Blogging On Recovery

A Dangerous Dose-Don't Get Hooked

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:57:00 +0000

Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment

Sales of prescription drugs especially pain pills is continuing to increase at unprecedented levels.Because of this, prescription drug abuse and addiction and prescription drug abuse treatment continues to go up to levels never before heard of. The Centers for Disease Control has declared that prescription drug abuse has attained an epidemic level in the U.S.. Furthermore, the problem of prescription drug abuse is burdening county and state resources by filling up jails, emergency rooms, and county supported drug treatment programs.
This epidemic of prescription drug abuse and prescription drug abuse treatment has evolved throughout time from its start with pain killers like Oxycontin in the last decade of the 20th century. During this time Oxycontin became known as “Hillbilly Heroin” because of its overwhelming demand in the eastern mountain region of the United States. From here it spread to Florida and its “pill mills” where greedy doctors took advantage of an opportunity to earn fast money by over prescribing pain pills to clients whose “pain” symptoms were questionable.
Because of their ease of abuse, prescription pain medications have been modified as a reaction to the epidemic of pain pill abuse. In spite of the changes, however, prescription drug abuse has continued to steadily increase in the United States as opiate addicts have responded to the changes in pill design to continue to chase the high they are determined to find. Along with this has come a whole new population of addicted Americans that have no prior history of substance abuse as a result of the highly addictive nature of new opiate-based pain medications.
Addiction treatment centers throughout America have also kept pace with the modifications and continued to modify their process of prescription drug abuse treatment. As with other forms of opiate abuse and addiction, prescription drug abuse treatment starts with an opiate detox where the poisons are given a chance to exit the person’s system. After this, prescription drug abuse treatment is almost always followed up with additional inpatient treatment at a program that is familiar with the special needs of prescription drug abuse treatment.

Nutrition Is a Vital Component During

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Drug And Alcohol Detox

The vast majority of people entering into a drug and alcohol detox program will be suffering from poor nutrition which unless fixed will make their drug and alcohol detox more complicated than it has to be, and the complicated symptoms of withdrawals while in drug and alcohol detox are one of the primary causes that people decide to leave their drug and alcohol detox program before they are finished and return to drinking or using. In fact it is becoming apparent that proper nutrition during drug and alcohol detox will substantially help to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and therefore set the table for a better likelihood that the person going through) drug and alcohol detox will complete their addiction treatment and continue to go after a sober and clean lifestyle.
Alcoholics, as an example, are typically low on Vitamin B1 in their system as a consequence of their drinking, and if this low level of a vital nutrient is left untreated it can lead to wet brain syndrome. This lack of vitamin B1 is usually caused by a poor diet, damage to the digestive tract from alcohol consumption, and the fact that alcohol prevents the absorption of thiamine in the brain. Opiate users, on the other hand, can be known to suffer from a substantial amount of nutritional deficiencies due to bad diet during their addiction in addition to the physical symptoms of heavy opiate abuse, and providing supplements and vitamins during drug and alcohol detox has been demonstrated to lessen the withdrawal symptoms during drug and alcohol detox.
Addiction is a mind, body, and spiritual disease. If we can lessen the anxiety and stress during drug and alcohol detox through the use of good nutrition in addition to nutritional supplements, then the person’s mind will be in the right place to deal with the behavioral changes that will be necessary for pursuing a clean and sober lifestyle after their drug and alcohol detox. Naturally, we also have to bring the body along for the ride during drug and alcohol detox or we can be setting the addict up for failure.
As for the spiritual side, it is vital that proper counseling be provided during drug and alcohol detox otherwise treating the mind and the body with proper nutrition will be pointless. Low self-esteem, for instance, is a frequent factor amongst alcoholics and addicts and it is important to start to identify the issues behind this during drug and alcohol detox. If the spiritual side is not treated during drug and alcohol detox, then treating the body and mind with proper nutrition will be pointless.

Returning To Residential Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Much like the first time someone finally decides to enter residential treatment to seek help for a substance abuse problem, the decision to return to residential treat a second or even third time to seek help for substance abuse is not an easy one.

Just like the first time they entered into a residential treatment program, there are stages of readiness. Do they believe that their substance abuse problem has gotten bad enough again that entering into residential treatment is necessary? Or, as is probably the case with the first time they entered into residential treatment, do they believe they can handle their substance abuse problem on their own?

On top of this all of this is the feeling of failure. They have already gone through a residential treatment program, and they have still relapsed. So why will this time be any different? In other words, what is it that they are going to learn in their second or third try at residential treatment that is going to make the difference and prevent them from relapsing again in the future?

The reality of the situation is that the success rate for residential treatment programs, and all other forms of substance abuse treatment programs, is low. The definition of success for residential treatment programs varies, but in general it is the percentage of their clients that have remained clean and sober one to two years after treatment. For most residential treatment programs this “success rate” is probably below 20%.

As a result of this low rate of “success”, many residential treatment programs see many of their clients who have relapsed returning one, two, or even more times. Does this demonstrate failure for the residential treatment program? Or does it indicate that they have instilled in their clients the idea that recovery from substance abuse is a process that is indeed possible. So as long as an individual continues to keep trying, then they have not failed at their recovery and there may indeed be new things to learn by giving residential treatment another try.

Opana Replacing Oxycontin On The Street

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:55:00 +0000

Opana Addiction Treatment

While the abuse of Oxycontin has gone down throughout the United States due to a change in the Oxycontin processing method which has made it more difficult for opiate addicts to abuse, a new type of opiate with double the strength of Oxycontin has started to take its place. The brand new type is called Opana, or oxymorphone hydrochloride, and the new drug can be snorted, crushed and chewed, and even injected. Because of this, admissions for Opana addiction treatment are going up while addiction treatment for Oxycontin abuse is going down. This direction means that addiction treatment workers need to be educated on this new form of opiate, if they have not already.

Slang names for Opana include Blue Heaven, Blues, Pink, Pink Heaven, Oranges, Pink Lady, Stops Signs, and The O Bomb. The color references in these street terms refer to the strength of the Opana pill. For the older, round Opana pills 5 milligram doses are blue and ten milligram pills are pink. The new, extended relief versions of Opana are eight-sided in shape like a stop sign and can be found in an assortment of colors and higher dosages including the following:

•    Pink octagonal Opana pills are fivemg
•    Orange octagonal Opana pills are 10mg
•    White octagonal Opana pills are fifteenmilligram
•    Green octagonal Opana pills are twentymilligram
•    Red octagonal Opana pills are 30mg
•    Yellow octagonal Opana pills are fortymg

With the stronger doses on the street for the extended relief versions, Opana addiction treatment admissions have accelerated lately at addiction treatment facilities throughout the nation. Just like Oxycontin, Opana addiction happens rapidly especially if the individual has been misusing Oxycontin or other opiates like heroin, Norco, or Vicodin. Even if the Opana is legally provided by a doctor for pain, however, those using Opana can inadvertently become addicted very fast as well, resulting in the need for Opana addiction treatment for individuals with no long record of drug abuse.

Opana addiction treatment is just like drug treatment for other forms of opiates. A well run Opana addiction treatment will begin with a detox in either a hospital setting or possibly a residential detox treatment facility. The withdrawal symptoms in the detox stage of the Opana addiction treatment can be very similar to other opiate withdrawals. These symptoms include muscle cramping, bone pain, nausea and vomiting, and emotional distress. Because of the difficulties associated with the detox phase of the Opana addiction treatment, it is important for the addict to undergo the detox process in a professional setting where addiction treatment professional can help them through the hardest parts of the withdrawal process.

Following the detox treatment process, it is almost certain that additional Opana addiction treatment will be needed, especially for those individuals with a history of opiate addiction or other forms of substance abuse. After detox, Opana addiction treatment could include a longer term stay in a residential treatment facility (AKA rehab), intensive outpatient counseling, or pychosocial activities like attendance at12 step meetings.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms-The Causes And The Cure

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:37:00 +0000

If a person is a heavy, frequent drinker and they determine to suddenly stop drinking, it is more than likely that this person will undergo some type of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The degree of severity of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms will be dependent upon how physically dependent (AKA addicted) their system has become on alcohol. When the alcohol withdrawal symptoms are extreme enough, their craving for alcohol will almost always start and most often overwhelm that person's wish to stop drinking leading the person back to drinking to cause the alcohol withdrawal symptoms to go away rather than holding to their plan of “never again.”
The causes of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is the physical dependence created over many years of hard drinking. The heavy drinker’s (or alcoholic’s) system has become so used to the presence of alcohol that immediately taking it away prompts the body to go into a reactionary mode informing the heavy drinker (or alcoholic) that is has to have more alcohol to continue to exist (AKA cravings). It’s somewhat analogous to taking away oxygen.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include the following:
•    The Shakes-for less chemically dependent alcoholics alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually include the shakes. These are normally accompanied by a headache, nausea, anxiety, a rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Even though they are considered to be a mild form of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the shakes are normally uncomfortable and usually accompanied by cravings causing it to be difficult for someone attempting to quit to remain alcohol free.
•    The DT’s (delirium tremens)-within 6 hours to 48 hours after the person's last drink, many heavily dependent drinkers (AKA alcoholics) will most likely undergo hallucinations. Usually the hallucinations associated with alcohol withdrawal symptoms are visual in some form, but these hallucinations can be auditory hallucinations in addition to olfactory hallucinations (smells). If these alcohol withdrawals symptoms continue to progress then seventy-two hours to five days following the person's last drink, the alcoholic will experience profound disorientation, non-stop hallucinations, hyperactivity, confusion, and extreme difficulties with their breathing and heartbeat. These can involve rapid heartbeat, dangerously high blood pressure, heart palpitations, even strokes or heart attacks. After the DT’s have started, there exists no known medical procedure to get them to stop.
•    Seizures-for extreme situations of alcohol withdrawal symptoms seizures or convulsions can happen within six to 48 hours after the last alcoholic drink was consumed.   If the alcohol withdrawal symptoms have gotten to this point, then some type of medical help in a hospital like setting is needed or the alcoholic’s life is at high risk.
There exists an good ending for those alcohol dependent people (alcoholics) who truly do wish to stop drinking. Most alcohol withdrawal symptoms are eliminated or alleviated with good medical care in a certified alcohol treatment program. Quite often for those heavy, frequent drinkers that less dependent then a proper diet and doses of B1 will alleviate most, if not all, of their alcohol withdrawal symptoms. For extremely dependent alcoholics, then detox medications can be prescribed and administered that will replace the body’s need for alcohol. After a few days, these detox medications will be slowly reduced and eliminated until the alcoholic is free of drugs.

The History Of Heroin

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:44:00 +0000

And Heroin Addiction Treatment

Heroin was first synthesized from morphine in the late 1800's. Since morphine is derived from the opium poppy and heroin is synthesized from opium, that puts heroin in the category of being an opioid. Not long after the discovery of heroin, morphine addicts quickly recognized the much stronger euphoric effects that heroin provides. While originally produced as a very strong pain reliever, it also quickly became very popular with opiate addicts in the early 1900's.

Because of the rapidly growing abuse of heroin in the 1910's and 1920's, very strict regulations on its production and distribution were quickly applied. There was even a proposal on a worldwide ban for the production and distribution of heroin. As a result of these strict regulations, heroin abuse began to decline by the 1930's. At this same time, however, organized crime saw a huge opportunity and began illegally producing and distributing heroin in illegal networks which still exist in one form or another today. It is through these illegal heroin production and distribution networks that almost all addicts receive their supply of heroin to get there fix both here in the United States and abroad.

