Demerol Abuse Help

Demerol Abuse Help

There is a fine line between
abuse and addiction, and depending on who you talk to, there is no
difference at all. That is why Demerol abuse is a serious issue.
Demerol is a brand name for the opioid drug Meperidine, which is
closely related to morphine. It is prescribed for the control of
moderate pain, and like any other opiate, it is addictive.

Demerol IS habit forming!

When the precautions on the bottle say
“may be habit forming” it is a sure sign that the medicine should
be respected. Demerol is most widely abused when people take the drug
too often, or they take too much, thinking that they need more drug
to achieve the necessary pain relief.

That is commonly how people get into
trouble. Doctors are careful to instruct their patients that this
medicine should not be taken with alcohol, as the negative side
effects could potentially be fatal. Prescriptions do have a limit,
as the drug should not be taken for any longer than necessary and in
the prescribed amounts.

Demerol abuse help is available

Demerol abuse help is actually
rather straight forward. Used as directed, under the watchful eye
of a physician, Demerol is effective and safe. However, abuse is
what launches the destructive nature of this opiate. People abuse
the drug by taking more than they need. Perhaps they had had a
surgical procedure and are prescribed Demerol to keep pain under
control.

The prescription might carry a refill,
but when the patient abuses the drug, they run out of their
prescription early and run into trouble at the pharmacy trying to get
a refill too early. Patient may then go “doctor shopping” to try
to find another physician to write a script, or they may go out on
the streets to find a seller.

Not much difference between abuse
and addiction

Abuse and addiction are more
similar than you might suspect. As time goes on and the Demerol
abuse continues, the user will likely develop a psychological
dependence on the drug, that is, they “think” they need the drug.

The brain gets tricked into having the
drug present. They may also develop a physical addiction, meaning if
they don’t have the drug they will actually get sick, or suffer
serious withdrawal symptoms. Exactly when abuse slips into
dependence is determined by the individual, but with an opioid, like
Demerol, it’s like playing Russian roulette.

Heroin use often right around the
corner

Another danger of Demerol abuse is
when the need to find the drug leads the user to other street
opiates, like heroin. If the pharmaceutical drug is available on the
street, and so many are, it may be expensive.

Some turn to heroin because it is less
expensive, but they really have no way of knowing what they are
getting. While it might be mostly heroin, what else is in there?
Nobody knows but the dealer or distributor. It’s a very dangerous
game.

Never or buy or sell from the street

When a patient receives a
prescription for Demerol it is important to keep track of the
medicine. An inventory is necessary, because someone might take your
medicine. Too often when people are finished using the drug, they’ll
give it to someone else, or worse yet, sell it on the street.

This is a particularly bad idea, not
just because it is against the law, but medically, it’s a very
dangerous practice. When people take Demerol for recreational
purposes, they can easily overdose and wind up in the Emergency Room.
It is not at all uncommon for parents of teenagers to find out that
their child has been raiding the medicine cabinet to find something
to abuse.

Overdose is common and often deadly

Overdose is a serious issue. Every
family should have the poison control number handy and call
1-800-222-1222. Again, Demerol is an opiate and opiate overdose can
be fatal. The user may become overly drowsy, suffer weakness,
confusion, has shallow breathing and slowing heart rate or in worst
cases, may lose consciousness and fall into coma.

Overdoses are most common when people
take the drug for recreation, to achieve a euphoric feeling, or high.
When someone passes out, or falls asleep on the couch, this is a
potentially dangerous time, as Demerol overdose can lead to
respiratory arrest. People have known to experience seizures.

Look for changes in behavior

People who abuse Demerol and who need Demerol abuse help are on the
path to addiction may also display behavioral changes and family and
loved ones need to be aware. They may become more withdrawn, more
moody and lose interest in their routine daily activities.

They may miss work or school, change
their circle of friends, or they may stop doing their hobbies and
recreational activities altogether. Once a person is on that
slippery slope from abuse to addiction, they need help to get back on
the right path.

Sometimes that requires medical
intervention, but it may just be a matter of attending meetings or a
12 Step group. Exactly what Demerol abuse help is needed should be
assessed by a professional counselor or doctor.

The sooner the better

The important thing is to stop the
abuse and to get Demerol abuse help before it causes serious or
permanent damage. The love and support of family and friends can
play a huge role in determining the outcome of a Demerol abuse
situation, so those watching the abuse take place need to be
vigilant.That’s where Demerol abuse help starts.

Not for use with other pain medications

Do not take Demerol with other narcotic
pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other
medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous
side effects may result.

Tell your doctor about all other
medicines you use, especially:

•phenytoin (Dilantin);

•pentazocine (Talwin);

•nalbuphine (Nubain);

•butorphanol (Stadol); or

•buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex).

This list is not complete and other
drugs may interact with Demerol. Tell your doctor about all
medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter,
vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without
telling your doctor.

