Paraphernalia Are Items Used To Consume Drugs Or To Hide Them The Items Can Be Difficult To Spot But Their Presence Can Be Indicative Of Drug Addiction
With over a decade of editing experience, Tom is a content specialist for Advanced Recovery Systems,… read more
Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the University of Idaho and went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy at… read more
The discovery of drug paraphernalia can be strong evidence that someone is using drugs. A person can spot paraphernalia if they know which type of drug the person may be using and which methods of consumption they are using. The most common methods of drug ingestion and the associated drugs are:
- Inhaling: gasoline, nitrites , aerosols
- Injecting: heroin, methamphetamine
What Happens To Your Brain When You Take Drugs
While the specific effects of drugs on the brain can vary somewhat depending on the drug that people abuse, virtually every drug that is abused has an effect on what professionals often call the executive functioning areas of the brain. The functions of those areas can be remembered by thinking about the tasks of the chief executive officer in any company: planning, organizing, prioritizing, acting when it is time to act, as well as delaying or preventing action when appropriate. The parts of the brain that tend to harbor the executive brain functions are the front-most parts of the brain, called the frontal lobes, including the frontal cortex and prefrontal cortex. When a person takes drugs, the inhibitory functions of the brain are particularly impaired, causing the person to have trouble stopping him or herself from acting on impulses that the brain would otherwise delay or prevent. This disinhibition can lead to the substance abuser engaging in aggressive, sexual, criminal, dangerous, or other activities that can have devastating consequences for the addicted person or those around him or her. Given that the brain of individuals below about the age of 25 years is in the process of actively and rapidly developing and is therefore not fully mature, drug use that takes place during the childhood or teenage years can have particularly negative effects on the younger persons ability to perform all these essential executive functions.
Snorting Can Rough Up The Inside Of The Nose
Snorting can be done in a few different ways, but it often involves inserting something into the nostril, like a dollar bill or a cut piece of drinking straw.
Also, the act of sucking the powder into your nose means pulling small crystals across your nasal mucosa. This alone can be irritating to the delicate lining of the nose all by itself, since the edges of those crystals are rough.
You May Like: How To Get Over Love Addiction
What Happens In The Body When You Plug Meth
Plugging meth leads to a strong and rapid high. People may feel a rush of well-being, along with high energy. The high from meth can last up to 12 hours, depending on the amount taken.
Meth causes the body to overheat, and people on meth may sweat excessively. As the drug exits a persons system, they may begin to feel paranoid or jittery, and the body may twitch uncontrollably.
Meth can lead to serious physical consequences, including stroke. Plugging meth may also cause damage to the rectum, which increases a persons risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease .
Plugging crystal meth can impact the body in additional ways, including:
- diarrhea
- intense itching that causes skin sores from scratching
- death
Rehab Is Better Than Prison Essay
Drugs are a huge problem in the US there are hundreds of people currently addicted to drugs in some states alone and we are trying to solve this problem and whenever a drug addict is caught they are usually sent to prison, tons of people sent to prison when its not even the best option. Currently, people are completely unaware that rehab is a much better option than prison for drug offenders because it is both economically superior and helps addicts reintegrate into society.There are many reasons
You May Like: How Does Rehab Help Drug Addicts
Recommended Reading: Can You Be Addicted To Masturbating
The Importance Of Early Intervention & Treatment
If drug use is suspected, early invention is essential to ensure the most robust chances of successful recovery. Friends and family members may choose to stage an intervention once signs of drug use are apparent if so, a professional interventionist can guide the planning process and the execution of the event for best results.
Loved ones should also research comprehensive addiction treatment programs. Treatment should include both medical detox and therapy to address the underlying issues related to substance abuse.
How Heroin Is Used
Heroin is mixed with water and injected with a needle. It can also be sniffed, smoked, or snorted. People who use heroin sometimes combine it with other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine , which can be particularly dangerous and raise the risk of overdose.
To learn more about the different types of opioids, visit our Prescription Opioids Drug Facts page.
1 Compton WM, Jones CM, Baldwin GT. Relationship between nonmedical prescription-opioid use and heroin use. The New England Journal of Medicine 2016 374:154-163.
You May Like: Why Do People Get Addicted To Smoking
The Health Sector Takes
If a political majority approves this approach in 2021, Norways approach to drug use and possession will be transferred from the justice sector to the health sector.
Norway will then take a completely different path than its neighbour Sweden, where punishment is still a strong component of that countrys drug policy.
It will also be an approach with its own past.
Also Check: What Is The Most Addictive Illegal Drug
What Is Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain and lead to addiction.
The brain changes from addiction can be lasting, so drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease. This means that people in recovery are at risk for taking drugs again, even after years of not taking them.
You May Like: How To Break An Addiction To Video Games
What Is Drug Use
Drug use, or misuse, includes:
- Using illegal substances, such as
- Misusing prescription medicines, including opioids. This means taking the medicines in a different way than the health care provider prescribed. This includes
- Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else
- Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to
- Using the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. For example, instead of swallowing your tablets, you might crush and then snort or inject them.
- Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high
- Misusing over-the-counter medicines, including using them for another purpose and using them in a different way than you are supposed to
Drug use is dangerous. It can harm your brain and body, sometimes permanently. It can hurt the people around you, including friends, families, kids, and unborn babies. Drug use can also lead to addiction.
Does Everyone Who Takes Drugs Become Addicted
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Everyone’s bodies and brains are different, so their reactions to drugs can also be different. Some people may become addicted quickly, or it may happen over time. Other people never become addicted. Whether or not someone becomes addicted depends on many factors. They include genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
Recommended Reading: What Happens To Heroin Addicts
Should Drug Addicts Go To Jail This Study Says No
The United States makes up less than five percent of the worlds population, and yet, we house about 25 percent of the worlds prisoner population. Nearly 300,000 of the people currently incarcerated are being held for drug-law violations: drug dealing, drug possession, illicit drug use. In 1980, just thirty-seven years ago, there were less than 25,000 prisoners in for drug-related crimes.
The nations drug problem has consistently grown over the last few decades both in jails and on the streets. The question remains, how can we combat it? Many government officials and American citizens alike are asking: Should drug addicts go to jail? Will tougher penalties mean less drug crime? Will stiffer prison terms deter drug use, specifically amidst a growing opiate epidemic?
According to Pew Charitable Trusts, along with thousands of other Americans and addiction experts, the answer is no. And Pew has brought the data to back it. Just last month, in late June 2017, their analysts released a study on the effectiveness of imprisonment for drug offenders. They looked at state-by-state data of drug offender incarceration rates alongside illicit drug use, drug overdose deaths, and arrests only to find that no statistically significant relationship existed between them. Sending drug addicts to jail does not defeat the nations war against drugs integrated addiction treatment does.
So, if jail time isnt it, what is the solution to drug addiction?
Also Check: How To Treat Heroin Addiction
Recovery Requires Lifestyle Changes
If you think you can live the same lifestyle as you did before addiction treatment while simply abstaining from using drugs or alcohol you are on the fast track to relapse. Addiction recovery requires a lifestyle overhaul including the activities you participate in, the people you hang out with, and the way you think.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Get Over An Addiction
Does Vaseline Help Heal Cuts
Does Vaseline Help Heal Cuts. This protective barrier facilitates healing and prevents bacteria from invading a after shaving, apply a little vaseline this can help soothe and soothe the skin effectively. The oil workers had been using the substance to heal cuts and burns.
Vaseline helps to create a barrier between the bottle and the polish, keeping it from forming a crust or gunking up. The question is, does vaseline help eyebrows grow? Rub vaseline into the cut or carved edges of your halloween pumpkins to slow down the rot and keep your pumpkins looking pristine for halloween! For starters, it’s really cheap, super accessible and it is extremely moisturizing which. Vaseline jelly is created from 100% pure petroleum jelly.
Warning Signs Of Prescription Drug Abuse
In recent years, prescription drug abuse has become an escalating problem, most commonly involving opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and stimulants. Many people start taking these drugs to cope with a specific medical problemtaking painkillers following injury or surgery, for example. However, over time, increased doses are needed to achieve the same level of pain relief and some users can become physically dependent, experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit.
One of the earliest warning signs of a developing problem is going through the medication at a faster-than-expected rate. In other cases, people start abusing medication not prescribed for them in order to experience a high, relieve tension, increase alertness, or improve concentration.
To avoid developing problems with a prescription medication, its important to take it only as directed, use the lowest dose for the shortest period possible, and to talk to your doctor about other methods of treating the problem. Being aware of any signs of dependency can help identify prescription drug problems at an early stage and help to prevent them progressing into an addiction.
Warning signs of commonly abused prescription drugs
Anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and hypnotics : Contracted pupils drunk-like, slurred speech, difficulty concentrating, clumsiness poor judgment, drowsiness, slowed breathing.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of An Addiction To Video Games
How Do Health Care Professionals Diagnose Drug Addiction
Similar to many mental health diagnoses, there is no one test that definitively determines that someone has a chemical use disorder. Therefore, health care professionals diagnose these conditions by thoroughly gathering medical, family, and mental health information. The practitioner will also either conduct a physical examination or ask that the persons primary care doctor perform one. The medical assessment will usually include lab tests to evaluate the persons general medical health and to explore whether or not the individual currently has drugs in their system or has a medical problem that might mimic symptoms of drug addiction.
