The Spiral Staircase: Live Drug Free

Alcohol IS a Drug:Alcoholism IS a Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Many people may find it hard to grasp the concept that alcohol is a drug and alcoholism is a disease. Usually when people think of substance and drug abuse, they think of crack/cocaine, heroin and drugs of that sort. Alcohol is the most commonly used and widely abused psychoactive drug in the world and research has shown that it interacts with the body’s system in predictable ways that lead to physiological addiction. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease and if not treated, can actually be fatal. Alcohol has the ability to affect every organ in the human body, including the brain, liver, kidneys, stomach and even your heart. Alcohol is a sedative drug it slows down the brain's processes which tends to lead to problems such as memory loss, learning disabilities and change of behavior, such as anger that may lead to violence. Many questions about alcohol can be answered by FADE.

Dealing with a loved one who is an alcoholic can be very difficult. Many times, the alcoholic will blame everyone except themselves as the reason they drink. This is also true with many other addictions, such as drug or porn addictions. They are all serious and most people will need to seek professional help battle their addiction. I have personally dealt with loved ones in my life that were addicts. My husband was an alcoholic. I know first hand how alcohol can affect the lives of not only the addict, but their loved ones also. My husband was a good man, but when he drank, I didn't know who he was. He was a totally different person and many times he would say some mean things that would cause us to fight. When he was sober, he didn't believe things I told him he said to me. Things he would never say sober. This is why many people stay in relationships with alcoholics or drug addicts. The sober addict is usually a good caring person with a great heart and lots of love to offer. But when the drugs and alcohol take over, the person is now a monster full of demons they cannot control. It is so hard, and I mean really difficult, for a non-addict to understand why the addict can't just stop abusing drugs. Just as everyone needs food to survive, it is the same concept with addicts. The drugs actually do enter the bloodstream and become stored in fat cells. Here is an excerpt from my post "10 Things You May Not Know About Drugs."

10. DRUGS STAY IN THE BODY FOR YEARS AFTER YOU TAKE THEM. Most drugs get stored in fat within the body and can stay there for years. Here is how that happens. Drugs easily mix with fat in the body. In this picture, you can see that fat is close to the vein and when drugs come through the vein the fat draws the drug into it like a magnet. This is a problem because later, when the person is working, or exercising or even stressed..the fat burns up and a tiny amount of the drug seeps back into the vein. He gets a tiny "taste" of that drug again. What happens when you get a tiny taste of sugar? You want MORE. What happens to the guy getting a tiny taste of that drug? He wants MORE. So he may still want drugs even years after he's stopped taking drugs.

For more information, I highly recommend you visit the Narconon website. It is full of valuable information. The more you learn about addictions, the easier it is to understand why addicts just can't stop using without some kind of help. Narconon Drug Info is very informative and exploring all the website can be beneficial to you. Be sure to check out the studies and results pages to find out about detox studies and more.

Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcoholism: The Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:18:00 +0000

The biggest difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse is the physical and psychological dependence that comes with alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a very serious, dangerously chronic and progressive disease that has devastating effects on the human body, the human mind and the loved ones of the alcoholic. Like many drug addictions, alcoholism is actually a disease that involves dangerous and compulsive behaviors. It often leads to the alcoholics life becoming extremely unmanageable and uncontrollable. Alcoholics cannot control their drinking and suffer from painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism is one of the most dangerous disease affecting our society today.

Alcohol Abuse differs from alcoholism due to lack of addiction quality. Many individuals who abuse alcohol do not experience the same compulsive cravings for alcohol or withdrawal symptoms when they decide to stop alcohol consumption. People who abuse alcohol on a regular basis more often struggle with demons of their own and abuse alcohol to escape from the harsh reality of their problems.

The dangers of alcohol are the same in either case. An alcoholic's family are the one's who suffer and grieve the most over their loved one's addiction. It is highly recommended that anyone who has a problem with alcohol get help. There is a solution and the road to recovery may be long and hard, but the rewards in the end will prove to be extremely beneficial. The single most important thing that can be done in the life of an alcoholic is to get help. Left untreated, alcoholism will kill either through advanced liver and other health problems, or may result in an accidental alcohol related death.

Adderall and Ritalin Addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:46:00 +0000

Adderall Abuse

I use to think that prescribing a drug called Ritalin to help kids keep their minds focused was ridiculous. I believed that if kids had parents that would make them mind and teach them manners, the problem wouldn't be so widespread. After all, years ago when discipline was still allowed in schools and parents made their children behave, you never heard of a doctor giving kids drugs to calm their wild asses down(Read this article I found about my theory). But apparently, in today's world, there are many kids that suffer a condition called ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It has also been referred to as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). The two main drugs prescribed for this condition are called Adderall and Ritalin. These drugs are classified as amphetamines and stimulants.

Adderall and Ritalin have now made it the list of abused prescription drugs. The main source of abuse is coming from high school and college age kids. Abuse of these drugs has increased nearly 75% over the past few years on college campuses. Kids are able to get these drugs from other kids who have prescriptions. They sell them to make money, and some consider it as a job because they can make alot of money selling on campuses. When abused, these drugs can have similar affects to that of cocaine abuse. This includes crushing and snorting or abuse by injecting the processed pill into the bloodstream. Believe it or not, the street value of these drugs vary from around $8-$15 per pill!

Why has this drug become so widely abused and sought after on campuses nationwide? Apparently, these drugs are considered as "study tools" among college kids. It is used to help increase the ability to focus and concentrate on schoolwork such as cramming for exams, reports and projects that may keep one up at night. Many students refer the drugs as "miracle drugs" or "brain steroids" because of its ability to boost concentration. On the negative side, it is also referred to as "kid's coke." There are many testimonies from college kids about how they use this drug and why. The majority simply use it for studying purposes and claim they only use it when they have a big exam or finals to study for. But that leaves room for the ones who have become addicted to and abuse these drugs. Just how safe are these type of drugs and what are the side effects?

No drug is 100% safe. No drug should ever be used for anything other than what it is prescribed for. They all have side effects. Some of adderall and ritalin's side effects include dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, constipation, restlessness, weight loss, unpleasant taste, depression, stress, and even death. What many kids do not realize is that while taking one of these drugs to help them study may be helpful, it is only helpful short term. Anyone that stays up all night studying will remember the information long enough to take the exam, but after the pill wears off, so does the information. That is not in the best interest for someone who intends on learning the information for long term purposes. One more fact about adderall and ritalin is that it is only prescribed one time. In other words, a doctor must rewrite a prescription for these drugs every month, they are not allowed refills. If you think someone you know is addicted to any kind of drug, please encourage them to seek help or help them to get help. It may save their life.

Drug Detox

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:11:00 +0000

DETOX

It is great that instead of searching for a good post this week, the information actually came to me. I was contacted by someone that has some affiliation with a drug treatment center called "Synergy" which is located in California. I was very pleased and excited to get an email from someone there giving me credit for a great blog. It is my pleasure to give them a post on my blog and give up a few minutes of my time to post an article on their facility.

Synergy Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Center is the first drug and alcohol recovery center to offer the NTR detoxification drug rehab program with residential treatment in a 30 day package. Synergy sports a world-class clinical staff to assist the treatment and recovery process. I encourage readers to read about the staff here, especially a staff member by the name of Kona Larkin.

NTR is the most advanced brain restoration detox process in the world. NTR stands for Neurotransmission Restoration Treatment System. What this process does is speed up the physiologic brain recovery process to just 10 days, instead of the months or years it can normally take to repair cell damage caused by drug or alcohol use. To read more about the NTR system, visit the Synergy website by clicking here.

The treatment programs offered at Synergy are astounding. Some of the programs available include treatment for addictions related to alcohol, cocaine, oxycontin, heroin, prescription drugs, opiates, and more. They also offer programs for men, women, gays and lesbians, and can help families with an intervention. Sometimes, different drugs require different treatment programs, depending upon what type of drug and how long it was abused. Please take a few minutes to read about all the programs.

It is my personal opinion that when a person seeks treatment for an addiction, that it is best to seek that treatment far enough away from home that the addict cannot have daily interaction with their previous surroundings, including family and friends. Some family members do not realize they actually encourage the addicts behavior by giving them money, providing them a home to live in and things of that sort. When an addict is removed from that environment, chances of a successful recovery are greater. Love is the greatest gift of all. Give a loved one the gift of life. Life is love.

Crystal Clear Meth Detox

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:38:00 +0000

Meth Detox
Today, as I was surfing and browsing the internet, I came across something I found to be very interesting and would be perfect to pass along to my readers. I am sure most people who have ever researched or even been treated by drug rehab centers know that many centers use a process called "Detoxification" to assist in ridding the body of drug chemicals. When an addict is addicted to a drug, the craving for more is similar to that of someone who is hungry. Ever had a craving for a certain food (let's say chocloate) and you eat everything you can find because you do not have that food around, but in the long run, you still have to have it and so you go to the store and get it? That chocolate is your drug. An addict is no different. After prolonged use, the drug embeds its chemicals into fatty cells which leads to the addiction. You may read more about that process here. There are many ads on tv and around the internet about colon cleansing. This is a process that rids your body of toxins and many use it to lose weight. I have not yet tried a colon cleanse product, but I would like to try it soon and I will. I have my eyes set on a product called "Dual Action Colon Cleanse" for which I saw an infomercial on tv a few weeks ago. I will update my readers after I test this product, or if you are interest click here. However, this post is not exactly about colon cleanse, but about a new product I found called "Crystal Clear" which is geared toward the meth addict. This is a must see product for meth users who want to stop or if you know somebody that is addicted to meth and want to help them stop. Click the ad below to learn more.

Drug Treatment and Recovery Options

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:26:00 +0000

Several days ago, I received and email from a visitor of this blog. This email came from someone at Southcoast Recovery Center in California. This person was impressed with the contents of the blog and I would like to thank them for visiting. If you are seeking treatment options for yourself or a loved one, my best advice would be to GO! There are thousands of treatments centers, but for someone that is serious about getting clean, I would highly recommend finding a treatment center as far away from home as possible. Why? I am addicted to a program on AETV called "Intervention" which is about drug intervention(I have a previous post about this show). If you have never seen this show, you should mark your calendar to be sure you see at least one episode. This is an amazing, but heartbreaking show. For me, it is hard to even imagine how these people are still alive after all the drugs they have put in their systems. When these people agree to go to drug treatment, they are usually sent to a facility far away from home. By that, I mean that depending on what type of addiction they have, a center is chosen that will best be able to help the person. Different drugs sometimes require different types of treatment. I think sending the addict away from the source of the problem is a great idea. This is forcing the addict to be removed from their comfort zone and focus and getting the proper care and treatment. Sometimes, a change such as moving away from negative sources is what wakes up the addict and helps them understand how destructive they have become and encourages them to want to get better. Being in an environment in which others understand their problems can be beneficial to their recovery. Of course, if a person wants drugs bad enough, they will find them no matter where they go. I encourage you to visit the SouthCoast Recovery Center website and browse around their site. They have information about their recovery programs for alcohol addiction, meth addiction, heroin addiction, cocaine addiction and information about detox. They also can help families with an intervention. Many people may prefer a supportive christian setting for recovery. At SouthCoast, they offer an individualized Christian Recovery Track to help addicts restore their faith and relationship with God. Also on the site, you can information about what you should and should not take with you to treatment. This information is useful for any rehab program or center an addict chooses to get treatment at. By choosing to get treatment, an addict is choosing LIFE! There is no greater gift than life, except for love, and love is why life exists. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

My Name Is Crack

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:16:00 +0000

The poem below is also posted on several other websites. The author is unknown but many thanks goes out to the person who wrote this. If you are an addict, you will be able to relate to this poem as if it were your best friend. If you are the loved one of an addict, be prepared to shed a few tears because this is the harsh reality.

