Category Archives: Sober living

Meth Use and Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Risks

Although treatment outcomes are comparable to that of other chronic conditions, recovery is an ongoing process that can take time. There are some promising medical treatments for meth addiction currently in development. Ongoing meth use can lead to mild to severe withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking the drug. Talk to a doctor or other medical professional for a recommendation.

Crystal Meth FAQs

Meth is highly addictive and can be difficult to stop using without professional help and support. The longer a person uses meth, the more serious their health problems will become as the drug continues damaging major organs. But the sooner you can spot signs of meth addiction, meth addiction the sooner you or your loved one can get help as needed to become healthier and addiction-free. The euphoric high experienced by methamphetamine users is caused by a surge of dopamine released into the brain.

• Crystal methamphetamine usually looks like glass chunks or shiny bluish-white rocks.
• She was formerly a staff writer at Filter, one of the only online journalistic publications dedicated to covering harm reduction.
• Higher dosage and more frequent use increase the risk of meth overdose, especially when it’s mixed with other substances.

Start Your Recovery from Meth Addiction at Cornerstone

• Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life.
• Meth addiction is the inability to stop using meth regardless of the harmful physical, psychological, or social side effects it is causing an individual.
• You may have similar symptoms, but they’re usually less intense and chaotic.
• Professionals in illegal laboratories chemically alter using toxic substances such as battery acid, drain cleaner, and other hazardous chemicals to produce methamphetamine crystals.
• Give yourself the hope of healing as we prove our commitment to your recovery through a treatment plan created just right for you.
• Struggling with meth addiction can be incredibly challenging, but it’s important to know that recovery is possible with the right support and treatment.

Symptoms of crystal meth addiction include teeth or gum damage, strange sleeping patterns, dilated pupils, obsessively picking at hair, jerky or erratic movements, mood swings, and psychotic behavior. Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a powerful and highly addictive drug that affects both the mind and body. The symptoms of meth abuse can be shocking, as the drug has a profound effect on the user’s appearance, behavior, and overall health. By recognizing the signs early, friends and family can intervene and help individuals seek treatment before their addiction worsens. In this article, we will outline the telltale signs of meth abuse, along with its physical, emotional, and behavioral effects. The effects of crystal meth addiction are serious and lead to long-term damage to the brain, heart, and other organs, as well as social and financial problems.

• The high caused by meth may be unrivaled, but the side effects are equally unparalleled.
• These physical manifestations serve as stark reminders of the destructive power of methamphetamine.
• For those with PTSD, CBT can help process trauma in a safe and controlled way.
• Many people also experience paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety and insomnia.

Causes and risk factors for meth addiction

• Meth is a powerful drug that gives a quick sense of relief or energy, but it can also make things worse.
• Meth is a powerful drug that increases energy, heart rate, and alertness.
• Methamphetamine is the child of a drug class called amphetamines, both stimulants that can provide users with increased energy, intense desire to chat, and an overall sense of happiness.
• When you take a drug, certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing an addiction.Regular drug use changes your brain chemistry, affecting how you experience pleasure.
• Providers who advertise with us must be verified by our Research Team and we clearly mark their status as advertisers.
• Crystal meth is easy to obtain, and due to the incredibly harsh chemicals used in its manufacture—including battery acid and ammonia—the physical and cognitive effects of the addiction are severe.

However, recognizing the signs early and seeking professional help can prevent further damage and lead to recovery. Methamphetamine use disorder leads to profound neurological changes, primarily due to the excessive release and subsequent depletion of dopamine. Over time, the brain adapts to the presence of meth by reducing natural dopamine production, impairing the person’s ability to experience pleasure from normal activities. This results in anhedonia, depression, and cognitive impairments such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and impaired decision-making abilities.

