Archive for the ‘Alcohol’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Largest Non-Profit Organizations That Fight Against Teenage Pregnancy

Comments: 0November 13th, 2011 by admin



There have been an increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy reported worldwide, and each poses problems in the society. Teenage pregnancy is simply defined as incidents where girls in their adolescence, typically at age 13 to 17, get pregnant. Usually such cases are unplanned. The first period for menstruation among girls starts at 12 years old on average. At this time, she can get pregnant when she gets involved in sexual intercourse.

There are many issues faced with teenage pregnancy as teenagers are not fully included in the legal adulthood. The very first and most important issue is the non-readiness to raise a family. This poses risks to socio-economic factors like education, economy, employment, etc. Most children born from teenagers have low levels of education, experience poverty, has health risks, and has low well-being. Aside from the child it bears, teenagers are also faced with health risks that may include physical, emotional, and mental health. Also there is the issue on the teenager’s ability to develop another responsible, healthy, and well-developed individual in the society.

It could have been better if the teen pregnancy is planned-that is, there is substantial marriage preparation and support from the family. This happens to most tribes and undeveloped areas in the world. However, most teenage pregnancies in developed countries are outside marriage. This somehow causes social stigma. For this reason, there are different organizations in the developed countries that focus on and against teenage pregnancy.

Organizations Against Teenage Pregnancy

Organizations arise to prevent teen pregnancies. Most of them aim to educate or equip parents, teenagers, school administrators, and other concerned parties about the effects of teenage pregnancy. They develop programs, workshops, seminars, and information campaign against teenage pregnancy. Some of these organizations are:

• Every Child Matters. This is a UK-based organization that consolidates resources relating to teenage pregnancy. It is aimed at providing information and teenage pregnancy strategies to organizations who are concerned against teenager pregnancy. It tackles health, economy, education, and social effects and how problems in these socio-economic factors can be minimized if not eliminated.

• California Wellness Foundation. This non-profit California-based organization focuses on the general well-being of the people in California. This provides special grants to promote health and wellness as well as minimize diseases. Grants are also provided to clinics and reproductive health organizations which are focusing on teens. Organizations that promote health care, leadership development, and informants to policymakers are also given grants as they work against teen pregnancies.

• The National Campaign. This is another non-profit organization that provides information and activities to prevent pregnancy. They are packed with activities for leadership development, information to policymakers, working with media against teen pregnancy, programs for teenage self development and many others.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Drug Addiction Rehab Programs Effectiveness

Comments: 0November 10th, 2011 by admin



Drug addiction rehab is a generic phrase, which refers to drug rehabilitation, and presupposes a medical treatment for the dependency of legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, even nicotine or any other psychoactive substance.

If you are longing or craving to use again and again a drug, then it doesn’t matter if the substance behind that drug is legal or illegal, what you need is a drug addiction rehab. It means that you have a drug addiction, so you must take it seriously and get immediate treatment in a rehab clinic and as long as it is required because it takes time and strength. There are many ways in which you can achieve a drug addiction rehab: rehab clinics, sober houses, care centers, local support groups etc. Your body is affected by this drug addiction at two levels: physical and psychological.

If you don’t check yourself into rehab to get over this addiction as soon as you admitted to have one, this addiction tends to become chronic. It means that you can fall again and again into the abyss and finally you might never return. This may happen even after a long and efficient treatment. During the rehab program you won’t just take medication, what you are suppose to do is learn to cope with your disorder at your best. Thus you might not loose the competition against your temptation and waste your drug addiction rehab.

Drug Addiction Rehab Treatment

The treatment is focused on two phases: that of physical healing through detoxification or withdrawal therapy and a psychological support which prevents relapse. The approach of the professionals depends on the substance which provoked the addiction and the particular side effects. Pharmacotherapies proved to be very efficient in drug addiction rehab for at least three purposes: the effective treatment of rehabilitation, the maintenance (usually used for a longer time) and the interruption of the physical as well as psychological dependence. There are three ways of approaching a medical treatment during a drug addiction rehab connected to the symptoms of the patients and the side effects (on the Central Nervous System-CNS, and not only):

- CNS depressants – minor to severe side effects, affecting blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and even threatening life;

- CNS stimulants – depression, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, psychosis;

- Opioids – minor to severe side effects (rapid pulse, high blood pressure, pains, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea etc); a most recently approved drug in U.S. that cures heroine addiction is buprenorphine (a milder opioid).

