One of the initial steps in drug or alcohol recovery includes detox. During detox, your body flushes the chemical substance from your body. Typically, this results in withdrawal symptoms that range from uncomfortable to fatal. While most people don’t die from detox, those using alcohol or opioid drugs may develop more severe symptoms that could…
Meth is a highly addictive substance that can have detrimental effects on the body. This artificial stimulant is normally found in the form of a crystal that is either blue or white. When smoked, injected, or snorted, meth gives people a feeling of euphoria. But as individuals continue to use it, they increase their tolerance,…
Going through alcohol withdrawal may seem overwhelming to face. There are several fears that people have when they think about going through this process. For some people, it’s just the fear of the unknown. Others may have anxiety because they’ve heard stories about people going through alcohol withdrawal. Whatever your reasons may be for hesitating…
“The giant tree grows from a single seed. A journey of a thousand miles starts with the very first step.” Recovery consists of two basic parts: 1) getting “clean” (in the parlance of my twelve-step program)—discontinuing using, becoming abstinent, and halting the vicious obsessive-compulsive circle of active addiction; and 2) staying clean—remaining abstinent by learning…
Benzodiazepines are addictive drugs. They are prescribed by doctors, though many people buy them on the streets. They include: Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Clonazepam, Librium, and others. People who have become addicted to benzodiazepines usually show many of the following signs: They used the medications in low doses for months or years and have…
When dealing with third party payment in the field of mental health and chemical dependency treatment there have been great misconceptions and misunderstandings of what the insurance companies will actually cover. When contacting their insurance provider, prior to entering treatment, clients are told that they have a benefit for 30 to 90 days of treatment,…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxROJaIT6QU The following is an excerpt from A Day without Pain (Revised and Updated) by Mel Pohl, MD, FASAM of Las Vegas Recovery Center. Copyright 2008, 2011 by Central Recovery Press. Used with permission. If you are dependent on opiates, sedatives, or tranquilizers, withdrawal can start just hours after you have taken your last dose.…
Because of the physical dependence induced by many of mood altering drugs, other drugs are often used to facilitate medically monitored withdrawal and detoxification safely. Studies suggest that when using protocols with PRN dosage of medication (versus fixed dosage), less medications are used and symptoms are controlled, however, PROTOCOLS MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED AND ASSESSED DAILY…
Introduction: Setting the Stage — The Era of Medication-Assisted Treatment More than 50 million Americans are currently living with chronic pain unrelated to cancer. The costs associated with chronic pain are approximately 90 billion dollars annually. During the last two decades of the 20th century, there has been increased interest in support of fundamentally changing…