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatments

Methadone works by specifically targeting a type of opioid receptor known as a mu receptor. A 2009 research review explains the mu receptor appears to be specifically related to the body’s reward process. Methadone, like other opioids, is labeled a Schedule II drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning it has a high chance of leading to drug dependency. Even though it can be habit-forming, when used correctly, it can help you overcome more intense drug dependencies.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

It’s often a very helpful and effective treatment for those who need it for this purpose. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than 200,000 people in the United States abused methadone in 2016. Methadone is an opioid drug that is approved to treat opioid addiction; however, since it is still a full agonist opioid, it can also be misused. Medically assisted detoxification is one of the best ways to detox. You will get expert treatment from licensed medical and mental health professionals, generally in a hospital setting. Studies have shown that detoxification from methadone is more successful in controlled environments, such as hospitals or special institutions.

Causes of Methadone Withdrawal

Once someone begins misusing methadone, addiction can quickly become possible. Taking more methadone than prescribed and seeking prescriptions from multiple sources are both forms of misuse that can lead to addiction. Addiction robs you of your friends, family, loved ones, health and happiness. The best thing you can do is to call for help as soon as possible. If you make that call now, you can speak with a member of our admissions team, who can help find the best treatment centre for you.

How Long Does Methadone Withdrawal Last?

• But with commitment and a solid plan, you can successfully detox from methadone and continue your recovery journey.
• Our website provides access to information and support for people seeking help.
• There may also be a higher risk of relapse compared to gradual tapering.
• Most clients who have completed methadone detox will transition into an inpatient treatment program.
• Opioids are an addictive group of painkilling drugs that are often prescribed to treat acute pain.
• Reach out to local rehab facilities to explore your choices for medical supervision and support during this challenging process.

Learn more about methadone withdrawal and how to get off methadone safely. Suppose you or someone you’re concerned with is in jail or prison and experiencing methadone withdrawal. In that case, it is critical to seek medical detox attention immediately to ensure safe and effective treatment. Working with healthcare providers to develop a plan for managing addiction and withdrawal symptoms during and after incarceration is also necessary.

• Binding to mu receptors isn’t the only mode of action methadone has in your body.
• Medical detox programs are generally about five to seven days in duration, though this can vary according to the individual.
• Inpatient programs—also called residential programs—offer patients 24-hour medical care, a range of therapeutic interventions, and invaluable life skills training.
• It is important to note that methadone is a synthetic opioid that works like other common opioids.

Guided methadone therapy

Methadone withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and challenging for the patient. Methadone detox can be difficult and should only be undertaken with the guidance and support of medical professionals. Proper medical monitoring and support can help manage withdrawal symptoms and increase the likelihood of a successful detox. Read more about methadone detox, withdrawal management, and relapse prevention. As with any opioid, ending methadone use on your own or quitting cold turkey can cause withdrawal symptoms.

• John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
• The doctor continues the therapy until your body no longer needs methadone at all.
• However, choosing a reputable treatment program and working closely with healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective treatment is necessary.
• Instead, it is recommended to taper off it slowly to lessen the impact of the potential side effects and to minimize relapse.
• Even if you happen to relapse, you should learn from it, make the necessary changes and keep moving forward.
• They specifically looked into how the medication impacted the subjects’ preferences when given the option to either self-administer fentanyl or receive food.

Treatment & Support

The goal is to start with the lowest dosage possible that will minimize drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. ” We Level Up offers several levels of care to support this process and can be there to help you along every step in your recovery journey. You may experience a protracted withdrawal period or post-acute withdrawal syndrome, in which withdrawal symptoms may persist for weeks or months. Cognitive symptoms, such as difficulty focusing on a task, may also occur. Protracted withdrawal can include emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and constant irritability. During methadone detox, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal methadone withdrawal symptoms.

Precipitated Withdrawal Methadone

If you Oxford House are currently using methadone or other opioids, it is best to continue with methadone until the end of your pregnancy. However, it is possible that your child will be born with an opioid dependence, which means they will need to detox. Some physicians recommend continuing methadone therapy indefinitely.

