How To Guide

There are many different drugs that cause individuals to become dependent on the drug, which leads to an addiction; hydrocodone is one of these drugs. According to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Hydrocodone is the most abused prescription drug today.

What it is

If you are not sure what Hydrocodone is, it is a narcotic that is found in such pain relievers as Lortab and Vicodin with more than 200 different products in the industry containing this drug. Due to the pain relieving qualities, these medications are prescribed frequently. The Hydrocodone offers a euphoric and soothing effect similar to that of morphine or heroin.

Hydrocodone by itself is in the category known as a Schedule II substance, which is regulated and controlled by federal and state laws; however, since the pain relievers are not pure the medications are not controlled as much, which leads to abuse and addiction. In only one to four weeks of using a pain reliever with Hydrocodone, a person can become addicted to the drug.

The most common side affects associated with a Hydrocodone addiction include… Read More

Example 1

Solomon Yimchunger

Solomon Yimchunger was a drug addict since high school.  When you are young, it is hard to comprehend the consequences of using damaging substances such as drugs, alcohol, SP or Ganja.  In fact, when you realize the mistake you’ve done, it is simply too late.

Solomon wanted to quit many times, but he always ended up wanting more drugs. Fortunately, he was admitted in the Shalom Rehabilitation Centre. This was an essential moment in Solomon’s life: he committed to God and he acknowledged that he needed help in order to stop taking drugs.

Initially, adapting to the strict rules of the centre was hard.  In few weeks though, Solomon understood that the awareness programs, the gospel teachings and the support of the staff were the only way he could get over his addiction.  Drug addiction is perhaps the most dangerous addiction from all.  Not all people can cope with the pressures and the difficulties of present days, and they start using drugs for escaping reality.

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Example 2

Leslie Perez

It is interesting how… Read More

Addiction to prescription drugs is an insidious process, especially since the user does not believe that he or she is doing anything wrong.

A person takes a prescription drug usually for some diagnosed medical problem. Often prescription drugs which are abused are pain killers – the user suffers from some pain or the other and the pain reduces after taking the drug. Or it may be a different kind of prescription drug for another reason (perhaps for depression or insomnia)  which was originally prescribed by a doctor.

Commonly abused prescription drugs

The prescription drugs a person can develop an addiction to are

• Adderall
• Celexa
• Codeine
• Demerol
• Diet Pills
• Effexor
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Lexapro
• Methadone
• Oxycodone
• Paxil
• Percocet
• Prozac
• Ritalin
• Vicodin
• Wellbutrin
• Zoloft

These drugs include drugs which are taken to overcome other addictions (like methadone or Wellbutrin), pain killers (like Demerol or Vicodin), antidepressants (like Prozac or Zoloft) and stimulants (like Adderall).

The easy denial of addiction and availability of prescription drugs

As prescription drugs are legal and prescribed by a doctor, the patient… Read More

Morphine is a very old drug, but it is now being abused as a narcotic.

Morphine has been in use since the 18^th century. In earlier times, it was used as a pain killer, which it still is today. People who are in severe pain for any medical reason and terminal cancer (and other diseased) patients may be given morphine orally or via injection. The drug directly affects the pain centers in the pain and calms a patient down when given in the right doses. However, morphine is usually prescribed SOS (to take when the pain is unbearable), so there may not be fixed times to take it.

However, morphine which is derived from opium is now abused as a narcotic drug. And the worst thing about morphine is that it is very addictive. In fact, to get over morphine addiction, people are often put on methadone, in a controlled manner.

How is morphine taken?

Morphine is available in pills and capsules. As a pain killer it is in an extended release form to work slowly and effectively.… Read More

Mescaline is a hallucinogenic drug which comes from the peyote cactus and is one of the oldest psychedelic drugs around.

The native Indians in and around Mexico and the southwestern parts of the US have used this drug since times immemorial as part of their religious and ritualistic ceremonies. In early times the top of the plant in the form of disc shaped buttons was dried and consumed; now it is also available in a synthetic form. In its natural form, the buttons are either chewed or soaked in water and the water drunk. In its synthetic form, mescaline is had as capsule, tablet or liquid.

The hallucinogenic affects of mescaline

As mescaline is a psychedelic drug, the user typically experiences intense visual, audio, taste and ‘spiritual’ hallucinations. After taking the drug, the user feels he is in an altered state of consciousness. The trip varies from person to person and people have reported seeing sounds and hearing colors in an experience called synesthesia.

All trips are not good and people have also reported having nightmares and being… Read More

Ketamine is a psychoactive club drug, often associated with date rape as well.

Originally ketamine was used in veterinary medicine, particularly for horses as an anesthetic. Once its narcotic effects were discovered (in the mid sixties) it found new use by humans as a psychotropic drug. Ketamine comes in three forms – liquid which is injected, powder which is snorted and an oral tablet. It is legally available as a liquid on prescription since it is used in hospitals.

Effects of ketamine

Like LSD, ketamine has different effects on different people. Basically it is an anesthetic, a painkiller and a hallucinogen. Its effects also depend on the quantity taken. It gives the user a rush, makes the person feel distanced from himself and gives a trippy feeling. It magnifies emotions and gives the person a psychedelic experience, sometimes make him or her feel heavy and almost paralyzed. It also causes changes in perception and sometimes sensations of flying or falling.