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My Mother was a junkie prostitute!

by Jasmine

(Australia)

My mother gave birth to me at 19, she was already using heroin,
speed, weed, Demerol, the lot. Therefore, when I was born I
immediately went into withdrawals and had an agonizing first 3 months of
life.

My dad was a truck driver who was unlucky enough to give
her a ride. He is a good man, their affair never went further than about
a week but he continued to pay child support up until I was 18. I have
met him twice as he lives interstate and has a wife and 2 other girls.

My
grandmother (THANKFULLY) took me off my mother at 7 months old, fought
her in court and won full custody of me (Mum wasn’t at the hearing, she
was stoned).
However I have always had regular contact with my
mother, and every memory of her up until 18 (when she finally got clean)
is of her being so drugged up that she would fall asleep anywhere;
driving (had at least 15 car accidents – some with me in the car), out
in public, she once fell asleep in her driveway after bending down to
find her keys in her handbag and I found her half an hour later.

It
was disgusting, the pin-prick pupils and chatty brown rings around her
mouth from constant dribbling because she was just so stoned ALL the
time. I saw her inject many times, saw her overdose, witnessed so many
fights and unsuccessful relationships, I have seen my mum bashed, been
hit myself by one of her junkie boyfriends…it was never ending – and I
didn’t even live with her!

She was a prostitute for about 15
years (started when I was about 2) which just fueled the addiction
because of the environment. She has served 6 different jail terms
related to theft – to support her habit.

But
anyway – I’m used to that. That’s the card I was dealt and I’ve had 21
years to stew on it. My main issue is how this whole situation is
manifesting itself in me.

Started smoking weed and shoplifting at 15

Up until about 15 I was pretty good, then I
started smoking weed and shoplifting, I have never been in trouble with
the law. At 18 I got a boyfriend who introduced and subsequently got me
addicted to speed. We broke up about 3 months ago and I have not
touched speed, but have moved onto Meth and am taking heaps of Valium, Xanax and sedatives to sleep at night.

I try to maintain my
daily life I go to work 9-5 I have a respectable job but my head is
constantly in crisis. I have identity problems – I don’t know who I am
or how I feel or what I want. It’s a constant battle inside my head to
keep doing drugs until I feel I have a problem (I honestly don’t at the
moment, just recently started getting into meth) or to avoid it
altogether and live a clean life.

I’m also promiscuous – I’ve
had sex with strangers, friends boyfriends more than once, I am
currently sleeping with one at the moment.

I’ve been prescribed
anxiety/depression meds but would rather get my head fixed than rely on
them because withdrawal from them is worse than speed and meth combined!

Somebody
just comment, suggestions, guidance, advice, similar experiences,
anything will help me get my head around my life and perhaps help me
sort through my issues.

Everyone says they are so proud because I
finished school, did uni, now working full time but if only they knew
how hard I am fighting to NOT follow in my mother’s footsteps…

You Can Overcome

by: Ned Wicker

Dear Jasmine,

There are many components to substance
use disorder, not the least of which is genetics. You are your mother’s
daughter. Growing up, watching her ruin her life, jeopardize her
health and give her self to men who don’t love her has done little to
help you avoid being just like her. It’s like the cards were dealt from
the bottom of the deck and you got a terrible hand.

You seem
to know what’s going on, yet you seem destined to repeat all of the
misery and pain. That is the nature of the disease. You know what’s
going on, so why not take action and put yourself back on the path of a
happy, productive life.

Instead of going to your doctor and
just getting pills for depression, why not have an open and honest talk
about the drug use and seek treatment?

If you do not want to be
your mother, you can take proactive steps to rebuilding your life, but
that means getting away from your user friends, getting away from the
old haunts and it means trying to learn a new way to live your life.

Alcoholics
Anonymous is an excellent organization that can help you. Many of
their functions are open to drug users, but Narcotics Anonymous is
specifically designed to help people just like you.

Either way,
you need to establish new boundaries for yourself and work a 12 Step
program, which not only helps you to manage your disease and keep from
using, it will also help you reshape yourself, giving you a new
lifestyle.

The best treatment for depression is a healthy self-image, which is what the 12 Step is all about.

There
is no reason for you to live an unhappy life like your mom. But you
need to take care of yourself, have respect for yourself and set some
rules, boundaries and limitations.

Drugs and sex is a road to
nowhere. Your story is moving and I sense that you are much more than
the girl living on the dark side. Step out into the light, Jasmine,
your future awaits.

Please read

by: Linda

Lord Jesus is on your side. Call to him right now, where ever
you are. HE is so powerful to get you out of what you feel. Call to Him.
He loves you, a true genuine love.

Trust me, Your life will
change. Just call out ‘Jesus I want you, I need you’ …what have you
got to loose. He will never disappoint you.

Thank you for reading. Linda

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