Does using marijuana lead usage of other drugs?

A:

 Many studies of high school students and their patterns of drug use show that young people very seldom use other drugs without first trying marijuana. The risk of using cocaine has been estimated to be more than 104 times greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it. Although there are no definitive studies on what cause some that uses marijuana to use of other drugs, growing evidence shows that a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors are involved.

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Q:

 What is “Crack”?

A:

Crack is the street name given to the smokable form of cocaine that is processed from powdered cocaine. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when the mixture is smoked.

Because crack is smoked, the user experiences a high in less than 10 seconds. This rather immediate and euphoric effect is one of the reasons that crack became enormously popular in the mid 1980s. Another reason is that crack is inexpensive both to produce and to buy.

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Q:

How can families and friends make a difference in the life of someone needing treatment?

A:

Family and friends can play a very important role in motivating an individual with alcohol or drug problems to enter and stay in treatment. Involvement of family members in an individual's treatment program can strengthen and extend the benefits of the program and increases a person chances for successful recovery.

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Q:

I have read that some herbs and/or amino acids can help relieve cravings for alcohol and/or drugs.  Can you tell me what they could do or how they work.

 A:

Amino acids are chemical messenger building blocks and  lead to the production of certain brain substances such as serotonin, GABA and dopamine.  The mechanism of action of herbs varies from plant to plant and is not always known. Generally, herbal products influence the natural activity of a specific or multiple systems. Vitamins and minerals supply essential nutrients to help your body perform at its peak and maintain health. Many researchers are showing that the use of specific amino acids can help addicts overcome cravings.

 If you would like more information on amino acid therapy, please contact me at my office.

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Q.

Does using marijuana lead to other drugs?

 A:

Based on information from the National Institute Of Drug Abuse (NIDA), long-term studies of high school students and their patterns of drug use show that very few young people use other drugs without first trying marijuana. NIDA, further reports, that the risk of using cocaine has been estimated to be more than 104 times greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it.

  Marijuana affects the brain in some of the same ways that other drugs do. Researchers are examining the possibility that long-term marijuana use may create changes in the brain that make a person more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine. While not all people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs, further research is needed to determine who will be at greatest risk.

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Q: 

Do we still have a heroin problem in the U.S. ?

A:

 According to the 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, it estimated 2.4 million people had used heroin at some time in their lives, and nearly 130,000 of them reported using it within the month preceding the survey. The survey reports that there were 81,000 new heroin users in 1997. 87 percent of the users were under age 26. In 1992, only 61 percent were younger than 26.

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Q:

Do Twelve Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous really help people?

 A:

Since 1935 when the first Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) meeting was held, millions of people world wide have sought and found help. A.A. established what is known as the Twelve Steps to Recovery. “The Steps” as they are commonly known are a suggested plan for a person to follow, enabling them to stay sober.

 After seeing how well “The Steps” worked for alcoholics, hundreds of groups have adopted them to help with other problems. Today you can find Twelve Step groups for drug addiction, eating disorder, smoking, gambling, family support groups and many others.  The more successful drug  treatment programs will also incorporate Twelve Step into their treatment philosophy.

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Q:

Can you please tell me, what is in inhalants, that is so addictive?

A:

I n a recent article I wrote about the reward system of the brain. The reward system which is the dopamine function of the brain, appears to be involved in the addictive component of most drugs of abuse. The National Institute On Drug Abuse reports that a recent study indicates that toluene, a solvent found in many commonly abused inhalants including airplane glue, paint sprays, and nail polish and paint removers, activates the brain's dopamine system or reward system just like other drugs of abuse.  So toluene is the answer to your question,

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Q:

Has anyone ever estimated how much drug abuse cost society?

 A:

Yes.  The following is a portion of an article published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse:

  A study prepared by The Lewin Group for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimated the total economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse to be $245.7 billion for 1992. Of this cost, $97.7 billion was

    due, to drug abuse. This estimate includes substance abuse treatment and prevention costs as well as other healthcare costs, costs associated with reduced job productivity or lost earnings, and other costs to society such as crime and social welfare. The study also

    determined, that these costs are borne primarily by governments (46 percent), followed by those who abuse drugs and members of their households (44 percent).

 These cost are high, however a recent survey in California showed for every dollar spent on treatment, there was a savings of seven dollars  in crime reduction.

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Q:

We recently did an intervention on our mother and she is sober now.  I have always thought that if she quit drinking our lives would be normal.  Can you tell me why our lives still seem crazy?

A:

As you know, by your experience, when there is an alcoholic in the family the whole family is affected not just the drinker.  Your family has been suffering from alcoholism for many years.  Just as the alcoholic’s recovery is an on going process, so is the family’s recovery an on going process.  It is my experince that for the family to get better, the whole family must participate in their own recovery.  Some way’s to achieve this is through attending twelve step groups like Alanon, Alateen, Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA), and other similar twelve step groups.  Many families find help combining attendance of twelve step meetings with individual therapy and/or family therapy.  If you try these approaches, I am sure over a period of time you will see your family life normalizing.

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