Sunday, November 22, 2009

Staying Sober During the Holiday Season

The holidays are a heck of a time for alcoholics and drug addicts. New Year's Eve is one of the most dangerous days on the road because of drunk driving. Christmas and other holiday parties are the norm from dress up Halloween parties to the culmination on December 31. Because of all the cheer or stress the temptation to drink or use drugs is very strong. After the first of the year is also a time where there is an influx of people ending up in outpatient or inpatient alcohol or drug rehab or having to take classes associated with drunk driving offenses.

Staying sober during the holidays is tough. This article has some advice for staying clean. Above all else keep yourself safe. You are your first priority. Stay sober!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Snorting, Smoking, Shooting Cocaine Cause Mental or Cognitive Problems

Cognitive Problems Caused by Cocaine Use, Abuse or Addiction


A new animal study released October 23, 2009 confirms that cocaine users/abusers experience severe cognitive problems related to their cocaine use. The Science Daily article stated, "Cocaine users display a range of cognitive deficits, including problems with decision-making, planning, and memory. The greater these deficits, the more likely treatment will fail." The findings are compiled from cocaine-exposed rhesus monkeys who were part of a multiple year study.

Ex-cocaine addicts probably don't need a scientific study to tell them that their cocaine use has caused them to change, even after the cocaine use stopped.  Cocaine abuse and addiction causes changes in the brain that result in the person having various types of residual cognitive problems such as problems with memory, trouble focusing, difficulty problem solving, easily distracted, and sleep problems. It seems that using cocaine can cause cognitive impairment similar to that of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

This article offers hope both for reducing stigma around addiction and creating adequate treatment for people who use, abuse, or become addicted to cocaine. Cocaine has been described as the drug that has the most potent physiological triggers associated with it therefore making it hard to quit and avoid. It's hooks are powerful beyond imagination.