The Dangers Of “Skin-Popping” Drugs

Posted on October 26, 2017 by dr-admin

Along with intravenous injection, drugs like cocaine, steroids and heroin can be intradermally, subcutaneously and intramuscularly injected—also known as “skin-popping.” These types of drug injections can lead to health problems, euphoria, overdose, and amputations. Drug rehab centers can help a person safely begin recovery and stop abusing drugs.

Skin-popping is a method used to inject illicit substances like heroin and other opiates, cocaine, anabolic steroids, barbiturates, and some medications. Over the years, methods for using drugs have become more effective and easier. Skin-popping may be an easy method, but is just as dangerous as any other method and has potential to lead to serious skin conditions and other health complications.

What Is Skin-Popping?

Skin-popping is also known as subcutaneous or intradermal injection. It’s a preferred method of using black tar heroin, cocaine, and anabolic steroids. Intradermal injection is the introduction of a drug between the skin and fat just below the surface, and subcutaneous is injection of a drug into the tissue layers just beneath the layers of skin. A drug doesn’t work as quickly through intradermal or subcutaneous injection as it does from injecting it into the veins, directly into the bloodstream.

Why Skin-Popping?

There are a lot of reasons that people prefer not to inject chemicals directly into their veins. “For some, trying to hit a vein gets so frustrating that they just give up and shoot anywhere they can. Some do it because drugs absorb more slowly this way. Muscling and skin-popping give you less of a ‘rush,’ but the effects of the drug may last longer” (Public Health Seattle and King County).

People will also switch to skin-popping if frequent intravenous injections have led to hardened or scarred skin and the veins are no longer easily accessible. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), the most frequently used sites for injection are “the neck, supraclavicular region and the thorax.”

Some addicted individuals may be at the point that they aren’t so concerned about the rush, but more about the withdrawal that comes when they stop using the drugs.

Most Frequently Injected Drugs

The substances most commonly used for intradermal and subcutaneous injection are heroin and other opiates, cocaine, anabolic steroids, and sometimes barbiturates. Some of these substances are more dangerous and more addictive than others, but neither intravenous, nor intradermal, nor intramuscular injection is considered a safe alternative to use them.

“All three have serious risks. All three put you at great risk for blood-borne infections like HIV and Hepatitis B and C. Although muscling and skin-popping may cause more abscesses and skin infections, shooting into a vein may be more likely to cause serious long-term illnesses like endocarditis (heart valve infection)” (Public Health Seattle and King County).

Intradermal And Subcutaneous Substance Abuse

Intradermal means “within the skin” and subcutaneous means “under the skin.” In either case, they’re types of skin-popping, and can lead to different health problems and skin conditions. Subcutaneous injection goes deeper than intradermal but not as deep as intramuscular. More specifically, subcutaneous injections are inserted into a layer of skin just before the muscle.

Intradermally Injecting Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant that has a serious impact on a person’s nervous system and heart. When injecting cocaine, the drug goes directly into the bloodstream. This not only intensifies the euphoria, but also the health consequences.

Intradermal cocaine abuse is actually associated with Fournier’s gangrene. Further, “cocaine abuse is associated with a number of medical complications, most notably arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and cerebral hemorrhage” (NLM).

Intradermally Injecting Opiates

Opiates like oxycodone, morphine, and heroin are the most commonly injected drugs and, like cocaine, they can lead to a lot of negative consequences. Opiates are classified as central nervous system depressants that cause a person to feel an intense euphoria, drowsiness, disorientation, and numbness. Heroin takes longer to reach the bloodstream through intradermal injection, so a person may use more of it to achieve a more intense high—increasing their chance of overdose.

Is Heroin More Addictive When Injected?

Some people believe that heroin isn’t as addictive when it’s snorted or used by skin-popping. This is not true. The drug is highly addictive no matter how it’s abused. The biggest difference between intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, and nasal administration is the amount of time it takes for the substance to reach the brain.

According to the Center For Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), “intravenous injection provides the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of effects, as users can feel peak effects after 7 to 8 seconds. Intramuscular injection produces the euphoric high within 5 to 8 minutes, and when the drug is sniffed or smoked, effects are felt within 10 to 15 minutes.”

Heroin Overdose Statistics

CESAR goes on to describe the some of the side-effects of heroin by stating, “overdosing is a very real danger for heroin users. It is far more common than one might expect; a 2001 study in Australia concluded that 54% of regular injecting drug users reported experiencing at least one non-fatal overdose in their lifetime.”

Heroin overdose can include one or more of the following side effects:

Extremely slow and shallow breathing
Convulsions
Pinpoint pupils
Confusion
Blue lips
Weak pulse
Low blood pressure
Uncontrollable muscle spasms
Disorientation
Loss of consciousness
Stopped breathing
Coma

If someone is overdosing, they need to be taken to the hospital immediately. An overdose can be fatal.

Intramuscularly Injecting Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are the drugs most commonly abused by intramuscular injection, or muscling. Muscling occurs when a person injects a substance into the muscle instead of the vein, usually in the upper arms or legs. This method is commonly used in medicine for oral/dental surgeries, for substances that irritate the veins, or because a vein can’t be found. No matter which method is used for injecting, it can lead to abscesses, lesions, and tissue scarring.

Skin-Popping Abscesses, Lesions, And Scars

As substance abuse continues, the areas of injection become scarred, and lesions or abscesses start to form. When the body becomes infected, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. These injured sites become callused scar tissue over time.

“Scars are most commonly found on dorsal hands, digits, wrist, forearms, and lower extremities” (VisualDx). These scars and abscesses can last for life, and can show up years after a person stops.

Dangers And Complications Of Skin-Popping And Muscling

From Public Health Seattle And King County, “muscling and skin-popping allow germs to ‘sit’ inside muscle and fat tissue or under the skin. These are great places for abscesses and other infections to brew. Infections in these areas can be very serious. They can also spread to the blood, bones, heart and other places in the body. Some of the worst infections include wound botulism, tetanus (also called “lockjaw”) and necrotizing fasciitis (‘flesh eating disease’). If not treated quickly, these and other infections can become life-threatening and result in death.”

Treatment And Therapy For Addiction

Some people might continue abusing injectable substances to avoid painful withdrawal and intense cravings. Through a medically-supervised detoxification, these withdrawals and cravings can be managed through a healthy and natural process. After detox, addiction specialists, therapists, or psychologists can help patients better understand addiction, emotions, and behaviors.

Some of the most effective addiction treatment programs are:

Professional Intervention
Detoxification
Evaluation
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness and Stress Management
Contingency Management
Individual and Group Therapy
Healthy Living
Peer Support Groups
Family Therapy
Aftercare Support

Finding The Right Treatment For You

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, we understand what you’re going through. We want to help you on your road to recovery. Contact us today to speak to one of our kind, caring professionals about skin-popping and rehab treatment.

For More Information Related to “The Dangers Of “Skin-Popping” Drugs” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sepsis From Intravenous (IV) Drug Use

Cotton Fever From IV Drug Use

Cellulitis From Intravenous (IV) Drug Use

Recovery Solutions: Hepatitis C Treatment For Former IV Drug Use

Understanding A Needle Fixation

Sources

Center For Substance Abuse Research—Heroin
Public Health Seattle And King County—Muscling and Skin Popping
U.S. National Library Of Medicine—Fournier’s gangrene associated with intradermal injection of cocaine
U.S. National Library Of Medicine—Pneumothorax: A Complication of ‘Skin Popping’
VisualDx—Skin Popping Substance Abuse

Signs Of A Barbiturate Overdose

Posted on October 24, 2017 by dr-admin

Barbiturate drugs are prescribed to treat seizures, and in more limited instances, anxiety and insomnia. But, when abused, these drugs can cause addiction and overdose. First time and chronic users alike can overdose. Overdose can first resemble alcohol intoxication before progressing to more serious extremes, including respiratory depression, coma, and death. Roughly ten percent of barbiturate-related overdoses are fatal, most commonly from complications of the heart and lungs.

Prescription drug abuse affects countless individuals and families across our nation. And sadly, in many cases these individuals actually abuse their own medications or get barbiturates from their family members or other loved ones. Some individuals may do this to self-medicate a physical or mental health condition, while others do so for recreational purposes. If you’re struggling with insomnia or anxiety this might seem like a quick fix. But regardless of why you initiate barbiturate abuse, you’re ingesting a drug which has a high potential for overdose.

How Do People Abuse Barbiturates?

Barbiturates are produced in capsule, tablet, and elixir forms. During abuse, whether it be self-medication or recreationally, many people continue to consume these drugs orally, but in larger and more frequent quantities. Recreational users may use barbiturates because they create feelings similar to being drunk or intoxicated on alcohol.

When a person is addicted, or even within patterns of abuse, they might decide to alter the form of the drug and administer it differently. This is because they hope to enhance or quicken the drug’s effects. These methods may include smoking, snorting, rectally (“plugging”), or even by liquefying capsule or tablet forms and injecting it.

And in another attempt to alter or expedite the pleasurable effects, or to moderate ill effects of another drug, users often abuse barbiturates with alcohol or opiates. Mixing these drugs is not a harmless, fun time. All of these work upon your central nervous system (CNS) with depressant qualities, leading to what can be deadly results.

What Are Barbiturates?

Barbiturate drugs have sedative and hypnotic effects, which mean they can make you feel sleepy or very relaxed. This mechanism of action occurs due to the way this class of drugs decreases the rate of certain activity within your brain. These effects are also what makes them so appealing to drug abusers. Frequently abused barbiturates include (name brand is listed second):

Butabarbital (Butisol Sodium)
Phenobarbital (Luminal)
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
Secobarbital (Seconal)

Even prescribed use of these drugs changes the way your CNS functions, earning them the term CNS depressants. These effects are felt more profoundly within patterns of abuse and addiction.

As your CNS is depressed various systems within your body which are tasked with life-support begin to slow down or fall, including:

Blood pressure
Breathing rate (respiration)
Heart rate
Temperature

Severe levels of CNS depression are what initiate overdose. When too much of the drug is used these critical systems can even begin shutting down. The higher potential for overdose is why barbiturates are prescribed in smaller numbers than they were in the past. Now, benzodiazepines are largely used in their place, however these drugs also run the risk of addiction and overdose.

What Are The Signs Of Barbiturate Overdose?

What makes barbiturate abuse dangerous is how it resembles alcohol intoxication. This similarity can surface as an excuse or diversion for a barbiturate abuser. Barbiturate abusers might try to pin their abuse on alcohol or the casual observer might make this assumption on their own. Try to be mindful of this. If a person becomes suddenly drunk after having only one drink (especially if they’ve struggled with barbiturate abuse in the past) there may be cause for concern.

According to MedlinePlus signs of overdose include:

Becoming uncoordinated
Changes in speech (speaking slower or slurring words)
Coma
Difficulty maintaining consciousness
Feeling or moving sluggishly
Having trouble walking (staggering)
Intense drowsiness
Impaired judgment
Slow or shallow breathing
Struggling to think clearly

Many of these symptoms are also present in varying degrees during an intoxicated state. But beware, intoxication can quickly progress to full-fledged overdose. If you have the slightest concern that you’re going into overdose, or watching a loved one do so, call emergency medical services immediately. This prompt action could save a life.

Can A Barbiturate Overdose Be Deadly?