Tolerance to heroin builds quickly. So anyone using it will almost instantly need more of the drug to either alleviate their pain or provide the high they are looking for. It is because of this rapid increase in tolerance that almost all people who use or abuse heroin quickly become heroin addicts. Once addicted, "kicking" heroin on your own will be very difficult. The body aches, nausea and vomiting, and emotional distress associated with a heroin detox make it almost certain that the heroin addict would rather go back to using heroin rather than finish the heroin detox process.

Heroin addiction treatment begins with a medically aided detox where heroin detox medications are provided to ease the pain and suffering associated with heroin withdrawals. After the heroin detox, counseling is provided in the heroin addiction treatment program to get to the root cause of abusing heroin or other drugs in the first place. Most heroin addiction treatment programs will last from 28 to 60 days after which counseling or attendance at 12 step meetings will be almost always necessary.

Let's not kid ourselves, heroin is a very addictive narcotic with very few medical applications in the United States. If you are using heroin regularly it will probably end up in one of two ways. You will either die from your heroin addiction, or you will seek help in a heroin addiction treatment program.

The Downside Of Methadone Maintenance Programs

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:44:00 +0000

In addition to being produced as a highly effective pain reliever, Methadone is also promoted as an alternative for heroin. Quite honestly, Methadone is often called man-made or synthetic heroin, and its use as a substitute for heroin in Methadone maintenance programs was designed to to reduce the illegal drug trade of actual heroin and its negative impact on society.

While the initial intentions of Methadone maintenance programs were good, the reality for addicts participating in them means a life of continued addiction with one drug taking the place of another. Once in a Methadone maintenance program, there can be very little if any work to get heroin addicts sober through a methadone detox program in spite of the truth that the physical side effects of Methadone are very harmful, while not mentioning the mental impact of the drug.

A common trait of Methadone users (or addicts) is “unfeeling”. Methadone is a very powerful narcotic, and its numbing effects last much longer than heroin. While this enables for dosages schedules in Methadone maintenance programs to be spread apart to days rather than hours, the results are that the Methadone user is not a fully functioning member of society. To get there, the addict has to undertake methadone detox and additional addiction programs and exit the addictive cycle that goes along with with a methadone maintenance program.

Because Methadone invades the bone marrow where red blood cells are made in a person’s body, continual Methadone use is harmful to the Methadone user’s body resulting in calcium deficiencies and loss of other essential minerals to maintain a body’s health. During the time the Methadone user is ingesting Methadone, the pain and damage caused by the drug’s physical side effects are not felt because Methadone was initially designed as a pain killer. In Methadone detox, however, the pain relieving effect of Methadone is taken away. As a result the side effects of Methadone use become painfully apparent during Methadone detox.

Methadone detox is meant to be safely taking an addict off of Methadone, and therefore heroin, and getting them on the road of a clean and sober lifestyle. Because Methadone withdrawals are almost always 4 times the length of heroin withdrawals and more complicated than a heroin withdrawal, a structured Methadone detox program is always needed for the addict to get clean and sober.

During Methadone detox the provider treats the mental aspects of the dependency as well as the physical aspects of the drug dependency. The painful physical side effects during Methadone detox are one of the main reasons many people on Methadone never get clean and sober. Lacking the aid of a structured Methadone detox program, the addict will only go back to using to prevent the pain of withdrawing.
Methadone detox programs can provide counseling to deal with the mental effects of the Methadone dependency as well as other treatments to take care of the physical side effects of withdrawals. While

Methadone detox is considered to be one of the most difficult kinds of detoxes, Methadone detox can be attained with the aid of the correct Methadone detox program in which mild sedatives, therapeutic treatments, and over the counter pain relievers are applied to safely cause a successful Methadone detox in a supportive and safe place.

Why Not Live Drug Free

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:44:00 +0000

Methadone Detox Can Get Your Started

Methadone is considered a schedule II opioid which is most regularly connected to Methadone maintenance programs intended for heroin addicts. It is also used to get rid of pain and is an ideal replacement for morphine any time patients encounter unpleasant side effects. As with other opiates, tolerance to Methadone will increase with usage and there is the chance of abuse for people who are seeking to use Methadone strictly for the “high” it produces.

With Methadone maintenance programs, addicts usually are provided regular doses of Methadone in order to lessen the withdrawal symptoms and associated cravings for other opiates like heroin. There has been well documented success in treatment for heroin addiction utilizing Methadone, and the purpose behind these types of programs are all well intentioned. The basis of the program was that in the event that addicts were being supplied with regular doses of Methadone, they would need less heroin ( or even none at all) and end up being less likely to break the law to obtain their heroin fix. Also addicts would be less likely to share needles with other heroin users which can cause the spread of infectious diseases like AIDS and HIV.

The problem with Methadone maintenance programs is that they neglect to handle the issue of addiction and the social impact it can produce. Instead of working to get addicts off all drugs completely, Methadone maintenance programs perpetuate the vicious loop of addiction by replacing one drug with another. So, the men and women that work at the Methadone clinic that are there to “help” addicts are essentially only there to ensure the addicts keep coming back. Methadone clinics, for the most part, are for profit businesses whose sole function is to provide Methadone. So they have no interest in getting individuals off of Methadone. That would be like McDonalds abruptly attempting to wean people away from Bic Macs.

Another issue with Methadone maintenance programs is that many individuals who receive specific dosage amounts of Methadone to aid them with their opiate withdrawals use only a portion of their dosage and sell the rest on the street. This contributes to the rising illegal drug trade. And quite a few individuals in these kinds of programs actually see-saw in between heroin and Methadone. Since there is usually no counseling associated with this particular type of maintenance addicts in Methadone maintenance programs have no way out of their heroin/Methadone maintenance program. While Methadone maintenance programs have had success at getting people to reduce or do away with their usage of heroin and other illegal opiates, presently there are very few programs out there that work to get people off of Methadone. So, addicts wanting to be completely drug free have trouble finding programs to help them.

