Opiods, Stimulants and CNS Depressants
All information taken from the drugabuse.gov website OPIODS What are opioids? Opioids are medications that relieve pain. They reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain and affect those … Continue reading
Prescription Drug Abuse — FACTS and FIGURES
All information in the post below taken from the drugabuse.gov website. Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or … Continue reading
Driving in the Rain
You don’t get off any kind of drug and miraculously go right back to where you where. There is a feeling though that I have not had in some time. Hope. Hope that each day will get a little better. Hope that I will be brave enough to venture further and further out my front door. Hope that someday I will fully reclaim my life and all the fears and challenges and depression that was once a part of my day to day life will continue to feel more and more like a dream that was.
Nonmedical Use of Adderall
Full-time college students who were nonmedical users of Adderall® were almost 3 times as likely as those who had not used Adderall® nonmedically to have used marijuana in the past year (79.9 vs. 27.2 percent), 8 times more likely to have used cocaine in that period (28.9 vs. 3.6 percent), 8 times more likely to have been nonmedical users of prescription tranquilizers (24.5 vs. 3.0 percent), and 5 times more likely to have been nonmedical users of prescription pain relievers (44.9 vs. 8.7 percent)
Background on Prescription Drug Distribution
The majority of the pharmaceuticals that the FDA has approved for marketing in the United States are not on the CSA schedules, including most prescription drugs and all over-the-counter drugs. The NSDUH questionnaire includes some prescription psychotherapeutic drugs that are not on the CSA schedule, such as tramadol (Ultram®) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®).
How is methamphetamine abused?
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, accompanied by functional and molecular changes in the brain. In addition to being addicted to methamphetamine, chronic abusers exhibit symptoms that can include anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. They also can display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions (for example, the sensation of insects creeping under the skin). Psychotic symptoms can sometimes last for months or years after methamphetamine abuse has ceased, and stress has been shown to precipitate spontaneous recurrence of methamphetamine psychosis in formerly psychotic methamphetamine abusers.
Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction
Methamphetamine is commonly known as “speed,” “meth,” and “chalk.” In its smoked form, it is often referred to as “ice,” “crystal,” “crank,” and “glass.” It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. The drug was developed early last century from its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Like amphetamine, methamphetamine causes increased activity and talkativeness, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being.
Prescription Medications
A chart that highlights commonly abused prescription drugs in the US
Prescription Drug Abuse Chart
However, in 2003, approximately 15 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons at least once during the year.
Life of Becka 