Addiction
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- What is Addiction
One is never fully “recovered” from addiction. Yes, your body will be free of alcohol or drugs but the ongoing treatment is mental and spiritual. Having to go through life on life’s terms without covering up one’s emotions and feelings with drugs or alcohol is an everyday ongoing battle that becomes easier with time. After going through detox and treatment and stepping back into your everyday life we need to remember that one is not cured. Continuing therapy, group meetings, group sessions, alumni meetings/events, healthy routines/activities are all crucial when it comes to maintaining long-term sobriety. Over time of continuous growth and work the cravings will be withered and life starts to get easier with less temptations
There are behavioral and physical signs when it comes to addiction. The behavioral signs are first to come, addiction doesn’t discriminate. Behavioral signs such as obsessive thoughts and actions, disregard of harms caused, loss of control and denial of addiction or drug use are portrayed when one is in active addiction. The physicality of addiction is more easy to notice in one but this is usually when it’s been going on for months or even years. Enlarged or small pupils, weight loss or gain, bloodshot eyes, unusual body odors, poor physical coordination, looking unkempt or slurred speech are just some of the signs when it comes to addiction.
Preventing a relapse all starts in detox and treatment. Beacon offers sessions learning one’s triggers and how to cope with them so you will never have to “pick up”. Eventually you are going to have a temptation or something trigger you to use, it is bound to happen so we prepare you for the fight. Triggers happen when one is angry, stressed, bored, has relationship issues, financial problems, certain sights/smells, certain people/places and falling back into old habits.
- Self Care
- HALTing (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)
- Mindfulness Meditation
- KNOWING your triggers
- Support Groups
- Sponsor
- Deep Breathing
- Grounding Techniques
- Contact List (immediately call someone)
“Play the tape through”
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive substance use or engagement in behaviors despite harmful consequences. It is often caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors and can have physical, mental, and social effects.
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol, a legal depressant, is consumed as a liquid drug. It dominates the lives of those addicted, driving an insatiable urge to drink. The consequences? Neglected responsibilities and an impaired ability to contribute to society. When dependence takes hold, they become an “alcoholic” – an individual with various street names like alky, wino, or boozer.
Why do people fall into alcohol’s grip? Some seek relaxation, while others find it as “liquid courage” that boosts their confidence in social settings. Escape, celebration, and fun are also common motivations.
Once addiction tightens its grip, control is lost, leading to physical and emotional dependence. Its devastating effects can result in blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired coordination, tremors, vomiting, mood swings, blackouts, memory loss, delirium, and paranoia. Excessive consumption may even cause alcohol poisoning or death, along with other long-term health issues. Withdrawal from alcohol is far from easy, with risks that demand medical detox and specialized addiction treatment from reputable rehab centers.
Ambien Addiction
Ambien, a depressant medication, serves as a prescription pill to aid individuals facing sleep difficulties. While primarily addressing insomnia, its use is typically limited to short-term duration due to the risk of dependency. Shockingly, addicts can form a reliance on this drug in as little as two weeks, often unbeknownst to themselves until they attempt to discontinue its usage, only to realize their inability to sleep without it.
Infamous for its memory-wiping properties, Ambien has garnered the dubious moniker of “a roofie replacement.” Immediate side effects encompass a wide array, including elevated heart rate, queasiness, vomiting, diminished breathing rates, memory lapses, lack of focus, disorientation, as well as feelings of anxiety, depression, dizziness, and confusion. Moreover, the drug is also coveted for its ability to induce hallucinations or “trips” when misused.
Identifying signs and symptoms of Ambien addiction includes engaging in perilous situations without subsequent recollection. Habits of refilling prescriptions excessively or prematurely, exceeding prescribed dosages, and experiencing cravings for Ambien indicate escalating dependency. Typically, addicts isolate themselves from loved ones and resort to self-destructive behaviors in pursuit of more of the substance.
Barbiturates Addiction
Barbiturates, known as depressants, work by swallowing a pill or injecting a liquid. They induce a decelerated state, commonly leading to a sense of relaxation. Barbiturates are typically prescribed for managing seizures, epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia. Among these medications, Phenobarbital stands out as a well-known barbiturate still widely used today. Interestingly, it is occasionally employed in the treatment of recovering addicts and alcoholics as a detox drug.
