Tag: recovery

Are you or your loved one struggling with an Exalgo addiction? If so, the best possible thing you can do is seek care at a substance program designed for people in your situation. 

Table of Contents

1. What is Exalgo and How is it Used By Doctors?
2. Exalgo Addiction
3. Laying the Groundwork for Active Rehabilitation
4. Settings for Treatment
5. Approaches to Exalgo Addiction Recovery
6. Choosing the Best Addiction Program for Your Situation

Effective programs may seem common. But, in truth, it can be difficult to find a facility that upholds modern standards for quality care. You may find it even more difficult to identify programs that surpass other available options.

Fortunately, the best Exalgo rehabilitation programs can be found if you know what to look for. To make your search as productive as possible, you must learn what qualifies as suitable addiction treatment. You must also know something about the ways in which superior programs go well beyond this accepted standard.

What is Exalgo and How is it Used By Doctors?

Exalgo is an extended-release medication made from an opioid substance called hydromorphone or dihydromorphinone. This substance is chemically similar to morphine, another better-known member of the opioid family. Doctors follow a strict set of criteria when prescribing Exalgo hydromorphone. To receive the medication, you must have a prior history of treatment or use. You must also have severe pain that doesn’t respond to weaker opioids or other types of analgesics. In addition, that pain must affect you on a daily, 24/7 basis for long periods of time.

Instead of Exalgo, your doctor may prescribe a generic equivalent with the same active ingredient. You may also receive Dilaudid, a brand-name product that also contains that ingredient. People who buy, sell or use Exalgo hydromorphone or Dilaudid illicitly sometimes refer to them by street names such as:

• D
• Footballs
• Dillies
• Smack
• Juice

Exalgo Addiction

When used for its approved purpose, Exalgo can provide pain relief when no other options prove satisfactory. However, as a powerful hydromorphone product, it can easily foster problems with substance abuse when not taken as intended. Abuse of this (or any other) medication can follow three overlapping paths.

People with current prescriptions can participate in abusive intake by consuming too much Exalgo hydromorphone at one time. Separately or simultaneously, they can also participate in abuse by taking doses at times that are too close together. Even one-time use qualifies as abuse in people who lack consent from their physician. Such people may also take the medication frequently or in excessive amounts.

Opioid use disorder is the medical term used to describe cases of addicted Exalgo consumption. The same term also covers non-addicted abuse if your pattern of intake interferes with your stable, daily routine. The possible symptoms of Exalgo-related opioid use disorder are:

• Abusive intake of Exalgo that involves excessively large doses
• Abusive intake of Exalgo that involves doses taken too close together
• Lack of the ability to get your habitual Exalgo consumption under control
• Strong cravings for Exalgo hydromorphone that appear when you’re not taking it
• Using Exalgo abuse as a main form of recreation
• Tolerance (the need to take larger amounts of the medication to feel its effects)
• Maintenance of an Exalgo intake pattern that has an obvious negative influence on your relationships
• Maintenance of an intake pattern that has an obvious negative influence or your mental or physical health
• Persistent use of Exalgo in situations that put you or others at risk for serious injury
• Exalgo withdrawal symptoms that appear whenever your intake stops or drops rapidly
• A level of intake that interferes with your fulfilment of important responsibilities in any area of your life

An addiction expert or other medical professional can officially diagnose you if at least two of these Exalgo-related problems appear over the course of any 12-month time period.

Laying the Groundwork for Active Rehabilitation

Medical detox serves as a necessary entry point to effective Exalgo rehab. That’s because the detoxification process allows you to stop your addiction-supporting substance intake and give hydromorphone time to leave your body. For any addicted user of any opioid, withdrawal symptoms are an expected part detox. These symptoms occur because your brain, in its dysfunctional and chemically altered state, is trying to encourage you to keep up your Exalgo hydromorphone intake.

Detox doctors are well-aware that opioid withdrawal is a two-phase process. As your blood levels of hydromorphone begin to drop, you can experience initial symptoms that include runny nose, increased output of tears and sweat, muscle aches and uncontrolled yawning. You may also experience anxiousness and disrupted sleep. As your blood chemistry continues to change, the list of additional withdrawal effects can include abdominal or stomach cramping, pupil dilatation, loose stools and nausea with or without vomiting.

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a medication called Lucemyra (lofexidine) as a treatment for opioid withdrawal. Lucemyra provides a benefit by making your symptoms less severe. In turn, this action can increase your chances of successfully completing the detox process.

All addiction specialists and public health experts place an emphasis on enrollment in a rehabilitation program as the next step after detox. Without the follow-up support of rehab, you’re vulnerable to a relapse and a return to your old patterns of opioid use. And if you take the same amount of Exalgo that you took before completing detox (or even a smaller amount), you can end up overdosing and potentially dying.

Besides protecting you from relapsing and overdosing, rehab provides other forms of critical assistance for your recovery. For starters, it offers the perfect opportunity to learn why addiction produces such damaging, life-altering effects. Modern rehabilitation methods also help you get at the roots of your addiction-supporting actions and change your behavior in the future.

Settings for Treatment

A small percentage of people have problems severe enough to undergo initial Exalgo rehab in a hospital. However, the vast majority of those affected take part in a program based in a residential (i.e., inpatient) or outpatient facility. Inpatient facilities are designed to provide the services needed for a safe, medically monitored recovery process. They also give you the time and space needed to unplug from daily concerns and devote your energy to treatment.

