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Drug addiction treatments available

January 15, 2011 By

There are several different treatments for drug addictions because addictions affect people in different ways and some addictions are more serious than others.

First stages of treatment

Before you can start a course of treatment, you must first admit that you have a problem with drugs that has spiralled out of your control. As soon as you admit this and focus on conquering your addiction, one of the hardest parts is over with. If you have a problem and want help from the NHS, the usual process is to see your GP. Your GP will have a chat with you, ask you questions about your drug taking habits and assess your state of mind. They may also ask you questions about why you take drugs, when you take drugs and if there are any triggers which cause you to take drugs.

Treatment providers

Specialist drug services

The usual course of action is for the GP to refer patients with drug addictions to specialist drug services. Patients are assessed at the local specialist clinic and allocated a keyworker. The keyworker may be a nurse, doctor or a drugs worker. They will be with the patient during every stage of the treatment and will help to provide advice and support. Keyworkers help to organise treatment and draw up a treatment plan with the patient. They act as the first port of call for the patient throughout the treatment process. If you do not feel comfortable going to your GP, many local drugs services take self-referrals. You can find information about local services by contacting FRANK or getting in touch with your local NHS trust.

Private treatment

There are many private organisations and clinics that provide treatment for people with drug addictions. These are not free and can be very expensive but they offer specialist care which is tailored to suit the individual. Rehabilitation clinics offer programmes which involve a number of different treatment methods, including detoxification, medication, group therapy and one to one counselling.

Voluntary organisations

Many charities and voluntary organisations that provide group therapy and support sessions; these are usually linked to local NHS services.

Types of treatment

Types of treatment for drug addiction include:

  • Medication: medication is used to replace the drug and prevent withdrawal symptoms; this enables the patient to gradually stop taking drugs.
  • Counselling: counselling helps to address the cause of the addiction and enables people to gain confidence and find new ways of dealing with difficult situations.
  • Behavioural therapy: therapy enables people to talk about their problems and find new ways to overcome issues.
  • Group therapy: many people find it beneficial to meet other people in a similar situation and tackle the problem of addiction alongside others.
  • Rehabilitation: rehabilitation is usually recommended for people who have severe addictions. Rehabilitation centres remove the patient from their old life and provide them with an intensive programme, which may include all of the treatments listed above.
Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With: ,

What can be done about drug addiction

January 15, 2011 By

Drug addiction is a serious problem in the UK. A drug addiction is a consuming addiction, which compels individuals to take drugs, even though they are aware of the negative consequences associated with taking drugs.

How does an addiction occur?

Drugs are highly addictive and what starts as a casual habit can quickly turn into a full-blown addiction. Many people start taking drugs as a form of experimentation; they may try a drug because their friends are doing it, for example. At first, it may seem like the drugs may you feel better and give you a form of escape from troubling issues in your life, however, this often turns into a compulsion to continue taking drugs and, after a while, you will find that you have no control over your drug taking.

Common drug addictions

The most common drug addictions are:

  • Cannabis: many people smoke cannabis socially and then become addicted to it. Cannabis helps to make people feel relaxed, but it can contribute to long-term mental health problems, as well as physiological health problems.
  • Ecstasy: ecstasy is commonly known as a party drug, as it gives users a ‘high’. Ecstasy can cause psychotic episodes and panic attacks and is also related to problems with the heart, liver and kidneys. More than 200 people have died from taking ecstasy since 1996.
  • Ketamine: ketamine can cause panic attacks and depression and is also linked to problems with the heart and breathing difficulties.
  • Cocaine: cocaine is the second most commonly used drug in the UK, after cannabis. Cocaine is particularly popular amongst young people and there has been a significant increase in the number of young women taking cocaine in recent years. Cocaine can cause depression and panic attacks and has been known to cause heart attacks in even the fittest people.
  • Heroin: heroin is widely regarded as the most dangerous drug; it is extremely addictive and carries very serious risks for health. A heroin overdose can cause death and there is a risk of conditions, such as HIV and hepatitis, from injecting heroin.

Effects of drug addiction

Drug addiction can have very damaging effects for both the addict and their loved ones. An addiction can contribute to serious mental and physical health problems, as well as contributing to spiralling debt, strained or broken personal relationships and difficulties for relatives. Drug addiction also has implications for wider society. Statistics show that drugs are directly linked to a number of crimes and the cost of caring for people who are ill or injured as a result of taking drugs amounts to millions of pounds each year.

Help and treatment for drug addiction

Treatment for drug addiction is a long, gradual process, as coming off drugs suddenly causes very strong withdrawal symptoms. Treatment for drug addiction usually involves a combination of methods, including therapy and counselling, detoxification and medication and rehabilitation.

There are several policies and projects running in the UK to promote drug prevention and try to discourage people from taking drugs. Many also focus on helping those already affected by drugs.

Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With: , , ,

Your health and alcohol

January 14, 2011 By

Most of us enjoy a drink now and again but long-term, heavy drinking can have serious implications for the body.

