What is Drug Detox?

Drug detox is an abbreviation of the word detoxification. Detoxification refers to the process in which a person eliminates all traces of an addictive substance from his or her body. The process begins with the person ceasing the use of the addictive substance, and it ends with that person’s body and mind returning to normal functioning. This process can last from 72 hours to as long as several months for full body and mind restoration. During the course of detoxification, the affected party may suffer from a wide variety of withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to not having the substance. Such withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, irritability, diarrhea, hallucinations, delusions, depression, chills, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome. Additional withdrawal symptoms may occur in different people. The symptoms and severity of it vary, but some of the worse cases of detox is of those withdrawing from opiates. Opiate addiction is a serious problem that affects many people across the world. The problem is not just restricted to the United States. The following statistics depict the severity and the massive use of substances that either are derived from or are similar to opium:

• More than 13.5 million people across the globe use opioids.
• More than 9.2 million people in the world have a problem with heroin.
• Heroin use accounts for more than 18 percent of drug and alcohol facility admissions.
• Over 900,000 people in the United States currently use heroin.
• Opiates were involved in 80 percent of European drug-related deaths.
• Over 93 percent of the world's opium supply came from places like Afghanistan.

What is Opiate Addiction?

Opiate addiction is the physical and psychological dependence upon any drug within the opioid family. A person can be addicted to heroin or prescription pain medications such as codeine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone. When a person is addicted, his or her body thinks that it needs the drug to function normally. The person may also crave the drug psychologically and think that he or she cannot survive without it. The time that it takes a person to develop an addiction depends on the drug and his or her frequency of use. An individual may become addicted to heroin the first or second time he or she uses it. Prescription pain pills are also severely addictive. Many people who have suffered addictions claim that they developed such an addiction from the first prescription the doctor provided. Unfortunately, these medications work well in stopping pain for people who have back problems, broken bones, tumors, and surgical complications. Therefore, even when a doctor legitimately prescribes a narcotic painkiller to a client, he or she can still develop addiction to the substance.

Opiate Detoxification

Heroin detox and prescription pill detox are similar in that they can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Rehabilitation facilities provide services that help addicted persons to overcome the withdrawal and get through detox effectively. Some rehab centers provide their clients with substitutes such as Methadone or Suboxone, while others may use a more natural and holistic approach to treatment. The course of treatment a person chooses depends on his or her preferences, insurance coverage, and the facility’s individual procedures. Heroin detox is the first step in a person’s recovery. Without detox, the individual cannot succeed in recovering from the addiction. Rehabilitation centers begin with the appropriate detoxification method, and then they gradually incorporate additional treatments. Types of treatments that a person may receive in addition to detox include group therapy, individual counseling, meditation lessons, medication management, support groups, and aftercare assistance. The objective is to improve the quality of the addicted person’s life. Meta: What is drug detox? Detox is the process of ridding one's body of all the toxins that drugs often leave in a person's system. It is the first step of recovery.

How to Find Help for Your Prescription Drug Problem

America is currently having a severe problem with addiction to prescription pain pills and other prescription medications. Many of its residents have developed dependency to substances such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, Valium, Xanax, and the like. The reason for such a high concentration of addiction throughout the nation is provider discretion. Some doctors are capitalizing off people’s addictions by granting prescriptions long after an illness or ailment has ended. Additionally, people are selling the pills illegally and some of the younger population as well as older individuals are getting hold of them. Current statistics on prescription pill usage in the United States show the following:

• More than 70 percent of pain pills are taken by people who were not prescribed the medication.
• Drug store robberies have gone up more than 81 percent.
• Every day, a young person in the United States tries a prescription pill.
• More than 22.5 million Americans abuse prescription pain pills.

Do You Have a Problem With Prescription Drugs?

Addiction to prescription pain pills comes rapidly as they are very addicting. If you think you have a problem with these substances, you must ask yourself a series of questions to determine such. First, ask yourself if you are taking the pills for a specific effect, such as a sedating low or a euphoric feeling. Next, ask yourself if you are taking the pills despite the demise of your physical pain. You will also want to consider if your lifestyle has changed drastically over the course of your experiences with the pills. If you are finding yourself losing touch with your friends and family members because of the pursuit of more pills, you may have a problem. If you are finding yourself asking people to borrow money because you spent your paycheck on pills, you may have a problem. Additionally, if you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms such as muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when you do not take the pills, you most likely have a problem. However, your problem does not have to define you. You can get help and find yourself on the road to recovery very quickly.

How to Find Help for Your Prescription Drug Problem

If you or someone you know has a problem with prescription drugs, recovery is just a phone call or mouse click away. A wide variety of rehabilitation facilities provides prescription abuse recovery for people of all ages, races, and genders. The first step you must take in getting the proper care is conducting research. You need to find a facility that will accommodate you. This facility must be specialized in prescription drug addiction, and it must contain the elements of a reputable institution. To get help with your prescription drug problem, you can search for a facility in a number of ways. You may call your insurance company directly and ask for a referral to a facility that takes its benefits. A customer service representative will be able to locate prescription abuse recovery in your local area. You may also visit the local hospital or your main health care provider and ask them to refer you to a facility. Some government or county agencies may also have a list of reliable rehabilitation centers that can suit your needs. Additionally, you may want to look into finding a referral service through the internet. Some agencies will discreetly help you locate a rehab center that can help you to improve your life. Rehabilitation centers offer temporary housing, detoxification services, counseling, various therapies, and other prescription abuse recovery help. If you are ready to rid your life of these detrimental substances, make contact with a facility today. Care facilities are around to help you and encourage you, rather than judge you. Meta: How to find help for your prescription drug problem begins with seeking care at a professional addiction treatment facility that will guide you to a recovery.

Benzodiazepine Addiction And How It Can Kill You

Anatomy of an Epidemic: Overdose Risk and Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive substances clinically shown to have anti-anxiety and sedative psychopharmacological activity. A benzodiazepine works on GABA receptors in the brain to provide a muscle-relaxing, calming effect. Diazepam, also known as valium, has been commercially available for approximately a half-century, but the dangers of prescription drug abuse are most felt today.

Millions of Lives and the CDC

Arguably, Diazepam and Alprazolam (Xanax) are the most popular types of benzodiazepines. Although these psychoactive drugs are sold to millions of Americans every year for anxiety, seizures, and other conditions; some sources claim benzodiazepines are overprescribed and potentially dangerous. For instance, the number of emergency room visits involving an overdose on benzodiazepines doubled from 2004 to 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In light of benzodiazepines' side-effects and illicit youth users, weighing the pros and cons of benzodiazepine medication is crucial for any public health discussion.

Benzodiazepines and Youth

The 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Study demonstrated that one in five high schoolers has taken a prescription drug illicitly. Even when benzodiazepines are taken as prescribed and properly monitored, the risks of overdose, physiological dependence, and improper dosing can be prohibitively high. Use of benzodiazepines can eventually result in memory, psychomotor, and cognitive impairment. In the long term, benzodiazepines may spell worsening depression, anxiety, and profound cognitive deficits. Abuse of benzodiazepines can result in death or coma.

Overdose on Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are one of the most prescribed classes of pharmaceutical medications. A benzodiazepine is especially dangerous because of its high likelihood of engendering withdrawal symptoms. In addition, benzodiazepines are reportedly linked to a superabundance of suicide attempts vis-a-vis drug overdose. Studies show that Alrazolam, the most prescribed benzodiazepine in the United States, is more toxic than Diazepam and linked to far more deaths per year than any other benzodiazepine.

Etiology and Risks of Overdose

The Annual Reports of the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the National Data Collection System demonstrated that between 1992 and 2001 dozens of deaths occurred due to self-poisining with Diazepam. Numerous studies have demonstrated similar risks for over-the-counter medications acting as benzodiazepine receptor agonists. Overdose of these benzodiazepines results in serious disturbances to the central nervous system. Diplopia, hallucinations, and delirium are all symptoms of acute intoxication vis-a-vis benzodiazepine pharmaceuticals. In the most acute ranges, overdose can result in coma or death. Science demonstrates that children and elderly consumers of benzodiazepines are at higher risk of overdose and potentially fatal reactions. The latter group often miscalculate dosage or take the wrong medication, whereas the former group frequently take benzodiazepines accidentally.

Diagnosis of Overdose

Although the exact symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose are difficult to isolate across patient populations, clinical observation and drug histories are serviceable indications of overdose. Blood concentrations of benzodiazepines and thin layer chromatography may also help inform whether a patient is experiencing overdose symptoms. In spite of the fact that benzodiazepines have a relatively low toxicity rating, benzodiazepines are used in many self-poisinings, and pose risks for certain populations. Meta: Benzodiazepine addiction and how it can kill you is a serious issue that should deter people from abusing this drug, but its abuse continues to be a problem.

