21 indicted, 18 arrested in St. Louis area in cocaine sales ring

Cocaine Addiction Signs
And Drug Rehabilitation
Drug Rehabilitation is an important part of the process of recovering from addiction to drugs, alcohol and co-occurring disorders. In addition to discontinuing drug use and stabilizing mental disorders, treatment helps individuals establish a foundation of recovery and begin to function effectively in their families, workplaces, and communities. While in treatment, individuals learn about addiction, recovery, and the dangers of relapse while simultaneously confronting misunderstandings about self, others, and their environment. A drug rehabilitation center also teaches individuals to identify the warning signs for drug and alcohol relapse and design effective strategies for preventing a relapse. Statistics show that without a solid plan to avoid or handle addiction triggers, patients often relapse into the behavior that brought them to the drug rehab facility. For many drug addicts and alcoholics, success is a direct function of the amount of assistance they receive during their rehabilitation program. Those who remain in a drug rehab center longer than three months usually have better results than those who spend less time there.

DEFINITION-
Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. The pure chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, has been an abused substance for more than 100 years, and coca leaves, the source of cocaine, have been ingested for thousands of years. Cocaine reaches the brain within seconds, resulting in a sudden and intense high. However, the high quickly disappears, leaving the user with an enormous craving to use again and again. The user usually increases the dose and the frequency to satisfy this craving, resulting in addiction and physical debilitation. Cocaine's effects appear almost immediately after a single dose, and disappear within a few minutes or hours. Taken in small amounts (up to 100 mg), cocaine usually makes the user feel euphoric, energetic, talkative, and mentally alert, especially to the sensations of sight, sound, and touch. It can also temporarily decrease the need for food and sleep. Some users find that the drug helps them to perform simple physical and intellectual tasks more quickly, while others can experience the opposite effect. Users often report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety, and cocaine can trigger paranoia. Users also report being depressed when they are not using the drug and often resume use to alleviate further depression. In addition, cocaine users frequently find that they need more and more cocaine more often to generate the same level of stimulation. Therefore, any use can lead to addiction.

More than 20 years of research has shown that cocaine addiction is clearly treatable.
Cocaine addiction treatment has been effective in reducing drug use and HIV infection, diminishing the health and social costs that result from addiction, and decreasing criminal behavior. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which supports more than 85 percent of the world’s research on drug abuse and addiction, has found that the most effective treatment approaches include both biological and behavioral components. To ensure that treatment providers apply the most current science-based approaches to their patients, NIDA has supported the development of the “Therapy Manuals for Drug addiction” series. This series reflects NIDA’s commitment to rapidly applying basic findings in real-life settings. The manuals are derived from those used efficaciously in NIDA-supported drug abuse treatment studies.
The Manual
They are intended for use by drug abuse treatment practitioners, mental health professionals, and all others concerned with the treatment of drug addiction. The manuals present clear, helpful information to aid drug treatment practitioners in providing the best possible care that science has to offer. They describe scientifically supported therapies for addiction and give specific guidance on session content and how to implement these techniques. Of course, there is no substitute for training and supervision, and these manuals may not be applicable to all types of patients nor compatible with all clinical programs or treatment approaches. These manuals should be viewed as a supplement to, but not a replacement for, careful assessment of each patient, appropriate case formulation, ongoing monitoring of clinical status, and clinical judgment. The therapies presented in this series exemplify the best of what we currently know about treating drug addiction. As our knowledge evolves, new and improved therapies are certain to emerge. We look forward to continuously bringing you the latest scientific findings through manuals and other science-based publications. We welcome your feedback about the usefulness of this manual series and any ideas you have on how it might be improved.

Sunday, August 23, 2009