What to Expect During Opiate Withdrawal

Opiate Abuse

The top prescription drugs abused in the US are opiate painkillers (called opioids), including codeine, Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin. Additionally, illegal opiates like heroin were abused by 1.1% of 12^th graders in 2012. This means that at least 10,000 kids aged 17-19 who were in high school used heroin last year alone. An even larger number of high school seniors abused Vicodin (7.5%) and OxyContin (4.3%). In total, it’s estimated that 9% of the population in the US abuse opiates. This is about 2.8 million people.

Out of all of those people taking opium-based drugs, how many of them experienced withdrawal?  Well, the fact is that you can become addicted after one use of an opiate. 

What is an “Opiate”?

                Opiate: A drug derived from or containing opium. Morphine and heroin are opiates.

                Opioid: A drug that is made out of chemicals in a lab to act like opium. Also called painkillers.

The two terms are also used interchangeably. The difference is in the chemistry – not necessarily the effects. In fact, opiates and opioids have a similar effect on the body. They are all classified as “depressants”.  This means that they slow down breathing, heart rate, and brain function.  When these drugs are taken or abused, in addition to stopping pain, they cause the person to feel a euphoria that usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes.

Opiate Withdrawal

Withdrawing from opiates is no cakewalk. Movies like Trainspotting and Requiem for a Dream demonstrate the symptoms in their withdrawal scenes. However, how much of that is reality and how much is fiction?  The scenes in those movies are dramatized…right? Unfortunately, for those looking at withdrawing from any painkiller or opiate – from Vicodin to heroin – the answer is no. However, in these movies, the withdrawal process was unsupervised and unaided by anything except perhaps a glass of water. 

Holistic drug rehab is quite different. Many withdrawal symptoms listed below can be substantially mellowed (reduced) during the drug detoxification process by various vitamins, attention, and care given to each person withdrawing, and treating each symptom appropriately. Here are some of the withdrawal symptoms someone can experience when coming off opiates:

·         Agitation

·         Anxiety

·         Insomnia

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Muscle and bone aches

·         Itching

·         Runny nose and watery eyes

·         Diarrhea

·         Abdominal cramping

·         Sweats – hot and cold

·         Exhaustion

·         Depression

·         Psychosis

·         Hallucinations

Additionally, if a person suffers through withdrawal without trained help, they can die. Proper supervision is vital. Withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as a person stops taking the drug for any length of time.  In fact, you can experience withdrawal symptoms when the high wears off. The depression and anxiety felt after the drug has worn off is a mild withdrawal symptom – and avoiding this is one thing that motivates a person to take opiates again and again.

The Solution

A dose of prevention is always the best medicine when it comes to addiction.  This means drug education in schools and parents talking to their kids about drugs. 

However, if you are already addicted to painkillers or opiates, what should you do? At A Forever Recovery, we have an in-patient treatment center dedicated to helping people through the withdrawal symptoms in a holistic manner. This means we don’t hook them on another addictive substance – like methadone – to get them off the opiates they are already addicted to.  We gently help them get through the withdrawal process. Once this process is complete, we help them discover why they started abusing drugs in the first place – and how to handle those issues so they will not return to drugs in the future.

Sources

www.Census.gov, www.DrugAbuse.gov, www.Merriam-Webster.com, www.NLM.NIH.gov

5 mistakes addicts make that make them relapse

 Rehabilitation and Relapse

                Relapse poses a significant problem for anyone struggling drug addiction or alcoholism – not just

for the addict or alcoholic, but for family, friends, and anyone connected. The costs – in terms of emotional wreckage, frayed nerves, dashed hopes, money spent, and lost time – can weigh heavily in our lives, and can feel like way too much to handle. But we keep trying, because we want to conquer the specter of drug addiction. We keep trying because we do not wish to let a life waste away under the heavy burden of substance abuse. In short, we want to live and we want our friends and loved ones to live as well. But relapse – and all the pain it brings – is part of the nature of the beast. If it was easy to stop, there wouldn’t be a problem in the first place.

While the consequences can be dire, the first thing to realize is that anxiety on the subject is not really useful. The best approach could be described as analytical. That is not to say that you shouldn’t take it seriously, but by being objective, you can see the problem from various points of view – and thus deal with it from different angles. That applies to the person going through rehab, as well as his or her family and friends. As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20; we can look back at past mistakes – and more importantly, take action to build a future. It is thus vital to know what mistakes can lead to relapse and how to prevent them:

§  Friends, Places, Parties.

For an addict, part of the appeal of drugs or alcohol could have been the “culture” that goes along with it. Call it the “counter-culture,” the “drug culture,” or some other name – it had an attraction that drew someone in. They had friends who’d get high and invite them along for the ride. They could have started with weed, moved to pills, and carried on to opiates. The story is different from person to person, but the general course is often very similar. A social drinker can move on to being a hard drinker, followed by compulsive drinking and alcohol dependency. After rehabilitation, the former drug addict or alcoholic who goes straight back into the same crowd or scene – the same influences that led to their drug abuse – is making a big mistake. A recovering addict must take a good hard look at who his or her friends really are.

§  Honesty and Willingness.

An individual may show up reluctantly to rehab. For example, the cost may not be coming out of their pocket. Their heart might not be in it. So, a person who lands in rehab should examine the reasons why they’re there and what they have to gain. If they are just going through the motions, they will NOT get everything out of it that they should. One pertinent factor could be that it is not the right program for them. Quite a few centers are based around the Twelve Step program. Many people recover through Twelve Step, but not everyone. A holistic rehabilitation program could encompass Twelve Step as just one of many possible modalities. Once the correct program is established, someone should muster all their willingness and really apply themselves to it. Perhaps it is too much to ask of someone right away, but it should be asked. When one’s heart is in it, chances of success are greatly improved.

§  Goals, Interests, Focus.

Addictive behavior can also be described as habitual or compulsive behavior, and evidence exists of traits indicating an addictive personality. An addict who kicks a habit will often have a need to replace that habit with new routines. That is not to say they must be “compulsive” about it, but they must have new ways to focus their energies, set new goals and reach for them. One famous example is Robert Downey Jr. After years of drug abuse, several arrests and some prison time, he finally got clean. In addition to career and family, one path he has used to channel his energies has been the martial arts discipline known as Wing Chung, a branch of Chinese Kung Fu – he is now a black belt. If someone does not have direction in life, they are just drifting with the tide, waiting to be swept back into the jaws of addiction. By formulating new purposes and new interests, the former addict or alcoholic reinforces their pledge to sobriety.

§  Problems, Problems, Problems.

A common trait amongst addicts and alcoholics is that they repeatedly turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of “dealing” with problems. Obviously, it’s a way of escaping or “not dealing” with those problems, but nonetheless, that is the mindset. It’s where they turn when things get rough. Of course, sooner or later, the drugs and booze ARE the problem. An addict must learn how to handle life’s problems without using powders, pills, needles, etc. This can be pretty rough. Often it is some serious trauma they are dealing with, but these things must be confronted. They must face the old ghosts and the new, as yet unseen dilemmas. Effective, holistic rehabilitation should provide practical know-how for the recovering addict or alcoholic to deal with his or her life.

§  Relapse Prevention.

A comprehensive relapse prevention plan would compass all of the above and many other factors. Such a plan is specific to the individual, and is worked out by that individual and members of the facility. It encompasses such things as: review of previous steps; peers whom the person will come into contact with; new goals and interests; how to deal with life problems; coaching on scenarios the person is likely to encounter; help with job placement; and other steps including establishment of a contact and support network. A person emerging from rehab needs some serious back-up. Lack of an effective relapse prevention plan accounts for a large percentage of relapse cases.

Summary

                An individual battling drug abuse has a number of things going on simultaneously. The holistic approach tackles the physical, mental, personal, familial, social, societal and spiritual influences in a person’s life.

A Forever Recovery provides the holistic path of rehabilitation, thus dealing with the full spectrum of factors associated with drug addiction and alcoholism. 

Can sleep medications be dangerous for you?

Sleep Problems?

                An estimated 40 million Americans suffers from insomnia and other chronic sleep related

disorders. Failure to get sufficient sleep results in fatigue, dulled thinking, slowed reaction time, digestive problems, headaches, and weakened immune system. Over time, one can begin to look several years older due to protracted loss of sleep. This is in addition to the dangers inherent in trying to drive a vehicle, operate heavy machinery, or perform sensitive activities when one has had insufficient sleep.

The “Quick Fix”

A large percentage of those having sleep problems turn to medications in their attempt to get rest. They tell their doctor the problem and he/she prescribes a drug. Depending on the doctor and what a person says to him/her, those experiencing insomnia and those suffering from anxiety may be prescribed the same or similar medication. The general class of drugs used to treat sleep disorders and anxiety are called depressants. They are also known as sedatives or tranquilizers. Slang names include downers, candy, barbs, phennies, reds, red birds, yellows, yellow jackets, blues, blue devils, tooies, and tranks.

Drug Abuse

Like any drug, depressants have side-effects (minor and major, short-term and long-term), but they are especially dangerous if the drug is abused. There are quite a few ways to abuse a drug, limited only by imagination: Mixing it with alcohol or other drugs; taking a drug you were not prescribed; taking too much or over-dosing; prescribing a drug to children who shouldn’t be anywhere near it; prescribing it to someone who is allergic or who has some other undiagnosed condition; selling or providing a drug illegally; getting addicted to a drug; crushing, snorting, injecting, or smoking a drug to get the immediate effect in the brain or bloodstream. Depressants are broken down into the following categories:

Types of Depressants

§  Antipsychotics (major tranquillizers)

Prescribed for mental disturbance or psychotic behavior, these include Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, Abilify, Thorazine, and Haldol. They are very heavy drugs which are also referred to as neuroleptic (nerve-seizing) drugs. In addition to a startling list of adverse reactions, they can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms can be severe.

Thorazine and Haldol have long histories of use in psychiatric institutions for the purpose of sedating or restraining patients. They also have a long history of serious and debilitating physical and mental reactions – some of them permanent. A partial list includes: asthma, blood disorders, constant “chewing” of the mouth, drooling, fainting, fever, hives, impotence, involuntary movements, mask-like face, muscle rigidity, seizures, and paralysis.

Abilify, a newer antipsychotic, advertised on television and print media, has been documented as causing such things as: headaches, weight increase, tremors, agitation, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, convulsion, and psychosis. Effects also include tardive dyskinesia (a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the face and jaw) and akathisia (a sensation of restlessness characterized by an inability to sit still or remain motionless, often as a side-effect of psychiatric medications). It does seem odd that such things as psychosis, seizure and inability to sit still would be the result of drugs called “antipsychotics,” yet those are just a few of the facts. For more details click here.

§  Anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines)

A long list of drugs are classified as benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” including Xanax, Klonopin, Halcion, Librium, and Valium. These, like any depressant, slow down the nervous system and brain function. A person taking them may appear drowsy or relaxed. They may feel euphoric and experience an artificial sense of well-being for a while. Side-effects include: fatigue, confusion, cognitive impairment, depression, memory loss, insomnia, skin reactions, nausea, aggression, suicidal thoughts, and violent actions.

Long-tern use can lead to sexual dysfunction, hormonal difficulties, kidney problems, and increased risk of high blood sugar and diabetes. People who start taking benzodiazepines can become easily addicted and experience severe withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. They build up tolerance and have to keep taking the drug to feel “normal” while they slowly degenerate into psychological and physical addiction. Due to the severe and violent (even fatal) nature of withdrawal, getting off such drugs should only be done with professional help.

§  Rohypnol

Rohypnol is illegal in the United States but is available as a prescription sleeping pill in Europe and Latin America. It is classified as a benzodiazepine but is about ten times more powerful than Valium. People on the drug experience a form of paralysis where they are able to observe events but utterly unable to move. All-too-often, they have no recollection of what occurred while they were on Rohypnol. The drug has been used in sexual assaults and is known as the “date rape drug.” Slang names for the drug include: roofies, roche, rope, ruffies, R-2, roaches, rib, forget-me pill, and Mexican Valium.

§  Barbiturates

Barbiturates are used as sedatives or sleeping pills and include the drugs Amytal, Numbutal and Seconal. Side-effects can include: addiction, dilated pupils, poor concentration, slurred speech, visual disturbances, difficulty or inability to urinate, disorientation, depression, memory loss, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts.

§  Non benzodiazepines

These are a group of drugs with similar effects to benzodiazepines but which possess a different chemical make-up. These are also called “sleep aids”, “Z-drugs,” or “hypnotics” and include the drugs Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata. They can also be quite addictive and side-effects include: amnesia, impaired driving ability, sleep walking, abnormal behavior, delirium, hallucination, unconsciousness, injury due to fall or accidents, depression, and suicide.

Alternatives

                A cursory glance of the side-effects of sleep medications is enough to send one running in the opposite direction, yet the problems associated with chronic insomnia are enough to cause more anxiety on top of what one is already experiencing. Are there any answers to insomnia that do not involve long lists of shocking side-effects? Factually, in many cases insomnia and sleep problems are quite easy to solve naturally. Here are a few solutions:

·         Take a walk

Taking a walk is a ridiculously simple yet often effective way to get to sleep. Simply go outside and start walking and looking at things in your environment. You may feel exhausted but you keep walking until you don’t feel exhausted anymore, even if you’re just walking around the block. You should feel calmer by the end. Then see if you can sleep.

·         Exercise

Millions of people have desk jobs and don’t exercise, causing gradual physical deterioration. The body is made to move around and when you keep it still all the time it can “revolt” and “refuse to sleep.” Exercise is vital to your cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and your overall health. By getting your body in balance and in tune, you can often put back in normal sleep patterns.

·         Avoid stimulants

Stimulant drugs, caffeine, sugar and tobacco can all adversely affect your sleep. Try avoiding these altogether, but particularly in the last three hours before you go to bed.

·         Nutrition

Difficulty sleeping can be the result of improper nutrition. If a person adheres to a diet of junk food, fast food, processed food and the like, he or she is essentially malnourishing the body. Doing so can have all manner of adverse effects. A sensible plan of proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables – preferably organic – is a good place to start.

·         Supplements

A daily routine of vitamins and minerals – organic is best – should help with sleep. Certain natural compounds have been found particularly useful: Tryptophan (essential amino acid), calcium, magnesium, and B-vitamins. Herbal remedies, often taken as a tea, are used by many people all over the world to assist with relaxation and sleep.

·         Completion of Tasks

One reason people have trouble sleeping is that they lie in bed for hours, their minds racing about all the things they have to get done. A simple and immediate remedy is to write down all your incomplete tasks. Start with “Number One” and write them all down – doesn’t matter what order. Then start getting them done – one at a time. You should feel your burdens easing up a little bit at a time, and you may start sleeping much better as a result.

Conclusion

                There is good chance you will not wish to start taking sleep medications (depressants) due to the wide array of side-effects and adverse reactions. Taking the holistic or natural path is highly recommended.

If you or a loved one have become addicted to sleep medications – or if you suspect abuse – contact a professional consultant at A Forever Recovery.

Top 5 commonly used drugs by teenagers

Teen Drug Abuse

The problem of teen drug use is not new, but new trends have changed the landscape in America, Europe and elsewhere. The rise in prescription drug use, synthetic “designer” drugs, and new “marketing” tactics by drug makers and pushers, have all contributed to new forms of abuse, new addictions and – most tragically – new casualties. Monitoring The Future (MTF) is an annual survey of high-school kids from the 8^th to the 12^th grade. Under a grant from NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), the 2012 survey involved 45,000 students in 395 public and private schools nationwide. They found that while alcohol abuse amongst teens has been declining over the past decade, the abuse of illicit drugs, as well as prescription drug abuse, has been on the rise. Following are the most commonly abused drugs amongst teenagers:               

Alcohol

Despite the overall decline, alcohol still tops the list at over 40% of the students surveyed. The most common practice in underage drinking is “binge drinking” where a teenager consumes 4 or 5 drinks back to back – although that number is often considerably more. Alcohol is relatively easy for kids to obtain, either at their own home, a friend’s house, at a liquor store courtesy of a generous stranger or fake ID, or by other means. Each year, hospitals nationwide receive about 200,000 visits brought about by underage drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports approximately 5,000 deaths per year of individuals under the age of 21, due to alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning (toxic level in blood), and other injuries (falls, burns, drowning).  

Marijuana and Synthetic Cannabinoids

§  Marijuana

                Marijuana is on the rise for what appear to be many reasons. When the subject of Marijuana (pot, weed, grass, Mary Jane) is mentioned on a TV talk show, it is commonly met with an odd eruption of applause. Between popularization, decriminalization, legalization, and medical (or quasi-medical) use, kids are rightfully confused on the matter. Another complication with marijuana is teens (and adults) driving while high. Police have no roadside test to see if a person is impaired due to smoking marijuana, unlike alcohol where they can administer a breath test – all of which is of particular concern where the drug has been legalized. Click here for more information on the effects of marijuana, including a comparison of marijuana and alcohol.

§  Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids (aka synthetic marijuana) are a fairly recent batch of drugs that mimic the euphoric effects of cannabis. They are plant materials laced with man-made chemicals. “Spice” and “K2” are common names, as well as innocuous titles like “herbal incense” or “plant food.” They look like tea or potpourri, and have grown into favor amongst teenagers largely due to their “legal” status in many states. Synthetic cannabis hasn’t been around long enough for any long-term studies, but the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has already reported effects such as dilated pupils, agitation, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, tremors, seizure, hallucinations, as well as the possibility of kidney failure.  

Stimulants

§  Adderall

Adderall is a psychostimulant, which means it is a stimulant that also acts upon brain chemistry. It has become one of the most commonly abused drugs amongst teenagers. Adderall is an addictive drug, and side effects include headache, insomnia, nausea, fever, heightened blood pressure, seizure, cardiovascular disorders, paranoia, hostility, hallucinations, depression, as well as suicidal ideation (thoughts) and actions.

§  Ritalin

Ritalin is another addictive psychostimulant that has been around for decades. Once known chiefly as a drug prescribed for “hyperactivity,” it has been abused to such a degree that it has earned a variety of street names such as kiddie coke, diet coke, poor man’s cocaine, vitamin R, rids, R-ball, skittles and smarties. Kids may start abusing Ritalin in order to focus or concentrate on school work. They will swallow the pills and crush, snort, smoke, or inject the drug into their veins. Ritalin is documented as causing pupil dilation, high blood pressure, nausea, hallucinations, panic attack and seizure. Long-term abuse can cause: irreversible damage to blood vessels and heart; liver, kidney and lung damage; destruction of nose tissue when snorted; respiratory damage when smoked; infection or abscesses (wounds) when injected; severe depression and psychosis. Ritalin also kills.

Tranquilizers

The survey documented teen abuse of a wide range of tranquilizers. Also known as depressants, tranquilizers include Xanax, Klonopin, Halcion, Valium, and Ambien. Young people who start taking them are often attempting to relax or keep anxiety in check. They can be very addictive and require professional help due to severe withdrawal symptoms. Effects include blurred vision, fever, flu-like symptoms, mental disturbances, insomnia, delirium, seizures, loss of memory, and coma. They have also been linked directly to fatalities.

Painkillers and Cold Medicine

§  Vicodin

Vicodin is a painkiller and high on the list of drugs abused by high-schoolers. A young person may be prescribed a painkiller such as Vicodin for a sports injury and wind up unwittingly addicted. It can produce a calm, euphoric state like heroin or methadone. The active ingredient of Vicodin is hydrocodone, a Schedule 2 narcotic – a list that includes morphine and cocaine. The drug has a long list of side effects including shortness of breath, trouble urinating, constipation, dizziness, twitching of muscles, stomach cramps, depression, seizure, coma, and death.

§  OxyContin

Another painkiller is OxyContin, brand name for a drug whose active ingredient is oxycodone, also on the Schedule 2 list. Like Vicodin, it is an opioid, meaning an opium-like compound acting upon the nervous system to relieve pain. OxyContin is highly addictive both physically and psychologically. Side-effects include muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, as well as respiratory failure (respiratory depression) resulting in death. Like any drug, increased use of painkillers builds up tolerance. In fact, many heroin users today started on prescription pills, and the addictions have been found to feed off each other.

