What Are Benzodiazepines?

What are benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines, also called benzos, are a particular class of drugs with similar effects. Benzodiazepines are controlled substances, available by prescription if you have a qualifying medical condition.

They’re for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Short-term use is somewhat safe, but long-term treatment or use can lead to harmful effects, including dependence and addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Why Are Benzodiazepines Prescribed?

When you take a benzodiazepine drug, it changes neurons’ activity, triggering anxiety and stress responses. FDA approved uses for benzodiazepine medication include:

Generalized anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder
Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
Panic disorder
Insomnia

Off-label uses for these types of medications can include tic disorders, bipolar disorder, and the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Common benzodiazepines include:

Alprazolam for the treatment of panic and anxiety disorders
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) for the treatment of anxiety symptoms and alcohol withdrawal
Clonazepam, which is for seizure and panic disorders
Lorazepam, that can help with seizures and anxiety and may be given as part of anesthesia
Temazepam for insomnia and sleep disorders
Diazepam for panic attacks, insomnia and sleep disorders, alcohol withdrawal, seizures, and restless leg syndrome

Valium and Xanax are two of the most common brand name drugs in this category.

How Do Benzodiazepines Work?

When someone takes a benzo, it’s a fast-acting medicine to reduce anxiety. There are sedative effects, and these drugs are calming, which is why they’re often for panic attacks and severe short-term anxiety.

Most benzos start working quickly—within around 30 minutes to an hour after taking them. They tend to leave your system reasonably quickly also—the peak effects will wear off within a few hours for most people.

When you take this anti-anxiety medication, it impacts neurotransmitters as the mechanism of action. Neurotransmitters are chemical brain messengers. The action of benzodiazepine increases the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter responsible for calming brain activity and slowing the central nervous system.

Common symptoms include:

Drowsiness and fatigue
Slurred speech
Confusion
Problems concentrating
Alcohol sensitivity
Vertigo
Feeling lightheaded
Slow movement or muscle weakness
Memory impairment
Muscle spasms
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Increased risk of falls
Depression, symptoms of other mental disorders, or cognitive impairment

Less common side effects may include low blood pressure, tremors, double vision, and headaches. Some people may experience serious adverse effects, including behavioral changes, delirium, and risk of dependence. There’s also some evidence that long-term use could contribute to cognitive decline, but more research is needed.

Benzodiazepine Addiction and Physical Dependence

Someone who uses benzos, particularly over a long period, may experience physical and behavioral effects of addiction and dependence. As you take these drugs for longer periods, a tolerance may develop. As you become tolerant, you need larger doses to achieve your desired effects.

With tolerance can come both addiction and independence. A substance use disorder diagnosis will include at least two of a possible 11 symptoms within one year. These diagnostic symptoms can consist of:

Taking the drug for a more extended period of time than you intend or taking more than you mean to.
Spending a lot of time obtaining the drug, using it, or recovering from the effects.
If you aren’t currently on the drug, you may have withdrawal symptoms.
The development of tolerance, or needing more to get the same effects, is a diagnostic criterion for substance use disorder.
You continue using the substance despite known adverse effects.
Your performance at home, school, or work is impaired because of the use of the drug.

Behavioral signs of benzo addiction can include withdrawal from friends and family, changes in routine or behavior, and doing uncharacteristic things to get more of the drug, such as stealing.

If you develop an addiction to a drug like Xanax or Valium, using it is no longer in your control. Drugs affect specific areas of your brain that play a role in your reward cycle. When a drug triggers that reward cycle, you experience severe cravings and continue to use it even if you don’t necessarily want to.

Benzodiazepine dependence is a physical situation that often occurs with psychological addiction, but not always. You can be dependent on benzos without having a diagnosable addiction.

When you’re dependent on a benzo, your body needs it to maintain a sense of “normalcy.” If you stop using the drug suddenly, known as going cold turkey, you will experience benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

To avoid addiction and dependence, it’s important never to use these substances recreationally. You should only use them with a valid prescription and under the supervision of a qualified medical provider. Even then, there are risks of addiction and dependence, but they’re lower than is the case with recreational use.

Avoid benzodiazepine abuse by doing the following:

Only use these drugs if your doctor prescribes them
Telling your doctor anything else you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, because interactions are possible
Following all of your healthcare provider’s instructions
Not using the drugs any longer than what your doctor instructs you to
Never change your dosage without speaking to your doctor
Not combining opioids or alcohol with the benzos
Don’t take another person’s drugs
Keep all medications out of reach of children

Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal

There can be a range of mild to severe withdrawal symptoms associated with these prescription medications.

The severity of symptoms you might experience during withdrawal from benzodiazepine dependence can vary significantly based on individual health and characteristics. Other factors impacting the severity of withdrawal symptoms include the dose of the drug you regularly use and how long you’ve been using it.

Whether you use short-acting benzodiazepines or long-acting benzodiazepines can affect the timeline and symptoms of withdrawal.

Possible benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and withdrawal effects include:

Rebound anxiety
Panic
Agitation
Restlessness
Dizziness
Tremor
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Muscle cramps
Stomach pain and gastrointestinal problems
Seizures
Hallucinations
Muscle pain
Headaches

If you use daily doses of benzos for more than two weeks, even at therapeutic doses, your chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms start to go up. Even just using them for three to four weeks can lead to withdrawal symptoms. To avoid withdrawal, you should do a supervised taper rather than abrupt cessation, which can be dangerous.

There are a few phases of the withdrawal process.

The immediate phase of the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal is when rebound symptoms occur. Rebound symptoms are when you may notice the symptoms that you initially took the drug to treat start to re-appear and sometimes are more severe than they were before. For example, you may experience insomnia in the early phase of benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Acute withdrawal usually begins within a few days after the last dose, and symptoms can last anywhere from five to 30 days or sometimes several months.

Another possible phase of withdrawal is protracted withdrawal. Not everyone experiences this, but ongoing symptoms can include depression, mood swings, anxiety, poor concentration, and loss of sex drive.

These symptoms can impact your quality of life, but medications and targeted therapies can help you during the withdrawal period.

Are You Struggling with Benzos?

If you’re struggling with addiction or dependence on a drug like Xanax, please reach out to our treatment center by calling 408-547-4089. Members of the Silicon Valley Recovery team are available any time to answer questions you have and help you discover more about treatment plans and programs that will work for you as an individual. This includes the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal and comprehensive addiction treatment.

A Person Who Has Been Drinking Will Usually Behave This Way

When we drink alcohol, it affects our brains, bodies, and behavior. For some people, even minimal amounts of alcoholic beverages begin to affect their ability to function normally. A person who has been drinking alcohol will usually seem less coordinated, perhaps have slurred speech, and have lower inhibitions.

Along with general personality changes, some people might experience especially adverse changes in their behavior. For example, when a person who has been drinking even small amounts, a person will sometimes become angry or aggressive.

Is someone an alcoholic simply because their personality changes when they drink?

No.

An alcohol use disorder is a diagnosable condition with a set of criteria used in the evaluation, as with other mental disorders. Personality changes don’t mean someone is an alcoholic or has an alcohol addiction. It can mean that they’re problem drinkers or experience adverse outcomes when they drink. Being a problem drinker is a risk factor for developing a more significant alcohol use disorder, but it isn’t an addiction necessarily.

Below we break down some of the ways a person who has been drinking alcohol will usually behave and how drinking can impact our personality. You can also learn about addiction recovery here.

How Alcohol Changes Your Personality

You may have various motives for drinking alcohol. You may drink primarily when you’re socializing to serve as a way to be more outgoing, so it’s a situational factor. Some people drink when they’re happy, to celebrate. Others drink alcohol to relax at the end of the day, and some do so when they’re feeling upset as a coping mechanism.

When someone drinks and especially engages in heavy drinking, they may experience changes to their personality.

You may have a group of friends you usually have alcoholic drinks with. There may be the sad drunk or the happy drunk within that group. That person’s personality changes are probably similar every time they drink, no matter the environmental factors or outside circumstances.

Our expression of personality can shift when we’re drinking or drunk. Personality isn’t just how we outwardly behave or act in social interactions under typical circumstances. Our personalities are complex and include how we feel and how we’re experiencing any given situation.

A reason for the changes is the loss of control you experience. Alcohol disinhibits the part of your brain that gives you self-control. That’s why you might become more extroverted when you drink, or you could become more angry and aggressive. You’re removing that element of control that you use in your daily life with the addition of alcohol.

The traits that come out when you drink are already there—they may be underlying. They are just heightened with the addition of alcohol, and especially heavy drinking.

If you’re someone who has underlying and unresolved anger, you’re more likely to expose that when you drink. If you’re generally happy, then you might experience a more over-the-top version of those feelings as you drink.

Most researchers believe alcohol begins to affect a person’s abilities to conceal elements of their personality perhaps. It doesn’t make you a different person to drink, however.

Why Does Alcohol Lower Your Inhibitions?

As we’ve touched on, a person who has been drinking will usually do things they wouldn’t otherwise. Chemical reactions happen in your brain when you drink. These reactions also play a role in coordination, as the alcohol begins to affect a person’s abilities.

When you drink, a few things happen.

GABA levels increase.
GABA is a brain chemical messenger or neurotransmitter. When the neurotransmitter goes up, you feel relaxed, and your stress and anxiety go down.
There’s an increase in dopamine in the brain. Dopamine sends chemical messengers that create feelings of pleasure, thus the buzz you get from drinking.
Norepinephrine goes up, which is a stimulating neurotransmitter. This is the neurotransmitter primarily responsible for excitement, as well as lower inhibitions and increased impulsivity. When your norepinephrine is high, it can make it hard for you to weigh the consequences of your decisions thoroughly.
There are also effects on the brain’s prefrontal cortex, responsible for helping you think rationally and clearly. When you drink, it impairs the abilities of your prefrontal cortex. You’re then more likely to act without thinking.
Alcohol reduces the behavioral inhibition centers in your brain.
You have a slowdown in the processing of information in the brain, so it’s more difficult for you to think through the consequences fully.
The prefrontal cortex is also responsible for managing your willpower and feelings of aggression.

All these effects mean that if you’re already feeling angry or aggressive, that shield of inhibition goes away. You’re more likely to act on those feelings that were already there bubbling under the surface.

Many of the brain areas affected by alcohol also play a role in mental health and mental health issues. For example, if someone has co-occurring disorders like bipolar disorder, the influence of alcohol can also make the symptoms worse.

Alcohol and Aggression

There are certain people that we see and think “they’re an angry drunk.” The reasons are due to the factors above. However, even if you’re not an inherently angry person, you may still get more violent or aggressive than you would otherwise.

For example, if someone were to provoke you after you’d been drinking, you could be likely to take the bait and engage with them. In your normal daily life, without the addition of alcohol, you’d probably just ignore or walk away from the situation.

It’s important to note links between drinking habits and intimate partner violence. In fact, in one study, 30% of couples reporting intimate partner violence said alcohol was a factor.

Regardless of whether you believe it’s the alcohol affecting someone’s behavior, if you experience violence or abuse of any type when someone is drinking, you should leave the situation and go to a safe space. It’s never an excuse. Alcohol doesn’t create these components of someone’s personality — again, it just enhances or brings them to the surface.

A Person Who Has Been Drinking Will Usually Behave This Way man taking breathalyzer test

Are You An Alcoholic When Your Personality Changes?

As mentioned above, when your personality changes or, more accurately, when certain characteristics come out when you’re drinking, that doesn’t inherently point to alcoholism or alcohol dependence. There are complex factors and diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder. It’s a chronic illness and a mental health disorder.

One of the primary criteria for diagnosing an alcohol use disorder or any substance use disorder is continuing to drink despite negative, known consequences. So, if you know that you become aggressive or angry when you drink, and it leads to fights, altercations, legal problems, or other issues, yet you keep drinking, that could be a red flag.

If you try to cut down on your drinking and you aren’t able to, and you keep finding yourself in situations where your personality changes in an unpleasant way, it could be an indicator of an alcohol use disorder.

Dangerous Behaviors

One of the most dangerous behaviors of someone who has been consuming alcohol is drunk driving. In the United States, you are considered legally drunk when your blood alcohol content (bac) is .08. If your alcohol levels are beyond this point you are considered to be a drunk driver and prohibited to operate a vehicle. When you drink and drive your reaction time is lowered, a significant amount of fatal crashes reported come from impaired drivers.

Getting Help

We encourage you to call 408-547-4089 and reach out to the Silicon Valley Recovery addiction treatment team if you’re worried about your behavior or someone else’s. We can help you connect with resources to help to guide you in how to deal with a person who has been drinking.

Relapse Triggers: Ways to Avoid Relapse

In the context of treating addiction, relapse is the act of a recently abstinent addict returning to use of their addictive substance or behavior. In everyday language, relapse is commonly used interchangeably with the term “relapse into substance abuse,” which is considered the more general definition for returning to addictive behavior. Thus, addiction relapse may be a more appropriate term since not all addicts will return to abusing a specific drug or self-destructive behavior.

