My son and I were recently having a discussion about mushrooms and I found I really didn't have much knowledge about this drug. So I did some research and would like to share a bit about what I learned. This blog is designed to help people who are suffering (or have loved ones who are suffering) with drug addiction. I feel by sharing in my education it may also help others.
Psilocybin mushrooms also known as "magic mushrooms" have hallucinogenic effects for those who ingest them. Mushrooms differ from a lot of other drugs like cocaine or heroin because they are not addictive. Some people may build up a short term tolerance if they are eating them regularly but in the overall spectrum of drug use and abuse you do not hear of many people seeking drug rehabs for addiction to mushrooms.
The effects of mushrooms:
Oral ingestion can sometimes produce nausea, dizziness, and (sometimes) vomiting. Cannabis (marijuana) is often used to lessen this stomach discomfort. Because the "high" you get from mushrooms is very subjective and unpredictable having a "bad trip" is one of the greatest dangers in that it can cause severe emotional and psychological distress.
Physical reactions:
Loss of appetite, coldness in the extremities, increase of pulse rate, numbness of the mouth and adjacent features, nausea, elevated blood pressure, weakness in the limbs, muscle relaxation, yawning, swollen features, and pupil dilation.
Sensory reactions:
Changes to the audio, visual, and tactile senses can occur within ten minutes after ingestion. The visual include enhancement of colors, strange light phenomena, surfaces seem to ripple, shimmer, or breathe; complex open and closed eye visuals or images, objects that warp, or morph. Sounds appear with increased clarity.
Emotional reactions:
During the psychedelic experience, emotions can rapidly and inexplicably change. Contradictory emotions, such as excitement, happiness, sadness, fear can all be encountered within minutes of each other or simultaneously. Users may experience greater than usual feelings of connectivity with a higher power or the universe.
The high associated with mushrooms is often compared to LSD, the experience, or "trip," is strongly dependent upon the setting. A negative environment could induce a bad trip, whereas a comfortable and familiar environment would allow for a pleasant experience.
Psychological reactions:
Can range from insightful to disorienting. Users report an increased ability to concentrate on memories, abstract or disorganized thought patterns and, sometimes, sudden, intuitive realizations. Mushrooms allow what would typically be bypassed by the brain's natural filters are magnified, along with the ideas and emotions that accompany such thoughts. Significant amounts of time are often spent in deep philosophical or introspective silence. If this introspective mindset is negative, it can be painful and uncomfortable for the user to experience.
A typical dose is about 1-2 grams. Potency can vary for a number of reasons. A "trip" will usually last between 3-7 hours, depending on potency and amount ingested. Symptoms or effects are usually completely gone within 24 hours. After one week usage of mushrooms will not show up in a urine or blood drug test.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ketamine aka Special K
In the news today there was an article saying that Ketamine use is on the rise. Although this article was based in the UK, I did a little more research to find it is also still very popular in the U.S.
Ketamine is a highly addictive and highly hallucinogenic drug primarily found in club type scenes and/or raves. Ketamine can also be used as a date rape drug, since it can immobilize someone for a short period of time. It is not a very easy drug to get a hold of as most of it comes out of Mexico or is taken illegally from a veterinary office. Ketamine is often used in veterinary clinics as a horse tranquilizer. Although most commonly a drug teens abuse, adults use it as well.
On the street Ketamine is known as Special K, Ket, Vitamin K, Super acid, Baby food, Special LA, Coke, Jet, and God. People who use this drug usually refer to their high as going to "K-Land" or the "K-hole".
Addiction to Ketamine often results in drug rehab.
Ketamine is a highly addictive and highly hallucinogenic drug primarily found in club type scenes and/or raves. Ketamine can also be used as a date rape drug, since it can immobilize someone for a short period of time. It is not a very easy drug to get a hold of as most of it comes out of Mexico or is taken illegally from a veterinary office. Ketamine is often used in veterinary clinics as a horse tranquilizer. Although most commonly a drug teens abuse, adults use it as well.
