Category: Education

Heroin Abuse

Heroin Abuse

Articles, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Heroin Abuse

Heroin is an opioid drug that is created from morphine. Opioids are natural substances taken from the seed pod of a variety of opium poppy plants that are grown in various areas. However, just because heroin originates from an organic source does not mean it is safe. Heroin is known by many names but some of the common ones are big H, hell dust, horse, and smack. Heroin is injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked. Some people even mix heroin and cocaine in a practice known as speedballing.

Heroin Effects On The Body

Heroin has many effects on the body, but the most obvious is that it binds to opioid receptors at the cellular level that are located in many areas. These include many that are involved in feelings of pain and pleasure. These also control heart rate, breathing, and sleeping. This means that heroin use is very dangerous and can easily be deadly.

Even with the possibility of death at every use, many addicts partake in heroin use as often as possible. The short term effects of heroin use include a rush of pleasurable or euphoric feelings. But also include dry mouth, warm flushing of the skin, and a heavy feeling in the arms and legs. Many also experience itching, nausea, vomiting, mental cloudiness, and nodding that appears as someone falling in and out of consciousness. These effects may vary some between and among users, but the majority will experience them at some point. Additionally, long term effects of heroin use include insomnia, damaged tissue, infection of the heart lining, abscesses, mental disorders, sexual dysfunction. And so much more.

Heroin Dangers

Heroin goes beyond the problems mentioned as it often contains additives like sugar, powdered milk, and starch that can clog blood vessels that lead to liver, lung,  brain, and kidney problems that are long lasting. This means heroin is dangerous well beyond the actual drug as the body of the user is damaged by other ingredients. Many heroin users also share needles or other equipment that can help spread diseases. Diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), and several other blood or fluid borne diseases that can create problems for years to come.

Heroin Overdose

Heroin abuse also comes with a chance of overdose from the very first use. As heroin causes breathing to slow the amount of oxygen to the brain is decreased. This is known as hypoxia and can cause brain damage or death. Brain damage could lead to coma, being paralyzed, or other long time or permanent complications.  A treatment for heroin overdose is available in the form of Naloxone which is available as both an inject-able or a nasal spray. While Naloxone is typically available to paramedics and at hospitals. It must be used quickly to bring someone back from overdose. More and more states are making Naloxone available without a prescription, but this is not in all areas.

Heroin Addiction

If you or someone you love has a heroin addiction then now is the time to seek help. Help can come in the form of in-patient rehab or out patient counseling, but help needs to be sought as soon as possible. Getting away from a heroin addiction is difficult, but possible. Stay strong and get the help that is needed.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Cocaine withdrawal

Cocaine Withdrawal

Articles, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Cocaine is a dangerous drug that had its purpose in the medical community for a time, but is now predominantly used to get high. There are short and long term effects of cocaine and neither are positive. In fact, cocaine is a drug that requires more and more to maintain the same high for an individual. Cocaine can be deadly from the first use as it is often mixed with other drugs or substances to bulk up the actual drug. This makes coke a seriously harmful drug to both use and withdraw from for the addict. Even if you have only used once you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you are trying not to use again. Read on to learn more about the cocaine withdrawal symptoms and other long term effects that come with extended use.

If you are reading to find out what withdrawal from cocaine is going to be like for yourself or someone you care about then know that everyone’s experience is different and it will be tough. But in the long run it is worth it to get back to a healthy life that can be truly enjoyed. Cocaine withdrawal occurs when someone who has used a great deal of cocaine decides to cut down or stop completely. Withdrawal symptoms can begin before all of the drug is out of the body. The amount of cocaine that is considered ‘a great deal’ may vary from person to person.

Cocaine produces a false sense of euphoria by causing the brain to release dopamine. When the binge or use lessens or stops the crash follows almost immediately. A strong craving will start during this initial crash and other symptoms can include lack of feeling any pleasure, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, sleepiness, and extreme agitation.

Cocaine can produce physical symptoms such as nausea or shaking but it is not as common as with withdrawal from other drugs. Specific to withdrawal a person may become depressed and even suicidal for months following the last use of cocaine. They may also have increased appetite and a slowing of activity. Someone may be generally uncomfortable and have vivid and scary dreams. The powerful, intense cravings may lead to further use. But with more use the high becomes less pleasant and more likely to bring about fear and suspicion.

Symptoms of withdrawal will disappear over time, but severe symptoms may require in-patient treatment to be safe and in a medical environment as a precaution. This allows for counseling and medication if needed through the withdrawal period. After withdrawal the person may need some monitoring through blood tests, chest x-rays, ECG’s, and toxicology for screening purposes. Additionally, support groups are good resources.

Cocaine addiction is very difficult to treat and relapse is highly likely. However, treatment should start with the least restrictive option and increase if relapse does occur. Some medications may help deal with the depression and paranoia, but no medication currently exists to help with the actual withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is seeking help then do not wait any longer. Cocaine use can be deadly, the next hit could be your last. You can get over your addiction if you are willing to try.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

cocaine use

What is Cocaine

Articles, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is made from the leaves of the coca plant that is native to South America. It is an illegal drug though at one time it was used for valid medical purposes. As a common street drug cocaine is a fine, crystal, white powder. Dealers often mix it with things like talcum powder, cornstarch, or even flour to bulk up the drug and turn more of a profit. Additionally, cocaine is sometimes mixed with other drugs like amphetamines.

Cocaine is known by many names. A few of the most common are crack, rock, snow, coke, and blow. Cocaine is typically snorted as powder through the nose or rubbed on the gums. However, some people dissolve it into water and inject it or shoot up. This gets the coke into the bloodstream and a high is almost immediate. The mixing of cocaine and heroin to inject is known as a Speedball. Another method of using cocaine is to smoke it. Cocaine that has been processed to make rock crystal is heated and the vapors inhaled. The crackling sound of the heated rocks is why this is known as crack. Cocaine is the type of drug that is often taken in binges with increasing doses needed to maintain the same or a better high. The binges can easily lead to overdose, especially when the cocaine is mixed with another drug.

Cocaine is often a drug of choice because it effects the chemistry of the brain by increasing dopamine which makes the body believe it is experiencing pleasure and movement. Typically, dopamine is released when the body senses a potential reward, like good food or someone you love. The dopamine is released then recycled to shut off the signal. With cocaine use the recycling is stopped and the flood of dopamine creates a high.

There are health effects from cocaine use that include extreme happiness, energy, mental alertness, irritability, paranoia, and hypersensitivity. This means that some people may experience extreme focus to a task, while others may have completely unpredictable behavior. The same person may react differently with each use. Additional signs of cocaine use are constricted blood vessels, nausea, dilated pupils, raised blood pressure and body temperature, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and restlessness. When using cocaine the high is almost immediate and lasts from a few minutes to an hour with a single use. Method of use does effect the high as injecting coke will cause a faster high that is shorter lived, but snorting may last longer and take longer to kick in with each use.

Long term or continual use of cocaine can vary based on how the cocaine is used. Snorting can lead to a loss of sense of smell, runny nose, problems with swallowing and nosebleeds. Shooting up puts the user at higher risk for HIV and Hep C due to shared needles, though all users are at risk of sexually transmitted disease as cocaine use impairs judgment in selecting partners. Consuming cocaine by mouth can cause bowel decay and decrease blood flow. Since cocaine decreases appetite, users may become malnourished and create movement disorders such as Parkinson’s. No matter how cocaine is used it can create a number of problems. If you or someone you know is using, seek help immediately.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

healthy relationships

Letting Go Of Toxic Relationships Part 2

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

This is part two in a two-part series about letting go of toxic relationships.

In part one of this series, we talked about the importance of having healthy relationships in recovery. We also identified the characteristics of a toxic relationship. Now, let’s talk about healthy relationships.

How To Recognize Healthy Relationships

We have told you how to recognize a toxic relationship. We also want you to know the components of a healthy one.

Healthy relationships:

  • Build you up and make you feel loved and cared for
  • Make you feel good about yourself
  • Will be based on mutual respect
  • Are reliable and stable
  • Are about give and take
  • Revolve around shared values
  • Foster healthy communication
  • Are not centered on addiction
  • Encourage your recovery process
  • Support you in your efforts to make positive changes in your life

Toxic Relationships Vs. Positive Relationship

By now, you should have a general idea about the characteristics of both toxic and healthy relationships. Now, it is important to understand the effect each type of relationship can have on you. This way, you will see the benefits of healthy relationships and be more encouraged to seek them out – and avoid toxic ones. 

  • Toxic relationships drag you down. Healthy relationships lift you up.
  • Toxic relationships exhaust you. Healthy relationships energize you.
  • Toxic relationships create chaos in your life. Healthy relationships bring peace.
  • Toxic relationships revolve around addiction. Healthy relationships revolve around recovery.
  • Toxic relationships suck up your time. Healthy relationships enhance your life.