The detoxification is both completed and followed by the psychological treatment which is also an important stage of drug addiction rehab. It means counseling, therapy sessions accomplished through individual, group or family meetings.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

The Causes of Drug Addiction and the Best Cures to Overcome Them

Comments: 0November 9th, 2011 by admin



There are so many reasons why people become addicted to drugs. You might know someone who is addicted to drugs or you might be going through the problem yourself and wondering how you ended up this way. Most people do not start taking drugs under the assumption they are going to get addicted. It make take one of two experiences with drugs and a person is hooked. Drugs change the chemical processes in your brain effecting the neurotransmitters.

Sometimes drug use can begin with peer pressure or alleviating emotional or physical pain. A person who abuses drugs compromises their health and wellbeing. They start to develop abrupt changes in their behaviour. This may involve lack of involvement in social activities, lack of productivity in school or work, and changes in overall attitude. There are usually fluctuations in a person’s body weight when they abuse drugs.

It makes you wonder why someone would want to go through all these changes which not only affects them but also the people around them.

The Causes of Drug Addiction

Most people who abuse drugs look to the drug as a form of comfort. The drug might help them deal with issues of trauma. stress, or physical pain. They might be getting temporary relief of the loneliness they feel, depression, or stress they are under.

Drug abuse can occur in many facets. Some Athletes develop and addiction to performance enhancing drugs.

People who have experienced physical or sexual abuse especially in childhood use drugs to escape from the trauma the emotional pain will trigger.

Drugs can temporarily drain out the sorrows for some people dealing with difficulties in their marriage, domestic and emotional abuse.

To keep that feeling that drugs help you experience, a person must continue to take them over and over and sometimes in higher dosages to get the same effect. Sometimes that is how people get addicted to prescription drugs by taking drugs in higher than prescribed dosages for greater relief.

Many people look for an escape from the everyday stressors in their lives, whether it be work related issues, bullying in school, work overload, financial problems or depression. Drugs for some people are the easy way out.

There are better ways to deal with difficulties in life that are better for your health and wellbeing.

Good Stress Relievers are:

Yoga and Meditation
Acupuncture
Herbal Remedies
Exercise
Counselling

Don’t hurt your family and friends and yourself with the abuse of drugs. Talk to someone about the feelings you are going through and get some help.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Learn to Calculate Ovulation Using an Ovulation Calculator

Comments: 0November 7th, 2011 by admin



So just what is an ovulation calculator and what is one used for. Well, to start with it’s not calculator like you will find down at your electronics store. Rather, its is a basic system that’s used to determine the days in any given month that you’re most likely to get pregnant in. In fact, you can access a free ovulation calculator online.

So why would anyone need to even use such a device to calculate ovulation. In reality there are two reasons for using one. One is to avoid getting pregnant and the other is to help a person to get pregnant. Sound confusing? Then read on.

You see, no birth control remedy is 100% effective, so if you are using birth control, knowing the one or two days per month when you are most fertile so you can avoid sex on those days can be of help. On the other end of the spectrum, you would you like to know when those days are if you and your significant other are trying to conceive.

To calculate ovulation an ovulation calculator requires that you enter some figures into an equation. Information such as when your period started the previous month and when it ended is some of the prime information that will be entered in. Then by extrapolating this information out, you can determine when is the best time to do the “wild-thing”.

You see, going at it every day is not the best way to get pregnant. This type of “frantic” schedule can in fact lower your mans sperm count. The best way to conceive is to obstain for the few days preceding your optimum ovulation day, then “hit it” right on time for maximum spermatozoa.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Drug Rehabilitation Number-Crunching

Comments: 0November 3rd, 2011 by admin



New statistics have revealed more about how big a role dedicated treatments play in the recovery process of addicts across America. With a series of factors indicating that Florida is more affected by drug addiction than other states, this article looks to do some number-crunching regarding drug abuse in Florida when compared to other states around the world.

One of the most alarming statistics is the fact that the majority of addictions treated in a Florida Christian rehab are marijuana addictions. Data have predicted that as much as 28% of the cases seen in local rehabilitation clinics treat addicts who are dependent on this drug, which is also known as cannabis and weed. This means that an estimated 9,795 cases of marijuana dependency are seen in Florida on average each and every year.