Outpatient Exalgo rehab programs provide the same core types of treatments as inpatient programs. The most significant difference is that they don’t require you to live onsite while receiving care. This approach can make it easier to get effective addiction assistance while going to school or working. However, its less intensive nature means that it’s only suitable for people with mild problems rather than moderate or severe problems.

Still, it’s important to note that mild opioid-related symptoms don’t always qualify you for outpatient rehab care. For instance, you may require inpatient care if you have overlapping problems with alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction. You may also need residential care if you have substance problems combined with a diagnosable case of depression or any other major mental illness.

Even if you could enroll in an outpatient program, you may choose an inpatient Exalgo rehab option instead. There are several common motivations for such a choice. First, inpatient care is rightly viewed as the most comprehensive level of treatment available. By enrolling in this form of care, you may increase your chances for a successful recovery. Some people choose a residential program because their home lives are too unstable to provide adequate support. Others just want to focus on getting the best rehab care available in the shortest possible timeframe.

Approaches to Exalgo Addiction Recovery

In the last few decades, evidence-based medication and therapy have become the time-tested cornerstones of effective opioid rehabilitation programs. The FDA has approved the use of two opioid-based medications, methadone and buprenorphine, for this purpose. It has also approved use of the non-opioid naltrexone.

Contrary to what you might assume, methadone and buprenorphine don’t get you “high” when used appropriately for addiction rehab treatment. In addition, they don’t keep you addicted. Instead, both of these options help you avoid the depths of withdrawal while still getting your abusive substance intake under control. As an anti-opioid, naltrexone cuts off any access hydromorphone and similar substances would normally have to your brain. When taken after you complete full detox, it helps reduce your relapse motivations.

Most of the therapies used in rehabilitation treatment belong to a diverse, modern discipline called behavioral psychotherapy. When used separately or in combination, they can help you do such things as stay the course in your recovery program, develop a healthy support community and learn how to avoid a return to substance abuse. Well-researched therapy options with verifiable usefulness include:

• Family behavior therapy
• Community reinforcement approach (CRA) plus vouchers
• 12-step facilitation
• Contingency management and other forms of motivational incentives

Choosing the Best Addiction Program for Your Situation

The presence of an experienced, expert staff is the hallmark of all high-quality Exalgo rehabilitation facilities. To meet your needs, all doctors, therapists and other personnel should rely on techniques proven to have a benefit for people addicted to opioids. An absolutely essential first step in active recovery is a thorough screening that assesses your physical and mental status. In addition to the number and severity of your addiction symptoms, that screening should include checks for serious mental or physical illnesses. Only consider programs that follow this protocol.

But these are only the baseline qualifications you should look for. When you place a call for advice or information, you should receive a clear picture of what that program offers. When reviewing a rehabilitation facility’s website or brochures, look for meaningful professional credentials and testimonials of other people who have successfully completed treatment.

All top rehab facilities maintain safe campuses that provide a sense of security at all times. In addition, they offer complementary or supportive forms of treatment that increase the effectiveness of your primary care. The available offerings may differ from program to program. However, the most common customizable options include movement-based body therapies, music therapy and relaxation or stress management courses. All of these approaches personalize your experience and contribute to an overall sense of wellness.

When reviewing your best choices for rehabilitation, never forget that the goal of treatment is a return to a lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around substance use. With your focus on this goal, you’ll find it easier to identify programs that provide optimal support for your commitment to recovery.

View the original article at thefix.com

If you believe you’re dependent upon the drug Palladone, you should waste no time in seeking treatment and consider entering rehab.

Table of Contents

1. What is Palladone and What is it Used For?
2. What Effects Does Palladone Have?
3. Palladone Street Names
4. Signs of Addiction to Palladone
5. Signs of Overdosing on Palladone
6. Palladone Withdrawal and Detox
7. Getting Treatment and Rehabilitation for Addiction to Palladone
8. Choose the Best Rehabilitation Center for Palladone

Do you believe you’re dependent upon the drug Palladone? Perhaps you have a loved one who you believe might be suffering from an addiction to the drug. This is a serious matter and one that affects a large number of people around the world.

Even though you might know that you aren’t alone in this battle, it does not make taking those first steps any easier. Those who are committed to dealing with their addiction and getting into recovery will find that the best option is to go through a professional medical detox and then enter a quality Palladone rehab facility. This way, they will stand a better chance of not relapsing.

What is Palladone and What is it Used For?

Palladone is a brand name for hydromorphone, and interestingly, it has been discontinued in the United States. However, this does not mean that the drug or generic equivalents are not still available for those who seek them out illicitly. Some of the other brand names for hydromorphone that are used in the U.S. include Dilaudid and Exalgo.

With hydromorphone, there are three available forms. These include the solution, tablet, and extended-release tablet. All of them have the capacity to be dangerous and addictive, because they contain opioids as the active ingredient.

Hydromorphone is used as a means to regulate moderate to severe pain. It is often used to help with migraines, bone pain, and dental pain. With the extended-release tablets, it can provide treatment for the pain around the clock, rather than only when it is needed. This works like other opioids when it comes to providing relief from pain. It alters the way the brain and the central nervous system interpret the nerve signals that the body is giving them. 

What Effects Does Palladone Have?

