Alcohol and Drugs Cause Extremely Painful Death
The longer one lives, the more adept one becomes at reading the signs. My experience of dying and reincarnation is insight into the role of death and how everyone has returned as we are in the last days. The great population explosion is the result. Many come back to what they knew in their last life and that leads to addictions and a repeat of the same behaviour. Over the years of watching the number of things that cause death has grown and the pain of dying increased as evil is protected.
In these latter years there are far more things to cause addiction than ever. In my young days the war had handicapped the economy and the loss of men required to service industry was great. There were no luxury items available and alcohol and drugs were practically unknown in communities where such would not have been tolerated.
As the populations recovered, however, things took a different turn. A new industrial revolution began with food and alcohol leading the way. These were the chief money cows of the economy until fashion and other things came to the fore. Hollywood showed their audiences how good life can be with addiction to wealth and the use of drugs.
The economy is thriving and the greatest income is made from drugs and fashion. It is now the 'norm' for tattoos, body piercings, hard drugs, and other things to be a part of one's social life. All of these things make cancer and other scenarios possible.
Parties with drugs and alcohol involved often result in brawls, stabbings, and murder. There have been many violent incidences recently in Australia where uninvited guests ordered to leave parties have turned violent. They have killed for the sake of a few free drinks and are now in jail.
There is another more insidious death awaiting users of alcohol and drugs. It has to do with cancer, loss of brain function, or other things like homelessness, inability to work, and rejection by family and society. There are no answers to these problems because what they do is legal and the system is built for making money and putting lives at risk.
Individuals cannot wake up who are constantly seeking more alcohol or drugs to feed their addiction. They are like fish caught on hooks being gathered to another feast of the same. Their ultimate death is often excruciating and lonely and all because of money.
Why People Use Drugs
Because many drugs act on the brain's pleasure pathways, the user experiences intense euphoria followed by related emotional highs. Cocaine, for example, induces feelings of empowerment, confidence, high self-esteem and increased energy. People might chase these perceived emotional benefits for a variety of reasons, including:
Other People - Teenagers see lots of people using various substances. They see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol, smoking, and, sometimes, abusing other substances. Also, the teen social scene often revolves around drinking and smoking pot. Sometimes friends urge one another to try a drink or smoke something, but it's just as common for teens to start using a substance because it's readily available and they see all their friends enjoying it. In their minds, they see drug use as a part of the normal teenage experience.
Popular Media - Forty-seven percent of teens agreed that movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an OK thing to do, according to a 2011 study. Not surprisingly, 12- to 17-year-olds who viewed three or more "R" rated movies per month were seven times more likely to smoke cigarettes, six times more likely to use marijuana, and five times more likely to drink alcohol, compared to those who hadn't watched "R" rated films (Amy Khan 2005).
Escape and Self-Medication - When teens are unhappy and can't find a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to chemicals for solace. Depending on what substance they're using, they may feel blissfully oblivious, wonderfully happy, or energized and confident. The often rough teenage years can take an emotional toll on children, sometimes even causing depression, so when teens are given a chance to take something to make them feel better, many can't resist.
Boredom - Teens who can't tolerate being alone, have trouble keeping themselves occupied, or crave excitement are prime candidates for substance abuse. Not only do alcohol and marijuana give them something to do, but those substances help fill the internal void they feel. Further, they provide a common ground for interacting with like-minded teens, a way to instantly bond with a group of kids.
Rebellion - Different rebellious teens choose different substances to use based on their personalities. Alcohol is the drug of choice for the angry teenager because it frees him to behave aggressively. Methamphetamine, or meth, also encourage aggressive, violent behavior, and can be far more dangerous and potent than alcohol. Marijuana, on the other hand, often seems to reduce aggression and is more of an avoidance drug. LSD and hallucinogens are also escape drugs, often used by young people who feel misunderstood and may long to escape to a more idealistic, kind world. Smoking cigarettes can be a form of rebellion to flaunt their independence and make their parents angry. The reasons for teenage drug-use are as complex as teenagers themselves.
Instant Gratification - Drugs and alcohol work quickly. The initial effects feel really good. Teenagers turn to drug use because they see it as a short-term shortcut to happiness.
Lack of Confidence - Many shy teenagers who lack confidence report that they'll do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs that they might not otherwise. This is part of the appeal of drugs and alcohol even for relatively self-confident teens; you have the courage to dance if you're a bad dancer, or sing at the top of your lungs even if you have a terrible voice, or kiss the girl you're attracted to. And alcohol and other drugs tend not only to loosen your inhibitions but to alleviate social anxiety. Not only do you have something in common with the other people around you, but there's the mentality that if you do anything or say anything stupid, everyone will just think you had too many drinks or smoked too much weed.
Misinformation - Perhaps the most avoidable cause of substance abuse is inaccurate information about drugs and alcohol. Nearly every teenager has friends who claim to be experts on various recreational substances, and they're happy to assure her that the risks are minimal. Educate your teenager about drug use, so they get the real facts about the dangers of drug use.
