Drugs of Abuse Erie
Most drugs of abuse are listed on Schedule I and Schedule II of the Controlled Substance Act, which was enacted in 1970 and is enforced by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Schedule I drugs are those that are not only highly dangerous and have a high potential for addiction, but which also have no accepted medical use. Common Schedule I drugs of abuse include heroin and ecstasy.
Schedule II drugs are those that are highly dangerous and have a high potential for addiction, but which have accepted medical uses that are highly restricted. Adderall and OxyContin are two popular prescription drugs of abuse found on Schedule II.
Abusing drugs can lead to addiction, which is a disease marked by the body's physical dependence on the drug for "normal" functioning and characterized by the user's inability to stop taking the drug, despite many attempts to do so. Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol continue to use even though it causes detrimental health, personal and financial consequences.
Problems Associated with Drug Abuse
Drug abuse can lead to financial problems, deteriorating relationships with family, friends, and people at work; a loss of motivation and reduced productivity; legal troubles that could lead to incarceration; losing a job or getting kicked out of school, and abandoning activities you once found enjoyable.
Long-term health effects are another major concern when it comes to drug abuse. Long-term health effects of substance abuse include organ damage, reduced cognitive function and memory problems, chronic mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and psychosis, and addiction, which changes the structure of the brain and the way it functions.
Commonly Abused Drugs
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug, with over 17 million people abusing or addicted to alcohol in any given year. Alcohol abuse kills 88,000 people every year, and an additional 10,000-plus people die in traffic accidents involving alcohol.
Prescription and illicit opiates include the street drug heroin and the opiate painkillers OxyContin and Vicodin. Opiates form a bond on the receptors of the brain and spinal cord and block the transmission of pain signals, and they're highly addictive.
Prescription and illicit stimulants include the street drugs cocaine and meth and the prescription medications Adderall and Dexedrine. These drugs increase the brain's production of dopamine and norepinephrine to enhance focus, increase alertness, and raise energy levels.
Prescription sedatives include benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Klonopin as well as non-benzodiazepine sleeping aids like Lunesta and Ambien. These drugs increase the amount of the neurotransmitter GABA, which slows down nerve transmission for a sedating effect.
Treatment for Drug Abuse
The rehabilitation process conducted at many of Erie drug and alcohol treatment centers begin with detox, which removes traces of the drug from the body so that treatment may begin. Treatment includes a number of components to address a variety of addiction and abuse issues and will include individual, group, and family counseling as well as cognitive behavioral therapy to raise self-awareness and provide the skills needed to cope with stress and other triggers.
After the treatment program is complete, an aftercare program is set up based on individual needs. A typical aftercare program will include support groups, ongoing therapy and counseling as well as other programs to assist with employment issues and housing needs and to address ongoing physical and mental health issues.
Call Drug Rehab Treatment Centers Erie at 814-651-9437 to find the right facility and treatment program that will fit your needs. Don't wait any longer.