Tag: Answer Addiction

When it comes to treating an addiction problem, counseling in addiction recovery is one of the most common and widely used processes for addressing even the most brutal of substance abuse habits. Addiction counseling can appear in many different forms, and there are perhaps dozens if not hundreds of different types of counseling methods nationwide. Counseling can be performed on a one-on-one basis, or it can be provided on a group basis. Regardless of the type and style of the therapy, all counseling methods are thought to be useful, if they are delivered under the right circumstances, and the proper techniques are chosen for the patients.

It is rarely believed that any particular counseling method is “better” than any other. The importance rests in ensuring that those who take part in counseling can have selection and variety in the counseling methods that they take part in so that everyone can find something that works for them and that is significantly helpful. When it comes to pairing clients with counseling modalities, it becomes more of a task of finding and utilizing a method that will resonate well with the individual as opposed to picking a method that is “more effective” than others.

It is essential for addiction treatment centers to not only be prolific but also to be able to offer options in their treatment.  When people are contemplating going to a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, they can really work hard to get the tools and skills to finally beat addiction for life. When people go into a treatment program, it takes some work to accomplish a full recovery, but people can take part in a variety of different recovery methods to do this efficiently. The key here is that clients of rehab centers have options and that they can choose for their needs and preferences.

The Need for Addiction Treatment Today

The need for effective and helpful drug and alcohol addiction treatment has never been as high as it is now. While it might take some effort to conquer an addiction struggle, people who attempt to do this are rewarded by finally being able to overcome even the worst substance abuse habits with the right recovery method. In this way, even people who feel as though they will be addicted to drugs and alcohol for the rest of their lives can get help and recover.

Never in the history of this country has the need for substance abuse treatment centers ever been as great as it is today. And, never has there been so many people addicted to drugs and alcohol with substance abuse problems as severe as the ones that people currently have today.

In the 21st century, drug and alcohol abuse has become a nationwide epidemic, creating a wave of addiction the likes of which were never really thought possible. Now, people who never would have expected to abuse substances are getting addicted, and the call to finding recovery and rehab solutions has never been more significant. Thankfully, the numbers of substance abuse treatment centers in this country have also been growing, effectively giving those who struggle with addiction a more capable and efficient approach to the problem.

Changing Lives With Counseling in Addiction Recovery

Counseling in addiction recovery becomes a necessary and needed approach for people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction in this country. It is essential for helping recovering addicts make a breakthrough in their recovery.  A counselor at a rehab or an outpatient facility can help a recovering addict change their lives by assisting them in understanding the causes of their addiction and how to avoid going down that path again.

Addiction counseling is useful in that it serves to help people find out the fundamental approaches that they need to take if they want to beat addiction for life. With the importance of counseling, a treatment center must apply various kinds of addiction counseling. Many rehab centers made a point to offer multiple methods of counseling in their recovery program. Some of the counseling methods that are offered include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Moral Reconation Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Relapse Prevention
• Twelve Step Group Therapy
• SMART Recovery
• Secular Counseling
• Life Skills Counseling
• Coping Strategies

These are just some of the counseling and therapy methods that can help an addict turn their lives around.  For more information about counseling in addiction recovery, call today. Let us help you on the road to long-term recovery.

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Each decade seems to usher in a whole new trend in drug abuse. What was popular forty years ago is being replaced by new synthetic drugs and potent prescription drugs. But, surprisingly, overall substance abuse rates were higher 40 years ago, then they dropped during the 1980s, and rose again in the 1990s. Surveys show that usage rates for many drugs are at the lowest levels since the surveys began in 1975, conducted by Monitoring the Future. This is due in part to the fact that we are being more honest with teens today about the effects of drugs and the dangers of following teen drug abuse trends just because it’s the newest thing to do for fun.

Decades of Getting High: Impact of Peer Pressure on Teens

Anyone who has had teenagers in their lives can attest that peer pressure has more of an impact on a teen than family relationships, cultural norms, or education programs. Teens usually worry more about what their friends think and whether they fit in with the crowd than about what their parents think. Many of these teens will be led to drug use and abuse by their friends, just as they have for decades.

Researchers believe that misinformation and false messages were spread about drugs during the 1960s and this led to higher rates of drug use in the 1970s. Marijuana and heroin were popular and some Harvard professors promoted LSD use. Teachers even told teens that marijuana use would cause acne, sterility, and blindness. They thought this fear tactic would keep the kids away from marijuana use, but teenagers figured out the manipulation and felt even more comfortable using the drug.

Parents, educators, and society as a whole have learned from past mistakes about teen drug abuse trends and are now being honest with teens about drug dangers. With proper education about the consequences of drug abuse, teens can make informed choices.

Teen Drug Abuse Trends Yesterday and Today

It’s hard to imagine, but back in the 70s, more teens reported drug and alcohol use than today’s teens. In 1975, these were the most commonly abused drugs by high school seniors:

• 47.3% used marijuana
• 22.3% used amphetamines
• 18.2% used sedatives (barbiturates)
• 17% used tranquilizers (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin)
• 11.3% used LSD
• 9.0% used cocaine

Compare those numbers to the most commonly used drugs by high school seniors in 2016:

• 44.5% used marijuana
• 10.0% used amphetamines
• 7.8% used narcotics other than heroin
• 7.6% used tranquilizers
• 6.7% used hallucinogens
• 5.2% used sedatives

Marijuana continues to remain at the top and opiates and inhalants have made significant gains recently. It’s interesting to note that the amphetamines used in 1975 were “uppers”, but in 2016, the amphetamines that gained popularity were crystal meth which is far more dangerous.

How to Help Teens Who are Abusing Drugs

When young people abuse drugs, their brain is more susceptible to long-term damage. This happens because their brain is still developing. The effects of the chemical in drugs can interrupt the natural process and leave them with impaired cognitive abilities. If you suspect your teen is using drugs, get professional treatment right away to avoid permanent harm.

If you would like more information about teen drug use trends, contact us today at our toll-free number. Also, if you are seeking treatment for your loved one, give us a call right away. We are here to help.

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We hear people talk about crack and then we hear them talk about cocaine, but are they the same things? These drugs do share similarities but they are not the same. Crack and cocaine are both stimulants and crack and cocaine are both very dangerous substances, but they are different. Hopefully, this information will help you understand the difference in the two.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine users experience feelings of well-being and euphoria. They also have a rush of energy. However, it is possible for cocaine users to become paranoid or aggressive. These are side-effects which are unexpected when individuals use cocaine. Cocaine is a fine white powder which is commonly snorted (sniffed through the nose), although it can be mixed with water and injected. Some users rub the cocaine onto the gums and let it absorb into the bloodstream that way.

A few of the street names for cocaine are blow, coke, and snow. Some short-term effects include insomnia, decreased appetite, and increased sensitivity to stimuli. It is possible for long-term users to experience side effects such as:

• Lung damage
• Cardiovascular problems
• Seizures
• Convulsions
• Loss of smell
• Bowel problems
• Sexual problems
• Loss of smell

Over time, your body builds a tolerance for the cocaine and it will take more of the drug for you to receive the high feeling which also increases the chance of an overdose.

What is Crack?

Crack is made from mixing cocaine with baking soda and water which is then dried and broken into small crystallized rocks. These rocks are then smoked which releases the drug into the bloodstream faster than snorting cocaine. The user feels an intense high but this high only lasts 5 to 15 minutes. This short-lived high causes many users to binge on this drug in order to continue the euphoric high feeling.

Crack gets its name from the crackling sound heard when the drug is heating up. Some of the street names for crack are gravel, grit, hail, sleet, and rocks. Crack causes an intense high but it is followed by depression, anxiousness, and extreme cravings for more of the drug. The user can also experience respiratory failure, heart attack, or stroke, any of which can lead to death.

More Differences in Crack and Cocaine

Cocaine is much more expensive to buy than crack (in the beginning). What this means is that the high from cocaine lasts longer than the high from crack which would make you think it should cost more. However, crack users seem to become addicted more quickly than cocaine users, making them use more of the crack, so even though it is cheaper to buy, more of it is used leading to more money being spent on this drug. Much more of it is needed to maintain that euphoric high.

Cocaine users tend to be people with higher means of income than users of crack. Crack is so cheaply made and sold that even teenagers can afford to buy it in the beginning when they are trying it out for the first time. What they don’t realize is that they can become addicted to this substance after only one or two uses.

Another difference in crack and cocaine is that cocaine has been in existence for a long time and is one of the oldest illicit drugs available. Crack is pretty new in the world of illicit drugs. When it comes to crack and cocaine, crack is considered much more dangerous and more addictive than cocaine. Today crack seems to be much more popular than cocaine.

Addiction to Crack or Cocaine

If you think you or someone you love may be addicted to crack or cocaine, get professional help immediately. Some individuals think that addiction to crack or cocaine is more psychological than a physical dependence. Whichever the case may be, anyone addicted to any type of substance needs assistance from a professional inpatient addiction treatment facility. Don’t try to go through withdrawals on your own without help. Even if you make it through the withdrawals alone, chances are you will be back using in no time without counseling and a treatment program.

To learn more about crack and cocaine or addiction to any substance, call one of our representatives today. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Make that call now.

