Drug Addiction Treatment Blog

It is heartbreaking to hear from a teenager who wants to help their mom get treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. But, at the same time, it is also enlightening to find that even young people can take proactive action to get help for his or her alcoholic or addict parent. You can also be proactive and take action now to help a friend or a loved one stop their alcohol and drug abuse.

If you are concerned that a friend or family member has a drinking or drug problem, pay attention to his or her behavior. Does it seem to occur on a regular basis? Are you often concerned about this person? The first step in getting help is to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse. Some of the early signs of alcohol abuse include noticing that the person is getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, having frequent hangovers, having black outs (forgetting what the person did while he or she was drinking). Signs of drug addiction may include the person’s inability to socialize and to perform routine activities, odd behaviors (altered speech, paranoia, lying) and very often, signs of depression (or “feeling down”). Depending on what drug they are using, you may also find drug paraphernalia in his or her surroundings.

But, you may ask:

“When do I know the person really needs help”?
“What if they are only experimenting with alcohol and drugs?”
“Am I not overreacting?”

When a person has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs, most of the signs above occur with frequency. Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to many negative consequences, such as DUIs, broken relationships, family problems, domestic and/or physical violence and other types of trouble with the law.

Addiction begins with use and continues with abuse before becoming a full-blown addiction. If you believe someone you know is an alcoholic or drug addict or is walking on the path to addiction, talk to a alcohol and drug abuse counselor.

There are a number of government services and agencies, as well as private drug and alcohol rehab referral services, including Recovery Connection, which provides FREE information to anyone who calls, 24/7, at 1-800-993-3869.

So, don’t be shy. Your action can help an individual, restore a family, perhaps even save a life. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of helping someone get over their alcohol and drug abuse.

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An addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine, but has longer lasting and more toxic effects on the central nervous system. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Methamphetamine -Street Names:

• Speed
• meth
• chalk
• ice
• crystal
• crystal meth
• glass

Effects:
Increases wakefulness and physical activity and decreases appetite. Chronic, long-term use can lead to psychotic behavior, hallucinations, and stroke.

Statistics and Trends:
According to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine.
Learn more about methamphetamines and crystal meth detox.

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Sound management practices benefit all staff and improve overall productivity and morale—company features that ultimately result in increased profitability and success. These strategies require little or no modification to foster success for people in recovery. By adopting the following workplace practices, employers can help ensure that individuals in recovery experience a smooth transition into their workplace.

Maintain a drug-free workplace program

Employers who maintain comprehensive drug-free workplace programs that include employee assistance are well equipped to respond to a host of personal and health issues that may interfere with an employee’s job performance.

Offer flexible working hours

Flexible hours allow individuals to attend treatment-related meetings, support groups and counseling sessions.

Create a mentoring network for new employees

Senior employees showing newcomers “the ropes” helps alleviate the anxieties that typically accompany starting a new job.

Recruit worksite recovery sponsors

When possible, employers should recruit experienced employees to partner with new employees in recovery to help them stay on track. More seasoned employees who may have experienced similar problems can be a valuable source of support for newcomers who will inevitably face comparable on-the-job experiences.

Offer life skills training for employees and supervisors

Such training may include time and stress management and communication skills and often has a significant positive impact on all employees’ job performance.

Offer health insurance to all employees, when possible

Health insurance can significantly minimize anxiety when an employee or a member of his or her family gets sick. Making this insurance available soon after an individual is hired—not six months or a year later—is ideal. Employers should also confirm whether treatment for alcohol and other drug problems is covered under available plans. Such practices often contribute to an employee’s ability and desire to keep a job.

Plan work-related social events sensitively and carefully

Employers should keep in mind that some employees do not drink alcohol. To ensure that all employees feel comfortable, non-alcoholic drinks should always be visibly available during company-sponsored social events.

Respect confidentiality

Employers may not necessarily know who among their workforce is in recovery. If the information is known, employers must recognize and appreciate the delicate balance of wanting to help and an employee’s need and desire for privacy.

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Drug testing, such as through urinalysis, provides an objective or impartial measure of drug use. This objective measure stands in contrast to self-report measures of drug use, in which individuals are asked to describe subjectively their alcohol- or drug-using behaviors. Research has consistently documented that objective measures of drug use are more reliable indicators of actual drug use than self-report measures. Simply put, individuals are naturally inclined to hide embarrassing behaviors when given the chance to do so. Drug tests greatly reduce the likelihood of hiding recent drug-using behaviors.

Drug tests, like urinalysis, detect the presence of most drugs within 72 hours of use. After this window has passed, most drugs become undetectable. The exception is marijuana, which can be detected in urine for up to 30 days. Most drug tests cannot, however, identify historical use or drug dependence. Drug tests can only stipulate whether an individual has used a particular drug recently.

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