Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

The following is a summary of the various health risks associated with alcohol abuse and use of specific types of drugs. This summary is not intended to be an exhaustive or final statement of all possible consequences to your health of substance abuse, but rather is intended to increase your awareness of the grave risks involved in this kind of behavior.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate doses of alcohol may increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts. Moderate to high doses of alcohol may cause marked impairment in higher mental functions, severely altering a person's ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses may cause respiratory depression or death. If combined with other depressants, dependency may occur. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver. Females who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and intellectual disabilities. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are more at risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.

Narcotics

Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Opioids and morphine derivatives can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, feelings of euphoria, respiratory complications and relieve pain. These include: codeine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, heroin, morphine, opium, Oxycodone HCL, and hydrocodone bitartrate, acetaminophen.

Stimulants

These drugs speed up the body's nervous system and create a feeling of energy. They are also called "uppers" because of their ability to make you feel very awake. Stimulants have the opposite effect of depressants. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, the user is typically left with feelings of sickness and a loss of energy. Constant use of such drugs can have very negative effects on the user. In order to prevent extreme negative side effects of these drugs and the impact they have on life, drug treatment centers are often recommended. Stimulants include: cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines, Ritalin, and Cylert.

Depressants (Sedatives)

Depressants slow down activity in the central nervous system of your body. These drugs are also called "downers" because they slow the body down and seem to give feelings of relaxation. Depressants are available as prescription drugs to relieve stress and anger, although drowsiness is often a side effect. The "relaxation" felt from these drugs is not a healthy feeling for the body to experience. To stop abuse of this drug, drug treatment is suggested. Depressants include: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Flunitrazepam, GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate), Methaqualone, alcohol, and tranquillizers.

Hallucinogens

When taking hallucinogens, switching emotions is frequent. These drugs change the mind and cause the appearance of things that are not really there. Hallucinogens affect the body's self-control, such as speech and movement, and often bring about hostility. Other negative side effects of these drugs include heart failure, increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and changes in the body's hormones. Hallucinogens include: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), Mescaline, and Psilocybin.

Cannabinoids

These drugs result in feelings of euphoria, cause confusion and memory problems, anxiety, a higher heart rate, as well as staggering and poor reaction time. Cannabinoids include hashish and marijuana.

While it's practically impossible to prevent anyone and everyone from using alcohol and drugs, here are five ways to help prevent alcohol and drug abuse:

Effectively deal with peer pressure

The biggest reason individuals start using alcohol and drugs is because their friends utilize peer pressure. No one likes to be left out, and people find themselves doing things they normally wouldn't do, just to fit in. In these cases, you need to either find a better group of friends that won't pressure you into doing harmful things, or you need to find a good way to say no. Prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to keep from giving into tempting situations.

Deal with life pressure

People today are overworked and overwhelmed, and often feel like a good break or a reward is deserved. But in the end, alcohol and drugs only make life more stressful - and many all too often fail to recognize this in the moment. To prevent using alcohol and drugs as a reward, find other ways to handle stress and unwind. Take up exercising, read a good book, volunteer with the needy, and create something. Anything positive and relaxing helps take the mind off using alcohol and drugs to relieve stress.

Seek help for mental illness

Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. Those with a mental illness may turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to ease the pain. Those suffering from some form of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder should seek the help of a trained professional for treatment before it leads to substance abuse.

Examine the risk factors

If you're aware of the biological, environmental and physical risk factors you possess, you're more likely to overcome them. A history of substance abuse in the family, living in a social setting that glorifies alcohol and drug abuse and/or family life that models alcohol and drug abuse can be risk factors.

Keep a well-balanced life

People take up alcohol and drugs when something in their life is not working, or when they're unhappy about their lives or where their lives are going. Look at life's big picture, and have priorities in order.

How much is too much?

The following is a partial list of Omaha Nebraska alcohol and drug treatment centers and substance abuse services:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Omaha
• CHI Health
• Catholic Charities of Omaha
• Heartland Family Service
• Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
• NOVA Treatment Community
• Start Your Recovery
• Stephen Center
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center

To find support services outside of the Omaha, Nebraska area, visit:

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism