Drug abuse is a widespread issue. The intensity of addiction depends upon the individual and behavior. It is disheartening to know that immature youth fall prey in to the trap without knowing the consequences. The only good news is that drug addiction is treatable. The treatment process is called drug rehabilitation. It aims to bring back the person to normal life and integrate him to the society. The process will involve techniques on how to avoid drugs, teaching new stress management skills and other emotional and behavioral treatments. The location of the center plays a vital role. It must be peaceful and should comfort the addicts. The treatment centers can be private or government operated. But in most cases, the private owned treatment centers may be expensive and highly successful.

It is quite shocking to check that there were over 2.4 million admissions to treatment centers were made in 2007 of which 25% are for alcohol abuse, 15% for marijuana and 15% for heroin in America. The average age group that enters the drug rehabilitation centers is between 35 and 40 years of age. Early exposure to drugs like marijuana, cocaine may spoil the health of the teenagers and affect their performance. Long term use can lead to addiction. The centers may have different treatment programs according to the needs of the individuals. There may be some addicts addicted to cocaine or marijuana or alcohol. Each needs a separate kind of treatment and not need a generic kind.

Drug treatment programs involve counseling and group therapy. The ultimate goal of any rehab program is to make the addict abstinent from the drugs. It will increase the productivity of the patient and try to build up good health and confidence. Withdrawal symptoms can be treated effectively. The success of the good programs is heavily dependent on the trained professionals who run the center. The individual talents and motivation from the staff can make a huge difference in the life of addicts. Patients must actively engage in the programs. No program can be highly successful without the co-operation of the patients. The courage and confidence must be obtained which results in better participation. Co-operation with the staff and confidence gaining can help in beating the addiction.

Rehab centers must have variety of programs to suit the various needs of the addicts. Choosing a drug rehab center is a crucial decision. The programs offered may comprise of inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options. Cost is an important factor and the price tag differs according to the programs. The kind of stay or program will be decided by the severity of the addiction. A clear understanding on what the programs offer is needed. The addict must know on what to expect from the program and what best he can offer as his contribution. The center must offer extended care program to monitor the success and behavior of the patients as a part of their program.

Marijuana Withdrawal, Marijuana withdrawal treatment, Marijuana Withdrawal help

Drug addiction is compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences which can be severe; drug abuse is simply excessive use of a drug or use of a drug for purposes for which it was not medically intended. Dependence on a substance is not necessary or sufficient to define addiction, there are some substances that don’t cause addiction but do cause dependence (for example, some blood pressure medications) and substances that cause addiction but not dependence (they are mainly characterized by depression).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Drug abuse can lead to drug dependence or addiction. Drug addiction may also follow the use of drugs for physical pain relief, though this is rare in people without a previous history of addiction. The exact reason of drug abuse and dependence is not yet known. The genetic make-up of the individuals, peer pressure, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and environmental stress are all factors which seem to be involved. Children who grow up in an environment of illicit drug use may first see their elders using drugs. This may put them at a higher risk for developing an addiction later in life for both environmental and genetic reasons.

Commonly abused substances include:

· Opiates and narcotics are powerful painkillers with sedative and euphoric qualities. These include heroin, opium, codeine, Oxycontin and others.

· Central nervous system stimulants have a stimulating effect and can produce tolerance. These include amphetamines, cocaine, commonly used stimulants are caffeine and nicotine.

· Central nervous system depressants produce a soothing sedative and anxiety-reducing effect and which leads to dependence. These include barbiturates (amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital). Commonly used depressants, by far, is alcohol.

· Hallucinogens produce psychological dependence. These include LSD, mescaline, psilocybin (”mushrooms”).

· Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient found in cannabis, marijuana, and hashish. Although used for their relaxing properties, THC-derived drugs can also lead to paranoia and anxiety.

Drug intoxication and drug overdose may be accidental or intentional. Drug withdrawal symptoms can occur when use of a substance is stopped. Withdrawal symptoms vary, depending on the particular substance. The withdrawal symptom depends on the length of time the drug was being used. Drug intoxication, overdose, and withdrawal can be life-threatening in some situations.

