Category: Drug Detox

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If you’re partying, clubbing, or enjoying your time outside, a friend might have warned you of being roofied. This means someone spiked your drink against your will to affect your judgment.

This article will tell you about the symptoms of being roofied and what you should do to protect yourself, so keep reading to learn more about this topic.

What Are the Symptoms of Being Roofied?

Being roofied is a slang term that refers to the situation when one is drugged against their will. It refers to the misuse of Rohypnol, but other drugs like Ketamine and GHB can also produce the same effect.

Yet, Rohypnol’s effects can last for several hours, unlike other drugs, whose effects can last for one hour or so.

Offenders use this drug, usually referred to as the date rape drug, to facilitate committing sexual assault without consent. The person being roofied won’t be in their right mind.

Detecting the signs of being roofied can be confusing, especially if you’ve been drinking. Initially, you might feel like you’ve just had too many drinks. However, here are some telltale signs that someone has roofied you.

Brain Fog

Although feeling euphoria is quite common during the initial stages, dealing with brain fog is the most common symptom of being roofied. You suddenly feel that everything is blurry and that you can no longer think or act normally.

Disorientation

You suddenly feel that you no longer realize who you’re with, where you are, or what you’re doing. You feel out of place and might become too dizzy to comprehend your surroundings. Falling and hitting objects is quite common if you attempt to stand or walk on your own.

Difficulty Focusing

You can longer focus on the words, and you start to stutter. You experience a lack of concentration, and you feel like you can’t control your thoughts.

A lot of victims report having a slower reaction time. They might not respond well to actions and words.

Loss of Muscle Control

The simple act of standing up becomes challenging without help. You might feel like someone is dragging you, and you can’t stop them. If they try to assault you, you won’t be able to push back.

Many people who have been roofied reported that they felt like their bodies weren’t responding to them. Some victims also explained that they sensed some sort of paralysis.

Having trouble breathing can also be a sign that you’ve been roofied. Since the drug affects your muscles and how they respond, you might not be able to breathe well, especially in crowded places. But, again, this can be the excuse your assaulter will use to get you out.

Nausea

The drug that has been slipped into your drink can cause nausea, especially when you’ve been drinking. However, a lot of people also experience vomiting.

Memory Blackouts

Most people lose consciousness when they’re roofied. Because the effects of roofies are too strong, many people can’t recall what happened except the next day or a few days after the incident.

This depends on the amount of drug that has been slipped into their drink and the amount of alcohol they’ve been taking. In addition, some people will interact differently with the drug, so they can experience worse symptoms.

After the side effects of the drug have worn off, people usually struggle to recall the details of what happened. Some of them will also completely block out the memory because of the shock, although a medical examiner can still detect the signs of physical assault.

How Common Is Being Roofied?

Unfortunately, being roofied is quite common as the drug is easy to obtain. Statistics show that almost 11% of women had been roofied, and most had their drinks spiked by someone they knew. Additionally, 12% of women reported that they knew someone who had been roofied.

Although anyone can get roofied, women are more likely to get roofied than men. Teens and women younger than 30 are at a higher risk than older women.

Rohypnol pills easily dissolve in liquids, and they’re tasteless, colorless, and odorless, so the person being roofied won’t detect that there’s something wrong with their drink. Some new pills will leave a blue tinge in the drink, but people can still get colorless drugs.

A dosage of 1 mg can cause side effects for up to 8 hours. These effects become more significant when this drug is mixed with alcohol.

What Should You Do if You Think You’ve Been Roofied?

Feeling that you’re losing control over your body and mind can be terrifying, so you can do the following if you suspect you’ve been roofied.

• Don’t go out without anyone knowing your whereabouts. Tell a friend or a family member where you’re going and ask them to check on you, especially if you’re meeting a stranger for the first time.
• Don’t attempt to leave your location unless you’re in danger. Remember that you might not be able to control your actions or reactions, so it’s better to stay where you are.
• Avoid driving the car and stay around people as much as you can.
• Call a friend and ask for help. Acting fast can save you in this situation.
• If you can’t call a friend, ask someone to help you. Make them notice that you’re not OK.
• Call 911 and tell them that you’ve been drugged.
• Drink as much water as possible to help your body flush out the drug.
• If you wake up the next day and suspect you’ve been roofied, seek medical help. Ask for a medical examination to see if you’ve been physically assaulted.
• Ask for a rape kit and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. In most cases, the hospital staff will use pregnancy prevention medication.

What Should You Do if You Think Someone Has Been Roofied?

If you’re at a club or a party and suspect someone has been roofied, you should do the following.

• Draw their attention if you’ve seen their date slipping something into their drink.
• Ask other people for help and keep them away from potential predators.
• Make them drink as much water as they can.
• Don’t give this person any medications, as they might contradict the ones already in their system.
• Call 911 and help this person get the legal assistance they need.
• Take this person to the hospital to seek medical help.

Wrap Up

Unfortunately, being roofied is more common than you think. Symptoms of being roofied can be confused with the feelings of being drunk, but the lack of proper judgment and loss of concentration usually worsen over time. In most cases, the person will lose consciousness and can’t recall what is happening.

If you notice these symptoms, seek immediate help and stay away from the person you think is trying to assault you.

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People are recently considering herbal medications to help with several health issues. And one of them is kratom.

This is a leaf from an evergreen coffee tree native to Southeast Asia. Since the 19^th century, this leaf has been used for medicinal purposes as it has stimulant and opioid-like effects. So, does kratom show up on a drug test?

We’ll answer this question in this article, so let’s dive in to learn more about this topic.

Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?

Kratom isn’t detectable on a standard 5-panel drug test. This is the most common type of test that employers and law enforcement bodies will use to test for drug abuse.

This test detects traces of THC or cannabis, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine. It’s available as a rapid drug or a lab-based test, and the results are reliable.

However, kratom can be detected in standard blood and urine tests. Yet, there’s a special test for kratom known as the kratom 10-panel test, which will show the least amounts of this substance in your system. So, although kratom isn’t detectable in all tests, it might appear in some.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is extracted from a leaf and has been used for a long time in its native region for its stimulating effects. However, it can produce opioid-like effects like euphoria and sleepiness when consumed in large doses.

People found that this herbal extract can help with muscle pain. It can also help with depression and insomnia. But some people use the drug to treat the withdrawal symptoms of opium, as it has the same effect.

Generally speaking, in small doses, kratom can have stimulating effects, so people mainly use it to increase their energy levels. In larger doses, this herbal extract can be a relaxant, producing opiate-like sedating effects.

The FDA advises against using kratom because it affects the same opioid brain receptors, acting in the body like morphine. Moreover, some types of this drug extract are marketed as not safe for human consumption. Yet, unfortunately, a lot of people still use gum, powder, tablets, capsules, and even raw leaves of kratom.

Detecting Kratom in Drug Tests

Kratom can be detected in some but not all tests. In general, it’s not detected in standard urine and blood tests that are mostly run. However, it can be detected in several urine and blood tests that are specifically designed to detect kratom.

Urine Test

Traces of kratom can be found in the urine using a 10, 12, or 16-panel drug test. These traces can last in your system for up to seven days, but several factors can affect how long kratom will last in your system.