My Name is Crack

I destroy homes....... I tear families apart.

I take your children......and that's just the start.

I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold.

The sorrow I bring, is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember, I'm easily found...

I live all around you...in schools and in town.

I live with the rich...I live with the poor...

I live down the street...maybe even next door!

I am made in such ways...you can shoot me or smoke...

I used to be called "cocaine...or coke"

The sound that I make, when you're inhaling my stench...

Is how my name "Crack" came to be...(perfect sense)

My power is awesome; try me, you'll see...

But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once, and I may let you go...

But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.

When "I" possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie.

You'll do what you have to, just to get "high".

The crimes you'll commit, for my narcotic charms...

Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms, lungs and nose.

You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad.....

When you see their tears, ...you should feel sad.

But you will forget your morals...and how you were raised.....

I'll be your "conscience"...I'll teach you "my ways".

I'll take kids from parents, and parents from kids.

I turn people from "GOD".....and separate friends.

I'll take everything from you, ...your looks and your pride.

I'll be with you ALWAYS.......right by your side.

You'll give up everything...your family, your home....

your friends,.... your money....then you'll be all alone.

I'll take & take, till you have nothing more to give...

When I'm finished with you....you'll be lucky to live.

If you try me, be warned........this is no "game"...

If given the chance....I'll drive you insane!

I'll ravish your body...I'll control your mind..

I'll own you "completely"....your "soul" will be mine!

The nightmares I'll give you, while lying in bed...

The voices you'll hear.....from inside your head...

The sweats, the shakes...the "visions" you'll see...

I want you to know...these are ALL "gifts from me".

But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart..

That you are MINE.....and we shall not part....

You'll regret that you tried me...they always do...

But YOU came to ME...Not "I" to you......

You knew this would happen,...many times you were told...

But you challenged my "power"...and chose to be "bold".

You could have said "no".....and just walked away...

If you could live that day over...now what would you say???

I'll be your "Master".....and you'll be my slave...

I'll even go with you...when you go to your grave.

Now that you have met me...what will you do??

Will you try me or not? It's all up to you....

I can bring you more misery than words can tell...

Come take my hand....let me lead you to HELL!!!!

What Is Meth and How Is It Made

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:11:00 +0000

What Is Meth?

"Meth" is short for Methamphetamines. It is a highly addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain and greatly affects the central nervous system. Meth has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Studies have shown that meth use is widespread among the homosexual and bisexual communities. Meth can be snorted through the nose(intranasally), injected into a vein with a needle(intraveneous injection), smoked or taken orally(swallowed).
Crystal Meth

How Is Meth Made?

Meth is made illegally in make-shift or homemade meth labs. Some of these labs are so small, they can be transported in something as small as a briefcase. Many household chemicals are used as "recipes" in the production or "cooking" of meth. Below are some of those chemicals or "meth ingredients" and where they may be found.

Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine Cold and Allergy Medications and Diet Tablets
Red Phosphorus Strike Plate on Match Covers and in Highway Flares
Acetone Household Solvents and Nail Polish
Alcohol Denatured or Isopropyl
Ether Engine Starting Fluid
Isopropyl Alcohol Heet and Other Similar Products
Hydrogen Peroxide Available at Drug and Grocery Stores
Battery Acid Car Batteries
Lithium Batteries
Table/Rock Salt Common Household Product
Anhydrous Ammonia Farm Fertilizer
Sulfuric Acid Drain Cleaner
Sodium Hydroxide Lye
Iodine Teat Dip or Flakes/Crystal
Lye Red Devil Lye

These are just a few of many chemicals that may be used for producing meth. As sad it is, there are many websites that actually will tell you how to make meth. The problem is widespread enough without the assistance of sources such as the internet guiding people to produce this drug. The U.S. has a major problem when it comes to drug trafficking and production. I honestly believe the federal government could do more to control the drug problem, but they are probably making money from this just as they do with tobacco. (Just my opinion) If you would like to see more chemicals used in production of meth or equipment that may be used in the process, visit this site.

Health Hazards of Meth

Methamphetamines cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and may cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, which can produce strokes. Other effects of methamphetamine include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, and extreme anorexia. Its use can result in cardiovascular collapse and death.

Methamphetamines release high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. It also appears to have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that contain dopamine and serotonin, another neurotransmitter. Over time, methamphetamines appear to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those found in Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder.

Years of animal research show that high doses of methamphetamine damage neuron cell-endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing neurons do not die after methamphetamine use, but their nerve endings ("terminals") are cut back and re-growth appears to be limited.

Signs and Symptoms of Meth Abuse

Meth, when taken in large doses or for a prolonged period of time, can cause a person to become very aggressive and violent. Irritability, nervousness and frequent mood changes may become dramatic at times. Excessive talking, paranoia, including delusions, psychosis and hallucinations are common. Meth increases the body's metabolism and produces euphoria, increases alertness, and gives the abuser a sense of increased energy. An addict will tend to become very depressed and "droopy" when they have been without the drug for a long period time(a couple of hours for chronic users). Their energy level suddenly drops and they may tend to sleep for extended periods of time. After long peroids of sleep, an addict will show signs of severe depression and can even be suicidal if they don't get more drugs soon. (A sign of withdrawal) If this describes someone you know and love, please seek treatment for that person. The gift of life is the greatest gift of all. For more information on this subject please visit stop meth.

