But I have known 3 people who’s lives are destroyed by them. One young mom, lost her life by overdose and left her 3 children alone in this world.

Two friends are barely existing because of their addictions, which take priority over Everything – Including a single fathers child! They are hurting everyone who cares about them; and I am moving away from both my friends, to get away from their addictions!

I pray daily that God will Bless us all; and we can find a way to solve Americas’ drug problems!! All the suffering families & friends, you ARE in my prayers!!! Kathy 40

[Editors Notes]:

The effects of Painkillers include slow breathing, vomiting, nausea feelings, constipated bowels, neck and face flushing, pupil constriction, energy loss, trouble concentrating, and feeling sleepy.

You should never combine painkiller medication with alcohol or other drugs (unless approved by your doctor). It is always a good idea to let the pharmacist know everything you are taking so they can advise you about possible problems – even if the doctor says everything is ok.

The pharmacists are far more knowledgeable in the area of drug interactions.

Longer term use of painkillers can lead to tolerance and needing higher doses of the drug for the same effect, addiction and overdose!

When you are physically addicted to a painkiller, not getting the drug into your system can lead to the following withdrawal symptoms:

Flu like symptoms

body aches

fever

sweat

shakes

chills

inability to sleep

pains in the bones and muscles

diarrhea

nausea and vomiting

Leg twitches

Feeling cold

See your doctor if you are experiencing or think you might be experiencing withdrawal and even more so if you think you are currently addicted to any medication, drug or even alcohol!

Though there may not be a 100% correlation, meaning that not everyone is going to move on to a ‘stronger’ drug, I do feel that there is a higher percentage of people that do move on.

It really comes down to common sense. The problem stems from an addictive mind / personality. If you are addicted to a substance, how much easier is it to become addicted to another substance than someone with no previous addiction?

How much easier is it for a person who has a current addiction to get access to a stronger drug? How much more likely is it that such a person has contact with one or more people that do use a stronger drug?

Due to these simple, common sense notions, I have to conclude that marijuana addiction would amount to a higher likelihood of moving onto a ‘stronger’ drug than someone who has no current addiction and does not have an addictive mind / personality.

Many people want some type of validation officially that it is on to utilize marijuana or other drugs. However, they should be looking for evidence that marijuana use and addiction is actually detrimental to society.

Of course, society and the law in some instances have accepted the use of medical marijuana for pain relief or other health issues. I think that, like other drugs, there are always potential problems and side effects from the use of any drug.

Consider the drug cartels and the violence and suffering that are intimately intertwined with the production and export / import of marijuana and other drugs. Remember, with every puff on a marijuana cigarette that you are supporting all of that! With every payment to a dealer you are supporting this industry.

I would argue that aside from a few medical instances there is really no redeeming qualities to drug use or abuse. Drugs are simply an escape from a reality that you will ultimately have to face again and again. Repeated drug use and addiction will do nothing but make you dependent on a drug that costs money and support the violence and crime that come with the production and movement of illegal substances.

Leave a comment below if you disagree or agree with me. I am certainly open to listening to your viewpoint.

This site is filled with stories about the problems and disasters that happen to people’s lives from drug / alcohol use and addiction. Your stories are welcome but must be anonymous with names and locations changed to protect identities. The stories must, of course, be true.

Submit your story here.

Brian, who was a well-known athlete in the city of St. Louis, decided to smoke marijuana with his high school basketball teammates.

The addiction from this drug (marijuana) empowered Brian to try one drug after another.

Never in a million years did I believe I would use Cocaine, Heroin, Dippers, Pre-mo, Valiums, Tylenol 3′s & 4′s, PCP, Codeine Pills, Syrup, Hard Liquor, Beer, or any other substance that works against my sports career and Life.

After using and abusing street drugs for so long, my brain’s function could not have been so normal.

Background: I earned 2 M.V.P. trophies as a pitcher; 2 M.V.P. trophies as a quarterback; was asked by four high school students to sign my name on their books and papers, after watching me play basketball. First 8 street fights were knockdowns. First place trophy in a dancing contest.

Story:

One day, as I was using drugs and getting high, my heart stopped beating for 11 minutes. I then went into a coma and stayed in it for ten days.

Due to my heart stopping and coma experience, my brain suffered an injury. Not only that, but the nerves in my leg suffered damage as well.

