Addiction Facts

Methamphetamine:
This is the most popular addictive drug among the population today. 8 out of 10 people coming into treatment have made this their drug of choice. Meth is in the stimulant category, it is illegal, very cheap to buy and very abundant. Parents find meth paraphernalia such as syringes, glass pipes, straws, butane lighters, cellophane bag, white powder or crystal, before they find that their loved ones are addicted. Symptoms are: fidgety, rapid speech, days of sleeplessness, euphoric mood, malnourishment, picking at wounds and paranoia. When users of this drug usually crash, they usually sleep for 3-4 days in a row.

Recovery:
Detox process is 5-7 days. Usually social model detox will do. Medical model detox is usually unnecessary. No medications or hospital or medical personnel is necessary if patient is in generally good health. Primary drug rehab treatment includes group process, one on one counseling, 12-step program philosophy and attendance. Exercise and good nutrition is a plus.

Alcohol:
Best description of an alcoholic, regardless of whether he stays sober for awhile, the cycle of drinking always begins again. Alcoholism is a disease, it always gets worse. An alcoholic can be somebody who is good at stopping his drinking, but cannot stay stopped. If alcohol is causing somebody problems, be a job, family, friends, legal issues, then he has a problem with alcohol.

Recovery:
Detox: 5-10 days. Alcoholism withdrawl can be very severe and should be monitored by a 24-hour staff. Some symptoms of with drawl can be violent convulsions, DT's and maybe even coma and death. Social model detox is usually appropriate. For the aged and those in poor health, a medical model detox in a hospital setting is usually the most secure.

Heroin:
Heroin abuse is on the rise. This drug has found its way into middle and upper class society. Many times mixed with cocaine, called “speedballs.” Primarily used in a cut form, looks like brown or white sticky powder. Kept in small balloons, and folded paper packets. Paraphernalia include syringes, sometimes eyedroppers, and spoons with scorch marks. Heroin is highly addictive. Symptoms include: “pinned” pupils, head nod, sluggish, scratching, slurred speech and possible needle marks. Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous work the best for most.

Recovery:
Acute detox stage is one to two weeks. Aches and pains, severe flu like symptoms. Secondary detox stage is three to six weeks. Detox can be social model for those in overall good health, medical model detox suggested to those with any medical complications. Methadone is given as an alternative to heroin but is highly addictive itself. Primary drug rehab treatment centers and 12-step based programs are usually the most effective means of permanent recovery. It is a myth that heroin is the hardest of all drug addictions to overcome. People recover from heroin just as well as they recover from any other drug.

Cocaine:
Highly euphoric and in the stimulant category. White powder. Not much paraphernalia to discover if sniffed. Can be used with syringe. Sometimes kept in glass vials or cellophane. Symptoms include rapid speech, sniffing, sleeplessness, energetic, euphoric moods, bloody nose.

Recovery:
Detox stage is one to two weeks. Can be severe withdrawal symptoms. Long term use may require medical model detox. Psychosis, coma, even death may result. Should be referred to a physician. Drug rehab recovery should begin in primary treatment phase. Cocaine Anonymous is recommended as the 12-step program of choice.

Club Drugs:
There are many types of club drugs available to youth today. The most popular ones include: MDMA (ecstasy), GHB, Ketamine, LSD, and Rohypnol.

Recovery:
All of these drugs require a detoxification process. Should be referred to a trained physician.

Prescription Medication:
The most widely abused prescription drugs are:
Oxycodone (OxyContin), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Valium, Librium, Darvocet, Ativan, Miltown, Klonapin, Restoril, and Darvon.

 

Good judgment should be used when dealing with a detoxification process of any drug, including alcohol. A person undergoing detoxification should receive medical assessment by a medical physician.

The above content is what is generally observed throughout the drug treatment industry.

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