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Drug Addiction Issues: Family And Addiction

Posted On: Nov 20, 2018Posted In:
Drug Detox, Rehabilitation Center,
Posted By: tyler

As the basic unit of a society or community, family plays a significant role in the lives of all people in the world. The bond that your family members build from birth mold you into an individual that is unique from any other. If well built, this bondage becomes quite strong and handles various issues including pressures of life. However, if it is weak, the family members begin to face problems that are tricky to settle.

The recent times are nothing like the past. In the previous centuries, most families were complete starting with the nuclear part and extending to the extended structure that comprises of the in-laws, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Currently, the family structure seems to have taken a whole other different meaning due to disruption from abandonment, incarceration, and death and drug addiction. It has ended up in types such as single parent, nuclear, step, foster and multigenerational families.

Drug Addiction

The dependency on any psychoactive drugs takes place almost every day in multiple parts of the world. It is impossible to realize this fact if you hardly abuse drugs and are busy with work and other responsibilities. However, it is a sad truth that you can witness, if you look closer at your streets and hospitals.

If not a reported death due to an overdose, then it is some dirty, paranoid and confused persons hovering around a corner waiting to buy drugs from their dealer or even begging passersby for money. Note that not all people looking like this are into drug addiction; some are just homeless, hungry and in need of a home.

Unfortunately, some of these drug addicts are family members to people that care about them but hardly know how to help them. They are so dependent on drugs that functioning without them is impossible and causes serious and unbearable withdrawal symptoms. If you are a drug addict it is time you realize the sort of damage that you are doing upon your family.

It is likely that you continuously do harmful things to your family members, all in the effort of acquiring drugs. These may involve stealing their valuables and money, and also getting violent whenever they are not able to provide for you.

If you are an important family pillar such as a bread winner, neglecting your duties is common, which hurts your loved ones since they are completely dependent on you. These issues cause the breakdown of the family bond due to the frustrations and psychological damage upon family members.

Family Member’s Addiction

Since addiction is as a result of multiple uncontrollable ad controllable factors, it is quite unfair to blame you entirely for landing in the menace. This conclusion means that anybody in the family structures mentioned earlier can as well fall victim.

Unfortunately, there are consequences due to this fall. For instance, if you are part of the nuclear family, the rest of the extended family may choose to stay away from all of you, simply because you seem like a rotten mango that will damage all the rest.

What’s worse is the effect that your addiction will have on your children. Due to the intergenerational issues that are likely to occur, your children will either follow your foot steps by indulging in drugs as well, especially to escape the pain you caused them , or they will hate anything to do with drugs with so much passion.

The negative side of these occurrences is that they could affect the growth of your grandchildren. With the former, your children will behave just like you and continue the cycle of hurting others, which in this case include your grandchildren. On the other hand, the latter will result to excessive strictness due to paranoia, thus cause psychological issues upon these kids.

Addict’s Family Characteristics

If your family is not the cause of your drug addiction, then it highly likely that you could cause one or more of your family members to fall in the same pit, just as explained above. The following are some of the factors that could cause this occurrence:

  • Parental inconsistency

As a parent that is addicted to drugs, your decision and your spouse’s will result in some inconsistent behaviors that could confuse your children when differentiating between right and wrong. The family structure will seem inadequate due to erratic rule setting and inconsistent enforcement.

Since your kids do not know the limits they will do anything just to test your response and thus get your attention. Among the activities they may indulge is drug abuse, to see if it will hurt you like you hurt them.

  • Negativism

Drug addiction always causes some type of negative energy in the family. So your family members could end up indulging more into the negatives than positives since they hardly know happiness. Complains, criticism and displeasure expressions increase while appreciations decrease.

  • Self medication

Instead of being a good example to you family members, your behaviors especially under the influence of drugs will cause your home to become toxic. This will cause your loved ones to develop issues like anxiety, depression and intolerable thoughts and feelings.

When it gets too much to bear, they may opt to conduct self medication, which involves consuming psychoactive substances like drugs and alcohol. If change does not take place, addiction will kick in quite fast.

  • Parental denial

A combination of negativism, parental inconsistency and self medication eventually leads to parental denial. This is the point whereby your children are so into drugs that they change their behaviors from good to bad to worse. They may start being rude, arriving late to school or even missing classes, and begin dropping in performance.

However, you will not notice since you are busy on the other side as a drug addict. So you will hardly believe your children’s’ teachers even when they bring reliable evidence. In fact, you are likely to pretend that you have the most perfect family.

  • Unrealistic parental expectations

Despite being a drug addict, it is possible that you once had dreams that your children should prosper in life and acquire more success than you. That dream is still in your subconscious mind and will often pop up whenever you are under the influence of a drug.

Unfortunately, you will present this vision in a negative way and instead of inspiring your subjects, you will push them to limits that they cannot handle. This may include forcing them into careers that they do not want or giving them unrealistic targets. All these will lead them into drugs for comfort.

  • Miscarried anger expression

Your children will always be angry with you for your actions while under the influence of drugs and actually for being an addict. If they are not able to express this anger in the proper way, they will end up expressing it in the wrong way, which is through indulging in drugs while searching for calmness.

All these factors could lead to a never ending spiral of drug addiction if you do not get rehabilitation and focus on being a better parent. Imagine being an addict and having children that are also falling into addiction? What becomes of such a family?

 Family Trauma Due To Addiction

Trauma is something that takes control of a person’s mind to the point of having symptoms that seem to rewind the occurrence of the bad or traumatic experiences. As an addict, you are likely to cause trauma upon your family members since you have lesser control over your senses and cognition. This does not only apply to your children, but also to your significant other.

Trauma due to addiction comes from your behavior while under the influence of drugs. Are you rude? Do you use offensive words? Do you emotionally abuse your family even for the slightest mistakes? Are you violent? Do you threaten to harm or kill them?

If you repeatedly indulge in all or some of the above, then you are likely to cause psychological effects upon your family, which will lead to trauma. Due to these traumatic experiences, your family members are likely to develop certain characteristics that will indicate that there is a serious problem

The following are some of the characteristics of a traumatized family:

  • Depression

As mentioned above, your family members may have anger, sadness or rage towards you for the way you treat them. If these emotions are blocked or unexpressed, they grow inward thus forming a flat internal world. This internal pain has no resolution, unless external help comes by such as therapy.

  • Anxiety

With frequent traumatizing experiences, your family develops worries since they hardly know what you will do next, especially if a mistake occurs. These anxieties may project in the form of sleep disturbances and phobias.

  • Loss of faith and trust

As you continually abuse your family, physically or emotionally, you turn their orderly world into tiny pieces consisting of ruptured dependency relationships. Therefore, they hardly have faith in anything and also distrust everyone around them.

  • Traumatic bonding

Despite that your family will lose trust, they will tend to be more comfortable in relationships that have power imbalance since their mindset has already tuned in to such a lifestyle. Therefore, they are likely to enter into unhealthy bonding styles with other people in their lives.

  • Relationship issues

Not all people in your family’s lives will bring about traumatic bonding. Some will come with good intentions like making their lives better by helping them realize their potential in life. However, problems will arise due to mistrust, under or over engagement, extremely cold and hot emotions and withdrawal.

  • Desire to self-medicate

At times, the thoughts running through their minds will be too much to bear, and they may desire some calmness. Due to the relaxation and euphoric feelings caused by drugs like alcohol and cocaine, they may feel tempted to indulge to numb their pain, just for a few seconds or hours.

  • Survival guilt

Experiencing and witnessing abuse may make some of your family members to run away in search of a better environment where they can be at peace. However, the trauma will still kick in and they may begin having survival guilt. This occurs because they managed to survive whatever came from you, but still left others under the unhealthy family system.

  • Hyper-reactive

They way you abuse your family members stays vivid in their minds, especially if it occurs repeatedly. While in other environments away from you, they will be hyper-reactive due to stimuli reminiscent of trauma. They will be sensitive to loud noises especially if you yell at them, gunfire if you are used to banging things in their presence and acting out.

The above are few among the many signs indicating that your family is traumatized. The worst part is they hardly realize they have these issues until somebody else realizes the difference between normal and traumatized behavior.

 Other Addiction Effects on Family

Since addiction resembles a disease, trauma is just one among the multiple effects that your addiction will cause on your family. You are likely to cause tension and miscommunication that will often cause arguments.

As negativity increases the stress levels will also become high. You will also cause emotional pain, anxiety and mistrust due to the unpredictability of your behavior even when sober. Other emotions may include blame, resentment, fear, hate and anger.

As you continue indulging in drugs, your family’s foundation will crumble due to erratic and abnormal behaviors, job instability and late nights. All these issues will arise due to your unfocused, forgetful and distracted mind.

