Gray Death Heroin Abuse In The United States

Posted on September 21, 2017 by dr-admin

Resembling chunks of concrete, or concrete mixing powder, gray death is a lethal combination of some of the most deadly opioids known to man. Samples have been found to contain the designer opioid drug U-47700 (“Pink”), heroin, fentanyl, and various fentanyl analogues. All of these drugs alone are deadly, together the fatal potential is staggering. Gray death is reported to have a potency 10,000 times greater than morphine.

The State Of Heroin Abuse In America

Heroin has an increasingly changing face in America. Once a drug which many thought was reserved to urban minority populations, recent findings suggest that heroin abuse knows no bounds. White suburbia has been largely impacted, with the greatest effects felt in young, male populations.

But with this rising use comes new risks. While heroin, like many street drugs, has always been cut with other materials, the substances within this drug today are game changers. Though some adulterants are by themselves fairly benign, like cornstarch or milk powder, more and more deadly opioid drugs are being mixed into heroin.

Fentanyl and carfentanil are two extremely potent opioids which have been wreaking havoc across our nation in increasing frequency over the past year. But now there’s a deadly new concoction in town: gray death.

What Is Gray Death?

In early 2017, an unidentified super drug began surfacing within the South, predominantly in Alabama and Georgia. Ohio and Pennsylvania have also witnessed this drug’s destruction. At the onset of this fatal trend, emergency medical staff and forensic chemists didn’t even know what it was, or what gave it its distinctive gray hue. Hence why Russ Baer, DEA spokesman said that “It’s mad science and the guinea pigs are the American public.”

The thing is, no two samples are guaranteed to be alike. In fact, the chance that two will be different is far more high than that two would be the same. This inconsistency makes gray death a lethal wildcard in the world of drug abuse. But despite this unpredictability, experts do know one thing: gray death is well-deserving of its name.

“These chemicals are all very potent and very deadly in isolation, but in the wrong hands … that’s a fast-track route to the morgue.” These chilling words, reported by CNN, come from someone who knows this world far too well. Donna Iula, director of forensic chemistry at Cayman Chemical is a scientist whose life’s work is focused on identifying unknown street drugs like gray death.

Why Is Gray Death In Heroin?

After reading this, you may wonder why in the world would anyone ever be possessed to add such a lethal drug to their heroin knowingly? The fact is, many people don’t even realize they’re exposed to gray death.

But some people do purposely lace heroin with other stronger drugs (like gray death) to increase the pleasurable effects they seek or to overcome a tolerance. An addicted person’s judgement is often impaired. Chronic drug use changes a person’s brain, and as a person becomes addicted, the pursuit of the next fix or high begins to outweigh anything else.

These people may think that “if heroin is a rush, then how could I make it even better?” But the thing is, lacing heroin isn’t making it better, it’s making it more dangerous. In these impaired states, a person may turn to gray death or another synthetic opioid, without understanding the fatal capacity the drugs have.

Drug dealers often cut heroin with other strong opioids to increase the potency and to hook potential buyers faster. But more often than not, users and drug dealers alike don’t even know exactly what they’re putting into their supply, especially when it’s a substance with so many variables like gray death.

Gray Death Drug Overdoses

Like many of its individual components, a minuscule amount of gray death can kill. This amount is so small that a person doesn’t even have to use the drug to overdose, or to die. Like fentanyl and carfentanil, gray death can cause almost instant, fatal overdose merely by drug-to-skin contact. It’s reported that it takes up to ten times the amount of Narcan, a life-saving overdose reversal agent, to save someone from a gray death overdose.

Now imagine if touching this drug can do this, what using it by itself or within heroin can do. No matter how you administer gray death-tainted heroin, you’re quite possibly writing your own death sentence. Injecting, snorting, or smoking it all place you in the crosshairs of fatal overdose.

In many cases users don’t actually seek gray death out. Here, these individuals may prepare a dose of heroin, believing it to only be heroin, when in actuality they’re moments away from subjecting their body to the ravages of gray death.

Law enforcement, first responders, and the unsuspecting bystander or loved one can also lose their life at the hand of gray death heroin, simply by touching it or an object that came into contact with it.

How Do I Protect Myself And My Loved Ones From Gray Death Heroin?

First, if you have any reason at all to suspect that your or your loved one’s heroin (or other drugs) is cut with gray death, do not touch it or use it. Also, do not touch any drug paraphernalia, surface, or article of clothing that may have came in contact with it. And more importantly, if you believe that you or someone near to you is in jeopardy of, or actively overdosing, contact emergency medical services immediately.

We understand that many users, and even family members, can be frightened of contacting law enforcement when an illegal drug is involved. This is the most oft-cited reason why people refrain from doing this very thing.

But please know this, making this call could be the difference between spending another day with your loved one and planning their funeral. “The chance of surviving an overdose, like that of surviving a heart attack, depends greatly on how fast one receives medical assistance,” this cautionary statement from the Drug Policy Alliance illustrates the impetus of prompt action.

How Do The Laws Protect Me?

Some counties offer protection to those who turn in heroin and other drugs. One example is in Ohio, which has in many ways been ground zero for synthetic opioid overdoses. Here, a Hamilton County judge passed a law granting immunity to those who turn in these drugs. Additionally, as of June 2017, 40 states plus the District of Columbia have written Good Samaritan Laws or the like into their state’s legislation, reports the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

So what protection do these Good Samaritan Laws provide? “These laws generally provide immunity from arrest, charge or prosecution for certain controlled substance possession and paraphernalia offenses when a person who is either experiencing an opiate-related overdose or observing one calls 911 for assistance or seeks medical attention,” writes the NCSL.

If your loved one is using heroin, there’s another life-saving call you can make: the one that gets you treatment. Researched-based, inpatient drug rehab programs are one of the most defenses against the opioid epidemic.

Take Action, Save A Life

At DrugRehab.org, we understand the countless ways the opioid epidemic is ravaging our nation’s families. If you’re concerned your loved one could be at risk for using gray death heroin, let us help. Our knowledgeable treatment specialists can connect you to more resources and the best treatment option for your needs. Contact us today.

For More Information Related to “Gray Death Heroin Abuse In The United States” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Fox News U.S. — Ohio county offers immunity to people turning in deadly drugs as heroin epidemic rages
National Conference of State Legislatures — Drug Overdose Immunity and Good Samaritan Laws
NBC News — What Is Gray Death? The Killer Drug Cocktail Is Latest Battle in War Against Opioids
NY Daily News — Dangerously potent new drug ‘gray death’ baffles authorities
USA Today — Gray death: It’s 10,000 times more powerful than morphine

The Dangers of Smoking Heroin

Posted on September 19, 2017September 20, 2017 by dr-admin

Heroin is a potent opioid drug derived from the opium poppy. It comes in several forms, including as a powder or sticky, tar-like substance called “black tar” heroin. Either of these forms can be smoked. Drug abusers smoke heroin out of pipes or inhale the vapors off of foil through a straw (“chasing the dragon”). Smoking heroin is extremely addictive and can lead to overdose and drug-induced illness and disease.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a derivative from morphine, another potent and addictive opioid extracted from the opium poppy. Like all opioids, heroin creates a sense of euphoria and relaxation. Also like other drugs within this class, heroin causes central nervous system depression, which is why this drug poses such a threat of overdose.

Why Do People Abuse Heroin?

Every user has their own reasons for abusing a drug, though the two most common are for self-medication and recreational use. In situations of the former, a person may be going through a tough spot in their life, or be struggling with a mental health problem, and desire to escape. Recreational users take heroin to create the intense, pleasurable states the drug produces, as well as to promote a sense of extreme relaxation.

How Do People Smoke Heroin?

Heroin is smoked in ways similar to other drugs. Some people may use a crack or meth pipe, which is most typically made from glass. Other individuals sprinkle the drug on top of tobacco or marijuana before smoking it in a bowl or joint.

Many people consider vaporizing heroin a form of smoking. Because of this, we will also discuss how people vaporize the drug. One of the most well known and pervasive is “chasing the dragon.” During this practice the user places the heroin on tin foil which is heated from below by a lighter.

As the heroin runs down the foil, and as the smoke rolls off of it, the smoke is said to resemble a dragon. To inhale it, a person may just breathe it in, but many people use straws or hollowed out pens.

Heroin drug abusers can be very inventive in their desperation. The drug may be:

Heated on top of a pop or beer can.
Heated and inhaled off the tip of a paper clip (in the case of black tar).
Smoked in a foil “tooter” (rolled up piece of foil).
Smoked from the glass that comes with a “love rose” sold at gas stations.
Vaporized in a light bulb turned vaporizer.

As you can see, many of these implements are items found around the house. Heroin is stored and transported in small plastic baggies, balloons, or tiny foil squares. Being aware of the paraphernalia used during drug abuse can make it much easier to spot an addiction.

When heroin is heated up, it will leave a resin behind. If you see a substance resembling this in odd places, such as on pop cans, paperclips, or lightbulbs, you need to be concerned.

Do not touch drug paraphernalia with your bare hands, or if at all if you can help it. Heroin is becoming increasingly cut with other drugs, some of which can be fatal if they come into contact with your skin.

Why Do People Smoke Heroin?

Heroin abuse is becoming more popular (and dangerous) than ever. Experts witness rising trends in heroin abuse in certain demographics which did not previously abuse the drug so extensively. One reason is because of heroin’s relatively cheap cost in comparison to prescription painkillers. A growing number of Americans have painkiller addictions, and when these drugs become too costly or hard to find, their habits frequently shift to heroin.

Injection drug use holds an intense stigma for some drug users, which leads many of these individuals to use heroin in other ways like smoking. These people may convince themselves that smoking the drug isn’t as harmful, or as serious of drug use. Both of these perspectives are dangerously wrong.

Does Smoking Make A Drug More Or Less Addictive?

While the delivery of a drug can change how quickly and intensely a person feels the high or “rush” associated with heroin, it does not protect you from the drug’s addictive potential. To compare, when heroin is injected directly into the vein (intravenously) these sensations peak at seven to eight seconds, whereas smoking elicits a euphoric state around ten to fifteen minutes, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research.

Some people think that if they smoke the drug they’re protecting themselves from heroin’s addictive nature. No matter how you choose to administer a drug, whether it be by injection, snorting it, or smoking it, the cold truth is that heroin is highly addictive and deadly.

But the route of delivery does matter somewhat, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Heroin is extremely addictive no matter how it is administered, although routes of administration that allow it to reach the brain the fastest (i.e., injection and smoking) increase the risk of addiction.”

What Are The Dangers Of Heroin Abuse?

Smoking heroin carries all the general risks which are associated with heroin abuse. These include a high potential for tolerance, addiction, severe withdrawal, and overdose. More and more, authorities are finding heroin cut with fentanyl, carfentanil, and other deadly opioid drugs. If you smoke a drug laced with any of these, you could die virtually instantly.

Heroin can also cause:

Antisocial personality disorder
Brain damage
Depression
Miscarriage
Nausea and vomiting
Respiratory depression
Sexual dysfunction
Unplanned pregnancies

A heroin addiction can happen quickly. When this occurs finding and using the drug will take precedence over any other task or responsibility in a person’s life. Here, a person’s physical and mental health, relationships, job, schooling, and social responsibilities all become endangered.

What Are The Risks Of Smoking Heroin?

People who smoke heroin may think that they don’t face the risk of infectious disease like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C, since they’re not injecting the drug. Heroin changes the way your brain functions. This impairs your judgement, reduces your inhibitions, and increases risky behaviors. Cumulatively, these things lead many people to engage in unsafe sexual practices and/or to share equipment, which can still expose them to these diseases.

Since you’re smoking the drug, the organs and tissues exposed to the substance can be harmed, which can cause lung problems. Smoking heroin can cause an extreme cough and asthma, to the point a person may need a nebulizer, as cautioned by Livestrong. They continue, noting that a hoarse voice and coughing up blood may also accompany this dangerous practice.

When heroin is heated, it produces a vapor called pyrolysate. When drug users inhale this, they may be exposing themselves to leukoencephalopathy, a debilitating disease of the brain. Though rare, for over 30 years, scientists have been aware of the link between it and “chasing the dragon.”

The pleasure found in heroin abuse fleeting. Using this drug isn’t worth the risk of losing your health and life.

Don’t Let Your Heroin Addiction Consume Your Life

If smoking heroin is a problem in your life, we can help. We can help you to find treatment options and support through our confidential assessment. Call DrugRehab.org today.

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

Sources

Livestrong — Signs of Smoking Heroin
US National Library of Medicine — Chasing the dragon – characterizing cases of leukoencephalopathy associated with heroin inhalation in British Columbia

The Dangers of Mixing Xanax and Oxycodone

Posted on September 12, 2017 by dr-admin

Mixing a benzodiazepine like Xanax with an opioid like oxycodone can increase the chance of respiratory depression, slowed breathing, slowed heart rate, overdose, and death. Benzodiazepines and opioids are highly addictive substances that can be difficult, and dangerous, to stop using alone. Professional treatment can help someone quit by teaching them to replace unhealthy habits and behaviors with healthy ones.

Understanding Xanax And Oxycodone Abuse

Xanax is the most popular brand name of alprazolam and belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a type of sedative most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders. Xanax works by slowing down a person’s central nervous system and helping them feel relaxed.

Opioids like oxycodone are also known to slow down the central nervous system (CNS), and are commonly used in medicine to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is the generic version of OxyContin. Because of the potency of oxycodone, physicians will regulate the amount of the drug that’s prescribed.

The problem is that both benzodiazepines and opioids often elicit a feeling of well-being and euphoria. It’s because of that feeling that people abuse each medication to get “high.” Opioids can make a person feel numb, drowsy, and elated. Mixing opioids with benzodiazepines causes that high to be intensified. This can be a dangerous combination, even with a small amount of each drug.

You may be wondering, “if these drugs are so dangerous, then how and why are people getting them?” Oftentimes, after a person starts abusing prescription medications, they start doctor shopping, and lying about symptoms. It can be very difficult for a physician to tell who’s telling the truth and who isn’t.

The predicament is actually getting worse. “The number of patients prescribed both an opioid pain reliever and a benzodiazepine increased by 41 percent between 2002 and 2014. That translates to an increase of more than 2.5 million opioid painkiller patients also receiving benzodiazepines,”(CBS News).

What Are The Consequences Of Prescription Drug Abuse?

Mixing opioids and benzodiazepines is incredibly dangerous, so much that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned physicians and patients about mixing the two. The FDA stated, that “healthcare professionals should limit prescribing opioid pain medicines with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants only to patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.”

The FDA went on to say that “patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other CNS depressant medicines, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek medical attention immediately if they or someone they are caring for experiences symptoms of unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.”

In other words, mixing benzodiazepines and opioids increases this risk of overdose, and death. In 2015, there were 6,872 overdose deaths from benzodiazepines, and 5,826 of those deaths involved opioids.

Not only can abusing prescription drugs result in overdose, it can cause a mental addiction, or physical dependence as well. Mixing benzos and opioids can also lead to serious health problems with the liver, heart, brain, and stomach.

Opioids can be dangerous without the help of Xanax, and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “opioids killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record. Nearly half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid.”

What Are The Symptoms Of Withdrawal?

Whether they’re taken for a legitimate medical purpose or not, prescription Xanax and oxycodone can lead to a physical dependency. This essentially means that when a person stops taking the drugs, their body continues craving the active chemical.

Because opioids and benzodiazepines are both mentally and physically addictive, most people will experience physical and mental withdrawal symptoms when they stop. When opioids and benzos are mixed, the results are often unpredictable.

When a person quits using oxycodone, they may experience withdrawal that has potential to cause them to relapse. These withdrawal symptoms, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, may include:

restlessness
watery eyes
runny nose
sneezing
yawning
sweating
chills
muscle or joint aches or pains
weakness
irritability
anxiety
depression
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
cramps
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
loss of appetite
fast heartbeat
fast breathing

Stopping benzodiazepines cold-turkey can be very dangerous as well, and often intensifies withdrawal. It is for this reason that a physician will gradually decrease dosage. The withdrawal symptoms of Xanax, according to NLM, may include:

seizures
headache
blurred vision
increased sensitivity to noise or light
change in sense of smell
sweating
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
difficulty concentrating
nervousness
depression
irritability
aggressive behavior
muscle twitching or cramps
diarrhea
vomiting
pain
burning
numbness
or tingling in the hands or feet
a decrease in appetite
weight loss

A medical detoxification can help a person safely remove a drug from their system while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. Detoxification may be required to properly treat an addiction to both benzodiazepines and opioids.

