How to Talk to a Loved One About Addiction

It is important to be open and communicative about addiction with your loved one. Sometimes this can be difficult if you are unsure on how they are going to act, respond or deal with it. This shouldn’t stop you though. The first step for maintaining your relationship and perhaps helping the person through addiction is to be able to talk about it.

You should make sure that you are in a safe comfortable environment for both of you and that you have enough time and limited distractions to allow you to truly have the whole conversation. It could be tough during parts and you don’t want to be called away and leave something like this unfinished.

Next you should be open and honest but without being accusative or judgemental. This is important because you don’t want them to go on the defensive, but rather you want to open them up to be willing to share too. Share your feelings, what has been happening and how you feel affected by the situation.

Sometimes the person won’t fully have faced how bad their drug habit or drinking has gotten, so it is good to be able to draw some comparisons, maybe compare the quantity of drugs or alcohol taken or the fact that ‘now they drink in the morning’ for example. You can show how behaviours may have changed or goals or purposes have gone by the wayside.

You will have to analyse what particularly has changed and what may be real to them about the changes as a first step for them to be able to see that there is a situation. Don’t be put off if you don’t achieve something major, just having the conversation is an excellent first step.

If you need help or advise on talking to your loved one, then call us on

00800 802 1375

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How to talk about addiction First step on helping with addiction

A Dangerous Time to Be on Drugs

Today, more than ever, is a dangerous time to be addicted to drugs. Not only are there more drugs than ever before, but the purity, potency and even the chemical makeup of the drugs can very widely, thereby greatly increasing the possibility of drug overdoses or other severely bad reactions.

A couple of generations ago there were really only a dozen street drugs generally available and their strength and effects were fairly well known by drug users. Times have now changed though, with a multitude of synthetic drugs being made month to month, with new pharmaceutical drugs escaping from a controlled medical environment onto the street, and with many drugs being adulterated with dangerous chemicals or other drugs. All of this means that the drug user is often playing a game of Russian Roulette, never knowing when the hammer is going to fall on a loaded chamber.

There are now literally hundreds of different forms of non-prescription, synthetic drugs on the market. Not all of them are even illegal because the drug manufacturers keep changing the chemical components of the substances to stay ahead of the legislation which attempts to outlaw these drugs. These ‘legal highs’ though, are just as dangerous as many of the illegal drugs out there and sometimes more so.

Many formulas out there don’t even have names but are just known by their research numbers such as 251-NBOMe, or HU-210. Synthetic cannabis for example just in 2013 was found to have 29 new different forms! This is out of the 81 total new synthetic drugs or forms of drugs found in the UK alone. When the chemical composition of what the user smokes, injects or eats varies widely, it can often occur that the effects of those drugs are equally unpredictable. There are records of these and other synthetic drugs causing psychotic breaks, suicides and even homicides.

But it is not only synthetic drugs which can have unknown effects. Today it is very common for more “traditional” street drugs, such as heroin, to be laced with other substances. For example, the prescription drug, Fenytal, many times stronger than heroin, is sometimes added to strengthen the high which the junkie gets from his heroin hit. That added boost can easily cause an overdose.

This is why now, more than ever, it is a dangerous time to be buying drugs and using drugs.

If you know of a friend or loved one who is abusing drugs, don’t wait. Contact Narconon so that we can work together to get that person into a programme to free him from drug abuse and its attendant risks.

For more help on educating someone you know 
against these legal highs or getting help 
for someone who is already addicted, call us on

00800 808 5749

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Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

Cocaine is extracted from coca leaves and was originally developed as a painkiller.   Cocaine is known as one of the most dangerous drugs out there because once you have taken it, it has proven extremely difficult to get out of its physical and mental grip.

It has many names, a couple of common ones are coke or nose candy.  It is also commonly known as dice or jelly beans, and there are many, many other names. 

When it is in powder form it is known as cocaine and when in crystal form it is known as crack cocaine.

Crack cocaine comes in blocks or crystals and varies between yellow, pale pink and white. It is heated and smoked and gets its name from the cracking sound it makes as it is heated. Crack cocaine is usually 75% to 100% pure which is drastically stronger than normal cocaine, because of this, and the fact it is smoked, it is a lot more potent. Smoking it allows the drug to reach the brain faster and therefore bring about a more intense, though shorter, high. For this reason, people often get hooked after only one try.

The physical and mental effects of coke and crack cocaine are the same, however in crack they can be stronger or more immediate.

Some of the short-term effects are bizarre, erratic, violent behaviour, hallucinations, mood alteration, including euphoria and paranoia, depression, panic, convulsions, increased heart rate, disturbed sleep and the list goes on.

In the long term it is just as bad, effects can include high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, liver, kidney and lung damage, respiratory failure, sexual dysfunction, hallucinations, disorientation, exhaustion, psychosis or death.

If you need any more information about the 
true effects of other drugs or help with someone you know addicted to cocaine or crack, then 

please call us on 00800 802 1375

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Cocaine Crack Cocaine Cocaine addiction

Some Facts about Mood Stabilisers

What 

What are the risks associated with taking mood stabilisers?

“Mood stabilisers” is a generic term for the class of drug that is prescribed to handle a range of mood disorders. These can be heightened moods such as mania or hypomania, or depressed moods such as Major Depressive Disorder or Clinical Depression or, lastly, moods which bounce in between, called “Bipolar.”

These symptoms can be an actual emotional problem, substance induced symptoms or the result of a medical condition. Mood stabilisers can be prescribed for any of these three reasons. The second two situations can be particularly dangerous as these drugs then cover up the underlying problems and situations.

Emotional

To determine if your problem is truly emotional it is vital that you get a very thorough medical check done first. This is because certain physical problems have emotional side effects. If you don’t handle the medical problem and instead start taking mood stabilisers you can only worsen the existing physical situation.

Result of Other Drugs 

This is a particularly dodgy area. It can be a chain reaction of one drug being taken to handle the symptoms of another drug, onwards and onwards until you are totally addicted and dependent on drugs. Rather than taking another drug, look at coming off of the drug causing you problems. Do not look for alternate drugs or remedies to handle the original problem.

Medical Condition 

Once you have determined that you have an actual physical problem going on, (that the emotions are just a side effect to) it gives you something real that you can tackle. Doctors should be able to address the underlying physical cause without prescribing mood stabilisers.

Just one of the reasons for avoiding mood stabilisers is that they have many, many side effects of which I can only list a small percentage: Blackouts, loss of bladder and bowel control, confusion, stupor, hallucinations, seizures, thyroid problems, coma, drowsiness, birth defects (when taken by pregnant women), diabetes, vertigo, dizziness, muscle weakness, thirst, slowed intellectual function and the list goes on….

So think first before asking or taking mood stabilisers. If you know someone who has become addicted to mood stabilisers, contact us and find out how we can help. 

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Call today for a confidential chat
0800 808 5749   

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Alcohol Really Is a Drug

 Alcohol is legal and it is a big part of most people’s social life, especially here in the UK where being able to “hold your drink” is considered a good thing. Most weekends don’t go by without at least one big night out. For that reason, it is not always thought of as “that bad” or “really a drug.”

Alcohol, though, is a drug, and it is important to realise that, and understand the facts so that you can then limit your drinking to a responsible level and not end up trapped in dependency.

Alcohol is classed as a depressant. Meaning that it slows down vital functions. That is why when you drink a lot you can end up with slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and a slow reaction time. Mentally it also impairs your ability to think rationally and make good judgements.

The amount of alcohol that you drink determines the reaction that you will get, one beer or a glass of wine will not usually have a depressing effect but will stimulate you. The next level is the depressant affect. If even more is consumed, then you get into dangerous health areas such as vomiting, unconsciousness, coma or even death.

Statistically more than 9 million people in England drink over the recommended daily limits. In fact, in the UK in 2014 there were 8,697 alcohol-related deaths! Alcohol makes up 10% of the UK’s problems of disease and death, and is one of the three biggest lifestyle risks we have, along with smoking and obesity. 

