Addiction Relapse After Treatment

 

Addiction relapse is chronic and there is always the likelihood of relapse even after successful treatment. The substance involved significantly contributes to the rate of relapse.  For example, alcoholics can relapse at a rate that ranges between 30 and 70 percent.  A number of addicted individuals have fundamental psychological issues that could contribute to relapses.

Contributing factors to addiction relapse could include:

1. Easily accessible addictive substances
2. Social pressures
3. Family or job-related stress

Ways to Handle a Relapse

A relapse is not an indication that the initial recovery failed.  It simply means recovery is incomplete.  It is normal to feel ashamed after relapse; however, this should not stop you from seeking further treatment.

Re-admittance is not always a requirement for relapse.  However, the treatment typically includes a complete evaluation to establish what triggered the relapse.  The following steps should be taken if you relapse:

Get In Touch With Your Sponsor

Reach out to your sponsor via their contact information.  This individual should be able to assist you in deciding the next steps you should take.

Change Your Focus

Breathe, relax and refocus.  If your recovery involves keeping a journal, use this time to express your frustrations and thoughts while you regroup.

Begin Again

There are cases in which the initial program did not work out because it was not structured based on the needs of the addict.  Therefore, think about enrolling into another inpatient program that is more specifically geared towards your needs.

Reflect and Gain Knowledge

You have already gone through treatment and as such, you are knowledgeable about relapse triggers.  Be completely honest and find out what possibly contributed to the setback.

Seek Reassurance

If a relapse occurs, family and friends can be a great source of support and comfort.  However, if they cannot provide reassurance, encourage yourself into realizing that a setback is different from failure.

If you go back to an inpatient facility after relapsing, you will not be judged.  Relapse is not a unique phenomenon and it happens to many individuals who are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Successfully managing your addiction is the key to preventing a relapse.

What Medications Are Used To Treat Opiate Addiction

 

There is no doubt that drug abuse is a serious problem in society. The scourge has split families, let to millions of deaths and contributed to an increase in different types of crimes. What is ironical about drug abuse is that some of the abused drugs are meant to help relieve pain in patients, but people use it to get high instead, hence the harmful effects. Opioids, for instance, are a group of pain medication that can be highly addictive if abused. There are several opiate addiction treatment centers across the country, and they are all experiencing considerable success. During treatment, certain medications are used to counter the effects of withdrawal, act as substitutes for opiates, suppress cravings and help treat opiate addiction.

Medications Used for Opiate Addiction Treatment

i) Methadone

This is the most popular medication for treating opiate addiction. It is a full opioid agonist. While methadone may have never been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the drug has proven to be very effective with minimal side effects. It is normally given to patients in various forms, including; liquid concentrate, solution, powder or tablet form. Dosage normally depends on the level of addiction. Methadone is basically a synthetic opioid, which acts by suppressing opioid craving as well as withdrawal symptoms.

ii) LAAM

This is also a full opioid agonist that helps to suppress withdrawal symptoms as well as eliminate opioid craving. However, the use of LAAM to treat opiate addiction has reduced significantly over the years. This is because some patients who used LAAM experienced cardiac arrhythmia. Usage of the drug reduced further in the year 2001. Ironically, the FDA approved LAAM for use in opiate addiction treatment in the year 1993. Available as an oral solution, the dose of synthetic opioid needed to treat opiate addiction depends on the patient's level of tolerance for short-acting opioids.

It is important to note that the medication used for opiate addiction treatment are normally eliminated by the body's excretory system. Enzymes in the liver are largely responsible for metabolizing this synthetic opioid, but there are also enzymes in the intestines that help with metabolism and removal of the metabolites.

You Can Get Help For Steroids Abuse

 

Even though it is not like a traditional drug, you can still get help for steroids abuse. You can get treatment and get better. You don't have to live with the addiction.

If you are struggling with steroids use right now, the first thing you should do is talk to someone about this. It can be a family member or a close friend. Just make sure it is someone you feel comfortable around.

Tell them how you are feeling and what you want to change. Ask them to support you through the process so that you can have an easier time while you try to get better. Ask if they can help you locate a good treatment center.

If the person you talk to can't help you, tell someone else. You don't have to go through this alone. There are people who will walk with you on your journey.

Once you do get into a treatment center, it might take a long time to get back to where you were before you started abusing. Things won't change overnight and it will require a lot of work on your part. The good thing about a center is that they know this and will be there to help you through it.

Whether you are in the center for a few weeks or a few months depends on who you are as a person and how bad of an addiction you had. Just take your time and know that it might take longer for you than it did for someone else.

Take people up on their offers to support you. Let them know you appreciate what they are doing to help you along your journey. Do what you can to work with them and you will be on your way to a healthier life.

Substance Abuse Treatment Can Help To Prolong Life

It is well-known that drugs such as crystal meth can ruin lives, but that does not stop people from taking it. What many people do not know is the physical damage it can do. For those who are addicted, substance abuse treatment is the best way to prevent further physical deterioration. The damage done to the body depends on the exact drug type taken, the amount, and the duration of the abuse. So what kind of damage does drug addiction do to the body?

Certain drugs have different effects. For instance, cannabis is known to have an effect on the mind, especially if it is used over a long period of time. The longer the use, the more likely the person will become more paranoid. This means that those who take weed for a long time are more susceptible to mental illness later in life.

One organ that can be damaged through drug use is the liver. One of the functions of this organ is to filter toxins out of the blood, and this includes things like drugs and alcohol. It works as one of the best filtration systems, but it does have its limits. When they are exceeded, then damage is caused. This makes it function less efficiently, and so toxins build up in the body, which damage other organs.

Another organ that can be damaged through drug abuse is the heart. Many of the illegal drugs will cause the heart to beat either erratically, or at a high speed. Over time, this puts a lot of stress on the heart, and it can lead to permanent damage. This is why cardiac arrest is common in long term abusers. The best way to stay healthy is to not take illegal drugs at all. However, for those who are addicted, then treatment must be sought.