Basic Information On Treatment For Drug Addiction

September 7, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Sandra Maria Stammberger

With the fact that Drug Addiction is catching up fast and is as deadly as the Human Immuno Virus spread Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), it is extremely important that we look at ways of treating drug addiction. We all know it is a major issue with a cross section of people affected by drug addiction. Treatment of drug addiction is a combination of traditional, spiritual and the medical way which allows the patient to combat drug addiction.

Treatments for drug addictions are always administered in facilities like clinics, hospitals, drug rehab centers etc. in the presence of trained physicians in administering addiction medicine and doctors who are specialized in treating addiction related cases. It may seem that treatment of drugs is very simple, but in fact treatment centers have to be ultra cautious with their patients who enroll in drug rehab or treatment programs. The first step of any treatment for drug addiction is detoxification. The effect of consuming drugs like Marijuana, Cocaine is that the toxic remnants of these drugs are left behind in the human body.

The detoxification process detoxifies or removes all these toxic remnants from the body. Detoxification in itself is a simple process but it can get complicated in cases where the drug addict has a history of consuming drugs for a long time. Post the detoxification, the actual treatment for drug rehabilitation is prescribed by the doctor or the physician. Normally, these tests last about two weeks and may require the patient to either choose an in-house residential program or an outpatient program. Cases where the person is found to be a heavy opiate or has been consuming drugs like heroin, cocaine for a long time, an FDA approved drug called methadone is used for the treatment. The process of treatment of such cases may take longer and it may take up to 6 months to a year for the person to complete the treatment. That said, the patients who undergo such treatments will see the benefits of the treatment coming to them a year after the treatment is over.

A good treatment of drug addiction cases involves individual and group counseling and group therapy in addition to the medical treatment. Many companies/centers/clinics offer treatment for drug addiction. With most of them affordably priced, drug addiction treatment is almost becoming a necessity for all those who have a history of drug addiction.

Remember, treatment for drug addiction is not mandatory for a person. But in order to save a lot of your efforts trying to grapple with the serious negative effects which accompany drug addiction, you are well advised to take a treatment for drug addiction.

Sandra Stammberger owns and operates www.drugcure.net Drug Rehab

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Help Your Loved One Stay Drug Free

July 6, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Michael Russell

Drug or alcohol addiction is a sneaky disease. It keeps you believing that everything is under control and it all depends on your will whether you want to quit or not, but in reality it doesn’t work that way. An abuser who keeps thinking that “its no big deal” and “everything is under control” is in a state of denial. This can keep a person in the cycle of addiction for years.

Once the addict comes to term with his addiction and recognizes that a problem does exist, you can help the person stay on the road to recovery.

It is likely that most of the abuser’s friends and acquaintances also drink or do drugs. When already recovering from addiction, the person may face the biggest problem of sobriety, the loneliness of not having friends to talk to and deal with. To avoid this, be available to your loved one who is becoming clean and sober. Let the person feel that you are available to talk with and are interested to listen to his stories, so that he may not feel alone and without friends.

Many drug addicts and alcoholics become sedentary as a consequence of their addiction. You can encourage your loved one to stay physically healthy by engaging in a worthwhile exercise routine. He can take a walk, jog, ride a bike and play tennis or badminton. You can be his exercise buddy so that he will be encouraged to continue the healthy habit. Exercise will make him clear his mind of drugs and at the same time it releases endorphins that make a person feel good. This are the body’s own “feel good” chemicals.

If your loved one needs to attend support groups, offer to go with him. The first few meetings of these support groups can sometimes be too intimidating for a recovering substance dependent. Be there to support him and show him that you care and all you yearn for is his full recovery. This will enable him to gather enough courage to continue attending these support groups for his own betterment.

Help your loved one tackle difficult situations without resorting to the familiar drug or alcohol support. You may start off with facing easier situations like going to the bar with him without drinking alcohol and only taking soda or any non-alcoholic beverages. A wide range of emotions are usually expected from somebody who has been addicted to drugs or alcohol for many years. Often, the reason for taking drugs or alcohol is the person’s inability to face painful feelings like sadness and anger. Once an addict is back to sobriety, he may feel these old feelings coming back and may find it difficult to face these old enemies without drugs. Be a good listener. He may also be remorseful of his actions in the past as a consequence of his addiction. Allow him to talk to you and let him feel comfortable doing it. Do not argue with him. Let his words and sentiments flow. Never judge him or his actions. Show your concern and let him know that you will always be there to listen to him and you can be a shoulder he can cry on.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Addictions

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Helping A Loved One Get Off Weed

July 5, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Gary Paul Evans

There are few things more damaging to a relationship than an addiction. I constantly hear from my readers that their partner’s marijuana addiction eats away at their finances, ruins the time they have to spend together and overall leaves them feeling second-best to a leafy green weed.

