AHS Views

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s office has recently stated that “prescription drug abuse has become more fatal than abuse of illegal street drugs”. The top two drugs that people overdose on in Tampa, FL are Oxycodone (which can be formulated as Percocet and OxyContin) and Methadone used to “treat” heroin addiction and for chronic pain.

What’s really interesting is that Florida was approved for a prescription drug monitoring program, or PDMP, that is supposed to help prevent people from getting multiple prescriptions filled (a.k.a. doctor shopping). But, after approval, the program wasn’t provided with any funding by legislature. Apparently, $1 million needs to be raised by Florida’s Office of Drug Control, and only $150,000 of that has managed to be gotten together.

I absolutely believe that this needs to be a very high priority for Florida. The death toll, as of now, is around 300 people per year in Hillsborough County alone. People of all walks, young, old, richer and poorer are getting their hands on prescription drugs and taking them in lethal doses.

If you or someone you know has a problem with prescription drugs, it’s imperative that you get addiction help now. You could save a life!

Do you have children? If you don’t, you surely have friends or family members with kids. What do you do if you suspect that they’re using drugs? Do you let it slide and hope it’s nothing, or that it will just go away? Bad idea! There are so many kids, even young children, getting involved in drugs these days, and many families have suffered losses because they ignored warning signals of suspected drug use.
What about drug testing? Is it a bad idea? Is it an invasion of a child’s privacy? Privacy schmivacy is all I have to say! If my kids were displaying signs of drug use or abuse, I would have no problem giving them a drug test.

Out of the kids I’ve met who get tested by their parents, there are some who don’t mind and others who resent it and feel like their parents don’t trust them. In my opinion, the latter seems like they’ve probably got more to hide. And, of course they’re going to resent the fact that their parents are looking out for their best interest.

In the past, the majority of drug tests have only been able to check for illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine. Now, there are kits available that can test for prescription drugs too, which are, unfortunately, what a lot of kids are more likely to take than street drugs.

Don’t let the warning signs of drug use by your children or those of friends and family go without addressing them. A simple home drug test now could save your child from a lifetime of drug abuse, or even worse, an early death. If you do find that your child has a drug problem, get help. Statistics have proven that the earlier a person who is abusing drugs gets the addiction help services they need, the better their chances are at fully recovering and living a drug free life.

I know it doesn’t seem like it, but a lot of people who take drugs really do want to stop. Unfortunately, withdrawal is one of the biggest reasons for fear of quitting, as it can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. An addict who has gone too long without using (between hits) has encountered some of those withdrawal sensations.

Dreading withdrawal symptoms is not the only reason people have a difficult time quitting. A person can go through the motions to get detoxed, but until they complete a successful drug rehab program that addresses the reason they started taking drugs or alcohol in the first place, the urge to continue using will remain the same.

Whatever the reasons are that drive a person to take drugs or do alcohol, for the user, the problems are very real and they want to cover them up or drown them away. And, though people make it out to be enjoyable or even glamorous in places like Hollywood, being a drug addict isn’t easy. In fact, it never leads people in a positive direction and can often result in losses of jobs, homes, families and even lives.

A drug user will start out with times when they are very high and nothing much seems to matter – basically in a dream-like state, and their troubles seem further away – but this wears off. The rest of the time, the most important thought in their mind is where to get more. Then, they’re dealing with two problems – the one that made them reach for the drugs in the first place, and the dependency or addiction that they’ve acquired.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that drug addicts and alcoholics enjoy that life. They do want to get off drugs or stop drinking alcohol. The way to successfully do this is Rehab. And, if you aren’t able to talk your friend or loved one into going to rehab, make sure to get in contact with an interventionist. This is their specialty and they’re experience lends to getting even the toughest addicts to go and get the addiction help they need.

Without going into a lot of details, the short answer is probably no, and unfortunately the line between the two is pretty grey, but there is a definitely more to it…

A drug “addiction” is generally defined as compulsive, drug-seeking behavior which is due to physical and/or mental dependency on a drug, despite knowingly causing damage to oneself and others regardless of consequence. Most people associate drug addiction with illegal drugs like cocaine, meth or heroin, but the truth is that people can easily become addicted to prescription drugs that were originally prescribed by their doctor.

