Drug Side Effects
Drug side effects are becoming more and more of an issue for
addiction professionals.
This is especially true in light of the epidemic rise in the
abuse of and
addiction to prescription painkillers, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics. These often have life threatening side effects when taken as prescribed, let alone at abusive or addictive levels. More and more individuals seeking drug
treatment for addiction to some sort of street drug are also reporting abusive and addictive use of
prescription drugs at the same time.
This is an explosive and potentially deadly combination.
In this culture, at this time, one should always suspect more substances are being used than what is being reported.
Drug Rehab Information By State
The first challenge of
rehab centers in
addiction treatment is to help the individual with their drug and alcohol cravings.
Cravings are strong, uncontrollable, urges that drive the addict to use over and over.
Some withdrawal symptoms and cravings are caused by poor nutrition and depletion of vitamin stores in the body that the drugs are sucking out of the body.
Depletion of nutrition and vitamins can cause the person to be tired and moody and can also cause shakiness and pain.
The drugs accumulating in the body stress the various systems in the body including nerve systems. At this point more drugs are used in an attempt to alleviate feelings and emotions that the drugs themselves are creating. This is why treating drug
addiction with more drugs only makes the problem worse and is now being rejected as a workable therapy by many
rehab centers.
As an opiate, regular use of methadone causes physical dependency - if you've been using it regularly (prescribed or not) once you stop you will experience a withdrawal. The physical changes due to the drug are similar to other opiates (like heroin). If you are a woman using methadone you may not have regular periods - but you are still able to conceive. Methadone is a long-acting opioid; it has an effect for up to 36 hours (if you are using methadone you will not withdraw for this period) A Personal story of methadone withdrawal:
“I've been on both ends of withdrawals, heroin and methadone, every patient of methadone will always tell you the same, as I do; I can kick heroin anytime, but methadone that is something else. In 15 yrs of heroin addiction, I've kicked 3 times, 'cold-turkey'. In 10 years on methadone I've never kicked methadone.”
Each alcohol or drug can and does have its own set of side effects; however there are some side effects that are common to any form of addiction.
These can be classed under the broad categories of cravings, guilt and depression.
Cravings are the intense feeling of physical or emotion need for more drugs or alcohol.
Guilt and depression are the inevitable side effects of all the things the individual has done to hurt or harm himself, his family and loved one, friends, associates, and others in general. These feelings along with cravings make it very difficult for the individual to stay away from drugs or alcohol.
As he or she has a very hard time confronting the reality of the harm created, the drugs appear to be the only solution to remove the physical and emotional pain. It is a deadly trap as the drugs are the main contributor to these feelings.
There are various web pages to be found on our website covering drug facts. Each drug has its own effects and side effects. Each can present unique issues to be addressed in the process of rehabilitation.
There are however 3 common denominators among drug and alcohol
abuse and addiction. First are cravings and the often uncontrollable urge to use again.
Second is the feeling of guilt resulting from the addictive lifestyle and the untold harm created for self, family, friends, and society in general.
Third is the depression that inevitably results from destroyed lives, hopes and dreams.
These three points will occur with any
addiction no matter the drug or alcohol. To create a drug free life that last a lifetime these three points must be fully addressed and relieved for any lasting sobriety.
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