine ~ Common Date Rape Drugs

When most people think of rape, they usually envision an attack by a stranger who jumps out of a dark secluded area and sexually assaults an individual. The sorry truth is it’s not only strangers who rape. About half of all people raped know the person who attacked them. Girls and women are most often the victims of these attacks, but boys and men can be raped also.

The majority of dates, acquaintances and friendships never lead to violence. When it does occur and forced sex is the result, it has become known as date rape or acquaintance rape. No one has the right to force an individual to have sex against their will. This is true in a casual acquaintance, as well as any stage of friendship and even within a marriage. Rape has nothing to do with love and it is not about sex or passion. Rape is an act of aggression and violence and as such is against the law.

The myth that someone might have been ‘asking for it’, is a lie. Rape is always the fault of the rapist and the person who is raped, is never at blame. Healthy relationships always involve respect. That includes respect of the other person’s feelings. Someone who respects you will never pressure you or force you to have sex.
Quite often alcohol and/or drugs are involved with date rape. Drinking loosens inhibitions, dulls common sense, and in some cases allows aggressive tendencies to surface. Drugs that are considered ‘date rape’ drugs such as Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine, can easily be mixed in drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen. Mixing these drugs with alcohol is very dangerous and can kill.

To protect yourself avoid secluded places and don’t spend time with someone who makes you feel uneasy. Stay sober and if you are out drinking, guard your drink at all times and do not accept drinks from strangers. It is better to go out with several close friends and agree before heading out to leave as a group. If someone is making you feel uneasy or if you feel threatened ask for help immediately. Make others aware of your concern. Self-defense courses can help to build confidence and teach you techniques to escape from an attacker but common sense and being alert of your surroundings is just as valuable.

If you are injured, go straight to the ER. Call a friend or family member for support. Report the rape to the police right away. Write down as much as you remember about the attack and the attacker. If you aren’t sure what to do, call a rape crisis center. Any phonebook will have a hotline number. While rape may cause physical damage, it is emotionally traumatic as well. Consider talking to a trained rape crisis counselor or other mental health professional that can get you started in the healing process. Working through things now can help prevent lingering problems later on.

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Common Reasons People Turn to Drug Use

There is no good reason to take drugs illegally but there are reasons that make people think it might be an alternative for them. The world can be a scary place. The fast pace of life in general, the pressures we deal with on a daily basis and perceived dangers of everyday life are enough to put the most stalwart person on edge. The threat of international terrorism only added to the mix.

It’s no wonder that there are people looking for an instant escape from reality. In earlier times, about the only escape available was found in a bottle of alcohol. Today’s desire for instant escape has drug manufacturers scrambling to come up with better and faster acting chemical cures for anxiety and insomnia. There are dozens of new drugs to tranquilize us, making our problems appear trivial, at least for a while.

Anxiety is a psychological (mental) and physiological (mechanical, physical and biochemical) state that is characterized by cognitive (process of thought), somatic (cells of the body), emotional (feelings and thoughts) and behavioral (actions or reactions) components. Together they combine to create an unpleasant feeling that can be described as uneasiness, fear, or worry. Anxiety is simply a mood condition that occurs without an identifiable triggering stimulus. It’s actually just short of fear. The main difference is we know what we fear and why we fear it.

Insomnia is not a diagnosis or a disease, it is a symptom. By definition, insomnia is “difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both.” There are several sleep disorders but they can generally be diagnosed and treated. Insomnia is typically followed by a period of functional impairment while awake. Some insomnia can be caused by a lack of exercise. Our minds are tired because they worked all day. Sitting at a desk does not make our bodies tired. A brisk walk, a run or another form of exercise may make it easier to fall asleep, without the use of drugs. More than 60 million Americans regularly suffer from insomnia every year and it is more common in women.

Downers are generally used to treat these two conditions and downers are the most prescribed and abused drugs in the US and Canada. If you, or a loved one, suffer from this addiction, get help now. A Better Tomorrow can show you how to escape the habit, and how to deal with life drug free. Make the call, we’re waiting.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Ketamine

Ketamine is a powerful hallucinogen. It is used in human and veterinary medicine and was developed in 1962 by Parke-Davis, now a part of Pfizer. Ketamine induces a dissociative anesthesia. It is used more commonly with animals.

Its effects in humans include analgesia (pain killer), anesthesia (reversible lack of awareness), hallucinations (a perception in the absence of a stimulus), elevated blood pressure, and bronchodilation (opening of the bronchi to facilitate airflow). When ketamine is used as a general anesthesia, it is usually combined with some sedative drug. Ketamine is a core medicine in the World Health Organization’s Essential Drugs List, which is a list of minimum medical needs for a basic health care system.

Then, there is the illegal use of this drug. Recreational use increased through the end of the century, especially at rave parties. Because of the increase in illicit use the US has it classified as a Controlled Substance, while Canada has it classified as a Schedule I narcotic and the UK labeled it a Class C drug. Legally, it can only be used by health professionals, for university research purposes or with a doctor’s prescription.

Street names for this drug are mean green, rockmesc, K, Ket, Special K and Vitamin K. Ketamine is usually sold in powder form and inhaled. In its liquid state it can be inhaled, injected or mixed in a drink. It is possible to smoke the drug in a pipe or joint but the effects of the high are quicker when inhaled, ingested or injected into a muscle. Heavy users inject the drug into their leg, bypassing the liver, which would alter its effects. Injection is also the most dangerous.

Chronic users may suffer cognitive impairments including memory problems. Urinary tract diseases that can lead to kidney problems have been linked to Ketamine use. Severe side effects might include allergic reactions, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face lips or tongue, difficulty talking, irregular heart beat, muscle tightness, injection site trauma, and slowed breathing.

Ketamine addiction is most generally psychological, because of its ability to produce intense vivid psychedelic effects and out of body experiences. You can break the cycle of abuse and A Better Tomorrow can help you achieve it.

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Street Methadone

Methadone is a strong opioid medication that a doctor prescribes for a person who has been addicted to opioids. Codeine, morphine, Percocet, OxyContin and heroin are all opioids. When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe. It does not get a person high but it does stop opioid withdrawal for a full day. Street methadone is methadone that is sold or given to someone it was not prescribed for. Prescribed methadone is given to an individual to allow them to attend school or work without suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Some drugs like heroin, crack and even nicotine work quickly but the effects don’t last long. Methadone works just the opposite way. It takes several hours to get the full effect, that’s why it lasts up to 24 hours. There is no rush with methadone but some of its other effects are similar to heroin and OxyContin. If you take too much you can go to sleep and stop breathing. A person who doesn’t understand how methadone works might take a dose and then later take another dose trying to reach a high. Because of this, you can overdose on methadone and never even realize it. Street methadone by itself can kill, but it is especially dangerous to take it with other opioids, alcohol or tranquillizers.

Some people who take prescribed methadone are allowed to take it home. These doses are called ‘carries.’ They may give doses away or sell them. If they are selling them they may dilute (cut) them with water or juice. Diluting it makes it even more dangerous because you never know the true strength of what you are taking. If injury or death occurs to someone you gave or sold methadone to, you can be held criminally responsible.

If you take methadone, don’t use it by yourself. Tell someone what you took and have them monitor you. Don’t forget, the effects can last up to 24 hours even though the dose is absorbed by the body within 15 minutes. Even a small dose of methadone is enough to kill a child. No amount of coffee, cold showers or walking will help a methadone overdose. Get immediate medical help at a hospital. Even if the dose does not kill you, it can leave you with permanent brain damage.

If you have a drug problem, A Better Tomorrow can help you get over it. Get your life back today, you deserve it.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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They're not called Downers for Nothing

The term, ‘downers’, refers to the entire class of drugs known as depressants. They are chemicals which depress, or slow, the functioning of the brain and central nervous system. There are numerous downers available today with more in the designing stage. All downers fall into one of the two main categories which are tranquilizers and sedative-hypnotics.

Tranquilizers reduce physical and emotional tension. Sedative-hypnotics go a step further and induce sleep. In fact they are commonly referred to as sleeping pills. Most short term effects for all downers include increased muscular relaxation and decreased anxiety. They also decrease inhibitions, slow reflexes and impair coordination. They tend to dull thinking, reduce judgment and interfere with memory. All of these effects are serious liabilities on the road, at work or in other situations where clear thinking and fast reactions are necessary.

Barbiturates were widely available 50 years ago but since then have proved to be not only unpredictable but downright dangerous, even at prescribed doses. After the sheer addictiveness of the drugs, tolerance was perhaps the worst problem. The body adjusts to their effects quickly so increasingly larger doses were needed to achieve results.