There exists light at the end of the tunnel, however, as more drug treatment programs are offering Methadone detox which is the initial step in getting off of Methadone and becoming completely drug free. Methadone detox programs can last anywhere from 10 days to two weeks, and they will include a physical, prescription detox medications, and one-on-one and group counseling. Methadone detox programs can be 12 step based or follow other recovery philosophies. If necessary, they can be followed up with longer term residential addiction treatment.

Seek Help At An Alcohol Treatment Center

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:41:00 +0000

Detoxing Without The Aid Of An Alcohol Treatment Center Can Cost You Your Life

Stopping cold turkey if you were a heavy drinker without the help of an alcohol treatment center can be painful and even life threatening. The physical and psychological effects of alcohol withdrawals during alcohol detox are one of the biggest reasons that alcoholics or those that regularly abuse alcohol will never get sober. The surroundings provided by an alcohol treatment center are not only a safe way to get sober, the trained professionals at the alcohol treatment center can provide you with the tools necessary to stay sober past your alcohol detox.
Psychological symptoms of alcohol withdrawals during alcohol detox can include nervousness, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, and bad dreams. Physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawals during alcohol detox can include nausea and vomiting, headaches, insomnia, rapid heart rate, abnormal movements, tremor of the hands (AKA “the shakes”), and loss of appetite. This encompasses just the milder effects of alcohol withdrawal during alcohol detox, but if not felt while surrounded by the security provided by an alcohol treatment center they can be usually complicated to force an alcoholic to just continue drinking to prevent the pain and misery of their withdrawals.
Quitting cold turkey without the help of an alcohol treatment center if you have been misusing alcohol for a extended period of time can cause severe alcohol withdrawals during your alcohol detox. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms during an alcohol detox for anyone whose body has become physically dependent upon alcohol can include a state of hallucinations and confusion known as delirium tremens (AKA “the DT’s), high fever, seizures, and even death. The critical element to getting sober in a comfortable setting and preventing the severe effects of alcohol detox is to enlist the aid of an alcohol treatment center.
An alcohol treatment center will provide detox medications such as benzodiazepines (mild sedatives) which will reduce the effects of withdrawals during alcohol detox. The alcohol treatment center will also supply you with nutrient supplements (vitamins) that will reduce alcohol detox symptoms like the shakes. Professional alcohol detox services like those given by an alcohol treatment center usually encompass a seven day period during which trained professionals will monitor your vital signs and prevent the more severe effects of alcohol detox from endangering your life. Additionally, by entering into an alcohol treatment center to undergo your alcohol detox you won't be surrounded by the people, places, and things that usually trigger your drinking.
An alcohol treatment center and an alcohol detox are only the first step in your journey of recovery from what is more than likely years of alcohol abuse. When you take advantage of the support of the trained professionals at the alcohol treatment center you will not only ease the pain and misery of your alcohol detox (and possibly save your life), you will also understand the next steps are in your journey of sobriety.

September Is National Recovery Month

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:21:00 +0000

Addiction Treatment And Recovery

Recovery for many people struggling with substance abuse issues begins with getting clean and sober. If they have been abusing drugs or alcohol for most of their life, then oftentimes this path of recovery begins with a stay in a residential drug and alcohol detox center followed by longer term addiction treatment either in an inpatient addiction treatment center or in an outpatient setting. This is followed by continuing work to grow in their recovery and build the life that they deserve.

Recovery is a lifelong process. So the stay in an addiction treatment center is just the first chapter in the journey. For most people truly interested in living their life clean and sober, the journey of recovery is not viewed as a burden but rather an opportunity for growth. It's a chance to grow above and beyond their previous life which was shackled by their substance abuse issues.

The emotional maturity developed in recovery allows recovering addicts to be honest with themselves and to set boundaries in relation to people and their surroundings. While some may believe this to be a life less lived, those that have sunk far enough down in their addiction know that the serenity provided by honesty and taking life one day at a time far outweighs anything that might have been missed in their old life.

The path of recovery is a long one, but one that is not to be viewed as a burden. If we move forward taking care of today and being excited about the challenges of tomorrow, we will find that life will begin to have a meaning all its own-not one we force upon it by following what we think others want for us.

If you're struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, and therefore life, take the first step in your journey of recovery by contacting an addiction treatment center. It could be the call that opens up a whole new chapter in your life that brings you unexpected joy.

What Is Detox?

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:05:00 +0000

The First Step At An Addiction Treatment Center

When you give your body the chance to rid itself of the chemicals that are the by-products created when your body motabolizes drugs and alcohol, it is considered detoxification (AKA detox). This is usually the initial step in an alcohol and drug treatment program at an addiction treatment center. The method of disposal of the toxins includes urine, sweat, and breathing. So drinking lots of fluids, especially those with electrolytes, is critical during the detoxification process.
The detox process should be done at an addiction treatment center where trained addiction specialists can monitor the person undergoing the detox process. Residential addiction treatment centers have been shown to be a cost effective and successful approach to pursuing drug and alcohol detox, and they are usually much more comfortable than a hospital setting.
The detox process should be following up by addiction alcohol and drug treatment at the addiction treatment center if the addict is expected to have the best chances for long term sobriety. One-on-one counseling with an addiction specialist and group therapy with other addicts are common practices at almost all addiction treatment center.
It is critical that the addict's motivation for seeking help at the addiction treatment center are in the right place. If the addict is only seeking help as a result of outside pressure, then their chances of success at sobriety will be minimized. Experience demonstrates that an addict must have reached such a low point in their addiction that their level of internal despair is motivating them to make the necessary changes in their life. If the addict can make it through the drug or alcohol detox at the addiction treatment center and then not forget how miserable their life was when they were drinking or using, they will be motivated enough to pursue further alcohol and drug treatment and their chances of long-term sobriety will be increased.

