Alcohol is the most common addiction among people. Many families are torn apart due to alcoholism which leads to abuse and domestic violence. Financial distress and unpaid bills and infidelity all are caused due to the addiction to alcohol. It is important to be moderate with drinking. As for those who have to deal with drunk individuals, it can be a heavy burden and difficult process. Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training program
Coping with an alcoholic can be difficult. Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training Program
The article, “Dealing With Someone Addicted to Alcohol: 9 Tips To Cope” from Cleveland Clinic’s Healthessentials looks at the best ways to cope with those who are addicted to alcohol. The article states,
“It starts with a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail. Then there’s another … and another … and another. You watch as your family member or friend slowly changes with each tip of the bottle. It’s a routine you’ve witnessed repeatedly — and it never gets less painful to watch. So, what can you do? Addiction psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD, offers these tips to help you persevere.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Substance Abuse Counseling.
Smoking is one of the most common addictions and bad habits people face. It is extremely unhealthy yet many turn to it to calm nerves and anxiety. This dependency makes smoking and its ingredients extremely addictive and dangerous. So many try to break the unhealthy habit but are unable to due to tobacco and nicotine within the cigarette. Learning to cope with the addiction and cravings take time. Some individuals require substance abuse counseling while others go to support groups. Others look to patches and other approaches to curb the physical and mental desire. Trying to break the cycle of addiction can be difficult but with proper coping and counseling, one can finally become free of smoking.
Why is smoking so addictive and unhealthy? Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training and see if it matches your academic goals
The article, “Why is tobacco so addictive?” by Joe Phealon looks closer at the addictive nature of tobacco and smoking. He states,
“Nicotine is especially addictive when smoked or otherwise taken into the lungs because “the onset of the stimulant-like effects occurs very rapidly through this route of administration,” David Ledgerwood, a clinical psychologist in the Substance Abuse Research Division at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, told Live Science in an email.”
The article continues, “If someone smokes regularly for months and years, their brain will become used to having nicotine to the point where, eventually, “they need nicotine to function well,” Ledgerwood said. During periods when the addicted individual does not smoke, they may experience physical withdrawal symptoms until their brain can adjust to the nicotine’s absence.”
“Why is tobacco so addictive?”. Joe Phealon. Live Science. July 17th, 2022
Smoking tobacco is a common practice throughout the world and has been for centuries. While the specific reasons for why people smoke vary from person to person, there are some general reasons that are often cited. These include wanting to relax, wanting to feel more alert, and wanting to socialize with others. There are a number of negative health effects associated with smoking, including an increased risk of developing cancer, lung disease, and other respiratory problems.
Smoking is addictive because it contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. When people smoke, the nicotine enters their bloodstream and goes to their brain, where it binds to receptors and causes a feeling of pleasure. Over time, people who smoke cigarettes develop a tolerance to nicotine and need to smoke more and more cigarettes to get the same feeling of pleasure. Nicotine is an organic compound that is found in tobacco leaves. It is also the main psychoactive ingredient in cigarettes. Nicotine acts as a stimulant, and it increases alertness and reduces anxiety. It also has a calming effect on the body, and it can help to relieve stress. This can lead to addiction.
Health Risks of Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is linked to an increased risk of developing a number of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Smoking is also a major contributor to respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to the health risks posed by smoking, there are also economic consequences. Cigarette smoking is estimated to cost the US economy billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Smoking cigarettes introduces harmful chemicals into the lungs, which can damage the delicate tissue and lead to a number of serious health problems. The chemicals in tobacco smoke cause inflammation and irritation, and over time can damage the airways and lungs. This can lead to conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.
Quit Smoking
There are many ways to stop smoking, but not all of them are effective for everyone. Some people find that cold turkey is the best method, while others find that gradual reduction works best for them. Some people use nicotine replacement therapy, which can help to ease withdrawal symptoms and make quitting less difficult. There are also many prescription medications that can help with quitting smoking, and it is always best to talk to a doctor before starting any new medication.
Addiction counselors, peers, friends and support groups can also play large roles in encouragement. It is also important to avoid places where one might find smoking. The addictive nature is complex because it is both physical and also mental. Good support is key in breaking the bad habit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, smoking is a highly addictive behavior that is detrimental to one’s health. Quitting smoking is very difficult, but it is possible with the right resources and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are many organizations that can help, such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the American Lung Association.
