Answer Addiction

Category: Addiction News

  • Kelly Osbourne: Life Is Better Now That I’m Sober

    Kelly Osbourne: Life Is Better Now That I’m Sober

    “I let it get the better of me,” Osborne said about her addiction.

    Kelly Osbourne revealed that she’s nearly two years sober on the British TV show Lorraine Thursday, and according to the reality star and daughter of the legendary singer Ozzy Osbourne, it’s changed her life for the better.

    Before getting help, Kelly says she “didn’t think I could do anything if I wasn’t drunk or high, because I was scared of everything.”

    “I let it get the better of me,” she confessed.

    The young Osbourne is in London to host the 2019 British LGBT Awards on Friday. While she has been reluctant to take on a specific label, Kelly revealed that she is not only open to being with women, but is “open to loving anyone” during an interview with PrideSource. On Lorraine, she spoke on how important the LGBT+ community is to her after struggling to find acceptance as a sober individual.

    “It’s the only community where I feel like I am home,” she said. “They have accepted me for the good, the bad and the ugly and liked me at my best and loved me at my worst.”

    In an interview with People in 2018, Kelly spoke about being “ghosted” by a date after she admitted to being sober. People dedicated to sobriety often find it difficult to interact with a society in which so much of going out and having fun involves alcohol and/or drugs.

    According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the LGBT+ community has a higher rate of substance use disorders than the general population, so it makes sense that sobriety would be better understood and accepted within that community.

    Kelly Osbourne had her first experience with drugs at age 13 when she was prescribed liquid Vicodin, an opioid painkiller, after she had her tonsils out. She found that her issues with anxiety and fitting in, common problems for young teens, were alleviated by the drug. A couple years later, her persisting anxiety was treated with benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium.

    “I have crazy anxiety. I was walking around with a constant sweat moustache,” she told People. “So what’s the first thing you do? Go to a doctor. They give you Xanax, Klonopin, Valium. I’d start off taking them as prescribed. Then I’d be like, ‘These are magic pills! Take 10!’”

    After a difficult relapse, Kelly will be two years sober this August. She doesn’t miss the drama or the desire to be perfect that used to hound her.

    “Now seeing that I don’t need that, and my life is better,” she says “I don’t have any drama in my life. I have accepted the fact that — and I know I have said this throughout my whole life, but I really understand it now — that I am not perfect, and I am never going to be, and I don’t want to be.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • 10 Experiences That Are Way Worse When You Relapse

    10 Experiences That Are Way Worse When You Relapse

    There is no situation that cannot be made worse by relapse.

    No matter how you slice it, relapse is a drag.

    Making the decision to quit wasn’t easy. Your life hadn’t been going in the right direction for a while. A lot of things were going wrong, and most of them were because of drugs, alcohol or other addictive behaviors. The people in your life were starting to resent you and think you were nothing but trouble, and you know what? They probably weren’t wrong.

    You finally made the right decision for yourself and for those around you, and you got clean. You looked different, you felt different, and the people in your life that mattered were proud of you.

    Then you relapsed.

    Relapse isn’t part of recovery for everyone, but it is extremely prevalent. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse rates for all substance use disorders, including alcohol, is 40-60 percent.

    If you’re one of those people who quit drinking or using and never looked back, good for you. You’re an inspiration to a lot of people and you should be proud of yourself.

    But if you’ve relapsed, don’t give up. You’re in good company. And what you’ll realize is that once you get clean and relapse, it just isn’t nearly as fun anymore. Sitting at the bar and getting hammered feels different; doing a line feels different; waking up in the morning broke as a joke feels different. I mean, even having a huge piece of cake feels different.

    Here are 10 disappointing side effects of relapsing:

    1. Two-Day Hangovers

    If you drank all night–or worse, all day and night–and think that your hangover doesn’t seem all that bad, you’re probably still drunk. Hangovers just aren’t as cute the second time around. While you used to consider yourself a professional drinker, now that you’ve relapsed you know you’re just some idiot that drank too much, blacked out and acted the fool. You now have to wait a whole day before you feel even somewhat human again. That’s if you’re lucky. The two-day hangover seems to be related to age as much as it is dependent on how much you drink. Day one is when your head pounds like a heartbeat and your mouth feels like the inside of a box of triscuits, while day two is when you’re just tired and missing 40 points from your IQ.

    2. Letting People Down

    Oh hey, people weren’t actually counting on you, were they? Get ready for some super awkward conversations. When you first got clean, a lot of people were proud of you. It could have been your significant other, your friends, or your coworkers A lot of them were probably even people that you didn’t think noticed that you had a problem. That felt good. You had some pride, and for once could hold your head high. Now that you relapsed you couldn’t feel more stupid. Because when you quit you admitted to everyone that you had a problem and you were trying to fix it. But did you? Nope.

    3. Partying Feels Like a Job Now

    Remember back in the day when you first started partying? It was beautiful then, or at least some of it was. The scenes you were a part of were fun and celebratory, and there was an anticipation in the air like something good and amazing was going to come your way? Or maybe it was just a feeling you were chasing, and when you drank or used you finally felt okay. Yeah, well, once you relapse those days are gone. Whether you’re heading on down to the bar or getting ready to shoot up, you’re pretty much on the clock. Partying now is like strapping on your hard hat and going to work.

    4. Ruined Relationships

    Back when you first started using you didn’t even think that your addictions would affect your relationships. Maybe you found someone that partied just as hard as you do, or maybe you found someone that wanted to fix you and take care of you. Then as you moved through life you started seeing the failed relationships pile up. When you relapse, you aren’t kidding yourself anymore. You totally know your addiction is going to mess everything up but you do it anyway. It’s more just a matter of long you can pull off the con before you get busted.

    5. Hanging with People You Don’t Like

    When you were partying all the time you had all sorts of friends. Then when you stopped you noticed most of them vanished. But it didn’t matter because you also noticed that you didn’t like them a whole lot anyway. Like, seriously, why were you hanging out with that dude? This becomes way more obvious after you relapse. You know that your crew is a cadre of wastrels, scammers and con artists, but you keep hanging with them anyway because anyone else might call you out on your behavior.

