Here's some information on drugs/alcohol that I've recently learned at a seminar... Hope you all enjoy and find something you may not have known before.

Drug of Choice in 1967 in order of which it was used:
1.)Alcohol 2.) Marijuana 3.) Cocaine 4.) Crank(meth) 5.) LSD 6.) Quaaludes 7.) Glue 8.) Designer Drugs

Drug of Choice Now in order of which it's used:
1.) Alcohol 2.) Marijuana 3.) Methamphetamine 4.) Cocaine 5.) LSD 6.) Rohypnol/GHB 7.) Inhalents 8.) Exstacy "X"

Marijuana:
THC content is 9%, but can be as high as 20%.
One joint today equates to about 10 to 14 joints in the 1960's.
Typical dose is 300mg THC.
Typical joint produces impairment equivalent to 0.08 BAL (alcohol level).
Produces dependance in 100,000 people in U.S. treated anually.
Contains approximately 426 substances in natural form.
Increases to over 1,000 when inhaled.
Distorts time and distance.
Slows reaction time.
Reduces ability to multi-task.
Decreases ability to respond to unexpected.

3 BRAINS IN ONE:
-Cortex
New brain
Makes us rational mammels

-Mid Brain
Personality
Perception

-Hypothalamus
Food, Fluid, Feelings, Flirt, Flight, Fight
-----
Serontonin: Bodies natural sedative, calming effects, sleep... Marijuana works on this area most.

Epinephrine/Norepinephrine: Natures natural stimulant, anger, anxiety, violence, arousal of the central nervous system, adrenaline, stimulates Flight or Fight... Meth works most on this part of the brain.

Endorphins: Bodies natural pain killer, opiate like response, Euphoria... Opiates work most on this part.

Acetycholine: Memory, Movement Skills, Responsible for new learning... Marijuana also works on this part of the brain.

G.A.B.A: Gama Amic Butryic Acid: Natural Anxiety Agent... Benzo (nerve pills) work most on this part.

Dopamine: Pleasure/ Reward system, Laughter, Euphoric Recall... Crack/Cocaine works most on this part.

P.I.P.: Responsible for Love, Brings males/females together. It only happens 6 times in a lifetime... Meth and cocaine work most on this part of the brain.

Psychoactive Chemical Use= Loss of Ability To:
P.I.P.-Lose ability to love
Dopamine- Lose ability to laugh, be happy, or have fun.
G.A.B.A- Deal with anxiety
Acetylcholine- Lose memory and new learning.
Endorphins- Pain increases
Serontonin- Depressed, lose ability to sleep.
Epinephrine- Lose Flight/Fight

This only happens after increased drug usage for awhile. After quitting your usage of drugs, it could take up to two years for all these feelings to get back to normal.

Alcohol and Addiction is and has been accepted unconditionally by the American Medical Association as a disease since 1956.

What does Recovery mean?
Accepting our disease and our prescribed treatment.
Taking suggestions.
Asking questions.
Accepting the answers given.
Adopting new attitudes and actions.
Gaining the ability to be honest.
Willingness to be open minded.
Letting go of the secrets that keep us bound in shame.

Summary:
Addiction is a process.
Recovery is a process.
Treatment is vital to the recovery process.
Addiction and recovery are both progressive and both take time!
They are both learned.
They both have to be trusted.
They both work.
One destroys life and the other saves and restores life.
Remember 50-70% stay clean!
Most importantly, remember... it's your CHOICE!