The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Hydrocodone (Vicodin)

Posted on September 5, 2017 by dr-admin

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

What Is Vicodin?

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

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

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

Is It Dangerous To Combine Alcohol And Vicodin?

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

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

Alcohol And Vicodin Have A High Potential For Overdose

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

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

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

What Are The Signs Of An Alcohol And Vicodin Overdose?

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

Signs of overdose include:

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

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

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

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

Using Vicodin And Alcohol Together Can Harm Your Organs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Much Vicodin Is Too Much?

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

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

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

How Do I Get Help For My Addiction?

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

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

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

Don’t Let Your Addiction Go Any Further

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

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

Sources

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

The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Crack Cocaine

Posted on August 30, 2017 by dr-admin

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

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

What Does Alcohol Do To Your Body?

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

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

How Does Crack Effect You?

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

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

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

Why Do People Use Alcohol And Crack Together?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alcohol And Crack Increase Your Risk Of Death

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

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

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

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

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

What Is Cocaethylene And Why Is It So Toxic?

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

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

Cocaethylene has been associated with an increased risk of:

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

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

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

Get Help For Alcohol and Crack Cocaine Abuse Today

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

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

Sources

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

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

Is Alcoholism Genetic or Hereditary?

Posted on August 14, 2017 by dr-admin

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

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

What Is Alcoholism?

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

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

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

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

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

The Four Symptoms Of Alcoholism

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

Cravings

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

Tolerance

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

Loss of Control

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

Physical Dependence

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

Inheriting Genes vs Inheriting Habits

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

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

Risk is affected by genes
Risk is affected by choice

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

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

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

Get Help Today

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

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

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

Sources

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

Understanding A Needle Fixation

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

Needle fixation occurs when the act of injecting becomes compulsive, rewarding, and equal to or more important than the actual act of using the drug itself. Certain experts actually consider needle fixation to be a separate addiction, with some referring to it as a behavioral addiction. A needle fixation can increase the already present risks which accompany injection drug use, such as infection, transmissible disease, and death.

Not every individual who injects drugs will develop a needle fixation. But those who do, entertain thoughts and engage in behaviors increasingly shaped by this compulsion. The Public Sphere reports that “Estimates suggest that needle fixation is observed among a quarter of injecting heroin users.” So how does a person develop a needle fixation and what does it entail?

Intravenous (IV) Drug Abuse: The Basics

Injecting drugs is the most invasive, and dangerous, way a drug abuser can administer a drug. To do this, an individual fills a needle or syringe with the desired drug of abuse. Intravenous drug users (IDUs) inject drugs the following ways:

Intramuscularly: Into the muscle
Intravenously (IV): Into the vein
Subcutaneously (“Skin-popping”): Right below the skin

Some of the most addictive drugs known to man are used this way, including heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and morphine, among others.

What Is A Needle Fixation?

In short, it’s when a person compulsively uses needles. Further, the individual’s fixation on needles either equals or surpasses their desire to use the drug. The act of injecting, in and of itself, provides a sense of reward which is separate from the “rush” or “high” of the drug.

A more technical definition, sourced from a research report published in the journal Addiction, cites that is is “Repetitive puncturing of the skin with or without the injection of psychoactive drugs via intravenous, subcutaneous or intra-muscular routes, irrespective of the drug or drugs injected or the anticipated effects of the drug.”

Considering the fact that addiction, especially an addiction to hard drugs like heroin and crack cocaine, overrides a person’s desire for most anything else, this is pretty extreme. This is why some experts refer to a needle fixation as an addiction itself.

The Public Sphere notes that three themes lead certain people to develop “an addiction to the injecting process,” including:

Previous obsessive traits
Irrational superstitions
Insecure attachments

These individuals harbor perspectives and reactions to needles and needle use which can endanger their health and even those around them.

What Behaviors And Thoughts Are Associated With A Needle Fixation?

Like other harmful behaviors surrounding substance abuse, a needle fixation is steeped in some very unhealthy and negative thoughts and behaviors, such as those outlined by the Addiction report:

Ritualization: A person becomes obsessed with preparing the needle for injection.
Relishing the skill of injecting: User’s claim that their skill at injecting increases their self-esteem.
Substitution of other drugs or water: Some people may fixate on the injection so much that they turn to these substances if their drug isn’t available, just so they can inject.
Pleasure at injecting: The injection itself creates a sense of well-being and enhances the rush of the drug.
Pursuit of pain: Certain individuals report liking the pain associated with the injection (masochism).
Linked to deliberate self-harm: Some individuals inject as a means to purposely harm or punish themselves.
Association with sex: Injection is linked to sexual pleasure and as a way to create intimacy.

Specifically, a person with a needle fixation may:

Feel a rush or “buzz” simply by using the needle, even before the drug hits their system.
Become sexually aroused by injecting, or being injected by, their partner.
Find that they replace sex in increasing instances with the ritual of injection.
Believe it would be harder to give up injection than the actual drug of abuse.
Feel the process of preparing the needle for injection is as, or more, important than the high.
Feel calm or more relaxed after they inject water.
Enjoy the pain that results from the injection (either when injecting their self or when injected by others.)
Become infatuated with the needle because of how they equate it to this pain.
Pull blood in and out of the syringe prior to or following injection (“flushing”).

These behaviors can put a person in harm’s way. For instance, when a person is injecting a partner, especially if they equate a sexual feeling to the act, they are more apt to share needles. This practice drastically increases the risks associated with injection. As these behaviors accompany drug abuse, comprehensive treatment should be sought which addresses both concerns.

What Are The Dangers Of Injecting Drugs?

A needle fixation can jeopardize an IDU’s health and life. When this desire becomes so strong, coupled with the already overwhelming urge to use, a person may resort to sharing needles, using dirty needles, or using old needles, all of which increase the risk of infection, transmissible disease, and as a secondary effect, death.

