Answer Addiction

Tag: advice

  • Lady Gaga’s Mother Discusses Singer’s Childhood Mental Health

    Lady Gaga’s Mother Discusses Singer’s Childhood Mental Health

    “What I didn’t realize because I wasn’t prepared, was how to really deal with it. When I was growing up, times were different.”

    With her incredible success, Lady Gaga has used her powerful platform to speak out about mental health with her Born This Way Foundation.

    Now, her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, spoke with CBS This Morning about how parents can deal with children that are struggling with their mental health. 

    Throughout her life, Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, has struggled with depression, anxiety and PTSD.

    “As a parent, I wasn’t prepared to really address this,” Cynthia explains. “Stefani was very unique, and that wasn’t always appreciated by her peers, and as a result, she went through a lot of difficult times – humiliated, taunted, isolated.”

    My Generation Was Told To Suck It Up

    Upon entering middle school, Germanotta saw her daughter go from “a very happy and aspirational young girl to somebody that started to question her self-worth, to have doubts about herself. What I didn’t realize because I wasn’t prepared, was how to really deal with it. When I was growing up, times were different. The way that we would deal with things was what we learned. I relied on the generational grit of just sucking it up and getting on with it.”

    Once she saw her daughter clearly struggling, Cynthia says, “It’s very hard to know what to do. The profound impact that it can have (on families). It basically turns the focus of everything onto that one individual. Families feel conflicted about it, they don’t really understand it, it causes conflict, and a lot of stress within the families. It can also cause feelings of guilt and helplessness, not knowing how to help my daughter. What I’ve learned is that no family is immune to this.”

    Parents: Listen To Your Children, Share Your Own Struggles

    For families that are struggling with troubled teens, Germanotta recommended that parents simply listen.  

    “What I learned from my daughter is to listen and validate her feelings. I think as parents our natural instinct is to go into problem-solving mode, when in fact they really just want us to take them seriously and understand what they’re saying.” 

    While a lot of troubled youth don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents about their struggles out of “fear of being judged,” Germanotta adds that “as parents we don’t talk about our own struggles. I encourage parents to be vulnerable. Talk about your current and past struggles. The biggest thing is to talk to them.” 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • The Sober Advantage: 15 Things You Should Never Do Drunk

    The Sober Advantage: 15 Things You Should Never Do Drunk

    Texting, for example… Sober? Text away! But If you’re drunk, give your phone to someone you trust and tell them to lock it up.

    In certain circles there is much debate around whether life is better sober or with alcohol. Sober people have a list of reasons why their lifestyle is better, much of which center around improved health, stronger personal relationships, and a lack of legal and financial issues (and some of us didn’t have a choice). Boozehounds tend to have a simple argument: they like to party and they don’t want to stop.

    Still, regardless of whether you’re imbibing or teetotal, there are some things that we can all agree need to be done sober…or else!

    If you’re sober, consider this a gratitude list. If you’re not, keep this article handy so you don’t have too many amends to make the next time you have a “morning after.”

    15. Posting on Social Media

    There are few things worse than waking up after a long night of partying and seeing a bunch of notifications on Facebook when you don’t remember even logging in. Well actually there are a lot of things worse but we’ll get to those. Whether you left a comment that you thought was hilarious but in reality was bizarre, flirted with a stranger awkwardly over DM, made inappropriate suggestions to a married coworker, or just put up a post explaining your deepest thoughts that in the light of day make you seem like a lunatic, social media and drinking are a lethal combination.

    14. Online Shopping

    This is never a good idea when drinking. While that pair of $300 shoes or those trendy jeans might seem totally necessary when you’re hammered, you probably should’ve waited until morning to pay for what’s in your cart. And will that tee-shirt that says “I’m not shy, I just don’t like you” seem quite so funny in the morning? Even worse is when you shop drunk for someone else. Lock those credit cards up!

    13. Having a Serious Conversation with Your Significant Other

    Sometimes when you get to drinking, things about your significant other start to gnaw at you a bit. All of a sudden it seems like this very moment is the perfect time to enumerate all the different things your loved one does that bother you, that you’ve been keeping deep inside. Of course you’ll bring them up in a very respectful way, everything will go well, and it won’t turn into a childish fight. In reality, if you act on this drunken impulse, you’ll probably end up spending the night at the local Motel 6. With your cat.

    12. Cooking

    I know, one of the things that is so fun about being buzzed is making a snack in the middle of the night and going to town. That’s cool, just don’t use the stove. Bad things happen. The best-case scenario might be a ruined meal, but the worst involves a call to 911, and there are a lot of things in between those two extremes that aren’t good either. Get something delivered instead. Even Domino’s is better than trying to figure out how to shut off your fire alarm when you’re drunk.

    11. Napping in Public

    This is never a good idea when you’re drunk. If you’re sober, a little nap on the beach or on the train when you’re commuting home might be refreshing. If you’re hammered, it means one of the worst sunburns you’ve ever had, or waking up on the train 20 miles past where you were supposed to get off. And if you feel like taking a nap in a bar or at a party, that’s not a nap: you’re passing out.

    10. Hooking Up with Someone New

    One of the cool things about having a buzz on is you lose your inhibitions. You might see someone you like across the room and go over and talk to them, and if the vibe is right you just might end up hooking up. Wait, did I see that was one of the cool things? I was kidding, that’s one of the bad things. When you’re drunk, you don’t even know if you really do like them, and you have no idea if the vibe is right. Take a number and hook up the next day. If the vibe was truly right, it still will be. Better yet, be brave and try it sober. Otherwise you may end up in one of those awkward “what’s your name” conversations post-interlude.

    9. Making a Promise 

    When you’re sober, making a promise is a good thing. It shows that you’re honest and responsible, or at least trying to be. When you’re drunk, not so much. First of all, there is a good chance you aren’t even going to remember your promise; secondly, even if you do remember, there is an even better chance you were just blowing smoke. Keep your promises to yourself when you’ve been boozing. 

    8. Checking Your Work Email

    If you’ve been drinking, his one is just a hard no. I know, most of us wouldn’t check our work email when we’ve been drinking, but sometimes you might be just kicking around, half in the bag, and just want to take a quick little peak and see what’s happening at the office. If sober, this just shows you’re conscientious. If you’ve been drinking, clicking on your inbox is the same as walking through a landmine. For the love of God, close the program!

    7. Dropping Knowledge

    Sometimes you’re in the midst of a conversation and something comes up that you happen to know about and you feel compelled to share your knowledge. If you’re sober, knock yourself out. If you’re drunk, please don’t. Whether you want to talk about politics, what’s wrong with millennials, or the Yankees’ starting rotation, you aren’t going to sound nearly as smart as you think you will. Trust me on this one.

    6. Texting Someone You’re Crushing On

    Drunk or sober, you might get the urge to text someone who you have a bit of a crush on. If you’re sober, do it up. Letting someone know you’re thinking of them is usually appreciated. But if you’re drunk, give your phone to someone you trust and tell them to lock it up. You might be able to get through a few texts without a problem, but sooner or later it will become obvious that you’re wasted and you’re just going to sound dumb, or worse.

    5. Flirting

    Whether there’s genuine interest or you’re just enjoying yourself, flirting can be fun. There is a line, though, between coming off as someone flirtatious and fun and someone who boorish and aggressive. When you’re boozing, sometimes (okay, pretty much all the time) it can be hard to figure out where that line is. In fact, when you’re hammered, it can be hard to even tell when if your flirting is going well or poorly.

    4. Confronting a Stranger

    Sometimes you’re just going about your day, minding your own business, when someone you don’t know does something that irritates you. Maybe they cut in line, or are being rude to a waitress, and you want to say something to them about it. If you’re sober, go for it, and good for you. If you’re drunk and you confront a stranger, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll wind up in a viral YouTube video, and not the kind that receives a million “likes” because you’re such a wonderful person. (or “not the kind that gets you on “Ellen” for being such a wonderful person.”)

    3. Picking Up the Tab

    You’ve been out with friends and it’s time for the bill. Being the generous person you are, you’ve decided to pick up the tab. If you’re sober that’s cool, how nice of you. If you’re drunk it could be a big mistake. Looking at your bank statement the day after a night on the town can be terrifying. It’s cool, though, it isn’t like you needed groceries this week anyway.

    2. Getting a Tattoo

    This one is pretty obvious, but it needs to be said anyway. Don’t get inked up after a night of drinking. Sober people usually spend a long time figuring out what kind of tattoo they want and researching local artists with the skill to deliver the kind of work they want. Drunk people wander into some random tattoo shop on the strip and get a tribal design on their forearm because they want to seem deep. What’s actually deep is spending time thoughtfully considering what kind of tattoo you’re putting on your body.

    1. Driving

    Okay so seriously, don’t drink and drive. This is the one thing that everyone agrees on. If you get behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking, you’re basically an irresponsible maniac who doesn’t care about the consequences of your actions and who you hurt. So just don’t do it. If you’re drinking, be prepared: taxi, designated driver, uber, lyft, mom. There’s no reason to ever drink and drive. The world thanks you.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find the Best Zolvit Addiction Rehab

    How to Find the Best Zolvit Addiction Rehab

    Looking for information on Zolvit addiction? Our guide can help identify symptoms, effects, and luxury Zolvit rehab.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Zolvit and What is it Used for?
    2. Other Names for Zolvit
    3. What is Zolvit Abuse?
    4. How Abuse Can Lead to Zolvit Rehab and Addiction Treatment
    5. Zolvit Rehab for Addiction – When is Treatment Needed?
    6. The Dangers and Risks of Not Going to Zolvit Rehab
    7. Zolvit Overdose – The Biggest Risk of All
    8. Detox and Withdrawal – How Long Does Zolvit Stay in Your System?
    9. How Zolvit Rehab Uses Medical Treatment
    10. Therapy Options in Zolvit Rehab
    11. What to Look for in the Best Zolvit Treatment Center
    12. Choosing Between Outpatient and Inpatient Zolvit Rehab

    Zolvit rehab centers are available right now to help you or someone you care about get into recovery. This addiction is very serious and can lead to mental and physical health problems, relationship difficulties, problems with the law and other consequences. At its worst, Zolvit addiction can lead to a fatal overdose.

    It’s important to get Zolvit addiction help, even if you aren’t sure you qualify for having a substance use disorder. Any misuse of this drug can be problematic and can quickly lead to a severe and dangerous addiction. Reach out to rehab facilities to find out what your options are and to be evaluated and given an individualized treatment plan for long-term recovery.

    What is Zolvit and What is it Used for?

    Opioid drugs are narcotic controlled substances used to manage pain. There are many different types, including those that are found naturally in the opium poppy, like morphine, and those that are derived from these natural substances, like Zolvit. Zolvit is a brand name for the synthetic opioid hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen. This latter drug is available over the counter but is often combined with opioids in prescription drug formulations.

    Zolvit is used to manage pain, but it is restricted to certain types of patients. It is approved for pain management in people who have pain that is significant enough to require opioids. In other words, when other, safer medications can’t control the pain, then opioids may be prescribed. Patients who do not tolerate other pain medications may also be given Zolvit.

    Other Names for Zolvit

    Zolvit is one brand name under which the combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen are sold. Other brand names for this combination are Anexia, Ceta Plus, Co-Gesic, Dolorex Forte, Hycet, Liquicet, Lorcet, Lortab, Maxidone, Norco, Stagesic, Vicodin, Xodol, and Zydone.

    Zolvit and other opioid drugs are often misused and bought and sold illicitly. They go by many different street names. These are some of the names you may hear used for Zolvit, hydrocodone, or any other opioid:

    • Cody or Captain Cody
    • Doors and Fours
    • Goodfella
    • Demmies
    • Dillies
    • Juice
    • China girl
    • China white
    • Pain killers
    • Perks
    • Tango and Cash
    • Loads
    • Apache
    • Murder 8
    • TNT
    • Friend
    • Jackpot

    What is Zolvit Abuse?

    Substance abuse with any drug is problematic. It can lead to addiction, mental health issues, physical health problems, relationship problems, difficulties at work, financial problems, legal trouble, and much more, even overdose and death. But abuse of Zolvit is particularly dangerous because of how addictive it is and the fact that it can more easily lead to a Zolvit overdose than many other substances of abuse.

    Zolvit abuse or misuse is any use of this drug that is outside the bounds of what a doctor has prescribed and recommended. If you use it without a prescription, that is considered abuse. Even if you have a prescription for Zolvit, if you are using larger doses, taking it more frequently or for a longer duration than recommended, using it to get high, or using it for any reason other than for what it was prescribed, you are abusing this drug.

    How Abuse Can Lead to Zolvit Rehab and Addiction Treatment

    As an opioid combination drug, Zolvit is listed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a schedule II controlled substance. This is the second highest scheduling, and the designation means that Zolvit is tightly controlled and regulated. Hydrocodone combination drugs were previously listed in schedule III but were recently moved up to II. The DEA made the move because of the high rate of abuse and addiction to these drugs.

    Schedule II drugs like Zolvit are considered to have medical uses but risky because of the possibility of abuse and addiction. They are known to be highly susceptible to abuse and to put any user, even those with a prescription, at a big risk for developing an addiction.

    Zolvit, like other opioids, is a useful painkiller because it changes how the brain reacts to pain. But it also causes other effects that make some people want to abuse it. The way it acts in the brain leads to a sedative effect and a powerful sense of well-being known as euphoria. People sometimes want to chase this high, abuse the drug and become addicted.

    Zolvit abuse is not the only behavior that can lead to addiction, though. Valid users of the drug—those with a prescription and following a doctor’s instructions—can also develop a Zolvit dependence. The risk is higher the longer someone has been using the drug and with higher doses. The way opioids act in the brain is to make changes over time that can make you feel as if you need them just to feel normal. This is dependence, another word for addiction.

    Zolvit Rehab for Addiction – When is Treatment Needed?

    You may need to seek rehab if you have developed a Zolvit addiction. But don’t wait to hit rock bottom to get help. If you feel troubled at all by your use of hydrocodone or another opioid, you probably already have a problem and need professional help to stop. There are some criteria, which are used to diagnosed substance use disorders, that can help you evaluate your own behaviors. Just one of these indicates you are developing a habit and could really benefit from treatment:

    • Your use of Zolvit has begun to feel out of control, and you regularly use more than you intended.
    • You have questioned your use of the drug and tried to use less, but failed.
    • You crave opioids.
    • An increasing amount of your time is spent getting drugs or using them.
    • The time you spend on drug use is taking away from other activities in your life or preventing you from fulfilling obligations and meeting responsibilities.
    • You continue to use Zolvit when you know that it is causing problems in your relationships with those you care about.
    • You also continue to use it even though it causes health problems or makes existing issues worse.
    • You keep using Zolvit in situations that put you at risk of getting hurt.
    • You have developed a tolerance to opioids and need higher doses or more frequent use to get the same effect you used to.
    • When not using, you begin to go into withdrawal.

    These are important Zolvit addiction side effects and symptoms. You need to be aware of them to know that your use of the drug has gotten out of control and that you need help.

    The Dangers and Risks of Not Going to Zolvit Rehab

    The consequences of addiction to any drug can be severe, serious, and even life-threatening. The risks of misusing Zolvit and becoming addicted to it are even higher if you do not make the commitment to rehab and treatment. Rehabilitation can help you stop using this harmful drug, but if you choose not to seek help, the risks you are taking are very real.

    One of these is the risk that you will experience the uncomfortable Zolvit side effects. Not everyone gets side effects, but by abusing the drug you make it more likely that you will and that those effects will be more severe and serious. Potential side effects of Zolvit are:

    • Agitation
    • Anxiety
    • Appetite changes and weight loss
    • Constipation
    • Difficulty thinking and concentrating
    • Difficulty urinating
    • Irregular periods
    • Lightheadedness
    • Skin rashes
    • Sleepiness
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Fever
    • Muscle stiffness
    • Poor coordination
    • A tight feeling in the chest
    • Racing heart rate
    • Hallucinations

    Other risks of failing to get help with Zolvit addiction are less physical but may be just as negative and far-reaching. Being addicted to Zolvit could irreparably harm your relationships, cause serious financial difficulties, get you in trouble with the law or even lead to incarceration, cause you to lose your job, or cause or perpetuate mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, or suicide.

    The acetaminophen in Zolvit is often overlooked when risks and dangers are discussed, but this drug can cause harm, too. It is an over-the-counter medication, but if you take more of it per day than is recommended, it can lead to serious liver damage. Also, combining this drug with alcohol can cause liver problems and long-term damage.

    Zolvit Overdose – The Biggest Risk of All

    Opioid overdoses have reached epidemic levels in the U.S. recently, mostly due to the very potent and dangerous opioid called fentanyl. But any opioid can and does lead to overdose, and this toxic amount of the drug can be fatal. There is no specific amount of Zolvit that will trigger an overdose, which makes abusing it even riskier. You can never know how much could kill you. Additionally, there is always the chance that a drug you buy illicitly will be contaminated with fentanyl.

    Continuing to abuse Zolvit and not seeking help for your addiction puts you at a very real risk of experiencing an overdose. The signs of an opioid overdose are pale skin that is clammy and cold, blue-tinted fingernails and lips, limpness and unresponsiveness, vomiting or gurgling, slow or stopped breathing, and loss of consciousness. This can be reversed, but it requires immediate action and emergency medical care.

    Anyone misusing Zolvit, whether addicted to the drug or not, is at risk for an overdose. The risk is higher if you have certain medical conditions, like reduced liver or kidney function or respiratory problems like sleep apnea or asthma.

    Combining Zolvit with other substances that produce a similar depressant or sedative effect also increases the overdose risk. Other opioids, anxiety medications like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and any other type of sedative will add to the dangerous effects of hydrocodone and make an overdose more likely. Alcohol can also have this effect, and combining it with Zolvit is risky.

    Detox and Withdrawal – How Long Does Zolvit Stay in Your System?

    If you are misusing Zolvit and start to feel very uncomfortable, moody, and sick when not using it, you may be exhibiting withdrawal, an important sign of drug dependence. The process you go through to stop using a drug like Zolvit is called detox. The time it will take for the opioid to leave your system and for withdrawal symptoms to ease depends on many factors. The longer you have been misusing Zolvit, the larger the doses you take, and the larger the last dose, the longer detox will be. There are other individual factors too, including personal health, that can impact how long withdrawal lasts.

    Withdrawal from opioids can be painful, but it is not harmful in the long-term. The biggest risk you’ll face when detoxing is relapse. There is an increased chance that a relapse will trigger an overdose, so the safest way to go through this necessary process on the way to recovery is supervised. Let anyone you trust help you through it, but the best way to detox is with an addiction specialist.

    Early Zolvit withdrawal side effects are agitation, anxiety, achy muscles, tearing, sweating, yawning, difficulty sleeping, and a runny nose. As detox continues, you may experience some more difficult Zolvit withdrawal effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, goosebumps and chills, and dilated pupils. Going through these symptoms is necessary for real treatment to begin. Do not think that detox by itself is treatment, though; it is simply the first step and what you must do in order to be ready for treatment.