The drugs act on all areas of the central nervous system including those that regulate respiration, raising the risk of fatal overdose. The side effects disrupt normal REM sleep and leaves the user feeling hung over, irritable and anxious.
Downers produce intense physical and psychological dependence, making withdrawal very unpleasant. Because of the serious risks involved, including seizures and hallucinations, detoxification should be attempted only under a doctor’s supervision in a medical facility.

A Better Tomorrow is just this type of facility. We are available to see that you or your loved one receives the best possible care. Make the call now, it might just save a life.

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Stimulants

Stimulants or psycho-stimulants are psychoactive drugs. They cause temporary improvements in mental functions and/or physical functions. They have been abused as performance enhancers and as recreational ‘highs’. As performance enhancers they suppress appetite to facilitate weight loss, increase wakefulness and movement, enhance alertness and increase focus and attention. The euphoric effects of stimulants usually occur when they are crushed and then snorted or injected. Because the effects of stimulants have an “up” quality to them they are sometimes referred to as uppers. Stimulants are widely used throughout the world as prescription medicines and as illegal substances of recreational abuse.

Stimulants enhance the activity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Common effects, which can differ depending on the substance, may include alertness, awareness, wakefulness, endurance, productivity and motivation; increased arousal, movement, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure; and give the false feeling that you don’t need food and sleep, which can lead to malnutrition. While many stimulants are capable of improving mood and relieving anxiety, many are also capable of causing anxiety.

Repeated use of stimulants can make a person experience feelings of hostility and paranoia. When taken in high doses they can lead to serious cardiovascular complications including stroke. Addiction is a possibility for anyone taking them without medical supervision. With chronic use you may see withdrawal symptoms including fatigue, depression and disturbed sleep patterns, when the drugs are discontinued.

In a nationwide survey in 2008 it was indicated that 1.6% of 8th graders, 2.9% of 10th graders and 3.4% of 12th graders admitted to nonmedical use of Ritalin. While these numbers are down slightly from previous years, it is still an alarming number who admit to use of the drug.

Addiction knows no age. If you are experiencing problems with stimulants, we can help you break that habit. Call A Better Tomorrow, today, for you or for someone you love.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Phencyclidine

PCP
Angel Dust
Other Names: PCP, Hog, Angel Dust, Loveboat, Lovely
What It Looks Like: Liquid, white crystalline powder, pills, capsules
How it's Administered: It's taken orally, injected or smoked (sprayed on joints or cigarettes).
Effects on User: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, impaired motor function, memory loss, numbness, nausea/vomiting, possible decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, panic, aggression, violence, loss of appetite and depression.
Other Info: PCP is a synthetic drug that was originally developed for its anesthetic properties and marketed for surgical procedures in 1950’s. I was removed from the market because patients receiving it became delirious and experienced hallucinations, and it is now a drug of abuse used solely for its potent hallucinogenic effects.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Abuse of ADHD Medications

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a real problem for some. People with ADHD often think and act differently. Their attention span is short because they get distracted easily. They may feel bored for no reason, say or do whatever is on their mind without thinking, lose things or interrupt when others are talking. Because of these symptoms, they are likely to have trouble in school, even college. You may look at these symptoms and imagine that they refer to kids, teens and young adults in general, but they do not. Persons with ADHD are not able to control the severe symptoms in any setting.

There are medicines that help improve the ADHD symptoms, helping individuals to concentrate and focus better. Methylphenidate drugs in pill form include Concerta, Ritalin LA, Focalin XR and Metadate CD. It’s also available in a patch called Daytrana. These drugs affect chemical signals in the central nervous system. Research suggests it increases the level of neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. The neurotransmitters are chemicals that help in sending messages between nerve cells in the brain.

When these medications are used under a doctor’s care, for the purpose they were intended, and at the recommended dosage, they are safe and effective. If they are taken by someone who does not need them and/or taken at higher doses, these stimulants can cause some serious health problems. Long term, high dosage use can result in increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, changes in mood, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions and irregular breathing. Overdosing can cause very high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, seizures, uncontrolled movements, sweating, dry mouth and eyes, and vomiting.

These medications can become addictive when abused. There was some belief that those who use these medications for the treatment of ADHD may be more likely to abuse other substances such as alcohol or drugs, but just the opposite has been demonstrated. Those who take their ADHD medications according to the doctor’s prescription do not become addicted to them.

