How Should Addictive Substances Be Treated?

If you’re struggling with substance abuse or addiction, there are many treatment programs that can offer a range of options for your recovery from addictive substances:

• Individual treatment plan
• Inpatient treatment
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Dual-diagnosis support
• Individual, group, and family therapy options
• Outpatient and transition plan support
• Community resources and alumni accountability
• Sober living homes

Here, we discuss five addictive substances and how to address them: cocaine, heroin, opioids, meth, and Xanax.

What Are the Dangers of Cocaine Abuse Among Addictive Substances?

Cocaine is a stimulant drug that has a high potential for abuse. Moreover, it has a very high risk of negative effects, including potential overdose. Cocaine abuse can take over one’s life, resulting in complete chaos. Most individuals suffering from addiction experience negative effects in terms of their relationships, health, and finances.

But there is also a high risk of overdose and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, over 19,000 Americans died from a cocaine overdose.

The acute effects of cocaine include an increased heart rate and blood pressure. This can lead to lethal heart attacks, even in young otherwise healthy individuals. Some individuals have also experienced strokes and seizures following cocaine use. Long-term, one of the greatest dangers of cocaine use is addiction.

While many users will snort or inhale cocaine, some will opt to melt cocaine into an injectable form. Like any intravenous drug, sharing needles, this includes your risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis B. Research shows that over 80% of injection drug users who have been injecting for over 10 years contract hepatitis B. Once you have hepatitis B, there is no cure.

How Do You Know If You’re Addicted to Opioids or Heroin?

Opioid use of any kind, even short-term use, can lead to addiction. When taking opioids, your brain releases endorphins. This is what reduces feelings of pain and increases feelings of pleasure. Once the drug wears off and you begin to seek those feelings again, this is often the first stepping stone towards a potential addiction. As your tolerance builds, you may increase doses.

Detecting drug abuse early is one of the most effective ways of preventing an addiction from developing. That is why it’s important to recognize symptoms of abuse as soon as possible. The sooner you seek help, the better, especially if you’re living with an underlying mental health condition. The most common warning signs associated with opioid abuse and addiction include:

• Needle marks among those who inject opioids
• Sleep issues
• Flushed, itchy skin
• Constricted pupils
• Mood swings that are out of character
• Withdrawing from activities that were once enjoyed
• Risky behavior, such as driving under the influence
• Visiting multiple doctors to get more prescriptions, taking high doses than what’s prescribed

Once an opioid addiction has developed, you will experience intense cravings and an overwhelming desire to use, even though your opioid use is negatively impacting your life.

What Is Heroin Addiction Treatment Different from Other Addictive Substances?

While there is a wide spectrum of treatment programs available, the best options are recovery treatments that take a customized approach.

No two individuals suffering from addiction are identical. Since each client is unique in terms of their addiction and mental health, each treatment plan needs to be personalized. Heroin addiction treatment is often associated with a dual diagnosis, meaning symptoms of addiction and a mental health condition must be addressed.

For example, some users begin taking heroin to self-medicate. Whether you are suffering from anxiety or PTSD, it’s important to break the cycle, and start working towards a happier, healthier future.

What Are the Side Effects of Meth Use?

Meth can significantly affect your mental and physical well-being, resulting in a long list of side effects. The short-term side effects of meth use include:

• Excessive talking
• A higher heart rate
• Intense feelings of euphoria and pleasure
• Higher libido
• Changes in breathing, either rapid or shallow

Over time, meth can damage your heart. This leads to changes in blood pressure and may result in an irregular heartbeat. The destructive symptoms of meth use also include:

• Seizures
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Dilated pupils
• Stomach pain
• Paranoia
• Irregular heartbeat

The long-term side effects of meth include:

• Addiction — the longer you abuse meth the more dependent you become
• Overdose
• A higher risk of mental health complications
• Serious illness, including heart disease
• Sexually aggressive behavior
• Skin sores
• Increased paranoia

What is Xanax and Is It Really Dangerous?

Xanax is the brand name of the generic drug alprazolam. It is a benzodiazepine sedative that is used to treat severe anxiety and panic disorders. The way that the drug works are by changing how GABA, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating the activity of neurons, interacts with the brain. For people who are in actual need of the drug, this causes them to feel a reduction in the amount of anxiety they experience, but when taken in large doses or when taken by someone who does not need the drug, it can produce euphoria, or “high.”

A person who is experiencing Xanax withdrawal and is not the under the care of a medical professional could experience any of the following symptoms:

• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Muscle Cramps

In particular, the seizures are what can cause the most damage to a person who is experiencing Xanax withdrawal and if the proper medical care is not given, it could result in death. The reason for this extends beyond just the fact that seizures can result in death, but if a person is alone and they experience one, they could possibly hit their head or fall in such a manner where blood flow is constricted to important parts of the body.

Getting the Help You Need to Stay Sober

If you’re in recovery from any of these destructive substances or others, you don’t have to go through the process alone. Heartwood Recovery may be the place for you if you’re looking for a sober living house to restart your life. With the right accountability, support, and care, the path of your life can change for the better.

Reach out to one of the team members at Heartwood Recovery today to start your sober living journey and take back control of your life.