Last updated 4 months ago
Prescription drug use has soared among teenagers in recent years. Approximately 6,000 teens get high for the first time on prescription drugs every day. This abuse leads to a number of detrimental health effects, and sometimes death.
This video explores teen prescription drug abuse. Over three million teens report abusing prescription drugs that they often find in their parents’ medicine cabinets. Many teens view this kind of drug use as safer than buying drugs on the street, when in fact it’s every bit as destructive.
If you’re concerned about your teen’s drug use, contact Narco Freedom, Inc. Our substance abuse programs can help your teen overcome his drug habit, whether it’s alcohol or prescription pills. Call us at (718) 292-4640 if you have any questions.
Last updated 4 months ago
Drug abuse seldom happens in a vacuum. There is often an underlying condition that contributes to drug addiction, and to ensure a lasting recovery, it’s crucial to treat both the addiction and the contributing condition. That is where dual diagnosis comes in. This approach to recovery treats the entire patient instead of just the addiction. Here is what you need to know:
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to the process of identifying an underlying mental health problem that makes an individual susceptible to drug use and addiction. The link between mental illness and drug addiction is strong. According to the American Medical Association, 53% of drug addicts have at least one mental health issue. At least 29% of people with mental illness are also drug abusers. Dual diagnosis allows doctors to treat all of the contributing factors of addiction to reduce the risk of relapse.
Which Diagnosis Is the Primary One?
One of the obvious questions associated with dual diagnosis is whether a patient’s mental illness caused their drug addiction or if their drug addiction caused their mental illness. Much of the time, people use drugs as a means of coping with mental illness, and the destructive nature of narcotics often alters the brain chemistry. Doctors approach dual diagnosis on a case by case basis and determine how drug addiction and mental illness are intertwined for each individual patient.
Which Condition Is Treated First?
With dual diagnosis, it’s important for the conditions to be treated simultaneously. Many recovering drug addicts also go through intensive counseling and may be placed on medication to control their mental illness. Treating both at the same time helps break the cycle.
At Narco Freedom, Inc., mental health counseling is one of our substance abuse recovery services. If you’re considering getting help for your drug addiction, you should explore our many treatment options and learn more about the services we provide. Call us at (718) 292-4640 when you’re ready for help.
Last updated 4 months ago
Tens of thousands of New Yorkers struggle with drug or alcohol addiction. If you or someone you love is one of them, browse the following web resources for information on the nature of addiction and addiction recovery. To speak with a recovery treatment program professional about help that is available in New York City, call Narco Freedom, Inc. at (718) 292-4640!
Last updated 5 months ago
Most substance abusers don't want to be addicted to the drugs they are using. They continue to use drugs because of the nature of addiction and the psychology behind cravings.
What Is a Drug-Use Craving?
A craving is an intense desire or urge to take a drug to which one is addicted. Cravings can arise out of nowhere, and they can stick around for a long time. The memories associated with a drug enable users with cravings to anticipate the fix they will get once they find and use the drug they crave.
How Are Cravings Triggered?
Memories associated with drug use are linked to more than the direct effects a drug has on the body and mind. They are linked to the people, places, and circumstances in which an addict first or regularly used a drug. They can also be spurred by the experience of emotions that were once dealt with via substance abuse.
Dealing With Cravings
Cravings can be strong enough to overpower an addict’s resolve to stop using a drug. The first step toward overcoming cravings and recovering from an addiction is to acknowledge that cravings exist and to expect to be hit by them. This way, you can do a bit more in the way of preparing to deny your craving the satiation it seeks. Over time, your cravings will become more tolerable and may eventually cease to exist altogether. Participation in a reputable drug abuse treatment program can provide you with the support you need to resist the temptation to use when cravings are at their strongest.
Coping with cravings and recovering from a drug addiction is not something most people can do alone. Thankfully, help is available to those struggling with addiction. To learn about highly effective alternative addiction treatment programs in New York City, call Narco Freedom, Inc. at (718) 292-4640. Your first step down the road to recovery is just a quick phone call away!
Last updated 5 months ago
The 12-step recovery model, which has become synonymous with Alcoholics Anonymous, has been adopted by alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers the world over. This is because participation in a 12-step support program has proven overwhelmingly successful in comparison to many alternative addiction treatment models.
If you are participating in a 12-step program, you can never have too many resources. 12 Steps AA Companion, an Android app, is especially useful. For just $2.99, you can organize your goals and strategies, locate 12-step meetings near you, and access information pertaining to the entire 12-step program by simply pulling out your smartphone.
At Narco Freedom, Inc. in New York City, addiction recovery programs that are tailored to the needs and lifestyles of adolescents and adults have proven successful in helping thousands of former addicts overcome their struggles with drugs and alcohol. To learn more about these programs, call (718) 292-4640!