Addiction relapse results from the brain returning to addictive patterns of behavior that were overcompensated for in the past. Addiction relapse often occurs when a smoker begins associating situations and feelings with potential triggers for smoking, such as being in stressful situations during addiction recovery. Such stimuli can be reminders of past addictions, for example, drugs or alcohol. Once the brain develops patterns around the common relapse trigger and associates them with smoking, it may fall into old habits.

The process of relapse typically occurs in three stages:

Emotional relapse
Mental relapse
Physical relapse

What are the Common Addiction Relapse Triggers?

Substance abuse triggers are internal and external cues that cause a person in recovery to crave drugs and often relapse or lapse. A trigger for relapse is an emotional, environmental or social situation that drags up memories of drug or alcohol use in the past.

If you’re an addict or alcoholic reading this, you have probably gone through a relapse before. You know the signs, and you know how it feels. The potential for relapse is always there. It’s essential to learn about what addiction relapse triggers are if you want to avoid them so that you can remain sober in the future.

What are Internal and External Triggers?

External triggers are certain activities, locations, people, objects, images, situations, and events that can make you want to use drugs or drink alcohol.
Internal triggers are thoughts or emotions that make you want to use drugs or alcohol.

Relapse is a significant component of staying clean and sober. Relapse can be defined as the return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence. Closely about one-third of people relapse within one month, more than half relapse by six months, and virtually all relapse within a year.

Having an understanding of why addiction relapse occurs may help you to keep from the risk of relapse. Here are five of the most common and often seen relapse triggers and ways to avoid triggers in recovery:

1. HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

The HALT acronym is one of many simple tools we can use to improve our quality of daily life when facing addiction. Identifying situations that cause us to put ourselves in emotional discomfort helps us be more effective in handling them effectively. For instance, if we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, we become vulnerable to poor decision-making and relapse.

Naming the sensation allows us to take action that may help prevent a situation from turning into one with negative consequences.

2. Emotional Stress

Preventing relapse is a crucial part of the addiction recovery process; however, many individuals may not be fully prepared to cope with the common relapse trigger and temptations they encounter daily. These emotions can serve as reminders of a person’s history and former coping methods, inciting negative feelings of helplessness. When they feel like they are winning the battle against their drug addiction, a perceived negative emotion can lead them to use drugs or alcohol in the first place.

Anxiety is a symptom of relapse. Feeling powerless can trigger a potential relapse. Blaming others for your problems promotes relapse. Never being able to tolerate any discomfort puts you at risk for relapse.

3. Overconfidence

Reach the highest highs and the lowest lows. There’s no greater high than recovery, but that doesn’t mean you should get overconfident about your recovery. Overconfidence in recovery puts you at risk for relapse. Being optimistic about your new life as a sober individual is necessary, but becoming overconfident crosses a line from healthy confidence to self-satisfaction and addiction risk.

4. Social Isolation

Although your reliance on drugs or alcohol may have initially been your desire to fit in and feel part of a group, this reliance can easily lead to feelings of social isolation and loneliness over time. If you lack a support system to turn to when times are tough, or you’re feeling down, it can become easy to convince yourself that you need a drink or a drug of choice to help you through.

Social support is crucial to long-term recovery. To combat feelings of isolation, contact your nearest Narcotics Anonymous group or other 12 Step fellowship, and ask to be put in touch with a sponsor. Get involved in meetings and activities. This will help you build a recovery network and ease your loneliness.

5. Reminiscing

A major red flag that you have not truly accepted your addiction is when you reminisce about times from the past when you used it. This type of nostalgia is a way to romanticize your addiction, especially if you overlook all the suffering your addiction caused.

It’s important to remember that each drink or drug use was its separate incident with its consequences, emotions, and learning opportunities. These memories can stir up strong emotions that lead to the impulse to use a substance again. Objects in an individual’s everyday life may induce illicit drug cravings.

Holiday parties involving social drinking may be tricky. Avoid high-risk situations and locations. Some of the other people who may be triggering include former drug dealers, co-workers, employers, neighbors, spouses, or partners. Positive feelings can also serve as internal triggers.

Addiction is a chronic brain disease with a relapse rate similar to that of other chronic conditions like diabetes. Addiction is a ruthless master, always finding ways to trick the addict into believing that their behavior isn’t addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40 to 60 percent of people who are treated for substance use disorders will relapse at some point.

If you start to rationalize your addictive behaviors by viewing them through rose-colored glasses, then you are becoming an enabler to your addiction. Focus on the pain your addiction caused you and others. This is what will help keep you on the path to sobriety.

Family dynamics may influence an individual’s substance use abstinence self-efficacy. If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of addictive behavior and are looking for a way out, complete recovery from the relapse process is possible. First, it’s essential to seek help and treatment from a professional specializing in substance abuse or mental health disorders.

Getting Help

Since many individuals with substance use disorder also suffer from co-occurring disorders, seeking help from an expert who can assess and treat any underlying condition that may have contributed to your addictive behavior is crucial.

At Silicon Valley Recovery, we provide individuals with a comprehensive treatment plan to avoid the common triggers for relapse. We use a combination of professionally supported 12-step meetings, balanced medical care, and evidence-based therapy to give patients a relapse prevention plan that they need to avoid relapse and achieve long-term sobriety. our substance abuse treatment aims to help individuals recognize the early warning signs of relapse and develop healthy coping skills to thwart a possibility of relapse.

Give us a call today at 408-547-4089 and start the recovery process. We offer a wide range of addiction treatment programs to help you fight negative behaviors.

Does Insurance Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

One of the most common questions we get is whether or not drug and alcohol rehab insurance coverage is part of your health care plan. In many cases, insurance covers substance use disorder treatment, but there’s a bit more to it than that. Have you also been thinking does insurance cover rehab?

Below, we’ll explain what you should know about paying for rehab for drug or alcohol addiction and your treatment options.

How Much Does Rehab Cost?

We cannot give you one figure to tell you how much rehab will cost. Nonprofits and the government sponsor free drug addiction treatment and alcohol addiction treatment options. Then, there are programs costing upwards of thousands of dollars a day. The thing to remember is that regardless of what your budget is, effective substance abuse treatment programs are available.

Unfortunately, the fear of how you’ll pay for treatment is one of the most significant barriers to getting help when it shouldn’t be. Even at a high-end treatment center, there are payment options, and insurance is one of those.

The cost of treatment depends on where you go, the type of facility, and how long your stay is. Whether you do onsite medical detox is also part of the cost. For example, outpatient substance abuse treatment tends to be less expensive than inpatient addiction treatment in a rehab program.

You have to recognize that the cost of not treating your addiction will end up being significantly more expensive than the cost of addiction treatment programs.