This 28% rate can be put into contrast with other drugs that result in a person being admitted into rehabilitation for treatment. With approximately 18% of cases seen in rehabs being principally due to alcoholism, with crack and cocaine collectively representing 21% of cases, it can be seen that marijuana has a key lead on the main drug which is affecting Florida at the moment.

The dominance of marijuana in these clinics has been seen as testimony to the fact that 76% of those who use illegal drugs in America use the drug frequently. Nationally, it is believed injected drugs represent the main percentage of admissions made to rehabilitation clinics.

Florida has one of the highest rates for drug abuse in the entire country – again, this is due to the fact that drug trafficking has been seen to play a key part in the progress of the state. With many reports that local airports are consistently confiscating cocaine, heroin and ecstasy, the question is this: how much of the drugs trafficked do get into the country?

Drug usage has been seen as a major problem in the US, with a jump of 2 million drug users between the years 2000 and 2001. These rises have been seen by Floridian counselors, too, but why has their state been hit so hard by drug abuse?

Some of the key reasons why a Florida Christian rehab is likely to support more addicts than in other states is because one of the key towns in the state, Miami, is believed to be one of the key areas where drugs are trafficked into the country. In addition, it is suggested that the high immigration rate of the state could also be seen to be playing a fundamental part in the drug circulation of the area. Experts believe that some illegal immigrants could also be bringing illegal drugs with them over the border.

These statistics have shown that drugs are a major problem that Floridians and America as a whole needs to address. The road is long and with drug usage and trafficking levels at an unprecedented level and higher than ever before, action needs to be taken sooner rather than later. At the moment, it is treatment centers in Florida and around the world which are cleaning up the mess.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Pregnancy Ovulation Calendar – Other Options

Comments: 0October 23rd, 2011 by admin



The idea behind the pregnancy ovulation calendar is simple: by keeping a record of your basal body temperature (your temperature at rest), you can familiarize yourself with your menstrual cycle. This can help you know when your fertile days have occurred and predict when they will happen going forward. Useful as this method might be, there are limitations to using a calendar to track your ovulation. Other techniques might be more efficient at predicting your fertile days.

Pros and cons of keeping an ovulation calendar

One of the main advantages of keeping a calendar is that it is the most affordable way of tracking your cycle. There are free calendars available on the web that you can download and print out for your own use. Digital basal thermometers cost an average of $10. All you have to do is keep your chart and thermometer handy in a bedside drawer and record your basal temperature first thing in the morning.

For some women, this is where the disadvantage comes in. This method is most accurate if you take your temperature at the same time in the morning, every single day. Oversleeping one morning or simply forgetting to take your temperature can disrupt the pattern in your basal body chart.

Another disadvantage is that your basal temperature only tells you when you’ve ovulated after it already happened, as indicated by the rise in temperature. Finding out your ovulation too late might mean missing the window of peak fertility. Although you can use the ovulation calendar to predict your ovulation, you can only do so accurately after you’ve kept several charts or records of several cycles.

Finally, an unusual event like a late night at work or illness can make significant changes to your basal temperature. This will disrupt the pattern of your chart and could mislead you into thinking that you have already ovulated.

Alternatives to an ovulation calendar

Although keeping a calendar will make you more familiar with your cycle, some women may not have the time to maintain one religiously. With your doctor’s approval, here are some other ways that can help you time intercourse around your most fertile days.

Keep watch for fertile cervical mucus

The change in your cervical mucus is a helpful indicator of ovulation. Although every woman’s body is different, cervical mucus is usually dry after menstruation. As ovulation approaches, you’ll find that your cervical mucus becomes creamy and wet. During your most fertile days, it should have the consistency of raw egg whites.

To check your cervical mucus, wash your hands and make sure they are dry. Place your middle or index finger inside your vagina and try to swab a sample near the cervix. Remove your finger and observe the consistency of the mucus by rolling it on your thumb or pressing your finger together and stretching the mucus.

*If there is barely any mucus or if the mucus is sticky, you have not ovulated yet.
*If your cervical mucus is creamy, you may be nearing ovulation.
*If your mucus is more watery and stretchy, it’s likely that you’ll be ovulating in a few days. You can start having intercourse at this time.
*If your cervical mucus is very wet, resembles egg whites, and stretches for over an inch, then you are very fertile.