I kept on using and abusing drugs, until they used and abused me. After experiencing this drug abusing conflict, it made me turn to God.

God’s word explained to me that it was sin that empowered me to try drugs in the first place. I went to God, and He forgave the sins that triggered that drug using experience.

God rehabbed my life time after time.

If you keep using and abusing drugs, drugs will soon use and abuse you. Abusing drugs only leads people to experiencing episodes written in this press release.

-Submitted by “Brian”.

[Editors note] – A recent study has been published suggesting that there is no evidence to prove that marijuana addiction effects lead to the use of more powerful drugs. It is my opinion that this study did not take into account the nature of an addictive personality. It only seems logical that the use of one drug would lead to the use of others for an addicted mind. Why wouldn’t it? If the current marijuana addiction info leads to the conclusion that it is not a stepping stone, I really have to wonder if it could never be after hearing stories like Brian’s above.

There have also been studies that showed that some rehab centers have led addicts to try harder drugs due to the stories told by their peers while in rehab!  There is nothing at all wrong with seeking marijuana addiction help and you are taking a positive step for yourself and / or loved ones by doing so as soon as possible.  No chemical dependency no matter how trivial or minor we think it might be is healthy!

Here are some marijuana addiction symptoms to keep an eye out for:

Yes,  these occur both when the person is ‘high’ as well as up to days or weeks afterwards. Therefore, I am making a small leap to call them symptoms of  marijuana addiction.  You can simply take these as warning signs if you wish!

1. Distorted perceptions

2. Impaired Coordination

3. Difficulty in Thinking and Problem Solving

4. Problems with Learning and Memory

If you are someone (or love someone) who needs to get into some type of marijuana addiction detox to get past the physical and / or mental addiction, please get help for yourself or that person you love right away.  I know this can be a difficult thing to handle. But it is critical to get help, in my opinion.

Marijuana Addiction Withdrawal - There are some problems associated with withdrawal.  Here is a partial list of what to expect when detoxing and rehabbing:

1. Cravings

2. Irritability

3. Insomnia

4. Restlessness

5. Nausea

6. Intense Dreams

7. Feeling of Crankiness

8. Feeling Anxious

The strongest effects are felt in the first week of withdrawal!  These are just some basic marijuana addiction facts.

Do you still think Marijuana has no bearing on moving on to ‘stronger’ drugs. Though it may not do so in every case, it also cannot be concluded that it never does – in my opinion. [/Editors Note]

This list is a courtesy only and is no way an endorsement of any rehab centers. I have not investigated these centers personally. Please do your homework carefully before choosing a center that is right for you or your loved one.

Behavioral Health Treatment Center in FL

Offers successful treatment for alcohol and substance abuse. Specialty programs for young adults, pain management and depression.
www.bhopb.com

Crossroads Centre: Drug, Alcohol Rehab
Crossroads Centre at Antigua is an international rehabilitation center for the treatment of drug, alcohol and other addictive disorders. Founded by Eric Clapton.
crossroadsantigua.org

Rehab and Recovery for Teens
Regional treatment centers and private boarding schools offering teens extended rehab and recovery from drug or alcohol use.
www.aateens.com

Affordable Drug Rehab with Results
Drug rehab for adults and teens in TX and LA. Residential inpatient and outpatient programs. Ask about our treatment guarantee.
www.rightstep.com

Recovery for the Drug Addict/Alcoholic
Luxurious drug and alcohol treatment in a serene and private setting on the Texas Gulf Coast.
www.bayarearecovery.com

Drug Rehab Treatment Facility
Drug rehab and substance abuse treatment facility at Sunrise Recovery Ranch located in the majestic Southern California foothills.
www.drugrehabranch.com

Sober Living by the Sea Treatment Center
Drug rehab treatment program offering care in a structured 12-step program. Located in beautiful Newport Beach on the Pacific Coast.
www.soberliving.com

Non-Traditional Addiction Treatment
Long-term non-traditional addiction treatment.
www.addiction2.com

AAE Drug Rehab Retreat – One of a Kind
Upscale 14, 21, 28, and 35 day programs. One-on-one therapy in serene healing environment. Intimate 6 bed facility, confidential, organic cuisine, secure, nestled in Southern California.
aaeretreat.com

