Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts

Friday, February 27, 2015

What Is Ketamine and How Is It Abused?

Ketamine is a drug that's only legal if prescribed by a doctor. It's main use is to treat pain and it's often used when someone has an allergy to other types of anesthetics. Many people have taken to abusing ketamine due to its hallucinogenic properties.

On the street ketamine goes by many names including: Special K, and Vitamin K. It's popular like many other prescription drugs, because it's easier to get a hold of than other illegal recreational drugs. Like many other drugs and alcohol, an abuser will often need a higher and higher dosage to reach the same level of euphoria they initially had.

Although ketamine is a useful drug when used under the care of a doctor, it's used recreationally for the bizarre dreams and hallucinations it's known to cause. There are many side effects from ketamine and abusers can wind up in the hospital.

Although ketamine overdoes rarely cause death, there is no treatment other than to come down from the high under medical supervision. However, like many other prescription pain medications it can make the user dependent. This is where the abuse part comes in, as an abuser will try to find the drug through channels other than their doctor.

Abuse of ketamine is not as difficult to treat as other addictions. An abuser would likely need to enter a rehabilitation center to overcome their addiction under medical supervision. As long as there are no underlying mental health issues for the abuse, recovery time is usually quick.

Without proper medical supervision, ketamine can cause harm to the abuser as well as those around them due to the drug's hallucinogenic properties. It's not as dangerous as some other drugs, but an addiction problem should be addressed right away. With proper rehabilitation most abusers are able to overcome their addiction.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

How Writing A List And Keeping It Handy Can Help You Remember

Cognitive decline, or in other words memory loss, is the most common problem faced by the elderly. Such loss can cause a lot of sadness, confusion and hurt feelings for both the sufferer and his/her family and friends. Below are a few tips that will help you cope with either your own or a loved one's memory loss problems.

One exercise that can make it easier for you to recall things is to jot notes down. Your brain area that controls memory functions will receive blood flow, and memories will thus be exercised. If you write detailed lists or keep a diary, you can increase your short-term memory abilities.

You might find mnemonic devices useful in retaining and recalling some memories. Mnemonic devices are prompts that aid you in remembering something, just as shorthand aids a writer. You "tag" the thing you want to remember with a helpful image or word that will prompt your memory.

If you have a hard time remembering to do things, do not be ashamed to write sticky notes. Place them in areas you look at often, like next to a cell phone or computer. Simple and effective, sticky notes are an easy fix for coping with forgetfulness.

Maintain your memory by getting plenty of exercise. The increased blood and oxygen flow to your brain will help to keep your brain healthy. Because memory is part of the way your brain functions, keeping your body and mind healthy are both important to maintaining it. Exercise also prevents other health problems such as diabetes which could have many negative effects on your memory.

Most of us fear losing our memory as we get older. While this condition is not at all pleasant, it is a natural process. It is possible to reduce or halt memory deterioration. Hopefully, the tips mentioned previously can give a starting point to learning ways to improve memory.