Signs of a Meth Overdose
Meth abuse has seen a surge in the last decade. This uptick has brought about an increase in methamphetamine overdose deaths as well, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Over a six-year period, drug overdoses involving meth increased nearly five times. Meth is a highly addictive drug that can have long-term effects on your health, and can be fatal. You don’t have to be addicted to meth to overdose. You can overdose on meth the first time you use it because you have no tolerance. Meth can be cut with dangerous chemicals like fentanyl, a highly potent narcotic. It takes a much smaller amount of fentanyl to overdose than meth. There’s no way to tell how much fentanyl is in street drugs like meth, so whether it’s your first time or you’ve been abusing meth for a long time, you’re always at risk. Other names for meth include crank, crystal meth, ice, and speed. Meth Overdose Symptoms Taking large amounts of meth can cause side effects that lead to overdose (OD). Signs/symptoms of meth overdoses include: An acute overdose on meth refers to overdosing from taking a large amount of meth. This could happen to a first-time user or a chronic user. A chronic overdose happens in long-term meth users and refers to the physical damage from the cumulative effect of meth. Both types of meth overdoses can damage organs. No matter what dose you take of meth or how infrequently you use it, you’re always at risk for overdose. Meth is a street drug and there is no way of telling what amounts of chemicals makers are using. A small dose of meth from one dealer could contain the same amount of dangerous chemicals as a large dose of meth. Getting Help For a Meth Overdose If you suspect a meth overdose, call 911. Unlike naloxone for opioid overdoses, there is no FDA-approved meth overdose treatment. Time is of the essence in any drug overdose, so don’t wait to call 911 if you even suspect this is happening. Most states have good Samaritan laws that prevent the caller and the overdosing individual from being arrested on drug charges. The 911 center or medical personnel will likely ask you how much meth was taken and if it was snorted, smoked, or injected. They may ask you when the individual took the drug, if they took any other substances, their age, and anything you know about their medical history. What Causes a Meth Overdose? Meth takes effect quickly, heading directly into your bloodstream and into your brain and central nervous system. Your body rapidly responds to its presence and increases your breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. These quick changes can put you at risk for seizures and overdose. Meth releases extreme amounts of dopamine. The high amounts of dopamine are what impacts your cardiovascular system the most, leading to those dangerous overdose symptoms. Sometimes the way you take meth can lead to overdose. A meth high from injecting or smoking wears off quicker than snorting it. People who inject it or smoke it may take more to keep their high going. However, even though you may feel like the high is wearing off, there is still meth in your system. Taking more puts you at risk for overdose. Chemicals in meth can also cause an overdose as well as combining meth with other substances. For example, meth abuse and alcohol abuse can be a deadly combination, compounding the effects of both substances and increasing the risk of overdose. Dangers of Meth Addiction Overdose isn’t the only risk of meth abuse. Meth addiction has several health effects. Some of these include: Brain Damage Meth abuse can affect your brain’s structure and the way it functions. Its impact on dopamine can cause psychosis. Meth may also decrease your brain’s white matter, which can lead to several issues like memory loss, confusion, mood fluctuations, and mental health disorders. Compromised Immune System Some research shows meth abuse can alter your immune cells and suppress white blood cells. This puts you at higher risk for infections and illness. People who inject meth increase their risk for bloodborne disease like HIV and hepatitis B and C. During the COVID-19 pandemic, data showed meth users were more likely to get COVID-19 and die from it. Heart Issues People with methamphetamine use disorders can have several cardiovascular issues. Many have heart disease and high blood pressure. Meth use also increases your risk for heart attack and heart failure. Muscular Effects Meth can bring about twitching, involuntary movements, tremors, and muscle atrophy. Some research has found a connection between early onset of Parkinson’s Disease and methamphetamine abuse. Respiratory Problems Long-term meth use can put you at risk for pneumonia, lung damage, and respiratory failure. Lung issues are a result of smoking crystal meth and constricted blood vessels that put pressure on the arteries. Meth Withdrawal Symptoms If you have a methamphetamine addiction and stop cold turkey without medical care, withdrawal symptoms can be harsh. Meth withdrawal symptoms vary by individual but could include dehydration or suicidal thoughts, both potentially fatal. You should never attempt drug detox without the help of medical professionals who can make sure you’re safe, attend to emergencies, and ease symptoms with medications as appropriate. Looking For Addiction Treatment? Without treatment, substance use disorders only get worse. Addiction recovery is hard work, but it’s worth it. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, reach out for help. You can prevent more physical and mental damage, and maybe even save your life or the life of someone you love. Our rehab centers offer evidence-based treatment by behavioral health specialists who are experts in their field and passionate about what they do. Footprints’ addiction treatment programs include: We treat substance abuse holistically with traditional approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy as well as experiential therapies like EMDR. Treatment addresses trauma, mental health issues, and other challenges that often
