Question by Laura: What does the term “chronic addiction” mean to you? What images do you get when you hear this term?
If a doctor writes the term “chronic addiction” into a patient’s chart, what would you think of that patient? What sort of person do you think a person with a “chronic addiction” diagnosis might be? What impressions will other doctors get of the patient if they see this term in the chart?

Best answer:

Answer by PINKY
Chronic just means ongoing. A disease or illness that will continue without medical treatment. As far as what other doctors may think, well was it a chronic drug addiction? Is so they will probably never prescribe you drugs like those unless absolutely neccessary.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Laura: What does the term “chronic addiction” mean to you? What images do you get when you hear this term?
If a doctor writes the term “chronic addiction” into a patient’s chart, what would you think of that patient? What sort of person do you think a person with a “chronic addiction” diagnosis might be? What impressions will other doctors get of the patient if they see this term in the chart?

Best answer:

Answer by PINKY
Chronic just means ongoing. A disease or illness that will continue without medical treatment. As far as what other doctors may think, well was it a chronic drug addiction? Is so they will probably never prescribe you drugs like those unless absolutely neccessary.

Add your own answer in the comments!

by wannaoreo

Question by all you need is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE: How long can you live in a coma WITHOUT TREATMENT?
okay, so i was writing this story ( something i do often :D) and this girl was in a coma. i am wondering how long its possible to remain in that state, just so i can make it seem more plausible.

real thorough answers please, and maybe a couple websites with information? Thanks!
What about the vegative state of a coma? How long can you live in that state without treatment, if at all?

Best answer:

Answer by Steve L
Coma is an extended period of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be aroused even with the most painful stimuli. Coma is not a disease. It is a symptom of a disease or a response to an event, such as a severe head injury, seizure or metabolic problem. Most comas do not last longer than four weeks. Some people in a coma shift to a persistent vegetative state, in which breathing, maintaining normal blood pressure, digesting and eliminating foods continues without the patient’s awareness. The vegetative state can last for years or decades. The outcome of a coma ranges from full recovery to death. Whether a person recovers, and to what extent, depends upon the cause of the coma and the type and extent of the brain damage.

A coma involves two different concepts: Reactivity and perceptivity.

The perceptivity concept refers to responses of the nervous system to learned stimuli. These types of stimuli may be learned through language or communication skills.
The reactivity concept refers to the inborn functions of the brain. These functions include the eyes, ears, responses to pain, wakefulness and turning ones head toward a sound of movement. These movements are also called reflexive movements.
A person in a coma does not experience reactivity or perceptivity. The patient can not be aroused by calling their name or experiencing pain.

Symptoms of a Coma

The main symptom of a coma is the inability to be aroused to consciousness. Other symptoms are: Lack of self-awareness, Lack of a sleep-wake cycle, Lack of purposeful movements, Lack of suffering and Impaired breathing.

What Causes a Coma?

A coma can be caused by a variety of things. The most often cause of coma is severe head injury. Other causes are: consumption of a very large amount of alcohol (toxic or metabolic coma), diabetes, morphine, shock or hemorrhage. Treatment varies depending on the cause. Overall, in coma cases, damage to the brain’s “thinking, and life support centers” have occurred. When damage has occurred, bleeding in the brain, swelling and congestion of the damaged tissue is present. In extreme cases, brain swelling is so great that portions of the brain must be forcible squeezed out of the skull. This dead or “dying” tissue is then surgically removed. An alternative to squeezing portions of the brain out of the skull is to saw off the skull and place it in a cold storage to better accommodate the swollen brain.

What happens during a coma?

There are different stages of a coma. Most people believe that a person in a coma is in a deep sleep. This is not entirely true. Some stages of coma resemble a deep sleep but not all. The progress of coma is measured by the patient’s increasing awareness of external stimuli. There are many levels of coma which the patient will pass through as functionality increases. Depending on the stage, a person in a coma may make movements, sounds and experience agitation. Coma patients may also have reflex activities that mimic conscious activities. Sometimes, coma patients must be restrained to prohibit them from removing tubes and IVs.

Emerging from a Coma

When a person begins to emerge from a coma, they begin to react to certain stimuli. However, to regain consciousness, both reactivity and perceptivity must be present. Reactivity and perceptivity are necessary for a state of awareness. It is often the case that some parts of perceptivity such as speech and self care must be relearned.

A beneficial Coma

Sometimes a coma may be chemically induced by a doctor to aid in medical treatment and recovery. This usually happens during a head injury.

Coma Statistics

Every ten minutes head injury claims the life of another child.
Head trauma is the number one cause of death and disability among people between the ages of 1 and 44.
About 5% to 10% of all coma patients are incapable of conscious behavior, and end up vegetative, which most of the public think of as prolonged coma.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

The need for Oxycontin addiction treatment is on the rise. As more and more people become addicted to this particular drug, the need for treatment increases. Drug rehab facilities all over the country are seeing a huge jump in the number of admissions for prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin. As a result, they are having to provide Oxycontin addiction treatment to a growing number of patients. This, like most addictions, is very hard to break. Often times it takes individuals several tries before they are able to get clean.

An Oxycontin addiction is often hidden from one’s family and friends. This is often because it is a prescription drug and not many people will be suspicious if they see someone that they love take it. Often times, a person will only get busted when it is discovered that they are continuing to take the drug long after their injury has healed in cases where the drug was legitimately prescribed. In instances where individuals take it solely for the purpose of getting high, they might be found out when someone discovers that they are needlessly using the drug.

There are number of Oxycontin addiction treatment options. They include going it alone, going through traditional rehab and medical treatment. All of these have advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss those a little more in-depth below.

a. Traditional rehab model: This form of Oxycontin addiction treatment is similar to what people addicted to other drugs go through. A person might receive individual and/or group counseling, educational classes and any other treatment that may be specific to a particular rehab facility. The success rates of this model are mixed. Drug addicts typically have to go through rehabilitation a number of times before they get clean and even then they may relapse months or years later. Persons will typically have the best experience if they are ready to quit using and find a program that fits their personality and particular needs.

b. Medical treatment: There are some Oxycontin addiction treatment programs that administer drugs. These are used to help wean persons off of drugs slowly. This often results in a much better experience for the addict and makes the withdrawal period much easier. Drug withdrawals can be quite uncomfortable. People may throw up, develop the shakes, become nauseous, have hot flashes and the sweats. Many people either put off quitting or don’t quit for long because of withdrawals symptoms.

c. Go at it alone: Some people attempt to go at it alone. They try to conjure up enough willpower to quit using. Sometimes individuals are successful, often times they are not. For persons with a strong oxycontin addiction, it can be very difficult to get clean without external help.