What to do if Your Spouse is Addicted to Opiates

Opiate addiction is a very dangerous disease that can be deadly. People with an opiate addiction take opiate based drugs like Morphine, Oxycontin, and Oxycodone. Common signs of opiate addiction are excessive sleeping, weight gain, heavy limbs, and needle marks. If your spouse is addicted to opiates, it can be devastating. You want to help him, but are not sure what to do. However, you can’t just sit around and allow your spouse to ruin his life. Here are some tips on dealing with a spouse who is addicted to opiates.

Educate Yourself About the Disease

Before you can help your spouse, you have to learn more about his opiate addiction. If you don’t know much about the disease, you may not realize how serious it really is. If you take the time to educate yourself about the disease, you will realize that it is difficult to beat. Go to the library and rent a few books about opiate addiction. You can also go online and research different articles about opiate addiction.

Talk To Your Spouse About His Addiction

It may be difficult, but you have to talk to your spouse about his addiction when he is sober. Tell him how his addiction is negatively affecting you and that you are worried about him. Let him know that you are afraid his addiction will cause him to hurt someone else or die at an early age. Then, encourage him to seek treatment. Inform him about the different treatment options out there and tell him that you will always be there for him.

Take Care of Yourself

If you want to help your spouse, you have to take care of yourself. Make sure to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and get plenty of rest. You also need to set aside time for yourself. Meet a friend for coffee, go for a walk, get a pedicure, or pick up a new hobby. Focusing on yourself occasionally will keep you sane and healthy.

Attend Therapy Sessions

Do not hesitate to attend your spouse’s therapy sessions occasionally. Many drug counselors will allow close family members to attend therapy sessions. During the therapy sessions, you can learn more about the reasons behind his addiction. Your spouse will also appreciate your support.

Realize That Recovery Will Take Time

It is important to realize that recovery does not happen overnight; it takes a lot of time. If you expect your partner to recover from his opiate addiction in a few days, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. All you can do is support your spouse and take care of yourself. If he has the will and determination, he will eventually beat his addiction. Dealing with a spouse who is addicted to opiates can be very difficult. However, you can’t allow it to get the best of you. You have to support your spouse and realize he needs time to change. Do not hesitate to call a close friend or family member when you are feeling down.

Treating Benzodiazepine addiction

Benzodiazepine Abuse

A benzodiazepine is a central nervous system depressant that is often prescribed for anxiety or as a muscle relaxant. This means that it slows down a person’s breathing, relaxes muscles, and slows down their brain function. It is a prescription drug, often prescribed for psychiatric illnesses. The brand names for the most common benzodiazepines are Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise in America – with prescription drugs coming in just below cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana on the list of drugs commonly abused by Americans. The most common way kids obtain these prescription drugs is from a friend or family member for free to help them “calm down” or to “try it out.” The second most common way they obtain them is by buying it from various sources, including schoolmates and drug dealers.

There are many street names used to buy, sell, or disguise the use of these drugs. The most common street names for various benzodiazepines are: Benzos, Goofballs, Candy, Downers, Sleeping Pills, Tranx, Heavenly Blues, School Bus, Valley Girl, Howards, Sleepaways, Vs, and White Boys.

In many instances, these drugs are mixed with alcohol – which is extremely dangerous. Alcohol lowers your breathing rate and so do benzodiazepines. This means that, when you mix them, you can actually stop breathing and die.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

Benzodiazepines can be extremely addictive – both physically and psychologically. This can make it difficult to get off of these drugs. There is even something called “benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.” Because benzodiazepines mask anxiety, when someone quits suddenly, the anxiety kicks back in in full force. Here are other symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome:

• Insomnia
• Tension, anxiety, panic attacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry retching and nausea
• Weight loss
• Heart palpitations
• Muscle pain
• Flu-like symptoms
• Seizures
• Psychotic reactions 

Trying to get clean by yourself – or even as a part of an out-patient program – can be extremely difficult and dangerous. The best option is to go through a medical detox program. A medical detox is an in-patient program in which caring and professional staff will monitor your progress and utilize medication to help you through the detox process.

After getting completely clean, the addict should participate in therapy for both their body and their mind. When it comes to benzodiazepine addiction, this stage is crucial. Benzos affect your mind most heavily.

The idea behind therapy in rehab is to find out where the addictive behavior comes from and sort out how to avoid or resolve those things that trigger it. Another thing to consider regarding an in-patient rehab program is the after-care treatment. After-care is very important, because no matter how great you feel in rehab, you must go back and face the things that contributed to the addiction in the first place. This is something that can require a lot of help from those who care about you, but is extremely rewarding. The idea behind any benzodiazepine addiction treatment is to get the addict completely free of the drug and help them take their life back.

Sources

www.DrugAbuse.govwww.MonitoringtheFuture.org
www.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov