CONDITIONS TREATED
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Narcotics and Substance Abuse
From Heroin and Cocaine to Sniffing Glue, through LSD and marijuana to caffeine, substance addiction has become an ever-increasing problem in 21st century.
Narcotics
Narcotics can be some of the most difficult of addictions to overcome.
The term narcotic was originally a medical word referring to any psychoactive compound with numbing or paralysing effects (making them effective painkillers).
In pop culture, particularly that emanating from the USA, the term is more widely recognised as referring to opioids such as morphine and heroin (diamorphine) and high-end stimulants such as cocaine.
Heroin (Diamorphine)
Perhaps the most commonly known and publicised of narcotic addictions is that to heroin (diamorphine).
A notoriously difficult addiction to overcome, heroin is an opioid used as a recreational drug for its euphoric side effects. It is a strong pain killer (which is its intended purpose) and is still used in some countries for childbirth and heart attacks etc.
It is typically injected, usually into a vein, but it can also be smoked, snorted, or inhaled.
Obviously, when used in its correct and intended medical interventions it is administered as an injection into a vein or orally in tablet form.
Whilst the “attractive” side effect of heroin may be the euphoric feeling it creates, less pleasant and indeed dangerous side effects include respiratory depression (decreased breathing), dry mouth, tiredness and lethargy, impaired mental function, constipation and faecal impaction. If injected further side effects are possible such as infection and pneumonia.
In all cases, fatal overdose is a potential danger.
With long term use, withdrawal symptoms can begin within hours of the last
Cocaine and Crack
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America.
At one time in history a legal drug, sold over the counter by pharmacies (usually called chemists in those days) and an ingredient of the original Coka-Cola, until of course the dangers of its use became well known.
It is popular due to its euphoric side effect and stimulation of alertness and energy levels, unlike heroin however, it is not an opioid.
It comes in different forms. The most common is a fine, white powder which is usually snorted. It can also be made into a solid rock crystal (crack) which is usually smoked.
Unpleasant and dangerous side effects include headaches, convulsions and seizures, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, mood disorders, sexual difficulties, lung damage and loss of smell, nosebleeds or trouble swallowing if snorted.
Most users have strong cravings for the drug and the high it brings, however the more it is used, the more the brain adapts to it leading to a “need” for a stronger dosage to achieve the same effect. This adds to the addictiveness of the substance and adds to its potential for overdose.
Solvent Abuse (e.g. sniffing glue)
Whilst perhaps not as widespread as it once was solvent abuse remains an issue.
Solvent abuse for example sniffing glue, is not in itself illegal, as many of the products used during solvent abuse are normal household objects.
It is however, illegal for a shopkeeper, or anyone else, to sell any substance that will, or its fumes if inhaled will, cause intoxication to a person under the age of eighteen. The introduction of this law in the UK did undoubtedly reduce this dangerous type of drug abuse drastically.
Sniffing glue is a form of inhalant abuse that in particular can have serious health consequences. Nearly 20% of children in middle and high school have experimented with some form of inhalant because it provides a quick high. But just as with other types of substance abuse, inhalant abuse can lead to addiction.
Cannabis (marijuana or weed)
Whilst there are ongoing debates about whether cannabis is addictive and whether it should be legalised, there can be no doubt that smoking cannabis for a prolonged period can lead to paranoia.
Furthermore, marijuana is often ‘the thin edge of the wedge’ few people start their drug abuse with heroin and the harder drugs, it is the potential for progressive experimentation if nothing else that makes cannabis abuse potentially dangerous.
Treatments for Drug Addiction
Whilst of course talking therapies such as CBT and counselling (which can be expertly provided at this practice) can be of enormous help (providing you have a genuine commitment to getting well) many addicts may need additional support through medication (through their GP or specialist drug units) and/or support groups such as the relevant 12 step fellowships.
How your GP and specialist units can help
If you need help with drug addiction, the NHS will help you just as they will help anyone who has a health problem.
With the right help and support, it IS possible for you to get drug free and stay that way.
Your GP is a good place to start. Your GP can discuss your problems with you and get you into treatment including detox if required.
They may offer you treatment at the practice or refer you to your local drug service.
If you do not feel not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach your local drug treatment service directly.
Visit the Frank website to find local drug treatment services for more information and details of charities that assist with drug addiction.
Treatment with medicines
If you're dependent on heroin or a similar opioid, you may be offered an alternative drug, such as methadone.
This allows you to progress with your treatment without having to worry about the immediate effects of withdrawal.
Support Groups
Some people find support groups like Narcotics Anonymous very helpful.
To quote from the NA website
“The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using. You don’t have to be clean when you get here. You don’t have to wait for an overdose or jail sentence to get help from NA, nor is addiction a hopeless condition from which there is no recovery. It is possible to overcome the desire to use drugs with the help of the Twelve Step program of Narcotics Anonymous and the fellowship of recovering addicts.
Addiction is a disease that can happen to anyone. Some of us used drugs because we enjoyed them, while others used to suppress the feelings we already had. Still, others suffered from physical or mental ailments and became addicted to the medication prescribed during our illnesses. Some of us joined the crowd using drugs a few times just to be cool and later found that we could not stop.
Many of us tried to overcome addiction, and sometimes temporary relief was possible, but it was usually followed by an even deeper involvement than before.
Whatever the circumstances, it really doesn’t matter. Addiction is a progressive disease such as diabetes. We are allergic to drugs. Our ends are always the same: jails, institutions, or death. If life has become unmanageable and you want to live without it being necessary to use drugs, we have found a way.”
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