Signs of Meth Labs

If you suspect a meth lab is being operared in your neighborhood, here are a few things to be on the look out for:

Strong or unusual odors such as chemicals, ammonia, ether
Lots of traffic coming and going from a residence or hotel room
Residences with windows that are blacked out(dark coverings or even smoke burnt look)
Opened windows with fans even during really cold months
Alot of trash which includes many of the same items such as antifreeze bottles, coffee filters that have red stains, drain cleaner, lantern fuel cans, duct tape

Do not hesitate to call the local police if you believe this type of activity is going on in the neighborhood. Most cities have anonymous tip lines so that you do not have to go to the police station and report crimes. It is important to report any suspicious behavior whether it is concerning drugs, domestic violence, child abuse or even if you think you are being stalked.

Slang Names For Street Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:57:00 +0000

Slang Names and Words For Illegal Street Drugs

Have you ever heard someone use a term you weren't familiar with and wonder if they may be referring to a certain type of drug? There are thousands of slang names for different types of drugs. Here, I will list some of the most common names and more familiar names for a few drugs. Please keep in mind that because of the region I live in, some terms may or may not be more common than other regions. In other words, some terms I may find as common, may actually be uncommon to other people and vice versa. Either way, a complete list of these terms can be found by clicking here.

Cocaine/Crack Cocaine
Coke, Big C, Booster, California Cornflakes, Crack, Devil's Dandruff, SevenUp, Electric Kool-Aid, Jelly Beans, Fries, Bubble Gum

Ecstasy (MDMA)
007's(pronounced double 0 7), Playboy Bunnies, Red Devils, E-bombs, Elephants, Smurfs, Scooby Snacks, Supermans, Tom & Jerries, x-pills, Club Drugs

Heroin
A-bomb, Brown Sugar, China Cat, Climax, Doosey, Ferry Dust, Henry, Mexican Black Tar, Sweet Jesus, Smack, Skag, Junk, "H"

Marijuana
Joint, Bash, Bo-bo, Boom, Catnip, Chronic, Crazy Weed, Drag Weed, Doobie, Gangster, Homegrown, Herb, Mary Jane, Pot, Panama Gold, Reefer, Roach, Wacky weed

Methamphetamines (Meth)
Beanies, Blue Devils, Chalk, Crystal, Glass, Ice, Meth, Redneck Cocaine, Spackle, Speed

PCP
Angel Dust, Whack, Ozone, Rocket Fuel,
Killer Joints and Supergrass when combined with marijuana

Dangerous Drug Combinations:
C & M(cocaine & morphine), Blotter(cocaine & LSD), Candy Flipping On a String(Combining or sequencing LSD with MDMA; mixing LSD, MDMA, and cocaine), Cigamos(Combination of crack cocaine and tobacco), Chocolate Rock(crack smoked with heroin), WhackCrack (Cocaine; heroin and PCP; Crack/PCP mixture or marijuana laced with insecticides), TragicMagic(Crack dipped in PCP), Purple Haze(LSD; crack cocaine; marijuana), Squirrel(Combination of PCP and marijuana, sprinkled with cocaine and smoked; marijuana, PCP, and crack combined and smoked; LSD), Speedballing(To shoot up or smoke a mixture of cocaine and heroin; ecstasy mixed with ketamine; the simultaneous use of a stimulant with a depressant) New Jack Swing( heroin and morphine)

References to people or places:
C-joint: place where crack/cocaine is sold
Base Crazies or Chicken Scratch: a person searches on hands and feet for cocaine
Balling: vaginally implanted cocaine
Crack House or Smoke House: Place where crack is used
Steerer: person who directs customers to spots where they can buy drugs
Hitters: People who inject others who have hard to find veins in exchange for drugs

(Please note that these are just a few of the names that refer to people and places like these. There are way too many for me to name here. Visit the website below to learn about more slang names)

Drug Slang Names

Free and Affordable Drug Rehab Centers

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:41:00 +0000

How To Find Free or Affordable Drug Rehabilitation Centers

Recently as I was surfing the internet, I came across an e-book that I felt would be very useful to my readers. If you are visiting this site, chances are you or someone you know and love is in need of addiction treatment, or just help of some kind. Dealing with addiction hurts everyone involved. The addict hurts themselves by doing the drugs and losing respect of family and friends. And many times, addicts lose much more such as a job, their home, vehicles and such. This week AETV started airing new shows of "Intervention" and I must say, they have been real tear-jerkers. If you haven't seen this show, check your local listings for air times or visit AETV.com.
Now, for information on this awesome e-book. I was astounded at the information in this e-book. Had I known some of the information provided, I may have been able to help someone very close and dear to me a few years ago. Finding the courage to seek and get help for loved ones takes an abundance of strength and willpower. I didn't know how to help this person. I had never been in that situation before and my fears and weaknesses took control and I chose to walk away from the relationship. But for others that have family members involved, it is not as simple as just walking away. (Wasn't easy for me at all!) Treatment centers can be expensive, and all too often that is what leads to addicts not being able to get help. I would like to introduce you this revolutionary new e-book that I am sure you will agree is worth paying the small price for. The time you will spend searching for this information is well worth the purchase price.

Introducing:

The Complete Guide to Affordable Drug & Alcohol Rehab
1,500 Free and Almost Free Rehab Centers

Being offered right now at a special price of only $19.95
(click here to learn more)

Discover How You Can:

Find a free or low-cost rehab near you!
Learn how to get state-funded rehab!
Find out how to get what you deserve from your insurance company!
Learn how you can get a loved one into rehab. You can get them sober!
and much more

Don't wait another minute! Click on the link above to read more about how you can help a loved one with little or no cost. With the holiday season upon us, it is even more important to find help for an addict. Remember, the greatest gift of all is love, and finding help for a loved one is a gift of both love and faith. If this post has been helpful to you, please leave me a comment. My goal with this site is to be able to help at least one person "kick the habit."