The Journey

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:37:00 +0000

No one gets to choose the path of their journey in life, but we have learned that when we expect the unexpected we are provided with some amount of serenity. We can do our part today to make our tomorrow better, but there are always going to be situations out of our control either because we have no control over others or because God's hand moves the game pieces in a direction we had not even fathomed.
Developing the patience to deal with these situations allows us to move forward in life without blame or resentment-and possibly reduced disappointment when things didn't go "our way". Becoming excited about the future in spite of the uncertainties, means our tolerance for ourselves and others no matter where we are in life will have increased exponentially.
We certainly didn't choose the path of addiction, but the opportunities for growth that our lives have provided would certainly have been different if we had gone in another direction. We may have asked "why me?" in the past, but we have come to learn that for some questions there just aren't any good answers, and we accept where we are and who we are and move forward with these unanswered questions as important way points in our journey.

Factors To Consider

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:12:00 +0000

When Looking For Sacramento Addiction Treatment

When searching for Sacramento addiction treatment, there are may facets you should consider including location of the facility, effectiveness of care, amount it will cost, and the type of Sacramento addiction treatment that will be provided. Many people seeking addiction treatment in Sacramento may initially require detox treatment, especially if they have been abusing drugs or alcohol for an extended period of time. Their body will have become accustomed to their drug of choice (including alcohol). So stopping cold turkey can be a shock to their system resulting in adverse effects to their physical and emotional state. In most Sacramento addiction treatment centers, the initial phase of addiction treatment is usually a medically aided detox treatment after which group counseling or one-on-one treatment is provided.
When determining which Sacramento addiction treatment program to send your loved one to, cost and quality of care don’t necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. Many social model Sacramento addiction treatment programs are operated with very low overhead without sacrificing the professionalism of the addiction treatment. Many people in the field of addiction treatment are recovering addicts themselves. So low cost doesn't have to mean low quality in any Sacramento addiction treatment facility you decide upon. When addicts treat other addicts, the success rate of the addict being treated has been shown to be much higher.
The place where the addiction treatment center you choose can be critical as well. While it might seem suitable to have your loved one close by during their addiction treatment, this might lead to negative consequences on their journey of recovery. For one thing, it can be too easy for them to walk away from the Sacramento addiction treatment program when they begin to recover from their years of drug or alcohol abuse because they are familiar with their surroundings and can reach out to friends they used to use or drink with.
Look for an affordable, medically aided addiction treatment program in Sacramento which includes counseling for long term recovery and includes a detox treatment step-one that is there to help you or your loved one recover from the detrimental effects of drug or alcohol abuse. Take full advantage of the counseling services offered in the Sacramento addiction treatment program. Counseling is usually offered for the addict as well as their loved ones. After all, addiction is a family disease and addiction treatment should encompass the needs of the whole family.

Letting Go

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:00:00 +0000

What To Do After Substance Abuse Treatment

If your drinking or drugging reached a point which required you to check into a substance abuse treatment facility, then the chances are that you brought a lot of negative baggage with you when you checked in. You probably feel guilty or ashamed about your alcohol or drug abuse and the impact it has had on family and friends. If you continue to harbor these feelings after leaving the substance abuse treatment program, then your odds of long term sobriety and recovery will be diminished.

Letting go of these negative feelings will be critical to your long term recovery and your ability to "put the past in the past." Forgiveness after all begins with yourself. If you can't forgive yourself for your past, then you won't ever be able to forgive others for the perceived harms that they have done to you. This will lead to resentments, which will ultimately lead to you being unhappy and walking a thin line between maintaining your sobriety and developing a bad case of the "F#@<-its" where the only option available to you is to drink or use.

Before leaving the substance abuse treatment program, be sure to address your inner feelings of guilt or shame. Keep in mind that we all make mistakes in life. Some of them are as small as misspelling a word when writing a blog, and others while somewhat larger in scale are not so large that they are not unforgiveable. So, start yourself our on a solid road to recovery by letting go of the past during your stay in the addiction treatment facility.

What Are Schedules For Narcotics?

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Substance Abuse Potential

In 1970 Congress enacted the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to combat the pervasive drug abuse culture that was taking control of certain segments of the American population in almost epidemic proportions. The CSA defined the federal drug policy of the United States as it relates to the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and sale of certain narcotic substances. To clarify which substances were being regulated and what level of regulation applied to each substance, the CSA created five schedules with varying degrees of abuse potential, medicinal use, and euphoric effect. These five schedules are as follows:

Schedule I Controlled Substances Are Defined As Follows:

The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medicinal application in the United States.
There is no safely defined usage of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

In other words, the drugs or substances in this schedule are used only for recreational purposes or by people who have become addicted to them at which point the recreational potential no longer exists. Drugs in this schedule include GHB, marijuana, heroin, LSD, MDMA, and magic mushrooms.

Schedule II Controlled Substances Are Defined As Follows:

The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medicinal application in the United States, or if there is it is applied only under very strict guidelines.
Abuse of the drug may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Drugs in this category may only be dispensed legally to the general public with a valid prescription although these prescriptions may not be refilled-not even once. Drugs in this schedule include cocaine (used topically as an anesthetic), Methadone, Oxycodone (sold under the brand names Percocet, OxyContin, and Percodan), Fentanyl, Morphine, PCP, and codeine.
Many of these drugs are sold on the street by people with legal prescriptions, and many of them are also the drug of choice for prescription drug addicts. Usually people who have become addicted to schedule II narcotics originally have a valid medical reason for using them. The high potential for addiction, however, leads many people (remember Rush Limbaugh) to continue using them after their medical need has subsided. Prescription Drug Abuse has led to the practice of doctor shopping for new prescriptions, and created what the Centers for Disease Control calls a national epidemic.

Schedule III Controlled Substances Are Defined As Follows:

The drug or other substance has a lower potential for abuse than those in schedules I and II.
There are currently accepted medical uses for the substance in the United States.
Abuse of the substance or drug may lead to low to moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

All substances in schedule III require a valid prescription, but these prescriptions may not be refilled after 6 months of the initial date it was filled or more than 5 times from the initial prescription. Substances in this category include the following: Anabolic steroids, buprenorphine (AKA Suboxone or Subutex), Ketamine (a horse tranquilizer), and Vicodin.

