Prescription opioids, like oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone, are highly addictive narcotics that must be tapered when attempting to discontinue use. When you stop taking these drugs, the body responds with the emergence of painful withdrawal symptoms. Can you withdraw from opioids cold turkey, or is a tapering schedule usually advised? Let’s discuss. About Opioids Before we begin the discussion about opioid withdrawal, let’s review some basic information about this class of drugs. Opioids are prescription pain relievers, or analgesics. By attaching to the opioid receptors in the brain ..read more

Muscles relaxers provide a mild sedating effect that quiets down discomfort caused by muscle spasms or acute muscle pain. But what if these medications are taken longer than needed or even abused – are muscle relaxers addictive? What Are Muscle Relaxers? Doctors prescribe muscle relaxers to treat patients who suffer from a variety of conditions. These include acute pain, muscle spasms, neck and lower back pain, tension headaches, muscle cramps, and spinal cord injuries. Muscle relaxers are also used to treat chronic conditions, like cerebral palsy, ALS, and M.S. Muscle relaxers are central ner ..read more

Alcohol use disorder affects nearly 29 million American adults, according to data from SAMSHA. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 178,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are related to excessive alcohol use. Read on to learn about the effects of chronic heavy drinking on a person’s health. Chronic Heavy Drinking Defined Let’s start off by defining what is meant by the term “chronic heavy drinking.” The word “chronic” refers to ongoing daily use of alcohol over an extended period of time. The phrase “heavy drinking” refers to alcohol consumption that exceeds what is consid ..read more

How sad it is to witness the crumbling of a marriage due to a partner’s alcoholism. The effects of alcohol abuse on a marriage can be profound, and many marriages ultimately end in divorce. Alcoholism and divorce are often linked, but that doesn’t have to be the fate of your marriage. It is possible to save the marriage if the alcoholic spouse is willing to get the help they need. Signs of Alcoholism If you are married to an alcoholic, you may not recognize the symptoms at first. Some alcoholics are called functional alcoholics, meaning they are able to continue functioning despite the disease ..read more

Years of substance abuse can significantly impact the brain, including both brain health and brain chemistry. Over time, chronic substance abuse causes the brain pathways to change, to become rewired. These alterations in the brain are a result of dependency and addiction. Learn how long it takes to rewire the brain from addiction once you are in recovery. How Drugs and Alcohol Impact the Brain Drugs and alcohol have a profound affect on the brain, disrupting brain structures and functions. Ongoing use of the addictive substance creates alterations in the neural pathways, or the connections be ..read more

How to Detox from Cocaine & Stay Sober Cocaine (also called coke) is a highly addictive stimulant drug that can quickly cause a great deal of damage in a person’s life. When it’s time to break free from the grip of cocaine, a supportive treatment setting can help you achieve sobriety and sustain it. Read on to learn how to detox from cocaine and how to stay sober. Signs of Cocaine Addiction Cocaine is a white powdery substance extracted from the coca plant in South America. While it might appear to be a harmless party drug, it doesn’t take long before someone begins to depend on it.  ..read more

Alcohol Abuse Causes Wet Brain Late stage alcoholism often features several devastating health effects, including brain damage. Wet brain syndrome, or Wenricke-Korakoff, is a serious brain disorder associated with long-term alcohol abuse. About 12%-14% of alcoholics develop wet brain. Left untreated, wet brain syndrome evolves toward severe complications and possibly death. What is Wet Brain? Chronic heavy drinking can result in a thiamine deficiency. This occurs when inflammation in the gut becomes so severe it can no longer absorb vitamin B-1, or thiamine. Wet brain can be caused by malnutri ..read more

If you have experienced chest pain after drinking, you are probably concerned, and rightly so. Heart pains may have many causes, and should always be checked out for peace of mind. If you’ve noticed on multiple occasions that the chest pain occurs after drinking, it could be directly related to alcohol. Can Alcohol Cause Chest Pain? Is the chest pain caused by alcohol, or is it a symptom of a heart attack? Alcohol is a toxic substance that can do major harm to not only the heart, but to multiple organs. If the chest pain follows one random night of heavy drinking, then chances are the pain is ..read more

Individuals that work in highly stressful and demanding professions are at higher risk of substance use disorder, and this includes nurses. In fact, recent data state that about 10% of nurses struggle with substance abuse. Because alcohol provides relaxing effects it is often the nurse’s substance of choice. Fortunately, alcohol rehab for nurses offers comprehensive treatment and the support they need to help them navigate life in recovery.  Nurses Struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder Nurses and physicians are bound to a higher standard when it comes to substance use. A nurse who is under ..read more

Law enforcement personnel, including police officers, sheriffs, corrections officers, and deputies, perform their job duties under extreme stress. This can lead to alcohol abuse as a means of coping with the effects of exposure to stressful and disturbing situations. When alcohol abuse develops into alcohol use disorder, an alcohol rehab program designed for first responders provides the needed treatment. Alcohol Use Disorder and Law Enforcement Law enforcement officers and emergency responders are listed among the top ten professions associated with substance abuse. These professionals work u ..read more