As I have mentioned in several of previous articles, addiction to opiates is chronic disease of the brain and should be managed as such. It is usually the result of a combination of by genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors that ultimately lead to the development of this relapsing disease. Now that we agree that it is a disease shouldn’t we treat it as such?

Unfortunately, although many of the professionals working in the addiction field agree with this fact they still adopt of the mind set of our great grandfathers who looked down on those patients and considered addiction as an immoral sin and that addicts should repent. Some of the drug treatment programs are resistant to prescribing medications indicated for addiction treatment, rather, they place those patients in what looks like a lock down atmosphere and strip them of their ability to make decisions or communicate with certain people. While this approach may be needed in some cases to avoid external influences on patients as the facility implement their treatment protocols, it should not be generalized. Moreover, patients would be more receptive to the counseling efforts implemented in those facilities if they were comfortable and not suffering from the sever pains and aches associated with withdrawals from opiates.

What do you think will happen once those patients are released back into the society where all the triggers associated with addiction reside?

Also have you ever seen a diabetic who is not very compliant with their doctor’s recommendations placed in a diabetic rehab?

Treatment should be individualized and as recovery moves forward patients should gradually be empowered to take control of their life in order to eventually become productive members of the society.

In contrast, the outpatient programs using Buprenorphine, implement an approach which deals with addiction as a chronic relapsing disease that needs medical treatment in the form of medications in addition to psychosocial rehabilitation. While being on Buprenorphine, patients are relieved from the dreadful symptoms of withdrawals and cravings. This helps patients develop the interest and passion to participate in their rehabilitation process and makes the education efforts on our parts much easier.

The stigma imposed by our society on patient suffering from addiction has a profound negative impact on the recovery process. We hope that through education, research and solid evidence the medical community would be able to change the views and beliefs of the society and some of the professionals in order to provide the best treatment approach to our patients.

When it comes to addictive drugs that are often abused, cocaine leads the way as one of the most powerful illegal substances on the street. Many who have dabbled in the use of cocaine (even if only for one time), the chances of becoming hooked are quite high. One can never truly control their body’s need for the drug once it has undergone an experience. Numerous individuals will continue to use cocaine, eventually developing an addiction that wreaks havoc on their social and personal lives, as well as job performance, emotions, and health.

Cocaine is often sniffed, snorted, injected, or smoked (which involves the use of crack cocaine or free-base). Snorting cocaine powder through the nose allows the drug to enter the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. The use of a needle releases the drug straight into the bloodstream, while smoking sends cocaine vapors into the bloodstream through the lungs. Injecting and smoking quickly intensifies the effects of cocaine because it makes contact with the bloodstream faster than other methods of use.

Effects of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine users often suffer from the effects of the drug throughout their central nervous system. Peripheral blood vessels become constricted, pupils dilate, and an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature may arise. Some users may succumb to periods of anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. In the worst cases, cocaine users may experience sudden death at first use, but at any time, the threat of unexpected death may occur. High doses of cocaine or constant use may also lead to paranoia, aggressive tendencies, nasal damage (when snorting), seizures, or cardiac arrest.

Getting Help for Cocaine Addiction

Since cocaine use is a dire problem in today’s society, there are many different resources that help people overcome their addiction. A wide range of treatment programs and opportunities are available for cocaine addicts, including both inpatient and outpatient techniques. Self-help groups are a popular way that cocaine addicts cope with leaving their drug of choice behind.

Many of these associations work from a 10- or 12-step model that aims to prevent a relapse, as well as help individuals stay on track. Medication, counseling, and additional meetings also help break the cycle of drug addiction. To find a self-help group, a wealth of outlets can guide one in the right direction, such as doctors, counselors, the phone book, library, and across the Internet.

Mescaline is an illegal hallucinogen that can be found naturally in certain cacti species, including the peyote cactus and the San Pedro cactus. The top of the cactus is cut close to the ground and then dried. The small button like crowns of the plant can be eaten or soaked in water, but, because of the unpleasant, bitter taste, mescaline is most often ground into a fine powder and placed into capsules for easier consumption. Mescaline can also be produced synthetically and is often used to make psychedelic tea.

Mescaline users typically ingest four to twenty buttons, or capsules, per dose. The average effective dosage is 500 mg, but hallucinations can begin after 300 mg. A typical high can last up to twelve hours. Mescaline is, however, much less potent than similar hallucinogens, like LSD and psilocybin. This drug is popular because of the altered, dreamy state of consciousness it produces, along with visual and audible hallucinations, often said to be enlightening and enjoyable.

Besides intense hallucinations, mescaline users may also experience a number of other side effects. Uncontainable laughter and dreamy visions with the eyes both open and closed are common, as well as new and unusual thinking processes. Euphoric and psychedelic states are also experienced under the influence of mescaline. Users usually have dilated pupils while on the drug, and may feel hot and cold sensations.

Mescaline can also cause users to become irrational in their thinking or the user may experience feelings of anxiety and waves of hatred. Headaches, dizziness, and nausea are common side effects as well. Mescaline use can also accelerate the users heart rate, sometimes to an unhealthy level that could be fatal. Large doses of mescaline can lower the body’s glucose level, possibly causing unconsciousness, or can induce convulsions, heart failure, and death due to respiratory failure.

Although mescaline does not create a physical dependency in users, the drug can be moderately addictive because of the possibility of psychological dependency. There are a number of organizations available to help those who have problems with mescaline addiction, as well as other drugs. These organizations understand the problems caused by both physical and psychological substance dependencies, and treat the addiction accordingly.