Yearly Archives: 2017

For those suffering from a drug problem, premature aging can be a real concern. Addictions do not allow a person to stop using without help, even when watching their body deteriorate. Drugs cause significant stress on the body and affect the pulmonary and cardiac system, as well as the health of the teeth, lymph, and skin. In most instances, the effects and premature aging caused by an addiction cannot be reversed. Seeking help for addiction as soon as possible can help prevent these effects on your body and appearance.

Consequences of Smoked Drugs on Your Body

Many of the most popular street drugs are smoked. Drugs that smoked contain high concentrations of carcinogens as well as a multitude of other toxic chemicals. These toxic chemicals and carcinogens can cause serious pulmonary, renal, and cardiovascular problems such as emphysema, heart disease, kidney disorders, and other serious, life-threatening conditions.

Meth, cocaine, crack, heroin, and even marijuana, when smoked, can lead to premature aging of the skin and hair. In addition, smoke inhalation can cause skin conditions such as eczema, skin cancer, and psoriasis.

Consequences of Drug Use on Your Immune System

Drug use weakens the immune system. When certain drugs, for example, cocaine, enter the body the immune system automatically attempts to fight the drug. Over time the drugs will weaken the immune system’s ability to fight the infection, leaving the addict more venerable to illness and injury.

A weakened immune system can also mean a toxic level of drugs in the bloodstream. When an immune system is under constant stress, premature aging can begin, and life expectancy of the drug user is greatly reduced. Drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, which are often used together, can greatly increase the rate that this process occurs. To combat and prevent effects of a drug addiction, addicts and serious drug users should seek help as soon as possible.

Free by the Sea encourages addicts or people impacted by a loved one with an addiction who are looking to prevent the possible effects of a drug addiction in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington (Vancouver), Oregon (Portland), Alaska and surrounding areas to contact us for guidance and assistance.

People suffering from addictions often blame others for their troubles. Addicts find it easy to ignore responsibility for their actions and avoid confronting the challenges associated with admitting and recovering from their addiction. One thing addiction experts know for sure is that the blame game has to come to an end for recovery to begin.

How Blame Can Be Harmful

 Addicts will blame everyone but themselves for their addiction. The misplaced blame often comes from the addict’s past, for example, an alcoholic father, an abusive mother, struggles with depression, etc. While external factors can contribute to addiction, they are not fully to blame, and addicts must realize that they themselves are responsible for their addiction. Others may have encouraged or even influenced choices that led to addiction but ultimately the addict makes the decisions – however hard or easy they may be.

About Taking Responsibility

An important first step in recovering from addiction is leaving the blame behind. One of the first steps in recovery is to take responsibility for his or her actions. Addicts must learn to accept that they have an addiction. Admitting and accepting mistakes made in the past and realizing that they could be seen as valuable learning experiences can help on the road to recovery.

Our message to addicts is that although you may have been through challenges, like a traumatic past or health issues, these experiences do not define you. Learning to stop blaming others for your situation can be tough, but it is a necessary step for recovery. For addicts who are ready to get the help they need, taking responsibility for their actions is crucial. We can help you take that step.

Free by the Sea encourages addicts or people impacted by a loved one with an addiction in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington (Vancouver), Oregon (Portland), Alaska and surrounding areas to contact us for guidance and assistance.