On the street Ketamine is known as Special K, Ket, Vitamin K, Super acid, Baby food, Special LA, Coke, Jet, and God. People who use this drug usually refer to their high as going to "K-Land" or the "K-hole".
Addiction to Ketamine often results in drug rehab.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Suspect Drug Use?
If you suspect someone you know and/or love could be using drugs but you are not sure how to approach it or what to do here are a few tips:
1. If you are not aware of how extensive the drug use is ask questions. Make sure the way you ask out of genuine concern rather than as an accusation.
2. Discuss the problems or signs with a professional and get their expert opinion on the best way you can help this person with their drug or alcohol addiction.
3. Educate yourself on the specifics of the type of substance they are addicted to. You can go to the library or online and search for warning signs of _, effects of _, and/or statistics on _.
4. Find out what kind of help is available in your community ie. drug treatment centers, group support meetings, and/or counselling centers.
5. Be sure to show your love and support no matter how angry you may be. It's ok to be angry or hurt just express it in a way that will help and not aggravate the situation.
6. Understand that even if this person is willing to enter a drug rehab for a period of time the addiction will not just disappear. They will have to continue to fight the addiction and you will need to continue your support.
7. Drug abuse affects millions. Allow yourself to be constantly reminded that there are many people just like you and just like the person who has become addicted. You would be hard pressed to find someone in a position to judge you because most everyone has a friend, family member, or loved one who is fighting addiction.
8. If you do not feel like you are in a position to help this person any longer be willing to let them get the outside help and support they need. Sometimes this is what they need to succeed.
9. Be sure to recognize every stepping stone they reach in their goals to fight addiction. Give praise and celebration to even the baby steps, addiction can be a long and difficult road and every step in the right direction counts. Local recovery support groups are often helpful.
10. If the person addicted to drugs or alcohol is making poor choices which have consequences do not try to cover them up or make excuses for them. They need to see what their choices are doing, how they affect other people, and pay the price for those choices.
11. Be willing to LISTEN. Do not assume you know what this person is thinking, feeling, or going through. The only way you can know this is to listen. Listening can also help in drug abuse prevention.
12. Always let this person know you have not given up on them. Whether you choose be a part of the healing process or not make it clear you are not giving up on them.
13. Understand there may be relapses, not everyone has them but a great percentage do. It is not the end of the world, they can make it back to sobriety. That is not to say you need to support the behavior, just the person.
Drug and alcohol abuse can create very serious problems and sometimes deadly consequences. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction it is important that you get help immediately. I hope these tips can help in addressing the problem and ultimately in getting help.
Good Luck! Stay Strong!
1. If you are not aware of how extensive the drug use is ask questions. Make sure the way you ask out of genuine concern rather than as an accusation.
2. Discuss the problems or signs with a professional and get their expert opinion on the best way you can help this person with their drug or alcohol addiction.
3. Educate yourself on the specifics of the type of substance they are addicted to. You can go to the library or online and search for warning signs of _, effects of _, and/or statistics on _.
4. Find out what kind of help is available in your community ie. drug treatment centers, group support meetings, and/or counselling centers.
5. Be sure to show your love and support no matter how angry you may be. It's ok to be angry or hurt just express it in a way that will help and not aggravate the situation.
6. Understand that even if this person is willing to enter a drug rehab for a period of time the addiction will not just disappear. They will have to continue to fight the addiction and you will need to continue your support.
7. Drug abuse affects millions. Allow yourself to be constantly reminded that there are many people just like you and just like the person who has become addicted. You would be hard pressed to find someone in a position to judge you because most everyone has a friend, family member, or loved one who is fighting addiction.
8. If you do not feel like you are in a position to help this person any longer be willing to let them get the outside help and support they need. Sometimes this is what they need to succeed.
9. Be sure to recognize every stepping stone they reach in their goals to fight addiction. Give praise and celebration to even the baby steps, addiction can be a long and difficult road and every step in the right direction counts. Local recovery support groups are often helpful.
