Author: Addiction Blog

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: A visual representation that outlines basic detection periods for alprazolam on blood, saliva, urine, and hair based tests. You’ll learn average lengths of time of alprazolam stay in your system. Plus, you’ll learn about the factors that can influence metabolism.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Drug Basics
• Use Statistics
• Why Drug Test?
• Detection Window
• Factors
• Your Question

Drug Basics

Drug Name: Xanax, main ingredient alprazolam
Drug Class: Depressants/Sedatives/Hypnotics
Street Names: Xannies, Zannies, Z-Bars

Xanax, also known by its generic name alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication. It is a central nervous system depressant that slows down brain activity and produces feeling of drowsiness, calmness, and relaxation. [1]

Xanax is usually prescribed as a tablet, but it can also come in a liquid form. It is classified as Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA. Xanax’s active ingredient, alprazolam, can be habit-forming and users may become dependent on the medication. [2]

Use Statistics

Xanax is a popular and commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. Many Americans use Xanax for medical purposes, and many of them start misusing and get addicted. Also, there are people who take it recreationally, to get high. Just how many people?

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there were 17,926,000 Americans who were using alprazolam, which accounts for 6.6% of the total U.S. population. Over 700K of them were teens, almost 3M were young adults between the ages 18-25.

More than 14M adult Americans took Xanax in 2017.

Also, about 4,165,000 Americans abused Xanax last year. Abuse can be seen among all age groups. 407K U.S. teens, over 1.6M young adults and over 2 million adults in U.S. took Xanax other than prescribed. [3]

Why Drug Test?

There are many reasons why someone will need a drug test. An employer may require it for a job position, or a court may order it for legal reasons. Athletes may be tested for drug use. People in rehab are also regularly tested in planned testing or random testing situations. Emergency rooms drug test in cases of injury or overdose. Also, your prescribing doctor may ask you for drug testing as part of your treatment.

Detection Window

Whatever the reasons, it’s good to know the basic detection windows for Xanax and to be prepared for what test results can be. Most drug tests are positive if you’re testing within the detection window for the specific type of test. What’s a detection window?

The period of time from the last dose of alprazolam until it’s detected in your system is called a drug’s detection window. 

So, how long does alprazolam stay in your system? On average, the half-life of Xanax is 12 hours. But, Xanax half-life can be anywhere between 6-20 hours. Still, detection windows for alprazolam vary between individuals. The detection window also depends upon the drug test that is used. Here are some general guidelines for Xanax detection by type of drug test sample:

Urine: Urinalysis can usually detect Xanax for up to 5 days after the last use.
Saliva: These types of tests detect the presence of Xanax up to 60 hours after the last intake.
Blood: The detection period for Xanax in a blood tests is about 24 hours.
Hair: Xanax can be detected up to 90 days in hair follicle drug tests.

Have in mind that drug detection times in urine, blood, hair, and saliva are in average and can vary greatly from person to person. You should use this information as a general guide only.

Influence Factors

Many factors can influence the presence of alprazolam in the system. Some of them include:

• Age
• Gender
• Weight
• Diet and use of fluids
• Frequency and length of use
• Overall health
• Liver and kidney function
• Metabolism
• Physical activity

In general, younger people eliminate toxins faster. Also, people with slower metabolism will have Xanax longer in their system. Moreover, any liver or kidney impairment can slower the elimination period.

Any Questions?

We hope that you find this infographic educational and helpful. If you still have any questions about Xanax detection timelines, we welcome your questions and comments in the section below. We’ll try to answer your questions personally and promptly. Feel free to share a personal story and tell others your drug screening experience.

Moreover, if you or somone you love is battling Xanax dependence don’t hesitate to ask for support. Our caring admissions navigators are available 24/7 to discuss treatment options. Reach out today.

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Reference Sources:
[1] FDA: XANAX Label
[2] DEA: Drug Scheduling
[3] SAMSHA: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables
Addiction Blog: Xanax half-life: how long does Xanax stay in your system
SAMSHA: Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care

View the original article at addictionblog.org

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Methadone is administered as part of Narcotic Treatment Programs in Texas. Combined with counseling and talk therapies, the medicine can offer numerous benefits for people addicted to opiates. We review more about the process of receiving methadone and where to find it in Texas here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What is Narcotic Treatment?
• How Methadone Clinics in Texas Work
• Texas Regulation of Methadone
• Texas Laws and Rules
• Texas Methadone Doctors
• Texas Sponsored Methadone Clinics
• Texas Methadone for Veterans
• The Drug Epidemic in Texas
• Methadone Saves Lives

What is Narcotic Treatment?

The State of Texas calls use of methadone for addiction “narcotic treatment”.  It’s a form of medication assisted treatment. During narcotic treatment, you take prescribed medications in combination with counseling and talk therapy to treat opiate or opioid use disorder.

So, what is methadone? How does it work?

Methadone is a synthetic, long-acting opioid that works by acting on the brain receptors. It “covers” nerve receptors so that if you take strong drugs, you don’t get high. In the same way, methadone can dull withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. It is a Schedule II controlled substance…which means that it is habit forming and has the potential for possible addiction if not used as directed. [1]

Public health officials consider medication assisted treatment one of many solutions that can help the growing number of people in the U.S. addicted to opioids. However, use of methadone is controversial. While it can be essential, some people abuse it. That’s why this type of treatment shouldn’t be limited to medicines. Other services include case management and referrals to help with lifestyle changes.

How Methadone Clinics in Texas Work

Narcotic Treatment Programs in Texas are specialized medical clinics that use methadone or buprenorphine to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or pain killer drugs. It is illegal to use methadone without a prescription, to sell or give it to someone else. There are also laws against forging or altering a prescription or making false representation to obtain methadone or a prescription for the drug. [2]

So, how do methadone clinics in Texas works?

STEP 1: Screening

You won’t be processed for admission as a patient of a methadone clinic until you have been determined eligible to enter an narcotic treatment program. So, you will be screened by a health care professional to see if you meet the criteria. Exception to this screening phase include pregnant women, patients who have resided in a penal or chronic care institution for one month or longer, and patients who have had two documented attempts at short-term detoxification or drug-free treatment.

The screening process can include a history of your drug use, a medical history, psychological and sociological background questions, educational and vocational achievements, current mental status, and a physical examination. Also, you should be 18 or older with moderate to severe opioid use disorder for at least 12 months in order to qualify to receive methadone.

STEP 2: Admission and Initial Evaluation

After it’s been determined that you meet the criteria for admission, you will be evaluated by the medical director or program physician and clinical staff trained and qualified to perform assessments. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if methadone treatment is the most appropriate treatment for you. The evaluation usually includes an assessment of your medical, psychosocial, educational, and vocational needs.

STEP 3: Drug Testing

Before receiving methadone, you will have to submit an initial drug test. For the first year of treatment, you will have to submit random drug tests each month, and eight random drug abuse tests yearly afterward.

STEP 4: Treatment Planning

Based on the initial screening and evaluation, your primary counselor will create an individualized treatment plan. The treatment plan will be reviewed at least once each 90 days during the first year of treatment, and at least twice a year thereafter. Planning will include a dosing schedule and outline recommended prescription use. You’ll also be encouraged to seek counseling or talk therapy at the same time you are taking methadone.

Dosing and length of treatment

Typically, most people go to a methadone clinic on a daily basis, six days a week. How long treatment will last is different for each patient, but for methadone maintenance, 12 months is considered the minimum. Some people use methadone for many years. The cost of treatment will be based on your income and expenses, and you may need to pay for some services. If you comply with the rules of the program, you may be allowed a certain quantity of take-home doses. [3]

Counseling

Counseling and behavioral therapies are an essential part of a Narcotic Treatment Program. They can help you reach stability faster and become a productive member of society. They can help you focus on relapse prevention, gain control over your life and learn to live a drug-free life. Individual and group therapies, family and couples counseling are just some of the services you may be offered.

Regulation of Methadone

In order to ensure the safety of patients and the quality of services, the state of Texas has set up numerous laws and regulations that outline how methadone should be used. The Narcotic Treatment Section of the Patient Quality Care Unit is responsible for regulating and inspecting methadone clinics in Texas. There are currently 75 maintenance programs in Texas that treat around 11,000 opiate-addicted patients.

There are few things you should consider if you are enrolling in a Narcotic Treatment Program in Texas. If you become a patient at a methadone clinic, you should be informed of your rights. Here are some basic principles to keep in mind.

1. Every narcotic treatment program in Texas must have a state permit issued by the Texas Department of Health and a federal permit issued by the SAMSHA and the DEA. If you want to make sure that a specific narcotic treatment clinic in Texas has a license, check the directory of narcotic treatment clinics.