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Opioids kill tens of thousands of people every year, and it is predicted to kill many thousands more before we find a solution. But, as Americans, we should have seen this coming. We only need to look back through history to see that we have suffered many drug epidemics in our nation through the decades. That part of our history has been forgotten, or we are in denial about the fact that we weren’t paying attention while the opioid crisis became so widespread.

More than 45,000 people have died from opioid overdoses proving that this is the deadliest drug problem we’ve ever faced. Another distressing problem is that only about 10 percent of people who suffer from opioid addiction get the specialized treatment they need. Even though we’ve seen drug epidemics before, we could not have predicted the massive scale of the opioid crisis today.

Let’s take a look at some of our past drug epidemics and get an idea of how we can learn from our mistakes.

Underestimating the Power of the Pill

Early in the 19th century, medical professionals were responsible for the drug epidemic. Most of them considered morphine as a wonder drug. It was widely used for pain, alcoholism, diarrhea, and nervous disorders. Not only were homemakers, war veterans, and many others addicted to the drug, many doctors became addicts themselves. Part of the reason for morphine’s popularity is due to few alternatives for pain. Aspirin wasn’t available until the late 1890s.

Also in the 19th century, opium abuse became a problem of epic proportions. As with morphine, doctors overprescribed the painkiller. During the American Revolution, Continental and British armies used opium for treating wounded or sick soldiers. The Civil War was the beginning of America’s opiate epidemic, however. More than 10 million opium pills were issued to treat soldiers. These soldiers returned home addicted and suffering withdrawals. They needed something for pain, and morphine became the solution.

When the hypodermic syringe was introduced in 1856, it was widely used to inject morphine. Again, the medical community underestimated the dangers of morphine. They also didn’t have many alternatives for treating pain, so the warnings about adverse effects were pushed aside.

Beginning in the 1870s, Chinese immigrants were operating opium dens in major cities and towns. The dens were popular with Chinese immigrant workers as well as white Americans. When a law passed in 1909 limiting the supply of opium, prices rose from $4 to $50 for a “can of hop.” The price increased pushed addicts to seek more potent opiates like heroin or morphine.

America’s Opioid Crisis and Opiate Epidemics: 120 Years to Learn a Lesson

Looking at the history of morphine and opium addictions in the 1800s, we see the similarities to today’s opiate epidemic. For instance, part of the opiate crisis today is due to high prices for prescription drugs, just as it happened back in last century.

In recent years, when the government cracked down on opiates, they forced pharmaceutical companies to create a pill that would be hard to crush. This action drove up the price of the drugs and people who were addicted to painkillers sought cheaper alternatives such as morphine or heroin. So, once again, to control one epidemic, we started another.  After 120 years, we should have learned more.

Today, as people turn to heroin as an alternative to pricey opiates, many of them suffer overdoses. This happens because, unlike prescription pills, the quality of heroin is not controlled. When someone buys heroin from a street dealer, they don’t know about the other drugs or chemicals that it contains. Today’s heroin can be laced (cut) with fentanyl, rat poison, painkillers, caffeine, laundry detergent, and more.  This dangerous drug is a big part of today’s opioid crisis.

Can We Learn from Our Past Mistakes?

In the U.S. today, lawmakers and the medical community are joining forces to come up with better methods for treating chronic pain. Tighter controls on opiate prescribing methods is another way to bring down the number of addictions. For instance, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) are making headway. A PDMP is an electronic database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions. Most states require health care providers to check the PDMP before prescribing a controlled substance.

Another method for controlling opiates has to do with stricter controls in hospitals. The FDA, CDC, and DEA are scrutinizing the record-keeping methods involving controlled substances administered to patients.

Across the nation, thousands of organizations and individuals are spreading awareness about the dangers of prescription drugs. For example, MADD, DARE, NCADD, SAMHSA, and many more advocates for education and prevention work tirelessly to make a difference and save lives.

If you would like to know more about the opioid crisis in American today, call our toll-free number to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives.

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The scope of heroin abuse in the United States is staggering. According to NSDUH, about 948,000 people reported using heroin in the past year. This trend is being driven by young adults aged 18 to 25. With this high number of heroin abusers comes a significant number of adverse effects. One of those effects is death from overdose. Of the 64,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2016, more than 15,400 were attributed to heroin. Because of the high number of deaths, finding better methods for treating heroin overdose has become a priority in our nation today.

Treating Heroin Overdose: What are the Options?

Heroin addiction is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. But, with the right treatment program, a person can find freedom from the powerful grip of this drug. The important thing is to get a person into treatment before they suffer an overdose that takes their life. Prevention is the best method, but, if an overdose does occur, there is a new drug that has shown promising results in reversing the effects of heroin overdose. The drug is known as Naloxone.

Naloxone (Narcan) – This medication is an opioid receptor antagonist. It is used to eliminate the signs of opioid (heroin) intoxication as a means of reversing an overdose. Naloxone can be administered by non-medical personnel and has saved many lives. The FDA has approved a hand-held auto-injector that delivers a single dose of naloxone. This method is not a full treatment for overdose. It is used to minimize symptoms until medical responders can arrive.

Naloxone has benefits, but it is not a solution to treating heroin overdose. In some cases, it doesn’t have the desired effects. Also, some people have suffered severe after-effects for months or years after using this drug.

The use of Naloxone is becoming more widespread in the United States.  Police officers and first responders in cities with high heroin overdose rates are now allowed to carry Naloxone at all times.

What are the Symptoms of Heroin Overdose?

If you know someone who uses heroin, would you know if they were experiencing an overdose? Everyone reacts differently to heroin, and some users can take more of the drug than others. That’s why you can’t determine an overdose by merely knowing the dosage taken. The most common sign of heroin overdose is shallow breathing. Some of the other signs to look for include:

• Vomiting
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Discolored tongue
• Constricted pupils
• Bluish or purplish skin, nails or lips
• Weak pulse
• Delirium
• Unresponsive even when awake

Many overdose victims lose consciousness or go into a comatose state. This sign of overdose should never be ignored. The individual is most likely not just “sleeping it off” and should be treated by professionals immediately.

Getting Treatment for Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction is an all-consuming condition that can destroy a person’s mind and body. They will not be able to withdraw and recover without professional help. During withdrawals, the addict experiences a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Depending on the severity of their addiction, the withdrawals can be life-threatening. Treating heroin addiction involves 24/7 monitoring during detox in a controlled environment to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient. After detox, the person should enter an inpatient rehabilitation program to learn how to cope with life as a sober individual.

You can get more information about treating heroin overdose by contacting us at our toll-free number.  If you know someone who needs treatment for heroin addiction, we can recommend a treatment program that is best for their needs.

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Do you think that all homeless people are either alcoholics or drug addicts? If so, you are not alone. Most homeless individuals are labeled as such. Homelessness and substance abuse are connected, and the truth of the matter is that substance abuse is both a cause and a result of homelessness. This doesn’t mean that all homeless people have problems with substance abuse but many of them do struggle with addiction as well as underlying mental issues.

You see, sometimes substance abuse happens because a person has lost their home due to other factors in their life. They may have lost their home due to an extended illness or they could have lost their job as a result of a bad economy and therefore, could not pay for their home. These individuals may turn to alcohol or drugs as a result of their becoming homeless and not knowing how to cope with their situation. Their substance abuse is because of their homelessness. Then there are others who may have started abusing substances and sank deeper into addiction until they lost their families, jobs, homes, and had nowhere to go but the streets. Their homeless is because of their substance abuse.

The Problems of Homelessness and Substance Abuse

It doesn’t matter how someone arrives in the throes of homelessness and substance abuse until they can get treatment for the substance abuse there will be no way for them to pick themselves up and get out of their life of homelessness and substance abuse. However, to receive treatment for addiction, it helps tremendously to have good insurance benefits that will pay some, if not most, of the charges incurred in an inpatient addiction treatment facility. Needless to say, someone who is homeless and living on the streets does not have good insurance benefits.

Neither does a person who has the problems of homelessness and substance abuse have a good family support system to help them as they transition from treatment into a life of recovery and living drug-free and without alcohol. Many homeless individuals who are dependent on alcohol started drinking at a very young age and were children of alcoholics. Therefore, they have never known a support system even as children. Many of them left home at an early age and ended up on the streets struggling with homelessness and substance abuse.

Homelessness and Mental Issues

With the healthcare system as it is in the United States today and health insurance being what it is, it is almost impossible for patients to have extended stays in hospitals. It seems the policies now in practically all healthcare facilities is to treat the major issue as quickly as possible and release the patient. When this happens to a person with mental health issues, they end up with no housing, living on the streets, and using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. These individuals feel hopeless with no way out of their situation. They either continue on the streets or end up in jail or prison.

Homelessness and Substance Abuse Can be Temporary

If a family member ends up homeless because of substance abuse, it does not have to be a permanent situation. There is help available for them. There are resources available for you to help get your loved one into an inpatient addiction treatment facility. They can be rehabilitated and get back on the right track of sobriety. Many rehab centers help their clients find gainful employment once they have completed their treatment program. So, don’t give up on them. Their situation is not hopeless and they are not doomed to a life of homelessness and substance abuse.

Get professional help for your loved one to start their path to recovery from drugs or alcohol. Do it today!

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