Smoking is a difficult but rewarding process. It takes time, patience, and perseverance to break the habit. However, the benefits of quitting smoking are numerous. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other smoking-related illnesses. It also improves your overall health, including your respiratory and cardiovascular health. Additionally, quitting smoking can save you a significant amount of money over time.
Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Substance Abuse Counseling. After completing the courses, one can then apply for certification and help utilize their talents in aiding others overcome addiction to smoking.
Additional Resources
“Nicotine control: E-cigarettes, smoking and addiction”. KirstenBell and HelenKeane. International Journal of Drug Policy Volume 23, Issue 3, May 2012, Pages 242-247. Access here
“What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Smoking?”. WebMed Editorial Contributors. WEBMED. August 3rd 2022. Access here
“Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking”. CDC. Access here
“How to Quit Smoking. The American Lung Association. Access here
“Harms of Cigarette Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting”. National Cancer Institute. Dec 19th, 2017. Access here
Losing sight of the opioid problem in the United States would be a great error considering the damage it causes to homes. The pandemic has taken much attention away from other issues, but as it continues and others are forced into isolation, substance abuse continues to rise even at a faster rate.
Opioid abuse continues to be a growing concern and issue during the pandemic. Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training
Thea article, “4 Reasons Why the Opioid Crisis Still Needs Our Attention” by Phil Walls looks at the problem and why society still needs to remain vigilant regarding opioid abuse. He states,
“There’s some evidence that issues related to the pandemic environment, including treatment delays and increased social isolation, may be contributing to an uptick in misuse. But there are other developments in the health care, pharmaceutical and workers’ compensation industries affecting both opioid usage and the parties responsible for paying for it.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training Program and see if it meets and matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Substance Abuse Counseling.
A certification in Substance Abuse Counseling does not necessarily require a license in counseling especially if someone is working at a center under professional guidance or is utilizing it as a pastor and minister.
Behavioral rewards to change bad behavior is a common concept. Parents reward children to do chores or do good things to reinforce the good behavior with reward. Contingency Management in addiction looks at the same principle. In some cases, with stimulants and meth, it has been successful, with others, such as opioids it has not had as much success. Sometimes, rewards have been misused if they have monetary value. Still despite this, when combined with other therapies, it can prove useful.
Contingency Management rewards good behavior during addiction. Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training Program
The article, “This Addiction Treatment Works. Why Is It So Underused?” by Abby Goodnough looks at this way of rewarding. She states,
“The treatment is called contingency management, because the rewards are contingent on staying abstinent. A number of clinical trials have found it highly effective in getting people addicted to stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine to stay in treatment and to stop using the drugs. But outside the research arena and the Department of Veterans Affairs, where Mr. Kelty is a patient, it is nearly impossible to find programs that offer such treatment — even as overdose deaths involving meth, in particular, have soared.”
Telemedicine is becoming more prominent and will be here to stay since the pandemic. It is being applied to reach the sick as well those in emotional need. Substance abuse and addiction are also big uses of telemedicine. Unfortunately, the technology is still ahead of many regulations. Patients need help not red tape preventing healthcare providers the ability to help the addicted.
Those suffering from addiction are benefiting from telemedicine during the pandemic. Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training Program
The article, “Telemedicine and addiction recovery: A new way forward?” by Mary Tolan looks at the importance of telemedicine in helping individuals who face addiction and how to make it more efficient. She states,
“Will the future of addiction recovery take place on video conference screens and emailed notes? Even a few months ago, treating addiction patients remotely might seem like a stretch at first listen — metaphorically, geographically, and medicinally. But now, as the Covid-19 crisis puts pressure on outpatient providers to facilitate remote care, some addiction professionals have set aside that skepticism and opened digital care channels, willing to explore any avenue that might lead their patients out of the opioid epidemic’s grip and into a healthy future. ”
Covid19 has changed the landscape of healthcare forever and modern technology will continue to play a vital role. Now it is just a matter of the regulations and laws to catch up to the new technology. To read the entire article, please click here
Pharmacies and pharmacists are not immune to substance abuse. With the access they have and the professional livelihood at risk, it is important for ethical use of their position. Not only with themselves but with how drugs are dispensed.
Pharmacies must have high standards. Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Training program and see if it marches your needs
The article, “Substance Abuse Poses Challenges in Pharmacies” by Ned Milenkovich states,
“A state pharmacy board generally does not allow a pharmacist to resume practicing if evidence shows that the individual in question has been involved in substance abuse. ”
Substance abuse and addiction cause havoc to the brain. The brain’s downward spiral as drugs destroy the mind body and spirit is a horrible cycle. Substance Abuse Counseling can help individuals overcome the abuse and find a better way to stop destroying their body and life.
Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Training program
Addiction like a monster starts with a perfectly innocent child and then starts the destructive process. The article, “Addiction often begins with a ‘beautiful’ boy or girl” by Robert Dupont illustrates the destruction of addiction and how it targets the most innocent. The article states,
“In the American mind, drug addiction happens only to people “born under a bad sign.” That’s just not true. Worse, it implies that success in life protects individuals from addiction. Throughout my 50-year career working on drug abuse prevention and treatment, I’ve often seen drug addiction befall every kind of person.”
Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Training Program and see if it matches your academic and professional needs. With a certification, you can begin to confidently work with organizations that look to save the innocent from addiction.
A very indepth detail of substance abuse with illicit substances for adolescents and young adults shows some staggering figures that need corrected. Why are young adults and adolescents turning to these substances? Maybe better family life, better role models and better coping strategies are the answer? Whatever the answer, America has a huge problem as our younger population turn to drugs for a variety of answers. Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Training.
The article and report, ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT SUBSTANCE .Federal Grants for Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services and for Research, states,
“About 16 percent of adolescents and 38 percent of young adults used illicit substances in 2016. Most young adults who develop substance use disorders begin using in adolescence.
There are federal grants that fund drug addiction treatment for adolescents and young adults. But most of the stakeholders we talked to believed that there are too few studies about drug addiction treatment for adolescents, too few providers to treat these patients, and too few services to sustain their recovery.”
These statistics are far from good signs and corrections need to be made. If you feel you can make a difference in this area, please review our Substance Abuse Counseling Program.
Warning Label: Most Addictive Prescriptions on the Market Today
Prescription medications are among the most abused substances in the United State. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) about 16 million people report using a prescription drug for a nonmedical reason. Stimulants, depressants, and opiates are the most commonly abused prescriptions. Opiates, in particular, are part of a major epidemic in the U.S. The following are the most addictive prescription pain medications currently on the market.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone (codeine) is a pain reliever that may be prescribed alone or combined with ibuprofen or aspirin. Hydrocodone is an opiate drug derived from poppy. When abused, codeine can cause euphoria as well as intense withdrawal symptoms.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone, sometimes simply called oxy and sold under the brand name OxyContin, is also an opiate painkiller derived from poppy. This drug is usually formulated with ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain medication and prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone can cause a euphoric effect and many people who become addicted do so while using it according to their doctor’s instruction. Oxycodone users are at risk of both physical and psychological dependence.
Percocet, a brand name of oxycodone, is a notoriously addictive medication that can lead to heart failure when taken in excessive amounts to produce the sense of euphoria. People who take Percocet or OxyContin are at risk of physical dependency after just a couple of weeks, even when taken as prescribed.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a highly potent and addictive painkiller. As with other opiates, fentanyl can cause euphoria, lethargy, and mellowness. This synthetic drug is about 50-100 times more powerful than morphine and is usually prescribed for severe pain, such as pain following surgery. The NIDA warns that the heroin epidemic of the last few years is now leading the way to a fentanyl epidemic. This drug has killed 47,000 people between 2014 and 2016.
Meperidine
Sold under the brand name Demerol, meperidine has a similar effect as an opiate but it is a synthetic drug created in a lab. Demerol is usually prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain. While it was designed to be less addictive than most opiates, it has a high potential of dependency. Meperidine can lead to euphoria as well as confusion, seizures, and delirium.
Physicians can take many steps to reduce prescription abuse in their practice. This includes using databases like MedPro Systems that adhere to PDMA regulations and watching for warning signs of drug abuse in patients. The PDMA regulates pharmaceutical samples and has more information about regulations on their site. If you are worried about the painkillers you’ve been prescribed, talk to your doctor about the possible side effects and addictive tendencies they have.
If you would like to learn more about substance abuse counseling training, then also please review our program in it at AIHCP
The Ministry of National Security, through the Department for National Drug Control, has completed the first ever survey of substance use among homeless residents, Premier & Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley said in the House of Assembly today [May 29]
An interesting article and survey on homeless people and drug use and addiction. You may be surprised from some of these statistics
If you would like to learn more about Substance Abuse Counseling Training, then please review the program and see if it matches your academic and professional needs