Yes. Again, nearly one in ten barbiturate-related overdoses leads to death. As barbiturates are often mixed with alcohol or opiates (all three may be abused together) a large number of overdoses result this way. In fact, MedlinePlus warns that these polydrug abusers are:

“New users who do not know these combinations can lead to coma or death”
“Experienced users who use them on purpose to alter their consciousness”

They conclude by cautioning that overdose in the second group of individuals is harder to treat.

What Are The Risks Of A Barbiturate Overdose?

While death is surely the most serious concern, even a non-fatal overdose can have some life-altering results. According to MedlinePlus, overdose may lead to:

Coma
Developmental damage to the child in utero
Miscarriage
Falls, leading to head injuries, concussions, injury to the neck and spine regions, and/or paralysis.
“Pneumonia from depressed gag reflex and aspiration”
“Severe muscle damage from lying on a hard surface while unconscious, which may lead to permanent kidney injury”

Your drug abuse and addiction doesn’t have to progress to this point. But every time you use you’re taking a gamble with your health and life. Fortunately, help exists. Barbiturate abuse and addiction can be treated with the right combination of treatment modalities, and with the help of the right program.

The Right Treatment Could Save Your Life

Since a vast majority of prescription drug abuse begins from self-medication, a good treatment program should address any physical or mental health concerns which precipitated abuse. So if you struggle with anxiety, insomnia, or seizures, and you’ve found that you’re misusing your prescription (or someone else’s) in dangerous ways, treatment should address these adverse health effects alongside of the addiction.

This might include implementing the use of another medication to curb the symptoms of these conditions. For a co-occurring disorder like anxiety, individuals should be offered dual diagnosis care so that the mental illness is treated too. These treatments hold true with recreational abusers who may have a mental health disorder.

Effective treatment for both addiction and co-occurring disorders includes behavioral therapies; two research-based examples include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Barbiturates do form intense physical dependencies. Because of this, a medical detox may be necessary prior to commencing inpatient drug rehab. Life can be very overwhelming and dark when you’re living under the constant burden of an addiction. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Get Treatment And Find Hope Today

Don’t give up your life to addiction. Contact the compassionate treatment specialists today at DrugRehab.org. We have more resources on barbiturate abuse and addiction to help you or a family member begin living a sober and safer life. Contact us today.

For More Information Related to “Signs Of A Barbiturate Overdose” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse — Commonly Abused Drugs Charts

What Is The Difference Between Methadone And Oxycodone?

Posted on October 19, 2017 by dr-admin

The United States is currently in the midst of an opioid crisis, but determining which opioids are the biggest problem can be difficult. Opioids include illicit drugs like heroin, and powerful pain relieving medications like oxycodone, and methadone. Even though they share the same classification, methadone and oxycodone have many differences.

Methadone Vs. Oxycodone

Most opioids have potential to produce a high and can lead to addiction, but some are more powerful than others.

Even though the drug excites the same opioid receptors in the brain as oxycodone, methadone is not derived from opium. Nonetheless, both oxycodone and methadone are central nervous system depressants that can be used to decrease the amount of pain perceived by a patient.

Opioids can be naturally derived from the opium poppy plant; semi-synthetic, or derived from natural opioids and mixed with other chemicals; or fully synthetic and completely man made. Methadone is a fully synthetic opioid, and has a much longer half-life than oxycodone, which is a semi-synthetic opiate.

You won’t feel the effects of methadone as quickly, but it’s still effective—it just takes longer to activate in your system. Methadone can also take longer to leave the system.

There are three different types of opioids, as reported by the National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) for Teens:

Natural opiates are alkaloids, nitrogen-containing base chemical compounds that occur in plants such as the opium poppy. Natural opiates include morphine, codeine, and thebaine.
Semi-synthetic/man-made opioids are created in labs from natural opiates. Semi-synthetic opioids include hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and oxycodone (the prescription drug OxyContin), as well as heroin, which is made from morphine.
Fully synthetic/manmade opioids are completely man-made, including fentanyl, pethidine, levorphanol, methadone, tramadol, and dextropropoxyphene.

Why Is Methadone Used Instead Of Oxycodone?

Methadone has a longer half-life and less potential for abuse. Because of this, methadone may be offered in a clinical setting to replace the effects of, or help to avoid withdrawal symptoms caused by, oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, or heroin.

Methadone can also be helpful for pain management for someone suffering from an addiction to oxycodone, or from natural or other semi-synthetic opiates. Methadone can still be abused for the euphoric effect, when someone tampers with the dose size, frequency, or method of administration.

The half-life of methadone can be anywhere from 24 to 60 hours, so it can help prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms for a full day. At the same time, the effects of methadone aren’t achieved as quickly as the effects of oxycodone, which has a half-life of about four hours and rapidly takes effect.

To find out the appropriate dose size, it’s vital to speak to a doctor before deciding to take more of a drug. The potency for an opioid is measured in comparison to morphine. This is known as the MME, or morphine milligram equivalent, and doses are regulated on a daily milligram measurement.

The MME for 50 mg per day of oxycodone is 33 mg (~2 tablets of oxycodone sustained-release 15 mg), and 12 mg of methadone ( <3 tablets of methadone 5 mg).

“Calculating the total daily dose of opioids helps identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring, reduction or tapering of opioids, prescribing of naloxone, or other measures to reduce risk of overdose,” according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Methadone is also a cheaper alternative to oxycodone. When a patient’s health insurance contribution has run out for the year, they become responsible for paying for their meds out of pocket. This is why a lot of people switch to methadone, because they are unable to pay for expensive prescriptions like OxyContin.

What Are The Overdose Rates And Risks Of Methadone And Oxycodone?