Teens and Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:47:00 +0000

National Institute On Drug Abuse
(The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction)
The NIDA for Teens Web site was established and brought to you by the scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The NIDA is dedicated to providing and supplying information and tool to help prevent teen drug abuse. The NIDA website has a special section focusing on teens. In that section, you will find very useful tools to help educate teens(and younger children) about drug usage and the effects of drug abuse. Topics found on the site include facts about drugs, real stories, ask Dr. NIDA, have fun while learning, and materials to assist parents and teachers.

NIDA's Mission

"NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention, treatment and policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction."

Visit NIDA's home page to discover how helpful and beneficial the site can be. Learn about the "Science of Addiction" and find out about clinical trials on drug abuse, the drug facts chat day on October 12, 2007, and find descriptions, effects and even street names for many widely popular drugs. Also, there are tools for medical & health professionals, researchers, and the site has a spanish section.

If you need more information and resources about drug abuse, this site is truly a one stop source for you. Do not hesitate any longer, because if you are still reading this page, chances are that you are in search of much more information than I have provided on my blog. Please revisit my blog to leave me a message on any resources you found useful from reading my blog posts. I was personally affected by someone who was a drug abuser, and therefore have dedicated myself to trying to help others.

VISIT NIDA TODAY!

Recognizing Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:55:00 +0000

If you suspect someone you love is using drugs, but aren't sure how to identify various drugs and the paraphernalia associated with those drugs, here are some tips. Visit the multi-media library provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to view pictures of many types of drugs. There are various types of paraphernalia that drug abusers use to smoke a drug with. Some of the items used can be very surprising and shocking. A drug abuser must try to conceal their drug in order not to get caught by the law or loved ones. Here are a few examples of drugs and paraphernalia.

Cool Slideshows!

Click each picture for a closer look. Click again to put picture back in the rotation.

Cool Slideshows!

Have you ever been out walking or driving along a street and happen to see a pair of shoes hanging from a power line? If you answered yes, did you wonder how in the world those shoes got way up there and why were they there? I have the answer for you. A pair of shoes hanging over a line( called "drug shoes") is a sign that there is a drug dealer in the immediate area. It means that a person can buy drugs close by. I think this is silly because surely cops can see this and eventually arrest these drug dealers.

I was shocked to find out the ways an addict can conceal their drugs these days. One way is in a tube of lipstick. Somehow, they manage to put a type of pipe inside the tube in order to be able to smoke drugs. Chapsticks are another strange way addicts hide drugs. A hole is put in the bottom of the tube which allows an addict to smoke drugs.

Glass tubes or pipes are really popular among crack/cocaine addicts. You may not know it, but these tubes are sold in convenience stores everyday. Have you ever seen a small single rose or flower in a small tube like a mini glass vase? Many times these are found somewhere around the checkout counter. If you witness a person buying one of these along with an SOS or Brillo metal scrub pad, chances are this person is an addict and fixing to get high. They take a small section of the scrub pad and shove it down in the tube which provides a "filter" for the drug.

Hi-Liters are also used in concealing drugs. The ink is removed and a pipe like tube is inserted in the empty marker shell. People who sometimes use these markers on their jobs will hide drugs in this manor. It is very unsuspecting, but someone who always has several markers on them at one time, especially the same color, may be a person who is an addict. I am sure there are more secret items addicts use to conceal drugs. As I become aware of them, I will add them to this page.

Drug Intervention

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:15:00 +0000

Drug Intervention

"Intervention" is a reality show that is aired on AETV. I read about this show on another website about drug addiction. The impression of the show I got from that article was negative. According to the article, the one hour program shows the lifestyle of an addict and then sends them to treatment and within the hour they are cured. That is far from the truth about this excellent reality TV show. The show seeks out to intervene in a drug addicts life in order to help them get into treatment. With the help of family and friends, a camera crew follows the addict around and learns about their behaviors as far as social interaction and everyday life. The addict is lead to believe they are participating in a documentary about drug abuse and has no idea they will be facing an intervention. The intervention consists of counselors coaching family and friends to help them confront their loved one with cold hard facts about their demise in hopes of the addict agreeing to accept treatment.

This show is very emotional and it is real. At the end of each show, they tell you what happened to each person after treatment. Not all are success stories, and many times you will see that the addict relapsed after treatment. But you will also see that many of these people that relapsed, are now doing much better and live normal lives without the drugs. So, are treatment centers good or bad? It is my opinion that it solely depends on how bad the addict wants to get help and stay clean. For anyone that has not seen this show, check your local listings or log on to Intervention TV for more information. You will also find information about different types of drugs and their effects. And you can even view video about what really happens after the cameras stopped rolling. Visit the community discussion boards where you can follow up with the recovering and former addicts. This show has been nominated for the 2007 Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography For Reality Programming.

DXM- An Over-the-Counter Drug

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:49:00 +0000

DXM

DXM is a drug that you probably have sitting along side your medications. DXM is short for "Dextromethorphan" and it can make a person high. This drug is found in over-the-counter- cold medications, and even though you may not be aware of its potential, drug abusers know all about it. DXM is popular amongst the young crowd. After all, it is very easy to get.

DXM can produce a high that is similar to that of LSD. An out-of-body state, hallucinations, and/or vivid dreams are a few affects. Theft of this drug has been at an all time high and that is why you may see your favorite cold medicine no longer freely available. Many stores have started putting these products behind the pharmacy counter which would require the buyer to ask for it in person.

Coricidin is the most popular medicine containing DXM. It takes a large overdose just to produce the high. When taken in large quantities, this drug can cause health problems such as rapid heart beat, increased blood pressure, kidney or liver damage, lethargy, seizures and even death. Emergency rooms have reported an increase in cases involving DXM, especially cases involving teens.

