Many times the question is asked: How many times do you have to take a drug before you become addicted to it? There are no easy answers, but understanding how substance abuse affects the brain may help you to make wise decisions to avoid any and all casual drug use.

Illicit drugs change the way your brain functions. The number of times a person has to “get high” before the brain becomes damaged varies between individuals but the sad outcome is still the same. What started out as casual use becomes a constant craving that cannot be subdued unless the brain is fed more and more doses of the drug. You are now an addict with a haywire brain.

Here’s how it works. You ingest, smoke, and snort the drug. The brain responds with elevated levels of dopamine—the hormone that regulates pleasure sensory. When you come down from being high the dopamine levels even out again. But at some point after repeated drug use, the limbic system kicks in and the dopamine levels don’t even out—they plummet below normal. Now your brain craves the drug the same way it craves air or food.

The addicted brain feels depressed, lethargic and the user’s life seems hopeless. Now he needs more of the drug to bring the dopamine level up to normal again. The longer he uses, the more tolerant his brain becomes. He has to take more and more of the drug to reach the same effects and he has to take it more frequently as well.

In effect, the drug abuser, by repeated uses has completely changed the way his brain works. He has developed an addiction that can only be cured through long hard work. A quality rehabilitation center is the first step.

Addiction can be cured, but not over night, nor by just going through a short term detox program. Addicts can make a recovery through programs that combine counseling, behavior changes and learning how to take responsibility for the decisions they make in life.

For more information please contact “Addiction Rehab Help” we can help you find the best rehabilitation center for the needs of your loved one.

Addiction Rehab Help 1-877-744-3536

Alcohol is socially acceptable and it’s legal. It’s also fine in moderation and even desirable in certain social settings and celebrations. Jokes and anecdotes abound that make light of getting drunk and the consequences of doing so.

Unfortunately because alcohol use is such a large part of our culture, abuse of it may go undetected until it’s too late. How do you know for sure if you have a drinking problem? The following questions will help you determine where you stand.

Has the thought crossed your mind that you should cut down on your drinking?

Do people criticize your drinking habits?

If people do criticize your drinking, does it make you angry?

Do you sometimes feel ashamed of your drinking?

Do you sometimes drink in the morning either to steady your nerves or “cure” a hangover?

Do you sometimes drink alone?

Do you hide how much you drink from others?

Have you ever missed work or important appointments because you drank too much?

If you answered yes to just one of these questions, you may have an alcohol problem. To help answer any questions that you may have please contact a substance abuse counselor. Talking to a professional drug and alcohol counselor you will receive the best information on alcohol addiction and methods of treatment. Taking advice from someone that is not a professional in the field of addiction is dangerous and may lead to prolonged suffering from you and your family.

Studies have shown that 80% of alcoholics that come into rehabilitation on anti depressants have been misdiagnosed. Alcoholics do not tell the truth about their drinking, and alcohol is a depressant when taken is large quantities; this makes it easy for doctors to misdiagnose depression for alcoholism and prescribe unneeded and often addictive drugs for depression when alcohol is the whole problem. When looking for an alcohol rehabilitation program talk to a professional counselor about the program you are thinking of going into before you go, they can help you find the best program for your needs.

To speak to an addiction counselor please call 1-877-744-3536   

Approximately seven and a half million kids between the ages of 5 and 14 in the United States are latchkey kids. In today’s economy it’s a situation that can’t be helped as both parents or single parents must work full time to provide for their families.

Studies show that children left alone after school have a ten percent greater chance of trying drugs, alcohol and cigarettes compared to those who are involved in supervised activities. How can you protect your child?

·        Involve your children in sports, youth groups and other adult supervised, after school activities. If your child must be alone, make sure he’s busy with homework and chores instead of hanging out with friends.

·        Know who, what, where and when. Check up on your kids. A cell phone that is only to be used for this purpose can sometimes be effective in keeping track of your child’s whereabouts.

·        Ask children to call home or at your place of work at regular intervals whenever possible.

·        Spend whatever available time you have left in meaningful pursuits or conversations with your kids. Make them a priority, even if you get home late and feel tired.

·        Keep the computer in an open area with little privacy. Always know what activities your child is involved with online. Monitor their television viewing habits.

·        Talk to your kids about drugs. If you don’t, somebody else will and that somebody may be the person who introduces your child to drug use.

·        Enlist the help of a friendly neighbor or friend who doesn’t mind popping in to check on your child when he’s home alone.

Careful planning along with good communication about your expectations will go a long way in protecting your children from becoming victims of drug use and addiction.

If you have questions about questionable behavior your child is displaying please call one of our drug and alcohol professionals.

1-877-744-3536

Recognizing addictive behaviors in teens is imperative in order for them to get the help they need. Unfortunately it isn’t always easy. Teenagers tend to be surly, distant and secretive in general. Knowing the difference between normal adolescent developmental behavior and something more sinister can be difficult but it’s not impossible.

School Daze

A sudden and drastic change in behaviors at school is often the first indication that something is wrong. Missing classes or skipping the day entirely, failing grades in students who used to get high marks and becoming disinterested in activities formerly enjoyed may be indicative of drug use.

Poor Health

Lethargy, sleeplessness or sleeping too much, drastic weight loss and lack of appetite can signal trouble in teens. There may be a legitimate medical reason so don’t rule that out altogether. Seek the advice of a physician if your teen exhibits any of these symptoms.

Appearances

Most teens are meticulous about their grooming. If yours suddenly becomes slovenly and unkempt, or goes for days without bathing and grooming, drug use may be to blame. But again, this is also a sign of illness such as depression so be sure to investigate further.

Privacy and Secrecy

Although part of the normal development of adolescents, extremely guarding their privacy and intentionally keeping you out of the loop could be signs of drug use. A sudden change in friends and the withdrawal from family members and activities and drastic changes in behavior are clear signs that something is up.

Money

Teen drug users often ask for more money but give very lame reasons why they need it. You may also notice money and valuable items missing from places that were previously safe to keep them. It isn’t difficult for a teen to pawn valuables in order to get money to buy drugs.

If you suspect your teenager is using drugs it’s important that you enlist the help of healthcare professionals trained to deal with drug abuse in young people. Time is of the essence and putting it off will only make it harder for him to recover fully. It’s not easy for a parent to admit her teen has a drug problem, but denying it could be fatal.

Finding help for teen age drug abuse

Finding the right Rehabilitation Center for a teenager is not something to take lightly; you need honest information from a professional addiction counselor that has experience in this area.

For help finding teenage addiction treatment please call us today; 1-877-744-3536

Call a professional Addiction Rehabilitation Counselor today; 1-877-744-3536

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