Drugs and drug addiction
Drug Addiction
Addiction is incredibly draining; physically, socially and financially. Those affected often feel isolated and because these are many different reasons as to why people develop an issue with drugs, it is easy to feel as though nobody will understand. Often the most important step in getting help for addiction is speaking about the issue. There are a number or local services that are there to help you, whatever your issue is.
Many people who experiment with drugs do so without becoming addicted. However, if you are aware that you or a loved one has a drug addiction, we are here to help you.
Recovery from addiction can be a long process and abstinence is not always possible. For information on how to reduce harm while taking drugs, click here
There are a great number of drugs and substances that people can become addicted to. For an in-depth list of street drugs, their appearance, other names and effects, visit Talk to FRANK
Drugs and the Law
Although drugs are graded against a classification system with maximum fines and sentences, there is no way to predict the severity of actions that will take place if you are caught in possession of or dealing drugs. For more legal information on drugs, visit
http://www.release.org.uk/drugs-law
http://www.drugwise.org.uk/what-are-the-uk-drug-laws/
Legal drug taking
Legal Highs
Legal highs are chemical substances which are manufactured to mimic the effects of drugs. It is a common misconception that legal highs are less harmful than street drugs. It’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security due to being able to buy drugs from the comfort of your own bedroom, avoid conviction and knowing what you are getting. However, legal highs can sometimes be even more dangerous than street drugs and can be deadly and cause severe health problems.
While such drugs are easily available online, sometimes with reviews from other users, you need to bear in mind that these comments are easily fabricated by the manufacturer. Furthermore, although these substances are clearly intended to be smoked or swallowed, the products will always be marked as not fit for human consumption. Because a lot of these products are very new, there is an incredibly small amount of research behind their effects which makes it difficult to treat a person who needs medical attention.
Under UK law, “legal highs” will be rendered illegal by the future Psychoactive Substances Act.
For more information on legal highs, visit http://www.talktofrank.com/legalhighs
Prescription and over the counter medication
It is not only street drugs that are addictive. A lot of medication has a powerful effect on people and it is easy to become addicted to pills which have been prescribed or bought over the counter. Because medicine is designed to make people better and is regulated unlike street drugs, people who abuse it are not often thought of as having a “drug problem”.
The number of deaths and casualties caused by prescription and over the counter medication massively outweigh the number of deaths caused by other drugs. It can be easy to overdose on medication, especially when a mixture is ingested, or taken with alcohol.
If you have taken even slightly too much medication, urgent medical care is required.
Often, a patient will undergo a medical assessment prior to a prescription, and what may be effective in one patient could be lethal to another. Because of this, it is important never to share medication. A patient may find themselves addicted to their prescribed medication, especially if they have been administered the drug for a long time. If you think that you are becoming addicted to your prescription, talk to your doctor.
For more information on the abuse of medication, visit http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications