alcohol and drug abuse treatment

Archive for May, 2011

A responsible pregnant mother is unlikely to use illicit drugs, because she knows that it would harm her child. Using drugs can ruin pregnancy, even after giving birth. This is a very serious issue that all mothers should be aware of because it could destroy the lives of the innocent children.

Effects of Drug Addiction to the Mother during Pregnancy:

A pregnant mother who is a drug addict can increase the risk for heart and blood infection, anemia, hepatitis, skin infections, and other infectious illnesses and disorders. There is also higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Other effects of drug addiction can be having trouble sleeping at night, poor appetite, decision making can be hard, water may break early, sudden bleeding, and premature labor.

Effects of Drug Addiction to the Mother after Pregnancy:

After pregnancy, the mother may find a hard time dealing with a new born child even as simple as feeding and diapering. As far as breast feeding goes, the drug content can change the normal formulation of the milk which can be unhealthy for the baby when taken. Coping with a new born baby can be difficult because the mother is already dependent on drug which in return affects the behavior of the mother. She would have difficulty in making decision, bond with her child, or even get or hold into her job.

Effects of Drug Addiction to Child during Pregnancy:

As drugs are taken, it can pass into the placenta, a body organ that gives nourishment to the baby. Most of the time it can have poisonous, toxic effect on the child and at times the addiction can be passed on the child. Another effect would be an abnormal formation of the child in the womb.

Effects of Drug Addiction to the Child after Being Born:

After the child is born there could be a greater risk of birth defects but developmental and birth problems later in the child’s life. This includes being dependent on drugs as well. Other effects of mothers drug addiction on the child can be low weight at birth, physical appearance abnormalities, early delivery or miscarriage, mental retardation, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Effect, heart problems and even death. Once the child is born chances are high for dependencies on the drug, and the child may have a hard time without it. This eventually could lead the child developing addiction.

Drugs and Their Effects

Heroin and Cocaine:

These drugs are addictive and unborn babies have a higher tendencies to become addictive to it. These also leads to high risk of premature birth, still birth, low birth weight, low blood sugar, and even death to the child. Symptoms may also include diarrhea, hyperactivity, fever, convulsion, sleep abnormalities, and respiratory problems. Heroin and cocaine affects the development and behavior of the child and has the effect of having mental retardation, impaired perception, motor, and organizational skills.

Hallucinogens:

This drug can greatly cause miscarriages and premature labor. Babies can have an abnormal birth development, causing them to have brain damage, inflexible and poor muscle control, and physical deformities. The child may grow up having behavioral problems as they continue his or her life.

Methamphetamines:

The most common methamphetamines are Ecstasy, Speed, and Crystal Meth. In general, methamphetamines during pregnancy create higher chances to have an increase in heart rate for both the fetus and the mother. The fetus will suffer from a very shortness of oxygen which can cause miscarriage, premature labor, and low birth weight. Babies can get addicted to this drug as well, and will undergo withdrawal symptoms growing up. The brain formation of the fetus will be affected and may cause difficulty in learning later on.

Marijuana:

Marijuana may seem harmless because unlike any other drugs this can only be used by smoking. But this belief is so wrong. Marijuana chemicals and substances, like any other drug, passes through the mothers blood stream and crossing the placenta. Just like smoking a cigarette, it hinders the baby from receiving enough supply of oxygen for it to have a normal growth. Just like other drugs, this can cause behavioral problems as the child grows older, miscarriages, low birth weight, and premature birth.

Treatment:

It is never too late for pregnant mothers who had used drugs to change and save themselves and their babies. Mothers who have taken drugs should strictly put an end to it during the first one to three months of pregnancy, or better yet, stop immediately. Putting an end to drug addiction is not an option but the only way to lead a better life you the mother and the child.

The most devastating effect of drug abuse happens to the brain. The powerful and most commonly abused drugs are known to alter chemical activity in the brain. While some of these changes may be reversible, others can lead to potentially fatal disruption of crucial brain functions; they may likewise cause permanent damage to the other vital organs and systems of the body.

The most common drugs of abuse are classified into several types. Two of these types are the central nervous system (CNS) depressants and the CNS stimulants. Each of these two types has its own specific effects and long-term hazards, and dealing with them requires specific treatments as well.