While the utilization of barbiturates may yield potential benefits, it is important to consider their common side effects, which encompass dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, aggression, confusion, slurred speech, slowed thinking, and even hallucinations. Some individuals misuse this medication recreationally to diminish inhibitions, allowing them to engage in liberated behavior without dwelling on consequences. In certain cases, these drugs may be sought after to counteract the effects of stimulants or to “come down,” resulting in profound exhaustion.
Street names for barbiturates include but are not limited to barbs, pennies, reds, or yellow jackets.
Benzo Addiction
Benzodiazepines, known as “benzos” in medical circles, encompass a group of prescription medications widely utilized to address anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, muscle spasms or tension, and insomnia. These pills, whether ingested orally or crushed for insufflation, offer sought-after calming effects. Prominent benzodiazepines in this class include Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin.
On the streets, these medications go by various aliases such as Zanies, bars, school buses, footballs, tranks, downers, chill pills, nerve pills, or k-pins. Not only do benzos work to counteract the stimulating effects of other drugs, but some addicts even refer to their combination with opioids as “speed-balling” or “prescription speed-balling,” which can lead to severe overdoses or even fatalities. It is crucial to exercise caution and always seek guidance from a healthcare professional when mixing different substances.
Signs of benzodiazepine abuse may include slurred speech, confusion, drowsiness, or dizziness, observable to bystanders. The withdrawal symptoms associated with benzos can be perilous and life-threatening. If you or someone you know is battling addiction, seeking medical detox through a reputable rehab center is the safest pathway to overcome this daunting challenge, followed by comprehensive addiction treatment.
Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine, an illicit stimulant, exerts a profound influence on the human body. Affording an energy boost and heightened alertness, stimulant enthusiasts often use the term “uppers” to designate these substances. Available in various manifestations, it typically appears as a sniffable or injectable white powder. Forging an alternate path, some individuals prefer smoking crack-cocaine, a rock-like derivative, to achieve its intoxicating effects. Eager captors are warned; cocaine proves to be outrageously addictive.
Once ingested, a euphoric rush permeates the person’s being, accompanied by intense feelings of pleasure and gratification. Notably, users’ appetite wanes and fatigue eludes them, fostering an erroneous belief that rest and slumber are superfluous. Innovation-seekers attest to the drug’s capacity for accelerated cognition and unparalleled efficiency. Externally, these individuals are restless souls unable to find solace in sitting or standing still, as their connection to reality falters, rendering them nonsensical to the uninitiated observer.
Paranoia, panic, mood swings, mania, depression, and impaired judgment are among the common side effects of cocaine consumption. Add to that the tremendous irritability and aberrant behavior exhibited by addicts, and the challenges surrounding this vice become evident. Yet, the issues don’t halt there. Physical distress can range from headaches and chest pains to the life-threatening duo of heart attacks and strokes. Ascribed with an array of street names – girl, base, blow, snow, powder, crack, white lady or female, nose candy, white dragon, among others – this dangerous concoction continues to ravage lives.
Heroin Addiction
Heroin, an illicit depressant, comes in various forms such as white or brown powder or a dark tar-like substance. It is typically administered via injection, smoking, or snorting. Upon consumption, users experience a slowing down of their surroundings and sensations of heaviness in their limbs, accompanied by a warm surge throughout their bodies. A drowsy state, often referred to as “nodding out,” becomes prevalent, with the user appearing alternately awake and asleep. Picture them sitting or even standing with their head hanging downwards or in a nod position.
Furthermore, heroin users may undergo itching that seems never-ending, along with immediate side effects like nausea, vomiting, slowed heart rate, blurred vision, slurred speech, or extreme fatigue. Notably, track marks – spots, sores, and scars left behind at injection sites – serve as a telltale sign of heroin use. Injecting the drug is commonly referred to as shooting or banging, with these track marks often dark and permanent. Boy, H, smack, horse, china white, hero, black tar – these are just a few colloquial names for this dangerous substance.
Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine, known scientifically as Methamphetamine, serves as a potent stimulant. When administered in minimal doses, medical professionals sometimes prescribe it to treat A.D.H.D. This medication aids in enhancing focus and task completion for patients. However, outside the realm of regulated healthcare, individuals turn to this drug primarily for its exhilarating effects. Methamphetamine induces a profound sense of euphoria and heightened energy levels, serving as a magnet for illicit users seeking a swift, euphoric rush.
Displayed in various forms, Methamphetamine predominantly presents as a bitter, odorless white powder or nearly transparent crystallized substance. Additionally, compressed powder pills provide another common means of ingestion. Consumed through different methods — such as snorting, smoking, injection, or insertion — the drug’s impact on the brain varies. Depending on the route of administration, users may experience an intense rush as quickly as 2-10 minutes or as late as 2-3 hours after swallowing.
While Methamphetamine yields short-lived gratification, it accompanies a set of prevalent side effects. Users often display signs of restlessness, agitation, and an inability to stay still. They may exhibit rapid speech or excessive talking. The drug imparts a surge of euphoria and escalates the user’s energy levels. Remarkably, some addicts even experience temporary invincibility. Methamphetamine abuse through smoking can inflict sores or “meth-mouth,” leading to oral sores and damaged teeth. Observable marks or “pick spots” commonly appear on the face and arms of individuals dependent on this drug, and occasionally, such marks cover their entire bodies. Grey or dull complexion and rapid weight loss are also notable effects of meth addiction, driven by a substantially diminished appetite. Additionally, severe dehydration and general neglect of self-care are common consequences.
Prolonged periods of sleep deprivation are typical among Methamphetamine addicts, resulting in heightened paranoia. In severe cases, hallucinations may ensue, causing users to perceive sights and sounds that do not truly exist. Their actions and words may become erratic and illogical, blurring the lines of reality and triggering confusion, anxiety, and, in extreme cases, manic episodes. Street names associated with this drug include crank, ice, ice-cream, speed, go, go-fast, tina, no-doze, and crystal.
By delving into the captivating facets of Methamphetamine, it becomes evident how this drug ensnares users in its perilous grip.
Opioids Addiction
Opioids, a class of drugs that bind to and activate receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems, can be found naturally in the opium poppy plant. From this source, both prescription and illicit drugs are derived. Some opioids are also produced synthetically in laboratories. While prescription opioids are intended for pain management under medical supervision, it’s important to recognize that all opioids have the potential for abuse.
When opioids bind to the body’s opioid receptors, they effectively block pain signals from reaching the brain. The release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, reinforces the behavior that triggered its release. This cycle of reward and reinforcement may lead individuals to seek the drug repeatedly, ultimately resulting in addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to only use opioids as prescribed by a medical professional.
Commonly abused opioids include hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, and even heroin. It’s vital to raise awareness about the risks associated with these substances and promote responsible usage to ensure public health and wellbeing.
Inhalant Addiction
A variety of drugs fall under the class of inhalants, specifically because their sole method of administration is through inhalation. Popular among teenagers due to easy accessibility, inhalant addiction, although less prevalent compared to other drugs, remains a genuine risk due to their addictive properties. Commonly known inhalants include gasoline, spray paints, permanent markers, glues, and cleaning fluids. Another widely used inhalant is computer duster. The effects of these drugs are typically short-lived, lasting only a few moments, during which users may experience various sensations based on the type and quantity consumed. Common side effects include lightheadedness, hot flashes, dizziness, and altered perception. The short duration of the high often leads users to repeat inhalation, which can be extremely perilous.
Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl, a potent opioid and depressant, serves as a potent tool in medical practice. It can be prescribed by doctors for severe pain management, delivered as a skin patch or pill form. Unfortunately, the illicit market has tarnished its reputation, with fentanyl being unlawfully sold as a white or off-white powder. This versatile substance is often smoked, snorted, injected, or creatively distributed on blotter paper, eye droppers, and nasal sprays. Alarming reports have surfaced of its deadly combination with heroin, resulting in an even stronger punch for users seeking an intense high. A small dose of fentanyl can swiftly induce euphoria, making it a cost-effective choice for those caught in addiction’s grip. Like other opioids, it induces relaxation, bradycardia, and a profound sense of well-being. However, users must be aware of the potentially perilous side effects: respiratory depression, nodding off, pain relief, excessive drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, confusion, and more. Street slang for fentanyl includes fetty, apache, china girl, or china white – terms that highlight the alarming presence of this substance in underground circles.