2. Your patient confidentiality is protected by federal law.

3. Methadone clinics in Texas are required to provide or offer referrals to their patients. These services include social and human services, mental health services, educational and vocational services, family counseling, and HIV/AIDS counseling, prevention, and risk-reduction education.

4. In Texas, the patient-staff ratio needs to be a maximum of 50 patients for each counselor. Texas allows an increase in the ratio under certain circumstances. But if you don’t feel that you’re receiving the attention that you need, file a complaint on the hotline number below.

5. Methadone should be administered or dispensed in oral form by a certified health care professional.

If you believe that any TX State methadone clinic is not following the state regulations you may file a complaint. Complaints may be mailed, faxed or delivered by phone via the complaint hotline.

Submit a Complaint against a Texas Methadone Facility

Texas Laws and Rules

Narcotic clinics in Texas are tightly regulated. There are numerous state and federal laws that govern the prescription and dispensing of methadone. Also, there are laws that regulate how narcotic treatment clinics work. Here are some of the most important ones:

Title 42, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 8: The Certification of Opioid Treatment Programs, Code of Federal Regulations governs the treatment of opiate and opioid addiction with FDA-approved medications. This law outlines the system created to accredit and certify opioid treatment programs that prescribe methadone. In this law, patients must receive counseling and behavioral therapies in addition to methadone. [4]

Texas Administrative Code: Chapter 229 Subchapter J Minimum Standards for Narcotic Treatment Programs: This subsection of the Texas Administrative Code provides the minimum standards for the establishment and operation of a narcotic treatment program in Texas. It outlines the state and federal regulations, program application procedures, program fees, program operations, and enforcement procedures. [5]

Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 466: The purpose of this Chapter is outlining the regulation of narcotic drug treatment programs, and ensuring the proper use of approved narcotic drugs in the treatment of persons with a narcotic dependency. [6]

Texas Methadone Doctors

You can’t just go to a doctor in Texas and get a dose of methadone. By law, methadone is administered or dispensed in oral form in a licensed narcotic program only. Further, the law requires that the physician responsible for prescribing and supervision of methadone is licensed to practice medicine and has worked in the field of addiction medicine a minimum of one year. [7]

The clinic is there to ensure your safety. And methadone should be administered in a way that reduces the potential for abuse.

In Texas, methadone can be prescribed and taken only under the supervision of a physician via a licensed narcotic treatment programs.

How can you find a methadone prescribing doctor in Texas? You can find all state and federally licensed programs that offer methadone treatment through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMSHA. Check out treatment centers who are authorized to offer patients methadone in the State of Texas in the following link.

SAMHSA OTP Treatment Directory for Texas.

State Sponsored Methadone Clinics in Texas

Texas is home to a number of private and public narcotic clinics that provide methadone. Public clinics are state-funded and usually have a longer waiting list than the private ones. So, what benefits exist to help people who are in need of financial aid?

If you want to receive coverage for methadone, federal law mandates that you are enrolled in, or have documented proof of, substance use disorder counseling.

Then, Texas Medicaid covers methadone under Fee-For-Service (FFS) and Managed Care (MC) plans. Methadone is listed as a medical and pharmacy benefit under both FFS and MC plans. Methadone also appears on the preferred drug list under both FFS and MC plans and is covered for use in accredited outpatient narcotic treatment programs under both plans.

There are a number of free narcotic clinics that support people trying to overcome opioid addiction. Texas Department of State Health Services’ website provides a list of licensed state-sponsored narcotic treatment facilities.

Texas Methadone for Veterans

Addiction is quite common for U.S. war veterans. Many veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Using drugs and alcohol can be a way of coping with the memory of past events.

If you’re a veteran suffering from opioid addiction, you can seek help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In order to apply, you’ll need your most recent tax return, social security numbers for yourself and your qualified dependents, and account numbers for any current health insurance.

Through this organization, you can find a number of treatment services and receive medically managed detoxification as well as drug substitution therapies like methadone. Counseling and other behavioral therapies may also be a part of your methadone treatment.

If you are interested, you can apply to receive VA health care online, by phone, by mail, or in person. In general, in a week or less, your application should be approved. Once you get the approval you’ll need to find a VA facility in Texas and start treatment with methadone. For a listing of VA centers in Texas, check out the Texas VA Directory here.