As with other types of opioids, the use of Palladone will provide not only pain relief but also a feeling of euphoria and peace. The perception of pleasure tends to be increased, as well. These feelings that those who use the drug experience are some of the reasons they continue to use it. Before long, they find that they are dependent on the drug, even if they aren’t in pain. The addiction to opioids can set in quickly, and it can be extremely difficult to break without proper help.

For some people, there are other dangers associated with the use of Palladone and similar drugs. If it is taken with certain other drugs, it can cause major problems. Those who have used an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of taking hydromorphone could suffer a serious interaction that could include severe breathing problems. Additionally, Palladone should never be used with alcohol, as it can cause the drug to enter the bloodstream more rapidly, increasing the risk of an overdose. 

Palladone Street Names

Hydromorphone has several different brands, but most people who are looking for the drug do not call it by any of the brand names, or even the generic names. Instead, they have developed their own street names for the drug. The slang can vary based on location and the individual, but below are some of the most common.

• Ds
• Dillies
• Heidies
• Hydro
• Laudies

These are just some of the alternative names that are used for hydromorphone and Palladone.

Signs of Addiction to Palladone

How does a person know they are addicted to Palladone? If you are constantly thinking about the drug and how to make sure you have enough of it, it is a sign of addiction. Some of the other signs include not enjoying activities that you previously enjoyed, and not caring about obligations to work, school, and family as much as you care about the drug.

Signs of Overdosing on Palladone

Those who abuse Palladone or other forms of hydromorphone are at risk of overdosing. With these types of drugs, more and more will be needed as a way to provide the user with the same effects. This can put too much of the drug into the system, and an overdose may occur. Some of the signs and symptoms of overdose include:

• Cold, clammy skin
• Constricted pupils
• Decreased consciousness
• Respiratory depression

When someone suffers an overdose, or you believe they even might have had an overdose, it is essential to contact emergency services as soon as possible. Often, the medical professionals will administer naloxone to help reverse the effects of the hydromorphone.

Palladone Withdrawal and Detox

When someone stops taking hydromorphone, and even if they simply reduce their doses, they will find that it can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, which can be quite painful. It is a drug that shouldn’t be quit cold turkey. Instead, the best option tends to be a medical detox. With these types of detoxifications, medical professionals will gradually reduce the amount of the drug the patient is taking. This will allow their body to get accustomed to life without the drug.

However, that does not mean there will not be a withdrawal. There are a number of symptoms they may still face. These include:

• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Goosebumps
• Nausea
• Muscle and joint pain
• Sweating
• Vomiting

Those who are going through withdrawal will often have a difficult time trying to enjoy their normal daily activities, as well.

Getting Treatment and Rehabilitation for Addiction to Palladone

There are various types of rehab programs available that can help those who are addicted to hydromorphone. Typically, you will be able to choose between inpatient and outpatient treatment options for Palladone. Those who choose an inpatient setting will find that it can provide them with around-the-clock attention and care, and it will eliminate any temptations that could cause someone to relapse. It also means that if there are any emergencies, the medical professionals will be right there to help.

For those who have moderate to severe levels of Palladone addiction, doctors will typically recommend inpatient treatment. This is also common right after someone comes out of detox. They might spend a few days with inpatient care before they go home. However, those who have milder symptoms of addiction might be able to benefit from an outpatient Palladone rehab center right away.

The outpatient treatment options can be quite beneficial, because they will allow the patient to continue with their normal routines with as little interruption as possible. They will still have access to all of the available treatments and therapies, but they will live at home during treatment. They can go to work and be with their family and friends. For some, this will be the more agreeable option. However, the one that is chosen should always be what is best for your recovery, not just what you want.

The types of treatment and therapies that are offered can vary based on the patient. In some cases, the use of other, lesser opioids might be used by the doctors as a means to help patients better deal with their cravings. They can often make the withdrawal symptoms easier to bear, as well. The other medications will then be gradually reduced.

Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can often be valuable as well. Other therapy types might include contingency management and motivational interviewing. Some Palladone rehab facilities will also offer holistic types of treatment, such as meditation, to help the patients better deal with their recovery and their stress levels. This can help patients later who might be in danger of relapsing.

Choose the Best Rehabilitation Center for Palladone

The goal of a Palladone rehab is to make sure you get the help that you need to recover properly. This means that you need to find a program that can provide you with what you need for your particular treatment. You want to work with a facility that provides evidence-based treatments. Of course, you will also want to make sure they treat you or your loved one properly and with respect.

Rather than choosing a Palladone rehab treatment center using only what you learn about the facility online, it is important to call and get in touch with them directly. You will want to ask questions about the various types of programs they offer, how they work with patients, and what credentials the therapists have. You need to know what it is about the rehab facility that will make it right for you, and you need to go deeper than just looking at a nice website.

Ideally, you will also be able to visit the facility before making a decision. This can give you a better idea of what you can expect when you or your loved one is admitted to the rehab.

It is very important to remember that recovery is about more than just the detox and the few weeks or months that are spent in treatment. It must also include aftercare options. What type of follow-up treatment and help options will be available through the hydromorphone rehab?

The only way to recover is by taking the first step. Admitting there is a problem, committing to detoxing and then making your way through the recovery program might be difficult, but it will be well worth it.

View the original article at thefix.com

If you or a loved one is suffering from Actiq addiction, having experienced professionals in your corner to offer guidance can help you when working to overcome your addiction.

