Category: Understanding Addiction

OTC drug addiction

More People Getting Addicted to OTC Drugs Than Heroin

Articles, Education, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom

OTC Drug Addiction. Data from treatment centres in the United Kingdom has shown that rehab admissions for pain killer abuse has risen by over 17 per cent in just 2 years.

New research coming out of the UK has revealed that over-the-counter medicine use and addiction has become much more prevalent. Admissions to one of the top rehab centres in the UK, UK Addiction Treatment, (UKAT) for OTC’s and prescription medication has increased by 22%. They claim that this is because people are unaware of what the warning signs are.

Data released by UKAT shows that over the last 2 years across their 6 treatment centres, admissions for prescribed benzo’s and painkillers has increased by 17%. At this current rate it is likely that admissions for drug abuse and alcohol will be overtaken.

Therapists at the centre have been calling on the government to better implement education systems that explain the dangers that over-the-counter and prescription medication abuse. They have warned that people are unaware of the risks of OTC Drug Addiction and that situation at large is very real.

In just the last 6 months, 48 people have been admitted to UKAT centres for the treatment of Codeine and Benzodiazepine addiction. This is compared to only 26 people being admitted for cannabis abuse and 17 people for gambling addictions.

Cross-addiction like cocaine and alcohol abuse represents 64% of all addictions to the centres.

So out of a total of 140 people that UKAT admits each month, 6% of these are admitted for prescription or OTC addiction.

When receiving treatment, it can often take an addict of pharmaceutical drugs around 4-6 weeks to get clean. This is generally a longer time than it takes for most heroin addicts to come clean when at rehab. This is due to the fact that there are often horrible side effects that need to be contended with.

OTC Drug Addiction.

Often, when a doctor stops prescribing these medications, an addict will try any means necessary to get their next hit. Most often these types of medications can be easily bought on the web.
The price is also a big factor in the reason people are becoming addicted to prescription and OTC medications. The street price of a Valium tablet is less than £1, yet a 0.1g bag of the much harder drug, heroin, can cost 10x that at £10 per hit.

However, due to the strength of Valium and other prescribed drugs, people’s tolerance can increase much faster than those who take hard drugs and this can result in OTC Drug Addiction and overuse.

Many people consider that they are not an addict if the drug has been prescribed or they can purchase at their local pharmacy. UKAT claims that people are often admitted to their centres without even realizing that they are an addict.

Most addicts are forced into continuing to take these medications purely to cope with the side-effects that occur when stopping suddenly or going cold turkey.

Eytan Alexander, founder of UK Addiction Treatment Centres stated “It’s currently a hugely vicious cycle but, with support from the newly-elected Government, one that we can break with better education, advice and support.”

xanax treatment

Rehab Treatment for Xanax – What to Expect

Articles, Alternative Treatment, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United States

Xanax Treatment – Xanax is another name given for the prescription medication alprazolam which is a benzodiazepine used in the treatment of panic disorders and anxiety. It may also be prescribed to people who suffer from insomnia. Whilst short term use may not have any side effects, prolonged use may lead to addiction. In fact, the medication is not supposed to be prescribed for longer than 6 weeks.

People who do become addicted to Xanax will often have to enter rehab to beat their addiction. Physical addiction and prolonged use can lead to a number of health problems so medical supervision is always advised during the Xanax Treatment and withdrawal process.

So who needs to receive help in the first place?

Characteristics of Xanax Addiction

Not everyone who takes Xanax is going to end up getting hooked on it. If fact, tolerance or physical dependency on the drug alone are not enough to be diagnosed as an addict. This could just be the result of taking it for too long.

Instead, addiction is often characterised by the following:

  • Taking more than is prescribed or in other ways than prescribed
  • Continuation of use even despite negative side effects
  • Cravings or compulsion to use

What Would Happen in Rehab

Admitting yourself into rehab can help to address the real reasons why you are seeking help for Xanax withdrawal. It can help to uncover the emotional and physiological issues at the core of the addiction.

Below are the stages and services that you can typically expect when entering rehab.

  • Drug screening and assessment
  • Removal of the drug from the system
  • Behavioural therapy and Psychotherapy
  • Education
  • Aftercare and follow ups

Keep it in mind that while many rehabs are inpatient based, you may not necessarily need to sign up to a full 28 to 90 day rehab. An outpatient rehab can also help you beat your addiction whilst also costing less and allowing you to continue with your normal activities.

Stages of Rehab – Xanax Treatment.

Step 1: Drug Screening and Assessment

An initial assessment and drug screening will be completed on arrival when a person enters Xanax rehabilitation. This initial stage of treatment is used to determine the extent of someone’s addiction and to put a plan of action into place. This stage will usually include interviews, questionnaires and standard drug testing.

Step 2: Removal of the Drug from the System

Withdrawing from Xanax can be a rough ride and symptoms that appear can include depression, anxiety and insomnia. Rehab programs that specialize in withdrawal from Xanax help a person to taper of the drug and minimize any withdrawal symptoms.

Step 3: Behavioural Therapy and Psychotherapy

The cornerstone of treatment for Xanax addiction is psychological treatment this will often include individual behavioural sessions combined with group sessions. Special treatment will be given for anxiety and depression when necessary as they often become present during treatment. Sometimes family is involved in sessions so that the family system and dynamics can be addressed together.

Step 4: Education

The more someone learns about their addiction and the way that treatment works, the better prepared they will be to beat their addiction. This is why people entering rehab for Xanax addiction will often have to attend education sessions and workshops during their xanax treatment.

Step 5: Aftercare and Follow ups

At the end of your rehab sessions an addiction specialist will help a person to create an exit plan. This written plan will help people to continue their progress and better understand what to expect. It will also include goals to reach.

Aftercare in the form of outpatient therapy and counselling sessions can be expected in the following months. Attending these sessions will help a person keep on track and learn how to cope with any withdrawal symptoms and stress.

If you feel that you have an addiction to Xanax or know someone who has and are worried about them, please feel free to talk to one of Dara’s professional advisors about the possibility of rehab at our luxury resorts in Thailand.

Benzo Withdrawal

What You Should Know About Benzo Withdrawal

Articles, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Benzo Withdrawal.

Most benzo withdrawal stories will start similarly: you can’t get to sleep at night, you face problems with panic attacks or anxiety attacks, so you go to see you doctor and they prescribe you with a medication that they say will help you. Fortunately, at first, these medicines work a treat for the above conditions, however, doctors often prescribe them for too long and people get hooked.

Let’s check out the facts

Firstly, this type of medicine is recommended only for short-term usage. This is usually for 1-2 consecutive weeks.

Secondly, using medicines such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Klonopin or any other type of benzo will change the way your brain works when used for months and years.

And finally, while all benzos are different, dependence can start as early as 2-4 weeks of regular dosing on all types of the drug.

Reducing the dosage can often cause symptoms, sometimes of which can be serious. Below is a list of the possible symptoms you could encounter.

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Heart palpitations
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Insomnia
  • Hypertension
  • Irritability
  • Nausea
  • Panic attacks
  • Night sweats
  • Tremors
  • Muscle pain and stiffness
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Tension

This is why it is important that you follow a specific regime for tapering when you are trying to come of the benzos. Quitting drugs can become a lot easier when you are aware of what to expect and also when you have all the information in front of you explaining about the addiction and, more importantly, the support and treatment that is on offer to help you.

Long Term Use of Benzo.

Do you know what could happen if you use benzo long-term? There has been lots of research over the last decade regarding the use of benzodiazepines, and this research has shown that people who abuse this drug over a long period, are likely to develop a dependency which will lead to the body’s natural response – cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you miss a dose or stop taking the medication.

Below we will look at what the withdrawal symptoms are and how you can best get help for this type of addiction.

Withdrawal Can Be Scary

Benzodiazepines will damage the GABA receptors of your brain. When there is not enough of these receptors working, the central nervous system will go into overdrive due to the receptors being unable to calm down the excitement from glutamate (a neurotransmitter which causes excitement). This will cause the section of the brain which is responsible for fight or flight to overly stimulated and cause experiences such as:

  • Terror
  • Fear
  • Panic
  • Separation from reality
  • Depersonalization

The above are just a few of the experiences that one can expect. Benzo withdrawal also has the possibility of being life threatening due to grand mal seizures that could resort in a come or possibly death if a heavily dependent individual was to suddenly stop (cold turkey).

Getting Withdrawal Help

The safest way to quit and cleanse the body of this drug is to follow a medical detox. At a detox centre you would receive around-the-clock help to ensure you are comfortable and help with any withdrawal symptoms that occur.

Medical detox may involve cutting down slowly. Allowing your body to stabilize during the withdrawal period. This type of tapering can also include switching from a short-term benzo such as Xanax, to a longer-acting benzo such as Klonopin. In general it takes people around 10 weeks to come of the drug completely.

If you find yourself saying “I’m too afraid to enter treatment as I don’t want to face the withdrawal symptoms”…there is no need to be afraid. Treatment and detox can be a challenge but when you receive medical help it can become a lot easier.

If you or someone you know is having trouble stopping benzos and needs help, feel free to contact one of our professional advisors at Dara Rehab.

