Family problems. When a recovering addict is dealing with family problems such as a divorce (often as a result of the addict’s drug use), this lessens the amount of calming neurotransmitters that the brain receives. For instance, the brain needs serotonin and melatonin for sound sleep and to maintain a calm mood as a coping mechanism for high stress. Someone who has abused drugs for a long time depends on substances to do this job. So, an addict may turn back to his/her drug of choice for comfort when a child runs away from home, or an older family member like a parent or grandparent passes away.

Money problems. Drug addiction leads to financial problems in many cases. When acquiring drugs is the addict’s main priority, he/she will do anything to get their hands on the harmful substance—including buying drugs instead of paying bills, or skipping work for days at a time. If an addict who is attempting to become sober starts to experience serious money problems during recovery, there is a chance that he/she will start using drugs again to cope with the anxiety.

Social problems. Some individuals start taking drugs in order to fit in more socially. For instance, drugs like cocaine and ecstasy can make a person more comfortable in social situations, or provide feelings of extreme friendliness and closeness. So when someone is being weaned from these drugs, social issues like reclusiveness or inappropriate social behavior may occur. The addict may also feel that he/she is being judged in social situations, and could start using drugs again to get over feelings of insecurity.

Pet peeves. Something as small as too much traffic on the way to work, or not being able to find a favorite accessory when getting ready for dinner with friends can lead a recovering addict to start using again. This is because there is an extreme imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, so the addict’s mind will perceive a small matter as a problem that is too difficult to solve.

To ensure that your friend, family member or patient continues his/her journey to sobriety successfully, drug testing kits can be purchased for confidential results in the privacy of your own home. These evaluations will give you the answers you need right away  to determine if more intensive treatment is needed.

Many people will take painkillers to get rid of the “blues” or boost their mood, because they don’t want to admit that they’re suffering from depression. After all, it’s easy to get aspirin or ibuprofen from the local grocery or convenience store—a prescription pain medication may be harder to come by. If a person takes enough of the pain medication, he/she may feel sedated or begin to hallucinate, which is a distraction from feelings of hopelessness, fear or panic.

On the other hand, others will use painkillers when they realize they are depressed and want to medicate themselves on their own terms. When a person buys his/her own medications, the individual can control how large or small the dosage is; with prescription medications, the dosages are measured by a physician. Also, some doctors will make patients sign a waiver, which states that the patient won’t take too much of the drug while it is prescribed.

Symptoms of painkiller abuse include extreme sleepiness, taking several doses a day—even when one don’t have a headache or body pains, and feeling jittery and upset when one doesn’t have the pills. If you notice that a loved one or patient is exhibiting these symptoms, it may be time to purchase a drug test from Complete Drug Testing Solutions.

The tests we offer are easy to administer, whether you’re a health professional, or concerned parent or family member. Our home drug tests are very easy to read, so you can get the results you need immediately—and find the individual who is abusing painkillers much-needed help right away.

Many studies suggest that one of the long term symptoms of ecstasy use could be brain damage. This is due to the fact that the neurotransmitters the emit serotonin into the body are damaged by ecstasy. Serotonin is a chemical that facilitates relaxation and pleasure. Once the transmitters in the brain the produce this chemical are damaged, ecstasy users are more likely to develop anxiety disorders and depression, especially after long-term use. This may also occur in individuals who used MDMA for long periods of time, and have been off the drugs for months or years.

Ecstasy users are also more likely to become addicted to cigarettes. The dangers of becoming a smoker have been obvious for some years now, and include an increased risk of lung, liver and throat cancer. When those who use ecstasy are coming down from their high, they are likely to clench their jaws repeatedly and forcefully. In order to avoid muscle and joint discomfort in the jaw and to combat this side effect, many ecstasy users will turn to smoking.

Liver and kidney failure is also a possible result of using ecstasy for an extended period of time. The drug will compromise your immune system, and changes the way that your body functions and circulates blood. This means that your internal organs may not always get the nutrients necessary to fulfill their role in your health. A high fever, extreme fatigue and blurry vision could be symptoms of these conditions. An extremely slow or rapid heart rate could be a sign that these internal organs are failing as well—medical attention is needed right away in these instances.