For example, if you’re an alcoholic and drink a 12-pack a day over a year, you’re spending thousands of dollars. You might also face legal problems, issues in your career, and medical expenses that can all add up to tens of thousands of dollars annually and potentially the loss of your job.

Other factors that are relevant when determining the cost of going to rehab are:

The center type—if you participate in outpatient programs or have a shorter stay, it will be less expensive than intensive inpatient treatment.
Types of treatment—the level of medical and mental health care you receive is an essential factor in the cost of addiction treatment.
Amenities—you can opt for a higher-end addiction treatment center with amenities similar to a resort, the most expensive programs.

Will Health Insurance Plans Cover Rehab?

Back to our original question regarding insurance providers and paying for treatment at a rehab center, “Will insurance cover rehab for drug or alcohol addiction?” Yes, it will often happen because a substance use disorder is a medical disease. There are caveats to that, though.

If you have a private health insurance provider, a good starting point is to check your policy to determine what type of treatment you have coverage for. The higher your insurance premiums, the more likely you’re going to have comprehensive coverage for rehab. If you have a group insurance plan from your employer, the same is true.

There are exclusions with many private insurance plans, so you’ll need to figure out what those are.

Insurance coverage for addiction treatment was expanded significantly in 2008 with the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Under the ACA, insurance plans must offer alcohol and drug addiction coverage with benefits equal to the medical care and surgical benefits the program provides. Insurance, depending on your goal and exclusions, may cover:

Inpatient care
Outpatient rehab
Detox and medications during that time
Treatment for a co-occurring mental health disorder
Maintenance medications
Follow-up counseling

Your insurance may not cover any services that aren’t medically necessary, such as non-medical amenities. There are also limitations on insurance policies if you relapse and return to treatment after your initial program.

Public insurance works similarly to private insurance regarding mental health treatment and drug rehab programs. There is likely some level of coverage for the cost of drug rehab or an alcohol rehab center, but with limitations.

The Affordable Care Act and Coverage for Substance Abuse

We touched briefly on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on addiction treatment. Ten essential health benefits exist under this law. According to the ACA, a vital health benefit must be available with no dollar limit on all health plans.

Substance abuse services and mental health services coverage falls under these benefits.

Also relevant are the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Under this federal law, health insurance companies and group health plans that provide substance abuse or mental health benefits can’t impose less favorable limitations on benefits than what they offer for surgical and medical benefits.

To sum it up, limits on treatment for substance abuse and behavioral health conditions can’t be more restrictive than limits on medical conditions that are part of the plan.

Does Insurance Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

How Can You Find Out If Your Insurance Covers Rehab?

While the general answer is yes, insurance treatment facilities, how do you know for sure if you have drug rehab insurance coverage?

The best thing to do is call the provider of your health insurance coverage. When you talk to your insurance company, they can tell you what’s in your plan and figure out what you can afford.

When you contact your insurance company, ask them about your copay and deductible. These are what you’re going to have to pay out of pocket for the drug or alcohol treatment cost.
Ask how many days of treatment you have health coverage for in a drug rehab center.
Determine whether any medications you receive while in treatment are included in the coverage. Medication-assisted treatment is often helpful in a treatment plan.
Talk to your insurance company about detox program coverage for treatment.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, we can help you. We can contact your insurer on your behalf to figure out if our center is in your provider network. We can also get more details like the services and days covered by your plan for substance abuse treatment.

United Healthcare is one of the nation’s largest insurers, and their plans tend to cover at least part of treatment for addiction, including detox and inpatient rehab. United Healthcare operates the United Behavioral Health division, which helps provide policyholders information about substance abuse and mental health services to policyholders.
Cigna is another major insurer in the U.S. Cigna covers many rehab expenses, including inpatient and outpatient rehab. They also have a Behavioral Health division.
Aetna individualizes its policy limits based on the needs of the individual. You may have coverage for inpatient treatment, detox, and even partial hospitalization and continuing care.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides coverage for almost one in three people in America. They offer rehab coverage with some plans, and they have a comprehensive mobile platform where you can find tools and support.

Other Options Are Available

If you need substance abuse treatment and don’t have insurance or don’t fully cover rehab, other payment options are available, such as a payment plan and financing options.

We encourage you to contact the Silicon Valley Recovery team by calling 408-547-4089. As one of the leading rehab facilities in California, our behavioral health services team can not only work with your insurance company, if applicable, but we can also help you explore alternative payment options. Financial assistance may be available too.

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, there is no greater priority than getting the help you deserve at a qualified rehab center.

The Professional’s Guide to Addiction Recovery

There are unfortunate misconceptions we have about addiction. For example, when it comes to who we envision as an “addict,” it may not be the high-performing professional. In reality, people in high-pressure, high-stress jobs who may appear to have it all together are sometimes most affected by addictive substances.

When you’re in a high-profile or demanding position, you can feel a sense of shame about your addiction. In other instances, it might feel like an accepted part of your industry or corporate culture. One of our biggest priorities is helping you realize it’s not shameful. Addiction is a chronic disease requiring proper treatment.

The good news is that when you seek help from an addiction recovery center like ours that understands your particular needs, you can live a fulfilling and productive life. You can find clarity, make your family members proud, and rebuild relationships in addition to having a great career.

Receiving comprehensive treatment for any other mental health issue and your substance use disorder is integral to a healthy life.

What Industries Have the Highest Addiction Rates?

Below is a brief overview of some industries and professions with the highest addiction rates, and they’re likely to surprise you.

Health care professionals and doctors: We’ll delve into this a little more below, but doctors and medical professionals have an estimated rate of around 10% for substance abuse. Medical professionals are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than their patients.
Lawyers and legal professionals: When you’re a young lawyer, in particular, you face long hours, job stress, and potentially high debt payments from your education — around 29% of lawyers in their first ten years of practice reporting problematic drinking or alcohol abuse.
Executives: High-level employees are plagued by substance abuse problems, whether in tech companies or other industries. Prescription drug abuse is prevalent among these professionals.

We’ll explore these professions and addiction among high performers a little more in-depth below.

People in recovery enjoy better career performance and overfall fulfillment. Participation in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous can help you maintain your recovery after treatment once you return to your career.

Health Care Professionals

Health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, have some of the highest addiction rates in the entire workforce. The pandemic has probably worsened those trends, but it may be years before we can see the full impact.

People who work in health care are most likely to abuse narcotics, which are prescription opioids, including Fentanyl and Oxycodone.

Reasons people in health care are prone to developing substance use disorders include:

They work in a very demand, high-stress environment where their decisions quite literally are life-or-death in their daily life
Medical professionals have to stay awake for long hours and often work all day or overnight
There are emotional, painful decisions and outcomes to deal with regularly
People working in health care have access to powerful prescription drugs

Unfortunately, the effects of addiction when you work in the medical field can be especially devastating.

While being a healthcare professional can sometimes be thankless and heartbreaking, long-term recovery rates after treatment are high for people in this field who develop an addiction to prescription medications, other drugs, or alcohol.

Lawyers and Legal Professionals

Lawyers work long hours and deal with tremendous stress. In younger lawyers, the pressure may be particularly high since they’re also probably trying to pay off student loan debt and juggle financial responsibilities while working their way up the ladder in their careers.

Along with drug and alcohol addiction, many lawyers have a co-occurring mental health condition. For example, more than 45% of attorneys have co-occurring disorders like depression at some point in their careers. Around 12% of those lawyers reporting depression or a similar mental illness experience suicidal thoughts at least once.

Around 21% of lawyers may be problem drinkers or have an alcohol use disorder, and some estimates put the number as high as 36%. Approximately 9% of attorneys may struggle with prescription drugs. Stimulants are also an issue, helping attorneys stay awake for long hours, maintain high energy levels and potentially work more daily.

Executives

Executives in all industries, including the tech industries, have higher rates of substance abuse than you might expect. For example, one study found nearly 20% of tech professionals abuse or have an opioid addiction.

There’s also an alcohol culture in the tech industry, where it can be seen as acceptable to drink in work environments. For example, 53% of tech employees said they’d participated in a team bonding event with alcohol in one survey, and 35% said their employers sponsor happy hours.

Why Are High-Performing Professionals Likely To Abuse Substances?

Whether you’re working at a hospital, a start-up, or a high-profile established company, why are you, as someone who’s seen as a significant achiever, more likely to need a special level of care for substance abuse treatment?

There are a few factors that likely play a significant role.

When you’re a high-level employee or in any position of stress at your job, it’s demanding. Your schedule is packed, and you may start early in the morning and work late into the night. Everything you do has the potential to affect many other people. Executives and professionals may turn to drugs or alcohol to relax after challenging days, help them sleep, or as a coping mechanism.
When you work in a stressful job, you may dedicate so much of your time and attention to it that your relationships suffer. You could find yourself struggling to connect with people on a personal level. Social support is critical to mental health, and without it, you could be more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol.
Many executives and professionals with substance abuse problems are high-functioning. They appear “normal,” and no one would assume they have a substance use disorder.
These are people who may simultaneously make a lot of money and have disposable income, which in some cases can also fuel addiction more.
When someone struggles with drugs or alcohol and has a high-profile or stressful job, they may be apprehensive about the stigma of not just their substance use but the potential of going to an addiction recovery center and taking time from work.

Finding a Recovery Program

If anything above sounds like you, the most important thing to do, once you realize that you have a problem, is find addiction treatment that will address your needs to help you start the recovery process through effective treatment options and behavioral therapy.

The needs of someone who has the weight of other employees and a company on their shoulders will differ from someone in another profession on their path to recovery.

Executive addiction treatment centers in California, like Silicon Valley Recovery, will create an individualized dual diagnosis treatment plan, with your career in mind. You have to work on identifying underlying causes for your addiction. You may also need treatment for a co-occurring mental health disorder like anxiety or depression, essential for your quality of life and relapse prevention.

Realize you aren’t alone, and drug addiction recovery is possible and can work in your life. So many people in America are striving to drive their careers forward and maximize their productivity. You can’t do that to the detriment of your mental and physical well-being.

We encourage you to call 408-547-4089 and contact the team at Silicon Valley Recovery to learn how we can help you change your trajectory and get evidence-based treatment for the disease that keeps on taking. We’ll share details about our admissions process, medically assisted detoxification, exclusive support groups, executive treatment programs, and how our holistic approach can meet your unique needs as a professional.

Getting Off An Addictive Substance

A drug detox is an excellent way to get off an addictive substance and start anew. Whether someone is looking for best marijuana detox or any other treatment, these types of programs are especially helpful for women who have struggled with addiction and are considering a pregnancy. Withdrawal symptoms can be extreme, but they often fade after a few days or a week. A medical professional can advise you of what your symptoms may be and help you decide which treatment is right for you.

A medically supervised xanax detox can be a viable option for people who have not developed dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Although a person who is only addicted to a small amount of a stimulant will not experience immediate medical risks, a home detox can be mentally and physically demanding. There are some unexpected dangers of Addictive Substance that may arise during home or office drug detox. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a drug addict may experience nausea or vomiting.

Getting off an Addictive Substance

If a person has not abused a drug or alcohol for a long period of time, they can opt for a natural detox, such as heroin detox. Natural detox involves drinking lots of water. While water does not provide many nutrients, it is extremely healthy for the body and will not harm it. A person who is in detox should drink lots of water. The oxygen in water will help the body heal itself and give it tons of energy. Other foods rich in vitamins and minerals will also provide extra energy.

Drugs are extremely addictive, so getting a medical detox is the best way to ensure that you get off the drugs you are addicted to. Just like cocaine detox is not an easy process, so one shouldn’t take it for granted. A medically supervised drug detox can prevent the Addictive Substance from spreading to other people. This process is crucial for your health and the recovery process. If you are thinking about going for a drug detox, consider contacting a medical professional.

In a drug rehab, medical professionals can offer a range of methods and approaches to help the patient recover. A physician can help you choose the best approach to get off the drugs you have been using for a long time. Even if it is opioid detox, the right treatment is essential for your mental and physical well-being. You should always seek medical advice before starting a drug detox program. A good treatment program will give you the tools to heal.

Detox from alcohol is also very important, if you are abusing it.

Before you start a drug detox, it is important to make sure you are physically able to stop using the substances you are addicted to. It is important to know that your body will go through withdrawal symptoms, and you will probably experience some unpleasant symptoms along the way. For this reason, it is essential to have a medically supervised drug detox during pregnancy. A person’s ability to drive is dependent on many factors, including the drug they’ve been abusing.

A drug test can be a daunting task. It involves cleansing the body of the substance and adjusting to life without it. In a drug detox, medical experts will give you medications and help you get through the withdrawal phase. During the detox, you’ll be able to pass the drug test, as well as continue with the recovery process. And you’ll need a medical professional to monitor your condition during the detox process.

A drug-detox is a very serious procedure. The goal of a drug detox is to help your body get rid of toxins and adjust to life without the substance. During a drug detox, the body will be cleansed of toxins and adjusting to life without the drug. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others experience more severe complications. In a typical marijuana detox, the withdrawal symptoms are intense.

A medically supervised drug detox is a very safe and effective way to treat substance dependence. It is a vital part of any rehabilitation program, so it is important to find one that will work best for you. In a hospital or clinic, medically supervised detox is a good option for pregnant women. For some substances, drug detox is a good option if you’ve had a long-term dependence.

Aside from this, EMDR trauma therapy and other services like those listed below can also be obtained from a center. These are:

Is Marijuana Addictive? Truth, Risk & Solutions

Is marijuana addictive? This question is especially relevant right now, as our society, in general, has shifting views on the use of the drug. Also, marijuana laws are changing rapidly.

While marijuana remains an illegal drug at the federal level in the United States, many states have created laws surrounding its use. States allow it for medical purposes only, and there’s also a significant portion of legal recreational marijuana.

In 2012, Colorado voters approved an initiative legalizing the recreational sale and use of marijuana. Colorado was the first state to do so. Eighteen other states, as well as Washington D.C., have since done the same.

Smoking marijuana is in some ways like alcohol. Even though the stigma surrounding its use is declining, that doesn’t mean it’s not harmful and doesn’t have potentially adverse consequences. No matter the laws or the perception, it’s essential to recognize the reality of the risks of marijuana and what they can entail, including its addictive quality.

How Does Marijuana Cause Addiction?

To explore the answer to “is marijuana addictive,” it’s helpful to have at least a general understanding of how it affects you.

Marijuana can have THC, a psychoactive compound and mood-altering substance. THC is what makes you feel high when you use marijuana. Regions of your brain that affect memory, learning, coordination, appetite, and pleasure have cannabinoid receptors. Those receptors are affected by the use of marijuana.

In the short term, THC alters the function of your hippocampus in your brain, as well as the orbitofrontal cortex. These parts of your brain influence your ability to learn and do complex tasks. There are effects on memory and focus too.

This also happens because marijuana’s impact on cannabinoid receptors affects your brain’s reward system.

The reward system includes brain regions controlling pleasurable actions that are healthy, such as eating and sex. However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drugs and alcohol can activate the reward system in unhealthy ways.

As with other drugs of abuse, THC will stimulate the neurons in your reward system. That stimulation then leads to the release of dopamine. The dopamine release occurs at much higher levels than stimuli that are naturally rewarding. As there’s a surge of dopamine in your brain, it’s learning to repeat the activity leading to the reward, giving the drug its addictive properties.

That all means that, yes, marijuana addiction can develop similarly to other types of drug abuse.

Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana isn’t necessarily as addictive as some substances of abuse. For example, alcohol and opioids might be more addictive, but that doesn’t mean marijuana doesn’t have addiction potential.

Around 1 in 10 adults who use marijuana develop an addiction.
Even more significant risk for addiction exists in young people.
If you use marijuana before you’re 18, the addiction rates go to 1 in 6.
If you’re addicted, you may have what’s technically called a cannabis use disorder. Someone with a cannabis use disorder will experience physical, social, or emotional problems because of their marijuana use.
You may also hear it called a marijuana use disorder. As with other substance use disorders, it can be mild to severe.

According to the National Institutes of Health, cannabis use disorder is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The DSM-5 is the gold standard for the diagnosis of psychiatric and addiction disorders.

The Symptoms of Cannabis Addiction

According to the DSM-5, for a diagnosis of a marijuana use disorder, there should be the presence of at least two of the following symptoms.

These symptoms should occur within 12 months, indicating problematic long-term marijuana use.

Continuation of use, despite adverse effects in your life. For example, you might keep using it even if you have psychological or physical effects you know are related to your usage.
Creating health problems
Having intense cravings for marijuana.
Developing a tolerance and needing more and more for the same effects.
Having marijuana withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug, which is a sign of physical dependence.
Giving up other activities or interests in your daily life.
Use more marijuana than you intend or use it for a more extended period than you initially intended.
Dangerous use, such as using marijuana and then driving.
Impacts on other priorities such as work or school, social life, or your family life. You might have a decline in school performance, for example.
You spend a significant amount of time getting the drug, using it, and recovering from the effects.
You’ve tried unsuccessfully to reduce your use or stop.

Marijuana Use and the Young Brain

As mentioned above, young marijuana users are at the highest risk of developing a substance use disorder involving marijuana.

Marijuana addiction also puts young people at risk of permanent brain damage. Marijuana affects many areas of the brain.
Sometimes when those effects occur on the developing brain of a young person, they may not be reversible, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Our brains are in a state of development until we reach our early 20s. During this time, we’re particularly susceptible to environmental influences, including substance use.
The earlier someone begins their abuse of marijuana; the more detrimental the effects of cannabis are likely to be on their brain. For example, currently available data suggest vocabulary and information measures of what’s known as crystallized intelligence are lower in young people who use marijuana. Crystalized intelligence is a measure of the knowledge you gain through learning or experience.

What Determines Whether You Develop Marijuana Dependence?

Some people can use recreationally and never develop symptoms of addiction. For other drug users, using addictive drugs just a few times can lead to problematic patterns. As with different types of addiction, there isn’t one particular risk factor relevant to marijuana use disorders.

There are often multiple risk factors playing a role.

Genetics is a strong predictor for the development of addiction, based on what we know from the National Institute On Drug Abuse.
Mental health is another risk factor when it comes to addictive substances. It’s relatively common for people with an addiction to drugs or alcohol to have a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may use marijuana to self-medicate the symptoms of a psychiatric disorder, for example. You have underlying mental health issues that can also make you more prone to developing an addiction.
The issue of marijuana potency is something that we talk about more now too. The more potent marijuana is, the more it affects your brain, especially if you’re under the age of 25. The drug is getting more robust based on marijuana samples.

What Can You Do?

Is marijuana addictive? Yes.

How does marijuana cause addiction? It’s a complex effect that occurs on your brain and primarily your brain’s reward system that leads to the addictive nature of marijuana. Marijuana can also lead to withdrawal symptoms similar to other illicit drugs as well as alcohol.

If you feel like marijuana use is problematic in your life, what can you do?

The most important thing is being honest with yourself and potentially your loved ones about what you’re experiencing. Again, because the stigma of marijuana is gradually reducing, we may think that it’s perfectly fine to use it. The reality is that it can have very real negative consequences.

Once you’ve recognized the symptoms of a marijuana use disorder in yourself, treatment programs and support groups are available to help with your dependence. We encourage you to call 408-547-4089.and talk to a care coordinator at Silicon Valley Recovery to learn more about marijuana addiction and how you can explore treatment options like marijuana detox to improve your quality of life.

