Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem and concern in the United States. Medication when prescribed and used appropriately can have positive results. However, when prescription drugs are misused and abused the end result can be fatal.

What is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Prescription Drug Abuse AddictionPrescription drug abuse is defined as taking a prescription medication not prescribed to the individual and/or taking it for reasons or in large dosages other than prescribed. Misuse of prescription drugs cannot only lead to health issues but also to addiction. Because a large group of these drugs can alter the brain’s ability to function properly, these drugs can lead to a physical dependence.

Commonly abused or misused drugs include opioids (for pain relief), depressants (for anxiety and sleep problems), and stimulants (for ADHD). Long-term use of opioids or depressants of the central nervous system can lead to addiction. Opioids can cause drowsiness, constipation, and depressed breathing. Depressants slow down the ability of the brain to function properly. If these drugs are combined with other depressants such as alcohol, heart rate and respiration can decrease at a dangerous rate.

Prescription Drug Abuse is Just as Deadly as Illegal Drug Abuse

Stimulants have negative consequences if taken repeatedly or in large doses as well. Stimulants, when abused this way can cause dangerously high body temperatures, anxiety, paranoia, irregular heart rate, and even seizures. Statistics show in the past year approximately 16 million Americans between the ages 12 or older have taken a prescription drug (e.g., opioid, stimulant, or depressant) for non-medical purposes not prescribed to them.

Prescription drug use for non-medical purposes has grown in the past five years in the United States, especially among teenagers and other vulnerable populations. Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction and prescription drug addiction can have fatal consequences. If you or someone you know is abusing prescription drugs, seek help immediately.

At A Forever Recovery we provide the education, training, counseling and support you need to free your life from the negative influence of abuse.

Drug Abuse

Substance abuse, the overuse of a substance also known as drug abuse, but not to the point of being considered dependent.  Most used substances associated with this term include alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, heroin, and opiates.   Drug abuse is becoming a major problem in the American society.

Drug Abuse Claims Thousands of Lives Every Day

Every year tens of thousands begin the battle with drug abuse and many of them never get the help that they need. Health problems, mental problems, financial problems and family problems happen to people who are drug addicts and drug abusers. Drug abuse is as dangerous as drug addiction.  The same issues are still present, regardless of whether or not the abuser is addicted.

Are You Addicted to Drugs?

Many people ask themselves every single day the question “Am I addicted to drugs?”. This question needs to be answered sooner rather than later because the consequences can be deadly for the user if they wait too long. When you ask yourself if you are addicted to drugs, look for the first visible warning signs of addiction.

You may be experiencing cravings for the drug whenever it is not in your system. This is called drug withdrawal and it is the first way to determine whether you are addicted to a drug or not. Also, you may be giving up social events, family, school and work to get high. These problems are when your drug addiction is still fairly new, but still dangerous. An addiction to drugs can cause problems in your health and all around well being. Many first time users will experience a withdrawal after the drug has left their system, but this does not mean you are addicted to the drug. It is when you give into your drug cravings you obtain an addiction.

Drug Abuse Leads to Drug Addiction

The question should not be “Am I addicted to drugs?”, but more so “How do I overcome my addiction to drugs?”. If you have to question your standing with an addiction to drugs, than you probably are addicted.

Drug abuse needs to be handled immediately if you think you or a loved one is suffering from it. This problem will only spiral out of control within days of the problem emerging. Let A Forever Recovery help you or your loved one make the change today by getting  into the drug abuse program which will work for your lifestyle and for your drug abuse problem.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse begins with the individual who falls into temptation to use easily and A Forever Recovery is here to help any person suffering from addiction problems.  There is a difference from alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction.  Alcohol abuse by definition is the when the user lets his or her drinking lead to problems such as getting arrested, financial problems and dropping out of school.  Alcohol abuse is not a physical addiction problem.

Misuse of Alcohol in Teens and Young Adults

The most people who are known for alcohol abuse are college students who do not understand when they drink on a regular basis they can cause themselves physical, social and emotional problems.  Even though alcohol abuse is not a physical addiction, over-consumption abuse can lead to heart failure, high blood pressure, excessive weight gain, and possible death.  Alcohol alone is known for causing over 75,000 deaths every single year in the United States.  These people were not all alcoholics, but merely people who were using alcohol in risky situations.  Alcohol abuse is as dangerous as alcohol addiction and it does need to be treated.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disabling addictive disorder. It is characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker’s health, relationships, and social standing. Like other drug addictions, alcoholism is medically defined as a treatable disease. The term “alcoholism” is a widely used term first coined in 1849 by Magnus Huss, but in medicine the term was replaced by “alcohol abuse” and “alcohol dependence” in the 1980s DSM III. Similarly in 1979 an expert World Health Organisation committee disfavoured the use of “alcoholism” as a diagnostic entity, preferring the category of “alcohol dependence syndrome”. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, alcohol dependence was called dipsomania before the term “alcoholism” replaced it.

Alcohol Abuse and Addiction are Both Treatable

If you or someone you care for is struggling with an alcohol abuse problem, call now and let one of our alcohol abuse counselors help you choose the right recovery path for yourself or your loved one.  A Forever Recovery understands the difference between addiction and abuse and we are here to help anyone who needs the extra push to overcome alcohol abuse before the fatal side effects become a reality.  Call today and let A Forever Recovery help you or your loved one in the struggles against alcohol abuse before it is too late.

Music’s Influence to Use Drugs

There are temptations to use drugs every where you turn today. Music’s influence to use drugs is a temptation problem that has been around for decades and is continuing to rise with the social acceptance of risky lyrics that are being put into music that young children can listen to.

Rap stars, pop artists, Hip Hop and R&B stars, and even heavy metal music has now all been centered around sex and drugs. Drugs and MusicThese artists talk about how they got high and how they escaped the cops, shot up heroin to deal with the pain and even snorted cocaine with money. All of these lyrics are what is making music’s influence to use drugs rise. When teens and adults see that a rich and famous person is using drugs and still being rich, they think that they will become the same. In reality, drug use only shortens the user’s life and even though the music on the radio makes that person seem happy, they are really alone and addicted, with no way out and no one who really cares.

Music’s influence to use drugs is taking hold of thousands of American’s lives. These addicts want to be like their favorite musician without thinking about how they are really hurting themselves. If someone you care for is falling victim to music’s influence to use drugs, contact A Forever Recovery. We have a dedicated group of staff members waiting to help your loved one in the fight against temptation and addiction. They will be there around the clock to ensure your loved one the best recovery and they will help your loved one at all cost to them. Make the call today to help your loved one face the temptation that they are struggling with.