Treatment for the person with drug addiction begins with the recognition of the problem. Though earlier “denial” was considered as a symptom of addiction, recent studies has shown that this symptom can be dramatically controlled if addicts are treated with love and care, rather than being told what to do or “confronted.” Treatment of drug addiction involves detoxification, support and abstinence. Emergency treatment may be indicated for acute cases. Often, there may be a loss of consciousness and the person may need special medical attention temporarily. The specific treatment depends on the drug. Detoxification is the gradual withdrawal of an abused substance in a controlled way. Sometimes a drug with a similar action is substituted during the withdrawal process to reduce the unpleasant symptoms and risks associated with withdrawal. If depression or other mood disorder exists, it should be treated appropriately. The need for treatment is underscored by the severity of illness of those who undergo detoxification and the societal costs of untreated substance use disorders.

Drug abuse, involves the excessive and repeated use of a substance to escape reality to produce pleasure despite its destructive effects. The substances abused can be illegal drugs such as opium, cocaine, marijuana and their derivatives or legal substances used improperly, such as prescription drugs and inhalants like nail polish or gasoline.

Effects of Commonly Used Drugs:

· Marijuana: Believed to be the most commonly used illegal drug. Marijuana abuse has been linked to delinquent behavior, low achievement, and poor family relationships. However, there are drawbacks to extended use, including lung and respiratory problems caused by the smoke, learning and memory impairment, and infertility.

· Narcotic and Opioid Abuse: Narcotics side effects include vomiting, nausea, and sever itching. Withdrawing from narcotics is extremely unpleasant, with symptoms including muscle and joint pain, fever, chills, sweats, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

In general, the more treatment received the greater the results. Drug and alcohol abusers who remain in treatment longer than 3 months typically have greater success than those who receive less treatment. Addicted individuals who undergo medically assisted drug or alcohol detox to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms but do not receive any further treatment, perform about the same in terms of their drug or alcohol use as those who are never treated at all.

· Depressants and Downer Abuse: Depressants, commonly known as opium, marijuana, cocaine, and their derivatives, are substances that slow down the central nervous system. Additionally, they may suffer from amnesia and delusions. Downers are highly addictive, and withdrawal is severe, with symptoms including cramps, nausea, and vomiting. When mixed with alcohol downers are lethal in high doses.

· Steroid Abuse: Steroid abuse causes blood pressure to skyrocket, decreases good cholesterol (HDL) while increasing bad cholesterol (LDL), triggers violent and aggressive behavior, results in severe acne, and brings growth to a halt in adolescents.

· Inhalant Abuse: Inhalants are chemicals, which cause intoxication when inhaled or sniffed. Highly huffing this comes with side effects including loss of consciousness, vomiting, nausea, delusions, and confusion. Prolonged inhalant abuse can also cause damage to the brain and other organs of the body. However, the biggest risk involved with inhalant use is death by overdose caused by sudden heart failure even in individuals who are young and healthy.

· Hallucinogen and Dissociative Drug Abuse: Hallucinogens and Dissociative drugs, also known as psychedelics, affect the user’s thought processes and sensory perceptions. Risks include a dangerous increase in body temperature, heart problems and liver damage.

· Stimulants and Upper Abuse: Stimulants, or uppers, are drugs which speed up the central nervous system. Stimulants abuse over time leads to symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoid thinking, anxiety, aggression, and sleep difficulties. Uppers overdose can result in heart failure, stroke, and death.

Tertahydrocannabinol – this is what THC means. THC is the same substance found in marijuana. Marijuana is considered as a medicinal plant but it can be very addictive too. THC is marijuana’s active ingredient. Smokers retain this substance inside their system whenever they ingest, use, or smoke marijuana. It is the main substance that gives the plant its euphoric capabilities.

