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Tag: detox

  • Outpatient Detox: An Important Option

    Outpatient detox lets you access medical care while still sleeping in your own bed at night.

    Before you can start the work of recovery, you need to go through detox — the process of allowing all drugs or alcohol to leave your body. For many people, detox is the most intimidating part of the recovery process. It can be physically painful and even dangerous. That’s why many people opt for going to an inpatient detox. For others, however, the thought of leaving their home and family can cause even more distress. If you’re one of those people, outpatient detox can be a great option.

    During outpatient detox, like that offered at Vanity Wellness Center, you’ll meet with a medical team every day. They check up on you to make sure that you’re healthy, and also provide the accountability that can make all the difference during the tough moments of detox. Wondering if outpatient detox is right for you? Keep reading to find out.

    What is detox?

    If you’re using drugs or alcohol frequently, you might be tempted to just stop. Well-meaning friends and family members can give that advice as well. However, suddenly stopping drugs or alcohol can make you very sick and be dangerous.

    That’s because when you use, your body becomes physically dependent on your substance of choice. You need more and more of it just to feel normal. If you don’t use, you might experience symptoms of dope sickness, like nausea or sweating, or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including tremors and anxiety.

    The physical and mental effects of detox can be severe. Because of that, it’s important to have a medical team by your side. They know what typical detox looks like. They can help you understand what to expect and where you are in the process. And if you experience complications — like hallucination — they’re at the ready to get you the medical help you need.

    How does outpatient detox work?

    When you sign up for outpatient detox, you’ll talk with your providers about what to expect. Part of that discussion will include how long your detox process is likely to last. In most cases, withdrawal from alcohol and opioids lasts about three days, but some people experience symptoms for less time or for longer.

    When your detox begins, you’ll visit the treatment provider each morning. They’ll take your vital to make sure that you’re stable. They’ll discuss symptoms, talk to you about coping strategies, and possibly connect you with other people who are going through detox. After that visit, you’ll return home or to another safe space to continue detoxing. You’ll return to your provider again the next morning.

    Medical supervision of detox is incredibly important. So is the fellowship that you’ll feel knowing that someone else is on your team. Detox can be isolating — you’re beginning to cut yourself off from the people you used drugs with, and your sober friend or family don’t understand what you’re going through. In that vulnerable moment, the support provider by your outpatient detox center can make the difference between failure and success.

    Does outpatient detox work?

    Some people have more success detoxing when they’re completely removed from their day-to-day lives. For these people, an inpatient detox is a good option.

    However, inpatient detox isn’t for everyone. Many people feel more comfortable in their own homes, around the people they love. With the support of an outpatient detox program, you can clear your system of drugs or alcohol just as safely and effectively at home as you can in a residential program.

    When you use an outpatient detox program you have a team of professionals ready to help you meet the challenges that daily life presents. They’ll help you figure out how to talk to your boss about your illness, or cope with your children’s questions. All of that can make it easier to get through detox. Most importantly, the team will connect you with treatment immediately following detox so that you have a clear next step in your recovery process.

    Unfortunately, outpatient detox isn’t a quick fix or easy option. Simply put, there’s no quick and easy detox. But for many people, outpatient detox is the best of both worlds: it provides you peace of mind through medical supervision, and optimizes your comfort by having you stay in your own bed. If that’s appealing, outpatient detox can be the first step toward your new, sober life.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Ask an Expert: How Do You Safely Detox from Benzos?

    Ask an Expert: How Do You Safely Detox from Benzos?

    Dr. Khantzian (Harvard Medical School) explains how hospitals safely detox people from benzodiazepines like Xanax when withdrawals can potentially cause seizures and death.

    Dear Expert,

    I know that withdrawal from Xanax is very dangerous, with risks of panic attacks and seizures and even death. How do hospitals detox people who are addicted to benzos such as Xanax?

    Edward J. Khantzian, MD: You are correct that withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause seizures and even death, and should only be done in a detox facility under medical supervision where dosages are precise and withdrawal symptoms can be carefully monitored. At the very least, benzodiazepine withdrawal should occur under the supervision of a physician with whom one has a close and honest rapport.

    Detox may differ depending on the particular benzo used, so initially a physician will do a urine test to ensure that it is Xanax. Then, a program of supervised withdrawal will begin based on how much one has been taking and for how long—this will impact the chances of significant withdrawal symptoms. Xanax comes in 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg tablets. Most practitioners tend to prescribe the medication in the lower dose range, which is 0.5 mg. For withdrawal, we usually use a benzodiazepine with a slower onset and longer duration of action, such as oxazepam (Serax). After the physician establishes an initial tolerance amount, he or she will generally put the patient on a slow taper in which the oxazepam dose is decreased by 10% every few days until it can be discontinued entirely.

