LSD - An Alternative Treatment For Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol abuse affects millions of people around the world every day. Alcohol is cheap, easily available, and everywhere. It can be very difficult for a person with an addiction to alcohol to get through the day without drinking. It may be necessary for a person who has been drinking for a long time to enter into an alcohol rehab facility. Before this, however, it is a good idea to first undergo an alcohol detox. When a person stops drinking, they will experience very powerful withdrawal symptoms and should have the help of a medical professional to help them.

Abuse

Alcohol abuse is a very common problem. Many people struggle with their drinking every day of their lives. Sadly, many people do not get the help they need to stop drinking and end up wither dead or in jail. Once a person is used to drinking a certain amount, it is necessary for them to continue so that they obtain a normal feeling. These people do not drink to get drunk, but drink to make their bodies feel like they can function. If they are not able to drink, they can experience very painful withdrawal symptoms.

Rehab

Alcohol rehabilitation in an original setting includes detoxing from the substance and then residential or inpatient care centering on therapy and counseling. This is to provide the recovering alcoholic with the life skills needed to manage a life without alcohol. It is a constant battle and even upon completion of a rehab program, relapse prevention services must be sought. These services come in the form of counseling, individual therapy, as well as twelve step meetings. In order for this treatment to work the alcoholic must have a positive attitude towards recovery and must want it. Otherwise all efforts are done in vain.

New Treatments

Research has proven that an unconventional method to combat alcohol abuse is the use of LSD in treatment. There were studies conducted in the late 1960's and 70's that researched the effects of LSD on over 500 participants who were in inpatient treatment programs for alcohol abuse. The dosage differed between trials however the overall results concluded that over 50% of those who had been given the LSD reported an improvement in their attitude regarding alcohol abuse.

LSD

Treating alcohol addiction with LSD is not at all similar to treating heroin addicts with methadone. Methadone is a very addictive substance in its own right. LSD, however, has never been known to be addictive in nature. However, a person can certainly do damage to themselves if they consume too much of any substance, including LSD. Also, LSD can have serious implications on an individual's mental state. They best way to get over an addiction to alcohol remains detox and rehab.

Alcohol addiction is a very dangerous health problem that millions of people struggle with every day. If you know someone with a drinking problem, do you best to convince them to get into an alcohol rehab program. However, before they take this potentially lifesaving step, they should go through an alcohol detox. This process will help to rid the person's body of all the toxins built up in it. Once in rehab, a person with an addiction to alcohol will be able to get to the root causes of their addiction and start to take their lives back.

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Cocaine - Facts About a Highly Addictive Drug, Life Threatening Side Effects and Recovery Challenges

Cocaine comes from the coca plant and has been used by the natives of South America for over a thousand years. This plant, erythroxylon coca, is common to many parts of South America. Cocaine use is common in much of the world and has been for centuries. Coca leaves were used by native populations to alleviate the rigors of high altitude and to diminish fatigue (1).

Cocaine causes addiction or dependency in the brain in a dramatic fashion. This drug increases several neurotransmitters in the pleasure center of the brain. The most important of these neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. Dopamine is the major neurotransmitter providing the feeling of euphoria, which centers in a part of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens in the prefrontal cortex. This area is rich in dopamine receptor sites and is the main site for euphoria and pleasure. Cocaine also gives the user significant energy and flight of ideas. Pressured speech and paranoid behavior are also common. The euphoria is frequently the dominant effect and responsible for ongoing cocaine use, abuse, addiction or dependence.

"Crack cocaine" is obtained by mixing cocaine powder with baking soda. This "cocaine bicarb" got its name from the crackling sound it makes as it is smoked. Crack cocaine has a lower vaporization temperature and can be smoked easily. This explains why these "rocks" are so addicting. Approximately 25 million people in the United States use cocaine at least once in their lifetime (2).

Detox, withdrawal and cravings from cocaine are not dangerous or life threatening. Individuals go into a "crash phase" once stopping cocaine after prolonged use. This crash phase is characterized by extreme fatigue, lack of pleasure and increased appetite. The crash phase lasts for a few days to a week. These symptoms are related to decreased levels of various neurotransmitters or chemical agents in the brain that were depleted during cocaine binging. The withdrawal symptoms from cocaine use generally depend on the individual, frequency and amount of cocaine that was used. Withdrawal, detox and cravings from cocaine are usually diminished over a few weeks.

Cocaine dramatically increases blood pressure and heart rate. This can cause varied health problems: strokes, heart attacks, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias and possibly things we do not know about as yet. Cocaine, when mixed with alcohol, forms the compound cocaethylene. This is toxic to the heart muscle and may seriously damage the liver.

Cocaine can cause a multitude of psychological effects. Paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, panic attacks, confusion and psychotic behavior are some of the possible effects. Cocaine is particularly destructive to family and social relationships. Individuals who use become addicted or dependent and may go to extremes to support their addiction. The potential legal ramifications with cocaine use, dependency or addiction are dreadfully serious. There are many individuals doing life prison sentences due to cocaine usage. Keep in mind that, in the United States, the Courts have historically taken a fervent stance against cocaine offenses.

This drug stays in the urine for about 3 - 5 days. Heavy users test positive for longer than that. Treatment or therapy for cocaine use, dependency, addiction, detox, withdrawal and cravings is wide-ranging. The majority of medications used to help with cocaine treatment/therapy provide symptomatic relief. Inpatient care is ideal for individuals strung out on cocaine; but it is, unfortunately, very costly. Probably every antidepressant known to man has been used to treat cocaine addicts with varying degrees of success.

Home treatment, including therapy for detox, withdrawal and cravings for cocaine, is an affordable option to inpatient treatment. Individuals frequently seek alternative treatment for cocaine addiction. There are herbal formulations and supplements available to help addicts. These non-addicting, natural treatments provide individuals with a confidential alternative recovery option. Herbal/supplement home treatment for cocaine addiction should be continued for at least 2 years. It can take that long to normalize the electrical and chemical changes that occurred in the brain during the course of addiction.

Cognitive and behavioral therapies are very important in recovery from cocaine addiction or dependency. Support groups are necessary, especially in early recovery. Relapse is common with cocaine addiction/dependency and the recovering addict must be aware of multiple relapse triggers. Certain people, places and things can cause immense problems for an individual in recovery from cocaine addiction/dependency.

References:
1. PinkyAgarwal, M.D. etal., Mar8, 2011. medscapereference, 9/10/11, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1174408-overview

2. Roxane Dryden-Edwards MD., 2011, WebMD Newsletter, 9/14/11, http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm

Tom Jarvis is the creator of the all-natural and non-addictive Addiction Buster® formulas and an expert in the field of addiction. He was a chemist prior to attending medical school, where he graduated with honors. He has spent over 20 years treating over 20,000 patients addicted to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors. Tom Jarvis is also a recovering alcoholic & drug addict.

Visit our site http://www.addictionbuster.org/ to get FREE access to our 4 Step Recovery Plan for Alcohol, Drug & Addictive Behaviors.

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Prescription Drug Addictions Are On The Rise

Prescription drug abuse has become a major health concern in America during the past few years. More and more people are falling victim to these deadly drugs. One of the most addictive prescription drugs available is called Vicodin. Vicodin addiction affects millions of people every year and takes a very serious toll on the people who abuse it. If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to Vicodin, it may be necessary for them to undergo a Vicodin detox to get all of the harmful toxins out of their bodies. Once they successfully complete a detox, they will be ready to enter into a rehabilitation facility.

Problem

Vicodin is a very serious drug that hooks millions of users each year. It is comprised of a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid that is used primarily as a pain killer. Opioids are some of the most addictive substances known to man. Acetaminophen is a slightly less powerful pain reliever, however, when it is combined with hydrocodone, it can have very powerful side effects.

Health Effects

There are many side effects that result from taking Vicodin. The most common effects include, upset stomach, nausea, altered mental status which includes light headedness as well as dizziness. Other more severe side effects include allergic reactions, clammy skin, seizures, paranoia, hallucinations, as well as severe weakness, unconsciousness, jaundice, fatigue, bleeding, bruising, stomach back, and the list continues. Because Vicodin has a depressant effect on the central nervous system it may cause irritability as well. Long term use of Vicodin as well as abuse can severely damage the liver. The damage to the liver can even lead to an eventual need for a liver transplant to avoid death.

Addiction

When an individual uses Vicodin for a long period of time it can eventually lead to an addiction. Because it is strong acting pain reliever and can create a sense of euphoria, it does become a desired high. However, once a chemical dependency is formed, it becomes harder and harder to eventually wean off of Vicodin. This is how people develop addictions and why they are so difficult to overcome.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal

Symptoms of withdrawal can be very serious and can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dilated pupils, nausea and vomiting. Detoxing from Vicodin should be done under medical supervision. This is due to some dangerous complications. One complication may be aspiration due to the inhaling of stomach contents after vomiting, intense vomiting and diarrhea can also cause dehydration. The biggest risk associated with detox is when someone decides to take the pain reliever again. Once the body has detoxed from the drug, the drug cannot be ingested at original doses, because the body can no longer handle it. This leads to overdose and may even lead to death. This is why it's so important to seek medically supervised detox treatment.

If you know someone who is struggling with a Vicodin addiction, you should implore them to seek medical intervention as soon as possible. If an addiction to Vicodin goes on too long it could be lethal. The person may need to go through a Vicodin detox in order to get all of the toxins out of their bodies. This kind of detox should only take place under the watch of medical professionals that can administer medication during the painful detox process.

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Recovering From Addiction: Warning Signs of Relapse

Experts in the fields of addiction and alcoholism have estimated that as many as 90% of all people who become addicted to a substance and then abstain will subsequently relapse at least one time in their life. Furthermore, a large percentage of those people will fall victim to multiple relapses - each usually with more disastrous results than the last. Consequently, relapse prevention is a serious lifelong concern for any person who is in recovery from substance abuse or alcoholism. This means that recognizing and understanding the warning signs of relapse is critical for people who are unwilling to risk their sobriety - and possibly their lives - just to use one more time.

One common myth that only serves to perpetuate relapses is that once a person has completed an addiction program such as residential inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient treatment, they have effectively been "cured" of their addiction or alcoholism. However, this is simply not the case. Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) sets in shortly after detox and can cause a wide range of symptoms for up to two years. These symptoms include depression, inability to think clearly or organize thoughts, inability to solve simple problems, inability to deal with stress, insomnia and severe cravings for drugs or alcohol. PAWS symptoms cause many in recovery to self-medicate as a form of relief.

When a person begins having difficulty coping with PAWS symptoms they often exhibit a series of behaviors that can serve as clear warning signs that a relapse is imminent without some type of intervention. Recognition of these behaviors is absolutely vital in order to properly address them:

* Withdrawal: People who are in danger of relapsing often withdraw socially - especially from other people in recovery or from family members. Self-isolation can be a problem that grows rapidly, but the recovering person might become defensive or simply deny any problem if confronted about this behavior.

* Loss of Routine: While on a downward spiral toward eventual relapse, many recovering addicts or alcoholics lose their daily routine entirely. They might sleep or eat at odd hours, find excessive reasons to shirk responsibilities or call out of work repeatedly, or otherwise change the normal patterns that are essential to maintaining recovery.

* Emotional and Intellectual Paralysis: Being unable to formulate or follow through with plans, thoughts, or feelings is a classic indicator of a possible relapse.

* Over or Under-Reaction to Stress: As a person's recovery plan slowly degrades, their reactions to normal stress might seem extreme and disproportionate, or they might not react at all to severe stress.

* Depression: On the way to relapse people often experience a period of depression, with all of the classic signs including an inordinate amount of time spent sleeping, becoming socially withdrawn, suicidal ideations, lack of hygiene and other not-so-obvious symptoms.

* Compulsivity: Addiction is a disease of compulsion, and just prior to a relapse this may manifest itself by unhealthy obsessions with food, sex, cigarettes or tobacco, or any other fixation.

If ignored or unnoticed these warning signs will almost always lead to relapse. And because a person suffering from addiction might have difficulty addressing these signs, it's vital that the people they are close to are aware of what the signs are and how to address them when they appear. If this sounds like you, then please call us right now by using the links below. Addiction is considerably worsened by successive relapses, so the life of someone you care about may very well depend on preventing that next (or first) relapse.

Click here to speak to a professional addiction specialist from our Florida drug treatment center. We can help you no matter where you are or what time it is.

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Stopping Drinking - 3 Important Things to Remember

1) Do whatever it takes

Always remember that quitting drinking is probably the most important step in your life. Why? Because this means a complete change in your lifestyle, behaviour, social life, health condition, job, family... Actually, in every area of your life. A complete change. It makes you not only feel different, but stopping using alcohol switches your mind, soul and body to another state. It is well known that the alcohol withdrawal symptoms could be drastic, also in the beginning when you are sober only for some weeks or months you could probably feel as in a deadlock. But all those bad feelings eventually goes away, and then you see everything different - your dreams come true, your family members start to love and respect you much more, you experience success in your career and you finally find out what are the most important things in your life.