Marijuana is legal in some areas. In fact, many groups and individuals believe that marijuana is just as harmful as tobacco and alcohol – and both of them are legal. Given this fact, the government somehow fails to hear the pleas of concerned citizens to fully ban the cultivation and use of such plant. In certain places, marijuana can be grown freely. It can be cultivated inside one’s backyard both for medicinal uses and ornamental purposes.

The effect of THC in a person can be very derogatory. For starters, it can negatively affect one’s memory retention. THC can reduce your ability to learn as the substance interferes with your brain’s functions. And if taken in dangerous amounts, THC can bring about delirium, confusion, and anxiety. THC is usually absorbed into the person’s liver and fatty tissues. And it stays there for an extended period of time. The traces of THC can be detected in one’s urine. This is the reason why drug tests involve urinalysis.

Only detox can successfully remove THC from your body. The procedure may be long and tedious for those who are deeply addicted to marijuana or have been using it for a long period of time. What’s more, THC should be carefully removed from the body. Abrupt removal may cause withdrawal symptoms that are just as dangerous. The withdrawal symptoms can even be fatal to some people.

THC detox can only be carried out inside accredited rehabilitation centers or health centers. Health experts are tasked to diagnose the patient admitted in their ward. They need to determine the extent and the projected amount of THC present inside the person for the right procedures to be carried out. This is a very crucial step, because the wrong assessment may lead to the development of the withdrawal symptoms.

If you are not using marijuana regularly but would like to cleanse your body of the possible remnants of the substance, you can try to use THC detox pills that can be bought at special health stores. However, these pills are not supposed to be taken without the guidance of a doctor. Whether or not you’re addicted to marijuana, you are could suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you are not careful. And this is the hardest part in a detoxification process.

THC detox can be very challenging. THC is a toxin of the nerves. It damages the brain’s cells and works similar to a virus. These are the reason why taking this harmful substance out of the body is very important. If you keep it inside you longer, you might suffer severe health consequences in the future. Pursue THC detox and come clean

Cannabis is a plant that we commonly call marijuana, ganja in herbal form or hashish in resinous form. It has been commonly used way back prehistoric times. However, its use became prevalent in the 20th century when cannabis was utilized for religious, spiritual, medicinal and even recreational purposes. It was then that its possession, use or sale was prohibited. To date, the use of cannabis for drug use or cannabis addiction remains illegal all throughout the most parts of the world.

Psychologically, cannabis is already a recognized addictive drug. Cannabis addiction occurs when one’s mental and physical state are prominently altered due to its consumption. Although in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), there is no cannabis withdrawal syndrome, evidences show that cannabis addiction induces similar withdrawal symptoms to other drug addiction.

But unlike tobacco, cannabis addiction has not shown to cause lung cancer, chronic pulmonary disease or emphysema. It does not also cause birth defects to expectant mothers who are hooked to cannabis. Basically, cannabis addiction is less hazardous than addiction to tobacco, prescription drugs or alcohol.

Different users may experience different effects in cannabis addiction. Factors such as the dose, its potency, its chemical composition or its method of consumption are what elicit different levels of high in cannabis addiction. Long-term effects include, a feeling of euphoria, intense relaxation, laughter and giggle fits, increased appreciation for music, and either a feeling of intense pleasure or anxiety.

Forgetfulness, laziness, distorted perception, rambling, troubled concentration, inability of motor coordination, increased heart rate, spiritual talking and paranoia are some of the short-term effects of cannabis addiction. It is also shown to manifest its ill effects on the hippocampus (the part of the brain linked with learning and memory), thereby causing short-term memory impairment. Cannabis addiction has also been associated to other mental illnesses, from psychotic episodes to clinical schizophrenia.

Nevertheless, there is always a way out of cannabis addiction. The steps may be simple yet hard and requires extreme sense of commitment and dedication to move out of this addiction. Be willing to feel whatever painful feelings and take part in being responsible for them. Instead of avoiding them with your addiction, face them. Be conscious that you want to know what it causing your pain. Discover the thoughts and actions causing your pain. It should just come from within. Perseverance, will and devotion is all that it takes.