The Drug Epidemic in Texas

In Texas, the opioid crisis is a public health emergency. It affects people from all generations and socioeconomic status. In fact, almost half of all drug overdose deaths in Texas involve opioids. As a response, the Texas Department of State Health Services has developed two strategies in order to address opioid misuse. [8]

These include:

1. Improving surveillance. The Department of State Health Services has started using health data in real time collected from hospitals, emergency centers, and urgent care providers, to look for early warning signs of overdose. Healthcare providers has also started reporting overdoses involving controlled substances to the state.
2. Expanding prevention through education and training. Texas has started naloxone overdose education, buprenorphine waiver training, and maternal opioid misuse prevention.

The goal of these initiatives is to establish safety guidelines in hospitals for recognizing opioid misuse and enhancing care for women with opioid use disorder, during and after pregnancy.

The following statistics taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, will give you an insight into the Texas opioid epidemic:

• Texan physicians wrote 53.1 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons in 2017.
• In Texas, 1,458 overdose deaths involving opioids were reported in 2017.
• Deaths involving fentanyl tripled from 118 in 2007 to 348 deaths in 2017.
• There were 569 heroin-involved overdose deaths in 2017

Even in light of these figures, Texas continues to have one of the lowest rates of drug overdose deaths involving opioids in the country. The implementation of the strategies is expected to decrease these numbers even further. [9]

Methadone Saves Lives

Can methadone help?

Yes!

Methadone can save your life. It keeps you stable enough that you can make positive changes in your life. Methadone therapy will reduce or help you to avoid health problems such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, skin infections and vein problems.

If it is part of a comprehensive treatment program, methadone treatment is more likely to be successful. Usually, treatment includes a combination of counseling, alternative therapies and the development of a positive support network of peers, friends and a support group. Work with a physician or a counselor to find the best approach that addresses your needs.

If you are struggling with opioid addiction, know that you are not alone. With the right addiction treatment program, you can achieve a lot. If you need help finding the right treatment center in Texas or would like more information on narcotic programs, we invite you to give us a call today. Our admission navigators are available 24/7.

Reference Sources:
[1] SAMSHA: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
[2] Texas Department of State Health Services: Narcotic Treatment Clinics
[3] Texas Department of State Health Services: Laws and Rules – Narcotic Treatment Clinics
[4] Title 42, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 8: MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT FOR OPIOID USE DISORDERS
[5] Texas Administrative Code: Chapter 229 Subchapter J Minimum Standards for Narcotic Treatment Programs:
[6] Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 466: REGULATION OF NARCOTIC DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS
[7] Texas Administrative Code: CHAPTER 163. LICENSURE 
[8] Texas Department of State Health Services: Public Health Response to the Opioid Crisis
[9] NIDA: Texas Opioid Summary
ASAM: Medicaid Coverage of Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Texas Department of State Health Services: Adult Substance Use Medication-Assisted Treatment

View the original article at addictionblog.org

ARTICLE SUMMARY: You may be eligible to go through a Mississippi drug court if you have been charged with a non-violent, non-felony drug or alcohol-related crime. This article explains more about the legal process for entering drug courts in Mississippi, what are they, and how these specialized courts help people change their lives.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What is a Drug Court?
• Mississippi’s Drug Court History
• Requirements and Eligibility
• Getting Started
• The Process
• Treatment
• Violations
• Mississippi Drug Court Statistics
• Completing Mississippi Drug Court

What is a Drug Court?

Mississippi drug courts are special courts that handle cases involving drug use and related crime. The idea is that people respond better to treatment than to punishment. How do they work?

MS drug courts offer comprehensive supervision and connect people to treatment. A drug court usually orders drug testing and treatment services in phases. But if you violate the court orders, a drug court judge can use frequent and immediate sanctions to help you change for the better.

Mississippi drug courts vary from one jurisdiction to another in terms of structure, scope, and target populations, but they all share three primary goals:

1. To reduce recidivism
2. To reduce substance abuse among participants
3. To rehabilitate participants

Participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling instead of incarceration. In fact, most people come to drug court with multiple problems. This is too much for any agency to handle alone. So, drug courts rely upon daily communication among many different government agencies. How do courts coordinate care?

Drug courts work best when judges, court personnel, probation officers, social workers, and treatment providers can cooperate closely. So, the state’s court model includes the 10 key components published by the Drug Court Program Office of the United States Department of Justice. [1] [2]

Mississippi’s Drug Court History

Drug courts begin when judges notice a community need. They are usually created when a judge observes that drug offenders keep appearing before the bench over and over again. This happened in Mississippi in the early 90’s. As drug-related offenses started filling Mississippi courts dockets, jails became overcrowded. Additionally, probation departments were overloaded.

Jailing people for drug crimes in Mississippi just didn’t make sense.

In the state of Mississippi, the first drug court began in Ridgeland in 1995. The drug court concept was so effective that it spread quickly. Four years later, the first felony drug court program was created by Judge Keith Starrett in the 14th Circuit Court district. By January 2003, there were seven drug court programs in the state of Mississippi and five more in the planning stages. [3]

In April of 2003, Senate Bill 2605 was signed into law by the governor. This new law allowed the creation of drug court programs statewide in Chancery, Circuit, County, Youth, Municipal or Justice courts. This law was codified as the Alice Griffin Clarke Drug Court Act, Mississippi Code § 9-23.

Drug courts help people get better. These programs save lives. If you have an addiction problem, a Mississippi drug court may be just what you need. But are you eligible, or not?

Drug Court Requirements and Eligibility in Mississippi

Once you have been identified as a substance abuser, you are going to be screened for drug court eligibility. Most people who go through drug court are nonviolent, initial offenders or probation violators. The most common drugs of abuse for these offenders are marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs. [4]

According to the Mississippi Code § 9-23-15, in order to be eligible for alternative sentencing, you must satisfy all of the following criteria. [5]

1. You cannot have an felony convictions for any violent crimes defined in MS Code § 97-3-2 in the past 10 years.

2. The crime before the court can’t be a crime of violence or a DUI charge that caused death.

3. The crime before the court cannot be drug trafficking outlined in MS Code § 41-29-139(f), nor can you have a prior conviction for same.

4. The crime before the court can’t be burglary of a dwelling under MS Code § 97-17-23(2) or MS Code § 97-17-37..

5. Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against you.

NOTE HERE: Each local drug court program in Mississippi may establish other criteria in addition to these eligibility requirements.

Getting Started

How do you start a drug court program in Mississippi?

1. After arrest, you should have a first appearance before a judge. During this time, a bond is set, if applicable. At the same time, you retain an attorney or you are appointed a Public Defender. The Defense Counsel will then recommend a Drug Court Coordinator or Probation Officer. The average length of time between arrest and first appearance in drug court is one to three weeks.
2. Or, you might recommended to a MS drug court directly by Law Enforcement. Usually, Law Enforcement recommends you to an attorney, and then the attorney applies to Drug Court on your behalf.

STEP 1: Referral. If you are an initial felony offender, you can be referred to Mississippi Drug Court by law enforcement or the defense bar. Probation violators are referred to Drug Court by the probation officer. These third-parties complete referral forms on your behalf and fax them to the Drug Court for screening.

STEP 2: Screening. If you are out of custody at the time of referral, you will be contacted by the Drug Court Coordinator or the Probation Officer to report to their office for screening. If you are in jail waiting to be sentenced, the initial screening is done at the jail before they go to court.

STEP 3: Transfer. Screening results are reported to the drug court team. Then, you are required to appear in court to be sentenced to Drug Court. The time between arrest and first appearance in Drug Court is typically three to four weeks.

STEP 4: Assessment. You usually report to the treatment provider for assessment immediately after first appearance in drug court. Assessment starts in the the first two days and treatment starts in seven days from the day they are accepted into the program.

The Process

Each drug court in Mississippi works independently, so processes vary. Generally, you go through four basic phases of step-down treatment in drug court. The idea is that you’re gradually given more freedom of choice the longer you stay in the program. To move from phase to phase, you must have the consensus and positive feedback from the entire Drug Court Team.

Most Mississippi Drug Court Programs usually lasts one to two years. It depends on how well you deal with the structure that is added to your life. Normally, you are going to be required to be in court on a biweekly basis.

Be sure to arrive on time and stay for the entire drug court session. Many drug courts have implemented dress codes for court attendance.

What can you expect in terms of phases?

PHASE 1: In the first phase of drug court, treatment begins. You will be required to submit random urine testing, minimum twice a week. Also you will also have to make a daily call to your Drug Court Program Coordinator or Probation Officer. Expect to attend ninety alcoholics or narcotics anonymous meetings in ninety days. Weekly written assignments will also be required. You’ll need to attend Drug Court Sessions every Monday at Noon.