• Age can affect how long kratom will appear in your system, as older people are known to process drugs slowly compared to younger individuals.
• Overweight people with more fat in their bodies will have kratom in their systems for a more extended period because traces of this drug last in fatty tissues.
• The dosage of kratom you use will affect how long it can be detected in your body. If you take a higher dosage, it might last in your system for a lot longer.
• Some people naturally have a lower metabolic rate and process this drug slowly.
• Some health issues, like liver issues, can affect how fast your body breaks down kratom.
• Some medications can extend the effect of kratom and slow down its breakdown in the body.
• Substance abuse, especially alcohol, can extend the effects of kratom in your system, making you more likely to experience the side effects.

Blood Test

If someone uses kratom regularly, there’s a big chance kratom will last in their system for an extended period, long enough to be detected in a blood test. However, blood tests are less likely to be used than urine tests to detect kratom in your system.

This is because they have a small detection window from a few hours to a few days, and in general, they’re considered less accurate than urine tests.

Saliva Test

Although saliva testing is common for other drugs, there’s no test available for kratom. So, kratom might not be detectable in your saliva, even if you’ve consumed the drug within a few hours.

Hair Follicle Test

Hair follicle testing is common for most types of drugs, but there’s no test available for kratom. Although other drugs can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days, more research is needed to see if this testing method can detect kratom.

What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?

Although a lot of people believe that kratom can have a lot of benefits, especially if they’re trying to quit opiates, researchers believe that the side effects and safety concerns of this drug are more than the potential benefits.

Some side effects are more common with higher dosages, so it’s best to avoid this drug completely. People usually experience these effects five to ten minutes after taking kratom, but they can last for two to five hours.

Moreover, the side effects can be present in an infant breastfed by a mother who took kratom. Side effects might be worse when someone mixes kratom with other pain medications.

Here are the most common side effects of kratom.

• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Changes in urination
• Liver damage
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Depression
• Breathing suppression
• High blood pressure
• Seizures
• Coma
• Death

Wrap Up

Kratom is a herbal extract, but it’s not safe for use. People have originally used this drug for its stimulating effects, but larger doses usually have opium-like effects. This is why people have tried to use this drug to control opium withdrawal side effects.

However, kratom isn’t safe and has a lot of severe side effects. It can appear in special drug tests for up to a week but not in standardized ones. Yet, it’s best to avoid this drug because it can lead to seizures and even death, especially when consumed in higher dosages.

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Living with anxiety and stress can lead to a lot of health issues. People try to solve this problem by taking prescription medications that can do more harm than good when misused.

Benzo belly is the common name for what people experience when they stop using Benzodiazepines, which are used to treat different mental health conditions. But quitting the drug can be extremely uncomfortable.

This article will explain what benzo belly is, how long it takes your body to get rid of the symptoms, and what you should do when you experience the annoying withdrawal effects. Keep reading to learn more about this topic.

What Is Benzo Belly?

Although Benzodiazepines are prescribed medications to treat anxiety and stress, they can quickly cause dependency and addiction. So, people try to quit these drugs independently, not knowing how they’ll manage the withdrawal symptoms.

When you stop taking anxiety drugs, your body shows annoying physical symptoms. The most common one of them is gastrointestinal discomfort and muscle cramps in the abdomen.

Some people experience muscle pain all over their bodies, but the pain in the stomach area is the most common side effect of stopping using your Benzodiazepine medication.

What Are Benzodiazepines?

These are prescription drugs that people take to treat anxiety, stress, panic attacks, and depression. They affect the central nervous system by acting as depressants that make you feel calm, sleepy, and drowsy.

Some types of Benzodiazepines include Xanax, Librium, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, and Halcion. They enhance the dopamine levels in the brain, making you feel more relaxed and happier. Unfortunately, after using these drugs for a few weeks, your body will stop producing these hormones naturally.

Different drugs have different half-life durations, as some can last for less than 24 hours, while other long-acting compounds can last more than 48 hours in your system.

Benzodiazepines or benzos are highly addictive because the body quickly builds tolerance. This means that you need to take a larger dose to experience the same calming effect.

Patients who take these drugs become extraordinarily irritable and unable to function normally when they don’t take their usual dosage. They also psychologically associate the usage of the drug with stress relief, so they become dependent.

What Are the Side Effects of Benzodiazepines?

Benzos are perfectly safe when used in moderation as prescribed. Exceeding the dosage and using these drugs for long periods can lead to several annoying side effects. Here are some of them.

• Sleepiness
• Drowsiness
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of balance
• Unsteadiness
• Lack of stability
• Memory blackouts

What Are Benzo Belly Symptoms?

When you stop taking your Benzodiazepine medication, you’re likely to experience the withdrawal symptoms within a few hours, especially around the time you’re supposed to take the next dosage.

Some of the withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days or weeks. Yet, some people might not experience anything except a few of these symptoms. Here are the benzo belly or benzo withdrawal symptoms.

• Lower abdominal pain
• Appetite changes
• Elevated blood pressure
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Muscle tension
• Cramps and spasms
• Bloating
• Water retention that leads to weight gain
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Fever
• Nausea

How Do Benzo Belly Symptoms Progress?

Benzo detox takes varying periods in different people, depending on their age, their metabolism level, how long they’ve taken the drug, and other medications they use. So, if you’ve been using Benzodiazepines for an extended period, you’re more likely to experience the annoying symptoms for longer.

In general, benzo belly symptoms can be divided into three stages.

Early Withdrawal

You’re likely to experience these symptoms when you miss your first dosage. Some fast-acting medications can cause these symptoms within 24 hours.

These include anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Although the symptoms aren’t severe, people are more likely to experience a relapse during this period because they resemble the symptoms of anxiety and panic they might be taking the medication for.

Acute Withdrawal

The worst and most painful symptoms start within five to 19 days of taking your last dose. After the acute withdrawal phase, pain can last for a few months.

Some people report that drinking and eating usually worsen the pain. This explains why most people quit during the withdrawal period, as they can’t live normally. Moreover, these symptoms can cause anxiety and panic, making the patient feel worse after feeling better.

This is why gradual withdrawal with the supervision of a medical specialist is the best way to control your usage of Benzodiazepines. They can help you manage your symptoms, so you don’t have to consume larger amounts of the drug to feel better.

During this stage, patients can experience some psychotic episodes. These might have life-threatening effects.

Protracted Withdrawal

After the withdrawal symptoms have worn off, some people will experience a late onset of withdrawal symptoms. Although they’ve completed their treatment, they’re most likely to experience the symptoms because of the prolonged use of the drug.

These symptoms include motor and sensory issues. They also include learning disabilities from prolonged use.

Why Do You Get Benzo Belly?

Benzos affect the brain, but there has been a lot of research regarding why the withdrawal of these drugs affects the digestive tract when you quit them.

Some research suggests that the benzo belly is related to the brain-gut connection. The gut-brain axis relates to the connection between the emotional and cognitive areas in the brain to the digestive tract. This communication network connects these two areas in the body and might be the reason why you experience benzo belly.

Another theory suggests that benzo belly symptoms are associated with the chaos in your brain as you quit your drug. Benzodiazepines enhance the GABA receptors in the brain, while gut bacteria release GABA, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and fear.

When you take the drug, the bacteria’s functions are interrupted. As you stop taking it, the bacteria can excessively produce gas in the gastrointestinal tract, which explains the feeling of bloating and discomfort you will experience.

How Do You Manage Benzo Belly?