Have sex frequently

It makes sense to keep intercourse to a minimum for maximum fertility; after all, it takes 90 days for a new batch of sperm to be made. However, researchers from Sydney discovered that having frequent sex may be the key to conceiving. The findings, which were presented at the Fertility Society of Australia’s annual meeting in 2004, examined the semen samples of 42 infertile men who were asked to ejaculate for seven consecutive days. Thirty-seven of them had fewer sperm with damaged DNA, as compared to those who went three days without ejaculating. The researchers believe that DNA damage in sperm cells occurs if they stay too long in the epididymis, the tunnel where sperm passes and becomes mature. Although these findings are only preliminary, there seems to be no harm in having frequent intercourse as you approach your most fertile days in your cycle.

Use ovulation predictor kits

Of all the tools used to predict ovulation, urine-based ovulation predictor kits are among the most accurate. Ovulation predictor kits are designed to measure the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. LH levels are low before you ovulate, but they start rising rapidly as ovulation approaches. The ovary releases a mature egg 38-44 hours after the LH surge. The remaining LH in your blood is filtered by the kidney and deposited in your urine.

Ovulation predictor kits work much like take-home pregnancy tests. All you have to do is place a urine sample where indicated, and wait for the results. The instructions in the kit will tell you which indicators on the testing strip to watch for to determine if the results are positive or negative. Testing positive is a signal to get busy, because you may ovulate in 12-24 hours.

Like all methods, the ovulation predictor kit has limitations. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome have high LH levels, which means they will test positive even if they are not ovulating. And even though ovulation predictor kits can identify the LH surge that occurs before ovulation, it does not confirm ovulation itself.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

The Lies That Can Surround Christian Drug Rehabilitation

Comments: 0October 22nd, 2011 by admin



For some, Christian drug rehabilitation can be a mysterious topic, with some people being unsure about what the process involves and how to distinguish the myths from the truths. Your local Christian treatment center can be more than helpful in enabling you to find out more information, which can be incredibly useful if you are or if you know an addict who would want to find out more about what are the real facts around rehabilitation before taking any further steps. This article will look at some of the key misconceptions that surround what a Christian treatment center provides at present.

The quick rehabilitation treatments are the most effective. There are some people that boast that the most effective methods are those that address a drug addiction within 21 days, saying that these methods have seen people suddenly transformed on the road to sobriety without having to look back. Unfortunately, such initiatives are rare and it is extremely common for a person to need three to six months as a minimum in order to find their feet in the world of sobriety. Even then, many people then seek the guidance of local support groups in avoiding their triggers in day-to-day life and remaining clean.

The same drug rehabilitation treatments are used for everyone in a Christian rehab center. Because different people have different severities of addictions and are addicted to different drugs, there are no generic treatments that can be offered at rehab clinics for those who are looking to reform. Together with personal counselors, both addicts and professionals have to formulate a custom-made plan based on an individual’s circumstances in order for a person to have the best chance of avoiding a relapse in the future.

Christian Rehabilitation treatments are 100% effective. As much as many people would wistfully want this to be true, this certainly isn’t the case all of the time, with as many as 40% to 60% of people who have gone to a rehabilitation program before falling into a relapse at some point or another. Drug addiction can be a disease of the brain, and, when a person is faced with a trigger that makes them turn to drugs in the first place, it can make resisting temptation extremely difficult. In addition, just because an addict may fall into a relapse doesn’t mean that they should be demoralized or branded as weak.

The buck stops with rehabilitation treatment. Unfortunately, a Christian rehabilitation program is only the beginning of a drug addict’s recovery process, with many people proceeding onto local support groups once they have successfully completed a period in rehab. Even though this can seem like an inconvenience for some, this sustained level of help can greatly reduce the chance of a person falling back into drug addiction and can shield any vulnerabilities a person may have.

Once an addict can overcome these stigmas that surround drug addiction, they can begin to fully understand drug addiction, the implications of rehab and what would be expected of them during their treatment.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Men’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse – 12 Step Treatment is the Only Solution

Comments: 0October 20th, 2011 by admin



Seeking professional treatment for drug and alcohol abuse is the only proven solution for men suffering from the hideous disease of addiction. Secondary issues, such as engaging in crime to feed their addictions, as well as other medical and psychological issues, further compound the needs of these men and their suffering.

