Drugs

[mally m]

What are the main simptoms of a drug addict?

[lil123]

It all depends what drug it is really
but usually the number one in their life is the drug and they will do what ever to get it by lying stealing etc
Also there are physical symptoms depending what drug it is their taking and often you can tell by their skin and eyes
What drug is it you are thinking of?
I have worked with drug addicts

[Theland]

Can I jump in here with my own question? I've just found out that my seventeen year old son has been smoking cannabis, and I'm gutted. He claims it is for pain relief, (he is disabled with a hip problem, Perthes disease, four operations to date.) My wife says he has mood swings, and is very surly and getting very insolent.
I agree with her.
Any advice please?

[mango juice]

Understanding, understanding, and more understanding.

All addicts are addicts because they are misunderstood. There is always an underlying reason to every addiction. Taking whatever the addiction away NEVER EVER solves the problem. The word therapy comes from Socrates (therapuein) and he told his students that in order to help others, you have to get down to their level so that you can understand them, and from there help them understand themselves.

An addiction has got very little to do with biology. Smokers blame it on the nicotine, drug addicts blame it on the narcotics, but what if a person is addicted to sex? What is there to blame? All addiction comes from a longing for pleasure, and a clinging on to it. This can be altered with a correct understanding. You have to make them understand that pain and pleasure are part of life and they will come can go, nothing is permanent, and thus clinging on to it (or averting it) is utterly pointless.

I've seen people coming out of rehabilitation centers only to get sent back into it. I've seen prisoners coming out of prison only to commit the same crime and get sent back.

Why?

Because they lack understanding. Help them understand themselves. The symptoms of a drug addict are many, but the common symptom of any addict is just one, feeling utterly miserable. Because if they are not miserable, there wouldn't be a need to rely on a substance to give them pleasure. Help them understand just how miserable they are, otherwise they will keep thinking that being an addict is the happy way of life.

Ultimately, the choice lie in their hands. Do not force them, it takes time. Do not look down on them either, today's drug addict can be tomorrow's healer. :)

good luck.

[DONNAKEBABUK]

Dear Mango Juice.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I am currently having alcohol counselling as part of understanding why I actually need it. Basically I am a binge drinker all weekend long. I spoke at great length with an alcohol worker last week for the first time and we found that I need alcohol for psychological reasons, i.e stresses of work, stress of operations I have been through, family and boyfreind illness etc and for that short period of time that I do drink it releives it a little but then makes me feel so CRAP the next day so I hit it again.

This weekend is the first weekend in about 20 years that I HAVE NOT BINGE DRANK, in fact I put myself into training for the Race For Life amongst other things.

The result - was understanding why I needed it and educating myself (although it is still early days) as to doing something different. Another result, I drew �200 out of the cashpoint on Friday and today I have �160.00 and change left through doing other things and waking up with a clear head each day. Normally I would be in the pub now, having a pub lunch and getting cash back from the bar having spent what I drew on Friday.

The understanding of why and why not are paramount and your answer was encouraging. I hope it helped Mally M.

Best Wishes.

Katie. x

[EngTeach]

Does anyone feel it EVER becomes appropriate to shut the addcict out? How much of the "understanding" are the addicts victims expected to tolerate? I say victims because all those around the addict are affected.