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Any drug, no matter how helpful it can be, poses certain risks. Xanax and Halcion, both powerful prescription drugs, have a strong potential for misuse and addiction. Learning more about them and how to avoid exacerbating their dangers is important.

What Are The Similarities Between Halcion and Xanax?

Both of these drugs fall into the benzodiazepine category. Other kinds of benzos are lorazepam,

temazepam and clonazepam. Benzodiazepines are depressants often prescribed for anxiety issues, seizures, insomnia and as a muscle relaxant. Clinicians may also use them in other ways, such as for sedation or anesthesia.

These drugs influence gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that decreases activity in your nervous system and produces calming effects. When taken with medical guidance, benzos may help improve people’s health and quality of life. However, there’s always the risk of adverse effects, including:

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Tremors
• Hypotension
• Hallucinations
• Confusion and agitation
• Memory problems
• Depression
• Aggressive behavior
• Respiratory arrest
• Cardiac arrest
• Respiratory depression
• Low blood pressure

• Lightheadedness
• Coordination impairment

The likelihood of different adverse effects depends on multiple factors, including the type of benzodiazepine you’re using, the dosage, other drugs you’re taking, and your overall medical and psychological health. When used regularly, benzodiazepines can generate a strong physical dependence, and they have the potential to become addictive.

Doctors try to reduce the risk of addiction by prescribing the right doses recommended usage for a relatively short time. They also warn against abruptly stopping benzodiazepine use. The potential for severe withdrawal symptoms means that patients have to reduce the amount and frequency of the drug gradually.

In general, people are at the greatest risk of addiction and other serious adverse effects when one or more of the following is true:

• They’re taking the drug for too long a period of time or using it in other unsafe ways against the doctor’s medical advice. Maybe they aren’t following a doctor’s instructions, or maybe they’re taking it without any prescription at all.
• They use the drug with alcohol, opioids, or other medications that may have drug interactions with benzodiazepines like antidepressants. These dangerous combinations may result in coma or death.
• They’ve developed a dependence on the drug and face serious and sometimes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it. Benzodiazepines are notorious for the potential severity and longevity of their withdrawal symptoms. Medically supervised withdrawal at a reputable treatment center is highly recommended.

Halcion vs Xanax: What Are Their Differences?

Primary Use

Xanax is a popular brand name for alprazolam, a benzodiazepine typically prescribed for mental health problems like anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Halcion is a brand name for triazolam, which is primarily used for insomnia, including problems with falling asleep and staying asleep.

Quickness and Duration of Effects

Both Xanax and Halcion have high potency and can act quickly on the brain and body. But alprazolam is classified in some scientific sources as an intermediate-acting drug, while triazolam is considered a short-acting drug. Triazolam may affect your central nervous system (CNS) and body quickly, and it may take less time to leave your system.

In their standard forms, neither of these drugs is a long-acting benzodiazepine. When a drug isn’t long-acting, people may take more frequent doses of it to sustain its effects. The risk of abuse or dependence may be higher.

For Xanax, there’s an extended-release version that does get absorbed and broken down more slowly by the body. People who take extended-release Xanax may need only one dose per day, not a few daily doses. However, the long-acting version still isn’t free from the risk of addiction, especially if it’s taken for a long time or misused.

Likelihood of Abuse or Addiction

Which drug may prove more addictive depends on multiple factors. For example, what’s the frequency of use? Someone may have started taking Xanax regularly to ease their social anxiety, but maybe they’ve taken Halcion only once to help them fall asleep. A regular exposure to Xanax may increase the chances that they’ll start misusing the drug and develop a physical dependence on it, that is considered substance abuse already.

The likelihood of misuse or addiction can be affected by something as simple as easy access to the drug. Someone may have an easier time obtaining Xanax by purchasing it illegally or stealing pills from family or friends.

People may also continue abusing a drug if it doesn’t initially hit them with unpleasant side effects. For example, if somebody tries both Halcion and Xanax, they may keep using the one that doesn’t leave them with nausea, dry mouth, or headaches. Reactions to each drug can be highly individualized and difficult to predict.

For both Halcion and Xanax, short-term use is strongly recommended to reduce the chances of developing an addiction. The recommendation for Halcion is to avoid taking it for more than a week to 10 days at a time. For Xanax, dependence on the drug can develop after only a few weeks of use. Withdrawal from Xanax is especially infamous for its potential severity and persistence of symptoms.

How does a person get addicted to Xanax or Halcion? This is due to continued use and a person developing tolerance to the drug. The more they take these drugs, they build up tolerance and end up needing larger doses to take more to achieve the desired effect.

Bans in Other Countries

Back in 1991, the U.K. banned Halcion. This move, which was considered controversial, arose from concerns over reports and allegations of severe side effects, including paranoia, memory loss, depression and increased suicidal thoughts. Because of the availability of similar drugs that are safer, Halcion wasn’t deemed necessary for the U.K. marketplace. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug.

Can Halcion and Xanax Be Taken Together?

Before taking any medications together, you need to consult with a doctor. Various medications interact poorly, and benzodiazepines are especially dangerous in combination with other substances, including certain prescription drugs.

Combining Halcion and Xanax may increase the number and intensity of various side effects, such as confusion, dizziness, and poor motor coordination.

Contact Long Island Treatment Center

If you’re struggling with benzodiazepine abuse or addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Whether the drug is Xanax, Halcion, Diazepam (Valium), Ativan, Klonopin, barbiturates, or something else, we’ll provide you with support during every stage of recovery, including withdrawal.

You deserve compassionate, personalized care delivered by trained and experienced healthcare professionals. Don’t look for an addiction treatment center elsewhere, Long Island Treatment Center is here for you. We are one of the best treatment programs in the country whether be it for substance abuse disorder or alcohol dependency. You can contact us today via online chat or by calling us.

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Almost everyone understands what addiction means. Most people think of it as an irresistible need for mind-altering substances that make it very hard to beat. Unfortunately, transfer addiction can replace it and cause the same kind of problems. An overpowering need for food, exercise, work, gambling, sex and other activities can create an addiction too. When they please the pleasure center in your brain, they can become almost impossible to resist. Professional caregivers at Long Island Treatment Center can guide you through the challenges of recovery.

Identifying Transfer Addiction

A problem that can occur during recovery may allow a focus on drugs to hide an addiction to enjoyable activities instead. On an individual basis, hobbies or interests can provide enjoyment without any harmful effects. However, when they become a substitute for drugs or alcohol, they can create an issue that needs attention. Often, transfer addiction can happen without calling attention. When it occurs as compulsive activities, it can become unhealthy and harmful. Replacing one addiction with another can complicate and delay the recovery process. Knowing how to recognize everyday activities as potential sources of addiction may alert you to guard against them.

Considering How Substitute Addictions Can Harm You

Signs of transfer addiction may occur during recovery and when you want something to replace the pleasure you got from drugs or alcohol. Group or individual therapy can help you understand why you became addicted to them. However, most people recognize drug or alcohol addiction as something to avoid. Eating, exercising, smoking, working, and other ordinary activities seem to have no stigma attached. When they become excessive, they can create an imbalance in your life that affects your personal, work, family, or school responsibilities.

Watching Out for Signs of Transfer Addiction

At Long Island Treatment Center, skilled counselors provide therapy that helps clients identify unhealthy emotions and thoughts that affect behavior. When you seek recovery from addiction to alcohol or drugs, you may want to find a substitute that provides pleasure to your brain.

Video Games

Millions of people play online games without becoming addicted. However, they may appeal to anyone who no longer uses drugs or alcohol. Transfer addiction may allow winning or playing the games to release dopamine, a brain chemical that provides pleasant feelings.

Shopping

Everyone needs to buy things from time to time for completely legitimate reasons, but most people do not have an addiction to it. Transfer addiction to shopping may offer an escape from emotional pain, but it can create financial problems from overspending.

Gambling

Gambling is a highly addictive activity that can immediately impact finances and personal relationships. It seems to occur as a replacement for substance abuse. Trained therapists can help you see the dangers of transferring addiction to gambling.

Smoking

Anyone who has quit smoking or tried to can confirm the difficulty of doing so. Transfer addiction to nicotine can prove as unhealthy as drugs and alcohol as it produces a negative effect throughout the body.

Work

Activities that everyone admires may not seem to have anything wrong with doing them. A focus on work can allow you to advance in your job and provide for your family. A transfer addiction from substance abuse to working may become workaholism. When anyone puts undue emphasis on achieving success or recognition, it may obscure a desire to escape from emotional issues.

Exercise

The health benefits of regular exercise include strengthening the heart muscle, bones, joints, the respiratory system, and all parts of the body. When it occurs in moderation, it produces outcomes that enhance the enjoyment of life. However, a transfer addiction to exercise can carry some negative impacts. For example, exercise can stress a body beyond its capabilities. Physical injury can occur, and relationships can suffer from a lack of attention.

Food

A healthy diet seems unlikely to become the object of a transfer addiction. Foods with high sugar, fat, and salt content often provide the preferred choices for compulsive eaters. The apparent damage that can result includes weight gain and damage to the body from unhealthy ingredients that release dopamine in the brain’s pleasure center.

Sex

A transfer addiction to sex can provide the same kind of pleasurable feelings as drugs or alcohol. A compulsive need for overly frequent, risky, or unsafe sex may interfere with recovery from drugs and alcohol.

Recognizing a Problem

Many times, a transfer addiction to an acceptable hobby or practice seems to cause no problem. The routine nature of substitute activities can allow them to go unnoticed and unrecognized as an issue. An unfortunate outcome of replacing one addiction with another increases the likelihood of relapse. In addition, it may lead to a return to an original addiction. With substance abuse, the brain becomes used to the pleasure it produces. Recovery provides time to allow it to adjust to life without drugs. A distraction by another addiction can slow progress and create setbacks.

Becoming Addicted to More Than One Thing

When addiction occurs, it takes control of your body and seems to hijack your brain. The search for pleasure and reward that may come from using alcohol and drugs can occur with compulsive attention to ordinary activities. While the functions of the brain almost defy understanding, it does seem that any addiction creates an involuntary takeover of your brain. It is as though you have no say in the matter of decision-making or freedom of choice. An intense desire to seek the substance or activity that produces pleasure makes you almost a slave to it.

Hoping for a Complete Recovery

Drug or alcohol addiction does not have an actual fix. Neither does transfer addiction. Professional counselors at Long Island Treatment Center can help you get sober and discover the reasons that you turned to drugs or alcohol in the first place. Caution prepares you to prevent substituting a compulsive activity for either of them.

