Views of the Drug Problem in the UK

In 2014 an anonymous survey was done across 1,080 adults in the UK, representing a cross section of society, regarding their drug use. Though the amount surveyed is not that high, it gives an interesting view on some facts and figures here in the UK. 

Here were some of what was found:

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  I think something that can be taken from that last statistic is a change in the slant of drug education. Often the reasons discussed and focused on are things like peer pressure or feeling bullied but clearly, that is not what needs to be addressed here. 62% of people are only taking it out of curiosity! Curiosity is not a negative characteristic, so something in the education needs to change so that curiosity can be channelled elsewhere or at least the drug information can satisfy that curiosity enough! Food for thought…One-third of those surveyed had taken an illegal drug at some point, and of those that said yes, 21% were still taking them.
• 13% of those who had ever taken an illegal drug believed they had had, or still have, a problem with drugs.
• 23% of those currently using take drugs every single day.
• The most common age for first ever trying an illegal drug was between 16-18
• Marijuana is the most often taken drug at 93% followed by amphetamines (34%), cocaine (29%), Ecstasy (25%), magic mushrooms (22%), LSD (20%), ketamine (8%), mephedrone (7%), heroin (6%), crack (6%), crystal meth (3%), anabolic steroids (2%).
• Marijuana is the most common first tried drug by a long way at 82%.
• 62% of people first tried drugs purely out of curiosity, this is followed way behind by wanting to fit in with friends (14%), peer pressure (10%), unhappiness (3%) and other miscellaneous reasons.

The full report is available for viewing here:

www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/-sp-drug-use-is-rising-in-the-uk-but-were-not-addicted

For more information

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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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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 

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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

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