Category: International

Many recreational drug users consider taking amphetamines as a harmless way to enjoy a high. If you are one of these, please think again!

What’s the buzz?

Speed is probably the most common name given to these psychostimulants. This should come as no surprise when you understand that it works by stimulating the central nervous system and literally speeds your mind and body up.

It does so by increasing the presence of three neurotransmitters (chemicals) which are Dopamine, Serotonin and Norepinephrine. Although it increases the activity of all three chemicals its major work is on Dopamine.

Once taken the user may feel nauseous, but this rapidly gives way to feelings of euphoria, a huge lift in energy and they become very talkative.

Every action taken is carried out in double quick time, and sleep along with hunger are the furthest thing from your mind.

How is it taken?

Street amphetamines are generally sold in powder form or as tablets, and there are 5 fairly common ways of taking them. Let’s take a brief look at each in turn:

Bombing:

Considered by many to be the safest and easiest way to take. The speed is put into a folded cigarette paper and twisted into a ‘bomb’ shape and then swallowed.

Dabbing:

Beware of a sore throat/throat swelling, but this is also considered a ‘safe’ way of consumption. The user opens their wrap of speed, licks their finger and dabs it into the powder before swallowing it.

Snorting:

If you are looking to damage your nostrils, or don’t mind unexpected nose bleeds then you would chop the powder finely, roll up a note and snort it.

Injecting:

While no method of taking amphetamines is recommended, injecting it should definitely be seen as a BIG NO-NO. Those who do are leaving themselves wide open to such infections as HIV and Hepatitis, not forgetting the risk of overdose.

The powder is dissolved in a teaspoonful of water, boiled by a naked flame under the spoon and drawn into the syringe before intravenous injection.

Smoking:

The powder can be mixed with tobacco and smoked, many feel this is the least effective way of taking the drug, plus the potential health risks of tobacco use should be taken into account.

How long to take effect?

This depends on how the drug is taken. If bombed or dabbed it can take anywhere between 20-45 minutes to feel the effects. If snorted, smoked or injected the effects are almost immediate.

How long does it last?

How long is a piece of string? If you take one hit then you should start to come down around 4-6 hours after using. However, the need to maintain the buzz means many will continue taking at regular intervals throughout their speeding session.

‘Speed Freak’ is a valid name for the many users who are known to go for several days on an ‘Amp Bender’.

Rest assured, this is not good for your health, wealth or long term happiness, and if such benders continue on a regular basis then these individuals will quickly be looking at a stay in residential rehab.

So what’s the problem with using amphetamines regularly?

Regular users face many issues. This is because your mind and body quickly warm to a tolerance of the drug.

While it tolerates it, this means to get the same high as your previous one you need to feed this desire with greater amounts.

Simple really: The more you take, the more you want, and the more you need to reach the same high. Before you know it you cannot live without it.

This regular use, or constant heavy speed binging that last days on end will in all likelihood also buy you a one-way ticket to long term rehab treatment.

What damage am I leaving myself open to?

The problems that many habitual users face are both physical and psychological.

Amongst many other things it will damage your stomach lining, there is a good chance it will thin your arteries which can lead to internal bleeding, and then there is depression and psychosis to be prepared for.

Trying to quit:

Those using amphetamines on a regular basis, or those who are binge merchants will believe at the outset that it is fairly easy to quit and can do so whenever it suits them.

PLEASE think again. Once this drug has you in its clutches it will not let go easily.

Immediately stopping use will lead to a whole host of withdrawal symptoms that include extreme fatigue, some heavy users find that when they do sleep it is for one full day, little wonder really if they have not slept for 3 or 4 days on the spin.

Excessive hunger is also a big issue. At risk of repetition, this is once again little wonder because however long your speed bender has lasted for one thing is for sure; very little food, if any at all will have passed your lips.

Many suffer from a lack of coordination, you may find your heartbeat is either rapid or irregular, irritation with everyone and everything will not be far from the surface, some have worrying hallucinations, and the sleep you so desperately crave for will be far from peaceful as nightmares are common.

Amphetamine abuse assistance:

If you are one of the many who feel you are now dependent upon amphetamines either to function, or they are required simply to have a good time then professional drug rehab assistance is a must.

Such establishments are geared towards helping you in the best way possible. They employ fully qualified and caring medical, counselling and support staff who will do their utmost to help you kick your habit.

This will be achieved through individually tailored inpatient rehab treatment which is focused on helping you through what is undoubtedly a very testing time of your life.