Other effects include

• Nausea
• Depresses respiration
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Numbness
• Panic attacks and anxiety

… Read More

Amphetamine, commonly known as speed, is abused by many people who rapidly become addicted to it.

Amphetamine in its various forms like methamphetamine Methedrine), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and Laevoamphetamine (Benzedrine) is also called speed because of its ability to give the user a feeling of immense power and euphoria. Meth is the commonest form of the drug which is abused. It is also called ice, crystal, chalk, crank and glass.

It is a synthetic drug which is made in labs, from over the counter ingredients. So there are many illegal labs which make this drug, an addictive stimulant which affects the central nervous system. Meth is usually injected or smoked, though it is also snorted.

Meth is a schedule II drug, available on prescription  and was prescribed for for sleep disorders like narcolepsy, Parkinson’s, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was also a component of nasal decongestants. Strangely enough, it was originally used by the army to keep its soldiers awake and give them a feeling of strength and power.

Effects of meth

Meth induces a feeling of… Read More

Marijuana is considered to be a soft drug and so the youth do not think they can get addicted to it.

Marijuana goes by many names including weed, grass, reefer, cannabis, pot, herb, happy smoke, ganja and many more, depending on which part of the world you reside in. In countries where it actually grows and where laws are lax, it may be available quite freely and cheaply. When it has to be transported and sold in countries where laws are stringent and penalties extreme, marijuana can be quite expensive.

Addiction

You may not realize that you are addicted to it. Most people start off as occasional or recreational users, slowly graduate to daily usage and then use it several times a day. As the addiction grows, so does the need for larger quantities more frequently till a time comes when you cannot function without it.

When you wait impatiently for the ‘time’ to take your next hit or plan to buy more before your stock is over and also plan how to pay for it – that is when… Read More

Oxycontin is a prescription drug, but its abuse is rampant.

Oxycontin is actually an analgesic, a pain-killer, but because of its effects, it is also highly addictive and oxycontin addiction is on the increase.  The drug contains oxycodone, a semi synthetic narcotic analgesic, which is usually prescribed for the management of moderate to severe pain, chronic pain syndromes, serious conditions and terminal cancers.

While the oral pill is available in sustained release versions to provide pain relief over extended periods of time, the drug – when used as a narcotic – is often chewed or crushed, and the powder snorted or the powder is dissolved in water and injected. The oxycontin box actually contains warning signs of the euphoric effects of the drug. As a pain killer, when used under doctor’s orders, it offers effective pain relief and allows the user to lead a relatively normal life, where normal life is disrupted by severe pain.

Effects of oxycontin addiction

The drug, when abused, has effects similar to that of heroin. It is also easy to obtain as users… Read More

Heroin is a deadly drug – easily available and extremely physically addictive.

Heroin is made from the seeds of a species of poppy plants. It is processed from morphine which also has addictive properties. It is available in different forms and can be taken orally, snorted, smoked and injected either intravenously or intramuscularly. It passes the blood brain barrier within seconds to minutes, depending on how it is taken.

Unlike many other drugs which require repeated use for a person to get addicted, heroin addiction can occur with even a single use. It causes extreme physical dependency as the tolerance level increases. Not only that, but it is dangerous to go cold turkey with this drug as it can be fatal to stop taking it completely.

Effects of heroin addiction

People get addicted to heroin because initially it provides a high which makes the person feel better. However, the high or euphoria soon fades giving way to drowsiness and a slowing down of the respiration. The addict is perpetually in search of that initial feeling of euphoria and… Read More

Ecstasy is a party drug which is a chemical synthesis of various drugs.

Variously called ecstasy, MDMA, crystal meth and other names which are country specific, this drug is consumed in urban and rural areas. In cities, particularly, it is used as a party drug at raves, rock concerts and private parties and clubs. It started life as an appetite suppressant, but because of its hallucinogenic side effects it was not widely used. At the onset, it was also tried for psychotherapy, but because it made patients worse, its use was discontinued.

Ecstasy alters perception of time and space. It is psychoactive and makes the user feel good, relaxed and sleepy. It is rarely consumed with alcohol as alcohol is known to diminish its effects. While it is not physically addictive, it is psychologically addictive as the user keeps on craving its ‘feel good’ effects. It gives the user the feeling that he or she is reacting more positively and empathetically to situations and people and removes feelings of stress and anxiety. It also allows the person to function fairly… Read More

Cocaine is extremely psychologically addictive and very dangerous – it results in innumerable fatalities.

Cocaine addiction is gradual and without the person’s realizing it. Often used as a party drug by high flyers – it is extremely expensive – it is generally snorted directly into the nose. However, coke can also be smoked or injected intravenously. Also called crack, blow, snow, nose candy, cocaine is often mixed with other drugs like heroin or alcohol whereby its effects can be even more devastating.

What is cocaine?

Cocaine grows as the coca shrub. The coca paste is extracted from its leaves and then it is purified and goes though various chemical processes after which the cocaine powder is extracted. The powder is usually mixed with baking soda, cornstarch, glucose and other additives and street cocaine may be between 1 and 90 percent pure. Sometimes it is mixed with other powdered drugs to increase its street value and also its stimulating properties.

When Coca Cola was first introduced it actually contained some cocaine. It was in 1903 that the drink was… Read More