An individual with a drug “dependence” may not exhibit the compulsive drug-seeking behavior and may have a more normal and collected appearance in life. This doesn’t only include drugs, but can also include the moderate-to-heavy social drinker who has three alcoholic drinks several nights per week or more. You may as well additionally include the millions of people who take prescribed drugs on a daily basis.

As I mentioned before, there is a fine line between dependency and addiction, and a person who is dependent can very easily become addicted. What happens if a drinker gets cut off at the bar? A lot of times, they become belligerent and will go to another bar or store to buy more alcohol, which would be an all too common example of compulsive drug (or alcohol) seeking. They may not even know they are an alcoholic yet but these are the first signs not to ignore.

Another factor, which most people are unaware of, is tolerance. This can absolutely play a role in dependence turning into addiction. An example of this might be someone being prescribed a narcotic painkiller after an injury or surgery. They takes it as prescribed for the recommended time period, but when the medication use stops, the user goes into withdrawals because their body became dependent on it. The next reaction, in a lot of scenarios, would be that they have to get more of the drug to not feel those withdrawal symptoms anymore. They’re basically trapped into use - which leads to addiction.

Learning disability labeled teenagers being put on amphetamines (stimulants) is another common example. These are legally prescribed drugs, by doctors and/or psychiatrists. The children can naturally develop a tolerance to these drugs and then need more, something stronger. In many cases of illegal drug use by teens, it comes on the heels of a long history of Ritalin, Prozac, etc.

So, the one thing we do know is, despite different characteristics and definitions, one does have to be drug dependent to be an addict, but the line  certainly isn’t definite when it is crossed. And, knowing how easily this can happen, it’s extremely important to pay attention. Pay attention to yourself, if you find that you need to take a prescription painkiller. Pay attention to your kids. And, if you find yourself knowing of or learning about someone with a dependence, help them get into a good detox program before it leads to addiction.

Have you ever heard of “non-addictive” drugs? Sounds a bit like an oxymoron to me, but there are many drugs in existence today, both legal and illegal, which claim to be just that – non-habit forming.
Pharmaceutical companies have come out with “non-narcotic” forms of pain and insomnia relief like Ambien and Ultram that are “safe when used as directed and non-addictive” yet the amount of people getting hooked on these prescription drugs continues to rise. Even though they say “non-narcotic”, if you read the fine print, it actually says there is “some” risk for dependency. And, even worse, allergic reactions, in rare instances, can be fatal!

There’s actually nothing new about pharmaceutical companies coming out with new non-addictive drugs. In the 1850’s, when opium addiction first reared its ugly head in the United States, morphine was used as a non-addictive alternative until it was banned in the 1920’s because of its addictive properties.

Then, there’s marijuana. There have been statements that this illegal drug is a “non-addictive” and “non-harmful” one, yet it’s one of the most abused drugs in the country.

How about LSD? Another drug said to be “non-addictive”, which is in fact one of the most harmful drugs out there. It can cause long-term damage to users as well as flashbacks (where a portion of their LSD experience reoccurs). People who abuse frequently can build a tolerance and require more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect. It can also cause long-lasting psychoses. After using LSD and experiencing their first high, many people take it over and over again, in spite of the negative effects that are associated with the drug.

My point is that drugs alter the senses and perceptions. They create a high in the user and continue the cycle of the user wanting to take the drugs to achieve the desired effect. In many cases, it takes more and more of the drug to reach that high so the tolerance level also rises. This is true of all drugs – from LSD to marijuana to legal prescription drugs and replacement drug therapies that are so heavily promoted routinely.

Calling these drugs “non-addictive” is not only downright false, but is easily proven untrue. Not only with illegal drugs like marijuana and LSD but also with legally approved drugs like anti-depressants, prescription pain killers and replacement drug therapies.

If these drugs were non-addictive, as claimed, why does the number of people becoming addicted to them continue to increase? And why are alternative drugs being produced to “help” ease addiction symptoms? Take a hard look at the facts; you’ll realize that “non-addictive” drugs simply do not exist.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a simple answer to that question? With so many illegal drugs on the scene, the answer to that question becomes relative to viewpoint and what kind of damage is caused, whether it is physical damage, emotional pain and suffering, damage to the family, cost involved, or a combination of any of these.

There is no question about how deadly crack cocain, heroin and meth are, but it has been suggested that hallucinogens like LSD (acid) are the ones with the worst lingering effects. This is because they alter the mind and its perceptions, and people can have “acid flashbacks” for many years after they stopped taking the drug.