2) Reward yourself

As mentioned before, it's fully understandable that drinking cessation is not at all an easy process. To feel better and to celebrate your first success in this unpleasant journey, try to reward yourself. This doesn't mean that you need to find a 'new addiction' instead of your drinking activities. It will be great if you just, for example, saved the money you would normally spend buying drinks at the bar, and use it to do something you have dreamt of for a long time - buy some new clothes, change your style and appearance a bit to fit your new lifestyle, please your closest people with something cute, or probably save even more money and finally buy that car you have ever wanted!

3) Find like-minded people

For some people, most probably the biggest obstacle in quitting drinking is their drinker friends. Actually, you need to treat them and their habits from a negative point of view when you are trying to quit this destructing behaviour pattern. Some of us will just ignore our friends' calls on Friday night when they're trying to pull us out of the home for a drink, but for some this method simply will not work. The best approach for this situation is actually trying to find a different social group for yourself. Yeah, probably it might seem impossible in some cases, but, trust me - if your friends can't respect your choice to stay away from alcohol, they're actually not your friends. In such case, just try to change the environment where you spend your leisure time, for example, find some social groups online who are trying to do the exact thing as you do - quitting drinking.

Find out more tips on How to Quit Drinking more easily on my blog.

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Why Addiction Is a Disease - Not a Symptom

Any person who has ever lived through addiction can tell you first hand that addiction is a serious disease that requires intensive treatment. However, there are a host of "alternative" treatment centers cropping up all across the country that postulate that this is not the case. Instead, they view addiction as merely the symptom of an underlying disease or condition, and that if the underlying condition is treated, the addiction will be cured. But while dual-diagnosis conditions are common, most of these only serve to exacerbate each other and neither actually causes the other. This is an important consideration because it is only by approaching addiction as a disease that it can be successfully treated. When treated as a symptom, relapses are inevitable.

Addiction is considered a physiological disease because it meets the same requirements as other disorders and diseases, including a great deal of terminal illnesses. This is important to note because unabated addiction is 100% fatal. The basic requirements which clearly classify addiction as a disease include:

*The symptoms are the same across many different types of substances. For instance, whether your drug of choice is cocaine or alcohol, the general symptoms are always the same

*Addiction is chronic and does not subside without treatment

*Addiction symptoms are progressive, resulting in death

*Just as other diseases surface repeatedly, addiction results in an extremely high occurrence of relapse

*Addiction and alcoholism are treatable

Addiction is typically diagnosed by a series of behaviors as opposed to physical symptoms or any type of medical testing. These behaviors can be summarized as repeated failures to control the substance abuse despite severe consequences. This means that an addict will lose control over a substance, obsess over it, and continue even when they know that there is imminent danger or risk of life-changing consequences.

Many experts believe that addicts and alcoholics are genetically predisposed to the disease of addiction, and most are also in agreement that some environmental factor is usually required to trigger the initial addictive event. Once this process has begun, addiction truly becomes a neurological disease. This is because the process of developing tolerance, physical dependence and outright addiction builds neurological pathways in the brain that are permanent in nature. This means that even after a person stops using drugs or alcohol, those pathways still exist and they demand to be "fed".

Of course, the only thing that feeds these neurological pathways is active addiction - using drugs or alcohol -after all, that's exactly what they were built for. By the time addiction has reached this stage, the afflicted individual suffers from an uncontrollable urge to obtain and use their drug of choice. It is not an issue of free will or behavioral control; addiction is a physical, neurological disease for which there is no known cure - only treatment to manage it.

Just as a person wouldn't treat a terminal illness at home, an addict or alcoholic should be able to expect to get help at a professional facility just as they would with any disease. The most difficult part of the disease of addiction is that an addict will almost never get help on their own because the very nature of the illness will not allow the sufferer to believe they are afflicted by it.

That's where you come in. If you know someone who needs help for addiction or alcoholism, then please do everything that you can to help them get the right treatment as soon as possible. Their life may depend on it. You can start right here with our Florida drug rehab. For serious and fast action, use the links below now for our extremely successful residential inpatient treatment program.

Click here to learn more about addiction: http://www.recoveryfirst.org/

Click here to check your insurance for a powerful drug rehab program.

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