Taking Charge of the Situation
Sometimes it's best to keep away from places and even people, that make you remember your former indulgence in destructive habits and behavior. Some who are in addiction recovery tend to avoid frequenting places and eliminate contact with friends with whom they formerly used cocaine, for example, as these are some of the easiest influences that can trigger the craving and lead to backsliding.
Opt for a change in lifestyle. This can mean moving away, going on a vacation to clear your mind, or simply finding rewarding habits and hobbies to occupy yourself and channel your energy and time in positive ways. New scenery and activities complement your new lifestyle.
Addiction Recovery and an Optimistic Attitude
Your own attitude towards your addiction recovery can be the saving factor between personal rescue and the risk of relapse. While there may be trying times, such as when you feel especially frustrated or sad, always remember that everyone goes through that at various times in life and that you are not alone. Resorting to the cocaine habit that you once used to make the pain go away temporarily poses huge mental and physical risks, and is never a sound solution.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from your friends and family. They are your closest network, and would be much happier if you sought their support instead of opting to use drugs to alleviate any of life's difficulties. Develop trust in yourself and your ability to make good decisions.
Avoiding Post-Treatment Relapse
In spite of the effectiveness and success of your cocaine rehab program, in order to remain drug free in the long run, it is crucial to take certain steps to help avoid relapse.
Following cocaine addiction treatment, pay ongoing attention to your psychological well-being and mental state by creating a safe life for yourself. This includes employment at a steady, low stress job that is supportive of your clean and sober lifestyle.
Find a home that is in a stable area away from the pressures of an environment revolving around drug addiction.
If your existing home life does not provide supportive surroundings for your continued recovery, strongly consider finding another place to live.
If family members live elsewhere and are unavailable to provide the support and encouragement you require, you may be able to connect with potential roommates through those you meet at cocaine rehab.
Attend post rehab services that focus on good ongoing guidance and support.
Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Dark Side of Nursing
Drug abuse made easy
Sometime in the late '80s to early '90s, pharmaceutical companies started producing and marketing powerful narcotics like MS Contin. Doctors decided to start seriously treating pain. Healers by nature, it was only natural that they would want to provide any comfort they could.
Narcotic prescriptions were handed out like Chinese restaurant menus. Problems began to surface quickly. Drug abuse became more commonplace. It was no longer a thing of needles and back alleys. Now you could get high on a pill approved by the US Government, prescribed by a medical professional, and purchased at the friendly neighborhood pharmacy down the street.
How prevalent is drug abuse? In 2010, studies showed that 8.76 million people were addicted to prescription medicines. 5.3 million of those were to painkillers, with the rest being addicted to tranquilizers and stimulants.
Drugs are everywhere. Chronic pain is the new trendy thing to have. Hospitals are filling with patients calmly sitting on their beds, reading a book as they ask for something to fix their "10 out of 10" pain.
Who's going to be there to take care of these people? You guessed it, nurses.
The nurses start out administering the meds like they are supposed to. Eventually, the ease of access to these meds becomes tempting. They're on their third 12-hour shift, and the exhaustion and stress begin to get to them. They have several patients with narcotics prescribed as needed. None of their patients truly look like they are in pain. They really don't need the medicine. It becomes easy to justify how much more they need it than their patients.
You've probably heard it said that "it gets easier with time." That statement is usually reserved for those that are experiencing loss or heartache, but the sentiment holds true here. You take the first pill, and the next one gets a little easier.
Nurses and substance abuse
Addicts don't always look like you think they would. I would be surprised when I would hear that one of the nurses I worked with was a recovering addict. These were awesome nurses, but my surprise at finding they were in recovery was overshadowed by the surprise at seeing them fall back into the grasp of drug abuse.
When I was first introduced to addiction, I was very naive. I looked at addiction as I would any other illness. Something to be cured. I'm a nurse, why couldn't I help "fix" these people?
After a spiral into codependency, I emerged wiser. I now understand that addiction is a lifetime illness. There are addicts currently abusing substances, and there are addicts in recovery.
One of the hardest lessons I've learned is that relapse is a part of recovery. Nothing teaches that lesson better than pulling back the curtain in a patient's room, to find a coworker passed out hooked up to their patient's IV. You see a lot of crazy things in a hospital.
A lot of these nursing addicts began with legitimate pain issues. They were prescribed something that was intended to help. It eased the pain for a short while, then the pain came back with a vengeance. The next time their patient needed a dose of their pain med, the nurse might just make an "error". The pill was dropped and "thrown away". Thus, the cycle of addiction begins.
Addicts aren't bad people. They have a disease, no different than if they had cancer. Diseases need treatment. The tough part is getting the addict to seek out the treatment. The decision has to be theirs.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from addiction, there are resources. A quick Google search will show you rehab centers nearby. There are also local support groups through Narconon. Help is out there.
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