While the recovery process helps you get relief from cravings and withdrawal symptoms, it does not have a set end date. Your symptoms and cravings fade over time, but the potential for relapse always remains. Instead of thinking of recovery as something you completed, it may help to think of it as an active process of recovering that gets easier every day.

Keeping Up the Good Work

We strongly recommend participation in an aftercare program. You can benefit from the support of others who understand the challenges you face. Healthy associations can form in aftercare, and it may help you to avoid transfer addiction or addiction to drugs or alcohol. The feeling of camaraderie and mutual understanding can help you overcome doubt and stay on course to achieve a lifetime of sobriety. We participate in many local functions that help you learn about substance abuse resources available in the community. Our dedication to substance abuse treatment inspires us to collaborate with local groups that share our commitment to awareness.

Choosing the Best Professional Treatment

At Long Island Treatment Center, we have confidence that you can heal from substance abuse without experiencing a transfer to a substitute activity. Our personal experience and our work with others in your situation assure you that you can count on us. We understand the difficulty of coping with drug or alcohol dependency and can help you work through it.

Our dedication to equipping you and your family with methods that work can give you hope and confidence. We offer several outpatient addiction treatment programs that can suit your preferences and your lifestyle as you seek sobriety. We appreciate the opportunity to serve residents of the New York City area with dedication, knowledge, professionalism, and compassion. Call us today to get started on getting rid of addictions and achieving a lifetime of sobriety.

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Both Benadryl and alcohol are legal substances with a variety of uses, so you might end up in a situation where you are considering taking both. However, it is important to remember that even harmless medications can be dangerous when combined with other substances. You should always research carefully and consult with a doctor before taking two or more drugs at a time. Is it safe to mix Benadryl and alcohol? Explore this guide to see how these two substances interact.

Understanding How Benadryl and Alcohol Affect Your Body

If you are thinking about mixing Benadryl and alcohol, it is important to understand how each substance will impact your health. Both of these substances can cause mental and physical effects.

Benadryl is the brand name for diphenhydramine which is a type of antihistamine. This medication is very popular for helping with allergic reactions. It works by reducing levels of the chemical histamine. Your body normally produces histamines as a response to allergy triggers, so Benadryl can prevent things like hives, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny noses. To lower histamine levels, Benadryl suppresses a variety of signals within your nervous system. As a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, Benadryl may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.

Alcohol is another type of CNS depressant. When you consume alcohol, it blocks the communication pathways within your brain. This makes it harder for your brain to control essential tasks like speech, judgment, and memory. When taken in very high amounts, alcohol can also slow your heart and breath rates to dangerous levels. Alcohol also contains a lot of toxic byproducts that can damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs.

Is It Safe to Mix Benadryl and Alcohol?

Unlike some other drugs, Benadryl does not put stress on the liver. Therefore, combining Benadryl and alcohol is not likely to lead to liver failure right away. However, mixing Benadryl and alcohol can still be dangerous.

Since Benadryl and alcohol are both CNS depressants, it is a bad idea to combine them. Both of the drugs’ effects essentially stack with each other, resulting in a heavy dampening effect on the brain. You can end up dealing with breathing problems, a reduced heart rate, or other life-threatening symptoms.

Keep in mind that medications often behave unpredictably when combined. Taking Benadryl with alcohol can do far more than just make your drinks seem stronger. Due to the way they interact, the two substances essentially boost each other as well. A small amount of alcohol plus a small amount of Benadryl can be far more dangerous than just a heavy dose of alcohol or Benadryl by itself.

The Dangers of Combining Benadryl With Alcohol

Of course, the main risk of combining Benadryl and alcohol is the heightened overdose risk. Taking too much alcohol or too much Benadryl on its own can already be fatal, and when you combine the two, you greatly increase your chances of overdosing. Taking both substances at the same time strengthens dangerous side effects such as a slowed heart rate and decreased breathing rate. During an overdose of Benadryl and alcohol, you may have seizures or slip into a coma, and these health problems are potentially deadly.

Even if you don’t take enough Benadryl and alcohol to overdose, you can still have health problems. Combining these two drugs is associated with the following health problems.

Impaired Coordination

Mixing Benadryl and alcohol tends to intensify some of the most unpleasant side effects of Benadryl. People will typically have very poor coordination when combining the two substances. This can cause very dangerous situations if you drive or operate heavy machinery, and it also makes you more likely to suffer from accidents. Even very simple activities like walking upstairs after a Benadryl and a beer can result in dangerous mishaps.

Drowsiness and Unconsciousness

Benadryl is already so sedating that some people use it as a sleep aid, and mixing it with alcohol makes things even worse. This combination tends to make you intensely sleepy. You might nod off randomly, and you can even slip into unconsciousness. Keep in mind that you won’t get a good night’s sleep if you decide to take a Benadryl with a glass of wine. The combination tends to cause dizziness, stomach problems, and other physical discomforts that make it hard to sleep. It also disrupts your natural REM cycles, so you’ll wake up frequently and feel poorly rested in the morning.

Poor Judgment and Difficulty Processing Information

When you take Benadryl, the medication blocks the brain’s ability to process acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is essential to processing information and remembering new things. At the same time, alcohol also impairs your ability to use judgment and logic, and it can temporarily block short-term memory. All of this combines to mean that people tend to behave bizarrely and unwisely while combining alcohol and Benadryl. You’re likely to be confused, make poor decisions, and struggle with any tasks that require mental comprehension.

Increased Dementia Risks

Benadryl and alcohol can continue to cause problems long after you quit using them. 2018 research has found that alcohol can damage the brain enough to cause dementia in seniors. Meanwhile, a study from 2015 also discovered that taking Benadryl daily also increases dementia. Instead of directly harming the brain as alcohol does, Benadryl seems to interfere with the long-term memory storage processes that usually happen during sleep. Ultimately, these two dementia-causing mechanisms combine to create drastically higher risks of dementia for people who misuse Benadryl and alcohol.

How Long Do You Need to Wait Between Benadryl and Alcohol?

If you want to manage your allergies but also want to drink alcohol, what should you do? To avoid any unfortunate mishaps, you need to wait for the alcohol or Benadryl to entirely leave your system before taking any other substance. There’s no hard or fast rule for how long you have to wait because it will depend on how much of the substance you took and how your metabolism works.

Benadryl’s half-life is between 3.4 hours to 9.2 hours, and its time to peak is 2 hours. This essentially means that Benadryl is strongest within 2 hours of you taking it, and it can take up to 9 hours for half of the drug to leave your system. To be safe, medical experts recommend waiting at least two days between taking large amounts of Benadryl and drinking alcohol.

Alcohol leaves your body a little quicker. Alcohol has a half-life of about four to five hours, and it usually takes your body a little over a day to clear alcohol out of your system. However, keep in mind that larger amounts can take your body longer to process. You may need to wait up to 36 hours between drinking alcohol and taking Benadryl.

Are You Considering Mixing Alcohol With Benadryl?

If you are in a situation where you are thinking about combining these two substances, it is a good time for some self-examination. In many cases, trying to mix Benadryl and alcohol can indicate a problematic relationship with alcohol.

Many people start wondering whether they can take alcohol with Benadryl because they are dealing with allergies but still want to enjoy the effects of alcohol. You will need to ask yourself whether you feel discomfort at the idea of not drinking while you take Benadryl. If you find yourself unable to pause your drinking, you may have a substance use disorder. This early warning sign is a hint you should stop and consider whether you have other substance use disorder symptoms such as drinking despite negative consequences or drinking more than you mean to.

It is also a cause for concern if you are considering taking Benadryl and alcohol because you want stronger mind-altering sensations. This is called polydrug abuse, and it is very problematic. Polydrug abuse occurs when a person is taking multiple drugs or types of drugs at the same time. People often engage in polydrug abuse because they are looking for a stronger high or a more intense buzz. When you have reached a stage where you are constantly seeking stronger sensations and are willing to harm your health to feel these sensations, you are exhibiting several types of substance use disorder symptoms.

We Provide Healthier Options

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be dealing with alcoholism, it is important to seek professional help. An expert assessment can identify whether you are experiencing problematic drinking levels. Medical professionals will also be able to assist you with finding effective treatment options such as therapy or interventions.

At Long Island Treatment Center, we focus on helping our clients overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Our experienced team can safeguard your health and provide you with the tools you need to stay sober. We offer a variety of therapies, including partial hospitalization programs, medication-assisted treatment, and outpatient rehab. Contact the LITC team today to learn more.

Reference section
https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/polydrug-use/
https://www.drugs.com/Benadryl.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321078
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526010/
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system

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What Is Meth Mouth?

Meth mouth is a serious dental condition that causes gum disease and severe tooth decay. These conditions can cause you to lose your teeth, or they can make them break off. Dentists gave 571 users of meth dental examinations, and they learned that 31% of them were missing at least six or more teeth and that 96% had cavities.

The description of a methamphetamine user’s teeth includes teeth that are stained or blackened as well as teeth that are crumbling and rotting. In many instances, dentists cannot salvage these teeth, and they must extract them.

Meth mouth occurs in the following three stages:

Stage One

The front teeth begin to decay first. The meth user begins to experience bad breath and red, swollen gums. The teeth eventually begin to decay.

Stage Two

The gums start to recede, and the person’s lips begin to develop sores. Tooth decay gets even worse at this point.

Stage Three

Tooth decay reaches the person’s gumline. This is also when the person starts to lose his or her teeth. According to the American Dental Association, if a person’s teeth haven’t fallen out at this point, they will need to be removed.

Other signs of meth mouth include micro-cavities, lockjaw, cracked, loose or missing teeth, and dry mouth. Meth users also grind or clench their teeth.

What Is the Cause of Meth Mouth?

One reason that people experience meth mouth is because their dental hygiene begins to suffer while they are in the throes of an addiction. The addiction also leads to poor nutrition and the lack of regular dental care. Meth users often forget to brush their teeth, and they may also eat sweet foods while they are using. As a matter of fact, eating sweets and drinking sodas is known as “buzzing” in the meth community, and this activity damages the enamel of their teeth even further.

The act of eating sugary foods and smoking methamphetamine is a major cause of tooth decay. When cavities are left untreated, it can cause nerve damage, abscesses in the mouth and damage to the teeth.

When people are addicted to methamphetamine, their focus is on obtaining their drugs and not on maintaining their dental hygiene. They may not be consuming enough vitamin C and iron, so their bodies cannot heal themselves as well as when they were consuming sufficient amounts of these nutrients. If they develop abscesses or lesions, they can be extremely painful because their bodies cannot help them heal.