How Do People Become Addicted To Prescription Drugs?

Even when a person takes Xanax or oxycodone as a prescription, they’re at risk of becoming addicted to them. What usually happens with oxycodone, is someone starts out with an injury that requires pain relief. They take the medicine with no intention to abuse it, but overtime, with continued use, they begin to build up a tolerance and then become dependent.

At this point, they might enjoy the feeling oxycodone gives them. Many people who become dependent on opioids continue taking the drug just to avoid relapse, and might even switch to street drugs like heroin, because it can be less expensive while creating a more intense euphoria.

This is only a potential scenario, and doesn’t apply to everyone—the point is that though not everyone abuses prescription drugs for the same reason, all of our minds are wired the same way to crave things that make us feel good.

It can be really hard to understand why prescription medicines are so dangerous, but still used. The fact is that some people suffer from serious mental disorders while others have severe pain. These types of people still need medicine to help them deal with their illnesses or conditions.

NIDA for Teens described how addiction works, by stating that “prescription drugs that effect the brain, including opioid pain relievers, stimulants, and depressants, can cause physical dependence that could lead to addiction.

Medications that affect the brain can change the way it works—especially when they are taken over an extended period of time or with escalating doses. They can change the reward system, making it harder for a person to feel good without the drug and possibly leading to intense cravings, which make it hard to stop using.”

There are other factors that can play a part in addiction as well. These may include environmental, biological, or psychological variables. Some people suffer from mental disorders that require a medication like Xanax. This can be a difficult situation, because as a they continue using Xanax, they’re at a greater risk of becoming dependent, but if they stop using the drug they’re mental condition could worsen—this is where millions are met with a dilemma.

Not everyone’s addiction is the same either, so treating the addiction will be different for each person as well. There are behavioral and physical symptoms that usually need to be tended to in order for a treatment to be successful.

At the end of the day, addiction to benzodiazepines and opioids is not easy to overcome, but it’s still possible. Some of the different treatment programs that can help along the path to recovery include:

Medical Detoxification
Medication-Assisted Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness and Stress Management

Find Treatment For Substance Use Disorder And Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with prescription drugs, please don’t wait to reach out to us. Contact an addiction specialist at DrugRehab.org today to learn how to overcome addiction and build a solid foundation to lifelong recovery.

For More Information Related to “The Dangers of Mixing Xanax and Oxycodone” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Opioid Overdose
National Institute on Drug Abuse – Overdose Death Rates
U.S. National Library of Medicine NLM – Alprazolam
U.S. National Library of Medicine NLM – Oxycodone

National Recovery Month

Posted on September 7, 2017September 7, 2017 by dr-admin

In an effort to raise awareness surrounding addiction and recovery, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has made September National Recovery Month. Every September, SAMSHA assigns a theme to the campaign and promotes their mission in communities across the country in an attempt to bring more understanding and erase the stigma surrounding addiction.

National Recovery Month 2017

This year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities”. The basis around this theme is uniting families and communities together to fight addiction and support recovery. SAMSHA has chosen to focus on uniting families and communities in the wake of the opioid epidemic that has been sweeping across the nation in previous years.

With the opioid epidemic beginning largely with prescription opioids, SAMSHA is urging parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of medications, including prescription opioids, and educate families on keeping their prescription medications locked up and out of reach to children. For more information on this year’s National Recovery Month theme, visit https://www.recoverymonth.gov/.

What’s New This Year?

While drug addiction is not a new ailment to our country, we have seen some recent changes in trends across the United States. With a growing number of individuals affected by the opioid epidemic, experts have noticed increasing trends in addiction among rural and non-city residents. This is a newer trend that makes it more difficult to detect and track the distribution and sale of the drug. Many rural areas have far fewer people per square mile than cities do, leaving miles of un-patrolled roads and communities open for trafficking.

Previously, anti-drug campaigns were centered around inner-city schools, community centers, churches, and other city-wide organizations. However with the increase in addiction rates in rural communities, National Recovery Month is urging communities to work together in fighting the opioid epidemic, among other addictions, as it potentially creeps into their communities and schools.

Education is one of the best methods for fighting opioid addiction. Beginning drug education with kids, even at a young age, can be key to helping them make the right decisions down the road. However, kids are not the only ones who can benefit from drug education. Many grown adults are unaware of the dangers that some unsuspecting drugs, such as prescription medications, can carry with them. When communities are educated on drug addiction, they are better equipped to handle situations like the opioid epidemic.

Be Socially Inclusive

SAMSHA is fighting hard to remove the stigma associated with drug addiction and abuse. For this year’s National Recovery Month, SAMSHA challenges communities to be socially inclusive in their efforts to educate residents on the dangers of drug use, as well as celebrate those who have made it to recovery.

SAMSHA takes the time to highlight individuals who may suffer from mental illness, urging communities to involve them in their fight against drug addiction. Providing support and education to individuals suffering from mental illness could help prevent them from reaching for drugs in the future, or encourage them to reach out if they already struggle with a drug addiction. Did you know: One study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that over 50% of individuals suffering from a mental illness also struggle with a substance abuse problem?

Being socially inclusive also includes supporting individuals who are currently struggling with a substance abuse issue, and celebrating with those who are in recovery. Instead of shielding children from the facts and faces of drug abuse, it is important to include everyone in educational efforts throughout the community. Even allowing an individual who has previously struggled with drug addiction to be a part of the education process can be immensely beneficial, both for that individual and for the community they are educating.

Getting Everyone Involved

It is important to put a face to addiction, especially in communities that think “that never happens here”. Often times residents are shocked to learn that it does happen here, and it happens to people just like you and I. Removing the stigma associated with drug addiction can help bring people forward to tell their stories share in their recovery success.

Community organizations can help too. Schools are a great place for drug education to begin, but it doesn’t have to stay there. Fire departments, police departments, local churches, food banks, homeless shelters, and even book clubs and country clubs can join in on the mission. Addiction affects everyone, not just the shadowy figures depicted in movies. Supporting drug education in your area means you are supporting the entire community, not just a select group of people. Everyone has a chance to get involved and make a difference!

Get Help Today

Have you suffered from an addiction in your past? Do you have a loved one that is suffering from addiction? We are here to support you, your loved ones, and your community, and want to answer any questions you may have about addiction or treatment. Our goal is to get clients set up with the professional help and support they need to treat their addiction.

Our addiction treatment specialists are specifically trained to help you find treatment that fits your needs or the needs of your loved one and their addiction. Our addiction treatment specialists are available around the clock, and your call is always confidential. Give us a call today and let us help you.

For More Information On “National Recovery Month” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

American Psychiatric Association – Implementing Dual Diagnosis Services for Clients With Severe Mental Illness

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

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms

Posted on August 28, 2017August 29, 2017 by dr-admin

Methadone is used for medical purposes, including as a treatment for opioid drug addiction. Sadly, some people choose to abuse this drug and become addicted. Should a person abruptly discontinue the drug, withdrawal may occur. Withdrawal can become intolerable and painful, leading to agitation, gastrointestinal distress, muscle aches, and more. In the case of addiction, medical detox works to alleviate these and other symptoms, while preparing a person for treatment.

How Is Methadone Used?

Methadone is a synthetic opioid drug used to treat around-the-clock pain in individuals who don’t respond to other pain regimens. For addiction treatment, methadone is considered an evidenced-based medication by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Within this role it’s used to treat withdrawal in opioid addicted patients and within opioid maintenance programs.

Unfortunately, as an opioid, it can also be abused in a way which can lead to addiction. In any of these circumstances a physical dependency may form, which can lead to withdrawal, should the drug be abruptly ceased.

Can Methadone Be Abused?

Methadone possesses many of the characteristics hallmark to other opioid drugs, for better and for worse. These similarities are what make it an effective painkiller and treatment for addiction, however, they are also what set the stage for misuse, diversion, and addiction. Like other opioid drugs, both used as prescribed and recreationally, methadone can lead to tolerance and dependence.