PHASE 2: In the second phase, you’ll need to seek and maintain employment. Or, you’ll be expected to enroll in school working toward a vocation. Substantial progress toward obtaining a GED is also mandated, as it is necessary. You will also be required to begin and complete the payment of your fines and court fees. Four alcoholics or narcotics anonymous meetings will be required a week. During this phase, you continue your weekly appearance before the judge, weekly writing assignments, and submission of twice weekly urine screens.

PHASE 3: In this phase of MS drug court, requirements include attending two Drug Court Sessions each month and 2-3 urine tests each month. You need to complete your GED during this time, if need be. You must also attend three support group meetings and one aftercare meeting per week. Another requirement is to participate in the Drug Court Relapse Prevention Panel, to provide advice to others in the program.

PHASE 4: In the last phase of drug court in Mississippi, status reports must be submitted on a monthly basis to the court. However, you no longer need to appear before the judge in Drug Court Sessions. However, drug tests will be planned on a random basis. You’ll be given encouragement to attend 3 support group meetings and 1 aftercare meeting per week. In addition to your participation on the Drug Court Relapse Prevention Panel, you are invited to begin participating in a Drug Court alumni Group.

Treatment

If you are a part of a Mississippi drug court program, you must follow all rules and regulations of treatment. The addiction treatment program coordinated through drug court includes weekly treatment meetings, weekly 12-step meetings such as AA or NA meetings, and frequent and random drug testing.  If you are not doing well, the judge may order increased drug testing, more meeting attendance, a short jail time, or other creative graduated sanctions.

Mississippi drug court judges may order one or combination of more of the following services:

• 12-step programs
• Addiction treatment
• Budgeting
• Continued education services
• General Educational Development
• Human resources development
• Individual and group counseling
• Inpatient treatment
• Literacy classes
• Parenting classes
• Vocational rehabilitation

These are most common services available to many county programs. A case manager supervises your overall treatment, helping you stay on track. The case manager assists with referrals to other agencies to help meet your education, employment and other needs.

Violations

As said before, being accepted into a Mississippi drug court means you must attend all meetings and court sessions and always be on time. But, what happens if you don’t?

Failure to appear in court may result in a warrant for your arrest.

Abstinence from alcohol and other drugs is an ongoing requirement. So, if you fail to comply with rules of the program, it will result in the imposition of immediate consequences.

You may also be terminated from Drug Court through voluntary withdrawal, new felony charges, or tampered urine screens. Furthermore, no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed. If your behavior disrupts the treatment of others in the program, you will be removed from the program.  In simple words, not complying with the program’s rules and guidelines gets you out of the drug court treatment program.

Mississippi Drug Court Statistics

In 2017, Mississippi drug courts in Mississippi served more than 5,250 people. The numbers included graduates, people currently enrolled and also those who unfortunately did not successfully complete the program. [6]

But generally, drug courts help people change their lives!

• Mississippi operated 42 drug treatment programs in 2017.
• Mississippi drug courts reported 757 graduates in 2017.
• 980 unemployed people found jobs through MS drug courts in 2017.
• Participants worked over 27K+ hours of community service in 2017.

If you’re facing a drug or alcohol-related crime sentence, a drug court can help! To learn more, seek help from an attorney. Or, you can call us 24/7 to talk about addiction. We know addiction. We believe in treatment.

Completing Mississippi Drug Court

Successful completion of the treatment program and requirements of the Mississippi drug court result in:

• Dismissal of the charges
• Reduced or set aside sentences
• Lesser penalties

…or a combination of these. Furthermore, if you were sentenced and plead guilty, successful completion of the drug court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged.

But, most importantly, graduating participants gain the necessary tools to rebuild their own lives.

Your Questions

We tried to offer you a close look into Mississippi’s drug court system. But, if you still have questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below.

Reference Sources:
[1] State of Mississippi Judiciary: Drug Courts
[2] U.S. Department of Justice: Bureau of Justice Assistance Defining Drug Courts: THE KEY COMPONENTS
[3] The University of Southern Mississippi: Therapeutic Jurisprudence: An Examination of Mississippi Drug Courts
[4] Justice Programs Office: Policies and Procedures Manual
[5] State of Mississippi Supreme Court: Mississippi Drug Court Rules
[6] State of Mississippi Judiciary: Supreme Court Annual Report – Mississippi Supreme Court
State of Mississippi: Review of the Feasibility of Extending Drug Courts Statewide in Mississippi
Mississippi Drug Court Advisory Committee: Progress Report on Mississippi Drug Courts

View the original article at addictionblog.org

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: If you are expecting a drug test for Valium, the brand name for diazepam, check out this infographic. We review detection times for Valium in urine, blood, hair and saliva. Plus, factors that influence it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Drug Basics
• Use Statistics
• Why Drug Test?
• Detection Window
• Factors
• Your Questions

Drug Basics

Drug Name: Valium, main ingredient diazepam
Drug Class: Depressants/Sedatives/Hypnotics
Street Names: VS, FooFoo, Howards

Valium, generic name diazepam, is a benzodiazepine with central nervous system depressant effects. It is a long-acting prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, seizures, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is available as tablets, oral solution and injection. [1]

Continued use of Valium for a period of longer than 4-6 weeks can easily lead to tolerance, dependence, and possible addiction. This is why the medication is listed as a Schedule IV under the Controlled Substance Act. [2]

Use Statistics

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there were more than 7 million Americans using diazepam in the past year. Of them, most were adults. Still, around 131,000 people who use Valium in the U.S. were adolescents and 650,000 were Americans between the ages 18-25.

More than 6 million U.S. adults reported using Valium in 2017.

Valium is also abused by more than a million Americans. That’s an estimated 0.4% of the U.S. population aged 12 or older. Nearly 50K teens, more than 200,000 young adults and nearly 800,000 adults aged 26+ reported past year abuse. [3]

Why Drug Test?

Diazepam is a tranquilizer that can cause sleepiness, drowsiness, confusion, and memory loss. Employers may order a drug test in order to identify the reasons for work impairment. In other cases, a court may order a drug test for legal reasons.

Additionally, there may be medical reasons for a drug text. For example, emergency rooms drug test in cases of injury or overdose. Or, your prescribing doctor may ask you for drug testing as part of your treatment. Finally, people in rehab are regularly tested for the presence of psychoactive drugs like diazepam. Knowing more about drug testing and how long Valium will remain in your system and is important, whatever the reasons.

Detection Window

A drug detection window is the period of time during which a drug screen can detect the presence of a drug or its metabolites in your urine, hair, saliva, or blood. The half-life of Valium is fairly long. On average, it can take 20 hours or even more for just half of the medication to be eliminated from your system. For chronic Valium users, diazepam can be detected in urine for 4-6 weeks even after you stop taking it.

However, drug detection windows are variable. We might even say that drug detection windows vary by person. This is because detection and metabolism depends on several individual factors, including the type of test used. Additionally, some people metabolize drugs relatively faster than other people.

There are several drug tests used to detect the presence of Valium in the body. These tests use different markers to detect the presence of diazepam in body fluids such as urine, saliva, hair, and blood.

Urine: A urine drug test will detect diazepam for up to 10 days after the last use.
Saliva: Valium is detectable on oral fluid tests 3 days after quitting.
Blood: The detection period for a blood tests is about 2 days.
Hair: Valium can be detected up to 90 days in hair follicle drug test.

IMORTANT: Diazepam detection times in urine, blood, hair, and saliva are in average and can vary greatly between individuals. You should use this information as a general guide only.

Influence Factors

There are many factors can factors that can affect the test’s results. Some of them include:

• Age
• Diet and use of fluids
• Frequency and length of use
• Gender
• Level of physical activity you engage in
• Liver and kidney function
• Metabolism
• Weight
• Your health

In general, younger people eliminate diazepam faster than older ones. In fact, Valium’s typical half-life in a young, healthy person is about 24 hours. Also, people with slower metabolism will have Valium longer in their system. Those with liver or kidney problems can also have slower the elimination period.

Any Questions?

If you have any other questions about Valium detection times, feel free to post them in the comment section below. We will gladly try to answer to all real life questions promptly and personally.

Moreover, if you feel that your Valium use is out of control and you need help quitting, you should consider addiction treatment. Don’t hesitate to call our caring admission navigators on the hotline number listed on this page. We are available 24/7 to discuss treatment options with you.

Reference Sources: [1] FDA: VALIUM Label
[2] DEA: Drug Scheduling
[3] SAMSHA: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables
Addiction Blog: Valium half-life: How long does Valium stay in your system
SAMSHA: Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care

View the original article at addictionblog.org