RUTH DAVEY
INFORMATION FOR FACT SHEET
FOR CARERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS
There is a necessity to provide information for carers of children and young people who are affected by drug and alcohol problems in order to assist them to manage the complexities concerning this issue.
· Create an environment which encourages the discussion about drug or alcohol use in a non-judgmental manner, where the young person can refer to any peer pressure involvement and implement strategies to overcome this.
· The carer must be a good role model and exhibit healthy behavior in regard to their own responsible drinking and smoking practices.
· Teach their young to be able to overcome stress without having to resort to alcohol or drugs.
· Set ground rules in regard to not bringing drugs/alcohol into the home including friends who use alcohol or drugs.
· Gain knowledge of the effects of drug use and the possible warning signs of drug/alcohol use.
· Understand why young people use drugs and alcohol: peer pressure, feeling pleasure and relaxation, confidence booster in social situations, to cope with problems; to name a few.
Alcohol is a problem when it interferes with a person’s inability to concentrate, unable to attend to school work or work, they appear “hung over” feeling irritable, not wishing to stop. Being drunk could lead to aggressiveness, getting into fights, being involved in unsafe sex and assault, performing dangerous activities, drink driving may kill someone. There may be personal health risks; brain, liver, heart, stomach ulcers and an increased cancer risk. The brain is not completely developed until 25 years of age so is more susceptible to damage from alcohol. Some people may think that because they don’t drink everyday there is no real problem with heavy drinking perhaps once a week but the short term risks, including alcohol poisoning are still worse than with moderate drinking.
Smoking, especially when started at a young age has more possibilities of causing health risks. Young people who smoke are more likely to use other drugs.
Cannabis – Marijuana, grass or weed is dried leaves of the flowers of the cannabis plant and is most often mixed with tobacco and smoked as a joint, through a pipe, put into bongs, made into tea or mixed with food like cookies. Cannabis contains a chemical called THC – delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol which is a sedative leading to relaxation and is also a hallucinogenic, changing the way you see reality. Not so good effects are anxiety and panic, poor co-ordination and impaired balance. There is a higher risk of respiratory and cardiac illnesses, poor motivation and energy, concentration logic and ability to learn. People with a family history of mental illness should avoid using Cannabis as there is a likelihood of developing psychosis, especially if started at a young age, and symptoms of a mental illness may be worsened; an episode of bipolar disorder can be triggered and there is a link to schizophrenia. Withdrawal can cause sleep problems, anger and irritability, poor appetite and an upset stomach. Risks associated with cannabis smoking are driving accidents, in operating machinery and in the home environment. Use in pregnancy may contribute to a low birth weight and slow development of some babies.
Cannabis Harm reduction strategies: The major harms associated with cannabis use are cardiovascular and respiratory. The method of smoking which produces the best ratio of THC to tar is considered the least harmful. Smoking joints is considered to be the least harmful and produces the best ratio of THC to tar; it is best to smoke unfiltered joints as cigarette filters eliminate 60% of the THC in the smoke producing a higher percentage of tar and other toxic substances. People like to smoke bongs as they make the smoke cooler but the water absorbs a lot of the THC. Bongs should be cleaned to eliminate germs and viruses and not be made of plastic, rubber or aluminum as harmful fumes may be given off when heated. Pipes should be made of glass for similar reasons. 95% of the THC from the cannabis smoke is absorbed in the first few seconds of inhaling; a prolonged inhale only absorbs more noxious chemicals into the lungs. Eating cookies made from cannabis is supposed to have a stronger hit but it is difficult to gauge the effect as it takes 60-90 minutes to start and may last for 4-12 hours so caution must be observed. Hydroponic cannabis (grown indoors) has a THC content of 13-20% and outdoors natural cannabis has 7-14% THC content so less hydroponic cannabis has to be smoked to gain a similar effect. People with compromised immune systems, HIV/AIDS, cancer may need to heat their cannabis to avoid contamination with fungi and bacteria.
Methamphetamine Speed, base and ice are all the same drug but they differ in their purity. Ice is about 80% pure whereas speed is around 10 to 20% pure. The effect of ice is stronger and longer lasting but is more addictive with worse side effects. Speed is often cut with other ingredients that look the same so it goes further – some mixes have unpleasant or harmful effects without knowing what the drug actually contains. Ice looks like colourless to white crystals and is also known as crystal meth. Because of its purity it is much more dangerous and has stronger side effects and a worse come-down. The effects of taking a small amount may last a few hours or days and include: feeling good, confident, alert and energetic, excited or agitated, feel aggressive, anxious and panicky and take unusual risks. The effects of taking a large amount may include: headaches, restlessness, irregular breathing and fast or irregular heartbeat, feel powerful and become hostile and aggressive. A serious psychological problem may develop where voices are heard and things are imagined with a fear of others causing harm. The effects of long term use apart from becoming dependent include: becoming violent for no reason, the body can’t resist disease properly, damage to brain cells leading to problems with memory and thinking; relationship and work problems. Withdrawal symptoms are severe but short lived and most people don’t need medication.
Ecstasy Methylene DioxyMethAmphetamine (MDMA) is made from different chemicals and can contain both amphetamines and some hallucinogens. Amphetamines speed up the brain and the central nervous system and hallucinogens can cause people to see, hear, feel or smell things that do not exist. A small amount taken may make the user feel good and confident, close and affectionate to other people, anxious and have a fear that others want to cause harm. An overdose may cause very high blood pressure, fast heart beat and a very high body temperature. Overcoming dehydration resulting in drinking a lot of water can be dangerous as the body’s salt balance can be changed which can result in swelling of the brain called cerebral oedema where the water content of the brain rises causing the pressure inside the skull to rise. There have been deaths from overdosing caused by the body overheating and dehydrating. Long term effects may include damage to liver, heart and brain. Some people have experienced lack of appetite, sleep problems, feeling depressed and finding it hard to concentrate.
Cocaine is a highly addictive short-term stimulant; usually a white powder which is “snorted”, inhaled, or crack cocaine, a crystal form which can be smoked. A large quantity is delivered to the lungs which produces intense effects. After use people feel wide awake and more confident. There is a risk of drug induced psychosis with symptoms similar to schizophrenia; visual hallucinations, paranoia and suspiciousness, inappropriate emotions, social isolation and withdrawal, severe anxiety and panic attacks, paranoid delusions, change in perceptual experiences such as smell, sound and colour, disorientation and memory problems and uncontrolled violent behavior. Symptoms of mental problems such as bipolar disorder depression, anxiety, mood swings and panic attacks can be aggravated Overdose can lead to a heart attack, seizures and stroke.
Heroin is made from the sap of the opium poppy and is a highly addictive substance injected intravenously which has the initial effect of causing a feeling of well-being and relief from physical pain. An overdose of Heroin slows down a person’s brain function and can affect their breathing; they may lose consciousness and lapse into a coma, their blood pressure drops so low that oxygen does not get to vital organs. The person who uses heroin will need to take larger doses to achieve the same effect and their body will become dependent on heroin in order to function normally. Street heroin may be mixed with other substances so the actual strength may not be known.
Methadone maintenance treatment for detox is used and may take five to seven days. A Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment program, with the support of a drug counsellor, is used for those who are at risk of reverting back to heroin use.
Methadone is taken by mouth in a single daily dose to substitute for heroin in controlling withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The effects are long lasting and slowly released by the body being effective for 24 hours. Withdrawal from methadone is usually gradually reduced over three to twelve months but dosage may continue indefinitely with people that are at risk of resuming their heroin use. Counselling supports usually continue whilst the person is on the methadone program. There is a risk of overdose if any depressant drugs are taken with methadone, the person may lose consciousness and stop breathing. The doctor, dentist or pharmacist should be informed when the person is on a methadone program to avoid interaction with drugs which may be harmful to them whilst on the program.
Hallucinogens – LSD – Magic Mushrooms – affect the senses causing seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching things that do not exist. Some people find these unusual sensations interesting and pleasant while to others these same effects are unpleasant and disturbing. The effects of a bad trip may include: extreme anxiety and fear, “spiders crawling on the skin”, panic leading to dangerous risk taking, feeling other people may cause harm and feeling of losing control. Panic attacks may lead to hyperventilation and some may have heart palpitations, shortness of breath, wheezing, fitting, severe headaches and blurred vision. People need to be re-assured until the effect wears off and if symptoms persist an ambulance needs to be called. If the person has become unconscious or ceases breathing commence first aid/CPR procedures.
Supporting Someone through Detox
Supporting someone who wishes to remain at home whilst they are experiencing detox resulting from their decision to quit drugs involves having knowledge of what may be expected during the process.
The supporting person should remain calm and positive, creating a safe atmosphere in the home and be prepared to spend time with and be prepared to listen to the person. Withdrawing from substances which may prove dangerous such as benzodiazepines and alcohol may require medical assistance. A professional assessment is helpful to decide if the person is suitable for home detox and to give advice. The Drug and Alcohol Information Service can advise on a suitable service working with a Drug and Alcohol worker to give assessment and advice. The Family Drug Support Line is always open to give advice.
There may be symptoms such as: being hot, cold and sweaty, runny nose, sneezing, grumpy, irritable, anxious, mood changes, tense muscles and joints leading to aches and pains, stomach and bowel upsets, being angry and paranoid.
The support person should be aware that they and other members of the family may be at risk of aggression.
Encourage the person to keep well hydrated and try to incorporate a healthy diet. Establish techniques to relax by listening to music, controlled breathing, meditation and take part in gentle exercise and any activity they may enjoy.
Do not become involved with in depth counselling as having to cope with their emotions only created more stress.
If they decide to give up on the detox help them to delay their decision if only by a short time and look at their reasons for deciding to stop using.
A lapse is considered part of the recovery and they need support to get back on track highlighting areas that were a trigger. A lapse must not be seen as a failure and they should be praised because of the step they have taken.
Communicating with the drug user
LISTENING is the most important communication skill.
HONESTY encourage them to speak by being open and honest with them.
LOOKING FOR CLUES drug users do not want to talk much about their drug use, when they drop a hint and say they want to talk make you available and listen calmly.
Good communication Talk to them calmly and listen, seek to understand and let them know your concerns and feelings, expecting anything from the truth to denial. Try to establish some responsibility and motivation in the person promoting harm minimization and good health. Keep communication channels open with the drug user and other members of the family encouraging tolerance and understanding. Be interested in their lives and encourage open discussion developing workable boundaries. Have contingency plans for setbacks.
Harm Reduction for the User:
Injecting drugs with used or dirty syringes, needles, can predispose to getting infected with hepatitis B, C and/or HIV; acquiring blood poisoning (septicaemia) and skin abscesses.