Renaissance Malibu – Drug Rehab Center
Individualized and confidential alcohol and drug addiction treatment offered in a Malibu, CA oceanfront mansion. We offer hope and healing in a serene environment.
maliburecovery.com

Addicts Are Healed Here
Trust can be restored – relationships can be healed. We treat more than the addiction by helping clients identify the cause of their addictive behavior and bring new meaning to their life.
www.pavillon.org

Passages Residential Drug Rehab Center
Exclusive residential treatment center in Malibu, California specializing in one-on-one treatment of drug abuse and alcoholism. Documented 84% success rate.
www.passagesmalibu.com

The Watershed: Drug Rehab
Make a change today. We are here to help you overcome alcohol and drug abuse. Contact us to receive free confidential online assessment and referrals. We can help you achieve recovery.
www.thewatershed.com

Stone Hawk Drug Rehabilitation Center
Stone Hawk Rehabilitation Center offers holistic residential alcohol and drug rehab programs on beautiful St. Mary’s Lake in Michigan. Over 70% of our graduates stay clean.
www.narcononstonehawk.com

Northern CA Residential Drug Treatment
Luxurious Northern California residential treatment center overlooking San Francisco Bay. Bayside Marin offers confidential, respectful, nurturing, individualized care in serene settings.
www.recoverycenter.com

Milestones Ranch Malibu Drug Rehab
Innovative, alcohol rehab research-based treatment for mental health/drug problems. 12 adult beds/3 levels of care. Beautiful mountain setting.
www.milestonesranchmalibu.com

1-800-Nodrugs.com: Drug Rehabilitation
1800nodrugs.com is a nationwide treatment referral service designed to help you find a rehabilitation center to fit your individual needs. Find addiction information online.
www.1800nodrugs.com

Holistic Drug Rehab Program
Addiction recovery program that works. Chronic relapse specialists. We are recovering addicts with over 17 years of experience.
www.drugrehabcenter.com

Executive Drug Rehab in Style
Enjoy being pampered. We provide compassionate and individualized treatment that offers the chemically dependent person a route to
recovery that is specifically tailored to their needs.
www.capobythesea.com

Tarzana Treatment Center – California
Comprehensive drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. Fully licensed and accredited. Detoxification, residential and outpatient treatment offered in multiple sites throughout L.A. County.
search.tarzanatc.org

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Program
Let us help you recover from your addiction. Cost-effective, caring and compassionate residential treatment rehab in seaside communities of South Orange County, California.
www.abletochangerecovery.com

Drug Rehab Program – Hope by the Sea
Hope by the Sea is a high-qaulity, yet affordable residential alcohol rehab center located in Southern California. Help can’t wait. Call now.
www.hopebythesea.com

Drug Rehab Uses Narcotics to Detox
Summer House offers a narcotic detox service in a no hassles stress free setting. Located in South Florida.
www.drugdetoxcenter.com

Helping with Drug and Alcohol Addiction
We help overcome drug addiction through an emphasis on helping the whole person. Located in secluded Belize, Central America we treat the mind, body and spirit.
www.newrivercove.com

Drug and Alcohol Recovery
Treatment. www.solutions4recovery.com

Drug Rehab
Exclusive, intensive rehab retreat Newport Beach. Executives, professionals, celebrities, pro athletes: alcohol/drug, addictions, burnout, stress. All private services, powerful, effective.
www.beaumondeprograms.com

Newport Beach Drug Rehab
Beautiful, seaside drug rehab facility offering individualized addiction treatment programs steps from the California sand. State licensed, court approved, highly successful. Live healthy.
www.recoveryhome.net

The Sundance Center – Drug Rehab
Professional inpatient, outpatient drug and alcohol rehab. Located in Scottsdale Arizona, we are here to help. thesundancecenter.com

Drug Rehab – Addiction Is Not a Disease
You are not powerless. There is a solution to alcohol and drug addiction. Change your life forever. Advanced technology for substance abuse recovery. Success rate 80%.
www.soberforever.org

Narconon Gulf Coast, Inc
Narconon offers drug rehab in Destin, FL. Recover fully and finally from addiction and get your life restarted. narconongulfcoast.com

Drug Rehab Center
The future of recovery is here today at A Better Tomorrow. Effective drug rehab center.
abettertomorrow.onsmartpages.com

Long-Term Drug Rehab for Adolescents
Caring, professional staff offering drug recovery services and education to drug addicted teens. Call our center in Kentucky today.
www.careacademyky.com

