Consumption of illegal drugs is a global problem, but nowhere in the world are more drugs consumed than in the United States. Since the 19th century when drugs like morphine, heroin, and cocaine became popular, our society has confronted the problem of drug abuse and addiction.

Although there are those who produce drugs like methamphetamine today in the United States, illegal drugs in common use are often grown and produced in remote areas of other countries where it's difficult for local law enforcement to detect and prevent these activities. And in poorer societies, corruption of law enforcement agencies is common. The major drug-producing and drug-transit countries include Afghanistan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

The drug business has changed drastically over the years. Where once drug trafficking was controlled by American criminals, it is now managed by sophisticated and powerful criminal groups (cartels) headquartered in other countries, making it more difficult for U.S. drug enforcement agencies to prosecute. Despite U.S. domestic law enforcement and overseas operations to limit the growth of drug crops, it continues to be very profitable for those involved in the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of these substances.

Many experts believe that the best strategy to limit the drug industry is for countries to cooperate on enforcement measures. And it can't be forgotten that the drug trade is dependent upon demand. Preventive strategies that address the underlying reasons people begin to use drugs in the first place will help to curb drug trafficking and drug abuse.

Many people who struggle with drug abuse and addiction use, "I'm not affecting anyone but myself" as justification for their actions. But nothing could be further from the truth. Friends and family members of addicts are not just affected, but often deeply wounded by an addict's actions. It's easy for an addict to ignore the effects addiction has on his family and friends because they are primarily emotional and mental.

Some friends and family members may feel guilty. They think they should be able to do something to make the addict quit, or wonder if they've done something to actually cause their loved one's substance abuse. They think if they loved the person enough, or in the right way, the addiction would never have happened.

Family members who live with the person battling addiction are most strongly affected, especially if the addict has been confronted and has denied having a problem. This can cause the entire family to go into a "conspiracy of silence," in which everybody knows the addict is in trouble but no one talks about it. It causes a tremendous amount of stress and makes healthy relationships between family members all but impossible.

Trust is often broken between an addict and her family and friends. A person who's addicted to drugs or alcohol will lie about what they're doing (or how much), and may resort to stealing in order to fund the addiction. If school or job performance begins to suffer, the addict's family may cover for her, especially if a family member struggles with co-dependency. Someone who is co-dependent will try to help the addict by continuing to make excuses - to themselves, the addict, the addict's employer, and other friends and family members.

When an addict refuses to get help, friends and family members are put in the unfair position of trying to offer the help needed for a loved one to get clean. Friends and family can become almost obsessive - looking for any sign of use - and over time, all mental and emotional attention is focused on the addict.

If the addiction goes on long enough, the effects may become physical as well. Not only does physical abuse sometimes occur, but the family begins to shift their entire routine to fit - and possibly cover for - the addict. A child may take on the responsibility of paying bills and managing money, or a parent may finish homework assignments. If the addict gets into legal trouble, family members may cover the expenses, such as posting bail, paying court and attorney's fees, and restitution costs.

All of these steps that friends and family members take to protect their loved one are done out of concern and love. But the clinical name for it is "enabling," and all it really does is allow the addict to continue to spiral out of control while simultaneously putting tremendous emotional and mental strain on the people trying to help.

If the addictive behavior goes on long enough, the worry and anxiety felt by friends and family will give way to anger. Resentment begins to build toward the addict because he is either unaware of the damage he's causing in other people's lives or simply doesn't care. Resentment builds when friends and family realize that they've bent their whole life's activities around helping and covering for someone who doesn't appear to care.

Addiction affects everyone who knows and cares about the addict. If the addictive behavior goes on long enough, damage to relationships may be irreparable. Though friends and family might try to tell themselves that everything will work out, or that things aren't really that bad, the truth is that addictive behavior only gets worse until someone intervenes or the addict hits "rock bottom."

If you know someone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction, don't wait until she has lost jobs, material possessions, or significant relationships. Try to get them the help they need now.

If you're someone who struggles with addiction, know that you're hurting not only yourself but the people you cherish most. Recovery isn't easy, but the alternative is far worse. Please make an effort to get the help you need.

Labels: addiction

When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, she is risking problems with the development of her fetus, not only because those who use alcohol excessively deprive their bodies (and the body of the fetus) of essential nutrients needed for growth, but because alcohol is a toxic substance.

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it speeds through the placenta to the unborn child. Because the fetal body is so small and immature, it is unable to break down the toxins in the alcohol, resulting in a prolonged period of time during which the alcohol level in the fetal bloodstream is very high - high enough to cause lasting damage.

Excessive use of alcohol during pregnancy may result in a wide range of birth problems, called "fetal alcohol spectrum disorders" (FASD), the consequences of which are lifelong. Some of the physical, cognitive, and emotional manifestations of FASD are: poorly formed bones and organs, heart abnormalities, cleft palate, structural brain abnormalities with retarded intellect, facial abnormalities, delayed motor development, poor coordination, behavioral and learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder.

Birth problems related to FASD can be prevented by avoiding all alcohol during pregnancy. Although it is more common in those who consume higher levels of alcohol during pregnancy, even one episode of binge drinking may lead to damage of the fetal brain cells.