Helping Addicts

Hospital of Malaya Centre of Addiction Sciences (UMCAS) support Methadone therapy for drug addicts.

Help addicts with Methadone 

By Ravichandran D.J Paul

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) - Drug addiction is a serious problem in Malaysia with an average of 16 new addicts and 18 repeat addicts recorded per day during the last year.Another noteworthy fact in the 2008 statistics released by the National Drug Information System Unit (Nadi) is 6,413 (51.92 percent) of 12.352 drug addicts who are repeat offenders are identified.

Based on the number of repeat offenders, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, former chairman of the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Fighting), to conclude that the program carried out during this recovery failed to meet its objectives.Lee said this during the Addiction Medicine Association Malaysia (AMAM) here on the theme 'Looking Into the Window of Opportunities for Drug Dependence Treatment.Another significant fact about the scenario of the recovery process in this country comes from the Assoc. James F. Scorelli who mentioned in his journal the International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation "that the drug rehabilitation program in Malaysia is less effective, given the recurring billing rate exceeds 50 percent.

TREAT ADDICTS IS USELESS? 
Hundreds of millions of dollars spent over the years in recovering addicts continue to increase their number in addition to their criminal activity that threatens the community.Malaysians will recall the numerous open a rehabilitation center, now known as Puspen (Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Center), and rehabilitation centers across the country that has always been a concern for rioting inmates.

Drug addiction is a behavior and biology are complex but can be treated as described by Dr Sivakumar Thurairajasingam, consultant psychiatrist and lecturer at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University campus in Malaysia. 
 
 However, the treatment goal today is no longer abstinence from drugs which in reality can only be achieved by a small group of addicts, but a more realistic approach known as 'harm reduction' could help more addicts.

Thus, as in most developed countries, Malaysia has also adopted the Drug Substitution Therapy (DST) since 2002 which is a more potent option in helping addicts to recover. Basically, the addicts are substitute drugs that are safer and at the same time they undergo rehabilitation. However, there are some issues that need attention DST better results are encouraging. 



REGIMENTED TREATMENT 
Lee and Dr Sivakumar pointed out that the main treatment approach now is to use a strict discipline in which addicts are incarcerated in correctional facilities. This is not an ideal approach, especially since no single treatment will suffice for the different stages of addiction - a new drug, normal and hardcore. The treatment success rate of up to 20 per cent recorded in government run institutions clearly indicate weaknesses in its recovery program.Lee felt that such regimented treatment only creates fear and prevent others to seek treatment voluntarily.

"Treatment for drug addiction should be voluntary and drug addicts should not be arrested or harassed. Best way to do this is to give them the confidence to seek treatment," added Lee.Another important thing is based on Lee's observation that parental and community support is needed, but both groups have chosen to exclude drug addicts.

 


DST IS THE BEST CHOICE 
Although the DST using Buprenophine introduced here in 2002 and well received, it stalled in 2004 after reports of abuse. However, in 2005 the DST (MDST) was introduced by the national government.Although the MDST also criticized, a study conducted by Universiti Malaya (UM) through a pilot project in 2005 recorded MDST retention rates came for treatment on a voluntary basis up to 90 percent within a year.

MDST is basically a treatment in the office scene with addicts coming in to take a dose of methadone during the induction period and taking drugs at home during the term `the maintenance. Employees who handle this drug will also monitor the progress of treatment.

This therapy directly address the psychological processes behind drug addiction and hunger. The study also showed that HIV positive addicts on MDST exhibit better decisions on antiretroviral (ARV) with an equal success rate as compared to HIV positive cases is not related to drug addicts. 
 
 With the success recorded by MDST in other countries and in meet the Millennium Development Goals United Nations Organisation, Malaysia has embarked on methadone up scaling.

ISSUES RELATING TO MDST
Currently, there are concerted efforts in making MDST more easily by recovering addicts who want to volunteer.AMAM president Dr Steven Chow who chaired the round table noted that since 2001 at least 600 private medical practitioners have volunteered for the MDST scheme.However, it is not an easy task given the challenges faced by private practitioners and the addicts in the MDST.The first, Dr Chow said, addiction is a stubborn disease that often involves stubborn patients and thus it is not easy to convince addicts to come forward and seek treatment voluntarily.Second, there is no financial support or resources from government to private practitioners involved in the MDST.Third, doctors have to deal with issues related to law enforcement as drug addicts and their treatment under police arrest and cause the treatment process is interrupted. 

BETTER UNDERSTANDING 
The third scenario is attested by Datuk Dr Lim Boon Sho, vice president of AMAM, the two patients were arrested recently when both were under suboxone, a substitute drug allowed under the Poisons Act 1952.

"A patient of mine who was brought by his father for DST was arrested outside the clinic after he received the first treatment. Another patient who is an employee of the Province Council following the DST with the last two years, and showed signs of recovery good, also was arrested after receiving treatment from me. This really confuses me and addicts' family concern.