If you, or someone you know, is suffering from addiction to one of these stimulants, help is as near as your phone. Call A Better Tomorrow and get the help you need to find the road to recovery.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Tranquilizers

Other Names: Valium, Librium, Miltown, Serax, Equanil, Miltown, and Tranxene
What It Looks Like: Tablets or capsules
How it's Administered: It's taken orally.
Effects on Users: Reduces anxiety, drowsiness, may make people lethargic, disruption of the psycho-motor, intellectual, and perceptual functions and convulsions.
Other Info: This drug accumulates in the body tissue after prolonged use, and tolerance can develop quickly so that larger doses are needed to feel the effects. When mixed with alcohol, tranquilizers may cause coma and death.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Knowledge is Protection

I’m sure you have all heard the saying, “I didn’t know the gun was loaded.” Just the other day I overheard a teen say, I didn’t know all drugs were bad for you. With that statement in mind, there are things everyone should know and understand about drugs, both legal and illegal.

Cigarettes and alcohol are considered drugs. While they are both legal, neither of them is healthy. Light to moderate drinking may be acceptable for adults, but smoking and excessive drinking are not healthy for adults and not only are they not healthy, they are off limits for kids.

While illegal drugs are not good for anyone they are especially bad for teens and pre-teens because their bodies are still developing. Drugs can damage the brain and heart. Other organs can be affected to lesser degrees. Cocaine can cause a heart attack, even in a child.

People who use drugs almost always have a reason why they do it. The thing is, no matter what reason you use to try to escape reality, that reason will still be there after you use the drug. It will not go away, and you need to find a safe way to deal with it. The escape only lasts as long as the effect of the drug. This will not solve the problem and it may even create more.

Addiction is a possibility. Casual drug use often leads to addiction. You take a stimulant drug to get hyped or energized. You take a depressant to slow yourself down. It’s a cycle that some people live with. Hallucinogens change your mood and may make you see, hear or think things that aren’t really there. Inhalants are sniffed or huffed to produce an immediate rush, followed by sleepiness, staggering, dizziness and confusion. Narcotics dull the body’s senses, and relieve pain.

Know the terminology, the drugs and what they do, the symptoms of abuse, and the danger to your mind and body. If you know and understand all of these things there is less of a chance that you will be tempted to try them in the first place. But if you do, and you find yourself in trouble, please know that there is help available to you. A Better Tomorrow knows what you are going through. They understand and they can help. Don’t be afraid to make the call, they are waiting for you.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Clubs and Their Drugs

Loosely defined, club drugs are a category of recreational drugs that are associated with parties. Over the years these parties have occurred in places called discotheques, dance clubs and, most recently, raves. Club drugs can include, but are not limited to, ecstasy, 2C-B, inhalants like nitrous oxide and amyl nitrite “poppers”, stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine and hallucinogens such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. GHB and ketamine are depressants, but are still referred to as club drugs. “Club drugs” vary by country and region. Quaaludes suspend motor coordination and give the sensation of the arms and legs turning to jello. Occasionally, you can find heroin being sold at some clubs.

The parties generally last all night and the dancers use the drugs for their stimulating or psychedelic properties. Poppers is the street name for alkyl nitrites, which is a clear, yellow volatile liquid which is inhaled and has an intoxicating effect. Ketamine produces a dissociative state producing a sense of detachment from the physical body and the external world. Hallucinations and effects include changes in the perception of distances, relative scale, color and durations/time, as well as a slowing of the visual system’s ability to update what the user is seeing. With high doses sounds can be out of sync with what is being seen. Colors can turn into sounds and sounds can turn into colors.

Party pills aka herbal highs, pep pills, dance pills and natural power describe a recreational drug whose main ingredient was originally benzyl-piperazine (BZP) but now could be one of many compounds with a variety of effects. BZP has been banned in some countries, including the USA. Several other derivatives of piperazine are usually mixed with other ingredients such as caffeine, 5-HTP and a range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and binders to make party pills. Not all of the ingredients are revealed by some manufacturers.

