The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Hydrocodone (Vicodin)

Posted on September 5, 2017 by dr-admin

Vicodin is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain which contains both the opioid hydrocodone and paracetamol (acetaminophen). Combining alcohol with an opioid such as hydrocodone can lead to devastating consequences. Both drugs are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Combining them magnifies these effects in a way which can lead to respiratory depression, brain damage, coma, and death. Used together they can also cause kidney damage and acute liver failure.

What Is Vicodin?

Vicodin is a combination medication, that is, it actually consists of two drugs, hydrocodone and acetaminophen, both of which are painkillers. Vicodin is used to treat moderate to severe pain, either for the purpose of temporary relief or for ongoing chronic pain management.

When the drug is used properly, as prescribed, it is for most extents and purposes safe. But this safety is fleeting if Vicodin is taken in a way other than prescribed and/or with another drug.

While the acetaminophen is meant to somewhat act as an abuse deterrent, some individuals still choose to misuse their prescription or use Vicodin recreationally. Doing so can lead to dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, addiction, and overdose. Even individuals who misuse their own prescription to self-medicate can stumble onto this treacherous path.

Is It Dangerous To Combine Alcohol And Vicodin?

Alcohol causes the sedative qualities of opioid drugs to intensify. This can create an intoxicated state much faster than a person anticipates. Even using a small amount of alcohol with opioids can do this. This is why it’s dangerous to drink alcohol if you’ve been prescribed Vicodin or if you use it illicitly.

In these states a person will become uncoordinated with poor balance, which leads to a higher risk of falls and injuries. Memory loss will occur and a person will become too impaired to drive a vehicle.

Alcohol And Vicodin Have A High Potential For Overdose

As depressants, Alcohol and Vicodin both change the way your brain and CNS regulate your heart, breathing, blood pressure, and temperature rates, causing them to slow down. When you drink alcohol with Vicodin (even in small amounts), these life-sustaining functions can become seriously compromised and in certain cases begin shutting down.

If a person uses one or both drugs to excess, they face an even greater peril of progressing to a fatal overdose. When this happens your organs and life-support systems begin to shut down. This is just from the effects of the alcohol and hydrocodone.

The acetaminophen in the Vicodin can also cause overdose if a person consumes too much. MedLine Plus cautions that any amount reaching or surpassing 7,000 mg can initiate acute overdose.

What Are The Signs Of An Alcohol And Vicodin Overdose?

If your loved one is taking both alcohol and Vicodin, understanding the signs of overdose could help to save their life.

Signs of overdose include:

Cold skin
Decreased cognitive functions
Excessive dizziness
Extreme confusion
Irregular and falling heart rate
Irregular, slowed, or stopped breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Passing out
Seizures
Stupor
Weak pulse

One of the most dangerous side effects of overdose is respiratory depression. As a person’s breathing continues to plummet their brain is deprived of oxygen. When this happens, other organ systems follow suit and begin to shut down. The lack of oxygen can also lead to brain damage. During overdose a person can completely stop breathing, fall into a coma, and/or die.

Overdose is not something you can afford to take your time on. When a person is overdosing there’s a good chance they could lose their life unless they get prompt medical attention.

If you at all suspect that yourself or a person near to you is overdosing, or in jeopardy of doing so, contact emergency medical services immediately.

Using Vicodin And Alcohol Together Can Harm Your Organs

Both alcohol and Vicodin can, when abused separately, be harmful to your liver. When these drugs are used together the damage to your liver is compounded. Chronic drinkers should try to abstain from using any acetaminophen-containing product for these reasons.

Your liver is responsible for metabolizing alcohol. When you drink too much, such as within patterns of binge drinking or chronic use, this organ cannot keep up. This causes an immense strain on your liver, one, which over time, can lead to liver damage.

Vicodin abuse can also damage your liver. “Taking too much acetaminophen…is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States,” warns Mayo Clinic. Acute liver failure can, according to DailyMed, lead to liver transplant and death.

Using acetaminophen can lead to acute liver failure by one of two ways, either by taking:

A single dose of the drug which is too high
Doses higher than the daily recommendation for several consecutive days

For individuals who abuse Vicodin, this is a very real concern. Drug abusers use Vicodin in both of these patterns.

One scientific survey determined that this drug interaction can harm your kidneys too. It found that “Respondents who reported taking both acetaminophen and drinking lightly or moderately had a more than two-fold higher risk for kidney dysfunction.”

How Much Vicodin Is Too Much?

The FDA established that the maximum amount of acetaminophen per day is 4,000 mg. To put this in perspective, Harvard Medical reports that liver damage can begin occurring just beyond this, at 5,000 mg. This equates to just over 16 Vicodin a day (containing 300 mg of acetaminophen each). While this may seem like a lot, surpassing this amount can come quite easily to individuals who abuse this drug on a regular basis, especially for those who have a tolerance.

Tolerant individuals need higher doses of the drug to create the high or pain-relieving effects they seek. This, in turn, means they’re far more likely to take these toxic amounts of Vicodin. The range of Vicodin an addicted individual takes per day can vary, but some people may take 40 or more tablets a day. When the alcohol is added to the mix, it takes far less Vicodin to create these devastating effects.

Even light to moderate use of alcohol paired with prescribed dosages of Vicodin can begin to damage your organs and create an intoxicated state. The risk of overdose escalates when you increase your consumption of either drug. The bottom line is that combining these drugs in any quantity is harmful to your health.

How Do I Get Help For My Addiction?

If you’re addicted to one or both of these drugs you need to get help as quickly as possible in order to protect your body and brain. Fortunately, there are inpatient drug rehab programs all across the country which can help you with these needs.

Alcohol and Vicodin addictions often require a medical detox to treat the physical addiction. After you’ve progressed through detoxification it’s best to proceed directly to treatment. The most comprehensive programs offer both of these services under one roof.

During your program, medication-assisted treatments, behavioral therapies, counseling, and a wide-range of other modalities will be implemented to help you reach a sober state. Aftercare programs typically follow, which will help you to stay strong in your commitment to sobriety.

Don’t Let Your Addiction Go Any Further

If you’re concerned that someone you care about is mixing alcohol and Vicodin in a way which could harm their health, reach out to us at DrugRehab.org today. Our confidential assessment will get you started on the path to a healthier, drug-free life.

For More Information Related to “The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Hydrocodone (Vicodin)” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

DailyMed — LABEL: Vicodin HP
Harvard Health Publications — Overdosing Acetaminophen
MedLine Plus — Acetaminophen overdose
MedLine Plus — Hydrocodone Combination Products

The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Crack Cocaine

Posted on August 30, 2017 by dr-admin

Alcohol decreases a person’s fundamental ability to make sound decisions. As judgment, reasoning, and inhibition drop, a person is far more apt to make poor choices like using crack for the first time, or using large amounts within shorter periods of time.

Crack cocaine is intensely addictive, so much so, that according to CESAR a “A person can become addicted after his or her first time trying crack cocaine.” With this toxic drug cocktail your risk of overdose will always be higher, as is the chance that your body will experience other harm.

What Does Alcohol Do To Your Body?

Even though alcohol may make people initially feel more energetic, it’s actually a sedative or “downer.” When you consume alcohol it goes to work on your central nervous system (CNS) and begins to depress it or slow it down, hence why it’s also referred to as a CNS depressant.

As this occurs, your heart, breathing, and blood pressure rates all start to decline. The more alcohol you use in a shorter period of time, the more pronounced these effects. Alcohol greatly taxes a person’s liver and also affects their heart and brain.

How Does Crack Effect You?

Crack is a powerful stimulant. When a person uses crack their CNS speeds up (the opposite effect of alcohol) and their brain’s chemistry is immediately altered. Here, two things happen. First, as the CNS quickens, a person’s heart rate and other cardiac functions increase. Secondly, as their brain’s chemistry changes, and because crack is so powerful, they quickly begin to crave the drug.

Crack is far more potent than powdered cocaine, and thereby carries an even greater risk when abused. Despite this intense effect, the high or “rush” from crack is relatively short-lived (only about five to ten minutes).

To counter this brief effect, crack, like powdered cocaine, is often used in binges. This means a person keeps using the drug in rapid succession after the first dose, a practice which increases the risk of addiction, heart damage, and overdose.

Why Do People Use Alcohol And Crack Together?

The reasons are similar to most which fuel polydrug abuse. Some users ingest both because alcohol intensifies the high associated with crack. On the other hand, alcohol is often used to moderate the come-down associated with a crack high, or certain unpleasant side effects of the high itself, like twitching, tremors, or anxiety. Regardless of why a person chooses to use these drugs together, they are placing their life and health in a precarious position.

What Happens When You Use An “Upper” And A “Downer” Together?

Due to the opposing nature of each drug’s basic characteristics (one being a stimulant and the other a depressant) the drugs seem, at certain points, to cancel out the effects of the other.

This may lead a person to drink more because they don’t feel the intoxicating effects of the alcohol as acutely. Or a person may use more crack because the alcohol seems to balance out the heightened states associated with it.

Many users take these to be positive effects, when in reality they are anything but. This does not at all mean that your body is immune from the effects of the additional alcohol or crack. While certain effects may wane, the impact on other parts of your body and brain remain.

When you use both your CNS is caught in the middle of a dangerous tug of war which overburdens this critical system, as well as your heart. As your body is pulled quite literally from one extreme to the next in this way, your life is in jeopardy.

Alcohol And Crack Increase Your Risk Of Death

Both alcohol and crack, can, alone, cause overdose. Using these two drugs together increases the risk. As a person uses crack more frequently to fulfill their cravings, their CNS system becomes even more taxed, increasing the risk of overdose. This hazard is high when a person is binging on the drug, behaviors which increases when alcohol is present.

For individuals who aren’t accustomed to consuming alcohol with crack, the potential for a fatal overdose skyrockets. Alcohol can actually make it easier for your body to absorb cocaine, which increases the concentration of cocaine within your blood by 20 to 30 percent. From this effect, a person could overdose if they take an amount they are typically used to when using the drug alone.

In the instances where crack seems to “cancel” out alcohol’s effects, a person may continue to consume alcohol in pursuit of a buzz. The problem is that even though they don’t feel the alcohol, their body is still taking large amounts of it in.

Once the crack begins to wear off a person may become very intoxicated quickly, to the extent they get severe alcohol poisoning.

Also, research shows that cocaine as a whole has been linked to an increased risk of suicide when used with alcohol.

What Is Cocaethylene And Why Is It So Toxic?

When alcohol and crack cocaine enter your system within the same period of time their chemical components begin to react together, forming a new chemical called cocaethylene.

Cocaethylene itself has psychoactive properties that many users seek out even if they don’t realize it. This chemical has a longer half-life by three to five times compared to cocaine, which means it remains in your system longer, lengthening the euphoric state of the crack.

Cocaethylene has been associated with an increased risk of:

Cardiac complications: Various cardiac processes can malfunction from this chemical. The risk of heart attack climbs (especially in those under aged 40).
Liver damage: Since your liver metabolizes the two drugs to create cocaethylene, this organ can suffer substantial damage.
Seizures: Seizures can lead to bodily injury and head trauma, which could cause death.
Sudden death: Cocaethylene “carries an 18- to 25-fold increase over cocaine alone in risk for immediate death,” according to the Journal of Addictive Diseases.
Immune system: A compromised immune system makes it harder for your body to fight disease and infection and maintain an altogether healthful state.

Even though a user may feel the pleasurable effects for a more substantial period of time, the longer cocaethylene is in your system, the greater the opportunity it has to damage your body.

It is possible to treat two addictions at once. In these instances, inpatient drug rehab is typically the best choice for treatment.

Get Help For Alcohol and Crack Cocaine Abuse Today

If you or a loved one is addicted to both alcohol and crack, or experimenting with one while addicted to the other, don’t delay. Contact DrugRehab.org now to begin exploring your treatment options today.

For More Information Related to “The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Crack Cocaine” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

US National Library of Medicine — Effects Of Concurrent Use Of Alcohol And Cocaine
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics — Cocaine and Alcohol Interactions in Humans: Neuroendocrine Effects and Cocaethylene Metabolism

Is Alcoholism Genetic or Hereditary?

Posted on August 14, 2017 by dr-admin

Affecting over 1.5 million adults in the United States, alcoholism is one of the most prevalent addictions in the country. Alcoholism can be a fatal disease, sometimes ending in liver disease or cancer of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, liver, and breast. The fatality of alcoholism claims close to 90,000 lives each year, making it the fourth preventable cause of death in the United States.

With statistics as grim as these, many individuals are left wondering what factors influenced their alcoholism in the first place. Like many drug addictions, alcohol abuse can be triggered by a traumatic life event or major stressor, as well as environmental factors and elements of habit. But what about genetics? Genetics do play a role in influencing alcoholism in the next generation, however it may not be as large of a role as you would think.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a serious disease that affects millions of Americans. It can be defined as addiction to alcohol, or the inability to control the amount or frequency of alcohol consumption. Generally stemming from a history of alcohol abuse, alcoholism is on the most severe end of the spectrum of alcohol use disorder, as defined by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Alcohol abuse, which is generally a more manageable stage of alcohol use disorder, can lead into alcoholism if a lifestyle change or intervention is not taken at this point. Alcohol abuse is defined as reckless or risky behavior associated with drinking, heavy drinking or binge drinking, and planning events or activities around the consumption of alcohol. At this stage, a physical dependency may not be present, but a behavioral dependence and habitual addiction can quickly define your lifestyle. It is much easier to quit drinking at this stage than it is once alcoholism takes its toll.

Like alcohol abuse, alcoholism is not defined by the amount or frequency of an individual’s alcohol consumption, but rather the behavior associated with it. People who suffer from alcoholism may find that they are unable to control how much and how often they consume alcohol, and they may feel withdrawal symptoms after they stop drinking for a short period of time.

It is not uncommon for alcoholics to lie to close friends and family regarding their alcohol use, and often times they are able to function very well in their lives, even while drinking heavily. Physical dependence will be present at this point, and alcoholics will often tailor their lives to work around their alcoholism. The destructive behaviors of an alcoholic will often present themselves before the physical side effects can take their toll on the body.

Alcoholism is considered a disease, and for good reason. It not just a bad habit or lack of willpower, but rather an illness that can completely consume an individual, leaving them little control over their own lives. It is seen more frequently in adults with a history of childhood abuse or trauma, however can affect an individual of any background, race, age, or gender. It is also seen more often in individuals with a family history of alcoholism or alcohol abuse, however this can be traced back to environmental influence as well as genetics.

The Four Symptoms Of Alcoholism

There are four main symptoms of alcoholism that define the boundary between alcohol abuse and alcoholism. While these symptoms can have varying levels of severity, they are indicative of a chemical dependency the body has developed to the drug. These four symptoms include:

Cravings

A craving is a strong urge or desire to do or consume something. With alcohol, this urge can become more intense during times of high stress or emotion. This type of craving would be considered a coping mechanism, which means your brain responds to certain triggers with a desire to drown them out with alcohol. Cravings can make alcoholism difficult to overcome, as many emotions are tied to them and it is usually not as simple as saying “no, I will not drink that”.

Tolerance

Tolerance is generally a sign of the over consumption of any drug, as it indicates that the body has adjusted to a certain level of drugs in your system. When consuming alcohol for a period of time, your body will consider a certain level of alcohol to be the new ‘norm’, requiring more alcohol to reach a feeling of drunkenness. This can be a difficult cycle to break, as more alcohol is required to obtain the same feeling that brought an individual to drink alcohol in the first place.

Loss of Control

Loss of control can also be a sign of severe alcohol abuse, but is especially prevalent in alcoholism. With alcoholism, the chemical and behavioral dependency on alcohol is too great to overcome with willpower alone. It is not uncommon for alcoholics to report the inability to control their drinking despite a strong desire not to.

Physical Dependence

Last but certainly not least, alcohol is a physically addictive drug. It is so physically addictive that in some cases, withdrawal symptoms from stopping the consumption of alcohol can be severe enough to be fatal. While many aspects of alcoholism can be attributed to emotions and behavior, physical dependence is entirely chemical and cannot be helped through therapy or counseling. Often times, medical detox is recommended to help an individual detox from alcohol safely with as few health risks as possible.

Inheriting Genes vs Inheriting Habits

There have been many studies conducted in the United States regarding alcoholism and its relationship to genetics. While many of these results have been inconclusive, it has been established that alcoholism is indeed a genetic disease, but cannot be measured statistically like other genetic diseases because environmental, behavioral, and emotional factors play such a large role in the outcome of an individual.

According to a study done at the Indiana University School of Medicine, children with one or more alcoholic parents have a 2-4 fold higher chance of becoming an alcoholic as an adult. However, surveys performed by this same study indicate that less than half of these children actually develop alcoholism. According to Howard J. Edenburg who lead the study, the risk of alcoholism is shaped by two facts:

Risk is affected by genes
Risk is affected by choice

Arguably, the second fact is indicative of environmental factors chosen by the parent, as we agree that no one willingly chooses to become an alcoholic. Children of alcoholics not only share the same genes as their parents, but also the same environment. If a child sees a parent drinking openly and often, this can influence their perception of the role alcohol plays in the life of an individual.

It is not uncommon for children of alcoholics to come from a dysfunctional home, sometimes leading to abuse or emotional distress. These traumatic emotional triggers can contribute to the chances of developing a substance abuse issue or addiction down the road. Children of alcoholics are also more likely to partake in underage drinking, which can greatly increase the chance of developing alcoholism as an adult.

So is alcoholism genetic? The short answer is yes – to an extent. There has been a gene isolated that has a strong association with alcoholism. However, the effect of gene-environmental interactions must also be taken into account when considering the impact of alcoholism and genetics.

Get Help Today

If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one when it comes to alcohol abuse or alcoholism, the sooner you reach out for help the more likely you are to make a full recovery. Especially when taking a family history of alcoholism into account, professional intervention is often necessary to assist with safe detox from alcohol as well as inpatient therapy to treat the emotional and behavioral aspects of alcohol addiction.

Our addiction treatment specialists are experts when it comes to choosing an alcohol treatment program that fits your needs and expectations. Many of our programs can be custom tailored to fit you, which can lead to better outcomes and a full recovery. Our specialists are available to talk around the clock, and your call is always confidential. Call today and let us help you get started with your recovery.

For More Information Related to “Is Alcoholism Genetic or Hereditary?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

DrugAbuse.gov – Genetics of Alcoholism
Journal of Molecular Psychiatry – Genetics and Epigenetics of Alcohol Dependence
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – A Family’s History of Alcoholism
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Drinking Levels Defined
National Institute of Health – Genetics and Alcoholism

The Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

Posted on August 8, 2017 by dr-admin

Nearly every adult in the United States has drunk alcohol at one point or another. In 2015 86.4 percent of people ages 18 and older report having tried alcohol. Granted not every person who tries alcohol will ever get drunk, experience a hangover, or alcohol withdrawal. However,those who suffer from an alcohol use disorder will be more likely to experience all of those things.

There are currently around 15.1 million Americans with an alcohol use disorder, which is briefly defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as “a medical condition that doctors diagnose when a patient’s drinking causes distress or harm.”

The people suffering with an alcohol use disorder are actually among the minority. Most people are able to cease or moderate their drinking before it becomes a problem; others aren’t so fortunate. When a heavy drinker quits drinking, they may experience withdrawal and delirium tremens.

How Is Alcohol Withdrawal Dangerous?

Alcohol withdrawals are essentially the body’s way of removing chemicals and fighting against both the physical and mental addiction. Generally, alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a result of alcohol dependence, and become more intense based on the quantity and the duration of a person’s drinking.

Alcohol dependence can result from social, physical, and psychological variables. For the most part, the greater a person’s alcohol dependence becomes, the worse their withdrawal symptoms will be. Some of the other dangerous changes that can occur from alcohol withdrawal include cognitive function, and physical health.

Impaired Cognitive Function

As a person drinks heavily, the neurotransmitters in their brain (gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate), in an attempt to function properly, may take adaptive measures and actually go through changes to try to stay normal. When a heavy drinker stops drinking, these cognitive changes that have occurred are no longer adaptive, and may become largely responsible for alcohol withdrawals as they try to normalize.

Psychological withdrawals can also lead to seizures, and even greater complications with chronic memory disorders like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Impaired Physical Health

People don’t usually intend to become physically dependent upon alcohol, but it can occur for a multitude of reasons and result in a variety of health complications as well. Some of determining factors include regularly binge drinking, or using alcohol to cope with other issues. Physical withdrawals can include loss of appetite, profuse sweating, restlessness, and insomnia.

Alcoholism and alcohol use disorders may be better understood when compared to other chronic relapse diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. The truth is, like other diseases of this nature, alcohol withdrawal can actually increase the chances of relapse.

Relapse is the point when a person who has quit alcohol uses it again. The chronic nature of addiction “means that relapsing to drug abuse at some point is not only possible, but likely” (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

Withdrawal symptoms generally start as early as 8 hours after a the last drink.

Over the next 24 to 72 hours, the symptoms usually become a little less psychological and more physical. During this time, the symptoms can also become more intense, violent, and dangerous.

For the majority of people, withdrawal symptoms will be complete after about 7 days, and they will be able to move on with recovery from alcohol.

Psychological withdrawal symptoms may include:

anxiety or nervousness
depression
fatigue
irritability
jumpiness or shakiness
mood swings
nightmares
not thinking clearly

Physical withdrawal symptoms may include:

sweating, clammy skin
enlarged (dilated) pupils
headache
insomnia (sleeping difficulty)
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
pallor
rapid heart rate
tremor of the hands or other body parts

It’s important to remember that withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person, mostly due to the fact that not everyone’s drinking patterns are the same. It’s also important to note that alcohol addiction is a serious illness, and those suffering from it can greatly benefit from support and understanding.

What Is Delirium Tremens From Alcohol Withdrawal?

A person who’s been abusing alcohol for several years is more likely to experience increased heart rate, breathing, blood pressure as well hallucinations or seizures. These hallucinations are part of the final and most severe stage of alcohol detoxification better known as acute alcoholic withdrawal, or delirium tremens.

Delirium tremens is considered the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal and can include:

agitation
fever
seeing or feeling things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
seizures
severe confusion

“More than 90 percent of alcohol withdrawal seizures occur within 48 hours after the patient stops drinking. Fewer than 3 percent of such seizures may occur 5 to 20 days after the last drink” (NIAAA).

Delirium tremens is a medical emergency, and takes the lives of about 5 percent of patients who experience it. This number is significantly decreased with proper treatment, medications, and management of withdrawals.

How To Manage Alcohol Withdrawal

In summary, alcohol withdrawal is not only a result of a physical demand of the chemical, but also the cognitive function in trying to maintain normal function.

A lot of people will try to stop drinking abruptly, and even though their efforts have purpose and are no doubt with good intent, this method of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous, and can have unwanted results.

The act of flushing alcohol out of the system is known as detoxification, and there are trained professionals who understand how to do it safely. Whether it’s done in a clinical setting or an inpatient rehab center, a medically supervised detoxification will most likely be safer than doing it alone at home.

Along with professional assistance, detoxification may also necessitate a medication-assisted treatment. This can include use of naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal.

Detoxification is used to treat the physical addiction to alcohol, but is not considered a full addiction treatment. In order to treat the mental addiction to alcohol, a behavioral therapy or other treatment program will almost always be necessary.

Alcoholism is a disease of chronic relapse that a person may fight for most of their life. Even if they’ve been sober for 10 years, the disease is still there, and so is the slight possibility of relapse.

Addiction is not curable but it is treatable. Recovery is a lifelong journey, and most people will greatly benefit from inpatient rehab followed by the aftercare support that they have to offer.

Start Your Recovery Journey Today

Anyone suffering from alcohol withdrawal should be detoxed under medical supervision . Contact DrugRehab.org today to speak to an addiction specialist who understands what you’re going through, and knows how to get you the help you need to stop drinking today.

For More Information Related to “The Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Alcohol Facts and Statistics
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Complications of Alcohol Withdrawal
National Institute on Drug Abuse – Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
U.S. National Library of Medicine – Alcohol Withdrawal

What is “Wet Brain”?

Posted on July 12, 2017 by dr-admin

Characterized by hallucinations, unsteady gait, confusion, and amnesia, ‘wet brain’ is a degradation of the brain caused by a Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. Wet brain is also referred to as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome by the medical community. While a variety of factors can come into play when a patient develops wet brain, alcoholism is a common cause of the Vitamin B1 deficiency that can lead to the disorder.

What Is Wet Brain?

Wet brain is actually a manifestation of two conditions; Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Both Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis present symptoms of degradation of the brain, however Korsakoff’s psychosis affects memory impairment while Wernicke’s encephalopathy is characterized by visual and gait impairments. While these conditions can occur separately, they are commonly diagnosed together.

The first phase of wet brain is Wernicke’s encephalopathy. This phase is usually brief, however, the onset of its symptoms can happen quickly. Classic symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy can include:

Loss of muscle coordination leading to unsteady gait and leg tremors
Vision changes
Eyelid drooping
Confusion
Double vision
Loss of mental activity

Patients do not need to present all symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy to be diagnosed with the disorder. In some patients, the symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy may be mild and unnoticeable for the most part. If left untreated, it can cause coma or even death in many patients.

The second phase of wet brain is Korsakoff’s psychosis. Characterized by fast onset of memory impairment without any other decline in intellectual functions, Korsakoff’s psychosis develops as a result of the brain damage caused by Wernicke’s encephalopathy. The part of the brain that is damaged by Wernicke’s encephalopathy directly relates to memory creation and retention.

The symptoms of Korsakoff’s psychosis will generally develop once the symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy go away. These symptoms can include:

Amnesia
Loss of memory – from mild to severe
Making up memories or stories that never happened
Hallucinations
Inability to form new memories

How Does Alcohol Cause Wet Brain?

Alcoholism and chronic alcohol abuse do not directly cause wet brain, however they are the most common cause of wet brain. The brain damage associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is actually caused by a Vitamin B1, or thiamine, deficiency. Thiamine is required for the presence of several enzymes that assist in breaking down sugar and carbs into other energy molecules. The absence of this results in brain damage.

Because high levels of thiamine are stored in your heart, kidney, brain, and liver, prolonged or excessive amounts of alcohol consumption can prevent the absorption of thiamine into your liver or gastrointestinal tract. Excessive alcohol consumption can also have a negative effect on the thiamine currently stored in your system.

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse, however, are not the only causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Because the syndrome is actually caused by a thiamine deficiency, other sources of malnutrition can also be a cause of the symptoms. Eating disorders, starvation, AIDs, and cancer can also cause malnutrition and thiamine deficiency severe enough to cause Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.

Treatment For Wet Brain

Wet brain diagnosis will usually involve a series of tests including thiamine and other vitamin levels in the blood, CT or brain scans, liver function, and MRIs to measure for bleeding or tumors in the brain. Along with the results of these tests, cognitive and memory performance will also be measured to compare with the symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis individually.

Once wet brain is diagnosed in an alcoholic patient, a thiamine injection will be promptly administered in an attempt to get thiamine levels back up. While the thiamine injection can improve confusion and unsteady gait in a patient, any memory loss the patient currently suffers from will likely remain the same.

Immediate abstinence from alcohol is also recommended, along with a well balanced diet. Inpatient rehab along with other drug rehabilitation programs are highly recommended to ensure the proper detox of a patient suffering from alcoholism as well as to reduce the likelihood of a relapse down the road.

Without treatment, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome will likely result in death. With treatment, it is possible to control and improve some of the symptoms associated with the syndrome such as confusion and unsteady gait. If the syndrome is caught early enough, it is possible to administer treatment in time to help reverse some of the effects that have already started taking place.

Get Help

If you or a loved one suffers from alcoholism or the symptoms of wet brain, it is essential you seek out professional help. Wet brain does not always present itself in obvious ways, but it is very life-threatening. In certain cases, by the time it is diagnosed there is already permanent brain damage for the patient.

Our addiction specialists are standing by to take your call and offer more insight to the rehab programs available for alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Your call is always confidential, and we can get you started on the road to recovery. Call us today.

For More Information Related to “What is “Wet Brain”?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Organization for Rare Disorders – Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
The Scientific World Journal – Thiamine Deficiency Induced Neurochemical, Neuroanatomical, and Neuropsychological Alterations: A Reappraisal

Heroin and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination

Posted on July 11, 2017 by dr-admin

Every day in the United States novices try heroin or alcohol for the first time and every day each of these drugs claims lives of hundreds of people. Heroin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that can have a major impact on a person’s breathing and thus decrease their oxygen intake.

When heroin is concurrently abused with alcohol, also a depressant, the combination can be a lot more than what was bargained for; often causing overdose, coma, and even death. It takes a deeper look at this relationship of two depressants to fully understand the severity of it.

Understanding The Dangers Of Heroin And Alcohol Abuse

Heroin is derived from morphine, but about three times stronger and includes an acetyl molecule which allows the drug to enter into the bloodstream and brain faster. One concern with heroin abuse is that it depresses the respiratory system, which basically means that it slows the breathing—oftentimes to a dangerous level. When heroin is concurrently abused with alcohol, this curbed rate of breathing becomes more likely. This can be dangerous on so many levels, but knowing what the situation can provoke can enable you to save someone’s life.

Alcohol is known for the sort of energetic feeling it creates (at least at first), but the truth is that ethyl alcohol is actually a sedative that not only slows down motor function and reaction time of the brain. It also affects the heart and breathing rate. Alcohol, like heroin, is absorbed into the bloodstream.

When drinking alcohol on a full stomach, it can take several hours (on a full stomach) to reach the brain, because it’s absorbed through the small intestine and stomach. When a person injects or snorts heroin, it’s in the bloodstream almost instantly, and makes it’s way to the brain just as rapidly—at which point it changes back into morphine.

Not only is mixing heroin and alcohol dangerous on a physical level, but also on a mental level. Heroin is among the most addictive drugs known to man, and alcohol’s well-known to cause drug dependency and addiction as well. A rehab treatment has potential to help a person with dependence and mental addiction. When heroin and alcohol are used at the same time, the double-depressant combination can cause a chain of events and complications such as:

Slowed reaction time—which makes driving dangerous
When the brain is slowed down, the lungs slow down
Lightheaded due to slow or shallow breathing and lack of oxygen
Lowers heart rate from less oxygen to the brain
Depressed brain, lung, and heart rate can put a person in a coma
Comas can lead to further brain damage, causing problems with memory and other disabilities

Signs And Symptoms Of Alcohol With Heroin

It can be difficult to determine if someone is using alcohol and heroin at the same time, because the two substances can have similar symptoms—and the tell tale signs of alcohol abuse can often cancel out the indicators of another drug. Some of the signs you may look for if you believe someone is using heroin with alcohol, are drowsiness, decreased motivation, or frequent scratching as a side-effect of opiates. Some other signs to look for in heroin use are:

Having muscle and bone pain
Complaining about chills
Frequently throwing up
Insomnia or inability to sleep
Feeling nervous

Unlike alcohol, the signs of heroin abuse may be a little harder to pinpoint. If someone is using heroin, you might not know what’s wrong with them, or why they’re acting weird. From the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “heroin gives you a feeling of well-being and happiness. It also makes you feel like the world has slowed down. People on heroin think slowly and might move slowly. Heroin makes people feel sleepy, like they’re in a dream.

Heroin makes the pupils (the black circle in the center of each eye) get very small. A person who injects (shoots up) heroin will have marks on the skin where the needle went in.”

Heroin And Alcohol Overdose Statistics

As previously mentioned, mixing alcohol with heroin can increase the chances of overdose. In the United States, “between 2000 and 2015, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths more than quadrupled, and more than 12,989 people died in 2015” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Heroin use disorders usually start with abuse of prescription opioids, marijuana, and alcohol. The fact is that three out of four new heroin users report abusing prescription opioids before trying heroin.

Also in 2015, 26.9 percent of people 18 and older reported binge drinking in the past month. Why is this pertinent? Alcohol and heroin are deadly substances with potential to be even worse when mixed. It’s true and even though alcohol leads to nearly seven times the amount of deaths as heroin, when the two are combined it’s even worse.

Alcohol related deaths can include automobile accidents, alcohol poisoning, hepatitis of the liver, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and opiate/alcohol overdose. In fact, “an estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In 2014, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 9,967 deaths” (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).

The statistics of heroin and alcohol overdose are staggering, but there’s hope to fix this issue. There are a lot of caring professionals who understand the phases of addiction, and know how to help a person who’s struggling with substance abuse.

Detoxification And Other Treatment Programs

If you’ve established that you or someone you love has a dependency issue with heroin, alcohol, or both then you’re on the right path. Understanding that there’s a problem with drug abuse is the first step. The next step is figuring out a solution to the problem, and preparing for the road ahead. After a person stops using CNS depressants like heroin and alcohol, the withdrawals can be intense and a medical detoxification may be required. Some of the withdrawal symptoms experienced can include irritability, anxiety, depression, severe drug cravings, headaches, nausea, and seizures.

The reason a medical detoxification may be required is that the withdrawals from alcohol and opioids can actually be fatal—especially when the two are combined with one another. Detoxification can give a medical professional the adequate time needed to monitor a patient’s vitals and prepare them for behavioral therapy or whatever treatment comes next, but detox isn’t considered a full treatment. Detoxification only fixes the physical addiction.

The mental addiction from heroin and alcohol is a common ground for checking into an inpatient treatment. Behavioral therapy can be the answer to other emotional or mental disorders that often co-occur with substance use disorders and addiction. In a rehab center, substance use disorders and addictions are treated with treatment programs like medication assisted therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, contingency management, group therapy, and support groups.

How To Find A Treatment That Works For You

Contact DrugRehab.org today to speak with an addiction specialist about drug or alcohol addiction. Learn more about the dangers of Heroin and Alcohol by clicking the link below.

For More Information Related to “Heroin and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse – Heroin

How Common is Alcohol Abuse?

Posted on June 19, 2017 by dr-admin

Alcohol is a legal and easily accessible drug in the United States, but it does not come without its issues. Despite its legality, alcohol can cause a list of diseases and destructive behaviors to those who do not consume it responsibly.

Determining what a responsible amount of alcohol is can be a tricky and often double-ended question. Alcohol can affect individuals in vastly different ways depending on family history, environment, and even genetics.

With the exception of a brief prohibition in the 1920’s, alcohol is a widely accepted adult beverage in the United States. Because of this, it can be difficult to spot if a loved one is suffering from alcohol abuse. It is more common that you may think.

What is Alcohol Abuse?

To determine if a loved one is suffering from alcohol abuse, it is first important to understand what alcohol abuse is. Alcohol abuse can present itself in many forms, but the underlying issue revolves around an individual’s behavior when it comes to alcohol consumption.

Individuals who abuse alcohol often take unnecessary and sometimes dangerous risks while drinking. Those who make risky decisions such as deciding to drink and drive instead of getting a ride home, or making aggressive contact with another individual while under the influence of alcohol are often signs of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol abuse can also present itself with neglect for other aspects of an individual’s routine. For example, calling into work because of a bad hangover or missing a deadline to go out and drink can be telling signs of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol Abuse vs Alcoholism

Simply put: the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a matter of severity. While both conditions can lead to devastating results, alcoholism is a more severe form of alcohol abuse that has turned into alcohol dependence.

Alcoholism is considered a disease, and rightfully so. With this degree of alcohol abuse comes a dependence on alcohol that can completely dominate an individual’s life. An alcoholic has little to no control over the amount and frequency of alcohol they consume. Despite negative consequences, getting their next drink can consume their livelihoods. It is not uncommon for individuals suffering from alcoholism to ignore financial, social, and professional responsibilities as a result of their drinking habits.

While alcohol abuse is not as severe as alcoholism, it can still take over an individual’s life. The risky behaviors and drinking habits of someone who abuses alcohol makes them increasingly prone to alcoholism. The risky habits associated with alcohol abuse can also turn deadly very quickly, or at the very least lead to broken relationships and even jail time.

With alcohol abuse there is still a good chance to turn things around and change the role alcohol plays in your life. Choosing friendships and activities that are not centered around drinking or going out to the bar can distance the relationship you have with alcohol and help put you back in the driver’s seat of your own life.

Who is at Risk for Alcohol Abuse?

So who is at risk for alcohol abuse? The short answer is: everyone. Alcohol abuse can affect any race, culture, age, or gender. However, there are some individuals who are more likely to abuse alcohol than others.

According to Mayo Clinic, the following factors can increase an individual’s likeliness to abuse alcohol:

A family history of alcoholism or alcohol abuse
Drinking at a young age
Relationships that encourage drinking
Prolonged periods of drinking on a regular basis
Environmental factors (i.e. viewing alcohol as ‘glamorous’)

The stereotypical college lifestyle is a common portrayal of alcohol abuse, but it isn’t always this blatant. Alcohol abuse could be as simple as your friend choosing to drive home after ‘only a couple beers’ even if they have a sober ride home offered to them. Aggressiveness or a tendency towards criminal behavior while drinking could also indicate alcohol abuse.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 37.9% of college students in the age range of 18-22 reported binge drinking, and 12.5% reported ‘heavy use’ of alcohol. Both of these categories are classified as alcohol abuse, which can put these populations at a higher risk for alcoholism later on in life. It is estimated by this survey that 20% of college students in the United States meet the criteria for alcohol abuse.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is by no means limited to the college aged population. There are many individuals that abuse alcohol and it can go unnoticed to friends and family.

If you suspect a friend or family member is abusing alcohol, it is important to look closely for the signs related to alcohol abuse. Keep in mind this is much more about their behavior surrounding the consumption of alcohol, and not necessarily limited to the amount of alcohol they consume.

Some common signs of alcohol abuse can include:

Taking unnecessary risks while drinking alcohol, such as driving drunk
Missing deadlines or priorities due to drinking or hangovers
Planning all or most activities around the consumption of alcohol
Depression, or change in mood or mental health
Associating drinking with emotions, such as stress or anger
Continuing to drink heavily several nights in a row

Get Help

Alcohol abuse can affect anyone, no matter what their demographic may be. If you suspect a loved one is suffering from alcohol abuse, or if you believe you have some symptoms of alcohol abuse, it is important to learn about what treatment options are out there.

Alcohol abuse is a battle no one should have to fight alone. Contact one of our treatment specialists today. All calls are 100 percent confidential.

For More Information Related to “How Common is Alcohol Abuse?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation – What is the Difference Between Alcohol Abuse and Dependence?

What Is A Brompton Cocktail Addiction?

Posted on June 8, 2017 by dr-admin

Addiction may not always come as a surprise—if you use substances recreationally, you may be aware of the risks that come with them. But what about those drugs that are prescribed for conditions like severe pain and relief from suffering? Some prescription drugs are highly addictive and pose a high risk of abuse, and this is especially true when people are taking them to relieve pain.

The Brompton Cocktail is a combination of several substances originally developed to help people manage severe pain. The idea of mixing substances to help people who are suffering in extreme pain isn’t new.

The medical field has been using powerful pain-relieving combinations for centuries. The combination that was the ancestor to the Brompton Cocktail, mixing morphine and cocaine, may have began as early as the nineteenth century.

What’s A Brompton Cocktail And How Is It Used?

As previously mentioned, the Brompton Cocktail consists of a few different substances, meant to give ultimate relief from pain. Traditionally, the Brompton Cocktail consisted of morphine or heroin, cocaine, and a highly pure form of ethyl alcohol (or gin). Sometimes, the mixture also contained an anti-nausea agent, such as Thorazine.

The Brompton Cocktail was originally used to treat patients with agonizing pain conditions, but also came to be used for relief of symptoms in patients with terminal diseases, like cancer. This elixir isn’t as commonly used in present day.

However, this mixture has become popular in recreational use. Now, the name Brompton Cocktail refers to any mixture that contains alcohol, an opioid (like heroin or morphine), cocaine, and/or phenothiazine (a tranquilizer).

Why Is The Brompton Cocktail Addicting?

Using the Brompton Cocktail as a form of relief for someone suffering with a terminal disease can be quite helpful. Using it recreationally, though, can be dangerous. Why?

Each of the substances within the cocktail have a different effect:

The opioid provides nearly instant pain relief and calm, relaxing feelings
Cocaine, a stimulant, produces feelings of euphoria and well-being
Alcohol, a depressant, also produces anti-anxiety types of feelings and slows brain and motor functions

These substances are each highly addictive on their own. When you combine them, you’re at heightened risk for the dangers associated with them. All of these substances come with their own side effects and consequences, and addiction falls in both categories.

Opioids, cocaine, and alcohol all have immediate effects on your body. You get instant relief, in different ways and from different symptoms, but relief nonetheless. The result is that your body likes this relief, and your brain changes communication pathways because of it. You then start to seek the substance more and more, forming a habit, and after time, addiction.

Dangers Of Addiction

Addiction is dangerous because it consumes you. When you become addicted to a Brompton Cocktail mixture, you’re not just addicted to one substance, but several. And addiction makes you not think the same way you used to. Instead, you begin seeking the substance at any cost.

As you might guess, compulsively seeking substances can have some dire effects on your health and on your life. Each substance affects your health in different ways, but addiction to any substance can change your life from very minor effects to changes that make it hard to live your daily life.

Some of the ways addiction can alter your life include:

Changes to personal relationships
A toll on finances
Decreased performance at school or work
Loss of job or career
Permanent changes to health, affecting daily life
Lack of interest in things you used to love
Compulsive substance-seeking that doesn’t allow for much else

Consequences Of Substance Abuse: Opioids, Cocaine, And Alcohol

Addiction can cause so many consequences in your life, and one of the biggest of these is the effects to your health. Each of the substances in the Brompton Cocktail is highly addictive, which means it changes your brain chemistry to make you addicted.

But abuse of opioids, cocaine, and alcohol also greatly affect your health. Just a few of the consequences of these substances includes the following:

Opioids: this group includes powerful pain relievers and the illicit drug, heroin. Consequences include collapse of veins, infection in your heart lining or valves, pus-filled, swollen tissues, chronic constipation and stomach cramps, development of liver or kidney disease, and lung troubles, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Cocaine: Long-term effects of cocaine abuse depend on the method of administration. Taken by mouth, these include reduced blood flow and bowel decay. By snorting, these include nosebleeds, loss of sense of smell, chronic runny nose, and troubles swallowing. By injection, effects may include high risk of contraction of infections and infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis and HIV, and risky sexual behavior that could lead to contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Alcohol: prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to liver problems, vision problems, and increase risk of development of cancer, among other issues.

What Treatment Is Available For Brompton Cocktail Addiction?

Treatment for any type of addiction has to be comprehensive. Addiction doesn’t just affect your physical health, but actually changes the way you think and behave, so treatment for it must address these changes and work to better them. This is especially true when dealing with addiction to more than one substance.

Addiction to opioids is different from addiction to cocaine, which is different from addiction to alcohol. At our rehab centers, we offer unique healing that works to address the differing symptoms and conditions of any and all substance use disorders. How do we accomplish this? By utilizing a multidisciplinary approach.

In short, this means we use several methods of treatment for well-rounded results. Counseling helps you work through troubling thoughts and emotions (healing of the mind). Behavioral therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) help you replace suppressive behaviors associated with addiction with new, positive behaviors.

Medication assisted therapy can help you safely detox from use of substances. Since opioids, cocaine, and alcohol all come with uncomfortable bouts of withdrawal, this is an important part of Brompton Cocktail addiction treatment.

Finally, the best treatment results you’ll get can be found at inpatient, private rehab centers like the ones you’ll find at DrugRehab.org. Our rehab centers offer a superb quality of care that can be the difference between simply recovering and actually getting well.

Find The Best Rehab Center Today

The Brompton Cocktail is a powerful concoction, and addiction to it can be dangerous since it contains multiple addictive substances. You may have become addicted to this mixture because, after years of abuse, you built up a tolerance and now are scared about what will happen if you stop taking it.

When you enter drug or alcohol rehab, you don’t have to live in fear any more. We can help you find the rehab center that will work with you to design a program that fits your needs. Contact us today at DrugRehab.org to learn more.

For More Information Related to “What Is A Brompton Cocktail Addiction?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Drug Free World—What Are Opioids?
National Institute On Drug Abuse—DrugFacts: Cocaine
National Institute On Drug Abuse—DrugFacts: Heroin
U.S. National Library Of Medicine—Alcoholism And Alcohol Abuse

What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal?

Posted on April 3, 2017July 19, 2017 by dr-admin

Regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol and binge drinking can lead to alcohol withdrawals; these can be pretty painful and uncomfortable to go through. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary, but for the most part they will be done in a few weeks. In severe cases, you might experience delirium tremens. A safe detoxification from alcohol should include a healthy diet, plenty of fluids, rest, and sometimes a medication-assisted therapy— which would be monitored by a professional.

If you’ve experienced a hangover, then you probably know what it feels like to have that throbbing headache and feeling of complete agony—and nothing… not even a huge breakfast, gallon of orange juice, and pot of coffee, seems to help. “Physical symptoms of a hangover include fatigue, headache, increased sensitivity to light and sound, redness of the eyes, muscle aches, and thirst” (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism -NIAAA).

Though hangovers are not to be confused with alcohol withdrawal—and sometimes when the previously described symptoms of a hangover carry on for several days, it is no longer a hangover but actually alcohol withdrawal. Though binge drinking and alcoholism contribute to hangovers and withdrawal; withdrawals are more than just dehydration and a headache.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Withdrawal can be extremely painful, uncomfortable, and the prolonged symptoms can go on for several weeks, but he first symptoms are usually gone within 24 to 48 hours. These can include:

Headache
Tremor
Sweating
Agitation
Anxiety
Irritability
Nausea
Vomiting
Heightened sensitivity to light and sound
Disorientation
Difficulty concentrating
Transient hallucinations (in more serious cases)
(NIAAA)

“The signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically appear between 6 and 48 hours after heavy alcohol consumption decreases” (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). In more severe cases of alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens can occur; these are extremely hard to deal with and can be absolutely terrifying—they can actually lead to seizures.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “delirium tremens, the most intense and serious syndrome associated with alcohol withdrawal, is characterized by severe agitation; tremor; disorientation; persistent hallucinations; and large increases in heart rate, breathing rate, pulse, and blood pressure. Delirium tremens occur in approximately 5 percent of patients undergoing withdrawal and usually appear 2 to 4 days after the patient’s last use of alcohol.”

Alcohol Is A Dangerous Drug

By definition a drug is a substance which has a physiological effect when introduced into the body. Alcohol, even though it’s legal, is a drug. So dangerous, that even though alcohol isn’t listed as a schedule I drug by the DEA, alcohol poisoning is responsible for the death of 6 people every day in the United States.

That’s a 2,190 people each year, and statistically, about 76 percent of those are men. Not only is alcohol killing people by poisoning them, it’s also killing them in fatal car accidents; and “every 2-hours, three people are killed in alcohol-related highway crashes” (United States Department of Transportation).

In The United States—What’s The Total Number Of Deaths By Alcohol?

At the end of the day, alcohol is the “fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States” (NIAAA). Alcohol was responsible for about 88,000 deaths in 2014, and because of it’s availability and potential for addiction—the statistics of withdrawals, hangovers, drunk driving deaths, alcohol poisoning, and brain damage aren’t going anywhere.

How Does Alcohol Affect The Brain?

Surely with slurred speech, stumbling, and memory loss—there has got to be something going on with the brain when a person gets drunk, right? Well this is actually confirmed by the National Institute of Health, and “alcohol not broken down by the liver goes to the rest of the body, including the brain…

Alcohol can affect parts of the brain that control movement, speech, judgment, and memory. These effects lead to the familiar signs of drunkenness: difficulty walking, slurred speech, memory lapses, and impulsive behavior.” This stuff adds up, and a brain can take a beating from a lifetime of alcohol abuse.

Treatment Of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

As alcohol is removed from the picture, your body wants more of it. Alcohol withdrawals typically happen in adults, however, in some cases it can occur in teenagers as well. “The more you drink regularly, the more likely you are to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. (Additionally) You may have more severe withdrawal symptoms if you have certain other medical problems” (U.S. Library of Medicine).

The road to recovery starts with treatment of the initial symptoms, and though it won’t be easy, thinking of the bigger picture can help. In a professional setting, treatment of alcohol withdrawals starts off with a detoxification. When a person is detoxing, they are actually pushing the drug out of their system which can lead to physical and mental withdrawal—alcohol withdrawal is actually a reaction to detoxing.

Some prefer the clean diet for detoxing, and along with a healthy amount of vitamins, a person should be drinking a significant amount of water to replace the amount of sweat they’re producing as a result of withdrawal symptoms.

Medication-Assisted Treatment For Alcohol Withdrawals

In some cases, if a person’s withdrawals are so severe that delirium tremens and hallucinations have taken over their mind, a pharmacological intervention will be necessary. Some of the different medication-assisted treatment methods for alcohol withdrawal are—benzodiazepines, antiseizure medications, and adrenergic medications; though some may get by with aspirin or ibuprofen.

Why Inpatient Treatment Is Important For Detoxing

“Inpatient detoxification provides the safest setting for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, because it ensures that patients will be carefully monitored and appropriately supported” (NIAAA). Inpatient treatment is also helpful in that it will keep a person in a drug and alcohol free environment to begin recovery. The first weeks in recovery can be pretty stressful—working with professionals at an inpatient rehab facility can help ensure that you are taking the safest route to a brighter future.

What Can Inpatient Treatment Include?

“People with moderate-to-severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may need inpatient treatment at a hospital or other facility that treats alcohol withdrawal. You will be watched closely for hallucinations and other signs of delirium tremens.

Treatment may include:

Monitoring of blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and blood levels of different chemicals in the body
Fluids or medications given through a vein (by IV)
Sedation using medicines until withdrawal is complete”
(U.S. National Library of Medicine)

More About Alcohol Use Disorders And Alcoholism

There are millions of people in the world who suffer from alcohol use disorders and alcoholism. For them, it might be hard to understand that getting drunk on a regular basis isn’t considered normal behavior. Some people reach a certain point in their drinking career where they decide to quit—perhaps they quit because they get a new job, or because they experience health complications, or because they have had enough.

A person suffering from alcoholism doesn’t have this luxury, and they will have a had time quitting on their own. This is because alcoholism is a disease characterized by a person’s inability to stop drinking once they have started, even when a circumstance like the loss of job, illness, or divorce is on the line. It’s a mental phenomenon of craving…

How To Get Help For Alcoholism Or An Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol withdrawals are dangerous to try to defeat alone, but sometimes outpatient treatment will suffice. For the most part, if you’re at the point of fear and anxiety, don’t give up hope. Contact us today at 1-833-473-4227 to learn more about treatment for alcohol withdrawals. Alcohol doesn’t have to win the fight this time.

For More Information Related to “What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Alcohol Poisoning Deaths
Drug Enforcement Administration – Drug Scheduling
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Alcohol Facts and Statistics
National Institute of Health – Alcohol Abuse and Older Adults
United States Department of Transportation – Drunk Driving by The Numbers | Bureau of Transportation Statistics

How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?

Posted on March 30, 2017July 19, 2017 by dr-admin

Alcohol moves through the body as does any substance: through a process called metabolism. Though this process works the same for everyone, many factors influence the rate (how fast it works) and effectiveness. When people abuse alcohol, they may build up a tolerance, or no longer feel the effects of it.

This is why it’s important to know how long alcohol stays in your system. People who expose their bodies to prolonged abuse may not feel the effects of alcohol, but the amount consumed remains the same. The body can only break down alcohol at a certain pace; increasing drinking amounts also increases chances of adverse health effects.

Our bodies can process one ounce of alcohol per hour. After consuming one ounce of alcohol, our bodies generally experience an increase in blood alcohol content (amount of alcohol in the blood) to 0.015. This means that with every passing hour, that amount of alcohol leaves the body.

To put it in perspective, if you drink four ounces of alcohol, it will take four hours to leave the body. This timeline may be different for those consuming large amounts of alcohol, though. Many factors influence how quickly alcohol is processed, including how much you drink at one time. When someone starts drinking heavily, the liver can’t keep up, and breaking down alcohol becomes a difficult process.

In fact, after a certain point, your blood and tissues begin to absorb the extra alcohol. This is when you start to experience adverse effects, like confusion, depression, disorientation, memory gaps or loss, nausea, and vomiting.

Alcohol stays in the urine for 12 to 36 hours, though some tests can detect the presence of alcohol for up to 48 hours. Breath tests may detect it up to 24 hours after consuming the last drink.

How Is Alcohol Metabolized?

Our bodies metabolize alcohol in several ways, the largest of which involve enzymes. Enzymes are substances already in our bodies that help break things down. The two most common enzymes are called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Steps in the metabolic process:

ADH breaks down alcohol to a toxic byproduct/carcinogen called acetaldehyde.
Acetaldehyde breaks down to a further byproduct that is less active: acetate.
Acetate breaks down to water and carbon dioxide so the body can get rid of it.

Other enzymes may also play a role in metabolizing alcohol, but ADH and ALDH do the most work. The majority of the breakdown of alcohol occurs in the liver, though tissues, the pancreas, and the brain also aid in this process.

If the body has a specific process for breaking down any substance, including alcohol, you may wonder why alcohol can still be damaging to health. The answer lies in the toxic byproduct, acetaldehyde, as well as heavy drinking.

The NIAAA explains, “although acetaldehyde is short lived, usually existing in the body for only a brief time before it is further broken down to acetate, it has the potential to cause significant damage.” Damage from this byproduct is found in the liver, and is also apparent in the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system).

Factors That Influence Metabolic Rate

Alcohol abuse may affect your health because even though your body can break it down, it can only metabolize so much per hour, no matter how much you drink. Drinking heavily or frequently can cause problems for your system, especially your liver.

One major factor that influences metabolic rate is genetics. Different people may have different variations of the ADH and ALDH enzymes. These variations account for difference in ability to break down alcohol: some enzymes work slowly, others quickly.

The way a person’s enzymes work greatly affects metabolism. The NIAAA explains, “a fast ADH or a slow ALDH enzyme can cause toxic acetaldehyde to build up in the body, creating dangerous and unpleasant effects that may also affect an individual’s risk for various alcohol-related problems—such as developing alcoholism.”

Recognizing how your body responds to processing alcohol may help you understand your amount of risk of alcohol abuse or addiction.

Other factors include:

Food:
- How much do you eat before, during, or after drinking
- What do you eat?
Weight:
- People who weigh more have more blood and water in their bodies, which helps them absorb alcohol
Medications:
- Certain medications can react with alcohol in adverse ways
Gender:
- Women tend to have less water and more fat in their body, so do not metabolize alcohol as fast as men
- Hormone differences between women and men can affect metabolic rate; high hormone levels may affect the liver’s ability to process alcohol

Health Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

Short-term effects of alcohol abuse can leave people sick with nausea and disorientation, or confused from blackouts (memory gaps). Prolonged abuse, and addiction, can be detrimental to your health.

Alcohol abuse and addiction increases your risk of developing many health complications, including:

Cancer: breast, colon or rectum, upper respiratory tract, liver
Liver disease: the NIAAA states that more than 90 percent of people who drink heavily develop fatty liver disease; others will develop the more severe alcoholic liver disease or liver cirrhosis
Pancreatitis: heavy drinking alone may not cause this, but can greatly contribute

Signs Of Alcohol Addiction (Alcoholism)

Alcohol abuse, or heavy drinking, may lead to addiction. What’s the difference between abuse and addiction? Abuse of alcohol is characterized by developing habits associated with drinking, such as slipping in attendance at work or performance in school.

Abuse can cause a person to begin doing things he or she may not have done before. This can range from lying about drinking to driving while under the influence, though the person knows it is dangerous.

Addiction can result when the person’s brain becomes addicted to the feelings experienced when drinking. Some signs of alcohol addiction, also called alcohol use disorder or alcoholism, are:

Inability to stop drinking, even if you want to and know the risks
Feeling a “need” to keep drinking
Tolerance: needing to drink more to get the same effect
Withdrawal: experiencing physical symptoms when quitting drinking, like nausea, headache, and anxiety
Shirking obligations and activities to drink
Continuing to drink, even if it causes problems in relationships, at work, school, or other social groups

Treatment For Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse has been around for centuries, and treatment has improved immensely in recent decades. One challenging part of treatment is detoxification. To heal, your body must first rid itself of chemicals built up from prolonged abuse.

After that, healing can begin. Different forms of therapy can help addicted individuals learn to cope with the struggles of addiction. Counseling can help you work through the difficult emotions and thoughts. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can help people recognize their own capabilities, how to use them, and structure the environment around them to foster a life of sobriety.

Many rehab centers offer advanced, evidence-based approaches to treatment. New, effective ways to treat people struggling with alcohol abuse and addiction include gender-specific therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, alternative therapy such as wilderness and adventure therapy, and holistic therapy.

Whatever treatment you choose, the method should be comprehensive, targeting not just addiction symptoms but helping you achieve long-term success in sobriety.

Reach Out And Find Treatment Today

Alcohol remains one of the most commonly abused substances in the United States. If you abuse it for too long, you risk developing addiction. Years of abuse or addiction can lead to many damaging health effects.

Don’t let addiction rule your life. Contact us today at DrugRehab.org and find out how you can find a treatment plan that is right for you at one of our renowned rehab centers.

For More Information Related to “How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Brown University—How Does Alcohol Move Through The Body?
National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism—Alcohol Metabolism
National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism—Alcohol Use Disorder
University Of Minnesota—Blood Alcohol Concentration

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Posted on March 17, 2017July 20, 2017 by dr-admin

Heavy alcohol use can lead to problems such as liver and kidney failure, alcoholic hepatitis AH, cirrhosis of the liver and even death. Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to jaundice, and is often found with a fatty liver. Over 19,000 people died in 2014 from liver diseases like alcoholic hepatitis—and in severe cases, up to 50 percent of people with AH die within 30 days of being diagnosed. Once diagnosed, quitting alcohol will be essential to recover from liver diseases like alcoholic hepatitis.

Have you ever seen a person with yellow eyes, or yellow skin and wondered why? Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of different diseases and conditions like cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, and hepatitis. Hepatitis of any kind can lead to jaundice; which is yellowing of the eyes or skin. Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver (National Institute on Drug Abuse) and can typically be found along with a fatty liver, and cirrhosis.

Alcoholic Hepatitis Definition

The full definition of alcoholic hepatitis, is “a distinct clinical syndrome caused by chronic alcohol abuse and (often) carries a particularly poor prognosis with a 28-day mortality ranging from 30 to 50 percent. Although alcoholic hepatitis is an acute condition, nearly 50 percent of patients with alcoholic hepatitis have established cirrhosis at the time of clinical presentation” (National Center for Biotechnology).

Alcoholic Hepatitis Prognosis

Since alcoholic hepatitis is an acute disease, the signs and symptoms appear suddenly. The short-term prognosis (or course of the disease) isn’t usually very bad, however once the disease has really set in, the outcome can be worse. With alcoholic hepatitis, a thorough diagnosis and early treatment can be necessary for survival. “About 40% of the patients (with alcoholic hepatitis) are dead within the first 6 months after the detection” (U.S. National Institutes of Health).

Symptoms of acute alcoholic hepatitis are similar to acute alcoholism and—though “in multiple studies, the strongest factor predictive of short-term mortality was hepatic encephalopathy” (Medscape). Hepatic encephalopathy essentially means swelling of the brain which can cause delirium and altered consciousness.

Symptoms Of Acute Alcoholism

By definition, acute alcoholism is—intoxication resulting from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The syndrome is temporary and is characterized by:

Depression of the higher nerve centers
Impaired motor control
Stupor
Lack of coordination
Nausea
Dehydration
Headache
Other physical symptoms
(Medical Dictionary)

Signs And Symptoms Of Alcoholic Hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis is brought on by frequent excessive alcohol consumption, alcohol use disorders and acute alcoholism. It can lead to jaundice (yellowing of the skin) cirrhosis and even death. The problem with alcoholism is that it’s characterized by a person lacking control of his or her alcohol intake—even when their physical and mental health is deteriorating. Alcoholic hepatitis can also lead to intensified hangovers and withdrawals…

Symptoms Of Alcoholic Hepatitis And Alcohol Withdrawals

Mild to moderate symptoms include:

Irritability
Anxiety
Headache
Sweating
Tachycardia
Hand tremors with clammy skin

Severe symptoms include:

Delirium tremens
Hallucinations
Agitation
Convulsions
Fever
(National Center for Biotechnology Information)

Alcoholic Hepatitis Recovery Time

If the symptoms are found early enough, alcoholic hepatitis won’t be fatal, however there’s a 50 percent mortality rate for severe alcoholic hepatitis, which is usually anywhere from 30 to 180 days. There’s hope for treatment, if the disease is discovered soon enough—but drastic changes must be made in a person’s life to ensure that it doesn’t get worse. Hospitalization might be necessary, but not always.

First and foremost, alcoholic beverages must be completely cut out of the diet, which can prove to be difficult for a person suffering from a disease like alcoholism. Detoxification, medication-assisted therapy, inpatient rehab, support groups, and other treatment methods might be necessary to keep a person sober.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information NCBI, after cutting out alcohol “many patients continue to have ascites and evidence of significant liver disease; (though) some patients show a dramatic improvement.” So in conclusion—“Continuing alcohol consumption is a major factor that influences the survival of patients with alcoholic hepatitis” (NCBI).

Is Alcoholic Hepatitis Reversible?

“Fatty liver, the most common form of alcoholic liver disease, is reversible with abstinence. More serious alcoholic liver disease includes alcoholic hepatitis, characterized by persistent inflammation of the liver, and cirrhosis, characterized by progressive scarring of liver tissue. Either condition can be fatal, and treatment options are limited” (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Recovery from alcoholic hepatitis is based on an individual basis, and though some people can recover, others have liver disease that’s too advanced to cure. No matter which way you look at it, cutting out alcohol is an absolute necessity.

Alcoholic Hepatitis Vs Cirrhosis

Alcoholic liver disease was responsible for 19,388 deaths in the United States in 2014—which was about 10,000 more deaths than alcohol related fatal car accidents the same year. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC). Both stemming from liver problems, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver have similarities and differences.

Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver—which is usually brought on by excessive drinking, and is considered to be a medical emergency. Cirrhosis of the liver can be more of a chronic disease, is also brought on by heavy drinking, but characterized by the scarring of the liver tissue. In 2014, cirrhosis of the liver was responsible for 38,170 deaths in 2014 (CDC). So where alcoholic hepatitis can happen more suddenly, cirrhosis is brought on by years of alcohol abuse.

Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment

There are medical procedures that can aid in the recovery from alcoholic hepatitis. For example, someone with severe alcoholic hepatitis might be given an artificial liver, or a liver transplant to help with liver failure. “Patients with alcoholic hepatitis of mild to moderate severity can be treated in a primary care setting. In general, for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, observation by a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist is desirable, particularly if the illness is of sufficient severity or complexity to require intensive care” (Medscape).

Alcoholic Hepatitis—How To Find Treatment

Sometimes quitting alcohol can be difficult to do on your own, and even if health complications like alcoholic hepatitis come up, you don’t have to feel hopeless. Sometimes liver diseases don’t have to be a death sentence, but quitting alcohol will be necessary for getting your health back. If you or someone you care about is having trouble quitting alcohol on your own, Contact Us today at 1-833-473-4227 to talk to someone about alcoholic hepatitis and treatment. Alcohol doesn’t have to run your life anymore…

For More Information Related to “What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
Dictionary By Farlex – Medical Dictionary
Medscape – Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment and Management
National Center for Biotechnology Information – Definition, epidemiology and magnitude of alcoholic hepatitis
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Alcohol Alert
National Institute on Drug Abuse – Viral Hepatitis—A Very Real Consequence of Substance Use

What Are The Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?

Posted on March 15, 2017July 21, 2017 by dr-admin

Alcohol poisoning happens all around the United States, and affects high school and college students, and grown adults. When experiencing alcohol poisoning, a person may be incoherent, hypothermic, vomiting, or experiencing seizures. The most likely population to experience alcohol poisoning is men between 35 to 64 years old. Alcohol abuse and binge drinking are the largest contributors to alcohol poisoning, and 6 people die each day in the United States by overdosing on alcohol. There is most likely treatment near you.

Not every person gets completely loaded as soon as they’re old enough to (legally) drink alcohol—and not every person who drinks alcohol does it to get drunk; on the contrary, some people only drink to get drunk. Even though 11 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States is by minors, you might be surprised to learn that three in four deaths from alcohol poisoning are people 35-64 years old. Alcohol abuse and binge drinking are the biggest contributors of alcohol poisoning—not necessarily inexperience.

What Is Binge Drinking?

Alcohol abuse is better understood as drinking too much, drinking to get drunk, or drinking to cope with certain problems or situations in a person’s life. Binge drinking, on the other hand, has a more definitive meaning, and is the biggest cause of alcohol poisoning. In order to define binge drinking, we must first define a standard drink. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a standard drink is:

12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol content)
8-ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content)
5-ounces of wine (12% alcohol content)
1.5-ounces of 80-proof liquor (40% alcohol content) – (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)

For men, binge drinking is 5 or more standard drinks in 2 hours, whereas for women, binge drinking is 4 or more drinks in 2 hours. So binge drinking doesn’t only exist on college campuses, after your best friend’s wedding, or after your high school prom, it can happen with either veteran drinkers or underage drinkers.

Alcohol Poisoning Definition

Also known as acute alcohol intoxication and alcohol overdose, alcohol poisoning usually comes without warning. Sometimes it happens after a person decides to sleep off a hard drunk, which can be a pretty common scenario for teens and college students, but it can happen to just about anybody who drinks to excess. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, “alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose is caused by drinking too much alcohol too fast.”

By the medical definition, alcohol poisoning is “a condition in which a toxic amount of alcohol has been consumed, usually in a short period of time. The affected individual may become extremely disoriented, unresponsive, or unconscious, with shallow breathing. Because alcohol poisoning can be deadly, emergency treatment is necessary” (Medicine Net).

What Are The Critical Signs And Symptoms Of Alcohol Poisoning?

Sometimes alcohol poisoning isn’t obvious—and a person starts off with a slight buzz; then as the night progresses, they become more outgoing; this is often followed by even more boisterous and rowdy behavior if they continue drinking. After that, if they haven’t stopped yet, they may experience a blackout—which doesn’t necessarily mean that they will experience an overdose, but the chances will be much greater.

Here are some of the things to look for to determine alcohol poisoning:

Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or inability to wake up
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

What To Do In Case Of Alcohol Poisoning

If you think that someone might be too drunk, it’s important to keep an eye on them—a lot of people die in their sleep from alcohol poisoning. If your friend is unresponsive call 911, and try to turn them onto their side. Keep them sitting upright if they’re still awake, and get them to drink some water.

You could very well save your friend from death by alcohol poisoning—if you or your friend is a minor, they might get into a little trouble, but getting charged with a minor in possession is way better than being dead. They may wake up with a hangover, and a hazy recollection of the night before, but this is to be expected after binge drinking.

What To Do If I Suspect Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning?

Know the danger signals—
Do not wait for someone to have all the symptoms
Be aware that a person who has passed out may die
If you suspect an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help

What Can Happen If Alcohol Poisoning Goes Untreated?

Choking on his or her own vomit
Breathing that slows, becomes irregular, or stops
Heart that beats irregularly or stops
Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar), which leads to seizures
Untreated severe dehydration from vomiting, which can cause seizures, permanent brain damage, and death
(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Can You Die From Alcohol Poisoning?

Yes… “There are more than 2,200 alcohol poisoning deaths in the U.S. each year—an average of 6 alcohol poisoning deaths every day” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). When someone drinks until they’re wasted, they don’t have the same problem solving skills that they might have when they’re sober. So the most practical answer is just to pass out and sleep it off, right? No. Actually this can be pretty dangerous; sometimes a person can go into an alcohol induced coma—in their sleep.

More About Alcohol Poisoning Deaths In The United States

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “the majority of deaths are among non-Hispanic whites…American Indians and Alaska Natives have the most alcohol poisoning deaths per million people.”

Furthermore, 76 percent of those who die from alcohol poisoning are men. States, police, schools, and communities have taken action in spreading awareness to the youth with programs like Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

How Is Alcohol Poisoning Treated

If a person is brought into the hospital via ambulance, they will more than likely be brought to the emergency room, where they will take all necessary precautions. The staff will monitor a person’s vital signs after an alcohol overdose, but sometimes this isn’t enough for complete treatment and further measures must be taken.

Typically, medical professionals will insert a tube into a patient’s throat and down the windpipe to open their airway. In order to keep them from urinating freely, they will also need to insert a catheter into the bladder. To keep a person hydrated, and ensure that their vitamin levels are at a healthy level, a person will also need to be hooked up to an intravenous drip (or IV).

How Long Does Alcohol Poisoning Last?

A person’s body can metabolize about 1 standard drink per hour, but alcohol poisoning is a result of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. The duration of alcohol poisoning usually varies, and it depends on the severity of and the amount of alcohol in a person’s system and also a person’s metabolism. Sometimes, a person will be hooked up to what is known as a gastric lavage (or stomach pump) which can remove a substantial amount of alcohol much faster than it’s normally digested. Depending on all factors such as further injuries and complications, usually a person will be released from a hospital the next day after being brought in for alcohol poisoning.

Finding Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder And Alcoholism

It’s important to remember that alcohol abuse and binge drinking can lead to more problems than just alcohol poisoning. It can lead to alcohol dependence, alcoholism, injuries, kidney problems, liver problems, brain problems, automobile deaths, loss of job, being kicked out of school, failed relationships, dual diagnosis, or wet brain. Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave the hospital for alcohol poisoning treatment—sometimes that’s only the beginning, and detoxification and inpatient treatment need to be the best next step. It all starts with admitting that you have a problem.

If you’re concerned about alcohol poisoning and ready to quit alcohol, for the sake of someone you love or for yourself, and you would like to learn more. Contact Us today at 1-833-473-4227 to speak to one of our understanding professionals. We can help you get the treatment you need!

For More Information Related to “What Are The Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Fact Sheets – Underage Drinking
Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Alcohol Poisoning Deaths
Medicine Net – Medical Definition of Alcohol Poisoning
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Alcohol Overdose: The Dangers of Drinking Too Much

What Does Alcohol Do to Your Liver?

Posted on March 14, 2017July 21, 2017 by dr-admin

When drinking is involved, the liver can take quite a hit. The liver’s functions are vital for our body to live. Heavy drinking can lead to multiple types of liver damage including: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, or alcoholic cirrhosis. Continuation of heavy drinking can be fatal when the liver is concerned. If you are having signs and symptoms of a damaged liver from drinking, get the help you need.

Heavy Drinking And The Liver

Heavy drinking, especially in the media’s eyes, is promoted as fun and light-hearted, but what they don’t see is the truth behind their promotion of this type of lifestyle. While it doesn’t happen to all heavy drinkers, liver disease is a looming giant that affects the lives of many who drink heavily over the years. Scarring and cirrhosis can start to develope. The chances of getting liver disease skyrocket the longer alcohol is consumed–and the scary thing is, you don’t have to binge drink for this type of disease to occur. Family genetics can play a huge factor when it comes to liver disease, and women may develop this far easier than men.

Symptoms may pop up out of the blue for some people, or they could be a slow build. According to each person’s liver, it could be different, and how long and how often they have been drinking.

What Are Early Symptoms Of Liver Problems?

Fatigue and energy loss
Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
Belly pain or nausea
Poor appetite and weight loss

What Are Worse Liver Symptoms?

Fluid build up of the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites)
Confusion or problems thinking properly
Easy bruising and unusual bleeding
Redness on the palms of the hands
Yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes (jaundice)
In men, impotence, breast swelling, and shrinking of the testicles
Pale or clay-colored stools

What Does The Liver Do?

At the weight of 3.3 pounds, the liver is the biggest organ in the body. Located in the upper right and a part of the left abdomen, the liver resides. This organ is prominent for life to flow through our bodies. Blood is circulated properly through the liver, destroying toxins that build up.

Bile is released into the small intestine, in order for fats to digest, and to make them dissolved for absorption. The portal vein, from the small intestine, takes these nutrients to the liver, creating cholesterol, storing or metabolizing sugars, storing vitamins, processing fats, and distributes proteins in other places or in the liver. Converting the protein metabolism into urea for the kidneys to excrete, is another job of the liver, as well as regulating blood-clotting workings. To protect itself, the liver will organize a cellular arsenal or chemical as well. The liver is a very efficient, self-healing, organ that helps maintain many functions.

How Do I Protect My Liver?

Making lifestyle changes is key if you want to protect your liver from liver disease or damage from alcohol.

Talk to your doctor about all medicines you consume, including herbs and supplements and over-the-counter medicines.
Drink less alcohol.
Get vaccinated for diseases such as influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and pneumococcal pneumonia.
Eat a healthy, low in salt diet.

What Can Alcohol Do To The Liver?

Complications can easily form when it comes to alcohol and the liver. Drinking in heavy amounts can shorten your life. Bleeding, severe liver damage, and brain changes are a risk when it comes to heavy drinking. Cirrhosis is formed from scarring of the liver, and in some instances the liver’s damage will not heal if it’s too severe.

These are some of the things that can occur with alcohol and liver damage:

Mental confusion, change in the level of consciousness, or coma (hepatic encephalopathy)
Bleeding disorders (coagulopathy)
Enlarged veins in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines that bleed easily (esophageal varices)
Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and infection of the fluid (bacterial peritonitis)
Kidney failure (hepatorenal syndrome)
Increased pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension)
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)

Liver Disease

Far too many of heavy drinkers end up developing a severe liver disease. Heredity, diet, gender, and co-occurring liver illness have strong influences over cirrhosis and hepatitis. Liver damage is generally associated with alcohol metabolism, and can also be from the byproducts of alcohol as well. Over 200 years ago, liver disease and heavy alcohol drinking started to be linked together.

The top cause of illness and death from liver disease, in the United States, is heavy usage of alcohol. When alcohol is being broken down, within the liver, a variety of potentially toxic byproducts are created–called free radicals. Alcohol alone may not be the only reason for development of liver disease, but these free radicals have a huge part. The liver is an organ that regenerates itself, and it can take quite a bit of extensive abuse to wear it down. Roughly 72 ounces of beer, 8 oz of distilled spirits, 1 liter of wine, or 5-6 drinks a day for twenty years is what can cause much of this damage. For women, this amount can be only just one-fourth to one half of what it is for men.

What Are The Types Of Alcohol-induced Liver Damage?

When it comes to alcohol-induced liver damage there are several things to look at.

Fatty Liver

In nearly all heavy drinkers, there is a certain amount of fat deposition. Even in nonalcoholics, with a single drink, these fatty deposits can occur. Fatty liver is thankfully reversible, and doesn’t necessarily end up doing serious damage to the individual.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

To define what this means is simple: a widespread inflammation and destruction of the liver tissue. A buildup of scar tissue may start to overtake the thriving liver tissue; this is called fibrosis. Alcoholic hepatitis may show symptoms such as: jaundice, fever, or abdominal pain. This can be fatal, but can be reversed with sobriety. Up to 50% of heavy alcohol consumers end up with alcoholic hepatitis.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

This liver disease is the the most progressed form, and is discovered in 15 to 30 percent of heavy alcohol consumers. 40 to 90 percent of 26,000 yearly deaths from cirrhosis are linked with alcohol. When the liver is cirrhotic, it stiffens blood vessels and messes with the structure internally of the liver. This type of damage can lead to even more damaging results such as: damage to the kidneys or brain. Even though this type of liver damage is fatal, it can still improve with abstinence.

Though these three types of liver damage seem to go in order, an individual can develop cirrhosis without the other two. Though hepatitis may have a quick and rapid impact, becoming fatal before cirrhosis starts to happen.

Is Damage To The Liver Reversible?

The liver is an amazing organ, that heals damaged tissue with fresh, new cells–instead of scar tissue. An example would be, if a person took too many Tylenol, which can damage over half of an individual’s liver cells in a week’s time. The liver would generally repair the damage fully within a month, and that person would show no results of the damage done. The liver can get overly damaged though, especially when concerning an attack from drugs, a virus, or alcohol. This can lead to scar tissue which can result in cirrhosis.

You Don’t Have To Fight Alone

Facing liver damage does not need to be done alone. We are here to help support you or your loved ones with the effects of alcoholism. If you are experiencing liver damage symptoms reach out for help today. It’s never too late to get the help you or a loved one needs. Please contact us at DrugRehab.org today.

For More Information Related to “What Does Alcohol Do to Your Liver?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources
MedlinePlus – Alcoholic Liver Disease
nih.gov – Exploring Alcohol’s Effects on Liver Function

What Does Alcohol Do To The Brain?

Posted on March 13, 2017July 21, 2017 by dr-admin

Alcohol abuse and addiction affect the brain and body, but may have lasting effects on the brain. The impact of alcohol on the brain can range from moderate to severe. One of the most dire effects is memory loss and changes. DrugRehab.org can direct you to treatment resources who can help you overcome alcohol abuse or addiction.

Over seven percent of adults (ages 18 and above) in the United States had an alcohol use disorder in 2012, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). In addition, more than 850,000 youth ages 12-17 also suffered with the disorder. Abuse of alcohol is far-reaching, and it can have damaging effects to the brain and body.

From short-term effects like slurred speech and blurred vision to long-term effects, such as memory loss and brain damage, it is clear alcohol has a negative impact on the brain.

About Alcohol Abuse And Addiction

People seek use of alcohol for many different reasons. Some may be looking for ways to cope with stress, others may need relief from symptoms of mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Still others may feel that alcohol provides a sense of calm and relaxation unmatched by other substances or in life.

While plenty of people can have a drink or two without developing addiction, many don’t have this luxury. That’s because when abuse turns to addiction, a person is no longer the only one in control of their thoughts and actions; they are ruled by their addiction to alcohol. Addiction is a force to be reckoned with, and it doesn’t give up easily.

How Does Alcohol Work In The Brain?

The NIAAA explains that, “exactly how alcohol affects the brain and the likelihood of reversing the impact of heavy drinking on the brain remain hot topics in alcohol research today.” Here’s what is certain about how alcohol works in the brain:

Heavy drinking can have drastic effects, both short- and long-term, on the brain
The effects can range from small gaps in memory to damaging conditions which can permanently debilitate a person
Even moderate drinking results in impaired thoughts and actions

What Factors Influence The Effects of Alcohol?

How and to what extent alcohol affects the brain depends on a number of factors, including:

Amount:

How many drinks per day, or at one time?
How much alcohol is consumed over an extended period of time?

Frequency:

How often does a person drink?

Age:

When did the person first start drinking?
The person’s current age

Duration:

How long has the person been drinking heavily?
How long has the person had an addiction to alcohol?

Social factors:

Level of education

Family history:

Genetic background
Prenatal alcohol exposure
Family history of alcoholism

Personal factors:

Gender
Overall health

What Are The Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol?

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication system, changing the way it works. This change affects mood and behavior, as thinking becomes difficult and movement becomes slowed. Some short-term effects may include:

Blurred vision
Memory gaps (blackouts)
Slowed reflexes
Slurred speech
Trouble walking

Blackouts, or lapses in memory, are one of the ways alcohol affects the brain which cannot be explained. Blackouts can occur after only a few drinks, though memory gaps may continue to happen the more a person drinks. In fact, the NIAAA states that, “blackouts are much more common among social drinkers than previously assumed… regardless of age or whether the drinker is clinically dependent on alcohol.”

With such a drastic effect after moderate abuse, treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction can provide a welcome relief. DrugRehab.org can connect you with treatment resources.

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol?

Prolonged abuse of alcohol can result in serious and permanent damage to the brain. The damage can be caused by the alcohol itself or from the breakdown in the body after years of abuse.

For example, many people abusing alcohol also have poor health in general or extensive damage to the liver. Inadequate sleep, improper nutrition, lack of exercise, and perhaps co-occurring disorders (a second substance addiction or mental disorder) can all affect the degree of damage to the brain caused by alcohol.

One important way the extent of brain damage is affected by these things is lack of nutrients. When a person does not get the proper intake of nutrients, resulting in a deficiency, that person’s brain cannot function as it is meant to do.

Certain brain disorders may occur as a result of long-term alcohol abuse. One such disorder is called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. This syndrome occurs due to a lack of the nutrient thiamine in the body. As many as 80 percent of those with an alcohol addiction lack this nutrient, the NIAAA explains.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome can go one of two ways: it can be “short-lived and severe” or it can be debilitating. The short-lived, severe version involves confusion, troubles with muscle coordination, and paralysis of the nerves that move the eyes. With this version of the syndrome, a person may not be able to walk or direct his or her way around without help.

When this syndrome persists, and the deficiency is not remedied, addicted individuals can develop psychosis. This ultimately results in learning and memory issues. People with this version of the syndrome can have troubles both remembering whole parts of their lives as well as recalling conversations which happened only hours before.

Use of alcohol can quickly become abuse, and abuse turns quickly to addiction. Before addiction overtakes your health, seek the help you need and deserve. Inpatient treatment centers offer quality, professional support and care.

Who Is Affected By Alcohol Abuse And Addiction?

As with so many substances of abuse, no one is immune to the risks of alcohol abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that half the people in the United States ages 12 and older are “current drinkers of alcohol.” Women may be more affected by the effects of alcohol abuse, including damage to the brain, however men are more likely to report alcohol abuse overall. Though non-Hispanic white people account for the largest percent of people abusing alcohol, no demographic is unaffected by alcohol abuse.

Available Treatments And Where To Find Them

Abuse of alcohol has been around for centuries, and effective treatment has not always been available. In the past few decades, though, treatments have improved, largely thanks to inpatient rehab centers.

Some of the most effective methods are:

Many of these treatments and more are offered at our inpatient rehab centers. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, don’t wait until you experience lasting effects to your brain. Contact us today at DrugRehab.org to learn how to get into treatment.

For More Information Related to “What Does Alcohol Do To The Brain?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Centers For Disease Control—Alcohol And Public Health
Drug Free World—Short- And Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol
National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism—Alcohol’s Damaging Effects On The Brain
National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism—Alcohol’s Effects On The Body
Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration—Alcohol

The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on the Kidneys

Posted on February 27, 2017March 13, 2017 by dr-admin

The kidneys are responsible for removing excess waste and fluids from the body through the urine. Every single drug a person uses goes through your kidneys. Drugs like heroin, alcohol, and inhalants can cause kidney damage and failure “from dangerous increases in body temperature and muscle breakdown,” National Institute on Drug Abuse. A person suffering from a substance abuse disorder is at a greater risk for developing kidney problems.

Our bodies are made up of tools for every step of processing food, developing muscle, pushing out toxins, and recovering from illnesses. When foreign substances like drugs and alcohol, serving little purpose for the body, are added to our daily intake–they can cause damage to our bodies built in filters known as the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for removing excess waste and fluids from the body through the urine. Additionally, the kidneys aid in the production of red blood cells, regulating blood pressure, and balancing the level of minerals in the blood. Excessive sugars, salty foods, drugs and alcohol can lead to kidney failure.

“Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to adequately remove waste from your blood and control the level of fluid in the body. Kidney failure can happen suddenly or gradually. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a transplant to stay alive,” (Victoria State Government).

What Are The Signs Of Kidney Failure?

So abusing drugs and alcohol can lead to kidney failure and kidney disease–but what does this mean? According to the Victoria State Government, the symptoms of kidney failure can include:

Tiredness
Loss of Appetite
Difficulty Sleeping
Headaches
Lack of Concentration
Shortness of Breath
Nausea and Vomiting
Changes in the amount and number of times urine is passed.
Changes in the appearance of urine or blood in the urine.
Puffiness in the Legs and Ankles
Pain in the Kidney Area

Drugs That Cause Kidney Damage

Along with a tremendous list of adverse effects, drugs and alcohol can contribute to damage to vital body parts such as the liver, heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. Since the kidneys are used for removing waste from the body, much like the brain, liver, and heart, they see every drug on its way through the body. Some of the drugs that can cause kidney damage are:

Ibuprofen and Aspirin
Heroin
Cocaine
Alcohol
Phencyclidine–PCP
Amphetamines

Effects Of Heroin On The Kidneys

Heroin can indirectly harm the kidneys… Heroin use can start off with something as small as irregular bowel movements, but prolonged use can lead to serious infection from repeated injections, high blood pressure (leading to kidney failure), severe withdrawals, panic attacks, and death. As heroin is cut and sold, it is often laced with other less dissolvable substances that can cause even further problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this will “result in clogging the blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain.”

Short-term heroin use “can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and even death,” (National Kidney Foundation). Long-term heroin use can lead to liver and kidney disease–and even circulatory collapse and death.

Effects Of Alcohol On The Kidneys

The kidneys and the liver work together to process waste in the body; the waste products travel from the liver to the kidney and then out. Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis took the lives of 38,170 people in 2014… And about 10 to 15 percent of people suffering from alcoholism develop cirrhosis. Once the liver is tainted, the kidney function goes with it. When the liver isn’t doing its job, the kidney has to work double-time, and simply cannot keep up with waste management.

Chronic alcohol use has detrimental effects on the kidney which can lead to death. Alcohol use can also “disrupt the hormonal control mechanisms that govern kidney function. By promoting liver disease, chronic drinking has further, detrimental effects on the kidneys.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Alcohol abuse also leads to swollen kidneys, and larger than normal cells. Scientists discovered that under a microscope, after being fed alcohol, the kidneys had “increased amounts of protein, fat, and water.”(National Institute on Drug Abuse).

Effects Of PCP On The Kidneys

Phencyclidine (aka PCP, or “Angel Dust) is a hallucinogen which is typically ingested by snorting, smoking (by mixing with other drugs), or by injecting directly into the bloodstream. The kidneys are indirectly damaged through use of PCP, through high blood pressure. High doses of PCP lead to high blood pressure, which leads to damaged, hardened, or inflamed blood vessels in the kidneys; the kidneys then don’t get enough blood and are no longer supported. When the kidneys don’t get enough blood, they aren’t able to function as they should.

Effects Of Amphetamines On The Kidneys

Amphetamines can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and can include (but are not limited to) adderall, ritalin, methamphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA) and concerta. Amphetamines work by stimulating the central nervous system, and are often abused by people to get high. Drugs like adderall are commonly used in the “higher education” community as a sort of “academic cocaine”–college students abuse such drugs to increase information retention and stay awake without feeling tired.

Use of MDMA “can be associated with liver injury and distinctive forms of clinically apparent liver injury,” (NIDDA). In some cases, with chronic use of MDMA, hepatitis C with fibrosis was discovered in the liver. So, as previously established, damage to the liver means damage to the kidneys. Each organ in the body is responsible for doing its part–the kidneys deal with filtering the blood and regulating electrolytes, and maintaining fluid balance in the blood. If the liver isn’t doing its part–the kidneys are unable to function.

More On Substance Abuse And Addiction

Substance abuse adversely affects each part of the body–not just the heart, or the brain. Something that can be difficult to understand for a drug user, until it’s too late, is that regularly abusing drugs leads to addiction. Addiction can be a losing battle–and consequences to the liver and the kidneys can almost be expected as a result.

Treatment For Substance Use Disorders

Substance abuse disorders and addiction are treatable, even though they can seem hopeless, there is absolutely hope. Not every person who abuses drugs will have to get a kidney or liver transplant, but it’s always a possibility. If you are worried about your drug or alcohol use, or a person you know might be suffering from a substance abuse disorder–contact us today! Your body doesn’t have to suffer, call us for help.

For More Information Related to “The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on the Kidneys” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse- Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse
National Kidney Foundation – Which Drugs are Harmful to Your Kidneys?
Center For Disease Control – Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – The Epidemiology of Alcoholic Liver Disease
U.S. Library of Medicine – Phencyclidine Overdose