Just as importantly, they will offer you a variety of aftercare options to allow you to choose the most appropriate for your home situation.

This carefully crafted combination will give you the springboard to maintain an amphetamines free future.

 

Dependent upon where you live it has a variety of street names. Think ‘dollies’, ‘done’ ‘junk’ or ‘jungle juice’ to name but a few.

What is it?

It is a synthetic opiate pain reliever that offers long lasting effects. It works by acting upon the brain’s opioid receptors in a very similar way to heroin or morphine, but chemically it is different.

Similar to heroin and morphine with one major difference:

When taken this drug offers similar feelings and highs to heroin and morphine, but very importantly it offers far longer lasting effects.

Because it is released more slowly into a user’s system it does not wear off in a couple of hours, indeed one ’hit’ can last between 8 hours and 2.5 days. The length of effect depends greatly on the dose taken and the tolerance of the user.

Why is it used as a substitute for heroin?

As just mentioned, methadone offers similar effects to Smack, but these effects last far longer. It would therefore seem very sensible that those trying to kick their heroin habit use this drug as a substitute.

This is because a heroin addict will only need to take a daily dose to suppress their heroin cravings and withdrawal symptoms while coming of it.

So, what’s the problem?

Because the dose and feelings last far longer than heroin the theory is that it allows addicts to deal with their heroin addiction issues and kick their heroin habit.

The problem is that regular use of this substitute is very prone to causing as much of a physical and psychological dependence as heroin does.

Basically you are substituting one debilitating addiction for another, and more importantly, many drug professionals now believe that methadone detoxification is as difficult, if not more difficult to achieve than detoxing from heroin alone.

Similar withdrawal symptoms:

Withdrawing from ‘Dollies’ produces similar symptoms to Heroin withdrawal, but in many cases these symptoms are more severe.

During the initial stages the withdrawal may feel like you have the flu. You will feel tired and restless. Anxiety will increase as will sweating. Muscle aches and pains are also extremely common.

As your withdrawal continues the likelihood is you will feel very nauseous and many vomit. They will have body cramps and diarrhea.

It must be said that withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and in severity. This is very much down to the addict’s current state of health and how long they have been addicted.

Such advanced withdrawal symptoms are severe and can affect you for several days this is a major reason for considering inpatient rehabilitation services.

Staff at such residential rehab establishments are geared towards helping you through this very trying period, and such support will greatly reduce the chances of a quick relapse.

How long before withdrawal symptoms kick-in?

Methadone withdrawal symptoms kick-in far later compared to other opiates. They will usually start within 30 hours of last use.

It is important to understand that while the withdrawal symptoms take longer to kick in, they will be no less severe.

Why do so many avoid withdrawal?

As can be seen from the above, withdrawing from this drug is not a pleasant experience and a major reason addicts choose not to go through the withdrawal process is fear.

Not just the fear of the withdrawal symptoms, but a fear of how they will possibly cope in the future without their regular ‘fix’.

While this is understandable, it is extremely important that an addict admits to themselves that this drug is not only ruining their life and that of those closest to them, but there is a strong possibility that heavy, continued use will lead to death.

Surely a period of pain and unease during withdrawal is a far more preferable option than ending up in a morgue.

The longer an addict delays methadone detoxification the harder it becomes, and the less likely they are to do the sensible thing and seek the help of professional rehabilitation services.

Beware of overdoes during any relapse:

It must always be remembered that there is a chance of relapse once a person has come through the withdrawal process.

Having said that, it is also extremely important for anyone who goes into relapse to understand that similar size doses taken when ‘clean’ to those taken when addicted can be lethal.

This statement should constantly remain uppermost in every recovering addicts mind if and when temptation to begin re-using surface, and make no mistake, such temptations will exist, but they must be resisted.

The reality is that getting back on this highly addictive drug after detoxification greatly increases the possibility of breathing difficulties, changes in heart rate, sedation that leads to coma and ultimately death.

Help IS available:

Any person addicted to methadone MUST realise that help is available. They should not think they need to go cold turkey, they should not think they have to go through this trying period of their life alone.

There are a host of options to assist. These range from seeking help from your health practitioner through to an inpatient stay at one of the highly professional addiction recovery resorts that offer care, assistance and teaching. This support will help greatly in terms of helping the addict for a future that is free of this highly addictive drug.

Do NOT let fear of withdrawal thwart your recovery efforts:

It is a very simple thing to say: The only way to escape the depressing and often debilitating effects of a methadone addiction is to stop using it.