It is understandable that a person dealing with their partner’s marijuana addiction will feel frustrated, insecure and even angry at their partner’s unwillingness to change their ways. Unfortunately, these feelings often result in animosity and fighting rather than a solution of the problem. It takes a person of great character and patience to stay with an addict through their recovery – especially when they are not willing to admit they have a problem.

Many marijuana smokers still believe that pot is not an addictive substance. How can you convince a loved one to stop smoking marijuana when they don’t believe it’s doing them any harm? The very nature of this drug contributes to the problem; as your pot-smoking partner smokes more and more often, they tend to lose their perspective. They truly can’t see the damage they are doing to your relationship. They don’t understand the amount of time they spend smoking weed instead of doing the things you used to enjoy together. The amount of money they waste on marijuana just doesn’t seem like a big deal when they’re in their hazy, happy place.

Before approaching your loved one with your concerns, formulate a plan of action:

Educate – Have statistics to back up your claims. You can find great articles with marijuana addiction statistics in back issues of the CannabisAddicts.com website.

Articulate – For some of us, it’s just easier to say it in writing. If you have a hard time expressing the ways that your partner’s addiction affects you and your relationship together, write it down. You can either give them the list or refer to it as you speak to them about your concerns to be sure you stay on track.

Be Fair and Specific – They need to hear exactly what it is that their addiction is doing. Instead of general, negative comments such as, “You would rather smoke weed than hang out with me,” use positive phrases to explain to them HOW the addiction has changed your lives: “I miss the time that we used to spend together and I want us to have fun again, like we used to.”

Be Prepared for Resistance – The first time you broach the subject, you may not get the results you want. Understand that it may take several attempts to get your point across in a calm, rational manner. If you feel yourself becoming angry and frustrated with their seeming unwillingness to hear you out, walk away and try again later. Don’t lose your temper. This leads us to another important point…

Know Your Limits – Before approaching your partner about their marijuana addiction, you must know your own limits. If your intervention and support don’t make them quit, will you stay? Are you going to give them an ultimatum? Are you strong enough to walk away, or will you stay and put up with it if things don’t change? These are tough questions to answer, but you absolutely must know what YOU need from the relationship before you can explain that to your partner and expect them to follow suit.

If you are willing to put the effort into trying to help your partner stop smoking marijuana, I take my hat off to you. It is not an easy road and your patience will be tried over and over again. Be supportive, be strong, but don’t be afraid to take a break from it all if it all becomes too much for you.

Remember that there are resources and support systems designed to help your partner quit smoking weed; introducing them to a cannabis addiction program is the best way to show your support and help them work through the quitting process. No one expects you to do it all on your own! Visit us today at CannabisAddicts.com to get started on the road back to your happy, pot-free relationship.

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Drug Detection - How Long Do Drugs Stay In The Body?

July 5, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Steve Sandlin

Drug Test Detection Times refer to the “window” of detection for drugs of abuse. If a person is tested too soon or too long after use, drugs may not show up in human urine. Often someone will ask us, How long to drugs stay in the body? This short guide will help to answer that question. For the purposes of clarity, this guide is a reference for the detection of drugs of abuse found in human urine.

How long do drugs stay in your system? The length of time that the presence of drugs of abuse in the body can be detected is an important factor in drug screening. The chart below outlines approximate duration times. When interpreting the duration for the presence of drugs of abuse in the body, you must take into consideration variables including the body’s metabolism, the subjects physical condition, overall body fluid balance, state of hydration and frequency of usage.

Drug Detection Times in urine are expressed below in terms of lower and upper boundaries. The amount of time that a drug/metabolite remains detectable in urine can vary, depending on the following factors:
• Amount and Frequency of Use: Single, isolated, small doses are generally detectable at the lower boundary. Chronic and long-term use typically result in detection periods near or at the upper boundary.
• Metabolic Rate: Individuals with slower body metabolism are prone to longer drug detection periods.
• Body Mass: In general, human metabolism slows with increased body mass, resulting in longer drug detection periods. In addition, THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) and PCP are known to accumulate in fatty lipid tissue. Chronic users, physically inactive users, and individuals with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for THC and PCP.
• Age: In general, human metabolism slows with age, resulting in longer drug detection periods.
• Overall Health: In general, human metabolism slows during periods of deteriorating health, resulting in longer drug detection periods.
• Drug Tolerance: Users typically metabolize a drug faster once a tolerance to the drug is established.
• Urine pH: Urine pH can impact drug detection periods. Typically, highly acidic urine results in shorter drug detection periods.
• Note: In a small percentage of cases, users may test positive longer than times shown - most notably in cases of long-term chronic abuse, in individuals with significant body mass and/or body fat, and in individuals with health related issues resulting in abnormally slow body metabolism.

