Substance Abuse

How does drug addiction affect the brain? Most drugs of abuse directly or indirectly target the brain’s reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure

 Mixing two or more drugs—whether they’re prescription, over-the-counter, or recreational—can increase the risk of side effects, reduce the effectiveness of medications, and increase the risk of overdose and death. Alcohol is commonly used in combination with other illicit drugs—in 2011, more than 14% of emergency department visits, or roughly 520,000 cases, involved a combination of drugs and alcohol.  Alcohol was most often mixed with the following illicit drugs: Cocaine Marijuana Heroin

Alcohol and drugs are implicated in an estimated 80% of offenses leading to incarceration in the United States. 1.domestic violence. 2. driving while intoxicated. 3. property offenses. Our nation’s prison population has exploded beyond capacity and most inmates are in prison, in large part, because of substance abuse:

Risk Factors Domain Protective Factors Early Aggressive Behavior Individual Self-Control Lack of Parental Supervision Family Parental Monitoring Substance Abuse Peer Academic Competence Drug Availability School Anti-drug Use Policies Poverty Community Strong Neighborhood Attachment

Flashbacks are usually associated with LSD, Heroine, and Cannabis use. Immediate & LONG-TERM EFFECTS of Marijuana Poor school performance and higher chance of dropping out. Impaired thinking and ability to learn and perform complex tasks. Lower life satisfaction. Antisocial behavior including stealing money or lying. Financial difficulties Increased welfare dependence. Greater chances of being unemployed or not getting good jobs What are Flashbacks? Flashbacks are recurring sensory or emotional experiences that happen independently of the initial experience or event.  Flashbacks are usually associated with LSD, Heroine, and Cannabis use. 

LOW-BUDGET OR FREE REHABILITATION CENTERS FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL ADDICTION IN WASHINGTON 1. Catholic Community Services. 2. Salvation Army 3. Roots Young Adult Center. 4. Friends of Youth

Here are some of the risks taken those who attempt alcohol withdrawal without medical help: – Hallucinations leading to injuries or accidents – Lethal dehydration – Choking – Heart attack – Stroke While it is true that some people are able to go through the process safely, we cannot stress enough that Drug or alcohol detoxification can be deadly without medical supervision, and a trip to the ER may not be fast enough to save a life if something goes wrong.