Drug Facts

There are various web pages to be found on our website covering drug facts. Each drug has its own effects and side effects. Each can present unique issues to be addressed in the process of rehabilitation. There are however 3 common denominators among drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. First are cravings and the often uncontrollable urge to use again. Second is the feeling of guilt resulting from the addictive lifestyle and the untold harm created for self, family, friends, and society in general. Third is the depression that inevitably results from destroyed lives, hopes and dreams. These three points will occur with any addiction no matter the drug or alcohol. To create a drug free life that last a lifetime these three points must be fully addressed and relieved for any lasting sobriety.

With chronic use, tolerance for methamphetamine can develop. In an effort to intensify the desired effects, users may take higher doses of the drug, take it more frequently, or change their method of drug intake. In some cases, abusers forego food and sleep while indulging in a form of binging known as a ‘un’, injecting as much as a gram of the drug every 2 to 3 hours over several days until the user runs out of the drug or is too disorganized to continue. Chronic abuse can lead to psychotic behavior, characterized by intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and out-of-control rages that can be coupled with extremely violent behavior. Although there are no physical manifestations of a withdrawal syndrome when methamphetamine use is stopped, there are several symptoms that occur when a chronic user stops taking the drug. These include depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and an intense craving for the drug.

There are many different types of rehab programs using many different philosophies and methodologies. Some are long, some are short, some are drug free, some are advocates of using drug therapies to handle other drug addictions, and some built the individual up, while others tear him down with a philosophy of being diseased for life. Narconon Arrowhead is a long term, non-traditional, completely drug free rehab program. We do not operate from the disease concept of addiction but rather assist the individual in confronting their own cravings, guilt, and depression that are the three main points needing address to resolve addiction or alcoholism for a lifetime.

Prescription drug addiction generally occurs with those medications which suppress pain of a physical or emotional nature. Painkillers suppress physical pain and many are taken at levels exceeding recommended dosages and tolerance builds up fast, abuse then continues in an attempt to handle the pain, or just out of fear of future pain. Medications such as anti-depressants are designed to suppress various forms of mental stress or duress. Abuse of these is similar to painkillers in that dosages are exceeded and tolerance builds leading to more and more of the drug needed in an attempt to maintain emotional balance. Prescription drug addiction in both these cases results from trying to mask the symptoms rather than treating and resolving the underlying causes of the physical or emotional pain.

When evaluating various rehabilitation services one quite often comes across low success rates which are disheartening at best. The goal of rehabilitation services should be to put the individual in such good shape both mentally and physically that he or she is able to leave addiction behind for a lifetime. Narconon Arrowhead rehabilitation services are geared for the personal and unique needs of each individual. Addressed are areas which include but are not limited to; drug use cessation and withdrawal, full detoxification of the body, handling of cravings, quilt and depression, life skills training to ensure needed tools for a continue drug free life are mastered, Improved abilities to communicate with and control one’s environment and repair past damage, and a host of other factors needing addressed. These are located by extensive interviews, testing, and staff/student interaction. The student is educated and empowered. Rehabilitation services should do just that, serve the individual in confronting and resolving his or her own situation. Abilities gained and tools that work is what Narconon Arrowhead rehabilitation services are all about!