Benzodiazepine abuse, such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan, can cause addiction, even death, and withdrawals often need medical intervention.

Benzos, or benzodiazepines, are a class of psychoactive drugs with varying hypnotic, sedative, anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties. Sold as Xanax (alprazolam),Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam), these slow down the central nervous system.

Useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms, they seem helpful enough.

There is a catch: The long-term use of benzodiazapines can cause physical dependence. In other words, drug addiction.

“We have dealt with many people who started using Xanax or Valium to help with insomnia or anxiety,” states Mary Rieser, Executive Director for The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Unfortunately, once they become drug addicted to these prescription drugs, they often need a medically supervised withdrawal from them.”

That’s right. Benzo withdrawal can cause death.

“Any withdrawal from any drug is extremely uncomfortable. Our withdrawal specialists work with our students in withdrawing from drugs comfortably,” continues Ms. Rieser. “However, benzo and extreme alcohol addiction need close medical supervision.”

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=141985&ret

Drug Education Efforts Are Taken Up by TV, Radio Channels.

As news of tragedies such as the death of Michael Jackson, DJ AM, and other celebrities dominate the news media, one drug rehab is using the same media to promote drug education and drug prevention.

Mary Rieser, the Director of Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia, appeared on a local cable television show. The hostess invited Ms. Rieser to educate families about signs of drug abuse.  There are many families struggling with drug or alcohol abuse that need help identifying effective drug abuse programs and sometimes even identifying the basic problem of addiction.

Since many family members are unaware of a loved one’s drug addiction, part of the broadcast was dedicated to signs of drug abuse and detection of drug paraphernalia. Families are often surprised that drug paraphernalia can be purchased at local convenience stores.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=141995&ret

Teens: Easy to Abuse Prescription Drugs, Often With Deadly Results.

Prescription drugs are the most common abused drugs by teens, after marijuana, a study has recently shown.

This is not surprising, as prescription drugs are normally easily available, found in medicine cabinets at home. These prescription drugs, usually opiates such as OxyContin or Percocet, or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax or Valium, will produce a euphoric sensation if abused. They can also be deadly.

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia warns that teens abusing prescription drugs is more prevalent and more deadly than ever before.

“Studies have shown that teens in increasing numbers are reporting that they have abused prescription drugs found in parent’s medicine cabinets,” states Mary Rieser, Executive Director for The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Twenty percent of teens in America, or roughly 6 million teens, have abused prescription pain medication, and the same amount have abused prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=142463&ret

This article is not surprising, but it is frightening.  Methamphetamine is incredibly addictive.  Any pregnant woman who has abused methamphetamine, no matter their intentions should immediately get into effective drug treatment.  Good intentions and will power are often not stronger than the pull of addiction.  Good people go bad with methamphetamine and we can’t count on them to make ethical decisions.

Narconon 877-413-3073  drugsno.com

Pregnant mice given a single dose of methamphetamine had babies who suffered from developmental problems and impaired motor skills, according to a University of Toronto researcher.

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix reported March 19 that researchers believe that meth use releases free radicals in the brain, which can cause a variety of damage, including to DNA. Fetal brains have less ability than adult brains to counteract free radicals, said University of Toronto researcher Peter Wells.

In mice, the harmful effects of prenatal meth use appear to be permanent. Wells said it's not clear if the animal studies can be applied to human drug use, however. "It's very difficult to know the (troubles) that meth causes in humans because there's very little documentation about what they're exposed to," he said. 

http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2007/single-dose-of-meth-can-hurt.html

Xanax Abused by Many, Causing Xanax Addiction.

Many are now finding themselves in a drug rehab, unwittingly becoming addicted to prescription drugs.

Myra, a housewife, mother of 4, and grandmother to two, tells her story of her life before coming to The Atlanta Recovery Center to get help to quit her Xanax addiction:

I had a great life, grew up in a loving family, met the man of my dreams, and was all around a happy mother and grandmother.

I decided to go back to work, mainly just to find something to do, and found that while enjoyable, life became a little more stressful.

I had trouble sleeping, so I went to the doctor, and he prescribes Xanax, to help with my anxiety over my new job, and help me sleep better.

The Xanax pills helped me relax, and I could get through the day without stress.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=143077&ret

NARCONON REALIZATION

Here is another Narconon realization from a drug treatment student.

“I am to stay focused and forever going to keep myself in control and making my first priority my well being.

I know what I am today and not living in past memories of who I was, but who I am today.  I am who I am.

All the things I was yesterday are not important today.  I am a product of all that I’ve been but I’m that product living in the actual world today.

I am important and I need to address my needs first and if possible, help others along the way.  By understanding I have control of me and everything I come into contact with, I can be sure that all that I connect myself with or get involved with will forever be a positive influence or connection to my own personal life.

Drugs play no role in my future – they remove my own importance and that I can never have again.  I will not allow the drugs to pull me back inside my own head to the point that I do not even know who I am.

I know that from this day on I will always look to control me in a positive way by living in the present.”

Whether a person has abused heroin, pot, cocaine or methamphetamine, the Narconon program has something to teach them about themselves.  Each lesson learned is a step closer to freedom.

Narconon New Life Program  877-413-3073

An interview with a Narconon graduate with a 23 year crack history.  Here is her story:

Where were you born and raised?

I was a heroin baby.  My mom was a heroin addict and I was born addicted in the Bronx.

She brought me to my grandmother’s house when I was six weeks old, stating that she was going shopping.  She never returned and my grandmother and grandfather raised me.     I had a great childhood with my grandparents.  I went to Catholic School, did normal kid stuff and had plenty of love.

When did you first begin abusing drugs?

When I was 19 my grandfather died.  I had a very difficult time with his death and I started snorting cocaine to try to get rid of the pain.  Soon I was addicted. My life consisted of nothing besides work and getting high.   Somehow, I managed to work as a dental assistant.

Later I became a bartender.  My life consisted of working and spending the money I made on cocaine.  For 15 years my life was bartending and hanging out with people who used cocaine.  

When I was about 25 I started dating a bouncer at a bar.  Our whole relationship was centered on getting high.  One day when he was very high he robbed his friend’s house.  A woman walked in and surprised him and he cut her throat.  He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.  I was pregnant so I married him in prison.   I stayed married to him during the 12 years that he was in prison and I got pregnant again.

The only time I was not getting high was when I was pregnant.  I did not want my kids to be born addicted as I had been.    I kept a clean house and got my kids to school but I was not really the mother that they needed because I was high all the time.

Four years ago I started smoking crack cocaine and life really started to go downhill.  My husband (now out of prison) left me because of my addiction and took our daughter with him.   During the next 4 years, I had only one friend – a crack smoker.   I continued to do bartending, but started getting high at work.  It had gotten to the point where I was high continuously.

How did you get out of this mess?

When I was high I used to go on the computer and look at different rehab centers.  I would get depressed when I was coming down from the high and think I wanted treatment.  I would feel better after a while and would decide that I did not need treatment.

In my internet searches I had come across Narconon of Georgia and even though I lived in New York, I carried that number around with me for a year.  I thought it would be good to leave the state of New York.

One night I was living with my boyfriend who caught me with a crack pipe at 5 am.  He threw me out of the house.  He was throwing my clothes in the dumpster and because I had more crack on me, I really did not care.  I just wanted to drive away and get high.  I lived in my car for two straight days, getting high. 

About 1 am I got a glimpse of myself in the mirror and started to cry about what I saw.  I looked so bad that I didn’t even know who that person in the mirror was.  I still had the number in my pocket and I knew that I had to make the phone call to Narconon.

I called and the person answering the phone assured me that she would do everything in her power to help me.   She worked with my family so I could arrive to Narconon.

How did the Narconon program help you?

The sauna program completely helped me to get rid of my cravings.