In addition to providing treatment that is appropriate to the diagnosis, determining the history or presence of mental illnesses that may co-occur with substance abuse or dependence is important in promoting the best possible outcome for the person. As previously described, the dual diagnosis of substance abusing or addicted individuals dictates the need for treatment that addresses both issues in a coordinated way by professionals who are trained and experienced with helping this specific population.
Drug Addiction Treatment Options
When some people struggle with addiction, they may deny that they have a problem. Others may be reluctant to enter treatment due to cost, fear, or lack of support. However, once they overcome any reservations and are ready to enter treatment, there are several types of addiction treatment options to choose from.
- Inpatient treatment: This type of treatment offers 24-hour supervised care in a comfortable, safe setting. Inpatient rehab typically uses a variety of therapeutic approaches including individual and group therapy sessions.
- Outpatient treatment: With outpatient rehab, patients live at home and go to treatment during the day. Common levels of care in outpatient rehab include standard outpatient, intensive outpatient , and partial hospitalization .
In inpatient or outpatient rehab, patients can also be assessed and treated for dual diagnosis, which means they have two or more conditions presenting at the same time or one after the other.
Also Check: How To Break Cell Phone Addiction
Dont Share Snorting Tools
An infection that settles into a wound or area of irritated nasal mucosa can take some time to heal, resulting in ongoing discomfort and pain in your nose.
To avoid infection, practice basic hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling drugs.
Most importantly, use clean, unshared snorting tools. Certain bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , love to live in the nose and can be easily spread by sharing tools.
Its also possible for bloodborne viruses, like hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV, to pass from person to person if a tool is contaminated with blood and another person has an open wound or area of irritation in their nose.
If straws are your preferred tool, purchase plastic drinking straws and cut them into sections using disinfected scissors.
If you tend to use rolled up cash, consider making a switch. Cash tends to be dirty and hard to disinfect.
You can also try using disposable cosmetic spatulas, which are easy to find and purchase in bulk online. These can be used once and discarded.
Can People Buy Drug Paraphernalia
Paraphernalia is often sold in head shops, specialty stores, online, or in convenience stores. But, many users will make their paraphernalia. Its possible for someone to create a pipe out of everyday, household items, or to store their drugs in sandwich bags or plastic storage containers. A lot of drug paraphernalia is homemade because it can be difficult for users, especially in rural or isolated communities, to find drug paraphernalia items to purchase.
Read Also: Can You Get Addicted To Nicotine
Lifestyle Changes Caused By Heroin Addiction
A heroin addiction may be hard to identify at first. Over time, addiction can become more noticeable as it takes over the users life. For example, it may seem like someone whos addicted to heroin worries more about getting their next dose than anything else.
Other behavior and lifestyle changes can accompany heroin use. Heroin injections leave needle marks, so many addicts wear long-sleeve clothing to hide their scars, even in warm weather. If theyre worried their addiction will be discovered, they may withdraw from friends and family members. Their work and personal relationships may suffer. Social and personal isolation is common among people with addiction.
People who are addicted to heroin may also have trouble maintaining their health and personal hygiene.
Heroin And Drug Paraphernalia
Learning to recognize the devices used with heroin and what the drug actually looks like may help you identify heroin use in someone you care about.
In most cases, a heroin user needs certain paraphernalia to get high. Heroin can be injected, snorted, or smoked. Needles, pipes, and spoons with lighters are often used. In some cases, people who are addicted to heroin use rubber tubing or elastic bands as tourniquets to make their veins larger. This helps them inject heroin into veins that have been damaged by regular heroin use.
Heroin itself is a powdery, crumbly substance. Its often off-white, but its color can range from white to dark brown or black. Black tar heroin gets its name from the way it looks. This type of heroin is a black, sticky substance.
Recommended Reading: How To Cure Internet Addiction
Euphorias Makeup Looks Are More Than Just About Sparkle And Glitter
IF youre a parent with teenage kids, watching the HBO series Euphoria would probably shock and scare you. But beyond the sex, drugs, alcohol and dysfunctional families, Euphoria takes a realistic look at high-school students and what goes on in their lives and minds. It is, to me, more realistic than stories where a girl, who is deemed unpopular in high school, catches the eye of the handsome quarterback who has a gorgeous girlfriend. The part where the quarterback leaves the girlfriend for the girl sets up other girls to have expectations that dont equate to real life.
Also, while I think Euphoria is very realistic, not everyone in high school is like that. The HBO series talks about a group of people and their families. The show is not representative of every kid in high school.
Anyway, among the things people noticed in Euphoria were the makeup looks. Beyond the glittery eyeshadows and the winged eyeliner were the transformations that represented how the kids were feeling with each look. Makeup is, after all, an expression of artistry and emotions.
For instance, Rue, who was played by Zendaya, barely wore makeup. But her character, that of a drug addict and non-binary lesbian, wore sparkles and star stickers on her eyelids for the winter formal in Season 1.
