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Codeine

Codeine is a short acting opiate drug prescribed by licensed physicians for pain relief and cough treatment. Though codeine is a moderately strong narcotic it is not to be taken lightly. Like most opiates, codeine is highly addictive and can bring about powerful withdrawal symptoms on abusers upon their discontinued use of the drug.

When codeine is absorbed into the body it enters the brain and causes it to release natural hormones called endorphins, that cause the user to have a feeling of euphoria while under the influence of the drug. Many addicts start off using the drug for legitimate medical reasons, but through time develop an addiction.

The more an individual abuses the drug the more their body will build up a tolerance to it. Those whose bodies have built up a tolerance to the substance will find themselves having to take higher doses of the drug to feel the effects. When an addict is finally refused of the drug by their doctor, the feeling of withdrawal can start to set in even after a short time of not having the drug in their system.

Anyone who thinks a relative or close friend may be addicted to the drug should learn to recognize the signs. Signs of codeine abuse can present themselves in various ways. Symptoms can be broken down into four core categories that include: mood symptoms, behavioral symptoms, physical symptoms, and psychological symptoms.

Common mood symptoms to look for are:

Common behavioral symptoms to look for are:

Common Physical Symptoms to look for are:

More severe physical symptoms include:

Psychological symptoms that may affect addicts are:

With codeine being so heavily popularized in mainstream music these days, the drug is becoming more and more commonly used recreational purposes. Most people who partake in the recreational use of the drug don't realize how addictive and detrimental the drug can truly be. It is often used with other substances and can be a key ingredient in the popular drink lean, a concoction that uses prescription strength cough syrup, soft drinks, and sometimes jolly rancher candy for taste.

If you feel like you or someone you know is addicted to codeine, speak to your doctor right away. Codeine can be a tough drug to quit without help. Most addicts can only get clean after seeking treatment at rehabilitation centers. To find the treatment plan that's right for you, call today and speak to one of our professional treatment advisers.

Darvocet/Darvon Addiction and Abuse

Darvocet and Darvon are painkillers prescribed to cure mild to moderate pain. These drugs have been scientifically proven to carry high-risk and life-threatening side effects including addiction, cardiac problems, overdose, seizures, and suicides. Darvocet/Darvon Addiction occurs when individuals abuse or misuse the drug. If people are still using the drugs considering they were outlawed by the government, then it's an addiction.

Darvocet and Darvon are essentially narcotic drugs formulated with propoxyphene and acetaminophen, the predominant ingredient in Tylenol. Because of numerous intentional and accidental deaths instigated by the drug, the FDA outlawed the sale and use of propoxyphene-based products as of 2010. There are fears that Darvocet, Darvon and synthetic opioids similar to them might still be in circulation. Darvocet and Darvon are controlled-release drugs that instantly start to dissolve in the blood stream as soon as they're taken by the mouth.

Statistics are stark; an estimated 20 million people used Darvocet and Darvon before they were outlawed. In 2008 alone, an estimated 16, 000 hospital visits related to Darvocet and Darvon addiction were recorded. Overdose deaths since 1981 stand at 10, 000 individuals. A report by the DEA listed Darvocet and Darvon among the top 10 most abused drugs in the United States before FDA ban.

When Darvocet/Darvon Addiction occurs, the person crushes the pills into powder and sniffs it, canceling the pills' time-release features consequently saturating the brain with the narcotic substances. The user instantly experiences a rapid, overjoyed "rush" and later a knockout sensation that lasts four to six hours.

The user may experience physical symptoms including:

Another notable early stage sign of Darvocet/Darvon Addiction is developing a numbness or tolerance to the pills' intoxicating impacts. Those that have succumbed to Darvocet/Darvon Addiction would need a lot more of the substance to achieve initial sensations. In the long run, the brain's yearn for the substance feels normal.

Treatment of Darvocet/Darvon Addiction

Treatment of Darvocet/Darvon addiction can be almost an insurmountable challenge, but with proper support and resources recovery is possible. Treatment centers available offer outpatient and inpatient alternatives for coping up with the withdrawals and the overall psychological effects of quitting.

Treatment typically begins with medically supported detoxification. This enables physicians to supervise the withdrawal symptoms. Supervision is imperative because quitting Darvocet/Darvon Addiction can result in suicidal actions and thoughts in sufferers. Withdrawal symptoms might also include insomnia, muscle aches, anxiety, tremors, nightmares, and sweats. The problem with Darvocet and Darvon is that even if consumed as intended, they are devastating and addictive and manifest severe repercussions. But sufferers can put themselves on the path to recovery by leveraging sheer resources available and counseling.

Demerol Addiction and Abuse

Demerol is a pain medicine, which is also an opiate narcotic. The medicine is used to treat moderate to severe pain, and it is usually taken in the form of tablets or liquid. The contents of Demerol help block pain signals to the brain, which helps patients feel comfortable. However, the sensation of comfort can often lead to the misuse of Demerol, particularly when patients are dealing with severe forms of pain. In such conditions, it is easy for anyone to overuse the medicine ignoring prescription by doctors and health practitioners.

It is also notable that Demerol is known to be sold legally without a prescription, which is dangerous as it has the tendency to be used for recreational purposes. Due to the fact that Demerol is an opiate, chances of addiction rises considerably. In fact, only a few dosages of Demerol can be potent as the fast-acting opiate drug can make any normal personal addictive in less than a month.

Statistics

Despite the fact that health authorities do not specifically publish data on Demerol, it is well-known that nearly seven Million people over the age of 12 abuse painkillers such as Demerol in a 30 day period. Unfortunately, research also shows that nearly 25 percent of teens use some kind of painkiller without prescription before entering College. In the last few years, the sale of such medicines has increased nearly 90 percent. As a result mortality rates also skyrocketed.

Symptoms of Demerol Addiction

When prescribed, Demerol is not addictive. However, symptoms of addiction are clearly visible when someone tries to buy the medicine without the prescription. More severe signs of addiction include forging documents to buy Demerol and shopping around for doctors who can offer Demerol. Actually, overdose is also a sign of addiction. These signs are evident with deteriorating physical conditions, which often includes diarrhea, stomach cramps, anxiety, and long spells of depression. In the worse case scenario, a patient cannot function without taking the drug because they have build tolerance to Demerol, which requires increasing intake to satisfy the craving.

Treatment for Demerol Addiction

Demerol addiction is a serious medical condition. As such, it is important for patients to get professional help from specialized Demerol rehabilitation centers. The rehabilitation process in necessary because patients may undergo relapse, which can occur in individuals who try to stop using Demerol. These rehabilitation centers have a 24-hour support of medical professionals who provide exercise classes and access to a group of patients undergoing similar treatment.

The treatment for drug addiction does not vary from patient to patient. However, individuals with severe cases of addiction will require intensive rehabilitation process where they are kept under observation for a longer period of time. During the treatment sessions, experts try to diffuse Demerol effects gradually. Such gradual transition helps patient's body heal gradually, which is effective in the long-run.

Dilaudid Addiction and Abuse

Dilaudid is an opiate derivative of morphine. It's semi-synthetic, and even though it has proven itself to be highly habit-forming, prescriptions for it are common. It works through the central nervous system by blocking pain signals but the emotional pain it can leave behind is often more devastating than what it was originally prescribed for. Its far too easy to build up a resistance to Dilaudid, and that's when users of this drug typically end up seeking the help of professionals at addiction centers.

Signs of Dilaudid Addiction

Signs of Dilaudid dependency differ from person to person but two of the most common are emotional, and physical symptoms. Stopping its use will bring on withdrawal which can include nervousness, mood swings, and sever depression. Abusers usually self-medicate with another drug or alcohol when Dilaudid isn't available.

Any untreated addiction is risky not only to the abuser, but to those around them as well. Addicts stand to lose more than relationships, finances, or interest in anything not connected to the drug. One overdose is all it takes to kill. Take too much, or mix Dilaudid with another drug or alcohol, and it can be deadly. Dilaudid doesn't have to be the death sentence it has already been for so many if one seeks and then accepts help in time.

Statistics

Just reading the statistics can be scary but here they are. From 1998 thru 2006, Dilaudid prescriptions increased an incredible 200%. Think about it, going from 470,000 prescriptions to approximately 1,800,000. That's a lot of drugs, and if further research were done, how many would we discover to be unnecessary? Recorded statistics from 2006 state as many as 6,700 people found themselves in the ER due to their opiate addiction, and in between 2004/2008 that number had increased 250%. Those numbers only continue to rise year after year.

Treatment for Dilaudid Addiction

Addiction to Dilaudid doesn't just put the user in danger, the whole family can be seriously affected. It is possible to leave addiction behind, but not without professional help. By the time a person is ready to admit they need help at all, they need it desperately. Some people can't ask for themselves, that's when friends or family need to step up and make the call for them. Doing so does not make you a "rat or snitch," it makes you someone who cares enough to risk a loved one's anger to save their lives. If you or someone you love is addicted to Dilaudid, speak to your doctor right away. To find out more information on treatment, speak to one of our treatment advisers today. We are free, confidential, professional and available to help you 24/7.

Fentanyl Addiction and Abuse

Fentanyl is an opiate drug that's commonly used to nullify pain experienced experienced from surgeries. It provides strong pain relief after a fixed amount of time. Most people use the drug for its intended purpose. Yet, research from the Centers for Disease and Control shows that approximately 1,000 deaths from overdose and misuse have occurred during 2005-2007. This is primarily due to use of the drugs for nonmedical reasons such as recreational use.

Harmful Effects of Fentanyl

An individual who suffers from Fentanyl abuse experiences many symptoms, including but not limited to:

Reading in between the Lines

It's not difficult to detect a victim of Fentanyl abuse since their patterns of behavior are consistent overtime. For instance, they commit heinous or immoral acts. Most of them are theft, prescription fraud and the act of requesting private doctors in order to receive prescriptions for more medications. The sites of theft are often inside of a hospital, pharmacy or nursing home. Overall, These acts shy away from ordinary activities that the person might do on a daily basis.

Besides the fact that their self-worth is tarnished by heinous acts, addicts of Fentanyl abuse experiences a decline in their social life. They lose their interest to participate in social activities and interact with anyone.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

While managing the symptoms of fentanyl addiction and avoiding use of the drug can be helpful, these actions aren't enough to combat the symptoms of withdrawal. Individuals commonly join a withdrawal unit at a Narconon rehab facility. In the facility, strong doses of nutritional supplements are administered to them. The supplements compensates for the depleted state experienced from drug overdose. The nutrition also helps by eliminating toxins in the body.

Sauna, exercise and nutrition are the main objectives of the facility, followed by the restoration of life skills. In order words, the patients learn to manage life without being dependent on the drugs.

Hydrocodone Addiction and Abuse

Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine and codeine. Thebaine and codeine are opiates that naturally occur. Hydrocodone drug is prescribed because of its effectiveness as a pain reliever or an analgesic. Doctors mostly prescribe this drug just for sufferers with extreme pain resulting from injury, surgery or various disease processes.

Hydrocodone addiction is a condition that manifests when this drug is abused. Users will suffer physical impacts in the event they stopped using hydrocodone instantly. If the addict continues to use the drug for extended periods, his brain and body can become attuned to the drug. The brain and body system can positively respond to the drug, a process called tolerance.

If an individual develops a tolerance on hydrocodone, he will need to consume larger doses of the drug or take it frequently to experience the same positive effects. In a bid to match the positive effects, or outdo the tolerance effects, abusers might overdose which may present danger to their lives.

Signs of Hydrocodone Addiction

You can easily tell an individual experiencing hydrocodone addiction by the following behaviors and signs:

Symptoms of Hydrocodone Addiction

Hydrocodone Addiction has devastating effects including:

Statistics

A report by the American Association of Poison Control Centers indicates that over 29,000 have experienced Hydrocodone Addiction problem and 36 deaths occur in 2012 in America alone. Another report by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) outlined that approximately 82,000 emergency room incidents related to Hydrocodone Addiction occurred in 2011 alone. A separate stark statistic by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) pointed out that in 2013, 4 million individuals over 12 years reportedly abused Hydrocodone drug.

Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction

Treatment for hydrocodone addiction can be daunting to come by, but it's possible to mitigate the effects. Educating the abusers or potential abusers about the negative effects of drug abuse is the surefire way to control the widespread of this dangerous behavior. As a parent, it's imperative that you flag any notable deviation from the norm in your child's social life. If you or a member of the family has been prescribed hydrocodone or other addictive drugs, control their levels and usage at home.

Methadone Addiction and Abuse

Methadone is a prescription drug, which was initially used by Germans to reduce severe pain during the Second World War. As the drug became widely available, its use extended to include treatment of narcotic addiction. Currently, it is prescribed for the treatment of Heroin addiction, because unlike morphine-based drugs, the impact of Methadone can last for more than 24 hours requiring administration of treatment only once a day.

Unfortunately, its pain reducing properties also make it a candidate for drug abuse. Actually, Methadone is a powerful drug, which can effectively block pain signals to the brain, making it a powerful panacea. The drug is usually taken as a liquid, but it is also available in tablet form. The widespread use makes it easy for patients to buy it without prescription. As a result, Methadone is also available on the black market.

Unlike most other drugs, research has shown that Methadone can have serious side-effects. It is also known that the overdose can quickly cause death. As for others, who regularly use Methadone, it is important to see a medical professional immediately because frequent use of the drug can induce immunity, which may complicate the rehabilitation process.

Symptoms of Methadone Addiction, Abuse and Overdose

The first sign of over-dosage is muscle cramps and diarrhea. Likewise, regular vomiting and muscle spasticity are also experienced regularly. If untreated, these symptoms can lead to respiratory problems and bluish skin such as fingernails and lips. Ultimately, drowsiness, coma, and low blood pressure are common occurrences.

Methadone Statistics

Statistics for Methadone are alarming because health officials believe that the rate of mortality has increased nearly 700 percent in the last 15 years. From 2001 to 2014, there were nearly 47,055 cases of deaths as a result of Methadone overdose. In 1999, the number of poisoning deaths from Methadone was 4 percent of the poisoning deaths from all types of medicines. By 2014, the percentage of deaths from Methadone has skyrocketed to 26 percent. Recent research suggests that nearly 80 percent of these deaths could be prevented as these patients did not seek medical attention.

Methadone Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation process of Methadone is not different from other such treatments; however, it requires acute focus both from the patient and from the medical professional. The treatment requires constant vigilance because careless patients can cause themselves serious injuries leading to instant death. Therefore, almost all cases of Methadone rehabilitation require in-patient treatment, where individuals are kept under 24 surveillance to prevent harm.

Treatment from Methadone

Fortunately, Methadone rehabilitation facilities are playing an important role in helping patients overcome their addiction. To find a rehab treatment center that's right for you, call today to speak with one of our professional treatment advisers. We're available 24/7, providing professional and confidential treatment counselling.

Morphine Addiction and Abuse

Morphine addiction usually starts when a patient receives an appropriate prescription for pain relief from a doctor. The members of the family don’t readily recognize if the patient is becoming dependent on the drug. Sometimes it takes months before they realize that there is already a problem going on.

Morphine addiction is not highly considered as a drug abuse problem in the US because there are very little data available that pinpoint to morphine as an abused drug. But still, it is a sickness that needs to be understood and cured.

How to Recognize the Signs of Morphine Addiction

If a member of the family has been prescribed to take morphine for pain and has been taking it regularly, be sure to keep an eye out for these signs:

If you noticed these changes, they may have knowingly or unknowingly begun being dependent on morphine.

Treatment for Morphine Addiction

There are two phases for treating morphine addiction. Phase one is the initial physical withdrawal, and phase two is the psychological therapy and behavioral treatment that will be done continuously afterward.

On the first phase of treatment, the patient should be checked into a hospital or dedicated treatment facility on the first few days of the withdrawal. This stage is very physical and the symptoms are very severe. Though morphine withdrawal is not life-threatening, sometimes there may be unexpected problems. A doctor should be present at all times to guard against coronary or pulmonary troubles that might arise. The trained medical staff will be helpful in making the withdrawal as comfortable as possible.

During the withdrawal, the addict will be in a lot of pain, throwing up, unable to restrain his bowels. They will be sleepless and may lose weight quickly. The treatment will concentrate on helping the patient get through the grueling stages of withdrawal.

Phase two or the recovery stage can be resumed more peacefully and easily at home, or with therapy and group sessions.

Over-the-Counter Drug Addiction and Abuse

Over-the-counter (OTC) medication has become one of the biggest phenomenon in today's drug addiction problems. The problem with OTC medication is that they are readily available in stores without a prescription and they are also affordable. One OTC medication that shook up communities is pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine, when used for its pharmacologic purposes, is a decongestant that assists in shrinking blood vessels in the nasal passages; often used when people are suffering from head colds/flu/allergies that cause nasal congestion. Because pseudoephedrine is such a highly addictive medication, it is the main ingredient used for making methamphetamine. Before 2005, pseudoephedrine was being sold freely without any regulations thus making it easier for meth makers to get a hold of it. However, in 2006, congress enacted the Patriot Act of 2006 which mandated stores to sell pseudoephedrine behind the counter and can only be purchased with a valid ID, in which case the purchaser has to be at least 18 years of age.

Although pseudoephedrine is a major OTC drug that has been a top OTC addictive medication, essentially, the majority of OTC medication can potentially become addictive if it is not used properly. According to the National Institute On Drug Abuse, the major OTC drugs that are being abused are:

These OTC medications are just a few amongst the many OTC medications that can be highly addictive. Signs and symptoms of OTC drug abuse can be recognized and should be addressed immediately before addiction takes heed.

Signs and symptoms of OTC drug abuse or addiction includes, but are not limited to:

Withdrawal Symptoms include:

Drug addiction can cause alterations to the brain's chemistry over time, which could result in irreversible consequences. It could even cause hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain), which could result in death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 120 people die everyday from drug overdoses. If you know or suspect that someone is abusing OTC medications, do not hesitate to get them help. For information on treatment solutions, call to speak to one of our treatment advisers. We’re available 24/7.

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