    6. Being Broke

    Whether we like to admit it or not, money matters in this world. When you were younger and partying like mad, being broke might have even felt just a tad romantic for a little while, but most people who have struggled with addiction have money problems at some point. That is, unless you have an unlimited supply of money, which is even worse than being broke. When you got clean, all of a sudden you had more money, which in anyone’s book is a good thing. But now that you’ve relapsed, you’re back to bumming drinks, waiting until payday, and paying for things with change.

    7. Humiliation

    Okay, just admit it: you feel like an idiot. Back in the day, you might have used your substance of choice to feel more comfortable around people, or at least more comfortable with yourself. Whether you got messed up to feel cool at a social gathering or you used by yourself at home, you knew were different than anyone else. That you weren’t a sheep. You had your own vibe. Now you just feel stupid. Once you relapse, you’re either going to just try and hide your use or you’re going to use and just try to front like you feel cool about it. Either way, you’re not fooling anyone.

    8. Work Suffers

    Whether you’re a landscaper, a CEO, or a freelance writer, if you’re active in your addiction, your work is going to suffer as a result. When you were using before, you might have fooled yourself into thinking that your drug or alcohol use wasn’t affecting your work but at some point, you knew that it was. It might have even been a big reason that you stopped. Now that you relapsed you just can’t even fake it anymore. If you’re working for someone else, you know it’s just a matter of time before your poor job performance gets outed, and if you’re working for yourself well… Good luck.

    9. It’s Harder to Lie to Yourself

    People always act like lying to someone else is a big deal. Well, it is, but it’s nothing compared to how you might choose to lie to yourself. You know the lies. You’re under control. You can quit whenever you want. This isn’t that big of a deal.  When you relapse it’s pretty much impossible to do that anymore. You know just how much your addiction takes from you, and you know it’s just a matter of time until everything is just incredibly awful all over again.

    10. You Have to Find New People to Fool

    Maybe you need to find a new bar to start hanging out at where everyone doesn’t know that you’re going to get obnoxious and forget to pay your tab. Maybe you want to find someone new to date that doesn’t know how everything is going to end in total disaster. Maybe you need to find a job where your boss doesn’t know you’re going to be late all the time until you get fired. When you relapse it’s like starting all over again. But you know, not in a good way.

    Relapsing isn’t the end of the world, and since so many people have gone through it, you’ll have lots of support when you come back. You’ve learned what not to do next time you’re faced with whatever it was that triggered this episode of drug or alcohol use, and now you’re learning how to come back from it. Just keep your head up and keep working at it. You’ll get there.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • What Are the Best Rehab Options for Kadian Addiction?

    What Are the Best Rehab Options for Kadian Addiction?

    Are you looking for help in quitting Kadian? Let us help you find a luxury rehab for treatment.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Kadian and What is its Medical Use?
    2. Development of Kadian Addiction
    3. Detox Prepares You for Participation in Addiction Rehab
    4. Settings for Kadian Rehab
    5. Kadian Treatment Plans
    6. Picking the Top Kadian Treatment Facility for Your Needs

    If you’re dealing with the effects of Kadian addiction, you must receive specialized care if you hope to recover. Help is available from a wide variety of rehab facilities. However, not every program you see advertised meets modern guidelines for effective addiction treatment. In fact, many programs fail to come close to this rigorous standard.

    For the best Kadian rehabilitation programs, the use of proven frontline treatments is just the beginning. They also take the steps required to personalize your recovery and maintain safety and comfort throughout the process. By going the extra mile, these rehab programs do everything possible to help you achieve and maintain sobriety and a substance-free lifestyle.

    What is Kadian and What is its Medical Use?

    Kadian is an extended-release capsule with the active ingredient morphine (morphine sulfate). It’s intended for the treatment of moderate or severe pain, but only in certain circumstances. To qualify for appropriate use of the medication, you must have symptoms serious enough to call for long-term, 24/7 relief. In addition, your pain must require relief from an opioid rather than a less powerful analgesic option.

    Kadian is available in generic form. Additional brand-namemedications with morphine sulfate as their active ingredient include Arymo ER, MS Contin, Avinza, Duramorph and Oramorph SR.Street names for prescription products that contain morphine include:

    • Monkey
    • M
    • Miss Emma
    • White Stuff

    Development of Kadian Addiction

    Kadian has verified usefulness as a reliever of moderate and severe pain. However, since it contains morphine (a highly addictive substance that’s also the source of heroin), it can form the basis of a pattern of substance abuse. People who lack prescriptions for this medication participate in abuse even when taking it on a single occasion. Prescription-holders have two potential avenues of abuse: consuming too much of the medication at once and taking separate doses too often.

    Even legitimate users of Kadian can become dependent on the medication. In some cases, they may also transition from medically manageable dependence to uncontrolled addiction. Risks for addiction are higher for people who abuse the medication in any way.

    Kadian addiction and damaging, non-addicted abuse are forms ofa larger condition called opioid use disorder. To receive a diagnosis for this condition, you must have two or more symptoms of abuse/addiction within a period of 365 days. The list of 11 possible problems includes:

    • Taking excessively large doses of this medication
    • Taking this medication too frequently
    • Inability to regain control over your level of Kadian intake
    • Holding to a pattern of use that you’re aware damages you mentally or physically
    • Holding to a pattern of use that you’re aware damages any of your most important relationships
    • The appearance of morphine cravings when you’re doing other things
    • Taking up Kadian abuse as a preferred form of recreation
    • Using the medication multiple times in circumstances that risk your welfare or that of others
    • Developing symptoms of opioid withdrawal if your medication use stops or declines abruptly
    • Experiencing increased tolerance to your habitual dose of morphine
    • A pattern of medication use that leaves you unwilling or unable to live up to major life obligations

    A proper diagnosis of opioid use disorder must come from an addiction specialist or another medical expert.

    Detox Prepares You for Participation in Addiction Rehab

    Your journey to successful Kadian rehab starts with medical detoxification (i.e.,detox). This term describes a supervised process in which you halt your substance abuse and eliminate morphine from your system. Cessation of any opioid by an addicted person will lead to the onset of withdrawal. Basically, withdrawal symptoms are your brain’s way of signaling its distress at the changes in its now-accustomed chemical environment.

    Opioid withdrawal is well-known for taking place in two distinct phases. In the initial phase, the changes in your brain chemistry trigger symptoms such as feelings of anxiety and increased production of sweat, tears and mucus. Additional common effects include sleep disruption, frequent yawning and achy muscles. Second-phase withdrawal is accompanied by things such as pupil dilation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. You may also experience goose flesh and cramps in your stomach or abdomen.