    How Zolvit Rehab Uses Medical Treatment

    One of the most important types of care you will receive in Zolvit rehab is medical. Most drug addictions do not have medicines that can help with treatment, but opioids do. There are three approved drugs that can be used to treat and manage opioid use disorder. Medical treatment is not adequate treatment for this addiction, though. Medications can help, but you also need a complete, well-rounded treatment plan with therapy as well as medicine. The drugs that you may use to manage Zolvit addiction are:

    • Methadone. Methadone has long been used in maintenance therapy for heroin, an illicit opioid. It stimulates the same receptors in the brain as other opioids but produces less of an effect. Methadone can be used to wean you from opioids and to minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
    • Buprenorphine. This drug is used in a way similar to methadone, but it produces even less effect and is less likely to be abused. It can help you experience less intense cravings for Zolvit and is a useful supplement to rehab and therapy.
    • Naloxone. This is the antidote administered to reverse an opioid overdose. It can also be used to block the effects of opioid drugs in order to prevent relapses during and after treatment. An injection that lasts one month protects you from relapsing, because if you try to use Zolvit during that time, you will experience none of its effects. The naloxone blocks the receptors the drug normally inhabits.

    Effective Zolvit addiction treatment includes medical care. These medications may not be appropriate for or useful for everyone, but they are proven to help reduce the risks of relapse and to complement traditional therapy. In general, the use of medications along with long-term therapy is proven to be an effective way to treat addiction.

    Therapy Options in Zolvit Rehab

    The combination of therapy and medical care is essential in effective Zolvit rehab. The real hard work of recovery will be done in the hours of therapy that give you the tools for living life drug-free. When you find the right rehab for treatment, you can expect to be offered a variety of therapy types, because some may resonate better with you than others:

    • Behavioral therapy. You can expect to go through at least some type of behavioral therapy. All are based on cognitive behavioral therapy, which relies on goal-setting, practical actions, trigger identification, coping strategies, and proactive, positive lifestyle changes to achieve lasting recovery. Variations on this include therapies that focus on accepting negative feelings, finding internal motivation, and using external motivating factors to avoid relapse.
    • Trauma-focused therapy. Addiction is often a consequence of past trauma. At intake, you may be evaluated and find that bad experiences in your past contribute to your current behavioral health issues and drug use. Therapies that revolve around remembering, processing, and reframing trauma can be important in addiction treatment.
    • Relationship therapy. Relationships can be triggers for drug use, but they can also suffer because of drug use. Therapy that teaches you better communication and social skills is helpful, as is therapy that includes your partner or other members of your family.

    The best rehab centers for Zolvit addiction will offer you different types of therapy and even variations on those. They will also have alternative therapies that can be useful supplements to these: art therapy, dance and movement therapy, writing, therapy, music therapy, animal therapy, recreation therapy, and more.

    What to Look for in the Best Zolvit Treatment Center

    As you search for the rehab facility that best meets your needs, insist on one that offers both therapy and medical care. These are the basics of Zolvit treatment for addiction. Beyond these two factors, there are other things to consider and to look for in the rehab that will offer you the best treatment.

    • A staff of caring experts who treat patients with respect
    • An initial evaluation to determine the extent of your addiction and any mental health issues
    • Treatment for any co-occurring mental illnesses
    • An individualized plan made just for you
    • A treatment plant that considers your input and preferences
    • A focus on relapse prevention
    • A variety of support services
    • The inclusion of family when appropriate
    • Aftercare programs or options for care during the transition back to the home

    These are the kinds of things that make a rehab the best and most effective for addiction treatment. Additionally, look for aspects of a facility that make you personally comfortable. You should visit if possible so that you can get a feel for a location, the staff, and the other residents before you make your final choice.

    Choosing Between Outpatient and Inpatient Zolvit Rehab

    As you search for rehab, understand that you have the option to get treatment in a residential rehab or through an outpatient program. There are pros and cons to each, but keep in mind that if your addiction is severe and you are at a big risk of relapsing, you should strongly consider inpatient treatment.

    Inpatient care gives you several benefits. For instance, it can keep you safe when cravings hit with 24-hour supervision. Rehab also provides a focused way to really put your energy into treatment and recovery. There will be fewer distractions than at home and less stress over responsibilities. Inpatient rehab is usually staffed by a number of professionals with various areas of expertise so you get more options for therapy and support.

    On the other hand, inpatient living can be stressful for some people. Being away from family, living with strangers, and being under constant supervision may be more stressful for some, which can be a detriment to treatment. If you prefer to stay home, just be sure home will be safe and that your family is supportive of your recovery.

    Choosing treatment for Zolvit addiction is a big deal. It means you have recognized that you need help and is the first step to recovery. Make your choice as quickly as possible while still taking care to select the treatment program and facility that will provide you with the best care.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find Librium Addiction Rehab

    How to Find Librium Addiction Rehab

    Are you looking for treatment for Librium addiction? We can help you find the luxury treatment you need.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Librium and What is it Used for?
    2. Alternative Names for Librium
    3. What Are the Potential Librium Side Effects?
    4. Why Would Someone Need Librium Rehab?
    5. Dangers and Risks of Avoiding Librium Rehab
    6. Inpatient vs. Outpatient Librium Rehab
    7. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Librium Rehab Facility
    8. How Long Does Librium Stay in Your System? The Importance of Detox

    You may need Librium rehab if you have become dependent on this prescription drug. Even if you are not completely dependent on it, if you are questioning your use of it or if you are concerned that you may not be able to stop using, it’s time to look into professional treatment. Any misuse of Librium can be risky and dangerous. A rehab facility can help you go through detox and withdrawal and focus on long-term management of addiction for successful recovery.

    What is Librium and What is it Used for?

    Librium is a brand name for the generic benzodiazepine drug called chlordiazepoxide. It is a controlled substance and a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Although not approved for this use, some doctors may prescribe Librium to patients with irritable bowel syndrome and for other uses according to their medical discretion.

    Benzodiazepines like Librium are known as central nervous system depressants. This means they act by slowing down activity in the brain and spinal cord, which together make up the central nervous system. This helps to ease anxiety and muscle tension, but it also causes sleepiness, slowed breathing, and a lowered heart rate and blood pressure.

    Alternative Names for Librium

    Librium is a brand name for chlordiazepoxide. Not all brands for this generic benzodiazepine are still on the market, but you may come across them:

    • A-poxide
    • Chlordiazachel
    • H-Tran
    • Librelease
    • Libritabs
    • Lygen
    • Mitran
    • Poxi

    There are also brand names for combination drugs that include chlordiazepoxide and other medications. These include Librax, Limbitrol, Menrium. Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide are often sold on the street without prescriptions and for illicit use. Names that may be used for them include:

    • Bars
    • Benzos
    • Chill Pills
    • Downers
    • Hulks
    • Ladders
    • Nerve Pills
    • Planks
    • School Bus
    • Sleeping Pills
    • Totem Poles
    • Tranks

    What Are the Potential Librium Side Effects?

    Librium is a prescription drug with valid medical uses, but it can also cause side effects and adverse events. Some of the potential and more common Librium effects are dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, tiredness, appetite changes, indigestion, and muscle weakness.

    More serious side effects that are less common include:

    • Restlessness and agitation
    • Constipation
    • Difficulty urinating
    • More frequent urination
    • Blurred vision
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • A shuffling walk
    • Tremors
    • Fever
    • A skin rash that becomes severe
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Yellow skin and eyes

    These more serious side effects need to be treated, so see a doctor right away if you experience any one of them. Your risk of suffering from these are increased by misusing Librium.

    Why Would Someone Need Librium Rehab?

    Chlordiazepoxide has been classified as a schedule IV controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Librium is on the controlled substance schedule because it has a potential for abuse. You can get addicted to this drug if you misuse it or even if you use it as prescribed but for too long a period of time. With a potential for both abuse and dependence, some people may need chlordiazepoxide to be able to stop using this benzodiazepine.

    The symptoms of Librium addiction are not always easy to see in yourself. If you have been misusing this drug, which includes using it without a prescription or using it in a way your doctor did not recommend, it is important to look at your behaviors and decide if you may have developed a dependence or addiction. Ask yourself these questions:

    • Have you tried to stop using Librium but couldn’t do it?
    • Do you set limits to how much you’ll use but consistently use more than that?
    • Do you have cravings for Librium when not using it?
    • Is a lot of your time spent getting Librium, using it, being high, or recovering from being high?
    • Have you given up some of the things you used to enjoy doing because you would rather get high?
    • Are your responsibilities at work or home suffering because of how much you use Librium?
    • Do your relationships suffer because of your drug use?
    • Have you used Librium in situations you knew would put your safety at risk?
    • Have you kept on using Librium even though it’s negatively affecting your health?
    • Have you developed a tolerance to Librium? Do you use more and more to get high?
    • When you can’t get any do you feel miserable, like you’re going through withdrawal?

    These are the criteria for substance use disorders, and you only need to have two or three Librium addiction symptoms to be diagnosed with a mild disorder. Whether or not you think you could be diagnosed with substance use disorder or an addiction, if you are questioning your use of Librium or Librium dependence, you may need to get help and seek treatment or rehab.

    Dangers and Risks of Avoiding Librium Rehab

    Any misuse of Librium is risky. But if you seek out treatment and go to rehab, you can reduce these risks significantly and learn how to stop using. Recovery will take you out of danger, especially if you learn how to avoid relapses.

    While still misusing Librium, you are at risk of experiencing side effects. Some may be unpleasant, but others can be serious. Even using Librium as prescribed can cause side effects, so when you misuse this drug you increase that risk significantly.

    Another big danger of not getting Librium addiction treatment when you need it is having an overdose, which can be fatal. The amount of the drug that will trigger an overdose and put you at risk of dying varies and depends on many individual factors. There is no way to know what amount will cause an overdose, but the risk is higher if you mix Librium with other depressants, including opioids, alcohol, and other benzodiazepines.

    An overdose on depressants like Librium or a combination of these drugs, with or without alcohol, occurs because of the slowing down of the central nervous system. This controls your breathing and heart rate. Too much of a depressant can slow activity down to the point that you stop breathing. This can quickly become fatal and should be treated as a medical emergency.

