Coping with drug dependency From pare #5 razepam ). Sleeping pills and wan- quillizers treat the syinptoms and not the cause. Phe actual problem does not go away. in fact, minor tranquilliz- ers simply “mask” the prob- fem and the real issues that need to be addressed. Prolonged use of sleeping pills and tranquillizers can result in physical and mental dependency. Severe with- drawal symptoms can occur if the drug is stopped suddenly. There are several clear signs that you may be devel- oping a dependences on the drugs. These include: B raking more of the drug or trying — different. — brands because you feel the effects are wearing off; B daily doses (even small) for a month or aore: @ increasing your dose over time; B feeling the effects are wear- ing off; a monitoring. your supply of pilis and making sure you never run out; @ carrying your pills with you; @ taking “extra pills” situations are stressful; when NEWS photo Mike Wakafield SENIORS: should ‘be aware that prolonged use of sleeping pilis and trangqulllizers ean result In physical -and mental dependency. REMEMBER Si SHOPPING STONG'S? GAIN! ‘WELL, NOW YOU CAN. i ‘SHOP BY PHONE, FAX, OR ON-LINE! EMAIL. | AT'S THAT EASY! “From Deap Cove to Lions Bay - Stong's Express will deliver your ‘groceries right to your front docr. PHONE: 266-8191 FAX: 266-5199 EMAIL : cori_bonina@bc.sympatico.ca "ON-LINE: www.stongs.com AVAILABLE MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS ORDERS MUST SE RECEIVED BY 11:00 AM ” AND WILL SE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING DAY ’ SATURDAY DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE BUT ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00AM FRIDAY. B unsuccessful quit or cut down; B difficulties with work, fam- ily or secial fife; @ inability to cope without the drug; @ cravings for the drug; and, treme discomfort if a piil is missed. So what can you do if you feel that you may be relying on these drugs? First of all, do not stop taking the drug suddeatly. Talk te your doctor and con- sider finding other ways of dealing with problems. We all need to rake more responsibility for our health, and one way to do this is to look at different methods of dealing with the changes that affect us all as we get older. There are several ways we can get help trom others who have learned to handle stress in ways that do not involve taking drugs. A new organization, the Women’s Well Being Group, was started by several women on the North Shore who have had experience with this form of addiction, cither per- sonally or through a friend or family member. They have a brochure which gives infor- mation on tranquillizers and advice about looking at alter- natives to their use. There is also a self-help group, made up of women who have had experience with using tranquillizers. They meet at the YWCA in Vancouver. For mere information you may call the Women’s Well Being Group, ¢/o the Canadian Mental Health Association, at 688-3234. Mary Segal is coordinator of Lionsvicw Seniors’ Pinnning Society. Ideas for future columns are welcome. Contact Segal at 985-3852 or drop a line ta Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society, | North Building, 600 W. Oncens Rd., North Van, B.C., V7N 2L3. attem pis to Daryl Wing Pharmacist CAPSULE COMMENTS Some medications can cause a dry mouth. For relief, brush your teeth after each mea! and floss daily, chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow, suck sugarfree lemon candies, avoid sugary sweets, sip water frequently throughout the day. Finally, wy artificial saliva products available in the pharmacy. It's unsafe to share prescribed med- ications with other people. Your pre- scription is adapted to your condi- tion, your weight and many other personai factors. What works for _ you may not be good for others. - You will enjoy our pharmacy. We do our best to provide you with dassle- free service. Give us a try! Free Parkin, Free Delivery for Pharmacy Prescriptions DAVIES PHARMACY 1401 St. Georges 985-8771 —SENIORS -——____— Cirele of friends NEWS pheto Mike Wakefield GOLDEN Circle seniors’ outreach program coordinator Gail Robinson (centre) chats with Gene McLaughlin (ieft) and Louise Kirby at Neziin Shore Neighbourhood House. Volunteers are needed Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Info: 987-8133. witat’s on fer Aging with Inspiration: This six-part workshop series. at West Van Senior’s Activity Centre, looks at aging positive- ly. Feb. 16, Myths, Fears and Blessings of Aging; Feb. 24, Dealing with Memory !.0ss; Maren 1, Adding Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years; Caring you can count on. Our complete famity support service can provide any level or range YJ x of care for your loved one... Personal support, _ homemaking or nursing services. Sarnigers March 8, Healthy Eating; March 15, Dealing with Losses; March 22, Facing your own Mortality, and March 30 meet with centenarians from a North Shore care facility. Workshops from 1:30-3:30 p.m. $12/series or $2 drop-in fee. Info: 925-7280. Ea wecare’ Home Health Services 980-6350 214 - 145 West 15th Si., North Vancouver Where peace of mind bas a bome address™ Enrol in Computer Training today Win 9$ ror New Users Sat& Sun 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Feb 19 & 20 MOUS Prep WorD 97 Exrear 2Sac 9am.to 4pm. Feb 26 & Mar 4 tS Wonp $7: Lever 2Sae&2Sun 9 a.m.to noon March 4 to 12 4S Access 97: Lever | SMon 7 to 9:30 p.m. Feb 21 to Mar 20 MS Powenpornt 97: Lever | San Jam.to4 pm. Feb 26 MS Orrice: Lever 2 2Tues/2Thws = 7 to 10 p.m. Mar 7 to (6 INTRO To INTERNET Sas. 10. am.co 4 p.m, March U1 . SEARCHING ON THE WED Sun 9am.to 3 p.m. Feb 27 Apv:.NceD Vee PUBLISHING 2Tues 710 10pm Mar 7 & I4 Sharing a Vision of Health LIONS GATE HOSPITAL'S Caring Community Calendar | Diabetes Support Group Mon. Feb. 21 at 7 PM, meet in the Cafeteria For people living with diabetes. Family and other support rsons welcome. For more, information cali Linda Lee Ross at 988-3131, local 4495. Prostate Cancer Support Group Tues. Feb. 22 at 7:30 pat. in the Auditorium (Basement) Do you have prostate cancer? ould you like to know more bout prostate cancer? Would ou like to meet others who ave prostate cancer? For more information call Sack Carlisle t 929-5183 or Burt Anders at 24-0776. . N.S, Family Support Group | For families with a survivor off raumatic brain injury. For lates and times call Gaeron dwell at 657-6760. Breast Cancer Visitor Program . fered by the Canadian Cancer Society to help women with reast cancer, If you wish a isit, please call 253-8470. . Kids Worry Too on the Ist & 3rd Tuesday ‘of the month at 10:30 AM. ° in Seminar Room A.” n information and education ession to help you deal with hildren’s unique needs when’ parent is diagnosed with cancer. For more information call 984-3769 or 984-5831. Caregiver Support Group on the 2nd & 4th Wuesday of the month at £2230 eat. in Chemotherapy Conf. Rin. For those caring for someone hvith cancer. A place to share information and to talk about the impact of your loved one's ancer experience. For info. all 984-3709 or 984-5903. Breast Self Examination Teaching Clinic in the Medical Day Centre For an appointment call 925-1952.