Xanax Addiction, Xanax Abuse

Many are now finding themselves in a drug rehab, unwittingly becoming addicted to prescription drugs.

Myra, a housewife, mother of 4, and grandmother to two, tells her story of her life before coming to The Atlanta Recovery Center to get help to quit her Xanax addiction:

I had a great life, grew up in a loving family, met the man of my dreams, and was all around a happy mother and grandmother.

I decided to go back to work, mainly just to find something to do, and found that while enjoyable, life became a little more stressful.

I had trouble sleeping, so I went to the doctor, and he prescribes Xanax, to help with my anxiety over my new job, and help me sleep better.

The Xanax pills helped me relax, and I could get through the day without stress.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=143077&ret

A drug rehab has found that it is important to not only treat drug addiction, but also prevent drug abuse in young people.

Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia, a long term drug treatment program, continues to provide drug education to the Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta.  Two hundred and fifty children recently learned about the harmful effects of drugs through a lively presentation of the “Ten Things Your Friends May Not Know About Drugs.”

In the classes given by the drug rehab, the kids learned how drugs affect the mind, make a person slow or stupid, dull the senses and destroy creativity.   They also learned that ecstasy is one of the most dangerous drugs and marijuana is not as innocent as some are led to believe.

A Director of a Boys and Girls Club applauded Narconon Drug Rehab, stating in a recent letter; “As youth-development professionals, we have an obligation to make sure our young people are receiving quality programs that aide them in correcting their bad habits and decision making.  Your program has changed the whole mind set of our  young people. They no longer view drug use as a recreational past time.  This program has taught my teenagers the responsibility of taking care of their bodies, mind, and building healthy relationships with their peers.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=141983&ret

While many parents are learning about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, one over-the-counter medication, used for treating coughs, is rapidly becoming a favorite in middle school and high school for getting high.

Ever find any empty bottles of cough syrup in your teen’s room?

What about empty blister packs of Coricidin® or Triaminic®?

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia warns that this is a clear indication that your teen is “robotripping‘.

What in the world is ‘robotripping“?

“Robotripping” is drinking a bottle of cough syrup at once or popping hands full of cough suppressant pills. Why on earth would they do that? Because they get high.

Cough medicine- to get high? Yes. High. Some temporarily lose their ability to walk. Some have written stories on the Internet: “I felt my soul being ripped from my body,” and, “Are you a vampire? No, I just met God.”

More than 125 commercial cough remedies in the United States contain the synthetic drug dextromethorphan (DXM). This drug is similar to morphine, and when used as directed, can effectively help one with a cold. But abused, as 1 in 10 teens admit to doing, is a central nervous system depressant.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=142004&ret

According to a recent article in Join Together

“Half of all prison inmates are dependent on drugs — including many incarcerated on non drug-related offenses — but less than 20 percent get the treatment they need, according to a new report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

“Addiction is a stigmatized disease that the criminal justice system often fails to view as a medical condition; as a consequence, its treatment is not as available as it is for other medical conditions,” said Redonna K. Chandler, principal author of the report and chief of NIDA’s Services Research Branch.

NIDA researchers stressed that the criminal-justice system is ideal for getting people into treatment and applying pressure to complete therapy. They noted that a dollar spent on drug courts, for example, saves $4 in healthcare costs, while a dollar spent on prison-based treatment saves $2-$6.”

It is true that we need to face the fact that most people are in prison because of drug abuse and the issue should be addressed when there is plenty of time in prison.

However, we need to ensure that as people leave prison they have a supportive drug treatment program to report to upon entering back into real life.  This is the time when they will be tempted to hook back up with their old friends and pick up old habits, knowing little else.

Through an effective treatment program they will learn that there is more to life than drugs and in fact, anyone can turn their life around given the proper guidance, tools and desire.

Narconon has worked with several persons who had recently gotten out of prison or jail for drugs with a high percentage of success and little recidivism.   877-413-3073

http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2009/less-than-one-in-five-inmates.html

Benzos, or benzodiazepines, are a class of psychoactive drugs with varying hypnotic, sedative, anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties. Sold as Xanax (alprazolam),Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam), these slow down the central nervous system.

Useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms, they seem helpful enough.

There is a catch: The long-term use of benzodiazapines can cause physical dependence. In other words, drug addiction.

“We have dealt with many people who started using Xanax or Valium to help with insomnia or anxiety,” states Mary Rieser, Executive Director for The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Unfortunately, once they become drug addicted to these prescription drugs, they often need a medically supervised withdrawal from them.”

That’s right. Benzo withdrawal can cause death.

“Any withdrawal from any drug is extremely uncomfortable. Our withdrawal specialists work with our students in withdrawing from drugs comfortably,” continues Ms. Rieser. “However, benzo and extreme alcohol addiction need close medical supervision.”

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=141985&ret

A recent survey showed that 9.2 percent of all Americans fall under the category of abusers of alcohol or drugs – yet just 1.6 percent of the population received any kind of treatment for addiction.  1/3 of those reported that they tried to get treatment but could not.

Certainly, with all the resources this country has to offer, we can do better job of helping those addicted.

It starts with learning the truth about drugs – why people take them and how addiction works.  Then one can understand what kind of treatment will work, based on understanding.

Don’t rely on the “experts”.  Gain understanding and think for yourself.

Learn about drugs and treatment that works at www.drugsno.com.  Let us know if you are one of those who tried to get drug treatment and couldn’t.

Narconon – The New Life Program 877-413-3073

Apparently, according to research, binge drinkers suffer from memory impairment and possible physical harm to their still forming brains.

There are other obvious possible distractions to the binge drinker such as car accidents, DUIs and arrests – not helpful in preparing for the future or studying for exams.

Alcohol has always been around campuses – however it seemed like the majority of the students had enough sense to not ruin their lives through binge drinking and it was the minority that wasn’t really expected to set the world on fire anyway.  With the recent “wizard stick” parties being promoted on the internet, we cannot assume that this is now the case.  Someone needs to take heed and provide drug and alcohol education and enlighten these kids in a way that communicates.

If you need drug education brochures, we will provide them for you.  If you know someone who is binge drinking they need help.  Call us and we will help you get them help.  We can help with interventions too.

Narconon is the new life program 877-413-3073

http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2008/wizard-stick-parties-a.html

As news of tragedies such as the death of Michael Jackson, DJ AM, and other celebrities dominate the news media, one drug rehab is using the same media to promote drug education and drug prevention.

Mary Rieser, the Director of Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia, appeared on a local cable television show. The hostess invited Ms. Rieser to educate families about signs of drug abuse.  There are many families struggling with drug or alcohol abuse that need help identifying effective drug abuse programs and sometimes even identifying the basic problem of addiction.

Since many family members are unaware of a loved one’s drug addiction, part of the broadcast was dedicated to signs of drug abuse and detection of drug paraphernalia. Families are often surprised that drug paraphernalia can be purchased at local convenience stores.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=141995&ret

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs are the most common abused drugs by teens, after marijuana, a study has recently shown.

This is not surprising, as prescription drugs are normally easily available, found in medicine cabinets at home. These prescription drugs, usually opiates such as OxyContin or Percocet, or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax or Valium, will produce a euphoric sensation if abused. They can also be deadly.

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia warns that teens abusing prescription drugs is more prevalent and more deadly than ever before.

“Studies have shown that teens in increasing numbers are reporting that they have abused prescription drugs found in parent’s medicine cabinets,” states Mary Rieser, Executive Director for The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Twenty percent of teens in America, or roughly 6 million teens, have abused prescription pain medication, and the same amount have abused prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=142463&ret

Local law enforcement reports that there are more Oxycontin related arrests and a noticeable increase in Oxycontin abuse, especially over the last 6 months.  Most of the Oxycontin tablets are initially legally obtained through a prescription, but later sold on the street for 10 to 50 dollars a tablet, depending on the dosage and some people are addicted to their own prescriptions.  Robberies of pharmacies are yet another source Oxycontin sales.

Regardless of where an addict gets their Oxycontin, it is a dangerous drug.  The time release nature of it makes it especially dangerous (often deadly) to snort or shoot up.   Oxycontin is very addictive – a person gets addicted quickly.  At the same time the withdrawal is extremely uncomfortable, often unconfrontable.

There has been a lot of press on Oxycontin especially concentrating on the fraudulent sales practices of Purdue.  The Purdue lawsuits surfaced in 2007 and here in 2009 we are still seeing an increase in Oxycontin abuse.

It is obviously up to families, communities and drug treatment programs to effectively deal with Oxycontin abuse.

If you know someone who is addicted to Oxycontin, get them effective drug treatment.  Narconon has a 76% success rate.  If you have a bad Oxycontin abuse problem in your neighborhood, call Narconon of Georgia at 877-413-3073 and we will get you some educational materials.

The wrong thing to do is sit back and watch without doing anything.