Smoking Cannabis
Not many people realise that smoking cannabis is actually more harmful than smoking cigarettes.
One joint (the same weight as a cigarette) contains 3 times the amount of carbon monoxide levels, 5 times the amount of tar deposition and 50% higher concentration of carcinogens than an ordinary cigarette. This is because there is no filter, there’s a shorter butt length, a higher temperature, deeper inhalation, and a longer breath-hold.
Pack-years are a measure of how much someone has smoked. Since lung cancer is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked, using pack-years can help identify which people are most at risk of developing lung cancer.
One pack-year of smoking would mean that someone had smoked one package of cigarettes (20 cigarettes) daily for one year. One joint a day for a year = 1 pack year = 20 cigarettes a day for 1 year.
Check out your smoking pack years, on this link:
Ecstasy and Ecstasy-like pills
There have been recent reports across regions in the UK of cases of hospitalisations, and sudden
deaths, linked to the use of ecstasy-like pills. It has been reported that pills taken by those affected
have contained, either alone or in combination, para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), MDMA (the
usual active ingredient expected in ‘ecstasy’ pills), or other ecstasy-like stimulants.
Individuals who consume ecstasy-like tablets will not know whether their pills really do
contain MDMA, PMA or some other ecstasy-like drug(s). The pills reported in the recent cases
have been described with a variety of colours and with a variety of different logos stamped on
them.
PMA has similar effects to MDMA. Both can make users feel alert, alive and full of energy, and can
create feelings of closeness to others. Both can increase body temperature and cause
dehydration. However, PMA is stronger than MDMA and it poses an additional risk because its
effects can take longer to be felt. Because of this delay, some users who believe they are taking
MDMA, may overdose by prematurely taking additional PMA pills to compensate for an apparent
lack of effect. Like MDMA, PMA can cause a fatal rise in body temperature; and, as with MDMA,
users should always be careful to regulate their level of physical activity and their fluid intake.
Why take the risk though? It’s like playing Russian roulette. You can have a good time without having
to take Ecstasy.
For more information on Drugs, including Cocaine, Heroin, and all substance abuse, check out this link:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/drugs/Pages/Drugshome.aspx
ADDACTION SOUTH WEST GLASGOW
COMMUNITY REHAB SERVICE PROGRAMME
Compassionate —- Determined——– Road to Recovery
Phase 1 – Engagement/Assessment: Getting to Know You
Duration: 12 weeks
Aims:
- To establish a positive working relationship with Addaction Staff.
- Working to resolve any acute crises
- Learn about the services on offer
- Comprehensive assessment of my strengths, needs and risks in the areas of: physical health, emotional health, employment/support, substance use, legal and family/social.
- Meeting my current needs such as: substance use, physical and emotional health, social networks and detox.
- Help with motivation to make changes I want.
- Learning opportunities for my emotional and educational well-being.
- Promote abstinence/stability
Completion Criteria:
- Completed assessment process and have an initial recovery plan in place.
- Completed withdrawal from substance use.
- Completed service induction.
- Attended regular scheduled and agreed psycho-educational and motivational sessions.
- Achieved 30 days abstinence/stability.
- Checklist of Group Sessions:
Contracting Structure & Routine Key Work
Why attend Groups
Module 1
Three Ways of managing emotions
Module 2
Thinking Choices Blowing things out of proportion
Module 2
Thinking Choices Jumping to Conclusions
Module 2
Thinking Choices Over – Generalisation
Module 2 Thinking Choices Inner Bully Module 2
Thinking Choices Negative Glasses
Module 2
Thinking Choices thinking in Extremes
Module 3 Mindfulness Module 4
Coping with Cravings Dealing with Ambivalence
Module 4
Coping with Cravings High Risk Situations
Week 4 –
Learning Review
Module 4
Coping with Cravings Individual Planning
Module 4
Coping with Cravings Distractions
Module 4
Coping with Cravings Craving Busting
Module 5 Building Life Equipment Module 5
Building a New Role
Module 5
Building Meaningful and Life Satisfaction
Module 5
Building Confidence without drugs or alcohol
Module 5
Building Sobriety
Module 6
Managing Everyday Memory Problems
Module 7 Triggers &
Risks 1
Module 7 Triggers &
Risks 2
Module 8
Emotion Surfing
Week 8
Learning Review
Module 9
Safe Sensation Seeking
Module 10
Goal Planning
Peer Support – Alcoholic Anonymous Peer Support -SMART Recovery Peer Support – Welcome to R.A.F.T. &
S.W.A.N.
PEER SUPPORT – Narcotics Anonymous Peer Support – Wired in Breaking Free Online: Computer Assisted therapy Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on the Body Week 12 – Final Session Recovery Quote’s
“By changing attitudes and finding solutions through our own program of recovery, we can regain our sense of hope, serenity, freedom, and joy….”
“Recovery allows me to break on through to the other side and see the world form a different perspective by the bondage of active addition.”
“Recovery is not something you get, it something you work for.”
“Just because you’re having a bad day doesn’t mean you’re having a bad life.”
“You have to change you’re playthings, playmates, and playgrounds to change you’re future.”
“If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got!”
“We all used for the same reason, to change the way we feel. We feel the way we feel because we think the way we think. The…. program helps me to change the way I think, thus the way I feel, without having to pick up an intoxicating substance.”
It’s not what you KNOW in recovery that keeps you sober. It’s what YOU DO that keeps you sober
- CONTACT DETAILS
ADDACTION SOUTH WEST GLASGOW
THE RIVERBANK CENTRE
2 ALEXANDER STEPHEN HOUSE
912 HOLMFAULD ROAD
GLASGOW
G51 4RY
TEL: 0141 425 1800
Fax: 0141 440 5873