Other addiction effects upon your family include:

  • Isolation

The society and other extended family members are quite observant when things go sour in a certain family. Due to your addiction, your family may suffer from isolation since other people see the damage you cause upon your family members and thus wish to safe.

This may also mean exclusion from family or social events since people do not want you to join in and come while under the influence of drugs. They tend to think that you must cause chaos.

  • Financial instability

Poor performance at work is likely to cost you your job. Furthermore, what will be left to spend if you value your drugs more than catering for your family’s needs, which include food, school fees and clothing?

  • Adult children struggles

It is obvious that your children may not abandon you despite the depth of your addiction. Due to parental respect, they will not afford to see you sleeping hungry and thus will offer to provide for you. However, your addiction may tempt you to take advantage of this generosity. You may end up stealing their valuables, as well as their funds when a chance arises.

Since they most likely have other responsibilities, you will be adding more struggles to their current ones, which is not fair.

Repairing Family Bonds

If a time comes that you desire to change, you will have a lot on your plate. First you will need to get clean through rehabilitation and then focus on mending those broken bonds in your family. Rehabilitation is all about detoxifying your body, facing your psychological issues while treating any co-occurring mental and physical health challenges and participating in various therapies in order to reach full recovery.

This process is not easy since you will have to undergo much pain both physically and psychologically. However, the toughest part will be during the repairing of those family bonds that you broke with much vigor.

From all the above information, it is likely that you will have caused too much pain to forgive in a day. A family member with trauma will have suffered for a long period and thus very angry to even look at you. Others might not even want to acknowledge your existence and here you are desperate to have them back in your life.

So where do you start and how do you endure rejection without relapsing?

Family Therapy

The only way to get your family back is through family therapy. This is a combination of therapy sessions whereby you and your family are supposed to talk to a therapist on matters related to your addiction. If your family drove you into drugs, this is the best moment to let them know.

Since they may not fully understand, the therapist is there help them see their faults clearly, since you need to heal. On the other hand, they as well talk about the pain you put them through as an addict. One session of family therapy is not enough.

Therefore, as they proceed to take place, the therapist ensures that both sides work towards forgiving each other. If one part is resistant, mostly family members, your therapist will offer encouragement since forgiveness is not a one day affair. He or she may also offer some tips on how to survive rejection.

They include the following:

  • Have realistic expectations, despite having the enthusiasm to regain your family. You may have recovered from your drug addiction, but your family is yet to heal from the pain you caused. So if they are still angry, apologize endlessly and hope to earn some forgiveness.
  • Reach out to them because they can hardly afford to run after you after all that went down while under addiction. Since you want to make a things right, look for them so that they can attend family therapy with you. If they do not respond continue to reach out; they might eventually give in.
  • Focus on rebuilding trust since it is among the most important things that got lost. This is no easy task since once trust s broken it takes a very long while to regain. However, through consistency, you can make your family again. You must avoid anything that could ruin this process. Otherwise you will lose it all for good.
  • Incorporate healthy communication methods, especially since it broke down before. If you feel angry for some reason do not shout like you used to, since you will trigger their memories and trusting you will now go back to zero. If you make a promise, ensure to keep it. If not make a notification early enough to avoid disappointments.
  • Be honest because your loved ones need to know how sincere you are in recovering the love back. This help a lot in gaining their trust as well since it will allow vulnerability. As an honest person, consider their feelings too since they matter.
  • Eliminate unhealthy bonds such as those between you and other drug dealers. Your family needs to feel secure that you will not go back to your old ways. Keeping in touch with people that propelled your addiction will raise question marks about you changing for good and may cause anxiety.
  • Have patience since doubts will be present here and there, especially with people that did not attend the family therapy. As time goes by, they will see that you have truly changed ad embrace you.

Benefits Of Family Therapy

Family therapy determines the way forward as a family, and thus has numerous benefits. They include the following:

  • It keeps you engaged and motivated to proceed with treatment
  • It gives your family the opportunity to understand your addicting deeper while voicing their feelings
  • It eases addiction related feelings like fear, confusion, stress and anger, among others.
  • It improves the skills of communication between you and your family
  • It helps address addiction mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

In conclusion, the family is the most affected unit whenever a member begins getting addicted to drugs. Addiction causes pain in so many dimensions such that you may end up losing people permanently, or causing permanent damage.

Therefore, regardless of your issues, think twice before going into drugs. Seek help as you consider your family, instead of waiting to cause damage. Be selfless enough to love you family more and focus less on escaping your issues.

Filed Under: Drug Detox, Rehabilitation Center Tagged With: alcohol and drug detox center, alcohol detox, alcohol detoxification, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug detox, drug detoxification, lighthouse treatment, orange county detox, orange county rehab center, rehab center, rehab center OC, rehab center orange county, rehabilitation center, rehabilitation treatment center, substance abuse

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Drug Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms

Posted On: Nov 16, 2018Posted In:
Drug Detox,
Posted By: tyler

Eliminating existing substances or alcohol from the system is an initial and a very important step to start recovery from addiction. Drugs contain chemicals that remain in the bloodstream even for weeks after consumption. Detox or detoxification is the process of getting rid of the drugs from the body.  It can be done in various settings; outpatient clinic, inpatient clinic or at home. However, it is usually very effective in a residential medical facility.

During detox, the urge to consume the drug decreases, and thus chances of relapse are significantly reduced.  Drugs damage almost every part of the body and by removing the ones left behind, you prevent any further damage. It assists the addict to regain their ability to think well and make the right decisions again.  Length of the detoxification plan varies among st individuals and depends on the drug one is addicted to, how long they have been addicted, and many other factors.

The process can be dangerous and painful.  Hence it is advisable to consult a doctor before you quit any substance. The withdrawal symptoms can to lead to death. Medics help in managing them by prescribing drugs that mimic the effects of the drugs. Also, therapies are offered to help the patient relax.

Process of Detox

Every patient has got different needs that should be addressed during the process for effective recovery. The process is personalized and basically involves the following three steps;

  1. Evaluation

This is the first step.  The medical team evaluates all the physical and mental health conditions that the patient could be having. Screening of the blood is conducted to measure the amount of the substances in the patient’s bloodstream.  The tests assist in determining the medications to be administered.  Also, the physician conducts medical and psychiatric histories to help in devising a long term plan for addiction recovery.

  1. Stabilization

This is done to prevent harm to the patient during the treatment plan. Medicines and therapies are given to stabilize the person. Also, they help in preventing complications and manage the withdrawal symptoms.

  1. Preparation to start treatment

It is the final step of detoxification.  It prepares the patient to start a treatment plan. The medic team familiarizes the person with the entire treatment process. Everything that one needs to know, starting from medicines, therapies and the side effects that they should expect.  Also, they tell you what they expect from you for an effective plan.

First Stage of Detox

The first days of detoxification are the toughest.  They can be very intense for many people.  However, if the process is medically supervised, specialists and psychiatric staff will be there to provide the support and motivation that you require.  For instance, for heroin addicts, after the last dosage of the drug, one may experience anxiety, muscle pain, sweating, insomnia, and runny nose.

Though the symptoms are not deadly, they can be very uncomfortable and one can be tempted to take the drug again.  Various issues come up as you continue with the detox and they are addressed immediately they occur.  The issues are dealt with according to the urgency, one by one until the patient stabilizes fully.  The following are some of the issues that occur;

  • Violence

Some drugs like synthetic cathinones increase violent behaviors in people who use them.  The user is most likely to hurt themselves or people around them.  Patients who pose dangers to others may require sedation to protect them and the medical team or are isolated. This only done if his/her physical behavior is uncontrollable and they have attempted to harm the staff.

  • Injury

Some addicted people hurt themselves while under the influence of the substance.  Others, due to their violent behavior they are physically hurt or sexually abused before they enter the detox plan.  For an instance, phencyclidine is a strong dissociative substance which can cause feelings of increased energy and invulnerability.  Therefore, its consumers put themselves at danger because of the impression that they will not be hurt.

Additionally, they are more likely to have suicidal thoughts that can hurt them if the suicidal act is not successful.  All physical injuries on any part of the body should be treated first before one starts the treatment process.

  • Diseases

Many individuals who suffer from chronic pain usually use opioids to relieve the pain. Though the painkillers are recommended by the doctor, they can develop dependence towards them.  As one starts to detox from the painkillers, the chronic pain reoccurs together with other painful withdrawal symptoms

Thus, the doctor should evaluate the medical condition and treat all its symptoms and the pain in the right way before starting the detox process.

  • Signs of Psychosis

Psychosis is a severe complication due to the impacts of substances like cocaine.  If one consumes excess cocaine, they experience paranoia even before they experience the total blown psychosis.  The symptoms include hallucinations, both auditory and visual and delusional thinking.  Psychosis can also be as a result of other co-occurring mental conditions such as insomnia and schizophrenia.