The book work has helped me to develop people skills and taught me how to deal with my problems, rather than run away and get high

My family is thrilled.  They are amazed at the changes that I have made and this means everything to me.  The most important thing is that I have a relationship back with my children – they are happy and this means so much to me.

I have never had such faith in myself and I have a complete sense of peace.  I know that I am going to make it and I have a whole new perspective on life.

Narconon New Life Program  877-413-3073

Families Spared Ravages of Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction.

A drug rehab has found that it is important to not only treat drug addiction, but also prevent drug abuse in young people.

Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia, a long term drug treatment program, continues to provide drug education to the Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta.  Two hundred and fifty children recently learned about the harmful effects of drugs through a lively presentation of the “Ten Things Your Friends May Not Know About Drugs.”

In the classes given by the drug rehab, the kids learned how drugs affect the mind, make a person slow or stupid, dull the senses and destroy creativity.   They also learned that ecstasy is one of the most dangerous drugs and marijuana is not as innocent as some are led to believe.

A Director of a Boys and Girls Club applauded Narconon Drug Rehab, stating in a recent letter; “As youth-development professionals, we have an obligation to make sure our young people are receiving quality programs that aide them in correcting their bad habits and decision making.  Your program has changed the whole mind set of our  young people. They no longer view drug use as a recreational past time.  This program has taught my teenagers the responsibility of taking care of their bodies, mind, and building healthy relationships with their peers.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=141983&ret

Cough Medicine containing DXM can be addictive.

While many parents are learning about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, one over-the-counter medication, used for treating coughs, is rapidly becoming a favorite in middle school and high school for getting high.

Ever find any empty bottles of cough syrup in your teen’s room?

What about empty blister packs of Coricidin® or Triaminic®?

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia warns that this is a clear indication that your teen is “robotripping‘.

What in the world is ‘robotripping“?

“Robotripping” is drinking a bottle of cough syrup at once or popping hands full of cough suppressant pills. Why on earth would they do that? Because they get high.

Cough medicine- to get high? Yes. High. Some temporarily lose their ability to walk. Some have written stories on the Internet: “I felt my soul being ripped from my body,” and, “Are you a vampire? No, I just met God.”

More than 125 commercial cough remedies in the United States contain the synthetic drug dextromethorphan (DXM). This drug is similar to morphine, and when used as directed, can effectively help one with a cold. But abused, as 1 in 10 teens admit to doing, is a central nervous system depressant.

For the full story http://news.wooeb.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=142004&ret

The Director of Narconon of Georgia has been warning about the ease with which drug paraphernalia items are purchased at convenience stores for a couple of years after she easily bought several items herself .  She later noted in a local publication:

 “Simple items like coke cans, spoons, light bulbs and straws found in odd places around the home could signal drug abuse. Other paraphernalia items that I wanted to show, like crack pipes, blunts and scales I thought would be harder to get. My companion suggested that we could get everything we needed, including the “harder to get items” at a convenience store.”

In her research for an upcoming television interview she discovered that nobody was “minding the store” as she bought everything she would need to get high in a convenience store without anyone saying a thing.

When leaving the store there was apparent drug activity outside. 

“Outside were a couple of guys who I thought were drug dealers. I could think of no other reason why they would be inclined to spend so much time milling around outside on such a beautiful night.”

While it may no longer be so convenient to purchase drug paraphernalia, effective drug treatment might be easier to obtain than most realize.

 Narconon of Georgia Drug Rehabilitation services the entire southeastern United States.  The program offers a non 12 step long term drug treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse and chemical dependency for women and men.   Narconon addresses cravings through a Sauna and Exercise Detoxification Program.  Life Skills Training helps to prevent relapse with resultant 76% success rate.

Narconon of Georgia offers an effective drug rehab program for citizens of Charlotte and all of North Carolina.  The Narconon program has a 76% success rate which is significantly greater than current treatment solutions offered in North Carolina. 877-413-3073