In the hallucinogen class of drugs, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the major players. Like the name of this drug class suggests, hallucinogens cause hallucinations, which are greatly alters a person’s perception of reality. Under the influence of hallucinogens, people can see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem very real but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid, intense emotional swings.

LSD’s effects are unpredictable and can be different each time the drug is consumed. They depend on how much is taken, the user’s personality, mood, expectations and their surroundings where the drug is used. Generally, the user will feel the first effects of the drug about 30 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.

Most of the time, a user will refer to their LSD experience as a “trip” and when it is a frightening experience it’s called a “bad trip”. The effects of this drug take quite awhile to wear off after taking it. A trip can last around 12 hours. Users on a bad trip can experience severe and terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, even fear of insanity, death and despair. Some fatal accidents have taken place during states of LSD intoxication and people have been known to get stuck in a bad trip and display extreme psychosis or paranoia.

Most LSD users willingly decrease or stop its use over time. Since LSD doesn’t produce intense physical cravings like other drugs, it’s not considered to be a drug that people have to get addiction help for. However, a user can still build a tolerance to the drug, requiring larger amounts of the toxin to be consumed to experience another trip.

In more recent years, use of hallucinogens, especially LSD, has decreased. It seems to be catching on that it is one of the worst drugs, as evidenced by the drop in usage. Why risk becoming a vegetable? It doesn’t seem worth it!

I don’t usually watch reality shows, but I have to say that some of the legal/police type shows that take on social issues can be very insightful. Recently, when discussing the problem of drug addiction, someone on TV asked ‘Why don’t they just burn all the poppy fields?” The response - “Because there has to be a war on something or the people in Washington wouldn’t get elected.” That was probably an old show because the war on drugs certainly isn’t the only war in town right now, but it does make you wonder about the true intentions of the powers that be when there are, really, some pretty simple solutions to the war on drugs available. At least from the standpoint of getting people through drug treatment successfully.

The country spends millions, or billions, on various drug treatment methods and facilities -but a large portion of them don’t even work! They’re out-patient facilities, week or month-long residential programs that are barely enough to dry the person out, halfway houses (may be fine AFTER a real drug rehab program to help the person get their lives in order), and so on.

But, there are tons of facilities and drug treatment programs that have high success rates. Why not drop the programs that only rehabilitate 30% of their clients and throw more support behind those that see success for 70%?

A short-term or out-patient drug rehab program may work for some, but don’t make the mistake of trying one of those first - chances are they’ll be a waste of time and money.

More importantly, you and the person you’re trying to help can get very discouraged by attempting something that fails and it might be very difficult, if not impossible, to get the addict to try again.

Check with Addiction Help Services counselors to find out what’s best for your situation before you make any decisions. They know all the programs, all the treatment methods, and can assess your situation to find out what’s best.  
 

I don’t know how many people think about going to prison as one of the consequences of taking drugs, but they should. And, when they really think about it, it’s one very good reason for getting addiction help to get someone off drugs and away from the drug culture asap.

About 1/2 of the people in prison have drug problems - that’s about 1.5 million people - and only 5% get any form of drug treatment or addiction help. What happens with the rest of them? Often they keep taking drugs.

I am amazed that drugs in prisons are so common - how can it be possible that they can’t control the flow of drugs into that kind of environment? I can’t help but think there are guards and other staff involved.

How easy is it to wind up in prison because of drugs? It’s not hard. Cops can get wind of what’s going on and show up on your doorstep. Or you’re around people who are involved in criminal activity (other than the drugs, thefts, and so on, to support their habits or get enough drugs to sell to others). So there’s double the risk. Or you’re around people who carry guns, and don’t think twice about using them.

When I was on drugs I had several close calls with the police. One time I was on my way to a friend’s house and happened to call first - from just a block or two away. It was late and I wanted to make sure they were home and awake before I knocked on their door. They answered the phone but told me the police were there. Had I not called, I would have walked in (with drugs on me) and wound up in prison.

Another time I lived in an apartment on a hill - it seemed safe, but the hill actually put the windows right at street level. I wasn’t even aware that you could literally just walk in through the windows of that apartment.  Tall windows, nearly floor to ceiling, swung open like a door, no screens. It seemed like you were well above the ground - you walked up the long flight of steps in the front - but, because of the hill, the windows were just a foot above the ground.