§  Cold Medicine

Abuse of over-the-counter medication is another practice amongst youth. Cough syrup containing codeine is technically prescription only, yet is easy to obtain. “Purple Drank” (popularized in rap music – particularly Southern rap) refers to a mixture of cough syrup, promethazine (allergy medication), soda, ice and candy. A wide range of medicines can be purchased off-the-shelf that contain a drug called dextromethorphan (DXM) – examples: Robitussin, NyQuil, Coricidin. Kids consume the medicine in doses often 30-50 times the normal amount for the euphoric and dissociative effect. Slang names include dex, candy, poor man’s PCP, cherries, CCC, triple C and Candy Coated Chaos. A few of the effects of codeine cough syrup (alone or combined with promethazine) and DXM abuse: hot and cold flashes, anxiety, slurred speech, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Excessive abuse can lead to liver damage, heat stroke, brain damage, coma, and in extreme cases can be fatal due to suppression of the respiratory system.

Education and Rehabilitation

                Drug education and rehabilitation comprise the primary two-pronged strategy against teen drug abuse. Holistic rehabilitation, such as that offered at A Forever Recovery, provides a comprehensive program to address the constantly changing world of drug abuse and addiction. 

The Dangers of Pain Killers

Why are Painkillers Prescribed?

Painkillers are often prescribed for legitimate health reasons, such as following an injury or surgery. When used according to doctor's instructions, painkillers can help individuals heal and overcome health conditions. But many painkillers pose potential dangers, especially when they're abused. While no one sets out to abuse painkillers, a fine line exists between proper use and use that can nudge an individual toward painkiller addiction.

Crossing the Line

·         Taking a Little Bit More. Painkillers are prescribed in specific doses to relieve pain safely. When an individual decides to try taking a little bit more to ease the pain even more, they place themselves at risk of becoming dependent on the drug. These medicines are not meant for long-term use since tolerance increases the longer the person takes the drug. If the prescribed dosage isn't bringing relief, it's better to talk to one's physician than adjust the dosage alone.

·         Increasing the Frequency of Dosage. Similar to increasing the amount of painkillers taken, it's equally dangerous to increase the frequency with which the medicine is taken. Dosage amounts and frequencies are designed to help the individual find relief from pain without facing the risk of addiction.

·         Being Dishonest About Use. A person who starts increasing their own dosage or frequency is likely to become dishonest about doing so as others question the safety or wisdom of their decision. The wise path would be to meet with one's doctor to find the best pain relief solution, but at this point increased tolerance or physical dependency may prevent the person from making the wisest choice on their own behalf.

From Pain Relief to Drug Addiction

·         Increased Tolerance. Increased tolerance is a normal physiological process resulting in the need to take painkillers in higher dosages or with greater frequency to experience the same effects.

·         Growing Physical Dependence. As the amount and frequency are increased to meet the body's demands, the individual becomes dependent on the painkillers they're taking. If they try to go without or don't have access to medication, withdrawal symptoms will occur, such as nausea, tremors, headaches and fogginess.

·         When Abuse Becomes Addiction. Addiction takes effect when the individual taking painkillers no longer has control over the situation. No matter how much they may wish to stop taking pills, addiction has taken the reins, making it uncomfortable and impossible to stop. At this point, a person may resort to uncharacteristic behaviors to obtain the drugs they need, such as pilfering, seeing multiple physicians or buying painkillers on the street.

What to Do When a Loved One is Addicted to Painkillers

·         Talk About Your Concerns. It's heart-breaking to discover that a loved one is addicted to painkillers. Talk to this individual from a point of love and concern, instead of making accusations. Make it clear that others are being affected by the addiction, and let the person know that help is available.

·         Offer to Get Help. When a person has lost control of their life to the stronghold of painkiller addiction it can be difficult for them to seek help for themselves. Take that first step for them by contacting a treatment center to gather information or ask questions. Having information on hand can help ease the fears of a loved one who needs help.

·         Get Support. Dealing with a family member or friend suffering from painkiller addiction can be very difficult. Group or individual support can be instrumental in helping members of the family cope with addiction and heal broken relationships.

Breaking Free from Painkiller Addiction

Overcoming addiction to painkillers is not something that should be attempted at home. No matter how determined a user may feel or how caring a family member is, professional drug treatment assistance ensures the individual's health is safeguarded throughout the process of breaking free from painkiller addiction.

Let Stop Your Addiction Help Today

Stop Your Addiction is staffed with caring individuals who possess expert knowledge and experience regarding painkiller abuse and addiction. An individual suffering from this condition can receive safe, effective help today to begin the process of becoming drug-free. Likewise, friends and family members concerned about someone who's succumbed to painkiller addiction can contact Best Drug Rehabilitation for information or guidance on how to help a loved one. The process of becoming clean and sober can start today.

5 Signs That You May be an Alcoholic

A Common Issue

An addiction to alcohol is often overlooked due to the legality of the substance. It is easy to assume that since it is legal for adults, it is also safe for consumption. The reality is that alcoholism can develop and it is important to recognize the signs of a problem. Early recognition and treatment can make it easier to overcome the addiction before it can cause health concerns.

1.) Inability to Stop Drinking

Although many might assume binge drinking is a key sign, it does not always signal that an individual is an alcoholic. Many young adults try binge drinking and decide not to repeat the experience again. The problem is not necessarily the number of drinks, but the inability to stop drinking after the first drink.

Not having the control to stop when getting drunk can look like binge drinking, but it is often unplanned and can result in severe consequences. Blacking out from drinking because it was not easy or possible to stop is a sign that alcoholism has developed.

This is particularly true if the situation occurs regularly. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis and having an inability to stop after one or two drinks can indicate that a problem has developed or is starting to develop.

2.) High Tolerance for Alcohol

Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can result in developing a tolerance for the substance. That means that it will take more drinks and a longer period of time to become inebriated to the same level as previous drinking situations.

Developing a tolerance for alcohol and requiring a large number to feel any effect is a sign that alcoholism is developing or has already developed. This is particularly true if binge drinking does not cause any major effects.

Binge drinking is defined as five drinks for men and four drinks for women. If it takes five drinks to start feeling any effect, then a high tolerance for alcohol has already developed and it is time to seek help. That high tolerance shows that the body has become used to alcohol and needs more to provide the same impact.

3.) Drinking is Hidden or Causes Feelings of Shame

Although alcohol is a legal substance for adults, drinking a large amount on a regular basis can cause friends and family to become concerned. When drinking is hidden or feelings of shame develop that result in trying to hide the problem, it is likely that an addiction has already developed.

Hiding alcohol around a home or at work is a clear indication that the drinking is getting out of control. It is never appropriate to hide alcohol at work and keeping the drink hidden around a home to prevent loved ones from finding out about the problem shows that the behavior has become socially inacceptable or is perceived as inacceptable because it is causing uncomfortable emotions.

4.) Withdrawal Symptoms Occur

Withdrawal symptoms are a sign of physical dependence on alcohol and can become very severe if the alcoholism is allowed to continue. The only way to determine that the symptoms have developed is stopping the action and seeing the impact.

Going without a drink for a day and experiencing seizures, nausea, headaches, body aches, heart palpitations or similar physical signs is a clear indication that the body is dependent on alcohol to function normally. That means an addiction has developed and help is necessary to remove the substance from the body and start working on sobriety.

5.) Drinking Alone

Drinking alone is another sign that an addiction has occurred. Addiction to alcohol can result in gradual isolation as friends, family and co-workers make remarks about the behaviors. When the drink becomes more important than relationships and occurs in isolation on a regular basis, it is possible that an addiction has developed and help is necessary.

Getting Help

Recognizing the major signs of alcoholism is only the first step of sobriety. Due to the withdrawal symptoms and the causes of addiction, seeking treatment at StopYourAddiction.com can provide the tools to maintain a sober and healthy lifestyle.