Patients of psychosis can be very unpredictable. Before you proceed with the detoxification, address all underlying mental conditions appropriately.

  • Threat to oneself

Withdrawal from drugs and especially opioids can cause severe depression that might be accompanied by suicidal thoughts. If a person portrays signs of suicidal thoughts, they should be monitored all the time.  If such issues are determined during the first step of detox evaluation, they are treated until the patient is stable enough to go through the process.

Drug Detox Withdrawal symptoms

The withdrawal symptoms during the detox process can be very painful and life-threatening.  This is the reason why addicted people are usually advised to consider medical detox.  The environment at the medical facility is safe and comfortable.  Though the extent of medical supervision varies with the plan, it will help in managing the complications of detox.

Researcher’s state that an instant quit to drugs has multiple symptoms depending on the drug that one was addicted to.  Also, the severity of the withdrawal symptoms is different among individuals.  The following are some factors that might influence the severity of the symptoms;

  1. The length of the addiction- obviously, if you have been addicted for three years, you can’t expect to experience the same intensity of withdrawal symptoms as a person who has been addicted for one year. Daily use of a substance for a long period, can lead to high levels of tolerance and dependence on the substance. Moreover, the withdrawal symptoms can be severe too.
  2. The combination with other drugs- depending on various drugs can lead to terrible withdrawal symptoms. Every drug has got its specific withdrawal symptoms which will be addressed separately and it might take a long time before stabilization is achieved.
  • The dosage of the drug- the amount of the substance that one takes immediately before starting detox can affect the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. As one begins to use drugs, a small dosage is required to achieve the effects. But with the time, the body develops tolerance. One requires more and more dosage to achieve similar effects. This is known as tolerance.  The larger the amount of the substance, the more likely that the symptoms will be more painful.
  1. The existence of other co-occurring mental or physical conditions- if a person is having other mental health conditions like anxiety, stress or depression the withdrawal symptoms could be more intense. Also, if one has physical disorders like chronic pain, they might experience significant stress and more painful symptoms.
  2. The half-time of the substance- generally, if a drug has a short half-life its withdrawal symptoms are short-lived. On the other hand, if it has a long half-time the withdrawal symptoms might take a longer time to disappear.

Various drugs cause different withdrawal symptoms, but the following are common;

  1. Mood swings- this makes the patient very unpredictable and hard to deal with. The moods disturbances can include irritability or agitation.
  2. Insomnia- probably, one has been depending on the drug to sleep. Once it is withdrawn from the system, you might have sleep disturbances and excess fatigue.
  • Physical problems- the body suffers physically either through nausea, severe headaches, runny nose, vomiting, sweating, colds or tremors. Although they some might look minor, they can be very uncomfortable.
  1. Strong cravings- the withdrawal symptoms are traumatizing, and the urge to take the drug in order to avoid them is strong than ever.

Drugs and their Specific Withdrawal Symptoms

Each drug has got specific withdrawal symptoms.  Listed below are some specific withdrawal symptoms for drugs that require medical detox.

  1. Alcohol

The withdrawal symptoms of alcohol can be very severe and deadly.  However, there are various medications and therapies administered to help in relieving them. They can be physical and psychological, but how often and how much, and for how long you have been drinking influences the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. Heavy drinkers might experience extreme symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol

Nausea, vomiting, nightmares, shakiness, headaches, irritability, depression, tremors, and seizures are some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.  Also, some patients may experience delirium tremens. This is an intense withdrawal symptom that causes confusion, hallucinations, and tremors.

Delirium can lead to death if not immediately treated.  It can cause heart complications and severe injuries as a result of sudden seizures.  It is estimated that out of 20 people who are undergoing alcohol detox, one suffers from delirium tremens.

Duration of the withdrawal symptoms

One experiences the first withdrawal symptoms 5-10 hours after taking the last drink. Tremors are the immediate signs of alcohol withdrawal.  After some time, seizures and hallucinations occur.  Although it can be terrible in the first days, as you progress with medication, the symptoms subsidize gradually.

Physical symptoms can disappear faster than the psychological ones. Also, long term impacts such as sleep disturbances and depression can take even a year before they taper off.  In the first twelve hours during detox, the patient may experience insomnia, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.

Symptoms become more intense after 1-2 days of alcohol withdrawal. They may include night terrors, seizures, and panic attacks.  In 3-5 days one may have mood swings and delirium tremens.  After detox, usually, more than 6 days after the last drink, the symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, and anxiety may persist.

  1. Heroin

Individuals who are struggling with heroin addiction keep on using it to avoid its painful withdrawal symptoms.  They are felt twelve hours after the last intake of the dose.  Withdrawal of heroin feels like the worst flu ever with severe pain and discomforts.

Withdrawal symptoms may include muscle pains, sweating, agitation, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, and many others.  The duration of the symptoms depends on the length of use. Long use of heroin alters the brain’s components which affect the mood and behavior. This can last for months.  Some symptoms that can last include insomnia, fatigue, and depression.

Heroin withdrawal timeline

6 hours after consumption of the last dosage of heroin, one might feel pain on the muscles. The pain gets severe with time over the first two days.  You may also experience shaking, diarrhea, and panic attacks within the first 2 days.  After 3-5 days abdominal cramps, sweating, vomiting, and shivers may occur.

After a week, all the acute symptoms of withdrawal such as muscle aches and nausea disappear. One might feel normal, but still weak and tired.  However, some heroin addicts experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This is due to the alteration of the central nervous system function. These symptoms can include depression, anxiety, and irritability.

  1. Benzodiazepine

Taking high dosage of benzos for a long period can lead to tolerance.  When one quits using the substance, withdrawal symptoms emerge, whether they were prescriptions or you were abusing them.  Recently, doctors have reduced prescribing benzos to patients due to their high addictive power and severe withdrawal symptoms.

They can be emotionally and physically traumatizing and can lead to death if not medically addressed properly.  Some of these symptoms include dizziness, hallucinations, sweating, seizures, nausea, and irritability.  Nevertheless, they are prescribed to treat sleep and anxiety disorders, when one stops using them, they can suffer from restlessness and anxiety.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline

The first withdrawal symptoms of shorter acting benzos such as Xanax and Ativan occur 6-8 hours after taking the last dose of the substance.  For longer-acting benzos like Valium, Librium, and Klonopin, the symptoms can appear within 24-48 hours after the last dosage.  Within those hours, one may experience insomnia and anxiety.

Between 1-4 days after quitting the use of benzos, anxiety and insomnia may intensify. Moreover, the patient might experience increased heartbeat, sweating, and nausea.  Individuals, who are addicted to long-acting benzos, experience the first signs during this period. Also, 10-14 days the withdrawal symptoms may begin to peak.

Types of Drug Detox

There are two main types of detox programs. Various factors can influence your choice such substance you are addicted to, length of addiction, support from family and friends, and personal preferences. Some drugs such as alcohol, heroin, and benzos should be constantly supervised during withdrawal.

If you have been addicted for a long period, the withdrawal symptoms can be severe and thus medical supervision is important to ensure effectiveness and prevent relapses.  People who have supportive family and friends can detox at home if the addiction is not intense.

  1. Outpatient detox

Specialists rarely recommend this type of detox, unless in cases where one has been addicted for a short period.  It can only be effectual for individuals who are committed to recovery.  Treatment sessions are scheduled according to the patient’s availability.

This program is best for people who have obligations at home or job, but they want to recover from substance addiction.  One checks in with their doctor for counseling and medication.  The program comes in various ways. In day program, one is required to attend treatment sessions 5-7 days in a week.

For IOP (Intensive Outpatient Programs) there are measurable milestones to measure progress.  As you achieve each milestone, the commitment is reduced. The other option in the outpatient program is the continuing care. This involves groups such as the Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.  They assist individuals to maintain sobriety and are managed by a licensed therapist.

Advantages of outpatient detox

Outpatient programs are affordable. Since one stays at home, you can continue with your work. Your source of income isn’t affected. Also, one doesn’t incur costs of accommodation like in the inpatient program.  Signing in for outpatient detox program offers you flexibility. You only check with your doctor within the agreed time. One is also able to get support from family and friends since they are always around.

Sadly, it isn’t very effective due to constant triggers.

  1. Inpatient detox

Not only does inpatient detox program offer24 hour medical support, but also the patient receives emotional and motivation from staff and other patients who are undergoing the same process.  They provide the best medical supervised detox. In this program, the patient resides at the treatment facility for a certain period of time. (30 days, 60 days, 90days or even more)

The duration of stay depends on the intensity of addiction, the presence of other co-occurring mental or physical health conditions, and if a person has ever been in a rehab before.  Many facilities provide family programs and therapies, where one’s family members can participate. This helps to mend broken trust and identify any dysfunctional relationships that could trigger a relapse.

Before you settle on the inpatient program, consider the following;

  • The types of addiction the facility treats.
  • Types of therapies offered.
  • The type of aftercare programs and sober living home for patients after the recovery.
  • Credentials the facility has.
  • Peer groups available and the payment options that the facility accepts.

Benefits of inpatient detox

Inpatient detox program is ideal for individuals who are struggling with severe addiction.  The environment is safe and free from external triggers.  The medical specialists ensure that the process is comfortable.

Methods of drug detox

Depending on the substance one is addicted to, there might be various options to choose from. No method is a sure bet for any person.  However, the effectiveness is determined by the drug addicted to, the last dosage consumed before starting detoxification, the length of addiction and if a person has been using other substances. The following are three detox approaches;

  • Cold-Turkey detox – this simply means stopping to consume drugs on your own without any medical help. The patient experiences all the withdrawal symptoms no matter how severe they might be or how long they might take.  To some drugs, this approach may work since the symptoms can only take days, but to others, it can be very difficult.
  • Short-term medicated detox – the patient is given some medicines calm down the withdrawal symptoms. The mediation is often given for a short time to make one relax. For instance, if a person is having problems with sleeping, some non-addictive medicines can be given to help them sleep.
  • Long-term medicated detox – this usually recommended to opioid-addicted patients. A patient may be given methadone to reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. The medication is taken until one is totally free from the drug.

Duration of Drug Detox

Detoxification will last as long as the withdrawal symptoms occur.  A patient is only free from the drug, if they are stable physically, mentally and emotionally. The detox doesn’t only help in getting rid of the substance but also prepares the patient for the counseling and therapies ahead.

Not all people are successful in the first attempt to detox from drugs.  Even if you fail, try again and again, you will surely achieve sobriety.

Conclusion

The decision to quit drugs is a very important decision in an addict’s life. One requires support and encouragement during the entire period. There are two options with which can choose from; inpatient and outpatient detox program. Although the process is painful, medications are given to ease the pain.  Some people may opt to do the detox at home, though it is unsafe and there are high chances of a relapse. Also, some withdrawal symptoms are severe and life-threatening.

Filed Under: Drug Detox Tagged With: alcohol and drug detox center, alcohol detox, alcohol detoxification, drug detox, drug detoxification, lighthouse treatment, orange county rehab center, rehab center OC, rehab center orange county, substance abuse

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Everything You Need To Know About Heroin Detoxification

Posted On: Nov 14, 2018Posted In:
Drug Detox,
Posted By: tyler

At some point, a heroin addict decides to quit consuming the drug.  One realizes the harm the drug is causing to themselves and people around them.  That is usually a brave step towards recovery, though it is accompanied by many fears.  Once you have hit the start button, life will never be the same again as you will be free from heroin slavery.  The following are some fears that people who are addicted to heroin and other drugs face when they think of quitting the drugs;

  • Loneliness

Quitting the drug feels like you will have nothing to rely on.  Some people use heroin because of loneliness and boredom, hence quitting means that loneliness and boredom kick in again. Also, you will no longer hang out with your friends whom you used to take the drug together.

The greatest fear could be stopping the use of a substance that has helped all along in dealing with problems.  It can be a difficult decision when you think in that line, but remember that you have family and friends who will support you throughout the recovery journey.  Share the fears with your close friends, family members, and the medical team.

  • Fear of rejection

After admitting that it’s enough and you need to get off the hook, one gets worried that friends and family members may reject the “new him/her”. Some people may hesitate to share their decision with anyone since they don’t know how they will react.  A person thinks that the might not be supported.  Obviously, many people may not understand you nor offer you any support, however, don’t concentrate on them.

There are some who will support your decision.  Focus on your recovery; it will prove that you are a changed person to them.  Additionally, addicted people get worried about their former friends.  They wonder whom they will hang out with. Remember that we make friends as we lose others and if you lose them because of a positive thing, the better.

  • Sobriety fear

It can be scary to think of the” sober you”, especially if you have dependent on heroin for a long period.  Many addicted think that life without drugs is boring and dull.  Besides at rehab there are facilities that will cheer you up. Also, you will be taught various activities that you can engage in after rehab that will bring happiness such as swimming, nature walks, and many others.

Some people who have attempted withdrawal from heroin understand how painful the withdrawal symptoms can be and hence the fear of quitting can be very strong.  However, medications are given to relieve the pain and make detox more comfortable.

  • Fear of failure

What if it doesn’t work? Many addicted people have tried and it didn’t work, it could be true, but what didn’t work for somebody doesn’t mean it will not also work for you. We are different and withdrawal experiences are different too.  Many addicts worry that after recovering, they might experience a relapse.

  • Fear of loss of employment

In most cases, heroin withdrawal requires full-time medical care, and this means that you will not be going to work.  Many people think that this could risk their job. However, one doesn’t think that the addiction puts them at a greater risk of losing the job.  Addiction reduces your production at work, which can greatly impact on your career.

Also, if you are caught with heroin, an illegal drug, you might face a jail term and hence lose the employment completely.  Any boss will support the health of their staff. Share your decision with your employer, they might support you.

Heroin Detox

Recovery from heroin addiction starts with detoxification. Heroin is a powerful opioid and has very strong withdrawal symptoms such as flu, headaches that may tempt the person to return to its use again. Nevertheless, detox is a process that will only last for a while and it can be managed by medications.

Detoxification or detox is a natural process that allows the body to get rid of substances and in this case, heroin.  When a person starts using heroin, the body adjusts itself to the drug and perceives it as a normal thing. This is why tolerance develops; taking more and more drugs in order to experience the effects you could experience with just a small quantity of the drug. Also, that is why one faces the withdrawal symptoms.

Scientists argue that long use of opiates can make the nerve receptors adaptive and later resist the drug, thus requiring more of the drug.  Withdrawal symptoms occur because the receptors must adapt to the absence of the drug.  Although the body can normalize, it can’t happen instantly.   For it to regain its stability it requires time.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

The withdrawal symptoms of heroin can start between 6-12 hours after consuming the last dosage. The substances get absorbed quickly making the body requires more replenishment.  The withdrawal symptoms persist every day you go without the drug. Ideally, they are more severe during the first three to four days of withdrawal.

Before Detox Day

Detoxification is a difficult and painful process that has a huge reward. You get through physical and mental torments to acquire the freedom you need on the other side. Before the D-Day, prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Remember everything requires a positive attitude, and heroin detox is no exception.

Prepare your detox kit. Have OTC medications including Imodium for managing diarrhea, Tylenol to relieve muscle pains, and Benadryl or Dramamine to treat nausea or dizziness.  Have some ice packs and keep enough in the freezer. Design and prepare a comfortable spot to hang out.  Diarrhea is on the way, you don’t want embarrassment, right? Stock your toilet with sufficient toilet paper.

Get hydrating beverages. If you are not a water lover, have Pedialyte, popsicles, and Gatorade to keep you well hydrated during the process.  Have some delicious food, your favorites. They might comfort you.  Have Epsom salts for a relaxing bath.  If you a well prepared physically and emotionally, there are high chances that the detox will be lesser complicated.

Have a plan on the activities you can engage to keep you busy in when the cravings knock on the door.  Reach out for help from a close family member or friend. You can talk via the internet or phone.  You can plan on doing a thorough cleaning of your place.  When you feel overwhelmed you can make yourself some fresh juice or a cup of tea and enjoy it.

Cravings can knock you down, but you should be strong.  Go for a nature walk, listen to nice music, and watch a good movie or any other activity that is of interest to you.  They will help you in minimizing the cravings.  Keep on reminding yourself that they are temporary. They might be very strong in the first days but focus on the recovering and life free from heroin.

Day 1 of Heroin detox

This is the most difficult day; people face a lot of fears.  However, just take it easy and concentrate on keeping yourself busy. On the first day, due to the strong urge to take heroin, you might not be able to think properly and you might fall back to using heroin. Delete that number of the dealer and cancel all the plans. If you a parent, ask a close relative to take care of the children. Reduce all the things that can add to your irritations.

You may experience restlessness in your legs.  Apply heating pad alternating with ice packs. Stretch out. You can have a walk or do some workouts.  Try lying down on your stomach and get slowly.  A runny nose, excessive yawning, and watery eyes are normal.  If muscle cramps are too much, take a hot bath or cold one.  Add some Epsom salts as they help in relieving the soreness of muscles.

Heroin Detox Day 2

Eat nutritious meals, lots of vegetables, fruits, and be well hydrated. When one is addicted, they forget about their health and body. Detoxification should be a time of helping the body to heal from the damage it has suffered from heroin use.

You might experience sweating. Damp a towel and place it on your forehead. Keep on changing your bed sheets, there is no harm in that. Sweating is normal, but you can manage it. If you can, sleep on towels.  To treat hot or cold flashes, drink cold or hot tea whenever you experience them.  If you are vomiting, take lots of water, Dramamine or Antivert. Rest as much as you can. For diarrhea, take Imodium, more water, and have a rest.

Day 3 of Heroin Detox

This can be the worst day for most heroin addicts who are withdrawing.  But the good thing is that, once you overcome it, you will experience it again. Put your mind at a task. Think about your recovery goals, why you want to quit using heroin, the harm it has caused to you and your family, and other positive things that will make you more encouraged to face the withdrawal symptoms.

Some people write them and stick them on the bedroom or in a place where they can see them constantly. Make short-term goals that are achievable.  If you have relatives and friends who can offer you genuine support, call them and ask them to come over on this day.   Distract yourself from all triggers by either going for walks or outdoor activities.

Still, take lots of water and fruits.  If you feel hot, take a cold shower. One can experience stomach upsets.  Lie down and try rubbing it in clockwise or circular motions. Ginger tea can be of help in relieving the stomach cramps. Also, chamomile tea and peppermint tea have been known to relieve stomach upsets. If the symptoms seek medical help; remember they can be life-threatening. The following are the common heroin withdrawal symptoms;

  • Mood swings, anxiety, depression, and fear.
  • Teary eyes, runny nose, and sweating.
  • Stomach upsets, vomiting, and nausea.
  • Fever, chills, and dehydration.
  • Leg cramps and spasms.
  • Diarrhea and dilated pupils.
  • Insomnia and loss of appetite.
  • Yawning and goose pimples.

If you have ever attempted quitting heroin or any other opiate you know that the list doesn’t include all the agony that one goes through.  It is extremely traumatizing and one can do anything to avoid going through it.  The withdrawal symptoms can last for days or weeks depending on various factors such as how much heroin you were taking and for how long have you been addicted.

After the severe symptoms are over, various physical and mental discomforts may persist for some weeks.  The withdrawal symptoms differ among people and can be worsened by a combination of heroin with other drugs.  Also, co-occurring mental or physical conditions may be present and should be treated instantly before starting the detox.

Withdrawal from heroin is not life-threatening by itself, but the withdrawal symptoms can cause health complications that can lead to death if not medically addressed. For instance, depression can make one think of committing suicide or doing a hurting thing to themselves or those around them. Therefore, no one should stop using heroin on their own without supervision by a physician.  They offer various medications and ways of managing the withdrawal symptoms.

Medications used in Heroin Detox

Scientists have discovered various medications that can be effective to relieve the withdrawal symptoms of heroin detox. Not all work for every person. Everyone has different body mechanisms.  Some people will go through the detoxification period comfortably without using any medications.

Detox is not enough for recovery from heroin addiction. A long-term plan should be devised such as medications, therapies, and counseling. The following are some common medicines used;

  • Methadone

Methadone (methadose, Dolophine) is an opioid medication that produces the same effects as the drug you are addicted to, though it doesn’t make you “high.”  Also, it can inhibit the effects of heroin, in case a relapse occurs while on the medication. You can take it daily, but it is only available in special treatment centers registered by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and verified by SAMHSA. One can be allowed to go with the medication at home, after meeting some requirements.

  • Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine (Suboxone or Subutex) was the first medication to be approved for managing heroin withdrawal symptoms.  It blocks all the receptors in the brain that are triggered by heroin use. Buprenorphine is a shorter acting medicine as compared to methadone. It is most recommended by doctors because it has a lesser risk of lethal overdose.

Buprenorphine comes in various forms; capsules which include suboxone and Zubsolv, shot (buprenex), skin patch or Butrans, an implant that is inserted under below your skin for six months, and a film that is placed against the cheek in your mouth. It reduces or mitigates the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for heroin.

  • Naltrexone

This is the only medication for heroin detox that is not addictive.  It works by blocking and binding the heroin receptors in the central nervous system making the use of the drug ineffective. Unlike methadone, naltrexone does not treat withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but one can’t get high while on it. It is a long term medication that is usually used after detoxification.

It can be administered via an injection known as Vivitrol or by the mouth, known as ReVia. Naltrexone does not impact on the withdrawal symptoms, and hence one should not take with the hope that it will relieve the symptoms or rather it safeguards against relapses.

  1. Clonidine

It is a generic medicine that is used to manage high blood pressure. It has also proved to be effective in curing opiates withdrawal symptoms.  Clonidine reduces the feeling of anxiety and irritability. Also, it eases muscle cramps, sweating, and flu-related symptoms like a runny nose.

Disadvantages of Using Medications in Heroin Detox

The above medications will help you in your detoxification process. They produce effects that discourage you from taking heroin again. Also, others will help you in relieving the painful withdrawal symptoms. Nevertheless, they might cause another problem. The following are some issues that could come up, though the benefits of medications outweigh the disadvantages.

  1. Dependence – according to scientists, the use of medications to treat withdrawal symptoms could lead to a dependence on the new medication. One may end up requiring more and more of the dosage to relieve the symptoms, hence developing tolerance and later addiction.
  2. Side effects – most medications cause side effects or allergic to some people. The side effects often disappear with time and can be inclusive of constipation, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, and many others depending on individuals.
  • Risk of abuse – just like any other drug, medicines such as naltrexone and methadone can be abused. Since naltrexone inhibits the heroin effects by blocking the receptors in the brain, some may people may overdose thinking that they can experience euphoria effects. This puts one at a risk of overdosing which can lead to death.
  1. Relying on the medication alone

    – This is another drawback that people who use medication could face. Some patients think that medication is all they require to recover from heroin addiction.  After taking the medication, withdrawal symptoms might vanish, and one may think that they are now cured.  The medications alone are not enough for a successful detox. One should compliment them with therapies and counseling.  To achieve and maintain sobriety, recovery tools should be put in place.

Tips for Managing the Withdrawal Symptoms

The following are some few tips that can help you as you detox from heroin. Remember that home detoxification is dangerous and no one should attempt to quit use of heroin before consulting a doctor. Medically supervised detox is safe and comfortable. Also, there are reduced chances of relapses.

  • Healthy feeding habits – focus on what you eat. Ensure the food you eat is well balanced with lots of vitamins. Researchers claim that opiates addicts have deficiencies of magnesium and calcium which largely contribute to the muscle cramps and spasms. Lack of these minerals also causes restless leg syndrome.  Feeding on foods rich in these minerals can help in reduction of the symptoms.
  • Hydration – excessive diarrhea and vomiting that one might experience can leave one dehydrated. Drink a lot of water and other beverages to prevent any discomforts that can be as a result of dehydration.
  • Hot/cold baths– many people who have recovered from heroin addiction have claimed that baths helped them in managing headaches, back pain, and muscle pains. It also helped them improve their sleep.  When you add Epsom salts in the bathing water, they assist in soothing muscle soreness. When you experience fever, have a cold shower and put a hot pad on the forehead to calm the muscles and cool the body.
  • Fun – the withdrawal symptoms can be overwhelming and traumatizing. Distract yourself from the pain and frustration of the process. You can listen to cool music, watch a movie, play an interesting game, or read a book.  Hanging out with your best friends and family members can help you relax.  Laughter induces the secretion of endorphins, happy hormones that assist in relieving the withdrawal symptoms.
  • Exercise – when you exercise the body produces endorphins that create a feeling of relaxation. Moreover, workouts can help in treating muscle cramps and insomnia.

Conclusion

Deciding to quit the drug, and in this case, heroine is a very important move that one could ever make in life. Many addicted people are worried about many things when they think of stopping the use of heroin. One fear that they might recover and later experience relapse, others are afraid of life without the use of drugs, and rejection from friends or family members.

Fear is just an imagination of what could happen, and ironically it might not occur. Concentrate on the present, which is recovery from addiction. During heroin detox, one experiences various withdrawal symptoms such as a runny nose, teary eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upsets, and many others.

Although some people are able to go through the process without using medications, some medications are proved to help in relieving the symptoms. Methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, and clonidine help in reducing the cravings for heroin and easing the symptoms. Nevertheless, the medications have disadvantages such as the risk of dependence on them, overdose and side effects.

During the process, medications are not enough for recovery. Ensure your diet is well balanced, stay hydrated and exercise. Also, have fun and distract yourself from the devastating experience.

Filed Under: Drug Detox Tagged With: drug abuse, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug detox, orange county detox, rehab center, rehabilitation center, rehabilitation treatment center, substance abuse

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How Can A Mother Deal With A Child That Is Taking Drugs

Posted On: Nov 7, 2018Posted In:
Drug Detox,
Posted By: tyler

Most, if not all parents, view children as a huge responsibility from the time of conception and onward. Recognizing that their decisions and lifestyle choices could impact their children, most parents strive to be perfect parents. However, there is no perfect parent. We can only do our best to raise a child accordingly and learn from our mistakes along the way.

Granted, numerous external factors impact and contribute to the overall nature and nurture of a child while growing up. For instance, recent research confirms that children from single parent homes or none at all are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Risky behaviors and activities, in this case, being engaging in substance use/ abuse or/and developing destructive behavioral habits.

A recent survey by ProjectNow confirms the above fact by stating that kids from stable homes exhibited low drug usage. Moreover, drug or alcohol abuse by a parent increases the chances of a child engaging in the same activities as well. When Children are young, they learn by observation. Hence, they tend to repeat the actions and words often uttered by their parents to others around them.

Consequently, external factors do play a role in how our children turn out and the kind of future activities they engage in. This calls for parents to take up their role responsibly and gently guide their children and teens toward the right direction. This may call for actual rules and regulations within a home, to help keep things under control.

That being said, internal factors also play a huge role in how children turn out. Children are often born with their own unique personality and traits. According to a study led by Professor Annalena Venneri, babies are born with their own unique personality traits and characteristics.  According to Professor Venneri, because of their distinct personality traits, they hence develop different brains anatomically.

From their study, they highlighted four types of personalities. They include the novelty-seeking type, reward dependence type, persistence type and the harm avoidance type.

The study by Professor Venneri, also published in the journal Brain Research Bulletin, reveals an interesting fact about the reward dependence personality type. A child with the reward dependence personality type is more at risk of developing a form of dependence on drugs, alcohol or any other type of behavioral habit. This is, of course, if the child does not get the parental support, love and encouragement that they need.

Hence, learning the personality type of your child can help a parent know how to best deal with a child. Moreover, how to best raise them according to their different and unique personalities. These preventive strategies can help lower the risk of your child turning to harmful behaviors such as drugs, alcohol and so forth.

All in all, regardless of the personality type of your child, parents are responsible to raise their children accordingly. By effectively monitoring their behavior, friends and tendencies, you can control and lessen their chances of drug use. Being present as a parent is vitally important to children. Every child, regardless of their personality type, is need of constant love, support and attention from the parents.

For the purposes of this article, we shall be focusing on child drug use, and how to best deal with it. For this particular article, we shall be focusing on how mothers can best deal with children that are taking drugs. However, let us first start by taking a look at the statistics on substance abuse among children and teens.

Statistics of Drug and Alcohol Use Among Kids and Teens

Drug and alcohol use among children and teens has been increasing at an alarming rate over the last few years. In fact, it is now termed as a vital public health concern, not only in America but globally.

A survey that focused on drug and alcohol abuse was conducted in the year 2014 by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Their findings stated that at least 2.33 million young individuals, aged 12-17 years, used alcohol. 1.41 million of young American individuals, again between the ages of 12-17 years, were found to be using illicit drugs.

A survey conducted by the University of Michigan in the year 2014-2015, found a correlation between the perception of a drug, and the likelihood of using it. Drugs that are viewed to be more dangerous, such as heroin and cocaine, are less likely to be used.

This does not mean that young people do not use hard drugs such as the ones listed above. It simply means that the drugs are used less, by an even lesser majority of young people. The year 2015 revealed that that annual use of cocaine was at 2.5%, which is considerably low considering the percentage of use in the previous years.

However, a drug such as Marijuana is often viewed as harmful, hence it is used more often and by a large group of children. From their findings, one in thirty young individuals between 12-17 years of age used marijuana, not occasionally, but on a daily basis. Marijuana is still a drug and does cause harmful effects to the child using it

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted a survey of more than 70,000 people as their respondents. From their survey, they found that young individuals are likely to start using or get initiated into using drugs at an early age. Most start as early as 12 years of age without the parents’ knowledge.

The above statistics reveal that a good number of American children get pulled into illicit drug use at an early age. Hence, this could mean that your child may be using. It could also mean that your child is likely to start using unless preventive strategies and measures are put in place.

Now, let us take a look at the types of drugs that children are more likely to use/ abuse at an early age.

Commonly Used/ Abused Drugs Among Children and Teens

Children are likely to use and abuse drugs that are most accessible to them. Also, as previously mentioned, children tend to use drugs that seem less harmful, such as Marijuana. So, which drugs are commonly used and abused by our children?

Please note, the below-mentioned drugs are listed in order of popularity and use. Let us take a look.

  • Alcohol

A survey conducted by the MTF in the year 2015 revealed Alcohol as the most used drug among young people. 21% of 8th graders used alcohol, while 42% and 58% of 10th and 12th graders used alcohol respectively.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the high use of alcohol among young people matches the use of alcohol among adults. According to them, over 70% of adult individuals used alcohol within the year 2014-2015.

It is widely used due to a number of factors. First of all, the drug is legal. However, alcohol use is prohibited to individuals under 18 years of age. However, since most adults store and use alcohol in their homes, children can easily access them. If your child attends numerous social events and parties, he or she is at risk of using and abusing alcohol as well.

Alcohol does have its negative effects. Hence, parents should refrain from consuming alcohol within their homes, or even storing them on the premises.

  • Marijuana

According to the MTF, the use of Marijuana has been steadily increasing over the years. This is due to the fact that most young people view the drug as harmless. Hence, most young individuals between the ages of 12-17 years use it on a daily basis.

This drug can be taken in numerous forms. For instance, it can either be added to an edible product such as cookies, or smoked. Regardless of the assumption of its harmless nature, it is highly addictive. Its addictive nature can be attributed to a chemical that is present in the drug known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

  • Nicotine (Cigarettes)

The use of nicotine in the form of cigarettes remains to be a concern among the youth. One of the major factors that contribute to its high use among the youth is its easy accessibility. Moreover, cigarettes are a cheaper alternative to most drugs.

Drugs, especially alcohol, marijuana and nicotine is often popularized by celebrities as well. This factor only makes it worse, as children and teens take up the practice in an effort to mimic a celebrity lifestyle. The emergence of e-cigarettes hasn’t eased the situation at all, as most young people view it as a safer alternative to an actual cigarette.

  • Adderall

Adderall can be categorized as a stimulant medication that tends to influence the concentration levels of an individual. This stimulant is often prescribed to treat a condition known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, children and teens have taken to consuming them for alternative purposes. In this case, to increase levels of concentration.

Hence, young individuals that are more likely to use this type of drug are those that are highly competitive and are overachievers. For instance, those that prefer to remain at the top of their academic performance as well as those involved in sports. This is because the drug not only increases concentration levels but increases the normal functioning of the body.

This type of drug is highly accessible. The fact that children and teens view it as safe to use doesn’t help either. Adderall is highly addictive and can lead to serious consequences if used for the wrong purposes.

  • OxyContin

OxyContin is a prescription opioid that is often used by children and teenagers to get high and experience euphoria. Hence, this drug is highly addictive and can result in serious consequences. However, OxyContin isn’t the only frequently used and abused opioid among the teens and children. Other commonly used opioids include:

  • hydrocodone
  • Morphine
  • Tramadol
  • Opana, etc.

These drugs are highly accessible due to their legal status. Moreover, they can easily be found in a normal home since it is a prescribed drug for pain relief. Recent research reveals that individuals that use opioids are more likely to start using heroin. Young people can easily overdose and die as well. The NIDA recorded a number of approximately 19,000 deaths in the year 2014.

  • Tranquilizers

Tranquilizers include substances that are either/or sedatives or depressants. Examples include Barbiturates, Sleep medications and Benzodiazepines. Young people tend to use them to speed up the normal functioning of the body. The false perception of the safety in using the above drugs has also led to its popularity. They are, however; very risky and highly addictive.

  • Hallucinogen

Hallucinogens often include substances such as LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide), DMT (dimethyltryptamine) and Peyote. They tend to cause hallucinations after use. Regardless of the false perception of their safety, they can lead to negative effects such as depression and even paranoia.

  • Inhalants

Inhalants include anything from nail polish remover and paint to gasoline. As long as the substance can be sniffed, inhaled or snorted to give the user a high. According to NIDA, inhalants are one of the first things a child or teen is likely to experiment with and use.  They continue to state, that children below their teen years are more likely to try this.

  • Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is often found in cough medicines. Young children and teens often use it for intoxication when consumed in large doses. Some teens and children even mix the medicine with alcohol for a stronger effect.

Cough medicines can be found in most homes, hence they are easily accessible. Moreover, they can be easily bought from a pharmacy since they are legal. If not used for their proper purpose, they can severely damage the Central Nervous system (CNS) of the user, and even lead to death.

From the above statistics, it is clear that our children are highly exposed to a number of dangerous drugs. Regardless of whether they are legal or illegal, illicit or prescribed, young people can still use them to get high.

Parents need to talk to their children and enlighten them about the many dangers of using drugs. Most children and teens are often misinformed and misled into thinking that drugs are safe. From what we’ve established above, they are misled to think that some drugs are harmful, while others are safe to use.

This couldn’t be any further from the truth, as drugs have tremendous effects that are negative and long-term. In fact, recent research proves that the earlier a person starts using drugs, the more likely he or she is to become addicted.

drug addictionMoreover, the drugs are more likely to damage their brain and hamper its development considerably. This is because the brain of a teenager or child is still developing. The chemical interference caused by the drug substances in the brain could be permanent. In turn, the child’s mental capabilities could be compromised and future success affected.

That said, maybe you just found out that your child is taking drugs. How do you effectively deal with it without making things worse?

Few things are as painful and traumatic when a mother finds out that their child is using drugs. Most mothers tend to blame themselves or try to overcompensate by doing other things. However, the best thing to do is to avoid placing the blame on yourself as a mother.

In any case, you can still help your child before the child’s drug use escalates to an addiction. If the child is already addicted or dependent on the particular drug, you can still intervene and seek professional help.

As previously, this article shall be focusing on how mothers can deal with kids that are taking drugs. Let us take a look.

How To Deal With Children That Are Taking Drugs

Self- Care

A recent survey revealed drug use among children as one of the greatest fears among parents. Once this fear is actually manifested, the parents are often unable to take the news in stride. Mothers that find out that their child is taking drugs are advised to practice proper self- care.

Why? Because as the mother is trying hard to help the affected child, they tend to neglect themselves. Stress levels are likely to increase, weakening their immune system considerably. This means that they are more susceptible to developing diseases.

Moreover, stress can increase the chances of becoming depressed as well as developing memory problems. If you are physically weak and mentally exhausted, you can hardly give the affected child the love and attention he/she needs.

The bottom line is to take care of your health first so that you can adequately care for your child. This way, you can provide consistent support and love.

Strengthen The Relationship

As a mother, once you’ve found out that your child is using drugs, you shouldn’t push him or her away. Instead, you should try and strengthen the other- child relationship through constant communication.

Most, if not all experts recommend fostering and engaging in what is often termed as assertive communication. Assertive communication involves asking open-ended questions that encourage answers, and active listening. Open-ended questions are very effective when it comes to sourcing for information and encouraging answers as both of you communicate.

Set Up Rules And Regulations

It is imperative that you set up rules and regulations within your home. The rules and regulations should be listed alongside the consequences that follow for breaking them. Ensure that these rules are clearly defined and that the children are aware of them.

In this instance, the rules should clearly prohibit the use and storage of drugs within the home premises. If the rule is broken, the consequences should also be stipulated. Also, having a curfew is essential, as this will limit opportunities to engage in drug use outside the house.

Emphasize on Child’s Positive Behaviors

Mothers are encouraged to focus less on the negative behaviors of the child and emphasize on the positive. One can do this by first effectively addressing the negative behavior. Whilst discouraging the bad behavior and highlighted the consequences, you should also mention and praise their positive behaviors.

Why so? If you focus too much on the child’s negative behaviors and shortcomings, you’ll end up tearing down their confidence. Moreover, this can encourage them to take even more drugs and engaging in risky behavior.

Encourage them to join extracurricular activities or learn a new instrument. Also, have them learn how to effectively cope with stressful situations. Moreover, it is essential that you teach them methods on how to avoid drug use, and cope with peer pressure.

Establish Clear and Reasonable Boundaries

Boundaries should clearly stipulate how you treat each other as mother and child. In other words, it clearly sets boundaries within your mother-child relationship. This is important because drug users and addicts tend to test and cross boundaries a lot.

More often than not, they tend to lie, deceive and even steal to get what they want. In this case, to be able to buy their drugs and use them. The boundaries you set should also clearly define and differentiate the terms, privilege and right. Today, too many children think it’s their right to be given a lot of pocket- money. However, this is a privilege.

If the child abuses this privilege by purchasing drugs, then he or she loses that privilege. Instead, you can pay for their lunch in school or have them carry packed lunch. By limiting the amount of money you give them, you lessen their chances of funding their drug use.

In conclusion, as a mother, it is best you find out the level of drug use and abuse. If the child is addicted, it is best that you s professional intervention. Seeking treatment methods that can help your child as well.

Filed Under: Drug Detox Tagged With: drug abuse, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug detox, orange county detox, rehab center, rehabilitation center, rehabilitation treatment center, substance abuse

0

Addiction In Children

Posted On: Oct 24, 2018Posted In:
Drug Detox,
Posted By: tyler

Addiction is not a new phenomenon. It’s happening every day and the effects on our children are just awful.  It’s high time we talk about it. It is the responsibility of every parent or guardian to ensure that they keep track of their children’s health. In this article, we are going to learn more about addiction in children, how it starts, the effects, treatment and everything else you need to know about the topic.

What Is Addiction In Children?

When we talk about addiction, whether in adults or children, we simply refer to the situation where the victim finds it hard to control their alcohol or drug use. Actually, they reach a point where they lack control on whether or not to use the drugs and they feel like the only thing they want is to have the drug.

How Does Addiction Start In Children?

It starts first when a child starts using drugs. This is what we call substance abuse. Children can be addicted to a wide variety of drugs. The more the child uses the drugs, the more they end up losing control over the substance use. Their whole body system gets used to drugs circulation in the blood stream and they reach a point where they can’t do without it.

Are You A Parent Or A Partner Who Is Addicted To Drugs?

If you are a parent or partner struggling with issues of addiction, are you aware of the severe impacts your addiction has on your children?

Not many parents or guardians know how their drugs or alcohol addiction affects their children. According to various research carried out, it is quite evident that children coming from families with drug addiction history become prone to addiction at a very early stage in life.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 8.3 million children aged 18 years and below live in families where either one or both parents are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction poses a major threat on the child’s emotional and mental health as well as their lifestyle and future developments.

Therefore, parents using drugs ought to be aware of how their choices affect their children since some of these effects are permanent and can mess the life of their children for good.

Addiction hurts everyone around and children are not spared either. The user and the family are all in agony because they all suffer in one way or the other. Little children who depend on their parents for every aspect of their lives –physical, emotional and social support are the ones who are greatly affected. Such children are most likely to indulge in substance abuse at an early stage.

Are You Troubled With Drug Addiction In Your Child?

If you have just found out that your child is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it is quite normal for you to feel devastated and confused, just because you care and you never imagined your child in addiction.

Always know that you are not alone. Millions of parents across the world are also going through the same experience. It is actually not easy for you to help your child out of addiction on your own. The best thing you can do is to find help from medical professionals near you.

Which Substances Are Children Addicted To?

Children can become addicted to a wide variety of things. These includes drugs, whether legal or illegal or alcohol and tobacco smoking. Children can also become addicted to some medications and inhalants such as sniffing glue. All these substance can affects a child’s health badly.

Signs Of Addiction In Children

As a caring parent or guardian, it is good you know the signs to look at for you to tell when your child is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Whether you are addicted to such substances or not, your child can become a drug or alcohol addict without you knowing and the effects might bring some adverse effects on your child.

Remember, it might be a bit tricky for you to notice when your adolescent child is involved in drugs since the child will try the best to make sure that you do not notice their change in behaviors.

This therefore calls for vigilance and patience for you to learn your child’s behavior. The moment you notice that your child is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you need to act with a lot of love and patience and offer the child every support you can afford to help him/her come out of addiction.

The following are some of the common signs to show that your child is suffering from addiction.

  • A child loses interest in something that they used to be greatly interested in
  • A child shows some unusual ways of getting away from problems or relaxing
  • Changes in eating habits – the child eats too much or too little or change eating times
  • The child looks sickly or shaky
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Slurred / inaudible speech
  • Poor balance
  • Redness of eyes or face
  • The child get anxious, upset or looks greatly depressed
  • The child starts isolating himself or herself from family members or friends
  • The child starts complaining about workload whether school or home chores and often gets behind workload.
  • He/she sells their stuff or steals from you or other members of the family or friends
  • Rapid weight gain or weight loss
  • The child becomes rude
  • The child has problems with sleeping and at times gets out of bed
  • The child spends most of the time on computer games to avoid spending time with other people
  • Profuse sweating even in a cold season
  • Blackouts or Loss of consciousness
  • Withdrawal symptoms when the child fails to consume the drugs
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

What Should You Do When You Find Out That Your Child Is Addicted To Drugs?

The way a parent or a guardian reacts when they notice addiction in children greatly determines how fast or easily the child is likely to come out of addiction. It is therefore very important that every caring parent knows the best steps to follow immediately they notice addiction in children.