When methamphetamine users are high, they often grind their teeth, and this causes them to chip. In addition to that, meth is very acidic, so it weakens teeth and causes them to easily crack and break. Meth also contains several dangerous chemicals, including lantern fluid, antifreeze, drain cleaner and battery acid, and these chemicals contribute to the erosion of bodily tissues. These additives were not meant for human consumption.

Meth mouth also causes severe dry mouth that is known as “Xerostomia.” This occurs because meth dries the salivary glands of a meth user’s mouth. When this happens, bacteria are allowed to flourish in the mouth, and the user’s teeth begin to rot, and the gums begin to decay.

How Else Does Meth Affect Your Health?

Meth mouth can damage more than just your mouth; it can affect your entire body in the following ways:

• Itching that is caused by sensitivity of the nerves
• Brain damage
• Stroke
• Lead poisoning
• Risk of hepatitis and HIV
• Heart issues
• Convulsions
• Hyperthermia
• Premature delivery

Treatment for Meth Mouth

Unfortunately, the treatment for meth mouth is often tooth extraction, but sometimes, dentists can treat some of the issues that meth mouth causes. Dental treatment does not end the treatment for methamphetamine use. A methamphetamine use disorder must be treated in a substance use treatment center. At Long Island Addiction Treatment Center, we can treat you or your loved one for an addiction to methamphetamine.

The first step in treating an addiction to methamphetamine is the “detoxification process.” The Drug Enforcement Administration placed methamphetamine in Schedule IIN on the list of Controlled Substances. This means that it is a stimulant that has a high potential to be abused by users and can lead to a severe psychological or physical dependence. Therefore, you or your loved one will need to undergo the detoxification process before we can treat you for your psychological dependence.

To begin treatment, we must remove all traces of methamphetamine from your body, but you must stop ingesting the substance first. Because methamphetamine causes you to experience highly unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you fail to take your daily dose of the drug, our staff may administer medications that will help you tolerate the absence of the drug during the detoxification process. Then, your body can slowly adjust to the lack of methamphetamine in your system.

Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms

Short-term withdrawal symptoms that last for approximately two weeks include the following:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Psychosis
• Intense cravings
• Appetite changes
• Muscle spasms and pain
• Headaches
• Dehydration

Long-term withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Cognitive issues
• Anxiety
• Cravings
• Irregular sleep
• Depression

In the detoxification stage, you will learn how to manage your cravings, and you will also learn how to avoid returning to drug use. After the detoxification process is over, we will place you or your loved one in therapy that addresses your psychological addiction to methamphetamine.

Therapy is necessary because a substance use disorder is about more than just a physical addiction to a drug. After the detox process is over and you aren’t physically dependent on methamphetamine, you will still be at risk of relapsing. That’s because you will experience several triggers that may lead you back to methamphetamine use. For example, you may continue to spend time with other methamphetamine users. Places you used to go while you were using the substance may also lead you to crave the drug again. Lastly, sudden life stress can cause you to want to ease the pain with methamphetamine use again. You aren’t experiencing strong cravings or withdrawal symptoms, but the triggers listed above can continue to push you in the direction of methamphetamine use.

As you get counseling for your substance use disorder, you will learn how to manage your cravings and live your life without the need to self-medicate with substances.

Types of Therapy for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

Group Therapy

Group therapy is highly effective for the treatment of substance use disorders. In group therapy, your peers will be available to challenge you when you need to be challenged and support you when you need the support. They will be experiencing the exact same things that you will be, so they are the most appropriate people to perform these actions for you.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is also very necessary because you will have your own therapist, and you will meet with him or her in one-on-one sessions. This allows you to address issues that you aren’t comfortable introducing in a group session. It is also particularly useful if you are experiencing a mental health disorder along with your substance use disorder. Both of these conditions need to be treated at the same time so that you can overcome each without neglecting one.

Partial Hospitalization Program

If you or your loved one are dedicated to sobriety, the partial hospitalization program may be right for you. It is recommended for people with a strong support system because it is a program that allows you to live at home while you are in treatment. However, you must be in a drug-free environment to take advantage of the program.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program

If you are experiencing a mental health condition, you will be placed in the intensive outpatient treatment program. This program will be for you or your loved one if you are diagnosed with an eating disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder. You can engage in this program if you no longer need to remain in an inpatient program and would like to continue your treatment before you step back into your old life again. You must be in a safe environment with supportive family members to take advantage of this option.

Outpatient Treatment Program

The outpatient treatment program gives you the option of continuing your treatment after an inpatient program, but it also allows you to remain in your job and live at home. This level of treatment teaches you to manage your substance use disorder over the long term, and you may only need to attend therapy sessions three times per week. It is an option for someone with a mild addiction, but it can also be a program that you choose for yourself or for a loved one after inpatient therapy. In most cases, sessions are held at night so that you can continue to go to work or attend school.

Outpatient treatment is advantageous because it can provide family therapy for you and your family members. This isn’t always the case with inpatient programs. It gives your family members the chance to be your support, but it also gives them the opportunity to learn about the behaviors that you may engage in because of substances as well as the medical and psychological consequences of being addicted to a substance.

If you or a loved one need help with a methamphetamine addiction, contact us today at Long Island Treatment Center.

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The unfortunate reality is that drug addiction impacts many relationships each year. If you have been searching for “how to leave a crack addict” or something similar, you understandably may feel as though all hope is lost. The person you are in a relationship with today may be unrecognizable from the person who you originally fell in love with. Perhaps the relationship has taken a violent turn and you are fearful for yourself or other family members. While you may know deep down that ending the relationship is the right step to take, you may be riddled with doubts and questions. Learning how to leave a drug addicted spouse can set you and other family members on a healthier course. What should you know when leaving an addict?

Why Leaving an Addict Is Challenging

The many doubts and questions that you may have today can leave you with a feeling of uncertainty. This is a person who you once loved deeply, and perhaps you still do. Walking away from someone who you share a long, intimate history with is not easy to do, and you may wonder if this is a mistake. If you stay in the relationship, perhaps you can help your loved one to break the addiction once and for all. You may wonder if you have done everything you can to help. You could even be concerned that leaving your addicted loved one could send him or her on a downward spiral that has no end. In some cases, the impacted person may be afraid of being alone.

These are all common concerns when leaving someone with a drug addiction. However, the reality is that your relationship may no longer be healthy. The many strong factors that your relationship was originally based on have eroded. It is important to note that all of these concerns are rooted in fear of the unknown. You need to place your health and well-being above those fears. While you may seek help for your loved one as you end your relationship, you ultimately must do what is best for you.

Key Reasons to End Your Relationship with an Addict

If you are still on the fence about ending your relationship, you should understand some of the most significant reasons to do so. Love is a strong reason to stay, but there are many rational reasons to leave that may surpass the strength of love. For example, physical, emotional and verbal abuse are common in relationships impacted by drug addiction. This is because drugs can make even a calm, easy-going person more irritable and angry. In fact, this may be one of the reasons why you may not recognize the person the addict has become. The bottom line is there is no good reason to stay in an abusive relationship.

In some cases, the impacted party believes that he or she is supporting the addict through a tough time. In reality, however, you could be enabling the addict to continue with his or her unhealthy and dangerous ways. In many cases, the enabler does not realize what he or she is doing. By enabling the addict, you may be preventing him or her from fully realizing and taking responsibility for the drug use. This may actually interfere with him or her deciding to seek treatment. This may result in the addiction continuing or even worsening over time.

In many relationships involving an addiction, the non-addict partner will try to minimize the social impact of the loved one’s drug abuse. For example, he or she may make excuses to explain unpleasant behavior, tardiness or other issues that could otherwise draw attention to the issue. In some cases, these excuses are made to avoid personal shame. After all, you may believe that friends and family could potentially blame you for the addiction. When you make excuses, however, you likely are lying to friends and family members. In addition to continuously lying to these people who you care about, you may be preventing yourself from getting the additional support that you and your addicted loved one need.

Another reason to leave a drug addict is related to time. While some people who are committed to an addict will eventually grow tired of the situation over time and leave, many others will become accustomed to the problem. It may become natural to deal with erratic behavior and to try to cover for unruly behavior. For some people, the longer that they remain in the relationship, the harder it can be to leave. In addition, it may be harder to identify the reasons to leave when you are accustomed to them as part of your daily life.

What to Do Before You Leave an Addict

As you might imagine, there are a few instances when it may be better to stay in a relationship with an addict. This is a serious matter that requires detailed introspection. One of the most significant factors to consider is if your partner wants to change and improve his or her life. Individuals who have a desire to overcome an addiction may be more willing to go to rehab. More than that, he or she may be more willing to put in the personal work necessary to be successful in rehab and beyond.

Another factor to consider is related to you. You must carefully analyze your relationship to determine if you are an enabler. It can be difficult to identify the signs of enablement in your everyday life, so you will need to step back to look at the big picture. Observe the specific words and actions you take with the addict, and pay attention to how they impact the enabler. Are you trying to lead the individual to a drug-free life, or do you make excuses that ultimately contribute to the continuance of the addiction? Regardless of other factors that may encourage you to stay, enablement is a sure sign that it is better to end the relationship.

You also should consider if you are in a healthy relationship. In a healthy relationship, both parties work equally to maintain the relationship. They are affectionate, thoughtful and appreciative. Unfortunately, in many relationships involving addiction, the addict zaps the other partner of energy and fails to express love and appreciation on a regular basis. If you feel as though your relationship has become one-sided and your partner is not willing to change, it may be time to let go.

Before you finalize your decision to stay or leave, spend time looking toward the future. Do you honestly see the addict improving and overcoming the addiction, or do you see this issue continuing to be problematic for years to come? It can be difficult to admit that the situation may seemingly be hopeless, but there are instances when it is simply not feasible to once again have a healthy relationship with the addict.

Another important factor to consider is the children who are involved in the situation. Focus on how the addiction is affecting children. A parent or guardian must provide a safe, healthy environment for the children. If your children feel unsafe or if they are making concessions in their lives to accommodate the addiction, they should be removed from the environment. This may mean that you end the relationship or that the children be removed from the home. There is no room to negotiate on the matter of your children’s well-being.

How to Leave a Drug Addict

The last thing that you want to do as you walk out the door is to magnify the problem. The end of a relationship can be traumatic for the addict. You may be concerned about the addiction worsening or even about the possibility of self-harm or suicide. There are a few important steps that you should take to ease the stress of the situation.