Drug Detection Times in Urine
Drug / Drug Group Time Range
• Alcohol 24 hours or less
• Amphetamines 1 to 4 days
• Barbiturates Short-acting: 1 to 3 days

Long-acting (Barbital, Phenobarbital): 1 to 3 weeks
• Benzodiazepines Short-term Therapeutic Use: 1 to 3 days

Long-term / Chronic Use: 1 to 3 weeks
• Cocaine 1 to 5 days
• LSD 1 to 2 days
• Marijuana (THC) Casual Use: 1 to 7 days

Long-Term / Chronic Use: 1 to 4 weeks Note: THC, the primary active ingredient in marijuana, is stored by the body in fatty lipid tissue. From there, it is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to several weeks - depending on the amount and frequency of use and the user’s level of physical activity. In chronic and physically inactive users, THC may accumulate in fatty tissues faster than it can be eliminated. This accumulation leads to longer detection periods for these individuals. Also, users with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for marijuana.
• MDMA (Ecstasy) 1 to 4 days
• Methadone 1 to 4 days
• Methamphetamines 1 to 4 days
• Opiates 1 to 5 days
• PCP (Phencyclidine) Casual Use: 1 to 7 days

Long-Term / Chronic Use: 1 to 4 weeks Note: PCP is stored by the body in fatty lipid tissue. From there, it is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to several weeks - depending on the amount and frequency of use and the user’s level of physical activity. In chronic and physically inactive users, PCP may accumulate in fatty tissues faster than it can be eliminated. This accumulation leads to longer detection periods for these individuals. Also, users with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for PCP.

For complete information on Drug Testing, visit www.DrugTestingResource.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Sandlin

               

To What Extent Will Drug Rehab Go?

July 3, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Tywford Lamai

Let us begin with the definition of drug rehabilitation: Drug rehabilitation or therapy is a procedure. In most instances persons will be admitted into a stay at a medical unit/facility and will go through a succession of examinations, tests, questions, analyses etc., etc. Now although these people undergo a phalanx of questions and tests, in the end, the ultimate aim is to help the patient to purge their bodies of the toxic drugs that at one time impaired their judgment and ability to function appropriately and also to subsequently permit them regain control of their lives, thereby allowing them full realization that toxic drugs are unimportant, unnecessary and bad/harmful.

Guess what? A good drug rehab program will centers strongly not only on the mind but also on the physical issues surrounding the breaking of an addiction. Fundamentally important to an excellent drug rehab procedure is a good and meticulous drug detoxification program.

Needless to mention but important nonetheless is the fact that drug rehab is not enjoyable. It is not a stroll in the playground. It can be the most taxing aspects of anybody’s life. It is difficult for people who have had no reason to deal with it to understand it. Also difficult is explaining to that guy who is hooked on drugs or that girl taking her first hit what it will entail to desist later on and to check into drug rehab. The point though is that however you may want to see it…drug rehab is effective!

Guess what? Most times, the issue isn’t whether or not drug rehab will be effective for the individual but whether or not the individual will be committed to the recommended rigorous and, often times, regimented procedure.

Drug rehab will in most cases be powerful for the persons. Initially the person will need to be committed to the programme but at times they can be mandated by their relatives or ordered into rehab by a judge. Nevertheless, the true healing process does not begin until after they commit to being clean. The following are a few issues that drug rehab deals with:

- The first concern is how to get the drugs out of your body. From outside, this tends to look easy, but because you body has gotten used to the drugs, it craves it thereby creating the “withdrawal syndrome” which is very, very, very, uncomfortable (to put it mildly!). Addiction is DIFFICULT to get through. In fact, most patients may end up needing external physical help as well as need restraints placed on them so as to remove the danger of them hurting themselves.

- While this is going on, patients will need to cooperate with doctors and counselors to better come to terms with the real reason why they began taking drugs in the first place so that they can work through those problems to limit the possibility of relapse.