For that reason, it is very important to understand fully that alcohol is a drug and how it effects the body.

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels from the stomach to the brain where it quickly starts to slow the actions of the nerve cells.

Alcohol is also carried by the blood stream to the liver. The liver’s job is to remove the alcohol from the body, by converting it into a non-toxic substance by metabolizing it. The problem is the liver can only metabolize so much at a time. Which means when you consume a high amount, a lot of alcohol is left circulating in the blood stream. This specifically is why the quantity of alcohol you drink in a certain period of time directly effects your reaction to it.

When the amount of alcohol in your blood exceeds a certain amount, the depressing effects start to take their toll and the breathing system slows right down, meaning not much oxygen is reaching the brain which is what can lead to coma or death.

Some of the short term and more well-known effects of alcohol are slurred speech, drowsiness, vomiting, headaches, distorted vision and unconsciousness but there are other more drastic short term effects such as breathing difficulties, anaemia, blackouts and coma.

When you continue to binge drink over a longer period of time, there are other much longer term effects. Alcohol poisoning, high blood pressure, stroke, heart problems, liver disease, nerve damage, sexual problems, brain damage, ulcers and even cancer of the throat.

Other ways alcohol can affect your life is through accidents, or work and relationship losses. While consuming a large amount of alcohol you are more at risk to accidents and injuries whether intentional or not. Such things as car accidents, drowning, falls and burns are not uncommon. It can affect your productivity at work, cause you to make mistakes or even cause on the job injuries. Lastly is the effect on your family life. As you become more and more dependent, relationships will start to fall further and further away.

Think before you drink and if you feel you don’t have the ability to stop drinking, get help. 

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If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol dependence, then call Narconon today 

00800 802 1375

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After Narconon New Life Detox

“I feel very positive about living again.”

Early on in the Narconon line-up is the New Life Detox component: a combination of exercise, sauna, a healthy dietary intake and a specific nutritional supplement regime.

We are all exposed to toxins on a daily basis, but for those who have become addicted to drugs or alcohol, the toxicity level can be significantly greater. In many cases, students report that the results are not just physical. The advantages in mental and emotional health are also evident, as described here by one Narconon student:

“The New Life Detoxification has been a big step forward for me because now I feel like a different person and I feel very positive about living again. I feel I have great control in everything I will do now. This has made me a very happy person overall. Thanks for everyone’s help in getting me through—it has been great.” K.S.

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A New Lease of Life and a Future 

That Seems Brighter and Clearer Than Ever 

Narconon’s New Life Detox aims to free the person from toxins that may be hindering their

physical and mental progress towards a drug-free life. It is a carefully designed programme to help re-establish their nutritional status, clean up their body and prepare them for the ensuing courses to increase their mental and emotional well-being. A student shares her story here:

"When I came to Narconon my life was on the road to ruin. Drugs overtook my zest for ambition and had set up my happiness for a disastrous fall—as I was finding out quite rapidly. When I reached my lowest ebb I didn't know who to turn to and I felt trapped. Narconon was a glimmer of hope in my otherwise vanquished life. Speaking to a Narconon representative for the first time was the first step to my life repair.

I am now in the latter stages of my sauna program on the New Life Detoxification and feel closer to my goal for a drug-free life than ever. I exercise, eat healthily, take vitamins and ensure every day that my problems are dealt with properly with help of the supportive staff at Narconon.

Not only do I have a new lease of life, but my outlook for the future seems brighter and clearer than ever. 

I will always remember and cherish Narconon for the help given me."

Call us today on 00800 802 1375

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New Life Detoxification positive change

Saving Artists from Addiction

Almost every month we read or hear about an artist who has succumbed to drugs. Artists are important for our society because they inspire the culture and society to better things. These individuals are talented and deserve support.

