Author: Adam Irving

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How to Help a Loved One with Cocaine?

Help a Loved One with Cocaine

When Drug Abuse Runs in The Family

It can be a hopeless feeling to have a loved one dealing with drug abuse. I’ve dealt with addiction firsthand, as well as within my own family. My own addiction nearly killed me, but Best Rehabs In Arizona gave me my life back. When I witnessed a family member dealing with a similar situation, I knew that I had the tools to help a loved one with cocaine. The primary hurdle was getting to the point where they could hear and accept my advice.

I struggled with cocaine addiction in my twenties but was able to get a handle on it and now I have been sober for ten years. My cocaine abuse never led me to a life of crime or homelessness, but I know plenty of people who went down that path. When I noticed the signs of addiction within my own family, I had to jump into action.

I’ve had several family members struggle with addiction. Alcoholism and mental illness run in my family, so I have had plenty of experience with that situation. A little bit of education and compassion goes a long way.

Keep reading to find out how to help a loved one with cocaine or other addictions, and how the story played out in our case!

Help a Loved One with Cocaine: Identifying Addiction

Because I had my own history of cocaine addiction, I learned what to look out for when it comes to cocaine use. I have several siblings, a couple of which have never drank or tried drugs. I knew that my oldest brother drank occasionally, so I was always afraid that he might fall into substance abuse of some kind or another. It wasn’t long ago that I began to notice the signs of potential cocaine addiction.

Cocaine users have a tendency to alternate between high highs and very low lows. I began to notice this trend with my older brother after he started going to college. There were times that I would see him where he would seem on top of the world. Full of energy, talking a mile a minute, and then other times when he would barely be able to hold a conversation without showing signs of irritation.

The red flags were pretty obvious for me having dealt with my own cocaine use in the past. Drug use is often hard to identify at first, as users can do a pretty good job of hiding it from the people they want to hide it from. After a while, the signs of drug abuse become too hard to control or hide. Being addicted to cocaine myself, I had learned how to pick up on the subtle clues left by cocaine users.

The Mental And Physical Effects Of Cocaine Abuse

The Mental And Physical Effects Of Cocaine Abuse

When you abuse cocaine, the warning signs will present themselves eventually. Because cocaine has such a great effect on your brain chemistry, a cocaine addict will often always present the signs. Cocaine makes your entire body speed up and it’s very difficult to control your impulses. Abusing cocaine can make you feel intense feelings of happiness and excitement, but once those effects wear off, you feel the exact opposite.

Common physical symptoms associated with cocaine addiction include restlessness, not getting enough sleep, dilated pupils, and increased heart rate. There are many more physical symptoms, but these were the ones that stood out to me the most when trying to identify my brother’s addiction. Common mental effects include depression, anxiety, mood swings, and risky behaviors.

Drug use of most types will lead you to engage in risky behaviors as a result of lower inhibitions. Cocaine addiction can easily lead to a life of crime as it did for me. When I didn’t have the money for cocaine, I would do whatever I needed to do to get out, including pawning my things or stealing from people to support my habit.

When A Cocaine Addiction Gets Out Of Control

It was increasingly obvious to me that my brother was dealing with a worsening cocaine addiction. When he dropped out of college and began living with my parents, he was unable to hide his addiction any longer. The signs were all there, and we all knew it. Despite his denials, I would find little bags of white powder and my parents would notice valuables missing. When finally confronted with all of this evidence, my brother freaked.

Cocaine use can cause you to say and do a lot of horrible things, even to family members. When we finally had an intervention with him, he stormed out and we didn’t see him for two weeks. We were terrified that we would get a call from the police that he was found dead. There’s a great unknown associated with drug addiction, and things can spiral out of control very easily.

Your brain is not your own. Prolonged cocaine use changes your mental makeup and just about turn you into an entirely different person. When your brain chemistry is altered so vastly, your mental health suffers a great deal. When we finally found my brother, he was living in a crack den and beginning to freebase cocaine. There wasn’t much we could do other than let him make his own choice.

Getting A Family Member Into Addiction Treatment

Getting A Family Member Into Addiction Treatment

 

It would be another year at least before my brother finally entertained the idea of addiction treatment. We waited around that whole time wondering if he would ever see the light, or if his cocaine addiction would lead to an early death. He continued his drug use until he was arrested for shoplifting and placed on probation. He couldn’t pass a drug test to save his life. With prison time hanging over him, he finally made the decision to seek therapy and look into drug rehab centers.

When he finally decided to give recovery a shot, he asked me to help him navigate it and be his support. It was a task I had waited my whole life for. I was more than ready to try and save him, but I made it clear that he needed to save himself. I could help guide him along the way, but ultimately his sobriety was his choice. I can’t take the straw or crack pipe from someone’s hand and tell them not to do it.

Knowing that Best Rehabs In Arizona was one of the best rehab centers around, I encouraged him to give it a try. I didn’t know if he was fully ready to get clean. Sometimes it takes people multiple tries. There are addicts that never get clean even after going to treatment over and over again. It’s an extremely difficult process to commit to, and I know from experience that the intense struggle to not go back to cocaine is brutal.

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms Of Cocaine?

Because of my past history of cocaine addiction, I was able to let my brother know what he was in for as far as the withdrawal is concerned. Cocaine withdrawal is unlike many other forms of drug withdrawal. It isn’t so much physical as it is mental. To treat cocaine addiction, you have to do a lot of mental gymnastics. The intense high from cocaine is a tough one to let go.

Withdrawal from cocaine includes a lot of agitation and restlessness. Fatigue, intense cravings, and depression are very common. I assured him that these uncomfortable feelings were nowhere near as bad as the discomfort associated with lifelong cocaine use. You can’t lose track of the possibilities that are in your future. Every addict has the ability to get clean and do great things with their life, even if it seems impossible to the addict.

My brother went through the same inpatient treatment that I did, and luckily for all of us, he navigated his withdrawal symptoms with as much grace as possible. In order to get effective treatment, you have to be prepared to deal with a lot of your demons when you come out on the other side of withdrawal. Once you’ve passed that initial hurdle, the real work can begin.

Treatment And Recovery Requires Lasting Support

Treatment And Recovery Requires Lasting Support

The first step to ensuring a long-term recovery is support. Although addiction requires a lot of individual effort in order to overcome, we all need a helping hand from time to time. Family support is very important, and my family has done a great job not just in supporting me in my recovery, but my brother as well in his newfound sobriety.

We attend support groups together and are open about the family struggles that we endure. It’s helpful to hear from others who are also navigating their own recovery. There’s something very powerful about being able to connect with others who are in similar situations as you. It isn’t just about your success in recovery. My approach to sobriety is to celebrate other people’s success just as much as my own.

Reaching Out for Effective Cocaine Addiction Treatment

I play the main role in my recovery, but there are a lot of supporting players as well. When I go to meetings and group therapy, I feel a sense of comfort that I could never find during my own addiction. It’s important to look out for each other.

Drug addiction is a massive thing to overcome in life, but with the right attitude and a positive mindset, there’s no reason it can’t work for you. When I talk about my recovery with others, I feel like I am paying it forward. I want others to know that no matter how bad it gets, there can be light at the end of the tunnel with effective help.

I know I found just such a source of support at Best Rehabs In Arizona. For me, it made all the difference, and I bet it can for you as well. Why not reach out today, and at least get options for a different tomorrow?

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How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Urine?

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Urine

The Duration of Cocaine in Drug Test Methods

Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. Possession of cocaine is a crime in the United States since it is a Schedule II controlled substance. A schedule II controlled substance can cause severe psychological or physical dependence and have a high potential for abuse. Medical uses of cocaine are limited and only permitted under tight guidelines from doctors.

Cocaine is an exceptionally potent stimulant drug with a high addiction potential. The National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA) reports that about 1.7% of Americans aged 12 or older used cocaine in 2021.

The intoxicating effects of cocaine effects wear off quickly. Therefore, users frequently re-dose or engage in bingeing to maintain the high. This destructive pattern usually leads individuals to develop a dependency on the drug. If you have been using cocaine and face a drug test, you may be wondering how long does cocaine stay in urine?

Keep reading to find out more about the timing to test positive for cocaine, and how to find cocaine addiction treatment if you would prefer to have fewer worries in the future!

The Effects of Cocaine Addiction

The method of use affects the time it takes for cocaine effects to kick in:

  • The effects of snorting cocaine might kick in within a few minutes and linger for up to half an hour.
  • The effects of smoking cocaine can be felt within 10 seconds and last 5 to 15 minutes.
  • Cocaine use by injection yields a more intense and immediate high at the expense of shorter duration compared to other administration routes. The time of the effects is 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
  • Cocaine ingestion has the same onset time as snorting the drug.

 

Most cocaine users snort the drug. This route of administration increases the rate at which the drug’s effects kick in. Users may experience a powerful and rapid high within minutes. Cocaine has a rapid onset but a short duration of about 20 to 30 minutes.

Cocaine’s immediate effects include:

  • Boosted energy
  • Reduced hunger
  • Lack of sleep
  • Anxiety and agitation
  • Taking unnecessary risks
  • Increased body temperature
  • Hypertension and rapid heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Stroke
  • Convulsions

 

After the effects of cocaine have worn off, the psychological damage it caused may still be evident. Cocaine abuse can have long-term consequences such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Psychosis
  • Insomnia
  • Emotional instability
  • Paranoia
  • Addiction

 

Cocaine use is associated with a potential “crash” the next day. The signs of a cocaine comedown might vary from person to person and depend on how much cocaine was consumed. However, excessive exhaustion, melancholy, and anxiety are the most often reported side effects.

Drinking alcohol with cocaine can also be fatal, as it produces a specific metabolite called cocaethylene that can be quite damaging to the liver and body.

After How Long Does Cocaine Stop Being Detectable During Drug Tests?

After How Long Does Cocaine Stop Being Detectable During Drug Tests

Cocaine rapidly stimulates the release of dopamine, a reward-related neurotransmitter, in the brain. Cocaine’s temporary high from dopamine releases triggers a positive feedback loop that promotes further usage and leads to dependence.

How long the effects of cocaine persist may change based on factors such as the user’s age, the health of their liver or kidneys, and the presence or absence of any contaminants substances. Because the kidneys and liver are responsible for flushing cocaine out of the system, problems with either organ can extend the drug’s effects.

The half-life of cocaine is approximately one hour. This means that the average human body needs about an hour for the body to eliminate half of the cocaine in the bloodstream.

It is essential to note that long-term use may cause longer elimination times, enabling some tests to detect cocaine in the system for extended periods.

Cocaine usually stays in the system for about 1 to 4 days in a urine drug test, but it is detectible for up to weeks or months in some individuals. Detection timeframes for cocaine vary widely depending on the type of test.

Average Cocaine Detection Times

Below are some of the most typical detection times:

  1. Urine Test: Up to 4 days
  2. Blood Test: Up to 2 days
  3. Saliva Test: Up to 2 days
  4. Hair Tests: Months to years

 

Cocaine or its metabolites can still be found in blood and saliva at least two days after the last dose, while it may be detectible in a hair sample months or even years after quitting.

Metabolites of cocaine are detectible in urine for about three days, but they can last for up to 2 weeks in repeated cocaine users.

While there are other options for testing, the most common form of testing is a urine toxicology test.

To avoid a positive cocaine test, users should weigh the risks of continuing to use cocaine against the benefits of abstaining. You may be suffering from a cocaine use problem if you feel that you are unable to quit the drug.

Factors that Can Affect How Long Cocaine Remains in Your System

Factors that Can Affect How Long Cocaine Remains in Your System

The length of time that drugs like cocaine stay in your system could be affected by the following factors:

  • Dosage
  • Use frequency
  • The last dose
  • pH of urine
  • Urine concentration
  • Kidney or liver damage
  • Total body mass

Common Tests for Cocaine Use

Some employers regularly use drug tests to detect cocaine use. Cocaine testing is usually a prerequisite for entry into several industries and professions.

Once a candidate has been offered and accepts a position, the employer may request a drug test before the candidate starts working. The job offer will be rescinded if the applicant doesn’t pass the test.

Failing to pass a drug test may signify that it’s time to seek treatment at a cocaine addiction treatment center. If you cannot pass a cocaine drug test, you should consider getting help for cocaine addiction.

Medical experts use different methods for detecting cocaine in samples. The tests are sensitive enough to pick up benzoylecgonine, a chemical marker for cocaine.

Urine Testing

Testing urine samples is the most affordable test for cocaine use. Urine drug tests are sensitive enough to detect recent cocaine use within the past week and chronic use longer than seven days. The cutoff concentration for a positive test result is 300 ng/ml. You may need to take another test to confirm after a positive test.

However, the cutoff for a positive test result is 150 ng/ml for subsequent samples. Some people have tested negative for cocaine after using minimal amounts of the drug. Many people drink a lot of water or try to swap urine samples with someone else before taking a drug test.

Saliva Testing

Companies often use saliva testing for drug detection. Saliva tests for cocaine are faster than urine tests and produce results faster.

Since these tests can detect whether or not someone has injected, smoked, or eaten an illicit substance within up to 72 hours before testing, professionals consider a saliva test is more reliable than others. One drawback of saliva testing is that it can only detect use during the past 72 hours.

Hair Drug Testing

Only a little snip of hair is needed from near the scalp area. Standard hair follicle screening usually covers about 90 days. But this time frame might vary greatly depending on hair growth.

You can still collect hair from other body parts if no hair is found on the head. Many people consider hair testing more reliable than urine testing for detecting chronic, low-level drug usage.

Drugs enter the hair through cocaine metabolites produced by the human body. Drugs and metabolites enter the hair follicles as they enter the body.

Blood Testing

Blood Testing

Blood tests are among the most invasive method of cocaine testing. It entails performing blood tests in a lab setting. Blood tests can detect trace quantities of cocaine up to 48 hours after usage.

Many users try to fool these tests, but they usually work. Cocaine abusers frequently struggle with addiction or drug abuse. Dismissal from employment is among the many unfavorable outcomes that might result from cocaine use.

Detoxing from Cocaine

Cocaine detox should be done in a medically supervised setting to ensure maximum safety and comfort throughout the process.

People who develop a dependency on cocaine often struggle with withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit using the drug. Cocaine dependency happens when someone takes cocaine regularly, to the point where they need it to carry on with daily life.

Most people get dependent on cocaine at different rates, and a person’s genetic makeup significantly affects how quickly dependence develops after one’s first experience with the drug.

Cocaine’s effects on the brain’s dopamine neurotransmission explain some of the events associated with both dependence and withdrawal. Cocaine usage has been linked to significant dopamine activity levels in brain regions associated with motivation and reward.

What are the Signs of Cocaine Withdrawal?

Below are some of the signs of acute cocaine withdrawal may display the following symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Unable to focus
  • There was a slowing of both mind and action
  • Fatigue
  • Disruptions to regular sleeping habits
  • Augmented hunger
  • Urge to use cocaine
  • Paranoia

The Dangers of Depression During Cocaine Detox

The Dangers of Depression During Cocaine Detox

Although most people do not have severe physical symptoms during stimulant withdrawal, those who are particularly sensitive to the drug are at risk for experiencing severely debilitating dysphoria.

Suicidal ideation or attempt, and relapse to cocaine use, have been linked to this profoundly dysphoric stage in certain patients.

Some persons have a more protracted or lengthy withdrawal course and have withdrawal symptoms for several weeks after stopping cocaine. However, many withdrawal symptoms diminish within a few days after quitting.

When withdrawal symptoms from a particular substance continue for far longer than expected after the person has stopped using, this is known as protracted withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms can vary significantly in intensity from one person to the next. A person’s age, general health, the quantity and frequency of their cocaine usage, and the length of their addiction all play a role in the severity of these symptoms. Additional elements to consider are how the drug was administered and whether or not other medications were mixed in.

Those experiencing withdrawal may be tempted to start using again to alleviate their distress.

How Long Does Withdrawal Last?

The severity and length of cocaine withdrawal may vary depending on the type of cocaine used. The average duration of acute cocaine withdrawal symptoms is three to four days. But some people may experience continued withdrawal symptoms for up to four weeks.

A higher likelihood of relapse is associated with more severe episodes of cocaine withdrawal. High scorers on a test measuring the intensity of cocaine withdrawal were found to be four times as likely to repeat drug usage as low scorers.

A person’s risk of relapse during and after withdrawal from cocaine can be reduced by receiving medical and social assistance as part of a medically managed withdrawal program.

Find Effective Cocaine Addiction Treatment at Best Rehabs In Arizona

If you or a loved one have a cocaine use disorder, the substance abuse professionals at Best Rehabs In Arizona can help you get your life back on track. We offer many detox and cocaine addiction treatment programs to match your requirements.

Contact us today for professional medical advice about cocaine detox and rehab services. All calls are strictly confidential, so please reach out now!

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Meth Sores

Meth Sores

The Effect of Crystal Meth on a Person’s Health

My drug abuse finally caught up with me after over a decade of meth use. I was nearly dead when I arrived at Best Rehabs In Arizona to begin my recovery process. Luckily in my case, I was able to beat my meth addiction and live a normal life again.

Recovery is possible for anyone who is willing to make it work. Read more to find out how to make it work for you or someone you love. The effects of substance abuse are crippling, particularly with a drug like meth.

I began using crystal meth when I was in my early twenties and used it regularly for 12 years. One of the most obvious signs of my abuse was my meth sores. Meth is a drug that creates a lot of mental and physical symptoms. The more you use meth, the easier it is to develop meth sores.

Keep reading to find out more about meth sores, meth mites, and how to get help if you or a loved one are struggling with meth now!

What Are Meth Mites?

What Are Meth Mites

Meth does a lot of damage to a person’s skin, and meth sores can take on a variety of appearances. Meth sores, meth mites, and meth mouth are all easy ways to tell if someone is dealing with a meth addiction. I’ve suffered from all of these conditions, so I am well aware of how to spot when a person’s body has been affected by meth abuse.

Meth use disorder damages your entire body, and the signs of meth use present themselves very clearly. Meth sores form for a variety of reasons, and can typically happen in people who use meth long-term. One common occurrence is meth mites. When you engage in meth use long enough, it can cause extreme paranoia and hallucinations.

You get a crawling sensation that feels like you have bugs running around under your skin. This can cause the user to pick at the skin in order to try and get rid of these imaginary bugs. For someone who hasn’t used meth, this sounds like a living nightmare and it absolutely is.

What Does Meth Do To Your Mind?

When I would smoke crystal meth, I would stay awake for days on end. when you suffer from sleep deprivation, you actually begin to dream while you are awake. Consistent meth use can cause users to stay awake for weeks at a time.

This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. The body needs sleep to stay regular. Sleep deprivation can lead to a weakened immune system, minor infections, and poor blood flow.

Usually, when you are in the middle of a meth addiction, you aren’t going to seek medical treatment for these issues. Consistent meth abuse will only make the skin-picking and meth mites continue.

Other Forms Of Meth Sores

Other Forms Of Meth Sores

Meth mites aren’t the only way that one can develop meth sores. If you smoke crystal meth, the heat from the pipe can cause burns around your mouth. These types of meth sores typically don’t heal very quickly, particularly for meth users who smoke it on a regular basis.