Injecting drugs can lead to:

Abscesses
Addiction
Cellulitis
Collapsed veins
Cotton Fever
Hepatitis B and C
HIV/AIDS
Limb amputation
Necrotizing fasciitis
Organ failure
Sepsis
Track marks

Many of these conditions can accelerate into critical stages and lead to death.

Recognizing a needle fixation, and educating an IDU on it, is key to preventing these risks and opening the conversation up for treatment.

Why Is It Important To Understand Needle Fixations?

Some findings illustrate that individuals with a needle fixation are more impulsive than their IDU counterparts who don’t have a fixation. Some research even posits that a needle fixation should be classified as a behavioral addiction and treated as such.

In keeping these concerns in mind, treatment should address any issues which relate to impulsive and/or ingrained negative behaviors. Effective treatment should treat both the drug addiction and the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors linked to the needle fixation.

Does A Needle Fixation Alter A Person’s Treatment Needs?

Yes. A BMJ Journals article explains how a needle fixation can influence treatment:

“When treating injection drug users it is important to simultaneously assess needle fixation because this would influence the treatment outcome…Understanding needle fixation as deliberate self harm can encourage testing pharmacological interventions in addition to behavioral therapies.”

Any time an individual enlists in rehab, to optimize treatment results, the facility’s staff should seek to understand a their unique situation as fully as possible. Understanding a person’s perspectives on drug abuse is important and can help to inform an individualized treatment approach.

How Do You Treat A Needle Fixation?

Many of the same modalities used to treat drug addiction may also benefit a person’s pursuit of overcoming their needle fixation. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be impactful methods for treating matters of impulse control, self-harm, abnormal sexual proclivities, and dysfunctional behaviors.

On this subject, one paper asserts that “Consequently, current evidence-based treatments for behavioral addictions could be modified to address the inherent difficulties of impulse control in those identified as needle-fixated injecting drug users.”

Therapy and counseling work to restore positive and healthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors which build up sobriety and undue the damage done from the needle fixation and addiction. Additionally, these behavioral therapies are key components of treatment for any co-occurring mental health disorders, like depression or past trauma.

Begin Building Healthy Behaviors For Sobriety Today

A good treatment program can work to treat needle fixation and as well as addiction. If you’re interested in learning more about how inpatient drug rehab can help you in these ways, let DrugRehab.org help. Your call is one hundred percent confidential. Contact us today.

For More Information Related to “Understanding A Needle Fixation” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Temazepam (Restoril) Withdrawal and Detoxification

Posted on July 31, 2017July 31, 2017 by dr-admin

There are a lot of different prescription medicines out there—some are meant to treat pain, some the common cold, and others mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Each of these medications can also be abused for one reason or another, but mostly for their euphoric effects.

Temazepam is one of the many sedatives that can be used to help a person sleep, but in the illicit market, there’s a lot of room for diversion and abuse of it. Perhaps you’ve never heard of it, but temazepam a much bigger problem than most of us realize.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), temazepam is the fifth most prescribed and abused sedative in the United States, and there were “8.5 million temazepam prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. in 2011.”

Abusing temazepam, or using it for a long period of time can result in tolerance, drug dependence, and eventually painful withdrawal symptoms. Some people find the safety, re-assurance, and help they need with an inpatient detoxification, but no matter which way you look at it, withdrawal from Restoril should never be taken lightly.

What Is Temazepam?

Temazepam is the generic version of Restoril; a benzodiazepine that produces central nervous system depression, and is used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Temazepam helps a person sleep by de-activating the brain. This can be a rarity for someone who hasn’t slept in a while, so when they start taking Restoril, it can be life changing. Unfortunately, it is because this calming euphoria that a lot of people abuse benzodiazepines.

Temazepam and other benzodiazepines are classified as schedule IV depressants by the DEA, because even though they have a medical purpose, they are still considered controlled substances with high potential for abuse and dependence.

The problem with Restoril is that even though it works well to help a person sleep, it’s only meant to be a short-term solution. So when someone uses it for longer than 7 to 10 days, it can rapidly become more than just a sleep aid, and as tolerance builds up so does dependence.

As this person becomes physically dependent to Restoril, they may begin taking it every night to take the edge off, even though they only think they need it—this is one way to pinpoint dependence.

Now the problem lies with maintenance, because if a person whose dependent upon benzodiazepines abruptly stops taking them, they’re almost definitely going to experience withdrawals. So they continue using it.

What Are The Dangers Quitting Temazepam Cold Turkey?

To make quitting benzodiazepines safer, medical professionals will have patients slowly wean off of the drug by shrinking doses gradually.

Not everyone abuses Restoril, becomes dependent or addicted, for that matter. Nonetheless, it can be helpful to understand what those terms actually mean. The Food and Drug Administration clearly describes abuse, dependence, tolerance, and addiction as follows.

Abuse is characterized by misuse of the drug for non-medical purposes, often in combination with other psychoactive substances.
Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by a specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug and/or administration of an antagonist.
Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug induces changes that result in a diminution of one or more of the drug’s effects over time.
Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiological disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.

Some people might not realize how dangerous benzodiazepine withdrawals are so when they abruptly stop using them, they’re left with an intense withdrawal or drug craving that they can’t really explain. Quitting Restoril cold turkey can be life threatening.

Temazepam Withdrawal Timeline

For someone who is dependent on Restoril, 1 to 4 days after discontinuing use provokes a serious issue known as drug-rebound.

Rebound is the beginning stage of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, and is basically has the opposite effect of benzodiazepines whereby a person experiences extreme dysphoria, anxiety, and insomnia. Oftentimes even just the thought of not having Restoril to sleep can bring on these intense feelings of panic and anxiety.

The most intense period of withdrawals generally begins after 4 days of Restoril abstinence. After that, the symptoms can last anywhere from 10 to 14 days and may include:

headaches
convulsions
trembling
muscle cramps
abdominal pain
vomiting
sweating
insomnia
anxiety
panic attacks
irritability
headaches
heart palpitations

Other severe symptoms include:

hallucinations
seizures
psychosis
relapse as a result

How To Safely Detox From Temazepam

You aren’t alone if you worry about what will happen if you stop taking Restoril. You can feel at ease knowing that there are people who make it their life’s purpose to help you overcome addiction, dependence, and get through the hardest part of recovery.

In an inpatient rehab center, a detoxification is required to safely overcome the physical dependence of benzodiazepines like temazepam. In a medical detoxification, you’ll be under the supervision of people who know what they’re doing.

During this time, you’ll gradually be taken off the benzodiazepine, and your withdrawal symptoms will be carefully monitored by professionals.

Detoxification is an important step to getting your life back, but it isn’t the whole package. After safely and thoroughly completing detox, a treatment program at a rehab center is almost always your best bet. Even after inpatient rehab, addiction is a chronic disease, and recovering from it will be a lifelong journey.

This might all be new to you, so to avoid leaving you hanging, here are some of the best treatment programs and services out there:

Professional Intervention
Detoxification
Medication-Assisted Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Group Therapy
Inpatient Rehab
Outpatient Rehab
Peer Support
Family Counseling
Aftercare Support

Avoid Fighting Addiction Alone—Find Help Today

Quitting drugs is hard, but it’s a lot harder to do it alone. Reach out to our addiction specialists today at 1-877-584-9419 to learn how to overcome Restoril addiction. Your recovery, privacy, and safety are our main priorities.

For More Information Related to “Temazepam (Restoril) Withdrawal and Detoxification” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

U.S. National Library of Medicine – Temazepam
U.S. National Library of Medicine – The Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome

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

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Posted on July 6, 2017July 14, 2017 by dr-admin

A 2016 Gallup poll found that current marijuana use nearly doubled between 2013 and 2016. Based on these findings, roughly one in eight Americans presently use this drug. With statistics this high, it’s important to understand the reality surrounding marijuana use and abuse. Many Americans grow up hearing that marijuana, or weed, is not addictive. Not only is this perspective untrue, but it’s also harmful to a person’s health. Like other drugs, cannabis use can lead to adverse health effects, abuse, and in the most serious cases, addiction.

Can Marijuana Use Become Addictive?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) asserts “that 30 percent of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.” They continue, reporting that “people who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults.” For those who start in their teens, approximately one in six will develop an addiction, whereas one in nine adult-onset users will.

Keep in mind, even if you’ve been using marijuana daily for some time without becoming addicted, there’s still a possibility it could happen. In fact, according to research presented by the University of Washington’s Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute, of those who:

Try the drug one or more times within their life, one in ten will become dependent.
Abuse the drug on a daily basis, half will become dependent.

The most easily witnessed proof that marijuana is addictive is that it can lead to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. These states are all primary hallmarks of addiction.

Why Is Marijuana Addictive?

Like any addiction, this is complicated and relies on numerous factors, many of which scientists are still learning. However, some researchers theorize that the rising potency of THC in marijuana is partly responsible. The primary compound in marijuana which is responsible for creating the high is THC.

Also, as consistent with other drugs of abuse, research has identified the possibility that marijuana can alter dopamine. Within rat subjects, NIDA writes that “early exposure…decreases the reactivity of brain dopamine reward centers later in adulthood.” Due to its role in regulating reward and pleasure, dopamine is heavily linked to addiction. Even more impactful is research published by JAMA Psychiatry in May of 2016. These findings actually identified certain genes which are linked to cannabis dependence.

Regardless of how or why marijuana is addictive, the important truth is that if you use marijuana, you are exposing yourself to this and other risks.

What Are The Signs Of A Marijuana Addiction?

Like all drugs of abuse, marijuana abuse and addiction changes the way a person thinks, acts, and behaves. If you’re concerned that your loved one is abusing or addicted to marijuana, they may exhibit certain signs, such as a(n):

Altered perception of time
Dry mouth “cotton mouth”
Enhanced sensory experiences
Increased appetite “the munchies”
Intense pleasure (euphoria)
Laughter
Red, dry eyes
State of relaxation

Marijuana can also cause:

Anxiety
Distrust
Fear
Panic
Paranoia

In severe cases, when used to excess, a user may experience acute psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations.

What Is The Criteria Of A Cannabis Use Disorder?

A cannabis use disorder (CUD) encompasses a spectrum of both abuse and dependence. As cited by Medscape, an individual with a CUD must meet at least two of the following 11 criteria during the period of one year:

A person(’s):

Uses marijuana in amounts or for a time greater than they planned on.
Cannot decrease their use even if they want or attempt to do so.
Expends large amounts of time finding, using, or recuperating from using the drug.
Is overcome with an intense need to use the drug (craving).
Ability to carry out important responsibilities at home, school, or work is impaired by the continued use of the drug.
Keeps abusing the drug even when it causes harm to them within relationships or social obligations.
Withdraws or completely stops engaging in pleasurable, social, or vocational events due to marijuana.
Uses the drug on a regular basis even when it exposes them to physical risk.
Doesn’t stop using the drug even when they know it’s causing or worsening a physical or mental health problem.
Doesn’t experience the same effect at the previous dose of the drug and/or needs more of the drug to create pleasurable feelings (tolerance).
Experiences withdrawal should they suddenly stop using the drug. Or, if this occurs, they use the drug to avoid these symptoms.
Withdrawal from marijuana can last up to 14 days. It may include cravings, irritability, physical malaise, restlessness, a suppressed appetite, and various changes to their mood and sleep.

Are There Other Risks Of Marijuana Abuse?

Despite its popularity and widespread use as a recreational drug, marijuana use is not without risks. Marijuana abuse and addiction carry some pretty serious risks which may surprise you, including:

Amotivational Syndrome

It’s theorized that marijuana is associated with amotivational syndrome, a chronic psychiatric disorder which closely resembles depression and causes:

Apathy
Blunted emotional responses
Decreased activity
Impaired memory
Incoherent state
Lack of motivation
Poor concentration
Withdrawn behavior

Cognitive Changes

Research is ongoing, however, marijuana use and abuse has been linked to memory impairment, decreased cognitive abilities, and even changes to the brain’s structural components.

As detailed by NIDA, regular exposure is particularly worrisome to adolescents. This abuse may impair “executive functions such as memory, learning, and impulse control compared to people who do not use.” Also:

“A large longitudinal study in New Zealand found that persistent marijuana use disorder with frequent use starting in adolescence was associated with a loss of an average of 6 or up to 8 IQ points measured in mid-adulthood. Significantly, in that study, those who used marijuana heavily as teenagers and quit using as adults did not recover the lost IQ points.”

Co-Occurring Disorders

Time reports that “90% of people with marijuana addictions also suffer from another psychiatric condition or addiction.” The JAMA study illuminates the seriousness of this comorbidity. These findings link certain cannabis dependence genes to genetic risk factors for major depression and schizophrenia.

Links To Other Forms of Drug Abuse

The theory that marijuana is a gateway drug isn’t without merit after all. Though most who use this drug will not develop other forms of drug abuse, research has found a connection. A second JAMA Psychiatry publication found that “cannabis use is associated with an increased risk for several substance use disorders.”

Are You Or A Loved One Addicted To Marijuana?

Even though marijuana isn’t as addictive or dangerous as other drugs, it can still disrupt and damage a person’s life in many serious ways. And like other substance use disorders, marijuana addiction can require support and treatment. We can help you with these things. DrugRehab.org can support you as you learn more about marijuana abuse, addiction, and treatment. Contact us now.

For More Information Related to “Is Marijuana Addictive?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Gallup — One in Eight U.S. Adults Say They Smoke Marijuana
JAMA Psychiatry — Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychiatric DisordersProspective Evidence From a US National Longitudinal Study
US National Library of Medicine — A Motivational Syndrome In Organic Solvent Abusers

The Dangers of Snorting Suboxone

Posted on June 29, 2017July 13, 2017 by dr-admin

What Is Suboxone And What Is It Used For?

Suboxone is made up of buprenorphine and naloxone and used in medication-assisted therapy to treat opioid addictions to drugs like heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, and others. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist responsible for treating the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Naloxone is a an opioid partial antagonist used to counter the effects of narcotic drugs.

Understanding Suboxone Abuse

Suboxone abuse frequently occurs with people who have previously abused other opioids. Abuse is defined as a pattern of use where the person using the drug puts themselves in harm’s way by either the method or frequency of use. Here are a few ways people abuse Suboxone:

using more than what’s directed.
using it to get high.
snorting the drug.
diversion (sharing/selling) to someone else.
using it with alcohol or other drugs.
using it longer than you’re supposed to.
using a prescription that isn’t yours.

Does Abusing Suboxone Lead To Dependence Or Addiction?

A lot people who become addicted to opioids don’t do so intentionally, and the same goes for Suboxone. Addictions aren’t all the same, and not everyone abuses drugs for the same reason. On top of that, variables like environment, genetics, and social surroundings play a part in addiction and drug dependence.

Addiction and drug dependence are part of the chemistry of the human body and brain. Addiction is referred to as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.” Dependence is when a person’s use of a drug builds up their tolerance to the point that they feel sick when they stop using that drug.

How To Properly Use Suboxone

Suboxone is a sublingual tablet to dissolve under the tongue—this lets the active ingredients enter into the bloodstream over a period of time. A patient will be prescribed Suboxone to take it once a day, but over time this dose may be decreased. Suboxone isn’t a cure all method for addiction treatment, and is meant to be used in conjunction with therapy.

When it’s used properly, Suboxone isn’t intended to be a opioid substitution either. At the same time, it isn’t designed to be addictive like opiates. The unfortunate reality is that so often a person is not be able to manage an opiate addiction alone, and a regimen of Suboxone may be necessary.

Why Do Some People Snort Suboxone?

When a person swallows a pill of Suboxone, it’s ingested and can be in the bloodstream in about 15 minutes. If that same person grinds the pill down into a powder and snorts it, the highly sensitive nasal tissues will absorb the drug and send it directly into the bloodstream. Thus allowing the drug into the brain at a faster rate.

The difference between prescription opioids and Suboxone is the chance of overdosing. By design, Suboxone has what is known as a “ceiling”—which means that after 16 to 32 mg doses, the drug basically becomes ineffective. In other words, Suboxone minimizes and deters drug abuse.

How Does Snorting Suboxone Make You Feel?

When a person snorts Suboxone, they receive all of the active ingredients at the same time, instead of being released over a longer period. It can lead to numbness, nausea, and a drowsy euphoria. Though Suboxone isn’t meant to make a patient feel anything but normal, and is only intended to take the edge off the withdrawals and reduce or diminish cravings. This happens because “the brain thinks it is receiving the problem opioid, so withdrawal symptoms stay away.” (U.S. Department of Mental Health and Human Services).

Side-Effects Of Snorting Suboxone

Snorting Suboxone can also have a serious impact on a person’s health. The lungs, throat, nasal passage, and brain are the first in danger. Snorting Suboxone can increase that chances of some of the drug’s side-effects and a range of other potential dangers as well:

Overdose and toxicity
Sinus infections
Congestion
Frequent nosebleeds
Permanent damage to vocal cords
Pnemonia
Sleep apnea
Inability to sleep well
Snoring
Increased drug dependence
Behavior problems
Withdrawals
Increased chance of addiction
Cravings
Lack of control

Is There A Safe Way To Snort Suboxone?

No. There is not a safe way to snort Suboxone. The drug is designed to be safely used as a sublingual tablet. Along with that, Suboxone isn’t really meant to be used for a long period of time. It should only be used as an aid to detoxification, withdrawals and therapy. With the ceiling effect of the drug’s minimal high—snorting the drug will not make a difference as far as euphoria goes, but it can increase the chance of overdose.

Snorting too much suboxone can also precipitate painful opioid withdrawal symptoms. Not always though; this is because “the naloxone in Suboxone guards against abuse by causing withdrawal symptoms in abusers who crush and either inject or snort the drug” (National Drug Intelligence Center).

Withdrawal Symptoms From Suboxone

Withdrawals can be different from one person to another, because not everybody’s using habits are the same. The physical symptoms of withdrawal are usually at their peak at 2 to 3 days after a person stops taking Suboxone; with vomiting and other digestive problems. They become less severe over a month or so—moving from anxiety and depression to drug cravings. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms of snorting Suboxone are:

Sweating
Insomnia
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Drowsiness
Indigestion
Constipation
Nausea
Headache
Fever
Chills
Lethargy
Vomiting
Muscle pain
Chest pain
Stomach pain
Intense cravings for Suboxone

Is Suboxone Okay For Me?

Suboxone will not be an appropriate medication for everyone—and there are tests to determine that. “Your doctor will ask you questions about your addiction, health, and other problems. You will get a drug test—usually a check of urine or saliva. You also will have a physical exam and tests for diseases that are common to people who have been abusing drugs. Your liver will be checked to make sure the medication can be safely taken. If buprenorphine is safe and appropriate for you, your doctor may recommend it” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Where To Find Help

If you would like to learn more about medication-assisted therapy and the dangers of snorting Suboxone, Contact DrugRehab.org today at 1-877-584-9419 to confidentially speak to a treatment specialist about how to get help.

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

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse – The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction
National Institute on Drug Abuse – America’s Addiction To Opioids

Signs and Symptoms of ICE Use and Abuse

Posted on June 28, 2017 by dr-admin

Ice is a purified crystalline form of methamphetamine that is also known as crystal meth. It can be manufactured using cold medicine and chemicals like battery acid, antifreeze, or drain cleaner. Ice is a central nervous system stimulant that can rapidly lead to dependence and addiction. Among the most common signs that someone is using ice are irritability, problems sleeping, tooth decay, and weight loss. A few of the symptoms of ice abuse are kidney damage, heart attacks, depression, anxiety, and intense cravings.

It can be difficult to determine if someone is using ice if you don’t know what to look for. Commonly referred to as crystal, crank, shards, glass, Tina, or crystal meth, ice has become a serious problem across the globe. Ice abuse can lead to psychological issues, co-occurring disorders, and other problems in a person’s life.

A lot of people using ice don’t know who to turn to when they want to stop, or where to go for help for that matter. If you suspect someone is using crystal meth or ice, or if you yourself are using crystal meth—don’t give up hope. There are a lot of people who want to help.

What Is Ice?

Ice first showed up in the 1980s and has since become popular in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and other countries throughout the world. Ice is a central nervous system stimulant that can be smoked, diluted and intravenously injected, or ground into a powder and snorted. Ice is a purified crystalline form of methamphetamine and looks like a fragment of glass. The color of the drug can be clear, gray, brown, yellow, orange, or pink; depending on the ingredients.

How Is Ice Made?

Crystal meth is characteristic of large cities, but drug trafficking brings it to rural areas as well. Make no mistake, ice isn’t only manufactured in cities or other heavily populated regions; it can be produced in what are known as meth labs. These labs can be anything from a shed, van, or even a tent in the woods. To make ice, a person cooks up ingredients like pseudoephedrine (cold medicine), battery acid, antifreeze, or drain cleaner.

Unfortunately, those preparing the drugs are often using them as well, so this can rapidly become a dangerous situation. Not only to society but also to the environment. Meth labs create a lot of toxic waste which isn’t likely disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Not only that, the accidental explosions meth labs can cause are often detrimental to anyone nearby.

Understanding Ice Abuse

Methamphetamine is similar to amphetamine, which is used in medicine to and treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by stimulating the part of the brain and nerves that control impulsive behaviors. The Drug Enforcement Administration has categorized methamphetamine as a Schedule II drug because of its high potential for abuse. Ice is among the most potent and addictive drugs on in the world. Abusing it can lead to serious psychological addiction and fast; it can have a person hooked after just one use.

It’s true, crystal meth is a dangerous, addictive, and often deadly. Those who become addicted to meth might not be able to control the amount of the drug they’re using, because so frequently an addiction starts with an obsession and leads to compulsive use of a drug. So why do people use the drug? “Methamphetamine increases the amount of dopamine in the brain, which is involved in body movement, motivation, pleasure, and reward” (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

No matter how you look at it, it’s important to remember that the people suffering from addiction weren’t always that way—they’re still our neighbors, brothers, mothers, teachers, friends, and citizens who happen to suffer from a chronic disease. They’re people who need as much love and support as they can get.

Signs Someone Is Using Ice

Some people abusing ice may wind up in a binge and have hallucinations, become extremely antisocial, or even seem like there’s no hope for a cure. Even though addiction is a defined as a chronic disease, there’s always hope for recovery. If you aren’t sure if someone is abusing ice, here are some of the signs to look for:

Weight loss as a result of decreased appetite
Decaying teeth or Meth Mouth
Irritability and violent behavior
Problems sleeping
Trouble remembering
Serious emotional issues
Hyperactivity
Psychotic episodes
Paranoia
Confusion
Hallucinations
Meth Mites or belief that there are microscopic parasites under the skin

Long-Term Effects And Symptoms Of Ice Abuse

If use of crystal meth persists, the drug can cause symptoms beyond the signs and short-term effects; some of which aren’t treatable. Ice abuse can lead to:

Intense Cravings
Fatigue
Anxiety
Depression
Stroke
Kidney Damage
Psychotic Behavior
Psychosis
Faster Breathing
Increased Blood Pressure
Irregular Heart Rate
Heart Attack
Withdrawal Symptoms
Overdose
Death

When a person becomes physically dependent on crystal meth, they’re likely to experience withdrawals when they stop using, or run out of the drug. These symptoms are both mentally and physically draining and can be quite painful. Some of the withdrawals embody the long-term effects of crystal meth, and “can include anxiety, fatigue, severe depression, psychosis, and intense drug cravings” (NIDA).

Is There Treatment For Ice Addiction And Dependence?

There a lot people who are addicted to crystal meth, and some of them never make it to treatment. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t try if given the chance. It’s possible that some of them (or a lot of them) never ask for help due to fear of rejection, or because of the guilt and shame they feel. And there’s a huge scope of crystal meth abuse in the United States.

According to NIDA, in 2012 “approximately 1.2 million people reported using methamphetamine in the past year.” Not all of these people ever overdosed or developed an addiction, for that matter. Some of them didn’t need rehab to quit, but a lot of them did—sometimes it’s just a safer route to go.

With the right inpatient treatment there’s hope for a full recovery and drug-free life. Choosing to go to rehab can save your life, or the life of a person you care about; and there’s a treatment program that suits nearly everybody.

Behavioral Therapies For Substance Use Disorders

Behavioral therapies are some of the most effective methods for treating an addiction to ice. Furthermore, people come from all kinds of different backgrounds, so an individualized treatment tends to be the most effective—and there really isn’t a one size fits all method for treating addiction. The most commonly employed methods for treating a crystal meth addiction are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and contingency management.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can prevent relapse by helping a patient to recognize unhealthy behavior patterns, and situations that would normally evoke a desire to use drugs. Dialectical behavior therapy helps a patient learn to change behaviors by teaching acceptance skills through mindfulness and distress management, and change skills through emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Contingency-management uses a system of rewards and motivational incentives to teach a person healthy behaviors for a substance free life.

Is There A Rehab Center That’s Right For Me?

If you would like to learn more about an ice addiction, Contact DrugRehab.org at 1-833-473-4227 to confidentially speak to someone who understands crystal meth addiction, and can help find a treatment that meets your needs.

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

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse – What is the scope of Methamphetamine abuse in the United States?

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

What Is The Difference Between Amphetamine And Methamphetamine?

Posted on June 23, 2017July 14, 2017 by dr-admin

With so many drugs of abuse available today, it’s easy to get them confused. Amphetamines are a group of central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drugs with psychoactive properties, meaning they affect the mind. The group of amphetamines is comprised by any drugs classified as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR).

With that stated, methamphetamine is often abused in an illicit form, known as crystal meth. The names of these two drugs are very similar, but abuse of them is quite different and results in differing consequences.

Amphetamine: Definition, Use, And Abuse

As previously mentioned, amphetamine is a stimulant which means it has a stimulating effect on your body. When you take amphetamine, it helps improve your mood and increases alertness. Historically, amphetamines were not prescribed for stimulant effects, but today they help people with a number of medical conditions.

People may take amphetamine for obesity, narcolepsy, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Common brands of amphetamine include Adderall, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, and DextroStat.

Amphetamine is prescribed in pill form, and intended for oral use with a fairly slow release. People who abuse it may crush and snort the powder, combine it with water into a solution and inject it, or smoke it by inhaling vapors.

Abuse of amphetamine can cause a number of side effects, as abuse enhances side effects of the drugs:

Increased body temperature
Hostility
Paranoia
Increased blood pressure and/or heart rate
Alertness, talkativeness
Euphoria
Dry mouth
Lack of appetite
Pupil dilation
Heavy breathing
Headache or nausea
Heart palpitations
Tremors
Muscle spasms
Change in sexual behavior

With prolonged abuse, the severity of these effects worsens and can result in psychosis, psychological issues, behavioral changes, convulsions, coma, or even death.

Methamphetamine: Definition, Use, And Abuse

Methamphetamine is a stimulant within the amphetamine class used to treat obesity and ADHD. While it can be a helpful medication for these conditions when taken as directed, methamphetamine has become a popular drug of abuse. This is especially true of the illicit form, crystal meth.

As with amphetamine, methamphetamine is available under prescription in pill form. When people abuse it, they also crush and snort it, or mix it with water to make a solution to inject. But methamphetamine (commonly called meth) may also be formed into a solid, crystal-like form and smoked.

Meth poses great health and behavioral risks for those who abuse it, similar to amphetamines. Why? The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains, “meth at first causes a rush of good feelings, but then users feel edgy, overly excited, angry or afraid.” The drug is also highly addictive, which means you can develop addiction after abusing it for only a short time.

Some of the most severe problems associated with abuse of methamphetamine include:

Increasing body temperature until you faint
Severe itching, which can lead to scratching to the point of lesions and, later, infections
A condition known as meth mouth, terrible dental and mouth problems including cracked teeth
Changes to thought processes
Changes to behavior and mood

The Dangers Of Abusing Crystal Meth

If the risk of side effects weren’t alarming enough, abusing the illicit crystal meth can have some consequences that would be hard to undo. One of the greatest of these is the greatly increased risk of overdose when abusing crystal meth.

Meth is a highly addictive drug, but when you smoke a substance instead of taking it a different way (orally, for example) that substance produces quicker results. It’s this rush feeling, the quick feeling of euphoria and other side effects, that really drive development of addiction.

Meth is so potent, the risk of overdose is high even after just a few times taking it. And overdose doesn’t always mean people can simply be treated at a hospital and return to daily life. Overdose of meth can cause heart attack, stroke, or permanent damage to organs—all conditions which can ultimately be fatal.

Addiction to meth is so powerful, it affects not just your health but your life. When you’re living for addiction, your priorities are aligned with seeking use of the drug, and little else. Before meth takes over your life, or worse, we can help you find a treatment plan that will address all your needs. DrugRehab.org can connect you with private, inpatient rehab centers headed by staff with experience who offer caring support.

The Dangers Of Abusing Prescription Drugs

So what do amphetamine and methamphetamine have in common? They are both prescription drugs, or at least they started out that way. This means you have to have a prescription to get the licit forms of the drugs, and abuse should be easily avoided.

Unfortunately, we tend to trust our prescriptions to be safe and free from risk of addiction. But many medications are habit-forming, can foster abuse, and later lead to addiction. This isn’t to say all prescription drugs are bad, but that you have to be very careful when dealing with highly addictive medication.

Thousands of people in the nation are addicted to prescription drugs every year, but only a small portion of these people receive care for this issue. Perhaps it seems that abusing prescription drugs isn’t all bad because the prescription will eventually end, but this is rarely the end. Once you become addicted, addiction doesn’t go away because your prescription has ended.

If you can’t refill your script, and begin experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like headache, nausea, or vomiting, you may reach a desperate point. In that time, you likely will not be opposed to trying an alternate drug, even an illicit one. This is how subsequent drug abuse and addiction begins.

Abusing prescription drugs isn’t dangerous just for the length of the prescription, but for the health consequences and repercussions that can follow.

Solutions In Treatment

So what can be done to help those who’ve fallen victim to amphetamine or methamphetamine abuse? Treatment. In fact, treatment is the best solution we have to help people overcome substance abuse and addiction, and it’s proven effective in the lives of thousands every year.

At our rehab centers, you’ll be taken away from the messy environment of addiction and will heal in a welcoming, substance-free environment. In treatment you’ll be surrounded by experts in the field, trained and licensed clinical and medical staff, and peers who are traveling the same healing journey.

Our facilities also provide some of the best evidence-based treatment modalities available. We recognize that each person requires different aspects of treatment. Our programs are as unique as our patients—each treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs. Some of the methods we integrate into treatment plans include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Counseling: group, family, and individual
Gender-specific treatment
Alternative therapy: Adventure and Wilderness therapy
Dual diagnosis treatment
Mental health services and treatment
Aftercare support

Find Your Treatment Solution Today

Methamphetamine and amphetamine drugs are not drugs you want to experience, but if you are struggling with abuse of them, we can help. It’s not easy to reach out for help, but we’re here to make the process of getting the healing you need as smooth as possible.

Contact us today at DrugRehab.org to learn more about substance abuse, treatment options, and to speak to one of our specialists about getting into a treatment program.

For More Information Related to “What Is The Difference Between Amphetamine And Methamphetamine?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute On Drug Abuse—DrugFacts: Methamphetamine
U.S. National Library Of Medicine—Substance Use: Amphetamines

The Benefits Of A Women’s Only Drug Rehab Center

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

Effective treatment for addiction should work the same way for everyone, right? Not necessarily. Treatment needs are as unique as the individuals who have them, and treatment has to be adjusted to meet these individual needs.

Different people have different needs when entering treatment. Some people have more than one substance abuse problem, for instance. Some come to treatment with a co-occurring mental health disorder. Still others may have a history of abuse that requires even more diligent treatment, or traumatic events in their lives that affect the way they approach and respond to treatment.

These are just a few examples; we all need different things from treatment and seek specific outcomes. While our end goals for drug rehab may be quite similar, the way we get there has to work for us, and that means drug rehabs must offer a variety of methods to ensure our best chance at success in recovery.

For some women, seeking treatment at a women-only drug rehab center may provide great benefits. Some women may flourish in a gender-specific treatment center, and find it to be the deciding factor that pushes them to complete treatment.

Which Women Benefit From Women-Only Drug Rehab Centers?

So who benefits most from women-only drug rehab centers? Research at this time is too limited to show who all could benefit from gender-specific addiction treatment. However, research in the last few decades does show that women who have struggled with certain circumstances or who have certain conditions may strongly benefit from women-only rehab.

Women who have suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example, may see better treatment outcomes in a women-only environment. The National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism (NIAAA) explains, “substance-abusing women with post-traumatic stress disorder may benefit significantly more from gender-specific programs designed to address PTSD and addiction problems simultaneously.”

Women who are pregnant, or who are in the last few weeks before or after pregnancy (perinatal), may also do better in a women-only treatment program. Victims of sexual, physical, or mental and emotional abuse are more likely to seek treatment in a women-only environment.

What Is The Difference Between Integrated Drug Rehab And Women-Only?

Really, anyone can benefit from gender-specific treatment. It’s not about separating men and women, but recognizing that each group has differing needs. The NIAAA reports the following factors that differ among genders, and “affect treatment outcomes in very important ways”:

Children in the home
Education
Employment
History of sexual abuse
Income
Marital status
Mental health conditions
Self-efficacy, or the belief in your ability to succeed in certain situations
Substances of abuse

In other words, every person who enters treatment brings with them different physical, emotional, and mental burdens and responsibilities. Treating each person means adapting to the needs that are generated by these differing factors.

The NIAAA states, “this suggests that addressing risks differentiated, by gender, may help improve both the treatment process and outcomes for men and women.”

What Treatment Methods Are Offered At Women-Only Drug Rehabs?

Because of women’s unique needs, a multidisciplinary approach is needed for a comprehensive treatment outcome. The following are proven effective methods for helping women through addiction treatment, co-occurring mental health conditions, troubling thoughts and emotions from conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and other treatment needs:

Counseling: for one-on-one support
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), for learning to shed negative lifestyle habits and replace with new, positive ones
Dual diagnosis treatment: to address any and all co-occurring disorders
Mental health treatment: to treat co-occurring conditions that may affect each other
Physical components of therapy: adventure therapy, wilderness therapy, and other skill-building activities which teach fulfilling activities to avoid and manage overwhelming cravings and triggers
Aftercare support, to teach you to cope and manage in recovery long-term

All of these methods and more are offered at our women-only drug rehab centers. If you’re a woman who has suffered from a traumatic event, domestic abuse, been a victim of a crime, or are affected by another hardship that keeps you from wanting to enter treatment, we can help.

Women-only treatment provides a welcoming, safe environment for women in a nurturing, peaceful setting. With these programs, you’ll not only be able to relax enough to heal, but you’ll find the strength and support you need to complete your treatment goals.

Is Drug Rehab Treatment Effective?

Many men and women never seek treatment at all. Women may be in fear of seeking treatment due to a variety of traumatic factors, and men may have a hard time seeking help due to societal pressures they feel. Yet overwhelmingly research finds that those who seek treatment see great outcomes.

The National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that treatment, “enables people to counteract addiction’s powerful disruptive effects on the brain and behavior and to regain control of their lives.” People who go to rehab and complete it are more likely to stop drug abuse, decrease or stop criminal involvement, and see better outcomes in work and personal affairs.