Table of Contents

1. What is Actiq?
2. Understanding the Signs of Actiq Addiction
3. Street Names and Slang for Actiq
4. The Side Effects of Actiq
5. Common Actiq Withdrawal Effects
6. What May Happen During an Actiq Overdose
7. Medical Treatment for Actiq Addiction
8. Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Actiq Rehab Treatment
9. Selecting the Right Actiq Rehab Treatment Facility

Thankfully, there are a large number of addiction rehab centers around the country that offer solutions. In order to make the right decision for your circumstances and lifestyle needs, you must be aware of all the treatment options you have available. 

While the best rehabilitation facilities will address the symptoms of your addiction, they do more than that. These facilities offer supportive care that looks at you as a whole human being. A holistic approach is used to offer you additional strength so you can make the choices that will make substance recovery your new reality. 

We’ll offer information on what you need to know about Actiq, including what the drug is and what effects it can have on the human body. After you have a grasp on what the drug is and how it might affect you, you’ll be provided with information about the rehab and treatment options that are available to you today.

What is Actiq?

People searching for information about Actiq are often curious about what it actually is and how it is typically used. While the name might not immediately tip you off that it can be a dangerous substance, that doesn’t mean this isn’t true.

Actiq is a form of fentanyl, an extremely addictive drug that binds to the opioid receptors in the human body, which causes an increase in dopamine levels in the central nervous system. When there is increased dopamine in the body, this leads to relief of pain, a state of relaxation, a feeling of well-being, and a decreased perception of suffering.

There are several forms of fentanyl including patches, injections, lozenges, oral sprays, and nasal sprays. This particular type of fentanyl is a lozenge attached to a plastic stick that is placed under the tongue as a lollipop would be. It is typically used for those already taking pain-relieving drugs and has applications in the military.

This drug may be used to treat chronic pain syndromes on those who have a current tolerance to opiates. It is often used to treat breakthrough pain for cancer patients who are already receiving opioid medications. It is also used to manage people’s pain while undergoing surgery. Actiq depresses the cough reflex and the respiratory system. It also constricts the pupils.

This is a drug that goes to work very quickly. Within minutes, it can produce sedation and relieve pain. However, it has a very short duration, lasting no longer than 90 minutes and sometimes a third of that time. However, Actiq is something that will affect each person differently. Your weight, size, state of health, the amount of the drug taken, and any other drugs you are taking will have an impact on how Actiq affects you.

Understanding the Signs of Actiq Addiction

As with other powerful opioids, fentanyl in the form of Actiq has a huge risk of abuse and addiction. Even those who take the drug as prescribed for a medical condition are able to develop a tolerance and even a dependence on the drug. While at a tolerance level, more of the drug has to be used to offer the same effect as it once gave. When a person is dependent on the drug, stopping use can lead to symptoms of withdrawal.

If you are questioning whether you have an addiction to Actiq, the following signs indicate you may be:

• You use the drug in larger amounts or more often than intended.
• You continue to use even when it causes problems with relationships.
• You have cravings to use the drug.
• You are unable to cut down on use of the drug even when you wish to do so,
• Your pattern of use is causing you physical or mental harm.
• You have developed a tolerance to the drug.
• Your substance abuse has made you unable to meet commitments at home, work, or school.
• You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug.

Only a medical professional is capable of determining if you have an addiction to Actiq. This is not something you should attempt to handle on your own. Instead, you should speak with a doctor and find help for your dependence on the medication.

Street Names and Slang for Actiq

Actiq goes by many slang and street names as is common with drugs that are abused. A person using the drug may not call it by the generic name or the brand name. Instead, other names are used to refer to the drug. There is a large list of slang words for Actiq, many of which are listed below:

• Apache
• China Girl
• China White
• Dance Fever
• Drop Dead
• Goodfella
• Jackpot
• Murder 8
• Percopop
• Serial Killer
• Shine
• TNT

While these are the current known names for street fentanyl, these things can vary based on location. Some users and sellers of the drug also have their own street names to identify them.

The Side Effects of Actiq

Those who are using Actiq, whether in recommended amounts or more, can experience many side effects. Some of these effects are more common and others less common in users of the medication. While these side effects will not be present for every person who uses the drug, those who experience them may need medical attention. 

Common side effects include:

• Blurry Vision
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting
• Fever
• Irregular heartbeat
• Lightheadedness
• Lower side or back pain
• Muscle cramps or pain
• Mood changes
• Nervousness
• Numbness of the lips, feet, or hands
• Pale skin
• Rapid breathing
• Sore throat
• Sunken eyes
• Tightness in the chest
• Troubled breathing
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Wrinkled skin
• The less common side effects of Actiq include:
• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Clumsiness
• Decreased responsiveness
• Headache
• Muscle jerking or twitching
• Pounding in the ears
• Seizures
• Severe sleepiness
• Shaky arms, legs, feet, or hands
• Trembling hands or feet

If you are experiencing any of these side effects, it’s important to alert a medical professional as soon as possible. While some side effects are more serious than others, your experience needs to be considered by a professional to ensure that continuing to take the medication is the best option.

Common Actiq Withdrawal Effects

When taking any sort of opiate, the person taking the medication is at risk of developing tolerance, dependency, abuse, and even addition. A person who is experiencing physical dependence will also experience the symptoms of withdrawal if they stop taking the drug abruptly. 