When I was abusing meth, my lips were in a constant state of being cracked and burned. I also suffered from meth mouth, which is a result of the damage done to your teeth and gums caused by long-term meth use. Cold sores were another common form of meth sore for me.

Meth and Your Skin

Unhealthy skin is a common trait among meth users as well. Meth users tend to sweat at a higher rate, and because meth is water-soluble, it comes out through your pores. This irritates the skin and can be another cause of meth sores. Since meth causes poor blood flow, it makes the blood vessels contract, which can lead to dry, scaly patches on the skin.

When you abuse meth, your personal hygiene suffers as well. On top of al the other things that can lead to meth sores, having poor hygiene makes it even worse. The only thing I was concerned about was getting high, so I would never treat meth sores. I had poor hygiene on a consistent basis. It’s impossible to lead a healthy and satisfying life when you engage in this kind of drug abuse.

Health Problems Associated With Methamphetamine

Beyond meth sores and skin infections, meth can do a lot of unseen damage to the body. If you have open sores on your body, which many meth users do, it can be easier to develop infections. Some people who use meth use it intravenously, which can be another cause of meth sores. Sharing needles also increases the likelihood of contracting infections such as HIV.

I lost a lot of my teeth as a result of my meth mouth, and after several very painful surgeries, I was able to save some of them. Most of my teeth are fake now. Mouth sores and damaged gums can lead to oral infections. Such infections can be very damaging and lead to a multitude of other oral issues, and these infections can spread to other parts of the body.

For some, the withdrawal symptoms from meth can be very scary. In order for your body to heal and begin to go back to normal, you have to deal with these symptoms and do your best to push through the discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms from meth include chills, intense cravings, depression, anxiety, and fatigue to name a few.

Getting Treatment For Meth Addiction

Getting Treatment For Meth Addiction

After over a decade of dealing with paranoia, hallucinations, meth bugs, and constant meth sores, I finally reached a point where I needed to try and get help. I wanted to live a healthy lifestyle, but I had no idea what that looked like. People who use meth long enough start to lose their grip on reality. You can’t imagine not using the drug. The concept of sobriety is totally foreign.

Going through my initial meth detox was the most uncomfortable feeling I can remember. Even with all of the physical issues I had during my methamphetamine abuse, the detox felt worse. After several days going through detox, I was finally able to come out on the other end of my meth withdrawal. Because meth is such a highly addictive drug, your mental health takes a big hit as a result of your addiction.

When someone stops abusing meth, it takes the brain a long time to recover. You are wired to need the drug at all times, and you have to retrain your mind in a variety of different ways. Even though I have been clean for a few years, I still seek professional treatment and put a high priority on my mental health.

Recovering From Meth Abuse Through Support Groups

Your meth sores will eventually heal, but there is long-term healing to be done in order to completely overcome methamphetamine use. The best way to approach recovery is to go all in. Being addicted to meth not only hurts you, but it can tear your family apart as well. When a loved one would address their concerns regarding my methamphetamine use, I wouldn’t listen. I did a lot of damage to the people I love because of my addiction.

I have learned to forgive myself for the way that I became, but it took a lot of behavioral therapy and constant self-awareness. I know the health risks and what stimulant abuse can lead to. Even though I am aware of the dangers, I am still not above relapsing.

The Importance of Sober Support and Social Connections

The Importance of Sober Support and Social Connections

The support group I am a part of gives me a lot of comfort and hope. I’ve met a lot of wonderful individuals through recovery, and I try to help them stay clean the same way they do it for me.

The risk of relapse is always there, but it’s not something that I allow to control me. My overall health is much better these days, and I will do whatever I have to do to not face the meth sores and the open wounds. My sobriety is the most important thing in my life, and I will do whatever I need to do to protect it. That’s what it takes.

Finding Your Path to Recovery from Meth

For anyone who is struggling to overcome meth, issues with meth sores may actually help you decide to get treatment. I know for me it became important to be able to look in the mirror and recognize myself once again. Best Rehabs In Arizona played a huge role in making this happen.

If you or a loved one also needs a change from a meth-fueled lifestyle, consider giving a call to Best Rehabs In Arizona for a confidential chat. I know it was one of the best calls I ever made, and it can be for you as well!

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How to Help an Alcoholic

How to Help an Alcoholic

Helping Someone with a Drinking Problem

Alcohol and drug use not only create a lot of problems for the user but for the family members as well. I did a lot of damage to my family through my alcohol dependence, and it took a lot of healing and bridge-rebuilding in order to make up for it.

I never realized the pain I caused until I got clean. After I attended Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery for treatment, I learned how to love myself again and work on the issues that caused my addiction. When does alcohol abuse become a problem? Read more to find out how to pick up on the signs you should be looking out for.

Alcohol problems are a persistent issue in our society. Alcohol is a socially acceptable drug, so it is one of the easiest substances to get hooked on. Alcoholism can lead to serious life consequences and fractured relationships. It also takes a huge toll on your mental health. There is no way to understate how alcohol affects emotional and behavioral health.

Keep reading to learn more about how to help an alcoholic, from someone who struggled themselves and is able to speak from personal experience about the programs at Best Rehabs In Arizona.

Don’t Enable Their Behavior

If you have an alcoholic in your family, it is easy to enable their behavior. We don’t want to push people away, so often we will try and overlook certain issues. It’s important to try and offer emotional support, but you have to set healthy boundaries about alcohol for yourself. It’s hard to watch a loved one suffer, but you have a choice in taking on that suffering. You are only in control of your own life, and you can’t fix another person’s pain.

An addicted person will often feel threatened or judged if you push them too hard. It’s a difficult issue to bring up for someone who is suffering from an alcohol problem. You can’t change a loved one’s life unless they are willing to accept that change. It’s very tricky to guide someone through the process of getting clean.

Unfortunately, not everyone who suffers from alcohol abuse will get clean. This is just a fact of life, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up. Drinking alcohol to excess can greatly affect the brain and decision-making. You have to keep this in mind when you are trying to console an addict. You never know what can set someone off and feel triggered.

Knowing the Signs of an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Knowing the Signs of an Alcohol Use Disorder

There is certain behavior that people with an alcohol addiction will exude. People’s drinking habits will eventually show that they have a problem. If someone you know often drinks to excess, and their behavior changes for the worse when they are drunk, this is the beginning of a potential issue.

Alcoholics will often lie about their drinking as well. When you’re suffering from alcohol addiction or any form of an alcohol use disorder, for that matter, you will often try to hide it at the beginning. You will eventually get really get at hiding it as well. Alcoholics will go to great lengths to hide their drinking. This dishonesty can weigh heavy on your mind.

I always felt bad about myself when I was abusing alcohol. I was constantly lying and making people think I didn’t have as big of a drinking problem as I did. My family members knew something was wrong, but I never let them get close enough to see just how bad I had gotten. Closing yourself off can create a lot more issues and make it even harder to reach out when you finally do want to get help.

Binge Drinking: The Beginning of More Problems

I began binge drinking in college, and eventually developed an alcohol use disorder that slowly got worse and worse. I would only drink at night at first, but it was every night. Then I slowly began drinking earlier and earlier. By the time I was in my late twenties, I was waking up with a beer in my hand. It felt like it happened quickly, but it didn’t. Before I knew it, I needed alcohol to get through every hour of each day.

My alcohol abuse came on slowly. This is very common with all types of substance abuse. You don’t start off as a full-blown addict. The amount gradually increases and before you know it, you need the drug just to get by. My drinking problem eventually started affecting my personal and professional life as well.

I lost more than one job because of my drinking. I worked in a restaurant at one point and got fired for stealing alcohol. Even though my boss was angry, he tried to help. He told me I had an alcohol use disorder and it would only get worse if I didn’t stop drinking. You never want to believe the obvious when you are in that position. I knew he was right, but I lied to myself and blamed others for my issues. An alcoholic will look at everyone else as the problem before themselves.

The Red Flags that Your Loved One Has a Drinking Problem

I had one family member who had overcome their alcohol abuse through rehab and support groups. They noticed that I was going down the same path, even though I believed I was doing a good job of hiding it. It was hard for me to hide my desire for alcohol. If I didn’t have booze, I was a different person. I was irritable. I didn’t want to deal with any of life’s obstacles,

The signs are always there, and they are easy to pick up on for people who have a history of alcohol dependence. My other family members didn’t see what alcohol was doing to me, but this one person who had experience with alcohol abuse saw it right away. They were careful not to push me away, but they were blunt and honest about how bleak my future would be if I didn’t seek treatment.

There is no manual for how to help an alcoholic, but we do have effective ways of preventing drug abuse and getting help. Even with prior experience being an alcoholic, you never know what the best approach is. Every addiction is unique. Because I had mental health issues, this made my addiction much more tricky. Alcohol misuse already affects your brain in a negative way, so if you have a mental health disorder, it can require a lot more work.

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Dealing with a loved one’s addiction is an emotional rollercoaster. You want to help them, but you often don’t know how. There are no magic words to get someone to quit drinking. Your loved one’s behaviors can be heartbreaking and extremely difficult to accept. A codependent relationship can make things even harder to work through.

You don’t want to enable your loved one’s addiction, but you can fall into it easily. It’s easy to start making excuses for a loved one’s alcoholism. You can begin to view them as a victim. The most important thing to come to grips with is it isn’t your fault. Alcohol abuse is a personal issue and it’s up to the alcoholic to seek treatment options.

Your loved one may get angry with you if you push them too hard to seek help. The most successful way to help them is to do some research. If you understand alcohol addiction, you will be better equipped to help someone get the help they need. If you have a family member who is addicted, you should learn a little bit about the dynamics of alcohol and drug abuse.

What Not To Say to an Alcoholic Loved One

Pushing someone too hard to seek professional treatment is the wrong approach. You can lightly nudge people, but you can’t be aggressive about it. If a friend or family member has an addiction, you need to respect their journey. People who want help will get help. You can’t force anyone to go into alcohol treatment.

Tough love is important, but it needs to be done cautiously. You have to take into consideration that an alcoholic’s mental health is usually a big factor in their suffering. Substance abuse comes from somewhere, and it is often the result of people trying to cover up past trauma or pain. The key is to engage in careful conversations.

My family always stressed to me that they weren’t trying to change me, but if I was ready to change myself, I could always seek addiction treatment no matter how bad my addiction was. I always appreciated that support and let them know that after I got sober. Encouraging a loved one to get help can be uncomfortable, but it can pay off big too.

Checking Insurance Coverage for an Alcohol Rehab

There are a lot of things to navigate when you decide to seek help. Figuring out your insurance and getting financial support is one of the worries that many people in recovery deal with. You go through many major life changes when you seek treatment, and it doesn’t have to all be so overwhelming.

There are a lot of ways to find financial assistance if you aren’t in a position to afford rehab. It’s much better to try and figure those things out than just deciding to not get help because you can’t figure it out financially. A lot of times legal trouble can get in the way too.

Finding effective treatment is possible as long as you are all in on getting clean. Stay calm and remain calm. You can get through this with a good head on your shoulders. The people at Best Rehabs In Arizona did a great job of helping relieve stress and get me through the process as comfortably as possible.

Supporting Your Loved One’s Recovery

Supporting Your Loved One's Recovery

When a loved one is seeking professional help, it’s important to be in their corner. Alcohol abuse usually requires intensive treatment and medical supervision during a detox. Alcohol detox is one of the most uncomfortable forms of detox. Alcoholism affects the body so greatly that alcohol detox can be deadly.

My alcohol withdrawal was brutal, and the symptoms nearly broke me. Luckily, I have a great family behind me who are extremely supportive and were my cheerleaders along the way. Even after the initial detox, my alcohol cravings were intense. Alcohol use disorder takes a big toll on your mind, so addiction treatment requires a lot of support.

I was greatly encouraged during my treatment, not just by my family, but by the medical professionals who helped me while I was recovering. All of the support I received was crucial in my recovery. With all the help I got, I was able to get back into a good place and use my platform to help others the way that I was helped.

What Happens in an Alcohol Rehab Center?

When you go to treatment, you have to expect the first few days to be uncomfortable. The detox is tough, but with the right people around you, you will be able to make it through to the next step of the process. Once you get through the detox, you’ve done a lot more than other people have.

The next part of the process revolves around getting your mental health back to where it needs to be. You have to start facing all of the problems that got you to where you have gotten. Substance abuse changes your brain and you need to pay a lot of attention to rebuilding a healthy, positive attitude.

A big part of recovery is speaking to others in recovery. Support groups make a world of difference on your journey. Even when you are out of treatment, finding the right support group is very important for your continuing recovery. You don’t get out of treatment completely healed. When you attend therapy and support groups, you up your chances of long-term recovery.

Avoid Bringing Alcohol into the Home

Developing coping mechanisms is crucial to your long-term recovery. During your initial sobriety period, you will need to avoid being around other people who are drinking. You should avoid bringing alcohol into your home and also let your loved ones know not to drink around you. This is the least they can do for you. If someone in your life doesn’t want to abide by this suggestion, then they are not willing to help you get clean.

It can be hard to end friendships or relationships that you had when you were drinking, but it’s just a part of life and the journey toward sobriety. You should only have relationships that benefit you. As hard as it can be to stop associating with friends who drink, it’s a lot harder to relapse and have to rebuild your sobriety.

Treating the Underlying Issue Before You Start Drinking Again

Treating the Underlying Issue Before You Start Drinking Again

One of the underlying issues that lead to relapse can be finding yourself in these social situations. You can be tempted to drink if you are around people who are drinking and having a good time. You have to remind yourself that you’re not the kind of person who can have a good time drinking.

I know that my drinking was causing problems for me. I know that I can’t drink and have fun. If I drink, it will lead me down a dark path. Drinking is not something that I can associate with. Now that I’ve been sober for a while, I can be around a little bit of drinking, but I have to keep myself and check and remove myself from the situation if I feel triggered.

Supporting a Loved One Into Treatment

Family therapy sessions can go a long way in helping loved ones through alcohol use disorders. Addiction recovery is a very personal thing that requires a lot of individual therapy, but family therapy can give you a better idea of how your drinking affects everyone else around you.

Peer support groups and individual therapy keep you on track. When I go to a group meeting, I listen to everything my peers have to say. I also try and be as honest as possible about my own issues. There are days when I don’t feel great, and I may be more likely to relapse. Going to meetings reminds me that I can stay clean if I put in the work.

Alcoholism is selfish. A lot of alcoholics don’t understand this until they get clean. Professional treatment goes a long way in helping you realize what your drinking does to everyone else around you. Recovery is an ongoing process, and a learning process as well. When you are in therapy, talk honestly. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.

The Right Destination for Help with Alcohol

If you or a loved one are struggling with an alcohol use disorder, consider looking at the treatment option. I know for me, Best Rehabs In Arizona in Colorado was where I was finally able to find my footing and get sober.

You or your loved one may want to reach out and get options as well, after all, it only takes a few minutes to get options for putting all the consequences of drinking in your rearview mirror for good. Give them a confidential call to find out more today, I know my life has changed since I did!

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Hiding Alcohol: What Does It Mean?

Hiding Alcohol

Why Does My Loved One Hide Alcohol?

Hiding alcohol is a very common sign of alcohol use disorder, also called alcohol addiction. If your loved one hides alcohol, you may find it around the house in the bottle it came in, in a water bottle, or in other drink containers.

When you discover that your loved one is hiding alcohol, it is often a scary time. Perhaps, you knew your loved one engaged in excessive drinking already, and discovering hidden alcohol around the house was the moment you could no longer ignore the problem. Alternatively, hidden alcohol could be one of the first signs of alcohol addiction you see.

Either way, your loved one deserves help and a judgment-free space to land. In this article, we’ll talk about alcohol use disorder and what to do if you discover that your loved one is drinking alcohol in private.

Keep reading to learn more about how to help a loved one with alcohol, and about the effective programs for recovery at Best Rehabs In Arizona in Colorado and Arizona!

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a mental illness, just like other substance use disorders. It could be that your loved one experiences alcohol addiction alone, or it could be that their alcohol consumption occurs alongside the use of other drugs.

While multiple risk factors increase the risk of an alcohol use disorder, the fact of the matter is that anyone can face alcohol addiction. Substance abuse has become increasingly prevalent throughout the years. The good news is that AUD is a treatable disorder.

Signs And Severity of an Alcohol Use Disorder

While hiding alcohol is one sign of a problem, understanding the other symptoms of alcohol addiction can help you identify it in yourself, family members, friends, or someone else you know, like a partner. Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild alcohol use disorder is marked by two to three of the signs below, whereas moderate alcohol use disorder is marked by three to five and severe alcohol use disorder is marked by six or more.

Signs of alcohol abuse include but aren’t limited to:

  • Drinking alcohol in large amounts or over a longer period than intended.
  • A persistent desire to stop drinking paired with unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control alcohol use.
  • Cravings or a strong desire to drink alcohol.
  • Spending a large portion of time on activities required to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of alcohol.
  • Continued alcohol use that results in failure to attend to obligations at work, school, or home.
  • Continuing to drink despite negative effects in the form of ongoing social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by alcohol consumption.
  • Giving up or reducing time spent on important social, occupational, or recreational activities due to alcohol use.
  • Recurrent alcohol use despite getting into physically hazardous situations due to drinking.
  • Continued drinking despite recurrent or persistent physical or mental health issues that are likely caused or worsened by alcohol.
  • Tolerance is marked by either a need for higher drinking levels (a larger quantity of drinks) to achieve desired effects or a markedly reduced level of intoxication from drinking the same amount of alcohol.
  • Withdrawals marked by either withdrawal syndrome or consuming alcohol or a closely related substance, like benzodiazepines, to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.

 

Regardless of severity level, getting professional help is crucial. Friends and family members are often an important part of a person’s support system, so the fact that you are reading this is already an excellent first step. Now, what are the treatment options?

Treatment Options For Alcohol Addiction

Residential Treatment For Alcohol Abuse

Everyone with a substance use disorder will have different treatment needs. Thankfully, there’s more than one treatment option for AUD. Treatment options for alcohol addiction include but aren’t limited to:

Residential treatment

Residential treatment involves staying at the treatment facility for the duration of care. In other words, individuals attending residential treatment will sleep and eat at the facility to which they are admitted.

You or your family member attending treatment will typically engage in various therapies (such as individual, group, and family therapy), creating a relapse prevention plan, and other helpful activities while in a residential treatment program.

Long-term rehab

It takes a lot of work and courage to manage addiction. Long-term rehab is ideal for those who require a longer duration of treatment than residential programs provide.

Residential treatment stays are usually around one to three months, whereas long-term rehab allows someone to stay in treatment for more than three months. While it depends on the person and their needs, some stay in long-term rehab for six months to a year.

Partial hospitalization programs

Partial hospitalization program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is more intensive than an outpatient program but less intensive than inpatient treatment. Like with outpatient programs, you do not sleep at the facility when you attend PHP. However, PHP usually requires a time commitment of around twenty hours per week.

Intensive outpatient programs

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) for mental health concerns like substance use disorders is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than sleep and eat at a treatment facility, intensive outpatient allows someone to live at home or otherwise outside of a facility while in care. IOP requires a time commitment of between nine to nineteen hours per week.

Medical detox

Withdrawals are uncomfortable. Medical detox is a safe space to go through the initial withdrawal and detoxification process while supervised by medical professionals. Some people, though not all, attend medical detox prior to treatment.

The Myth Of The “High-Functioning Alcoholic”

High-Functioning Alcoholic

You may or may not have heard the term “high-functioning alcoholic.” Usually, the term high-functioning alcoholic is used to describe a person who continues to engage in society through maintaining a job or their family life despite heavy drinking or an otherwise notable drinking problem. This may represent your loved one who attempts to hide alcohol.

Loved ones hiding drinking problems sometimes feel that they “have it under control” and may initially resist treatment. That said, a drinking problem is always serious enough to get help. Take a deep breath and know that your loved one can get to a better place.

Get Help For Yourself Or A Loved One

If your loved one is hiding alcohol or shows other signs of alcohol addiction, there is hope. Best Rehabs In Arizona is here to help. Best Rehabs In Arizona has many locations and levels of care in Arizona and Colorado. The levels of care we offer include residential, outpatient, partial hospitalization, detox, and long-term rehab.

Our hotline is available 24/7 for people with substance use disorders and their loved ones. When you contact Best Rehabs In Arizona, we will help you verify insurance coverage for treatment and find a placement at one of our facilities.

Call Best Rehabs In Arizona to speak with an addiction counselor today or fill out the Contact Us form on our website now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Hiding Alcohol

Why do people hide their alcohol?

If someone hides alcohol in their own home, it is usually because the person knows that they have a problem. A person may hide alcohol out of shame or so that others do not know how much alcohol they drink.

Where do people usually hide alcohol?

If you find alcohol hidden by a loved one once, you may wonder where else they’re hiding alcohol. Common spots to find hidden alcohol include dresser drawers, closets, or containers typically used for other drinks, such as water bottles.

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Moment of Clarity Meaning

Moment of Clarity Meaning

A Defining Moment in Overcoming Drinking and Drugs

Having a moment of clarity during an addiction is a life defining moment. It’s hard to describe to anybody, even fellow addicts in recovery. My spiritual awakening began when I arrived at Best Rehabs In Arizona, and it felt like a true miracle. If you are ready to have your moment of clarity, keep reading to find out what it takes to reach that point.

Having this moment is intensely personal and hard to forget. I truly believe this moment is possible for every person who has dealt with an addiction. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. When I began to meet people in recovery, many of them pointed to this moment as also being the best thing to ever happen to them.

What does it take to make this moment of clarity happen? To put it bluntly, it takes a lot of soul searching and self reflection. When you realize you want to change, you realize that it’s going to be a fight. If you are prepared for that fight and everything that comes with it, it will all make sense.

Keep reading to find out more about my moment of clarity meaning, and how it helped me find lasting recovery with Best Rehabs In Arizonas!

Your Spiritual Awakening Is Right Around The Corner

My drug addiction began when I was in college and quickly led me to a life of crime, uncertainty, and selfishness. I pushed loved ones away, friends, and anybody who tried to steer me in the right direction. I didn’t want to talk about it, I just wanted to continue getting high and never answering for my misdeeds.

The only thing that made sense was getting high. Everything else seemed like a hurdle. Basic every day tasks seemed challenging and unrealistic. I gave up on living my life and pushing myself in any way. It’s hard to look back at my life then and make sense of it. I had gotten to a point where nothing mattered but the drugs.

Feeling this way all the time takes a huge toll on your mental health. Drugs change your behavior and turn you against everyone who doesn’t enable you. My relationship to drugs and alcohol felt like it would be life lasting. I had no hope and the idea of living my life to the fullest didn’t matter. Some people truly need to hit rock bottom to get better. That’s what happened to me.

Having An Epiphany During Addiction

Woke up in jail - Epiphany During Addiction

It’s hard to pinpoint how, when, and why the moment of clarity occurs. For me personally, it was when I woke up in jail with no idea how I got there. I had been drinking heavily, and apparently assaulted a police officer. Sitting in that jail cell and looking at the dried blood on my hands made me feel like such a failure.

It was in that moment that the epiphany happened. I realized I was slowly killing myself. I was hurting my body, my mind, and my soul. It finally occurred to me the reality of my situation. I was completely enslaved to my addiction. My brain was not my own. For once in my addiction, I was finally aware of what I had become.

This feeling was overpowering. I sat there and cried for a long time, but something was different. I didn’t feel hopeless. For the first time, I questioned myself. I discovered the truth of my situation. I thought about seeking help, the first time I had ever had that thought. I embraced the idea of getting better. How great leaving my addiction behind would feel. It could be a great story.

Making The Moment Of Clarity Happen

It’s uncomfortable to question yourself and realize your life is unfulfilling. It’s a hard lesson to learn. I decided in that moment, sitting in that cell, my life was worth living. I was ready to try new things I had never tried. I was ready to confront my behavior and talk myself through the struggle.

When I got out of jail, I called a family member and asked if they would take me to recovery. They were stunned. I had never tried recovery. I never wanted to. It was another incredible moment in my step toward getting better. For the first time in a long time, I felt human. I felt all the feelings rush over me. It was time for me to embrace the idea of giving up my drinking and drug use.

When I went into detox, I was proud of myself for taking that first step. It was very uncomfortable, but as they say in recovery, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. At Best Rehabs In Arizona, I gained new insights into myself and my personality. I learned about how my past trauma had led me down this dark path. I began to seek the light.

When The Moment Passes, The Fight Begins

Moment of Clarity during group therapy

A moment of clarity doesn’t last forever. Once you begin your recovery journey, your not going to feel one hundred percent great the whole time. There will be times of doubt. But the insight I gained through this process taught me to embrace these feelings of doubt just as much as the hopeful feelings. I had my epiphany, now it was time for me to do the work and understand that it wasn’t going to be easy.

Every step of recovery is a challenge. Addiction is all consuming. Being under the influence feels safe and comforting when your in the thick of it. You don’t see how terrible it is until you take a step back and look at it with a different mindset. It’s frightening how much you can lull yourself into continuing your habit. You feel like you have no control.

When I began to recover from my addiction, group therapy helped a lot. Meeting other supportive people going through such a complicated process such as recovery pushed me to confront my fears and my anxiety. I knew that I could potentially relapse, but I accepted this possibility and didn’t let the fear control me.

Living Your Best Life In Recovery

Clarity teaches you a lot about yourself. We all have moments where we question ourselves and our path. This is especially true when you become sober. When you are newly sober, you are feeling all sorts of feelings that you were avoiding before. Gaining insight into yourself allows you to not only help yourself, but help others too.

When you accept that you are an addict, it’s easy to welcome in new ideas. You may not have all the answers, but you have a good blueprint to work from. Understanding this part of the process gives you strength. Being in a group setting with other former addicts gives you a sense of familiarity and kinship. When I hear others talk about their struggle, it makes me want to keep moving forward in my own battle.

I lead by example these days, and I tell my story to whoever is open to hearing it. My objective is to help others while also helping myself. I can’t ignore the fact that I need supportive people around me. I spend a lot of my time now talking to others in recovery and learning about their experience. It’s important to talk about your experience, whether it’s with a friend, loved one, or a fellow recovering addict.

Expect The Unexpected

Seek help during recovery

In sobriety, you have to keep in mind that your addiction isn’t too far in the distance. The essence of sobriety is embracing tough moments. We all have them. Being sober doesn’t mean your going to be in a great mood all the time. Recovery can prepare you for this, but when your alone with your thoughts, it can still be hard to hang on. Painful moments may come, but they can be balanced with moments of joy.

When you seek help, it works if you are ready to make it work. There’s no better feeling than putting a priority on your mental and physical health. The answer to getting clean and staying clean is to constantly work on yourself. You don’t get sober and then not have to do anything else. You must accept that it’s an ongoing process.

When you get to a point where you decide to be the best person you can be, you’ll notice that your behavior will start to change. When you put in the work, you will notice it very quickly. When I think of where I came from, it’s hard to imagine that I was ever comfortable living that lifestyle. It doesn’t help that the stigma attached to addiction makes a lot of people not seek help.

Epiphanies Aren’t The Same For Everyone.

The way you experience your moment of clarity is very personal to you. The decision to get clean looks different for everyone. As different as it may be from person to person, there are similarities. Acknowledging your addictive behavior and how it affects the people around you is a universal truth. Taking a look in the mirror is a big part of it.

My loved ones see the progress that I have made, and they make sure to tell me what a great job I’ve done. I don’t let this go to my head either. I know that I’ve enriched my life and the lives of those around me, but I try to remain humble. Moments of weakness still occur, but I don’t let myself be a prisoner of those moments. I feel them and I let them go.

Giving Yourself a Chance at Clarity

When you put your heart and soul into anything, you will often see the benefits come back to you. Making changes in your life is hard, but having a plan in place guides you in the right direction. I enjoy every day and every moment that I am clean, even if I’m not in the greatest mood. The months and years that you stay clean add up. Being sober can not just feel good, it can be the greatest feeling you’ve ever had.

If you’re struggling, or seeking that moment of clarity, why not give yourself a chance a sobriety and the support to sort things out with Best Rehabs In Arizona. Give them a call, I know I’m glad I did!

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Meth Eyes

What is Meth Eyes

The Startling Effects of Meth Abuse

When I arrived at Best Rehabs In Arizonas, my meth addiction was terrible. Substance abuse runs in my family, and my meth use was another unfortunate example of that. Methamphetamine abuse is one of the most difficult addictions to contend with, and for someone in my situation, it was only a matter of time before my body gave out.

Every day that I was feeding my meth addiction, I felt that my heart was going to explode. I felt like every person I walked past was saying something negatively about me, judging me. I was probably wrong in most of these instances, but with my physical appearance being what it was, I’m certain that I scared people with my presence.

The common signs of meth abuse are some of the most obvious of any drug addiction, and I had them all. Meth mouth, skin sores, dilated pupils, red eyes, you name it. My meth eyes were what I think scared people the most. When I looked people in the eyes, I could feel their stomachs turn.

Keep reading if you are struggling with meth, to find out about getting past the damage done and into healing with the help of Best Rehabs In Arizona!

Seeing The World Through Meth Eyes

There are plenty of negative health effects from methamphetamine drug use, but the meth eyes are the most startling. I viewed the world through blurred vision, bloodshot eyes, and psychosis. My eye movements were rapid and startling. I felt like a squirrel trying not to get run over by a car.

The eyes are one of the most precious tools in our bodies. We use them not only to see but to communicate. There is a connection there when you look at someone in the eyes. When you stare into a pair of meth eyes, you are immediately filled with a sense that something is wrong.

The ocular effects in meth users can be easy to spot even if you have limited knowledge of meth addiction. The rapid eye movement, the pale skin, the sores, all of these make for a morbid physical appearance. My vision impairment was off the charts when I was using meth heavily. The rapid eye movement made me feel like I could never have one peaceful moment.

Your Meth Addiction Only Has You Fooled

Meth Addiction

Despite how obvious my condition was, I still felt like I was fooling everyone. That’s one of the biggest tricks that drug addiction plays on addicts. You think you can fool everyone. At first, you can, but the cracks begin to appear quickly and there isn’t much you can do to hide it after a while.

As I looked at the world through meth eyes and blurred vision, I looked for everyone and everything to blame but myself. It’s because of all the other external forces in my life that got me to this point. It’s hard to accept blame, even harder if you’ve been in the thick of methamphetamine addiction.

This is a common symptom of drug addiction. This is all across the drug spectrum. Whether you have an issue with prescription drugs, alcohol, or an illicit drug like meth. Drug abuse is related all across the board.

The Power Of Methamphetamine Drug Use

I never imagined I would end up in the situation that I did. As I mentioned above, drug addiction is something that has always existed in my family. I saw a lot of family members abuse alcohol and drugs.

It freaked me out when I was young, and I promised myself and the few sober family members that I had that that would not be me. Drugs would not enter my life at all. When you’re on the outside looking in, it can be easy to say that you won’t do the same.

Just saying it doesn’t make it possible. Even as you go through addiction treatment, the drug can still talk through you. The adverse effects that methamphetamine use has on your mind can be even more glaring once you stop using the drug.

Beyond the eye damage and the other side effects, the mental effects are extremely difficult to navigate. Meth use takes over your mind to a point that is terrifying. I look back on some of my decision-making and can’t believe that I was capable of some of the things that I did.

The All Consuming Effects Of Meth

The effects of meth can turn you into a person you won’t recognize. I put myself in a lot of life-threatening situations. I associated with some very questionable individuals and pushed away all of the positive people in my life. When my meth use was at its peak, I was sleeping on the streets and committing petty crimes to feed my habit. ‘

I never conceived that my meth use would have me sneaking into businesses and stealing merchandise. As I gave myself over more and more to the methamphetamine drug, I rationalized every horrible decision that I made. I made myself not care about the people that I was affecting.

The long-term effects of meth have followed me even well into my sobriety. I still get the urge to use it, and I still see myself falling back into my old crowd. I feel guilty sometimes that I got out of it while so many others didn’t. This is a common sign in recovery. It’s a form of survivor’s guilt that I continue to struggle with, but through treatment, I’ve learned to accept it and manage it.

The Lies Of Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse

When I entered my teen years, I engaged in alcohol abuse, which slowly progressed into cocaine addiction. I realized that uppers were my thing. It wasn’t long after I first got into cocaine that I began using crystal meth. This is before I graduated high school. My father was sober at this point and pressured me into addiction treatment.

I couldn’t really say no, because I was still living under his roof. I did it because I was forced into it, which typically never works out. To get over substance abuse, you have to want it for yourself. Meth use isn’t going to fix itself.

I remember my father once asking me about my rapid eye movements, and why I couldn’t sit still without obsessively shifting around. I felt attacked, and would usually blow up at him ending the conversation.

I didn’t want it. I wanted the drug. My methamphetamine addiction was in its infancy. Of all the illicit drugs that I and my peers were into, crystal methamphetamine was to me the greatest substance in the world. Something I needed to get through my day. When I didn’t have it, it was a living hell. No one tries to be a crystal meth addict.

Methamphetamine Myths

Substance use disorder makes you believe all of the lies that the drug is telling you. It doesn’t matter what drug you are addicted to. Each of them has different effects and different ways that they change the brain, but overall, substance abuse in general changes your brain for the worse. Every time someone tried to help me or talk sense into me, I felt attacked and offended.

I made up excuses. I lied. I projected and tried to turn it back on them. There was no talking any sense into me. Even as my symptoms presented themselves in such an obvious fashion, I still couldn’t admit I had a problem.

The drugs were doing the talking, not me. It wasn’t until I was in treatment at Best Rehabs In Arizona that I could speak for myself. Meth abuse isn’t much different than alcohol abuse or any other type of substance abuse.

The Effects Of Meth On Everyday Life

Because meth is a stimulant, it’s much different than any central nervous system depressant. You don’t sleep on meth. I’ve gone days without sleeping, and it feels like you are literally in a nightmare.

There isn’t any other highly addictive drug that I feel can put you into that state of psychosis. If you are dealing with a mental illness of any kind, it can shake things up. Not only that, the withdrawal symptoms can greatly increase your psychosis. Meth is the one drug that made me feel like I had lost my mind.

Methamphetamine Abuse And Your Body

Methamphetamine Abuse

Meth addiction creates some very complex problems in your brain. The effects of meth on your mind are brutal and hard to describe unless you’ve been through it. First, let’s get into the physical symptoms.

Beyond meth eyes, meth mouth is a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect. Meth users grind their teeth, and the chemicals from the drug do a lot of damage to your gums if consumed orally.

There is an increased risk of high blood pressure, vision impairment, vision loss, changes in body temperature, and retinal vascular occlusive disease. I developed a retinal vascular occlusive disease, which affected my vision. This occurs when there is a blood clot in the veins around your eyes.

Methamphetamine use increases your risk of poor blood flow and high heart rate. All of this combined throws your body into a tailspin. What negative effects does your body try to fight first? The central nervous system can only handle so much of the effects of meth.

Meth and Body Temperature

The way methamphetamine made my body temperature rise and fall was shocking. Beyond the vision impairment, skin sores, and rapid eye movement, I always felt like I was being put in and out of an oven. Meth interrupts blood flow and

Your physical health and mental health are very closely related. One doesn’t work all that well without the other. Health problems greatly affect your mood and general disposition. When you’re using crystal meth or any other drug, you’re sapping your brain of dopamine. The dopamine receptors in your brain greatly affect your emotions.

Drug abuse puts these receptors into overdrive until they can no longer produce any more dopamine. When your brain is emptied of dopamine, it can create some real havoc. The support groups that I was a part of in my initial recovery were so great at teaching me about the way methamphetamine made me feel.

Even long after I stopped using the drug, I still felt the effects. This is one of the common symptoms of those in recovery. Just because you got clean, doesn’t mean you’re not going to desire that feeling again.

Addiction Treatment and Meth Use

Both prescription and illegal drug abuse require a lot of support. Getting clean is a decision you make on your own, but you need a lot of help along the way. The support groups I have joined have given me a great sense of purpose and responsibility.

Addiction Treatment

I try and stay clean not just for myself, but so I can help someone else see that it is possible. I no longer see the world through meth eyes. Crystal methamphetamine turned me into a person that I don’t want to become again, but I know it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

I may not be engaging in meth use now, but I can’t predict the future. I try to live moment by moment and help others see it that way too. Ultimately though, I’m only in control of my own life. I work on myself first before anyone else.

Long Term Effects After Treatment

The effects of meth are still with me, but I try to use them as a tool to help others. I may have gotten over my physical effects, but there are long-term effects that last well into recovery. The retinal vein occlusion is gone, but the effects linger. Meth seems like it will always be a part of my life, whether I still use it or not.

When I was going through my initial treatment at Best Rehabs In Arizona, I knew I had made the right decision even if the withdrawal symptoms were tearing me apart inside. I had tried treatment many times over the years, but never truly wanted it for myself.

A Journey of Recovery from Methamphetamine

Being in treatment has given me a new lease on life, and I make sure every day that I’m doing the best I can to not go back to methamphetamine. The long-term effects of meth may be there, but I know that it’s something I can handle if I put in the work.

If you are struggling with meth, or have a loved one that is, reach out to Best Rehabs In Arizona and ask about your options. I know it may seem scary, but I was pretty far gone, and they helped me find a strength and hope I thought were long gone. I bet they can help you find them too, all it takes is a phone call to get the ball rolling and claim your own recovery!

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Can You Snort Meth?

Snort Meth

Get Answers and Treatment Options for Meth Abuse

Methamphetamine or meth is readily available in the United States. However, the highest availability is in the Midwestern and Western regions of the country. This is where many people have seen a loved one struggling and wondered: can you snort meth?

Data from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission reports that the task force seized over 4,500 pounds of illicit meth in 2019, a sharp increase from the previous year. This significant increase in people abusing meth comes despite various federal and state-level actions aimed at restricting the production and distribution of this highly addictive substance.

Meth has devastating effects on the lives of users and their loved ones. Understanding the reason for the continued high prevalence of the drug in the Grand Canyon State is crucial when determining what to do to combat its harmful impact on residents.

There is a wide range of treatment options for meth abuse. Methamphetamine addiction treatment often involves detox, therapy, counseling, and aftercare services from a rehab center.

If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, our addiction treatment providers can help you get your life back on track.

Keep reading to find out more about effective programs for recovery from meth, and how Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery can help you get your recovery started today!

What Is Meth?

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine or meth is a highly potent and addictive psychostimulant that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is a white, odorless, crystalline drug that is odorless and bitter.

Developed from amphetamine in the early 20th century, meth was sold by pharmaceutical firms as a nasal decongestant and respiratory stimulant. Some medical disorders that doctors may prescribe amphetamine for include obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methamphetamine is commonly abused because of the intense high it delivers. However, meth abuse negatively affects your health and can be fatal. The armed services widely used this drug during World War II to boost morale, alertness, and endurance.

Time revealed that methamphetamine was a highly addictive drug. So, the Drug Enforcement Administration in the United States classified the drug as a Schedule II controlled substance because of its high potential for abuse.

Methamphetamine is banned unless a doctor prescribes it for some specific medical conditions. It is highly addictive and easy to manufacture, making it a persistent problem in the drug market.

Consumption for an extended period has disastrous impacts on the user and has negatively impacted whole communities as well.

How do People Use Meth?

Methamphetamine can be manufactured in several forms. This drug can be used in many ways, including smoking, sniffing, injecting, or orally ingesting pills. Injecting meth poses a serious risk of contracting hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the preferred route of meth use varies widely by geographical location. However, a significant percentage of people snort meth. The short-term and long-term effects of meth differ depending on the mode of administration, but all are harmful.

Meth misuse usually follows the “binge and crash pattern,” in which the user attempts to sustain their high by taking many hits in rapid succession. Some users will “run” or engage in a sort of binge, in which they take meth continuously for many days without refueling their bodies with food or sleep.

Can You Snort Meth? Answers to Meth Questions

Snorting Meth

Meth is often produced in illegal labs at home using everyday ingredients like:

  • Pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, which is the main ingredient in meth and found in common cold medications
  • Drain cleaner
  • Battery acid
  • Acetone
  • Iodine
  • Ether
  • Lithium
  • Paint thinner

 

This drug is produced in varying forms, including a solid rock-like formulation known as crystal meth, a liquid, or a powder usually snorted.

Although snorting meth may produce a less intense effect or a lesser high than other routes of administration, such as an intravenous (IV) injection, people who snort meth can experience a wide range of adverse effects.

What are the Dangers of Snorting Meth?

Dangers of snorting meth include:

  • Sinus damage
  • Nosebleeds
  • Damage to nasal tissues
  • Nose lining damage
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Increased body temperatures
  • Risk of meth addiction and physical dependence

The Short-Term Effects of Snorting Meth

The effects of methamphetamine abuse are temporary and only present during use. Meth and other stimulant drugs influence the central nervous system, leading to elevated heart and respiration rates, body temperature, and blood pressure.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), methamphetamine’s short-term effects can last anywhere from eight to twenty-four hours, or even longer in those who repeatedly take the drug on binges.

Snorting meth may also have the following short-term effects:

  • Intense rush of euphoria
  • Heightening of consciousness, vigor, and activity
  • Increased energy
  • Dry mouth
  • Dilated pupils
  • Intense perspiration
  • Decreased appetite
  • Sleeplessness
  • Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
  • Increased body temperature
  • Preoccupation with meaningless routines
  • Muscle tension in the jaw
  • Irregular and even potentially harmful conduct
  • Paranoia
  • Tremors
  • Irritability

 

Other short-term effects of methamphetamine use include seizures and abrupt death because of the drug’s strength and impact on the body.

Long-Term Effects of Snorting Meth

Long-Term Effects of Snorting Meth

Snorting meth for an extended period can cause severe effects. People who abuse meth in binges may go for days without sleeping or eating, a condition known as tweaking.

Below are some of the long-term damage and effects of chronic use of meth:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Delusions
  • Memory problems
  • Mood swings
  • Self-harm thoughts
  • Risk of heart attack
  • Psychosis

 

Chronic meth use can also lead to skin sores. These sores are primarily caused by excessive scratching caused by a condition known as meth bugs. This condition makes users feel like they have bugs under their skin. Another long term effect of meth mouth.

What Is Meth Mouth?

If you’re addicted to meth or methamphetamine, you probably have meth mouth, which is a term for tooth decay and poor oral health. This condition is the result of acidic dental decay and drug-induced physical alterations that occur with meth use. It is often referred to as a “dentist’s worst nightmare.”

Meth mouth, along with other changes in facial features and skin damage from snorting or smoking meth, is one of the most noticeable physical changes that occurs when someone consumes meth.

Signs of Meth Mouth from Snorting and Smoking Meth

Meth mouth is characterized by severe tooth decay and gum disease. The teeth of chronic meth users are often rotting, crumbling, and blackened. Below are the common signs of meth mouth:

  • Black rotting teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Bruxism
  • Xerostomia
  • Cracked, loose, or missing teeth
  • Lockjaw
  • Gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis
  • Carious lesions

 

Contact us today for professional medical advice on how to stop snorting meth at our treatment center.

Detoxing from Methamphetamines with Support

Detoxing from Methamphetamines with Support

Medically supervised detox programs can assist a person in safely withdrawing from methamphetamine, so they can move on to a more permanent treatment program. However, there are no approved drugs for treating methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms like intense cravings.

A person undergoing medically supervised meth detox will have their vital signs constantly monitored to ensure they remain within safe ranges. Medical professionals can ensure that a person undergoing meth detox receives the fluids, adequate nutrition, and supplements needed to restore physical health. This is because many people going through meth detoxification become very dehydrated and may already be malnourished.

Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine is so potent that it usually necessitates a comprehensive inpatient addiction treatment program for people to break free from addiction and stay clean. When someone receives inpatient care at our drug and alcohol rehab center, they can live at the facility while obtaining the best quality of medical care and treatment assistance available. This helps ease the withdrawal symptoms through supportive treatment

Those who don’t have a robust support system or don’t get intensive therapy for their addiction often relapse after abstaining from meth for some time. Although everyone’s experience with recovery is unique, studies have indicated that those who stay in treatment for at least 90 days have the best chance of achieving their long-term recovery goals, such as maintaining sobriety.

Some of the best and most comprehensive addiction treatment available can be found in inpatient programs at Best Rehabs In Arizona. Long-term sobriety from methamphetamine abuse is possible with the help of individualized substance abuse treatment programs that may incorporate a wide variety of therapies, counseling, medication, group participation, arts and recreation, and aftercare services.

Get Help for Meth Abuse at Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery

Drug abuse and addiction can be challenging to beat, especially with meth. However, there are various evidence-based methods for treating methamphetamine abuse and addiction, such as behavioral therapy. The professionals at Best Rehabs In Arizona can help determine the best treatment approach for your addiction or drug use.

Reach out now for a confidential discussion about options if you or a loved one are struggling with meth use!

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How Long to Rewire Brain from Addiction?

Reversing Damage from Drug Abuse

Addiction Treatment and Reversing Damage from Drug Abuse

Long-term use of drugs and alcohol is associated with a wide range of adverse brain-related health outcomes, including cognitive decline and mental health disorders. The sooner a person receives treatment for their drug addiction, the sooner their brain will mend and recover from the impacts of drug use.

Drugs have a devastating effect on the human brain chemistry and overall health. The brain adapts to receiving the drug after prolonged use, affecting the brain’s chemical processes. Luckily, a wide range of effective treatment methods can help you recover from the effects of drugs.

The recovery period from drug addiction varies widely from person to person, depending on factors such as how long they were abusing drugs and whether they have any preexisting medical conditions or mental health disorders.

Read on to find out how long it may take for rewire brain from Addiction and to learn more about the connection between drug use and brain health!

The Effects of Drugs on the Brain

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is a mental condition involving various neurological and psychological symptoms. Long-term treatment and recovery may be necessary due to the damaging effects of drugs on the brain.

The U.S. Surgeon General explains that the pleasure, stress, learning, decision-making, and self-control circuits in the brain are all negatively affected by drugs. Your brain’s basal ganglia is the brain’s reward system, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and motivation. When you take drugs, this pathway activates, leading to euphoric feelings.

The extended amygdala is the brain regions that control stress responses. The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that drug abuse causes these neural pathways to become more sensitive. This leads to stress responses like irritability, uneasiness, and anxiety.

Responsible for learning, decision-making, and self-control, the prefrontal cortex is the last section of the brain to mature and develop, usually in one’s twenties. Drugs’ effects on the prefrontal cortex may lead to compulsive behavior in people addicted to substances.

Different drugs have varying effects on the brain. Opioids like heroin, oxycodone, and Suboxone, for example, enhance the risk of overdose by altering fundamental physiological processes like heart rate and respiration. Inhalants can impair cognitive function, and cocaine can cause minor strokes in the brain, damaging brain nerves.

How Long Does It Take to Heal the Brain from Addiction?

Since drug use has varying effects on different individuals, brain recovery could take several weeks, months, or even years.

Factors that Influence the Time it Takes for the Brain Cells to Recover from Addiction

Rewire Brain from Addiction

It is essential to note the time it may take for the brain to recover depends on various factors, such as:

  • Type of substance abused
  • Length of time suffering from the addiction
  • Severity of addiction
  • Presence of co-occurring mental health issues

 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, a person in recovery from marijuana addiction should expect to feel anxious and irritable for one to two weeks. This timeframe is significantly shorter than the recovery time required for benzodiazepine addiction, which can cause similar symptoms plus agitation, poor memory, and poor focus for up to eight weeks or longer.

Some people take the entire rehab treatment program to achieve complete abstinence, while recovery takes longer for others.

Specific treatments and lifestyle changes may speed up brain healing. These include total abstinence, exercising regularly, and maintaining proper nutrition. Moving from high-stress or hostile environments to a supportive drug rehab center would be best.

Treatment Options for Brain Rewiring After Addiction

Addiction is a complex brain disease that affects an individual’s physical, emotional, relational, and mental states. Substance use disorders (SUDs) can also trigger co-occurring disorders.

There are various management options available after completing rehab. Depending on your specific requirements and preferences, you can complete one or more of these programs individually or in combination with each other. Once you complete detox and withdrawal symptoms have subsided, you can start rewiring the brain’s physical and chemical dependency on substances through rehabilitation.

The brain can self-repair some brain damage, according to NIDA. This happens through neuroplasticity, a process where the brain forms new neural connections in response to positive environmental changes.

Drug rehab centers often use a medical detox and behavioral therapies to help clients recover from the damaging effects of drug addiction. Treatment providers may also use medications to reduce and reverse the effects of addictive substances on brain health.

Below are some of the most common treatment options:

Medical Detox for Alcohol and Drugs

Medical Detox for Alcohol and Drugs

Medical detoxification is the initial phase of treatment for those struggling with substance abuse. Your medical provider will conduct an assessment through diagnostic tests or brain scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the severity of the addiction and brain structure.

Medication is used in detox to keep patients comfortable and limit the risk of health issues during drug or alcohol withdrawal. During detox at a detox center, medical practitioners and addiction specialists constantly monitor clients, ready to step in whenever necessary to make the detox process comfortable.

Some patients may be prescribed drugs and nutritional supplements that heal brain damage and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Patients in recovery from alcoholism, for instance, may take vitamin B1 supplements to prevent memory loss, while those from opioid addiction may take methadone to correct biochemical brain irregularities.

Neurological damage caused by drugs can be treated with medicines like Deprenyl and Acetylcysteine.

Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery)

The SMART Recovery program is an alternative to the 12-step and other religiously-based approaches for addiction recovery. It centers on a group of people sharing similar experiences in overcoming addiction.

Drug and alcohol addiction is widespread because these substances’ euphoric feelings encourage users to keep abusing drugs. The primary goal of SMART recovery is to provide an alternative to drugs and alcohol for maintaining motivation.

To maintain their drive for sobriety, clients in this program are urged to discover external sources of happiness, like a fulfilling career, good health, or supportive connections with family and friends. The brain is rewired to seek happiness from within rather than from external sources like drugs. Learning to control cravings and avoid relapse is another critical goal of the program.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Many people struggling with mental health disorders or addiction turn to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The core tenet of CBT is the realization that one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions are interconnected.

Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to equip the patient with healthy coping mechanisms and counter-thoughts to the negative thought and emotion cycles. Despite CBT’s relatively straightforward theory, the process of retraining the brain to overcome addiction is lengthy.

Some people’s negative thought patterns are deeply ingrained habits that need to be chipped away at methodically with CBT techniques.

Issues Addressed in CBT Addiction Treatment

This helps in addressing the following aspects of a continuing addiction:

  • Triggers that reinforce an individual’s urge to continue using drugs and alcohol
  • Destructive or harmful thought patterns that lead to unwanted behaviors

Psychotherapy Based on Mindfulness

Psychotherapy Based on Mindfulness

Mindfulness therapy is an increasingly popular option for those struggling with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues like depression. Mindfulness is a philosophy that shares some similarities with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with an added focus on being present with one’s thoughts.

When aware of their immediate environment, the person is taught to identify habitual, automatic ways of thinking and replace them with present-minded ones. This helps to divert attention away from the problematic thought processes while breaking them down.

Clients participating in a mindfulness-based therapy session are encouraged to:

  • Consider mental processes as temporary occurrences rather than fixed truths
  • Focus on the present to anchor themselves in reality
  • Think “in the present” to help them avoid patterns of rumination

12-Step Programs for Brain Rewiring

Many people assume that 12-Step and religious-based programs are ineffective because they lack a scientific foundation. But research shows that the 12-step activities used to combat addiction can rewire the brain.

Consistently attending 12-Step meetings has been shown to strengthen neural circuits involved in decision-making and desire regulation. The environment modifies how the brain perceives the addiction, making it less likely that a person attending these meetings will relapse.

Individuals are less likely to engage in addictive behaviors if they model their actions after those they frequently meet. People find the environment at 12-step meetings to be inspiring, and it helps them stay committed to their recovery.

Most rehab facilities offer these types of care and can tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs. You can select a single option or a blend of multiple approaches to find the best fit for addiction recovery.

Get Professional Help for Substance Abuse and Addiction

While you can’t treat a substance use disorder by an act of will, you can gradually change your mind or rewire your brain and overcome this chronic condition. You will need personal determination to commit to addiction recovery through the help of medical professionals and evidence-based treatment options.

Call Best Rehabs In Arizona now for advice on the best treatment plan to help you beat your addiction and achieve long-term sobriety!

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How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?

How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System

Get The Answers To Your Questions About Suboxone

Suboxone is well-known in addiction treatment spaces, but not everyone has all of the information they want and need before they start their prescription. So, what is Suboxone, and how long does Suboxone stay in your system?

Let’s answer those questions and discuss what else you’ll want to know about Suboxone. Then, we’ll go over treatment options for Opioid Use Disorders and how to get relief from all opioids with effective treatment at Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an FDA-approved prescription medication that is used to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). It is a form of medication-assisted treatment or MAT known to reduce cravings and lower the risk of both non-fatal and fatal overdoses. Accordingly, Suboxone is known as a life-saving medication that helps many people with Opioid addictions recover and transition to normal life.

Most people use Suboxone alongside other forms of support, such as therapy or counseling, as part of a whole-person approach. The effects of Suboxone allow people to focus on their treatment program and find relief from symptoms that may otherwise tempt a person to relapse, which is why it is such a crucial medication.

Typically, Suboxone is taken once daily. Some people take Suboxone short-term, whereas others are directed to take Suboxone long-term. The length of time you take Suboxone will depend on a range of individual factors.

How Does Suboxone Work?

how Suboxone Work

Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. It works by blocking the effects of other Opioids, like Heroin and Fentanyl.  The potential for Suboxone addiction is lower than that of other medications. Before you start Suboxone, you must abstain from the use of opioids for a minimum of 12-24 hours and be in the early stages of withdrawal.

If you do not wait a minimum of 12-24 hours to take Suboxone after using other Opioids, it will lead to a sudden onset of intense or severe withdrawal symptoms. Some people experience side effects when they use Suboxone, but it is prescribed when the benefits outweigh the risks.

How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?

The effects of Suboxone generally last for around 24 hours. However, it takes around 4-5 half-lives to become undetectable in the system.

What does “half-life” mean? Half-life refers to the length of time it takes for the active ingredient(s) in a drug to decrease by half. The elimination half-life of buprenorphine is 24-42 hours, and the elimination half-life of naloxone is 2-12 hours. This means that a drug test can detect Suboxone for around 5-8 days after your last dose.

These numbers are based on the use of Suboxone in healthy people, or people without liver disease. There are situations where the half-life of Suboxone may be longer and a drug test may be able to detect Suboxone for an extended period of time. Specifically, this is the case for those with poor liver function.

What If You Have Severe Liver Disease?

If you have liver disease, Suboxone will have a longer half-life and will stay in your system for longer than it will for someone with good liver health. But, you might wonder, how long does Suboxone stay in your system with poor liver health exactly, and how much does it affect the half-life of Suboxone?

If you have moderate liver disease, Suboxone will stay in your system for up to 12 days. The half-life of buprenorphine will increase by around 35%, and the half-life of naloxone will increase by about 165%.

If you have severe liver disease, Suboxone will stay in your system for longer and may be detectable for up to two weeks. The half-life of buprenorphine will increase by around 57%, and the half-life of naloxone will increase by about 122%.

Make sure that you take Suboxone as directed by your prescribing physician. Note that Suboxone will not show up in most drug tests, and it will not create a false positive for other Opioid drugs. Special tests or panels that look specifically for the active ingredients of Suboxone are needed to detect Suboxone in the system.

FAQs on How Long Does Suboxone Stay in Your System?

What do you test positive for when taking Suboxone?

Taking Suboxone will not make you test positive for Opioids or any other drugs. Despite the effects of the medication, Suboxone will not show up in a drug test as another Opioid. In fact, Suboxone will not show up in the majority of drug tests unless a panel tests specifically for naloxone or buprenorphine/buprenorphine metabolites.

 

How long after taking Suboxone is it in your urine?

There are a number of different tests that can be used to detect Suboxone and other drugs. These include blood tests, urine tests, saliva tests, and hair tests. Each test will be able to detect a drug like Suboxone for different lengths of time. Urine tests are most commonly used to determine whether or not a substance is in a person’s system. Typically, metabolites can be found in urine tests for 3-6 days.

 

Treatment Options For Opioid Addiction

Treatment Options For Opioid Addiction

If you’re ready to start your journey to recovery from Opioid addiction, you may wonder what treatment options are available. At Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery Center, we offer various levels of care for those with substance use disorders, including:

 

The level of care you start with will depend on a range of different factors. Other forms of support, such as support groups, are often used to aid long-term recovery. No matter what your path looks like, know that recovery is possible.

Find Help For All Opioids at Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery

Best Rehabs In Arizona offers addiction treatment and dual diagnosis care for Opioid Use Disorder and the use of other drugs. We have treatment facilities in Arizona and Colorado. Our hotline is available 24/7, and we are here to help.

If you are struggling with Suboxone or other opioids, please call to check on insurance coverage for you or your loved one who needs treatment services. We accept most major carriers as well as some forms of Medicaid in Colorado.

Contact Best Rehabs In Arizona Recover Center today for a free, confidential call and learn about your options now!

See how much of your treatment is covered by insurance

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