Drunk Driving: A Deadly Consequence Of Drinking

On average, a person has driven drunk at least 80 times before they are arrested. There are 300,000 incidents of drunk driving each day across the US. There’s no question that drunk driving hurts the lives of both drunk drivers and their victims. Drivers and victims who are killed or seriously injured will be forever impacted.

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe, depending on your health and tolerance. There are both inpatient and outpatient programs for treating an addiction to alcohol as well as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which comes from long-term alcohol use and dependency. AUD is a complex condition where alcohol use is compulsive.8 Despite the consequences that alcohol use brings to health, relationships, and life in general, the urge to drink persists. Someone with AUD will continue to drink despite negative results piling up in their life. Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a severe criminal offense in many parts of the world, with the primary goal of ensuring justice for victims and holding the responsible parties accountable.

Enhanced Penalties for Repeat Offenders: A Steep Price to Pay

1.5 million people are arrested each year for driving under the influence of alcohol. If you are convicted of a DWI or DUI offense, your insurance rates will likely increase dramatically. According to Forbes Advisor, car insurance rates go up 70% on average after you have had a DUI.

Passenger Deaths

• It all starts with the thought, “I’m fine.” Maybe that person goes to a party at a friend’s house and has a few beers or glasses of wine at dinner.
• Families of victims may also experience grief, anger, and depression.
• This enzyme converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct.
• Drunk driving is a one-way ticket to a dead-end job, a low-rent neighborhood and unfulfilled ambitions.

Outpatient rehabilitation programs offer similar treatments as inpatient rehab. Detoxification, or detox for short, is removing alcohol from your system while managing withdrawal symptoms. The primary enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism is the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This enzyme converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct. Moreover, consistent Twelve-step program dehydration can cause lasting damage to these sensitive areas.

Effects on Key Brain Regions and Associated Side Effects

In some jurisdictions, drivers convicted of DUI have their licenses revoked. In many states, if you refuse to take a chemical test, your license may be suspended regardless of whether you are convicted. As a result of drinking, your driving ability to react to traffic, pedestrians, traffic lights and weather events can be compromised. Thus, putting you, your passengers and everyone around you at risk of serious injury or death. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional about your concerns and ask for their support in finding treatment options.

Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 45 minutes. In addition to these consequences, you’ll likely have to complete an extensive drunk driving education course. These courses will typically involve education in the dangers of drunk driving and an assessment and intervention as needed. DWI (driving while intoxicated) and DUI (driving under the influence) can be confusing terms for new and experienced motorists alike! Both phrases refer to driving a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, and many states use them interchangeably.

• Even low levels of alcohol in the system can significantly alter cognitive processing and reaction times enough to render the driver incapable of driving safely.
• This device is essentially a breathalyzer connected to the car’s ignition system, and it prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver’s breath sample registers a BAC above a predetermined limit.
• While alcohol use disorder (AUD) is certainly a driving force behind the problem, binge drinking, and alcohol abuse also contribute to drunk and buzzed driving accidents.
• From a lawyer’s perspective, it’s always a good idea to have a lawyer, especially one who has a good reputation with the court and prosecutors or city attorneys.
• 61% of all children killed in an alcohol-related car wreck were in a vehicle with a drunk driver (individuals with a confirmed BAC over 0.08%).
• Drunk driving accidents can cause severe physical injuries that can lead to permanent disabilities or even death.
• Therapy may also lead you to develop coping strategies to avoid relapse or future tough decisions.

Drunk Driving Dangers

Every year, drunk driving accidents devastate countless lives and communities. By taking action, we can save lives, including our own, and continue to enjoy life. Drunk driving accidents can have devastating consequences that can affect individuals, families, and society as a whole. Over 10,000 people die from drunk driving accidents every year.14 Drunk driving puts everyone on the road in danger. A Driving under the influence (DUI) offense may cause you to lose your license, pay a hefty fine, or end up in jail. Different levels of blood alcohol content (BAC) have effects on your driving abilities.