If you know someone who is using ecstasy, or if you want to know how you can safely detox from the drug, visit your local drug treatment center. Stop a local clinic or hospital to discuss treatment options with a health care professional. Home drug testing kits are often a discreet and confidential way to confirm or refute that drug abuse is occurring.

Opiates relax the muscles, which is part of the reason that the medicine has the ability to reduce pain. However, if someone is abusing opiates, the muscles can become too relaxed, and the nerves will be damaged. This can cause involuntary shaking and tremors, particularly in the legs. However, arm and hand shaking is common in opiate addicts as well. Depending on how long a person has been using opiates, this symptom could be impossible to reverse.

Too much opium in the system can keep the body too awake and alert when it should be at rest. This is the reason that many opiate addicts are insomniacs. Addicts may sleep soundly throughout the day and have trouble sleeping at night. Or, they may sleep for a few hours at night, then wake up in the middle of the night without being able to fall asleep again. This can lead to irritability, depression and anxiety. Insomnia also contributes to fatigue, which will make the addict less able to function at work or school.

Concerning changes in appearance are often a give away. Red, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, extreme weight loss or gain, and a swollen face are signs that a person is abusing opiate drugs. If you notice that a loved one has developed one or more of these symptoms, it may be time to seek drug counseling. Opium, in large amounts, can throw the body’s natural defense systems out of whack, and the body may exhibit this by putting on additional weight, developing vision problems or retaining water.

A surge in energy that is seemingly unwarranted and confusing to everyone around the opiate addict is a common addiction symptom. Also, people who are usually friendly and outgoing may begin to act more bashful or reclusive when they have been abusing opium. Marked fatigue and an inability to muster up the energy to do normal tasks like bathing, cooking or driving could be an indication of opiate abuse as well.

If a friend or loved one has been acting erratically, contact a counselor or doctor to discuss intervention options. Often home drug testing can be an effective way to determine if drug abuse is occurring while maintaining privacy for the person in question.

Strange changes in behavior? If a fun-loving family member has lately become short-tempered and reclusive, or if a loved one who is usually reserved suddenly becomes more outgoing, this could be a sign of alcoholism. Many alcoholics know that their excessive drinking is already causing problems in the family, but the addiction will prompt them to continue abusing alcohol because of the feeling the substance gives. This alone causes a person to behave irrationally. When you notice this change often and fairly consistently with a loved one, it’s time to seek counseling. Contacting someone who can help could very well save your loved one’s life.

Re-occurring legal issues? If a member of your family is constantly appearing in court for reasons other than jury duty, or has several DUI or vehicle accident charges, this usually means that he/she is an alcoholic. As a caring family member, you should speak to your loved one, calmly and with concern, about the problem, and ask him/her to get help. If you’re met with refusal, it may be time to consider an intervention.

Experiencing financial troubles? A person who never has the money to fulfill their obligations, or is always asking for money to “hold them over” may be abusing alcohol. This is often the case when the alcoholic was previously able to manage money successfully before taking up a drinking habit. When you notice a family member is struggling to keep the bills paid, even if he/she has a good paying job, the problem may be more than just mismanaging the budget. Alcoholism is a very expensive habit to maintain, and extreme changes in your loved ones financial status could be a sign that you need to contact a professional who can treat alcoholism.

Making excuses to drink? Do you have a family member who is always looking for a reason to “go out and party?” Have you noticed a loved one who always has to have an alcoholic beverage at family dinners or picnics? Holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving are times when alcohol is traditionally served at family gatherings; but a relative who brings alcohol to every event may be struggling with alcoholism. A weekend of fun is one thing—not being able to have dinner without wine is entirely another issue.

Displaying erratic behavior when sober? Some alcoholics are irritable, anxious and angry when there is no alcohol in their system. You may know a family member who is much more amicable, alert and fun to be around when the drinks are flowing. However, being sober shouldn’t cause a person to exhibit erratic behavior. Many times an alcoholic will display troubling behavior at work, by suddenly failing to meet deadlines and/or make it to work on time. If a loved one has been recently fired or demoted due to behavior or failing to do their job properly, they may be hiding an addiction to alcohol or abusing drugs.   Talk to a drug and alcohol counselor about the best ways for your relative to safely detox in order to change these behaviors and help the one you love.

Delayed problem-solving abilities. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the substance in marijuana that gives users that “high” feeling. THC reacts with cannaboid receptors in the brain to create this euphoric sensation. However, some people have more cannaboid receptors than others. This means that while some people will feel extremely relaxed and at ease after smoking marijuana, some will become confused and lose their train of thought easily. This will make it difficult to solve problems, deal with stress, or even have a logical conversation. And, over time, studies have shown that those who feel especially calm after smoking marijuana eventually use their motivation to accomplish new goals in life, especially if achieving new things in life requires too much “work.”

Impaired lung function. Studies have shown that people who smoke marijuana could experience the same harmful side effects of cigarette smokers. Marijuana smoke can cause burning and singing in the mouth and throat, as well as heavy and frequent coughing. This increases the risk of lung infection and can obstruct the airways, making it easier for the body to develop bronchitis.

Impaired sensory function and response. Even if you don’t smoke marijuana often, the drug still has the potential to negative effect your sense of taste, smell or touch. And unfortunately, smoking marijuana can also affect your response time when something affects your senses. For instance, if you walked into a room where a harmful substance was emitted, you may not notice it as quickly as a non-smoker.

Decreased immune function. THC can weaken the body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to other diseases and viruses. And if you’re less likely to fight off the flu or the common cold, this can affect every area of your life. Smoking marijuana on a regular basis can also make you more prone to serious illnesses like pneumonia or liver complications.

If you find that it’s harder for you to see at night while driving, this may be a side effect of taking oxycodone. You may also find that your vision is blurry during the day as well, especially when you try to read small print. Vision problems may also be due to weakness in the eye muscles, since oxycodone can make your muscles more relaxed. If you have to be on oxycodone in order to reduce pain due to cancer or a serious surgery, taking a vitamin A supplement daily may help to maintain the health of your eyes.

Extreme mood swings are a side effect of taking oxycodone as well. Some individuals who abuse the drug experience this symptom, but there are also several patients who are taking the medication as directed who have feelings of anger or despair for no other apparent reason. Oxycodone can make some individuals weepy and overly emotional, and can lead to mild or even severe depression. It’s important to tell your doctor right away if you don’t feel like yourself while you’re taking oxycodone, so that another painkiller can be prescribed to you.

Oxycodone can weaken the liver, and this can lead to jaundice. Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Marked fatigue and irritability are also symptoms of jaundice. This condition is usually common in babies, but can also occur in adults who take oxycodone, especially for long periods of time.

Some individuals who take oxycodone may find that their heartbeat races when they’re on the medication. An irregularly slow heartbeat may be a symptom of taking the medicine as well. This could be the result of poor blood circulation throughout the body. This symptoms warrants a doctor’s attention right away to keep heart health from being further compromised.

A sore throat that just won’t seem to go away could be a symptom of taking oxycodone. If you experience a sore or swollen throat a couple of times a week, tell your physician right away so that you can begin taking another painkiller. This could be a sign that you’re allergic to oxycodone. If you continue taking the medication, your body may start to exhibit symptoms that are much more serious.

Inability to manage money. Cocaine is extremely expensive. It’s not uncommon for a person to spend a few hundred dollars in one night on the drug—which may be gone in just a few hours. If a loved one who is normally pretty organized in the budget department starts to pay bills late, or doesn’t have enough money to pay for necessary things like gas or groceries, this could be a sign of cocaine addiction. Cocaine addicts will also ask friends and family for money often in order to support their habit. It is also likely that a cocaine addict will also display erratic behavior in addition to incorrectly managing money.

Attending lots of social events—or not attending any social events. Some people begin to use cocaine because they think it will make them more comfortable in social situations. The drug is a stimulant, which means it can make a person who is usually shy and withdrawn hyper and talkative. If your friend suddenly wants to party every weekend (or sometimes during the week) when they usually enjoy quiet nights in, continue watching their behavior. This could be a sign that he/she is addicted to cocaine. Cocaine can also have a “crashing” effect, so that after the “high” is experienced, a person will be depressed and reclusive, and not want to be around people. When you notice these extreme changes in behavior in a loved one, it may be time to get help.

Breaking promises or not meeting obligations. A person who is addicted to cocaine will not be able to perform well consistently at work. He/she is also not equipped to handle the responsibilities of a relationship or a family. When a friend is unable to complete work assignments consistently and asks you for help often (and becomes intensely angry when you can’t oblige), or a family member neglects his/her children for days at a time, cocaine addiction may be the reason. If you make plans with a group of friends, and the person you suspect is abusing cocaine always declines at the last minute, you may need to schedule an intervention.

Pushing people away to make room for “new friends.” A cocaine addict doesn’t want anything or anyone to get in the way of his/her addiction. This often means cutting off dependable friends and family members for “friends” who can supply drugs. If you notice that your close friends are not spending time with you or mutual friends anymore, or if your family members are no attending regular family events, drug addiction could be the problem. These people may also become angry and defensive when you try to address the problem or ask about their social behavior. This is usually an indication that you need to contact a drug treatment center in your area to get your loved one the necessary assistance for drug recovery.

Becoming manipulative. A person who is addicted to cocaine will do and say whatever they have to to get more of the drug—or to get the money to purchase cocaine. If this means telling you an untrue sob story that will pull at your heartstrings so that you’ll give money or take care of a household responsibility (e.g. babysitting for extended periods or keeping the house clean), a cocaine addict will do it. Some addicts will try to make you feel guilty for not giving them money, and will accuse you of not caring for them. If you’re experiencing this manipulation, your loved one needs help right away.

Seeking help. If a loved one has started displaying some of the traits listed above, maybe it is time you seek help. Families can opt to perform a home drug test on a member who is accused of abusing drugs, to preserve trust and privacy for their loved one. It is never too late to get help for someone who cannot seem to help themselves. Contact the National Institute on Drug Abuse for more information on abuse and treatment.

From 2003 to 2009 prescription drug abuse has rapidly increase and has been misused. Federal officials have suggested that this increase in drug abuse in is due in part to increasingly availability, high-risk behavior and combining the prescription pills with alcohol or other drugs. Although due to lack of data it is not officially known if these contributed to the rapid rise of drug abuse.

Therefore the GAO has now asked other agencies to provide more information and conduct further education in hopes to decline the number of prescription abuse. Although the agencies currently provide similar strategies and educational tools there are only two agencies that have actually implemented plans to document and assess the impact of their educational efforts to the public.

The report states that “without outcome evaluations, federal agencies have limited knowledge of how effective their efforts are in achieving their goals — in this case, reducing prescription pain reliever abuse and misuse”.

Some of these agencies include the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Their practices for educating the public for drug abuse include continuing educational classes, conducting mandatory training, certification before being allowed to prescribe certain drugs and also creating literature for future prescribers.

Currently the Office of National Control Policy (ONDCP) is creating a legislative proposal in order to provide further education for any prescriber who is enrolling into the Drug Enforcement Administration as mentioned in the report. It also mentions that the ONDCP needs to begin plans to judge their educational practices and to share drug abuse lessons among other agencies.

“It is envisaged that the city will benefit more from the research that the city seeks to initiate in partnership with the MRC using data from participating departments and directorates,” Qually stated.

This new project is called the Matrix project. It operates as an outpatient rehabilitation program keeping the workers in their normal day to day environment. It began with 15 employees who have graduated from round one, which is being sober for more than 120 days. Round two of the pilot program has been given the go ahead from the portfolio committee.

The city hopes that this program will encourage employees to come forward and seek help voluntarily for substance abuse problems. Out of those employees who participated in the Matrix program, 70 percent have been involved in a disciplinary hearing.

Qually said that many employees decided to resign before they could be served with notices of further action. Due to this, it was impossible to give an exact figure of how many employees were struggling with substance abuse.

A suggestion in the report recommends the city to purchase drug testing kits in order to perform on the spot drug testing. Also the managers and supervisors will be trained to “manage and test” employees who have substance abuse problems.