Posts Tagged ‘Psychological Addiction’

Cocaine Addiction in Miami, Florida

Comments: 0March 2nd, 2011 by admin



Widespread Cocaine Addiction in Miami started thirty years ago. Miami has been the major port of entry for cocaine in the United States for thirty years. Cocaine is responsible for the development of Miami as an International Banking Center. The influx of large amounts of money due to the illegal Cocaine Trade precipitated the necessity for a larger and more sophisticated banking network. Money was being flooded into all avenues of the Miami business district changing the landscape and skyline forever.

Cocaine was relatively inexpensive on the streets of Miami and the tri-county area of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. As this drug’s popularity began to spread from high society private parties to the streets, the insidious problem of drug abuse and associated crime started to rise.

As more people started to use cocaine, communities witnessed a rise in the crime rate. Braking and entering, muggings, auto theft and retail boosting were all on the rise. Cocaine offered a more intense “high” than other drugs being used during this period. Although the high was more intense the period of intoxication was shorter causing the user to increase the amount necessary to sustain the high. The need for more cocaine caused the need for more money and thus more crime.

The area also witnessed an increase in addiction or at that time they called it abuse of cocaine. Cocaine was not accepted as an addictive substance because withdrawal from this drug did not cause the severity of physical problems as alcohol or opiates had. Drug Rehab Centers did not believe it was necessary to detox those that used cocaine. The affects of psychological addiction of Cocaine was not something that treatment centers addressed at that time.

Today Miami and the state of Florida have some of the best Addiction Treatment Facilities in America. If the saying “necessity is the mother of invention” has credence then that would explain the expertise as a result of the thousands of addicts that have been treated for cocaine addiction in Florida over the past thirty years.

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Posted in Alcohol

Herbal Remedies And Drug Addiction – Can Herbs Help?

Comments: 0May 9th, 2010 by admin



Drug abuse refers to the availing of a drug for purposes which the drugs are not intended to, or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical and psychological dependence on a drug. The physical addiction is often characterized by the presence of tolerance, such as needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms that disappear when further medication is taken.

Almost all sorts of different drugs can be abused, including illegal drugs, such as heroin or cannabis, prescription medicines such as tranquilizers or painkillers and other medications that can be availed off the supermarket shelf, such as cough syrups or herbal concoctions.

This depends on the nature of the drug being abused, the person taking the drug and the circumstances under which it is taken. Some medications, like for example certain sleeping pills or painkillers are physically addictive. They have a specific effect on the body which leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Others may lead to a psychological addiction if people have a craving for the effect that the drug causes.

There has been some speculation that some people may be more prone to drug abuse and addiction than others. Research is being carried out into whether there may even be genes that predispose certain people to addiction.

The methods employed by Chinese traditional medicine practitioners is an effective example of just how effective herbal remedies could be for drug addicts. One famous herbal method used for addicts is moxibustion. Moxibustion is a variation sometimes employed, and is referred to as the slow burning on or over the body of special herbal “cones” , in which a stick or cone of burning mugwort or herb, Artemesia vulgaris, and is placed over an inflamed or affected area on the body. The cone is placed on an acupuncture point and burned. The cone is removed before burning the skin. The purpose of this therapy is to stimulate and strengthen the blood and the life energy, or qi, of the body.

There are also a number of herbs that have been researched to be effective in controlling the urges of drug addicts, as well as in helping them tone down their craving for more addictive opiates.

Homeopathic Opium – This herb is effective for minor hangouts, or sudden spells of dizziness or floating, and should be taken in the morning after.

Passion Flower – This herb can be taken as a tea or in a tincture, it also works as a bit of a depressant, though it has a mild narcotic effect.

Valerian – Valerian can be taken as a tea or in a tincture, This herb is from where Valium was derived from, and acts as a good sedative. It is also calms the nerves while in the process of detoxifying.

ScullCap – This herbal concoction can be taken as a tincture or a tea, and is effective for calming the nerves, nervous headaches & associated .

Social circumstances are important in drug abuse. Peer pressure, emotional distress and low self-esteem can all lead individuals to abuse drugs. Ease of access to drugs is another influence. People abuse drugs for many reasons. Understanding what the person’s motivation is helps to explain why that person is abusing drugs. Proper consultation with a herbalist and a psychiatry expert are needed whenever one tries to employ herbal remedies to the drug problem.

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Posted in Alcohol

The Causes Of Addiction

Comments: 0October 22nd, 2009 by admin



There is much debate about the causes of addiction. Because there are two components to addiction –the physical addiction and the psychological addiction– it is likely that many factors create a risk for addiction. In the case of certain drugs such as methamphetamine or heroin, almost any individual who comes into contact will become addicted. On the other hand, addictive behaviors such as shopping or eating are used moderately by the majority of the population and only become addictions for some.

The following risk factors are involved in developing addictions:

Genetics: It is believed that addictions such as alcoholism may be inherited. Individuals from families with a history of alcoholism are more likely to develop the disease themselves. Also, individuals from families with a history of any kind of addiction are more likely to develop some other form of addiction. For example, someone from an alcoholic family may develop a problem with compulsive overeating or workaholism. While environmental factors can also have influence, individuals who have been removed from their alcoholic parents and raised by non addicted individuals still show a higher risk for developing an addiction themselves.

Environment: Children raised by alcoholic or drug addicted parents are more likely to view substance abuse or certain behaviors as acceptable, making them more likely to engage in the addiction themselves. Individuals from countries where use of a certain substance or engagement in an addictive behavior are frowned upon or hard to obtain show a much lower incidence of addiction, pointing to possible environmental factors.

Abuse: Individuals who experienced sexual, psychological, emotional or physical abuse are more likely to become addicts. The addiction becomes a coping mechanism, helping the addict to deal with strong negative emotions surrounding the abuse, feelings of severe low self-esteem, and possible flashbacks.

Emotional Disorders: Emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder often increase the risk of substance abuse and addictive behaviors, especially amongst those who are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Individuals often use drugs, alcohol, food, exercise, or work as a way to self-medicate and escape the symptoms of their primary disorder.

The Substance: Certain substances are more addictive than others, and risk of full-blown addiction is higher for drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine because of their ability to create dependence after just a few uses.

Low Frustration Tolerance: One common factor found amongst addicts of all types is a low frustration tolerance. Addicts are highly susceptible to the negative effects of stress, often experiencing distress at a relatively low level of frustration. They become easily upset over everyday stress factors, creating a need for escape. They find this escape in their addiction.

These are all contributing factors as to why addiction occurs. Overall, there is no absolute solution when dissecting the causes behind addiction. Today, there are many options available to the alcoholic or drug addict who wishes to stop and stay stopped.

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Posted in Alcohol