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
Cirque Lodge, Sundance Utah offers exclusive and effective drug and alcohol treatment. Let the mountains and our cognitive and experiential therapies provide you healing and hope. Call now.
www.cirquelodge.com

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
Beat your addictions at Florida’s Gulf Coast Recovery is a beachfront, comprehensive substance abuse treatment center that specializes in treating alcohol dependence and drug addiction.
www.gulfcoastrecovery.org

Capstone: Drug Rehab Center
Capstone Treatment Center is a residential treatment center for adolescent substance abuse. Capstone Christian treatment model uses proven innovative therapies to stop chemical dependency.
www.capstonetreatmentcenter.com

Texas Drug Rehab
A Texas drug rehab treatment center that is Christ centered and Bible based.
www.eawake.org

Drug Rehab
Affordable, sophisticated and highly-successful alcohol/drug treatment.
www.pachills.com

Drug Rehab
Addiction Information Center is providing complete and current information about rehabs, detox, treatment, alcoholism, drug abuse, centers addiction and other related topics.
www.addictioncareoptions.com

Drug Rehabilitation
Sierra Tucson Treatment Center in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Chat privately with a staff member online or call us toll-free. Compassionate, reassuring, understanding care is available.
www.sierratucson.com

Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center
Austin Recovery provides effective, compassionate, and affordable drug and alcohol treatment in Austin, TX. Our non-profit organization has been helping individuals recover since 1967.
www.austinrecovery.org

Drug Rehab Resource Catalog
Find information on drug rehab. View parent resource videos online or have them mailed to you for free. Receive parental and educational information on schools and programs.
www.teenhelp.us

Drug Rehab
Alcohol and drug treatment alternative recovery program. Recover at home. Also links to drug/alcohol rehab alternative.
www.homerecovery.net

Executive Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Professional drug and alcohol treatment. Private rooms with baths available. Call for a confidential discussion. Located in Utah.
www.journeyrecoverycenters.com

Rapid Detox from Heroin Addiction
Project Straight offers medically assisted detox and detoxification under anesthesia from heroin, methadone, oxycontin, vicodin and other opiates. Caring, compassionate and affordable.
www.detox911.com

Stepping Ahead Drug and Alcohol Program
We offer women group therapy, transport to AA/NA meetings and a 12 step based community that aids in the development of a healthy support system for long-term sobriety in Palm Beach, FL.
www.halfwayhouse.net

Drug Rehab Ministry
Evangelical Christian ministry in Russia. With your support we build churches, drug rehab centers, and seminaries across Russia.
www.moscowministries.com

Hope by the Sea – Laguna Nigel, CA
Drug rehabilitation, alcoholism treatment, chemical dependency treatment, opiate detox programs, and more.
www.hopebythesea.com

I cannot begin to tell you how sad it makes me to see all those folks who suffer from drug abuse addictions. I sincerely hope that this site will help inspire people to quit their substance addictions or be of supportive of someone they love to quit – without giving up or abandoning them.

Addiction can happen to people from all walks of life, even those who have worked to help others with addictions! Just read some of the stories on this site to understand how true this is.

Abuse addictions are costly in terms of money, time, physical damage to the brain and body – not to mention the emotional havoc wreaked upon both those with an addiction as well as their loved ones.

There is a gentleman in his early twenties who apparently used too much of a particular substance. He now talks to himself, and often believes he is talking on a telephone when in fact he is not. People around me tell me that he was very smart before, excelling in his field of study. Poor kid, I feel sorry for him every time I see him talking to himself. He also walks around avoiding contact with others as he lives in his own little world most of the time. Some say he is getting better. I sure hope he does.

I was listening to the radio the other day and there was a study about carbohydrate addiction. Apparently, food addictions can work in a very similar way to drug and alcohol addictions. They elevate dopamine levels. The resulting ‘down’ after the ‘high’ causes the user to seek the addictive substance again. A high carb and fat addiction is one thing, but in the case of heroin this cycle can happen multiple times per day – quickly destroying the physical resources of the addict.

Another person I know told me the horrifying story of his cocaine addiction. I can not begin to tell you how traumatic his story is. He finally beat that addiction, but went through hell to do so!