    This is just an example of one protocol that an experienced physician or detox facility would use. As above, I strongly recommend that withdrawal occur in one of these scenarios. Under these conditions, withdrawal should be safe and comfortable. All the best.

    Dr. Khantzian is Professor of Psychiatry, part time, Harvard Medical School in Boston, and President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Physician Health Services of the Massachusetts Medical Society in Waltham, Mass. He is in private practice and specializes in addiction psychiatry. Full Bio.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Drug Detox Clinics in Florida

    Drug Detox Clinics in Florida

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Florida detox clinics are special because they have to follow state laws about how to operate. Learn how to find a safe and reputable detox center in Florida here.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: 10 minutes.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    What is Medical Detox?

    Medical detox is a medically supervised process of removing drugs or alcohol from the body. During detox, a physician will oversee the entire withdrawal process. This way, s/he can address withdrawal symptoms as they occur. This type of medical support includes:
    • Medical supervision and intervention
    • Observation
    • Emotional support

    Typically, medical detox helps a lot. In fact, a good detox rehab center can increase your chances of successful treatment. How? A reputable center will create a personalized withdrawal plan for you. The goal is to minimize the side effects of withdrawal. This way, you can lower or eliminate the intensity of symptoms.

    Detox is the first step to addiction recovery.

    Detoxing in Florida

    If you’re ready to detox, there are a few things that you should know. In Florida, laws have been set up to make sure that the clinic is safe.* Most detox clinics are safe and comfortable. However, if you are not satisfied with an inpatient or outpatient detox center, you can submit a complaint to the SAMH website.

    The basics on Florida detox:

    1. First, a detox clinic needs to be licensed to operate in the state. You can find a list of licensed inpatient and outpatient detox centers below [1]. Or, you can check license verification with the Florida State Department of Health here: FL Health License Verification
    2. Second, the detox clinic needs to be operating using standard procedures. For example, a detox facility must have a physician on call at all times to address medical problems and to provide emergency medical services. You can find a complete list of operational standards in the 65D-30.006 Standards for Detoxification F.A.C.
    3. Third, detox clinics must maintain a patient-staff ratio. There need to be at least one nurse and one nursing support staff member in each facility that treat 1-15 patients at a time.

    Call us to talk about your detox options in Florida today.

    How Does Detox in Florida Work?

     A good detox program in Florida begins with assessment. Reputable clinics will work with you to establish levels of drug/alcohol dependence. The assessment will determine the treatment and care required. Assessment should include:
    • A drug screen, usually a urine sample
    • An intake questionnaire
    • Interviews
    • Family history
    • Medical history

    A registered nurse or other qualified nursing specialist should be present to administer an initial assessment. And a physician should be available to assess you within 24 hours of admission or sooner, if medically necessary. Then, physicians should provide onsite monitoring of care and further evaluation on a daily basis.

    A good detox clinic will create a custom plan for withdrawal.

    Once you completed assessment, the detox program should outline a treatment plan. This includes details on how long the detox will last, dosage and tapering protocols, and other medicines. The medical team will also addresses common withdrawal side effects, such as dehydration and nutrition imbalances. Nutrition support, rest, medical monitoring, psychological therapy, and drug tapering give patients a more comfortable experience as they stop using a substance.

    REMEMBER: Detox and withdrawal are different for everyone!

    For this reason, medical help and customized care is absolutely crucial.

    Inpatient Florida Detox Centers

    When should you stay in a clinic overnight? You should choose drug detox Florida inpatient care anytime you are drug or alcohol dependent. If quitting creates withdrawal symptoms, you’ll benefit from medical help.

    Inpatient detoxification provides 24-hour support for people who are going through drug or alcohol withdrawal. In Florida, clinics need to offer standard services such as:

    1. Stabilization
    2. Supportive counseling
    3. Daily activities
    4. Involuntary assessment and disposition

    The primary goal of inpatient detox is to ensure that you are medically stable. At this level of care, physicians are available 24 hours per day by telephone. A nurse will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring your progress, as well as medication administration on an hourly basis, if needed. Constant care and support is key!

    Quick intervention is possible when you are in a Florida inpatient detox. So, if symptoms become complicated, staff can act immediately. This is why inpatient clinics are staffed by nurses, physician assistants, and staff who are in contact with a supervising doctor around-the-clock. In this way, doctors can prescribe you medications to address withdrawal symptoms AND set up tapering guidelines that are supervised over time.

    However, inpatient detox is just the beginning of treatment. Once you become bio-psycho-socially stable, a good center will link you to other appropriate inpatient and outpatient services.