Schedule IV Controlled Substances Are Defined As Follows:

The substance has a lower potential for abuse than those in schedule III.
There is a currently accepted medical use for the drug or substance in the United States.
Abuse of the drug or substance may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to drugs in schedule III

Drugs in the category include benzodiazepines (Valium or Xanax), phenobarbitol, and some antidiahrrheal drugs.

Schedule V Controlled Substances Are Defined As Follows:

The potential for abuse for substances or drugs in this category is less than those in schedule IV.
There is currently accepted medicinal uses for the drug or substance in the United States.
Physical or psychological dependence due to abuse of the drug is less than schedule IV drugs.

No drug or substance in this category may be dispensed for other than medical purposes. Drugs in this schedule include prescription cough medicines. Schedule V drugs are rarely, if ever, the culprit for people seeking treatment for substance abuse. The euphoric effect of these substances is too low for someone abusing them for the sole purpose of getting high.

If you feel that you or a loved one is abusing any of the controlled substances described here, seek help before the problem overtakes your life. Prescription drug treatment is very common today, and many residential drug treatment facilities are well versed in how to handle it.

Update On Drug Addiction Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:07:00 +0000

Substance Abuse Treatment

Recent updates to the treatment for drug and alcohol addiction
include the news that several well respected medical schools have added accredited residency programs in addiction medicine. While some schools were offering courses in addiction medicine to their medical school students, none of them had accredited programs in addiction medicine previously. In the past, this specialty was very much targeted towards psychiatric residents even though emergency room doctors and general practitioners were really on the front line of identifying patients with substance abuse and addiction issues.Here is a list of the medical schools offering a one year residency in addiction medicine:

St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York
University of Maryland Medical System
University of Buffalo School of Medicine
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
University of Minnesota Medical School
University of Florida College of Medicine
John A. Burns School of Medicine
University of Wisconsin School of Medecine
Boston University Medical Center

While the treatment of addiction and substance abuse is becoming more mainstream, the most successful efforts are still those that take a comprehensive approach to the issue. Addiction is a mind, body, and spirit disease. So programs that treat each area will foster the greatest success, and the need for addicts treating other addicts will never be overshadowed by a medicinal approach to the treatment of addiction.
Pathways Recovery is a Sacramento County drug detox facility that utilizes resources in the medical field to help with the treatment of our clients, but we also focus quite a bit of energy healing the mind and body in our Sacramento detox treatment facility.

Worries Turning Into Fears

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:37:00 +0000

We all have worries that flow through our head practically all of the time. These are minor issues like " will I get to work on time" or "is there enough coffee left to make a new pot for our guests". As addicts, however, we oftentimes let these little worries turn into big, overwhelming fears. When we let this happen we can become overwhelmed with doubt and uncertainty about life and ourselves, and the irrational fears racing through our heads can make us want to drink or use just to make the bad thoughts go away for a little while.
The key to preventing this is by turning the worries over to God or a higher power before they have grown out of proportion to reality. By having someone or something to turn to when these thoughts creep into our head, we are able to staunch the tide of fear, uncertainty, and doubt and put our lives back into a calmer perspective. In the past it was the inability to let things go, or turn them over which drove us down a path towards our addiction.
Of course this wasn't the only factor that led us to where we are, but if we can learn coping mechanisms like letting go to prevent little trickles of worries from becoming huge floods of fear, then we have gone a long way down the path of our recovery.
Good residential treatment programs will provide counseling and group therapy that will give you the skills necessary to handle your worries and prevent you from relapsing into your old ways of drug or alcohol abuse to cope. Pathways Recovery provides Northern California drug rehab and drug detox services in a residential environment.

Preventing And Recognizing The Problem

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Prescription Drug Abuse

The risks for addiction to prescription drugs increase when the drugs are used in ways other than for those prescribed by your doctor. Healthcare providers, pharmacists, and primary care physicians, as well as patients themselves, all can play a role in identifying and preventing prescription drug abuse.

Patients. There are also steps a patient can take to ensure that they use prescription medications appropriately. Patients should always follow the prescribed directions, be aware of potential interactions with other drugs, never stop or change a dosing regimen without first discussing it with their healthcare provider, and never use another person's prescription. Patients should inform their healthcare professionals about all the prescription and OTC medicines and dietary and herbal supplements they are taking, in addition to a full description of their presenting complaint, before they obtain any other medications.

Pharmacists. By providing clear information on how to take a medication appropriately and describing possible side effects or drug interactions, pharmacists also can play a key role in preventing prescription drug abuse. Moreover, by monitoring prescriptions for falsification or alterations and being aware of potential "doctor shopping," pharmacists can be the first line of defense in recognizing prescription drug abuse. Some pharmacies have developed hotlines to alert other pharmacies in the region when a fraudulent prescription is detected.

Physicians. Because about 70 percent of Americans (approximately 191 million people) visit their primary care physician at least once every 2 years, these doctors are in a unique position-not only to prescribe medications, but also to identify prescription drug abuse when it exists, help the patient recognize the problem, set recovery goals, and seek appropriate treatment. Screening for prescription drug abuse can be incorporated into routine medical visits by asking about substance abuse history, current prescription and OTC use, and reasons for use. Doctors should take note of rapid increases in the amount of medication needed, or frequent, unscheduled refill requests. Doctors also should be alert to the fact that those addicted to prescription drugs may engage in "doctor shopping"- moving from provider to provider in an effort to obtain multiple prescriptions for the drug(s) they abuse.

Preventing or stopping prescription drug abuse is an important part of patient care. However, healthcare providers should not avoid prescribing or administering stimulants, CNS depressants, or opioid pain relievers if needed.

