More Pregnant Women Seeking Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction

Pregnant Methamphetamine Addicts Tripled In 12 Years

New research from the University of Chicago indicates that the number of pregnant women seeking treatment for methamphetamine use tripled between 1994 to 2006, HealthDay News reported May 21.

Researcher Mishka Terplan and colleagues analyzed data from federally funded treatment centers and found that methamphetamine use accounted for 8 percent of all admissions to drug treatment centers in 1994, but increased to 24 percent in 2006.

The prevalence of methamphetamine users was higher among pregnant women than among men or for non-pregnant women, the researchers found. Most of drug treatment admissions for pregnant women took place in the western United States, and among white women and unemployed women.

“Most women decrease or stop using during pregnancy,” said Terplan, “but they’re aware of the stigma associated with abuse behavior and they may be reluctant to seek care. They may also have concerns about losing their children.”

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Benzodiazepines- Deadly Prescription Drugs

Mixing Prescription Drugs Can Be Deadly

Abuse of central nervous system depressants and Xanax often occurs with the abuse of another substance or drug such as alcohol or cocaine. Treatment for Xanax addiction that focuses on modifying a person’s thinking and behavior, while giving people the tools to cope with life’s stressors, is very successful in helping individuals overcome addiction to Xanax.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine, a class of drug that acts as a sedative or tranquilizer. It is used as a central nervous system depressant. This type of prescription drug slows down normal brain function, and in higher doses, can act as a general anesthetic.  Benzodiazepines, such as Alprazolam, or Xanax, are prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress, and panic attacks.

Again on prime time the nation watched while another artist was carried out on a stretcher, possibly from some kind of overdose or drug cocktail.

Xanax withdrawal is particularly dangerous, and even life threatening. Because central nervous system depressants work by slowing down the brain’s normal activity, if a person stops taking the drug, the brain can react by racing out of control. Seizures and other harmful consequences, including death may result.  Medical supervision and treatment are very important in overcoming Xanax addiction.

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Michael Jackson: Fame Enabled Drug Addiction?

Fame-Struck Doctors Enabled Michael Jackson’s Drug Addiction?

While thousands attend Michael Jackson’s memorial service and millions mourn around the world, many in his close circle wonder why it ever came to this: a talented musical king, right before a much anticipated tour, struck down by prescription drug addiction.

While a shock to millions, close friends feared this day would come.  Some of those close to him saw the signs of drug abuse and tried to alert the others around him.

It seems that Michael Jackson was surrounded by an army of physicians willing to prescribe him drugs. Friend Tarak Ben Ammar also called Jackson a hypochondriac. “’One never really knew if he was sick, because he had become surrounded by charlatan doctors who were billing him thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs and vitamins.”

Others close to Jackson such as his attorney Brian Oxman were aware of his drug abuse. Oxman said in numerous interviews that he was aware of the problem and had warned family members that this might happen. Oxman said he would name those responsible if Michael’s death turns out to be drug related.

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Marijuana Addiction- The Facts on Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana Myths Dispelled

Marijuana has long been a controversial subject. While proponents claim that marijuana is not harmful, is “green”, a “natural” substance, research shows that marijuana use can have serious side effects, including but not limited to marijuana addiction.

Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person’s existing problems worse. In one study, heavy marijuana abusers reported that the drug impaired several important measures of life achievement including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status. Several studies associate workers’ marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers’ compensation claims, and job turnover.

Marijuana, unfortunately, is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States. It is a dry, shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; THC for short.

Some proponents of the legalization of marijuana have claimed that there is no evidence that marijuana causes harm, or is addictive. This is a small sample of cited works which indicate that this is not true. The information is freely available on the web at the National Institute of Health’s web site.

For the full story http://news.yourfindit.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=100422&ret