It may be simple to say, but it is harder to do. However that should not stop an addict from taking the brave decision to withdraw.

Fear of withdrawal should NOT stand in the way of your recovery. Yes, such withdrawal can be difficult, but the long term benefits you will gain far outweigh the misery you will go through if use of this drug is continued.

Addiction does not discriminate due to race, education or finances. However, there are some risk factors that increase one’s risk of developing an addiction problem.

Family history and heredity play a major role in the development of addiction. Family history is not only due to heredity, but also plays into the environment, where substance abuse becomes a learned behavior. Children often imitate the behaviors of their parents, and drug abuse is no different. Also, if parents are abusing substances, they either have looser attitudes toward drug use or they have no authority in the eyes of their children to tell their children they cannot use drugs themselves. Furthermore, growing up in this type of environment can cause family stress as well as other issues leading the person to become fixated on a substance much like their family member. However, there are those who are genetically predisposed to addiction, but are able to overcome it.

Mental health disorders, such as depression, can increase one’s risk of becoming addicted to a substance as well. Someone who is depressed may begin using a drug to cope with feelings he is experiencing due to many different types of circumstances. Then, before the person knows it, the substance begins to decrease the mental health issues he has been experiencing for at least a short period of time, but shortly after the drug effects wear off, he is needing the drug again to decrease the pain or anxiety he is feeling. Drinking alcohol because you are stressed can increase your risk of addiction because of the vicious cycle associated with using alcohol to self medicate for a mental health disorder. It is a good idea to seek professional help if you are living with a mental illness in order to decrease your chances of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol and to deal with the mental health issue itself also.

Abuse or other traumatic experiences are also linked to addiction. Abuse could be physical or sexual, and traumatic realities could include loss of a loved one, witnessing violence, an unexpected medical diagnosis, deployment and many others, which lead someone to down the path toward addiction. If one has struggled with events like the ones listed above, he could experience anxiety, cause the brain to be hypervigilant and could more or less to push the brain into a state of survival mode, causing the person to yearn for something to help him reduce the stress to forget about past events. Trauma also often replays over and over again in the the person’s brain, like it is stuck on repeat, making it more likely the person will turn to substance abuse to alleviate these thoughts and feelings he is constantly experiencing. Events like these can also leave a tremendous wound in a person’s life and lead them to drink away the pain associated with these feelings. Others also believe they should drink because this life of pain and trouble is the one they have been given and cannot escape. These people believe they are unworthy and flawed, so they must continue to act this way. However, it is important to deal with the negative emotions associated with trauma in order to reduce the chances of developing an addiction problem linked to the trauma.

Research shows the longer one misuses substances the more likely he will become addicted to a substance. Therefore, the earlier the age of onset, the more likely the person will become addicted to a substance. He will also have a greater chance at being addicted to the substance faster than someone who waits longer in life to become dependent on a substance.  Research also states the earlier one begins drinking the poorer the outcome for recovery, both for seeking help for an addiction and experiencing more relapses due to poorer treatment outcomes for addiction recovery. Avoiding underage drinking can also decrease the risk of addiction and be more beneficial to future recovery outcomes also.

 

The type of drug one uses also plays into the development of addiction. Substances that are smoked or injected cause one to be at higher risk of addiction because those drugs are enhanced in absorption into the body. Although they are absorbed quickly, the effects also leave the body at a quicker pace, leaving the person wanting more of the substance in less amount of time. If a drug is taken in these ways, they are craved much more often, making them a dangerous risk for developing an addiction.

Becoming dependent on a substance makes addiction much more likely as well. The higher the tolerance for a substance the more an individual will need to use the substance. Consequently, if a person is needing more of a drug to reach the same level of excitability, the more likely the individual will be hooked. Being dependent on a substance makes the liability of developing an addiction increase.

These risk factors are not a guarantee that a person will develop into an addict of a substance, but they do increase that risk. So when these risk factors are present, refraining from using substances is the best option to not growing addicted to a substance.

Heroin has surely been the most mysterious, idolized and demonized drug the ‘modern’ world has known. It should also be stated that it is arguably the most addictive.

How Addictive?
Many sources estimate that almost a quarter of the millions of people who have tried the drug, and the generations to come that will dabble with ‘H’ will become addicted.

By anyone’s reckoning that is a huge gamble to take, so, if you are considering trying it ‘just once’ please bear that frightening statistic in mind.

