How the Brain Changes and the Psychosis of Drug Addiction

 

To understand an addict, you need to look beyond behaviors or the source of addiction. Substance abuse goes far below the surface, and actually causes a transformation in the brain. When an addict says they can’t quit, it’s the truth. The brain has been altered through addiction and prompts a compulsion to get more of the drug of choice in order to function. It’s a Catch-22. More of the drug is needed to get through each day, the more abusive substance is used, and the more damage is done to the brain until it gets to the point of no return. Only professional help at an outpatient drug rehab facility can turn an addict’s life around.

 

How the Brain Changes through Drug Addiction

You can identify an addict when you see someone who has an intense need for the source of an addiction to the point that living revolves around that drug. A victim of addiction no longer has any control over substance abuse and will do anything to get more, regardless of the consequences. All of these behaviors are due to changes that have taken place in the brain. It begins with how the brain registers the feeling of pleasure. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is released in the brain when positive feelings are experienced. It makes a person feel good, and that is the key to addiction. Drugs cause a surge of dopamine to be released, providing intense pleasure. Through repeated use of a drug, the brain is trained to like the drug and want more of it until it becomes a need to feel those same chemicals.

 

The Psychosis of Addiction

As the brain becomes altered through addiction, psychosis is common as well. Those who are under the influence of any form of drug over a prolonged period of time may experience a gamut of psychological issues. Changes in personality, intense anxiety, the inability to focus, and gaps in memory are par for the course for victims of addiction. When the brain is changed in any way, it will be exhibited through behaviors and alterations in thought processes. In order to address these problems with addiction, it is necessary to get professional help in a medical facility. Drug rehab assists an individual in breaking free from the source of addiction and retraining the brain to function normally once again.

 

Changes in the brain pull victims of addiction back in for more abuse time after time. It is important to understand that substance abuse is beyond the control of the individual. Drug rehab can establish new patterns in the brain and assist an addict in finding the path to sobriety once again.

 

Categories: addict, addiction, Brain, Drug, drug addiction, drug rehab, drugs, Mental Health, nbsp, physchosis, substance abuse

How Prescriptions Evolve: 4 Stages to Major Pharmaceutical Development

 

Millions and millions of people take prescription drugs every day, but few actually think about where they come from or the steps that it takes to make these medicines available. There are four steps in the development of pharmaceuticals; these include three initial phases and finally an approval by the FDA. The entire process takes between eight to 12 years.

 

1. Preclinical Phase

In the preclinical phase, the goal is to find an agent that can be used to treat a certain disease or condition. This involves three to four years of research, the synthesizing of compounds, the testing of those compounds in a non-clinical setting with the help of companies like Nelson Laboratories, and, often, computer simulations on how the new investigational drug may help to slow the progression of a disease or treat its symptoms.

 

2. Application to the FDA for Investigational Drug

If the preclinical phase is deemed successful, meaning that the compound is promising and shows an ability to treat a disease or ailment, then an application to the FDA as a new investigational drug is in order. The time it takes for the FDA to approve or deny the investigational drug trials varies, but may take up to a year.

 

3. Clinical Phases 1, 2 and 3

There are three clinical phases for all investigational drugs, and they must be tested on animals prior to their introduction to the human population. After animal (usually rodent) testing is completed, the three clinical phases for humans include:

• Phase 1 – Investigational drug is given in small doses to volunteers who are healthy in order to test its pharmacology and safety.


• Phase 2 – The efficacy of the investigational drug is studied. This involves a clinical trial with 100 to 300 patients who have the condition that the drug is designed to treat.


• Phase 3 – The drug is given to a larger population in an attempt to back up safety and efficacy findings and to titrate the right dosage.

These phases take one, two and three years, respectively. It should be mentioned that nearly half of the medications submitted to the FDA for investigational drugs will fail in the clinical phases.

 

4. New Drug Application with FDA

Finally, if the drug passes through all of the clinical phases, the manufacturer will submit an application for a new drug. The FDA will complete its own review at this point, and since 1992, the FDA has worked to complete these reviews in 12 months or less. Sometimes, drugs are denied; in other cases, the drugs may be approved conditionally. The manufacturer is required to keep track of results for the first three years after approval and report adverse reactions quarterly.

 

Because of the processes involved in developing new drugs and getting them approved through the FDA, these medications can often be quite expensive. A vast amount of research and testing must be done long before these drugs are available to consumers.

Categories: clinical, clinical phase, clinical phases, Drug, drugs, fda, investigational, investigational drug, investigational drugs, New Drug, pharmaceuticals, phases, preclinical phase

6 Major Side Effects of Asprin Statin Drugs

 

The changing lifestyles of people, including their dietary habits are resulting rise in cholesterol levels in the body. In order to treat this disorder, physicians often prescribe Asprin Statin drugs that also help in checking risk of stoke or cardiac arrest. Many patients continue to take these medications till they can attain the desired cholesterol level through workouts, weight loss, nutritional supplements, etc. A past medical study suggests that prolonged usage of such drugs may have profound side effects in body.

 

Who Are Likely To Suffer From Asprin Statin Side Effects?
It is not that every patient who takes Statin drugs will suffer from side effects. Some persons may be at higher risks than others. Generally, women are prone to Statin side effects. Symptoms become acute when people take multiple medications for lowering cholesterol level.

People having smaller body structure are likely to face complications. In some cases, it has been found that too much consumption of alcohol among men and women above 65 years of age; suffer from Statin side effects.

 

Side Effects Of Asprin Statin Drugs

• Liver complications


• Muscle damage


• Rash formation


• Digestion problems


• Increased blood sugar level


• Neurological complications

 

Liver complications
It has been found that occasional usage of Statin drugs help liver to generate enzymes, which facilitate digestion of drinks, medicines and foods. You can continue taking these medications if the increment is mild.

If the increase is severe, you should refrain from taking such drugs. You need to consult your doctor who may prescribe different form of Statin. In that case, the doctor will suggest you to go for liver enzyme test unless you start developing symptoms or signs of complication.

 

Muscle Pain
Muscle pain is one of the side effects that occur due to prolonged usage of Asprin Statin drugs. A patent may feel pain along with tiredness, soreness and weakness of muscles. The pain in muscles can fetch little bit of discomfort. If it takes severe form, you will find difficulty in performing your regular tasks.

In some cases, it has been found that over consumption of Statin in combination with other drugs has resulted in rhabdomyolysis, which is a life threatening muscle degeneration symptom. This kind of disorder results in liver complications, acute muscle pain, kidney failure and in some cases, it even causes death.

 

Digestion Issues
Prolonged consumption of Asprin Statin medications, make patients suffer from constipation, gastric issues, diarrhea or nausea. People who suffer from these symptoms are also facing other problems in digestive system. If you take this drug during evening along with your meal, you will overcome side effects in a better way.

 

Rash Formation
Some people develop flushing or rash after they start taking the drug. Generally, side effects aggravate when patients take combination of Niacin and Statin for long time. If a person takes Asprin before administered with Statin, this kind of move will reduce rash issues.

 

Neurological Complications
One of the side effects is that the drug results in confusion or memory loss if taken for long period. However, this kind of side effect can be checked if patient consults his or her doctor. In acute cases, consumption of Statin should be avoided.

 

Increased Blood Sugar Level
Some patients have shown rise in blood sugar level due to consumption of Statin based drugs. Such disorder leads to development of type 2 diabetes among people. This problem can be cured if a person consults a doctor who can prescribe other safe medications.

Statin based drugs work on body by lowering production of cholesterol. These drugs not only affects liver, but also results in muscle degeneration, if consumed for long time. In case, you face above-mentioned symptoms, lookout for the best alternative natural remedy at goodnewsnaturally.com.

 

Categories: asprin statin, drugs, Side Effects

Introduction

If you drive after taking drugs, your ability to drive may be impaired and your reactions could be slower. Amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy are just some examples of illegal drugs known to cause impairment.

Driving under the influence of a drug (including any side effect) is illegal and is controlled by two offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Driving in excess of a specified limit for certain drugs specified in regulations and Driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

The current UK law defines a drug as ‘any intoxicant other than alcohol’. This includes illegal drugs such as cannabis but also prescribed medicines and over-the-counter medicines. This is because a driver who is impaired through any drug is at risk of having an accident. Drug driving is considered to be as serious as drink driving, and the penalties are the same.

How drugs affect driving

Drugs affect your ability to drive in many ways. For example, you may experience:

• slower reaction times


• erratic (unpredictable) and aggressive behaviour


• poor concentration


• distorted perception (false sense of awareness and understanding of, for example, distances) 


• poor co-ordination


• blurred vision


• overconfidence that leads to you taking unnecessary risks


• nausea (feeling sick)


• hallucinations (seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not real)


• panic attacks


• paranoia (being suspicious of people and situations)


• tremors or shaking


• dizziness


• tiredness, which can be severe, and sometimes the following day

The effects can vary according to the individual person, drug type, dosage, the length of time the drug stays in your body, or if the drug has been taken with other drugs or alcohol. The effects can last for hours or days.

Police roadside tests

The police can carry out tests at the roadside to check if a driver is above the specified limit for certain specified drugs and also test to help the officer decide if the driver is impaired.. Refusing to take the tests is an offence and the driver can be arrested in the same way that failure to provide a breath test when under suspicion of drink driving is. For more information, see Is there a police test for drug driving?

What happens if I’m caught?

If you’re found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs, the penalties are the same as for drink driving. You will receive:

• a minimum 1 year driving ban


• a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison or both


• a criminal record

A conviction for drug driving is shown on your driving licence for 11 years. If you drive for work, your employer will see the conviction when you produce your licence.

Any drug-related conviction may cause problems visiting countries such as the US.

Medicines and driving

Medicines that can affect your ability to drive include:

• prescribed medicines, such as antihistamines or tranquillisers


• over-the-counter medicines, such as co-codamol

Medicines that can make you feel sleepy will carry a message saying: "Warning. May cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery".

Always ask your GP or pharmacist if your medication may affect your ability to drive. Also check:

• the medicine’s packaging


• the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine

You can find out which health conditions or medical treatments you may need to tell the DVLA about or you can call NHS 111 for advice.

If in doubt, don’t drive.

Read the answers to common health questions about alcohol, drugs and smoking.

Further information:

• How much alcohol can I drink before driving?


• How long does cannabis stay in the body after smoking?


• What should I do if I think someone has a drug problem?


• Alcohol misuse


• Are you fit to drive?


• Drugs and healthy living


• Medicines information


• Department for Transport: Think! Drug driving


• Talk to Frank

Categories: counter medicines, drink driving, Driving, Drug, drug driving, drugs, drugs affect, illegal drugs, prescribed medicines

How Will Opiates Kill Thee, Let Me Count the Ways…

Your may think that opium addiction is a 19^th century problem, but opium is still affecting the emotional health, and overall wellbeing, of people today. In fact, with the exception of alcohol, more people die from opiate-related complications than from all other substances of abuse combined. Opiate addiction is impacting the wellness of a whole new generation, in five different ways:

 

1) Overdose: When you abuse opiates, your body naturally develops a tolerance for the drug to help mitigate its effects. The more you use opiates, the stronger your level of tolerance becomes and so you need increasingly higher doses in order to achieve the same or greater buzz. Users therefore take more opiates, take other drugs to enhance the euphoric effects and even maximise the impact of opiates by taking them in the most effective way possible; by direct injection into the blood stream. It’s easy to see how this can lead to an overdose, as many addicts increase their consumption too rapidly and, for some, the ultimate consequence is death.

 

2) Suicide: While opium delivers a potent high, in the long run it robs you of your ability to feel happiness, arousal, excitement and many other positive feelings. This state, referred to as Dysphoria, occurs because you chemically stimulate your brain to obtain feelings of euphoria, and so your body becomes desensitized to the processes that causes joyful feelings in the first place. When this happens, you cannot feel joy unless you are high and, eventually, even using opium doesn’t help you to experience positive feelings. This causes many people who are addicted to opiates become despondent and lose hope, repeatedly trying to stop using and failing, which leads them to simply give up and attempt suicide.

 

3) Disease: The best way to get high is through direct injection, which is why many addicts are greatly at risk of disease. As a result of needle sharing, HIV and Hepatitis C are especially common among those looking for the most intense and fastest acting high. Aside from these diseases, opiate addicts are also at risk of dying from septic shock, cardiac arrest, respiratory depression and in severe cases, malnutrition.

 

4) Violence: When you’re in the deepest throes of addiction, you might do anything to get you next dose of heroin or Oxycontin. This often means committing crimes to fund your drug abuse, and this can sometimes result in violent situations. Plus, as it is illegal to use these drugs, opiate addicts put themselves in dangerous transactions with dealers, transporters, suppliers and law enforcement. Opiate addiction also reduces your judgement, which means you’re in even more trouble if you end up in a violent situation, as you’re incapacitated by the effects of the drug. You’re more likely to take dangerous risks that you wouldn’t otherwise take, and end up severely harmed or even dead as a result.

 

5) Withdrawal and Treatment-Related Death: Although coming off the drugs or getting treatment is a positive thing, there are many ways in which opiate addicts can die during this process. In most cases, you die because you completely or partially withdraw from the drugs, which lowers your tolerance for them, but then you relapse and take too much and die from overdose. If you’re in a treatment programme, you might continue to use opiates while on Opiate Replacement Therapy (ORT) drugs, and the combination of these substances can lead to severe complications, new addictions and death in some cases. This is because ORT drugs work by blocking the euphoric effects of most opiates, which you then attempt to overcome by taking more.

Categories: direct injection, drugs, euphoric effects, opiate, opiate addiction, opiate addicts, opiates, ort drugs, overdose, positive feelings, suicide

How Your Addiction May Be Affecting Your Health

A long term addiction can damage nearly every system in the body. Some drugs cause more damage to some bodily systems than others. Here are only a few of the ways that an addiction can badly impact your health:

 

Damage to the Nervous System

Drugs cause intoxication because they bind surprisingly well to the receptors on the surfaces of the nerve cells in the brain. Over time, the number of receptors, nerve cells and even the structure of the nerve cells are changed. Sometimes, these changes are permanent. Depressant drugs like opioids and alcohol also slow down bodily functions like breathing. An overdose occurs when a function like respiration is slowed down to the point of unconsciousness or death.

 

Pregnancy Complications

Women who are addicted to drugs while pregnant run the risk of premature delivery and complications like breech birth. However, the baby suffers the brunt of the mother’s addiction. Alcohol can stunt the growth of the brain and lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. Amphetamines and opioids cause babies to be born with underdeveloped brains, and cocaine can cause the placenta to separate prematurely.

 

Negative Impacts To the Circulatory System

Addiction can produce effects on the heart and the circulatory system that are more insidious than a sudden heart attack or stroke. Drugs that cross the blood/brain barrier like heroin can influence both the heart rate and the blood pressure. If the drug is taken to the point of addiction, the damage to the cardiovascular system can be permanent.

 

Drugs like amphetamines can be responsible for blood clots, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a scourge of people addicted to alcohol. Over years, the alcohol scars the heart muscle, and the heart begins to fail. The symptoms of this are fatigue, edema in the legs and feet and swollen veins in the neck. Alcohol can also react badly with medicines that are prescribed to treat a patient’s heart disease. One of the benefits of a drug addiction rehab center is that the staff is knowledgeable when it comes to the comorbidities that often accompany addiction.

 

Cognitive Damage

Addiction to drugs like amphetamines and marijuana can also impair thought processes like the ability to concentrate, decision making and planning and locating and reacting to objects in space. Some of these impairments are permanent.

 

As can be seen, the impact of addiction on a person’s health can be devastating. The sooner an addict joins a drug rehabilitation center, the higher his or her chances are of returning to good health.

Categories: addiction, Alcohol, drugs, Habits, health concerns, heart, Heart Attack, nbsp, nerve cells, permanent nbsp

Could Your Prescription Drug Lead to Dangerous Side Effects?

The phrase “may come with side effects” doesn’t stir up much concern for your well-being these days. Let’s be honest; most of the time you don’t even bother to read what they are. The worst your prescription drugs can do to your wellness is a few unwanted bowel movements or a slightly queasy feeling, right? Unfortunately, there’s a reason why certain drugs are only available via prescription; the side effects could leave you with some serious health concerns.

 

1. Amnesia. Though, in the movies, amnesia is usually caused by a head injury or traumatic emotional event in a character’s life, in real life it can affect you simply because of the medication you’re taking. For example, if you’re taking Mirapex or pramipexole for Parkinson’s disease or Restless Leg Syndrome, temporary amnesia is a fairly common side effect and you need to go on a different drug to cure it. You may also experience amnesia from cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins.

 

2. Loss of senses. Your senses are so important as they connect you to the rest of the world. Can you imagine not being able to taste cake anymore? Or smell dinner cooking in the other room? Vasotec or enalapril – which is used to treat congestive heart failures and high blood pressure – can adversely affect all of your senses, causing loss of smell, loss of taste, blurred vision and ringing in the ears. Also, according to a study from the University of Minnesota, going on Viagra for long periods of time can lead to permanent blindness.

 

3. Hallucinations. Mirapex is another culprit in this area, but you also need to be wary of hallucinations before taking Lariam. If you go travelling, you might be prescribed this drug to prevent malaria, but reports of hallucinations grew in the early 2000s, such as snakes crawling on the ceiling and hiding demons in the closet. It’s best just to take an alternative malaria medication, especially if you have a history of psychosis or depression.

 

4. Night terrors. If you’re using Champix to help you quit smoking, it can cause nightmares and even night terrors, which cause you to wake up screaming and moaning. Also, drugs that induce sleep, such as Lunesta/Eszopiclone and Zolfresh/zolpidem, cause night terrors, as well as other weird sleep behaviour. You can eat, talk, walk, drive and even have sex in your semi-conscious state and have no recollection later.

 

5. Birth defects. When you’re pregnant, the doctor will give you an exhaustive list of medicines that you can safely take. This is because even a couple of dosages of the wrong medicine, can result in you giving birth to a deformed baby. In the 50s, thalidomide was infamous for causing more than 10,000 women to give birth to babies with no limbs or extremely short limbs. If you’re on Accutane for treating acne, getting pregnant is an absolute no-no, as your baby can also have the disease that causes limb defects; phocomelia.

Categories: amnesia, birth defects, Drug, drugs, nbsp, Night Terrors, prescription drugs, Side Effects, terrors

Experts Hold Hope in Alzheimer’s Research Even As Drugs Fail

Even as the looming impact of Alzheimer’s disease on society becomes a more and more dire health concern, wellness experts are still optimistic about the potential of research into the disease. Leading scientists on early detection and treatment for Alzheimer’s have even said that they are on the verge of substantial advances, with a large slate of Alzheimer’s drugs undergoing human trials.

 

A spokesman for the American Academy of Neurology Dr. John C. Morris, a professor and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, commented, ‘There has never been a period in which we had more potential drugs to alter the disease course of Alzheimer’s. We have lots of highly promising drug candidates.’ The main focus of these drugs is amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in your brain when your wellbeing has been affected by Alzheimer’s.

 

According to William H. Thies, chief medical and science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, ‘Many scientists believe eliminating that accumulation will eliminate Alzheimer’s. We’ve seen amyloid accumulation as one of the key markers in the development of Alzheimer’s. It’s really the first step in taking the basic science of Alzheimer’s and using it to develop therapeutics.’ However, of the first anti-amyloid drugs to be tested in humans, three have failed to produce results. None of the AN-1792, Flurizan or tramiprosate treatments did anything to significantly improve the symptoms of people with Alzheimer’s.

 

Morris reasoned that these drugs were tested on people in the advanced stages of the disease, and so they might prove to be effective if you take them before your Alzheimer’s progresses too far. The problem with this justification, however, it that it means we need a way to detect Alzheimer’s disease early in its development or even to flag people who are at risk for developing the disease. Both Morris and Thies allow that, so far, the only means doctors have of diagnosing Alzheimer’s is wait for symptoms to appear, and by then the damage has already been done.

 

Nonetheless, hope is still at hand as scans and tests are in development that could lead to the early detection of Alzheimer’s. Morris noted that researchers are identifying substances that bind with amyloid deposits and make them visible to imaging scans, as well as discovering genetic and biological markers that could indicate that a person is at increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s. He asserted, ‘The excitement in the field is, yes, new imaging technology, and studies of amyloid beta in the spinal fluid of elderly and middle-age people do seem to identify people who, if they continue to live, will develop dementia. This will set the stage for targeting people at high risk of developing dementia if they live long enough.’

 

Thies weighed in, ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that, as an effective therapy emerges that slows downthe course of the disease, we will find the marker for it. The two are linked almost arm-in-arm and will develop together. Advances in one will drag the other along.’ But what about those wellness experts who question the direction of research? Given the failures of early trials, many are concerned that efforts have been too tightly focused on eliminating amyloid from the brain. Thies responded, ‘People who work in the field raise the question, “Should we be doing all this amyloid work?” but it’s the most mature of the ideas so you have to follow it through.’ He added, ‘With the aging of our population, we are going to have an immense increase in Alzheimer’s disease over the next 40 years. If we don’t deal with this, it could bankrupt our government and wreck our health-care system.’

Categories: alzheimer, Alzheimer's Disease, amyloid, Amyloid Drugs, Disease, drugs, early detection, people, Research, wellness experts

Drink Spiking: Are You Aware of the Signs?

Drink spiking has been increasing common over the years, and occurs when a substance such as drugs or alcohol is added to your drink without you realising it. The result is that your behaviour and thought processes are impaired. If your drink is spiked, the way you feel will depend on the drug that’s been used – common effects are feeling drowsy, confused or the inability to speak or move. This may affect your ability to remember what has happened.  You should report anything you feel may have happened to you immediately to your GP and the police. There are ways to reduce the risk of having your drink spiked, such as never leaving your drink unattended and making sure that you don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know. Don’t continue speaking to people who make you feel uncomfortable and let people you trust know where you are at all times. If you’ve just met someone, don’t give them too much information about yourself and don’t put yourself in any potential danger if you’ve already been drinking as your judgement will already be impaired. It isn’t just women who are targeted – the most common reasons for people’s drinks getting spiked include doing it for amusement, for malicious reasons, to carry out rape or sexual assault, and to carry out theft.

 

Depending on what drugs have been used the symptoms you have will change. The effect of any drug changes on your body shape and size, age, how much of the drink you consumed, and how much alcohol you’ve already had. The most common date rape drugs are alcohol, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), tranquillisers such as rohypnol, and ketamine. These drugs are depressants, and they work by slowing down your nervous system so that your responses are dulled. They also affect your memory and instincts. When you take these substances without realising, you leave yourself vulnerable to danger. You may have difficulty concentrating, feel confused and disorientated, have a loss of balance, paranoia, lowered inhibitions, temporary loss of memory and body sensation, hallucinations and amnesia. All date rape drugs are especially dangerous when they’re combined with alcohol as they have a powerful anaesthetic effect, leading to unconsciousness and even fatalities.

Alcohol is a common date rape drugs, as it can be added to soft drinks without you knowing and double measures can be used instead of singles. If you’ve already been drinking then you’ll be less aware when such things occur, so it can be easier for attackers to take these measures. GHB usually comes in the form of an oily, colourless liquid or a powder, though this form is rarely used. It can be found as GBL in some household products, but it turns to GHB when it enters the body. Tranquilisers are also used, with the most common known as benzodiazepines. You may be more aware of these when they’re used by the name of valium, roofies, benzos and rohypnol. They make your body relaxed and free of tension, as well as being used to treat anxiety or insomnia. Lastly, ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic which comes in a liquid form. It causes hallucinations and can provide an outer body experience. There have been many cases of this being used as a drink spiking ingredient. If you think that you’ve been a victim of drink spiking, it’s imperative that you speak to the police  and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Categories: body, common, common date, Date Rape, drink, drink spiking, drugs, powerful anaesthetic, rape drugs

Viagra To Be Sold Directly To Patients

There are thousands of junk emails that are received every day that offer alternatives to Viagra that will supposedly help men who have trouble with erectile dysfunction. The problem is that most of these products don’t work, and you are simply wasting your money on something that can never do you any good. For many men, the idea of having to go into a pharmacy to buy Viagra is very daunting and in some senses, shameful. So perhaps it is no surprise that so many turn to buying products online that claim to do the same job. It is easy to see how this can balloon into a very major problem for everyone involved.

But now it seems that Pfizer, the company that makes Viagra, is taking steps to fight against this problem. In a first for the drug industry, the company has announced that it will begin selling its popular and well-known erectile dysfunction pill directly to the customer online. This does not mean that we are seeing a deregulation of the drugs industry; it just shows that companies are thinking of new ways to help their customers. To show this, you’ll still need a prescription from your doctor if you want to get Viagra, but there is no need to go to a pharmacist to actually get the drug – it will be sent to you directly from the company’s website.

Viagra is known to be very expensive, so perhaps it is no surprise that so many people tried to find cheap alternatives online. But now that the real deal is available, it’s hoped that many people will stop turning to illegitimate sources in their quest to fight erectile dysfunction. Indeed, as mentioned previously this is the very first time that a drugs company has attempted this model of sales. In the past it has been the norm for drugs producers such as Pfizer to sell their products to wholesalers in bulk, who then distribute it to pharmacies, hospitals and doctors surgeries.

Pfizer has said they are attempting this new form of model as it can help to counter the effects of unscrupulous online pharmacies offering fake versions of Viagra at highly discounted rates. Not only does the effect the sales of real Viagra, it also could be dangerous for the health of the individuals who buy the fake drugs, that may come from companies that don’t go through the safety checks and requirements of those who are legitimate.

It is likely that the other drugs companies will very carefully watch Pfizer to see if this experiment with Viagra works. If it does, it could certainly be the case that some companies may start to roll out their own version of the model and sell their drugs online if a prescription is available. However, due to the unique nature of Viagra in that it is a highly popular, but in some ways, slightly embarrassing drug to buy, it could be that it could be more effective than others in the online sphere.

This is the latest step taken by Pfizer in their attempts to battle a number of the problems of the growing popularity of the internet. The issue is that many people like to use online pharmacies for convenience and perceived confidentiality, but the truth is that many online drugstores do not follow the guidelines that they are supposed to. This can lead to very bad practice within the industry that can see drugs being sold illegally to customers or counterfeit versions of the drugs used in their place to make profit.

Categories: company, drugs, erectile dysfunction, Online, online pharmacies, online pharmacy, pfizer, Viagra

Do We Have a Knuckle-Headed Approach to Using Viagra?

Sexual enhancement drugs, like Viagra, seem like a win-win for husbands and wives across the globe. Men are undoubtedly thrilled to have their sexual health and wellness restored, so surely their respective female counterparts enjoy a healthy boost to their sex lives too. While Viagra increases men’s ability to have sex – and that’s by no means a bad thing for men or women – it enables men to have, and want to have, sex a lot, and therein lies the problem. Drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) are so readily available, so much a jokey part of the cultural landscape, that we don’t really know how they work and what the potential dangers are. This can lead to misuse — not so much wellbeing-threatening as knuckle-headed.

 

A man gets an erection when the blood vessels in the penis dilate, and blood flows in. However, in ED, an enzyme counteracts the dilation, preventing an erection. Therefore, the purpose of ED drugs is to inhibit that enzyme, allowing easier and longer-lasting dilation. ED drugs also work to diminish a man’s refractory time, meaning that he can get an erection after orgasm more quickly. The one thing the general public seem to know is that Viagra and its cousins are not OK to take if you also take nitroglycerin, which is a common medication for heart patients that also dilates the blood vessels. However, when you ask around, this little knowledge we have has translated into ‘Viagra is bad if you have a heart condition’ – not so, says Arthur S. Agatston, MD.

 

According to Dr Agatston, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Prevention editorial advisory board member, Viagra actually helps to keep your blood vessels from becoming sticky and enables the blood to flow through them more smoothly. This isn’t just the case in the penis but throughout the body – in men and women. Dr. Agatston even asserts that, for this reason, it’s not just nitroglycerides that men have to avoid when taking Viagra, nor is the little blue pill just bad for you if you have a heart condition. Rather, men have to be careful with anything that dilates the blood vessels, including drinking and lying in the sun. Dr. Agatston explains that taking Viagra with too much alcohol could make a man pass out.

 

However, the more damaging ignorance around Viagra is how it can affect you as a couple. Steven Lamm, MD, an internist in New York City and author of The Hardness Factor, notes, ‘There is something about a hard erection that is extremely important to a man’s identity, and of course most couples would prefer that the man be able to have one. But there are some who may have adjusted to life without sex. Perhaps the woman doesn’t really want it anymore, for one reason or another. And for those couples, the introduction of an ED drug can throw them seriously out of sync.’

 

This can be considerably daunting for older widows or divorcees who are re-entering the field of dating. Marjorie P., a 60-something woman who complained about the drugs on a 50+ Web site, comments, ‘Men have been saved from their middle-age sexual issues by Viagra and Cialis. They can be thirty again, while I have to deal with the sexual issues of being my age. It’s put the world on “tilt.”’ Andrea D., a twice-divorced physician and over-50 dater, adds, ‘Viagra has been liberating for men, but unless a woman is taking hormone therapy, she may have vaginal dryness and really not be that interested in the kind of driving, pounding intercourse he’s now capable of.’

Categories: Blood, blood vessels, Couples, dr agatston, drugs, ed drugs, heart condition, knuckle headed, nitroglycerin, sexual issues, Viagra

Why are Young Adults at Risk for Mental Health Problems?

No period of your life has quite such an effect on your mental health as your teens and early twenties. Your wellbeing has to go through so much; dealing with your changing body and emerging love life, coping with peer pressure, facing the pressures of independence and responsibility, and joining the workforce. According to Patrick McGorry, professor of youth mental health at the University of Melbourne, and director of Orygen Youth Health, ‘Everyone who has been through that period of life will remember how difficult it was. It’s an incredibly stressful period.’

McGorry explains, ‘Very careful research has shown that if you follow young people from puberty through to their mid-twenties, 50% of them will at some point during that period experience a period of mental ill health, such as diagnosable anxiety, depression or some other mental disorder.’ But why are young adults so at risk of mental health problems? Wellness experts assert that drug and alcohol use are often at play in these situations.

Professor Michael Farrell, director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, notes that as your brain is still developing and maturing until you reach your mid-twenties, until then your risk of taking drugs and drinking are particularly high. ‘We have concern that some of the patterns of substance use, particularly binge drinking and stimulants, may actually affect brain development, particularly of [regions] in the frontal lobe which are important in relation to forward planning and executive function and organization,’ he says.

However, McGorry asserts that the detection of early signs of trouble can prevent mental ill health in young people, especially with regards to psychosis. He comments, ‘These illnesses don’t appear overnight so there is what’s called a prodromal period where the person is clearly struggling with their relationships and their functioning and they do have subtle warning signs of impending psychosis. We’ve shown that we can actually predict with prescriptive criteria that people will have a one in three chance of becoming psychotic within a two to three year period, which is quite a potent predictor. Even if they don’t become psychotic, these patients are at higher risk for other forms of mental ill health like depression and anxiety, so we can recognise these early clinical stages of a need for care.’

Here are some common early warning symptoms of the prodromal phase to watch out for in your teenager:

• Anxiety, irritability and depression


• Difficulty in concentration or memory


• Preoccupation with new ideas often of an unusual nature


• Physical changes such as sleep disturbance and loss of energy


• Deterioration in school or work performance

Categories: drugs, health, health problems, ill health, mental, Mental Health, mental ill, mid twenties, psychosis, young adults, young people

How to Talk to Your Teenager About Drugs: Six Helpful Tips

When your teenager experiments with drugs, it’s more than an issue of physical wellness; they’re also threatening their mental health. In fact, drug use can negatively influence all aspects of your teen’s wellbeing, and so it’s vital to get in on the ground floor and talk to your child about drugs before it becomes a problem. This is no easy task, but a few pointers can make the conversations go a little more smoothly:

 

1. Educate yourself. Before you can teach your child about drugs, you first need to do your homework so that you can talk to your child in an informed way. Make sure you understand enough about drugs, including why your child might experiment with them, so you can answer any questions and keep calm in a crisis – just make sure you use reliable resources.

 

2. Time it right. When your teen is rushing out the door to school or a friend’s house, they won’t want to stop for a good talk about drug use, so anything you say will go in one ear and out the other. Likewise, if your teenager is on drugs they’re not going to be in a place to listen if they’re high. Pick a time when your teen is in the right frame of mind to hear you. Mealtimes are a good forum for discussion, while TV programmes that deal with drug use, or when it comes up on the news, can help to spark the subject.

 

3. Make sure your stance is clear. The chances are that your child already knows your values and boundaries, but it’s important to clarify exactly where you stand on drug taking so that everyone is on the same page. If you start talking about the issue before they start experimenting with drugs, it may make them feel strong and independent enough to be able to say no.

 

4. Don’t try to scare them out of it. Again, this is where educating yourself is important, as adolescents tend to know a bit more about drugs than their parents do. This means there’s no point in warning that smoking cannabis will kill them, as they know this isn’t the case and so you’ll just discredit everything else you say on the subject. Talking about the facts, on the other hand, will help the situation to feel more realistic and tangible. For example, pointing out that cannabis can cause mental health problems and make you forgetful and unmotivated will be more of a deterrent.

 

5. Know who your teenager spends their time with. Adolescents don’t start taking drugs in a vacuum; they have friends who start doing it and pressure them to act likewise. In fact, peer pressure is the single most powerful factor in determining whether or not your child will take drugs, so it’s essential that you know their friends. You may be tempted to ban your teen from hanging out with any potentially shifty pals, but it’s far better to take an interest in your child’s friends and invite them to the house. That way, you can keep a closer eye on what’s going on.

 

6. Let your teen know you’re always there for them. Your teenager needs to be able to come to you no matter what, and be honest rather than telling you what they think you want to hear. This means fostering a relationship of openness and non-judgement, which requires you to talk to them in the right way. Instead of preaching or making assumptions about what your child is up to, ask about their experiences and really listen. One way to create an on-going relationship of communication – rather than a one-off discussion – is to have a conversation when you’re doing things side-by-side, such as driving in the car, washing up together or preparing food.

Categories: Child, Communication, drugs, Mental Health, nbsp, talk, teen, Teenagers

Could HIV Meds Prevent the Spread of the Virus?

New research has suggested that HIV treatments could be used to prevent the spread of disease in healthy people as well as those already infected. In a previous trial, targeting women in the commercial sex trade who are particularly at risk of contracting the virus, interesting information was gathered. The researchers conducting the study found that despite counselling the women on the dangers of unsafe sex practices, providing them with condoms and providing them with regular HIV testing, the women still became infected at a higher risk than most people. With the treatments for HIV as advanced as they could be at the time, there was little that could be done. There was good news to come though. In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new anti-HIV drug known as tenofovir, which had advantages over other drugs on the market for this condition. It offered fewer side effects and was a daily pill. It was believed that it could not only treat HIV but also prevent it – it seems that that belief was well founded. The drugs used to counter the symptoms of HIV have proven to be effective in treating it in healthy people as well.

Many people believed the concept of giving the medication to people who were healthy and uninfected, as well as potentially risking their health in the process. But it has worked, and offers the most valuable theory that researchers have had in the entire fight against the HIV epidemic. The evolution of the HIV epidemic saw a turning point where the thinking behind treatment and prevention sees a vital shift. Researchers believe that they have finally begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the bid to combat AIDs – 30 years after the human immunodeficiency virus was first identified. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV-AIDS, we have now reached record levels for people living with HIV. This is owing in a large part to the great advances in better drugs and treatments, as well as better ways of getting drugs to people who need them most. However, it isn’t possible to treat every infected person, and the potential for the number of infected who act as a reservoir for the disease keeps the disease alive. There are still areas of health care and sexual health risks that remain unresolved. There is still much that needs to be done in the fight against HIV and AIDs, but researchers feel that this news is promising and offers real hope for the hopefully not-too-distant future.

HIV is something that still remains a threat in people who are sexually active – the lack of urgency that has permeated the modern world has taken the edge off the importance, but it remains a serious health concern. If you are sexually active, you should always use protection and get checked for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, regularly. The more of an interest people take in the prevention of HIV, the closer researchers can get to combating the condition and putting an end to the spread of this virus. The plan for routine HIV checks could also work in conjunction with this new prevention method, to help people most at risk to maintain good health. For the first time in its history, researchers could be on the cusp of genuine treatments and methods – this is a promising turn of events that could save millions of people from life-long treatments and health risks.

Categories: drugs, health, Health Risks, healthy people, HIV, hiv epidemic, new study, people, Researchers, sexual health, sexually active, Treatments

Could Early Treatment of HIV Avoid it Being Transmitted?

As well as being one of the biggest threats to sexual wellbeing, HIV is one of the most serious threats to the emotional and psychological wellness of those affected.

 

This is because once you have become infected, you not only have to live with the condition for the rest of your life, and the worry that it is going to cause the premature ending of your life, but you also have to become aware as a carrier that you are at risk of passing on the disease to others.

 

A large, randomised trial was recently carried out which involved over 1,700 heterosexual couples where one person in the couple had HIV and the other did not. The results of this trial were astounding, and seemed to indicate that early treatment of HIV could avoid it being transmitted sexually.

 

The results showed that the people who took the anti-HIV drugs reduced the risk of transmitted the disease to their partner by a whopping 96% when compared directly to those who did not receive the drugs early.

 

These results were so staggering that lead scientists Dr. Anthony Fauci decided to release the results of the study a good four years before it was scheduled to end, as he felt that the potential benefit of what they had discovered was enormous. All of the participants in the study are now offered the antiretroviral therapy.

 

Another trial was also recently carried out which seemed to indicate that using antiretroviral drugs could possibly be used as a preventative measure against contracting HIV. This trial involved 2,500 HIV negative males in countries where they were at high risk of contracting the disease. Those who took the anti-HIV drugs were found to be between 44 percent and 73 percent less likely to get HIV.

Categories: anti hiv, Disease, drugs, early treatment, HIV, hiv drugs, nbsp, results, treatment, trial

Prevention, Not Control: HIV Drugs Finally Do Their Job

Although the ultimate goal of AIDs therapy is to prevent the HIV affecting anyone’s sexual health in the first place, so far nothing — from vaccines to gels — has proven up to the task. Still, that’s not to say that drugs haven’t controlled the spread of HIV, but now a new exciting study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found a way for antiretroviral drugs to do the job for which they were always intended: guarding the wellbeing of healthy, uninfected individuals against HIV.

 

For the study, the researchers investigated almost 2,500 HIV-negative gay men, across six countries, who were at high risk of contracting HIV. Of those participants, some were given the currently prescribed treatment dose of a combination anti-HIV medication known as Truvada, while others took a placebo. After the study’s longest follow up of nearly three years, the researchers found that those taking the medication had a 44% lower rate of HIV infection than those taking a placebo. The benefit was even greater amongst those participants who took their medications more faithfully on a daily basis, as their risk of acquiring HIV dropped to a 73% lower rate than the placebo group.

 

In a statement, Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) National Centre for HIV-AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, commented, ‘These results represent a major advance in HIV prevention research. For the first time, we have evidence that a daily pill used to treat HIV is partially effective for preventing HIV among gay and bisexual men at high risk for infection.’ Other wellness experts echoed this excitement, as those in the HIV community have long been pushing for a stronger preventative strategy, especially in the developing world. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, noted, ‘The study is really quite impressive, and the data are very robust, really strong.’

 

The data was particularly encouraging to Fauci, as it represents a closer look at the difference in HIV infection rates among those taking medications, suggesting that varying degrees of exposure to anti-HIV medications can help to thwart infection. Even the volunteers who weren’t on-the-ball with taking their medications had a 13-fold lower rate of HIV infection than those who showed no measurable level of drug in their system. Fauci explained, ‘This is really huge; this is a very impressive result. As with any new treatment strategy, it’s all about whether you adhere to the regimen.’ Fauci added that he suspects many doctors already prescribe antiretroviral medications for this reason; heading off in uninfected but high-risk individuals. Even though government health officials are yet decide whether the results are robust enough to justify recommending anti-HIV drugs as a prevention strategy, Fauci believes these findings should bolster that practice.

 

Still, that is not to say that the findings give you an excuse to abandon safe sex with condoms. The drugs don’t alter your immune system or prime your body in the same way that a vaccine would against HIV; they act only when the infection is present, and block its ability to infect and replicate in your body’s healthy cells. Therefore, this prevention strategy only ensures that the drugs are on the front lines, ready to act at the first encounter with the virus. As Fenton concluded, ‘[The] results are exciting, but it is not time for anyone to stop using condoms or stop following proven prevention methods. [The study] cannot be seen as the first line of defence against HIV.’

Categories: anti hiv, Antiretroviral Drugs, drugs, fauci, high risk, hiv drugs, hiv infection, HIV prevention, infection, prevention, prevention strategy, Research

Could These Common Drugs be Killing Your Sex Drive?

Have you had problems with your sex drive recently? It could be that some common prescription medication is to blame for the drop off in your desire. Having a low libido can have a damaging effect on your sexual health, and can also affect the wellbeing of your partner and the wellness of your relationship.

 

Ironically, one of the main causes of lack of sex drive is the birth control pill. You could almost believe that it works by making the woman not want to have sex with the man any more, and thus no conception occurs!

 

Of course, this is not the case for all birth control pills, or all women either. Some women find that the pills increase their levels of a sex hormone called SHBG, which then lowers the amount of testosterone in their blood and makes them not feel like having sex.

 

A small study from Boston University even found that the pill had an effect on the long-term libido of some women, making them less likely to want sex even after they stop taking the pill, but this kind of long-term effect is thought to be very rare.

 

If you think that your pill might be lowering your sex drive, the best thing to do is to try another pill, or even another form of birth control.

 

Antidepressants are another common cause of low libido. Types known as SSRIs, which include Prozac, are the worst culprits. On the other hand, depression itself can cause low libido, so some people are unsure as to whether it is the condition or the medication, and others actually find that antidepressants improve their libido.

 

Diabetes drugs may also lower libido, as well as reducing sexual pleasure and the ability to orgasm. If you are on diabetes medication – or any of the medications listed above – and feel that your sex life may be suffering, don’t hesitate to call your GP.

Categories: Birth Control, drive, drugs, libido, Long term, nbsp, Pill, Sex, Sex Drive, Women

Teens and Drug Use: How to Help Them Recover

Although many parents would like to think otherwise, it is extremely common for teenagers to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the possibility that your teen could get into legal trouble, and you will also want to remain alert for any potential warning signs of a developing substance abuse problem.

 

Keep in mind that the reaction that you have to the topic of drugs will have a big impact on whether or not your teenager feels comfortable enough to be honest with you. In other words, you will need to carefully approach the subject without giving them a free pass to do whatever they want.

 

Teens Charged with Possession

Regardless of whether your teenager has an issue with drugs or was simply experimenting for the first time, you will need to give them your support if they get arrested for possession or underage drinking. After all, if they do not obtain experienced legal representation, they could end up dealing with the ramifications of their bad decision for the rest of their life. Therefore, you will need to put your anger at the situation aside and step up to protect them.

 

 

The best way to ensure that your teen makes it through the legal process with help is to hire an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney. Your attorney should be knowledgeable and have a solid track record within your area. For example, look for a well-known juvenile defense attorney in Orlando when facing charges in that area due to their knowledge and reputation with local judges and prosecuting attorneys in the Orlando court systems. Sometimes, reputation can make a difference for first time juvenile offenders. In fact, if your lawyer builds the right defense, it is possible that your teenager will only need to deal with probation.

 

Tips for Discussing Drug Usage with Your Teen

 

1. Be Honest 

It is always important to avoid saying something hypocritical when you are discussing drugs and drinking with your children. After all, if your teen has ever seen you drink, your argument against underage imbibing will be severely weakened if you simply use the defense of being a legal adult. Instead, you should consider telling your teenager a story that illustrates some of the consequences that you have faced in the past for drinking.

 

2. Stay Calm

It is easy to fly off the handle when your teenager is busted with drugs, but exploding at them is only going to make them want to retreat further into their own bubble. Instead, you should let them know that you understand the allure of experimenting with something new, but make sure that you also make it clear that doing something illegal is a really bad idea.

 

 

3. Discuss the Facts 

Many teenagers believe that they could never end up addicted to drugs or alcohol. To dispel this myth, you should consider letting them see firsthand how awful drug abuse can be. For example, if you have a bad area of town where homeless drug addicts are known to congregate, you could drive them through that area so that they can see how many different types of people have ruined their lives with drugs.

 

As long as you are open with your teenager and encourage them to talk to you about drugs and alcohol, you should be able to help prevent them from ending up in legal trouble. However, if an issue still occurs, it is always best to hire a juvenile criminal defense attorney to help protect your teen’s future.

 

With 3 teens, Lisa Coleman understands the heartache that can accompany the teen years, such as bullying, peer pressure, and the curiosity of alcohol and drugs. She recently researched online at http://www.orlandocriminalteam.com/ about the difference hiring an experienced and well established juvenile attorney in a person’s local area can make for a case of a first time offender faced with possession charges, and how it can result in probation time only.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62021300@N00/5143421728/

Categories: Alcohol, criminal defense, defense attorney, drug possession, drugs, juvenile criminal, juvenile defense attorney, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, talking with teens, teens

Move Over, Boys: Female Sex Drugs Could Soon be Available

There’s a little blue pill to get the boys going, but what about your sexual wellness? Two new drugs may be on the horizon for female sexual health which, fingers crossed, will be getting you in the mood in just a few years time.

 

In the Netherlands and the US, a research company called Emotional Brain has been conducting clinical trials, the findings of which the soon hope to present to the FDA. According to the company, there are two main causes of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), which is one of the main diagnoses of low sex drive in women. The root of HSDD in women is more complicated that when the issue occurs in men, which is why it’s easier to find treatments for the lads. Henrik Rasmussen, MD, PhD, chief medical officer for the Emotional Brain study, notes that the two causes are:

 

1. Low attention to sexual cues, or a loss of interest in sex.

 

2. Maladaptive sexual inhibitory mechanisms. This means that you’re more inhibited, usually because you’ve had bad experiences in the past, and this has affected your sexual well-being.

 

Emotional Brain has created two drugs to tackle the two causes of HSDD, but both contain testosterone to boost libido. For women who have lost interest in sex there’s Lybrido, which also contains sildenafil. This is the drug used in Viagra which increases the blood flow to your genitals. Therefore, the use of testosterone and sildenafil treats the issue on both a psychological and physical level. Rasmussen explains, ‘Testosterone is probably the most potent driver of libido.’

 

However, if your problem lies in increased inhibitions, you may be able to find relief with Lybridos. This pill contains testosterone and buspirone, which is a drug used to treat anxiety. This may be crucial if your issues stem from bad experiences or sexual abuse. Rasmussen comments, ‘If you only gave [these women] testosterone alone, you increase libido but because of the bad experiences, they’ll block it. This way, they’re getting the full benefit of testosterone.’ Plus, as both pills start working between one to six hours after you take them, they allow you to boost your arousal (almost) exactly when you want it, without having to worry about any side effects from taking testosterone long term.

Categories: Causes, drugs, emotional brain, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), nbsp, sexual, Testosterone, Women

Could Party Drugs be Causing Increased Rates in HIV?

Gay men in London are putting their sexual health at risk when they take so-called party drugs, a new study has found. Statistics showed that HIV infections amongst the gay community in London were soaring, and those who work in the sexual health industry in the capital say that the wellness and well-being of gay men is adversely affected due to an increasing culture of taking party drugs.

 

The phrase used was ‘chaotic and harmful’, describing the increased link between drugs and gay sex. Figures released recently by Public Health England show that the rates of people contracting HIV in London have increased dramatically since last year, with a rise of over 20 percent. Charities that deal with HIV and AIDS are warning on the strength of these new figures as the increase in virus represents an extremely serious public health crisis for the United Kingdom.

 

Across the country as a whole, the rate of people contracting the HIV infection increased by eight percent, with around 3,240 new infections reported last year in the gay male group. These figures were even higher in the capital city amongst the gay community.

 

HIV/AIDS is a serious health concern because it can cause serious damage to the immune system and can even threaten life. It is also dangerous because men who do not realise that they are carrying the disease do not properly manage it and could pass it on to others. Also, left untreated, it severely damages their immune system, resulting in illness.

 

More and more men are using drugs at parties, including mephedrone, crystal methamphetamine and cocaine, and this can lead to risky sexual behaviours, which can result in the spread of the infection.

Categories: drugs, gay community, gay men, health, HIV, increased, Party, party drugs, people contracting, public health, sexual health