    Inpatient detox includes medical guidance and emotional support.

    Outpatient Florida Detox Centers

    Outpatient services for detoxification are usually provided in regularly scheduled sessions and delivered under a defined set of policies and procedures or medical protocol. This type of detoxification is considered when you meet specific conditions. These include:

    1. Your overall medical condition is good.
    2. Your overall stability and behavioral condition is good.
    3. You have a family support system who can help during the detoxification process. Your family will also monitor your compliance with the medical protocol.
    4. You understand the importance of managing withdrawal utilizing medications and will comply with the medical protocol.

    In this level of care, services aim to:

    • Achieve safe and comfortable withdrawal from mood-altering drugs.
    • Effectively facilitate your transition into treatment and recovery.
    • Treat your specific level of clinical severity.

    In Florida, outpatient detox programs require random drug screening at least once weekly. And you may be referred to inpatient detox if necessary. Plus, counseling services once weekly are also required if you choose this level of care.

    Outpatient settings include your doctor’s office, a treatment center, or even in your own home. If you attend a clinic, a physician, or an ARNP or a PA working under the supervision of a physician, must be available and on-call during operating hours. Plus an RN, (or an LPN working under the supervision of an RN) as well as a counselor must be on-site during operating hours. These members of staff may help monitor you over a period of several hours each day of service in order to provide help when neeed.

    State Sponsored Detox in Florida

    The Florida State Department of Children and Families provides treatment for substance abuse through a community-based provider system. So, people in need of medical assistance to withdraw from drugs and alcohol can get help with detoxification in many communities throughout Florida.

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program is the single state authority on substance abuse and mental health as designated by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program is governed by Chapters 394 and 397 of the Florida Statutes and is responsible for the oversight of a statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.

    The following programs offer detoxification, treatment and recovery support for adolescents and adults affected by substance misuse, abuse, or dependence: Florida State Addiction Providers

    Detox for Veterans in Florida

    Florida has the third largest veteran population in the nation. With more than 1.5 million veterans, Florida is very veteran-friendly. But if you’re facing a drug or alcohol problem…what can you do?

    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide services for Veterans with substance use problems. The services depend on your specific needs. These include medically managed detoxification to stop substance use safely as well as services to get stable. To access these services, first apply for VA health care. Apply for VA health care.

    If you have never been seen in a VA hospital or clinic (or don’t have a VA primary care provider)…

    If you have a VA doctor, talk with your primary care provide about substance use. S/He can help you get screened for addiction.

    If you served in recent operations, call your local VA medical center, and ask to speak to the OEF/OIF/OND coordinator.

    If you have an immediate need, you are NOT alone! For 24-hour counseling or advice, you can call a hotline. Hotlines will connect your confidentially to emotional support and community resources, 24 hours a day.

    • Just dial: 2-1-1
    • Florida Veterans Support Line: 1-844-693-5838
    • National Veteran Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

    Help is available regardless of discharge status. When you call any of these hotlines, you will speak with someone who is trained to provide immediate emotional support. Calls are answered by a network of local, non-profit organizations throughout Florida. You’ll be referred to both VA and non-VA resources, including non-profit organizations, community programs and local government services.

    Forced Detox in Florida

    Q: Can the authorities force you in detox in Florida?
    A: Yes, you can be required to be assessed for treatment or treated involuntarily when substance abuse is reported and deemed to be a threat to yourself or others.

    The Marchman Act: Florida Statutes Ann. § 397.301 to 397.998

    Florida’s Substance Abuse Impairment Act governs the voluntary and involuntary commitment and treatment for substance abuse. The Marchman Act permits a person to be admitted for assessment or treatment for substance abuse against his or her will in various ways, according to specified procedures and criteria. Protective custody lasts up to 72 hours and can be extended once assessment or treatment begins.

    For example, a police officer can have you placed in protective custody if you exhibit a need for addiction treatment:

    1. In a public place.
    2. In a way that attracts the officer’s attention.

    Additionally, any responsible person with knowledge of a person’s substance abuse may apply to have that person admitted in an emergency if the person is likely to harm himself or herself or others or is so impaired that he or she cannot recognize the need for treatment. A spouse, relative, guardian, or three adults with knowledge of the person’s substance abuse may petition the court for involuntary treatment.

    Detox Can Save Lives

    Q: So, does detox help?

    A: Yes, detox can help a lot. It can even save your life.

    A typical detox involves tapering protocols, medications, and emotional support. And while most cases of detox are NOT life-threatening, some are. Each case is different. You cannot underestimate the possibility of complications with mood or thoughts.

