drug action week

Drug Action Week Australia19th – 25th June 2011

Information on drugs and Addiction

www.bbbenefits.com.au

drugs can be dangerous, especially if we self medicate without ensuring that it is safe to do so.

• Drug Action week will be launched at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, 14th June 2011 with the actual week running from Sunday, 19 June through to Saturday, 25th June 2011.


Theme:“Looking after YOUR Mind!”


“Only dopes use dope” “Looking after YOUR Mind!”


Cannabis, Pot or marijuana is the in-sociably accepted drug of choice.

What has been shown is that young adults who have used drugs for a longer period of time appear more likely to have hallucinations or delusions or to meet the criteria for psychosis, according to a report posted in the May print issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

“Only Dopes use Dope”“Looking after YOUR Mind!”


A study in 2008 found that the development of bullous lung disease occurs in marijuana smokers approximately 20 years earlier than tobacco smokers. A condition often caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or long-term exposure to tobacco smoke, bullous lung disease (also known as bullae) is a condition where air trapped in the lungs causes obstruction to breathing and eventual destruction of the lungs.



Cannabis smoke contains twice as many carcinogens as smoke from tobacco cigarettes, researchers say. Smoking a joint is equivalent to 20 cigarettes in terms of lung cancer risk, say researchers, warning of an "epidemic" of lung cancers linked to cannabis. The researchers say this may be because cannabis users tend to inhale more deeply and, because joints are smoked without a filter, the smoke is hotter when it hits the lungs.



In 2009 there was mounting evidence to support the existence of a new syndrome afflicting heavy cannabis users, after the world’s first cases were found in South Australia. The condition called ‘cannabinoid hyperemesis’ was first identified in a group of about 20 heavy drug users in the Adelaide hills in 2004. The syndrome is characterised by nausea, stomach pain and bouts of vomiting. Some relief seemed to be gained by ‘compulsive hot bathing behaviour’ to relieve the symptoms...



Grown men, screaming in pain, sweating profusely, vomiting every 30 seconds and demanding to be allowed to use the shower was a very dramatic presentation. Whilst this may only be a small proportion of cannabis users, it is it is known that there can be significant mental and physical health complications with this level of cannabis use. Left unchecked – will this occurrence become more frequent?


Parents have been warned to take a tough line on teenagers who smoke cannabis, with research showing even occasional use can lead to alcoholism and harder drugs.

2000 Australian schoolchildren were tracked over a decade in a study that found those who had used cannabis occasionally at age 13 and 14 were more likely to be taking ecstasy, cocaine or amphetamines at 24. They were also more at risk of addiction to cannabis.

“Only Dopes use Dope”

“Looking after YOUR Mind!”


“Cigarettes” “Looking after YOUR Mind!”

On a Medical Search News Article 22/09/2009 it showed that $31 billion is the cost of smoking to the Australian economy. There is a tobacco-related death about every 28 minutes in Australia, adding up to more than 50 deaths each day. More deaths were related to use of tobacco than to alcohol or illicit drugs.



A large proportion of these deaths (around 21 every day) are from cancer. Over 4,000 tobacco-related deaths each year are due to ischaemic heart disease (the main cause of heart attack). Smoking and Lung cancer are well documented, as are heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular disease, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.



Less known are that smoking damages men’s sperm, intracranial aneurysm formation and growth. Researchers have found a young child’s response to smoke may not just affect the respiratory system, but the cardiovascular system as well. Ear infections for children have shown to develop through passive smoking, Lifestyle factors like diet, smoking and obesity account for an estimated 30 per cent of kidney disease cases.


“E - Cigarettes” “Looking after YOUR Mind!”

The Electronic Cigarette, also known as an E-Cig or E-Cigarette, is a battery power device that resembles the shape and feel of an actual cigarette. An E-Cig is comprised of three parts: a battery, an atomizer, and a mouthpiece. The battery charges the atomizer which then renders the chemicals in the mouhtpice aerosole.The chemicals are liquefied nicotine, artifical flavouring, water and propylene glycol. When inhaled, it makes a gas that looks like cigarette smoke but tastes like faerie laughter.



Stronger suction is required to smoke "electronic cigarettes" -- marketed as tobacco-free nicotine delivery systems.researchers used a smoking machine to compare the smoking properties of eight conventional cigarettes with five e-cigarette brands. They examined the vacuum required to produce smoke (in the case of conventional cigarettes) or aerosol (in the case of e-cigarettes), and compared the density of the smoke/aerosol over time.



The researchers found that except for one brand, higher vacuums were required to smoke e-cigarettes than conventional brands.

The researchers also found that in the case of e-cigarettes, the aerosol density dropped after the first ten puffs, requiring still stronger suction thereafter to produce aerosol.