    If you continue to misuse Librium and avoid relapse you will continue to experience the Librium addiction side effects that can impact all areas of your life. With an active addiction you will be at a greater risk for complications like developing a mental illness, experiencing memory loss, getting in an accident and being injured or assaulted, developing physical health problems, getting into trouble at home, at work, at school or with the law, and having financial difficulties.

    Inpatient vs. Outpatient Librium Rehab

    As you begin to explore your options for Librium treatment for addiction, a big choice to make is whether you want to stay in a residential facility or stay at home and participate in outpatient treatment. There are pros and cons of each that you’ll need to weigh. No single type of rehab or treatment is best for everyone.

    Inpatient care offers a lot of significant benefits for treating chlordiazepoxide addiction:

    • Residential facilities offer you the chance to focus on treatment for an extended period of time without the distractions of home.
    • At an inpatient treatment center you will have a safe environment, free from temptations.
    • You will also benefit from 24-hour care and supervision.
    • If you do not have supportive family at home or anyone to stay with, rehab can provide somewhere to live while you work toward recovery.
    • A residential facility can offer a greater variety of services, including detox, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare services.
    • At a residential center you will also get access to more types of therapy and treatments.
    • Inpatient programs are staffed by several experts in different areas, including counselors, psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, and therapists.

    There are also important benefits of outpatient addiction treatment. These include enjoying the comfort of home instead of staying in a residential facility. If your family is supportive and comforting, it can be better to stay home. An outpatient program also takes up less time and can allow you to spend time with family, take care of responsibilities, and continue going to work or school.

    Each of these options has downsides too, of course, but most of the benefits and disadvantages are personal. You have to choose the option that makes sense for your needs, your current situation, and your lifestyle. But, also consider the severity of your addiction. You may want to stay at home and get outpatient treatment, but if you are at serious risk of relapsing, consider inpatient care.

    Factors to Consider When Choosing a Librium Rehab Facility

    Once you have decided between inpatient and outpatient care, you need to consider other factors to make your final decision. Some will be practical, like cost and location. Be sure you can afford the treatment you choose and be aware of any costs not covered by your private insurance or other insurance plan. Once you have these practicalities figured out, you can investigate the other important factors in being treated for addiction.

    A good rehab center will address all of your mental health and addiction needs. For instance, if you have alcoholism along with your Librium addiction, both should be addressed and managed at the same time. You should also be screened for and diagnosed with any existing mental illnesses. A mental health issue, like depression or anxiety, is typical with substance abuse. Both must be treated together for the best outcomes.

    It is also important to look for a facility that will create an individualized treatment plan for you. Everyone is different and responds better to some types of treatment and therapy than others. The most effective plan will take into account your needs, abilities, limitations, and preferences.

    Choose a facility that offers several different types of therapy, because you may need to try more than one to have the best outcome. Most drug addiction treatment plans include different types of behavioral therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic experiencing therapy, and motivational interviewing. You may respond better to one over another, so it is best to have options.

    A good rehab should include a focus on relapse prevention and aftercare. Relapse prevention is an aspect of treatment that teaches you specific tools and helps you come up with strategies to avoid using Librium again once out of treatment. This is essential and should be a part of any treatment plan. Aftercare services are more important for residential care. They should include ongoing therapy, support group attendance, family involvement, and other strategies for a smooth transition out of rehab.

    How Long Does Librium Stay in Your System? The Importance of Detox

    In choosing your treatment plan and rehab facility, consider the necessity of going through a detox. Librium withdrawal effects are uncomfortable, can lead to relapse, and can even be dangerous or fatal in some situations. Detox is an important step in the treatment process that can’t be overlooked. Librium can stay in your system anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

    With a benzodiazepine like Librium it is never recommended to try to detox alone or unsupervised. Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome can cause anxiety, irritability and mood swings, insomnia, tremors, sweating, headaches, nausea, difficulty thinking, and heart palpitations. It can also, in more severe cases, cause psychosis, a mental health crisis, and seizures. It can be deadly.

    As you choose your Librium rehab, remember that you need supervised detox. Some treatment programs will include detox while others will expect you to have detoxed before you arrive. In the latter case, be sure to find a facility experienced with managing benzodiazepine withdrawal. You must be medically supervised to reduce your intake of Librium slowly and safely.

    There are many factors to consider when you begin looking for Librium rehab for yourself or someone you care about. The most important thing you can do is start this journey to recovery. There are so many risks and potential negative consequences associated with misusing and being addicted to Librium. Taking action now is essential for your future and for a solid recovery.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find the Best Rehab for Tranxene Addiction

    How to Find the Best Rehab for Tranxene Addiction

    Looking for a Tranxene rehab? Our guide can help you find the right treatment center.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Tranxene and How is it Used?
    2. Possible Symptoms in Tranxene/Clorazepate Users
    3. Tranxene Dependence
    4. Tranxene Addiction
    5. Possible Symptoms of Tranxene Abuse and/or Addiction
    6. Detox Comes Before Active Treatment in Rehab
    7. Next Stop: An Addiction Treatment Program
    8. Outpatient Care and Inpatient Care
    9. Proven Treatment and Recovery Options
    10. Picking the Right Addiction Program

    If you or someone you know has a Tranxene addiction, your future well-being depends on your ability to find the appropriate resources for treatment. However, what do you do when you can’t tell quality programs from those that don’t meet accepted standards for care?

    First, you must increase your understanding of how substance abuse can turn into addiction. In addition, you must spend some time learning the basics of effective rehabilitation. And to receive the best possible care, you must also learn how to focus on programs that combine core addiction expertise with personalized plans suitable for even the most unique treatment circumstances.

    What is Tranxene and How is it Used?

    Tranxene is the branded trade name of a medication called clorazepate (i.e., clorazepate dipotassium). It belongs to a widely prescribed group of substances called benzodiazepines. Members of this group can be used as anti-anxiety treatments (i.e., anxiolytics), sedatives or tranquilizers. Each approved use is based on benzodiazepines’ ability to decrease the amount of activity generated in your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

    Tranxene and other members of this large family achieve an activity decrease by boosting levels of a natural chemical in your brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). When GABA levels rise, they essentially limit the maximum speed at which individual nerve cells can communicate. To a person who takes a benzodiazepine, this effect translates into feelings such as sedation (a reduced sense of irritation or agitation), calmness and relaxation.

    Given the similarities in the ways these prescription drugs work, it’s not surprising that they share large parts of their chemical structures. However, their impact is far from identical. While there’s plenty of overlap, any given benzodiazepine can differ from its family members in three basic ways. First, it can reach your bloodstream at a faster or slower rate. Once it reaches your brain, its effects can last for a shorter or longer amount of time. And once it loses its effectiveness, it can take a shorter or longer period of time to clear your system.

    The differences in how benzodiazepines act in your body are tied to the specific reasons that doctors prescribe them. Some medications of this type act as frontline treatments for seizure disorders. Others act as treatments for alcohol withdrawal or as temporary relief for severe cases of insomnia. In addition, benzodiazepines are often used as short- or long-term treatments for a group of mental illnesses known as anxiety disorders.

    Tranxene’s most common use is as an anxiety disorder treatment. Your doctor may prescribe it for either short-term symptom relief or ongoing control of long-term symptoms. Doctors also sometimes use it to ease the symptoms of both seizure disorders and alcohol withdrawal. The prescription drug comes in the form of a standard, non-extended-release tablet. Three dosage strengths are available.

    When you take Tranxene,its effects take hold quite rapidly. In fact, it will begin to alter your brain function in as little as half an hour. The medication is also short-acting. Depending on your level of intake and other factors, it takes only three to eight hours for an individual dose to wear off.

    In the U.S., clorazepate is also available under the brand name Gen-Xene. In addition, you may receive a generic equivalent labeled as clorazepate dipotassium. When used illicitly, prescription drugs are sometimes identified by specific street names. But Tranxene does not appear to have a commonly used informal name. Benzodiazepines in general, however, may be referred to by street names such as:

    • Benzos
    • Tranks
    • Blues
    • Chill Pills
    • Downers

    Possible Symptoms in Tranxene/Clorazepate Users

    If you take Tranxene or generic clorazepate, you may develop any one of a range of side effects. Specific symptoms you may experience include:

    • Lightheadedness
    • Fatigue
    • Sleepiness
    • Headaches
    • A confused mental state
    • A nervous mental state
    • Lack of normal saliva production

    Medical attention is only required if these symptoms persist over time or take a severe form.

    Use of the medication can also trigger side effects that always require immediate evaluation by a doctor. This list of symptoms in this more serious category includes:

    • The appearance of a rash on your skin
    • Blurry vision
    • Double vision
    • Slurring of your speech
    • Involuntary muscle tremors
    • Loss of your normal sense of balance

    You should also contact your physician if any other unexpected symptoms appear.

    Long-acting benzodiazepines are known for their potential to trigger an overdose. This power is due, in large part, to the amount of these substances that can build up in your bloodstream over time. Since your body eliminates Tranxene rapidly, its use does not come with the same degree of overdose concern. Despite this fact, an overdose is still possible if you use this prescription drug in excessive amounts.

    You can seriously increase your chances of life-threatening problems if you ever combine the use of clorazepate with the use of opioid drugs or medications. The same fact applies if you drink alcohol while taking the medication. Why?

    Opioids and alcohol both slow down your central nervous system, just like Tranxene and other benzodiazepines. When you take these substances together, they have an additive effect. This means you will experience more of a system slowdown than you would if you took any of these substances by themselves. The effect can easily exceed your body’s limits for normal, safe function. The end result can be a medical emergency with symptoms such as extreme drowsiness, intense lightheadedness, slowed breathing or other breathing problems, and unresponsive loss of consciousness.

    The combination of opioids and benzodiazepines is of particular concern. That’s true because many people who hold prescriptions for Tranxene or similar treatments also hold prescriptions for opioid painkillers. In these situations, even small errors in dosage or increases in consumption can have major negative consequences. In fact, nearly one-third of all Americans who overdose on an opioid also have a benzodiazepine circulating in their systems.

    Tranxene Dependence

    Dependence is a possibility even if you take Tranxene at dosages prescribed by your doctors. Doctors and other health experts use the term dependence to describe certain changes in your normal brain function. These changes make your brain reliant on continued medication use in order to maintain a stable chemical environment. Dependence may be more likely if you take this prescription drug as a long-term treatment for seizures or anxiety.

    If you bring your intake to a quick halt after dependence sets in, you stand a high chance of developing a significant case of Tranxene withdrawal. The same issue can also appear if you abruptly switch from a high dosage of the medication to a low dosage. Potential withdrawal symptoms you may experience include:

    • Seizures or convulsions
    • Memory disruptions
    • A nervous or irritable mental state
    • Insomnia
    • Abdominal cramps
    • Achy or cramping muscles
    • Unusual sweating
    • Uncontrollable body tremors
    • Diarrhea
    • A confused mental state
    • Vomiting

    If you take high dosages of a short-acting benzodiazepine like Tranxene, your symptoms may take a severe form.

    Despite the potential for withdrawal, clorazepate dependence is not synonymous with addiction. If you become dependent, your doctor can alter your dosage or take other steps to manage your health and help you remain functional. In stark contrast, the hallmark of addiction is an unstable state of health that disrupts your ability to avoid serious, substance-related harm.

    Tranxene Addiction

    Some people may become addicted even when using the medication appropriately. However, addiction is more often associated with some form of prescription drug misuse or abuse. You can misuse or abuse clorazepate in three ways. First, if you don’t have a prescription for it, intake of even a single dose of Tranxene is illicit and improper. You can also engage in misuse/abuse if you hold a prescription but fail to follow the terms of that prescription. In these circumstances, consumption of individual excessive doses qualifies as abuse or misuse. You also meet the same standard if you consume normal doses at intervals that are too close together.

    Tranxene addiction falls under the larger heading of an officially defined mental health condition called sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder. Doctors and addiction specialists can also apply this diagnosis to cases of non-addicted abuse that are serious enough to disrupt key aspects of your life.

    Possible Symptoms of Tranxene Abuse and/or Addiction

    You can have a maximum of 11 separate symptoms of sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder. At the low end, you must suffer from at least two of these symptoms in a 365-day timespan to receive a diagnosis. In moderately affected people, four or five symptoms are present. At least six symptoms affect the health of severely impacted people. When making a diagnosis in Tranxene users, doctors and other experts check for:

    • Repeated use of excessive single doses of the prescription drug
    • A recurring pattern of taking it too often
    • The appearance of strong substance cravings during various times of the day
    • Reliance on medication misuse/abuse as a favored leisure activity
    • Tolerance to the drug effects of typical doses of Tranxene
    • Use of the medication that repeatedly endangers your own physical safety or that of others
    • Refusing to change your habitual use after it produces obvious signs of harming your mental or physical well-being
    • Refusing to change your habitual use after it produces obvious signs of disrupting your most meaningful relationships
    • Scheduling your day around your need to obtain the medication, use it or recover from its drug effects
    • Shirking or otherwise failing to meet important obligations as a result of your prescription drug use
    • Appearance of the same withdrawal syndrome that affects dependent users of Tranxene

    Detox Comes Before Active Treatment in Rehab

    Before you can undertake active enrollment in a substance program, you must go through a course of medical detox (also known as medical detoxification). Detox is designed to provide proper support while you break away from your habitual pattern of substance abuse/misuse. It can take months to go through this process if you’re addicted to a long-acting benzodiazepine. However, it takes far less time to detox from a short-acting product like clorazepate.

    Benzodiazepine detox differs from many other forms of medical detoxification. To begin with, it does not involve the use of other types of medications to ease the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms. Instead, effective treatment is provided by gradually lowering your level of benzodiazepine consumption. This approach aims to stabilize your system while keeping you as free as possible from any withdrawal-related problems. At this stage, you may undergo a switch to a less powerful option from the same prescription drug family. Diazepam (Valium) is the common treatment choice in these circumstances.

    During detox, your doctor may aim to completely halt your medication intake. This abstinence-based approach prepares you for a life in which benzodiazepine use does not play a role. However, if you have ongoing problems with an anxiety disorder or seizure disorder, your doctor may decide to take another approach. Instead of halting intake use altogether, you may taper down to a lower level of intake. In this way, you will still receive the help you need for your anxiety or seizure symptoms.

    Next Stop: An Addiction Treatment Program

    The efforts you make to complete detox can quickly go to waste if you don’t continue on to enrollment in addiction treatment. For this reason, rehab is considered an essential component of any recovery process. There are several reasons why rehabilitation plays such a vital role.

    Perhaps most importantly, detox does not provide you with an opportunity to understand how and why addiction has become part of your life. It also doesn’t help you address the underlying behaviors and attitudes that help keep a pattern of substance abuse alive. In contrast, these important objectives are at the core of effective rehab programs.

    Rehab addiction treatment also supports your recovery in other ways. For example, while you’re enrolled in treatment, your care team will help you avoid relapsing back into active substance abuse. During participation, you can also reduce or eliminate your exposure to places or situations that make abuse more probable.

    Outpatient Care and Inpatient Care

    In consultation with your doctor, you can choose the best setting for receiving required care. If you only suffer from two or three symptoms of addiction, your doctor may recommend that you enroll in outpatient treatment. This form of care gives you the freedom to live at home while still receiving the help needed to support your recovery. To gain access to that help, you make regular visits to your program’s main location.

    If you suffer from more than three addiction symptoms, your doctor may instead recommend that you seek help by enrolling in inpatient treatment. This form of care requires you to reside onsite for the duration of your rehab program. While in residence, you receive ongoing oversight from your care team.

    This ready availability cuts down any risks for unforeseen treatment complications. And if complications do occur, you’ll have prompt access to medical assistance. Inpatient addiction treatment also simplifies the process of modifying or updating the specifics of your recovery plan. If you’re severely impacted by addiction, you may go through a period of hospitalization before continuing on to an inpatient facility.

    Even if you only experience two or three symptoms of Tranxene addiction, inpatient care may be better for you than outpatient care. That’s especially true if you have an anxiety disorder, personality disorder (PD) or any other life-disrupting mental health condition. When they overlap, substance issues and separate mental health issues can make a successful recovery much more difficult to achieve. Residential treatment may be essential for providing the needed level of help.

    You may also decide to enter residential rehabilitation for a couple of other reasons. For example, your home life might not be stable enough to support your recovery needs. In addition, you may want to purposefully isolate yourself so you can avoid any harmful influences in your daily life. Conversely, you may choose outpatient care over inpatient care if you lack the funds or scheduling flexibility for residential treatment.

    Proven Treatment and Recovery Options

    Unlike some types of substance treatment, benzodiazepine-related care does not focus on the use of medication. Instead, most of the assistance you receive will come in the form of behavioral psychotherapy. This modern school of treatment uses active methods to help you address the deep-seated habits that provide support for abuse and addiction.

    If you’re addicted to a benzodiazepine, you have three evidence-based options for behavioral psychotherapy. Perhaps the most common choice is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT starts by helping you realize how your typical behaviors and thoughts can bind you to a cycle of addiction. It follows up on this insight by helping you make changes that break that cycle and promote short- and long-term sobriety.

    Programs may also use a motivation-based therapy designed to help you come to grips with the need for addiction treatment rehab. A specific approach called motivational enhancement therapy is often used for this purpose. In addition, you may receive something called psychoeducation. This family-centered approach to therapy helps you and your loved ones improve your knowledge of addiction and its widespread impact. It also helps you learn how to speak up for yourself during treatment and voice any concerns.

    Picking the Right Addiction Program

    Now that you’ve improved your understanding of how programs for Tranxene addiction treatment work, you can begin choosing the right program for your needs. For starters, you should exclude any option that does not follow the accepted model for proper treatment. That model is based on medical detox followed by active recovery techniques proven to produce benefits.

    Any program you consider should be staffed with experienced experts who know how to deal with addiction in its many forms. A call to that program’s hotline should provide you with ready answers to all your questions. If necessary, the person you speak to should also be able to direct you to additional resources.

    At the start of treatment, the first thing you should expect is an intake interview that includes a complete health assessment. That assessment should cover all topics that have an impact on your odds for effective rehabilitation. In addition to your addiction symptoms, that includes the presence or absence of PD, anxiety disorders or other notable mental illnesses.

    Be aware that the best programs do much more than cover the basics in a competent way. They take a wider perspective that views addiction as just one part of your unique personal situation. By doing so, they make it much more likely that you will make effective progress on your path to sobriety. Specific things to look for in exemplary programs include supportive care options (e.g., stress management, yoga) and advanced treatments like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing).

    Bear in mind that the right facility improves your odds for success, but it won’t do the work for you. The main factor in your recovery remains your commitment to the process. But without a doubt, it’s best to maximize your chances by choosing your treatment destination wisely.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Finding Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction

    Finding Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction

    Are you looking for lorazepam addiction treatment? Our guide can help you find the treatment you need.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Lorazepam and What is it Used For?
    2. Other Names for Lorazepam
    3. Lorazepam Side Effects
    4. Lorazepam Overdose
    5. Lorazepam Addiction
    6. Symptoms of Lorazepam Addiction
    7. Lorazepam Withdrawal Effects and Detox
    8. Lorazepam Addiction Treatment

    Lorazepam is a prescription drug that doctors prescribe primarily as a treatment for anxiety. Its purpose is to provide relaxation. While this drug can be beneficial, it also comes with risk. The problem is that it can be habit-forming, which creates a high risk that it will lead to lorazepam abuse and addiction.

    This drug can cause withdrawal symptoms, so it’s a good idea to stop its use with the help of medical professionals. If you need assistance, a detox and rehab program can help your body and mind adjust to no longer receiving the drug. A high-quality, customized treatment program may help you recover and change your life for the better.

    What is Lorazepam and What is it Used For?

    Lorazepam is in the drug class of benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos. These drugs are tranquilizers that provide a sedative effect. Like other benzodiazepines, Lorazepam depresses the central nervous system. It slows the brain’s activity to provide a calming effect, with the intention of relieving anxiety. Lorazepam comes in tablet, injection and liquid concentrate forms.

    This medication is used to help the various difficult symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which features a higher than normal level of anxiety or worry for six months or longer. This disorder is also characterized by irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating and other symptoms.

    While this drug is mainly prescribed to treat anxiety, it is also used for other health conditions and situations. These include:

    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia or other sleep difficulties
    • Irritable bowel syndrome
    • Alcohol withdrawal
    • Nausea and vomiting associated with cancer treatment
    • Pre-anesthesia medication

    Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to people, and Lorazepam is included in the top five most prescribed of this type of drug.

    Other Names for Lorazepam

    Lorazepam is the generic name for this drug. The main brand names are Ativan and Lorazepam Intensol. Nonetheless, Lorazepam is also sold illicitly and is not always referred to as its generic or brand names. You might instead hear Lorazepam called by its street names, which include:

    • Benzos
    • Downers
    • Tranqs/tranks
    • Nerve pills

    Lorazepam Side Effects

    The use of Lorazepam may come with a long list of potential side effects. Some of the most serious side effects are cause for seeking immediate medical attention. These include:

    • Fever
    • Trouble breathing
    • Trouble swallowing
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • A consistent tremor
    • Inability to sit still
    • A shuffling walk
    • Yellowing of the skin and eyes
    • A severe skin rash

    This drug can also cause other side effects that are considered serious if you experience them at a severe level or if they persist. These include:

    • Feeling dizzy, drowsy, tired or weak
    • Feeling restless
    • Experiencing changes in appetite or sex drive
    • Difficult or frequent urination
    • Nausea or diarrhea
    • Dry mouth
    • Constipation
    • Blurred vision

    If you experience any of these or other side effects while taking Lorazepam, you should talk to your doctor.

    In addition, various dangerous side effects can occur from taking Lorazepam along with other types of prescription medicines or other substances. Combining Lorazepam with various medications has the potential to cause sedation, coma or breathing problems that can become life-threatening. You should discuss any other medications you’re taking with your doctor before you take Lorazepam. Also, combining this drug with alcohol or other street drugs can lead to dangerous side effects.

    Lorazepam Overdose

    Taking Lorazepam also has the potential for overdose. A Lorazepam overdose comes with signs such as:

    • Seizures
    • Collapsing
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Not waking up

    If signs of overdose happen, call 911 immediately.

    Lorazepam Addiction

    An addiction to Lorazepam can start by first taking the drug legally according to a doctor’s prescription. Then you can become dependent on it and turn to illegal sources of obtaining more of the drug. It’s also possible to use this drug illicitly from the start. It’s sold illicitly for different purposes, including for the euphoric feeling it creates and for the intention of drugging someone to perform a sexual assault. Also, people often take Lorazepam with other substances either to enhance the effects or to counteract unwanted side effects, such as agitation that can come from using cocaine.

    Lorazepam has a high risk of abuse. Its use can turn into drug misuse or Lorazepam abuse, meaning that you use the drug differently than its prescription use. For example, you might take higher doses than intended or continue finding the drug and using it after your prescription runs out.

    Short-term use of up to four weeks has less of a risk of dependence, while ongoing use of this addictive drug can cause both physical and psychological dependence. One problem that can contribute to dependence is that the conditions this drug is used for, such as anxiety, tend to be ongoing rather than short-term. This may cause people to continue using the drug as a long-term way to manage their symptoms, encouraging the risk of dependence. In many cases, doctors extend the prescription and contribute to the risk.

    When you continue to take lorazepam, your body can develop a tolerance to it. This results in needing to use more of the drug to continue getting the same effects. Your body can become accustomed to the prolonged use and high doses, so it becomes dependent on the drug. Once your body has adjusted to having the drug continuously in its system, you can experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to take it away. This means you are physically dependent on the drug, and you can also develop a psychological dependence. When you become addicted, your behaviors change as your life becomes centered on the drug use.

    Symptoms of Lorazepam Addiction

    It’s not always easy to tell if you’ve become addicted to a substance. The process can happen without you realizing it. Since this is a legal prescription drug, people don’t always take the addiction risk seriously. A main characteristic of addiction is continuing to use the drug even though it’s causing problems in your life.

    You can determine whether you have become addicted if you’re noticing signs and symptoms of Lorazepam addiction. These include:

    • Being unable or unwilling to cut back or stop using Lorazepam
    • Needing higher doses to achieve the same effects
    • Feeling like you need Lorazepam to function
    • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or stop the drug use
    • Having difficulty keeping up with work, family and other responsibilities
    • Experiencing problems from the drug use, such as legal trouble and relationship strain
    • Using more of the drug than you intended
    • Focusing your life on the drug, using it and how to get more
    • Withdrawing from people and activities that you previously engaged in

    You can also experience changes to your mental and physical health from the addiction. For example, you could experience quick weight, appetite and mood changes.

    Lorazepam Withdrawal Effects and Detox

    Even if you’re taking Lorazepam as directed by your prescription, stopping its use can cause withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, it’s not recommended that you stop using it suddenly but instead that you work with your doctor.

    Lorazepam withdrawal symptoms include:

    • Dizziness
    • Irritability
    • Tremors
    • Quick heart rate
    • Seizures
    • Nausea
    • Changes in blood pressure

    A detox program can help you safely and more comfortably get through the withdrawal period. Detox often acts as the first step of treatment before you enter a rehab program. During inpatient detox, you stay in a facility with round-the-clock monitoring and support. In many cases, you will also receive medication to manage symptoms of withdrawal. As an added benefit, staying in a detox facility keeps you away from the substance and triggers, to improve your chances of success with quitting.

    Lorazepam Addiction Treatment

    When you are ready for treatment for an addiction to lorazepam, you first need to stop using the medication. This is when entering a detox program or tapering down with your doctor is beneficial. Once the drug is out of your system and you have gotten past acute withdrawal symptoms, you can continue with rehab treatment. This type of treatment focuses on psychological dependence and the unhealthy behaviors you may have developed as part of the addiction.

    Through individual therapy, group therapy and other approaches within rehab programs, you can explore how you became addicted and learn to change your thoughts, habits and behaviors. The goal of rehab is to help you change your lifestyle from one that’s focused on drug use to one that is healthy and sober.

    Rehab can also help with co-occurring mental disorders, relationship problems that developed from the addiction and other associated concerns. Focusing on a mental disorder is particularly important in this case, because people with certain ones, such as anxiety and sleep disorders, are more likely to become addicted to benzodiazepines like Lorazepam. Also, it will be harder to stick with recovery if you treat the addiction but continue to have difficulty managing the mental disorder.

    A customized treatment plan designed to fit your specific needs will be the most helpful. Also, many treatment programs include an aftercare component aimed to keep you on track with recovery. This can help prevent relapse.

    There are different types of addiction treatment programs you can explore to find the right fit. Some people enter partial hospitalization or outpatient programs, which provide some flexibility and free time while guiding and supporting you to overcome the addiction. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides a more comprehensive treatment program that is likely to be more effective than a regular outpatient program. An IOP provides a similar level of support as an inpatient program, which is different because it involves living on-site during treatment.

    Inpatient programs are generally the most supportive and comprehensive forms of treatment. By living at the facility, your full focus is on recovering, and you are separated from the substance and the triggers of your daily life. You also receive around-the-clock support and care. These facilities tend to include a broad range of services to support your mind, body and spirit, and you also gain a deeper level of peer support from the people living on-site and sharing the experience with you.

    There are also less intensive forms of treatment, such as office visits with a professional or attending 12-step meetings. Many people need more support than what these and regular outpatient treatment offer. A common approach is to start with an intensive outpatient program or inpatient program and then to continue with one of the less-intensive forms of treatment. This can provide a better transition from rehab back to regular life, helping you prevent relapse and continue with recovery.

    Lorazepam is an addictive drug, so the risk is high that you’ll become addicted, even if you are following your prescription. If your life has become focused on Ativan or other forms of Lorazepam, treatment can help you undo your dependence and change your behaviors to have a life free of addiction.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • 5 Lessons from 5 Years of Sobriety

    5 Lessons from 5 Years of Sobriety

    When I reflect on this choice I’ve made every day for five years, I realize sobriety is a limitless resource, readily available for anyone who needs it. I won’t run out of sobriety one day if someone else becomes sober. I won’t run out if 500,000 people become sober.

    I’m entering my fifth year of sobriety this April. Finding and maintaining sobriety has been no small task and I’ve learned a lot about myself over this time. I’ve changed from who I was as a drunk and as a newly sober person to who I am now. There have been high points, low points, and everything in between.

    I’ve had many opportunities to share my experience with others: I’ve spoken at conferences, written articles for The Fix and many other online publications, been interviewed by WIRED, and been a guest on numerous podcasts and radio programs. I’ve felt scared and vulnerable sharing my stories and experiences, but on each of these occasions I’ve been rewarded with community support and increased accountability. Inevitably someone reaches out to thank me, in person or virtually. I believe this human bond we create through sharing is critical for all who struggle with addiction. 

    In this post, I am commemorating my fifth sober anniversary with a reflection on five lessons I’ve learned. Holy shit! Did you read that? I’ve been sober for five years. I didn’t know I could make it five days, let alone one year. I would have laughed if someone told me I’d make it five years. Wasn’t I just pulling a typical Victor and waiting for the fallout from one of my drunken rampages to calm down? Turns out I am able to stick with something.

    I’ve spent most of the last five years examining myself and reflecting on life. One thing is clear, I am full of contradictory thoughts and actions. We all are. As famed American poet (and proponent of being naked in nature) Walt Whitman wrote in Song of Myself:

    Do I contradict myself?
    Very well then I contradict myself,
    (I am large, I contain multitudes.)

    You will see my contradictions here and elsewhere. Let’s jump in to the lessons.

    1. Recovery Does Not Equal Recovered

    I still have cravings for alcohol. I still need to remove myself from situations that make me feel out of control. My life is not perfect and I’m not all better. I have the same shit, the same trials and temptations to deal with, but now I address them as a sober person. I don’t believe in full recovery – not for myself. I’ll define recovered as either a complete lack of interest in drinking or the ability to drink in moderation with no chance of falling back into abuse.

    I’m aware some people identify as recovered and no longer have issues. I don’t dispute their recovery but I have enough self-awareness to know this has yet to occur for me. My thoughts when I crave alcohol are to feel drunk, to overconsume, to try one more time for the elusive buzz I spent over 10 years unsuccessfully chasing. To stay successful in recovery, I need an in recovery–not recovered–mindset.

    2. Sobriety Is What You Make of It

    Sobriety without additional work has a limited impact on your life. It might be a huge impact, but the ceiling extends drastically upward when you combine it with additional work on yourself. Alcohol abuse wasn’t the only issue I had and being sober allows me to begin addressing these underlying issues. I’ve needed to continue working on myself beyond sobriety. I have areas of deficiency I’ll need to work on for years, if not forever. For the sake of brevity, I’ll refrain from listing these.

    Sobriety (from alcohol) at its most basic level is a period of time spent not drinking. I understand why many people commit to the day at a time mindset. You need to have small, achievable time frames to get through cravings, days which you spend refocusing, creating healthier habits, rebuilding or building a new life, and building your support system. Simply staying sober will heal your body. Staying sober while learning and growing will heal your mind as well.

    I haven’t always been successful at doing more than staying sober. In fact, I’ve recently gone through a year or so of backsliding when it comes to handling my anxiety and mental health and building social support, which has resulted in some drastic negative changes in some of my closest relationships. However, I have stayed sober and this has allowed me to correct my course. I’ve become proactive in using techniques to manage anxiety and I’ve pushed myself to develop new and deeper relationships with positive people who support me. I’m seeking new opportunities to grow in the right direction.

    3. Sobriety Is My Soulmate

    Sound dramatic? How about, sobriety is my rock? Sobriety is my better half? Sobriety is the one thing that has been there for me every single day for five years. Sometimes I didn’t want it around and sometimes I’ve had to fight to keep it. I’ve gained and lost a number of things over the past five years but sobriety is the one consistent positive presence in my life. I get to choose every day whether I want to keep my sobriety or not. Choosing yes for another day deepens my commitment and strengthens the neural pathways that help me resist temptation.

    When I reflect on this choice I’ve made every day for five years, I realize sobriety is a limitless resource, readily available for anyone who needs it. I won’t run out of sobriety one day if someone else becomes sober. I won’t run out of sobriety if 500,000 people become sober. Sobriety can be everyone’s soulmate simultaneously.

    Sobriety won’t leave me if I slip up. These five years are made up of a string of days where I’ve made the same choice. If I had chosen to drink on any of these days, sobriety wouldn’t be any less available to me; I could have come back the following day. In that sense, five years is meaningless. Regardless of what stage you’re at, or even if you’re just thinking about it – sobriety will be there when you’re ready for it. Sobriety won’t judge you. Sobriety doesn’t care if you had a drink yesterday, or if you’ll have another drink in a week.

    4. Drunk Conversations Are Toxic to Everyone

    I remember being the drunk who shared my philosophy of the world with anyone who’d listen. I was so smart, my insight incomparable, my language spot on. If only I could hold on to that level of confidence when I’d sober up the next day, I’d show everyone how great I was. Yet I could never muster the words or confidence when I wasn’t drunk. In sobriety, I see drunk conversations as absurd, pathetic, or sad at best. Few sober people would say the words that so comfortably spill out of the mouths of drunks.

    I still frequent bars and venues where alcohol is a focus and I still encounter plenty of drunk conversations. They fall into three categories:

    1. Drunk with plans to conquer the world. You have the ultimate plan and you know how to execute it. If only the rest of us were as excited as you are about it. You’re going to pass out before you can start making progress.
    2. Drunk with plans to conquer their date. This is disgusting. You are seducing your date with slurred words and poorly veiled references to sex. They are looking around to assess their exit strategy. Hopefully you don’t throw up on them.
    3. Drunks who are sad, whiny, or complaining about life. Bartenders find themselves having to support these conversations unless it’s a group of drunks and then it becomes a contest over who is the most aggrieved. Sometimes these folks end the night with fighting or violence. Regardless of how tough you talk or how many people you fight, drunk shit-talking still boils down to being a sad, whiny loser.

    I’ve written these three conversations out using a judgmental tone. And while I am judging, I am also aware that I’ve been an active contributor to each type of drunk conversation on dozens of occasions. I’ve done my part to give others uncomfortable experiences. I apologize for that and hope some of my work in sobriety has atoned for some of what I’ve done.

    5. Being Vulnerable Without Alcohol is More Authentic and More Rewarding

    I had what I refer to as diarrhea mouth when I would get drunk. I couldn’t stop talking. Alcohol was a truth serum for me: I could get drunk and tell you exactly what I was thinking and feeling. I could express elation, I could express sorrow. I could tell you I hate your fucking guts. The words came easy (see my previous lesson!). Speaking the truth while being vulnerable without alcohol is more difficult, but it’s also more authentic.

    I now pause before I share my thoughts and feelings. I have coherent thoughts during this pause where I calculate whether what I’m saying might be harmful to others. I also consider if what I’m saying leaves me exposed to criticism or hurt. This pause didn’t exist when I was drunk. I’m also fighting my natural tendency to withdraw from being social during the pause. Sober Victor is someone who is less comfortable sharing what is happening inside of him. I still end up saying hurtful things or oversharing in ways that might make others feel uncomfortable, but I am aware of and accept the consequences.

    My vulnerability extends beyond what I say. Writing exposes me to criticism in the form of online comments or posts in other forums. Opening myself up to written criticism from others is a reversal of how I used writing as a drunk. I used my writing to hurt people: mean texts, drunken Facebook posts, belligerent emails, and even hand-written letters were a hallmark of my absurd drunken behavior. Again, I hope the words I write now to share what I’ve learned provide some atonement for the words I’ve written to hurt people.

    Here is a sixth bonus lesson. I plan to write more about this in the near future. My reflection on my history of alcohol use has led me to conclude:

    6. I’ve Abused Alcohol Since My First Encounter

    I didn’t progressively become an alcohol abuser. Yes, my abuse became worse, but I abused from the beginning. I’m fairly certain I’ve never had a single healthy experience using alcohol. If you can relate to this, consider stopping your drinking until you can figure out if you do have an issue.

    Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. I had no concept of what five years would be like when I first stopped drinking and I’m not sure I fully understand or appreciate the magnitude of this accomplishment. I’m not sure I’d have been healthy or alive to write this if I hadn’t found sobriety.

    What do I see for the next five years? I’m committed to staying sober and I’ll need to make some adjustments to accomplish this. I have recommitted to seeking support in the form of healthy relationships with other sober people, attending support groups, journaling, and practicing mindfulness. My sobriety is not on cruise control. I also intend to stay an active contributor to The Fix and other relevant publications; I find it helps me stay accountable.

    Thank you for reading this post. Thank you for being part of my journey. Please share this with anyone who might find it useful.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Taper Off Suboxone: A Survival Guide

    How to Taper Off Suboxone: A Survival Guide

    “Fear is common and normal for a number of reasons, but the fear usually gives way to a sense of confidence and optimism when a taper is done correctly…Be patient.”

    Note: This article is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. This is merely the experience of 21 people interviewed by the author who have successfully tapered off buprenorphine-based medications (Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail, Subutex, etc.) or significantly reduced their dose. Please consult your doctor before beginning a taper. 

    After two and a half years of taking Suboxone, I’ve decided that it’s time to start the tapering process. I don’t like having to rely on this little orange film strip each morning to get out of bed, the tidal wave of nausea, being constantly hot, the restless legs, and the constipation. This is an incredibly difficult decision because Suboxone has saved my life. Additionally, studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Suboxone and found it’s reduced overdose death rates by 40 percent. 

    Some people decide that it is best for them to take Suboxone for life. Shannon has been taking 16 milligrams of Suboxone for 17 years and has no intention of tapering. She said: “I’m never getting off, why fix something that isn’t broken? I love life now. I’m a great mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and trustworthy friend to all those that know and love me. I have absolutely no shame being a lifer. I’ve been to the depths of hell and now I’m in heaven. I believe without subs, I would be dead.”

    Like Shannon, fear of relapse and withdrawals makes me terrified of coming off Suboxone. I imagine waking up panicked and glazed in sweat, running to the bathroom to puke and worst of all, the black hole of depression and existential dread that is common with opioid withdrawal. These are common fears for people coming off opioid addiction treatment medications. In order to help others like me who are interested in tapering, I researched this topic and surveyed 21 people: 13 have successfully tapered off Suboxone and eight have significantly lowered their doses and are currently at or under six milligrams per day.

    Slow Taper

    Sixteen of 21 people I surveyed reported using a slow taper to come off or lower their dose. Dr. Jeffrey Junig of the Suboxone Talk Zone Blog suggests that the optimal dose to “jump” or quit taking Suboxone is .3 mg (about 1/3 of 1 mg).

    Junig writes: “I have had many patients taper successfully off buprenorphine. Fear is common and normal for a number of reasons, but the fear usually gives way to a sense of confidence and optimism when a taper is done correctly…Be patient. Tapering by too much, or too quickly, causes withdrawal symptoms that lead to ‘yo-yos’ in dose.”

    Amanda* agrees with Junig’s advice not to try to jump from too high of a dose. She said that when she jumped from 2 mg cold turkey it was “40 days of hell.”

    To avoid a hellish experience like Amanda’s, Junig advises reducing your dose by 5% or less every two weeks or 10% every month. Sound confusing? Junig simplifies: Use scissors to cut half of an 8 mg film. Then cut half of that, then half again. Put the doses in a pill organizer so they don’t get lost or accidentally consumed by children or pets.

    Holistic Remedies

    There are a handful of holistic remedies that can help with the tapering process. Folks I surveyed said that yoga, meditation, and healthy eating are pillars of their recovery. Studies have confirmed the benefit of yoga for improving quality of life in those withdrawing from opioids as it alleviates anxiety, restless legs, insomnia, and even nausea.

    Sarah said: “I tapered with a clean diet with digestible nutrient-dense food and smoothies and stayed hydrated. I got plenty of sun, used yoga and exercise too.”

    Others recommended vitamins and other supplements including: L-Tyrosine, DLPA, Vitamin C, Omega 3 Fish Oil, and ashwagandha. They used melatonin for sleep and Kava tea for relaxation. (Consult your physician before taking any supplements. Even benign substances may interact with other medications or have unintended side effects.)

    Marijuana

    Four out of 21 people polled used marijuana to deal with the difficult side effects of tapering off Suboxone. Barry said: “I know that some people may not see marijuana as a way that should be used to taper, but for me I was desperate to try anything that worked. I consider marijuana a lesser of evils. It helped with restless legs, nausea, pain, and anxiety.”

    Marijuana may now be a viable option for those who wish to try it, because it’s now legal for medical use in 29 states and for recreational use in nine states plus Washington DC. Unlike opioids, marijuana provides pain relief with a lower risk of addiction and nearly no risk of overdose. Plus, comprehensive studies like this one from the American Pain Society found that medical cannabis use is associated with a 64 percent decrease in opiate medication use.

    While studies have supported the use of marijuana to reduce opioid use, further research needs to be done as reported in the The Daily Beast. Dr. Junig also advises that patients should not start new mood-altering, addictive substances in order to taper off Suboxone.

    CBD Oil

    Three of the Suboxone patients polled were able to taper with the help of cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil. Experts emphasize the distinction between marijuana and CBD oil: CBD oil is not psychoactive, meaning that it doesn’t make patients feel “high” like the THC in marijuana. CBD oil may be a more viable option for people in states where marijuana has not been legalized and also for those who do not want mood altering affects, but strictly relief from physical symptoms. “I used CBD oil during the taper because pot isn’t legal in my state and it helped with restless legs, sleep, and anxiety,” Pablo said.

    A 2015 study in Neurotherapeutics examined the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol as a treatment for opioid addiction. They found that CBD oil is effective in reducing the addictive properties of opioids, mitigating withdrawals, and lessening heroin-related cravings. Specifically, it relieved physical symptoms such as: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, sweating, cramping, muscle spasm. Additionally, it treats mental symptoms like anxiety, agitation, insomnia, and restlessness. The study states CBD oil is effective with minimal side effects and toxicity.

    Kratom

    In our survey, the people who tried kratom claim that the herb is a controversial yet effective way for tapering from Suboxone. Some experts agree. According to the Mayo Clinic: “In Asia, people have used kratom in small amounts to reduce fatigue or treat opium addiction. In other parts of the world, people take kratom to ease withdrawal, feel more energetic, relieve pain, or reduce anxiety or depression.”

    Four of the individuals surveyed used kratom for tapering off Suboxone. Christine said, “I was very tired when coming off Suboxone, so kratom helped give me the energy to work, clean my house, and take care of my kids.”

    Cristopher R. McCurdy, PhD, a professor of medicinal chemistry at University of Florida’s College of Pharmacy in Gainesville, studies kratom. McCurdy told WebMD: “I definitely believe there is legitimacy to using kratom to self-treat an opiate addiction.”

    Despite these positive reviews, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD caution that kratom can also lead to addiction and withdrawal. According to an article on WebMD, “There’s little research on the herb’s effects on people, and some experts say it also can be addictive. The herb is illegal in six states and the District of Columbia, and the Drug Enforcement Administration is considering labeling it as a Schedule I drug…For now, the agency calls it a ‘drug of concern.’”

    Pharmaceutical Remedies

    Five of the people surveyed said that they tapered with the support of medications prescribed by their doctors to treat individual withdrawal symptoms. It is best that patients talk with their doctors and addiction professionals to see if a particular medication is right for their situation.

    Happy tapering! I plan on writing more in the future about my experience and progress tapering off Suboxone. If you’re embarking on this journey, I wish you luck!

    The names of some individuals have been changed to respect their privacy.

    Have you successfully tapered off Suboxone or methadone? Or are you a “lifer” like Shannon? We’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and tips in the comment section.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Eddie Pepitone: From Falling Down Drunk to Sober Stand Up

    Eddie Pepitone: From Falling Down Drunk to Sober Stand Up

    Comedy is totally addictive! It hits the part of the brain that drugs do. The love me love me I’m home I’m home part (that is when it goes well). You feel exhilarated because you are the center of attention.

    I was a few months out of my second rehab facility when a friend and fellow stand up comic handed me a DVD, a documentary about comedian Eddie Pepitone called The Bitter Buddha. I was riveted by the documentary – not only was this man talking about real things that matter on stage (while I was mostly doing sex humor) but he was sober! And had been for a very long time.

    I declared him my favorite comic and waited anxiously for his first Netflix special to come out, In Ruins. I actually planned to go to the taping in Brooklyn, but then I relapsed. And I came back. And I relapsed. And I came back.

    My first article for The Fix was about giving up marijuana. I left out the role Eddie played in that, but here we are. 

    Last February I planned to go to LA, where Eddie lived, for some shows. I also planned to get a medical marijuana card. I emailed Eddie that I was his self-appointed very biggest fan, and he agreed to meet. We made plans. This was it! I was going to meet my comedy idol! And he was sober! But surely, I thought, he probably smoked weed. Living in California and all, and how could anyone even do comedy without imbibing in something at least–at the very least–after the show. (As if I could ever wait that long.)

    I planned to meet Eddie at a vegan restaurant and then go to a play. But first, that day I took a girl I met at a meeting to Harry Potter world. And then when I dropped her off, I had to get super super stoned to make up for the few hours I couldn’t. And then I was on the phone with the sponsor I had at the time yelling about how I was going to be late. And then I just had to stop at a dispensary.

    I was late to dinner. So late, in fact, that the first thing Eddie ever said to me was, “I ordered you dinner. And I ate it all.”

    So we go to the venue and my car just stinks like weed, which Eddie noticed. He brought it up, and when I heard him say the word I got super excited. I knew it! He does smoke weed! This is all the validation I have ever needed!

    However, I was wrong. He was bringing up weed to tell me it was the last thing he quit; that after that was when his career really started; that marijuana dampens the dreaming mechanism. The hole in my gut raged, as I knew he was right. After that I kept in touch with him more. He has helped me so much, and I know he can also help you.

    I have relapsed since then, most often the same old story other chronically relapsing comics tell me: hanging out too late, too good a set, too bad a set. There are a ton of us out here, and I’m sure there are more in other industries, building it all up in the periods of sobriety, then – at best – coasting on those wins during periods of relapse, and starting all over again when we get scared enough. 

    Yet there are a number of comedians I know with sustained, continuous, joyous sobriety. Those are the ones I wanted to talk to, the ones whose secrets I desperately wanted to know, the ones who seem to hold all the horcruxes that I can’t find. 

    So I asked Eddie.

    The Fix: What is the hardest thing about being sober in the comedy industry?

    Eddie Pepitone: Feeling like you’re missing out on an exceptional post-show high. Comedy is all about the adrenaline rush, and booze and weed intensify it and make you feel like a god. Also, comedy is such an intense brain-centric art. I miss turning it off with pot. The brain relaxes with pot.

    What is the best thing about being sober in comedy?

    Feels so great to do it sober and kick ass. I actually remember everything and I did it without drugs! Also [I’m] much sharper when I’m not high. I create more sober and am surprisingly much [more] fearless. I see stoner comedians flounder sloppily a lot.

    How did you deal in the early days of sobriety?

    Early days I did (as I tend to do now) split right away after I perform and stay out of trouble. I can hang now if I want and not feel as needy but I usually get bored after a while.

    What do you think it is about comedy that attracts so many addicts? Or addicts that are attracted to comedy?

    Comedy is totally addictive! It hits the part of the brain that drugs do. The love me love me I’m home I’m home part (that is when it goes well). You feel exhilarated because you are the center of attention (what addict isn’t about me me me???). The pace of jokes, the racing mind, the intoxication of the good looking crowd. THE VALIDATION.

    What advice would you give to comedians who struggle with chronic relapse?

    Chronic relapse and being a comic is super hard, so preventative measures need to be taken. TAKE CARE OF THE MIND/BODY. Meditation practice (tough because comics thrive on chaos and have little discipline) but you have to try to slow down and get a good foundation during the day. Try to stabilize endless desires for sex and excitement by letting go of intense fantasy life. Yoga, 12-step meetings, a couple of sober or even-keeled friends (but I find all this hard as my habits are so ingrained). Gym and exercise helped me. 

    Any other advice you think is helpful?

    Build up sobriety slowly. Feel the good feelings of not being fucked up and achieving stuff. It’s so nice not to be hungover. When depressed, talk to a deep friend who gets you.

    That deep friend, for me, is the one and only Eddie Pepitone. Sometimes when I’m lonely and don’t want to bother him, I listen to his podcast, Pep Talks, in which he is exactly how he always is: brilliant and authentic and brazenly self-aware. 

    Thank you Eddie, for being a light that shines the way out of the dark. And to all my fellow chronic relapsers out there: all we have to do is stay sober ONE MORE TIME than we got drunk.

    View the original article at thefix.com