CNS Depressants:

These drugs are labeled as such because they work by depressing the central nervous system. Included in this type are the barbiturates and tranquilizers. The former are medically used as sedatives and antispasmodics, while the latter are used to reduce mental disturbance. On the streets, these drugs are known as “downers.” When abused, they can cause slowed heart rate and breathing, lethargy, unsteady gait, slurred speech, and confusion.

Certain long-term hazards are associated with addiction to these drugs, such as tolerance, dependence, and risk of death by overdose. The likelihood of this last one occurring is especially high if the drugs are combined with alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms include sweating, jitteriness, disorientation, convulsions, delirium, and hallucinations. Untreated withdrawal can lead to death.

Treatment is by reintoxication with a substitute barbiturate, which is followed by a carefully monitored and rigidly scheduled withdrawal.

CNS Stimulants:

These are the opposites of the depressants; that is, they stimulate the central nervous system. The amphetamines, cocaine and crack are the three drugs in this category. The amphetamines are clinically used to treat hyperactive children as well as the symptoms of narcolepsy.

Cocaine’s medical use is as a topical anesthetic. Crack, on the other hand, is a potent form of cocaine that is used illicitly for smoking. These substances are known on the streets as “uppers.” Abuse of these substances can cause loss of appetite, restlessness, faster pulse, euphoria, anxiety, and depression.

Nasal ulcers, hallucinations, psychological dependence, paranoia and risk of heart failure are some of the long-term hazards associated with abuse of these drugs. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, exhaustion, and severe depression.

Treatment is by group therapy or other forms of counseling, much like those used for alcohol abuse.

The other types of drugs that are commonly abused are the opiates (heroin and morphine), hallucinogens (LSD and others), and cannabis (marijuana and hashish).

People who repeatedly fail in their attempt to stop using drugs by entering drug treatment programs, whether inpatient or outpatient, should seriously consider long term drug rehab. Except for those individuals who can easily afford long term inpatient treatment or who have insurance which covers long term rehabilitation, most people do not enter a long term drug rehab facility on their first attempt to recover from drug addiction. The expense and the need to be away from family and work related responsibilities prevent many people from seeking long term drug rehab even though they understand that it is more effective.

There are two main reasons why drug rehab is more effective than short term rehabilitation programs. it’s more effective is that drug treatment cannot truly begin until the reason for a person’s addiction is established. The reasons are as varied as the people seeking treatment but several themes typically appear. Some people turn to drugs to avoid dealing with a short or long term unpleasant situation. This can be anything from an abusive family relationship to the sudden death of a loved one. Other people turn to drugs as a way to ease the symptoms of a treatable mental illness. Long term drug rehab allows the therapists and counselors at treatment facilities to help a drug addict determine why they turned to drugs in the first place in order to form an effective treatment plan. This process takes time.

The second reason why drug rehab is more effective is that it takes time for a person to recognize and learn how to deal with situations that would make them turn to drugs in the past. Some people need to learn techniques to deal with stress, peer pressure, or mental illnesses. Naturally, the same techniques will not work for everyone it’s affords individual the time to discover what techniques will work best for them.

A drug addict’s life, when the addiction has been long term, not only difficulty facing problems in a healthy manner, but poor health as well. A long term drug rehab facility will have the necessary tools to treat the psychological and the physical aspects of addiction. These tools may include a regimen of physical activity and a healthy diet. A person who feels poorly because of poor health is not likely to get as much out of treatment as one who physically feels up to the challenge.

There is no set period of time for working through all the issues of drug addiction as every person is different. There is one thing that is certain; anyone who leaves a drug treatment facility before they are ready to live their lives drug-free will relapse. The temptations are too great after being in a controlled environment. Even after long term drug rehab, after care is essential. The combination of long term drug rehab and regular counseling afterward does not guarantee that a person will not begin using drugs again, but it does greatly improve their chances of remaining drug-free. The best drug treatment facilities allow a person to work on their addiction problems at his or her own pace, without imposing time constraints; this is the type of facility which gives drug addicts an even greater chance of overcoming drug addiction permanently.