Understanding your condition and working with a doctor or medical specialist is the best way to tackle your benzo belly issue. It’s important to know that the discomfort can last for months, and you should have your heart set on quitting your benzo drug. Here are a few things you can do to manage the painful symptoms.

Eat Smaller Meals

Most people report that food and drinks are the main triggers for pain. Even after you’ve started feeling better, you might start experiencing the benzo belly symptoms every time you eat a big meal.

In most cases, people believe that benzo belly symptoms are very close to the discomfort you feel when you eat something heavy. So controlling your food intake might help with the pain.

Eating smaller meals and sticking to a healthy diet will make digestion easier. As a result, you’re less likely to experience pain and cramps.

Avoid Certain Foods

Some types of food can upset your stomach and cause more pain. These foods are challenging to digest and can make your benzo belly symptoms worse.

Fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, and sauces are more challenging to digest. Beans and other legumes take more time to digest, so you’re likely to experience more pain when you eat them. Moreover, you should avoid spicy, citrusy, and acidic food.

Take More Probiotics

Probiotics can help with digestion and help you feel better, even when experiencing benzo belly symptoms. Moreover, you’re more likely to experience these annoying symptoms for a shorter period, so you can get back to your life without relapse.

Talk to Your Doctor

Your primary care doctor should be aware of the withdrawal symptoms you’re experiencing. They can help you by suggesting food types to avoid to help you feel better when you experience benzo belly.

If you’re experiencing water retention, your doctor might prescribe a diuretic medication. Some herbal teas and medications can help with benzo withdrawal, but these should be taken under the doctor’s supervision to avoid creating another dependency.

• Niacin can help accelerate benzo withdrawal symptoms.
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid mixed with vitamin C will help with bloating and gassiness.
• Nervine can help with sleep disruption.
• Chamomile tea will help with cramps and sleep disruption.
• Carminative helps with bloating, nausea, and cramps.
• Bacopa helps with memory blackouts, which are pretty common with higher doses of Benzodiazepines.

Wrap Up

Benzo belly refers to abdominal pain and discomfort that people experience when they decide to quit Benzodiazepines. Although there are fast-acting and slow-acting forms of these drugs to treat different symptoms of anxiety and stress, these drugs can lead to dependency.

People get addicted to the relief associated with these drugs and start experiencing some annoying symptoms when they decide to quit them. These symptoms include nausea, cramps, and abdominal pain, and some people are likely to experience worse symptoms than others.

Some patients can experience these symptoms for days and weeks, but they can last for months. In most cases, these annoying symptoms can be triggered by eating and drinking.

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You may have heard the words Lean or sizzurp while listening to the radio or during conversations with your teen or with other young adults who you may interact with. These terms refer to a drink that is a mixture of soda and cough syrup, and in some cases, users may add other ingredients to make the drink sweeter and more appealing. Let’s take a closer look at why people consume this beverage, the impact it can have on your body and why you can become dependent on it in a relatively short period of time.

Why Do People Consume Lean?

People generally consume this beverage because it causes them to feel both euphoric and relaxed at the same time. Ultimately, it may provide those who have generalized anxiety, social anxiety or depression a way to escape their problems for a few minutes or hours. Cough syrup has codeine in it, which becomes morphine as it travels through the body and reaches the liver. Morphine blocks pain receptors, which is what typically causes a user to feel a sense of euphoria or overall happiness. Therefore, those who suffer from chronic pain may also be drawn to this drink because it may offer an easy way to obtain relief from what ails them.

The Short-Term Impact of Lean on Your Body

Within an hour or two of consuming this beverage, you will likely start to notice negative side effects such as dizziness, headaches or vision issues. Depending on how much you have had to drink, you may also start to hallucinate or begin to have seizures. You will also likely have a lower heart rate as well as difficulty breathing.

In severe cases, you will stop breathing altogether, which could put you at an increased risk of brain damage. On average, it only takes about five to six minutes form the time you stop breathing to incur irreversible damage. If you go more than 10 minutes without breathing, there is a strong possibility that you won’t wake up again.

Signs of difficulty breathing include blue lips, shallow breaths or wheezing. You should call 911 or ask someone to do so on your behalf if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also call for help immediately if you see someone else struggling to breathe or has already lost consciousness.

The Long-Term Impact of Lean on Your Body

Let’s assume that you simply had one drink at a party with friends and feel relatively normal after getting a few hours of quality sleep. While you may think that nothing is wrong, the truth is that you may have caused long-term damage to your physical and mental health.

This is primarily because opioids are highly addictive, which means that drinking this concoction is almost as bad as shooting heroin into your bloodstream. The reason why opioids are so addictive is that they literally rewire your brain so that you need it to feel normal.

Therefore, if you choose to drink this beverage again, you will need more of it to feel any type of high. If you choose to stop drinking it after a prolonged period of use, you may experience a number of negative side effects such as vomiting, bowel issues and suicidal thoughts. You will also likely experience hallucinations, seizures and other serious negative effects as you begin to detox.

Unfortunately, these aren’t the only issues that you’ll have to worry about if you decide to drink cough syrup either recreationally or on a daily basis. Since you are also consuming a significant amount of soda or candy, you will likely experience weight gain or tooth decay.

This is partially because the sugar in the soda and candy fills you with empty calories and wears down the enamel of your teeth. However, weight gain is also attributed to the fact that you will be too tired or relaxed to want to exercise or engage in any strenuous activity.

Finally, you may be susceptible to infections in your lungs and other vital organs. You will be at a higher risk for infections because codeine can have a negative impact on your immune system. Therefore, you may also be at a higher risk of colds and other health ailments until your body has a chance to recover from the abuse it has endured.

Lean Addiction May Decrease Your Quality of Life

Young people who are the most likely to try this concoction may have the most to lose from a mental health or overall quality of life standpoint. This is because it may further hamper their ability to sleep through the night, which is already compromised by the fact that teenagers and younger adults tend to have abnormal sleep habits. Therefore, if you are in high school or college, you may find it even harder to stay awake during an early morning class.

A lack of sleep may also make it harder to concentrate while studying, writing a paper or performing other tasks. Ultimately, you may find that your grades suffer, which could result in getting in trouble at home, losing a scholarship or other negative consequences. If you have a job, a lack of sleep could increase your risk of making a mistake while at work.

Depending on the type of work you do, a single error might result in bodily injury or death. It may also cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in property damage that you or your employer may be liable for paying. The financial hardship that this can cause might make it even harder to remain in school or otherwise maintain a decent standard of living.

Even if you still live at home, a lack of funds may mean that you can’t go out with friends, take vacations or do other things that young people enjoy doing. Sitting at home by yourself may create or exacerbate your anxiety, depression or overall feelings of inadequacy.

You Won’t Feel Better Until You Address Your Triggers

It’s not unheard of for people to become dependent on drugs or beverages that they tried on a whim. However, most people become dependent on drugs, alcohol or other substances because they are trying to protect themselves from anxiety, depression or other types of trauma.

If that sounds like you, the most effective way to overcome a dependency on opioids is to find the root cause of the problem and figure out healthier ways to confront it. For instance, you may benefit from going to therapy to overcome body issues or the sense of pressure that you feel to be perfect all the time.

Working with a mental health professional may give you the tools needed to confront a bully or to make better decisions when you are feeling stressed. A therapist may also help you realize that everyone has insecurities and that failing at something doesn’t make you a worthless person.