No prisoners, very difficult to find a way out:
If you are already hooked on ‘Smack’ then professional rehabilitation services are surely the order of the day.

This drug takes no prisoners, it is not racist nor selective between men or women.

Arrive and be welcomed through its large, inviting and very tempting entry doors, but be assured, the main exit doors are firmly closed and emergency exits as well as escape routes are very, very difficult to find on your own.

Why the acclaim?
It has to be said that heroin offers some major euphoric effects, it leaves a user feeling ‘as high as a kite on a beautiful, sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing through their mind’.

The rush when ‘Horse’ is injected has been described as an instantaneous feeling of happiness and immense well-being followed by a few hours of slow motion, very pleasant dreamlike existence.

It has also been portrayed as a glamour drug by artists, musicians and actors. What is not so glamourous are the amount of people who die due to their addiction and subsequent overdose or other contracted illnesses due to their habitual use.

Why does it hook you so quickly?
Although dealers will regularly tell first time users, or those in the early stages of heroin use that snorting or smoking the drug is nowhere near as dangerous as injection this is wrong. However you take ‘Skag’ the strong chance of addiction is yours.

This is because specialized opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system react by releasing a potent amount of dopamine.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for generating feelings of euphoria and pleasure.

Once the brain ‘tastes’ these ‘delights’ it wants more and more and more, hence the intense cravings it induces.

Where are the dangers?
Along with the highly addictive qualities of ‘Smack’, it needs to be understood that it is a CNS (Central Nervous System) depressant. This means it sedates the user. It is common to hear users mention “going on the nod” in reference to the depth of drowsiness it causes.

Larger doses can slow heart rate and breathing to dangerous levels, sometimes leading to unconsciousness and death.

Apart from overdosing you should also be prepared for such things as irreparable chemical imbalances in the brain, your decision making and memory will deteriorate, severe heart and lung problems are likely, and addicts will suffer from regular bouts of illness and infection.

Additional problems for those who choose to ‘shoot up’ include a greatly increased risk of diseases such as Hepatitis B, C and HIV/AIDS.

Taking such potentially lethal damage to your body and mind into account surely makes trying heroin ‘just the once’ a very unglamorous proposition indeed.

Why not simply stop use?
Once dependent upon ‘H’ simply trying to cease use is not really an option. This is because the withdrawal symptoms can be extremely unpleasant and in in many cases unbearable.

Those attempting instant withdrawal will suffer fever, pain, nausea, vomiting, insomnia and severe depression. Put these and other unwanted symptoms together with intense cravings for another ‘hit’, and the end result is the user is quickly back on the Smack Track.

How, why and where to seek help:
The ‘why’ an addict needs to seek help should be fairly obvious from the above. As for the ‘how’ and ‘where’, those dependent on this drug must consider professional rehabilitation services.

Inpatient treatment in a luxury overseas rehab resort is one option that many addicts are discovering as a very effective form of treatment.

A stay at such an establishment offers a whole host of advantages. Here are just three to consider:

Change in environment:
Those addicted to heroin will in all likelihood be simply functioning on a day to day basis in a very sterile environment.

They will be mixing with dealers and users alike. Trying to come off the drug while remaining in such an environment will be extremely difficult because temptation will come knocking at every turn.

Overseas rehab resorts are located in idyllic locations, Thailand being a point in case. Such an environment will help greatly to put an addict in the right frame of mind for what will undoubtedly be a very tough period of their lives.

Professional, fully qualified staff:
These establishments employ staff with international qualifications that match those around the world. The counsellors, medical and support staff are friendly, sympathetic and fully focused on helping clients to overcome their addiction in the best possible ways.

Such assistance, advice and treatment will take the form of structured and proven methods that include elements of physical, psychological and spiritual sessions which are tailored to help you come to terms with your addiction issues.

These methods and the quality of aftercare options offered have proved successful in helping heroin addicts begin their long road to recovery with the ultimate aim of maintaining a drug free future.

Cost:
While many may feel luxury overseas rehab resorts are out of their reach cost wise this is certainly NOT the case.

Indeed many such establishments are far, far cheaper than the same inpatient treatment offered in your home country. It should also be understood that various personal health insurance policies acknowledge these inpatient rehab establishments under their cover.

‘H’ for Hell or coming of ‘H’ for ‘Health and Happiness’:
Those who are dependent upon heroin simply to get through another drab day need professional help, and long term rehab is the answer.

It is best begun by contacting one of the professional, knowledgeable and friendly counsellors at an overseas rehabilitation resort NOW.