"I find that there is a serious miscommunication on this substitute drug," he said. 
 
 philanthropic doctor who has been treating drug addicts in the Province starting with opium addicts over 30 years ago, and he derives great satisfaction from seeing the addicts recover and return to live usual, to their families and communities. 
 
 Based on his own experience, Dr Lim said the private practitioners carry out DST has seen success up to 75 percent in recovering addicts. The roundtable was also felt that there could be some misunderstanding of the law that caused the arrest of drug addicts under DST but a representative of the police pointed out that they may be arrested for other crimes.

ENCOURAGING RESULTS FROM 
 MDST 
Whatever the shortcomings, DST using methadone is seen as a potential method for recovering addicts. On 8 April, University of milestone in MDST with the opening of the UM Center for Addiction Sciences and Methadone Research Clinic (UMCAS) in Jalan Universiti.

Center's chief coordinator Dr Rusdi Abdul Rashid said the center was the result of a pilot project launched in 2005 MSDT psychology clinic University Medical Center (UMMC).After several weeks of starting treatment, most were able to return to work and enjoy a better life. The clinic is expected to see between 200-400 patients per month with at least 200 of them from the psychological clinic's waiting list.

Dr Rusdi believes that the clinic is set to play a major role in achieving the government's objective to restore up to 60 per cent of heroin addicts predicted 72.000 by 2015.MDST is probably the best currently in drug treatment and rehabilitation centers adopting the program. However, the number of addicts is increasing every year is still worrying that the burden to rehabilitate them.

Sources: http://umcas.um.edu.my

The Addiction, Treatment and Recovery for Crack Cocaine Addict

There has been an enormous increase in the number of people seeking treatment for cocaine addiction since the 1980s. Treatment providers in most areas of the country report that it is the second most commonly cited drug of abuse among their clients. The majority of individuals seeking treatment smoke crack, and are likely to be poly-drug users, or users of more than one substance.

Cocaine Addiction is Widespread

The widespread abuse of crack cocaine has stimulated extensive efforts to develop treatment programs for this type of drug abuse. Cocaine abuse and addiction is a complex problem involving biological changes in the brain as well as a myriad of social, familial, and environmental factors. Therefore, treatment of cocaine addiction is complex, and must address a variety of problems. Like any good treatment plan, treatment strategies need to assess the psychobiological, social, and pharmacological aspects of the patient's drug abuse.

Cocaine Addiction and Impact on Health

Through the use of sophisticated technology, scientists can actually see the dynamic changes that occur in the brain as an individual takes the drug. They can observe the different brain changes that occur as a person experiences the "rush and the high" and finally, the craving of cocaine. They can also identify parts of the brain that become active when a cocaine addict sees or hears environmental stimuli that trigger the craving for cocaine. Because these types of studies pinpoint specific brain regions, they are critical to identifying targets for developing medications and treatments to treat addiction.

Cocaine and Crack Availability

Cocaine is a principal drug threat to the United States. Both powder cocaine and crack are prevalent throughout the country, and overall availability is stable. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Field Divisions report that powder cocaine and crack are readily or widely available, and most describe cocaine as the greatest drug threat to their areas. Obviously, many more residential and long-term treatment resources are needed.

Top 10 Drugs: Crack Cocaine

Drug abuse is a very common problem in most countries so it seemed like a good topic for a list. This is a list of ten of the most abused drugs and the effects they have on people.

1.  Heroin
2. Cocaine
3. Methamphetamine 
4. Crack Cocaine
5. LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
6. Ecstasy
7. Opium
8. Marijuana 
9. Psilocybin Mushrooms 
10. PCP (Phencyclidine) 

Lets go knowing deeply about Crack Cocaine.

What is Crack Cocaine and its Effect?

Crack cocaine, often nicknamed “crack”, is believed to have been created and made popular during the early 1980s . Because of the dangers for manufacturers of using ether to produce pure freebase cocaine, producers began to omit the step of removing the freebase precipitate from the ammonia mixture. Typically, filtration processes are also omitted. Baking soda is now most often used as a base rather than ammonia for reasons of lowered odor and toxicity; however, any weak base can be used to make crack cocaine. When commonly “cooked” the ratio is 1:1 to 2:3 parts cocaine/bicarbonate. 

As I held the smoke in for a ten count and exhaled, I thought I felt nothing except a little excitement that was neither bad nor pleasurable. The complete rush some writers have called a ‘whole-body orgasm’ hit me shortly after and I distinctly remember demanding ‘more’ as soon as the realization of heaven-on-earth came. Some people say that the effects of smoking crack lasts 10-15 minutes. For me, it was just a shortest instant of gratification. Everything afterwards was just a great increase in energy and confidence geared towards obtaining more of the drug.

 Sources: Wikipedia. All experiences are quoted from Erowid.