Though by design methadone doesn’t create the intensity of euphoria that other opioid drugs of abuse (like heroin) create, it still entices recreational drug abusers. Also, some individuals who begin taking the drug for a prescribed purpose unintentionally stumble into abuse and addiction.

These individuals may begin to misuse their prescription how they see fit in an attempt to self-treat their pain. Using your own prescription in this way is not safe and does not protect you from addiction. On the contrary, these behaviors are considered abuse and significantly increase the risk of addiction.

What Are The Symptoms Of Methadone Withdrawal?

Physical dependency occurs when your body adapts to the constant influx of the drug, in the capacity it relies on the methadone to function. This doesn’t just happen within addiction. Even individuals who take methadone as prescribed may become dependent on the drug.

In either instance, should a person refrain from tapering the drug and suddenly stop it instead, their body’s systems will go haywire. What physical and mental symptoms result are referred to as withdrawal (addiction most commonly creates more severe symptoms). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration comments on these states, noting that “Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other opioids but are less severe, slower in onset, and last longer.”

These symptoms include:

Mental:

Agitation
Anxiety
Depression
Dysphoric state
Restlessness

Physical:

Chills
Cramping
Dilated pupils
Diarrhea
Goosebumps
Insomnia
Nausea
Muscle aches
Runny nose
Suppressed appetite
Sweating
Teary eyes
Tremors
Vomiting
Yawning

While some of these symptoms may seem fairly benign in nature, combined they can become extremely unbearable and many times painful. To avoid these, we recommend you never quit “cold turkey” (suddenly) and also that you never attempt to withdrawal on your own.

What’s The Best Way To Withdrawal From Methadone?

If you’re taking methadone for a prescribed purpose you should never determine on your own when to discontinue the drug. And secondly, when it’s time to reduce or stop methadone, you should only do so under the direct supervision of a physician.

When used as a medical treatment, the prescribing doctor should gradually taper you off of the drug as to avoid unpleasant side effects of withdrawal. These professionals are trained and understand how to best do this to avoid any complications and further strain to your physical and mental states.

If you’re using methadone illicitly and are struggling with an addiction and want to stop, please refraining from detoxing on your own. Doing so can become overwhelming, as the withdrawal side effects cannot adequately be self-treated, leading to immense pain, discomfort, and even various dangers. If you want to begin living a drug-free life, we can help you find a program which offers a medical detox and an accompanying treatment program.

How Is Methadone Withdrawal Treated During Addiction?

For those individuals who are seeking to overcome a methadone addiction, the first step will likely be a medical detox. A medical detox helps those with a moderate to severe addiction to progress through withdrawal by minimizing the discomfort and pain which would otherwise overcome them. As chronic drug use continues, toxins from the drug build up within your system. A medical detox supports your body while it cleanses itself from these damaging substances.

The facility’s highly-trained medical staff will administer medication-assisted therapies, quite commonly by aid of buprenorphine, to help you stabilize during withdrawal. Nutritive and emotional support will also be provided to help your physical and mental states find greater balance during this time.

Should You Seek Treatment For A Methadone Addiction?

Contrary to what some people may think, detox is not enough to create a sober life. Detox does help you to find physical sobriety, but it’s critical that you address the psychological aspects of addiction as well. To do this, we strongly recommend that you progress to an inpatient drug rehab program. Many facilities even offer both medical detox and treatment, that way you can transition smoothly into the next stage of your recovery.

An inpatient program will remove you from the stress and triggers of your outside life, so that you can focus only on elements which enhance a sober and positive life. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI) may be used to help you overcome and cope with the negative behaviors and thoughts which could fuel the addicted state. Other unique and engaging modalities may also be offered, including:

Adventure therapy
Art therapy
Holistic therapy
Equine therapy
Family therapy
Pet therapy
Wilderness therapy

Whatever the circumstances that brought you here, know that DrugRehab.org can help you build a treatment plan which will support you as you pursue a drug-free life.

Find An Effective Program Today

Methadone is best treated within a good rehab program which offers both a medical detox and inpatient treatment. If you’d like to learn more about how to safely detox from methadone so that you can overcome your addiction, contact us now. Your call is confidential and DrugRehab.org has the best resources and treatment options to help you today.

For More Information Related to “Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Center for Substance Abuse Research — Methadone
MedlinePlus — Methadone

What Are The Most Potent Opioids In The United States?

Posted on August 22, 2017October 5, 2017 by dr-admin

The most potent opioids in the United States include carfentanil, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and a new deadly opioid combination drug called Gray Death. While most opioids are prescribed for pain relief, and contain addictive properties, some opioids are more potent than others.

It can be helpful to know which of these are the most dangerous, on the market and on the street, especially if you suspect someone close to you may be abusing these medications. Some opioids are harmful even to the touch, and taking repeated or large doses of them can result in dangerously slowed breathing, which can lead to overdose or coma.

Others may have fatal results after just one dose, particularly combination opioids. That’s why it’s so important to recognize these medications, their severity, and seek help as needed.

With street drugs, there is never a guarantee for what kind of drug you’re getting or the dosage. It’s best to get out of the vicious, harmful cycle of addiction before you experience damaging effects to your health or worse.

Potent Opioids By Name:

The following are the most potent opioids in the United States, followed by a description of each. When a drug is “potent” it is medicinally effective or has a great ability to bring about a certain result, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Carfentanil

Carfentanil is an opioid analogue of fentanyl, and is “one of the most potent opioids known” according to the U.S. National Library Of Medicine. Its potency level is 10,000 times that of morphine, and 100 times that of fentanyl. Carfentanil is typically used for tranquilizing large animals, including elephants.

Combination Opioid: Gray Death

Opioid combinations tend to be more potent than singular opioids. Gray Death is a current popular and deadly combination in use right now. As Forbes explains, Gray Death “looks like concrete and is so potent that it can be risky to touch and can kill you with one dose.” It contains fentanyl, heroin, carfentanil, and U-47700, a synthetic opioid commonly called Pink—all highly potent opioids.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is the most potent opioid used in hospitals or by doctors, according to CNN. However, much of fentanyl sold on the street is diverted from other countries, and that’s how it can become dangerous. People buying the drug may have no idea that they’re buying fentanyl and take too much without being under care of a doctor. Even a small amount of fentanyl can be lethal, as the drug can be accidentally inhaled or absorbed through the skin on contact.

Heroin

Heroin affects the brain in a way similar to prescription opioids, causing euphoria, a sense of well-being, and slowing of certain functions. Why is it potent, then? Repeated heroin abuse can cause an excess of the substance in your body, which contributes to overdose. Also, heroin may be laced with additives such as sugar or starch, or with other substances. These can clog the blood vessels that lead to other organs and create permanent damage. Heroin should always be considered potent for the simple fact that there is no guarantee of what’s in it.

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is potent enough that it’s prescribed for patients who will need relief from pain round-the-clock for a long time. Drug label warnings for this medication strongly advise against breaking or crushing the pill, or taking it any other way than prescribed—as this can cause overdose and death. Just taking hydrocodone as prescribed can slow or stop breathing, so abuse of it is dangerous.

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Hydromorphone is more potent than morphine, but not as potent as fentanyl. It’s another opioid that is potent even to the touch. As for the effects of it, the drug can cause withdrawal even with monitored use, and can cause fatal overdose when in the wrong hands.

Morphine (Kadian, Morphabond)

With so many potent opioids out there, morphine may be considered mild in the minds of some. But it’s not to be underestimated, as it can still cause addiction, dependency, and even overdose when taken in high doses. Morphine presents even higher risk of overdose when combined with other substances, like alcohol.

Oxycodone (Oxycontin)

Oxycodone is two times as powerful as morphine, and like most opioids can cause respiratory distress. In the last couple decades, abuse of Oxycodone became quite popular as prescription rates increased. Yet abuse of this medication can be dangerous; it’s typically used for postoperative pain relief.

Oxymorphone (Opana)

Oxymorphone is often used to treat those with terminal cancer or chronic, severe pain issues. Because of this, the level of potency of the drug is high, about twice that of Oxycodone. People taking the drug as directed are advised to not stop taking it without help from a doctor. Abuse of Oxymorphone is far more risky as dosage is not regulated.

Why Are Opioids Addictive?

Opioids are addictive partly because the drugs contain chemical properties that change your perception of pain and your response to pleasure. They’re also addictive because when you take them, you experience an immediate rush of pleasurable feelings: euphoria, well-being, and calm.

This rush happens within the first few minutes, and is followed by a short-term “high,” or extended period of pleasurable feelings with minor side effects like drowsiness or slowed breathing. It’s the rush and subsequent high that gets you, makes you want to keep coming back to opioids even if you aren’t aware of it at first.

With time, you lose control; you can no longer recognize the difference between use and abuse, and will do nearly anything to seek the drug. Once you become addicted, you may form a physical dependence on the drugs, which means you’ll have withdrawal symptoms when not taking them. Withdrawal, while not always life-threatening, can be uncomfortable to the point that you want to avoid it, and so keep abusing the drugs.

Who Is Abusing Opioids In The United States?

If you’re caught in this cycle of opioid addiction, you aren’t the only one. The American Society Of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) states that, in 2015, “2 million [people] had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 591,000 had a substance use disorder involving heroin.”

Yet few people addicted to opioids ever receive help in treatment, and that is why overdose happens more and more. Plus, if you’ve been addicted to one opioid, it’s quite likely you’ll become addicted to another if you don’t find help. The ASAM estimates that four out of five people who first abused prescription drugs later became addicted to heroin.

The number of people addicted to opioids includes youth as young as 12 years of age, though adults in the age group of 18 to 25 abuse these drugs most. Women are particularly affected by prescription opioid abuse, as they are more likely to have chronic pain, seek medication for it, receive opioid medications, and fall into abuse of them.

What Can Be Done For Opioid Addiction?

So, what can we do to reverse the harm of opioid addiction? More all the time, new treatment modalities are developed and backed by evidence to support effective outcomes. Some of the evidence-based methods we employ at our facilities include:

Counseling: family, group, and individual
Psychosocial therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing
Adventure therapy
Wilderness therapy
Treatment specific to men
Treatment specific to women
Medication-assisted therapy
Medically-supervised detoxification
Nutritional guidance and exercise support
Mindfulness and stress management techniques
Aftercare support

In addition to great treatment methods, people struggling with opioid addiction will benefit from the excellent care, peaceful surroundings, and serene landscapes often found at private rehabs. At DrugRehab.org, we have access to all the resources you’ll need to find a rehab that is right for you, and that works to build a treatment program that best fits your individual needs.

Find Hope In Treatment Today

Are you battling abuse of one of the most potent opioids in the United States? If you are, you don’t have to fight alone. We’d like to help you overcome addiction, and rebuild your life.

When you call today, your information will be kept confidential. Learn more about opioid treatment and the best rehab centers today. Contact us at DrugRehab.org.

For More Information Related to “What Are The Most Potent Opioids In The United States?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

American Society Of Addiction Medicine—Opioid Addiction: 2016 Facts And Figures
CNN—What You Need To Know About Fentanyl
Forbes—Gray Death: The Most Powerful New Opioid Combo That’s Risky Even To Touch
Merriam-Webster—Definition Of Potent
National Institute On Drug Abuse—DrugFacts: Heroin
National Institutes Of Health—Opioids And Chronic Pain
New York Times—Inside A Killer Drug Epidemic: A Look At America’s Opioid Crisis
U.S. National Library Of Medicine—Carfentanil, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone

Tylenol 4 (with Codeine) Withdrawal Symptoms

Posted on August 17, 2017 by dr-admin

Often prescribed for short-term pain management after a major surgery or traumatic event, Tylenol 4 is an opioid analgesic only available via prescription. While it is commonly prescribed without refills and intended to be used for a short period of time, there are some circumstances where a prescription could be long-standing or individuals may purchase the drug illegally on the streets.

Tylenol 4 is a commonly abused prescription opioid, partially because of how frequently it is prescribed. Especially popular among young adults and the party scene, Tylenol 4 is often easily accessible and is sometimes dissolved into alcoholic drinks to create a potent concoction. This combination is dangerous and holds high potential for addiction and dependency, which can result in debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

What is Tylenol 4?

Tylenol 4 is actually a combination of two drugs: tylenol and codeine. Independently, Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer that is available over the counter and without a prescription. Tylenol does not have many severe side effects and it carries a low risk for dependency. However, it is possible to become tolerant to the drug rendering it less efficient for pain relief and fever reduction over an extended period of time.

Codeine is an analgesic opioid that is only available via prescription. Developed in the 1830’s, codeine was originally marketed as a recreational drug, but taken off the open market after discovering how addictive it can be. Following this discovery, it was used primarily for medical uses and only available via prescription. Codeine is actually the most commonly prescribed opioid across the globe and is considered a schedule II narcotic in the United States.

Codeine has been mixed with different drugs to treat various medical conditions, most commonly acetaminophen. There are various strengths of this drug combination, indicated in the title of the drug as Tylenol 2, Tylenol 3, and Tylenol 4. Tylenol 4 is the most potent of these medications, containing 60mg of codeine and 325mg of acetaminophen.

Codeine Dependency

As an opioid, codeine affects the body by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. When these opioid receptors are activated, they cause signals being sent through the central nervous system to become sluggish, or slow to react. This slowing of signals through the central nervous system is why opioids are effective at reducing pain, or more accurately, reducing our perception of pain. When pain signals becoming sluggish or temporarily blocked, we do not perceive pain as we normally would, resulting in a reduced pain level.

While this effect is helpful in the reduction of pain, it also changes chemical levels in the brain. Your body naturally produces some levels of endorphins that react with the opioid receptors in your brain, generally causing these levels to rise when you do something that brings you joy or pleasure. When opioids are introduced into your brain, however, these levels become artificially elevated which can cause your brain to stop producing these endorphins.

If this introduction of opioids to your brain is suddenly stopped or slowed, your body will crave more of the drug. Often times a tolerance is built over time, rendering each dose less effective than the previous. This tolerance is one of the first signs of opioid dependency or addiction, as more and more of the drug is required to reach the desired state of pain relief.

Side Effects And Withdrawal Symptoms of Tylenol 4

While reducing the amount and frequency of opioids if you have a substance abuse issue is important, quitting abruptly can be extremely dangerous. Because your brain has become accustomed to a certain level of opioids binding with your opioid receptors, your body considers this new chemical balance to be the norm. If you suddenly stop taking opioids, then this level will come down too rapidly, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms generally occur when chemical levels in the brain change too rapidly. This causes chaos in your central nervous system, and will present itself in physically painful and mentally draining ways. Common withdrawal symptoms associated with Tylenol 4 dependency include:

Rapid heart rate
Night sweats, insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss due to malnutrition
Phantom muscle pains
Excessive exhaustion and drowsiness
The shakes
Runny nose
Teary eyes

The safest way to reduce consumption of Tylenol 4 and other opioids is to seek out a professional medical detox center. Medical detox facilities specialize in the detox of dangerous addictions like opioid and alcohol dependencies. Through these facilities you will be supervised by a medical physician to ensure your own safety while going through these withdrawal symptoms. Often times, medical interventions may be used to help ease your through these symptoms and make your more comfortable.

Get Help Today

The opioid epidemic is sweeping our nation, and codeine medications such as Tylenol 4 play a major role in this epidemic. By nature, opioids are highly addictive and very difficult to stop using without professional help. If you or a loved one suffers from dependency on opioids like Tylenol 4, you are not alone.

Reaching out to a professional is your first step on your road to recovery. Our addiction treatment specialists are standing by to take your call and answer any questions you may have regarding medical detox, inpatient residential rehab, and outpatient programs. We have many programs that are tailored specifically to your needs, ensuring you the best possible chance of a full recovery. Your call is always confidential, and our addiction treatment specialists are available to talk around the clock. Give us a call today.

For More Information Related to “Tylenol 4 (with Codeine) Withdrawal Symptoms” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

FDA – Codeine Information
Healthline – Codeine Withdrawal: What It Is and How to Cope
National Safety Council (NSC) – Evidence For The Efficacy Of Pain Medications
New England Journal of Medicine – New Evidence About An Old Drug — Risk With Codeine After Adenotonsillectomy

Negative Effects of Suboxone

Posted on August 10, 2017August 10, 2017 by dr-admin

With the opioid epidemic on the rise across the United States, experts have been scrambling for a solution to the problem. One solution that has been brought to market is that of Suboxone, a drug intended to treat adults with opioid addiction or dependency. Many medications that are intended to treat addiction can be addictive themselves, Suboxone included. It is important to understand the risks associated with any addiction treatment regimens, especially when the treatment itself can pose a risk for addiction.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a fairly new drug to the addiction treatment market. Intended to treat all types of opioid addiction in adults, Suboxone is actually a combination of two different types of drugs; buprenorphine and naloxone. Often prescribed for pain control, buprenorphine is a type of opioid medication, while naloxone is prescribed to actually block the effects of opioids.

This combination of buprenorphine and naloxone may sound contradictory, but when you break down the chemistry of both drugs this contradiction makes sense. Buprenorphine is categorized as an agonist, while naloxone is in an opposite category known as an antagonist. Together, this drug combination can help an individual who is addicted to opioids cope with symptoms of withdrawal and cravings.

As a partial agonist, buprenorphine activates only some of the opioid receptors in the brain. Other opioids, such as codeine, activate almost all of the opioid receptors in the brain, making for a much stronger effect. On the opposite side of the ring, naloxone is actually an antagonist that blocks opioid receptors by sticking to them without activating them. Naloxone on its own is a common drug used by emergency medical respondents to reverse potentially lethally overdoses on drugs such as heroin.

Taking an opioid while trying to recover from opioid addiction may sound a bit counterproductive, but the chemistry behind it makes sense. Despite being a partial agonist, buprenorphine is also a partial antagonist which means that it can also attach to opioid receptors in the brain and block other full agonist opioids from reaching them.

With buprenorphine and naloxone working together to block full agonist opioids from being received by opioid receptors, the buprenorphine still produces a slight opioid effect on the individual. This less significant effect helps with opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms without presenting as many of the depressant dangers of full agonist opioids.

How Can A Drug Intended To Treat Addiction Still Be Dangerous?

You may be thinking that it is disadvantageous to create a drug to treat addiction that is still addictive, but your body reacts to different chemicals in different ways – even if they may present some of the same dangers. Chemical dependency on any substance is a difficult state to recover from, as it can change the chemical balance within your body.

Opioid addiction is caused by the brain’s natural reward system that causes you to repeat actions that it believes are beneficial to your survival. Because opioids cause the same feelings of euphoria and pleasure that other instinctive actions, such as procreation, may cause, the brain interprets this as a benefit and will naturally crave more of the substance that initiated that cycle.

Opioid addiction is extremely difficult to overcome without professional rehabilitation or medical detox. The reason for this is the extreme and dangerous nature of the withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction. In order to help make the withdrawal more comfortable, Suboxone gives a partial dose of opioids which can help to calm these symptoms without delivering a full dose of opioids.

The issue lies in the fact that any opioid holds the risk for addiction, no matter how small the dose is. Suboxone carries this risk, and although it is not as addictive as some of the more potent opioids such as fentanyl, it still carries the potential for dependence.

Negative Effects of Suboxone Use

All opioids carry a long list of side effects, even without considering the high risk for addiction or dependency. These side effects vary from mild to severe, and may vary depending on the individual. Interactions with other drugs or medications could also greatly affect severity of these side effects. Short-term, or immediate, side effects of Suboxone include:

Numbness or tingling in extremities
Headaches
Drowsiness and difficulty staying awake
Numbness in your mouth
Constipation
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Difficulty focusing
Poor motor skills (similar to a feeling of drunkenness)

As with many prescription medications, these side effects can become worse as use of the medication is continued. For opioids in particular, it is not uncommon for an individual to build up a tolerance to the drug in a short amount of time. A tolerance to opioids means the opioid receptors in your brain have become used to the level of opioids in your system and adapt to the change by making it the new norm. The result of this is withdrawal symptoms (if consumption of the drug is stopped) and increased doses to create the same effect as previous doses.

With this tolerance generally comes increased or more frequent consumption of the drug, which can lead to serious long-term effects down the road. These long-term effects can include:

Constipation
Nausea/vomiting
Anxiety
Confusion/disorientation
Depression
Decreased respiration/difficulty breathing
Decreased circulation

Get Help Today

When used as prescribed, Suboxone can be a beneficial drug to treat individuals suffering from opioid addiction. Suboxone can, however, still pose a high risk for addiction itself. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction to Suboxone or other opioids, seeking out professional help is your first step towards recovery.

Our addiction treatment specialists are standing by to take your call and answer any questions you have regarding a custom treatment plan for yourself or for a loved one. Your call is always confidential, and our specialists are available to talk 24/7. Get the information you need to make the best decision for your recovery, call our specialists today.

For More Information Related to “Negative Effects of Suboxone” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Addiction Science & Clinical Practice (NCBI) – Practical Considerations for the Clinical Use of Buprenorphine
Drugs.com – Suboxone
Suboxone.com – What is Suboxone Film?

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

Long-Term Effects Of Taking Methadone

Posted on June 30, 2017 by dr-admin

Methadone is a prescription opioid medication used to manage opioid drug withdrawal and cravings or as a maintenance medication during recovery. It also has a lesser known use to treat pain. Due to methadone’s potency as an opioid, some individuals choose to abuse this drug. Prescribed and recreational use may lead to a variety of long-term adverse health effects, including tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, addiction, and overdose. Physical effects include constipation, sexual dysfunction, sleep disruption, respiratory problems, and more.

Why Do People Use Methadone?

As an analgesic, methadone is used as an alternative to morphine and other opioid painkillers for the treatment of chronic and severe pain. In these instances, it’s often used for people who haven’t had a good response to other opioid medications. It is also used to treat pain around the clock.

As a pharmacotherapy, or medication to treat drug abuse, methadone is used as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). As explained by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this approach entails the use of various behavioral therapies, ensuring for a “whole patient” approach.

Within these programs, it can be used during detox to treat withdrawal and cravings, or for long-term use as a maintenance medication. In the latter case, methadone blocks illicit opioids from creating their pleasurable effects and “allows people to recover from their addiction and to reclaim active and meaningful lives,” as explained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. As a maintenance drug, it can only be prescribed by a physician in a heavily-monitored program.

Unfortunately, as an opioid, there is still potential for abuse and addiction. Methadone’s opioid effects are such that if misused at a higher dose or frequency, user’s can create a high or pleasurable effect. Despite the fact that this is a prescribed medication, this misuse is considered abuse and could lead to addiction and numerous adverse health effects.

How Long Do People Typically Take Methadone For?

The duration of methadone use varies and is dependent on why the drug is being used.

Detox: Within detox, methadone is used for the short-term, with use gradually being decreased through a taper. This may take up to several weeks or even months.

Maintenance: According to NIDA “for methadone maintenance, 12 months is considered the minimum, and some opioid-addicted individuals continue to benefit from methadone maintenance for many years.”

Pain relief: When used as an analgesic, duration of use varies dependent on the individual’s specific needs. Some people may be prescribed methadone for a matter of months or years, while others report taking it for a decade.

Recreational use: The length of time a recreational drug user abuses methadone for varies. However, as methadone is extremely addictive, frequent use could quickly lead to an addiction. As with any drug addiction, the longer a person uses for, the greater the dangers and severity of adverse side effects. Without treatment, a person’s addiction could continue for years.

As you can see, the latter three categories could place a user within long-term patterns of use.

Can Long-Term Use Be Beneficial?

Drug addiction and recovery can be rocky and confusing times. For many users, the concept of using an opioid drug to treat an opioid addiction may seem only as if you’re trading one addiction for another. This is not true.

When used properly as prescribed, methadone can be part of an effective treatment and recovery program. Also, as noted by the director of NIDA, when used this way it does not cause a person to become sedated, intoxicated, or “high,” effects associated with drug abuse and addiction. An archived NIDA resource comments on this, asserting that “methadone is medically safe even when used continuously for 10 years or more.”

Long-term methadone use can positively impact a person’s life by reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of opioids, thereby reducing or stopping illicit opioid drug use. Further, methadone has been shown to increase treatment retention rates and decrease both relapses and addiction-related deaths.

As individuals begin building a more solid foundation from these positive impacts, their overall health, well-being, and social functioning begin to improve. Self-care, nutrition, relationships, and a general sense of life fulfillment are all reported to become more enhanced, as individuals begin to become more invested within their lives.

From this, as explained by a Western Journal of Medicine article “There is increasing evidence that long-term methadone use in patients who are dependent on opiates has substantial societal benefits, including diminishing illicit opiate use, reducing the transmission of HIV and hepatitis, and decreasing criminal activity and healthcare costs in this population.” Not only does it reduce criminal activity overall, but NIDA also reports that it decreases the number of individuals who return back to criminal enterprises as well.

Lastly, treatment outcomes are better for the babies of opioid-addicted women who are treated with methadone. Specifically, when used within MAT, the time within the hospital is shorter and neonatal abstinence syndrome becomes less severe.

But, like any medication, methadone does carry certain side effects which could affect a user within long-term, prescribed use.

What Are The Side Effects Of Long-Term Methadone Use?

From prolonged periods of use, individuals taking methadone for prescribed purposes may experience certain side effects. These could include:

Dry mouth
Cognitive changes
Constipation
Decreased levels of certain vitamins
Dependency
Disruption to menstrual cycle
Fatigue
Fluctuating weight
Harmful drug interactions
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia
Sleep troubles
Respiratory and lung complications
Reduced libido
Sexual dysfunction
Tolerance
Withdrawal

Also, the Center for Substance Abuse Research also notes that there could be “pregnancy complications if users reduce dosage levels during pregnancy.”

Addicted individuals will likely face many of these side effects in addition to those which accompany opioid addiction in general. A person’s executive functions could decline, impacting their memory, cognitive functioning, and attention. Rates of methadone-related overdose climb as well, including coma, brain damage, and death. Users also face greater risks of methadone-related illness and disease, such as infectious disease and organ damage.

Discover Your Treatment Options

If you’d like to learn more about methadone as a treatment option for an opioid addiction, contact us now. Your call is confidential, and DrugRehab.org’s compassionate advisors can direct you to the best treatment today for your or your loved one.

For More Information Related to “Long-Term Effects Of Taking Methadone” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse — Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction
PLOS ONE — Long-Term Effects of Methadone Maintenance Treatment with Different Psychosocial Intervention Models

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Abuse

Posted on June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 by dr-admin

It is not uncommon to have heard of the opioid epidemic sweeping the United States in recent years. The dangers of opioid use and addiction have been spotlighted in the news and online. What some people may not realize is that some opioids, such as fentanyl, are much stronger than others.

Take morphine, for example. Morphine is an opioid derived from the leaves of the opium poppy plant and is used in the creation of many other opioids as well as drugs like heroin. While morphine is quite potent and holds a high risk for addiction, other opioids, such as Fentanyl, hold as much as 100 times more potency than morphine.

Like many prescription opioids, there are legitimate medical reasons for Fentanyl to be taken. It is important, however, to keep in mind that not all prescription opioids are created equal. Some hold significantly higher risks than others. The best thing you can do for yourself is make sure you are educated on the drugs you have been taking, and always be on the lookout for signs of abuse and addiction.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic, or lab created, opioid that has been around since the 1960s. It was originally marketed for anesthetic use in operating rooms, working with other anesthesia medications to ensure patients were relaxed and stress free as the anesthesiologist prepped the patient for sleep.

In the 1990s, researchers delved deeper into the pain relieving effects of Fentanyl. First creating the Fentanyl patch for long-term or chronic pain patients, pharma companies caught on to the popularity of the drug and eventually went on to make Fentanyl sprays, suckers, dissolving chewables, and pills. This truly brought Fentanyl into the market of synthetic opioid pain relievers.

By 2012, Fentanyl was the most widely prescribed synthetic pain reliever in the United States. While it is considered safe when used in the highly controlled environment of an operating room, Fentanyl can be extremely dangerous and easy to overdose on. Allowing patients to take home versions of Fentanyl, such as pills, can be a recipe for disaster as it is not uncommon for an individual to accidentally take too much.

How Does Fentanyl Work?

Like other opioids such as oxycodone and morphine, Fentanyl works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. The opioid receptors are tied to the brain’s ‘reward’ system, which is related to the emotions an individual may feel.

The reward system in the brain is meant to instinctively drive humans towards doing more things that benefit them. For example, when you eat something sweet like a piece of fruit, you body naturally rewards you with feelings of satisfaction and happiness in an attempt to get you to eat it again. Feelings of pleasure are also tied to this, as pleasure is a reward for sex which can lead to procreation, or the production of more offspring.

When opioids like Fentanyl are introduced to the brain, however, this reward system is hijacked by the drug which triggers opioid receptors to produce feelings of euphoria and pleasure without it having been technically ‘earned’ by the individual. Following natural protocol, your body will crave more Fentanyl to receive the reward of these feelings again. This cycle is what drives Fentanyl addiction.

Signs And Symptoms Of Fentanyl Abuse

While Fentanyl can help provide some patients with temporary pain relief and relaxation, it does affect your body in some negative ways. As an opioid, Fentanyl directly affects the body’s respirations, or breathing rate, as well as heart rate.

As potent as Fentanyl is, this risk is greatly increased over other, less potent opioids. If an individual has recreationally taken other opioids before without any issues, they may be tempted to think they can take Fentanyl in the same way. Unfortunately, this sometimes fatal mistake is made when users do not understand the extreme potency of Fentanyl.

Death from Fentanyl overdose is most commonly caused by a decrease in breathing so severe that it cuts off oxygen from the brain. Although death may seem like an extreme case, Fentanyl can take a toll on other parts of the body as well. Some signs and symptoms of Fentanyl abuse can include:

Cold sweats
Uncontrollable shakiness
Dizziness, headaches, or hallucinations
Depression
Weight loss or malnutrition due to loss of appetite
Constipation and inability to urinate
Itchy skin or hives
Insomnia and nightmares
Difficulty breathing
Coma
Dry mouth (cotton mouth)

Get Help

If you or a loved one is suffering from Fentanyl abuse, it is important to seek professional help immediately. The extreme potency of Fentanyl makes it difficult to predict the effects it will take on its user, which can lead to dangerous outcomes very quickly.

Fentanyl is highly addictive and difficult to quit, but our addiction specialists are here to support you every step of the way. Call today to learn more about the comprehensive addiction treatment programs we have and get started on your road to recovery.

For More Information Related to “Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Abuse” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

BMC Palliative Care – Opioid Switch From Low Dose Of Oral Oxycodone To Transdermal Fentanyl Matrix Patch
Drugs.com – Fentanyl Injection
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – What Is Fentanyl?
US National Library of Medicine – Transdermal Fentanyl: Pharmacology And Toxicology

The Long-Term Effects of Taking Suboxone

Posted on June 22, 2017June 22, 2017 by dr-admin

Suboxone is a drug commonly used to help treat different types of opioid addiction in adults. It is actually a combination of two different types of drugs; buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a type of opioid medication, often prescribed for pain control, while naloxone is actually a medication prescribed to block the effects of opioids.

If this sounds contradictory to you don’t worry, it’s supposed to. Buprenorphine is in a drug class known as an agonist, while naloxone is in an opposite category known as an antagonist. Together, this drug combination can help an individual who is addicted to opioids cope with symptoms of withdrawal and cravings.

While this combination may sound like a positive drug all the way around, the possibility of ‘too much of a good thing’ does exist with Suboxone. Like any drug, there are potential side effects that can be dangerous, along with addictive qualities after prolonged use.

How Does Suboxone Work?

As mentioned above, Suboxone is a combination of two different types of drugs. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist, meaning that while it does activate some opioid receptors in the brain, it does not activate nearly as many as a typical opioids such as hydrocodone.

Taking an opioid while trying to recover from opioid addiction may sound a bit counterproductive, but there is a method behind it. While buprenorphine is a partial agonist, it is also a partial antagonist meaning that it can also attach to opioid receptors in the brain and block other full agonist opioids from reaching them.