The dangers of binge drinking

In recent years, young people have drunk more than ever before and a culture of binge drinking, usually at the weekends, has become synonymous with young people in the UK. Binge drinking is actually a lot more harmful for healthy living than drinking the same quantity over a period of days. It is not so bad to have a glass of wine every night with a meal, but you will probably feel the effects of drinking six or seven glasses of wine on one night. Binge drinking is damaging because it puts pressure on the liver. Alcohol is poisonous to the liver and the liver struggles to process large amounts of alcohol. Alcohol also dehydrates the body which is why people often wake up with a headache after they have been drinking the night before.

Binge drinking also affects an individual’s ability to make judgements and research has consistently shown that people suffer accidents and injuries when they have been drinking and have fewer inhibitions when it comes to making decisions, such as how to get home and who to go home with. There is a strong link between the spread of sexually transmitted infections and drinking.

Short-term effects of drinking

Most people drink but many of us are unaware what actually happens in our bodies when we drink; here are some of the short-term effects of drinking alcohol:

  • Blood flow increases
  • The liver has to work much harder than usual (it takes the liver around one hour to process just one unit of alcohol)
  • Concentration is decreased
  • People have fewer inhibitions and appear to be more confident
  • Some people may get chatty and giggly
  • Some people become very emotional
  • The body becomes dehydrated (this will get worse if you drink more without drinking any water)
  • Some people lose the ability to speak clearly, walk properly or even stand up

Long-term effects of drinking

The long-term effects of drinking on healthy living can be very serious and potentially life-threatening. Prolonged heavy drinking can lead to the development of a condition known as cirrhosis, which occurs when the liver becomes scarred and damaged to such an extent that it cannot regenerate or be repaired. Prolonged heavy drinking can also lead to an increased risk of the following health problems:

  • Oral cancer
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease and strokes
  • Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Women who drink heavily on a regular basis are also up to 50 percent more likely to develop breast cancer.

Cutting down to promote healthy living

Drinking can have very serious consequences for health but the body is robust and the liver is an incredible organ, which can regenerate if you stop drinking in time. Cutting down will help to improve all areas of your health, as well as improving your social and professional lives. Giving up drinking will also save a significant amount of money.

If you are worried that you drink too much but you are not alcohol dependent there are some simple steps you can take to cut down. These include avoiding going for a drink after work every day, alternating alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink, making a budget for nights out and spending less on drinks and switching to weaker drinks with lower alcohol percentage or ordering smaller drinks. For example, if you usually drink a large glass of wine have a small one instead.

If you think you might be drinking too much, arrange to see your GP. They will ask about your drinking habits and they may advise you to have tests to see if any permanent damage has been sustained; this may involve an ultrasound scan of the liver and blood and liver function tests. Your GP may refer you to a local support group to help you give up; many people find it beneficial to meet with other people in a similar situation and often, groups are more successful than going it alone. If you feel that you want to talk to somebody anonymously, you can call Alcoholics Anonymous.

Filed Under: Addictions Tagged With: ,

Your health & smoking

January 14, 2011 By

Smoking is responsible for around five million deaths around the world each year and is linked to around 25 different health conditions. Smoking has an extremely damaging effect on the body and can contribute to serious illnesses and health conditions, as well as premature death.

Smoking and healthy living

Smoking is known to contribute to a whole host of serious, life-threatening health conditions and illnesses; these include:

  • Strokes
  • Heart disease and increased risk of heart attacks
  • Respiratory illnesses, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma
  • Cancer
  • High blood pressure

Research suggests that people who smoke are much more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers and a person who smokes for a lifetime has a 50 percent chance that their death will be directly linked to smoking. Of all these cases, 50 percent of people will die prematurely. Smoking has also been directly linked to several forms of cancer, including lung, cervical, liver, kidney, oral, bladder and stomach cancer.

Smoking also affects the appearance of the skin and causes unpleasant odours to linger on people’s hair and clothes. It also stains the teeth and nails, which can make you look older than you are.

The benefits of giving up smoking

If you decide to give up smoking you will feel the benefits almost straight away. After just 24 hours your lungs will start to clear, after 2 weeks your circulation will improve and after one year, your risk of having a heart attack will have halved.

Giving up smoking will have healthy living implications for the whole of your body, as well as benefits from your mind. Giving up smoking often fills people with confidence and gives them a new lease of life, as well as freeing up some cash to spend on going out, treating the family or buying new things. Giving up will make your skin look younger and brighter, will lighten the colour of your teeth and help you breathe more easily.

Giving up smoking has also been proven to improve your sex life and your fertility. Many couples who smoke have problems conceiving because smoking affects both male and female fertility.

Tips for giving up and support

Giving up smoking is not easy because nicotine is highly addictive and many people get into a routine which involves them smoking at certain times of the day. However, there is help available and many people manage to give up smoking and start a new smoke-free life. The NHS promotes healthy living and invests a great deal of money into helping people give up smoking every year. If you want to give up, you can contact your GP for details of your local Stop Smoking service. The NHS will provide you with a pack which is full of information about quitting and contains nicotine patches. You can also join a local stop smoking group, where you can meet others in a similar situation and give up together.

Filed Under: Addictions Tagged With: ,
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