You don’t exactly have your wits about when you’re high - which I was all the time; heroin addiction - so things like that can happen.

Friends who lived across the street pointed out the window problem to me and told me the police were watching the place. I moved out the next day, and later the same day the police arrived - through the window.

On the other side of things - being in the criminal element - I once had to hide out in a hotel until I could get a flight out of town. Someone I’d upset was after me with a gun. Fortunately, someone else warned me about it and I was able to get out of my apartment immediately, into an obscure motel by the airport, and on a flight out of town the next day. Had I not found out about it on time I could be dead now. Or I could have wound up in the emergency room, in which case I’d probably also wind up in prison since I was always high and had heroin on me.

Another time I overdosed. The people I was with were at the point of taking me to the hospital when I came to. Another close brush with death, and the possibility of prison. 

Just a few little incidents. But that’s what living in the drug culture can be like. So - ending up in prison can’t be ruled out.

Some people think that going to prison will straighten somebody out. Not true. Not only can they still get drugs, hepatitis and HIV are also quite common in prison. People share needles, and have unprotected sex. If you’re a guy, especially, you’re likely to become someone’s boy toy. 

If you know someone taking drugs - your kids for example - be aware that prison could well be in the cards. Get them addiction help services before it gets to that point.

Do your kids have something to do? I’ve spent a little time in Sweden - which has a relatively minor drug problem compared to the U.S. and European countries, thanks to its zero tolerance ‘drug-free society’ ideal and focus on addiction help treatment rather than punishment - but it also has something else a lot of countries don’t have: one of the most kid friendly environments around.

There are parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, pools, community centers and just about everything else to keep kids occupied with purposeful activity all over the place. Teens don’t have to hang out with nothing to do.

An editorial, written by a citizen, in a British Columbia newspaper bemoaned the loss of their community center, which burned down decades ago and has never been replaced. The only things available for kids to do in the town are expensive and can only be afforded by parents with money. And there’s not much in the way of extra-curricular activities in the schools.

This lack of something to do means, unfortunately, that kids are probably going to start drinking and taking drugs early in life and their chances of having long-term drug and alcohol problems will therefore increase. And the town doesn’t even have a detox center to help anyone out, let alone any long-term addiction help programs.

The author of the editorial describes the young people of the area as ‘flailing on the path of self destruction’ and says that if something isn’t done they’re ‘creating the possibility of yet another generation of wayward adults … future parents.’

If your kids are already into drugs, ensuring they have something constructive and purposeful to do is unlikely to solve the problem. Once they’re into drugs and have developed some form of addiction or dependency, they often need addiction help services to get them through it. But, once that’s done, helping them change their lives will go a long way to preventing relapse.

I know people who are haunted by how they treated their kids. This is especially true for alcoholics and drug addicts. Their guilt is despairingly deep - it all comes out when they finally get some addiction help.

The ironic thing about it is that their guilt over drinking or taking drugs is one of the reasons they keep doing it. The harm they do while they’re high, and the guilt they feel because of that harm, becomes one more thing they use alcohol to escape. It’s added to the list of whatever their reasons are for addiction in the first place.

You would think that guilt over the pain they’ve caused to others - like their kids - would be enough to make them stop. But, it’s not. It may increase their desire to stop, but it doesn’t make them actually able to do it. It’s an amazing phenomena that most people will actually do more of what they feel guilty about in order to pacify their guilt for doing it in the first place.

Fortunately, kids are pretty resiliant. Most are willing to forgive just about anything.  But that doesn’t necessarily reverse the damage done. Statistics show, for example, that kids who’s parent drink are four times more likely than the kids of sober parents to drink themselves.

Check out the review of The Sky Isn’t Visible from Here: Scenes from a Life - the gruesome memoir of Felicia C. Sullivan, the daughter of an addict.  It’s an extreme case, but even less extreme situations create a similar effect.

Felicia finally cut all ties with her mother - she couldn’t take it any more. But she turned into an addict despite everything she’d seen. Her first blackout from alcohol happened at 17, years later the same happened with cocaine.

There are millions of stories like hers out there. Kids with horrible childhoods, their vows to ‘never be like my parents’, but turning into mirror images nevertheless.

Addiction help services can change all that. Check it out.