Pathways Recovery provides residential substance abuse treatment and provides Northern California Drug detox to many of our clients seeking help with their prescription drug addiction. Contact us today to discuss how we can help.

Alcohol Detox Treatment In A Social Model Setting

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Northern California Alcohol Detox

When an alcoholic undergoes alcohol detox treatment, the effects on the body and mind can be difficult to manage. After years of regular usage the body has usually become physically and mentally dependent on the alcohol. So removing the chemical from the alcoholic’s body can cause very severe reactions causing both physical symptoms as well as mental distress. That is why alcohol detox treatment is usually one of the most difficult forms of detox to complete. And why it should usually be done under the supervision of trained professionals.

Admitting that you have a problem is the first step towards getting rid of the problem and accepting the fact that you will have to go through alcohol detox treatment has to follow. People that have been consuming alcohol in large quantities for an extended period of time eventually fall into the cycle of addiction. They usually know they need help but most often it is easier to perpetuate the cycle of addiction than to get that help. When they finally do commit to an alcohol detox treatment program then they are taking their first steps towards recovering from their addiction and moving onto a happy and healthy life free of the alcohol.

Once in alcohol detox treatment people’s symptoms can be classified as either mild, moderate, or severe. Mild alcohol detox symptoms in treatment appear after only a few hours and can include nausea and vomiting, mood swings or depression, difficulty sleeping, the shakes, and cravings for alcohol. For those people in alcohol detox treatment that are dependent on alcohol their symptoms are classified as moderate and include vomiting, fatigue, rapid heart rate, sweating, headaches, rapid heart rate, and involuntary body movements. Severe symptoms of alcohol detox treatment include blackouts, fever, seizures, loss memory, hallucinations, and extreme anxiety.

Almost always, and especially for cases where moderate or extreme symptoms may occur during alcohol detox treatment, it is wise to seek professional help. While a hospital setting is not usually required except for the most extreme cases of alcohol detox, medical assistance with detox medications will ensure a much easier detox and therefore a much better chance of success. Many social model treatment programs exist where the alcohol detox treatment is aided by prescriptions medications but performed in a residential treatment center, not a hospital.

Social model programs operated in a residential treatment setting have demonstrated to be very effective while providing the alcohol detox treatment at a lower cost. The lower overhead is a result of the program being staffed by trained counselors instead of physicians or registered nurses. While physicians are initially consulted for each client wishing to detox, the actual alcohol detox treatment is carried out under the observation of the trained counselors who are usually recovering alcoholics or addicts themselves. So they understand the entire process and condition of their clients very well.

If you or a loved one is looking for alcohol detox treatment in a social model setting, Pathways Recovery offers Northern California inpatient residential treatment at our facility in the Sacramento area.

Patterns Of Opiate Usage In the United States

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:12:00 +0000

Opiate Detox Treatment

According to a United Nations survey from 2008 the use of opiates in the United States by the general population has remained steady over the past several years. Approximately 0.6% of Americans regularly use opiates like heroin, vicodin and oxycontin. This ranks 17^th in the World where Iran has the highest usage at 2.8%. This is not regular usage, but usage of people dependent on opiates. Opiate detox treatment for regular users can be life threatening and should be done in a professional setting.

Another piece of data from a study on opiate addiction found that usage among people without jobs is 20 times that of people that hold down full-time, or even part-time, jobs. Apparently some people in the United States can hold down jobs and use opiates recreationally, but these people make up just over 1% of the employed population while amongst the unemployed, opiates usage is more than 3%. For the recreational users, opiate detox treatment is usually much less severe as their physical dependence on the drug is less than heavier users.

The euphoric effects of opiate usage arise soon after the drug gets into your bloodstream and will disappear after only a couple of hours. If it is injected, the addict feels a rush followed by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and heavy limbs. After this the drug user goes into an alternating state of alertness and drowsiness (called the nod). Because the central nervous system is depressed by the drug, mental acuity is lessened, speech becomes slurred, lethargy sets in, eyelids droop, vomiting can occur, and oftentimes constipation.

Longer term effects of opiate usage can include pulmonary complications due to infection of the heart valves and lining, collapsed veins if injection is the usual form of delivery, and various types of pneumonia due to the general poor lifestyle of the heavy user. In addition to the effects of the drug itself, many forms of opiates acquired on the street (like heroin) will have additional substances added to increase the volume of the product available for sale thereby increasing the profits of the dealer. These additives may not always be dissolved once the opiate is introduced into the bloodstream resulting in clogging of the blood vessels that lead to vital organs. This can result is necrosis (death of cells). For people that have a history of long term opiate usage, the opiate detox treatment process is the most severe and therefore usually longer.

If you or a loved one has developed addictive opiate usage and is wishing to get help, the first step in the recovery process would be going through an opiate detox treatment process where the opiates are given a chance to leave the tissues of the body. Because the withdrawal symptoms can be difficult and include nausea, body aches, cravings, cold sweats, and insomnia it is generally best if you seek professional help. A good quality opiate detox treatment program will last about 10 days and include prescription medications to help ease the pain of withdrawals and get you on the right track to recovering from your opiate addiction and leading a product, sober life.

If you or a loved one is addicted to opiates and is experiencing opiate withdrawal symptoms, contact Pathways Recovery to discuss your options for opiate detox treatment.

Don't Hold Onto Unused Prescription Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:02:00 +0000

If you're hurt in an accident or have surgery, many times your healthcare provider will supply you with a prescription for enough painkillers to treat 3 or 4 people with the same condition. The result is that most often you will end up with unused pain pills, and leaving these lying around is only an invitation for trouble.

Prescription drug abuse, especially with opiates like Vicodin, Oxycontin, and now Opana, is a growing problem amongst the teen population in the United States, and research shows that one of primary sources for abused prescription medications is from the family medicine cabinet. Don't leave the door open for this type of problem with your children. When you are finished with your medications, dispose of the remainder in a suitable fashion.

Some prescription medications are considered OK to flush down the toilet, but for others another method of disposal will be necessary. Read the label on the prescription bottle or the literature provided by the pharmacist. If flushing the medicine is acceptable, it will specify this somewhere in plain sight.

Here is a list of drugs that according to the FDA may be flushed:

Actiq, oral transmucosal lozenge, Fentanyl Citrate
Avinza, capsules (extended release), Morphine Sulfate
Daytrana, transdermal patch system, Methylphenidate
Demerol, tablets, Meperidine Hydrochloride
Demerol, oral solution, Meperidine Hydrochloride
Diastat/Diastat AcuDial, rectal gel, Diazepam
Dilaudid, tablets, Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
Dilaudid, oral liquid, Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
Dolophine Hydrochloride, tablets, Methadone Hydrochloride
Duragesic, patch (extended release), Fentanyl
Embeda, capsules (extended release), Morphine Sulfate; Naltrexone Hydrochloride
Exalgo, tablets (extended release), Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
Fentora, tablets (buccal), Fentanyl Citrate
Kadian, capsules (extended release), Morphine Sulfate
Methadone Hydrochloride, oral solution, Methadone Hydrochloride
Methadose, tablets, Methadone Hydrochloride
Morphine Sulfate, tablets (immediate release), Morphine Sulfate
Morphine Sulfate, oral solution, Morphine Sulfate
MS Contin, tablets (extended release), Morphine Sulfate
Onsolis, soluble film (buccal), Fentanyl Citrate
Opana, tablets (immediate release), Oxymorphone Hydrochloride
Opana ER, tablets (extended release), Oxymorphone Hydrochloride
Oramorph SR, tablets (sustained release), Morphine Sulfate
Oxycontin, tablets (extended release), Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Percocet, tablets, Acetaminophen; Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Percodan, tablets, Aspirin; Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Xyrem, oral solution, Sodium Oxybate

If flushing is not a suitable method of disposal, then mixing the prescription drugs with some other unsavory material will be a satisfactory way to get rid of them. For instance, take your unused prescription drugs and mix them with coffee grounds or cat litter and some water. That way the medications will dissolve into the other material and be unable to be abused.

If the prescription drugs are in pill form, they will be ready for disposal in the garbage when the pills in the mixture have dissolved enough to be shapeless and gelatenous. To be sure of the situation, stir everything up before placing the mixture into the garbage.

Pathways Recovery treats adults for prescription drug abuse with our Northern California drug detox program.

The Problem With Methadone Maintenance Programs

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:33:00 +0000

Methadone Detox Treatment

While Methadone maintenance programs have had some well documented success at reducing or stopping their client's heroin usage (and Oxycontin), they don't offer any further path to get their clientele completely drug free. Because they are for the most part for profit organizations, there is no incentive for Methadone clinics to get their clients off of Methadone. That would be like asking Taco Bell to help wean their customers off of their tacos.

The original purpose for Methadone maintenance programs was well intentioned. Intravenous heroin usage was contributing to the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and AIDs, and heroin addicts quite often were turning to crime to support their habit. So by providing Methadone to this segment of the population the intent was to reduce the negative societal impacts that heroin addiction was having on non-heroin addicts.

From a drug treatment perspective, however, the only thing Methadone maintenance programs do is trade addiction to one narcotic for another. Methadone IS a schedule II opiod that comes with all of the euphoric and addictive effects, including very difficult withdrawal symptoms. So people that sign up for Methadone maintenance programs lock themselves into long term opiate usage unless they look for other options to get completely drug free.

If you are a loved one has a desire to get off of Methadone and live a drug free life, then the first step in the process should be a professional Methadone detox treatment program. Withdrawals from Methadone can be very difficult and lead to a relapse. So give yourself the best chance of success by finding a good quality, affordable detox treatment program.

Jails, Institutions, And Death

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Two of these are less permanent than the third one, but many times during our active addiction the third option is the one that looks best to us. After years of trying to fight the beast that is our addiction, many of us feel the only relief available to us is death. This is the only one that will result in no further consequences. There will be no judge to answer to, no counselors or groups to tell our stories to, and certainly no more grief from our families.

The problem with choosing death over the less permanent options, is that this choice is quite often made when our thinking isn't very clear, and it is probably focused only on a short term solution. We can't see past the overwhelming emotions that are weighing us down. Our own disappointment in failing to "figure it out on our own" have put us into our own version of hell with no clear path out. The sad truth is, this is the time we need to reach out most, but many people fail to do so.

Perspective is usually not something we are used to when we are living in our addiction. The self-pity or anger we harbor that keeps driving us to drink or use would appear insane if we were just given a few moments of clarity. When given this chance, almost all addicts agree that the cycle of addiction they were perpetuating was madness based on inaccurate beliefs about themselves and the people, places and things around them.

Reach out without judgement. Pathways Recovery provides Northern California Drug Treatment in a residential setting.

The Space Between

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:45:00 +0000

Many times our addicted mind tries to force us into action before we have given what's left of our rational mind the proper amount of time to consider the results. This is just one more example of how that beast in our heads continues to try and scuttle the ship that is our life.

By turning many situations over to a higher power or seeking the guidance of someone else in recovery like a sponsor, we give ourselves a better opportunity to react in a more appropriate and useful manner. We usually forget that no action whatsoever is almost always a viable solution as well.

How many times can we recount days in our lives where we felt our world was coming to an end and used this as an excuse to drink or use. Looking back we probably can put some healthy perspective on these situations and come to the rational conclusion that things weren't that bad and that most of the issues would have worked themselves out.

Of course there were also many times, like a flat tire for instance, when we stressed so much about it we just had to have a drink or some drugs. Instead of taking some small actions like fixing the tire and being done with it, we ended up on a binge for weeks at a time only to find the tire still needed fixing when our run was done.

Notable News

noreply@blogger.com (pathwaysrecovery) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Brett Favre's Sister Arrested For Meth Possession And Manufacture