Both methadone and oxycodone are large contributors to the United States opioid epidemic. “From 2000 to 2015 more than half a million people died from drug overdoses. Ninety-one Americans die every day from an opioid overdose,” the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

Because oxycodone is more potent than methadone, doctors prescribe smaller doses of it and monitor patients to avoid overdose. Methadone can also result in overdose. However, due to successful monitoring and use, the rate has substantially decreased since 1999. “The rate of methadone overdose deaths increased 600%, from 0.3 persons per 100,000 in 1999 (784) to 1.8 in 2006 (5,406), was stable in 2007 (5,518), and then declined 39% to 1.1 (3,400) in 2014,”s as reported by the CDC.

Nearly half of the opioid overdoses in the United States involve a prescription opioid. In 2015, more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids. The top three contributors to those deaths were oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and methadone.

Not everyone who overdoses on opioids purposely abuses the drug. These adverse consequences can happen just as easily when a person who uses an opioid for a medical purpose increases the dose size. Some people decide that an opioid isn’t working, or no longer feel the effects due to tolerance, so they take more. This is especially true of methadone because of the prolonged activation time.

Taking too much of any opioid highly increases the chances of overdose. Overdose occurs when a dose size exceeds the amount that the body is able to metabolize. It can result in coma, respiratory failure, and death.

It’s vitally important to pay attention to dose sizes of both methadone and oxycodone. But overdose isn’t the only risk of abusing these drugs. They can also result in serious addiction, dependence, long-term health consequences, and other injuries such as:

In 2014, almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opioids.
As many as one in four people who receive prescription opioids long-term for noncancerous pain in primary care settings struggles with addiction.
Every day, over 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.
In 2009, opioids were the cause of more than 475,000 emergency room visits.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

Opioid addiction and dependence may require a medically-supervised detox to overcome the physical addiction (dependence). Detoxification may be necessary when a person stops using opioids because managing withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening and dangerous

After detox, a lot of patients benefit from behavioral treatment to overcome the mental addiction. During a behavioral treatment program, clients learn healthy coping skills, healthy reactions, and ways to adapt to their surroundings. They also learn relapse prevention skills, positive thinking and behaviors, as well as learn to love themselves again. Addiction treatment programs can be conducted in an inpatient rehab center, or other clinical environments that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

In some cases, a medication will be helpful to manage withdrawal, which can be one of the hardest parts of recovery, and when relapse is the most frequent. A medication-assisted treatment may include methadone maintenance for oxycodone, or other semi-synthetic opiates. Other types of opioid medication-assisted treatment may include naloxone, or buprenorphine (or a mixture of both—Suboxone or Subutex).

Some of the best behavioral treatment modalities for an opioid addiction are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, or motivational interviewing. There are a lot of different phases of recovery. Admitting there’s a problem is often the first step, but that isn’t always easy. Sometimes asking for help is the best way to overcome the first hurdle of recovery.

Choosing The Right Rehab Center For Opioids

Contact DrugRehab.org today to speak to someone who can find the right treatment program for you or your loved one. All calls are 100 percent confidential.

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

Sources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention—Calculating Total Daily Dose Of Opioids For Safer Dosage, Methadone Prescribing and Overdose and the Association with Medicaid Preferred Drug List Policies, Understanding the Epidemic: Drug Overdose

NIDA for Teens – What Are the Different Types of Opioids?

The Dangers of Mixing Xanax and Oxycodone

Posted on September 12, 2017 by dr-admin

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

Understanding Xanax And Oxycodone Abuse

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

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

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

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

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

What Are The Consequences Of Prescription Drug Abuse?

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

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

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

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

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

What Are The Symptoms Of Withdrawal?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Do People Become Addicted To Prescription Drugs?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find Treatment For Substance Use Disorder And Addiction

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

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

Sources

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

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

Ativan Withdrawal And Detoxification

Posted on August 29, 2017 by dr-admin

While most of us have become anxious or apprehensive at one point in time over something that worried us, for 18 percent of the population this anxiety can become excessive to the point it negatively affects their quality of life. These individuals have what is considered an anxiety disorder. Ativan is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety. Sadly, Ativan can be abused in a manner which leads to addiction.

What Is Ativan?

Ativan is a brand name medication of the benzodiazepine (benzo) drug lorazepam. As a benzo, it’s a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which means it slows several important bodily functions, including breathing rates, heart rate, and temperature. The benzodiazepine class of drugs produce anti-anxiety, hypnotic, sedative, and tranquilizing effects. These actions are what allow Ativan to treat anxiety and short-term insomnia, specifically by the way it produces a relaxed state by decreasing activity within the brain.

Unfortunately, some individuals pursue these states for recreational purposes or self-medication, by taking the medication in higher than normal doses. These behaviors intensify these effects and also increase the risk of addiction.

Is Ativan Addictive?

Like all benzodiazepine drugs, Ativan has the potential for abuse and addiction. In fact, according to an American Family Physician (AFP) publication on benzodiazepines, short-acting benzos with a high potency (of which Ativan is) are more readily abused than their long-acting counterparts. This is because the effects are felt more rapidly and intensely.

Further, a US National Library of Medicine DailyMed article warns that “The risk of dependence…is further increased in patients with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse or in patients with significant personality disorders.”

While benzodiazepine drugs can, and are, abused alone, as the AFP notes, they are often used in situations of polydrug abuse. This is because users abuse them to balance their high or increase euphoria and to reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with a variety of other drugs. These behaviors are exceedingly dangerous, as several of the drugs used in these practices are CNS depressants as well (like alcohol and opioids). This combination drastically increases the risk of adverse interactions, including those which lead to overdose and death.

Lastly, some individuals may stumble into addiction. Individuals who have an Ativan prescription may alter their dosage themselves to try and self-treat their anxiety or insomnia. Doing so is considered abuse, and these increased doses significantly raise the risk of addiction.