  • Let your child know that you care about him and that his condition is worrying you
  • Share your concerns with a person you can trust
  • Take your time for personal research on addiction on children and let your child know what you have found out. This will help you become aware of the whole scenario and you can now handle it from a point of understanding.
  • Talk to your child and find out if he will open up and tell you about their addiction problems. Be careful to notice any positive changes to tell whether the situation is changing or whether you need to find more help for your child.
  • Encourage your child to join other children in play and other social activities.
  • Find help from a professional doctor immediately

What You Should Not Do When You Find Out That Your Child Is Addicted To Drugs

As a caring parent or partner, I know you can do everything possible to help your child come out of addiction. True? It is therefore very important to be cautious as you go about this issue for your personal safety and well being. This is especially if you are dealing with a grown up child.

  • If the child is smoking, advise him/her not to smoke near you
  • Be careful being around an alcohol addicted child because he might not react normally as they used to. The child might become violent and hurt you.
  • Do not try whatever drugs your child is taking
  • Be in company of another person if you feel unsafe staying along an addicted child
  • Ask your other children not to hang out with the addicted child and his friends

Need Help With Addiction In Children?

Drugs and alcohol abuse in children can be treated. If you are struggling with your addicted child, seek intervention from a professional doctor. This is the safest and fastest way to bring your child back to sobriety and live a drug – free life.

How To Help Your Child Come Out Of Addiction

In most cases, children in addiction are in denial and won’t easily give in to the fact that they are in addiction. For your plans to help your child out of addiction to be successful, the child must be willing to be helped. He must admit that he is in a big mess and declare that he needs help to come out of the nasty addiction. With this, the rest part of recovery process becomes far much simpler and faster.

At times, it might be hard for an addicted child to open up to the parents and talk about their addiction story due to fear and shame. You can therefore find a mature friend that you can trust and have him or her talk to your child about the substance abuse concerns you have noticed.

The child needs to be taken through several counseling sessions but in a very loving and understanding manner. Avoid becoming mad about your child’s addiction since the child might become more rebellious and it might be hard for you to get his attention back.

The early you notice of your child’s drug abuse the better. This is because you can help him come out of the mess before the substance abuse reaches extreme levels that might be a bit difficult to recover.

Therefore, parents, teachers and guardians need to be very keen and act with speed immediately they notice unusual change of behaviors in their teenage children.

Drug Addiction Treatment In Children Below 18 Years

Drug addiction in children is a chronic mental illness that calls for immediate treatment. This treatment should only be handled by a professional practitioner who is highly experienced in treating addiction in children.

Drug addiction recovery in children is a medical process that usually involves three medical stages. These are the detoxification, rehabilitation and maintenance.

Detoxification

This is the most difficult drug or alcohol addiction treatment stage due to the serious withdrawal symptoms witnessed. Since the withdrawal symptoms might be life-threatening, the child should be kept under medical supervision throughout the process.

This stage involves flushing out all the toxic drug and alcohol substances in the body. The processes puts the victim in great pain. It is at this stage where most people give up in addiction treatment if they are not put under proper medication or do not get the right support from family and friends.

Rehabilitation

After a successful detoxification process, the child is then taken through the rehabilitation process. This involves scheduled counseling sessions and support group. Depending on the nature and extent of the addiction, the doctor decides whether to put the child into a rehab center or the child to receive treatment while still at home and only see the doctor on scheduled appointment.

Maintenance

Gaining sobriety cannot be achieved in a day or two. It is a process. Upon a successful detoxification and rehabilitation process, the child is then put into a maintenance stage to help him gain sobriety and bring his life back on track.

What Is The Role Of The Parent In Addiction Treatment In Children?

Your child’s health is your number one priority. No matter how worse your child’s addiction case is, just own up the mess and be ready to offer your child all the mental, physical and financial support required in drug recovery. Never mind what your friends talk about your child’s addiction case. Just handle your child with a lot of love and patience, coupled with a lot of understanding.

Stop! Did You Find The Root Cause Of Addiction In Your Child?

There has been some recurring cases whereby a teenager goes through the entire drug recovery process and gets back into addiction again. Why? Nothing was done about the root cause.

It is therefore of great importance that parents and teachers identify the root causes of addiction in children and thoroughly address the situation. Drug and alcohol use and addiction awareness should be done to sensitize the society about the dangers of drug addiction in children. At school, there should be scheduled guidance and counseling sessions to create awareness on substance abuse among students.

Are You A Teenager Fighting Addiction?

If you are a teenager reading this content and you are troubled with your addiction problem and could be you have had several attempts to stop drug abuse with no success, do not give up. There is help for you and know that you are not alone in this.

I know you really want to bring your life back on track. Healing begins with you. First, you must admit that you are in a mess and you need help to get out of the mess. Do not fight this battle alone. Do not feel ashamed about your condition. Speak out and seek help.

Talk to your parent(s) or a close person to whom you can confide in and share your problems with them for you to find help.

Child, drugs are bad. Taking drugs is wrong and drugs will only make you glad for a short while and regret follows soon after. So, if you want a happy life, stay a drugs-free life.

Looking For The Best Rehab Centers For Teens?

For you to get help with your teenager addiction treatment, find a youth friendly rehab center near you. Don’t wait until it’s too late. The best time to find the best rehabilitation center for your child is immediately you notice that your child is on drugs. The more your child stays on drugs, the longer the recovery process and treatment might be a bit expensive for you.

How Long Is Addiction Recovery In Children?

Addiction is a chronic mental disorder where teenagers and adolescents find it difficult to control their substance use. Treatment duration varies depending on the extent of the addiction in children. Parents who notice addiction in early stages in their children and finds immediate treatment helps their children go through a shorter drug recovery process.

How Expensive Is Addiction Recovery Treatment In Teenagers And Adolescents?

It all depends of the addiction recovery facility you take your child to. There is no standard amount that is charged on addiction recovery. If your child has been on drugs for many years, the treatment process might be more expensive. Talk to your insurance providers to find out if they cover addiction treatment to help you cut out on medication cost.

Effects Of Addiction In Children

drug addiction issuesEvery parent wishes that their children grow up in the right manner and enjoy a bright future. On the same note, every child has his/her unique dreams and aspirations in life and they all look forward to living a better life in days to come. The issue of drugs addiction at an early stage in life greatly affects brain development in children, affecting their studies and therefore a child might fail to achieve their career goals.

Addiction in children also exposes teenagers to severe health conditions like heart problems, liver diseases, stroke, stomach disorders and many more. In most severe cases of addiction, death might result.

Drug and alcohol addiction also exposes children to premature sex which might result to sexual assault, unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Children under drugs influence might engage themselves in violence and this might result to bad injuries. Also, teenagers who drink while driving might cause bad accidents both to themselves and other drivers as well as the pedestrians.

The issue of drug addiction brings a great urge for the child to drink more, since young people who are mostly schooling do not have a stable source of income do not have money to buy enough drugs to sustain their urge, they end up stealing. There have been many reported cases where children steal assets from parents and friends, they sell the items at a throw a way price to get quick money to buy more drugs. This actually destroys a child’s morals and the stealing habit might become uncontrollable putting the child at risk of being put to the juvenile.

How To Deal With Smoking Or Alcohol Addiction In Children

Cigarette, tobacco and marijuana are very common among teenagers. There are many reasons why teenagers get involved in substance abuse. It could be due to family addiction history, peer influence, fun, rebellion or even the fear to face a certain reality in life.

What begins just as a single puff becomes a life’s threatening problem in children and adults alike. The rate of cigarette smoking among high school students is increasing a very alarming rate. Regardless of the continued drug awareness campaigns in schools, the issue of illegal drugs and alcohol use among students still leaves a lot to be deserved.

It is therefore the role of the parents to keep track on their children behaviors and notice when their children start substance abuse at the early stages.

Why Wait Till It’s Too Late? Seek Help Today

Cigarette smoking puts children into serious medical problems like gum diseases, respiratory problems, lung diseases and general poor health and fitness. The early you notice your child’s smoking habits the better. Don’t wait till it’s too late. Call a professional doctor now and talk about your child’s addiction situation for help.

Your Child’s Life Is Important. Guard It!

Addiction in children affects the way your child looks, smells and behaves. Alcohol and cigarette smoking produces bad breath, stains in both teeth and fingers and the general outlook of your teenage child is affected. Friends and members of the family might abandon your child. The child feels rejected and isolated.

Therefore. Your constant assurance of love and care to your child is what brings hope to the child when all others fail. Be patient, it might take longer than you expect to bring your child’s life back on track but don’t lose hope. Your child’s life is important and a caring parent should guard it at all cost.

Need Help?

Addiction in children can be very stressful. You don’t have to walk through it all alone when you can find help. Call a professional doctor now. This could be the beginning of your great relief if you never knew. Someone is waiting to help your child come out of that nasty addiction. Do not feel ashamed about it. Speak up.

Filed Under: Drug Detox Tagged With: drug abuse, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug detox, orange county detox, rehab center, rehabilitation center, rehabilitation treatment center, substance abuse

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