There is also a chance that an undiagnosed medical condition is causing you to feel as if you don’t belong or that you need to drink codeine to feel better about yourself. In such a scenario, taking medication can help you to feel better or at least reduce the urge to use substances that aren’t healthy for you.

You should understand that drinking codeine may be a sign that you have an addictive personality in general. Therefore, any coping mechanisms that you learn in your quest to overcome this issue may help you avoid becoming dependent on drugs or engaging in other destructive behaviors such as gambling or infidelity.

If you are ready to get help for a codeine addiction, the folks at Long Island Treatment Center are ready to provide the assistance that you need. We have a variety of treatment plans that are designed to fit your needs, budget and recovery timeline. Therefore, whether you are beginning the process of detoxing or simply need a little help staying on the path to sobriety, don’t hesitate to contact Long Island Treatment Center today.

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When a person is addicted to drugs, his or her body changes, many drugs can cause neuropsychological changes that alter the brain as well as a full range of physical effects. While an addict may want to quit using drugs, he or she may need to continue using them to feel normal. In addiction, withdrawal symptoms from many drugs can be severe and may contribute to continued use. Suboxone is prescribed by doctors to help addicts break their addiction and achieve sobriety.

What Happens If You Use Drugs?

Often, people start using drugs out of curiosity or because of peer pressure. They may also be used as a coping method for a mental health condition or stress. Some opioids, such as Oxycontin and others, are prescribed by doctors. However, they are highly addictive. Some people may get addicted for these reasons, while others do not. There are a few risk factors associated with a higher likelihood of developing an addiction, such as mental health conditions, genetics, being exposed to drugs prior to birth, and more.

When you use drugs, you may feel relaxed, euphoric, or better in other ways. Often, the body develops a tolerance to drugs. A person may feel inclined to take more of the drug or to use the drug more frequently to experience the same effects. In addition to having physical cravings, a person may experience mental or psychological effects. For example, a person may feel unable to deal with a day’s stress without using drugs.

Will I Experience Withdrawal Symptoms From Drugs?

Once you have a drug addiction, you may feel a wide range of unpleasant and even painful effects if you do not continue using. To fight these effects, the addict may feel compelled to continue using even if he or she does not actually want to. Depending on the type of drug that you are addicted to, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like:

• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Reduced respiration
• A change in heart rate
• Dizziness
• Nausea and stomach upset
• Vomiting
• Jitters
• Muscle pains
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Dilated pupils

What Is Suboxone?

If you are addicted to opioids, you may have a greater chance of success when you seek professional treatment. As part of the detox process in a treatment program, your doctor may prescribe Suboxone, which is also called buprenorphine. This medication also includes naloxone. The buprenorphine in the medication is an agonist, which means that it creates some of the same effects in the body as the opioid. However, these effects are far weaker. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. If a patient injects Suboxone into the body, naloxone creates unpleasant side effects. By doing so, a patient is encouraged to use Suboxone as prescribed rather than abusing it.

Why Do People Take Suboxone?

Suboxone is an important part of a treatment plan for opioid addiction. It addresses the critical matter of withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which may otherwise lead to the continued use of the opioid. The medication eases the cravings that a person may feel. At the same time, it makes it unpleasant for a recovering addict to misuse this treatment drug. Ultimately, treatment with Suboxone may support the person’s goal of breaking an opioid addiction.

How Do You Take Suboxone?

Suboxone treatment includes three phases, and these are induction, stabilization and maintenance. Before treatment can begin, the patient must stop using opioids for at least 12 to 24 hours. The doctor will actively monitor the patient’s health and cravings. Once cravings have subsided, the doctor may gradually reduce the dosage and frequency of the medication. During the maintenance phase, the doctor will continue tapering the dose until the patient no longer needs it.

Suboxone tablets are placed under the patient’s tongue until they dissolve completely. The pills should not be chewed or swallowed. Usually, the patient will take one dose each day. The dosage amount will depend on many factors, such as the patient’s weight, drug use history, and metabolism. It is important to only take the amount prescribed.

How Does It Work?

Suboxone creates some of the same physical effects as opioids, but this is to a lesser degree. This directly addresses the challenge of fighting cravings during detox. Specifically, Suboxone targets your brain’s opiate receptors so that the opiates cannot bind to them. By doing so, the brain’s perception of opioid use’s effects is negated. In addition to these effects, Suboxone creates unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if the medication is not used correctly.

Because Suboxone is taken sublingually, it starts working quickly. Its benefits peak within 40 minutes to two hours. However, the effects of the medication will not be felt if opioids are used within 24 hours of the dose.

How Long Does It Last?

The actual length of time that Suboxone’s effects may be felt in the body varies based on the dosage. For example, a 1-milligram dose may produce effects for between 12 to 36 hours. A larger dose may remain effective in the body for up to three days.

Some patients experience side effects while being treated with Suboxone. These may include blurred vision, constipation, stomach upset, vomiting, oral numbness or pain and constipation. In rare cases, individuals may experience more serious effects. These could include extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, swelling in the extremities, itchiness and hives. You should contact your doctor immediately if you develop these serious effects.

Will I Experience Withdrawal Symptoms From Suboxone?

Suboxone has been successfully used as an effective treatment for opioid addiction for almost 20 years. Because Suboxone can produce some of the same effects as opioids to a lesser degree, some people are concerned about becoming addicted to Suboxone. They worry about replacing one addiction with another. However, Suboxone has been specifically created to have a very low risk of developing dependency. Most people do not experience cravings for Suboxone as their doctor tapers their dosage. However, there may be a few relatively minor withdrawal symptoms. These could include anxiety, shaking, irritability, watery eyes, feeling very hot or cold, muscle pains, stomach upset and diarrhea.

Can I Get Addicted to Suboxone?

It is possible for an addiction to develop to anything that a person finds to be pleasurable. This may include various types of drugs as well as things like shopping, gambling, smoking, and more. While addiction to Suboxone is rare, Suboxone abuse is possible. If you are addicted to Suboxone, you may have slurred speech, feel itchy, have difficulty thinking clearly, or exhibit signs of impaired coordination. Withdrawal symptoms may also include blurred vision, a pounding heart, and shallow breathing. There are also psychological effects of a Suboxone addiction. These may include erratic behavior, insomnia, mood changes, depression, and poor memory. Be aware that it is possible to take a fatal dose.

Some people may also lie to their doctor about their cravings and health status in an effort to get prescribed a higher dosage. If the doctor does not do so, some addicts may visit other doctors in an attempt to get the higher dosage that they want or to be prescribed more Suboxone. While there is a very small risk of developing an addiction to Suboxone, this medication is still considered to be therapeutically beneficial because of its overall effectiveness. If you develop a Suboxone addiction, your doctor may gradually taper your dose as your treatment progresses.

Learn More About Suboxone Today

Whether you are suffering from the effects of an opioid addiction or a Suboxone addiction, Long Island Treatment Center can help. Our specialists are available to answer your questions about Suboxone and to help you get the addiction treatment that you need.

Home / Drug Detox

For those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, treatment can involve both behavioral therapy and medication. Adderall is the most commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of ADHD symptoms. With every three out of four ADHD patients receiving Adderall, there are a lot of common questions about this prescription medication.

Does Adderall Actually Expire?

Whether you’ve been given a longer prescription than you’re used to or you haven’t been overly consistent with taking the medication, you can end up with an excess of it. When this happens, it’s crucial to look at its expiration date.

