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DRUGS AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
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Commonly abused substances include:
- Opiates and narcotics are powerful painkillers that cause drowsiness (sedation) and feelings of euphoria. These include heroin, opium, codeine, meperidine (Demerol), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and Oxycontin.
- Central nervous system stimulants include amphetamines, cocaine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Caffeine and nicotine are the most commonly used stimulants. These drugs have a stimulating effect, and people can start needing higher amounts of these drugs to feel the same effect (tolerance).
- Central nervous system depressants include barbiturates (amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital), benzodiazepine (Valium, Ativan, Xanax), chloral hydrate, and paraldehyde. The most commonly used, by far, is alcohol. These substances produce a soothing sedative and anxiety-reducing effect and can lead to dependence.
- Hallucinogens include LSD, mescaline, psilocybin ("mushrooms"), and phencyclidine (PCP or "Angel Dust"). They can cause people to see things that aren't there (hallucinations) and can lead to psychological dependence.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient found in marijuana (cannabis) and hashish. Although used for their relaxing properties, THC-derived drugs can also lead to paranoia and anxiety.
People may become high on drugs or overdose by accident or on purpose.
Drug withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person stops or reduces their use of a substance. Withdrawal symptoms vary, depending on the abused substance. When withdrawal symptoms begin depends on the length of time the drug normally stays within the body. Drug intoxication, overdose, and withdrawal can sometimes be life-threatening.
1. OPIATES AND NARCOTICS
Opiate addiction is recognized as a central nervous system disorder caused by continuous opiate intake. After prolonged opiate use, the nerve cells in the brain, which would otherwise produce endogenous opiates (Natural pain killer or endorphins), cease to function normally. The body stops producing endorphins because it is receiving opiates instead. The degeneration of these nerve cells causes a dependency to an external supply of opiates. Abrupt or sudden abstinence of opiates causes withdrawal symptoms
Opiate dependency is a physical illness involving a central nervous system disorder caused by long term opiate intake.
Symptoms of opiate and narcotic use:
Needle marks on the skin in some cases (called "tracks")
Scars from skin abscesses
Rapid heart rate
Small pupils (pinpoint)
Relaxed and/or euphoric state ("nodding")
Coma, respiratory depression leading to coma, and death in high doses
Symptoms of opiate and narcotic withdrawal:
Anxiety and difficulty sleeping
Sweating
Goose bumps (piloerection)
Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
Stomach cramps or diarrhea
Enlarged (dilated) pupils
Nausea and vomiting
Excessive sweating
Increase in blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
2. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULANTS
Example - cocaine
Symptoms of cocaine use:
Exaggerated feeling of well-being (euphoria)
Dilated pupils
Fast heart rate
Restlessness and hyperactivity
Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal:
Fatigue and malaise
Depression
Very clear and unpleasant dreams
Example - caffeine
Caffeine is a psycho active stimulant drug for humans and animals and is a bitter white crystalline Xanthine alkaloid. German scientist Friedrich Ferdinand Runge in the year 1989 discovered 'kaffeine' which stands for 'caffeine' in English.
The term caffeine has various faces when found in various materials. Like when found in guarana called as guaranine, mateine when found in mate, theine when found in tea. All these terms have same chemical and physical properties. Caffeine is again found in very commonly used things like, beans, leaves, fruit and many plants where it plays the role of pesticides.
Coffee, tea, soft drinks, enjoys drinks which gives enjoyment but damages slowly the body and creates addiction for it.
Overdose of caffeine result the following deadly things:
Anxiety
Sleeping disorders and drowsiness
Memory and learning disturbances Heart problem
Effect on pregnancy
Insomnia
Headache
Respiratory problem
Nervousness
Peptic ulcers
Caffeine is a central nervous system and metabolic stimulant and is used both recreationally and medically to reduce physical fatigue and restore mental alertness. Caffeine is the mostly used legal psycho active substance.
3. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
Example - alcohol
Symptoms of alcohol use:
Slurred speech
Lack of coordination
Decreased attention span
Impaired judgment
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal:
Anxiety
Shaking (tremors)
Seizures
Increased blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
Delirium
Addiction is a treatable condition
Substance Abuse
Our program FREEDOM FROM ALL ADDICTIONS
Our methods and modalities
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HAWAII NATURAL DRUG REHABILITATION
& RAW DETOXIFICATION RETREAT
Holistic Natural Residential Rehabilitation Programs for freedom from addiction to legal and illegal substances -
drawing from Naturopathic and Detoxification medicine, Behavioral and Psychodynamic therapy approaches, Meditation, Yoga and Spiritual practices.
Note: We take only a small amount of clients, and our programs are individually designed. Our use of the ocean, the recreational activities & natural approaches facilitate recovery.
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ADDICTION RECOVERY
- COCAINE -
I had been doing drugs heavily for 16 years and no rehab or therapist could change me.
I was too full of toxins for the twelve-step program to ever work on me. I needed to clean my body out so that I could feel normal enough to fight the desire to do drugs.
Dr Baylac awakened me.
I have remained cocaine free now for 2 years (2008)....
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We are located on the powerful healing island of Hawaii
