Prescription drugs such as Benzies are used to both counter the effect of ‘uppers’ like cocaine, speed and E and ‘downers’ like heroin and booze.

Addiction to prescribed drugs can be extremely harmful to a persons physical and metal health.

Prescription Drug Rehab

Prescription drugs are often used as a ‘chill out’ drug on the club scene or as a downer, the drug comes in tablet form, although it can be injected introducing the risk of septicaemia, abscesses and attendant perils of using shared needles.

Prescription drugs are doctor-prescribed drugs commonly used for reducing stress and anxiety, promoting calmness, relaxation and sleep and as anti-depressants.

Types of Prescription Drugs

• estazolam (ProSom)
• flurazepam (Dalmane)
• quazepam (Doral)
• temazepam (Restoril)
• triazolam (Halcion)
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• clorazepate (Tranxene)
• diazepam (Valium)
• halazepam (Paxipam)
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• oxazepam (Serax)
• prazepam (Centrax)

Common Side Effects

Users can experience forgetfulness, confusion and drowsiness – so don’t drive on them. And if you work in an industrial crushing plant, perhaps it’s not a good idea to come in buzzing on benzies!

Always see your doctor before getting repeat prescriptions. Try not to use prescription drugs for long periods – restrict use to a 2-3 week period and if you’re using them as sleeping tablets, give yourself the occasional break of a few days.

Health Risks

Prescription drugs can cause physical addiction. Prescription drugs can become less effective as sleeping tablets after only 2 weeks of solid use and ineffective on controlling anxiety after 4 months of regular use – so users run the risk of taking ever increasing doses. Overdose is rarely fatal unless mixed with booze or heroin.

Statistics

US reports state that approximately 50 percent of people entering treatment for narcotic or cocaine addiction also report abusing prescription drugs.

Don’t try and stop overnight – it is best to come off the drug gradually. Ask your doctor or drug service for advice – swapping from longer- acting benzodiazepines to shorter acting ones (e.g. diazepan) can be helpful.

Withdrawal symptoms can drag on for weeks or months and come in the shape of anxiety attacks, agitation, insomnia, nausea and convulsions. A change of scene and diet can help, along with increased exercise and relaxation techniques.

The Law

It is not illegal to possess prescription drugs without a prescription – except temazepam which carries a 2 yr prison sentence and/or unlimited fine. Supplying any benzodiazepines is illegal, with a maximum punishment of up to 5yrs in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Many people with an eating disorder use the eating disorder as a way of controlling their lives.

We can help find the right treatment and support at specialised eating disorder clinics.

What most people don’t realise is that it isn’t them in control of their lives; their eating disorder takes control of their lives.

An eating disorder develops for many reasons and as well as treatment for the eating disorder, you will need specialist help to deal with your feelings inside which play a big part in your eating disorder.

How Eating Disorders Develop

When someone develops a problem with food, it is because they use it to cope with various problems and issues in their lives. People use what they believe is their control over food when they are lonely, sad, ashamed of something, bored, angry, isolated or angry.

They use their eating disorder as a way of dealing with emotions and feelings, sometimes without even realising it. Food is a very important part of our daily lives and we all know that we need to eat but for some people their eating patterns become damaging.

Eating Disorder Rehab

This is when you need to get help before it becomes too late. Sadly, it is not uncommon for people with eating disorders to have major health problems that can even lead to fatal consequences. We have specialisted treatment centres that can give you the right support and treatment for your specific need.

Sometimes the realisation of an eating disorder can make you feel ashamed and sad. A problem with food can make you feel like you are on your own but this is an important time to seek help and talk to someone who you can trust.

All our counsellors are highly qualified in this field and you can speak to any of them in complete confidence. They can advise you on what type of treatment would be best suited for you and help guide you to making the right choice of treatment centre for your specific needs.

We only give impartial advice and will only help you make a choice that is best suited to your specific needs.

Bad Eating Habits

Lots of people experiment with food and eating habits during their life. Whether you decide to be a vegetarian or change your diet for a healthy eating plan. But your eating habits become a problem when you use it to deal with painful situations, feelings and emotions. Some people even use their eating disorder as a way of dealing with stress.

Usually an eating disorder is made up from a combination of things affecting someone’s life. They believe they cannot cope with certain situations, feelings and emotions but this can change if you seek the right help and support on how you deal with these emotions and feelings. You can recover from an eating disorder but only if you seek help and support.

Counselling for an Eating Disorder

You can’t do this on your own and we can give you free impartial advise and support – we will help you get through this.

Low self esteem, lack of confidence, relationships, problems in work or with friends, problems with school, college and universities, sexual or physical abuse are all important factors that can trigger an eating order.

Sometimes it can just be the fact that someone feels fat or ugly and their feelings of not being good enough can lead to a problem with food which can develop into a dangerous eating disorder.

Sadly it can take a long time before you seek help and realise that you have lost control over food. As soon as you can acknowledge you have a problem with food, you can then seek help and treatment for your disorder.

Eating Disorders can Affect Everyone

Eating disorders aren’t just confined to young girls; young men can suffer from this problem too. It can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, culture. It will also affect family members and friends of the person suffering from an eating disorder.

Once you realise that your eating disorder has taken control over your life, you need to seek help and get the support that is needed for you, your family and friends – please call us now and seek the help that you need.

There are many different interpretations of addiction; we like to keep it simple:

Once the benefit of excessive drinking has been out weighed by the cost then the slide into ‘problem drinking’ has been made.

Problem Drinking

You do not have to drink or use everyday to necessarily be an alcoholic or addict, alcoholics and addicts can stop drinking for a period of time, its staying stopped that is the problem.

Problem drinking can slide quickly into alcoholism or addiction which is a disease and needs clinical treatment to overcome.

The disease is often progressive and fatal and is characterized by continuous or periodic impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with alcohol or drugs, use of alcohol or drugs despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.

Alcohol or drugs are usually the symptom of the problem but not the actual problem, the real problem of addiction is how someone thinks and feels which is so unpleasant that alcohol and drugs are consistently used to ‘numb’ or anesthetises this experience.

Once an ‘emotional re-arrangement’ has taken place and an individual feels entirely different and begins to see the world and themselves from a much more positive point of view then the desire to drink and use drugs is removed and a far more productive and successful way of living is entered into.

Alcoholics or addicts are not bad people; they are sick people who need treatment.

Ask yourself the following questions?

1. Have people commented on or criticized your drinking or drug use?
2. Have you tried cutting down or stopping and failed repeatedly?
3. Have you woken up feeling confused, frightened or depressed on a regular basis after drinking or using?
4. Have you dropped hobbies or interests because of your drinking or drug use?
5. Do you use drink or drugs to self-medicate your feelings when you feel uncomfortable, frightened or insecure?
6. Is your alcohol or drug use becoming more frequent or the amount you use increasing?

If you answer yes to 3 or more of these question then you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs and should seek professional advice.

Alcohol Interventions

In many cases it has been the intervention of family and loved ones that has turned the situation around. Unfortunately, a family intervention alone is often not enough. It’s not always successful.

But our experienced intervention specialists who really understand drugs and drug abuse and alcoholism – and what the person is going through – know exactly how to reach someone who is addicted. They know how to get through to them so they reach for help.

Researchers have found that cocaine stimulates the brain’s reward system inducing an even greater feeling of pleasure than natural functions. In turn, its influence on the reward circuit can lead a user to bypass survival activities and repeat drug use.

Cocaine Addiction

Chronic cocaine use can lead to a cocaine addiction and in some cases damage the brain and other organs. An addict will continue to use cocaine even when faced with adverse consequences. Dependency can develop in less than 2 weeks.

Some research indicates that a psychological dependency may develop after a single dose of high-potency cocaine. As the person develops a tolerance to cocaine, higher and higher doses are needed to produce the same level of euphoria.

Facts About Cocaine

Cocaine is a white powder refined from the coca plant which grows in South America. It is usually placed on a smooth surface such as glass and cut up with a razor blade, forming thin lines or trails which can then be sniffed up through a makeshift straw such as a banknote.”Snorting” is the commonest form of consumption although it is sometimes injected.

It is easily absorbed through he lining of the nose. Repeated snorting of cocaine damages the membranes of the nose and can perforate the nasal septum (barrier between one side of the nose and the other.)

If you are suffering from cocaine addiction and want to explore the possibility of cocaine rehab or detox please get in touch. Our counsellors know what you are going through because most of them have been there themselves.We are 100% commited to advising you in the best possible way when choosing what course of action to take next.

How is Cocaine Used?

“Snorting” – absorbing cocaine through the mucous membranes of the nose. Injecting – users mix cocaine powder with water and use a syringe to inject the solution intravenously. Freebasing – Cocaine hydrochloride is converted to a “freebase” which can then be smoked. Crack Cocaine – Cocaine hydrochloride is mixed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and other ingredients, causing it to solidify into pellets or “rocks”.

The crack is then smoked in glass pipes. Cocaine and crack speed up the body in a similar way to amphetamines, but the effect is shorter and more intense – less than an hour for cocaine and as short as several minutes for crack. As with amphetamines, cocaine releases an intense rush of energy, makes a person feel good, mentally sharp, talkative and confident. When blood levels begin to dive, the craving is often overwhelming to take more.

Symptoms of Cocaine Use

The early euphoric experience disappears in heavy users, who can feel very restless, with nausea, excitability, extreme agitation, anxiety, paranoia and possible hallucinations. Very high doses can rarely cause heart failure, convulsions and death. Regular cocaine users often have interrupted sleep patterns.

They feel unable to cope until they’ve had some charlie, stressed-out and irritable. Life for weekend users can become a process of trying to get through the week until Friday.

Regular users may feel that they cannot have a “good time” without the drug. Stopping the drug produces terrible headaches, tiredness, nausea, sleepiness and depression.

Anxiety, panic, bloody nose, increased energy, talking rapidly, rapid pulse and respiration, Paranoia, confusion, dilated pupils, hallucinations, altered motor activities (tremors, hyperactivity), stuffiness and a runny nose.

Paraphernalia Commonly Associated With Cocaine?

Paraphernalia associated with inhaling cocaine includes mirrors, razor blades, straws, and rolled paper money. Paraphernalia associated with injecting the drug include syringes, needles, and spoons, along with belts, bandanas, or surgical tubing used to constrict the veins. Scales are used by dealers to weigh the drug. Sometimes substances such as baking soda or mannitol are used to “cut” cocaine in order to dilute the drug and increase the quantity of the drug for sale.

Effects of Cocaine

Through the use of sophisticated technology, scientists can actually see the dynamic changes that occur in the brain as an individual takes cocaine. They can observe the different brain changes that occur as a person experiences the “rush,” the “high,” and finally the craving of cocaine. They can also identify parts of the brain that become active when a cocaine addict sees or hears environmental stimuli that trigger the craving for cocaine.

Researchers know that certain kinds of experiences, such as those involved in learning, can physically change brain structure and affect behaviour. Now, new research in rats shows that exposure to stimulant drugs such as cocaine can impair the ability of specific brain cells to change as a consequence of experience.