For many years the social response to the criminal activity of these addicted men was jail and prison sentences, and while commitment to the local county jail or state prisons system for those convicted of serious violent crimes is most appropriate, statistics show that the majority of those convicted were non violent and directly drug and alcohol related. As the number of men convicted and sentenced to jail and prisons steadily increased to astronomical levels, State and Federal authorities were faced with serious overcrowding of their penitentiaries and jails.

In 2000 California’s Proposition 36 was passed, and the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act diverted over 36,000 non-violent 1st and 2nd time drug offenders into State funded treatment programs. Since the passage of this important legislature, other states have introduced similar programs to help aid in this epidemic of drug and alcohol addiction.

While these important state programs help to reduce drug and alcohol abuse and it’s related crime, still many men fall through the cracks for a variety of reasons, such as never being convicted of a drug related crime, as well as recently being released from jail, prison, or mental institutions. With the now overcrowded of state and public funded treatment programs the ability for these men to get into treatment without financial means is very unlikely.

A small percentage of these men will be saved by AA, NA and similar private self-help groups, and it is important to point out that almost every drug and alcohol treatment program models it recovery approach closely to the life saving principles introduced in 1935 by Alcoholics Anonymous! The basic detox method employed by AA has always been “cold turkey”, however with many men suffering from opiate and prescription drug addition, the pain of withdrawal may be to much for them to face without medical assistance, and the only solution for them is to wait for an opening in one of the government or privately funded detox’s and treatment centers.

Detox, treatment and continued attendance of 12 steps meeting has been proven to be the only long-term solution to recovery from the disease of drug and alcohol addiction. Since 1935 AA has offered it’s spiritual approach to recovery from alcoholism to any and all who come to their meetings, admit that they have a problem with alcohol and ask for help, and because if AA’s international “word of mouth” attraction many men suffering from alcohol and drug abuse have found a new way of life free from the deadly bonds of addiction.

There is also a small percentage of self help and treatment programs that promise a 100% cure from drug and alcohol abuse, but statistics have shown an alarming rate of failure of from these programs while those who entered into a 12 step based treatment program followed up with regular attendance of AA and NA meetings enjoyed overwhelming success. The power of the 12-step fellowship offers those who are serious about not using drug and alcohol one day at a time freedom from active addiction, the ability to lead a productive life in society, and the most important fact of all…They never have to be alone ever again!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Can You Choose the Gender of Your Baby by Monitoring Your Ovulation?

Comments: 0September 30th, 2011 by admin



I

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Comments: 0September 30th, 2011 by admin



Cocaine, as a stimulant, mimics the action of chemicals the brain produces to send messages of pleasure to the brain’s reward center. Like adrenaline, cocaine increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. When the stimulation goes too high, it can also produce feelings of panic, paranoia, hallucinations, and rage that can even progress to potentially fatal seizures and strokes.

Treatments for cocaine addiction vary, based on a lot of factors including the severity and length of the symptoms, the amount of damage done from the cocaine use, and the rate of recovery. The most common symptoms of addiction usually noted are drug cravings, irritability, loss of energy, depression, fearfulness, wanting to sleep a lot or difficulty in sleeping, shaking, nausea and palpitations, sweating, hyperventilation, and increased appetite. These symptoms can commonly last several weeks — even after one stops using cocaine.

Medications to treat cocaine addiction are not yet available, although researchers are working continuously to identify and test new options. The most promising experimental medication existing seems to be Selegiline, which still needs an appropriate method of administration. Disulfiram, a medication that has been used to treat alcoholism, has proven to be somewhat effective in treating cocaine abuse in clinical trials. Antidepressants are predominantly prescribed to deal with the mood changes that usually come with cocaine withdrawal. Treatments are being developed to deal with cocaine overdose.

Treatments such as cognitive-behavioral coping skills are effective in dealing with cocaine addiction, but they are just a short-term approach that focuses on the learning processes. Behavioral treatment attempts to help patients recognize, avoid, and cope with situations that can lead them to use cocaine again.

Staffed by caring, compassionate physicians, nurses, and counselors, treatment programs recognize the intensity of addiction. Based on that, treatment programs provide heavily researched medical treatment techniques, choosing the best for the patient from all of the treatment modalities available.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »