Therapist Unlimited Blog

PREGNANT women if possible should avoid taking anti-epilepsy drugs since doing so could affect the intelligence quotient of their unborn child.
Recent research at the University of Liverpool suggest that children aged three years and younger, who are born to women taking the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate whilst pregnant, are likely to have an IQ of six to nine points lower than average.
The study looks into 300 three-year-olds in the UK and US, whose mothers took one of four anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) while pregnant.
According to the initial findings those children exposed to the drug sodium valproate had lower IQ results than children exposed to other AEDs, regardless of the mother’s IQ.
The researchers also took dosage, duration of pregnancy and mother’s consumption of folic acid while pregnant.

A recent study has shown that an anti-epilepsy drug has harmful effects on IQ of unborn children.

Gus Baker, professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Liverpool explained their research looked at how exposure to sodium valproate and other AEDs in the womb affected children’s everyday life in particular their IQ, memory and language
abilities from one to six years of age.
Based on studies, some 5,000 women with epilepsy become pregnant every year in the UK and the majority of these, including those on AEDs, will experience uncomplicated pregnancies and births.
Earlier studies on the matter has already shown that children exposed to AEDs such as sodium valproate in the womb are more likely to suffer birth defects characterized by
heart malformations, dysmorphic features and minor limb deformities.
Baker said the answer is not as simple as to take women off AEDs altogether as the effects of suffering a seizure can also pose a risk for both mother and unborn child.
He said it is vital that the research is now used to educate women with epilepsy before they start to plan for a family.
Furthermore, Baker said women need to be aware of the risks so that they can make informed choices with the help and advice of experts.
Baker said it is also important that women do not stop taking AED treatment without taking advice from their medical practitioner.
He said it is important to stress that sodium valproate is used globally and it has a favorable safety profile for all adult patients who use it.
He added it has a range of pharmaceutical uses including bipolar disorder, migraine, epilepsy, and in adults sodium valproate is extremely effective.

According to a latest study mothers who are brave enough to admit they are formerly hooked on illegal drugs can achieve good results in their action.
Based on the research conducted by the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada some 3,530 Alberta youth Grades 7 to 12 revealed that teens were more likely to use drugs if they knew that their mothers had used drugs but did not pressure their kids to avoid the illegal practice.
Researcher Lori Harach, a professor of human ecology at the University of Alberta revealed the findings suggest that adolescents might benefit from parental talks about the dangers of drug use, especially when their mothers have experience with drugs.
Harach said factor might give extra credibility to the messaging in the eyes of the teen.
She said mothers who have previous illegal drugs experience should not hide their unfavourable past since opening it could their children valuable lesson to avoid using illegal drugs.
As the saying goes, the best testimony is your own experience.
Mothers around the world should keep in mind that their children would not scorn them if ever they admit using drugs since their children love them deadly.
Instead of being scorned, their children would love them more and will keep away from the things that put their mother in the bad light in the past.

To keep their children away from drug addiction, mothers should be bold enough to admit they are using drugs in the past.

An intensified teen drug education is also an effective tool to prevent risky sex among teenagers around the world.

Hitting two birds in one stone.
This was uncovered by researchers who found out that an aggressive teen drug education is also an effective tool to beat our risky sex among the young generation.
According to a report published in the online health magazine site Journal of Adolescent Health, young adults who had been exposed to a popular drug abuse prevention program as adolescents were less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour five to seven years later.
The researchers said the result of their study has proved that an intensified drug abuse prevention program can help reduce risky sexual practices among young adults.
The Rand Corporation who conducted the study explained teenagers who have undergone a drug prevention training are more likely avoid engaging in sex with multiple partners or perform sex or do unprotective sex.
The result of the study was based on the research conducted on 1,901 unmarried 21-year-olds who took part in a randomized controlled trial of Project ALERT, a drug use prevention program for middle school students developed by Rand Corporation.
The Rand Corporation revealed the study participants were exposed to Project ALERT while they attended middle school in South Dakota.
Among the participants, 631 attended schools that received 14 Project ALERT lessons during middle school, 499 attended schools that received 10 additional lessons during high school and 771 attended schools that did not offer the Project ALERT program.
It was discovered that Young adults exposed to Project ALERT were both less likely to have sex with multiple partners (44 percent versus 50 percent) and to have unprotected sex because of drug use (27 percent versus 32 percent) than their peers who had not been exposed to the program.
About 71 percent of study participants reported inconsistent use of condoms, regardless of whether they had been exposed to Project ALERT.
Furthermore, the researchers say that part of the differences between the two groups may be due to the lower use of drugs and alcohol among those exposed to Project ALERT since the behavior is linked to risky sexual practices. However, the differences in sexual behaviour between the two groups were not entirely explained by the lower substance use levels.
The result of this study should push the national government of any nation around the world to intensify further their anti-drug prevention campaign so also avoid risky sexual behaviours among the young generation.

What is Marijuana and how is it used?

Marijuana is part of a group of drugs known as hallucinogenic drugs. That is, they can cause the drug abuser to hallucinate when they are using it. It has a dried herb like appearance, and is usually smoked, often mixed with other herbs or tobacco. Marijuana is produced from the leaves of the cannabis plant. Other names for Marijuana include ‘weed’, ‘dope’, ‘blow’, and ’smoke’. The effects of the drug Marijuana. People who abuse the drug Marijuana will often say that they feel ‘chilled out’ and that it relaxes them. They may become more talkative, although they will often not make any sense. Time will often slow down for the Marijuana drug abuser, and it is not unusual for them to experience intense hunger; this is known as the munchies. The drug Marijuana is often thought by people who are less informed to be relatively harmful, or something that the user will grow out of using. However, Marijuana does carry harmful side effects, so it is wise to test anyone that you think may be using and abusing this drug. Drug testing can be easily carried out by using a drug test kit. Using a drug test kit to test for Marijuana is important because of the harmful effects this drug can have on the user. These include the user developing a psychological dependency on the drug. They may also show signs of paranoia and anxiety when they are not taking the drug. There has been links of Marijuana with schizophrenia. Drug testing for this substance using a drug testing kit is also important because the most common way to smoke Marijuana is to mix it with tobacco which also carried health risks that can lead to cancer. Increased use of the drug Marijuana can lead to a slowing down of the brain functions and make it difficult for the user to learn. If you know of a teenager showing these signs, then it is important that you use a drug testing kit to determine the facts.

What are synthetic opioids and how are they used?
Synthetic opioids are drugs that are manufactured for medical purposes. They include the drugs methadone and buprenorphine. Although they are manufactured for medical use, and it is possible to obtain the drugs methadone and buprenorphine legally on prescription from a medical practitioner, over the years these drugs have been open to abuse.

They are often used as substitutes for heroin as part of a drug rehabilitation program, and they usually come in liquid form that is taken orally. However they are also available in table form, and they can be injected. Buprenorphine, or Subutex is taken by dissolving it in the mouth.

What are the effects of the synthetic opioids methadone and buprenorphine?
The effects of the drugs methadone and buprenorphine can last for several hours. Synthetic opioids are sedatives that will depress the nervous system. The drugs will also reduce pain, of both physical and psychological nature. People using this drug will often have feelings of relaxed detachment and warmth.

A drug testing kit is available to use to test for synthetic opioids. It is wise to use a drug testing kit if you feel that someone is abusing this drug, as the effects of drug abuse can be harmful.

The harmful effects of abusing methadone and buprenorphine are that the user can soon become addicted to the substance. If it is being used as a substitute for heroin addiction under medical supervision then the person needs to be checked regularly.

These drugs can often induce vomiting, and it has been known for people to choke on their vomit. An overdose of these drugs can lead to a coma, or the person may stop breathing and die.

Urine drug testing kits are available to test for synthetic opioids drug abuse.

What are propoxyphene’s and how are they used?
Propoxyphene is a synthetic opiate and come into the group of drugs known as narcotic pain relievers. These are drugs that although can be used legally for the treatment of pain, they are also highly addictive.

The brand names for the most common propoxyphene drugs are darvon and darvocet. These drugs are available legally on prescription from medical practitioners and are used to treat patients who suffer from prolonged mild to moderate pain. They are often prescribed to people who suffer repeated migraine attacks. Because of their highly addictive nature, they are only available on prescription.

They are usually supplied in capsule form and are taken orally.

However, when they are being used in drug abuse cases, the capsules may be opened and the powder is often snorted (or tablets are crushed to a powder and snorted). The powder is sometimes mixed with water and injected into the drug abuser.

The effects of propoxyphene drugs.
The have a sedative effect and can be similar to the effects of methadone. The person taking the drug will not feel pain to any great degree due to the pain relieving properties of the drug. It can give the user feelings of relaxation and general well-being.

It is possible to carry out a drug test for propoxyphene drugs such as darvon and darvocet by using a drug testing kit.

Propoxyphene drugs such as darvon and darvocet can produce unpleasant and harmful side effects. These include slowing the heartbeat, causing breathing to become shallow and inducing feelings of nausea or actual vomiting. People have been reported to have choked on their vomit and died in some cases. These drugs can also cause hallucinations and blurred vision.

If you know of someone who is displaying these symptoms you should get them medical help immediately.

Propoxyphene drugs such as darvon and darvocet are particularly dangerous as they are prescription drugs, and therefore often thought of as safe. A person may legitimately have a prescription for these drugs without realizing how easily they may become addicted to them. The withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, and patients should not suddenly stop taking the drug. Withdrawal should be undertaken with medical supervision.