1. Initially, you should firmly decide that you want to leave. This is not a time to waver in your conviction. Define the reasons why you are leaving an addict. Most likely, your partner will inquire as to why you are ending the relationship. Do not be evasive when answering this question. While you should try to keep emotions out of the situation, you should truthfully convey the reasons. Sugarcoating the matter will not make it better for you or your partner.
2. Ideally, you will have an established support system in place. This support system may include friends, family and even a therapist. Let them know ahead of time what your plans are. Their support can help you to work through your decision-making process and can give you the strength to act on that decision.
3. Self-care is crucial when you are going through a breakup, and it may become even more important when you are dealing with emotions and thoughts associated with ending a relationship with an addict. Focus on things that can relieve stress and help you to feel balanced. For example, exercising, practicing yoga, reading and playing an instrument are all smart options to consider. Allow yourself time each day for the relaxing activities that you enjoy.
4. One of the best steps that you can take to avoid a messy breakup is to establish clear boundaries both before and during the breakup. For example, let the addict know when he or she can contact you. It is also crucial to make living arrangements before the breakup. In the days and weeks leading up to the end of the relationship, make plans to live with a friend or family member, or rent a separate space. It may be helpful to avoid telling the addict where you are moving to.
5. While telling your partner that you are ending the relationship may be extraordinarily difficult, actually leaving maybe even more challenging. When the time comes to do so, remember the reasons why the relationship must end. Remember that ending the relationship now may set the addict on a path to getting clean. This may be an essential step that ultimately benefits both of you.

What to Know When Leaving an Addict

Whether you are trying to decide to leave an addict or you are searching for the conviction to follow through on your plan, you should remember a few important points. One of these points is that you are not to blame for the situation. The addict is fully responsible for the decisions that he or she has made in life. You also should be aware that you cannot resolve the matter. An addiction can be treated in rehab and with long-term therapy and professional support, and this is only when the addict has a strong desire to get clean. In addition, remember that breaking an addiction is a journey that only the addict can walk through. You have no control over the timing and how straight or jagged that path is.

When to Consider a Drug Addiction Treatment Program

Whether you have decided to stay in the relationship or you believe that leaving an addict is the best option, you may want to guide your partner on the path toward a drug-free lifestyle. You cannot force an individual to change, but you can suggest resources and treatment programs that could be helpful. By simply giving your partner an alternate path to explore, you may open his or her eyes to the possibility of a better life. Long Island Treatment Center provides a diverse range of treatment options to meet the varying needs of drug addicts. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact us today.

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Focalin and Adderall are stimulants that doctors commonly prescribe to treat ADHD. While these drugs can be very effective, they may present some risks. Patients want to get the most out of their medication while minimizing the risks associated with taking a prescription stimulant. For this reason, people who struggle with ADHD are often not sure whether they should take Adderall or Focalin to safely manage their condition. You don’t want to take the wrong medication, so check out this overview of Focalin vs Adderall if you have ADHD and want to learn more about your options.

What Adderall Is

Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine that doctors primarily prescribed to treat ADHD. This drug is a stimulant, so it increases the user’s heart rate and allows their brain to utilize more dopamine and norepinephrine. These natural hormones can improve the patient’s attention, motivation, and concentration. Adderall comes in immediate-release and time-release capsules. Immediate-release capsules work faster, but they also have a higher potential for misuse. Doctors prescribe different dosages based on the patient’s weight, health, and the severity of their symptoms, and they may adjust a patient’s dosage as they respond differently to the drug over time.

Side Effects of Adderall

This medication often causes sweating, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate. Many people liken the side effects of taking Adderall to drinking several cups of coffee. Some patients report irritability, insomnia, and restlessness. Taking Adderall may also result in upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea in some individuals.

Risks of Adderall Misuse

Like most stimulants, Adderall has a high potential for addiction and misuse. Many people who don’t have ADHD use Adderall to study for tests or enhance their performance at work. Patients sometimes take more than the recommended dose to achieve greater productivity or enjoy a jolt of energy. Long-term misuse of Adderall may result in psychosis, cardiovascular problems, worse ADHD symptoms, liver damage, and other serious issues. Individuals with preexisting cardiac problems are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and increased blood pressure.

People occasionally crush short-release Adderall pills into powder and snort it. This heightens the effects of the drugs but puts the individual at a much higher risk of overdose. Some individuals take Adderall in an attempt to maintain their alertness while drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Misusing Adderall on its own is bad enough, but mixing it with alcohol may lead to alcohol poisoning, heart problems, and aggressive behavior.

What Focalin Is

Like Adderall, Focalin is prescribed to treat ADHD. Dexmethylphenidate, the sole active ingredient of Focalin, is a stimulant that affects the production of natural hormones in the brain. Most patients who take Focalin report better concentration and self-regulation. Like Adderall, Focalin comes in short-release and extended-release capsules.

Side Effects of Focalin

Many people who take Focalin report insomnia, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, dizziness, and weight loss. Moreover, many patients claim that Focalin puts them in a sedated state that suppresses their personality and makes them uninterested in the things that they usually enjoy. Some individuals also report feeling aggressive, depressive, or anxious when taking Focalin.

Risks of Focalin Misuse

Focalin is addictive, and doctors sometimes have to increase a patient’s dose after prolonged use for the patient to feel the effects of the drug. Taking large doses of Focalin or crushing it up and snorting it may cause feelings of euphoria and increase the user’s self-confidence and concentration. Because of this, Focalin abuse is common in the workplace and at parties.

Mixing Adderall and Focalin

Doctors haven’t found any notable drug interactions between Adderall and Focalin. Thus, it’s likely not a matter of life and death if someone accidentally mixes the two substances. However, the body has to work hard to process each of these drugs, so combining them over long periods may cause liver damage. Doctors do not prescribe Adderall and Focalin together, and combining these medications does not produce any benefits. Moreover, combining Adderall and Focalin doesn’t seem to result in any kind of high, so people generally do not mix these drugs intentionally or for recreational purposes. Focalin and Adderall share similar risks of long-term misuse and overdose.

Focalin vs Adderall

The intensity of certain symptoms can vary widely between individuals with ADHD. Thus, not every drug will have the same effect on every patient. Because of this, patients often rotate between medications until they find one that alleviates their symptoms with minimal side effects. While Adderall may be extremely effective for a patient, Focalin may not help the same patient at all. The opposite is also true for many ADHD patients. Since the effects of ADHD medications differ so drastically between individuals, when it comes to choosing the right ADHD medication, you won’t really know until you try different medications under your doctor’s supervision. Unlike drugs for other conditions, you can’t accurately gauge how ADHD medications will affect you simply by reading about them.

When your doctor prescribes a new medication, you should record all positive and negative effects in a journal every day. When you see your doctor again, you can reference this information as you try to figure out whether the medication is a good fit. If you experience uncomfortable side effects or don’t feel like a drug is working for you, then your doctor will either adjust your dose or prescribe another substance. Keep recording your experiences and coordinating with your doctor until you find a medication that alleviates your symptoms without terrible side effects. Under no circumstances should you take an ADHD medication that your doctor hasn’t prescribed.

Focalin and Adderall are both addictive substances that can cause organ damage and various mental problems when misused over long periods. Moreover, each drug presents a risk of overdose, which could lead to death, permanent organ damage, or brain damage. Thus, you must always strictly follow your doctor’s instructions when taking any ADHD medication. Even if you don’t overdose or notice negative side effects, misusing ADHD medications may exacerbate symptoms of ADHD over time and make the condition more difficult to treat.

Signs of Stimulant Addiction

It may be difficult to notice if someone with ADHD is misusing their prescribed Adderall or Focalin. However, the symptoms of stimulant abuse are more apparent in individuals who have not been prescribed these medications to treat ADHD. The most obvious symptoms of stimulant abuse include sweating, gastrointestinal problems, fast speech, decreased social inhibition, shaking, irritability, and restlessness. Individuals who abuse stimulants are at greater risk of developing psychosis and mood disorders.

The body metabolizes Adderall, Focalin, and other stimulants very quickly. Consequently, someone who habitually abuses stimulants may begin to experience early withdrawal symptoms within hours of their last dose. Early signs of stimulant withdrawal include vomiting, lethargy, hallucinations, anxiety, melancholy, insomnia, and irritability. These symptoms may suddenly go away if the individual takes a dose. Therefore, you should look for abrupt changes in a person’s mood if you suspect that they are struggling with stimulant addiction.

Risks of Stimulant Detoxification

Detox happens when the body tries to adjust its basic functions after it stops receiving regular doses of an addictive substance. Symptoms of withdrawal directly result from the detox process. Depending on the severity of an individual’s addiction and their overall health, it can take several months for the body and mind to completely detox. However, the most dangerous stages of detox occur within the first week. For up to 72 hours after the last dose, patients will experience the early symptoms of withdrawal previously mentioned.

Up until the end of the first week after the last dose, patients will struggle with severe anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and poor concentration. After the first week, withdrawal symptoms will slowly subside. During the first week of detox, there is a risk of various medical complications. Patients will also be less likely to make good decisions while struggling with mood-related withdrawal symptoms. The early stages of detox can be incredibly agonizing, so many patients relapse at this stage when they try to quit stimulants on their own.

Due to the high risk of relapse and the potential for medical complications, it is much better for patients to enroll in a detox program at a reputable treatment facility. A high-quality detox center has medical staff and addiction professionals available to make sure that the detox process goes as smoothly as possible. They will be there to comfort the patient and respond to any emerging medical issues. On top of that, a detox center prevents the patient from accessing addictive substances, so they will not be tempted to relapse when withdrawal symptoms become difficult to bear.

Treatment Programs for Stimulant Abuse

After going through detox, patients can enroll in a residential treatment program or an intensive outpatient program. A residential program will remove the patient from potential triggers and allow them to figure out their future plans and arrangements while they receive high-quality addiction treatment. An intensive outpatient program allows patients to receive a high standard of care while also fulfilling their everyday obligations.

Both programs include several hours per week of individual therapies, group therapies, and holistic therapies. These therapies help patients target the root causes of their addictive behaviors and find healthy coping mechanisms to maintain long-term sobriety. Patients usually enroll in a standard outpatient program once they make it through detox and intensive programs. After building the necessary skills and plans to maintain sobriety and connecting with addiction resources in their area, patients will eventually stop attending rehab altogether.

Get the Right Treatment Today

Stimulant addiction is a big problem that won’t just go away on its own. A stimulant overdose can quickly lead to death, and the long-term effects of stimulant abuse can make it very difficult for an individual to enjoy a happy and healthy life. Fortunately, a high-quality rehab center can help patients get through detox and build the necessary skills and mindset to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Time is of the essence, so if someone in your life struggles with stimulant abuse, then you need to call Long Island Treatment Center today to help them overcome their addiction before it’s too late.

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Rehab is a process and a continuum. People often go through at least three phases before entering active recovery. Read on to learn more about these phases and how they can help you or your loved one on your journey to overcome addiction.

The Transtheoretical Model

The Transtheoretical Model theorizes that changes in behavior are not the result of one action. Instead, behavioral changes are the result of a series of steps or changes that a person goes through. As they progress through these steps, they get closer and closer to achieving the new, desired behavior.

Patients in rehab can use the Transtheoretical Model as they move through the steps of recovery. By following through each stage, patients and caregivers can ensure that the patient is taking all of the necessary actions to ensure a permanent behavior change.

What Are the 5 Stages of Rehab?

While there are six stages for the Transtheoretical Model, when it comes to rehab, we focus on the first five. We’ll discuss later why the sixth step isn’t as relevant when it comes to addiction.

1. Precontemplation

During the precontemplation stage, the person doesn’t realize that they have a problem or they’re in denial about their addiction. They have no plans to seek help or treatment. In their mind, they have everything under control and they don’t need help.

Loved ones may try to talk to the person about their addiction, but the person insists they don’t have a problem. They’ll either justify or deny the behaviors that their loved one may bring up. The person is often unaware of the signs of addiction that their loved ones are seeing.

In some situations, people in the precontemplation stage have tried rehab before but it wasn’t successful. They may feel that rehab just isn’t for them or that they’re beyond help. They are resigned to living a life of addiction.

Fortunately, everyone can be helped. Whether someone has been addicted for months or years and no matter how many times they’ve tried treatment, there is a program out there that can help them.

2. Contemplation

In the contemplation stage, the person begins to acknowledge that they may have a problem. They’ve started to notice the signs of addiction. They may also begin to understand the consequences of their addiction.

Instead of shutting down, the person may listen when their loved ones talk to them. The loved one may begin to make sense and the person may see their addiction from a more rational perspective.

At this point, the person may begin to consider undergoing treatment. They will start to wonder what their life would look like without addiction. They often see themselves going into rehab, but it’s usually in the near future, but not right now.

They will also weigh out the positives and negatives that go along with their addiction. They are often torn between the satisfaction they get from their addiction and the potential for a better life.

In this stage, loved ones can have a great impact. They can often get the person to sway toward the positive aspects of overcoming their addiction. When loved ones take the right action during this stage, the person may move on to the next stage.

3. Preparation

In the preparation stage, the person becomes more active in their recovery. They have admitted that they have a problem. In this stage, they start to realize that they can’t put off recovery indefinitely. It’s important to make a change.

During this phase, they will consider their options. They will do research and sometimes turn to others who were in their position. They will understand that they must get over their addiction in order to live a healthy life.

People in the preparation stage will often try to get over the addiction on their own. They may quit for a few days or even a few weeks. However, they are likely to relapse. If they are unable to quit, they’ll realize that they need professional help. They may continue to try on their own until they’re ready to move to the next phase.

4. Action

The action phase is perhaps the most important of all the stages. Up until now, the person has simply been denying the problem or planning to take action. It’s a lot easier to come up with plans instead of actually putting them into practice.

During the action stage, the person is ready to get help. They’ll find the rehab that seems like a good fit for them. They may even give up their addiction.

They’ll enter a rehab facility and start by undergoing detoxification. The length will depend on their level of addiction.

Next, they’ll get help with overcoming their addiction. They’ll often do counseling to help them understand what their triggers are and how to avoid them.

5. Maintenance

People enter the maintenance stage after achieving the desired behavior. In this case, they’ve overcome their addiction. However, the process isn’t over. No one is “cured” of addiction, but instead is taught methods for coping.

The person must now do what it takes to stay sober and avoid relapse. They should have a pretty developed toolkit for dealing with their problems. They should avoid situations that tempt them to go back to their older ways.

Loved ones will often help by preventing the person’s access to the substance. The person must learn to hold themselves accountable. The maintenance stage may last six months up to a year.

After Recovery

Recovery isn’t a cure. It’s an ongoing process. The sixth and final stage is called termination. During this stage, the person has achieved their goals and they no longer wish to return to their past ways. They no longer desire the substance that gave their addiction and is happy in their new life.

Many people with addiction issues never reach this stage, hence it was left out of the main list. For many addicts, they’ll spend the rest of their life fighting the urges. These people must stage in the maintenance stage so that they’re actively avoiding temptation and triggers.

Ready for Change? Long Island Treatment Center Can Help

The five stages of rehab can be scary, especially as you’re starting out. You don’t have to do it on your own. Support can help you move forward with your life and decrease your chance of relapse.

When you’re ready for help, the Long Island Treatment Center is here for you. Call today to discuss your treatment options.

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Addiction is not a matter of weak willpower. It’s a physical and psychological disease that takes over your body and mind. Addiction rewires circuits throughout your brain and body to make you reliant on substances. It changes your body chemistry so that you have trouble functioning without the drugs.

Eliminating the drugs from your system during detox is the first step toward recovery. But your body, which has become dependent on the substances to feel normal, takes time to rebalance itself. Your cravings may be intense after detox. You may find it difficult to deal with your triggers.

Up to 70% of people who undergo addiction treatment relapse within 90 days. Therefore, relapse prevention is an essential aspect of rehab. Naltrexone injections in Long Island, New York, are a medication-assisted option for helping people with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder stay sober.

What are Naltrexone Injections?

Naltrexone is a medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to help people who are addicted to opioids or alcohol to remain drug-free. It must be prescribed by a licensed health care provider and is available in pill or injectable form.

Naltrexone injections are typically more effective than pills. Although the pills can be taken daily to produce sustained results, many patients forget to take them or neglect to take them consistently. Missing doses can lead to symptoms of dependence and cravings, which may end in relapse.

Injections are an extended-release version of the medication and are sold under the brand name Vivitrol. A 30-day dose is administered via a single injection. This ensures that the medication stays in the patient’s system. The patient doesn’t have to remember to take a pill; they simply visit their health care provider in Long Island once a month for the shot.

How Do Naltrexone Injections Work?

Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist. It attaches to opioid receptors without stimulating them. By affixing themselves to the receptors, they block the space that the drugs would otherwise affect. Therefore, the naltrexone makes your body less reliant on alcohol and opioids without sending messages down the reward pathways that perpetuate the cycle of addiction.

Vivitrol injections work in the following ways:

• They block the euphoric effects of opioid drugs and alcohol.
• They decrease cravings for alcohol and opioids.
• They discourage further consumption of drugs or alcohol if you relapse.

You might wonder how naltrexone works for alcohol use disorder if it acts on the opioid system. When you drink alcohol, you release natural opioids that affect the receptors in that system. Naltrexone blocks this effect and suppresses the stimulation of dopamine neurons.

Don’t confuse naltrexone with suboxone or methadone. These are medications that are used to manage symptoms and cravings while a patient is in withdrawal. Naltrexone treatment begins after the initial detox and withdrawal period.

Can You Drink or Use Drugs With Naltrexone?

Although naltrexone injections reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol, they’re not a magical solution. Many people in Long Island lose the urge to use substances while they’re taking Vivitrol. But the medication can’t stop you from engaging in behaviors that lead to using.

You might find that you relapse because you’re in a social situation that triggers you or you have trouble coping with an intense experience. Some people who don’t want to stop drinking altogether may wonder if taking naltrexone will allow them to drink in moderation.

In most cases, it’s safe to drink moderately while you’re taking Vivitrol. However, you won’t feel the “happy buzz” from the alcohol. Without that distinctive euphoria, you may not even feel drunk. Therefore, many people don’t get any value from drinking on Vivitrol.

It’s important to note that your body will still express the effects of alcohol when it comes to coordination, motor skills and judgment. Therefore, you should take the same precautions as you would when drinking without naltrexone. Don’t operate heavy machinery, drive a car or put yourself in risky situations.

Naltrexone also blocks the euphoric effects of opioids. Although you won’t feel high, your body will have a lower tolerance to opioids. In fact, naltrexone makes you more vulnerable to an opioid overdose from lower doses of the drugs than you might be used to. This susceptibility persists even after you stop taking naltrexone. Therefore, you should avoid taking any narcotics, including heroin and prescription opioids, during and after Vivitrol treatment.

Are Naltrexone Injections Safe?

Vivitrol is usually well-tolerated by people who have been cleared as good candidates by their health care provider. However, as with any medication, naltrexone injections have some risks, including the following:

• Bruising or tenderness at the injection site
• Digestive distress
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Muscle cramps
• Appetite changes
• Mood changes
• Liver damage
• Suicidal thoughts
• Overdose
• Interactions with other medications

Many of these side effects are mild or rare. They may be similar to the side effects that you may experience from other medications. Vivitrol is not known to cause weight gain, and it’s not addictive. You’ll work with your care provider to ensure that you’re a good candidate for naltrexone injections.

Make sure that you’re open with your prescriber about your mood, mental health, physical symptoms and other medications. They may recommend blood tests to ensure that naltrexone is safe for you. Heavy alcohol and opioid use can take a toll on your health, and you need to be healthy enough to take Vivitrol.

Naltrexone can affect your mood. Research has found that it can contribute to depression. It also reduces feelings of social connection. However, it may improve negative emotional processing, helping you to cope with intense feelings and respond with healthy behaviors.

People with certain vitamin deficiencies, medical conditions and existing organ damage may not be ideal candidates for the injections. You should also let other health care providers or laboratory personnel know that you’re taking naltrexone if you have to have a medical procedure or lab test.

Who Qualifies for Naltrexone Injections in Long Island?

Individuals who are physically dependent on opioids, alcohol or both substances are good candidates for this type of treatment. It’s available to people ages 18 and over and is often offered to patients who are leaving detox or rehab. It’s also available to individuals who are struggling with cravings at any point in their recovery.

If other treatments haven’t worked or you are at a high risk of relapse, Vivitrol may be a valuable option for you. However, the medication is less effective if you drink or use opioids within 7 to 10 days before you receive the injection. If your health care provider determines that you might benefit from naltrexone before you have been abstinent for this long, they may prescribe pills first.

The best candidates for this type of treatment are also undergoing other forms of substance abuse treatment. A prior relapse doesn’t necessarily mean that your treatment wasn’t effective. Relapse is part of the recovery process, and exploring various treatment approaches can help you understand why it happened and prevent it from occurring again. When you combine other forms of therapy with Vivitrol, you may have the best chances of avoiding relapse again.

How to Get Naltrexone Treatment in Long Island: Prescription and Dosing Information

Seeking help for a substance abuse disorder is a brave step toward your recovery. If you’re working with a mental health professional or treatment facility, ask whether naltrexone injections are an appropriate option for you. You may get the injections while you’re in inpatient care, outpatient care or a sober living facility. They may be administered at the rehab facility or by another clinician.

The extended-release injections usually contain 380 milligrams of naltrexone and are administered about once a month. You’ll need to make an appointment with a clinician that offers this service. The shot is delivered into the gluteal muscle. The medication is designed to be released slowly over the course of 30 days.

Can Naltrexone Injections Replace Therapy?

There are many effective treatments for substance abuse disorder. To treat addiction successfully, you have to address the emotional, mental, historical, biological, behavioral and physical aspects of the disease. Vivitrol addresses some of the physical and biological elements of addiction. However, you should receive support to manage the other factors that play into your substance abuse disorder.

At Long Island Treatment Center, we offer a wide variety of treatment options so that our patients can customize their care. Contact us if you’re struggling with substance abuse disorder and want to find a comprehensive program that works for you. We can help you get on the path to recovery and stay there.

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When taking a powerful drug, people may wonder about its short-term and long-term effects. As a hallucinogen, LSD is best known for its strong impact on people’s mental states and perceptions. But what does it do to the body and the brain over time?

One warning you may have heard about LSD is that it stays in the spinal fluid permanently. But is there any truth to this warning? To better protect yourself against the effects of drug use, it’s important to sort out the facts from any false claims.

Does LSD Stay in the Spinal Fluid?

Drugs can linger in the body in various ways. For example, when people use marijuana frequently, its presence may be detected in their hair for a few months after they stop using it.

LSD, however, gets broken down by the body fairly quickly. In general, it’s almost fully metabolized and excreted within 24 hours. Furthermore, most people don’t take high doses of it. As such, ordinary drug tests often won’t register its presence.

However, there are some tests administered to specifically check for LSD usage. They may detect LSD reliably in the blood or urine within several hours after it’s taken. In urine, its presence may remain detectable up to a few days following ingestion.

The amount of time it takes for the body to break down LSD will vary from one individual to another, and it will be influenced by multiple factors. These include weight, age, dosage, and food intake. If someone’s liver isn’t functioning well, the LSD will break down more slowly.

But we still haven’t addressed the question of spinal fluid. Does LSD stay in the spinal fluid for the rest of your life?

As it turns out, this is a myth. Although LSD can exert some terrible effects on people, it doesn’t become a permanent part of your cerebrospinal fluid.

The Connection to Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder

HPPD is one reason the spinal fluid myth may have come about. Although the disorder is rare, it’s an example of how abusing hallucinogens can lead to issues that last longer than a single drug trip.

With HPPD, people continue to see certain distorting or unpleasant visual effects after they stop using LSD or other hallucinogens. A common effect is to see halos appear around objects or to perceive distortions in size and color. People may also be afflicted by bright lights that don’t fade in intensity.

HPPD may resolve on its own within days or weeks. Other times, it lasts for months or years. More research is needed to understand why some people develop HPPD and whether it’s connected to the length of hallucinogen use, interactions with other drugs, and the presence of certain medical or psychological conditions.

However, there’s no evidence that HPPD comes about because of LSD staying in the spinal fluid.

​​Other Issues With LSD

Although LSD isn’t considered an addictive drug, people may still wind up using it frequently to chase after the mental experiences it provides. When people have a good experience with an LSD trip, they report positive feelings and a sense that their mind has expanded. However, the outcome of a trip isn’t reliable, and it may become a nightmare.

A bad trip can produce nightmarish visual effects and powerful negative emotions. The panic and confusion can become intense, and some users continue to suffer flashbacks from a bad trip after the drug has worn off. The changes in mood and perception may interact in unpredictable ways with existing psychological problems.

Like other hallucinogens, LSD can also endanger your life by impairing your judgment and making you unaware of risks in your environment. In an altered mental state, you may fail to judge distances, tell how much time has passed, or identify harmful objects or situations.

Although LSD doesn’t linger in your body, it does lead to short-term physiological changes that may be unpleasant, including nausea, excessive sweating, and tremors. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure, though usually not to the same extent as other drugs, such as cocaine. Generally, the main concerns people have with LSD involve its psychological effects.

Do You Need Help With LSD Abuse?

When people think of drug abuse, LSD typically doesn’t come to mind, not in the way that alcohol, opioids, or other drugs do. However, it’s still possible for LSD use to become problematic or abusive, interfering with your life in damaging ways.

Is taking LSD hurting your ability to commit to a job, go to school, maintain healthy relationships, or enjoy other activities? Are you experiencing various negative effects on your mood or perceptions? Along with some of the effects already mentioned, it’s possible that you’re suffering from impairments to attention, memory, or motivation.

Additional complications can arise if you’re using LSD simultaneously with other drugs. Your current physical and psychological health will also determine how the frequent use or abuse of LSD affects you.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for professional guidance and treatment. Even if you don’t think you’re suffering from addiction or abuse, you may still benefit from discussing your drug use and its effects on your life.

LSD may not be as dangerous as other drugs, such as highly addictive opioids, and it doesn’t linger in your spinal fluid or other parts of your body. However, it can still cause or exacerbate various problems. Instead of struggling on your own, talk to professionals who will treat you as an individual and work to meet your specific needs.

FAQ

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Adderall is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD and certain other disorders, but the medication can have serious side effects. When prescribing Adderall, doctors have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of their patients taking the medication. They’re likely to suggest lifestyle changes or other treatments reduce the harmful effects of the drug.

Unfortunately, though, many people misuse or abuse Adderall by taking it without a doctor’s recommendation or supervision. In this case, both short-term and long-term health consequences may occur. If you or a loved one uses Adderall, you should understand the side effects and health risks of the medication. Treatment is available if you feel like your Adderall use is out of control, and it’s important to address your Adderall habit so that you can live a happy, healthy life.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for the drug amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. Both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants, which means they affect the chemicals in the brain responsible for alertness and energy.

Adderall increases your levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls the reward centers of your brain. Dopamine plays a major role in your motivation, so a boost in this chemical makes it easier and more enjoyable to complete tasks. Another chemical affected by Adderall is norepinephrine, a stress hormone that controls your brain’s focus and attention. When your norepinephrine levels increase, your body and mind become highly alert and attentive in anticipation of a threat or a stressful event.

The medication has a strong impact on the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that manages executive functioning. It also impacts the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that helps to control executive functioning, behavior, and emotions. This is why Adderall makes people so intensely focused and is often used to help those with ADHD control their impulses and complete tasks.

What Is Adderall Used For?

When prescribed correctly by a doctor, Adderall can be incredibly beneficial for some people. Individuals with ADHD have difficulty planning and focusing on tasks, which can affect their job or school performance and their personal life. Because ADHD is a neurological disorder, Adderall affects an ADHD brain very differently than it affects a neurotypical brain. When someone with ADHD takes Adderall, they may feel calmer, more focused, and less impulsive.

The other primary approved use for Adderall is to treat narcolepsy or other sleep disorders. Like ADHD, narcolepsy is a neurological disorder, so Adderall can effectively adjust the patient’s brain chemistry so that they can stay awake and alert throughout the day.

Sometimes, doctors prescribe Adderall off-label to help a patient lose weight because the drug acts as an appetite suppressant. Adderall is not approved by the FDA as a weight loss medication, and using Adderall for weight loss is a controversial topic. Some doctors are completely against the use of the medication for weight loss, and others will prescribe it as a last resort for patients who have not been successful with other weight loss methods. The side effects of Adderall are significant, which is why the medication should absolutely not be used unless you’re following your doctor’s instructions.

Why Adderall Can Affect Women Differently

Adderall has extensive side effects in men and women, but the drug may have a stronger impact on women. The average female and the average male bodies have different body fat percentages and hormone levels, which can affect drug metabolism.

Women have a lower average body weight than men, and research suggests that lower body weight increases the bioavailability of one of the chemical components in Adderall. This means that the average female body will process more of the drug than the average male body when both are given the same dose.

The natural hormonal changes that occur throughout the menstrual cycle may affect the way women’s bodies process Adderall, too. When your estrogen levels increase, the effects of amphetamines may become stronger. This includes both the desired effects of Adderall and the negative side effects.

Women are also more likely than men to report physical dependence or mental cravings for Adderall. Because the effects are often stronger in women, the difference between being on the drug and off the drug could feel more dramatic, leading to increased dependence.

Doctors may try to reduce the side effects of Adderall in females by prescribing a dose proportionate to body weight. For example, they may prescribe a lower dose to an individual at a lower body weight and a higher dose for a larger person. However, people who misuse or abuse Adderall are unlikely to adjust their own dosing based on their body weight. Women who take Adderall without medical advice may be at a particularly high risk of side effects.

Short-term Side Effects of Adderall

Adderall causes a number of immediate effects on the body and mind in both men and women. Many of these side effects occur because the drug increases your norepinephrine levels, which puts your body into fight-or-flight mode. Some side effects decrease with repeated Adderall use as your body adjusts to the drug, but some can get worse over time.

The following are some of the most common physical side effects of Adderall in females:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Rapid heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea
• Digestive problems
• Loss of appetite
• Skin rashes

Adderall affects your thoughts, mood, and emotions, too. You might experience certain psychological side effects when the drug hits your system, and you may feel a mental or emotional “crash” as the medication wears off. The following are the most common negative psychological effects of Adderall:

• Nervousness, paranoia, or anxiety
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling jumpy or on-edge
• Panic attacks
• Irritability or aggression
• Worsening of depressive symptoms
• Extreme mood swings

Long-term Risks of Adderall

Adderall causes many uncomfortable and unpleasant short-term symptoms, but the drug can also take a toll on your body in the long run. The adverse effects of Adderall can build up over time until you experience severe health consequences.

These risks are present when you abuse the drug and when you take it under medical supervision. If you’re prescribed Adderall, your doctor will likely adjust your dosage over time so that your body can gradually adjust. However, you may still see long-term health impacts when you take Adderall for many months or years.

One long-term risk of Adderall use or misuse is chronic sleep deprivation. Adderall dramatically increases your alertness, making it virtually impossible to fall asleep. If you take a high dose or have a strong response to the drug, you may find it difficult to sleep at night. Then, to combat the tiredness you feel the next day, you may feel tempted to take more Adderall. This can quickly lead to a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation, which affects your mental health, your cardiovascular health, your weight, and your stress levels.

Weight loss is another long-term effect of Adderall use. One of the most common reasons that people abuse Adderall is to lose weight. However, the drastic undereating caused by Adderall use can lead to lightheadedness, muscle weakness, heart problems, low mood, and other unpleasant symptoms. Abusing Adderall is not a healthy or sustainable way to lose weight, and many people regain the weight they lost when they stop taking the medication.

One of the most serious long-term risks of using Adderall is a stroke or a heart attack. Adderall can increase your blood pressure, and chronically elevated blood pressure may put your body at a higher risk of cardiovascular issues. This is especially concerning if you have a preexisting heart condition or a family history of heart problems.

Combining Adderall with alcohol creates a particularly serious risk for women. Female bodies tend to have a lower tolerance for alcohol than male bodies, but Adderall can make you feel soberer than you truly are. If you drink after taking Adderall, you may consume more alcohol than your body can handle, which puts you at risk for alcohol poisoning.

Adderall is both physically and psychologically addictive. As your brain adjusts to the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, you may start to struggle without the drug. After long-term Adderall use, you might feel tired, depressed, unmotivated, or unfocused when you try to quit. The withdrawal symptoms can affect your personal life, your relationships, and your performance at work or school, so it can be incredibly difficult to quit using Adderall on your own.

Adderall and Pregnancy

Most doctors recommend that people who are pregnant should stop taking Adderall. If you’re pregnant and are currently taking Adderall or are struggling to quit the drug, you should consult with your doctor.

Research into the effects of Adderall during pregnancy is limited, but the drug may cause a number of risks for the mother and the infant. For example, Adderall misuse or abuse may lead to premature birth or low birth weight. There may also be risks associated with taking Adderall while breastfeeding as the substance may pass into breast milk.

Recovering From Adderall Use or Abuse

Adderall is an addictive and dangerous medication. Sometimes, people take Adderall exactly as prescribed by their doctor and experience negative side effects. Other times, patients have been prescribed Adderall but take the drug more frequently or in higher doses than recommended, which can quickly lead to dependence. Illicit use of Adderall without a prescription can also pose serious health risks.

If you’ve been misusing or abusing Adderall for a long time, you may feel like you need the medication to function. At first, you may have been thrilled by the energizing effects of the drug. Over time, though, the benefits of Adderall decline while the harmful effects increase. After months or years of Adderall misuse, you might feel like you rely on the drug simply to feel normal.

Recovering from an Adderall addiction is always possible. With professional support, you can overcome your physical and psychological dependence on the drug and feel happy and healthy without stimulants. You can consult with your physician to develop a plan to safely wean yourself off Adderall and manage the withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can refer you to addiction specialists or mental health professionals for additional support, too.

Mental health counseling is an excellent resource for people who are overcoming any type of addiction. During therapy, you can explore the reasons that you turned to Adderall and address the underlying problems that may have led to your addiction. You can also strengthen your coping skills so that you don’t feel tempted to turn back to the drug when you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed.

Residential care is another option for patients seeking comprehensive treatment for addiction. During residential treatment, you receive round-the-clock medical supervision while detoxing from Adderall or other drugs, and you can engage in individual and group therapy to work on your mental health.

Many people underestimate the harmful effects of Adderall because the medication is so frequently prescribed. Adderall can take a serious toll on your health, though, and the side effects may be particularly strong for women. If you’re struggling with Adderall misuse, now is the time to reach out for support. By overcoming a dependence on Adderall, you can protect your physical and psychological health.

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Macrobid is the brand name of an antibiotic that fights against bacteria in your body. It’s also sometimes referred to as nitrofurantoin, which is its generic name. If you’re taking Macrobid, it is likely your doctor has determined that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a bladder infection.

Macrobid Facts

Be aware that you should take Macrobid with food. This oral liquid can be mixed with a number of different things to make it easier to swallow, including fruit juice, milk or water. In patients who have an uncomplicated UTI, the normal course of medication is seven days for males and five days for females. Do not skip any doses, regardless of whether your condition has improved. Skipping doses may lead to a further infection, which could be resistant to antibiotics.

Macrobid and Alcohol

For some people, there is concern about taking Macrobid and alcohol. This makes sense when you consider that most medications do not mix well with alcohol. Does Macrobid have an especially difficult time with alcohol, however? Let’s find out!

One of the issues that can occur when you take Macrobid and alcohol together is an increased risk of suffering from an upset stomach and nausea. Alcohol may also make you feel generally unwell when you mix it with this antibiotic. One of the biggest issues that may happen when you drink alcohol is that your improvement could be delayed.

What Causes Unpleasant Side Effects?

Whenever you drink alcohol, it’s broken down in your body and turned into an acetaldehyde toxin. Acetaldehyde should be avoided when you’re sick because it can cause you to vomit, feel ill, have stomach pain, feel nauseated, and suffer from diarrhea. When you combine these issues with the most common side effects of Macrobid, you could be in for a world of hurt.

Another problem with alcohol is that it causes you to become dehydrated. This is due to alcohol acting as a diuretic, and it can exacerbate feelings of nausea. Additionally, dehydration leads to dizziness, lethargy, and headaches.

How Much Alcohol is Safe with Macrobid?

There is no set-in-stone answer to this question. In fact, it can vary greatly based on your personal medical history. You may be much more sensitive to alcohol’s effects if you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, suffer from renal impairment, or have diabetes or liver problems. However, if you’re generally in good health, you can probably enjoy two or three alcoholic drinks per day. Of course, doing this may slow down your recovery, so it’s best not to drink until you’re off Macrobid.

Side Effects of Macrobid and Alcohol

Taking alcohol alongside Macrobid can lead to several different problems, including:

• Headache
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Low mood
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Stomach pain
• Flatulence
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Painful urination
• Increased risk of liver problems
• Increased pain in the urinary tract and/or bladder
• Increased risk of easy bruising

Does Macrobid Stop Working When You Drink Alcohol?

No evidence has come to light that suggests Macrobid will stop working due to alcohol consumption. However, you do run the risk of having a less effective immune system. This happens because drinking alcohol always negatively impacts your immune system for a minimum of 24 hours.

You should also consider the fact that drinking alcohol makes it harder for your body to sleep, remain hydrated and properly absorb nutrients. As you can see, none of these things are good for you, and that’s the reason you should temporarily give up alcohol after your doctor prescribes Macrobid.

How Can I Feel Better?

Anytime you suffer from a bladder infection or UTI, there are several things you can do to improve the healing process. Aside from abstaining from alcohol, you can also try any or all of the following:

• Visit your doctor right away
• Take your entire course of medication exactly as prescribed
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Stay properly hydrated
• Avoid citrus fruits and spicy food
• Eat little meals frequently
• Drink lots of cranberry juice
• Boost your vitamin C intake
• Take your medication with food
• If your condition doesn’t begin to improve in a few days, be sure to contact your doctor
• Get lots of rest
• Avoid doing any physical activity that makes you sweat
• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with your pain

When to Avoid Macrobid

Macrobid is an antibiotic that has tremendous success at treating UTIs and bladder infections. This doesn’t mean that everyone can take it, though. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re allergic to Macrobid or if you have any of the following issues:

• You’re in the last month of pregnancy
• You’re urinating less than usual or not all
• You have severe kidney disease
• You have a history of liver problems or jaundice

You should also talk to your doctor if you have any history of issues with:

• Anemia
• Kidney disease
• Vitamin B deficiency
• Diabetes
• Electrolyte imbalance
• G6PD deficiency

Final Thoughts

Taking Macrobid and alcohol together isn’t a good idea, but it’s not as dangerous as taking an antidepressant or blood thinner with alcohol. Still, if you want to heal as quickly as possible, you’ll be better off leaving alcohol alone for about a week. After all, your UTI or bladder infection is most likely quite painful, and drinking alcohol will make it hurt more and take longer to heal.

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Every year, millions of Americans receive prescriptions for what appear to be harmless drugs targeting minor illnesses. Whether it is to treat aches and pains or coughs, these medications are safe when taken as intended. However, some pose potential risks to individuals who may abuse them.

Broncleer is one such product. It is innocuous and effective at low doses, but its usage can quickly get out of hand for some people. This can happen for multiple reasons, including those related to the drug’s effectiveness, its chemical makeup, and factors predisposing users to abuse Broncleer.

This article will cover basic information about Broncleer, the symptoms and effects of abuse, and related topics.

What Is Broncleer?

Broncleer is a type of prescription cough syrup frequently administered in the United States and around the world. Its main ingredients are codeine and alcohol. Doctors sometimes prescribe codeine as a pain medication, but it also has cough-suppressing effects. The alcohol in the product helps the body to absorb other ingredients more readily, and it may enhance the relaxing impact of the drug.

If taken as prescribed, Broncleer works well to alleviate the urge to cough and help people quickly get over less intense infections and colds. But because it contains codeine, which attaches to opioid receptors in the brain, the soothing effects of Broncleer can tempt patients to misuse it. When someone takes too much Broncleer, takes it too often, or mixes it with other drugs like alcohol, it can lead to severe side effects.

Understanding Codeine

Codeine is in the opioid class of drugs, which places it in the company of more powerful substances like heroin, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Demerol, and hydrocodone. That makes codeine a narcotic. Like other narcotics, codeine derives from a plant in the poppy family.

Despite its relation to drugs with mixed reputations, codeine is one of the most prescribed opioid medications in the world. Treating mild or moderate pain, curing a cough, and helping patients recover from gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea are a few of the most common uses for codeine.

Most patients with a codeine-based prescription like Broncleer can take it appropriately and experience no issues. However, a small percentage of these patients begin a pattern of codeine abuse that can develop into an addiction.

What Is Codeine Abuse?

Because codeine can have pleasurable effects, it will inspire some individuals to use products like Broncleer beyond medical necessity to repeat and sustain those effects. Codeine misuse can mean that someone is taking it in higher doses or more frequently than prescribed. Other forms of abuse include:

• Taking codeine meant for someone else
• Taking it specifically to get high
• Deliberately mixing it with other substances to manage a high

Effects of Codeine Abuse

When individuals disregard the instructions of their doctors while taking codeine, they can experience any number of negative side effects. Some examples of these effects are:

• Nausea
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• Dizziness
• Reduced blood pressure
• Lack of coordination
• Suppressed respiration

Unpleasant side effects can become severe and even dangerous at very high doses or with frequent ingestion of Broncleer and other codeine drugs. The most threatening possible result of codeine abuse is its effect on respiration. Excessive use can slow breathing or even cause it to stop completely. An overdose of codeine may be fatal, especially when combined with alcohol.

What Is Codeine Addiction?

When someone abuses codeine, their body eventually develops a tolerance for it. That means that the usual doses will have a reduced effect, and you will need to ingest more to get the same pain relief, feelings of relaxation, or high as before.

This growing tolerance can become a dependence on the drug as the body adjusts to its continuous presence. Because the brain is becoming less reactive to the impact of codeine, that leads to a situation where it functions closer to normal when one is on codeine versus when one is not. So, if you stop taking it, you will feel ill whether or not you are over the original cold or sickness. This process is how an addiction forms, even when the drug is as unassuming as Broncleer cough syrup.

Causes of Codeine Addiction

Researchers and medical experts do not perfectly understand the causes of codeine addiction, but many think that several factors can come into play simultaneously to make it more likely. Some risk factors are genetic, some biological, and others are psychological.

Scientists think genetics have a role because one’s risk of becoming addicted to a particular substance can be somewhat predicted by whether closely-related family members have struggled with that addiction before. The genetic factor may underpin a biological reason for the addiction, such as the absence of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which the drug helps to compensate for. That leads to individuals essentially self-medicating an underlying deficiency but in an uncontrolled and unhealthy way. Similarly, if codeine alleviates any negative feelings stemming from a psychological illness, that also creates a powerful pull to overuse and abuse the drug.

Long-term Effects

When someone maintains an addiction to codeine or continues to abuse it over a long period, they will suffer additional negative impacts beyond just the initial side effects. Resulting in long-term health issues and social problems can include:

• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Heightened sensitivity to pain
• Severe depression
• Loss of muscle tone
• Respiratory issues
• Pancreatitis
• Job loss
• Legal and criminal issues
• Distressed or broken relationships
• Homelessness
• Seizures
• Coma
• Death

Codeine Withdrawal

As mentioned above, once someone has begun abusing or become addicted to a codeine-based medication like Broncleer, they can suffer harmful consequences if they suddenly stop. This occurs because they are experiencing withdrawal. The severity depends partly on how long the individual took codeine, but any instance of withdrawal is sure to be unpleasant and painful. The following is a list of possible symptoms of codeine withdrawal.

• Stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle spasms
• Extreme drug cravings
• Chills
• Interrupted sleep or inability to sleep
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Thoughts of self-harm or harming others
• Irritability
• Psychosis
• Runny nose and eyes

Treatment Options

When someone is seeking to stop taking a codeine medication such as Broncleer or wants to overcome an addiction, they should always do so with the help of a medical professional. Both medication-assisted treatments and behavioral therapy options exist, and a doctor may choose to use one or both approaches.

With medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a doctor will prescribe one or more alternative medications as a patient reduces their codeine intake. These medicines soften withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and allow patients to wean themselves off codeine more gently.

Certain medications can also prevent Broncleer/codeine from generating euphoric feelings in the brain. The inability to get high off the drug naturally decreases your dependency on it. This dynamic encourages a return to normal and healthy brain chemistry. If all goes well, you are no longer in need of the opiate by the end of the treatment.

Behavioral therapies can work as an alternative to MAT options or work in conjunction with them. Examples of possible approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and multidimensional family therapy. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, therapists coach patients to recognize the triggers of their drug use. As a result, they can better avoid and manage those situations.

Motivational interviewing is similar – it allows patients to come to terms with how drug use is negatively impacting their lives and helps give them tools and strategies to make beneficial behavioral changes. Finally, multidimensional family therapy works not just with the patient but also with family members to help correct damage to interpersonal dynamics and drug abuse problems at the same time. This form of therapy can be especially advantageous for adolescents with an addiction or issues abusing Broncleer/codeine.

Broncleer Summary

Despite being an opiate-related to some of the most notorious drugs on the planet, doctors worldwide routinely prescribe codeine for a wide range of conditions involving minor aches, pains, and illnesses. It can be highly successful and relatively safe in small doses, yet the effects that make it so great at helping sick individuals feel better also make it likely a few people will misuse it.

Because codeine and alcohol are the two main ingredients in Broncleer, the benefits and risks it offers are approximately identical to other codeine medications. The inclusion of alcohol has the practical application of allowing the medication to work efficiently, but it can also augment the experience of getting a “high” when taking Broncleer. This may make abuse and eventual addiction more likely for some people.

While most patients who receive a prescription for Broncleer experience no issues, it pays to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a problem in case any develop. If you, a friend, or a family member appear to be unwell when taking Broncleer, the best course of action is to seek assistance from a medical professional right away.

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As a general rule, there is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine with dinner or having a beer during the office holiday party. However, even if you drink in moderation, alcohol could still have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Depending on the type of alcohol that you consume, your drinking habit could also have a negative impact on your finances. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to abstain from consuming beer, wine, or liquor.

1. It Only Takes One Drink to Lose Control

One of the best reasons to stop drinking is that you’ll be in complete control of your actions and emotions. The moment that alcohol enters your bloodstream, you begin to lose the ability to make sound decisions, such as not driving your vehicle or not telling your boss what you really think about his or her performance.

Depending on your weight, gender, and overall tolerance level, you could begin slurring your words, have trouble with balance, or experience other issues after consuming a single drink. This may be especially true if you take medication or drink on an empty stomach.

There is also the possibility that your drink will be laced with other chemicals that may impact your ability to think clearly. In some cases, you may have no recollection of what happened after consuming a contaminated beverage. This may also occur if you consume significant amounts of alcohol over a relatively short period of time.

Memory loss is most common after your blood alcohol content reaches a level between .10% and .20%. An average person’s blood alcohol level will rise .02% after consuming an alcoholic beverage. However, this figure could be higher or lower depending on your tolerance, the types of drinks that you consume, and how quickly the alcohol from a given drink enters your bloodstream.

2. Alcohol Makes It Harder to Feel Physical Pain

Once your blood alcohol level exceeds .20%, it’s less likely that you will feel any type of physical pain. Therefore, you are at risk of ignoring a deep cut, a concussion, or other serious injuries for hours after falling, being involved in a car wreck, or getting into a fight. An increased threshold for pain can be especially dangerous when combined with a reduced ability to predict the negative consequences of your actions.

In an altered state, you may be more likely to take risks that could lead to serious injuries. For instance, you might decide to jump off of a tall building or cut yourself with a sharp object just because someone dared you to do so. By avoiding drinking altogether, you significantly reduce the risk of getting hurt either by your own hand.

3. Staying Sober Allows You to Avoid a Painful Hangover

Going out to the bar or club may seem like a great way to unwind after work or to relax on a night off. However, the morning after a night on the town is often a painful experience. It’s not uncommon for hangover symptoms to include a headache or nausea. You may also be extremely thirsty due to the fact that alcohol is a diuretic. This means that it pulls moisture out of your body, which can leave you severely dehydrated.

4. Alcohol Makes It Harder to Fall or Stay Asleep

It’s not uncommon to feel tired or lethargic after consuming alcohol. It’s also not uncommon to pass out after consuming several drinks in a short period of time. However, there is a significant difference between passing out and actually falling asleep. Generally speaking, losing consciousness is simply a strategy your body uses to protect itself against further damage.

Therefore, you won’t get any of the benefits of sleep, such as the removal of toxins from the brain or consolidation of memories during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In the event that you do fall asleep, the presence of alcohol in your body will make it harder to enter REM sleep or stay there for a significant period of time. Instead, you will likely wake up several times during the night, which can leave you feeling even groggier the next day.

5. Cutting Out Alcohol Can Improve Your Mental Health

In addition to the physical symptoms of excessive alcohol consumption, you may notice that it also has an impact on your mental health. For example, you may feel a higher level of anxiety the day after going out for drinks or drinking at a friend’s house. This is partly because of the way that alcohol alters your body’s chemistry.

However, it is partially because you may not remember what you did while under the influence of alcohol. Alternatively, you may have said or done things that you wouldn’t have while sober. It’s also possible that just the act of drinking more than your body could handle will cause you to feel guilt or shame.

For many people, a feeling of guilt or shame may not subside as quickly as other hangover symptoms. This may be because they feel as if friends, family members, or colleagues are judging them for their alcohol consumption habits. The fact that you drink despite knowing the short and long-term consequences of doing so might also make you feel anxious or scared for your future.

Finally, the fact that you generally don’t sleep well when you’re drunk or hungover can exacerbate your mental health issues. Research has shown that you’re more prone to making mistakes when you are tired, and studies have also shown that you are more vulnerable to mood swings and violent outbursts when you don’t get sufficient sleep each night.

6. You’ll Notice Changes to Your Physical Appearance.

Abstaining from drinking for just a few days can result in clearer skin, healthier hair, and minor weight loss. If you can avoid drinking for several weeks or months, you’ll notice that you smell better, are less bloated, and have more energy.

7. The Financial Benefits of Cutting Alcohol Out of Your Life

It’s not uncommon to spend at least $5 on a domestic light beer at your favorite bar. If you live in a big city, you could easily spend double or triple that amount for a basic beverage. Of course, if you drink wine, liquor, or other expensive beverages, you could potentially spend hundreds of dollars on booze in a single night. Even if you buy your beer, wine, or liquor at the grocery store or discount liquor establishment, you will likely spend hundreds of dollars per month if you are a consistent drinker.

It’s also important to consider the financial impact that a DUI could have on your life. On average, a DUI costs about $10,000 in legal fees, fines, and other costs. If you hurt or kill someone while drunk, you may spend thousands of additional dollars reimbursing a victim for losses that he or she incurred because of your reckless actions.

Therefore, getting alcohol out of your life could allow you to afford a place in a nicer part of town or a reliable automobile. It could also allow you to start putting money into an emergency fund or into a retirement account. As a general rule, financial stability can make it easier to achieve mental stability as you won’t have to worry about keeping the lights on or hoping that your car will start in the morning.

Although it may seem fun and exciting to get drunk with your friends, there are a number of downsides to consuming alcohol. Abstaining from this habit may allow you to get into better physical condition as well as improve your mental and financial health. If you are struggling to quit drinking, it may be in your best interest to talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to talk more about rehab facilities, mental health professionals, or other resources in the area that can put you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.