By the same token, they are often the target of drug dealers. Artists are often already on a different creative plane and casually taking drugs may not seem like a big deal. Alternately the pressures of the industry or fame can often take their toll and lead to drugs as a solution for the stress.

In the mainstream media you often do not hear about an artist’s drug problem until it is too late. But for those close by, there are usually warning signs or outright in your face signs that you should follow up on.

It takes stepping up to confront someone about their drug problem, facing their denial, recrimination or anger. It is not always easy and sometimes you may feel that it is not worth risking the friendship or relationship you have with the person. But over the long term if someone truly succumbs to addiction you are going to lose this bond in a much worse way anyway.

If you know that you are truly saving someone’s life, then it is always the right thing to do. Pushing through the denial and managing to get that person real help will always be worth it. Both for the person themselves as well as those around him.

If you need help or advise on how to talk to an artist suffering from drugs, 
contact us on 00800 802 1375

Visit Narconon United Kingdom's website

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The Future Was a Black Hole 
until the New Life Detox

“I have found that during Narconon’s New Life Detoxification step, I have been thinking about all the things I can do in the future to make mine and my family’s lives better.

While I do not want to forget the past, I do not want to dwell on it either. I have taken what I can from it and am looking forward to the many options I have. 

Before, I allowed my worries of how things would or could turn out control me, and my emotions; the future was a black hole. 

Now it is full of hope, faith and love, and more opportunities than I could ever have imagined before.“  E.R.

If your family needs help call Narconon today on

00800 802 1375
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Drugs in the Work Place 

Drug use affects all parts of life and that most definitely includes the workplace.

For each individual, a job is vital not only for keeping busy and active but for the means to live and support a family. For executives having happy and productive staff is vital to keeping the company running and viable.

Drug use has an affect on all of these things. Often it comes from not liking your job, not feeling challenged or feeling bored. Alternately or on the other side of the coin it can be from stress, or an unpleasant boss or work environment.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence gives some statistics and findings on just how severe the effects of drugs are on the workplace. A couple of stronger examples are these:

• Workers with alcohol problems were 2.7 times more likely than workers without drinking problems to have injury-related absences.
• One-fifth of workers and managers across a wide range of industries and company sizes report that a co-worker’s on- or off-the-job drinking jeopardized their own productivity and safety.

The most common affects are not as severe as this. They often include showing up late, missing a high number of days of work, doing work slowly or with mistakes. This of course is often the precursor of worse things to come.

Often drugs or alcohol is used as a solution to stress at work or a way to relax on the weekend. Unfortunately, this doesn't usually stay on the weekend and it will start to impinge on the work days too. It can often lead to more drugs too. What started as pot to relax on the weekends leads to cocaine to wake up during the week and so the vicious cycle goes.

If you believe you or a colleague or employee may be in need of help call us and see what we can do to help you  
0800 802 1375 

Contact Us Now!

Drugs in the Work Place 

Drug use affects all parts of life and that most definitely includes the workplace.

For each individual, a job is vital not only for keeping busy and active but for the means to live and support a family. For executives having happy and productive staff is vital to keeping the company running and viable.

Drug use has an affect on all of these things. Often it comes from not liking your job, not feeling challenged or feeling bored. Alternately or on the other side of the coin it can be from stress, or an unpleasant boss or work environment.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence gives some statistics and findings on just how severe the effects of drugs are on the workplace. A couple of stronger examples are these:

• Workers with alcohol problems were 2.7 times more likely than workers without drinking problems to have injury-related absences.
• One-fifth of workers and managers across a wide range of industries and company sizes report that a co-worker’s on- or off-the-job drinking jeopardized their own productivity and safety.

The most common affects are not as severe as this. They often include showing up late, missing a high number of days of work, doing work slowly or with mistakes. This of course is often the precursor of worse things to come.

Often drugs or alcohol is used as a solution to stress at work or a way to relax on the weekend. Unfortunately, this doesn't usually stay on the weekend and it will start to impinge on the work days too. It can often lead to more drugs too. What started as pot to relax on the weekends leads to cocaine to wake up during the week and so the vicious cycle goes.