Drugs?

Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person's body works. You've probably heard that drugs are bad for you, but what does that mean and why are they bad?

 

Medicines Are Legal Drugs

If you've ever been sick and had to take medicine, you already know about one kind of drugs. Medicines are legal drugs, meaning doctors are allowed to prescribe them for patients, stores can sell them, and people are allowed to buy them. But it's not legal, or safe, for people to use these medicines any way they want or to buy them from people who are selling them illegally

Cigarettes and Alcohol

Cigarettes and alcohol are two other kinds of legal drugs. (In the United States, adults 18 and older can buy cigarettes and those 21 and older can buy alcohol.) But smoking and excessive drinking are not healthy for adults and are off limits for kids.

Illegal Drugs

When people talk about a "drug problem," they usually mean abusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs, such as marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth, and heroin. (Marijuana is generally an illegal drug, but some states allow doctors to recommend it to adults for certain illnesses.)

Why Are Illegal Drugs Dangerous?

Illegal drugs aren't good for anyone, but they are particularly bad for a kid or teen whose body is still growing. Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. Cocaine, for instance, can cause a heart attack — even in a kid or teen.

While using drugs, people are also less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. It's often harder to think clearly and make good decisions. People can do dumb or dangerous things that could hurt them — or other people — when they use drugs.

Why Do People Use Illegal Drugs?

Sometimes kids and teens try drugs to fit in with a group of friends. Or they might be curious or just bored. Someone may use illegal drugs for many reasons, but often because they help the person escape from reality for a while. A drug might — temporarily — make someone who is sad or upset feel better or forget about problems. But this escape lasts only until the drug wears off.

Drugs don't solve problems, of course. And using drugs often causes other problems on top of the problems the person had in the first place. Somebody who uses drugs can become dependent on them, or addicted. This means that the person's body becomes so accustomed to having this drug that he or she can't function well without it.

Once someone is addicted, it's very hard to stop taking drugs. Stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting (throwing up), sweating, and tremors (shaking). These sick feelings continue until the person's body gets adjusted to being drug free again.

Can I Tell If Someone Is Using Drugs?

If someone is using drugs, you might notice changes in how the person looks or acts. Here are some of those signs, but it's important to remember that depression or another problem could be causing these changes. Somebody using drugs might:

• lose interest in school
• change friends (to hang out with kids who use drugs)
• become moody, negative, cranky, or worried all the time
• ask to be left alone a lot
• have trouble concentrating
• sleep a lot (maybe even in class)
• get in fights
• have red or puffy eyes
• lose or gain weight
• cough a lot
• have a runny nose all of the time

What Can I Do to Help?

If you think someone is using drugs, the best thing to do is to tell an adult that you trust. This could be a parent, other relative, teacher, coach, or school counselor. The person might need professional help to stop using drugs. A grownup can help the person find the treatment needed to stop using drugs. Another way kids can help kids is by choosing not to try or use drugs. It's a good way for friends to stick together.

Words to Know

Understanding drugs and why they are dangerous is another good step for a kid to take. Here are some words that may be new to you:

• Addiction (say: uh-dik-shun) — Someone has an addiction when he or she becomes dependent on or craves a drug all of the time.

• Depressant (say: dih-preh-sunt) — A depressant is a drug that slows a person down. Doctors prescribe depressants to help people be less angry, anxious, or tense. Depressants relax muscles and make people feel sleepy, less stressed out, or like their head is stuffed. Some people may use these drugs illegally to slow themselves down and help bring on sleep — especially after using various kinds of stimulants. (See below.)

• Hallucinogen (say: huh-loo-sun-uh-jun) — A hallucinogen is a drug, such as LSD, that changes a person's mood and makes him or her see or hear things that aren't really there or think strange thoughts.

• High — A high is the feeling that drug users want to get when they take drugs. There are many types of highs, including a very happy or spacey feeling or a feeling that someone has special powers, such as the ability to fly or to see into the future.

• Inhalant (say: in-hay-lunt) — An inhalant, such as glue or gasoline, is sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an immediate rush. Inhalants produce a quick feeling of being drunk — followed by sleepiness, staggering, dizziness, and confusion.

• Narcotic (say: nar-kah-tik) — A narcotic dulls the body's senses (leaving a person less aware and alert and feeling carefree) and relieves pain. Narcotics can cause someone to sleep, fall into a stupor, have convulsions, and even slip into a coma. Certain narcotics — such as codeine — are legal if given by doctors to treat pain. Heroin is an illegal narcotic because it is has dangerous side effects and is very addictive.

• Stimulant (say: stim-yuh-lunt) — A stimulant speeds up the body and brain. Stimulants, such as methamphetamines and cocaine, have the opposite effect of depressants. Usually, stimulants make someone feel high and energized. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, the person will feel tired or sick.

Sources : http://kidshealth.org