Just like any other prescription or over-the-counter medication, there is an expiration date listed. This date is the last day that the medication will work at its fullest potency. Additionally, this is the last day that the drug manufacturer will guarantee your safety when taking a particular medication.

Identifying a certain medication bottle’s expiration date isn’t too difficult. Many pharmacies will conveniently place the medication’s expiration date near the bottom right of the bottle. Many times, it’s abbreviated with “EXP” and will feature a month and a year, such as “12-22”.

Will Adderall Still Work After Its Expiration Date?

If you can’t get a new prescription before you need to take your next Adderall dosage, you’re likely wondering if taking an expired pill will still work. It’s crucial to realize that after its expiration date, medication likely won’t have its fullest potency.

It can still work at a decreased level. This is assuming that you’ve followed the recommended storage procedures. With Adderall, that means storing your bottle at room temperature and with a tightly closed lid to keep unwanted moisture out.

Is Expired Adderall Still Safe to Take?

In an ideal world, it’s best to get a new prescription and take the non-expired medication. However, in a pinch, expired Adderall can still be safe to take. It’s necessary to mention that it may not have the same effect.

This is because the effectiveness of the medication may be reduced, depending on how long it’s been expired. You should, under no condition, take more than your prescribed amount in hopes that the extra medication will make up for the decreased efficiency of the drug. There’s no way to tell what efficiency level the medication is at, and you’ll be simply combining dosages blindly.

Why Do Drugs Expire?

Over time, the chemical composition of medications can change, and their potency can decrease. All manufacturers are required to affix an expiration date to all medications that they produce. After a medication has expired, the manufacturer no longer guarantees that it will be effective at treating its intended illnesses.

While a study by the FDA found that 90% of medications retained their potency beyond their expiration date, they only lasted for so long. Eventually, all the medications lost their potency.

Safe Storage Tips for Your Adderall

When it comes to storing your medication, there will be clearly outlined instructions on the prescription label. Realize that most medications are damaged by moisture, light, air, and heat. You should be storing your medication in a dry, cool place.

One very commonplace that patients tend to store their Adderall is in their bathroom medicine cabinet. While this may seem like a cool, dry place, you need to think again. The moisture and heat produced in your shower and sink can actually transfer into your medicine bottle. This can make your Adderall prematurely lose its potency.

When you’re storing your prescription medication, it’s best to leave your pills in their original container. This bottle will have all the necessary data about the medication for future reference. It helps to ensure that you always know what you’re taking. Also, many prescription bottles are constructed to be child-proof, so your children can’t get into the bottle unintentionally.

If you do have young children in your home, it’s best to store your medication in a location that can be easily locked. Make sure that you keep your medicine not only out of the reach of your children but out of their sight. When they can’t see it, they won’t know that it’s there to play with.

Adderall can be a very effective drug for treating ADHD symptoms in children and adults. Unfortunately, it can be very addictive as well. If you or someone you know is struggling with Adderall addiction, it’s time to get help. Long Island Treatment Center is here to assist you with overcoming addiction.

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There are many different Suboxone side effects that you may experience when taking this medication. It is important to be aware of these before you begin taking the drug, so that you know what to expect. Some of the most common side effects include nausea, headache, and constipation. However, there are also a number of rarer side effects that can occur, so it is important to be vigilant and report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.

How Suboxone Works

Suboxone is a drug that doctors prescribe to treat opioid addiction. It contains both Naloxone, the active ingredient in Narcan, and Buprenorphine. The Buprenorphine blocks the opioid receptors in the cells in the brain and prevents the abused drug from having its normal effect. The key is that Suboxone prevents withdrawal when people quit the drug to which they are addicted. “Cold turkey” might prove detrimental or even deadly to the patient otherwise.

Suboxone even has a built-in safeguard against abuse. The Naloxone prevents the person from attempting to get high by abusing Buprenorphine. If the person takes the drug as directed, then it is remarkably effective at treating addiction. If the patient attempts to get high by increasing the dosage, then the interaction of the Naloxone and the Buprenorphine will chemically remove the latter from the opioid receptors and block any additional effect the patient seeks.

Suboxone Side Effects

Any medication comes with side effects. Even aspirin causes stomach upset. Suboxone has two sets of side effects. The first set occurs if the patient doesn’t take the medication correctly either by accident or on purpose. Those side effects are largely the same as those of opioid withdrawal.

Joint and/or muscle pains are the most common. The pain gradually subsides over a few weeks. The irritability occurs both naturally and because of the pain the patients suffer. They possibly won’t sleep well, and even if they don’t have insomnia, the patients might lose sleep because of suffering from diarrhea. In severe cases, the pupils might dilate.

Even if the patient takes Suboxone correctly, there still might be some side effects. One of the most common is a collection of flu-like symptoms: vomiting, stomach pain, and general malaise. Headache is less common, fortunately, but if the patient suffers headache, it can be severe.

Suboxone Withdrawal

The withdrawal from Subxone, if not properly controlled, is nearly as bad as that of the opioids it was designed to treat. As stated, the effects can last a month or more. Because patients must take Suboxone for long periods to combat their opioid addiction, it is imperative that they remain in constant communication with their primary care physicians so that they can respond to changes in the patients’ conditions.

Fortunately, the need to stop Suboxone completely is rare. Most often, the doctor will modify the dosage based on the patient’s status. Eventually, the idea is to wean off of Suboxone slowly and gradually so that the risk of withdrawal is minimized.

Suboxone Dosage

Suboxone emerged as an addiction treatment method in 2002. The dosages for the medication were amended in June 2022. It was always an opioid agonist and is a sublingual medication. The medication is buccal, too, so if a patient dissolves it in the cheek instead of under the tongue, then that is not an issue.

Suboxone should only be prescribed when there are obvious signs of withdrawal in the patient. Unfortunately, the medication is not preventative. The normal doses on Day One is 8 mg of Buprenorphine and 2 mg of Naloxone. When it comes to patients who are addicted to short-acting opioids, first doses should be divided throughout the day, usually in doses of 2 mg Buprenorphine and 0.5 mg Naloxone. On the second day of treatment, the doses should be double that.

For patients who are addicted to long-acting opioids, the dose should be single. Maintenance dosage should be the same as for patients who are addicted to long-acting opioids. The medication should not be chewed or swallowed, and the film should not be cut in any way.

All cases are different, and what works for one person might not work for another. If the dosage is too low, then the patient will suffer signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal. If the dosage is too high, then the patient will exhibit blurred vision, blue fingernails and toenails, and slurred speech among others.

Suboxone Drug Testing

Suboxone stays in your system in some capacity for months. The drug’s elimination half-life is 37 hours, which means that it takes longer than a week for the drug itself to leave the body. It is detectable in your hair up to 90 days later and up to two weeks in your urine. Therefore, it is detectable long after the drug itself leaves the body.

These are just guidelines, however. Someone’s characteristics can affect the general lengths of time. Such characteristics include body fat percentage, total weight, age, and liver health. How long someone has taken the medication also affects the speed with which the body dispenses with it.

Suboxone Overdose

Because Suboxone is an opioid, the symptoms of its overdose are similar to those of an overdose on any other opioid. “Coming down” from such an overdose is, the vast majority of the time, not dangerous. Rather, it is intensely uncomfortable. Still, there are cases of severe results up to and including death related to Suboxone overdose.

Also, the Naloxone in the medication reduces physical dependency, which is the reason that withdrawal from Suboxone overdose is generally not life-threatening in the same way as it is when it comes to withdrawal from harder opioids or from paradoxical withdrawal as happens with benzodiazepines.

Most often, Suboxone overdose happens after a person has tapered off the use of opioids. As a person detoxes, that person’s tolerance is reduced. Therefore, it’s possible to take a large dose of Suboxone to get high.

Suboxone and Alcohol

Never mix Suboxone with alcohol. As with any opioid, combining it with alcohol can lead to heart palpitations and dangerous arrhythmias, such as Torsade de Pointes. It can also lead to catastrophic drops in blood pressure at the same time, leading to sudden cardiac death. Even if the effects of mixing Suboxone and alcohol don’t cause heart attack, breathing issues can arise. In fact, the suppression of the breathing reflex can be so strong as to cause respiratory arrest.

Even if none of these awful things happen, mixing Suboxone and alcohol can elevate someone’s risk for cancer of the digestive system, liver, or pancreas. It cannot be stressed enough that you should never, ever mix Suboxone, or any other opioid, with alcohol.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

It is possible for a child born to someone who is assigned female at birth, or AFAB, to be born addicted to Suboxone. Because Suboxone’s effects on a fetus are much less than those of more powerful opioids, treating the addiction of a new baby is easier than when more powerful opioids are involved. Opinions differ about the long-term effects of Suboxone on a new baby. But, the opinions on whether or not those effects are mild compared to the effects caused by more powerful opioids are in total agreement.

If the pregnant AFAB person is addicted to something much stronger than Suboxone, then Suboxone treatment is almost mandatory as long as the person is not allergic to it. Of course, as with anything in medicine, specific cases might differ from the norm. So, it’s wise for anyone taking Suboxone to consult with a physician.

It is fortunate that breastfeeding while taking Suboxone is not a significant danger. The amount of Suboxone transferred through breast milk is negligible. However, it is both prudent and wise to monitor the baby’s condition to see if any signs of Suboxone appear. It must be noted, though, that if the AFAB person is still taking harder opioids, then that person should not breastfeed because harder opioids appear in much greater quantities in breast milk.

Conclusion

Suboxone side effects can be serious, but by being aware of them and reporting any problems to your doctor, you can minimize the risk of experiencing them. If you are taking this medication, it is important to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms. Thank you for reading!

FAQ

Home / Drug Detox

Although many would like to pretend it doesn’t exist, substance abuse is a chronic and pervasive problem in the United States. And that has been the case for some time now, sadly. According to a study published by the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS), an estimated 21.2 million Americans have a substance use disorder. Many of them are, unfortunately, also struggling with health problems brought on by their substance abuse disorder. Such is the case for those who currently or previously had a problem with cocaine, a powerfully addictive stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant, a plant native to South America. According to the most recent report published by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 1.9 million Americans aged 18 and older have a problem with cocaine.

The Real Price of Cocaine Addiction

Because cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance, the risk of addiction is extremely high. The more an individual abuses cocaine, the more likely they are to develop a physical and even psychological dependence on the drug. People often get hooked on cocaine because of the drug’s uncanny way of ramping up dopamine production in the brain. For reference, dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that, among other things, allows us to feel pleasure and satisfaction. A small amount of dopamine is needed for us to experience and enjoy life; however, too much of it can be problematic. Studies show that excessive amounts of dopamine in the brain can trigger intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria, both of which can increase the likelihood of addiction. Some of the physical, psychological, and behavioral signs that might suggest someone has a cocaine problem include the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Crankiness and irritability
• Extreme and unusual feelings of happiness
• Feeling uncharacteristically energized
• Hypersensitivity to sight, sound, and touch
• Loss of appetite
• Paranoia

Additional Health Problems Linked to Cocaine Use and Abuse

The longer an individual uses and abuses cocaine, the more dangerous it becomes to their health. And this is substantiated in multiple studies, one of which comes from the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center located in Rochester, Minnesota. According to researchers, long-term use and abuse of cocaine can put individuals at an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or coronary artery spasm. It can also increase their chances of suffering from any of the following:

• Arrhythmia
• Constricted blood vessels
• Brain, heart, or kidney damage
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Sudden death

The Less-Talked-About Dangers of Cocaine Addiction

Although not as commonly reported, some people have the misfortune of developing nasal and oral health problems due to abusing cocaine. The most notable of these health problems include what the medical community has dubbed cocaine nose, cocaine mouth, and cocaine jaw. To appreciate just how much of a toll each of these health problems can take on someone, it helps to look at them individually.

Cocaine Nose

Also commonly referred to as coke nose, cocaine nose is an umbrella term for multiple nasal problems that usually stem from snorting cocaine. According to addiction experts and otolaryngologists, sinus infection and perforated septum are the two most common forms of cocaine or coke nose. Breathing difficulty and frequent nose bleeds are the symptoms that long-term cocaine snorters report the most.

To fully appreciate why many people who snort powder cocaine suffer from cocaine nose, it helps to know what happens when this powerful stimulant makes its way into the nasal cavity. Available data shows that cocaine causes blood vessels in the nose to constrict. When individuals snort cocaine long-term, blood vessels become so constricted that bleeding and sinus infections become more common.

How to Treat Cocaine Nose

Something to note when it comes to cocaine nose is that the damage is seldom ever permanent. Generally, the nose will heal in a matter of days so long as it remains free of coke. Using a saline rinse a few times each day can help speed up the process as doing so keeps the nasal passage clean, which, in turn, improves blood flow.

Cocaine Mouth

Cocaine mouth, also known as coke mouth, is another one of the many health problems that long-term cocaine users can encounter. Studies show that using and abusing cocaine disrupts saliva production in the oral cavity, which leads to dry mouth or coke mouth. When individuals develop coke mouth, they are at increased risk of falling victim to tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, and other dental problems, including tooth loss.

How to Treat Cocaine Mouth

Quitting cocaine is the best way to cure coke mouth. Generally speaking, saliva production returns to normal within a few days after an individual takes their final dose of coke. Of course, to speed up the process and stave off severe and costly dental problems, there are things that you can do. According to most addiction experts, dental hygienists, and dentists, the following can help reverse coke mouth:

• Not smoking
• Cutting back or giving up alcohol
• Not using over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants
• Chewing sugar-free gum
• Sipping water or sucking on ice throughout the day
• Using over-the-counter saliva substitutes
• Breathing through your nose as opposed to your mouth

Cocaine Jaw

One of the symptoms of cocaine addiction is jaw clenching. When individuals clench their jaw, their masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid muscles in their jaw will start to twitch. While this is happening, most are also grinding their teeth and moving their jaw from side to side. All of these movements eventually cause what is known as coke jaw. Along with causing jaw pain, coke jaw can lead to the development of a temporomandibular disorder, which can trigger the following additional symptoms:

• Trismus
• Clicking or popping sounds with jaw movements
• Severe headaches
• Facial tenderness

How to Treat Coke Jaw

Quitting cocaine will eventually bring coke jaw symptoms to an end, but it will take several days. Some people might also have to undergo some form of psychotherapy to help curb the compulsion to clench and grind their teeth.

Bottom Line

In summary, cocaine addiction can ruin one’s health and life in multiple ways, from anxiety and depression to physical health problems that involve oral and nasal cavities. But with the right mindset and help from a licensed rehab facility, breaking the cycle of addiction is possible. To that end, if you have a problem with cocaine, especially if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms detailed in this article, and need help finding a rehab facility in your area, consider speaking with a Long Island Treatment Centers associate today.

Home / Drug Detox

Your liver is one of the essential organs in your body, and it removes all kinds of toxins and other unhealthy substances from your bloodstream when functioning correctly, including alcohol.

Over years of sustained alcohol abuse, though, your liver function can start to fade. Before long, symptoms will begin to appear. You may notice a yellow color developing in the whites of your eyes and on your skin. You may start to experience forgetfulness. Other symptoms can include itching skin, unexplained weight changes, and red palms.

Of course, you may already know what these symptoms are because you have already experienced them. Your liver failure — specifically cirrhosis or a type of fatty liver disease called alcoholic liver disease — may have been one of the things that triggered you to seek treatment for your alcoholism. 

One of the best things you can do to stay on track is to notice the milestone you have reached during recovery. Each day of sobriety is an accomplishment all its own, but it’s not the only good thing you’ll see. The improvements in your health that you will experience with your sobriety will also motivate you to stay with your program.

The good news is that your liver can heal itself. Elimination of alcohol consumption can give your liver the rest it needs to generate new hepatocytes that will help improve its function and boost your overall health.

With that said, let’s look at what your liver will do to remind you that every day without alcohol is helping your health get better.

Signs your liver is healing:

Stabilized Weight

Your liver’s poor function has direct linkages to your metabolism. As a result, you may experience weight changes that don’t seem to make sense. Many alcoholics suffer digestive issues like ulcers that lead to poor nutrition, yet they still gain weight because of liver failure. At the same time, you may end up losing weight even with high caloric intake from food and high-carbohydrate drinks like beer.

Ultimately, liver damage is a metabolic issue, which affects how your body utilizes food. This is the reason for the unpredictability of the symptoms you’ll experience with liver failure.

Whether your bathroom scale showed you an upward trend or a downward trend, getting sober will start to clear up your liver function and get your metabolism on track again. You’ll soon find that the changes in your weight will make more sense and will be more in line with what you’d expect based on your diet and exercise.

Improved Color

As fatty liver disease progresses, it allows certain toxins to accumulate in the body. The poor function of the organ does not let it do its job correctly, leading to higher and higher concentrations of those substances in the blood. Eventually, these toxins become so numerous that they become visible through the skin and in the whites of the eyes.

This is a condition known as jaundice, and it is an obvious sign of severe liver problems. Once your liver begins to heal, however, the color will start to clear up. You’ll regain those bright, clear eyes that you had before. Your skin will no longer have the yellow cast that revealed the severity of your addiction. As you begin to see these improvements develop, you’ll find renewed dedication to your path of sobriety.

Regained Appetite

A greater interest in food is a common occurrence in anyone fighting back against addiction. Whether it’s cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal substances, there will always be a degree of increased appetite in someone making a healthy change.

However, that is different from the increased appetite you will experience as your liver begins to restore itself. The decreased function it exhibits as a result of alcohol abuse will interfere with your appetite, and that is because the liver plays a role in digestion and its work in filtering toxins from your blood.

Once you turn the corner and let your liver begin to restore itself, your improved digestive function will trigger your body to call for more nutrients, giving you a greater appetite.

Better Bloodwork

As your health declined during your alcoholism, you may have gotten some lab work done at the hospital or a doctor’s office. Most likely, the results revealed decreased liver function, and the caregiver probably informed you of the dangerous situation it created for your health.

Once you entered recovery, your liver got to work right away on repairing itself. Of course, this process eventually shows noticeable results like improved color and reduced pain. Still, it may be complicated to detect the incremental changes taking place in those earliest days.

As a result, your return visits to the doctor after you’ve begun treatment can provide some vital feedback about your progress, even before there are any visible changes in your body. An evaluation of your bloodwork will indicate lower levels of key toxins, and your doctor will point those out to you. These markers are a great way to see the improvements you are making in your health after quitting alcohol.

If you feel your recovery is stalling or need a little reminder of the progress you’re making, ask to have labs done so that you can get a status update.

Reduced Pain

When your liver does not work correctly, it begins to clog with waste materials and starts to swell. With limited space to expand, the liver quickly begins causing pain. While the discomfort may be of varying intensity and may even go away, the overall trend is for the pain to increase and become more sustained.

As soon as you stop using alcohol, your liver will begin to catch up on its delayed workload. A better level of function will allow it to start clearing out the accumulation of waste and reducing its inflammation. The result to you will be a clear trend toward much less pain.

A Sharper Mind

The backlog of toxins created by liver damage has more effects than just the way you feel and the way you look, and it also impacts the way you think. The confusion and “brain fog” created by poor liver function can cause several problems, making it very hard for you to focus on getting sober.

Much like reducing the pain you’ll experience with sobriety, you’ll also have a rapid improvement in your mental state. You will feel more alert, have a more remarkable ability to concentrate, and see improvements to your short-term memory.

As you become more alert, you will also be able to pursue an education or hold down a job, giving you greater self-esteem and more reinforcement of your progress toward sobriety.

Greater Energy

As your liver trends toward a total shutdown, you will find that you don’t have any energy. You will not feel like doing ordinary things that had never seemed all that demanding before your alcoholism took hold.

The reason for this sluggish feeling is the inefficiency with which your metabolism is operating under liver failure. Energy cannot enter your bloodstream, and waste cannot be excreted when your liver cannot do its job. The result is a sluggish feeling that compounds the depression of alcohol use and contributes to an overall downward spiral.

As your liver begins to heal, you will start to feel your energy level go up. It may be a subtle change at first, but with every passing day of sobriety, you’ll experience a steady and undeniable difference toward a more energetic feeling. The strength you regain will help fuel your ongoing recovery, building momentum toward a better life.

A Soothed Stomach

The digestive issues associated with liver disease will often show up as nausea and vomiting. When your stomach is already irritated from alcohol abuse, it can be excruciating and even dangerous to experience these symptoms, especially on top of the upset stomach caused directly by your alcohol intake and intoxication.

Conclusion

After you start your new life without alcohol, these symptoms will improve. Liver function will improve, getting your digestion back on track. Your stomach will settle, making it possible for you to function normally and improve your nutrition, building your strength and reinforcing your ability to fight back against your alcoholism. 

Your liver is just one of many organs that are negatively impacted by alcoholism. Fortunately, its ability to recover (to a certain extent) should give you hope that it will get back to near normal during your recovery. Not only should this fact encourage you to get sober, but it should also support your ongoing sobriety by serving as a reminder of the danger your health faced during your addiction. 

Liver disease is a potentially deadly consequence of alcoholism. In your sobriety, one of the first things you’re likely to see is improving liver function, a step that is likely to help you stay dedicated to your recovery and a brighter, healthier future.

Home / Drug Detox

Gabapentin is a prescription medication that’s used to treat epilepsy. It eases the withdrawal symptoms of patients during cocaine, opioid, and alcohol detox. It’s prescribed for a long list of other conditions thanks to its relaxing, soothing, and pain-relieving properties.

This drug is often abused, and it has a high potential for addiction. Gabapentin is marketed under the brand name Neurontin. On the street, it’s known as gabby or johnny.

What Is Gabapentin?

Neurontin is classified as an anticonvulsant painkiller. It’s considered less addictive than opioids. Nevertheless, abuse and addiction are common.

This medicine has a chemical structure that’s similar to that of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that helps to regulate the nervous system.

Low levels of GABA can trigger depression, anxiety, restlessness, moodiness, and inability to sleep. On the other hand, high levels of GABA can make you feel relaxed and serene.

A high concentration of GABA in the brain reduces anxiety, relieves nerve pain, and encourages sound sleep. Because those are the same effects that gabapentin produces, scientists initially deduced that gabapentin simply mimics the effects of GABA and increases the overall presence of GABA throughout the body.

However, additional studies revealed that although the drug interacts with GABA receptors, it does not affect GABA metabolism or synthesis.

Instead, gabapentin binds to calcium channels in the central nervous system. There, it limits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. That’s how it blocks nerve pain and prevents seizures.

Therapeutic doses of gabapentin cause a dose-dependent increase in extracellular GABA that puts users into a relaxed and pleasant state.

How Does Gabapentin Work?

This medication reduces abnormal excitement in the brain. By interacting with abundant GABA receptor sites, gabapentin can prevent seizures and change how the body perceives pain.

Synapses are electrical impulses that carry messages from one brain cell or neuron to another. Scientists believe that because nearly 40 percent of all synapses involve GABA, there must be quite a few GABA receptors in the brain.

The job of GABA is to prevent neurons from becoming overexcited, especially during times of severe stress. The condition of the neurons governs how pain signals are transmitted.

When GABA levels are plentiful, the neurons remain calm while pain signals lessen or disappear. However, when neurons are overexcited, they broadcast continuous pain signals to the brain. The more excited the neurons, the more pain you’ll feel.

Like GABA, gabapentin comforts overexcited neurons that might otherwise trigger a seizure or cause pain. The mechanism of action is slightly different for GABA and gabapentin, but they both produce the same effects.

Which Conditions Can Gabapentin Treat?

• Essential tremors
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Post-herpetic neuralgia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Painful diabetic neuropathy
• Restless legs
• Bipolar disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Postmenopausal hot flashes
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Headache
• Withdrawal from alcohol, cocaine, and opioids
• Postoperative pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Migraine headache
• Social phobia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures
• Interstitial cystitis
• Chronic itching
• Inability to sleep
• Refractory chronic cough

Where Did Gabapentin Come From?

Gabapentin was discovered in Japan in the 1970s. It was initially used as an antispasmodic and as a muscle relaxer. However, scientists quickly discovered the potential of gabapentin as an adjunct for stronger anticonvulsants.

The proprietary formula was sold to Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals. There, it underwent further development before being brought to market under the brand name Neurontin and introduced as an epilepsy treatment.

Is Gabapentin Addictive?

Like many medicines on the market, gabapentin has both risks and benefits. The benefits include a reduced incidence of seizures and a reduction in pain associated with many different types of conditions.

Doctors consider it a safer alternative than opioids, especially for long-term, chronic pain. Many physicians aren’t even aware of gabapentin’s addictive potential.

In 2016, the drug was number 10 on the country’s top prescription drug list. Doctors were prescribing gabapentin as an all-purpose feel-good tonic.

Almost 65 million prescriptions for gabapentin were written that year compared to only 39 million prescriptions four years earlier. The total number of prescriptions jumped by nearly 25 million in just four years.

A 2018 article published in The Psychology of Addictive Behavior reported that gabapentin is marketed as having no abuse potential even though a variety of studies suggest otherwise.

Along with a high potential for abuse, the drug can cause suicidal thoughts, abrupt behavioral changes, and mood swings. Additional side effects can include elevated blood pressure, sleep disturbances, fever, appetite changes, and chest pain.

A 2012 article published in the British Journal of General Practice examined gabapentin’s abuse potential. Researchers found that the drug affects everyone differently. Users reported effects ranging from euphoria, relaxation, and increased sociability to feeling reduced to a zombie-like state.

More people are requesting gabapentin prescriptions, and it’s not all due to neuropathic pain.

By 2016, doctors were seeing an increase in overdose cases involving gabapentin. Physicians who had previously considered gabapentin a nonaddictive replacement for opioid painkillers were starting to ask questions.

Of additional concern was gabapentin’s increased recreational use. The drug is used in combination with opioids to induce euphoria and to make the high last longer.

Gabapentin eludes the blocking effects of medications used to treat addiction, and patients are getting high in recovery. With pills selling for under $1 each, the drug provides an affordable high.

Fatal overdoses involving gabapentin rose precipitously in West Virginia in 2015 when deaths increased from three in 2010 to 109 in 2015.

A 2015 article in the American Journal of Psychiatry surveyed more than 500 prescription opioid users; The researchers found that 15 percent of the participants had used gabapentin to get high during the last six months.

Can Gabapentin Treat Addiction?

There are currently only a few medications with FDA approval that can effectively treat addiction. At present, gabapentin is being considered for off-label use as an addiction treatment drug. Here are some of the studies:

Gabapentin for Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Alcohol withdrawal can elicit a variety of unpleasant reactions, including tremors, anxiety, irritability, and agitation. Because gabapentin mimics the effects of GABA by reducing neural excitation, it is thought to also reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry reported encouraging results during a 16-week treatment of 150 alcohol-dependent participants. The results were better among individuals who received gabapentin and naltrexone together than they were for participants who received naltrexone alone.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that alcohol-dependent people treated with gabapentin displayed a significant reduction in how much they drank. The experimental group also had a higher rate of abstinence than the placebo group.

Gabapentin for Cannabis Withdrawal Treatment

The effects of gabapentin may be soothing for those who are undergoing detox from cannabis or benzodiazepines. Marijuana is not physically addicting, and you don’t develop a tolerance to it. Nevertheless, it can be very addictive psychologically, and when you stop using it, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms.

A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology reported that individuals who sought treatment for cannabis addiction and were treated with gabapentin consumed less marijuana, reported improvements in cognitive functioning, and had fewer withdrawal symptoms.

What Are the Signs of Gabapentin Addiction?

Gabapentin addiction can involve a variety of symptoms that include the following:

• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Lethargy
• Labored breathing
• Unresponsiveness
• Bluish lips, fingers, and toes

Studies of substance abusers in the U.S. and the U.K. revealed that most people with a gabapentin addiction prefer to mix the drug with prescription opioids rather than using it alone.

Participants who used gabapentin to get high were more likely to abuse benzodiazepines. Moreover, a mix of gabapentin and alcohol is frequently present in toxicology results.

According to a 2016 article published in addiction, mixing gabapentin with opioids delivers a euphoria that can drive addiction. A case study reported that individuals snorting gabapentin powder from capsules get a high that’s similar to snorting cocaine.

In six different studies, individuals abusing gabapentin did so to feel relaxed and calm. Study participants also described a cannabis-like or cocaine-like high that increased sociability and talkativeness.

Some users experienced an amphetamine rush or an MDMA-like high. They also reported improved focus and better sleep. People who are addicted to gabapentin may exhibit the following behaviors:

• Poor decision-making
• Acting energetic or sedated
• Increased or decreased sleep
• Stealing
• Forging or selling prescriptions
• Exceeding the prescribed dose
• Mood swings or hostility
• Routinely asking for early refills
• Losing prescriptions and asking for more
• Getting prescriptions from multiple doctors

Is gabapentin addictive? It’s unusual for someone to be addicted to gabapentin alone, but it does happen. When it does, it’s usually for the purposes of mood modification.