What Are The Signs Of Ativan Withdrawal?

Within an addicted state, a person is dependent on Ativan to function and will withdrawal should they abruptly decrease their dosage or stop using altogether. Withdrawal includes a set of symptoms which can become intolerable and at times painful, if not treated properly. These include, as explained by DailyMed:

Abdominal cramps
Agitation
Decreased appetite
Depression
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Hypersensitivity to light and sound
Irritability
Nausea and/or vomiting
Panic attacks
Rebound anxiety
Rebound insomnia
Restlessness
Sweating
Tremor
Vertigo

These symptoms may become so extreme as to alter a person’s perception of reality, by causing:

Delirium (confused thinking and a disturbed state of mind).
Depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself, as if you’re not quite there).
Derealization (feeling like what’s around you isn’t real).
Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things which don’t really exist).

Attempting to treat these on your own is extremely unwise. Instead, consider a medical detox. This treatment delivers exceptional care to support and protect you through this trying time.

Why Is A Medical Detox Important?

Choosing to treat Ativan withdrawal on your own places your sobriety and life in your hands. Are you up to this challenge? The truth is, no one should ever treat this on their own, as a benzodiazepine detox is best addressed by comprehensive medical support.

Aside from alcohol withdrawals, benzodiazepine withdrawals are the only other form which can be directly life-threatening. Like alcohol withdrawals, withdrawal from benzos can cause seizures and delirium tremens, critical states which require immediate care, as they can endanger your life. At home you do not have the medical equipment or highly-trained professionals which can save your life, should this situation arise.

Withdrawal creates strong cravings. Without the support of a detox program you may be tempted to use Ativan again to avoid feeling this way.

What Happens During A Medical Detox?

Healing from addiction begins on a physical level, and during detox your body works hard to flush toxins out of its system. This process isn’t always easy and can be very overwhelming.

To address this, effective detox programs use medication-assisted treatments (MAT) to reduce or alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Within this, a variety of medications will be used to target specific symptoms of withdrawal, so that you are as safe and comfortable as possible. Detox provides 24/7 hour support, from start to finish of the withdrawal process.

Detox can be emotionally strenuous as well, which is another reason detoxing in a facility is so important. The facility’s staff will comfort you during this time, answering any questions you may have, or will simply provide an ear and any emotional support you may need.

Because benzo addictions commonly occur with other forms of drug abuse, additional medical support and medications may be necessary. For instance, alcohol, a drug commonly abused with benzos, is extremely dehydrating. To counter this, IV fluid hydration may be used. This, and other drugs of abuse, may require other forms of MAT to address additional symptoms of withdrawal.

Should You Get Treatment After Detox?

Detoxing alone isn’t enough to treat an Ativan addiction. To create a solid, drug-free life, you also need to treat the psychological addiction. To do this, a variety of behavioral therapies and counseling methods will be tailored to your specific needs. These will be offered in an individual, group, and/or family support setting.

Inpatient drug rehab is typically the best choice for a benzodiazepine addiction. Here, you’ll work through any issues that led to or aggravated your addiction, including any co-occurring disorders you may have been attempting to self-treat, such as anxiety.

If your anxiety is what led you to Ativan in the first place, it’s important that it’s treated too. When you suffer from an addiction and a mental illness at the same time, it’s called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis.

Co-occurring disorders should always be treated while you’re treating an addiction. Failing to do so will only undermine your sobriety. A mental illness can aggravate substance abusing-tendencies, leading a person to relapse. The most effective programs offer comprehensive dual diagnosis care within their treatment programs.

Sobriety Can Be Yours

An Ativan addiction, and any co-occurring anxiety disorders, are best treated within an individualized treatment program. If you’d like to learn more about how a medical detox and inpatient drug rehab could help you to overcome an Ativan addiction, contact us now. Your call to DrugRehab.org is confidential.

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

Sources

National Institute of Mental Health — Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms

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

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

How Is Methadone Used?

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

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

Can Methadone Be Abused?

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

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

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

What Are The Symptoms Of Methadone Withdrawal?

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

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

These symptoms include:

Mental:

Agitation
Anxiety
Depression
Dysphoric state
Restlessness

Physical:

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

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

What’s The Best Way To Withdrawal From Methadone?

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

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

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

How Is Methadone Withdrawal Treated During Addiction?

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

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

Should You Seek Treatment For A Methadone Addiction?

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

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

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

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

Find An Effective Program Today

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

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

Sources

Center for Substance Abuse Research — Methadone
MedlinePlus — Methadone

Tylenol 4 (with Codeine) Withdrawal Symptoms

Posted on August 17, 2017 by dr-admin

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

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

What is Tylenol 4?

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

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

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

Codeine Dependency

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

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

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

Side Effects And Withdrawal Symptoms of Tylenol 4

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

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

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

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

Get Help Today

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

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

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

Sources

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

Negative Effects of Suboxone

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

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

What Is Suboxone?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Negative Effects of Suboxone Use

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

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

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

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

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

Get Help Today

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

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

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

Sources

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

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

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 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

Signs of Librium Abuse

Posted on June 16, 2017July 14, 2017 by dr-admin

What Is Librium?

Often prescribed for anxiety or insomnia, Librium belongs to a group of sedatives known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines work by increasing the effect of the human body’s natural neurotransmitters in your brain to produce the calming effect that can help some of the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.

This calming effect generally takes place shortly after taking Librium, and can provide short-term relief for many symptoms associated with anxiety. In some cases, Librium can be prescribed to help treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Librium Dependence and Abuse

The potency of Librium, like other benzodiazepines, is compromised over periods of prolonged use. Because Librium works to increase the effectiveness of neurotransmitters in the brain, the body will respond to this by producing less of that neurotransmitter to adapt to the change. This is known as tolerance. Tolerance can be a tell-tale sign of Librium abuse. This is the body’s way of responding to a constant input, causing each typical dose of Librium to become less effective and pushing the user into larger or more frequent doses.

Librium abuse occurs when a user feels a dependence on the drug. This dependence can feel innocent enough, something as simple as needing a dose to fall asleep after a stressful day is a good example of behavior that could turn into Librium abuse.

Is Librium Addictive?

Like other benzodiazepines, Librium can be a habit-forming drug. Even when used exactly as prescribed, it is possible to develop a dependence, or addiction, on Librium.

When Librium is linked to daily routines such as falling asleep or taking an extra dose to relax, it can become habit forming very quickly and can be difficult to break. Similar to other dependencies, such as alcohol dependence, one’s behavior surrounding the use of the drug can be the biggest giveaway that their ‘habit’ has crossed the line into an addiction.

It can become easy for someone who is prescribed Librium to make legitimate excuses as to why they are taking it. For example, a prescribed individual who takes their Librium dose in the morning may find it necessary to take an additional dose in the evening when they are feeling particularly anxious and finding it difficult to fall asleep.

This would be considered a dependence when the individual finds it difficult to fall asleep without taking an additional dose of Librium. If you or a loved one find it difficult or impossible to accomplish daily routines, such as falling asleep, without the assistance of Librium, then you may be suffering from a drug dependency.

Signs Of Librium Abuse

Librium abuse can present itself through different behaviors in users. While it can sometimes be easy to conceal, a shift from normal behaviors or routines can indicate drug abuse.

Individuals suffering from Librium abuse may find themselves searching for prescriptions from multiple doctors, also known as ‘doctor shopping,’ to avoid suspicion from their primary physician who typically prescribes their medications.

Librium abusers may also take higher doses than recommended on a regular basis in order to combat the tolerance their body has built up to the drug. As the abuse continues, these doses will need to continue to grow in order to feel the same effects as before.

Other signs of Librium abuse may include:

Obtaining Librium illegally, or without a prescription
Struggling to financially afford Librium
Having a desire to quit Librium, but are unable to do so
Needing Librium to get through a typical day
Lying to friends or family regarding Librium use
Using Librium as a coping mechanism
Inability to perform routine tasks without Librium

Who Is At Risk For Librium Abuse?

Anyone can be a at risk for Librium abuse, however it can be more prevalent in some populations than others. Studies for Librium abuse alone are few and far between, however many studies have been done on benzodiazepine abuse and trends.

Overall, benzodiazepine use was almost twice as prevalent in women as it was in men. This could be due to a wider social acceptance of women speaking with a psychiatrist about emotional issues than men, however it could also be linked to other environmental factors.

A study performed on the LifeLink LRx Longitudinal Prescription database in 2008 showed that there was a correlating trend between increasing age and prevalence of benzodiazepine use. In other words, the older an individual was, the more likely they were to be prescribed a benzodiazepine.

When asked if their benzodiazepine use was long-term, more patients aged 65-80 years stated their use was chronic or long term as opposed to younger age groups. Across the board for all age groups, about 25% of benzodiazepine users stated their use was long-term – making them more at risk for benzodiazepine abuse.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one is suffering from Librium abuse or dependency, you don’t have to fight it alone. Our rehab centers offer personalized treatment plans to fit you specifically. Contact one of our compassionate treatment specialists today. All calls are 100% confidential.

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

Sources

U.S. National Library of Medicine – Benzodiazepine Use In The United States
Mayo Clinic – Chlordiazepoxide And Metabolite, Serum
RX List – Drug Description: Librium
Web MD – Drugs & Medications: Librium Capsule

Commonly Abused Benzodiazepines

Posted on May 25, 2017July 17, 2017 by dr-admin

Like a lot of drugs, there is room for abuse of benzodiazepines—which is commonly referred to as “benzos.” With drug seeking behavior often comes raiding the medicine cabinet or doctor shopping for drugs, because what treats one person’s condition can often give another person the euphoric feeling of ease and comfort. Next to opioids, benzodiazepine has become one of the most highly sought after prescription pills for abuse.

Definition Of Drug Abuse

As mentioned before, benzodiazepines are used in medicine to help treat anxiety and panic disorder by essentially slowing down brain activity. This drug can be helpful for someone who can’t stop feeling anxious or dismiss the feeling of impending doom, but some can people abuse benzos. Drug abuse is broadly defined as, “when people use illegal drugs or use legal drugs inappropriately…

This includes the repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, alleviate stress, and/or alter or avoid reality. It also includes using prescription drugs in ways other than prescribed or using someone else’s prescription” (National Institute on Drug Abuse – NIDA).

List Of Most Commonly Abused Benzodiazepines

There are more than 25 different benzodiazepines on the market, but not all of them are as widely abused or even known about. Some are more potent than others, and therefore most likely to be abused. When a person starts abusing benzodiazepines, they might only use it a few times here and there. Over time they can build up a tolerance to the drug, and start seeking a more potent dosage. They can potentially experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug.

Maybe they’re self-medicating for a self-diagnosed panic disorder—which certainly could require medication, but self-medicating can be extremely dangerous and is illegal. Some of the most commonly abused benzodiazepines are Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, and Restoril.

Withdrawal Symptoms Of Benzodiazepines

Abusing benzodiazepines can often lead to dependence accompanied by serious withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to stop abusing them. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms related to benzodiazepine abuse and dependence are:

Sleep Disturbance and Insomnia
Irritability
Increased Tension and Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Hand Tremor
Sweating
Difficulty Concentrating
Dry Heaving and Nausea
Weight Loss
Palpitations
Headache
Muscular Pain and Stiffness
Perceptual Changes

Can I Overdose On Benzodiazepines?