Drug Abuse Statistics: The Numbers Behind the Epidemic

We often hear about the opioid epidemic, which we will discuss below, but the United States faces more than just a problem with opioid use. We’re in the midst of a drug abuse epidemic in general. Indicators show it seems to be getting worse.

It’s likely as we learn more about the impact of the pandemic, we’ll also find that it significantly worsened the issue of substance abuse in the United States We already see some of the pandemic-related drug and alcohol use numbers, and they’re difficult. The illicit drug abuse epidemic impacts social and economic well-being and public health.

So what’s the reality behind the substance use disorder statistics, and how did it all happen?

Drug Abuse Statistics

According to national survey results, illegal drug use has been increasing across generations, demographics, and genders in the U.S.

It’s incredibly challenging even to know the full scope of people with a substance use disorder. Even based on what we do know according to self-reporting and overdoses, it’s alarming.

Along with deaths from the pandemic, 2020 appears to have been the deadliest ever in American history for drug use and drug addiction.

Related drug abuse statistics include:

The number of overdoses in 2020 hit record highs.
Oregon saw a 40% spike in drug deaths. Opioids were one factor, but there was a significant uptick in using other substances like meth. Cocaine deaths went up by 57%, and fentanyl contributed to 92% of these drug deaths.
Virginia is another state dealing with the fallout from record deaths related to drug abuse. More than 2,030 deaths occurred from overdoses in 2020, well over the state’s previous record of 1,626.

The states above are only examples. Most other states had similar issues.

We understand some of the reasons that 2020 was a particularly tragic year regarding substance abuse and associated deaths. People were isolated and dealing with declines in mental health because of the pandemic and its ripple effects.

Along with rises in substance abuse deaths, suicides have also been soaring.

Mental illness stemming from stress, financial insecurity, anxiety, depression, and poor coping mechanisms can lead to people abusing substances to self-medicate.

It’s unfortunate because there was a brief decline in overdose deaths from 2017 to 2018. The decline was modest at 4.1%, but still, it indicated to many that maybe things were turning a corner until the year 2020 began.

Overdoses went up more than 18% from the 12 months that ended in June 2019.
In 2020, there were 81,000 reported drug overdoses, the highest ever recorded.
While we talk primarily about overdoses because they’re a metric that can be quantified, even when someone doesn’t overdose, they may still be using drugs.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, at least 11.7% of the population was actively using drugs in 2018—a number that’s likely higher now.

The above statistics don’t even consider heavy drinking and alcohol addiction, also on the rise.

The Most Commonly Used Drugs

Popular drugs as far as abuse include:

Marijuana

Marijuana is also called cannabis. While marijuana isn’t legal federally, it is legal for recreational and medicinal use in many states despite its potential for abuse.

A national survey on drug use and health shows that attitudes toward legalization and marijuana use are changing, but it’s not a drug without consequence.

This common drug can trigger psychosis in people vulnerable to the condition. The use of cannabis can also impair learning and memory and damage the lungs. People who begin using it as teens are anywhere from four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults.

Prescriptions and OTC Medications

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are among the deadliest and most misused drugs in the country and contribute to numerous drug overdose deaths.

Prescription opioids fall into this category, as do stimulants like Adderall.

There are also central nervous system depressants that are part of the problem with prescription drug abuse. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax have exceptionally high abuse rates, and there is a potential for addiction and physical dependence, even when you have a prescription.

Heroin

Heroin is a highly deadly, illicit opioid. In 2016, around 948,000 Americans reported they’d used heroin in the past year.

The age group driving that trend most appears to be young people between 18 and 25. At one point, heroin was predominantly in urban areas.

Now heroin use is seen in rural and suburban communities.

Methamphetamine

For a while, methamphetamine use was going down in the United States, but that’s a trend that appears to, unfortunately, be reversing.

Meth-related deaths are rising across the country, despite the country focusing primarily on the opioid epidemic.

Among minority groups and, in particular, native populations, the rates are going up even faster. Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, deadly meth overdoses have more than quadrupled in recent years.

Black Americans are also experiencing an increase in meth-related deaths. These trends are being seen across all Americans too, but at a lesser rate, as meth increasingly becomes a drug of choice for some.

The Opioid Epidemic

While the use of drugs like meth is going up, the opioid epidemic remains the most troubling issue regarding drug abuse statistics.

Since 1999, more than 841,000 people deaths have been the result of a drug overdose. In 2019, more than 70% of overdose deaths included the involvement of an opioid.

Opioids include prescription pain relievers like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Heroin is an opioid, as are synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl is especially problematic right now because even a minuscule amount can be fatal.

Drug Abuse Statistics: Behind the Epidemic

Teenage Drug Abuse Statistics

Teens certainly aren’t immune to the damaging effects of drug abuse and addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescents most often use alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. For young people using drugs or other substances, the risks can be exceptionally high.

The teenage brain develops until we’re in our 20s. Teen substance abuse may lead to adverse effects on brain development and even brain damage.
Teen drug abuse also contributes to physical health problems later in life, such as heart disease, sleep disorders, and high blood pressure.
When they begin using substances and experience the influence of drugs or alcohol, the younger a teen is, the higher the chances they develop a substance use disorder and ultimately become addicted.
Statistics show that 12th graders and even kids aged 12 and up report trying illicit drugs like heroin, in addition to alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. That use among high school seniors and younger students increases the potential for full-blow addiction, like an alcohol use disorder, as well as drug overdose deaths.

Why Do Drug Abuse Statistics Show Increasing Use Rates?

One reason that drug abuse rates seem to be going up is one we talk about above, which is the pandemic. However, the trends were moving upward even before COVID-19.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration, it’s likely a complex situation with many factors contributing.

Economic disparities, a lack of access to health care, and accessibility maybe some of those factors. It also seems that mental health disorders are on the rise in the U.S., like anxiety and depression.

Mental disorders tend to occur more prevalently in people who use substances, although it’s sometimes unclear which comes first. If you have a mental health disorder, you could use illegal street drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol as a coping mechanism. The effects of substances themselves can also trigger mental health disorders.

While the above picture can be dismal regarding the rates of substance use and even teenage drug addiction, and there are large-scale factors that may be out of our control, we can take control of our lives and our health. If you’d like to explore substance abuse treatment options or speak to an addiction specialist, call 408-547-4089 and a care coordinator from the Silicon Valley Recovery team will answer your questions, and talk more about effective treatment programs.

How Drug Detoxes Are Relatively Easy And Safe To Complete?