Signs of a Cocaine Overdose
Some people think of cocaine as a relatively harmless party drug, but the effects of cocaine can be dangerous and even deadly. Cocaine overdose deaths rose by almost 27% in 2020 according to the CDC, and cocaine use has seen a rise in recent years. The National Survey on Drug Abuse reports that cocaine overdose deaths that involve synthetic opioids have been the main factor in cocaine overdose deaths in recent years. Signs and symptoms of a cocaine overdose include: If an individual is experiencing any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is call 911 before they progress. What Causes a Cocaine Overdose? Your risk of overdose on cocaine is based on a few factors: A first-time user can overdose on cocaine if they take too large of an amount for their system, especially if they\’re using alcohol and other drugs. A chronic cocaine abuser can overdose by taking dangerous amounts of cocaine to try to maintain their high. Once you develop a tolerance to cocaine, it takes more to get the desired effect. A cocaine high is brief compared to other drugs, so users may take several doses in one day to stay high. Substance abusers who haven’t used cocaine for a while are also at risk for an unintentional overdose. Their tolerance is down and so lower doses can greatly affect their system. Another cause of cocaine overdose is impurities in the drug. Many illicit drug makers chase cocaine and other drugs with fentanyl. It’s a highly potent chemical and you can overdose on a small amount of it. Combining cocaine with other substances like heroin or alcohol increases your risk of overdose. Cocaine abusers may make a “speedball,” which is a combination of heroin and cocaine that can be highly dangerous and deadly. Cocaine’s stimulant effects can feel like they’re “canceling out” the depressive effects of alcohol and vice versa. This can cause people to take more of one or both of the substances. Cocaine has stimulant effects that speed up functioning of some of your body’s systems. Its effect on the central nervous system increases heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. A cocaine overdose can cause stress on the cardiovascular system, leading to organ failure, internal bleeding, and heart attacks. It can also cause electrical disturbances in the brain causing seizures. Getting Help For a Cocaine Overdose At the first signs of cocaine overdose symptoms, call 911. The quicker you get medical intervention, the better the chances of preventing long-term organ damage and decreasing risk of death. If you get help right away, you may be able to prevent more severe cocaine overdose symptoms like cardiac arrest or seizures. While you wait for emergency personnel, make sure there is nothing around the individual that they could bang their head on if they have a seizure. If they have a high fever, you can apply cold compresses. Don\’t leave them unattended. Don’t let fear of legal repercussions prevent you from calling for help during a cocaine overdose. Most states have good Samaritan laws that prevent you or the individual overdosing from being arrested or charged with drug possession. Dangers of Cocaine Abuse and Overdose Cocaine users are at risk for several health issues. Some of these include: Brain Damage Cocaine abuse depletes your brain of dopamine, which can cause cocaine withdrawal when you go without it. Imbalance of brain chemicals can also lead to anxiety and depression symptoms. Many people have severe depression or feel suicidal during cocaine withdrawal. This comes from the cocaine high as the brain struggles severely to make the balance, which is why your mood drastically crashes after the highs. Cocaine abuse can also decrease gray matter, damage the brain’s structure, kill off neurons, and cause seizure disorders. Heart Problems and Heart Attack Cocaine greatly impacts the circulatory system. Some of the ways cocaine affects the heart include: Digestive Issues Cocaine abuse can decrease the gut’s good bacteria and eat away at the stomach’s acidity barrier. It can also lead to weight loss and malnutrition, acid reflux, diarrhea, and damage to bowel tissues. Lung Damage Cocaine constricts blood vessels and capillaries, which can harden the walls of the lungs. It can cause swelling of the lungs, rupturing air sacs and arteries. Lung spasms leading to respiratory failure is also a risk. Hormone Dysregulation Cocaine abusers can have a dysregulated endocrine system. Cocaine’s effect on hormone production and regulation can disrupt menstrual cycles, lower sperm count, and cause fertility issues. Get Cocaine Addiction Treatment Addiction is a disease that is treatable. If you or a loved one is struggling, reach out. Substance abuse not only ruins your life, it can be dangerous and deadly. Recovery is the fresh start you need. Footprints to Recovery offers evidence-based drug rehab programs that get to the root causes of substance use disorders. Our behavioral health professionals will help you address underlying issues like trauma, co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis), and unhealthy thinking patterns that can perpetuate addiction. You’ll learn relapse-prevention skills that support long-term addiction recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. We offer a full continuum of care that includes medical detox and inpatient treatment as well as outpatient options. Levels of care at our addiction and mental health treatment centers include: A better life is possible. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call us today for a free, confidential consultation. References
What Is Black Tar Heroin?
