Author: Charlie Carlson

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Best Ways to Regain Custody After Drug Abuse

Regain Custody After Drug Abuse

Dealing With Substance Abuse as A Parent

Substance abuse is an all-consuming situation. Even if you are a good parent or come from a good family, the power of drug addiction can tear it all apart. I have been there before, and I’ve nearly lost my family several times. Today, with the help of Best Rehabs In Arizona, I am sober and have my family back. It took a lot of work and child custody battles to regain custody after drug abuse, but the power of forgiveness can’t be understated.

First, you have to forgive yourself. Even though I am clean, I still have moments where I am hard on myself for putting my children through my drug abuse. I try not to be too tough on myself, but I know that I lost precious time that I can’t get back. I dedicate my entire life now to making new memories with my children, and not taking anything for granted.

Parental substance abuse creates deep wounds that take a long time to heal, if ever. The children of addicts are often at risk of becoming addicts as well. My parents struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and I had to grow up fast in order to fend for myself. This created a lot of resentment as a young adult, and it led me to become an addict myself.

Keep reading if any of this sounds familiar, because I’ll tell the depths of how far my addiction took me and how our family finally found help and a way out!

Losing Child Custody Because Of Drug Or Alcohol Addiction

I was in a codependent relationship with the mother of my children. We were both alcoholics and dabbled a bit with opiates. When we had our first son, we assumed that the love for our child would help us get our act together. We were both prepared to give it our all and be the best parents we could be. We both got sober briefly, but it didn’t take long before the stress of being new parents got to us.

I’ve suffered from alcohol abuse since my teenage years. My parents drank, as well as many of my other family members. I have cousins who were subjected to child abuse as a result of their parent’s addictions. One of my cousins was emancipated, and another cousin was put in child protective services multiple times before they were ten years old.

I Never Thought it Could Happen to Me

Child custody

Losing custody of my own children never crossed my mind. It seemed like a foreign concept that only happened to other people. Although my wife and I suffered from alcohol abuse, we were functioning alcoholics. We both had jobs and paid our bills. After our son was born, she became pregnant again with our daughter. The stress of having one child was bad enough, and my drinking continued.

My wife was able to quit drinking during her pregnancy, but she continued using opiates. When our daughter was born, the doctors knew immediately that there was an issue. We ended up losing custody of our daughter, and child protective services were also trying to take our son away from us. The stress of the whole situation made my drinking worse, and I was drunk during an interview with CPS. This led to our son being taken away from us as well.

When Child Protective Services Take Your Kids

When I was finally living with the reality of losing my kids because of my addiction, I had a huge decision to make. I could wallow in my sorrow and let my addiction kill me, or I could fight with everything I had to save myself and get my family back. Even though I still loved my wife, it was necessary for us to separate at the time. We had enabled each other’s addictions for so long that we didn’t know how to even approach getting clean.

When I lost custody of my kids, it was the wake-up call that I needed. My substance use disorder had finally taken every last thing I cared about. Why would I continue to feed my habit, knowing that it ruined my entire life? I had my moment of clarity one morning after a night of heavy drinking. I thought of my son and realized that if I didn’t start trying to get clean immediately I would miss years of his life, if not the whole thing.

I entered substance abuse treatment at Best Rehabs In Arizona and began the long process to rebuild my family. Thinking about my children ending up in foster care was terrifying, but I knew that ruminating on this would not help my mental state. I worked very hard to keep myself in check and not get too low thinking about my children’s situation. I tried to keep my mind on getting better one day at a time.

How To Regain Child Custody After Drug Abuse

Regaining child custody following drug rehabilitation can be a long, drawn-out process, but if you chip away a little at a time it will be to your benefit. Attending a treatment program and sticking to it is a good way to show the courts that you are committed to your recovery. When I began seeking custody of my children, I made sure that I went to alcoholic support groups several times a week.

When I finally began working on my substance abuse problems, I began to understand what I had been putting my children through. For a long time, I assumed that I was capable enough of having physical custody of my children. Sure, I was an alcoholic, but they weren’t starving or suffering. Little did I know there was a lot of internal suffering.

Children pick up on everything their parents do. Every little mistake or outburst, they see it, and it affects them silently. Parental addiction can have long-lasting effects on a child’s safety and mental health. I finally began to understand why once I began going to meetings and hearing from other children of addicts.

Honesty and Transparency: What a Judge Wants to Hear About Custody

Honesty and Transparency in Court

I was able to use this knowledge in court and give myself an advantage. I admitted my mistakes, I talked about what I was doing to address them, and I did not make it all about me. I made it about my children. A selfless approach will go a much longer way than talking to the court about yourself and your own needs. I went in there and talked about the needs of my children.

At first, the Judge was reluctant to award joint legal custody, but over time and many appearances, I was able to get back my kids and rebuild our family. When my wife continued using, I was even given sole custody, which never

Is Parental Addiction Child Abuse?

No parents want to believe that their addiction is in some way linked to abuse, but there are many cases where this is true. A parent’s substance abuse never happens ‘in a vacuum.’ When you are an addict, the addiction is number one. The needs of the child are put on the pay-no-mind list. Even though I provided for my children, and they were in good physical condition, my wife and I were creating developmental problems and mental health issues within them.

My alcohol abuse often led me to be irritable and prone to outbursts. It never got physical when my wife and I would argue, but our son witnessed all of it and it created fear in him. He was afraid of us at times and would withdraw from normal activities. I didn’t realize this was because of our addiction until I finally began learning about the complexities of substance abuse.

When Child Protective Services take your children away, they are not trying to punish you. Their number one concern is child safety. They know that the children of addicts are oftentimes at great risk. Anything can happen, and the damage can be deeper than just the affect child custody services might be concerned with.

You can be driving drunk with your kid in the back seat and cause them great bodily harm or (I never let myself consider it when drinking) even death. You can easily lose them in a mall if you aren’t in your right mind. There are many scenarios that can happen that often lead to great danger.

Sharing Joint Legal Custody Following Rehab

My wife and I did not get back together following my addiction treatment. She continued abusing drugs but eventually got clean. During her time in recovery, I was given sole custody of my children. It felt like a gigantic weight was lifted, and we could continue our lives again. There was no better feeling and the reason I stay clean today is because of how magical that feeling was and still is.

After my wife was clean for several months, we entered into a custody dispute. I was completely fine with her seeing the kids, but I needed to know that she was on the right path before I allowed her to regain custody. She soon proved that she was capable of taking care of them, but it did take a while. I was very nervous to allow for joint custody, but I personally saw the strides that she made in her recovery.

Sharing physical custody still gives me certain concerns, as I’m sure it does for her. What if one of us relapses? What if one of us is hiding it? I often wonder if my kids are safe when they are with her. It’s not that I don’t trust her, I just know the power of addiction and what it can make people do. I try to give her the benefit of the doubt, as she does me. We check in with each other and often talk about our recovery journey together, which eases both of our concerns.

Being A Parent Again

Being A Parent Again

Dealing with family court, custody disputes, and constantly meeting with lawyers and CPS investigators was grueling, but every step of the process was worth it now that I have my children back. A child’s life is precious and requires a parent with a stable mind. Having one parent addicted to drugs is bad enough, having two almost gives the child no chance.

There aren’t a ton of success stories when it comes to drug addicts losing child custody. I continue to submit to drug testing randomly and I am totally ok with it. You can’t be too careful with a person who has a history of drugs or alcohol. At any time, you can slip back into your old ways if you aren’t actively working on your recovery.

You don’t realize what drug abuse will make you do until you are deep into it. No matter how much love you have for your children, a substance use disorder will make you throw it all away for one high. This is why I talk openly about my drug use and attend as many meetings as I can. I don’t take my sobriety for granted. Drug rehab helped me, but lasting recovery takes continued effort.

Forgiving Yourself So You Can Thrive

You won’t thrive in your recovery unless you are kind to yourself. We all make mistakes in life, sometimes huge ones. Living in the past is an easy way to fall back into your old habits. Being mindful of the present and taking things day by day is a good mindset to have in order to continue your sobriety and be a good parent along the way.

I set goals for myself and put a big emphasis on relapse prevention. Recovery allows me to keep myself in check and understand the warning signs of relapse. I know that I am not immune to relapse, as no one in recovery is. It’s always right there, but you don’t have to be terrified of it. Giving in to the fear of relapse can often make you put off the work required to stay clean, never mind regaining custody of your children. Don’t give in to fear.

Reaching Out for the Opportunity at Best Rehabs In Arizona

I treat my situation as if I have an active addiction right below the surface. My substance use doesn’t define me, but it is a part of my makeup. I accept that now and don’t try to hide it or run from it. I let people know that everything I have now in life is because I am sober. I try to remind myself of that every day I get to wake up with my children under my roof.

If you are struggling with alcohol or drugs, or both, and you want your kids to be a part of your life again, I would recommend seeking help at Best Rehabs In Arizona. I know it made a world of difference to our family and made me realize just how close I had been to losing them.

Don’t wait as long as I did to get support for staying sober, why not reach out to Best Rehabs In Arizona now and get options? All calls are confidential, and it will never affect your custody rights to find out how to get help!

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Does Cocaine Cause Hair Loss?

Does cocaine cause hair loss concept pic

Investigating the Side Effects of Cocaine

Many people are already familiar with the side effects that often accompany a cocaine addiction. They know how to look for the physical symptoms or withdrawal and the mental health disorders that can sometimes accompany drug use. However, there are also several lesser-known side effects of cocaine that you should be on the lookout for: namely, does cocaine cause hair loss?

Best Rehabs In Arizona is determined to help you combat drug addiction. If you or a loved one is experiencing some of the symptoms associated with illegal drugs, we can customize a treatment plan specifically for you.

Cocaine and Hair Loss: What’s the Connection?

The truth is that you might experience hair fallout from extended cocaine use. Drug abuse can impact the body in unexpected ways, and this is often one of them. Cocaine can halt hair growth in a number of different ways as well as contribute to hair that falls out before it is truly ready.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from the hair growth cycle when you use substances like cocaine. These lesser-known side effects can take a real toll on your body and here’s how they work.

Lack of Nutrition Leads to Hair Loss

Lack of Nutrition Leads to Hair Loss

In order to understand hair loss with cocaine addiction, it is important to note some of the other symptoms you will experience. The physical repercussions of drug abuse are serious. Perhaps one of the easiest symptoms to spot is a lack of appetite or rapid weight loss. When you stop consuming a well-balanced diet, you are depriving your body of needed nutrients.

Of course, there are other issues that stem from cocaine use as well. For example, your body is unable to absorb the nutrients that you do take in, however minimal these may be. Combined, these nutritional deficiencies make it less likely that your body will be able to generate healthy hair growth.

The body will prioritize its most important functions when nutrition is ignored. That means that it goes toward repairing the body, keeping organs functioning, and more. The last place that these precious nutrients will go is your hair growth. It simply is not a necessary function, and your recreational drug use is to blame for the hair loss you experience.

Stress-Induced Hair Loss with Substance Abuse

While lack of nutrition makes hair growth a challenge, hair loss is just as common due to the stress of cocaine use. Hair loss is common following a radical change to the body’s system, such as that caused by cocaine usage. Any time you use crack cocaine or other recreational drugs, you start to induce stress-related hair loss.

Combine this stress to the bodily systems with your poor nutrition and you have a recipe for disaster when it comes to your hair.

Unfortunately, you might struggle with even more hair loss when you decide to give up your crack cocaine usage. Getting the drug out of your system is equally stressful, both mentally and physically. As a result, you might find that your hair loss gets a little bit worse before it starts to improve.

If you notice that your hair is thinning or you have difficulty with hair regrowth, it could be a sign that your cocaine use is taking a toll on your body. It moves from invisible to visible fairly quickly, especially as far as your temporary hair loss is concerned. Reach out for help if you want to get through the early days of sobriety and start to get your hair healthy again.

Prioritizing Important Body Systems Means Hair Growth Takes a Backseat

One of the hallmarks of cocaine addiction is an interruption to normal and healthy sleep patterns. You may spend very little time asleep, and even the quality of that sleep is minimal. You need certain stages of sleep to keep the body functioning at its best.

During the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of your sleep, your body is primed to repair itself. Disrupted REM sleep means that you body has less time to focus on making the necessary repairs to important body systems. In turn, it will focus on the most important systems first.

This often means that your body will relegate hair growth or hair loss to the bottom of the list. Hair, while it may be beautiful, is not the most important thing for your body to focus on repairing when REM sleep is at a premium.

As a result, the less sleep you get, the more likely it is that you will experience substantial hair loss and have difficulty when it comes time to regrow hair.

Lack of Proper Hair Care Leads to Hair Loss

Taking hair care

One of the issues with cocaine addiction is that you tend to neglect some of the daily care activities that your body needs to be fully functioning and healthy. Personal appearance and hygiene tend to be the first things to go when you are coping with a substance use issue. To this end, you will find that your haircare routine is likely lacking.

When you stop taking care of your hair, it is only normal to find that you have hair loss or issues with regrowth of the hair follicles.

Perhaps the easiest way to minimize hair loss from taking illegal drugs is to reprioritize the daily care of your hair. Purchase quality shampoo and conditioner, making every effort to wash and care for it on a regular basis.

Will You Suffer Permanent Hair Loss Due to Cocaine Use?

If you are concerned about the connection between cocaine and hair loss, you might be wondering if anything can be done about it. Maybe you are ready to conquer your addiction once and for all but are concerned that your hair may never recover. Fortunately, most of the hair loss is only temporary.

It will take some time for your body to catch up and move toward healthy hair growth once more. You will need to maintain good nutrition, healthy sleep habits, and decrease the overall stress in your life. Taking care of your hair will also help to restore hair follicles and make it more likely that you can regrow hair that you have lost.

Cocaine use allows the body to transition into a constant state of shock where hair is the least of the body’s priorities. You can help it reestablish equilibrium by stopping your substance use and seeking treatment with a qualified rehab center.

What Does Cocaine Addiction Treatment Do for Hair Loss?

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Through treatment for cocaine use, we will help you establish healthy habits once more including both eating balanced meals and sleeping. Both of these can have a dramatic impact on stress-induced hair loss and make it more likely that you hair will regrow. Residential treatment also keeps you sober and away from substance abuse, guiding you along the path toward healing.

In some instances, a doctor may even be able to prescribe a medication aimed at helping hair regrow. Be sure to ask your doctor if you would qualify for one of these treatments if your hair loss is particularly significant.

Getting Help for Hair Loss and Cocaine Use

Many people find that the health of their hair suffers when exposed to illegal drugs. The good news is that you can combat this lesser-known side effect with treatment at Best Rehabs In Arizona. We will start with a medical detox, allowing you to rid the body of leftover cocaine and helping you to step into your recovery.

Addressing the root cause of your hair loss is essential. Allow our team of experienced medical professionals to create a customized treatment plan that will have you looking and feeling your very best. Contact Best Rehabs In Arizona today to learn more about our treatment programs!

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How Much is a Gram of Cocaine?

How Much is a Gram of Cocaine

Understanding The Financial Impact of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse creates a lot of self-inflicted issues for the addict. In this article, I will help you understand the emotional, physical, and financial damage done by addiction. Through my cocaine addiction, I threw away relationships and opportunities that I will never get back. I also threw away a lot of money, which you will better understand when you know the answer to how much is a gram of cocaine.

My cocaine use was so drastic, that by the time I entered recovery at Best Rehabs In Arizona, I was nursing a three-hundred-dollar-a-day addiction. I found that even though I was stealing from other people to fund my drug abuse, I didn’t feel bad about it. The only thing I cared about was the drug, and I would get it by any means necessary.

Drug use is a crippling scenario no matter what addiction you have. I began smoking crack cocaine in my late teens and continued using cocaine through my entire twenties. When you have an addiction to a drug like cocaine, the purity levels will always vary. I’ve had cocaine that was so cut it barely had any cocaine in it.

Keep reading to find out more about my own descent into cocaine addiction, and how Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery can help you launch your own recovery journey!

How Drug Prices Shape Your Addiction

When you have as fierce of a crack cocaine addiction as I did, you will do anything to finance it. The street prices for drugs can change depending on the drug. Some drugs are much more expensive. The street prices of opiates have skyrocketed in recent years, but drugs like crystal meth, heroin, and crack cocaine are usually much cheaper.

One of the reasons crack cocaine became such a popular drug in the 1980s is because of the price. Powder cocaine is typically a more luxurious drug. People will pay big money for a single gram of coke. A common price for one single gram of cocaine is around a hundred dollars these days. The market is different depending on multiple factors.

Depending on where you live, availability plays a big role in street prices. Cocaine prices can be hard to determine based on multiple factors. If you live closer to a country like Mexico, cocaine is usually cheaper. If you live further north, you will probably be paying a bit more because there is less supply.

The Varying Degree Of Cocaine Prices

The Varying Degree Of Cocaine Prices

The quality is also something to consider. Because cocaine is normally sold in powder form, it’s easy to cut with other drugs. Depending on the source, you won’t be able to know what you’re ingesting until you ingest it. The supply is always deceiving.

When you have a high level of cocaine addiction, you’re typically not getting it from one place. I had multiple dealer numbers on my phone, and they were all my lifeline. When I began using crack cocaine, the street price was around forty of fifty dollars for one gram.

Sometimes, if there was less crack available on the street, the price would be between sixty and eighty dollars a gram. Because an addiction to crack cocaine is so intense, you will pay whatever you need to. I’ve overpaid for cocaine at many points and didn’t even think twice about it.

The Relationship Between Crack Cocaine and Crime

Because cocaine prices can vary, you will do whatever you have to do to get high. I can remember a long period during my addiction when there was less availability of cocaine in my neighborhood. The law enforcement officials in my town had really cracked down on the amount of cocaine coming in, so it was harder to attain.

The sources that I had were arrested and taken off the street. By this point, I was already spending several hundred dollars a week to fund my habit. I was taking crack cocaine every hour. I was using it with more frequency, but I wasn’t getting any higher. My tolerance level was so high that I needed more and more crack to get the feeling I required.

When you have a bad drug addiction, you are only thinking in the short term. Long-term consequences don’t come into play. Very often you will engage in petty crime to fund your addiction. I began committing burglary in order to fund my crack habit. Life on the streets is cutthroat. I was willing to risk decades behind bars in order to continue to get high on a regular basis.

How To Curb Drug Addiction

How To Curb Drug Addiction

I finally had a moment of clarity when I was arrested. I had stolen over a thousand dollars of merchandise from a nearby business over the course of a year, and I was caught red-handed. I was given the opportunity to go to recovery or face years in prison. I considered my options and realized that this could end up being an effective way for me to get clean.

My crack addiction had destroyed me financially. I would spend up to fifty dollars for one gram of crack, and smoke it all within two hours. When your addiction is at a level as high as mine, it isn’t crazy to smoke three hundred dollars worth of crack in one day and still want more. Inflation, demand, high tolerance, and other factors will make you spend whatever you need to spend to get high.

The percentage of people who recover from crack addiction is low. It’s such an intense drug that it takes extreme methods to get clean. My crack addiction continued to increase even when I knew it was ravaging my body and mind. I overdosed multiple times, yet the drug still had a massive grip on me. In the USA, cocaine is responsible for one in five overdose deaths.

Relapse Doesn’t Have To Be The End Of Your Story

When I finally entered recovery, I was still in crack mode. I didn’t really want to involve myself in treatment. All I wanted to do was break out and call my dealer. I already knew the dangers associated with my drug abuse, but I did not care. I wasn’t making any progress.

I didn’t want to give up my drug use. In the past year, I made the decision that I was going to use crack until I died. I didn’t have any interest in getting clean. I relapsed soon after my initial treatment, and it would be another six months before I gave recovery another shot. I got to a point where I finally couldn’t stand it anymore.

The increase in the price of the drug, my high tolerance, and the overall hopelessness of my situation finally made me break. My cocaine use had broken my mind and my spirit. I finally decided to seek help, and at this point, I was actually doing it for myself. I wasn’t doing it so I could avoid jail time. I wanted to get clean once and for all.

This is the mindset you must have when you try to get clean. You aren’t going to get clean for anyone else but yourself. You have to make up your mind that you are sick and tired, and you are ready to put in the work required to achieve sobriety.

Embrace Your Journey of Cocaine Recovery

Embrace Your Journey of Cocaine Recovery

The cost of my habit had led me to do unthinkable things to other people. I truly felt like I had sold my soul in order to continue my addiction. It was a horrible feeling when I finally came to this realization. Drugs are always going to be a part of your past, and it’s wise to embrace that and use it in your recovery journey. You can’t shy away from the past.

I’ve since run into a couple of law enforcement officials who had at one time arrested me, and it was a unique reunion. They told me they didn’t think I would live to see forty. They told me I was one of the worst users they had ever encountered, and it gave them a lot of hope to see my work through recovery.

It’s moments like this that make it all worth it for me. I now speak to groups of young people about the dangers of addiction, and I take this position very seriously. I can’t prevent someone from using drugs. It’s up to the individual to make that choice. What I can do, however, is let people know the consequences. Doing that makes me feel like my journey was all worth it.

Save Money on Cocaine the Right Way: Choose Treatment

If you are getting sick of the highs and lows, not to mention how expensive supporting a cocaine habit is, consider attending treatment with Best Rehabs In Arizonas. Beyond the cost of the drug itself, I found myself paying for coke and crack use in so many ways that I didn’t even realize until I got some clean time.

I know for myself, the team at Best Rehabs In Arizona was able to help me find a new life. If you or a loved one are struggling too, give them a call. In a few minutes of a confidential consultation, they can and will give you options and resources for recovery. Why not reach out now?

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How Does Fentanyl Kill You?

How Does Fentanyl Kill You

Answers About Fentanyl Lethality and Overdose Potential

Struggling with a fentanyl addiction is a life-threatening condition and can be extremely dangerous. More so than even opioid addiction. Illicit fentanyl has become much more common on the street and it has caused overdoses to skyrocket. But how does fentanyl kill you, exactly?

Despite the dangers, there are ways to address a fentanyl addiction and get the help that you need.

I entered Best Rehabs In Arizona for treatment after multiple overdoses and coming as close to death as one can with fentanyl. Drug abuse is a brutal condition to combat, but dealing with a drug like fentanyl requires a whole different level of addiction treatment.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicit fentanyl are both deadly and can be abused just like any other drugs. With the rise of opioid abuse in this country, drug dealers have found new ways to cut these drugs, and fentanyl typically is used in this process. A lot of people who ingest fentanyl don’t even realize they are taking such a deadly drug.

Keep reading to find answers to how does fentanyl kill you, and how Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery can offer you the same sort of foundation for sobriety that I found with their help.

The Rise Of Fentanyl Use and Fentanyl Overdoses

How long fentanyl stays in your system depends on your level of addiction and your body mass. Pharmaceutical fentanyl in pill form can take minutes before you feel the effects, while a fentanyl patch can one to two days to take effect. Fentanyl is usually only prescribed to people with severe pain associated with cancer and other extreme illnesses.

Many drug tests don’t detect fentanyl, and a separate test may be required to detect it. With a drug that’s manufactured to treat severe pain, it’s no wonder that when taken recreationally it can be dangerous. Because it’s used to treat chronic pain, it is easily abused. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is fifty to one hundred times more powerful than morphine.

Because of the rise of fentanyl, many addiction treatment programs are designed to treat that specific addiction. Because fentanyl is such a potent synthetic opioid, intervening in a fentanyl addiction is a life or death situation. The world of drug abuse changes over time, and new substances make their way onto the market all the time. No one has ever seen anything like the rise of fentanyl.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

A fentanyl withdrawal is very similar to opiate withdrawal symptoms. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory changes. These withdrawal symptoms vary in severity depending on a multitude of factors. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can persist for up to two weeks.

Plenty of other drugs come with very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, but opioids and synthetic opioids like fentanyl are particularly rough. I used heroin for a number of years and dabbled here and there with fentanyl. Even though I knew how dangerous it was, my fentanyl abuse continued and led me down the darkest path I’ve ever been down.

My fentanyl use messed with every part of my body. My liver function was affected, and I suffered from respiratory depression and shallow breathing. Even heavy users of opioids don’t experience the difficulty that fentanyl abuse causes. When I began taking fentanyl, my body was already in a rough spot because of my heroin abuse.

How To Detect Fentanyl Through Drug Tests

Fentanyl has led to new developments in drug testing technology. Fentanyl test strips are a way to test for fentanyl and can tell you how long fentanyl can stay in your system. Fentanyl is not easily detected in urine tests, hair tests, or saliva tests. Fentanyl test strips have revolutionized the way that we test for fentanyl.

Before my fentanyl abuse, I dealt with long-lasting opioid dependence. My drug use began in my early twenties and continued until I was in my late thirties. Even though I was a substance abuse veteran, nothing could prepare me for what fentanyl did to me. Powder fentanyl is what I became addicted to, but it didn’t start there.

My first experience with fentanyl was through counterfeit pills. These are fentanyl-laced prescription drugs that are very much responsible for the rise in overdose deaths associated with this drug. It’s extremely difficult to prevent people from ingesting these pills, because, on the black market, drug users are going to do what they’re going to do.

Fentanyl can come in many different forms. There is the powder form, but there are also nasal sprays and a transdermal patch. Fentanyl powder can also be cooked down into an injectable solution. There aren’t many other substances that come in so many different forms.

When To Seek Help

Seek help for fentanyl detox

Even though I was able to hide my addiction from my loved ones, it was eating me alive inside. I suffer from a variety of mental health disorders, namely bipolar depression. This was very tricky when it came time for me to seek help. I had a lot of issues to work through beyond just my substance use.

Because I had such a severe addiction, I needed medical supervision during my detox. Getting fentanyl out of a person’s system takes a rather brutal detox process. Anyone who has been addicted to any powerful opioid will tell you how uncomfortable it is to ween yourself off of it. The side effects are crushing and can make you want to give in very easily.

When I entered rehab, I was facing potential prison time because of where my drug addiction took me. Every drug test they gave me through probation I would fail. I was given a lot of chances, but the drug testing always told the truth. I couldn’t be trusted to get help on my own.

How Does Fentanyl Kill You?

There’s no handbook for how to overcome an addiction to fentanyl. I never imagined that addiction treatment would do anything for me. Because I was so highly addicted, it seemed like it would take an act of god for me to not go back to my old ways. Drugs stay in your system longer the more you take them. It took nearly three weeks after my last dose for the drug’s half-life to dissipate.

When I finally took the last drug test that showed that I had rid of the drug from my body, it was a unique feeling. It felt like there would always be something that would come back. When you’ve quit using the drug and it still shows up in standard drug tests, it can feel like it will never go away.

There are a lot of things that got me through that initial phase of recovery. The behavioral therapies I engaged in were extremely helpful, and all the other recovering addicts I’ve met along the way have helped me stay the course. Using fentanyl as long as I did made me realize how damaged my body and my soul had become. No matter how much damage is done, you can always heal.

How To Overcome Such A Highly Addictive Drug

Overcome Fentanyl Addiction Through Group Therapy

I got used to taking drug test after drug test when I was a fentanyl addict. Through probation and jail, I was given every type of drug test you could imagine. After taking so many blood tests, urine tests, and the occasional hair test, it really makes you feel like a human experiment.

Now that I am clean, I have a much different appreciation for forensic medicine. All of the advances in drug testing and screening for other opioids have saved many lives. I consider myself a part of this process as well as I continued my sobriety journey. I’ve met all kinds of people through group therapy who have inspired me.

These groups are a wonderful collection of folks who have overcome many different addictions, from opioids to alcohol. A lot of these people are at many different stages of their recovery as well. Some of these people are still close enough to the beginning of recovery that they still experience withdrawal symptoms. The best thing that I can do is be there to support them and let them know they aren’t alone.

Finding Lasting Recovery From Fentanyl

Individual therapy as well as family therapy has worked wonders for me in my sobriety. Gone are the days when I would pray before drug tests, hoping nothing would be detected in my urine. The respiratory arrest, insomnia, and body chills are no longer there. I am no longer looking up on the internet how I can beat a drug test. I am no longer searching for how does fentanyl kill you, as I found out firsthand.

When I go to meetings, I bring a positive attitude with me. I focus on solution-based thinking as opposed to problem-based thinking. I am no longer all doom and gloom in my personal life. It’s been a long road, but I have traveled it willingly and am open to addressing whatever issues may arise in the future.

Put Worries About Drug Testing in Your Past

I am open and willing to talk about my struggle and am aware that I’m not invincible to it. I can still slip up and go back to my old routine of using drugs, getting in trouble, and being subjected to hair tests and saliva tests. Fentanyl will stay with me forever, but in a different way than it used to.

If you are struggling with fentanyl, give yourself a chance at sobriety with the program for recovery found at Best Rehabs In Arizona. They helped me, and I am willing to bet they will give you solid options for a different outlook on life as well!

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Slang for Cocaine

Slang for Cocaine

Common Street Names for Cocaine

When you suffer from cocaine addiction, you pick up pretty quickly on the street names for cocaine. There have been a lot of substitutes and variations of the word cocaine. Some of the terminologies get pretty ridiculous, but if you have a cocaine addiction, you become an encyclopedia of street names for cocaine. Cocaine addiction has unfortunately become a part of American culture in the last several decades.