    So, the safest way to get off a substance comfortably is under medical care. Whether someone is addicted to alcohol or heroin or methamphetamine (or a combination), a good clinic uses specific medical treatments to minimize the risk of complications and maximize comfort levels.

    Why attempt detox on your own? It’s just too risky.

    Instead, reach out and give us a call today. We can talk you through the process and explain what to expect. Just remember that you are not alone. One step at a time…and you can live a life without drugs or alcohol!

    Reference Sources: * The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office of the Florida Department of Children and Families is responsible for oversight of the licensure and regulation of all detox clinics and substance abuse providers in the state. The licensure process is governed and regulated by Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 65D-30 of the Florida Administrative Code.
    [1] Department of Children and Families: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office: Licensed Providers by City
    Department of Children and Families: Licensure and Regulation of SAMH
    Department of Children and Families: Treatment for Substance Abuse
    The 2017 Florida Statutes, Title XXIX, Chapter 397
     Florida Administrative Code: Rule Chapter: 65D-30, SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES OFFICE
     Florida Administrative Code: 65D-30.006 Standards for Detoxification.
     OLR Research Report: FLORIDA LAW ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
    Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs
    Florida Veteran’s Support Line
    Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment, Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45.) 2 Settings, Levels of Care, and Patient Placement.

     

     

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • 3 Substances You Should Never Detox from Alone

    3 Substances You Should Never Detox from Alone

    By Amy Sedgwick, LADC, AADC, CCDP, SCPG
    Director of Clinical Operations

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: You should never try to detox from alcohol, benzos, or opioids on your own. This article reviews the dangerous side effects of withdrawal from these substances. Then, we invite your questions at the end.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: 7 minutes.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    The Definition of Detox

    Detoxification is the process of removing any hazardous chemicals from the body. It is an essential first step if you are looking to rid yourself of addiction and begin a healthy, substance-free life. During this stage, you may feel extremely sick and uneasy as toxins leave your body. Often, medical detox can help address symptoms to help minimize discomfort. But in other cases, detox may be necessary.

    If you are trying to overcome alcohol, opioid, or benzodiazepine addiction, detox can dangerous – sometimes even fatal – without medical assistance.

    In particular, if you are dependent on alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, you should aim to address your addiction in the safest way possible. When you detox from these substances, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and difficult to manage at home. Likewise, detoxing alone is risky because it increases the likelihood of an overdose.

    Plus, detoxing alone is not a suitable replacement for valuable forms of treatment such as medication assisted treatment (MAT), which can reduce your risk of relapse. In sum, clinical detox is the safest option for addressing addiction, and for many, it is a step that serves as the foundation for a lasting recovery.

    Let’s look at each type of detox, its risks, and common side effects here.

    Alcohol Detox

    With its legal status and wide availability, alcohol is the most frequently used addictive substance in the United States. Because quitting alcohol when dependent can induce severe side effects like seizures and heart failure, you should not attempt to overcome alcohol dependence alone, especially during the detox phase.

    Why?

    Individuals who become addicted to alcohol and drugs encounter neurological changes, making their brains trick them into thinking that they need their substance of choice to survive. If you have a history of alcoholism and decide to drastically cut back or stop altogether, your body will react accordingly to the change. While detoxing from alcohol, you are likely to experience particularly uncomfortable physical withdrawal symptoms such as:

    • Fever
    • High blood pressure
    • Nausea
    • Seizures
    • Heart failure

    In addition to physical symptoms, you may undergo noticeable behavioral changes because of alcohol withdrawal. These psychological symptoms can include:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Mood swings
    • Fatigue
    • Hallucinations

    These many potential side effects can make the detox process excruciating for some. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin eight hours after you stop drinking. Discomfort is especially prominent within the first few days of detoxing from alcohol, and mental health symptoms can take weeks to subside.

    If you drink heavily and suddenly stop, you may contend with a more intense form of withdrawal known as acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). High blood pressure, tremors, and seizures are some of the major indicators of AWS.

    This condition is often accompanied by a complication known as delirium tremens (DT), which significantly alters your mind and nervous system. Both AWS and DT can cause more severe health problems, such as difficulty breathing, heart attack, and coma. These risks can be minimized with the help of a medical professional, who can alleviate painful withdrawal symptoms and examine your vital signs to ensure your well-being. A professional may also administer addiction medications designed to lessen alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as Vivitrol.

    Detox from Opioids

    Opioids are a class of extremely addictive legal and illegal drugs that provide pain relief. Well-known opioids include:

    Though prescription opioids can help manage moderate to severe physical discomfort, they can be dangerous when taken for longer periods or in higher doses than medically recommended. Fentanyl — which is up to one hundred times more potent than morphine — often factors into deadly overdoses, as users frequently do not realize that the opioids they have been taking, such as heroin, have been laced with fentanyl. In 2016, opioid misuse caused over 42,000 fatal overdoses across the country.

