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Understanding the Detrimental Effects of Meth Use
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseMethamphetamine, or meth, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that has a very high potential for abuse. It produces a temporary, addictive euphoria, followed by a “crash” and severe depression. If you know someone who might have a substance abuse problem, encourage him or her to seek addiction treatment. The detrimental physical effects of meth are quite pronounced and can be life-threatening.
Damage to the Brain
When a substance abuser initially takes meth, he feels a rush of euphoria as the brain releases a large amount of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that affects the brain’s “pleasure” centers. With continued substance abuse, the dopamine receptors are destroyed. A person who is chemically dependent on meth is no longer able to feel pleasure. The... Continue reading →
Understanding the Dangers of Methamphetamine Abuse
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseMethamphetamine is a highly addictive, stimulant drug. Those who engage in meth substance abuse develop dangerous side effects involving the body and the mind. Meth acts on the central nervous system to release a cascade of dopamine, causing feelings of pleasure. Over time, however, the dopamine receptors in the brain are destroyed, leading to potentially permanent damage to the brain. Since meth is so addictive, users will need to undergo an intensive substance abuse treatment program.
Physical Effects
Substance abuse exacts a heavy toll on the user’s body. Users tend to suffer ill effects from insomnia, malnutrition, and weight loss. They run the risk of damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs, and they are at an increased risk of life-threatening events such as stroke... Continue reading →
How Proper Nutrition Can Cleanse Your Body During Your Inpatient Treatment
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseWhen you check into an inpatient substance abuse treatment center, you’ll have a medical evaluation. You’ll discuss your typical daily diet with the doctor and your nutritional needs. Substance abuse often robs the body of much-needed nutrients. In fact, alcoholism is a leading cause of nutritional deficiencies. If you abuse alcohol, you are particularly prone to deficiencies in B vitamins. If you take stimulants, you may have electrolyte imbalances, and if you use marijuana, you may have problems with being overweight.
During your inpatient substance abuse treatment program, you’ll follow a well-balanced, low-fat diet that includes fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein sources. You may also be advised to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Following a healthy meal plan not... Continue reading →
The Dangers of Binge Drinking
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseBinge drinking is a common problem, particularly among those between the ages of 18 to 34 and 65 or older. Binge drinking is defined as consuming enough alcoholic beverages to cause a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. One of the most significant health problems that can occur is alcohol poisoning, which is life-threatening. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure, liver disease, stroke, and neurological dysfunction.
A person who binge drinks is more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex. This increases the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and an unwanted pregnancy. When an expectant mother binge drinks, her child may be born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. In addition to these health consequences, a... Continue reading →
Understanding How Meth Affects Your Brain
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseMethamphetamine, or meth, is an extremely dangerous drug that can lead to addiction after a single use. A primary reason why meth is so highly addictive is because it changes the way the brain perceives enjoyment. The drug prevents users from experiencing joy, save for when they are high. This creates an overwhelming desire to continue using meth. A meth addiction can also cause extensive brain damage. It elicits several adverse behaviors, including mistrust of and volatile behavior toward others. It may cause hallucinations in addicts as well. As meth prompts these dangerous activities, it also destroys the brain’s essential processes. Critical functions such as remembering facts and learning new information become more difficult when the brain has been exposed to meth.
If you... Continue reading →
The Risks of Methamphetamine Abuse During Pregnancy
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseMethamphetamine is a very dangerous and highly addictive substance that leads to significant and possibly permanent side effects for the user. However, if that user happens to be pregnant, the child will suffer as well. Methamphetamine crosses through the placental barrier, resulting in prenatal exposure to the child. The drug tends to cause low birth weight, premature delivery, and placental abruption.
When the child is born, doctors are likely to notice abnormalities or defects of the heart and brain. As the child grows older, parents or guardians will likely observe neurobehavioral problems. Meth use during pregnancy has been linked to increased stress, anxiety, moodiness, and depression. The child is at a higher risk of being diagnosed with attention and aggression issues,... Continue reading →
Is There a Typical Methamphetamine User?
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseEveryone who uses methamphetamines could potentially become physically dependent and addicted to them. Although there is no “typical” description of a methamphetamine user, clinicians have noted that there are a few characteristics that a person with this substance abuse problem may have. For example, one recent trend is that methamphetamines are increasingly being abused by young Caucasians.
People in their teens and early 20s appear to be more likely to abuse methamphetamines because these drugs are more easily accessible to them and they provide a longer high as compared to cocaine. There appears to be no significant trend toward an increase in abuse with one particular gender. However, it has been noted that rural users of methamphetamines are more likely to be heterosexual,... Continue reading →
What Is Binge Drinking?
March 24, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseBinge drinking is a specific manner of consuming alcohol that can indicate abuse. The medical community advises both men and women to consume alcohol on a moderate basis. This means a maximum of seven alcoholic beverages for women during any given week, and 14 beverages a week for men. Binge drinkers might exceed these limitations in a single night. Men and women alike are prone to binging, which can raise their blood alcohol concentration past the legal limit in a matter of minutes. The body cannot properly metabolize this volume of alcohol, and binging can lead to dangerous circumstances. Since alcohol impairs a person’s ability to accurately assess his or her coordination, mental acuity, and reaction times, binging can lead to poor decisions, such as driving while drunk.
Binge... Continue reading →
The Relationship Between Alcohol Abuse and Depression
March 23, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseIt’s quite common for adults to enjoy a glass of wine after a stressful day to enable relaxation. When this behavior occurs on an occasional basis and the individual does not drink to excess, it isn’t considered alcohol abuse. However, some individuals may consume alcohol immoderately as a primary coping mechanism for depression and anxiety, rather than address the underlying causes of their depression. For these individuals, it may be helpful to find an addiction treatment program that explores these underlying causes of emotional imbalance.
Depression as a Cause of Alcohol Abuse
The link between alcohol abuse and depression is much like the chicken and egg question: which comes first? People who are depressed may be more likely to abuse alcohol, yet those who abuse... Continue reading →
The Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
March 23, 2017 Posted in: Press ReleaseIf a doctor prescribes it, it can’t be bad for you, right? It’s this line of thought that can cause people to slide down the slope of prescription drug abuse. Unlike cocaine, heroin, and other illegal drugs that have widespread reputations of being harmful and addictive, prescription drugs are typically regarded as beneficial for your health. When used in excess or beyond their medical purpose, prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as any narcotic. Once addiction has begun, substance abuse treatment may be the only option for recovery. Here are three types of prescription drugs that millions of Americans commonly abuse.
Ritalin
Stimulants are a category of prescription drugs... Continue reading →