If you believe you or a colleague or employee may be in need of help call us and see what we can do to help you  
0800 802 1375 

Contact Us Now!

The New Life Detox:
An Amazing Experience!

A student’s joy with the successful outcome of our comprehensive New Life Detoxification.
“The New Life Detoxification is really an amazing experience where oneprogressively cleans the entire body system, giving an increased feeling of improvement in many aspects of body and mind performance—until a point where one really feels reborn for a new world full of opportunities and future.”   G.C. Call today to discuss the full Narconon Programme and how it may help you or a loved one overcome addiction.

00800 802 1375

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How to Spot an Alcoholic?

Alcohol can seem so safe at first—everyone drinks, it's legal, it's not really a drug... until it is out of hand, and someone you know is addicted. Then is the time you really have to face the effects of alcohol abuse.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to determine the true level of the problem.

• Can the person control his (or her) drinking?
• If there is alcohol available can he make the choice to not drink and stick to it?
• Can he stop drinking while there is still alcohol in the bottle, glass or case?
• Is he always finding a reason or excuse to drink?
• Does he drink regularly on his own?
• Does he hide or deny the amount that he drinks?
• Have the costs related to drinking started getting out of control?
• Is he drinking in dangerous situations like driving or while taking prescription medication?
• Does the drinking continue despite things like legal problems or relationship issues?
• Is he neglecting his responsibilities?
• If you confront him on the problem, does he deny it, or even get angry with you?
• Does he deny the situation and refuse to look at change or solutions?
• Are there health problems being caused from the quantity of alcohol consumption?

Depending on how many of these were affirmative you can see how severe the situation really is. Alcoholism can creep up on someone, maybe it started socially but later got out of control. Because alcohol is a legal drug people often don't think that there is a problem until it is too late. Unfortunately like any addiction, it can ruin lives, and not only of the alcoholic themselves.

If the answer was yes to a only few of these, then don't wait for it to worsen but take effective action immediately, while the person is more able to confront the situation.

If you need advice with an alcoholic friend or family member, contact us to see how we can help.

 0800 802 1375

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alcoholism alcoholic alcohol addiction addiction alcohol treatment

Student Experiences “A Feeling That Was Better Than A Drug,” During Narconon’s Drug-Free Withdrawal

Withdrawal is often the most feared stage of getting off drugs. Withdrawal symptoms can be any combination of the following: insomnia, restlessness, irritability, muscle cramps and twitches, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, shakiness, and headaches.

At Narconon we use simple yet precise and effective techniques, along with a specialised Nutritional programme that helps relieve the symptoms associated with drug or alcohol withdrawal. 

Here is what one student said about his Narconon Drug-Free Withdrawal:

“I wanted to come to Narconon to get off drugs because I had no other place to go. I couldn’t do it on my own. I did try, and I just kept going back. My girlfriend said I was making her ill and my dad nearly had a nervous breakdown. I was ringing loads of rehabs, and never really followed it through. And then Narconon rang me back. I said I need you to get me there today.

The first night I didn’t want to be there. And then I got to sleep—I slept right through to the next day. I never do this normally because my mind is never settled. But then I got to sleep. And then I slept most of the day too. Then I got more of my appetite back and every time I felt low, I got an assist and Cal-Mag (calcium and magnesium drink). That calmed me down and made me want to sleep and relax. This is a new feeling for me. It took my mind off the emotion. I feel this is an achievement for myself.

The techniques from the staff, and how they are—like how they talk to me—really helped me. Objectives really did help and give me a new sensation in my body. One of the objectives gave me a feeling that was better than a drug, a feeling it was unbelievable. It’s just unbelievable.”

L.H.

At Narconon we do not use any substitute drugs to get someone off drugs. Many of our students say their drug-free withdrawal was nowhere near as bad as they thought it was going to be.

If you want to get off drugs but are in fear of withdrawal, contact us to discuss your own personal case and how the Narconon programme could help.

Get Help!

00800 802 1375