If you are reading this site and you have an anonymous story to tell about your own addiction experience or that of someone close to you, consider leaving your story on this site (big red button – upper right hand side). If you could inspire even one person to overcome their addiction – it will be worth it!

We decided to buy a small house on a large lot together and ‘flip’ it in 12-15 months to a developer after I had obtained the permits. As she was younger than I, we took the mortgage out in her name.

We did this for speed of application, as we wished to pursue our ‘plans’ as quickly as possible. After all , we were only going to be living there a relatively short time.

Within 9-months of moving in she became ill with clinical depression and was placed on anti-depressives, which as time went on became increasingly stronger. She then began to drink alcohol in secret and her resulting behavior patterns started to create all sorts of problems in our previously fantastic relationship.

I had to suspend applying for the Planning permits because it became apparent that her health was not going to be able to deal with any move from, or sale of, our property. As the years rolled on she became worse, she left her job on sick-leave. I started to care for her on an almost 24/7 basis, which nearly destroyed my own working life.

She was still taking anti-depressants , sleeping tablets, tranquillizers and having clandestine alcohol binges at fairly regular intervals. I tried to stop her drinking, she promised to stop drinking but the binges still occurred until they were at just 10 day intervals.

We used a few Librium based detox programs but after each one she went back to alcohol abuse within a short time. She had started collapsing in the street whilst out walking and was admitted to A&E by paramedics-medics as a result many times.

Then, one evening, as it became apparent that she’d begun another binge, she suddenly collapsed at home. She died three days later in Intensive Care of a cerebral aneurysm (stroke) aged just 49.

I immediately realized she had not made a will, but did not know that owing to her condition she had omitted to renew the ‘death’ cover on the mortgage insurance for our home, Or complete the nomination for myself under her own death insurance. As a result,at age 61 I lost everything.

I loved her very much, and she loved me perhaps even more, but in the face of the terrible combination of alcohol and prescribed drugs our once wonderful lives, with a great future, were plunged into a tragic conclusion that I never expected, or had any warning of.

If you are the partner/relative of anyone who is suffering a similar condition, always make sure that your own position within your relationship, as to important matters of finance and legalities is taken care of. Only in that way can you can face up to their difficult day-to-day existence and perhaps unexpected developments, with some element of security and safeguard. Don’t end up like myself.

- All-Alone

— We (pen name)

I went from a $500+ a day habit, to quitting cold turkey!

First I put my baby son before my own wants & needs; and most importantly I allowed my Higher Power-God, into my heart and life!

It took the brink of death, for me to realize I did have something to live for- others!

But I believe that if I could stop and change my own life around, from the living hell I existed in, then anyone can.

Move away, start fresh, allow your own Higher Power into your life! I have faith in you!!!

Allow your heart to guide you! When you learn to live again, you will soon see-that life is truly Worth living!!!

- Submitted By KAN

-Anonymous…. [Person's name intentionally kept confidential - this will only be changed if specifically requested by the person contributing the story. I strongly urge anonymity]

I had seen alcohol abuse in a close member of my fiance’s family. His half brother has struggled with alcoholism for over 10 years now and it has severely damaged his life. He has been to prison more than two times for DUI convictions. He continues to drink today. He can’t legally drive here because he got his license away.

I have been on the lookout for any kind of similar qualities that may surface with my fiance because alcoholism has some genetic factors that play a role in if a person will become addicted or not.

Some pretty horrible things had happened to our engagement this last year and after many sessions of therapy to try and fix the mess my fiance created, we found that one thing kept playing a role on all the nights there was trouble. Alcohol was present each of those times and it was in his system. Alot of it.

Now, there is no excuse for his behavior and lack of decency, but I believe it to be true that alcohol did influence how he behaved on those nights I later found out about – those nights that almost tore us apart.

Not everyone can handle their alcohol. Finding the perfect balance is hard (the stage between drunk and tipsy). Once you lose good judgement whether it be after one drink or 6, its hard to reverse the decisions you make during that time. Sometimes those aren’t important decisions and other times they can be life altering.

Alcohol is as much of a drug as cocaine is and the horrible part is that its legal. There is a fine line between having a sip of champagne at New Years or a wedding and drinking to get drunk.

Our therapist said that he was simply adamant that my fiance didn’t drink. We haven’t had anything to drink in quite some time. Its been close to two months now. Things are getting better as a result.

~engaged and alcohol free