Drug and alcohol addiction impacts millions of lives in America each year. In fact, the number of people who struggle with addiction is so high that the odds are you personally know at least two or three people in addiction and possibly someone who is, will be, or has been through recovery. [Read more…] about 5 Things You Should Never Say to Someone in Early Recovery
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Addiction Help: 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Drug Rehab
In 2009, 23.5 million people (age 12 or older) needed treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Just to give a little perspective, that was 9.3% of the U.S. population, age 12 or older. In the U.S. alone there are more than 14.5 thousand specialized drug rehab facilities to choose from.
With millions of people looking for help to get their lives back on track, there is a lot of confusion. Every facility is not the same. It is imperative that you are aware of the methods used by the facility you choose, in order to ensure the best possible outcome for yourself.
Those of you seeking treatment for the first time, and even those who have been through this before, do you know what questions to ask? [Read more…] about Addiction Help: 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Drug Rehab
5 Ways to Convince Yourself You’re Not an Addict
You’ve just had a stressful day at work. For the past 8 hours you’ve been imagining yourself unwinding on the couch at home, your favorite show turned on and a glass of wine in hand. Now you’re here, everything is just as you imagined it. Finally you can relax.
Except, you don’t want to keep going to the kitchen to refill your glass, so you bring the bottle with you. Good thing you planned ahead because that first glass was gone before the intro was even over. Now on to your second drink, and your evening Xanax. By the time you’re halfway through the third that annoying internal dialogue starts up, as it often does – “Do I have a problem? No, definitely not. People with drinking or drug problems wouldn’t even think to ask themselves that question. I’m definitely in control.”
4:00 a.m. rolls around and you wake up to realize you passed out on the couch again… [Read more…] about 5 Ways to Convince Yourself You’re Not an Addict
Does Childhood Trauma Lead to Addiction?
It would be nice if humans came equipped with diagnostic sensors that could immediately pinpoint the root of any condition we were struggling with —to be able to see into a person’s timeline and say, “There it is. Right there. That’s where addiction began.”
Unfortunately, it takes many of us years, even decades, to uncover enough of the pain to understand why our journey took the turns it did. No one wakes up and decides to become an addict. But somewhere on the timeline of our lives, many addicts have experienced trauma points. This trauma awakens the desire (either conscious or unconscious) for what all trauma survivors long for: control and safety. [Read more…] about Does Childhood Trauma Lead to Addiction?
The Truth About Suboxone – Detox Drug or Your Next Addiction?
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is classified as a semi-synthetic opioid and largely used to reduce the painful and difficult withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin and other opiate dependence. In a monitored, medical detox setting, Suboxone is often prescribed as a taper which brings an individual through heroin or opiate withdrawal in a much more comfortable way than “cold turkey.” Since fear of the painful withdrawal process is often what keeps an individual in active addiction, Suboxone definitely has a place in the recovery process.
Suboxone is just the brand name. The active ingredient in the drug is buprenorphine, which is also found in Subutex, Norspan, Zubslov, Butrans, and Buprenex. Although Suboxone can be a a welcome relief to individuals who desire to quit using drugs such as heroin, morphine, and prescription painkillers, much controversy surrounds the drug due to its use in lengthy (and even life-long) maintenance programs keeping patients using the drug far longer than medically necessary.
How Does Suboxone Work?
When introduced into the body, buprenorphine binds to opiate receptors in the brain just as an opiate would, releasing dopamine and essentially making the brain believe it has consumed an opiate, but without the euphoric effect. This chain of events can successfully suppress withdrawal symptoms, and is the reason why the drug is commonly used for individuals being medically detoxed from opiates.
That’s the simple, condensed version of how it works. Of course, every person is different and sometimes —if other opioids are still present in the user’s brain, for example— an individual may experience some degree of withdrawal symptoms before the buprenorphine begins to take effect.
So, What’s the Problem?
All of the above information sounds good, and it is. Suboxone, when used in a monitored medical detox situation (short term) is useful in the recovery process. But, as many individuals who have battled heroin and opiate addiction for any length of time are aware, Suboxone can have it’s dark side. [Read more…] about The Truth About Suboxone – Detox Drug or Your Next Addiction?
Relapse Prevention – Stacking the Recovery Odds in Your Favor
“We are the average of the five people we are closest to.” —Jim Rohn
As humans, we glean from one another. We are viral. We are infectious. Some of our outside influences occur on a subconscious level, like when you catch yourself laughing just like your best friend or notice that you’ve picked up the inflections or mannerisms of your roommate.
But some of it is a matter of “choice through opportunity.” This can be either positive or negative, but it definitely is true, and definitely important for relapse prevention.
We are affected by those we surround ourselves with.
In social epidemiology, Christakis and Fowler’s report, entitled “The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network Over 32 Years” New England Journal of Medicine (page 357) proved the increased risk rates for obesity in up to three degrees of separation from a target individual. According to the study, a person’s odds of becoming obese increased by 57% if they had a friend who became obese, with a lower risk rate for friends of friends, lower again at three degrees of separation, and with no discernible effect at further levels of remove. [Read more…] about Relapse Prevention – Stacking the Recovery Odds in Your Favor
I Think My Child is Using Drugs
Last week I received a call from a close friend of mine. She was full of questions and obviously shaken.
“How do I know if my son is using drugs?”
As she continued, I knew in my heart that this question was just the beginning of an education she would soon have about substance use —an education she never wanted or imagined she would need.
On the other side of the pendulum is a mom I interviewed just last night. Her son lost his battle with heroin addiction just five years ago.
As I thought about both situations —a mother who is just beginning to come to grips with the fact that her son may be in active addiction and another who suffered the worst kind of loss, I want to share the following: [Read more…] about I Think My Child is Using Drugs
The Connection Between Chiropractic Therapy and Addiction Recovery
“As an individual who received chiropractic care as part of my treatment program at The Shores, I can say that it most definitely was an integral part of my recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.” —Robin Bright (The Shores Treatment & Recovery Alumni)
But why?
What exactly does addiction recovery have to do with your spine?
Much more than you would actually think.
[Read more…] about The Connection Between Chiropractic Therapy and Addiction Recovery
Top 11 Apps for Addiction Recovery
Getting the help you need doesn’t end when you’ve finished treatment or walked out of a recovery meeting. There are plenty of tools to help you maintain sobriety, including technology. Addiction recovery based apps are available for Android, iOS and Windows smartphones and tablets, providing tools at your fingertips, 24/7.
So, which are the best recovery apps?
Best Home Remedies for Opiate Withdrawal
Can You Go Through Opiate Withdrawal at Home?
Fear of withdrawal is the number one reason so many remain trapped in the deadly cycle of heroin or opiate addiction.
Frequent use of opioids (and other drugs) alters the chemistry of the brain, resulting in physical dependence. This means that without the drug of choice, the body can’t function “normally,” and withdrawal symptoms occur.
Symptoms of opiate withdrawal may include agitation, anxiety, muscle aches and pains, sweating, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea. In some cases, these symptoms may begin within hours of last use.
Typically, side effects peak in intensity within 3-5 days, but some symptoms may continue for a week or even longer.
If you’ve tried detoxing at home, you are aware that it’s not an easy process. Although we recommend pain pill and heroin withdrawal in a supervised, medical detox facility, there are several methods you can use to make opiate withdrawal easier.
Here are the best home remedies to help with opiate and heroin withdrawal.
Heroin Detox at Home
Get Out in The Sun
At least 20 minutes of unfiltered sunlight, regardless of the time of year, will produce the necessary neurotransmitters to improve clarity, mood, and sleep. The sun is also a great source of Vitamin D, which most addicts are profoundly deficient in. Without the proper amount of Vitamin D, we are more likely to become depressed.
Getting some sun is one of the most overlooked tools we can use during heroin addiction withdrawal.
Soak in a Hot Bath
Try purchasing natural bath salts, such as EPSOM, and then soaking in a hot bath tub. These products were created to soothe the body and are quite helpful during the opiate withdrawal process.
If a bathtub isn’t available, a hot shower will soothe tension, muscle spasms, body aches and anxiety. Hot baths and showers also encourage comfortable sleep, which will help you make it through withdrawal.
And if neither option is possible, getting in the water (even cold water) can help as well. If you live near a lake, the ocean, or have a pool, you’ll want to take advantage of the calming capabilities of water.
Some people say that switching from a hot bath to a cold shower and back again forces the body to detox faster. This may be difficult to do in the early stages of detox, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Exercise
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, exercise may be helpful. Of course, your body is experiencing stress, so we aren’t recommending anything strenuous. However, some light exercise can lift your mood, decrease your anxiety, and help you better manage your symptoms.
You may wish to go for a walk or do some Pilates or yoga, but don’t overexert yourself. If you’re in immense pain, even light exercise may not be the best option for you.