- The rehab center will need to organize group sessions so as to allow family members and relatives meet with the patients to help them and reintroduce them to each other.

- Examinations, tests and screenings from time to time, will help patients to realize the distance that they have covered and also how far they have achieved.

- Also, therapy involving other drug rehab patients helps the patients rebuild their lives.

Guess what? Whatever the case may be, whether you seek help for yourself or a loved one, just remember that where there is life there is hope and also that whatever the mind can conceive and believe – It WILL achieve! It is possible to break drug addiction!

Tywford Lamai is an expert on issues pertaining to Drug Rehabilitation.

To effortlessly discover a lifetime of amazing Drug Rehab secrets,

tips and resources please visit: www.cri8tivdrugs.blogspot.com/

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Why I Openly Discuss My Son’s Death From Drugs

July 2, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis

We did everything the experts told us to do. We did what we thought was right. But lurking around every corner was the Monster. The Monster was waiting to pounce on us and steal our dreams and destroy our future. He did. Bigtime!

You may know the Monster by another name - Drugs! Whatever name you give him, he’s an unforgiving and unrelenting monster who, according to the DEA, claims the lives of one American every 20 minutes.

When our son died, I could not bring myself to utter the words - “he died from a multidrug overdose.” I could merely say his heart stopped. He was a 31-year-old Paramedic and RN. The dregs of society? No. He was a young man with promise, talent, intelligence, good looks, kindness and every loving attribute you can describe.

Some kids do drugs to feel good or their peers entice them to do so but a lot of kids start taking drugs to self-medicate their emotional pain.

We can no longer remain silent about drug addiction. For far too long we’ve sat back and let the experts speak for us. Now we must speak.

We must not only get a firm handle on drug addiction but we must do all that we can to help the mentally ill. Mental illness and drug addiction quite often go hand in hand.

Three and four week rehabs are not the answer.

Jail time is not the answer. Unless an addicted person has committed a crime while under the influence of drugs (the fact that even doing drugs is a crime, notwithstanding) they don’t need to be sequestered in jail with hardened criminals. They need treatment, not punishment.

Although ridiculed, Nancy Reagan was spot on with her “Just Say No” message. But that won’t work in and of itself. We must attack this with as much vigor as the anti-tobacco campaign. Until science discovers a cure for addiction, the only remedy truly is prevention. “Be smart - Don’t start.”

We have to start early on talking to our kids about drugs, showing them the horrific consequences of drug abuse. Let them see the drug addicts in hospitals and nursing homes who are alive but not really living.

It is never too early to talk to our kids about drugs, but it can be too late.

Our schools must implement drug prevention classes beginning with first grade and tailored to their level of comprehension!

We must make mental illness a top priority. If we don’t, we run the risk of more Cho Seung Hue’s and others of his ilk, in our midst.

All of us must be proactive. The time has long passed to close our ears and eyes to this abomination perpetrated on our children by the drug dealers - the true Addiction Monsters.

I am one of the mothers of a child who died from the disease of addiction and I am speaking up. Won’t you join me?

Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis is the author of the book “I Am Your Disease (The Many Faces of Addiction)” published by Outskirts Press. You can read about, and purchase the book at http://www.iamyourdisease.com

I am a retired medical transcriptionist and radio DJ who also did voiceovers for TV. Married, with one living son, having lost my youngest son Scott, who was a paramedic and an RN to the disease of addiction. Happily married for 40 years to Jack, 8th grade science teacher. My oldest son Dale is soon to be a graduate student in Ecology and Environmental Biology.

We live in Palm Bay, Florida. I am originally from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and am a citizen of both Australia and the US. We are owned by one dog and two cats!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheryl_Letzgus_McGinnis

               

Marijuana - Easily Accessible, But Very Dangerous

July 1, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Gabriel J. Adams

Affecting individuals of all ages, marijuana has become an easily accessible and in some social circles, easily acceptable drug known by a wide-range of nicknames and references. Marijuana may be green or gray in color, consisting of dried, shredded flowers or leaves that come from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. While the drug is commonly smoked as a cigarette (joint), it may also appear in a pipe, bong, inside tobacco paper, or is mixed with other drugs, food, or beverages. There are more than 200 slang terms associated with marijuana, ranging from “pot,” “weed,” and “Mary Jane.”