A marijuana detox is an important first step towards recovery while taking assistance from drug detox. While the process of withdrawal can be painful and uncomfortable, it is usually relatively easy and safe to complete. It is also necessary to know that the symptoms will subside after a few days and may be temporary. This is why it is important to find the best program that will provide you with the support and resources you need to succeed with drug detox.

There are many different types of detox programs available. Most of these programs are safe for the addict, although some have serious risks. SVR is also offering. These are but not limited to:

The most important thing is to find a program that offers the support you need. It should be safe for you as long as you’re comfortable and safe. It is crucial to talk to a professional about the type of treatment you should undergo. A medically assisted detox is the best option for those with severe addictions.

It is important to note that rapid detox is a more expensive alternative, but it does eliminate the substances faster than a regular detox. The benefits of this treatment are that it prevents withdrawal symptoms that are painful and dangerous for the addict. This type of treatment is a last resort, but there is no guarantee of success. There are also several risks and complications of rapid detox.

Acute withdrawal symptoms may last several days, even a week. However, post-acute withdrawal symptoms may take months or even a year. These symptoms require medical supervision to prevent a relapse or physical complications. Some heroin users experience seizures, which can be life-threatening. The most important thing for the addict is to avoid any kind of withdrawal symptoms that might occur, no matter how difficult it is.

Drug Detox & Therapies

Aside from detox, many therapies are also considered. These are:

Acute withdrawal symptoms are very painful and may send a pregnant woman back to using the drug. The drug detox should be supervised by medical professionals. The withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, but can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for the fetus. As such, it is important for a pregnant woman to seek medical supervision throughout the detox. If she is physically dependent on the drug, she should have professional medical monitoring.

The withdrawal symptoms from a drug detox can vary greatly. Depending on the drug, the withdrawal symptoms may last for up to a week. Similarly, post-acute withdrawal symptoms can take months, even a year. Most of these symptoms will appear within six to twelve hours after the last use. There are several medical complications that can occur during a home detox. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and agitation.

What Are The Benefits of Medically Supervised Detox?

There are many benefits to medically supervised detox for marijuana, Xanax, or heroin detox, but choosing a facility with a certified doctor is crucial. The process can take up to a week, and the withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable. Once the addiction is stabilized, the client can move on to the next phase of recovery.

There are also several benefits to natural detox, which is best suited for healthy individuals without a history of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. While it will not be as intense as a medically supervised detox, it is still physically and emotionally taxing. It is important to note that unexpected medical complications can occur during this period of time. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lists several medical complications that can arise during detox.

This article will look at the benefits of supervised and best marijuana detox, as well as the things you need to know. Several other detox, treatments and therapies are also wide in demand.

These mental health treatments are:

Xanax detox
Cocaine detox
Opioid detox
Detox from alcohol
Expressive arts therapy
Adventure therapy
Family therapy activities
EMDR trauma therapy

During the withdrawal phase, patients will experience a series of symptoms. These symptoms may include decreased appetite, nausea, and headaches. Additionally, withdrawal from opioids can cause a host of mental conditions, including depressed mood, anxiety, and increased drug cravings. Withdrawal symptoms can last up to a week. Those with a history of drug use should consult with a doctor to decide what type of treatment is best for their needs.

Medically Supervised Detox

A medically supervised detox can help those who are addicted to this drug. Although marijuana detox can be uncomfortable, the presence of medical professionals in a medical facility will significantly reduce the discomfort and ensure that the patient is monitored around the clock. This level of care will be crucial in ensuring a successful detox. The dangers of doing it yourself are high, and you may experience a relapse before the process is complete.

In addition to the physical effects of cannabis, there are also the mental and emotional benefits of undergoing an opioid detox. The process of going through a medically monitored cannabis or Xanax detox is often the best way to combat drug dependency. Symptoms of withdrawal from an opioid can range from mild to severe and can last up to a week. If you are serious about quitting drugs, a medically supervised drug detox is the best option.

Once a medically supervised marijuana detox has been completed, the patient can go on to the next step of treatment. Despite the pain, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of withdrawal. If you are addicted to drugs, the process can be uncomfortable, but it is essential to get through the process. It is also a good way to get back to normal after a long period of drug use.

Once you have cured your addiction to opioids, you’ll have to find a safe and effective treatment center. The withdrawal symptoms include decreased appetite, stomach problems, and a loss of focus. Psychologically, you may experience increased feelings of depression and irritability. You may also develop a desire to take more drugs. If you are taking prescription painkillers, an opioid detox will be helpful.

While home-detox is a good option for a drug detox, it can be uncomfortable. Withdrawal symptoms can include reduced appetite, headaches, stomach issues, and decreased energy. The process of opioid recovery is essential and requires a medically supervised opioid detox. There are various medical complications associated with the process, but there are also a variety of options for the best drug rehab.

Drug withdrawal is uncomfortable and can lead to relapse after a detox. After a detox, your tolerance for an addictive substance decreases, but the habitual cravings remain. Once you’re free of an opioid, it’s vital to choose a medically supervised program to minimize these symptoms. During this time, you’ll be able to stop using the drugs and avoid the risk of relapse.

Why Are Benzodiazepines Prescribed?

How Do Benzodiazepines Work?

Benzodiazepine Addiction and Physical Dependence

Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal

Are You Struggling with Benzos?

How Alcohol Changes Your Personality

Why Does Alcohol Lower Your Inhibitions?

Alcohol and Aggression

Are You An Alcoholic When Your Personality Changes?

Dangerous Behaviors

Getting Help

What are the Common Addiction Relapse Triggers?

What are Internal and External Triggers?

1. HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

2. Emotional Stress

3. Overconfidence

4. Social Isolation

5. Reminiscing

Getting Help

How Much Does Rehab Cost?

Will Health Insurance Plans Cover Rehab?

The Affordable Care Act and Coverage for Substance Abuse

How Can You Find Out If Your Insurance Covers Rehab?

Other Options Are Available

What Industries Have the Highest Addiction Rates?

Health Care Professionals

Lawyers and Legal Professionals

Executives

Why Are High-Performing Professionals Likely To Abuse Substances?

Finding a Recovery Program

Getting off an Addictive Substance

How Does Marijuana Cause Addiction?

Marijuana Addiction

The Symptoms of Cannabis Addiction

Marijuana Use and the Young Brain

What Determines Whether You Develop Marijuana Dependence?

What Can You Do?

Drug Abuse Statistics

The Most Commonly Used Drugs

Marijuana

Prescriptions and OTC Medications

Heroin

Methamphetamine

The Opioid Epidemic

Teenage Drug Abuse Statistics

Why Do Drug Abuse Statistics Show Increasing Use Rates?

Drug Detox & Therapies

Medically Supervised Detox

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