    To ease your rehab detox symptoms,your doctor may prescribe a medication called lofexidine (LUCEMYRA). This medication, the first of its kind, received the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2018.

    Detox is widely recognized by experts as merely the first step in successful recovery from substance problems. To make further progress toward lasting sobriety, you must follow up detoxification with active treatment in a Kadian rehabilitation program. Unless you do so, you seriously increase the odds that you will lapse back into Kadian abuse. In turn, this increases your chances of experiencing a lethal or non-lethal overdose.

    Active addiction treatment rehab also helps you do two crucial things. First, it improves your knowledge of how addiction works and how it affects you. While participating in a rehabilitation program, you also learn how to protect yourself from future involvement with addictive substances.

    Settings for Kadian Rehab

    Unless your addiction puts you in immediate medical danger, you will undergo Kadian rehabilitation at either an outpatient or inpatient facility. Outpatient rehab care is suitable for many people with mild problems. This treatment model calls for you to make scheduled visits to your program while living at home. It’s often valued for its flexibility and limited impact on your ability to attend work or school.

    For most people, however, inpatient rehabilitation represents a superior option. By requiring you to live onsite throughout your treatment, it provides you with access to constant medical care and monitoring. At the same time, inpatient programs make it much easier to focus on recovering from addiction rather than other sources of stress in your life.

    It’s important to note that many people with mild addiction symptoms still choose inpatient rehabilitation over outpatient rehab. That’s true, in part, because they value the opportunity to make substance recovery their clear priority. You may also opt for an inpatient program if you don’t feel your home life is stable enough to support your efforts at sobriety.

    The presence of a non-substance-related mental illness can also make inpatient rehabilitation programs a must for people with mild addiction symptoms. That’s true because a co-existing mental health condition complicates the course of effective addiction treatment. Unfortunately, there’s a high degree of overlap between substance problems and illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders.

    Kadian Treatment Plans

    The gold standard forappropriate treatment of opioid use disorder in a rehab program is a combination of evidence-based medication and evidence-based behavioral therapy. Medications used for this purpose include both opioid and anti-opioid prescription drugs. The opioids used in your rehabilitation program (buprenorphine or methadone) are not given in amounts large enough to get you “high.” Rather, you’ll receive them in amounts that help you avoid abusive intake and keep the intensity of withdrawal in check.

    The anti-opioid approved for Kadian rehab is called naltrexone. It produces its benefits by shutting off morphine’s access to your brain. Without this access, the medication can’t trigger its classic drug effects in your system.

    The behavioral therapies used in addiction treatment rehab all have one common goal: altering behaviors and thought patterns that help support your intake of addictive substances. Each specific therapy achieves this larger objective in its own way. Options that can play a part in your recovery plan include:

    • CRA (community reinforcement approach) plus vouchers
    • Motivational incentives and contingency management
    • Family behavior therapy
    • 2-step facilitation

    Picking the Top Kadian Treatment Facility for Your Needs

    Before deciding on where to seek treatment for Kadian rehabilitation, you should know something about the standards used to measure addiction treatment programs. To begin with, all worthwhile recovery facilities employ experts with verifiable expertise in their field. In addition, they follow current guidelines and provide care through the combination of behavioral therapy and medication.

    When you call a rehab program for help or advice, you should receive clear answers to any questions that you ask. Among the things you should check for is an enrollment process that begins with a complete health assessment. Such an assessment should take account of your addiction symptoms, as well as your mental status and any physical conditions that could affect your treatment. The results of your screening will help determine the most appropriate setting for you to receive care.

    As a rule, top-notch rehabilitation programs do more than provide direct treatment for your substance problems. They also offer supportive options that help promote your overall well-being throughout your enrollment. Additional elements of care may include offerings such as:

    • Stress management classes
    • Meditation
    • Music or art therapy
    • Yoga or other movement-focused exercises

    In addition, the best programs offer some form of follow-up care or aftercare. For example, a person who completes a stay in inpatient care may return periodically on an outpatient basis. Aftercare makes it easy for all program alumni to receive additional assistance once their primary enrollment comes to an end.

    All of these considerations can seem like a lot to handle at once. However, no matter which options you uncover, the goal remains your short- and long-term recovery from addictive substance use. As long as you keep this in mind, you’ll be well-positioned to make smart choices that support that goal.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find Rehab for Temazepam Addiction

    How to Find Rehab for Temazepam Addiction

    Are you in need of treatment to get free of Temazepam? Let us help you find a luxury Temazepam rehab today.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Temazepam and What Is it Used For?
    2. Why Temazepam is Addictive
    3. Side Effects of Restoril Addiction
    4. Dangers of Temazepam Overdose
    5. Co-occurring Disorders
    6. Diagnosing Restoril Addiction
    7. Temazepam Withdrawal and Detox
    8. Treatment for Temazepam Addiction
    9. How to Choose the Right Restoril Rehab

    Temazepam is a safe drug, if used responsibly. But some users are not careful and abuse it, which puts them at risk for temazepam addiction.

    When you’ve lost your ability to control your temazepam use, a medication that once helped can become a negative force in your life. If you or someone you care about has developed an addiction to temazepam, you should seek treatment right away. Top quality temazepam rehabs can help you find a solution to your problem, if you are willing to put in the effort required to heal.

    What is Temazepam and What Is it Used For?

    Temazepam is a prescription medication used to treat sleeping troubles. It can help people who have insomnia and have difficulty falling asleep, or those who wake up frequently during the night.

    Sold primarily under the brand name Restoril, temazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of medications.

    Some of the common street names for temazepam (and for benzodiazepines in general) include:

    • Tems
    • Eggs
    • Green Eggs
    • Temazzies
    • Rugby Balls
    • Jellies
    • Norries
    • King Kong Pills
    • Benzos
    • Candy
    • Tranks
    • Downers

    Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that cause feelings of calm and relaxation. They also cause muscle relaxation and have a tranquilizing effect. They are usually prescribed for anxiety but can be effective against insomnia in the right formulations and if taken during the nighttime hours.

    Temazepam is a potent sleep aid. However, it is only recommended for short-term use. In general, prescriptions for Restoril will not last for longer than 10 days.