Effects of Marijuana Abuse

There are many different parts of the body that marijuana has an effect on. The chemicals found in the drug have been known to alter sensory reactions in the brain. Also, long-term use of the drug may produce unfavorable changes in the brain. Over time, the lungs begin to show signs of respiratory damage from regular use of marijuana. As the lung tissue becomes damages, the worst cases evolve in a loss. Smoking marijuana also affects the heart rate and blood pressure of an individual. In regards to learning and functioning in society, the attention span, reaction time, and memory of a marijuana user also suffers damage, which can show at home, school, or work.

Getting Help for Marijuana Addiction

Although breaking the habit of using marijuana seems difficult since it is one of the most readily available drugs to get a hold of, it is not an impossible task. One of the main factors regarding the success of conquering a drug addiction is to have the positive support of family, friends, and others in a patient’s life.

For some, both inpatient and/or outpatient drug addiction treatment is needed to break the dependency on a drug. More than 120,000 will enter a drug treatment facility to help end marijuana addition and identify the problems that cause this sort of drug use. A big part of this process involves constant counseling. Many users develop a physical dependency on marijuana, which they perceive as their way of coping with the daily stresses of life. To locate a suitable course of action on how to eliminate marijuana addiction, contacting a physician, local clinic, or substance abuse center from the Yellow Pages is one way to start.

The author would like you to visit Marijuana Addiction And Dependency | Recovery and Relapse Prevention for Marijuana and Sitemap.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams

               

Effective Alcohol and Drug Treatment

June 13, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Morgan Hamilton

Alcohol and drug treatment has evolved quite a bit of past few decades. The first forms of alcohol and drug treatment were actually quite primitive compared to what’s available today. In the dark ages it was thought that addictions were caused by demonic possession, which had many different prescribed ‘cures’ ranging from blood letting to being burned at the stake. In the 19th and early 20th century, alcohol and drug treatment had made some strides towards improvements as opposed to when addictions were then considered forms of insanity and the treatments of choice involved straight jackets, padded rooms, and electric shocks. Could you imagine? You have to wonder what they were thinking?

What we consider today as modern alcohol and drug treatment didn’t really start until the second half of the 20th century. This was no doubt one of the well-known and often repeated ’12 step’ program designed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Doctors and practitioners slowly came to realize that effective alcohol and drug treatment was in fact a possibility. Some of the first forms of alcohol and drug treatment centers formed in this time were not much more than centers where the 12 step program could be taught. The treatments were actually more psychological than anything else.

Even well into the 1980’s handing someone a ‘big book’ (the Alcoholics Anonymous guide) and telling them to go to 90 meetings in 90 days was a common and acceptable form of alcohol and drug treatment. We have made great strides from then in our understanding of what does and what does not work as far as drug and alcohol treatment is concerned.

Please don’t misunderstand me, the 12 step program can be effective for some individuals. One often really wonderful things about it is that it is for a show anyone who needs to help can take advantage of, there are no economic barriers. There is no reason to pay exorbitant fees for alcohol and drug treatment only to get a copy of the big book and a list of nearby meetings. Finding listings for meetings in your area is as simple as calling on the Internet or looking through a phone book.

This doesn’t mean that alcohol and drug abuse treatment isn’t necessary. The treatment should be seen as a supplement to two other programs and not relied upon as a stand-alone solution. When you do decide to seek alcohol and drug abuse treatment be sure that you select one that is known for providing services beyond just 12 step model functions. I myself am a counselor and a recovering addict from my experience I can say with some confidence that the most effective way to help yourself in recovery is to try out many different forms of alcohol and drug treatment, don’t limit yourself because we are all different. If you follow this advice you are sure to find at least some methods that will be effective for you.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding health and medicine. You can get interesting information here at Alcohol and Drug Treatment

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

               

What To Do With All That Green

June 13, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Gary Paul Evans

It is hard to pinpoint exactly how much you are throwing away on marijuana unless you take the time to sit down and do a bit of quick math. How often do you buy weed, and in what quantity? Better yet, what else could you be spending that money on?

When it comes to the average amount of money that people spend feeding their marijuana addictions, accurate statistics are hard to come by. After all, people aren’t exactly forthcoming about how much they spend on an activity that is probably illegal in their country. For the purpose of this exercise, let’s assume that you spend an average of $35 per week on marijuana.

One Week Weed-Free

As with any addiction, marijuana addiction affects your perception of the problems it creates. A few bucks here and there seems to just slide through your fingers, so it helps to take a look at the big picture. When you are making the decision to quit, it really helps to put your problem into perspective. Write down the figure you spend on marijuana each week - $35, in this case. What else could you do with an extra $35 a week? Personally, I wouldn’t mind going to the movies, something I stopped doing once marijuana took over my life. Content to simply sit on the couch and hang out with other pot smokers getting stoned, I realized one day that I hadn’t been to the movies in over a year – something I used to enjoy doing once or twice a week.