Drug testing kits are useful for those taking long term pain relief, who may be concerned as to what their medication contains. Drug testing for propoxyphene drugs is both easy and reliable. Drug testing kits are available for purchase.

What is PCP and how is it used?

PCP is the abbreviation for the drug known as phencyclidine. Another more common street name for this drug is ‘angel dust.’ PCP was developed during the 1950’s as an anesthetic that could be used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain and also to treat aching limbs. Production of PCP stopped during the 1960’s when patients were beginning to show significant unwelcome side effects from taking the drug. PCP began hitting the streets as a drug that was open to abuse around 1967. It is usually taken by smoking it, often mixing it with herbs such as mint or parsley. It is also sometimes smoked by mixing it with tobacco and marijuana. The effects of the drug PCP. The drug PCP has been known to reduce the feeling of pain. It can also cause feelings of being ‘out of it’ and confusion. Drug testing for PCP is easy and reliable. Urine drug testing kits are available that are easy to use. Drug testing for PCP is important because of the side effects of this drug. These include the person abusing PCP becoming confused and agitated, and often depressed as the drug depresses their brain. PCP increases the abusers heart rate and raises blood pressure. Chronic abuse of the drug PC has led to kidney damage, muscle damage and even brain damage. Another harmful effect of the drug PCP is that the person will feel no or reduced pain. This can often lead to abusers seriously injuring themselves. Some drug abusers have been reported as becoming agitated and violent and getting into fights. Because they do not feel pain, they will fight for longer which may result in serious injuries for themselves and others. Drug testing kits for PCP and other drugs are easily available and give reliable results.

What is Nicotine and how is it used?

Nicotine is the stimulant found in tobacco products, and can be smoked in cigarettes and pipes, or chewed. It is highly addictive and can cause long term damage to the user, sometimes resulting in death. Why people begin to abuse Nicotine. Many people will begin to abuse nicotine in their early teens, and most will not stop until they are much older, if they are able to stop at all. Unfortunately this drug is often seen as a social drug, and the effects of the drug abuse are not thought about. Young teens will often begin to smoke and abuse nicotine due to peer pressure. The effects of the drug Nicotine Nicotine in tobacco produces a stimulation effect when a person first begins smoking it. This continues until the drug user it addicted. When addicted, the drug user will have to take in more nicotine to fend off the feelings of irritability and anxiety that can occur when the drug is stopped. Rather than taking the drug nicotine for its stimulating effect, the user now has to take it to feel ‘normal’. Nicotine now goes from being a drug that stimulates, to one that relaxes the user. How the drug Nicotine harms the user. Nicotine harms the drug user in a variety of ways. It can increase blood pressure, and in some cases, the heart rate can be raised up to 40 per cent. There is also the risks that taking nicotine in tobacco brings with it. The tar that tobacco produces releases chemicals known to cause cancer into the bloodstream. These increase the risk of the user contracting lung cancer, which in many cases can lead to death. Smokers who obtain nicotine in this way also run the increased risk of suffering from emphysema and other bronchial conditions. Nicotine can also harm people who do not abuse the drug. Smoking in a public place can cause second hand smoke to enter the bloodstream of others. This has been found to have a detrimental effect, with some developing the same health conditions as smokers. Fortunately there is an easy to administer drug test that can detect if someone is abusing nicotine. The Nicotine Screen-Cassette is easy to use and if used as part of a program designed to help a user give up nicotine, this can be helpful and beneficial to the user, by ensuring that regular checks can monitor their progress. A simple drug kit to test for nicotine can also be helpful for people who may be worried that they are suffering the consequences of second hand smoke from nicotine abusers close to them.

What is Methamphetamine, and how is it used?

The drug Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that acts on the nervous brain and the nervous system. They are part of a group of drugs that are known as amphetamines. However, the drug Methamphetamine is much more potent and the effects of the drug last much longer. It is usually smoked when in its crystalline form. This drug is also known as ‘Ice’ and ‘Glass’ on the street. The effects of the drug Methamphetamine Quite a small dosage will bring on feelings of exhilaration, and increase arousal in a person. Their activity levels will be much higher than usual and may say that they feel ‘alive’. The effects are usually long lasting. If someone close to you is displaying this type of behavior, then there is a simple drug test you can do. Drug tests usually come in a drug test kit that you can purchase online. Once you have the result you can move forward with the advice of medical staff. It is important that you confront someone using this drug as the results of using the drug Methamphetamine can be harmful. This person abusing this drug can suffer from feelings of paranoia, agitation and confusion. They may also become violent. Their heart rate will increase when they take the drug and so will their blood pressure. An overdose can lead to a stroke, coma or in some cases death. The drug Methamphetamine is extremely addictive when smoked or injected. Drug abusers often suffer from psychosis, a mental state that makes them lose touch with the reality of what is going on around them. Because it is so addictive it is wise to administer a drug test kit on a person showing any of these symptoms as soon as possible.