If you find yourself in trouble with club drugs and don’t know where to turn, turn to us for help. A Better Tomorrow can give you back your life if you will only make the call.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Methaqualone

Other Names: Quaaludes, Ludes, Sopors
What It Looks Like: Tablets
How it's Administered: It's taken orally.
Effects on Users: Calming, sleep induction and anxiety reduction, slurred speech, clumsiness, unconsciousness
Other Info: Dependence on Methaqualone can develop, and sudden withdrawal from high doses can result in irritability, nervousness, delirium, sleeplessness, fainting, sickness, twitching, fits and death. They're especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Psychoactive Drugs

A psychoactive drug can also be referred to as a psycho-pharmaceutical or psychotropic substance. No matter how you refer to it, know that it is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system. From there it alters brain function and results in changes to perception, mood, consciousness and behavior.

Recreational use causes changes to consciousness. This type of drug can be used as a tool for studying, or enhancing, the mind. For ritual or spiritual purposes it can be used as an entheogen. Native Americans have used mescaline-containing peyote cacti for religious ceremonies for as long as 5,700 years. It can also be used as a therapeutic medication. Feelings of euphoria or an increased alertness may be experienced. These types of drugs are often abused despite known risks and negative consequences. With prolonged use of some of these substances an individual may develop a physical dependence requiring drug rehabilitation at a facility such as A Better Tomorrow.

This type of drug use is not new. There is archaeological evidence of its use dating back at least 10,000 years. Over the past 5,000 years there is historical evidence of cultural use. It has been suggested that children’s desire for spinning, swinging, or sliding indicates that the drive to alter one’s state of mind is universal. Animals as well as humans experiment with drugs. Several animals will eat psychoactive plants, berries and even fermented fruit causing intoxication. In fact, humans have observed animals using some of these substances and they in turn started experimenting. Consider it a sort of ‘monkey see, monkey do’ mentality.
Nearly all General anesthetics are a type of psychoactive drug, such as Halothane and Ketamine. They block the patient’s pain and other sensations. Most will induce unconsciousness allowing surgical procedures without the patient experiencing pain or emotional trauma. These types of drugs can also be used in lower doses to manage pain. This would include morphine and codeine, both can become addictive with prolonged use.

If you have been caught up in this vicious cycle, we can help you break it. A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from you. We understand the complications you are dealing with. Please, make that call now, if not for yourself, then for someone you love.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Barbiturates

Other Names: Downers, Barbs, Blue Devils, Red Devils, Yellow Jacket, Yellows, Nembutal, Tuinals, Seconal, and Amytal
What It Looks Like: Red, yellow, blue, or red and blue capsules
How it's Administered: It's taken orally.
Effects on User: Calming, sleep induction and anxiety reduction, slurred speech, clumsiness, unconsciousness.
Other Info: Dependence on barbiturates can develop, and sudden withdrawal from high doses can result in irritability, nervousness, delirium, sleeplessness, fainting, sickness, twitching, fits and death. They're especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Does Legal Make It Safe?

A drug that is legal is not necessarily safe. Legal doesn’t ensure that it’s non-addictive. Just because a drug if freely available doesn’t mean it’s okay to partake. Look at alcohol and nicotine. They are among the drugs most often abused.
Sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs, painkillers, anti-depressants and stimulants are all available by prescription and for medical purposes, they are considered safe. On the flip side of that coin, they are all highly addictive, even at prescribed dosages. Some of the more popular drugs that fall into these categories and are currently being prescribed include Xanax, OxyContin, Percocet, Valium, Ritalin and Adderall.

If you are taking more than one drug of those types listed, your chances of becoming addicted are much higher. If you are currently taking any of these types of medication, have you ever read the warning statement that by law must be given to you by the pharmacy that fills the prescription? Most people discard it without giving it a second thought, let alone taking the time to read it and consider the content. The warnings of possible addiction are there.

There may also be danger with over the counter pills that are misused. Even non-drugs such as herbal or natural supplements could be a problem for some. There can be drug interactions as well as dangerous side effects especially when combined with prescribed medication. Just because a drug is advertised on TV doesn’t mean it’s safe or even that it’s the norm, which is how it is portrayed. Be wary of doctors who prescribe a new medication for every symptom. Be sure your doctor knows exactly what you are taking and who prescribed it for you; include any over the counter meds you are taking. Review your medication list with your doctor and ask if there are any that you can quit taking.

There is a vast majority of drug addicts are not criminals. They are people just like you, who started taking a drug prescribed by their doctor for a legitimate reason, and became addicted. If you are having trouble with an addiction to a prescription drug there is help available. A Better Tomorrow understands how you got into the predicament, and we know the way to bring you back. Don’t wait, make the call now.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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