Find A Women-Only Rehab Center Today

If you’re struggling today, know you are not alone. Millions of others struggle every day not just with addiction, but with the many driving forces that affect it. No matter what burden you carry, it’s never too heavy to overcome with the right well-rounded approach.

We’d like to help lighten your load, and help you learn to lead a fulfilling life, starting with successful completion of treatment. To learn more about women-only drug rehab, our rehab centers, or our evidence-based methods, contact us today at DrugRehab.org.

For More Information Related to “Women’s Only Drug Rehab Center” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Mayo Clinic—Drug Addiction: Risk Factors

Cellulitis From Intravenous (IV) Drug Use

Posted on June 20, 2017July 14, 2017 by dr-admin

There are many types of drugs which are abused via IV injection. For many, the most well known is the addictive and very dangerous opioid drug heroin. In addition, certain prescription opioid painkillers, cocaine, and methamphetamine are also heavily abused. If you or a loved one IV injects, you need to be aware of the risks and dangers associated with this method. Intravenous drug use weakens your immune system, making it more susceptible to infections like cellulitis.

Why Does IV Drug Abuse Cause Cellulitis?

One of the hallmark signs of drug addiction is when a person continues to use despite the knowledge that their drug abuse is causing harm to their body and health. The types of drugs which are IV injected are very addictive. Because of this, many people are so consumed by seeking their next fix that they ignore safe injection practices.

Factors which can cause cellulitis include:

Our Skin: On any given day, your skin is host to a variety of bacteria and other microorganisms. Many of these are harmless and even beneficial. However, certain bacteria which reside here can become dangerous if they enter your body. As the needle pierces your skin during IV injection, any surface bacteria could be carried into your body.

Not Cleaning The Skin: If an individual doesn’t properly clean and disinfect the injection site, these bacteria and other pathogens will have a way into your body. Instead of using alcohol which kills certain bacteria, some individuals will lick their arm or use saliva. These practices fail to remove bacteria, and instead introduce harmful oral bacteria to the injection site.

Drug Type: Many drugs are adulterated or cut with other substances which can irritate the skin and tissue. “Speedballs” (heroin and cocaine) have been shown to increase the risk of infection as well.

Paraphernalia: Needles or other paraphernalia (spoons, filters, and mixing or wash water) could be contaminated, compounding this risk. This happens by:

Sharing needles
Reusing needles
Cleaning needles with spit

Beyond this, some people may use a dull needle which creates more damage to the skin.

“Skin Popping”: Chronic drug use can damage veins so extensively, that they become inaccessible. If this happens, some people may resort to “skin popping.” To do this, a person injects the drug under their skin instead of into a vein. This method has been linked to increased rates of cellulitis, such that “injection drug users who skin-pop are five times more likely to develop…cellulitis,” as reported within the article “Dermatologic Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse.”

Where You Inject: Certain individuals actually inject into a spot which is already becoming infected. This overwhelms an area which is already in overdrive with even more bacteria. Certain areas (like the groin) may be harder to clean, leading to higher rates of infection.

What Is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a type of skin and soft tissue infection. Staphylococcus aureus is frequently responsible for infections of this kind (staph infections). Cellulitis is one of the two most common forms of staph infections. It may also be caused by certain types of streptococcal and oral bacteria or even fungi.

Once these bacteria find a way beneath the skin, your body’s natural defenses go to work. An infection is a sign that your white blood cells are trying to fight the bacterial invaders. The infection develops at or near the injection site. Symptoms emerge suddenly, and usually appear in two to five days after the bacteria first gained a foothold. Once cellulitis appears, the sore and/or rash quickly expands within the first day. Other signs include:

Blisters
Dimpled skin
Fatigue
Fever and/or chills
Inflammation
Redness
Stiff joints
Swelling
Tenderness

This area will commonly be warm and is most always excessively painful to the touch. The skin may also appear tight in a way which makes it seem glossy. Please do not ignore these symptoms or try to treat cellulitis on your own. Improperly treated cellulitis can lead to more severe infections and deadly complications.

What Complications Can Cellulitis Cause?

Sometimes, cellulitis will spread. As this happens, the redness and inflammation will travel across your limb or other body part. This is a very bad sign which means the infection is growing. If you don’t treat cellulitis, it could develop into other more severe complications, according to MedlinePlus, such as:

Abscesses
Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
Gangrene (tissue death)
Infection of the heart (endocarditis)
Inflammation of the lymph vessels (lymphangitis)
Meningitis
Shock

Additionally, without proper medical care, the bad bacteria and infection could gain a stronghold in your blood. This is called sepsis or “blood poisoning.” A sepsis infection can travel all throughout your body. If the infection reaches this stage, the likelihood of serious complications (including death) rises.

How Is Cellulitis Treated?

As soon as you seek treatment, medical staff will administer an antibiotic and draw blood cultures. Once the lab tests are complete, they may change the antibiotic to one which works for the specific bacteria they isolated. If the pain is severe, medication may be prescribed. But if you suffer from an opioid addiction, it’s important you relay this information to your provider.

It’s important to get ample rest and drink a lot of fluids during this time, to help your immune system regain its strength. If you’re able, raise the infected area over your heart to help keep the swelling at bay. If your cellulitis led to a more advanced infection, more intensive measures may be necessary.

Take Over Your Health Today

The best way to avoid future IV drug-related infections is by getting sober. Good treatment programs will address your physical, mental, and emotional health needs, so that you can build a solid recovery. DrugRehab.org can help you find a program to support you on this journey. Contact us now.

For More Information Related to “Cellulitis From Intravenous (IV) Drug Use” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Harm Reduction International — 3.3: Neglected infections, real harms: A global scoping of injection-related bacterial infections and responses
Oxford Academic — High Prevalence of Abscesses and Cellulitis Among Community-Recruited Injection Drug Users in San Francisco
Sepsis Alliance — Sepsis and Cellulitis