Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Teens Beware - Substance Abuse Ruins Your Physical Appearance

Teens are highly conscious about their physical appearance. But they often fail to understand that drug addiction worsens their appearance and makes them look unattractive and old. Drug abusing teens often ignore their regular grooming habits. They are unaware of the fact that these unhealthy habits negatively affect the internal health as well as external physical appearance too.

This article shows how substance abuse deteriorates the natural charm of drug addicted youngsters.

General signs: Illicit drug abuse is associated with few general changes in the appearance of the individual. Some general changes include, puffy face, drowsy looks, needle marks on hands and legs etc. These things are quite commonly seen in most of the drug abusers, by which we can identify their drug abusing habit easily.

Personal grooming: Personal grooming habits of drug abusers deteriorate day by day. They ignore to maintain even the regular cleanliness. Teens who are normally self-conscious about their attire and appearance will no longer care about their personal hygiene and physical appearance once they start using drugs. Messy hair, torn and untidy clothes, not brushing teeth and not having bath are some of their lifestyle patterns.

Oral effects: Oral disorders are often found in drug and tobacco addicts. Of the various drugs, 'Methamphetamine' causes major oral problems. Use of drugs may result in discolored, brittle, chipped, rot and stained teeth. Toxic chemicals present in various drugs block the blood supply to the oral cavity and reduces saliva production. Oral disorders also include some gum diseases which result in reddened and bleeding gums.

Skin disorders: Drug addicts experience severe skin related problems. One of the major disorders is skin sores or lesions. They appear on the skin at various visible places like arms, legs, including face, and take a prolonged time to heal. In severe addictions, the sores may not heal at all. These sores are highly susceptible to infections.

The toxic substances in drugs result in the death of blood vessels present in the skin. Lack of blood flow to the skin tissues makes it difficult for the body to repair the injury. As a result, the skin loses elasticity, and hence the abusers look more aged compared to their original age.

Some dangerous drugs like 'Meth' also cause powerful hallucinations which will make the abuser feel and believe that some bugs are crawling either on or under his skin. This is referred to as 'crank bug', which causes compulsive pricking and scratching behaviors.

Changes in weight: People who are addicted to drugs either lose or gain weight suddenly. Drug abuse accelerates the body's usage of energy and suppresses the appetite which makes the abuser lose weight and look malnourished. They experience a drastic change in their weight over a period of time. Sleep disorders and lifestyle changes also can contribute to weight loss. Due to the weight loss, the person becomes weak and also is vulnerable to many diseases due to lack of disease resistance.

Now that you are aware of the fact that substance abuse worsens physical appearance, make sure that you stay away from these harmful substances.

Drug Test Strips is an online store offering reliable, easy to use and FDA approved drug test Kits at affordable prices. Our marijuana drug testing strip is a rapid urine screening test that can be performed without the use of an instrument. Our cotinine test kit is a device used for the detection of cotinine in human urine.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6503746

Alcohol Rehabilitation: Education As the Primary Weapon

Three theories purport to explain alcoholism: Genetic, defining it as a chromosomal predisposition; Sociological, defining it as a product of social influences; and Psychological, defining it as a personality predisposition. Effective alcohol rehabilitation takes each into consideration.

The theories, whether genetic, sociological or psychological, all boil down to one simple fact: alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease that, if left untreated, will kill the sufferer one way or another. It may be from Cirrhosis of the liver, from heart disease, or it may be in a car crash on a dark rainy night. Whatever outcome lies in wait, it is in the interest of the alcoholic to find the power to arrest the disease before it's too late. A formidable task since, once the disease has emerged, lack of power has become the alcoholic's dilemma. This is where alcohol rehabilitation steps in.

Treatment is not a magic wand. There are no incantations, potions or secret handshakes. It is an educational process designed to help the sufferer find his or her way back to happiness by way of a roadmap emphasizing not only the negative effects of alcohol, but the positive effects of abstinence in a supportive environment. This is not an easy task in light of the fact that denial is the primary symptom of the disease. What would a person want to learn about a disease he or she is convinced they do not have? And why would they give up a substance they are convinced they have no problem with? Treatment provides a knowledge that constitutes power.

"I just didn't believe it," says Donnalee B. "What would a little old grandmother like me have in common with those guys under the bridge? But my daughter, the mother of my grandchildren, came to family night at the treatment center. She talked about everything I couldn't remember having said or done. But I had to believe her because she was crying." Donnalee, now three years without a drink, sighs while wiping a tear of her own away. "Now she trusts me with the little ones again. So I go back to Pennsylvania and visit not only my grandchildren, but that treatment center, too, whenever I can. I'm so grateful."

Residential treatment can be a slow process. And it matters little whether one, like Donnalee, is discussing Philadelphia rehab centers, rehab Pittsburgh, or rehab in Kentucky, her other daughter's new home, the process is the same. Donnalee again: "I didn't appreciate how important education was. At first, I though treatment was just an expensive roadmap to Alcoholics Anonymous. But once I understood, long term sobriety became possible for me because I know exactly what my problem is."

Twelve Palms Recovery Center, experts in private, compassionate alcohol rehabilitation , focus their efforts on the individual. They also emphasize the importance of the 12-step model by not only encouraging AA attendance, but hosting AA meetings, as well. For additional information call 866-331-6779 any time, 24 hours a day. Mark R. Merrill is a veteran of twenty-three years in alcohol recovery. He has worked as a volunteer in Multnomah County and Washington County, Oregon "In Jail Intervention Programs," as well as written extensively on the issue of alcohol and drug recovery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6500239