Posts Tagged ‘Methamphetamine’

Washington State Drug Abuse Statistics

Comments: 0April 29th, 2011 by admin



Washington Drug Addiction

In 2007, approximately 38,000 people entered some form of substance abuse treatment in Washington State. Approximately 32,000 people of the people admitted were admitted for some sort of drug abuse. Many drugs have a significant presence in Washington state. Heroin, cocaine, and marijuana have long been major drugs, and all three of these have a strong presence in Washington. Meth is the relative newcomer, growing rapidly since it first began getting popular in the 1980s and 1990s. This article will not cover marijuana as it tends to be a much different issue than more destructive addictions such as heroin, cocaine, and meth addiction.

Heroin Addiction in Washington

Heroin abuse is a problem in Washington, but perhaps not as big a one as other parts of the nation. 2,495 people were admitted for heroin use in the state of Washington, making up ~6.5% of people admitted for substance abuse well below the national average of 13.6%. Heroin abuse is not concentrated in one particular area of Washington and is abused throughout the state.

Cocaine Addiction in Washington

2,163 people (5.7% of those admitted ) were admitted for smoking crack and another 763 (3.6%) went into treatment for snorting cocaine. Compared with the national averages of 9.4% and 3.7% this puts Washington’s cocaine abuse below the national average. However, cocaine is still available throughout Washington and is usually smuggled into Washington from Mexico, through California. Within Washington, crack cocaine is most commonly used in lower income urban areas while snorted cocaine is consumed by a more middle-class demographics.

Meth Addiction in Washington

In the state of Washington, meth / methamphetamine use is well above national averages. 6,378 people (16.7%) were admitted into facilities for amphetamine abuse, over twice the national average of 7.7%. Amphetamine abuse is still not as common in Washington as neighboring Oregon or California, but it is a relatively large problem within the state. Interestingly, since 2003 meth lab incidents in Washington have declined from 1,018 in 2003 to 122 in 2007. This indicates law enforcement’s crackdown on domestic meth labs. As local meth labs have been shut down, most of the drugs have been supplied by meth traffickers from Mexico. Meth also tends to be less of an urban drug, with most of the meth userbase located outside of major cities.

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Meth Addiction Treatment and Drug Rehab Advice

Comments: 0February 22nd, 2011 by admin



It’s a purely-synthetic and highly-addictive drug that has wrecked lives all throughout the globe. Meth (methamphetamine) – also known as ‘crystal’ in the United States, ‘yaba’ in Thailand and ‘shabu’ in the Philippines – is abused by a wide cross-section of society, from blue collared workers to corporate types, causing unimaginable costs to society in general.

It’s more dangerous than the highly potent cocaine even. Dr. Michael Abrams of Broadlawn Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, says Meth ‘is the most malignant, addictive drug known to mankind.’ He explains that the body has enzymes that break down cocaine, which is basically derived from coca leaves, but these enzymes are powerless with methamphetamine.

Dealing with persons addicted to this drug is not at all easy. Affected people are both physiologically and psychologically changed. Among the dangerous physical effects of meth use are increased blood pressure and breathing rates, stomach cramps, cardiac arrhythmia, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, stroke and even death.

A lot of meth-dependent individuals have tried to get rid of the habit unsuccessfully. It’s hard to wake up one morning, say ‘no’ to it and forget about it. Curing an addiction just doesn’t work that way. Treatment should be done step by step and in a long term, each step being quite relevant to the one before it.

There’s no pill that can flush out all the settled harmful substance in your system. It takes a lot of determination on your part and the informed persistence of the people who are trying to help you overcome your dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include depression and other forms of psychological impairment that may last for several months.

While dealing with addiction appropriately was a major concern the world over a long time ago, several organizations have done significant efforts that effectively help sufferers to overcome their cravings. There is no other best way to solve it but to send meth dependents to drug rehabilitation centers.

At drug rehab facilities, people get a holistic treatment for their problems. In there, they will be given honest and caring support so that these affected ones will find their way back towards their happy and normal lives. The victims will be staying in the drug treatment facility for as long as they still show strong cravings for it.

Recovery from meth dependence is a possibility, but the withdrawal period can be tough on the patient and there is a possibility for relapse. While some prosperous nations have numbers of drug rehabilitation centers, poor ones don’t. That is why this global problem has not been significantly dealt with. Worse, the number of meth addicts continues to rise.

Ultimately, meth addiction treatment relies on the support of the sufferer’s family and loved ones. It’s basically a social concern that needs a social solution. Knowing the reasons and circumstances that led the person to methamphetamine dependence and taking these away from his environment during and after the rehab period will be a great help.

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Five Signs Of Prescription Drug Addiction

Comments: 0December 31st, 2009 by admin



Vicodin is a brand name for the combination of acetaminophen and hydrocondone. This powerful pain killer is semi-synthetic that is derived from two naturally occurring opiates, codeine and thebaine. The drug hydrocondone binds to the pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord, subsequently reducing the sensation of pain.

Acetaminophen can control the production of prostaglandins, which cause pain. Vicodin is perfectly safe as long as it taken as prescribed. If Vicodin is taken in a larger dose or for longer than the prescribed duration, it is addictive.

Vicodin comes in tablet, capsule and liquid form.

This drug is becoming one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States. Its misuse is as harmful as cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Effects of Vicodin

Vicodin is similar to codeine and is almost equal in strength to morphine in producing opiate-like effects. Continuous use may result in requiring larger and larger doses to achieve the same effect. Long term use can result in physical dependence. The body adapts to the substance and withdrawal symptoms occur if the presence of the drug is removed.

Symptoms of Addiction

Unfortunately, many people who are addicted to Vicodin are also addicted to other substances. One indicator is alcoholism or addiction to another substance. Studies show that 83% of Vicodin addicts are addicted to some other substance as well. Also, most often the addicted person is someone who can afford to pay for medication or is privately insured.

Vicodin is use to the treatment of pain. For this reason, people who can afford to seek medical treatment are more likely to become addicted. The most common source of pain reported is in the head and neck. Though the medical issue was addressed when the patients complained to their physicians, addiction was not a concern. Using Vicodin for chronic pain, real or imaginary, can and has lead to drug addiction. Additionally, patients with chronic pain are at risk for withdrawal from the drug which in many cases can be deadly if the prescription is discontinued for any reason. It is for this reason that many patients who experience chronic illness do not want to use prescription medication.

If the following symptoms are noticed, there is genuine reason to believe the person is addicted to Vicodin:

Anxious feeling about getting a prescription refilled before it runs out Tendency to take more of the drug to achieve the desired effect or to take it more often than prescribed Unable to quit the medication even if there is a sincere wish to do so or feeling guilty about taking Vicodin Committing illegal acts to acquire Vicodin such as juggling doctors or buying Vicodin on the street Thinking about the medication upon awakening or the patient’s Vicodin use has become in issue with friends and loved ones.
If any of these apply to you or to someone you love, then you may want to seek treatment for addiction right away. If you think you are addicted either physically or emotionally to Vicodin, talk to your doctor, a counselor or a substance abuse professional as soon as possible to avoid the inescapable dangers of Vicodin addiction. The Farley Center and Williamsburg Place are available to help. Their staff is caring and supportive. They understand and they want to help. Call the Farley Center at (800) 582-6066 for a free assessment interview and to get immediate referrals to a professional in your area.

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