Help is available through treatment facilities that focus on personal needs and the causes of alcoholism. Since alcohol abuse can stem from a wide range of potential causes, it is important to identify the reasons the problem developed and treat more than just the actual abuse of alcohol.

Learning about alcoholism and refusing to deny the problem will make it possible to seek help. Professional treatment centers can help with the detoxification process and teach new skills to fight the addiction so that it is possible to move on with life.

What Is LSD?

LSD, which stands for Lysergic acid Diethylamide, is a extremely potent semi-synthetic hallucinogen. It goes by such street names as acid, stars, sunshine, blotter, window panes, tabs, hits, or trips.

LSD is usually ingested orally. While the drug was formerly distributed primarily in pill form, the most common form of LSD today a liquid solution manufactured into blotting paper. This blotting paper contains the liquid drug, that when dried and affix to a paper-like substance, resembles a sheet of stamps.

These individual squares, also known as “tabs” or “hits”, measure approximately a quarter of an inch. These squares, which are odorless and have a slight bitter taste, are placed on the tongue or swallowed to absorb the LSD. To denote the drug’s strength, batch number, or manufacturer, the sheets are typically designed with various illustrations, geometric patterns, or fruit designs.

LSD Effects

The effects of LSD typically come on within 30 to 60 minutes of taking the drug, and can last up to 12 hours. When under the influence of LSD, the user experiences a wide range of psychological and physical symptoms.

Psychological symptoms include:

·         intense emotions

·         heightened sensations

·         rapid mood swings

·         altered state in terms of time and place

·         visual hallucinations

·         seeing colors that aren’t there

·         hearing sounds that aren’t there

·         delusions

·         synesthesia (mixing of senses)

Physical symptoms include:

·         rise in body temperature

·         elevated blood pressure

·         pupil dilation

·         sleeplessness

·         dry mouth

·         sweating

·         tremors.

Dangers of LSD Abuse

The unpredictability of LSD’s effect on a user’s psychological state is one of most significant reasons why it is so dangerous. Just one bad “trip” can cause a panic attack, severe depression, a feeling of insanity, or a sense of distrust of friends and family members. While LSD can intensify a good mood, it can also amplify mild depression to the extent of feeling sheer terror and panic.

Tolerance Build up to LSD

An individual who regularly uses LSD will eventually become obsessed with the need to use it. As tolerance to the drug builds, the LSD user will require an increasingly greater dosage of LSD. The higher dosage will cause the LSD abuser to have an increasingly more difficult time knowing what is reality and what is delusion. At this point, the abuser is at great risk of experiencing the detrimental effects of LSD, including negative hallucinations, terrifying delusions, and even extreme mood and psychological shifts in behavior. LSD withdrawal can induce often acted upon paranoia, which is why it is so important that it be medically treated.

While there is not specific withdrawal symptoms associated with LSD abuse, long term LSD abuse can alter the chemistry in the brain. So much so that it can induce psychosis-disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression. Flashbacks are also a concern with LSD abuse, as flashbacks can reoccur years later, with or without ever having a bad LSD trip.

Getting Help for LSD Abuse

There’s no doubt that the road to recover after LSD abuse is a rocky one. The longer you abuse LSD the more likely you are to experience the negative effects and psychotic conditions of LSD withdrawal, which make breaking the abuse more difficult. However, with the help of caring professionals and knowledgeable specialists at the facility of www.stopyouraddiction.com, you’ll have the support you need to make a successful journey to recovery.

Here, LSD addiction and abuse treatment includes a series of therapies to help you understand the nature of the drug and the triggers for its use. Through traditional therapy and holistic methods, along with our recovery workshops, our treatment center will help you learn the tools to deal with the psychological symptoms that occur after a period of heavy LSD use.

In addition, educational workshops, individual and group counseling sessions, faith-based programs, 12-step program, relapse prevention tools, acupuncture and massage, and other tailored activities provide you with new skills to cope with stressors in your life and how to deal with negative flashbacks. Most important, our caring rehabilitation specialists work with you to help you feel like your old self again to enable you to live a normal LSD-free life.

We Can Help

Contact  www.stopyouraddiction.com  today for help with all types of treatment that drugs and alcohol require. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are completely confidential.