On the opposite side of the ring, naloxone is actually an antagonist that blocks opioid receptors by sticking to them without activating them. Naloxone on its own is a common drug used by emergency medical respondents to reverse potentially lethally overdoses on drugs such as heroin.

With naloxone and buprenorphine working together to block full agonist opioids from being received by opioid receptors, the buprenorphine is still able to produce some amount of opioid effect on the individual. This slight opioid effect helps with opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms without presenting as many of the depressant dangers of full agonist opioids.

Is Suboxone Addictive?

So far we have overviewed many of the positives regarding Suboxone, however there are some negatives that should be addressed. Can drug that was created to help treat addiction become addictive in the long run? The short answer is yes.

While there are many positive outcomes that can come with an addicted individual taking Suboxone, addiction is still a very real possibility with this drug. While the naloxone in Suboxone helps to block some of the opioid receptors through its antagonist qualities, the buprenorphine is still able to attach to some receptors.

As an opioid, buprenorphine can be very addictive. While it may be less addictive than other full agonist opioids, it still holds the same addictive traits that its opioid cousins have. Because of this, it is possible to build a dependence on Suboxone, which can quickly turn into an addiction.

What Are The Side Effects Of Suboxone?

Even when taken short-term and exactly as prescribed, Suboxone comes with its own list of possibly dangerous side effects that can happen to anyone. Before anyone is prescribed Suboxone, the doctor must assess for a history of liver/kidney disease, lung or respiratory illnesses, a history of drug abuse, enlarged prostate or bladder issues, past brain injuries or trauma to the head, and current prescriptions for sedatives such as Xanax.

This comprehensive medical history is not asked in vain, as these underlying diseases and ailments can cause many issues when combined with Suboxone. Some side effects of taking Suboxone can include:

Insomnia
Increased sweating
Heart palpitations
Numbness or pain inside your mouth
Dizziness and excessive drowsiness
Nausea relating to constipation, vomiting
Swelling in hands and feet
Aggressive migraines or headaches

Even in individuals with no medical history as mentioned above, these side effects can present themselves immediately or after a period of taking the medication. It is always important to check with your doctor if you have any underlying issues in your medical history, or if any of these side effects present themselves after taking Suboxone.

Signs Of Long-Term Suboxone Abuse

As with many drugs, including prescription drugs, the body will eventually build up a tolerance to the drug Suboxone. Because of this, dosages and frequencies should be closely monitored by the prescribing physician. Taking the exact amount and frequency prescribed is the best way to ensure the medication will help with the underlying addiction and not create a new one.

For some individuals, they may choose to combat this tolerance through higher or more frequent doses, along with alternative methods of taking the drug. It has been reported that some individuals abusing Suboxone choose to dissolve it into water and inject it, crush it into a fine powder and snort it, or chew it before swallowing for a quicker effect.

All of these methods of taking Suboxone are considered to be abusing the drug, which can be indicative of long-term use. Other signs and symptoms of long-term Suboxone abuse include:

Taking Suboxone outside of prescribed directions
Getting Suboxone prescriptions from multiple physicians
Craving Suboxone when not taking it
Mixing Suboxone with other drugs to magnify its effects
Symptoms of withdrawal when not taking Suboxone

Get Help Today

As innocent as starting to take Suboxone can be, it has the potential to hold devastating and long-term side effects. If you or a loved one believes Suboxone is no longer being utilized for the use it was prescribed, it it important to seek professional help today.

Contact one of our addiction specialists to get started on the road to recovery. No one should have to battle addiction alone, get help today.

For More Information Related to “The Long-Term Effects of Taking Suboxone” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Drugs.com – Suboxone
Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence – Suboxone: A Harm Reduction Approach

Risks Associated with Snorting Heroin (Insufflation)

Posted on June 14, 2017July 14, 2017 by dr-admin

Why Are Some Drugs Snorted?

Snorting drugs, also known as insufflation, has been around for centuries. Hundreds of years ago, North American native cultures ground tobacco leaves into a fine powder called snuff in order to snort the drug instead of smoke it. Their reasoning was simple – snorting the drug caused them to feel the effects almost immediately.

The nasal passageways in your nose contain hundreds of tiny blood vessels that are close to the surface. This is one of the reasons your nose bleeds so easily compared to other areas covered with skin. When a drug is snorted, the fine powder is absorbed by these blood vessels and enter the bloodstream instantly, causing an almost immediate high.

While this immediate high may draw some individuals to insufflation, there are many dangers associated with it. Permanent damage can be caused to nasal passageways after prolonged use, as well as an increased risk of contracting bloodborne diseases such as Hepatitis C through those thin blood vessels.

Repeated insufflation will also cause nasal passageways to produce more mucous to protect blood vessels, resulting in a ‘tolerance’ effect. Increased mucous can decrease a drug’s effectiveness, which can potentially cause an individual to increase their dose to a fatal level.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is in the classification of drugs known as opioids. It is derived from a substance known as morphine, which is harvested from the Asian opium poppy plant in a process that removes the natural sap from the seed pod of the plant.

Although the morphine concentrate is considered a natural substance, it is combined with many dangerous chemicals to produce the final product of heroin. This process, and the final product, are anything but natural.

The final heroin product can come in many varieties, including white or brown powder or a black, tar-like substance. Heroin can be introduced into the human body through various methods including smoking, injecting (shooting), or snorting (insufflation). Each method can produce a variation of the high, but all have a high risk for addiction.

Snorting vs Shooting Heroin

With the ongoing opioid epidemic that is hitting the United States right now, heroin addiction is more prevalent now than it has been in decades. Specifically speaking in terms of new heroin users, this number has doubled from 2005 to 2012. In 2010 alone there were 2,789 heroin overdoses that resulted in death, a number that has doubled since the previous decade.

With this shift in heroin users, hospitals and rehab facilities are seeing more and more suburban housewives, successful businessmen, and many young teens suffering from addiction and overdoses. There has also been a noticeable shift in the method of taking heroin, with more young adults and teens reporting snorting the drug than have in the past.

For many, the act of snorting heroin seems safer than injecting or shooting it. Widespread campaigns demonstrating the dangers of sharing needles and contracting bloodborne diseases have been partially responsible for this shift. For others, the act of injecting a drug intravenously is a big leap and snorting doesn’t fit the drug stereotype as much.

Regardless of an individual’s reasoning for shooting or snorting heroin, both methods are extremely dangerous and can result in addiction after just one dose. Snorting heroin can also cause the contraction of blood borne diseases through the thin membranes in the nose, making it just as dangerous as shooting.

Signs Of Heroin Abuse

The signs and symptoms of snorting heroin can appear immediately in an individual. Insufflation delivers the dose of heroin directly to the bloodstream through membranes in the nasal passageway causing an almost immediate high. If you suspect a loved one is high on heroin, look for the following signs:

Hallucinations
Diarrhea
Vomiting or nausea
Confusion
Low respiration (breathing) rate
Low heart rate
Constipation
Loss of consciousness

Prolonged use of heroin can be extremely hard on the body. As heroin use continues, the body will naturally build a tolerance to the drug. This tolerance can cause an increase in the dose or frequency an individually will take heroin, increasing the risks that come along with it.

Outside of the risk of fatal overdose and addiction, other long-term signs of heroin abuse include:

Infection of nasal passageways
Frequent nosebleeds
Liver and kidney failure or disease
Heart complications
Increased anger or agitation with normal stimulus
Lung infections and diseases
Collapsed veins
Inability to regulate behavior

Get Help

If you or a loved one is suffering from heroin abuse in any form, you are not alone. This is a growing epidemic in the United States that is affecting millions of people regardless of race, gender, profession, class, or culture.

Heroin is an extremely addictive drug with harsh withdrawal effects. Quitting cold turkey can be difficult and even dangerous. With heroin addiction, seeking professional help is the best answer. Call our addiction specialists today to discuss customized treatment options for yourself or your loved one.

For More Information Related to “Risks Associated with Snorting Heroin (Insufflation)” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse – America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse
PBS – Transforming Opium Poppies into Heroin
National Institute on Drug Abuse – What is Heroin?
Hindawi – The Destructive Capacity of Drug Abuse: An Overview Exploring the Harmful Potential of Drug Abuse Both to the Individual and to Society

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