An important implication is that users must exert greater inhalation pressure and, therefore, it may predictably cause the aerosol to reach deeper tissue in the user's lungs.E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco and therefore do not deliver the numerous chemicals and toxicants found in conventional cigarette smoke.To date, little has been published in the scientific literature about the health benefits and risks of e-cigarettes.


“Alcohol”“Looking after YOUR Mind!”

Parties can lead to overuse of alcohol and drugs. Pubs, Clubs, Disco’s are the places where we meet and socialising usually means we drink, smoke, eat and be merry. It’s a fact that when we are young we abuse our bodies. We think that we are invincible. Getting unhealthy, sick, suffering mental problems, is the other person not us. Once addicted it can be difficult to let go of the habit.



Current research shows that binge drinking is a major health issue for all Australians, particularly young people. The estimate of the health problems it creates costs $36 Billion annually. Alcohol is the most widely used mind-altering drug. It is legal, it is readily available and it is generally socially acceptable.


Alcohol has stimulating, depressing and mood-altering functions that leave practically no circuit or system of the brain untouched. This range of effects is what sets alcohol apart from many other drugs. Alcohol is causally related to more than 60 different medical conditions (breast cancer, coronary heart disease, violent crime, domestic violence, injury through risky behaviour), and it accounts for about as much death and disability globally as tobacco and hypertension.




We worry about girls having their drinks spiked and getting raped – however research evidence shows that most date rapes occur through girls being so drunk to a point where they become unconscious or unable to defend themselves brought about by drinking too much alcohol.


Psychologically dangerous drugs, such as Ice, crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy are some of soft drugs popular names.

All drugs carry risks. Paranoia, Increased risk of stroke, High risk of dependence (addiction), Chronic sleep problems, Memory loss, Blood-borne infections (like hepatitis C and HIV) through needle-sharing, Anorexia, Malnutrition, Heart and lung problems...

“Other Drugs”“Looking after YOUR Mind!”



Increased risk of kidney problems, Depression, Loss of ability to make decisions.

They also give physical symptoms that are dangerous for our health, such as increased Heart and Breathing rate, Trembling Hands, High Blood Pressure, Excessive Sweating , Stomach Cramps, Blurred Vision, Headaches, Dizziness , Irritability and Hostility , Hallucinations , Paranoia, Psychosis, Panic Attacks , Out of control Aggression, Skin Problems and more.


Both verbal and physical violence are linked with long-term amphetamine use. Heavy binges on speed are associated with reckless and aggressive behaviour.

Injecting cocaine can cause severe vasoconstriction, a condition that prevents blood flowing to tissue resulting in severe tissue damage.



“Other Drugs - Heroin”“Looking after YOUR Mind!”

Heroin is one of a group of drugs known as "opiates". Other opiates include opium, morphine, codeine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone. Heroin and other opiates are depressants.

Most heroin is mixed with other substances like glucose, caffeine, sugar and paracetamol, which can cause the end product to be highly poisonous.

“Other Drugs - Heroin”“Looking after YOUR Mind!”

Women using heroin while pregnant also face a variety of complications. Apart from the physical abnormalities such as problems with foetal development, increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth, the baby experiences heroin withdrawal after birth.



• Depressants• Sleeping pills, minor tranquillisers.

• Hallucinogens • LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), Psilocybin, magic

mushrooms.

• Ketamine• Ketamine hydrochloride.

• Inhalants

• Can include a number of general household and office products – solvents, aerosols, glue, petrol.

There is no such thing as safe long-term drug use

“Other Mind Altering Drugs - ”


“Addictions”“Looking after YOUR Mind!”

I would define Addiction as being unable to stop an activity even when we want to.

•Not being able to stop over-eating or eating the wrong foods causing us to be obese to the point of ill health.

•Gambling to the point we can’t stop, causing us hardships with money, not being able to pay our bills.Anything you do consistently without

being able to stop. Looking at pornography... Being on the internet... Biting your fingernails... Compulsive Obsessive Disorders... Bulimia, Anorexia... Alcohol... Drugs... Etc.


Questions

Why is it a problem for some but not others?What can be done about it?

• A research suggested that people who have had a less than favourable upbringing, when at war are more prone to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than those that had a non-event or loving upbringing.

• Another possibility can be genetically you are prone to a greater addiction.

• Hypnotherapy/NLP• May be able to release feelings from the past• May be able to reduce or eliminate craving and withdrawal

symptoms• Counselling/psychology • May be able to help you to understand what your problem is

all about• May be able to advise you about alternative ways of coping

to assist you to cope with your problems.

DSMIV


Motivate Someone Today To Start To Put Their Life Right And Start Enjoying Their Health And Future.

Feel free to contact me or the AHA Free Advisory Line – details on the next page.

Contact Details:

Bruni BrewinAHA President Emeritus (Life)

Bruni Brewin JPwww.bbbenefits.com.au

[email protected](02) 462555460407 275 329


AHA Free Advisory Line1800 067 557