It really is true: men and women are different. And they are different when it comes to just about everything. Our bodies are different and our chemistry is different.

The way we process things is different. Science is still learning about some of the fascinating differences. More and more information is coming out every day. But facts have shown that men and women are different when it comes to substance abuse.Sadly, men are more like to have a drug abuse or alcohol abuse problem than women. A 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health asked people aged 12 and older to judge their use of alcohol and illicit drugs. The survey also asked people to share their symptoms of substance abuse during the previous year.

The survey stated that males were twice as likely to be dependant or have a drug abuse or alcohol abuse problem than women. Men also had much higher rates of dependence on alcohol or an illicit drug for every age group, except the 12 to 17 year olds. They also had higher rates of alcohol abuse and drug abuse for every age group except the 12 to 17 year olds.

While the survey does state that more men have alcohol and drug abuse problems, it is unclear simply looking at these numbers if some of the women simply downplayed their use of alcohol and drugs. Or if some of the people who used drugs and alcohol (both men and women ) were in denial about their use. These are factors that truly need to be considered. These facts are interesting and certainly point to more men having challenges with alcohol and drug dependency and abuse. But this is not to say that women do not have concerns with alcohol and drug dependence and abuse. Both men and women should be very concerned with alcohol and drug use.

Teenagers can become involved with prescription drug abuse through various means – usually it starts out with experimentation, which is the most dangerous stage of prescription drug abuse. Teenagers who abuse prescription drugs tend to not see the potential effects of their actions on the future.

Teenagers today who abuse drugs aren’t using the standby drugs of marijuana, cocaine, LSD and alcohol as much as they are abusing prescription drugs. Teens often abuse prescription drugs in order to get high, because they’re often much easier to obtain – all they have to do is go into their parents’ medicine cabinet. There’s a tendency among teenagers to feel invincible, like nothing can hurt them, even prescription substance abuse. Because of this, some will experiment with prescription drugs and stop, whereas others will feel no effect and fall fully into prescription crug abuse. Others can immediately develop a habit of prescription drug abuse, which is when immediate intervention is needed.

Prescription drugs are meant to be used to alleviate the symptoms of a disease, but as with any other drug, many people have begun to suffer from prescription drug abuse, such as oxycontin, Ritalin or other drugs. These drugs can have major effects.

Many people first experiment with prescription drugs because they think they will be able to fit in more effectively, lose weight or they think that the prescription drug will help their mental functioning to improve. Also, it’s usually easier to acquire prescription drugs than it is to get other, more illegal drugs, from a family member of a friend, but sometimes prescription drugs are sold on the street.

The affects of drugs often cloud the addict’s mind. Addicts never think that those around them are aware of their problem. If you have noticed a change in someone you care about, do not let him or her continue to suffer when there is no need. A common mistake is feeling there is an acceptable amount of drug use. Hoping that it will get better if you just let it run its course. Addiction never gets better; it only gets worse. The moment you think your loved one is involved in drug abuse your next thought should be of an addiction intervention. Here are a few tips that can help the addiction interventions chance of success.

Preparation
Gather together a reasonable sized group of people that are willing to participate in an addiction intervention. Make sure this includes people who the addict respects and cares about. Often times these people are the closest to the addict. This can lead them to question their involvement with the person that the addict has become. Others still might be angry at the addict for their actions. Through meeting and discussions amongst the group these feelings need to be narrowed down to one clear message.

Addiction intervention Day
When the day of the addiction intervention arrives all the members of the group will present themselves as one. It is best to choose a location that will leave the addict feeling comfortable. If the addict or the group can’t make this happen due to scheduling don’t let that stop an addiction intervention. It is more important that the addict get the help they need, than that the addiction intervention go perfectly. The first thing is to make the addict feel safe. The addict will be assured that the people who are there are present only because they care for, and are concerned about them. Often time the addiction intervention can be shocking to the addict. To some extent that is the goal. The addicts drug abuse blinds them from seeing their own actions and judgments.