    Unfortunately, insomnia is often not a short-term problem. Doctors try to provide their patients with other ideas to prevent or overcome sleeplessness. But some patients come to rely on medications too much. They are unable or unwilling to limit their consumption of drugs like temazepam.

    To get more supplies, they may purchase temazepam on the black market. Or, they may obtain pills from friends, family or neighbors. They may visit multiple doctors in search of more Restoril prescriptions.

    This behavior is understandable, since insomnia is a disruptive disorder that negatively impacts every area of a person’s life. But benzodiazepines are highly addictive and should never be misused.

    If you consume them recreationally, or in ways inconsistent with your prescription, your chances of becoming addicted are significant. This is the case if you self-medicate with temazepam for sleeplessness, or if you abuse the drug because you like the way it makes you feel.

    Losing control of your temazepam use means you’ll need Restoril addiction treatment to regain your health and sobriety.

    Why Temazepam is Addictive

    Temazepam alters brain functioning in a way that at first is quite pleasurable. It increases feelings of pleasure and relaxation and even produces mild feelings of euphoria. When taken at night, this makes it easier to go to sleep and to stay asleep.

    In the brain, temazepam works by enhancing the effects of a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter called GABA. When GABA is produced in significant enough quantities, it has a soothing effect. GABA binds with special receptors in the brain that help it work its magic. Temazepam works by increasing the sensitivity of these receptors, which means GABA will produce a stronger relaxing effect when a connection is made.

    Temazepam is not problematic at first. But if Restoril is taken for more than a week or two, GABA receptors will begin to react less strongly to its presence. Tolerance for temazepam will begin to develop, which means temazepam consumption must increase to achieve the previous effects.

    But this is a losing proposition. As more medication is consumed, the loss of receptor sensitivity becomes more pronounced. As time passes, the brain loses its capacity to produce enough GABA to combat insomnia or anxiety. The drug will no longer work the way it used to, yet your desire for it will intensify. The same applies if you’ve been using the drug recreationally, for its mind-altering effects.

    These are the dynamics of temazepam addiction. When your physical and psychological dependence on the drug reaches the point where you cannot stop taking it, temazepam addiction treatment is likely your only hope for recovery.

    Side Effects of Restoril Addiction

    When you first start taking Restoril, the side effects will likely be minimal. They won’t cause you discomfort, and the drowsiness the drug produces will be welcome if you’re taking it to help you sleep.

    But if your use of the medication escalates, or continues beyond a couple of weeks, things will change. Temazepam side effects will become more obvious, more frequent, more disabling and more unpleasant.

    Some of the most common temazepam abuse symptoms include:

    • Daytime or post-waking drowsiness
    • Sudden bouts of anxiety
    • Frequent dry mouth
    • Low energy and depression
    • Irritability
    • Poor coordination and balance
    • Headaches
    • Chronic fatigue
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Muscle weakness

    Some of these symptoms are caused by taking the drug. Others are like early-stage withdrawal symptoms that manifest when you’re between doses. If your consumption of temazepam continues to increase, the drug will gradually lose its effectiveness and it is likely that your sleeping problems will return.

    Unfortunately, many people respond to this development by increasing their consumption. In doing so, they put themselves at risk for a temazepam overdose.

    Dangers of Temazepam Overdose

    Most people who overdose on temazepam do so for one of four reasons:

    • They take too much of it, in response to growing tolerance.
    • They take multiple doses of the medication in a relatively short period of time, which is common with temazepam addiction.
    • They have stopped taking the drug for a while but suffer a relapse and aren’t prepared for a high dosage (tolerance decreases after a period of abstinence).
    • They combine temazepam with another mind-altering substance, such as alcohol or a prescription opioid painkiller.

    No matter how tolerant your brain and body become to temazepam, there is a point of no return. Take too much of it too quickly, or in combination with other central nervous system depressants, and your respiratory system may slow down so much it collapses.

    When a temazepam overdose reaches this stage, you’ll have no time to lose. You should seek emergency medical assistance immediately, and a failure to do so could end in tragedy.

    Some of the distinctive signs of Restoril overdose include:

    • Sluggishness
    • Unresponsiveness
    • Dizziness
    • Blurred vision
    • Slurred speech
    • Unsteady gait
    • Significant muscle weakness
    • Slow heart rate
    • Struggling to breathe
    • Loss of consciousness

    These temazepam overdose symptoms are similar to normal temazepam addiction symptoms. But they are more overwhelming and persistent.

    If you suspect you or a loved one has overdosed on temazepam, exclusively or while consuming other intoxicants, it is better to ask for help right away than to take any chances.

    Co-occurring Disorders

    Mental illness is strongly associated with Restoril abuse. In one 2016 study, 40 percent of people abusing benzodiazepines reported at least one co-occurring mental disorder. Depression and anxiety disorders being especially common among this group.

    Men and women who abuse drugs like temazepam often abuse other substances as well. For example, about 20 percent of people addicted to alcohol will also have a history of benzodiazepine addiction or abuse.

    In a study of men and women with a dual diagnosis for a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, 43 percent reported using benzodiazepines. Among this group, about 15 percent had been diagnosed with benzodiazepine addiction, which is twice the rate of the general public.

    Of the more than 11,000 people who died from a benzodiazepine-related overdose in 2017, between 80 and 90 percent also had opioid painkillers in their system. This combination is extremely dangerous, but opioid abuse is quite common among those who suffer from benzodiazepine dependence.

    Meanwhile, chronic insomnia is also a common symptom of anxiety disorders, mood disorders and substance use disorders. Physicians may not have any idea such conditions are present when prescribing Restoril, since their focus is on providing help for sleeplessness.

    Diagnosing Restoril Addiction

    Under standards established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), temazepam addiction can be diagnosed if you report at least two of the following symptoms:

    • Temazepam is taken for longer or in larger amounts than intended.
    • Previous attempts to reduce temazepam consumption have been made, but all have ended in relapse.
    • Large quantities of time are invested in using temazepam, acquiring it or recovering from its effects.
    • Strong cravings for temazepam are frequently experienced.
    • Personal, financial, educational or job-related responsibilities have been neglected because of temazepam use.
    • Temazepam use has continued despite its negative contributions to social and interpersonal problems.
    • Important or enjoyable activities have been neglected or abandoned in favor of temazepam use.
    • Temazepam use is connected to reckless, dangerous behavior (which persists despite the risks).
    • Physical or psychological problems are worsened by temazepam use, yet such use continues.
    • Tolerance for temazepam has grown, forcing you to consume more of the drug to achieve the same effects.
    • Temazepam withdrawal symptoms are experienced when drug use is halted for a few hours.

    An addiction or mental health specialist can diagnose a temazepam use disorder. Once such a diagnosis has been made, it is vital to seek temazepam addiction treatment before too much time passes.

    Temazepam Withdrawal and Detox

    When you’re addicted to Restoril, quitting your drug use will not be a simple matter. Substance use disorders take a psychological and physical toll on those who have them, and what makes it so hard to stop taking a drug is the withdrawal symptoms you’ll experience when you try.

    If you stop taking the medication all together, temazepam withdrawal symptoms will begin to manifest after a few hours. Should you continue your abstinence, you’ll experience the full onset of Restoril withdrawal side effects within the first 24-48 hours.

    The temazepam withdrawal symptoms you experience might include:

    • Shakiness, tremors
    • Abdominal cramping
    • Aching muscles
    • Heavy sweating
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Restlessness, agitation
    • Powerful cravings for temazepam
    • Convulsions
    • Seizures

    Should you be detoxing from other substances as well, like opioid painkillers or alcohol, additional symptoms may be experienced of varying severity. Some could even create a medical emergency.

    But quitting all at once is not recommended, regardless of how many substances you’ve been abusing. Instead, you should stop taking temazepam gradually, in a medically-supervised detox program.

    Top-quality Restoril rehabs have fully-stocked and staffed medical detox facilities onsite. When you enter detox, you’ll be monitored and cared for round-the-clock. All your physical and mental health needs will be administered to, by compassionate medical professionals who can offer a full range of appropriate treatment services.

    During the 7-10 days you spend in Restoril detox, you’ll lower your temazepam doses a little bit at a time. This won’t eliminate your temazepam withdrawal symptoms entirely. But it will reduce their intensity and make them easier to handle.

    The medical professionals who supervise your detox will do everything in their power to make you feel more comfortable during this trying time. They will move quickly to address all your medical and personal needs as they arise.

    After your condition has stabilized, and your counselors and attending physicians are convinced you’re ready, you’ll make the transition into formal treatment. Medical detox is the first step on the road to lasting recovery, and the top temazepam rehab centers understand how vital it is to your long-term health and wellness.

    Treatment for Temazepam Addiction

    Temazepam addiction treatment centers offer hope for a brighter, healthier future.

    But you will have to work hard to conquer your addiction. Working closely with addiction counselors, psychotherapists and other members of your recovery team, you’ll develop a recovery regimen that is comprehensive, multi-layered and detailed. If you have a dual diagnosis for a comorbid mental disorder, or an additional type of substance use disorder, your temazepam addiction treatment plan will address those conditions as well.

    As treatment progresses, you’ll continue the process of reducing your dosages of temazepam gradually, until you are finally free of it for good. This may take a few weeks. But the process will be carefully managed to ensure your safety.

    The best Restoril rehabs offer both inpatient and outpatient programs. The methods of treatment are essentially identical, but clients in outpatient programs will be free to return to their homes, or to school or work, after their daily therapy sessions are finished.

    Inpatient programs offer more of an immersion healing experience, giving clients the chance to devote every waking hour to their recovery. Consequently, they are generally preferred for people with severe temazepam dependence, for those with a dual diagnosis and for people with more than one substance use condition.

    Either way, treatment is extensive, intensive and focused completely on sustainable recovery and relapse prevention.

    In both inpatient and outpatient programs, therapy for temazepam dependency will include individual, group and family therapy sessions. Superior Restoril rehabs will provide a range of time-tested and effective therapy options, including:

    • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
    • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
    • EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
    • Relapse prevention classes (teaching life skills and coping skills)
    • Holistic therapies: meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, Tai Chi, music and arts therapy, etc.

    Group and family therapy sessions act as a complement to individual therapy. Interactions with peers and loved ones help you build a strong support network during a time of change and personal evolution, when you’re vulnerable and have a strong need for guidance and compassionate assistance.

    At the best temazepam rehabs, addiction treatment plans are carefully customized to meet your needs as a unique human being with a specific life history. Top temazepam addiction treatment centers will make you feel comfortable and accepted, which is essential for healing. Under their able care, if you make an honest effort to confront your past mistakes and to embrace a better approach to living, a lasting recovery will be within your grasp.

    When your 30- to 90-day treatment program ends, you won’t be asked to face your continuing challenges alone. You’ll next transition into an aftercare program, where individual, group and family therapy will remain a part of your life. Your recovery from temazepam addiction will remain an active affair.

    How to Choose the Right Restoril Rehab

    Once you’ve been diagnosed with temazepam dependence, it is important to get help quickly.

    But your ultimate objective is to find an addiction treatment center that offers an attractive menu of diverse, evidence-based treatment options. Your search for the right temazepam rehab facility should involve visits to multiple centers, although you may cut the process short if you find the perfect place.

    Before choosing a specific treatment center, there are several factors that must be evaluated. For example, you should feel comfortable in the presence of staff and administrators, starting with your initial encounters. They should be willing to answer all your questions and provide you with detailed information about each phase of your proposed addiction treatment plan.

    The quality of the physical space also matters. Facility grounds should be clean, well-maintained and designed with client comfort in mind. The overall atmosphere of your surroundings should make you feel safe and secure. Your temazepam addiction treatment center will be your ‘home away from home’ for one-to-three months, and you should keep that in mind as you explore the premises.

    More than anything, you need a temazepam addiction treatment center with a long history of success. It should have good customer reviews and no record of controversy or legal troubles. The best temazepam addiction centers rely on evidence-based medicine to help each client restore their health and overcome the difficult challenges they face. Their counselors and personnel should be well-trained, have extensive experience in the recovery field and have a reputation for treating clients with dignity and respect.

    Ultimately, you and your loved ones will have to decide which addiction recovery center is right for you. Your final decision will be based in part on research, in part on your visits and in part on your instincts. You need a treatment center you know you can trust, and you shouldn’t be willing to settle for second-best.

    Your recovery from temazepam addiction is your most important life mission at the moment. A top-quality Restoril rehab can help you bring it to a successful completion.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • The First Step to Recovery is Detoxification

    The First Step to Recovery is Detoxification

    There are many steps you must take on the road to recovery from addiction. Do you know what the first step would be? Detoxification is the first step you must make to recover from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Once the detoxification is complete, you will be able to focus and concentrate on your treatment program.

    What is Detoxification?

    Detoxification, or detox, is the process of eliminating the drugs or alcohol from your system. This is when you experience withdrawal symptoms from not using any substances. You should not attempt to detox from any substance alone without professional help and assistance. First, it is not safe to try detoxification alone. Furthermore, with the help of medical staff, you will be made more comfortable during this process.

    Detox is not the same for every individual. A lot depends on your substance of abuse as well as how long you have been using the drugs or alcohol. Your physical condition can determine how hard the detoxification process will be on you. For instance, it probably would not be as hard for an otherwise healthy individual to endure the symptoms of withdrawal as it would be for an unhealthy person.

    Where Should I Go for Detoxification?

    There are inpatient and outpatient detoxification clinics. Most addiction treatment centers have facilities that handle detox for clients in the treatment center. You go through the detox process with medical staff on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to monitor you as you withdraw from the substance of abuse. Should any emergencies arise with your medical health, someone is there to handle it immediately. They can also keep you more comfortable as you detox.

    Detoxing at the treatment facility you choose is much easier because you don’t have to leave one facility and go to another one to complete your treatment for addiction. While detoxification is the first step to recovery, you still have a lot more work to do before you achieve sobriety.

    If Detoxification is the First Step, What Comes Next?

    Next, you will choose an addiction treatment program that fits your needs and preferences. Make sure your treatment center is an accredited and licensed facility with a compassionate and caring staff. Inpatient treatment is always best because it removes you from all of the temptations while you are receiving counseling and therapy sessions for your addiction.  A reputable addiction treatment facility does not have a one-size-fits-all program. They can design a program which is tailor-made to fit your individual needs.

    The specialists at Best Drug Rehabilitation can help you with any questions you may have about different facilities that fit your preferences. There are various treatment programs from which to choose today. You should choose a facility that offers different modalities of treatment. You also want to make sure that your treatment program provides aftercare.

    What is Aftercare?

    It can be a long road to recovery from addiction. Once your treatment program is complete, you still are not entirely recovered from addiction. Addiction recovery is an ongoing process that will need your continued commitment to sobriety. It is not an easy road to travel, but it is worth the hard work.

    An aftercare program will help you transition from inpatient treatment to your daily life at home as a sober individual. You will face triggers and cravings when you are back to your day-to-day routines of everyday life. Once you leave rehab, you will need to attend group meetings and counseling, possibly to keep you on your road to recovery. Support groups can be beneficial to your long-term recovery.

    You will want to take charge of your life in such a way as to live sober and healthy. This will probably mean making new friends and forming new relationships that do not include your previous friends who still use drugs or alcohol. An aftercare program will be there to help when you are having cravings or are about to slip up and use again.

    Contact Best Drug Rehabilitation

    Yes, detoxification is the first step to recovery. But once you have taken this step and completed your detox program, you will be ready to ahead with all of the following steps that will get you back to a life worth living, a life in recovery from addiction.

    Contact one of our representatives today at Best Drug Rehabilitation. They can answer any questions you may have about a treatment program that will fit your individual needs and preferences.

    View the original article at bestdrugrehabilitation.com

  • Ready to stop doing crack? Ways to quit crack safely

    Ready to stop doing crack? Ways to quit crack safely

    Have you made up your mind to stop using crack and wonder how can you quit safely, you’ve come to the right place. Deciding to quit crack and seek help may be the hardest part of addiction recovery, but it is also the best call you can make for yourself. But how can you prepare for withdrawal and detox from crack?

    After using any form of cocaine daily or almost daily, you should be prepared for withdrawal symptoms to occur when you quit or lower your dose. In this text we will explain what you can expect when you stop using crack and how you do so safely. In the end, we invite your questions and comments, and we try to respond to all legitimate inquiries personally and promptly.

    Can you stop taking crack suddenly?

    It may be difficult to just stop taking cocaine in cases of daily or few times weekly dosing. Frequent use usually results in physical dependence to cocaine, which means that your body has adapted to the drug and the normal production of neurotransmitters in the brain has been thrown out of balance. If you are dependent on cocaine and just stop taking it cold turkey, the abrupt chemical change manifests a number of physical and mental symptoms which can be very uncomfortable.

    If you aren’t sure whether your body has developed dependence on the drug, reflect on dosage. Have you increased the amount or the frequency of crack use in order to feel the effects cocaine once used to produce? If YES, then you may have developed tolerance to the drug. In these cases, the best way is to stop may be to gradually decrease dose amount or frequency. By tapering crack cocaine, you will give your body a chance to adapt to the absence of the drug slowly, over a period of time. Thus, the withdrawal symptoms you experience will be far milder and more bearable. Still, some professionals recommend cold turkey withdrawal to avoid relapse.

    What happens when you stop smoking crack?

    Once regular crack use is stopped or decreased, you can expect to go through a period of withdrawal as your central nervous system (CNS) reacts to the absence of crack. Chronic or habitual cocaine use influences the production of neurotransmitters and increases the release of the happy hormone – dopamine, hence its pleasurable effects. So, stopping crack after using it for a while will cause an emergence of withdrawal symptoms which can last for days, weeks, or months. What’s more, people have a hard time to feel pleasure again as a result of the decreased dopamine level.

    Side effects when you stop taking crack

    Quitting crack goes hand in hand with a number of withdrawal effects. Here is a list of what can someone who stops taking crack can expect during the withdrawal period:

    • aggression and violent incidents
    • agitation
    • anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure)
    • anxiety
    • crack cravings
    • depression
    • fatigue
    • flu-like symptoms
    • irritability
    • lack of motivation
    • mood swings
    • musculoskeletal pains
    • paranoid feelings
    • psychosis, hallucinations and other mental disturbances
    • restlessness
    • sleep disturbances and vivid nightmares
    • suicidal feelings

    The severity and duration of these symptoms is proportional with the level of crack dependence. If you have been using cocaine for a while now, instead of attempting to go through detox on your own, you can reach out to medical professionals. Staying under medical surveillance during the beginning, acute stages of detox, can be the difference between a relapse and successful recovery.

    Can you quit crack on your own?

    You might. But, it’s not recommended.

    Sudden cessation of crack can trigger intense withdrawal symptoms and a strong urge to use cocaine again. Crack has highly addictive properties, so your body and mind experience a strong desire for cocaine once it starts to leave the system. As you are starting to crave the drug, withdrawal symptoms occur and make it even harder for you not to use again. This is why emotional and psychological support is crucial during this time. Detox clinics will often refer you to counseling or support groups to help you through the first days of withdrawal.

    Quitting crack cold turkey

    Quitting crack cold turkey described the abrupt cessation of crack and the unpleasant experience that results from doing so. Cold turkey withdrawal from crack is the opposite of gradually easing the process through slower reduction over a period of time, with the help of replacement medication.

    There are people who have successfully stopped crack cold turkey, but it can be both psychologically and physically difficult. Moreover, sudden withdrawal can be dangerous, and this is why it’s recommended to seek help from medical professionals before you attempt to do this on your own.

    How to quit crack cocaine?

    Start by consulting a medical or mental health professional, or an addiction professional for advice on community and medical resources. You can seek help from professionals such as a:

    1. licensed clinical social worker
    2. medical doctor who specializes in addiction
    3. certified psychologist
    4. psychiatrist

    These professionals can help you find the right kind of treatment program that fits your needs and that can provide medical help, psychotherapy, and emotional support. The first stage of addressing possible addiction to crack is to “clean” your body from the toxins that have accumulated. This stage of the recovery is also known as detox and it’s the most critical one since symptoms of withdrawal are most intense during this period. While the duration of time it takes for crack withdrawal to end varies by user, it’s highly recommended that you seek medical assistance. This way, you may have the symptoms monitored and have best chances for recovery.

    Stop taking crack safely

    The safest way to stop taking crack is by following professional guidelines under medical surveillance. Medical detox is considered the safest way to stop taking crack safely, as physical and psychological symptoms can be addresses as they appear. Together, this treatment can decrease the chances of relapse. Do consult a medical professional before beginning any detox plan and follow their instructions.

    How to stop taking crack questions

    Did we answer what you wanted to know about the ways you can stop crack use? We invite your questions if you want to know more. We try to respond personally and promptly to all legitimate comments and inquiries.

    Reference Sources:

    NCBI: Outpatient treatment of ‘crack’ cocaine smoking with flupenthixol decanoate. A preliminary report.
    NCBI: Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms
    NCBI: Among long-term crack smokers, who avoids and who succumbs to cocaine addiction?
    Clinical Trials: Contingency Management Treatment for Crack Addiction
    U.S. Government Accountability Office: The Crack Cocaine Epidemic: Health Consequences and Treatment

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • US Prosecutors Flock To Europe To Observe Harm Reduction Policies In Action

    US Prosecutors Flock To Europe To Observe Harm Reduction Policies In Action

    The large group of prosecutors are seeking inspiration for how to “shrink the footprint of the justice system” in the US.

    This month, prosecutors from around the United States are touring Europe to observe the impact of policies toward drug use that focus on harm reduction rather than a punitive approach, Marijuana Moment reports.

    Last week, the group—comprised of 20 prosecutors including Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby—was in Germany. This week, they are in Portugal.

    The two countries have implemented policies on a national level that have not been tried in the U.S. Given the U.S.’s high incarceration rate and evidence of its failure, the prosecutors are seeking inspiration for policies that are working elsewhere. “Germany and Portugal offer powerful lessons on changing these paradigms,” said the organization funding the trip, Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP).

    “Elected prosecutors around the country are grappling with how to redefine justice and shrink the footprint of the justice system, while making communities safer and healthier,” said FJP executive director Miriam Krinsky in a statement. “They are shifting away from punitive criminal justice responses to substance use and mental illness and embracing smart and proven public health solutions.”

    Germany set out to reduce incarceration by diverting “almost all” people away from prison and focusing on rehabilitation and human dignity. According to the FJP press release, once there the group observed its approach to charging, plea bargaining and incarceration and its approach to youths in the criminal justice system.

    “The evidence is clear that our country’s decades-long approach to incarceration is not working,” said DA Rachael Rollins of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, who is part of the group. “We need to look for innovative solutions to deliver more sensible approaches—and a paradigm shift away from punitive responses—that our communities are demanding.”

    In Portugal, the focus is on drug policy. In 2001, the country decriminalized all drugs in response to its own addiction crisis. People caught with less than a 10-day supply of illicit drugs are seen before a “dissuasion commission”—a panel of lawyers or judges, social workers and psychologists—and if deemed to have a drug use problem, they are referred to treatment. If not, they are given a fine or a warning.

    Research on Portugal’s policy has illustrated a positive impact on public health—including significant reductions in drug-related deaths, drug use among 15-24-year-olds, the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, and the homeless population. Meanwhile, the number of people who receive treatment for a substance use disorder are up.

    This week while in Portugal, the prosecutors are exploring firsthand the long-term effects of the 18-year-old decriminalization policy. They are meeting with public health officials and “drug policy leaders” including the people who developed the decriminalization policy—as well as police, prosecutors and the members of the dissuasion commission.

    They are also visiting supervised injection facilities in each country, according to WHYY.

    “Among all criminal justice system actors, prosecutors are uniquely positioned to be able to take lessons learned from other countries’ approaches to incarceration and criminalization back to their communities,” said District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, who is on the trip. “The enormous power of prosecutors to exercise their discretion in ways that ensure outcomes that enhance public safety and reduce recidivism is unparalleled in the criminal justice system.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Independent Musicians Are Struggling With Mental Health At A Shocking Rate

    Independent Musicians Are Struggling With Mental Health At A Shocking Rate

    A new survey revealed that 73% of independent musicians have dealt with mental health issues. 

    Mental health is a concern across the population as a whole, but a recent survey found it is especially prevalent in musicians. 

    A new study determined that 73% of independent musicians have reportedly struggled with mental health at some point in the past, stating they have dealt with “stress, anxiety and/or depression” connected to their work. This was particularly true in those ages 18-25, where more than 80% reported struggles with mental health.    

    The statistics come from Record Union, which is a digital distribution platform based in Sweden. The web survey was given to about 1,500 indie musicians from March 21 to April 2. 

    “Our study is telling us that something needs to change,” Record Union CEO Johan Svanberg said in a statement published on Billboard.com. “It’s time to put the state of our artists’ mental health on the agenda, before streams and commercial success. We as an industry must wake up and ask ourselves: What’s our responsibility in this and what can we do to create a healthier music climate?”

    Additionally, the survey determined that of those surveyed, 33% dealt with panic attacks, 57% reported worrying about their mental health and 41% said they worried numerous times daily. Musicians reported that the ‘pressure to deliver” played a role in their experience, as well as fearing failure and struggling financially.

    Despite the large amount of musicians that reported struggling, only 39% said they had reached out for help. However, 51% reported mainly using alcohol and drugs to self-mediate. 

    The survey also found that only 19% of independent musicians stated feeling that their industry is trying to generate a “sustainable music climate with healthy artists.”

    As a result of the study, Record Union will be donating $30,000 to various projects focused on prevention and treatment of mental health struggles in musicians. 

    People are invited to submit projects to be considered for financial assistance, and the projects will then be voted on in June, and three winners will be chosen to split the $30,000.

    “The music industry has traditionally been defining success on commercial terms,” Svanberg told Billboard. “To be seen as successful you need to reach high sales and tour goals. It’s always money first. To create a more sustainable music climate with healthier artists, we believe that this needs to change and that artists need to start thinking about their mental health as part of the success.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Boxing Helped Him Stay Sober, Now He Wants To Go Pro

    Boxing Helped Him Stay Sober, Now He Wants To Go Pro

    “I can’t wait to give the sport back what it has given me,” said amateur boxer Chad Leoncello.

    When Chad Leoncello started boxing two and a half years go he was just fighting to stay sober, but next week the Massachusetts resident will appear before the state athletic commission as he seeks to become a professional boxer.

    “I’ve had a late jump on the sport,” Leoncello, 35, told Enterprise News. “But my will and my heart is what is pushing me through. I’m not saying I’m going to be a world champ. But I do have some time to fight and really just make a statement of who I am as a fighter.”

    Leoncello also started the “Sober Warriors” movement, which aims to introduce people struggling with substance use disorder to the sport. 

    “When I talk to guys in my testimonies, I say, ‘You get frustrated with your girlfriend, a family member or a life situation, and you want to drink, or you want to punch something. So punch something,’” Leoncello told Enterprise News last year. “And it does work. It’s more of a healthy outlet for us. It’s really a healthy way to cope.”

    To bring the new coping skill to people in recovery, Leoncello delivered punching bags and other equipment to sober homes around Boston. 

    Other people in recovery began training with Leoncello and eventually going to competitions with him. 

    “I feel amazing in my recovery – boxing and growing – but it’s also watching my guys, and seeing them in the ring,” Leoncello said. “The majority won, but it was more about their families being at the show. Guys go from on their deathbed and overdosing, and now they have their families cheering them on, showing them love and crying at the end of the match. That’s the reward by itself.”

    Leoncello, who is an alcoholic and former opioid addict, said that he happened into boxing by chance, but quickly realized that it could be a great tool for people in recovery. 

    “The judge gave me a device I had to blew on three times a day. If I blew a positive I couldn’t see my son,” he explained. “I had three days to kill before seeing my son. I didn’t know what to do. … I went to doctor who gave me a drug for withdrawals. And I decided to walk into a boxing gym, and take my frustrations out that way. I made it down to Florida, and it was the first time I felt something real in my heart. From that point on, I never picked up a drug or alcohol again.”

    Now, Leoncello is hopeful that he’ll have the chance to fight professionally and show again what the sport has done for him. 

    “It’s something I want to do in life. … I think the big lights are calling my name. … I have a lot of respect for the sport because of what it has done for me and my life,” he said. “I can’t wait to give the sport back what it has given me.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Former NFL Stars Turn To Cannabis Businesses

    Former NFL Stars Turn To Cannabis Businesses

    One NFL player said that cannabis use is already widespread in the league despite the fact that it is banned.

    When former Detroit Lions stars Calvin Johnson and Rob Sims retired from the NFL they started a real estate business together, but once Michigan legalized recreational marijuana they decided to get into the legal pot game, especially after seeing the benefits of cannabis firsthand.

    “When I was on [Dancing With The Stars], I was using a CBD (cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid) topical that my buddy gave me because my ankles were swelling up so much that I didn’t think I would be able to finish the show,” Johnson told Detroit Free Press during a conversation at the Toronto Cannabis Conference. “The relief happened almost overnight. I was already open-minded to marijuana, but after that, I became a true believer just because of the experience.”

    Sims also found relief in cannabis when he stopped playing football, and believes that it can help other athletes who want to avoid taking prescription medication.

    He said, “When I was finished playing, the prescriptions from the docs stopped. It’s a slippery slope when you come out of the league and you’ve got all the Oxy and Vicodins or whatever you have to manage the pain. There has to be a substitution and cannabis ended up being that for me.”

    Current and former NFL players have been critical of the league’s zero-tolerance policy on marijuana, especially as it hands out scores of pain pills to keep players on the field.

    Retirees are speaking up about the risk of addiction. Former players like Baltimore Ravens lineman Eugene Monroe have become advocates for cannabis reform.

    Monroe wrote on his website, “It’s time for the NFL to change its archaic standards to better protect its players. For too long, I’ve watched my teammates and good friends battle with opioid addiction and leave the game with a long road still ahead; it’s time to make a change.”

    Willis Marshall, who played professional football in the Canadian and U.S. Arena leagues, said professional sports rely too much on dangerous pills.

    He said, “Even in the Canadian Football League, where they don’t test for marijuana, prescription drugs are a dime a dozen in the locker rooms. They hand them out like candy corn and that’s an unfortunate thing.”

    Marshall estimated that up to 80% of NFL suspensions are from players using cannabis.

    “If it’s steroids, they’ll say it’s steroids or performance enhancing drugs,” he said. “And it’s probably not alcohol or cocaine because that leaves your system a lot quicker than marijuana. And I can’t see any players using heroin or meth and being able to play or even practice on those. So it kind of narrows it down to marijuana.”

    Last year on the Bleacher Report podcast, former New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennet said that cannabis use is already widespread in the league despite the fact that it is banned.

    “There are times of the year where your body just hurts so bad,” he said, estimating that 89% of players use pot. “You don’t want to be popping pills all the time. There are anti-inflammatory drugs you take so long that they start to eat at your liver, kidneys and things like that. A human made that. God made weed.”

    View the original article at thefix.com