Yes, especially when the drug is mixed with other substances like alcohol or opioids. From the Food and Drug Administration, overdose symptoms “include somnolence, confusion, impaired coordination, diminished reflexes and coma. Death has been reported in association with overdoses of alprazolam by itself, as it has with other benzodiazepines. In addition, fatalities have been reported in patients who have overdosed with a combination of a single benzodiazepine.”

Xanax Abuse

Abusing Xanax can be more than just buying it on the street, crushing it up and snorting it. Prescription drug abuse can be anything from using someone else’s prescription to continuing use of your own prescription after a doctor advises you to stop—which can be a result of dependence or addiction.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “withdrawal symptoms similar in character to those noted with sedative/hypnotics and alcohol have occurred following discontinuance of benzodiazepines, including Xanax. The symptoms can range from mild dysphoria and insomnia to a major syndrome that may include abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremors and convulsions.”

Klonopin Abuse

From the drug’s description by the FDA, Klonopin can pass into breast milk and cause dependence. Dependence to Klonopin can end in withdrawals and further cravings, and furthermore “stopping Klonopin suddenly can cause seizures that do not stop, hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), shaking, and stomach and muscle cramps.”

Valium Abuse

Valium is considered a schedule IV drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration, because of it’s lower potential abuse; however when mixed with opioids it can lead to sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. From the FDA’s description of Valium, “abuse and dependence of benzodiazepines (Valium) have been reported. Addiction-prone individuals should be under careful surveillance when receiving diazepam or other psychotropic agents because of the predisposition of such patients to habituation and dependence.”

Valium can be used to help treat acute alcoholism withdrawal symptoms, but on the other hand can lead to withdrawals of its own when dosage is increased or when the drug is abused.

Ativan Abuse

Like other benzodiazepines, Ativan can lead to dependence but it can also lead to worsening conditions of depression for someone who was previously diagnosed with a depression disorder; therefore it is highly discouraged to use Ativan if you suffer from depression or psychosis. Also similar to other benzodiazepines, “the risk of dependence increases with higher doses and longer term use and is further increased in patients with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse or in patients with significant personality disorders. The dependence potential is reduced when lorazepam (Ativan) is used at the appropriate dose for short-term treatment” (FDA).

Even in the realm of drug abuse, Ativan should be slowly tapered off of. According to the FDA, “withdrawal symptoms can appear following cessation of recommended doses after as little as one week of therapy. Abrupt discontinuation of product should be avoided and a gradual dosage-tapering schedule followed after extended therapy.”

Restoril Abuse

From Xanax to Restoril, benzodiazepines have a common theme, do not mix with opioids or alcohol—it’s dangerous and can lead to overdose and death. Some of the best ways to avoid these risks is to avoid mixing drugs; however avoiding the negative consequences of benzodiazepines can work on both sides of the pharmacy window, and from a professional aspect doctors must:

Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.
Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
(FDA)

More About Benzodiazepine Dependence

As is true with most mood altering drugs, dependence to benzodiazepines is possible but not certain. From the Drug Enforcement Administration, “there is the potential for dependence on and abuse of benzodiazepines particularly by individuals with a history of multi-substance abuse.” So what exactly is the relationship between abuse, dependence, tolerance, and addiction?

The FDA sums it up perfectly, “abuse is characterized by misuse of the drug for nonmedical 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.” It can be hard to stop using drugs once you’ve become dependent or addicted, and sometimes the best way to start recovery is to ask for help.

How To Find Treatment For Addiction And Substance Abuse

Benzodiazepine abuse isn’t always a death sentence, but there is no guarantee for a good life either. “More than 22,000 people die every year from prescription drug abuse, more than heroin and cocaine combined” (NIDA). If you are suffering with an addiction to prescription drugs, getting into treatment today can be one of the best things you can do for yourself. With a detoxification, behavioral therapy, peer and family support and more you will be back on your feet and on the road to recovery in no time.

Contact us today to speak to one of our addiction specialists about getting the treatment you deserve. Recovery starts with addiction treatment, and we can find it for you.

For More Information Related to “Commonly Abused Benzodiazepines” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

Drug Enforcement Administration – Benzodiazepines
Food and Drug Administration – Ativan
Food and Drug Administration – Klonopin
Food and Drug Administration – Restoral
Food and Drug Administration – Valium
Food and Drug Administration – Xanax

Ambien Addiction And Treatment Options

Posted on May 18, 2017July 18, 2017 by dr-admin

Ambien (generic name zolpidem) is a medication used to treat insomnia. A sedative hypnotic, it works due to the way it reduces brain activity. Used properly, Ambien is typically safe. However, when misused, it does hold potential for abuse. Misusing your prescription or using this drug recreationally could lead to addiction. Ambien abuse is dangerous, with adverse effects ranging from withdrawal, memory loss, organ damage, overdose, and more.

Ambien was originally thought to be safer than benzodiazepines, a class of drugs commonly prescribed for sleep disorders. In line with this thinking, prescriptions for this drug climbed. Subsequently, the opportunity for misuse and drug diversion rose as well. Contrary to these beliefs, over time, widespread reports of abuse and addiction surfaced. In July of 2002, zolpidem was classified as Schedule IV, the same category as benzodiazepine drugs.

What Is Ambien?

Ambien is a “Z-drug,” or nonbenzodiazepine drug. Despite this, its mechanism of action is actually similar to that of benzodiazepine sleeping aids. This is due to the way it binds to GABA-A receptors at benzodiazepine binding sites within the brain, as explained by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (BJCP). It should be taken directly before sleeping and only if you’re confident you’ll be able to stay in bed for seven to eight hours.

Ambien comes in a tablet form, either as an immediate release tablet or as the controlled-release version (Ambien CR). This medication only be used for short periods of time. This is due to the fact that after two weeks the efficacy may decline. Also, after more prolonged use the risk of dependence and withdrawal climbs.