Enough cannot be said about how much of an influence relationships can have on your life. After all, you are the company you keep. If you hang around with people who empower you and encourage you to be your highest and best self, you will become a better, healthier, more well-balanced person. If you spend your time in toxic relationships, not only will your recovery be in jeopardy, so will your peace of mind.

To Enjoy Your Life And Experience The Gifts of Recovery, You Must Let Go Of Toxic Relationships

The only way you are going to be able to continue on your recovery journey is if you let go of toxic relationships and engage in healthy ones. You may have some toxic relationships with important people in your life that you aren’t willing to let go of – your parents, your spouse, or your close relatives, for example. This is understandable. We’re not telling you that you have to shut these people completely out of your life. But, we are encouraging to spend a minimal amount of time with them whenever possible so you can work on yourself and your recovery program.

Besides these important relationships, who else are you allowing into your energy field? Who are you spending time with? Where are you investing yourself when it comes to relationships?

Chances are, you can think of some people you hang out with who are toxic to you. We are talking about so-called friends who aren’t your friends at all. Maybe they are people you used to drink/drug/gamble/ have sex with. Maybe you are involved in a romantic relationship with someone who is toxic to you. Or maybe you known someone who always bring drama and negativity to your life.

We strongly recommend that you let go of THESE toxic relationships so you can grow in recovery. Replace them with healthy relationships and you will feel like a new person.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

toxic relationships

Letting Go Of Toxic Relationships

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

This is part one in a two-part series about letting go of toxic relationships.

As A Human Being, You Have To Have Relationships With Other Human Beings

Relationships are an integral part of the human experience. Whether you like it or not, you cannot live your life without having relationships with other people.

Even if you consider yourself a loner who doesn’t need to surround yourself with people, you have at least a few friends, relatives, and co-workers that you interact with regularly. You simply cannot live your life alone. Very simply, you need other human beings to survive. However; you get to choose what kind of relationships you are going to have.

There are two types of relationships – healthy relationships and toxic relationships. The key is to invest in healthy, positive, uplifting, supportive relationships. The problem is, many people who enter recovery are so accustomed to chaotic, destructive, and unhealthy relationships. They truly don’t know how to identify whether a relationship is toxic or not. This is not uncommon.

Having Healthy Relationships Is Vital To Recovery

You can’t recover alone. You need a support system of caring people who are going to support your new way of life – people you can call on when you need help, support, advice, guidance or a shoulder you can cry on.  What you DON’T need are people in your life who will tear you down, create unnecessary drama, bring you negative energy, abuse you in any way, or do anything that will put your recovery in danger.

After years of engaging in self-destructive addictive behavior, it can be difficult to forge healthy relationships and let go of toxic relationships that no longer serve you. Nevertheless, this is something you must do if you want to learn how to live a recovering lifestyle.  

Toxic Relationships Vs. Healthy Relationships

In recovery, you want to stay away from toxic relationships and forge healthy ones. To do this, you must know the difference between the two. If you don’t know how to recognize a toxic relationship, we want to make it easy for you.

You know you are in a toxic relationship when:

  • There is physical abuse of any kind. It is never okay for someone to hit, push, kick, or harm you in any way physically.
  • You feel bad about yourself when you are with the person.
  • There is a lot of anger and hostility involved.
  • Someone tries to persuade you to do something that will go against your recovery like using drugs, having unhealthy sex, gambling, or looking at pornography
  • There is yelling or verbal abuse. While you may have gotten used to people yelling at you, yelling is toxic. Yelling and name-calling are not healthy forms of communication.
  • The person you are in a relationship asks you to compromise your personal values.
  • Someone constantly dumps their chaos, drama, and negative energy on you.
  • There is a lack of respect. Respect means keeping healthy boundaries and respecting your personal space, property, values, and life goals.
  • The person is always high or drunk around you.
  • Someone asks you to break the law on their behalf.
  • There is no care or concern for your well-being and happiness – the relationship revolves completely around the other person’s needs.
  • The person tries to monopolize your time and acts controlling when you want to spend time with other people you care about.
  • Things always feel chaotic and off-balance.

These are just a few examples of characteristics of a toxic relationship. We will talk more about relationships in Letting Go Of Toxic Relationships – Part Two.  

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.