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Kids And Prescriptions

The New Fix-Its

U.S. teens are abusing illegal drugs such as marijuana less, but abuse of legal prescription drugs is rising, according to a new study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  However, an increase in abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications has left anti-drug campaigners confused as to how to combat the problem of legal drugs. Nearly one in 10 high school seniors reported using the prescription painkiller Vicodin without a prescription, while roughly one in 20 said they had used Oxycontin without a prescription.  Overdoses of prescription and over-the-counter drugs accounted for about one-quarter of the 1.3 million drug-related emergency room admissions in 2004.  Some kids are self-medicating undiagnosed depression or anxiety, while others are using stimulants to try to get an edge on tests and studying.  Sadly, prescription drugs are familiar mood-altering substances for a generation that grew up as prescriptions soared for Ritalin and other stimulants to treat maladies such as attention-deficit disorder.  A staggering five million kids take prescription drugs every day for behavior disorders.  Pharmaceutical companies’ production of two often-abused prescription drugs — hydrocodone and oxycodone, the active ingredients in drugs such as Vicodin and OxyContin — has risen dramatically as the drugs’ popularity for legitimate uses has increased.  To try to reduce the supply of prescription drugs on the black market, authorities have shut down several “pill mills” — where doctors prescribe inordinate amounts of narcotics — as well as Internet pharmacies that ship drugs with little medical consultation, says Catherine Harnett, chief of demand reduction for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Essentially what is most important is not locking up the narcotics it is better parenting and more involvement.

The Dark Side of Sex…

Can't Stop?

Sexual addiction is best described as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts.

Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family members increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.  Contrary to popular belief, sex addicts are not all sex offenders, and vice-versa.  The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” In other words, a sex addict will continue to engage in certain sexual behaviors despite facing potential health risks, financial problems, shattered relationships or even arrest.

The same compulsive behavior that characterizes other addictions also is typical of sex addiction. But these other addictions, including drug, alcohol and gambling dependency, involve substances or activities with no necessary relationship to our survival. For example, we can live normal and happy lives without ever gambling, taking illicit drugs or drinking alcohol. Even the most genetically vulnerable person will function well without ever being exposed to, or provoked by, these addictive activities. Sexual activity is different. Like eating, having sex is necessary for human survival.

There are many co-occurring disorders that go hand in hand with sex addiction.  For example, Alcohol and drugs are used to cover the guilt and shame of the inability to stop the “sexual behaviors”  which in turn lead to the same demoralizing behavior which begins a vicious cycle. Drugs alter libido, enhancing it early in drug addiction and inhibiting it later. There is a pattern in cocaine addiction of selling sexual favors for cocaine. As the cost of drug addiction increases, the drug addict usually can’t afford the drug from ordinary job income, and must resort to (either/or) stealing, drug dealing or prostitution to support their habit. Many drugs cause blackouts or amnesia during the drug using experience, and if sex is coupled with that drug using experience then the details of the sexual experience may not be remembered.

Sex addiction is very real and there is help for this disease.  It is not hopeless.  More and more the public is coming forward with their issues and seeking a better life and a permanent solution.

At War With Alcoholism

In America, where there is an “epidemic” of mental health problems and alcohol abuse that have been reported in the troops returning home from war zones in recent years.  Overall, more than one in ten (13 percent) of the respondents said that they were drinking alcohol in quantities defined by researchers as hazardous, according to the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test .

Soldiers and Alcoholism

It is a concern for officials in Britain and America to focus on prevention of PTSD, whereas a culture of binge drinking and alcohol misuse could be more of a problem, both before and after each soldier’s tour of duty.  American’s serve at least a 15 month deployment compared to the 5-6 months in other countries.  This has added to the mental unstability of the troops returning from duty. In Britain The charity Combat Stress said, however, that it had seen a 66 per cent rise in demand for its services in the past five years, with veterans taking an average of 14 years to seek help after being discharged. Support services were now seeing about 4,000 new veterans each year, but this could rise to 9,000 a year within a decade, the charity added.

A recent Army mental health report concluded that most service members need closer to two years between tours before their battle-related symptoms resolve themselves. Studies show that alcohol consumption is up 13% amongst armed forces.  There are several factors which lead to the higher rate of PTSD, alcoholism, and mental instability within returning troops.  Although our troops are fighting our country’s battles, sadly they return to only 5 years of coverage after their duty is completed.  Compare that with Britain’s lifetime care and it is absolutely unacceptable considering soldiers do not report their symptoms on the whole for quite some time after their return.

Addiction Is A Chronic Disease

“Persons with addictive disorders suffer from many of the same medical conditions as nonaddicted persons, but addiction can interfere with the disease or its management.” – Dr. Richard Saitz
Associate Director and Lead Investigator, Youth Alcohol Prevention Center, Boston University School of Public Health

For example:

Genetics play a role

The medical impact on the body is significant

Complications develop if the disease is untreated

Self-care is critical to success

Medication can help

Addiction is in accord with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition for chronic disorders:

They are prolonged, lasting for at least three months, do not resolve spontaneously, and are rarely cured completely.

That said, addiction treatment is less available than remedy for other diseases.  Most researchers say addiction may require lifelong management. One way to analyze addiction to alcohol and drugs is to measure it up against the attributes of other “real” chronic diseases. Scientific research  that addiction many shared characteristics with other major chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma. [as stated in “Drug Dependence, a Chronic Medical Illness,” A. Thomas McLellan] he concluded, “Treatments for these illnesses are effective but heavily dependent on adherence to the medical regimen for that effectiveness.”

Substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities

Finding a dual diagnosis facility that treats both substance abuse and mental health issues at the same time can be a difficult process.  At Recovery Hub we have a network of facilities that are licensed and accredited, their treatment methods are backed by research, and have an aftercare program to prevent relapse.
There are a variety of approaches that treatment programs may take, but some of the basics of effective treatment are:

•    Treatment addresses both the substance abuse problem and mental health issues.
•    The patient and family share in the decision-making process and are actively involved in setting goals and developing strategies for change.
•    Treatment includes basic education about mental health disorder and related substance abuse problems.
•    Patients are taught healthy coping skills and strategies to stop substance abuse, cope with upset, and strengthen their relationships.

Treatment for co-occurring disorders does take time and patience, however there is hope.  With the right support and the willingness to live a more fulfilling life many people recover.  To find out the options for treatment for mental disorders and substance abuse issues please call Recovery Hub today, we are here when you are ready.