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What Patients Should Know About a Medication-Assisted Detox. The process of going through withdrawal is frightening for most people. It even deters some patients from taking the initial step to sobriety. However, not all drug detox treatment consists of the patients experiencing horrible symptoms with just somebody to stand by and watch as they suffer. In fact, medications may assist with an alcohol and drug detox to keep the patient more comfortable and even prevent deadly consequences. What Types of Drugs Are Used? The answer to which drug a drug detox treatment a patient should use is dependent upon two factors: the substance used and the symptoms experienced.

Those addicted to an opiate such as heroin or a prescription painkiller like OxyContin may take Methadone, buprenorphine or clonidine. Methadone has the longest history of use. Alcohol withdrawal causes a wide range of side effects including seizures that may be deadly. Which Medication is the Most Effective? This varies from patient to patient. 5 Facts You Should Know About Dual Diagnosis Treatment.

Which Comes First? Mental Illness or Addiction? This sounds somewhat like the old “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Question. When you think about it, the comparison is apt. The chicken has to exist to lay the egg. At the same time, the chicken comes from the egg. In the same way, the mental disorder has to exist for the person to begin self-medicating it. Using Substances to Self-Medicate Individuals with mental health disorders consume between 38 and 44 percent of substances as they try to make themselves feel “more normal.

While this may seem like philosophical back-and-forth, this linkage is actually important, not only for those with mental illnesses, but for mental health professionals and substance abuse treatment facilities. Lack of motivation (depression) abusing Adderall, crystal meth or cocaineBlunting depression with marijuana or cocaineMisusing anti-anxiety drugs to stop panic attacks Mental Health Disorders Can Lead to Substance Abuse When Substances Lead to New Mental Health Issues Which Comes First? What You Need to Know About Fentanyl-Related Overdose Increases in California. The surge in prescription drug abuse has become a mainstream topic. However, there is a new cause for alarm. In California, the incidence of fentanyl-related overdose is increasing, reports the LA Times. In 2014, approximately 62 people suffered from fentanyl-related overdose and death, but UC Davis Medical Center saw two-thirds of that number of victims within one week this year.

The trend appears to be accelerating, and you need to know what’s triggering the surge, the dangers of the drug, and how to recognize its synthetic forms. What Is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a prescription opioid, but it’s among the most powerful opioids in existence, asserts the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Fentanyl binds to the body’s opiate receptors, resulting in increased dopamine levels. Why Is Fentanyl Deadly? Fentanyl is not a “swallow pill.” What About Synthetic Forms of Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. Is Treatment Available for Fentanyl Abuse? Yes. Finding Strength in Yourself. Finding strength in yourself during recovery in one of the drug abuse treatment programs in the area is a key to success.

In fact, it’s necessary when a person is focused on drug recovery. It takes a great deal of strength and courage to overcome seemingly overwhelming tasks, and recovery isn’t any different. 1. Don’t Do It Alone Finding strength in yourself doesn’t necessary mean you have to do it alone. Groups in drug treatment programs are there to provide moral support. Those in drug abuse treatment programs may also utilize the counselors to help them find strength in themselves. 2. One of the most vital factors in finding strength is setting goals. 3. Strong people know failure is out there. 4. Being a victim isn’t being strong. 5. Strong people don’t live in the past. 6. Even when everything seems grim and you experience a setback, tell yourself you can do it. 7. It seems like an oxymoron to state that you should believe in yourself for others, but it isn’t. 8. 9. Opioid Overdose Dangers. Opioids is a classification of drugs that are intended to treat pain. However, not everyone who uses them takes them for pain.

In some cases, the person may abuse them to get “high.” Unfortunately, even taking them for pain can lead to an overdose if not taken as directed. What Are Opioids? Opioids, sometimes referred to as opiates or narcotics, describe a group of drugs that are designed to treat mild, moderate or severe pain. A majority of these drugs are used to treat moderate to severe pain only. They work by decreasing the intensity of the pain signals that are going to the brain. Examples of Opiates There are a great deal of medications that make up this category of drug.

How Do Opioids Affect the Brain? An opioid attaches to proteins in the brain. Effects of Opioids These drugs may lead to drowsiness or mental confusion. These medications are intended for oral use. What Happens When a Person Overdoses? Treatment of an Opioid Overdose Naloxone, also known as Narcan, may be given. Prescription Drug Addiction Does You No Favors.

Demographics of Substance Abuse. Programs for rehabilitation for substance abuse conducted in substance abuse rehabilitation centers see people of all ages, races and genders. They don’t discriminate. However, certain classifications of people more commonly abuse particular substances than others. Young Adults and Prescription Drug Abuse Twelve-year-olds are very unlikely to have to utilize a rehabilitation for substance abuse program, even though it does occur. Men and Prescription Drug Abuse Men are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than women. Drugs in Older Americans is Becoming More of a Problem In people between the ages of 50 to 64, drug abuse became more popular between the years of 2002 and 2013. Marijuana Is the Most Popular Drug The percentage of people who use marijuana was static across all age brackets as the most commonly used drug.

Education Plays a Role in Drug Abuse Educational levels appear to have an impact on drug abuse. Blacks Use Drugs More Than Other Races Whites Abuse Alcohol More Frequently. Warning Signs of a Relapse. A drug rehab program doesn’t just focus on patients who are initially coming into the facility once they hit rock bottom. 3 continuously monitor patients to assist in the event a patient relapses. The program wants to build a strong bond with the patient to help him or her to success throughout the rest of life. The patient must be able to recognize the signs of a relapse though in order to receive the treatment he or she needs when he or she needs it most. 1. Forgetting the Bad Times It’s easy for a patient to relapse when he or she starts looking back on the substance abuse and only remembers the joys of drinking or drug abuse.

They think of the laughs they shared with friends and neglect to remember how alcoholism cost them their job or drug abuse caused them to lose custody of their children. 2. Once a patient gets clean, he or she is encouraged to separate him or herself from old friends who he or she abused drugs or alcohol with. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Drug and Alcohol Detox Treatment | Drug Withdrawl Programs Claifornia. How Do I know If The Brain Is Permanently Damaged? The human body and mind is a wondrous machine that has every capacity to heal. The healing process however, is very specific to each individual and thus detox and recovery time is very dependent upon specific circumstance. A lot of the time recovery is dependent upon the will of the addict to stick to a clean, healthy lifestyle post detox treatment. During the detox process symptoms obviously vary per case, but may reveal underlying present mental health issues. This is a vital part of the detox process, getting to the root cause of why the abuser uses.

Thus, many detox programs not only focus on the physical detoxification process, but also encompass mental health assessment and treatment (including care by psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors) According to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction should be treated like any other chronic illness that affects the brain and body. What You Need To Know. Addiction Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center | A Dual Diagnosis Doesn’t Have to Be the End. Some people genuinely believe that receiving a dual diagnosis of a drug addiction and a behavioral health problem means their future is grim.

They think it is going to hold them back from having fun at parties with friends and may hinder their relationships with others. This, however, isn’t the case. Those who receive a dual diagnosis may need to alter their lives a bit, but it definitely doesn’t mean the rest of their life is over. 1. Help is Available The patient has to remember that he or she isn’t alone in the battle. 2. Approximately four million people have a dual diagnosis, many of which have gone through a program at one of the a dual diagnosis rehab facilities throughout the nation and made a full recovery. 3. If the patient is looking for an easy way out through one of the dual diagnosis rehab facilities in the area, it won’t happen. 4.

Yes, having a dual diagnosis means the patient can’t partake in substances if he or she wants to recover from both. 5. 6. Heroin Detox & the Worth of Long Term Treatment. Heroin and other opiate drugs, like morphine and Oxycontin, are highly addictive because users quickly become physically dependent on the drug- sometimes within just a few days or weeks. For addicted opiate users, physical symptoms arise when they do not take the drug- including but no limited to physical pain and weakness, severe nausea, vomiting and goose bumps. On the streets, this is known as “dopesickness” because the addicted person gets physically sick after using for an extended period of time, or in large quantities. The body adapts to the presence of the drug and when using ceases, withdrawal occurs because the body is attempting to function without it. Also, users develop a tolerance over time and need higher doses to produce the same affect, which intensifies the detoxification.

This is why painful symptoms occur and while not life threatening, it is very uncomfortable and can be excruciating. Addiction Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center | Molly, NBOMes, Krok, Spice – Can Drug Abuse Programs Treat Designer Drug Abuse? Spice, Bath Salts, Molly, NBOMes or Smiles, Krokodil, MDMA. You know the rest. If you take designer street drugs and feel you need help you now know that what your friends told you about designer street drugs being “safe” is not true. Perhaps you are a family member just learning that the reason your loved one becomes violent, suffers from hallucinations or other symptoms is because of abusing designer drugs. Learn more about designer drugs, serious dangers related to designer drug abuse and how drug abuse treatment programs can help you or your loved one become free of the dangers associated with designer drugs.

What are Designer Drugs Anyway? Designer drugs mimic real drugs, however are chemically manufactured as a cheap means of getting high. For instance, Spice is not marijuana, but a synthetic drug mimicking marijuana. MDMA, known as “Ecstasy” is another laboratory-created drug and according to NIDA for Teens, MDMA is often contaminated with other drugs. In a U.S. Exercises' Impact on Treatment - Addiction Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center. Exercise has such a profound effect on a person’s overall health. It affects various systems within the body besides just the muscular system. For those who suffer from mental illness, it appears to help reduce some of the symptoms and aid in the treatment process.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Dual diagnosis facilities help to reach the root of the problem through therapy and medication. Dual diagnosis treatment centers offer a wide range of services that aid in their overall health. Oftentimes, exercise is an option. However, if the dual diagnosis facilities don’t offer yoga or another exercise, a patient can take it upon him or herself to get physical activity on a regular basis. Exercise Is Proven Exercise, in particular aerobic exercise like swimming, cycling, walking, dancing and jogging, all have shown to reduce a person’s level of depression and anxiety, as noted by the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Biotechnology Information. A New Focal Point Build Up Self-Esteem. Is Outpatient Treatment The Answer For You? Early Sobriety - The Importance of Step One. For people suffering from addiction and alcoholism, early sobriety can be both physically emotionally challenging.

Sobriety may be the first time the addict has ever objectively looked at him or herself, and this transition is usually a painful one. In early sobriety, the recovering addict faces the personal issues and emotional challenges that they previously sought to escape. Drugs and alcohol allowed them to “numb out” from life’s realities, and in early sobriety, feelings come back to the surface, usually with great intensity. It is important to constantly remember the 1st step of Alcoholics Anonymous; we are powerless over our addiction and that life is unmanageable.

The 1st Step tells us that life is unmanageable- not only because of addiction, but also because of our thinking. Our thinking and entire way of living was the precursor to addiction, whether it be drugs, alcohol, shopping, sex, etc. Reasons Why Bipolar Disorder Recovery is Stunted by Substance Abuse. Bipolar disorder’s symptoms interfere with everyday life. It causes individuals who suffer from it a great deal of issues that may affect every aspect of life including a person’s job and relationships with others.

Going to a physician is an important step in the treatment process, but it might not be enough for various reasons. 1. Dosage The dosage of the drug might not be enough. 2. There are multiple categories of drugs used to treat bipolar disorder. 3. The physician may have misdiagnosed the patient with bipolar disorder. 4. Bipolar might not be the only condition the patient has. 5. Any type of psychotropic drug requires a person to take it for a certain amount of time before it’s effective. 6. If a patient did see a change based on the treatment and that seemed to diminish over time, the patient’s treatment might need to be reevaluated. 7.

The key to a successful treatment entails more than just a drug in many cases. Don't Give Up on Treatment Even if it Failed in the Past. Not everyone is successful the first time they complete treatment for drug addiction. This doesn’t mean the person will never be able to lead a drug-free life.

Certain factors interfere with a successful recovery and don’t determine the patient’s future, and sometimes, they’re beyond the addict’s control. 1. It’s Difficult to Quit In general, it’s not easy to stop using a substance once a person is addicted to it, especially if he or she is experiencing both physical and psychological effects of addiction. 2. The complexity of the addiction makes it even more difficult to quit. 3.

Relapse is very common due to how much the drug alters a person’s thoughts and actions. 4. A 30-day rehab program isn’t enough for a majority of people to make a complete recovery. 5. Sometimes, a person might have another condition in addition to the addiction. 6. Just because a person went through treatment before without success, doesn’t mean that this time won’t be successful. 7. 8. What You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse | Health & Wellness | Idiots's Guides. Working While Going Through Rehab. What is an anxiety disorder. Addicts aren't the only ones with a Problem.

Bipolar Disorder & Addiction: Not Just Another Combination For the Experts. Substance Abuse Makes Anxiety Conditions Worse. How to Increase Detox Success Rates by Making it More Comfortable. How life is better without alcohol. Heroin addiction continues to increase. Why Life Is Better Without Alcohol. Opioid Overdose Dangers. Natural Remedies to Assist with Your Alcoholism Treatment Program. Importance of treating co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders simultaneously.