Black tar heroin is a black, sticky form of heroin. It’s similar in consistency and appearance to roofing tar, which is where it gets the name. On the street, it’s simply known as black tar, black pearls, or Mexican mud. Typically produced in Mexico, black tar heroin is most popular West of the Mississippi River. Its consistency makes it difficult to inject, so some black tar heroin users dilute it with liquid and heat it for injection. Others will smoke it on foil. The black tar form of heroin is also sometimes taken by mixing it with hot water and squirting it into the nose. This method is sometimes called monkey water, waterloo, waterlining, or shebang. Black tar heroin is usually cheaper than white powdered heroin because of the quicker, less refined process of making it. The purity of black tar is estimated to be around 30% in general, but it’s impossible to know exact purity or strength because of the way it’s cut with other substances. Black tar heroin is just as dangerous as other types of heroin. Signs of Black Tar Heroin Use If you suspect a loved one is abusing black tar heroin, look for these black tar paraphernalia and signs of black tar heroin addiction as detailed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse: Dangers of Black Tar Use Heroin puts your physical and mental health in jeopardy. Using any form of heroin comes with the same risks and dangers. Short-term and long-term effects of black tar heroin abuse can include: Brain Damage Short-term effects of heroin release excessive amounts of dopamine in the brain. The long-term effects of this depletes neurotransmitters of brain chemicals and teaches the brain that it needs heroin to function. This causes withdrawal and detox in the absence of heroin and can lead to mental illness symptoms of anxiety and depression. Heroin can also cause frontal lobe damage, which impacts attention, memory, and spatial awareness. A heroin overdose can cause lack of oxygen to the brain leading to overdose and long-term effects on movement, mood, memory, vision, and other important functions. Heart Attack Injecting black tar heroin can lead to heart infections. Other cardiovascular effects of heroin use include heart failure, low blood pressure, blood vessel damage, collapsed veins, and heart attack. Infections and Illness Heroin can suppress and decrease B and T immune cells. It can lower your ability to fight infections, bacteria, and viruses. The way you use black tar heroin and other forms of the drug can also put you at risk for illness. People who use heroin as an injection drug and share needles are at risk for HIV and hepatitis C. One study found that black tar heroin users were at higher risk for wound botulism, which can lead to breathing difficulties, muscle weakness, and be fatal. Heroin Overdose Whatever the form, prescription opioids, powdered heroin, or black tar heroin, you’re always at risk for overdose. Heroin abuse can slow down your breathing and heart rate so much that you go into respiratory failure and overdose. You’re also at high risk for overdose any time you take it because it is often cut with highly potent substances like fentanyl or other toxins where only a small amount can cause an overdose. Get Help For Addiction Drug and alcohol addictions rob you of the life you are meant to live. We can help you reclaim that life. Our addiction treatment centers offer evidence-based care for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Our treatment providers are highly credentialed behavioral health professionals and addiction medicine experts that are compassionate and caring. They draw upon both traditional and alternative substance use disorder treatments so you can experience whole-body healing. Highlights of our drug rehab programs include: If you or a loved one is struggling with black tar heroin addiction, reach out to us with questions about treatment. We offer free, confidential consultations. References
What Are the Effects of Heroin on the Body?
Heroin and other opioids claim thousands of lives every year. In addition to the everyday impact heroin can have on your life and relationships, the long-term effects of heroin touch almost every system in the human body. Learn how heroin damages your health, and why substance abuse treatment and recovery are the only way out. Effects of Heroin on the Brain Heroin and other opioids have short-term and long-term effects on the central nervous system. One long-term effect of heroin is the way it can permanently change the brain. Taken in high doses, opioids flood the brain with dopamine, your natural “feel-good” chemical. Over time, opioid abuse begins depleting your natural supply of dopamine and your brain’s ability to produce even normal amounts of it without heroin. At this point, you’ve developed a tolerance to heroin and physical dependence on the drug. The short-term effect is to send your body into withdrawal in the absence of heroin as your central nervous system goes into overdrive to rebalance itself. The ongoing impact is the way this interferes with brain chemical production, putting you at risk for depression and anxiety symptoms. Potential long-term effects of heroin’s impact on the brain include slowed breathing, which robs the brain of oxygen. This can result in brain damage, coma, and death. In extreme cases, such as a heroin overdose, lack of oxygen impacts future functions like vision, memory, movement, and mood. Another long-term effect of heroin is damage to the frontal lobe of the brain, causing memory issues and problems with spatial awareness and attention. Heroin can also damage your nervous system’s response to pain, making some stimuli more painful. Effects of Heroin on the Heart The American Heart Association warns of several short and long-term effects of heroin and prescription opioids on the heart. Effects of Heroin on Breathing Abusing heroin impacts your respiratory system, increasing your risk for overdose. Opioids tell your central nervous system to slow down functions like breathing and heart rate. Large doses of heroin can slow down your breathing and heart so much that you overdose, which can cause health issues or death. Heroin can also worsen asthma symptoms and other respiratory conditions. Effects of Heroin on the Digestive System Heroin affects the digestive system during both active drug abuse and as symptoms of heroin withdrawal. Opioid abuse slows down the muscles involved in digestion. This can lead to: Heroin withdrawal also impacts the gastrointestinal system. If you’ve been abusing heroin and you stop, the central nervous system tries to rebalance itself, which can lead to: Effects of Heroin on the Endocrine System Heroin abuse even impacts your glands and hormones. Effects on the endocrine system include: Effects of Heroin on the Immune System Opioids can affect your immune system by exposing you to potential infections from injecting heroin. They can also affect your immune cells in several ways. This includes decreasing or suppressing T and B immune cells and hindering your body’s ability to make new immune cells. All of these situations make you less able to fight viruses, bacteria, and infections. The behaviors of people addicted to heroin can also contribute to illnesses and disease. Heroin abusers may share needles with other users. This puts you at high risk for blood-borne diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C. The CDC attributes 1 in 10 HIV cases to injecting drugs like heroin. Another behavioral component of substance abuse that impacts your immune system is lifestyle. Drug addiction can take over your life and priorities. Your brain thinks it needs heroin or other drugs to function, so it becomes your focus instead of healthy habits like eating well,mgetting enough sleep, exercising, and other practices that help keep your immune system in shape to fight disease and germs. Looking for a Heroin Rehab Program? Heroin addiction is devastating for both the addicted individual and their loved ones. The chance of recovery may feel bleak to you, but the fact is, with the right drug addiction treatment, motivation, and support, people do recover from opioid abuse. We see it at our addiction treatment centers every day, and we know you can do it. Depending on the location, heroin addiction treatment at Footprints to Recovery includes: We offer medical detox that eases heroin withdrawal symptoms with medications and round-the-clock care, and our addiction treatment programs include both inpatient and outpatient options. You’ll work with a team of behavioral health professionals who are experts in their field and recovery alongside peers who understand what you’re going through. Get your life back on track and prevent more long-term effects of heroin abuse. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. References
What Does Meth Do to Your Body?
Meth is a dangerous, highly addictive drug that can greatly impact your physical and mental health. The long-term effects of methamphetamine can be dangerous, and even deadly. Learn what meth does to your brain and body, and why you should quit. Meth’s Effect on Your Brain When you abuse meth, the brain produces excessive amounts of dopamine, which is a chemical that creates feelings of euphoria. Taking the drug regularly starts depleting your natural supplies of dopamine. This brain chemical plays an important role in many functions, so when it’s off balance, your entire system is impacted. When you\’re addicted to a substance, your brain begins depending on that drug to function normally. When you try to stop using meth, dopamine levels drop, and your brain sends your body into withdrawal in an effort to restore chemical balance. Research suggests changes in the brain due to meth affect brain structure and function. The impact on your neurotransmitters can lead to psychotic symptoms or violent behavior. Methamphetamine psychosis can include symptoms like: Meth can cause brain damage by decreasing white matter, killing brain cells, and altering neurotransmitters. Users may experience short-term and long-term memory loss, mood disturbances, confusion, and serious mental health issues. Meth’s Effect on Your Heart After accidents and meth overdoses, heart disease is the leading cause of death in meth users. The stimulant drug affects the cardiovascular system in several ways. The American Heart Association reports meth users are at risk for these conditions: Meth’s Effect on Your Immune System Research shows chronic methamphetamine abuse can significantly affect your immune system. Meth can alter your immune cells and disrupt their signaling pathways. It may suppress white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses. This can lead to poorer immune system functioning and increased risk of infections. Meth abuse can cause mouth abrasions and mucous membranes to dry out, decreasing natural barriers against infection. People who abuse meth are at greater risk for diseases like hepatitis B and C and HIV. If you inject meth and share needles, it increases your susceptibility to these illnesses. Meth also greatly clouds your judgement and makes you less inhibited, which can lead to risky behaviors like unprotected sex. During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies found that meth users were at higher risk of infection and death from the disease due to their compromised immune system. Meth’s Effect on Your Muscles The effects of methamphetamine abuse can even reach into your muscles, causing issues like: A small body of research suggests a link between methamphetamine abuse and Parkinson’s Disease or early onset of the disease, which attacks the musculoskeletal system. Meth’s Effect on Breathing Meth can put you at risk for acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, and other types of lung damage. This is caused by constriction of your blood vessels, which puts pressure on the arteries leading to the lungs. Smoking crystal meth is a common way to take the drug because it leads to a quicker high. Using meth in this way increases your risk of the myriad of respiratory issues that come from smoking substances. Meth’s Effect on Your Appearance Meth abuse can affect your physical appearance. Some of the effects of meth are due to the way the drug changes your priorities. When you’re addicted to meth, it becomes the central focus in your life. You’re not concerned with personal hygiene, nutrition, or other factors that affect your appearance and health. Meth abusers often share these physical characteristics: Rotted Teeth Also known as “meth mouth,” meth abusers may have several dental issues because they neglect oral hygiene and nutrition. Methamphetamine is also acidic which can compound these problems. Many meth users crave sugary foods and drinks, which exacerbates dental issues. Meth mouth may include tooth decay, missing teeth, and dry mouth. Skin Conditions You may have heard the term “meth mites.” A common meth hallucination is the feeling that bugs are crawling on you. Known as “crank bugs” these hallucinations can lead you to obsessively pick or scratch your skin causing sores that often become infected. Chronic methamphetamine abuse often leads to acne. This is due to a few factors: If you use meth, you might look older than your age. Restricted blood flow can cause your skin to lose some of its elasticity, appearing wrinkled and sagging. People who use meth by smoking it may have burns or sores on their face or hands. Weight Meth is a stimulant and appetite suppressant. People who use meth are often thin or underweight. Clothes may be baggy and disheveled. Treatment for Meth Addiction A meth addiction is difficult to overcome, but not impossible with the right treatment, support, and motivation. If you or a loved one needs help, reach out to us. Footprints to Recovery provides evidence-based substance abuse and mental health treatment that addresses the root causes of your addiction. These may include trauma, a dual diagnosis, and other challenges. Our holistic approach to addiction treatment teaches you healthier ways to cope without drugs and alcohol and helps you begin repairing the mental and physical effects of methamphetamine abuse. Levels of care at our drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers include: We’ve seen thousands of clients take back their lives from addiction. You can too. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. References
10 Signs of Relapse
Relapse is often a normal part of addiction recovery. According to research, around 40-60% of people in recovery will relapse at some point. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, and just like other chronic diseases, relapse is always a risk. Relapse is tough on both the individual who relapses and their loved ones. However, it’s important to know that addiction relapse doesn’t mean that treatment didn’t work, or sobriety will never be achievable. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one is at risk of returning to alcohol or drug abuse, there are several addiction relapse warning signs you should be aware of. Researchers have identified three predictable stages of relapse: emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse. There are different signs of relapse within each stage. Paying attention to these relapse warning signs can help you prevent a drug relapse before it happens. Emotional Relapse An emotional relapse is usually the first stage of relapse. At this point, you aren’t thinking about using drugs or alcohol again, but stress, triggers, or difficult situations are bringing up emotions and negative thoughts that fueled substance abuse in the past. Despite these feelings, you aren’t using the healthy coping skills you know can help. You may brush off these early relapse warning signs and feel overconfident about your ability to manage intense emotions and thoughts without turning to drugs and alcohol. Signs of emotional relapse include: #1 Isolation Isolation and loneliness are known relapse risk factors. There are many ways people isolate in recovery. Perhaps you’ve stopped attending recovery meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART Recovery. Maybe you’ve quit participating in the alumni program at the substance abuse treatment center you attended. Avoiding friends and family, cancelling therapy appointments, or skirting social activities are signs of isolation as well. Isolation can be an important sign of relapse for loved ones. If the individual in recovery is declining invitations, not answering phone calls and texts, or not participating in usual social activities, check in with them to make sure they’re okay. #2 Decline in Self-Care Most addiction treatment programs teach the importance of self-care as critical components of relapse prevention. If you’ve stopped doing the things you know help you feel good so you’re better able to resist drugs and alcohol, pay attention. Self-care can be anything from exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep to attending individual therapy or keeping up with medication-assisted treatment for heroin addiction or opioid addiction. A decline in self-care is another warning sign of relapse loved ones can look out for. You may not know if the individual in recovery is keeping up with therapy, appointments, or exercise, but you can look for more obvious indicators. If you notice basic self-care slipping, like hygiene, eating habits, or physical upkeep, this could be a sign your loved one is relapsing. #3 Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Changes Studies show that people with depression and anxiety are at higher risk for addiction relapse. Mental health can impact relapse in a couple of ways. If you’re not following through with practices known to manage depression or anxiety symptoms like therapy and medication, you’re putting yourself at risk for relapse. People in recovery with co-occurring disorders need to treat mental health symptoms so they aren’t tempted to self-medicate them with drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, relapse can be triggered by a general feeling of irritability, discontent, or low mood that is common especially in early recovery. This can result from experiences like: Mental Relapse Emotional relapse can fuel mental relapse. Without addressing difficult emotions, thoughts, and situations in healthy ways, your mind may wander toward memories of substance abuse as an escape. At first, you may try convincing yourself that you wouldn’t actually use drugs and alcohol again, but as mental relapse progresses, you may fantasize about getting relief from drugs and alcohol — how it would feel, and how you would do it. You might even start developing a plan for relapse. Here are some warnings signs of mental relapse: #4 Romanticizing Your Active Addiction A significant relapse warning sign is becoming nostalgic for your old lifestyle. When you’re in a bad place emotionally, it’s tempting to forget about the pain, loss, heartache, and misery that came with substance abuse. You may daydream about past substance use that you found fun or relieving and disregard all the memories of bad experiences. #5 Hanging Out With Friends Who Use You may start engaging in behaviors that you know are relapse triggers. This can include talking to or seeing old friends who still abuse drugs and alcohol. Hanging out in places where you used substances or where you’re likely to run into your old friends is also a red flag. #6 Minimizing the Consequences of Relapsing During a mental relapse, you may start downplaying the danger of “just one drink” or “just one hit.” If you’ve been through substance abuse treatment, you know that addiction is a disease and when you’re in recovery, there’s no such thing as moderation when it comes to using drugs and alcohol. Having one drink or one hit is playing with fire. Furthermore, if you’ve been sober for awhile, taking drugs like heroin or opioids can put you at high risk for overdose because you have no way of knowing how much of the drug your body can handle now. #7 Developing Cross Addictions More research on cross addictions is needed, but it occurs when you replace one addiction with another. For example, perhaps you were addicted to heroin, but you start abusing alcohol or marijuana because you’ve convinced yourself it’s not as bad. Maybe you start coping with life through another destructive behavior, such as an eating disorder or compulsive gambling. Cross addiction is another sign of relapse that loved ones can look out for. If you notice the individual in recovery engaging in compulsive behaviors or using “less serious” substances, it is a definite indication that they need help. #8
What Is Drug-Induced Psychosis?
You’ve probably seen Hollywood’s portrayal of a “bad trip:” A person using a drug has a psychotic episode, often ending in tragedy. The truth is, drug use alone does not usually lead to ongoing psychosis. But the use of some drugs can induce a psychotic episode and can trigger an underlying mental illness in someone who is already prone to it. In exploring the connection between drug use and psychosis, it’s important to understand that scientific research lags behind drug use trends, so this field is still emerging. Drugs That Cause Psychosis There are many substances that can induce psychotic symptoms. In terms of illicit drugs, methamphetamines and PCP/angel dust (phencyclidine) are most commonly associated with psychosis, but other drugs, including opiates, LSD, and even cannabis can bring on a psychotic episode. Studies have shown that users of crystalized meth have an increased risk of psychotic episodes, indicating that the delivery method is one of the variables for drug-induced psychosis. In some cases, even prescription medication that is being used correctly can cause a psychotic episode. Medications that have been known to induce psychosis include: Other factors that may bring on a psychotic episode include: Some people who are withdrawing from alcohol experience a severe form of substance-induced psychosis called delirium tremens. This condition—which might include delusions or hallucinations—can be life-threatening. This is one reason it is preferable to withdraw from any addiction under medical supervision, in a treatment facility. What Happens During Drug-Induced Psychosis, and How Long Does It Last? A drug-induced psychotic event can include: In most cases, a psychotic episode resolves once the drug or alcohol leaves your body completely. But sometimes drug-induced psychosis can persist. The most notable example of this is with methamphetamine use. Meth is a synthetic compound that is injected, snorted, or inhaled, and it reaches the bloodstream rapidly. In high concentrations, the use of meth can cause psychotic symptoms, including: In meth users, psychosis can recur for a month after withdrawal from the drug, and in some cases can become a chronic, recurring problem. Can Drugs Cause Schizophrenia? Drug-induced psychosis can resemble schizophrenia in a number of ways, so it’s important to understand the relationship between drug use and mental illness. Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder, characterized by: Schizophrenia is difficult to treat, and even with inpatient treatment, antipsychotic medication, and therapy, it is hard to live with. People suffering from schizophrenia are a vulnerable population. Some end up in anti-social situations, on the street, unable or unwilling to receive treatment. A high percentage of people with schizophrenia also have substance abuse issues. This begs the question: Does mental illness lead to drug abuse, or does drug abuse lead to mental illness? A recent study showed that 25% of those treated for a drug-induced psychotic episode transitioned to drug-induced schizophrenia. This is a condition that occurs when a meth user suffers from ongoing delusions, hallucinations, or confusion that is indistinguishable from schizophrenia. The link between meth and psychosis is still being explored. There are three theories: Whatever the reason, the idea that meth use can lead to a severe mental illness is alarming. How Can You Tell If Drug-Induced Psychosis Is Happening? Clearly, not every person who uses drugs that can induce psychosis ends up in a psychotic state. But it is important to know the difference between an innocuous drug-induced delusion and a dangerous psychotic episode. When someone purposely ingests hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD or psylocibin mushrooms, they usually know that their hallucinations are temporary and not real. They are not likely to become aggressive or to harm themselves or others. When a person no longer knows that a hallucination is not real, becomes a threat to their own safety or life, or becomes aggressive or threatening to someone else, this may indicate a serious problem. If you are with someone who is having serious delusions and may be in danger, seek medical attention immediately. When Mental Illness Leads to Drugs Some mental illnesses have psychotic symptoms. Some conditions that can cause psychotic episodes include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and major depression. A serious condition that is often undiagnosed and under-treated is psychotic depression, also called major depression with psychotic features. A person with this diagnosis suffers from nihilistic delusions, meaning they believe bad things are about to happen. In some cases, delusions that are caused by a mental illness are so distressing that the person becomes actively suicidal. Brain disorders such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease and dementia can also cause psychotic episodes. Any underlying mental health condition puts a person at greater risk for substance abuse. This scenario is far more common than the other way around. People who struggle with mental illness often suffer terribly and turn to substances like drugs and alcohol to alleviate their suffering. Studies indicate that one in four people with a serious mental illness also have a substance use disorder, and in teenagers this comorbidity is even higher. What You Can Do to Help If you know someone who is suffering from a drug-induced psychotic episode, seek medical attention immediately, as it could trigger a serious underlying mental health condition. Whether the primary illness is drug or alcohol addiction or mental illness, your loved one needs treatment. A substance abuse professional can help you assess the situation at hand and support you in finding the right treatment plan for your loved one. Treatment options include inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and ongoing support groups that offer a range of services. Participants receive medically assisted withdrawal, individual therapy, group and family therapy, and tools to reintegrate into a healthier, happier life. References
What Stimulants Do to the Body and Mind?
Stimulants, often called “uppers,” are substances that raise levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body. A stimulant is a drug that excites any bodily function, but more specifically those that stimulate the brain and the central nervous system. The short-term effects from consuming stimulants often induce awareness, alertness, elevated mood, wakefulness, increased speech and increased motor activity. Though stimulants have very limited therapeutic use, the mood-elevating effects make some stimulants extremely potent drugs to abuse. The most commonly used street drugs, cocaine and amphetamines, fall under the category of stimulants. Below are five ways stimulant consumption, more specifically methamphetamine and cocaine, can affect the mind and body. After consumption of stimulants the brain increases certain types of cell signaling and amplifies various physiological processes throughout the brain and body. Many stimulants heighten the brain’s dopamine release, which results in a sense of well-being, increased energy, increased attention and alertness. These increases in brain activity allow the user, temporarily, to accomplish tasks at hand, meanwhile feeling a sense of euphoria. The heightened brain activity of the user, results in stimulants having a high abuse potential, due to the positive effects produced by stimulants. These desired effects are short-lived, thus causing the user to increase the intake of stimulants, resulting in a plethora of negative effects that soon follow prolonged use of stimulants. After prolonged use of stimulants, the user often experiences irritability, restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety, excessive speech, rapid mood swings, agitation, tremors, confusion, and, in most serious cases, a state resembling paranoid schizophrenia. A user typically experiences these effects from prolonged use of stimulants because the brain is having a difficult time regulating and balancing dopamine. Stimulants also interact with certain areas of the brain that manage emotions, fear, aggression and flight-or-fight responses, and when the brain is over stimulated, often these negative effects of stimulant use become present. After stimulant abuse users brain structures and functions are altered, more specifically the cells containing serotonin. Stimulant abusers may experience weight loss, memory loss, confusion, tremors, convulsions, psychosis, repetitive motor activity, damage to nerve cells and cardiovascular collapse. Users may experience these negative side effects due to the over stimulation of the brain. Often, those on stimulants have a suppressed appetite and lack the ability to rest properly, causing many of the symptoms listed above. Those who abuse stimulants will try to maintain the feelings present during the initial use of a stimulant, by increasing the amount used and the frequency of use, inevitably causing much of these side effects. The let down effects or often referred to as the “come down,” causes much distress in the user. Once the effects of a stimulant ends, dopamine levels drop below normal and individuals endure a crash, also known as a comedown. A comedown is a period of exhaustion that occurs because the body is drained of energy. Symptoms of a stimulant come down often include aches and pains, low energy, confusion, intense drug cravings, agitation, restlessness, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. According to the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies at New York University, it is said that it takes 7-10 days for the body to reach normal energy levels after extended stimulant abuse. The long-term effects of stimulant abuse are rather severe, due to the potency of many stimulants. It is likely that those who abuse stimulants may develop an addiction, which in turn, causes intense drug cravings that lead users to continuously use, despite consequences. Other side effects and risks associated with the long-term use of stimulants include heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, irregular heartbeat and skin discolorations. Author: Michael Kelly, Clinical Technician
Opiates’ Effects on the Brain and Body
Opiates are among the most abused drugs in the United States. Opiates are naturally occurring opioids and include substances like heroin, codeine, and morphine. Derived from chemicals found in the sap of opium poppy, some opiates are used medically to manage pain or suppress coughing. Repeated use of these drugs can lead to opiate addiction. Opioid tolerance, dependence, and addiction are all indicators that your brain chemistry has changed due to chronic opiate use. Opiate and opioid addiction can develop in a couple of ways: Here are some short- and long-term effects of opiate use: Short-Term Effects of Opiates: Opiates are known to cause profound sleepiness. Frequently, opiate abusers will experience sporadic periods of “nodding off” as they slip in and out of consciousness. Long- Term Effects of Opiates: How Opiates Affect the Brain There are opioid receptors in the brain, but they don’t produce enough natural opioids to stop severe or chronic pain. One of the ways an opioid pill or injection relieves pain is by flooding your brain’s reward system with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates: Dopamine is often called the brain’s feel-good chemical. It rewards natural behaviors like eating, exercising, and sex. In large amounts, opioids produce euphoric effects. Repeated misuse of opiates and opioids changes your brain and sends strong messages to repeat the behavior. In most cases, the result is opioid dependence and addiction. Dependence is the need to keep taking drugs to avoid opioid withdrawal symptoms. Typically, physical dependence is resolved after drug detox, within days or weeks after quitting opioids. However, drug addiction is more complex and long-lasting. Addiction is the intense drug craving and compulsion to use. Addiction can produce cravings that lead to relapse months or years after you’re no longer opioid dependent. While much of the research into opiates’ effects on the brain explores mid- to long-term use, some research shows opioids can alter your brain in just a few weeks. A recent study found that after just a month of morphine use, people had measurable changes in their brains. MRIs showed reductions in their gray matter volume, which affects the part of the brain that’s responsible for: How Opiates Affect the Body Beyond opiates’ effects on the brain, other parts of the body suffer as well. Here’s how opioid addiction impacts some of the body systems: Respiratory System Opiates’ effects on the brain extend to the central nervous system (CNS), which controls respiration. In particular, opioids slow down the CNS, depressing breathing patterns significantly. In some cases, breathing can stop altogether. Therefore, opioid abuse puts you at a high risk for overdose. Opiate and opioids can also suppress or block air from reaching the lungs. Circulatory System Opiates’ impact on the circulatory system may include: Endocrine System The endocrine system is also impacted by opiate abuse. Some of the issues long-term opiate use can cause include: Digestive System Opiates and opioids have several adverse effects on the gut. Some of these include: Immune System Opioids are known to suppress the immune system making you more susceptible to illness. These types of drugs impact the cellular immune system, changing your body’s ability to fight bacterial infections. Opiate abuse can indirectly impact the immune system by lack of self-care. If you struggle with substance abuse, you’re focused on using drugs or alcohol. Things that support a healthy immune system like proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and exercise typically fall by the wayside. Get Help. Prevent Further Damage. Opiates’ effects on the brain and body can cause irreversible damage. Drug abuse also impacts your behavioral health. Opioid addiction is difficult to recover from, but not impossible. We’ve seen countless clients take back their lives and build better ones in recovery. Footprints to Recovery offers evidence-based addiction treatment that addresses the underlying reasons behind drug and alcohol abuse. Opioid treatment at our drug and alcohol rehabs include: We offer residential and outpatient programs. Reach out today. We can help. References
E-Cigarettes and Vaping in Teens – What You Need to Know
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapor from an electronic cigarette or similar device. The actual device used for vaping is a battery-powered device that heats e-liquid into an inhalable vapor, similar to how steam is formed. Although e-cigarettes have been around for over a decade, vaping rates have skyrocketed in the last few years and it’s mostly due to the adolescent population. E-cigarettes are the most widely used tobacco product among teens. Research shows that approximately 2 million teens have used e-cigarettes in 2017 and the numbers are growing. Why is this? Youth and young adults are increasingly widely exposed to e-cigarette marketing. Furthermore, packaging has changed making them more ‘kid-friendly’ causing the use of them to reach epidemic proportions. There’s been a widespread report of use by students in schools, including classrooms and bathrooms. In the past couple of months the FDA has stated that they will start cracking down on the illegal sales to minors; however, teens can get the products just as easily with online shopping. The wide-spread use is causing growing concerns as e-cigarettes are extremely unsafe for kids, teens and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine – the addictive substance that’s found regularly in cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. Nicotine exposure in adolescents is especially concerning as it has potentially harmful effects on the developing brain. Specifically, nicotine can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control. Research has found that this can also lead to a higher rate of drug and alcohol dependency. Vaping can also cause lung disease and damage the immune system because there are often times cancer-causing chemicals as well as nickel, tin and lead found in e-cigarettes. Research is pointing in the direction of this trend continuing due to the susceptibility and plasticity of the developing brains. Furthermore, a factor to consider is the social influence young peers have on one another; peer pressure. To help combat this issue parents, teachers or others can take part in educating teens on the health risks of vaping. You can download the talk with your teen about e-cigarettes guide here. Parents or other loved ones can also set a good example by being tobacco-free themselves. Parents can set up an appointment with a health care provider to explain the health risks of tobacco products to their teens. Speak with your child’s school about enforcement of tobacco-free school grounds and prevention curriculum. What’s important to remember is, it is much more effective to educate teens on prevention rather than treatment later on. To learn more about the facts and tips for quitting tobacco products click here. Author: Amy Freeman – Footprints to Recovery – Clinical Case Manager
