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5 Critical Principles for Substance Abuse Treatment That is Effective

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substance abuse treatment, substance abuse treatment that is effective

substance abuse treatment, substance abuse treatment that is effective

1. Substance abuse treatment requires constant monitoring and testing in order to be effective. Let's face it, you are in treatment for drug or alcohol abuse because you have a problem. Many who enter a rehab program will relapse and use the substance of choice while they are getting help so monitoring and testing is very important during the treatment process.

2. There is no single substance abuse treatment program that will offer everyone the same results. Each individual will start using drugs or alcohol for specific reasons, and these reasons are not always the same. Substance abuse treatment that is effective will examine the individual factors in each case and develop a customized treatment plan.

3. Addiction causes physical and psychological changes in the brain, and this can interfere with normal thought processes. Until you are clean and sober you can not usually make the best decisions, so detox can be a very important part of substance abuse treatment that is effective. .

4. Individual counseling is one of the forms of substance abuse treatment that is effective. This method is needed so that you can work through your unique causes and determine why you abuse drugs or alcohol. One on one therapy should occur along with group therapy each week.

5. Before you can receive substance abuse treatment that is effective any mental disorders that you have must be diagnosed, and these need to be treated along with the substance abuse. Many individuals have both substance abuse issues and one or more mental disorders, and a dual diagnosis is needed in these cases.

 

USFDA is Changing the Labeling Rules for Painkillers as a Result of Prescription Drug Abuse

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prescription drug abuse, prescription pain medication

prescription drug abuse, prescription pain medication

 

The United States Food and Drug Administration, or USFDA, recently announced changes in the labeling requirements for long term prescription pain medications. These drugs are responsible for much of the increase in prescription drug abuse in North America. The changes are due to take effect at the end of 2014, and the new label requirements are designed to make physicians think carefully before prescribing a long acting opiate medication. Oxycontin, morphine, and Fentanyl are some of the drugs that will be affected by the new labeling requirements. Along with the labeling changes the government agency is also requiring the drug manufacturers to conduct studies on the long term effects of long acting prescription drugs. Until no there have not been any studies to show the long term effects of being on these prescription medications.

Safe prescribing practices have not been established with long acting prescription painkillers because there is a lack of data on the long term effects. The new labels will have modified language to help physicians determine when these drugs are required and lower the risk of prescription drug abuse. According to Dr. Douglas Throckmorton of the F.D.A.’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research “What is moderate to me could be severe to you. The new language will say that the drugs should be reserved for use in patients who do not have other treatment options, and be used for management of pain that is “severe enough” to require round-the-clock treatment.” Hopefully the changes will reduce prescription drug abuse in North America.

 

What is Bulimia Nervosa and How is it Treated? Is This Eating Disorder Dangerous?

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bulimia nervosa, eating disorder

bulimia nervosa, eating disorder

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder, just like anorexia and binge eating, and it can be a dangerous condition for many reasons. If you suffer from bulimia nervosa then you typically binge and purge, eating large amounts of food and then getting rid of it by vomiting or using other measures. This eating disorder can cause malnutrition, and vital body functions may become impaired because of the lack of proper nutrition. Bulimia nervosa can include the following symptoms:

  • Compulsive overeating, often foods high in fat and sugar

  • Inducing vomiting after binging

  • An unhealthy and false body image

  • Exercise that is excessive

  • The use of laxatives

  • Frequent weight changes

  • Abnormal bowel habits and function

  • Constantly dieting

  • Injuries to the hands and knuckles from inducing vomiting

  • Teeth and gums that are swollen or damaged

  • Lack of menstruation

  • Irregular menstrual periods

  • Sores in the throat or mouth caused by excessive vomiting

Treating bulimia nervosa can be difficult, and this is true of most eating disorders. Individual and group counseling is necessary, but you should also receive nutritional counseling and learn stress management techniques and methods as well. Equine therapy can help you rebuild trust, and the individual sessions with a therapist can help you uncover the causes of bulimia nervosa or other eating disorders in your specific case so they can be addressed and then resolved. If you or someone you know has bulimia nervosa or any eating disorder then help and treatment are important. If left unchecked these disorders can be deadly.

 

What is Anorexia Nervosa and What Treatment is Used With This Eating Disorder?

Rehab Articles

anorexia nervosa, eating disorder

anorexia nervosa, eating disorder

Anorexia nervosa is a phrase that many have heard, but do you know what this eating disorder is and how it is treated? If you suffer from anorexia nervosa then you have an obsession with food or the lack of it, and you believe that you are overweight even if you are dangerously thin. Many celebrities have suffered from this eating disorder and some have died because they refused to accept treatment and starved themselves to death or suffered cardiac arrest because of severe malnutrition. Symptoms of anorexia nervosa can include:

  • A negative self image

  • Greatly restricting food intake

  • Completely refusing to eat

  • Exercising to an excessive degree

  • Fear of weight gain

  • Withdrawing socially

  • Irregular menstrual cycles

  • A complete lack of menstruation

  • A very thin appearance

  • Irregular heart beat

  • Frequently feeling cold

  • Little energy

  • Irritability

  • Being preoccupied with food

  • Dehydration

  • Skin that is dry and flaky

  • Low blood pressure

Treatment for anorexia nervosa requires individual counseling as well as other treatment methods. Each person who has this eating disorder will have unique issues which cause the problem, and the root of these issues must be uncovered and resolved. Group sessions are also important so that you realize others share your problems and that you are not alone. If you suffer from anorexia nervosa or any other eating disorder then it is important to seek help as soon as possible. The false body image that you have could cause you serious and even permanent physical damage because of self starvation.

 

Does Medical Marijuana Increase Pot Use Among Teens?

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pot use among teens, medical marijuana

pot use among teens, medical marijuana

A new study performed by Dr. Esther Choo, who is associated with the Rhode Island Hospital emergency department as an attending physician, has provided some surprising results. States which have legalized medical marijuana have been cautious because many medical professionals and legislators were worried that approving medical marijuana could increase pot use among teens. The new study results show that this is not the case, and pot use among teens in states which have passed medical marijuana laws has not increased significantly. According to Dr. Choo “Any time a state considers legalizing medical marijuana, there are concerns from the public about an increase in drug use among teens.” Choo went on to state that “Researchers should continue to monitor and measure marijuana use. But we hope that this information will provide some level of reassurance to policymakers, physicians, and parents about medical marijuana laws.”

The study examined 20 years of data concerning pot use among teens, and this data covered states without medical marijuana laws and those which have passed medical marijuana in some form. The pot use among teens for each state was examined, and this included the data both before and after any medical marijuana laws were passed. Teen pot use did not go up after a state passed medical marijuana laws, and in some cases the pot use among teens actually saw a slight decline. Many teens are rebellious by nature, and legalizing medical marijuana may take some stigma away from the use of this drug and make it less appealing for teens who are trying to push the boundaries or rebel.