Check your medicine cabinet now and next time you are at the store thinking about buying cold medication, please remember this information:

DXM is found in over 140 products
Look for products labeled "TUSS" or "DM"

Signs that someone is an abuser of DXM:

dilated pupils
dizziness
loss of coordination
slurred speech

Awareness is the key to prevention. BE ALERT!

(Note: Some also refer to this drug as DMX)

Affordable Solutions for Drug and Alcohol Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:14:00 +0000

Breaking A Drug Habit Is A Matter of Life or Death

I personally know the hopeless feeling of watching a loved one destroy their life with the use of drugs. When someone can't afford the help they need, where else are they to turn? There are many treatment programs out there, but it can be costly to get the right treatment. Drug addicts come from all walks of life. From the wealthy to the homeless, no matter what race, nationality or age you are, addiction doesn't discriminate. I use to think that my "friend" whom was an addict, would just grow out of it. That was just wishful thinking, being he was already 38 years old. I was always telling him to grow up. After he landed himself in jail, I tried desperately to find him a place for treatment, even though he had already been in several treatment programs before. This proved to be an extremely tough task. But along the way I learned about and discovered many useful resources. My dilemma was finding a place that would accept a homeless man into a drug intervention program.

So, where does one turn to in situations like these? In many cities, mainly the larger ones, there are more options to choose from. Usually if a person is in jail for a period of time, they undergo treatment sessions while incarcerated. There are counselors that can help place a person in some type of treatment program after they are released. These type of programs will usually also have service to assist a person for re-entering the world as they once knew it. They are given assistance in helping to find a job and a place to live. A lot of times, even with this type of help, a person will end up having a relapse and land back in jail. But for those who are serious about staying clean, I applaud all these programs that work so hard to help those who are in need of such services. If you or a loved one is in need and do not where to turn, here are some resources that I have come across.

Narconon - In the past, it has been said that this treatment is not affordable. Good news is, Narconon now offers a payment plan. "In an effort to help more deserving people get straightened out and back in the world living -In order to facilitate payment we are now able to offer financing of the Narconon program through an outside lending institution. This is through a reputable company and the rates are fair." (Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter, it really is worth it.)

Sober Recovery - Excellent source for finding a treatment center. They list hundreds of addiction and alcohol resources in the United States, Canada and overseas. "SoberRecovery.com is now in it's 6th year of helping addicts, alcoholics, dual diagnosed, their friends family and loved ones find hope...and help. Before we were addicts, before we were overeaters, bi-polar, alcoholic or codependent-we are your sons, daughters, husbands, wives friends and family members." Get the help you need today.

Drug-Addiction - Sign up for the newsletter on this site. It has great and very informative information. Also have listing for many treatment centers across the United States.
" The path to drug addiction begins with the act of taking drugs. Over time, a person's ability to choose not to take drugs can become compromised. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and, thus, on behavior."

Drug and Alcohol Resource Center- Free resources to help you or a loved get on the right path to recovery. These are licensed professionals dedicated to helping people find the right treatment. They have a number listed on the main page for assistance and also have access to a huge database of treatment centers anywhere in the country.
"Help for the drug addict can be found here, at no charge. We are happy to help those who need more accurate, personalized information. If you or someone you know has a drug addiction or alcohol abuse problem, contact us by phone or form and you will receive the best possible help and information about any drug or alcohol related subject."

Informative Information - International expert Robert R. Perkinson, clinical director for Keystone Treatment Center, shares some statistics:

- 25% of Americans die as a result of substance abuse
-the average alcoholic dies 26 years earlier than a non-alcoholic
-40% of assaults are alcohol related
Visit the website to find out more stats like these.

Cocaine Anonymous - A group of men and women who share their experiences and want to help others. This program is 100% free to join, all that is required is the desire to stop using drugs. Groups are available in the US, Canada, and now forming in Europe.

Local resources are available in most communities to assist people with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, homelessness, and other addictions such as sex, porn,or gambling. Check your phone book or call the local chamber of commerce to ask for assistance in finding a program. Another good source is the Salvation Army, and local churches. Some churches offer programs to assist recently released convicts, the homeless or troubled individuals. There may also be a local mission that could be of assistance.

Drug and Alcohol Resource Center
1-800-784-6776

Drug and Alcohol Helpline
1-877-748-3971

New Drugs Hit The Streets

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:43:00 +0000

Fentanyl

The following information was taken from "Fentanyl, The Last Straw" by Linda Logdbergh, PHD, published in "Recovery Solutions 6th Edition"
For full article click here.

The headline from a Detroit, Michigan, newspaper reads, “A Deadly Heroin Mixture is Claiming Dozens of Lives.” [NY Times May 28, 2006] The lives were those of 64 people in Detroit, Michigan; 28 people in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and 30 people in Chicago, Illinois. [ASAM document; http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060610/METRO/606100344/1003] All of these individuals had injected themselves with fentanyl, a drug that is chemically related to morphine and heroin but 50-80 times more powerful than morphine.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opiate analgesic whose chemical structure is similar to that of morphine and heroin. The word “analgesic” means something that causes an “absence of pain”: opiates are prescribed to provide pain relief after surgery or for patients whose pain persists even if they take milder drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Because part of the experience of pain involves feelings of fear and anxiety, opiates also reduce these feelings. This is an important reason opiates that are abused: people want to experience the feelings of happiness, called “euphoria”, that these drugs produce. They seek a kind of “emotional analgesia”, or absence of psychological pain, that accompanies the physical analgesia.