The symptoms of withdrawal from Actiq can begin within 12 hours of stopping use of the drug. The symptoms can be severe and may last up to a week or even longer. Some of the withdrawal symptoms may include the following:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Chills
• Cold or hot flashes
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Goosebumps
• Insomnia
• Runny nose
• Severe pain
• Vomiting

Those who use Actiq may quickly gain a tolerance to large doses, which means that taking more of the drug is required to get the wanted effect. Using the drug time and time again will often lead to addiction. This is a disease that involves drug-seeking behavior that is uncontrollable and may lead to extremely negative consequences.

What May Happen During an Actiq Overdose

Taking Actiq can lead to accidental overdose leading to death, sometimes the first time it is used. This is especially true when it is taken in the wrong way or is taken by someone who does not have a prescription for the medication. Some of the symptoms of an Actiq overdose include:

• Extreme sleepiness
• Cold and clammy skin
• Difficulty talking or walking
• Feeling confused, dizzy, or faint
• Shallow or slow breathing
• Slow heartbeat
• Unresponsiveness

Opioids are known for leading to overdose, which can be fatal. This is why it is so crucial for you to be sure you have help finding Actiq rehab from professionals who can assist you through the process. 

Medical Treatment for Actiq Addiction

When seeking Actiq rehabilitation, one of the first parts of the process will typically involve medically supervised detoxification or detox. Detoxing from an addictive substance involves stopping consumption of the drug and allowing it to leave your body. 

Any type of opioid detoxification will create withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. This happens because your brain and body have become accustomed to the presence of Actiq. Once the drug is no longer there as expected, your brain has to get used to functioning properly without it.

There are often two stages to withdrawal from opioid medications. The first is associated with difficulty sleeping as well as a larger output of mucus and tears. Some individuals also experience an increase in sweating and yawning, trouble with anxiety, and muscle pain. The second stage often involves gastrointestinal issues including vomiting, nausea, loose stools, and abdominal cramps. Some people also experience dilated pupils and goosebumps.

Medical professionals will evaluate you throughout the detox process for additional disorders related to your mental or physical health. One of the largest concerns is depression, which is common among those going through opioid withdrawal. 

Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Actiq Rehab Treatment

In most cases, recovery from an addiction to Actiq will occur in an outpatient or inpatient treatment program. Many professionals believe inpatient care is the best option. This is the case especially for those who are experiencing moderate or extreme withdrawal symptoms while detoxing. An inpatient program offers monitoring and care at all times of day or night. That means if something comes up, immediate help is available.

Individuals who experience only mild symptoms of withdrawal and addiction may consider an outpatient program. This type of care involves making periodic visits to a rehabilitation facility while living the rest of your life at home. When visiting the rehab facility, doctors and specialist can monitor your progress.

Selecting the Right Actiq Rehab Treatment Facility

It’s important to delve deep into any addiction treatment programs that you may be considering. Any reputable program will follow established standards for care which involve medication and therapy known to help individuals break away from a serious addiction. Ensure you have a voice in your treatment and that support is provided every step of the way.

View the original article at thefix.com

Estazolam addiction is a very serious mental health issue and therefore requires professional treatment.

Table of Contents

1. What is Estazolam and What is it Used For?
2. Brand and Street Names for Estazolam
3. Estazolam Addiction Symptoms
4. Estazolam Side Effects and Dangers of Misuse
5. Understanding Detox for Estazolam Addiction
6. How Long Does Estazolam Stay in your System?
7. What are the Estazolam Withdrawal Symptoms?
8. What are the Risks of Estazolam Withdrawal Side Effects?
9. Estazolam Addiction Treatment – What to Expect
10. Choosing the Right Rehab for Your Estazolam Dependence

The symptoms of Estazolam addiction include misusing this benzodiazepine drug, being unable to control how much you use it, and continuing to use the drug in spite of negative consequences. If you or someone you care about is struggling with estazolam, look into the many rehab options you have for treatment and recovery. 

What is Estazolam and What is it Used For?

Estazolam is a benzodiazepine, a type of drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant. It slows down activity in the brain, causing relaxation, sleepiness, and lowered heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. It is prescribed to treat insomnia and is intended only for short-term use, up to about 10 days. While insomnia management is the only officially approved use for estazolam, doctors may prescribe it for other uses at their discretion.

One reason that estazolam is not supposed to be used for longer than 10 days is that it is habit forming, or in other words can be addictive. It is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance for this reason. Long-term use or any kind of misuse of estazolam can lead to dependence and addiction. 

Brand and Street Names for Estazolam

Estazolam is a generic name for this particular benzodiazepine. It has been sold under the brand names ProSom and Eurodin. People may abuse estazolam because of the way it induces a sense of relaxation and calm, as well as for the feeling of euphoria. Abuse of this drug includes taking estazolam without a prescription and misusing a prescription by taking more or higher doses, or taking it for a longer period of time than recommended. Sold illicitly, estazolam pills may be called:

• Bars
• Benzos
• Chill pills
• Downers
• Footballs
• Ladders
• Nerve pills
• School bus
• Sleeping pills
• Totem poles
• Tranks

Estazolam Addiction Symptoms

Any misuse of estazolam can lead to addiction. Even if you are only using estazolam as prescribed, there is a risk of becoming dependent on it. This is why it is never supposed to be used for longer than a week to 10 days. If you or someone you care about has been misusing this drug, there are some important symptoms of estazolam addiction you should watch for:

• Trying and failing to stop using or to use estazolam less
• Consistently using the drug more often or in larger doses than you meant to
• Experiencing cravings for estazolam
• Spending more and more time using estazolam or trying to get more of it
• Giving up other activities because of all this time spent on the drug
• Being unable to meet all responsibilities because of drug use
• Using estazolam even though it is causing relationship difficulties 
• Using estazolam in spite of physical or psychological health problems it is causing or worsening
• Continuing to use estazolam even in situations that are risky or dangerous
• Developing a tolerance to the drug and needing more to get the desired effects
• Going through estazolam withdrawal effects when not using

If you are misusing estazolam and you think you may have an addiction, it is important to get a diagnosis by a professional mental healthcare worker. This is the first step to recovery, but you first have to reach out and get help. Even if you aren’t sure you meet the criteria for estazolam addiction, get help to stop misusing this potentially dangerous drug.

Estazolam Side Effects and Dangers of Misuse

This drug can be useful for people struggling with insomnia, but it can also cause side effects. If you misuse estazolam, your risk of experiencing side effects is increased and they may be more intense. The most common side effects include slowed body movements, dizziness, clumsiness, and sleepiness. Less commonly you may have headaches, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting. 

Some of the potential side effects of estazolam can be very serious and dangerous: delusions, mood swings, dementia, aggression, hallucinations, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. If you are misusing this drug or combining it with similar drugs, your risk of experiencing these harmful side effects is higher. 

Another danger of misusing estazolam is the risk of an overdose. Signs of overdose include excessive sleepiness, confusion, loss of coordination, slurred speech, slowed breathing, and coma. These can ultimately be fatal. The risk of overdose is increased if you combine estazolam with other benzodiazepines, any opioid drug, or alcohol. 

Understanding Detox for Estazolam Addiction

After reaching out for help, you will need to detox from estazolam in order to receive treatment. Detox is the process of getting the drug out of your system and it will trigger withdrawal symptoms. Unlike many other drugs, benzodiazepines like estazolam can cause a very dangerous withdrawal that can even be fatal. Never attempt to detox alone.

How Long Does Estazolam Stay in your System?

Detox with withdrawal symptoms will generally last as long as the drug remains in your body. How long that will be depends on several factors, including how much you have been using estazolam and for how long, the dose you last took, and individual factors related to your health. For mild cases of dependence, it may take just a few days. But if you have been using estazolam long enough to develop benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, it can take up to two weeks to get the drug out of your system.

What are the Estazolam Withdrawal Symptoms?

Estazolam withdrawal syndrome may result if you have developed a serious dependence on the drug. This may cause nausea, dry retching, insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks, tremors, excessive sweating, weight loss, difficulty thinking, muscle aches, headaches, and heart palpitations. The number and degree to which you experience withdrawal symptoms depends on the severity of your addiction. 

What are the Risks of Estazolam Withdrawal Side Effects?

More severe addiction can lead to more symptoms, more severe symptoms, and effects that can be dangerous and even fatal. You may experience psychotic symptoms, like changes in perceptions or delusions, and this can lead to a mental health crisis. Estazolam withdrawal can also cause seizures and can be fatal. You should never try to detox from estazolam alone, and experts strongly recommend you do it under medical supervision.

Estazolam Addiction Treatment – What to Expect

Addiction treatment for estazolam has to begin with detox. You must stop using the drug first and let it leave your system. Therapy will not be effective or useful until you have recovered from withdrawal. You may find a treatment center that includes detox, but if not, it is important that you first undergo supervised detox. 

The process of detox from estazolam if medically supervised may include a controlled reduction of your intake. This will help minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of serious side effects and potentially deadly symptoms, like seizures. 

Once you have gone through detox, you can begin treatment for estazolam addiction. Your first treatment decision will be outpatient or inpatient rehab. Outpatient care allows you to stay at home while you get therapy. This is an option for anyone with a safe place to stay and supportive family. It is also a good choice if you need to work while you recover. 

Inpatient treatment is better than outpatient if you are concerned that your home environment will lead to a relapse. A residential facility provides a safe place, time to focus on treatment, a staff of experts, 24-hour care, and a wider variety of services. 

Treatment for estazolam addiction revolves around therapy. Aside from general medical care for wellness or to manage withdrawal symptoms, there is no approved medical treatment or drug for benzodiazepine addiction. 

Therapy comes in many different forms, but expect to benefit most from behavioral therapies. These, mostly based on cognitive behavioral therapy, will help you make practical, positive changes, learn to cope with negative feelings in healthy ways, and develop better relationships with friends and family.

Choosing the Right Rehab for Your Estazolam Dependence

There are so many options when it comes to seeking treatment for estazolam and ProSom addiction, including some of the best facilities in the country like Talbott Recovery in Columbus, Georgia. These and other locations are staffed by dedicated experts in addiction and recovery. One of the most important things to consider when choosing your rehab facility is the staff. The best treatment is administered by experts in the field. 

Also consider practical factors, like a treatment program you can afford. Locations are also important to consider if you cannot travel or want to stay near family. When you have your possibilities narrowed down, make site visits and ask for tours to meet staff and to get to know the details of the programs. Some things to look for include:

• A thorough diagnosis at intake
• An individualized treatment plan
• Your input in the treatment plan
• A staff of experts in various areas of treatment, including medical, psychiatry, and therapy staff
• Varied options for therapy 
• Support services, like recreation, nutrition, social skills training, group support, job assistance, and alternative therapies
• Aftercare services for a smoother transition after treatment and a focus on relapse prevention

If you can afford it, or your insurance can cover it, a luxury rehab is a great option. This kind of facility will provide additional services to help you heal, as well as top-notch food and accommodations. Most are in beautiful settings with opportunities to spend time outdoors and for recreation.

The most important thing you can do if you have become dependent on estazolam is to reach out and get help. Ask a friend or family member, your doctor, or anyone else you trust to help you take that first step. Rehab is available and treatments for drug addiction are effective. By choosing the right rehab for your needs and committing to therapy, you are taking your first successful steps to recovery and freedom from addiction.

View the original article at thefix.com

If you or your loved one have an addiction to the prescription drug clonazepam, it’s imperative that you seek treatment from a professional.

1. What is Clonazepam and How is it Used?
2. Side Effects of Clonazepam
3. Klonopin Overdose
4. How Does Clonazepam Addiction Occur?
5. Detox as the First Step to Addiction Recovery
6. Inpatient or Outpatient Addiction Treatment
7. Rehab Options
8. Choosing Your Addiction Rehab Destination

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to sort through your many options and find a rehab program that meets your needs. That’s why you must have access to the information required to make an informed treatment decision.

One crucial element in your decision-making process is an understanding of how clonazepam abuse causes harm. You must also understand which rehab methods are known to produce successful results. Just as importantly, you must know how to identify recovery programs that use those methods to the greatest effect. With this information at your disposal, you can make smart choices that turn addiction rehab from a vague hope into an achievable reality.

What is Clonazepam and How is it Used?

Clonazepam is the generic name of a prescription medication that forms part of the family of substances called benzodiazepines. In the U.S., the medication is also available under the brand name Klonopin. Benzodiazepines belong to a larger group of substances known as sedative-hypnotics or tranquilizers. When you take them, they travel to your brain, where they increase levels of a chemical called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

GABA’s main purpose in your brain is to slow down the rate of communication between your nerve cells. It does this by suppressing electrical activity. By increasing normal production of GABA, benzodiazepines trigger decreased activity throughout your central nervous system. (In addition to your brain, this system includes your spinal cord). In turn, this drop in nerve signaling produces a calming, relaxing or sedating effect throughout your body.

While all benzodiazepines share the same core structure, they can differ from each other in several ways. First, not all members of this medication family are absorbed into your bloodstream at the same speed. Benzodiazepines also vary in how long they make changes in your normal brain chemistry. Finally, benzodiazepine medications differ in how quickly they lose their impact and get eliminated from your system. Taken together, these contrasts help explain why medications of this type have their own specific uses and effects.

Clonazepam takes longer to affect your system than a lot of benzodiazepines. However, it doesn’t take as long as others. Once the medication reaches your brain, it produces its effects for a relatively extended amount of time. These properties make Klonopin and its generic equivalent suitable for the treatment of conditions that include panic attacks, convulsion (seizures), insomnia and anxiety. Doctors may also prescribe clonazepam to reverse the effects of a catatonic state or to treat certain side effects of antipsychotic medications.

Other Names for Klonopin and Clonazepam

Like many addictive substances, Klonopin and clonazepam are sometimes known by informal street names. Slang terms for Klonopin in particular include K-pin and Pin. More general street names for clonazepam and other benzodiazepines include:

• Tranks
• Downers
• Benzos
• Nerve pills

Side Effects of Clonazepam

Benzodiazepines were developed as a safer alternative to an older group of sedatives and tranquilizers called barbiturates. Nevertheless, use of these newer medication options also comes with the risk of significant side effects. Relatively mild potential side effects of clonazepam/Klonopin consumption include:

• Sleepiness
• Disruptions in normal thought and memory
• A decline in your normal ability to coordinate body movements
• Painful joints or muscles
• Blurry vision
• Lightheadedness
• Increased urination
• Altered sexual performance or sexual drive
• Increases in your normal saliva output

As a rule, these effects are only a cause for concern if they become ongoing or take a severe form.

Certain other side effects of the medication are always considered serious, and require immediate attention from a doctor whenever they occur. Examples here include:

• The development of hives or a rash
• Problems swallowing or breathing
• An unexplained hoarse voice
• Swelling that affects tissues in your throat, tongue, lips, face or eyes

Klonopin Overdose

You can potentially overdose on benzodiazepines if you take them too often and/or in excessive amounts. Overuse of longer-acting medications like clonazepam/Klonopin comes with a higher overdose risk than shorter-acting benzodiazepines. Potential symptoms of a clonazepam overdose include a confused mental state, sleepiness and the unresponsive state known as a coma.

Most people who overdose won’t die if Klonopin is the only substance in their system. However, risks for death can rise sharply if you combine the medication with alcohol, opioids or other substances that also slow down your nervous system. In fact, benzodiazepines are found in the bloodstreams of roughly one-third of all Americans who overdose on opioids. More than 100 people die from such overdoses on the average day. Public health experts believe that clonazepam and other benzodiazepines make a consideration contribution to this death toll.

How Does Clonazepam Addiction Occur?

Tolerance and dependence are not uncommon in people who take clonazepam for extended periods of time. Tolerance occurs when you no longer feel the expected effects from a given dose of the medication. Dependence occurs when your brain grows accustomed to the higher output of GABA triggered by the presence of clonazepam. Most cases of benzodiazepine tolerance appear in people who take these medications for at least half a year.

If you become dependent on Klonopin, you can develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication or take a significantly lower dose. Acute (short-term) withdrawal can begin in a week or so if you stop taking a short-acting benzodiazepine. However, acute symptoms may take 30 to 60 days to appear in people who take a long-acting medication like clonazepam.

If you experience Klonopin withdrawal, the most likely acute symptoms include an anxious or irritable mental state, sleeplessness, unusual changes in your muscle function, a rapid heartbeat and blurry vision. Other potential symptoms include depression and feelings of detachment from your sense of self or your surroundings.

Dependence is common in anyone who takes daily doses of Klonopin for at least two months. However, your doctor can help you manage dependence, avoid withdrawal and maintain a stable lifestyle.

If you abuse the medication, you can transition from manageable dependence to uncontrolled clonazepam addiction. If you’re a legitimate prescription holder, you can abuse that prescription by taking the medication more often or in larger amounts than indicated. You can also abuse Klonopin by taking it in any amount without a prescription.

Besides abuse, other factors can also contribute to your chances of  getting addicted to clonazepam. They include having a prescription with a high dosage and simultaneously engaging in alcohol abuse or barbiturate abuse. Your addiction risks also rise if you have a condition that requires long-term use of the medication.

People who are addicted to Klonopin or other benzodiazepines may be diagnosed with something called sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder. The same diagnosis may also apply to non-addicted users who still experience serious, medication-related disruption of their ability to function. When checking for the presence of the disorder, doctors and addiction specialists look for symptoms such as:

• Inability to limit your intake of the medication
• Devotion of much of your day to acquiring or consuming Klonopin, or recovering from its effects
• Keeping up your intake even if you understand that it causes mental or physical damage
• Keeping up your intake even if you understand that it causes your relationships to suffer
• Experiencing cravings for Klonopin when not actively using the medication
• Choosing consumption of the prescription drug over things you used to do for fun or recreation
• A pattern of use that stops you from meeting established obligations or duties

Detox as the First Step to Addiction Recovery

At the start of rehab for your Klonopin problems, you must go through a period of supervised detoxification or detox. The detox process gives you time to go through withdrawal in the safest manner possible. To maximize your comfort and help avoid relapses, your doctor will lower your intake gradually, not all at once. The length of this process is determined in large part by how long you’ve used the medication. It also depends on how long you’ve been addicted. Detoxification can last for months in people with a long history of consumption or abuse.

The course of detox may change significantly if you also abuse alcohol, opioids or other addictive substances. Your doctor will need to account for withdrawal symptoms related to these substances. Simultaneous alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be especially challenging, since benzodiazepines are often used to manage alcohol withdrawal.

Inpatient or Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Detox and enrollment in active rehab are often separate phases of addiction treatment. However, that situation can change for people addicted to Klonopin or other long-acting benzodiazepines. Since it may take months to complete the withdrawal process, rehab and detox can overlap for substantial amounts of time. In fact, rehab counseling can help addicted people keep up their efforts during the long detoxification process.

Counseling can take place in an inpatient or outpatient treatment facility. Inpatient care in a residential facility is recommended for anyone moderately or severely affected by Klonopin withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend an inpatient program if you have co-existing problems with other types of substances. In addition, you may receive an inpatient recommendation if you’ve been diagnosed with any form of serious mental illness. That’s true because the presence of a separate mental illness can complicate the course of effective addiction treatment.

Outpatient care may be suitable if you only suffer from mild benzodiazepine-related addiction. However, even in these circumstances, a residential facility offers some important benefits. A short list of these benefits includes 24/7 health monitoring, rapid assistance for any emergencies and avoidance of daily situations that make medication abuse more likely to occur.

Rehab Options

If you’re only addicted to clonazepam, medication may not play a role in your rehab treatment plan. Instead, your plan will probably center on supportive care and the use of some form of evidence-based psychotherapy. One form of therapy with known benefits for benzodiazepine rehab is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has a couple of primary goals. Its first objective is to help you understand some of the underlying reasons why you got involved in medication abuse. Next, the therapy helps you change your old behaviors, thought patterns and general expectations in stressful situations. The overall benefit is an improved ability to resist the temptation to abuse Klonopin. You may receive CBT or other therapies in a group setting or in individual sessions.

Choosing Your Addiction Rehab Destination

All high-quality rehabs for clonazepam addiction will offer basic services designed to help you recover your sobriety. They will also employ skilled addiction professionals and perform thorough assessments of your current mental and physical health. However, the best rehabs go beyond this accepted standard with supportive care that boosts your ultimate odds of treatment success. This type of care comes in many forms, and may include such options as relaxation therapy, yoga or stress management.

When selecting your preferred rehab, make sure to ask questions and get a full picture of what to expect. No matter where you go for treatment, you should be allowed to participate in an active way and state your needs and opinions. Your doctor should also verify your understanding of the benefits and challenges of the care plan created for you. At the end of the day, the best rehab option is the one that makes it possible for you to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.

View the original article at thefix.com