Eat a High-Fiber Diet
Opiates can be harmful for the digestive system, so it’s a good idea to eat a high-fiber diet while undergoing opiate withdrawal. High-fiber foods can also restore much-needed nutrients to the body. These foods include whole grains, beans, nuts, berries, and green vegetables.
If you’re experiencing muscle cramps, you may also want to consume some potassium-rich foods such as bananas, beans, yogurt, and sweet potatoes.
Take Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help you manage some of the more difficult symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
For instance, you may wish to purchase antidiarrheal or anti-nausea medications, such as Imodium and Pepto-Bismol. Advil, Tylenol, or Icy Hot can help with muscle aches and pains, and you may consider a sleep aid if you’re struggling to get quality sleep at night.
Never take these medications in larger doses or for longer amounts of time than recommended.
Sleep
If you aren’t well-rested, your symptoms will only feel worse. You’ll also struggle to manage the emotions and stress that come along with opiate withdrawal.
For these reasons, it’s important to get plenty of sleep. Try turning off all screens at least an hour before you wish to go to sleep (which should be at a reasonable hour). Take a hot shower or bath and, if needed, a sleep aid. When you get enough rest, everything else feels more manageable.
Massage Therapy for Opiate Withdrawal
Muscle cramps and skin sensitivity almost always accompany opiate withdrawal. A deep tissue massage will not only relieve tightness and body aches, but also helps to speed up the detox process.
Skin sensitivity might make you nervous about getting a massage, but don’t worry. Once the massage begins, you’ll be glad you opted for this type of withdrawal relief.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water may not sound like the optimal thing to do when you’re feeling nauseous, but water is the easiest way to flush toxins out of the body, and that’s exactly what you want to do when you’re going through opiate detox.
You need proper hydration and electrolytes to detox safely. Hydration is especially critical if you’re experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which dehydrate the body. Gatorade, Pedialyte, and similar electrolyte solutions can be beneficial.
You can also make a healthy infused water by adding about six slices of cucumber and an equal number of lemon slices to a pitcher of water. Let this steep in the refrigerator for a couple of hours and you’ll have a supercharged detox water.
Try to stay away from soda and coffee during heroin withdrawal, as these beverages tend to dehydrate you, which pushes toxins farther into your body instead of flushing them out. Dehydration can also exacerbate many of the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
Acupuncture Therapy for Heroin Detox
Acupuncture is gaining in popularity in the recovery industry. As an ancient Chinese therapy used to treat stress and relieve pain, it is proven to be exceptionally helpful for opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Acupuncture decreases stress-related muscle pain and discomfort. It regulates brain regions connected to pain and emotion, and most importantly, acupuncture promotes the release of endorphins, which are your body’s own opiates. Many individuals experience a euphoric sensation described as feeling lighter and happier after their first acupuncture session.
Get Comfortable and Relax
Set up a comfortable environment for yourself with pillows, blankets, and perhaps a fan. Sweating typically accompanies opiate withdrawal, so you may want extra sheets or blankets on hand in case you need to change your bedding.
Take your mind off withdrawal with books, movies, or other healthy and positive activities.
Personal Obligations and Planning
We can’t always plan out when we’re going to detox from opiates, but if it’s possible, it is highly recommended.
The worst part of heroin withdrawal lasts between 3-5 days, so setting that time aside and making sure you don’t have to work or function outside of your home during that period is best.
Take care of personal obligations such as childcare, bills, emails, and phone calls beforehand so you can take the time to detox in an environment that is as stress-free as possible.
Phone a Friend
Ideally, you can find a friend or family member to keep you company and support you as you attempt to detox on your own.
If not, make sure that you at least inform a loved one what you’re planning. Have someone check on you periodically to ensure that you’re safe and don’t need medical attention.
The Medical Detox Option
If you are interested in medical detox and treatment for opiate addiction, we highly recommend this route.
During medical detox, you’ll have supervision and 24-hour support. The painful symptoms of withdrawal can be medically managed by a team of professionals. You’ll also be able to relax in pleasant surroundings while slowly tapering (as opposed to a cold-turkey approach).
Overall, medical detox is the safest and most comfortable option. Still, if this isn’t a possibility for you, try using the home remedies listed above to ease the pain and discomfort of opiate withdrawal. Are you ready to take the next step toward freedom from opiate addiction? Give the caring staff of The Shores a call today. We are here to support you in your journey.