10. If the person addicted to drugs or alcohol is making poor choices which have consequences do not try to cover them up or make excuses for them. They need to see what their choices are doing, how they affect other people, and pay the price for those choices.
11. Be willing to LISTEN. Do not assume you know what this person is thinking, feeling, or going through. The only way you can know this is to listen. Listening can also help in drug abuse prevention.
12. Always let this person know you have not given up on them. Whether you choose be a part of the healing process or not make it clear you are not giving up on them.
13. Understand there may be relapses, not everyone has them but a great percentage do. It is not the end of the world, they can make it back to sobriety. That is not to say you need to support the behavior, just the person.
Drug and alcohol abuse can create very serious problems and sometimes deadly consequences. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction it is important that you get help immediately. I hope these tips can help in addressing the problem and ultimately in getting help.
Good Luck! Stay Strong!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Marijuana
Most people know what Marijuana is, what it looks or smells like, and even know someone who uses it or has used it in the past. It is by far the most socially accepted drug. Many will even argue it is "all natural" and therefore not the same risk as say meth, or that it is safer to drive under the influence of marijuana than alcohol. These arguments are everywhere.
Statistics show that most users are between the ages of 18 and 25, including about 30% of college students. Trends show that kids are starting to experiment with alcohol and marijuana as early as about 12 years old. There are also many adults who continue to smoke marijuana. Surveys on marijuana use show that 2.1 million people have tried marijuana for the first time in the last 12 months, that is approximately 6,000 a day.
Marijuana comes in second to the most widely abused only topped by alcohol. Most addicts admit to starting their addiction process with alcohol, then marijuana, then on to their "drug of choice". This is why marijuana is often referred to as the "gateway drug". It is a common belief that marijuana is not addictive. This is false. The body builds up a tolerance to marijuana . Because THC remains in the body for a longer period of time withdrawal symptoms are often not as quick or severe as other more addictive drugs.
The effects of marijuana when smoked start within just a couple minutes and last about 1-3 hours, but when consumed in food or drink can last about 4 hours but will take longer to take effect. During this period of being "high" people often feel a sense of euphoria, heightened awareness or confusion, distortions of colors or sounds, time may seem delayed, and some may have hallucinations. Once these effects start to wear off some experience a sense of fear, anxiety, distrust, panic, or depression.
If you discover one of your loved ones is using marijuana you should seek help right away. Most drug rehabs will treat marijuana addiction, even if they specialize in other drug treatments. Because marijuana is known as the gateway drug many people addicted to other drugs also continue to use marijuana and drug treatment facilities will often treat patients for withdrawal symptoms of marijuana along with their other addictions.
Statistics show that most users are between the ages of 18 and 25, including about 30% of college students. Trends show that kids are starting to experiment with alcohol and marijuana as early as about 12 years old. There are also many adults who continue to smoke marijuana. Surveys on marijuana use show that 2.1 million people have tried marijuana for the first time in the last 12 months, that is approximately 6,000 a day.
Marijuana comes in second to the most widely abused only topped by alcohol. Most addicts admit to starting their addiction process with alcohol, then marijuana, then on to their "drug of choice". This is why marijuana is often referred to as the "gateway drug". It is a common belief that marijuana is not addictive. This is false. The body builds up a tolerance to marijuana . Because THC remains in the body for a longer period of time withdrawal symptoms are often not as quick or severe as other more addictive drugs.
The effects of marijuana when smoked start within just a couple minutes and last about 1-3 hours, but when consumed in food or drink can last about 4 hours but will take longer to take effect. During this period of being "high" people often feel a sense of euphoria, heightened awareness or confusion, distortions of colors or sounds, time may seem delayed, and some may have hallucinations. Once these effects start to wear off some experience a sense of fear, anxiety, distrust, panic, or depression.
If you discover one of your loved ones is using marijuana you should seek help right away. Most drug rehabs will treat marijuana addiction, even if they specialize in other drug treatments. Because marijuana is known as the gateway drug many people addicted to other drugs also continue to use marijuana and drug treatment facilities will often treat patients for withdrawal symptoms of marijuana along with their other addictions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