Is Ambien Addictive?

The Journal of Research in Medical Sciences writes that “zolpidem can exert abuse capability, euphoric mood, tolerance, and withdrawal syndrome,” all of which increase a person’s risk for addiction. Typically, if you use Ambien as prescribed, the drug has a limited potential for dependence and abuse. The problem arises if you begin to misuse your medication, even if you’re simply seeking to self-medicate insomnia. This is considered abuse.

Recreational users may take the drug orally or snort it and often force themselves to stay awake so that they can experience the “feel good” effects. People abuse this drug to achieve a sedated and euphoric state similar to drunkenness. Some users claim they take it to increase pleasurable feelings during sex.

Over time, these individuals may need to take more of the drug to create this effect (a tolerance). Using Ambien in these ways puts a person at a greater risk for addiction. Individuals with a history of substance abuse or a mental illness face a heightened risk for Ambien abuse and addiction.

What Are The Side Effects And Symptoms Of Ambien Abuse?

According to the FDA , prescribed Ambien use can cause abnormal thinking, behavioral changes, complex behaviors, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or worsening depression. Ambien abuse could intensify these adverse effects and may also cause:

Agitation
Aggression
Becoming more outgoing
Bizarre behaviors
Confusion
Daytime drowsiness
Decreased inhibitions
Delirium
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Gastrointestinal troubles
Headache
Impaired coordination
Impaired judgement
Memory lapses, amnesia, or blackouts
Nightmares
Shallow or slowed breathing
Sleepwalking
Slowed reflexes
Slurred speech

Tolerance and withdrawal are signs of abuse, though they can occur with prescribed use as well. Within addiction, these factors are accompanied by compulsive and chronic drug-seeking.

What Are The Dangers Of Ambien Abuse And Addiction?

Ambien is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This means it slows down your heart and breathing rates. Because of this, using it with alcohol or other CNS depressants like benzos or opioid painkillers may be dangerous. According to a 2014 DAWN Report, from 2005 to 2010 “the number of zolpidem-related emergency department (ED) visits involving adverse reactions increased nearly 220 percent.” In 2010, women made up two thirds of these visits, while 50 percent involved other medications.

Ambien has been linked to an increased risk of:

Addiction
Anxiety
Depression
Falls and injury
Psychosis
Risky sexual behaviors
Stroke
Suicide
Violence
Withdrawal seizures
Other diseases and illness

The FDA cautions that driving the morning after taking Ambien could be dangerous, due to the drug’s intensely sedative effects. This is especially true with the CR version.

A BMJ Open article asserted that individuals taking sleeping pills, including zolpidem faced a four times greater risk of death and for those taking larger doses, a 35 percent higher risk of cancer. Others studies find that zolpidem is associated with a seven times higher risk of acute pancreatitis and within elderly users, reversible dementia.

The Daily Express outlined a study which found an increased risk of heart attack and life-threatening cardiac events. The news source reported that “four standard dose pills a year – 35 milligrams – send the risk soaring by around 20 per cent. People taking the equivalent of 60 tablets a year could see the threat jump by half.”

Ambien Can Be Dangerous Even While You Sleep

Even within the bounds of prescribed use an individual may experience “complex sleep-related behaviors,” including operating a vehicle, cooking or eating while sleeping, or having sleep sex. These circumstances may be very dangerous and have been reported to cause car accidents, kitchen fires, consumption of toxic chemicals, and unintended pregnancies.

A Huffington Post article chronicled bizarre and catastrophic behavior which occurred under the influence of Ambien. The most frightening circumstance included a man murdering eight people. Others included sleep driving episodes which resulted in great bodily harm to pedestrians (death could also occur). Shocking accounts of Ambien being used as a date rape drug were also detailed. Abusing larger dosages of Ambien could increase the risk of these and other complex sleep-related behaviors.

Can You Overdose From Ambien?

Like many other drugs of abuse, Ambien does have the potential to cause overdose when taken in higher dosages. This danger spikes with polydrug abuse. Women and older individuals eliminate the drug more slowly which can also heighten the risk. Signs of overdose include:

Extreme drowsiness
Decreased heartbeat
Slowed breathing
Losing consciousness
Seizure
Coma

Overdose can be life threatening. Should you suspect that yourself or someone else is at risk, contact emergency medical staff immediately.

How Is Ambien Addiction Treated?

Ambien abuse and addiction should be taken seriously. In more mild instances, outpatient treatment may be sufficient. For those who suffer from more serious cases or polydrug addiction, inpatient drug rehab is recommended. As this drug can create uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal, it should be slowly tapered. A medically supervised detox may be advised and may include the use of certain non-addictive medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction often results from a person self-medicating mental or emotional trouble. Effective rehab programs use behavioral therapy and counseling to address these concerns. These may be enhanced by treatment for co-occurring disorders, family therapy and support, and peer support groups. If you or a loved one stumbled into Ambien addiction by misusing the drug to self-medicate insomnia, treatment may help. Your recovery plan may include addressing this issue in an alternative way.

Get Help Today

If you’re fearful that your Ambien use is accelerating into abuse or addiction, reach out today. Together, we can build a plan to get your life back on track. DrugRehab.org is here to help you find and experience the freedom of sobriety. Contact us now.

For More Information Related to “Ambien Addiction And Treatment Options” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

Sources

MedlinePlus — Zolpidem
SpringerLink — Increased relative risk of acute pancreatitis in zolpidem users
U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Highlights of Prescribing Information
U.S. National Library of Medicine — An Increased Risk of Reversible Dementia May Occur After Zolpidem Derivative Use in the Elderly Population
U.S. National Library of Medicine — Prescription Sedative Misuse and Abuse