I didn’t think I had it in me to accept addiction treatment when I got to Best Rehabs In Arizona. Drug use in general requires a rigorous treatment process. Cocaine addiction is one of the toughest forms of substance abuse to overcome. Cocaine users have gotten pretty creative in their slang for cocaine. Cocaine abuse is a very common form of drug abuse and it crosses all lifestyles and cultures.

Keep reading if you or a loved one is struggling with coke, to find out the names for the drug you may not have heard before, and find out about effective treatment with Best Rehabs In Arizonas!

Going Beyond Nose Candy: A Dictionary of Slang for Cocaine

The slang terms also transcend these boundaries. The drug cocaine is derived from the coca plant. It is generally a drug that is smuggled and one of the biggest headaches for the drug enforcement administration. The substance derived from the coca plant is very often in a white powder form.

Cocaine use has been popular in America for decades, and as the times change, so do the cocaine slang terms. There is a lot of variation in these nicknames for cocaine depending on how the cocaine is produced. Crack cocaine is a common form of cocaine that has been highly dangerous.

Cocaine Mixed With Other Drugs

Cocaine With Other Drugs

Cocaine is commonly mixed with other drugs and has various street names. ‘Nose candy’ is one of the most common slang terms for cocaine by itself. This is because it is commonly ingested in its white powder form. Typically, by the time you develop a cocaine addiction, you are no stranger to other drugs.

Cocaine is very often mixed with other drugs in order to enhance its effects. Many of the people I’ve met in addiction treatment have talked openly about using cocaine with other drugs. When I was at the height of my cocaine addiction, I used to put powder cocaine at the end of my cigarettes. ‘Cocoa puffs’ is one of the slang terms for cocaine mixed with cigarettes.

Another one of the slang terms for this is ‘Greek Joint’ or mixed with marijuana in a blunt it used to be called a ‘woo-banger.’ All the slang gets a little crazy, but it can help conceal the way you are using it and lets a coded message be passed back and forth a bit more easily.

One of the scariest substances on the rise is fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful narcotic and is responsible for many overdose deaths. Dirty fentanyl is crack cocaine mixed with fentanyl. Sometimes it’s very difficult to know what you are ingesting when all you are given is a white powder or crack cocaine. I’ve known several people who lost their lives because of dirty fentanyl.

Cocaine Street Names Not Often Talked About

As new forms of drugs become more widely used, the street names for and slang for cocaine continue to multiply. There are slang terms that I first heard about in Treatment, and I thought I knew them all. Cocaine is a drug that can be mixed with many other substances.

Cocaine mixed with heroin is known as a ‘speedball’. Big flake is another term used to describe the appearance of cocaine. The street name for cocaine mixed with marijuana is known as Bazooka.

The list of slang for cocaine seems never-ending. Some of the most common street names for cocaine are Coke, Big Flake, Blow, Candy, White Girl, and Pearl. Common slang terms for crack include Rock, Black Rock, Kibble, and Ice Cubes. Cocaine mixed with meth is known as Croak. The slang terms just seem to go on and on the further, you delve into them.

Cocaine street names change often and make it difficult for law enforcement to keep up. The influx of cocaine into the United States has continued to be a big problem in the world of drug addiction. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that Columbia produces about ninety percent of the cocaine that reaches America. Other countries in South America that produce cocaine include Peru and Bolivia.

Crack Cocaine Addiction

Crack Cocaine Addiction

Crack cocaine is a form of cocaine abuse that is often found in poor neighborhoods. “Crack”, “Rock” or “Base” are common crack cocaine slang terms. Crack has been one of the most common street names for cocaine since it became a prevalent form of drug addiction.

Because crack is one of the most common nicknames for cocaine, it can be confused with white power. Those who aren’t familiar with cocaine may not know the difference between crack and powder cocaine.

Crack cocaine is made from cooking cocaine mixed with baking soda. It is then typically smoked. It is often seen as a much more addictive form of cocaine. Crack quickly became a common form of cocaine use as soon as it was first introduced. Cocaine mixed with baking soda provides a very quick, intense high. It’s a big rush that is rarely felt by other drugs.

As someone who has suffered from substance abuse and gone through addiction treatment, I can attest to the powerful grip that crack cocaine has on addicts. Cocaine use is bad enough for your body and mind, but crack is truly all-encompassing. The national institute on drug abuse has warned about the link between crack cocaine and developing STDs such as HIV and Hepatitis.

Long Term Recovery From Substance Abuse

To achieve long-term recovery from drug use, you need to be all in. The decision needs to come from you, and nobody else. This is one of the first things you’ll learn in treatment centers. There are many aspects to the recovery process.

A lot of treatment facilities focus on behavioral health and your individual needs as an addict, and in my case Best Rehabs In Arizona in Colorado helped me get to the reasons I loved coke so much, and help me find ways to stop using that seemed almost natural in hindsight. Over the years I have replaced that intense high with a ton of other ‘highs’ from daily life that are sustainable and don’t leave me filled with regrets.

There are many ways to become a drug addict. It always begins with recreational use, and normally gets worse over a period of time. No one decides to be a drug addict one day, it happens gradually and the drugs fool you into thinking you’ve got it under control. Treatment programs are designed to help you deal with the issues that led you to that place.

There is usually some sort of outside factor for the development of drug addiction. When the drug becomes the only thing important in your life, it is typically because it is masking something painful in your past. This is not one hundred percent the case, but pretty close.

Treatment Options For Drug Abuse

Drug treatment looks pretty similar for most addicts. Whether you are addicted to one drug or multiple drugs, treatment starts at the core of who you are. Addiction comes in many forms. When I finally sought treatment, not only was I falling apart personally, but so were my family members. I lived with a lot of shame for what I put them through, and I wanted to make it right.

Ultimately, you can only achieve long-term recovery if you do it for yourself first. You have to love and forgive yourself above all else. Best Rehabs In Arizona have one of the best treatment programs out there, and I tried my best not to take it for granted. They offer treatment placement tailored to your specific addiction.

Group Therapy

There are so many great treatment options these days, and easy ways to find recovery information online. Many of these programs offer both in-person and text support for those who prefer texting. Everyone’s journey is unique, so treatment placement is tailored to the individual.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Library of Medicine were great learning tools for me during my treatment. My specific addiction was cocaine mixed with heroin. Two very strong and potentially fatal addictions. I learned a lot about these specific drugs, and how lucky I was to be alive. Cocaine and heroin are bad enough on their own. Cocaine mixed with heroin very often results in death.

Behavioral Health and Treatment Placement

Finding the right fit is key to navigating drug treatment. Many people don’t know where to start when selecting the right program. A lot of addicts assume they won’t be able to afford it. Luckily there are many programs in the network at a reduced rate. The insurance coverage I got was very necessary and was a big part of why I was able to make it work.

Once you go through treatment, it doesn’t mean the problem is totally fixed. Finding a good support group is vital to your recovery. The reoccurring messages you hear through support groups may sound old after a while, but for us in the program they are crucial. Truer words have never been spoken than ‘one day at a time’.

Reach Out for Your Own Recovery

When you receive treatment, you are doing yourself and your community a giant favor. Not to mention your family as well. I work very hard on myself and my mental and behavioral health. I know that I’m not going to completely make it all go away, but I can separate myself enough from my addiction to where I feel like I have a fighting chance. That’s all anyone in recovery can ask for.

If my story sounds similar to your own, or if you have a loved one going through some of the same experiences, please give yourself a fighting chance and seek out help. I know Best Rehabs In Arizona helped me grab hold of a life I thought was long gone for me. If you want something different for yourself, reach out now and see what your options are for a new way of life.

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Can Cocaine Kill You?

Can Cocaine Kill You

The Risk Of Cocaine-Related Death

Cocaine is a stimulant drug created from the leaves of the coca plant. Also called snow, coke, or blow, cocaine is a Schedule II drug with a high potential for addiction. Cocaine severely disrupts the central nervous system and can permanently affect the body and mind. But can cocaine kill you? The answer is a clear and resounding yes.

Despite this, it is often seen as a party drug, and in 2020 alone, 1.9% of people aged 12 or older in the United States had used cocaine in the past year. How is it possible for cocaine to kill you? If so, how much does it take? Perhaps most importantly, what should you do if you or someone you know uses cocaine reguarly and needs help?

Keep reading to get the details on all of these important cocaine questions, and how to get effective treatment with Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery!

Can Cocaine Kill You?

Let’s answer the most pressing question first: Can cocaine kill you? Unfortunately, the answer is still an emphatic yes. Cocaine can kill you, and deaths related to the use of cocaine are not uncommon in the slightest.

In fact, cocaine was responsible for around 19,447 deaths in the United States in 2020 – a number that has continued to increase throughout the years despite heightened literacy and awareness surrounding drug use. Cocaine increases dopamine production and leads to a sense of euphoria, which is often the appeal of those who use the drug. Note that not every cocaine-related death is accurately reported, nor are all cocaine overdoses, so the total number of deaths might be even higher than statistics suggest.

As for how much cocaine it takes to kill you, the answer varies, but the most important thing to remember is that cocaine use is never without risk. Whether it’s your first time using cocaine or you are someone who has engaged in cocaine use continuously, overdose and death are always possible. Furthermore, cocaine-related deaths can occur at any time and may be sudden.

What Increases the Risk of Death from Cocaine?

What Increases the Risk of Death from Cocaine

When you use cocaine, it speeds up the heart and constricts blood vessels. This affects the cardiovascular system in any case and is why cocaine abuse is so strongly associated with heart attacks. Several factors raise the chance of cocaine-related deaths. You may be at an inflated risk of dying from cocaine use if you:

  • Combine cocaine with other drugs
  • Consume high amounts of cocaine
  • Use cocaine continuously

 

Older adults may also be at a heightened risk of cocaine overdose and death from cocaine use. However, cocaine overdose, sudden death, and heart attacks can and do occur in anyone who uses cocaine. Even if someone does not intentionally combine cocaine with other substances, it is not uncommon for cocaine to be laced with another substance, such as fentanyl.

When two drugs are taken at once (e.g., alcohol and cocaine, fentanyl and cocaine, or cocaine and methamphetamine), it heightens the risk of death, overdose, heart attacks, and other effects substantially.

What are the Side Effects Of Cocaine Use?

Side Effects Of Cocaine Use

Cocaine is life-threatening, but sudden death and overdose aren’t the only risks associated with the drug. Some effects of cocaine use range depending on how you use it, though some are consistent across the board.

There are both short and long-term effects of cocaine use that you should know about if you or someone you know uses cocaine.

Possible risks of using cocaine include:

  • Movement disorders (like Parkinson’s disease)
  • An increased risk of heart disease
  • Disturbances in heart rhythm
  • Impaired psychomotor activity
  • Hallucinations and paranoia
  • Agitation or anxiety
  • Memory problems
  • Perforation of the septum
  • Nose bleeds
  • Infections
  • Headaches
  • Liver damage
  • Seizures
  • Stroke
  • Headaches
  • GI pain
  • Nausea

 

Cocaine abuse can affect a person and their life in many different ways. Strained interpersonal relationships, job loss or problems at work, risky or impulsive behavior, criminal activity, the use of other drugs, and financial problems are other possible concerns associated with cocaine abuse, use, or addiction. If you live with cocaine addiction or might be, know that it is possible to recover.

Can You Overdose from Cocaine?

Signs of cocaine overdose

As mentioned previously, cocaine overdose is a sad reality for too many people. Knowing the signs of a cocaine overdose can help you spot it so that you can seek medical attention for yourself or someone else before it’s too late.

Here are some of the possible signs of cocaine overdose:

  • Stroke
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Heart attack or cardiac arrest
  • High blood pressure
  • High body temperature
  • Trouble breathing
  • Cardiac arrhythmias or rapid heartbeat
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Extreme or intense sweating
  • Blue-toned skin
  • Chest pain
  • Tremors

 

If you believe that you or someone else is experiencing a cocaine overdose, seek attention from a medical professional immediately or call 911.

Stopping the use of cocaine is the only way to fully avoid cocaine-related deaths and cocaine overdoses. It can be tough to reach out for help for substance abuse, but it’s something to take pride in, and the decision to do so saves lives.

Treatment Options For Cocaine Abuse

Intensive outpatient program

There are a number of different treatment options for cocaine abuse and other forms of drug abuse. We offer various levels of care for cocaine addiction, including:

 

Many people use other forms of support, such as support groups and therapy, after treatment to help themselves maintain sobriety. Treatment often involves a range of therapeutic activities and helps you create a relapse prevention plan to set yourself up for long-term success.

Cocaine and Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis care is often ideal for those who experience another mental illness alongside a substance use disorder, as it helps individuals address co-occurring concerns that commonly pair with substance abuse, like depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Everyone’s path to recovery is different, and overcoming cocaine addiction is more than possible.

Find Help For Cocaine with Best Rehabs In Arizona Now

Best Rehabs In Arizona offers addiction treatment and dual diagnosis care for those experiencing Cocaine Use Disorder, as well as other substance use disorders. We have treatment facilities located in both Arizona and Colorado.

Our hotline is available 24/7, and we are here to check on insurance coverage for you or your loved one, quickly and completely confidentially.

Contact Best Rehabs In Arizona today for a call that can change your life and put cocaine in the past!

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Signs of Heroin Use

Heroin addiction

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug that acts primarily as a central nervous system depressant. Heroin is a Schedule I substance in the U.S., meaning that heroin use has no currently accepted medical purpose and has a high potential for abuse. Knowing the signs of heroin use can be vital if you believe a friend or loved one is using it.

The raw material that becomes heroin, morphine is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant. Heroin can be white or brown powder or a black sticky substance. There are many street names for the drug, one of which is “black tar heroin”.

Keep reading to find out the ‘red flags,’ that will let you know someone may be using heroin and how to get them effective help!

Heroin addiction – the facts

Heroin addiction is a growing problem in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that nearly half a million Americans have used heroin at least once in their life, and an estimated 23 percent of people who use heroin develop an addiction to it.

When this illegal drug enters the brain, it binds to opioid receptors, which are located throughout the brain and spinal cord. This causes them to release dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure) and produce a rush of good feeling — also known as a “high” — similar to what occurs when someone takes cocaine or prescription painkillers like oxycodone or hydrocodone, according to NIDA.

Understanding heroin addiction requires knowing how substance abuse generally works. Over time, the more heroin that is used, the more there starts to be a physical dependence and a psychological dependence on the drug. The body becomes physically dependent on the substance is a result of it becoming used to the presence of the highly addictive drug in its system. This can result in incredibly potent and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when heroin users quit.

The psychological dependence is also of note as its implications for mental health are staggering. Some of the effects of heroin addiction as it relates to mental illness involve the exacerbation of mental health disorders and can even lead up to suicidal ideation.

How does heroin abuse affect your body?

Heroin addiction can affect the body to a staggering degree. Most people suffering from substance abuse, heroin specifically, cannot fathom how the uncontrollable drug-seeking behaviors of that addiction can affect their bodies.

The truth is, that prolonged heroin use can have an enormous impact. Read on for some of the short and long-term effects of heroin abuse on the human body. We’re going to divide some of the more common effects of heroin abuse into both short-term and long-term effects.

Short-Term

 

  • Feelings of euphoria
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sedation (drowsiness)
  • Slowed breathing and heart rate
  • Dry mouth, nose, and throat
  • Small pupils (black centers) in the eyes
  • Involuntary muscle spasms.

Long-Term

 

  • Needle-sharing. Sharing needles can lead to infection at injection sites with hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases.
  • Heart problems. Long-term heroin use can increase the risk of heart disease by damaging the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.
  • Infections. Tissue damage from poor nutrition and lack of cleanliness can cause abscesses (pus-filled pockets) in the skin, lungs, liver, and other organs.
  • Liver disease. Heroin use can cause liver failure, especially when users inject it into their veins because this type of injection bypasses most of the body’s natural filters for removing toxins from the bloodstream before they reach the liver.
  • Lungs and respiratory system damage. The chemicals in heroin are harmful to lung tissue and can cause coughs or wheezing that won’t go away, fever, chills, and breathing problems such as pneumonia or lung abscesses (lung infections).

Signs and Symptoms of heroin abuse

Symptoms of heroin abuse

Heroin addiction can be fairly easy to spot if you know the signs and symptoms to look out for. Let’s go over some of the more common signs and symptoms of heroin addiction that you should be aware of if you are concerned for a loved one. Heroin abuse signs and symptoms can range from physical to behavioral symptoms.

  • Needle tracks or injection marks on the body
  • Finding IV drug paraphernalia (like needles) hidden or even in plain view
  • Trouble breathing
  • Deterioration in personal habits including grooming and hygiene
  • Dramatic weight loss
  • Slurred speech
  • Constricted pupils
  • Massive change to sleep habits (either huge increase or decrease)

Both physical and behavioral symptoms can affect a person negatively, and recognizing these signs early forms a top way of preventing drug abuse from getting worse.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms

Drug use has massive implications for one’s life, but what about heroin withdrawal? The severity of withdrawal symptoms is actually one of the most commonly cited causes of relapsing disease as it relates to heroin.

At times, the physical symptoms can be so debilitating that they act as a motivator for people to either avoid quitting or relapsing back into the habit despite the fact that they might deeply desire to stop. For the most part, these unpleasant symptoms begin developing for the heroin user within a few hours of them taking the last dose.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of alcohol withdrawal, but they can be more severe. Some common symptoms of heroin abuse can include:

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Runny nose and sneezing
  • Goosebumps (piloerection)
  • Chills or shivering

The risk factors for heroin addiction

Heroin abuse is considered an epidemic. The causes and risk factors of addiction are varied and don’t include just any one thing. However, there are some factors that make someone more likely to become addicted to heroin than others. These include:

  • Genetics. Genetics may play a role in people who end up abusing drugs, but it’s not the only factor. Where there is a family history of drug abuse, there may be an increased risk. You can inherit certain traits from your parents, such as how easily you become addicted or how quickly you develop tolerance to drugs. But you do not necessarily have to inherit this trait from your parents for it to affect your risk for addiction.
  • Environment. Your environment can also affect your risk of becoming addicted to heroin or other substances. For example, if you live in an area where there are many people who use heroin, there’s more than a good chance that you will meet them and try heroin yourself at some point in time during your life. This increases the likelihood that you’ll become addicted at some point in time during your life — especially if you try it with friends who already use it regularly.
  • Co-occurring disorders. Persons who have experienced active trauma and have post-traumatic stress disorder or behavioral health issues and mental health issues are at increased risk of falling prey to a physical dependence on heroin or other drug use. This includes anxiety, depression, or even certain forms of neurodivergence. All of these are risk factors for, potentially, heroin abuse. Co-occurring disorders may happen alongside addiction treatment.

Heroin overdose – the facts

Heroin overdose

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heroin overdose causes more than 8,200 deaths each year in the United States alone. That’s why it’s important that you know what to do if someone you love has overdosed on heroin. The effects of heroin that are often responsible for overdoses are centered around the drug’s effects on respiration, which can slow down or stop completely over time. This can be deadly because it makes it harder for your body to get oxygen into its bloodstream and keep vital organs like your brain working properly.

No matter what, an overdose should be considered a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. It should be treated as such. Knowing the physical symptoms that are a result of a heroin overdose can help prevent death. Some of the more common ones are:

  • Slowed breathing or shallow breathing
  • Shallow or slow heartbeat
  • Dizziness and confusion
  • Seizures (convulsions)
  • Blue lips, nails, and fingertips (cyanosis) due to lack of oxygen in the body

Take back your life from heroin addiction today!

The intervention of a high-quality treatment center can be life-saving. A good treatment center features experts in behavioral health who are trained to aid with the symptoms associated with overdose, withdrawal, and addiction to heroin in general. Also, they will be well equipped to treat the co-occurring disorders that may have led to the addiction in the first place.

Addiction to heroin or other drugs is not just a physical issue. The underlying mental illnesses that predispose persons to become heroin users require intervention. If you have noticed signs or symptoms of heroin abuse, or any other drugs in a loved one, reach out to us at Pathfinder’s today and let us provide the help they need. Our expert team is standing by to help.

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PPO Insurance Rehab

PPO insurance rehab

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) forms of insurance is widely recognized as a superior alternative to health maintenance organization (HMO) and exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans.

In most cases, a referral from your primary care physician is not necessary when using a PPO health insurance plan to see a specialist. In other words, if you have PPO insurance, you can go to whatever doctor or “PPO insurance rehab” you like as long as they accept your plan.

Read on to learn why it’s important to take advantage of your PPO policy’s coverage for addiction treatment and how to do it in a way that protects your privacy and your health.

Will PPO Insurance Cover Substance Abuse Treatment?

PPO insurance plans, like those from most other carriers, often include coverage for a variety of drug and alcohol rehab centers. The reason for this is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2006.

As a result of this legislation, mental health and substance abuse services are required to be included in health insurance plans. In most cases, your health insurance will cover a wide range of alcohol and drug rehab programs and levels of care. This includes medically-assisted detox, inpatient residential treatment, outpatient treatment programs, and partial hospitalization programs.

Although PPO plans may not provide complete coverage for an extensive rehabilitation stay, they can still help you save money and provide you more flexibility in choosing your healthcare providers and the course of treatment you want to follow.

Why Is PPO Coverage So Efficient for Substance Abuse Coverage?

Substance Abuse

People with substance abuse problems benefit greatly from the 24-hour supervision and rigorous program structure offered by inpatient and residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers.

By entering inpatient treatment, patients are shielded from the stresses and temptations of the outside world, which may otherwise threaten their sobriety. They will have a much lower chance of relapsing and will have an easier time recovering if this choice is made.

This level of drug and alcohol treatment will likely also include different behavioral treatments and holistic recovery services for people battling an underlying mental health challenge, as well as give a holistic approach to therapy for clients who wish to participate in a more natural option.

Many insurance companies, including a Preferred Provider Organization that yields PPO plans, will provide less coverage for inpatient treatment in light of these supplementary benefits. This implies that if you want to rehabilitate in a residential treatment center, you may have to pay more money out of pocket.

Does PPO Cover Outpatient Treatment?

A lot of people who are trying to overcome their addiction prefer to do it through outpatient programs. While less intensive and organized than inpatient treatments, PPO coverage expands with outpatient care, reducing the client’s out-of-pocket costs.

In addition, as you won’t have to relocate to attend treatment, you’ll be able to keep up with your obligations at home, work, and school while still getting the help you need for your substance abuse issue.

Group therapy, recovery support groups, and skill-building programs are common components of outpatient treatment plans. Care at this level may still need some out-of-pocket expenses, but it will be far more cost-effective than hospitalization.

How Long of a Stay Do PPO Plans Cover During Rehab?

PPO Plans

How long someone stays in rehab for substance abuse depends on several variables. Possible factors that may impede a person’s ability to recover from addiction include the severity of their condition, the nature of the treatment program, and any barriers they face on a personal level.

Many people lack the resources (both time and money) to get the help they need for their drug use disorder, which places them in a position where they cannot recover fully from their addiction. This might discourage people from getting help from professionals to solve their substance misuse problems.

Inpatient care typically lasts between 30 and 105 days, whereas outpatient programs often last around 120 days. Some patients, in their search for the most appropriate degree of care, go to both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers.

If the healthcare practitioner providing the therapy is not part of the insurance company’s network, the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses will likely exceed the maximum amount that the insurance company would pay. Insurance companies that operate on a PPO model may be more accommodating when it comes to covering addiction treatment.

In some cases, PPO insurance carriers will pay for detox, inpatient, and outpatient services from non-network treatment facilities, even if the patient’s private insurance company would not.

The client may be responsible for paying any additional fees that aren’t covered by insurance. Still, this will be far less expensive than providing healthcare with less adaptable insurance or no healthcare financing at all.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Coverage with a PPO Plan

Dual diagnosis therapy, or the combination of several behavioral and holistic treatments, is a crucial part of addiction treatment, as stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

This paves the way for healthcare practitioners to adopt a holistic view of their drug and alcohol addiction therapy, treating not just the addiction but also the factors that led to it.

Essential health benefits, such as dual diagnosis services and access to select deluxe treatments, may be included with these suppliers under a PPO insurance plan. These facilities will, of course, charge more than average for rehabilitation services.

This is because they will provide extra luxuries that may not be available through other treatment programs, such as diverse sporting services and facilities, equestrian therapy, art therapy, aromatherapy, and spa services.

While obviously more tempting and pleasant than other treatment centers may seem, luxury rehab facilities are not a necessary level of care for addiction recovery. Those without the financial means to pay for these luxuries can get by just fine with the basic levels of care.

Paying for Services Not Covered by PPO Insurance

Services Not Covered by PPO Insurance

Sadly, many alcoholics and addicts won’t get assistance because they can’t afford it. For this reason, a solid health insurance plan might be crucial to a person’s chances of beating their addiction for good.

However, it’s possible that some people won’t ever be able to afford dependable insurance. Fortunately, there are a number of options for covering the cost of professional substance misuse treatment that do not involve insurance or supplement what insurance does not cover.

Installment arrangements are by far the most common. These allow those in recovery to spread out the cost of their therapy over time, rather than having to come up with the full amount at once. This may be a huge relief to many people’s wallets as they attempt to pay for rehabilitation.

Another option is to ask close friends, relatives, or other loved ones to help out financially. A tight network of people who care about the individual’s well-being can lessen the financial burden of necessary medical care.

Having confidence in your ability to afford expert help to overcome drug and alcohol dependence by knowing what kinds of addiction treatment services are covered by your PPO insurance plan and how much coverage you will actually be able to obtain is crucial.

Getting Started With Insurance Coverage for Rehab

While each insurance provider has its own set of rules that must be met before they can issue a policy, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of being accepted.

If you do not yet have a PPO policy, the Affordable Care Act and the ACA Marketplace can be a good starting place for your search. When searching, remember that PPO insurance coverage is generally the best option for both in-network rehab options as well as an out of network provider.

Consult Your Physician

You can avoid unnecessary bother with your insurance provider by requesting a reference from your primary care physician to the institution of your choice.

Check Your Insurance

Although most rehabilitation centers take all major PPO plans, you should double-check that the facility you’re considering is indeed an in-network provider with your insurance company to avoid any unwanted out-of-network charges.

Even if rehab is not in your insurance network, you may still be eligible for some financial assistance. Your out-of-pocket costs can be determined with the aid of customer support.

Contact the Help Desk

Reviewing your documents alone may not always help you understand what is and is not covered. In this situation, feel free to call your insurance provider and ask any questions you may have, and remind them you would like to attend Best Rehabs In Arizona and find out any associated costs.

Our Admissions team is also always happy to assist with questions about your PPO insurance coverage and can let you know out-of-pocket costs within minutes.

Important PPO Insurance Coverage Terms to Remember

You should be able to grasp the language used by insurance companies in order to understand how to use your insurance to assist pay for rehabilitation treatments.

To help you better understand discussions regarding insurance, we’ve included definitions of several often used phrases below.

Deductible

You will have to pay this amount out of pocket before your insurance company begins paying anything. Payment of this amount is required in addition to your regular premium; your regular premium will not be deducted from this total.

In most plans, once you’ve met your yearly deductible, your insurance will begin paying a certain percentage of covered expenses.

Premium

This is the regular payment you make to keep your insurance in force. No, it won’t affect your deductible at all, as we’ve already established, but a PPO plan premium can tend to be a bit higher than other sorts of coverage.

Copay

A copayment, or “copay,” is a modest, predetermined sum of money that is due at the time of service. Depending on your insurance and the service you’ve requested for your visit, the fee might be anywhere from $5 to $75.

As with your premium, this contribution will not be applied to your yearly deductible.

Co-insurance

After your deductible is met, your insurance company will reimburse this amount. While some plans cover all of a patient’s expenses, others may only pay for a certain percentage, leaving the patient to foot the bill for the rest.

In-network

PPO Insurance Coverage Terms to Remember

Providers who are “in-network” with your insurance plan have bargained for lower fees on your behalf. In most cases, you may save the most money on medical treatment by sticking with providers that are part of your insurance network.

Out-of-pocket

You will frequently hear this as either “out-of-pocket expenses” or “out-of-pocket maximum.”

The term “out-of-pocket expenditures” describes the amount of money you will have to spend out of cash for medical treatment.

The greatest amount you’ll have to spend out of cash for medical care is known as the “out-of-pocket maximum.” After this limit is met, your PPO will pay 100% of the covered expenses.

An Addiction Treatment Center Made for Your Lasting Recovery

At Best Rehabs In Arizona, our program is covered by most major PPO providers. In addition, we also take a large range of different insurance plans, so we’re likely to cover the cost of your treatment.

For more information regarding coverage of your stay or to speak with our admissions team, contact Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery today!

 

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How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System

How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System

The Duration of Adderall’s Beneficial and Potentially Harmful Effects

Adderall is a prescription medication widely used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Doctors may also prescribe the medication to help people with narcolepsy. A given dose of Adderall stays in your system for a fairly predictable amount of time. While in your bloodstream, it produces certain therapeutic effects. A variety of side effects may also occur in anyone taking the medication. In addition, if you misuse or abuse Adderall, you can run into problems that include addiction and overdose.

What Is Adderall

Adderall belongs to a group of brand name medications known as combination products. Medications of this type do not contain just one active ingredient. Instead, they contain a mixture of active ingredients that work together.

What is Adderall made of? The medication’s active ingredients are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Dextroamphetamine is the primary ingredient. Each dose of Adderall contains three parts of this compound and one part amphetamine.

Both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine belong to the stimulant category of substances. When you take them, they speed up the activity rate in your brain and spinal cord. At the same time, they make you feel more focused and alert.

There are two formulations of Adderall on the market. One formulation, Adderall IR, is the standard, immediate-release version of the medication. When you take it, you feel its full effects all at once. The second, Adderall XR, is an extended-release product. This means that it does not hit your system all at once. Instead, it has a more gradual effect.

How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System

The question of how long Adderall stays in your system is a bit complicated to answer. That is true because a range of considerations have an impact on the duration of the medication’s presence. Still, some basic facts can be established.

One crucial concept in determining the duration of any medication’s effects is half-life. This term describes the amount of time it takes for half of a given medication dose to leave your system. The half-life of Adderall IR is roughly nine hours. Adderall XR has a half-life that varies from ten to 13 hours.

What do these figures mean? In about nine hours, your system’s levels of Adderall IR will fall by 50 percent. In the next, nine hours, the remaining level of medication in your system will be halved again. This process continues until no more Adderall remains in your body. The same process holds true for Adderall XR, but on a time scale of every ten to 13 hours.

How Long Does Adderall Show Up On Drug Tests

How Long Does Adderall Show Up On Drug Tests

Most of the Adderall in your system gets excreted in your urine. How long will a urine drug test reveal the presence of the medication? Both Adderall IR and XR will be detectable for about two to three days after you take a typical dose. What if a blood test is performed, instead? In these circumstances, testing will show positive for Adderall for up to two days. A saliva test will reveal the medication’s presence for roughly a day or two.

What Affects How Long Adderall Stays in Your System

Half-life is a useful, convenient medical concept. However, it only provides an educated estimate of how long a medication will stay in your system. Why is this true? A number of factors can affect the speed at which you process a medication like Adderall. The list of these factors includes:

  • The functional health of your kidneys
  • Your age
  • Potential interactions with other drugs or medications in your system
  • Other details of the specific way your body processes drugs or medications

 

Together or separately, such factors can have a significant impact. For this reason, the half-life of Adderall in your system may vary from the norm. In turn, the medication may stay in your body for shorter or longer than expected.

Are There Side Effects to Taking Adderall

The use of many medications comes with a risk for unwanted side effects. That is certainly true for Adderall. Doctors break the potential side effects of taking Adderall down into two main groups. The first group contains effects that are only a concern if they take a severe form or do not fade away. Problems in this category include:

  • Headaches
  • Constipated bowels
  • Loose bowels
  • Feelings of nausea
  • Unusual nervousness
  • An abnormally dry mouth
  • Increases or decrease in your sex drive or sexual performance
  • Painful cramps associated with menstruation

 

Adderall side effects in the second group are always a concern. If they occur, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. Effects in this category include:

  • Skin that itches, peels or blisters
  • Rashes on your skin
  • Abnormal speech difficulties
  • Leg or arm numbness or weakness
  • Problems swallowing or breathing
  • A depressed mental state
  • Altered nerve sensations in your feet or hands
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Delusional beliefs

These are just some of the almost two dozen emergency symptoms you may experience.

What Is Considered Misuse of Adderall

Misuse of Adderall

Adderall can trigger side effects even when you take it as intended. If you misuse the medication, you open yourself up to other possible issues, as well. One such issue is Adderall addiction. You can also potentially overdose on the medication.

What actions are considered to be misuse of Adderall or any other prescription drug? Specific behaviors that fit this definition include:

  • Increasing the frequency and/or amount of your medication doses on your own
  • Using Adderall prescribed to another person
  • Taking Adderall for any reason other than needed medical treatment
  • Doing anything to make the medication hit your system faster than usual

Stimulants like Adderall are some of America’s most widely misused prescription medications.

When Does Adderall Misuse Become Adderall Addiction

Every time you misuse Adderall, you increase the odds that you will become physically dependent on it. Physical dependence indicates that your brain now expects the medication to be in your system. It is characterized by two main things:

  • Rising tolerance to the effects of Adderall
  • The onset of withdrawal if you stop taking the medication or rapidly decrease your use

 

However, physical dependence and addiction are not equivalent things. As a rule, Adderall misuse becomes Adderall addiction when two other issues also occur. The first of these issues is an emotional dependence on the medication. The second, recognized as a defining element of addiction, is a compulsive drive to keep using more and more Adderall.

Factors Affecting Your Addiction Risks

Not everyone who takes Adderall has an equal chance of developing problems with addiction. Instead, a number of factors may increase your level of risk. Examples of these factors include:

  • Your genetic background
  • How old you were when you started misusing Adderall
  • The conditions you grow up in during childhood

 

Generally speaking, the younger you are when you start misusing Adderall, the greater the chance addiction will occur. The interaction between your genes and your childhood environment can also have a huge impact. Specific environmental factors that make addiction more likely include:

  • Inadequate parental supervision
  • Having peers who approve of drug use and misuse
  • Living in a place with easy access to Adderall

When combined with genetic factors, poor school performance may also help increase your risks.

How Many People Are Addicted to Adderall

Adderall addiction is an example of a condition called prescription stimulant use disorder. This disorder also covers addiction to other kinds of prescription stimulants. It also covers all forms of damaging, non-addicted abuse of these medications.

Research shows that roughly three-quarters of a million Americans have prescription stimulant use disorder. By far, adults over the age of 25 are most likely to develop this condition. Younger adults make up a much smaller percentage of people with prescription stimulant use disorder. Relatively few preteens and teens are affected.

Treating Adderall Addiction

Adderall Detox

How do rehab programs help people recover from Adderall addiction? If you are addicted to the medication, you will probably need to start with a medical detox program. This kind of program provides a safe environment for halting your Adderall misuse. It also provides crucial support for coping with stimulant withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • Changes in your normal sleep pattern
  • Loss of energy
  • Unusual anxiousness or irritability
  • Problems focusing or concentrating
  • Depression
  • Feelings of paranoia
  • Ongoing cravings for more Adderall

 

There are no medications available to help reduce the effects of Adderall withdrawal. Instead, you receive basic support that keeps you safe and helps you stay as comfortable as possible.

Primary Adderall Treatment

Primary Adderall Treatment

Once Adderall is out of your system, you can continue your recovery in a primary treatment program. As in detox, medication does not typically play a role in this phase of your recovery. Instead, rehab facilities provide help in the form of behavioral psychotherapy.

Multiple types of behavioral therapy are known to help most people addicted to a prescription stimulant. One potential option is contingency management, also known as a motivational incentives program. In this kind of therapy, you receive some kind of meaningful reward when you stay sober during treatment. Common examples of such rewards include:

  • Goods
  • Services
  • Food
  • Entertainment passes or vouchers

 

Your Adderall treatment plan may also include something called 12-step facilitation therapy. This therapy was created in recognition of the importance of joining a mutual self-help group while in recovery. It teaches you how self-help groups work. It also helps you prepare to become an active participant in any group you join.

You may also benefit from other therapy options. One additional option is family behavior therapy. This therapy helps you work through family issues that may be supporting your Adderall addiction. It is common to receive more than one form of behavioral therapy will recovering from stimulant addiction.

Get Effective Help for Adderall Abuse and Addiction at Best Rehabs In Arizona

Need help for Adderall abuse or addiction? The professionals at Best Rehabs In Arizona are standing by to assist you. We specialize in the treatment of all stimulant-related problems. That includes problems related to the combined use of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Our goal is to help you regain your sobriety and learn the skills needed to maintain it. To get your recovery started, call us today.

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How Long Does Fentanyl Stay In Your System?

How Long Does Fentanyl Stay In Your System?

Answers About Fentanyl Addiction and Drug Test Concerns

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. Fentanyl can be prescribed as a patch, lozenge, or injection, and it is also available illegally as a white powder or in pill form. But how long does fentanyl stay in your system? Keep reading and we will cover this in detail.

People who misuse fentanyl by taking it without a prescription or by taking it in a way other than prescribed are at risk of overdose and death. When misused, fentanyl can stay in your system for up to 72 hours.

Currently, this deadly drug is sweeping every neighborhood in America, recently causing a new record high for overdose deaths among users. This marks another year in which the United States has seen record deaths, having bested the previous totals for at least the last half-decade.

Aside from its deadly properties, the average citizen knows very little about fentanyl. One of the most effective ways to mitigate the risks associated with any deadly force is to raise awareness and educate the public regarding different talking points, including withdrawal, dependence, and other essential elements. Let’s look a little closer at what exactly fentanyl is and its effects on the individuals who abuse it.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a type of opioid analgesic, also known as a narcotic. It’s made from the powdered sap of the opium poppy and is mainly used to relieve pain. Because it’s so powerful, it’s often mixed with other drugs or sold on its own. It came into use on the illegal market because it’s relatively easy to produce and sells well on the black market.

At wholesale prices, it’s also much cheaper than street heroin for several reasons. Number one, poppy plants don’t require any waiting period to approach a harvest point. This cuts off a considerable amount of time and ramps up production.

Second, because it’s a synthetic product, there are no limits to the amount of this drug chemists can manufacture. In the past, significant distributors were forced to order the product from China, which was the hub for most of the world’s fentanyl. However, this would all change after the Mexican cartels learned how to manufacture their own product.

Currently, the tyrannical Mexican drug cartels produce fentanyl in our backyard. On border cities throughout the southern United States, just on the other side, are massive labs producing some of the world’s most potent fentanyl. This means there’s an almost infinite supply that dealers can get their hands on. With the expertise of the veteran drug smugglers these cartels already employ, fentanyl flows onto the streets of America uninhibited, with no end to the crisis in sight.

What makes fentanyl so deadly is its incredible potency and how it acts on the brain and body. Miniscule amounts are deadly for the novice user, proved by the swollen overdose death numbers that have surpassed the six-figure mark.

Let’s take a look into the effects of fentanyl from the first-person point of view. How does the user feel after taking a dose of fentanyl?

The Effects of Fentanyl

The Effects of Fentanyl

Anybody who has ever researched fentanyl has probably read a generic list of the effects. However, this doesn’t tell us much about the user’s experience, which is required to gain a perspective on this deadly addiction. From a user’s viewpoint, let’s look at the effects of fentanyl firsthand.

1. Immediately After Injection

The user will feel an immediate rush about two seconds after injecting the drug. After about five seconds, the user develops the feeling of “pins and needles” poking them throughout their body. This feeling results from the receptors responding to the painkilling properties of the drug.

2. Initial Effects

After 30 to 45 seconds, the user will feel warm and sometimes sweat at higher doses. These could also be the beginning moments of an overdose.

3. Peak Period

A wave of euphoria rushes over the user as they begin feeling the peak effects of the drug. Their breathing is slowed down, followed by the heart and other functions of the body. At this point, respiratory depression can take hold because of toxicity, leaving the user in and out of consciousness.

Some users experience nausea and may even vomit because of how the drug interacts with the digestive system. Intense itching ensues for many users and is one of the driving forces of the wounds of many opioid addicts.

4. Coming Down

After the peak period, which usually lasts two to three hours, the user will begin feeling the comedown. They may still be groggy and even fall asleep for an extended period. Some users will experience mood swings, and headaches because of light sensitivity are common.

This assumes the user didn’t overdose during the previous phases of the experience. The chances of overdose are incredibly high, and it’s essential to understand the risks of overdose with fentanyl.

What is the Risk of Overdose with Fentanyl?

Before the fentanyl epidemic, we dealt with the heroin epidemic. Before heroin, we dealt with the opioid painkiller epidemic. These epidemics led to record overdose deaths, but they were nothing compared to the numbers caused by fentanyl.

The risk of overdose with fentanyl is higher than any other drug we’ve ever seen. Most overdose deaths occur in situations where users get way more than they bargained for.

Heroin users purchase a bag of what they think is unadulterated heroin. However, dealers looking to stretch their profits incorporate fentanyl into the mix or, in some instances, replace the heroin with pure fentanyl.

Even a veteran heroin user with what’s considered a high tolerance will quickly succumb to the bad batch of heroin if there’s enough fentanyl included – and it doesn’t take much. For someone not used to injecting or snorting fentanyl regularly, a dose no more significant than the size of a pinch of salt is enough to send them to the point of no return.

One of the significant risks of overdose with fentanyl is its ability to stand up to the overdose reversal drug Narcan. In the past, most users who required Narcan could rely on one dose to bring them out of respiratory arrest and back from the brink of death. Sporadic cases MIGHT have required two doses, but these were only in the case of a massive injection of heroin.

After fentanyl hit the scene, paramedics began noticing something they hadn’t seen before. Overdose victims were hit with Narcan two, three, and four times and still weren’t coming out of the overdose fast enough. It’s not uncommon to hear about fentanyl overdose victims needing five and six doses of Narcan to keep them from dying.

Even homes or individuals who usually carry Narcan aren’t equipped with that many doses – a prepared heroin user might take two or three doses on them in most cases. If individuals in the immediate company of someone don’t have enough Narcan to reverse the overdose effects, the ambulance won’t arrive on time.

Situations like the one described above are a driving factor in dozens of fentanyl overdose deaths each day. What’s being done to mitigate situations like this?

For starters, test strips exist on the market to try and filter out unwanted fentanyl. This may be the most effective approach instead of arresting and fighting a drug war the government can’t win.

Drug Testing for Fentanyl

Instead of choosing to approach the fentanyl epidemic with an aggressive approach, many cities and states are participating in what’s known as harm reduction. Many places already have a needle exchange program, which many people are already familiar with.

Needle exchange programs, which are still controversial in some forums, aim to reduce injury and the spread of disease among IV drug users. These programs consist of mobile volunteers who set up random hubs on different days throughout urban areas, passing out clean needles, Narcan, and other harm-reduction supplies.

Since FTS programs’ inception and widespread availability, some alarming trends have surfaced. An incredibly high number of random batches of narcotics were found to contain lethal amounts of fentanyl – and it wasn’t just heroin.

Batches from marijuana to methamphetamine and cocaine have all been found to contain fentanyl. In addition, several fatal overdose cases are to blame for these drugs containing adulterants, unbeknownst to the user.

These deaths were driving factors in the push to make FTS available whenever drug consumption is possible. Many of the same harm reduction groups that distribute Narcan and syringes have begun adding these fentanyl test strips to their repertoire.

When Will Fentanyl Begin to Show Up On a Test?

When Will Fentanyl Begin to Show Up On a Test

Initially, the fentanyl test strips were designed for use in urine analysis tests for probation and parole officers to use on clients. However, because fentanyl can be added to the standard panel-drug test with other narcotics, the exclusively-for-fentanyl test strips could serve in different ways.

How does fentanyl show up on drug tests compared to other opioids? And does this have any effect on its potency or risk for addiction?

Fentanyl does have a shorter half-life than heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs. However, this doesn’t relieve the withdrawal symptoms and, if anything drives them to come on faster. How long can a user expect this deadly opioid to stay in the system after ingestion, and how soon does it show up on drug tests.

Fentanyl will begin to show up on a drug test almost immediately. Technically, it could take an hour or two because of the time it takes for the drug to enter all relevant body systems.

Another frequently asked question regarding fentanyl abuse is how long it stays in your system. The answer completely depends on the drug’s half-life, combined with how often the user ingests heroin and for how long.

How Long Does Fentanyl Stay In Your System?

Fentanyl stays in your system for varying lengths depending on the system in question. Blood, urine, hair, and saliva are different times the drug expels itself from the body.

The half-life of fentanyl after IV administration is anywhere from two to four hours. This would make the total elimination time somewhere between 11 and 22-hours. However, it’s essential to remember that this is the time it takes for the body to eliminate fentanyl from the blood.

It takes substantially longer for the body to expel fentanyl from the urine, meaning you can still fail a urine analysis even after the drug exits your bloodstream. Besides indicating whether you’ll pass or fail a drug test, the length of time fentanyl stays in your system is significant in terms of withdrawal.

After the drug is expelled from your blood, you begin entering detox and experience the symptoms of withdrawal. It’s essential to be aware of the fentanyl withdrawal timeline to better prepare for any challenges.

The Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline

The fentanyl withdrawal timeline is the window when you’ll experience the worst side effects of detox. This period typically lasts between 7 and 10 days, with varying degrees of severity in between.

12-24 Hours After Last Use

You’ll begin experiencing the initial symptoms of withdrawal, including sweating, anxiety, elevated body temperature, yawning, and intense cravings.

Days 1-3

Days 1-3, you’ll begin the gradual increase of the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. This period includes nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, body aches, insomnia, and restlessness.

Days 3-5

This is often considered the detox process’s most intense period or peak. Symptoms are usually the most severe during this period, with severe anxiety and dehydration becoming real dangers. It’s essential to try and keep liquids down to avoid dehydration and keep your heart rate and blood pressure as low as possible.

Days 5-7

Symptoms begin to decline and trail off until they wear off completely. Throughout the weeks following this stage, you’ll still experience severe insomnia that may cause mental and physical anguish. It’s essential to try to remain active and keep your mind occupied to keep your body somewhat normalized so you can rest.

How Can I Stop Safely Taking Fentanyl?

You can undergo detox and enter recovery from fentanyl abuse in several ways. The least recommended way is cold-turkey or at-home detox.

Several dangers are associated with this form of detox, including elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Complications associated with insomnia can also present challenges. In addition, your chances of relapse are much higher because of the temptation to avoid the pain and discomfort of withdrawal.

Medically assisted detox or medication-assisted treatment for opioids is usually the best course of action when you’re seeking to recover. Both of these, followed by inpatient or outpatient treatment, provide you with the best chances of success.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioids

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioids

Medication-assisted treatment for opioids is one of the most popular ways to detox from fentanyl. Several options and programs exist to help users recover, and it’s essential to be aware of all avenues to find out what might work best for you.

Methadone

Methadone treatment includes attending daily dosing sessions at a clinic. You’ll also be required to submit to random drug testing and have once or twice-per-month meetings with a counselor assigned to you by the clinic.

After a few months of continuous participation without failing drug tests, you’ll be allowed to take doses home, earning privileges one day at a time. Methadone is widely considered a successful form of treatment, with the average participation time somewhere around two years. However, the demand for daily participation can be challenging for some clients.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is available at most methadone clinics as an alternative for clients who don’t want to dose methadone. Alternatively, physicians can open private practices and become licensed to dispense buprenorphine. These clinics are under heavy scrutiny and must comply with all regulations laid out by any state and federal agencies.

Any client who receives Buprenorphine from a private physician must return once per month for appointments and prescription retrieval. Regular visits with a mental health counselor are also required as a form of substance abuse treatment.

These, combined with newer, successful treatment programs with holistic options, can be a great way to battle any substance abuse issue using new methods that treat the mind, body, and soul.

Effectiveness of a Holistic Rehab for Fentanyl

Holistic rehabs like Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery offer fantastic opportunities to enter recovery. We use traditional methods with a modern twist, incorporating things like equine and ocean therapy, including several other good options for the mind, body, and soul.

It’s essential to healing every part of yourself when you enter recovery. Otherwise, you could be in for a setback through relapse. The entire self needs rejuvenation and reanimation, and holistic rehab for fentanyl is the perfect way to experience this refreshing regimen.

If you’re ready for exciting new-age treatment options with traditional effective mental health options, Best Rehabs In Arizona Recovery is waiting to hear from you. Contact a member of our admissions staff to find out how we can help you begin your recovery journey.

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