    Because you can easily build a tolerance to opioids, you will likely experience severe cravings during the detox process that can tempt you to use again. When you detox alone, you have access to drugs, making it even easier for you to relapse. Relapsing after attempting to detox from opioids at home can be life-threatening because your body’s tolerance for the drug may not be the same, potentially leading to a fatal overdose.

    Detoxing in a medical setting, however, offers you the safety of a drug-free environment, removed from temptations. It gives you the opportunity to focus entirely on your recovery because you will encounter fewer triggers that could jeopardize sobriety. You will also have a support system to monitor your well-being, putting your mind more at ease. Undergoing medically monitored detox can relieve physical withdrawal symptoms you may incur during opioid withdrawal, such as:

    • Nausea
    • Abdominal cramps
    • Fever
    • High blood pressure
    • Intense cravings

    While detoxing from opioids, you may also experience psychological symptoms such as:

    • Irritation
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Mood swings
    • Insomnia

    Though not all of these symptoms are deadly, they can cause immense discomfort and may last for weeks. Opioid withdrawal symptoms also impact the mind and the body quickly, depending on the type of opioid used. Heroin withdrawal symptoms, for example, may appear within only 12 hours of your last use.

    Detoxing at a treatment center can make all the difference in your recovery from opioid addiction. In addition to counseling and support, a professional can also address painful withdrawal symptoms through the use of addiction medications, if appropriate. Options for addressing opioid addiction through medication-assisted treatment in a rehab facility can include prescription medications such as Suboxone, Sublocade, and Vivitrol.

    Benzos

    Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a class of depressants that are typically prescribed to treat anxiety and are only intended for short-term use. They include drugs such as:
    • Ativan
    • Klonopin
    • Valium
    • Xanax

    Because they are prescription drugs, benzos are often considered harmless. Lulled into this false sense of security, some users abuse benzos and develop a tolerance after using them for more than two to four weeks. In an attempt to experience the same sedative effects, many end up overdosing on benzos, which contribute to about 30 percent of fatal opioid overdoses. When combined with alcohol or opioids, benzo use can be life-threatening because each of these substances can limit breathing and inhibit brain function.

    If you suffer from benzodiazepine addiction, detoxing within a clinical setting is highly recommended to avoid health complications. Just like with alcohol and opioid addiction, those looking to detox from benzos may face a range of physical and psychological symptoms, including:

    • Anxiety
    • Panic attacks
    • Restlessness
    • Distorted perception
    • Itching
    • Difficulty walking

    Detoxing from benzos without medical supervision presents many dangers, including an increased risk of seizures. The detox process for benzodiazepine addiction can be complex to navigate because some of the withdrawal symptoms that may appear, like panic attacks and anxiety, may have been the reason users started self-medicating in the first place. As a result, if you are accustomed to taking benzodiazepines for medical reasons, you may find discontinuing use particularly daunting.

    Withdrawal symptoms typically start within a day of discontinuing use and may persist for months. Even in a medical setting, detoxing from benzodiazepines can take 10 days, whereas detoxing from alcohol or opioid addiction under similar conditions may take 5 days. If you suffer from benzodiazepine addiction, attempting to detox alone could have devastating consequences.

    When to Seek Medically Monitored Detox

    As the first step on your road to recovery, detox is a crucial stage that lets the body heal from toxic substances. Medically monitored detox offers the best chance for your body to recover from any harm caused by substance abuse, but it can help you in other ways as well.

    1. It provides you with an environment that is more conducive to a sustainable recovery.

    Medical detox introduces you to a team of addiction treatment and mental health experts who can not only address your physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms but also help you determine the next steps in treatment. Attending clinical detox removes you from any triggers connected to your current environment, and distancing yourself from toxic elements in your life can eliminate stress that may have been driving your addiction. Detoxing in a medical setting, therefore, helps you to focus on your health and makes you less likely to relapse.

    2. It gives you the opportunity to test for other medical conditions.

    Through medical detox, individuals also have the option to undergo testing for HIV and hepatitis C, conditions that may have been spurred by their substance use. A medical team can help you uncover any underlying medical conditions that you may not have realized otherwise, giving you the option to seek treatment and live a longer, healthier life.

    3. It encourages healthy lifestyle choices.

    Because proper nourishment is essential for helping the body recover from addiction, nutrition is a central component of some clinical detox programs. During active addiction, many individuals experience changes in appetite or weight. Learning the basics about nutrition and how to practice mindful eating in early recovery can help restore physical well-being and build a strong foundation for your sobriety. Some clinical detox programs also offer sleep education classes that teach you healthy resting habits, which can help your body and mind feel even more rejuvenated in the long term.

    Your Questions

    We hope that have encouraged you to get medical help anytime you’re considering getting off these 3 types of drugs. You don’t need go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggles you’re facing. Get in touch with one today.

    If you or a loved one suffers, contact us today. Or, if you have a question…reach out. You can feel free to leave a comment below. We try to respond to all comments personally and promptly.

    —–
    About the Author: Amy Sedgwick is the Director of Clinical Operations for Mountainside Treatment Center. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor as well as a Nationally and Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. At Mountainside, she oversees Residential, Outpatient Services and Family Wellness programs, ensuring each team provides best in class service and care to every client. Amy is also on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) which provides nationwide training and addiction counseling certification.

    View the original article at

  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court To Decide If Prenatal Drug Use Is Child Abuse

    Pennsylvania Supreme Court To Decide If Prenatal Drug Use Is Child Abuse

    A lengthy legal battle has been waged by the state against a mother whose newborn was hospitalized for 19 days to treat drug withdrawal.

    The highest court in the Keystone State this week heard arguments on the divisive matter of whether prenatal drug use counts as child abuse. 

    Attorneys for child protective services framed it as a matter of “human rights,” while defense lawyers for an unnamed mother warned that criminalizing such behavior could be a “slippery slope,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

    The Pennsylvania Supreme Court case revolves around a woman who tested positive for a medley of drugs—including pot, opioids, and benzodiazepines—just after giving birth in a central Pennsylvania hospital. Afterward, her newborn was hospitalized for 19 days to treat drug withdrawal.

    Children and Youth Services took custody of the baby and accused the mother of abuse, setting off a lengthy legal battle still winding through state courts. 

    Early on, a Clinton County court decided that the mother’s drug use didn’t constitute child abuse as a fetus is not a child. But during the appeals process, a Superior Court bounced the case back to the lower court, though two judges raised concerns about the implications of labeling drug use during pregnancy as a form of abuse.

    “Should she travel to countries where the Zika virus is present? Should she obtain cancer treatment even though it could put her child at risk?” wrote Judge Eugene Strassburger, according to the Philadelphia newspaper. 

    Earlier this year, attorneys for the mother—who is identified in court filings only by her initials—asked the state’s high court to take up the case, and this week the justices heard oral arguments from both sides. 

    “Failing to heed a doctor’s advice to take folic acid, if the child is born with a neural tube defect, then the mother could be a child abuser under the county’s reading of the statute,” said attorney David Cohen, arguing that labeling prenatal drug use as child abuse could open the door to a variety of similar arguments against unhealthy behavior. 

    But Justice Christine Donohue called that “slippery slope” argument “too much,” and said she wasn’t sure that she’d “buy” it. Meanwhile, county CYS attorney Amanda Browning told the court that the case was about “human rights, equal protection and child welfare,” pointing to the painful withdrawal process after birth.

    It’s not clear when the high court will issue its decision.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Family Of Woman Who Died While Detoxing In Jail Files Lawsuit

    Family Of Woman Who Died While Detoxing In Jail Files Lawsuit

    Prosecutors declined to charge the deputies involved with the case so the family decided to take another route to justice. 

    Following a year-long probe, Nevada investigators have decided that the deputies involved in a jail inmate’s July 2017 death should be criminally charged for the way they handled a woman who was in medical distress.

    The Mineral County deputies were aware of the inmate’s condition, according to the 300-page report. Kelly Coltrain, 27, who was jailed for outstanding traffic tickets, had informed jail staff that she was dependent on drugs and suffered seizures when she went through withdrawals, according to the Reno Gazette Journal.

    Coltrain was visiting Nevada from Austin, Texas to celebrate her grandmother’s 75th birthday. But instead of spending time with her family, she spent four days in Mineral County Jail until she died in her cell on July 23, 2017.

    According to investigators, who produced a 300-page report on Coltrain’s death, jail staff violated multiple policies when they denied Coltrain medical care. Based on Coltrain’s history of seizures, jail staff should have cleared her with a doctor before keeping her in jail; and as she suffered withdrawals, they should have been monitoring her vitals.

    Instead, when Coltrain asked that she be taken to the hospital, which is about a two-minute walk across the street from the jail, according to the report, Deputy Ray Gulcynski told her, “Unfortunately, since you’re DT’ing (referring to the detoxification process), I’m not going to take you over to the hospital right now just to get your fix. That’s not the way detention works, unfortunately. You are incarcerated with us, so… you don’t get to go to the hospital when you want. When we feel that your life is at risk… then you will go.”

    Surveillance video of Coltrain’s jail cell shows her being ordered to clean up her own vomit with a mop. Less than an hour later, she was dead, and remained in her cell for more than six hours before a deputy noticed her lifeless body. He did not try to revive her or call for help, and Coltrain was left in her cell until the morning, when state officials arrived at the jail to investigate.

    Investigators with the Nevada Division of Investigation recommended that the deputies involved face criminal charges, but Lyon County, where the case was forwarded, refused to prosecute.

    “The review of the case, in our opinion, did not establish any willful or malicious acts by jail staff that would justify the filing of charges under the requirements of the statute,” said Lyon County District Attorney Stephen Rye.

    Coltrain’s family, however, believes her death was preventable. “(Jail staff) knew Kelly Coltrain had lain for days at the jail, in bed, buried beneath blankets, vomiting multiple times, refusing meals, trembling, shaking, and rarely moving. Defendants knew Kelly Coltrain was in medical distress,” according to a federal lawsuit filed by the family last week.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Dope Sick: Breaking Down Opioid Withdrawal

    Dope Sick: Breaking Down Opioid Withdrawal

    The strength it takes for a broken down, tormented person, feeling sick and hopeless every single day, to say, “No more” to their source of relief is something many people cannot even fathom.

    Dope sickness (from opioid withdrawal) or even just the fear of dope sickness can trigger a desperation and panic unlike any other. This fear, in large part, drives the addiction that has led to the opioid epidemic, which claimed 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016 and is now classified as a public health emergency. Or some say it’s the high that keeps opioid users chasing the dragon all the way to hospitals, jails, and institutions. Much like an abusive relationship that long overstays its welcome—often by years and even decades—it starts with love and butterflies but then transforms into a much darker animal, tethering a person in place not with love but with the fear of what happens when you leave it behind.

    How does someone know when their dose is wearing off and they need another fix? They’ll start to feel hot and cold at the same time, getting goose bumps and perspiring simultaneously; their eyes begin to water and they yawn repeatedly; they feel intense cravings coupled with severe anxiety, and their stomach starts to turn. These early onset symptoms of withdrawal work like an internal alarm in the brain, signaling to the nervous system that it desperately needs what is missing. These symptoms typically occur 6-12 hours after the last dose, and their intensity varies based on how often and how much of the drug the person is using. Opioid (painkillers such as oxycodone, vicodin, and codeine, as well as heroin) addiction is a progressive disease in which tolerance builds, so the required dose grows larger, and the withdrawal worsens. The deeper you are in the hole, the farther out you must climb.

    Once someone begins to experience the first stage symptoms of withdrawal, panic sets in. There is an overwhelming sense of impending doom because, as most seasoned junkies know, the only thing worse than the first stage of opioid withdrawal is the second. Muscle aches, pains, and spasms can cause a person to kick their legs and flop around like a fish out of water. Just as a fish longs for water to breathe again, the person in opioid withdrawal longs for a hit to end their agonizing race toward what feels like death. Vomiting, diarrhea, and severe stomach cramps keep them crawling to the bathroom, if they even make it, if they even have access. These physical symptoms are paired with deep depression, anxiety, and the torture of knowing that the hell could simply cease if they get their fix. And this typically goes on all 24 hours of each day that it lasts—typically just over a week—because insomnia prevents any relief that sleep would bring.

    It is the fear of that torment, which words can’t really do justice, that shackles people to a substance which indefinitely curses them with relief and pain. It is also that fear that compels them to lie, cheat, and steal. People who have become addicted to opioids wake up one day, deeper into their addiction then they’d ever anticipated, and look in the mirror only to see a stranger. They look at childhood photos of themselves and feel overcome with sadness, asking themselves, What happened? Their mothers do the same thing, looking at their baby’s photos and asking themselves where they went wrong. It’s difficult to separate the person from the addiction: although one entity does seem to overtake the other, that can be reversed and they are, in fact, two distinct realities.

    In most cases, a rotten egg is not born into this world destined to be a thief, robbing to feed their addiction. What once was a promising honor student, the girl next door, the boy working behind the deli counter, or the kid who loved fishing has now slowly, pushing the limits a bit farther each time, transformed into that thief overcome with fighting the terror of withdrawal. It’s as if they’ve sold their soul to the devil, stealing for it, lying to loved ones, to anyone, cheating people just to survive, just to feel well. When someone with an addiction hits rock bottom, and they hate themselves at this point, they think they’ve had enough and they want their soul back. But they can’t just stop. There’s a debt to pay.

    The strength it takes for a broken down, tormented person, feeling sick and hopeless every single day, desperate enough to do things they’d never imagine themselves capable of doing, to say, “No more,” is something many people cannot even fathom; it is standing up to the fear of the agony of withdrawal, of feeling like you’d gladly crawl out of your own skin if you could. For many people, it’s also facing the fear of life unaltered, buffer-less, possibly for the first time.

    There are different methods of withdrawing from opioids. Doctors sometimes offer benzodiazepines or clonidine, a blood pressure lowering drug, to temper the misery. There’s the good old fashion “cold turkey” which comes from the cold flashes and goosebumps you experience, or “kicking dope” which comes from kicking your legs around in weird spasms for over a week. And of course, we can’t have this discussion without mentioning the two big whoppers, Suboxone and methadone. These are known as medication assisted treatment (MAT), and they work wonders for many people. But one day you might want to get off of them, and that’s another opioid detox.

    Something worth mentioning about MAT is that if you take it long enough, you have the chance to rebuild a “normal” life. You can go to school, kickstart your career, do all the things that being a full-fledged junkie makes impossible. Stay on as long as you need; I even heard about one guy who got himself through law school on Suboxone. So there are upsides, incredible advantages really, but at the end of the day, after you’ve obtained your PhD, you still have to pay that debt.

    I once heard someone say, close your eyes and picture an addict. Whatever picture came into your mind, that’s the stigma of addiction. But there’s not just one static image, because addiction comes in layers. There’s the first layer, how it originated. Maybe a doctor prescribed Norcos for an ankle sprain and neglected to mention what you might be signing up for. According to drugfree.org, almost 80% of people who shoot up heroin started with the misuse of prescription medication. The next layer is when the drug takes over, and your identity—who you are—is now overwhelmed by the addiction, hiding your actual self somewhere beneath. And finally, hopefully, there’s the detox—the week or two of pure hell as the drug leaves your system and you start learning how to function without it.

    But when you do, finally, make it to the other side, however worn and broken down you may feel, it feels like the first day of the rest of your life. It’s a terrifying feeling, but you come out triumphant, and victorious.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Wearable Device to Treat Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Approved By FDA

    Wearable Device to Treat Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Approved By FDA

    The device can curb anxiety, irritability, depression and opiate cravings without narcotics, according to its manufacturer.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared a wearable device (simply named “Drug Relief”) that reduces common opioid withdrawal symptoms, according to Markets Insider.

    DyAnsys, the device’s manufacturer, claims the device will curb anxiety, irritability, depression and opiate cravings (among other such symptoms) without narcotics.

    Available with a prescription, Drug Relief is an “auricular neurostimulation device,” which sends electrical pulses through ear-fitted needles to help ease detoxification. The device is intended to stabilize people during the earliest stages of withdrawal, according to the company’s 501(k) application.

    Drug Relief can be used continuously for up to five days, the manufacturer said in its press release, with relief reportedly starting 30 to 60 minutes after someone starts using the device.

    DyAnsys added that the device was specifically designed to bring patients both mobility and comfort during detox.

    In terms of opioid detoxification, Drug Relief is something of a game-changer since it’s a uniquely non-addictive treatment method.

    “This device offers hope to those who are suffering from opioid addiction,” DyAnsys CEO Srini Nageshwar noted. “We are in a full-blown crisis and we need non-narcotic options and alternatives like this that can make a significant difference for individual patients and their families.”

    Just last month, the FDA also approved the first non-opioid medication to help manage opioid symptoms. And while Lofexidine (marketed under the brand name Lucemyra) alleviates the same things that Drug Relief does, it’s not intended to be a primary solution for opioid use disorder. Instead, the drug is intended to be part of a broader, more comprehensive treatment plan.

    The successive FDA approvals of Drug Relief and Lucemyra, though, indicate that drug companies and the federal government alike are aggressively seeking creative solutions to the nation’s opioid epidemic.

    “We’re dedicated to encouraging innovative approaches to help mitigate the physiological challenges presented when patients discontinue opioids,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. “We’re developing new guidance to help accelerate the development of better treatments, including those that help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. We know that the physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be one of the biggest barriers for patients seeking help and ultimately overcoming addiction.” 

    And while Drug Relief is the first wearable device to manage opioid withdrawals, it’s not the first piece of wearable tech to help combat addiction.

    SmartStop is a device that aims to help smokers kick their habit, delivering specific doses of nicotine before a craving kicks in, not to mention offering real-time support through an app.

    Biochemical sensors that can detect alcohol in human sweat have also been developed, with some of them able to wirelessly alert people like probation officers if someone has been drinking.

    Empatica’s E4 wristband can reportedly help predict a wearer’s risk of relapse, too, detecting symptoms like drops in skin temperature, increased motion, and heartbeat. 

    View the original article at thefix.com