 

 

 

 

Drunk & Disorderly Aggression Relationships Driving

Drunk And Disorderly

Articles, Australia, International, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom

Drinking alcohol is an accepted part of life for millions of men and women the world over. It is appreciated and enjoyed by the majority, but far too many let things get out of hand when they have had one too many and get drunk.

Here are 3 reasons how getting drunk can cause disorder, disaster and detention.

Looking for trouble:

Aggression affects many people who are drunk and disorderly. They become obnoxious, rude and a good percentage are ready for violence at the drop of a hat.

This violence can be between those who have personal grudges, others from out of town or strangers who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Because alcohol affects the way a person thinks and acts, many have a completely reckless attitude and go way over the top.

This violence can wreck bars, cause extensive damage to property and vehicles and hospitalize those on the wrong end of a beating.

It can also cause those involved to be apprehended by the police and face criminal charges of varying severity.

To purposely go looking for trouble when drunk should tell those responsible that it really is time to leave alcohol alone and get a life.

Driving while drunk:

This is such a reckless and irresponsible act that it is astonishing how many men and women commit the offence.

It is not as if ignorance of the laws can be used as an excuse. Drink driving limits are clearly stated and extremely well publicized in all western countries, so those who do get behind the wheel of a vehicle deserve everything they get if apprehended.

Worse still are the greatly increased chances of those driving while drunk either causing or being involved in an accident. Alcohol slows responses, distances become more difficult to judge and road courtesy often goes out of the window.

Injuries and fatalities for those involved in accidents as well as innocent bystanders are tragic and unnecessary. Those who commit this crime will as a minimum receive a driving ban and hefty fine, for more serious incidents a jail sentence awaits.

Relationship issues:

Those people who regularly drink to excess are vastly increasing relationship issues. This can be between them and their partner, family members and quite often supposed friends.

These issues can be blown out of all proportion and rifts formed that fester. Repeat offenders can expect separation and divorce proceedings to eventually follow, family feuds to boil over and friendships to crumble.

Anyone who is regularly the perpetrator of such trouble due to excessive drinking really does need to take a step back and consider the hurt, heartache and worry they are causing others.

Professional help is available:

The bravest decision a person with alcohol problems can make is to seek professional help. It is far easier to get into the habit of regular, heavy drinking and becoming drunk and disorderly than it is to escape from it.

Making a conscious decision to seek assistance from your doctor, local rehab clinic, an inpatient rehab clinic, or going along to one of the meetings organized by a local voluntary association must be seen as extremely positive.

drug addiction

Stop Trying To Hide Your Addiction

Articles, International, Understanding Addiction

The amount of men and women currently struggling with addiction is quite frightening. Many will hide this fact from themselves and their loved ones far longer than they should.

We will consider why professional assistance is a must, but first let’s understand why addiction is allowed to deepen.

Embarrassment:

Many addicts are too embarrassed to admit their problem. They feel it will bring shame and disappointment upon themselves. This excuse cannot and must not be used.

There is no shame in admitting that addiction currently has the better of you. Indeed, it is a very brave and sensible thing to do.

In all likelihood those closest to you will be aware that you have a problem. The longer you refuse to discuss it and keep it hidden, the deeper addiction will become, the deeper personal problems will become, and the more you will damage your physical and mental health.

Denial:

This is the cornerstone of addiction. Anyone who is addicted to something will work extremely hard to convince themselves that the problem is nowhere near as serious as it really is. This denial then spreads itself into defiance towards anyone who tries to raise the topic.

The addict will vehemently deny any comments and vigorously deny there is a problem, but this stance is only fooling themselves.

It is crucial for an addict to end denial. Until they do so there will be no attempt to seek much needed help for their problem.

Those closest want to help:

While the fear of anger and disappointment prevents many addicts from seeking the help of those closest to them these thoughts must also be overcome.

Confiding in someone close to you will often mean they are only too keen to help in any way they can. Of course, they will be upset, perhaps shocked, but they will also be relieved that you have finally admitted the seriousness of your problem and will then look at ways to help.

This help can take different forms:

An immediate benefit for the addict is that this admission will take a huge weight of their shoulders and hidden fears can be revealed.

Those willing to help will often take it upon themselves to research and understand more about your current addiction. They will encourage you to visit your doctor, the local outpatient rehab clinic or to contact an inpatient rehab establishment and talk with a counsellor.

From these contacts and the advice received it will make an informed decision on what treatment will suit best far easier.

Their support can make the difference:

Treatment for addiction will not be a walk in the park. It will require self-determination and courage to get through, but the love and support of those closest to you can make a huge difference during what is certain to be a trying period for all concerned.

What needs to be remembered is that leaving addiction behind is a very real possibility. Countless men and women have achieved this in the past and will continue to do so in the future.