An Entire Month Without Marijuana

If you quit smoking weed, based on our $35 a week example, you would have an additional $140 a month to spend as you please. What would you do with $140? When I quit smoking weed, I took a look at my wardrobe and almost died of embarrassment. Once upon a time, I actually cared what I looked like. However, at the height of my marijuana addiction, I must have stopped caring. My clothes were old, worn and sloppy looking. My hair was scraggly and long. Sometimes I wouldn’t bother to shave for days… or weeks. Marijuana has this funny way of making everything beyond getting high seem… nonexistent. $140 goes a long way towards buying some decent looking threads!

Six Months Off The Skunk

In six months, you would have saved yourself $910. Now we’re talking! With my rediscovered energy, I decided after quitting smoking weed that I wanted to do a bit of exploring, so I took a vacation. And I didn’t have to worry about getting stopped in security checks with weed in my bag! You might decide that $910 would buy you that car stereo system you’ve been eyeing up, or maybe you could finally pay off that nagging credit card debt. Whatever you want… it’s your money!

One Year After Sinking the Yellow Submarine

In one year, our $35 a week weed smoker has saved an incredible $1820. I don’t know about you, but to me that’s a good chunk of cash. Marijuana smokers are often shocked at the way their entire lifestyle changes after they successfully quit smoking, and it’s no wonder! You will rediscover the activities you used to take pleasure in and actually have the time and money to do them.

A friend of mine quit smoking weed shortly after I did and used a shoebox to collect the money he would otherwise have spent on pot. Now, a lot of people would dip into the shoebox now and again, but he had discipline. Only after an entire year did he empty it out and count it up. He had enough stashed away from not smoking marijuana to buy his girlfriend a $2700 engagement ring. And she actually said yes, since she could now picture herself living the rest of her life with him (his stoned proposal a year and a half before hadn’t gone so well).

You may decide that the money you save each week by not smoking marijuana will just help you get by and pay the bills. Or, you could save it up for a long period and do something you’ve always wanted to do. It’s up to you! The important thing is that you realize and understand exactly how much you’re literally burning up each week and what you’re missing out on by doing so. And the best way to do that is to write it all down.

CannabisAddicts.com provides a complete marijuana stop-smoking system to guide you through your mental and physical cravings from your quit date on to smoke-free status. Get your life back on track and start saving money!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Paul_Evans

               

Know the Lingo - Common Street Terms for Illegal Drugs

May 25, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART  
Filed under ADDICTION

By Stephanie Loebs

Weed, pot, bennies, rock, snow, dime bag…with drug use and abuse comes a large vocabulary of slang terms known primarily to dealers and addicts. A concerned parent or loved may be puzzled at first to hear such code coming from children, spouses, or friends, and consequently it may take time to realize drugs are being abused.

It is the goal of any reputable drug and alcoholic rehabilitation center to help families and friends of addicts break the codes and seek help for their loved ones, that everybody may be able to speak the same language - one of sobriety and good health. With this in mind, it is important for loved ones to be aware of street terms commonly used for illegal drugs. Some may already be well known due to saturation in popular culture, while others are more obscure.

People who suspect loved ones of abusing drugs may wish to be aware of certain words creeping into their vocabulary:

* Amphetamines - bennies, pixies, speed, bottles, brownies, crank, footballs, uppers
* Cocaine - snow, blow, sugar, snort, bunk, candy, coke, charlie
* Crack - rock, baseball, hail, apple jacks, black rock, bubble gum, pebbles
* Heroin - horse, smack, junk, score, brown sugar, Mr. Brownstone, caps, dirt
* Inhalants - huff, kick, rush, ames, moon gas, poppers, spray
* LSD - acid, purple haze, Lucy, specks, haze, sugar
* Marijuana - pot, weed, grass, ganja, blunt, bud, hooch
* PCP - angel dust, crystal grass, dust, juice, mist

No matter how you say it, drug abuse can have a lasting effect on one’s physical and mental health and finances for the worse. If you suspect a loved one of abusing drugs, now is the time to get help and put his or her life back on track. Please contact a physician or counselor and start on the path toward rehabilitation and healing.

Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Loebs

               

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NOTE: The contents in this blog are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or a substitute for professional care. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before making changes to any existing treatment or program. Some of the information presented in this blog may already be out of date.