Available in lozenge or powder form and obtainable illegally by extraction from therapeutic pain-relieving patches designed for suffering patients, fentanyl has several street names: Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash. http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/fentanyl.html. As with all opiates, after injection, fentanyl molecules attach to molecules on the cells of the brain and spinal cord called “neurons”. Opiates have a special affinity for neurons in brain regions that control emotion and pain sensations. This is the chemical basis for the pain relief and euphoria (feeling “high”) that opiates cause. Because these feelings are just chemical events, however, and are not based on anything that has actually happened to the person, the good feelings vanish when the drug wears off, leaving the user craving more drug to produce the “emotional analgesia” that felt so good And so addiction is born.

An overdose of fentanyl (or other opioids) can cause fatal “hypoventilation”, in the words of doctors. In the words of ordinary people, overdosing on these drugs can cause the user to stop breathing. A person who abuses fentanyl is truly just one breath away from the last great experience of his life. Please read the rest of this article by clicking here.

New Form Of Meth Being Disguised As Candy And Given To Children

Alert from KY3 News in Springfield, Missouri

Be on the lookout for a new form of crystallized methamphetamine that is being targeted toward children. They are calling this new form of meth "Strawberry Quick" and it looks like the "Pop Rocks" candy that sizzle in your mouth. In its current form, it is dark pink in color and has a strawberry scent to it.

Please advise your children and their friends and other students not to accept candy from strangers as this is obviously an attempt to seduce children into drug use. They also need to be cautious in accepting candy from even friends that may have received it from someone else, thinking it is just candy.

Facts About Methamphetamines
Methamphetamines have stimulant properties similar to adrenaline. They stimulate the central nervous system by creating toxic effects on nerve terminals and are extremely addictive.

After the effects of methamphetamine wear off, it can cause severe withdrawal lasting longer than both speed and cocaine. These withdrawal symptoms can include paranoia, aggression and an intense craving for the drug. The person may go into a catatonic like sleep for days, and are almost impossible to wake up when they are in this state.

Longer term methamphetamine can cause rotting teeth, sores all over the body and emaciation, and other adverse effects. Please warn your children about the side effects of drugs. Help clean up our streets so that our children may have a brighter future.

Message brought to you by: drugsno.com

10 Things You May Not Know About Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:54:00 +0000

1. ALL DRUGS ARE POISONS.
All drugs are basically poisons. The amount which you take is what decides how it affects you. A small amount is a stimulant. A larger amount is a sedative. An even larger amount acts as a poison and can kill you. This is true of ANY drug. Each has a different amount. Caffeine in coffee for example - two or three cups stimulate. Ten would probably put a person to sleep. 100 cups would probably kill him.

2. ALL DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND.
When a person thinks of something, he gets a picture of it in his mind. These "mental pictures" are very easy to see for yourself. If you close your eyes and think of a cat, you will get a picture of a cat. The mind takes 25 pictures every second, and files them away to solve problems in life. Normally, when a person remembers something, the mind is very fast and information comes to him very quickly from the pictures in his mind. But the drugs blur the pictures. They make the pictures dull and cloudy. This causes "blank spots" in the mind. When a person tries to get the information through all this blurry mess, he can't do it. Drugs make a person seem slow or stupid. This can cause him to have failures in life. And when he fails in life, what does the person want more of? DRUGS!

3. PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS TO GET RID OF UNWANTED FEELINGS.
Anyone who takes drugs does it to get rid of some pain or unwanted feelings, including freedom. To understand why someone takes drugs now, you need to know what was wrong before he or she took them. He may have had some pain. He may have wanted to feel happier. The drugs were a temporary solution to the unwanted feelings. To get a real solution, the person would have to fix what was causing the problem in the first place.

4. WHEN A DRUG WEARS OFF, THE PERSON WANTS MORE.
When any drug wears off, the pain or other feeling that went away comes back harder than before. If someone had a problem that made him want to take drugs...let's say he is "too nervous" to talk to anyone at a party.....He might take a drug to help him relax. When the drug wears off, the feeling of nervousness is worse than before...and he wants MORE of the drug to calm himself. This person's problem talking to people won't go away until he does something about his shyness and finds out he CAN talk to people, with or without drugs.

5. ALCOHOL IS THE MOST USED DRUG OF ALL.
Alcohol is a drug. Like any other drug it is poisonous to the body. Like other drugs, alcohol uses up vitamins in your body so you feel tired or sick after drinking it. This is what causes a "hangover". The body needs vitamins to stay alive. If you don't eat a healthy diet, you may not get the vitamins you need. This can cause you to feel tired, or even sick. Any time you take drugs, they burn up some of your body's vitamins. If you take enough drugs later you'll feel bad or get sick. So you take more to feel better but the problem gets WORSE.

6. MARIJUANA DAMAGES THE LUNGS, NERVES, AND BRAIN.
There are 400 chemicals in marijuana smoke, 60 of these have been proven to cause cancer. These chemicals stay in the body for years. Marijuana contains THC, a "neurotoxin" (a poison affecting the brain and nerves.) When someone smokes pot, it makes two things happen: 1)There's almost an immediate burn up of vitamins and minerals in the body. 2) The nerves in the body go numb. Each time someone gets "high", they don't feel quite as good, and each time they feel a little worse afterwards. Eventually, pot smokers don't want the drug...they NEED the drug to relieve the unwanted conditions the drugs created in their bodies. Their bodies can't take in enough vitamins to make up for what the drug destroys.

7. ECSTASY IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUGS.
Recent research has shown very serious, long term damage to the nervous system from Ecstasy. In some cases this has caused brain damage, and even holes in the brain caused by this drug. Ecstasy is a "hallucinogen". These are some of the most dangerous drugs. Hallucinogens cause pictures in the mind to become mixed up. A person can get thrown into a scary or sad experience from the past and get stuck there without even realizing it. This can result in permanent feelings of fear, sadness or other feelings that have nothing to do with what's happening in the person's present life.

8. DRUGS RUIN CREATIVITY.
There is a scale of emotions that people move up and down on as they go through life. Let's say someone is bored. She smokes pot which causes the nervous system to go numb and "lifts" her into a fake cheerfulness. It's fake because what happens when the drug wears off? She feels terrible and doesn't care about anything. When she comes back up the scale, she feels a little lower on the scale, feels less and less cheerful and less creative as time goes on.

9. DRUGS DULL ALL YOUR SENSES.
Because drugs numb the nervous system, they are a way for a person to temporarily get rid of unwanted feelings like sadness, boredom, or fear. Sometimes, in an emergency, drugs are needed so that an operation can be performed or when there has been an accident. However, drugs block off ALL sensations or feelings. Eventually any kind of feeling becomes harder to experience. That includes sexual feelings also. The person feels less alive, and he may act like he doesn't care about anything or anyone around him. After awhile, drugs will make a person less aware of what is going on around him, he will become slower, not as quick to think or move or react. So he can get into accidents and other dangerous situations more easily when he has used drugs. Often, the person isn't aware of this change in himself even though other people may notice it and try to point it out to him.

10. DRUGS STAY IN THE BODY FOR YEARS AFTER YOU TAKE THEM.
Most drugs get stored in fat within the body and can stay there for years. Here is how that happens. Drugs easily mix with fat in the body. In this picture, you can see that fat is close to the vein and when drugs come through the vein the fat draws the drug into it like a magnet. This is a problem because later, when the person is working, or exercising or even stressed..the fat burns up and a tiny amount of the drug seeps back into the vein. He gets a tiny "taste" of that drug again. What happens when you get a tiny taste of sugar? You want MORE. What happens to the guy getting a tiny taste of that drug? He wants MORE. So he may still want drugs even years after he's stopped taking drugs.

-Information/article provided by Narconon

Signs and Symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Thu, 24 May 2007 04:30:00 +0000

Signs and Symptoms
If you believe someone you know or love is addicted to drugs and would like to know more about how to recognize the signs, you can visit Narconon's site www.drugsno.com to learn how to identify these signs and possibly which type of drug and/or drugs the user may be using. Here are some general signs that may be associated with a few types of drugs, even though each drug usually has its own characteristics.

Constricted pupils that look like pinpoints or small dots. ( heroin)
Glassy eyes and very, very large pupils. (cocaine)
The person lightly and frequently scratches. ( heroin)
Nostrils may appear raw and red. ( heroin)
Needle marks in arms, behind the knees or ankles and often covered by long sleeves even in hot weather. (heroin and cocaine)
A person may seem very pale and sweaty or extremely thirsty. ( heroin)
Constantly wearing sunglasses or other dark glasses.
A person experience "cotton mouth" and may drink inordinate amounts of water to satiate thirst and constantly lick their lips. (cocaine)
Borrowing money or withdrawing money by ATM in odd amounts, which may occur many times throughout the day or night. (heroin and cocaine)
Fits of laughter or laughing when there is no reason to laugh. (marijuana)

There are many more signs that are characteristics of certain drugs. Please visit the website to learn about all the signs and symptoms of the drug in question.

Drug Addiction: The Life Cycle Of A Drug Addict

noreply@blogger.com (Sandee Foxten) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:26:00 +0000

Introduction To Understanding

Loving someone is the hardest thing anyone can ever do. Think about that statement for a few moments and you will come to realize the that it is the truth. Love hurts, but it is also the greatest gift of all. We all love someone and all have someone who loves us. Whether it be our parents, children, spouses, siblings or friends, we are all loved because even without all those loving us, there is a greater being that loves each and every one of us. Sometimes, we may feel as if there is nobody that cares, but in reality, there is. Many times, it is these types of feelings that lead to drug and alcohol addictions. Understanding the drug addict is even a harder task for someone who has never been in that situation before. Over the past few years, I have learned many things about drug and alcohol addiction and I am not even an addict myself. I do not even smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. I just happen to fall in love with someone that is an addict. Because of my self pride and shame to tell my family about his addictions, I was unable to seek and provide someone I love and care for very much with the support and help they needed. My situation was different than many others may be, because I was not married to this person and I had to make the choice to put them out of my life for the sake of my children. I still have contact with this person, they live in another state than I do, and because of his addictions and inability to get help, he ended up homeless and living on the streets for awhile. Now, he is jail serving time on probation violation. Knowing he is off the streets and not dead is a relief and that maybe while in jail, there may be a program offered that may help save him from himself.

What Causes Addiction?

Drug addicts can become very destructive individuals. They do not care who they hurt in the process of searching for their next "high." An addict will lie, steal, cheat and become very angry in the process while not realizing exactly how bad their behavior really is. "Baby Blue" as I will call him , told me once that he didn't like to be around other people that were using drugs when he wasn't using, because he couldn't handle their actions. So why would he continue to use and abuse drugs? That was hard for me to understand because I have never used drugs. I began searching for programs that could help him and along the way, I became very informed and began to understand why it is so hard for an addict to quit. To me, I never understood why anyone would start doing drugs to begin with. After reading some materials provided by Narconon, I was amazed that everything I was reading described the circumstances and behaviors of "Baby Blue." He was a loner in life, had been on the streets before. He was my high school sweetheart. He never married, I did twice. We were reunited a few years ago.Our hearts and souls still embedded deep inside each other. But I was fresh off the death of my husband, for it had only been a little over a year since he passed when I found out that "Baby Blue" was searching for me through an online reunion site. My decision to reunite proves that love is truly blind and of course, it hurts like hell in some cases. Little did I know, the long, hard road ahead was going to bring on challenges I had never been faced with before. And along with those challenges, came lots of heartbreak and tears, but not enough compassion or strength to save the relationship.