Dec 10, 2021 | Alcoholism, Drugs
It can be difficult to know when it’s time for rehab. However, the most important thing is that you make sure that you’re ready for it. Deciding to go to rehab is a deeply personal decision. You need to feel motivated to make the rehab successful. So if your heart isn’t really in it, it’s probably not going to work as well. When alcoholism starts affecting your relationships it might be a time when you decide enough is enough. Or if it’s affecting your work and making it difficult to keep a job. Others choose rehab when they start suffering from health issues. However, the choice must come from you and you must put your whole heart into it. Hopefully, you will be able to find a rehab facility that works well for you and you’ll get the help you need to start living a sober life.
How to Know When It’s Time for Rehab: Get the Help You Need
When Alcoholism Is Affecting Your Relationships
Some alcoholics know that it’s time for rehab when they start seeing effects on their relationships. Alcoholism affects every part of your life. It can result in a short temper and mood swings. Not to mention the shame and guilt involved with heavy drinking. All of these things can have a very negative effect on your relationships with your spouse, your friends, and your family.
When You Can’t Keep a Job
Another warning sign that lets some know it’s time for rehab is when drinking starts affecting their job. Many people find that their alcoholism gets in the way of work because they have a hard time concentrating. Or getting to the office on time in the morning is difficult with a hangover. If you are beginning to see problems at work, it’s a good time to assess your drinking and decide if it’s time for help.
When You’re Suffering Health Effects
Another obvious warning sign that it might be time for rehab is if you’re suffering from health effects. Alcoholism causes a whole host of health issues in the body. It can cause insomnia, headaches, irritability, and nausea in the short term. It can also put a strain on your organs like your liver and heart. In addition, blackout drinking can cause you to stumble or fall and get injuries that you might not even remember. Alcoholism has even been linked to cancer. If you’re seeing health issues from your drinking, it’s probably time to get some help.
When You’re Ready
Finally, the most important thing to remember is that it’s only time for rehab when you’re ready. If others are pressuring you to go to rehab, you won’t be successful unless you also are wanting to get clean. Rehabilitation from alcohol or substance abuse takes a lot of dedication and work. If your heart isn’t really in it, then you’ll have less success. Make sure that the time is right for you and that you can put all your energy into learning how to live cleanly.
Deciding when it’s time for rehab can be difficult to pinpoint. However, if you have significant issues in your life from your drinking habits, it can be a signal. For example, if you are suffering from problems with your relationships because of your drinking. In addition, if you’re having trouble at work or keeping a job, it might be time to research rehab. Or if you’re suffering from injuries or health issues from drinking. However, the most important thing to remember is that the time must be right for you. If you aren’t fully committed to the program, you won’t be as successful. So wherever you end up for your rehab, make sure that you are ready and dedicated to learning how to get clean and sober.
Oct 16, 2020 | Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Drugs
More and more states across the United States have been passing laws for the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana has many nicknames such as weed, pot, dope, or cannabis. It is made from the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. It contains psychoactive compounds including THC. Weed also contains other active compounds like cannabidiol, or CBD, that are not mind-altering.
Legalization of Marijuana: Changes Over Time
Legalization
As of August, 2020, there have been 11 different states that have legalized the recreational use of weed. This list includes Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. In addition to 11 states passing laws for the legalization of marijuana, some have decriminalized it. This includes 16 other states, plus the US Virgin Islands as well.
The legalization of recreational marijuana has been a recent move. In 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to pass this law. However, it is still illegal on the federal level.
CBD
CBD, which is short for cannabidiol has been a big buzzword lately. It is the second most common of the active ingredients of marijuana. While CBD is a part of of marijuana, one of hundreds, it does not cause a high on its own. You can find this product in oils, skincare products, food, and many more things. However, CBD is currently illegal in Idaho, Iowa, and South Dakota. In other states, some forms may be legal while others are illegal. Every state is has different laws about CBD.
Driving
Just because many states have passed the legalization of marijuana, there are still rules surrounding the drug. For instance, it is not legal to drive while high. Smoking weed can alter your mental state and impair your ability to drive. You can be charged with a DUI for driving high even if you live in a state where medical or recreational marijuana use is legal. This includes states like Colorado and California.
It is very important that you do not drive while high. Although you may think you are fine to drive, your mind and actions could be impaired. You could be putting your life, and the life of others, in danger.
Sep 28, 2018 | Drugs, Work Injuries
After suffering an injury, it’s not uncommon that the doctor will prescribe some sort of medication to ease the pain, and aid your healing. The doctor prescribes these to you as a means of helping your injuries. However, they can also cause problems if there is improper use. Maybe you didn’t read the label closely enough; maybe you were left to care for yourself. Or, maybe, you deliberately took more mediation than you should have. No matter the reason, suffering an overdose comes with a set of symptoms. While you might recognize them in yourself, it’s not uncommon that someone else will stumble upon the situation and take control. In that instance, it’s important that the person who comes to your aid is able to recognize overdose symptoms.
Recognizing Overdose Symptoms
Know What Medications They Are Taking
First things first, you’ll need to be aware of what kind of medication this person is taking. By having this knowledge, you can 1) help to prevent an overdose, or in the event of overdose, you can 2) identify the medication to emergency services. Being able to relay what medications they have in their system can make a large difference in the ability of those EMS to treat the victim. Furthermore, by knowing the medications they take, you can share that detail with EMS. By being aware of different medications, you or the medical team can determine how they may interact with one another.
Common symptoms of overdose:
In most overdoses, the signs are quite obvious. For instance, loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness, vomiting, or blue lips. However, there are plenty more signs that are subtle in comparison.
Pupils
Of the more subtle overdose symptoms, constricted pupils are quite common. In most cases, drugs will dilate pupils and make them appear larger. However, when it comes to pain medication, pupils tend to become very small. So, if you’re struggling to determine what medication they might have overdosed on, their pupils are a good place to check.
Breathing
One of the more difficult to determine, is slowed breathing. While pupils can be easy to check if you think to do so, slowed breathing might not even cross your mind. When suffering an overdose, your breathing is one of the first things to change. Your heart rate slows, as does breathing, when drugs kick in. In some cases, the breathing can become so slow that it stops. Therefore, it’s important to check the person’s pulse and listen for their breathing.
Hot, cold, clammy, nauseous….
Among other overdose symptoms, are to become cold, clammy, drowsy, nauseous, to vomit, or become very hot as well. As you can see, there is a large range in symptoms when it comes to overdose, depending on the medication. If you suspect that someone you know, or even yourself, to be in the process of an overdose— call emergency services immediately. While an overdose can be deadly, you can also counteract it quite quickly if put into the right hands.