Get caught, and a single drunk driving infraction may have legal, financial, personal and even professional ramifications. The Governors Highway Safety Association has state by state information about consequences of drinking and driving. It also provides a state by state breakdown of alcohol-impaired driving laws.

If someone drives drunk and survives a crash that injures or kills other people, they must live with the consequences. That emotional burden can be worse than any bodily harm; however, the physical perils of drunk driving are immense too. Impaired driving can cause accidents that lead to paralysis, disfigurement, brain damage, and death. Of course, these expenses don’t include the potential in property damage, possible job loss, stress on relationships, injury, and loss of freedom.

• The majority of DUI arrests and alcohol-related crashes are committed by repeat offenders; over half of arrests include drivers with a suspended license.
• Talking to someone who can guide you through understanding and addressing the question of “why” is an important tool for recovery.
• In all 50 states, driving under the influence is considered a misdemeanor or a felony offense.

Kerilyn Ward, BSN, RN, is a compassionate Registered Nurse who specializes in maternal and neonatal health. Focusing on supporting drug-affected mothers and their infants, she combines medical expertise with empathy to empower her patients and educate them on healthy lifestyles. Through her writing on AddictionHelp.com, she reaches a broader audience, offering practical insights into health and recovery.

Alcohol and Depression

This is significant, as depression affects about 280 million people globally. Alcohol allergy and intolerance can result in similar symptoms but are caused by different underlying factors. An immune response causes alcohol allergy, whereas the digestive system is responsible for alcohol intolerance. Alcohol delays and suppresses or limits rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and may cause you to wake up, resulting in poor-quality, lighter sleep and less time in restorative deep sleep. While naps can be effective in boosting your energy, they can also reduce your build-up of sleep pressure throughout the day.

Medication

By stimulating these two regions, alcohol can make you feel more relaxed, confident, at ease, and positive overall. If you’ve ever drank alcohol to escape feelings of depression, however, you’ve probably noticed these feelings don’t last. In fact, as the effects of alcohol recede, you may actually feel more depressed.

What causes depression and alcohol use disorder?

Robbed of cortisol, your mood can take a dive while your irritability increases. And the same lines of research reveal that people living with depression often have serious folic acid deficiencies (Cooper & Bolander-Gouaille, 2005). Feeling lonely and sad, he started drinking whiskey on weekends to chase away the loneliness.

The risks of being a night owl

This means you will feel less of alcohol’s perceived benefits over time, causing you to drink more. Long-term exposure to depressants increases your risk for depression. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol is a depressant — not a stimulant. Alcohol’s stimulant-like effects only appear does alcohol make depression worse when you start drinking. Ria Health is one program that strives to make this approach easier to access. We offer both medication and coaching for alcohol addiction via telemedicine.

Address negative feelings when they come up

• People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with mood problems, but drinking alcohol can also contribute to symptoms of depression.
• According to Kennedy, for those taking antidepressants, combining them with alcohol can reduce their efficacy.
• In addiction treatment, this term highlights how mental health and substance abuse can fuel each other.
• These include serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
• Many of us have been there — after a bad day or a stressful event, it’s not uncommon to turn to a glass of wine to take the edge off.

Watch out for alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Frequent hangovers and increasing alcohol consumption may also indicate alcohol abuse. Removing alcohol from the equation often equals removing a coping mechanism. If you’re also struggling with depression, having experienced peers or a trusted professional to talk to can make a big difference. A therapist or recovery coach can help you learn new ways of managing cravings and difficult emotions, while joining a group can make you feel marijuana addiction less isolated.

• You might experience one after a few hours of your last drink as your blood alcohol drops.
• It is more likely to worsen a negative mood state, along with the person’s physical health.
• So, why is being a night owl linked to these traits and experiences?