Types of Drug Addiction Therapy

Drug addiction therapy is performed by trained substance abuse specialists who understand the intricacies of dependency and addiction. These counselors work to assist the addict in an effort to find alternative means of combating life’s problems while determining short- and long-term goals for continued recovery. 

Inpatient Therapy

Inpatient therapy is facility-based. Treatment decisions regarding patients are made by a team of specialists on an ongoing basis according to the individual’s needs and progress. Physicians nurses and counselors are involved with the addict’s care alongside a psychiatrist, if needed. Inpatient treatment typically involves both group and individual counseling in addition to medication.

Outpatient Counseling

Outpatient therapy programs provide patients with an alternative to inpatient therapy while allowing the addict to live outside the confines of the treatment facility. Patients are generally evaluated on a week-to-week basis, and provided instruction and counseling on how best to accomplish short- and long-term goals.

Half-Way Houses

Most every half-way house includes some form of addiction therapy. This option can prove useful in helping residents learn healthy and positive life skills without the struggle and temptation associated with solo living. Patients are provided with individual therapy and group counseling daily. Once a patient has completed their stay, they should possess the tools and knowledge needed to self-sustain.

Private Counseling

Drug addiction therapy may also be performed on an individual or family basis. Sessions may touch on a variety of topics, including triggers, healthy living, relapse prevention and relationships. Private counseling is often recommended for recovering addicts who have completed rehabilitation in an effort to encourage and maintain positive decision-making.

Need Help?

Want to learn more about drug abuse and addiction? Pick up the phone and call Above it All treatment center! Whether you’re seeking help for a loved one or yourself, you can depend on Above it All for the quality care and assistance you need to enjoy the healthy, happy lifestyle you deserve. Call today! 

Benefits of Holistic Drug Treatment

Alcohol and drug addiction can wreak havoc on the body, emotions, rational thought processes and spirit. In order to regain control of these areas, addiction treatment must address the individual as a whole. Holistic addiction treatment programs utilize a variety of therapies to fully address the needs of body, emotion, thought and spirit alike.

Physical Body Benefits

The holistic path highlights the positive effects that healthy diet and regular exercise can offer someone recovering from an alcohol or drug problem. Each technique works to eliminate toxins from the body following medical detox. Proper diet and physical activity also services to address some of the more complicated emotional and mental withdrawal symptoms through stress reduction and a heightened sense of self-worth. Anxiety and stress levels are reduced by increasing neurotransmitter activity within the brain, resulting in a sense of contentment and well-being.

Thought Process Benefits

Though learning to alter negative internal dialogue is a crucial aspect in changing one’s behavior, the holistic path also places emphasis on learning to remove both negative and positive mental chatter by way of yoga and/or meditation. In addition to quieting the chatter, these techniques have also proven beneficial in reducing anxiety and stress levels.

Emotional Benefits

Sadness, anger, panic, anxiety and stress are common emotions that people attempt to hide with drug and alcohol use. Once use is hindered, recovering addicts must learn how best to address these emotions in a healthy and positive manner. Traditional treatment relies mainly on talk therapy. The holistic path, on the other hand, employs an array of alternative treatments, including massage and acupuncture to address both the emotional and physical needs of the patient. 

Spiritual Benefits

Traditional rehabs often neglect the spiritual journey many patients experience during recovery. The holistic path offers a safe haven for patients to engage new beliefs and ideas through an assortment of practices such as meditation, yoga and acupuncture. All faiths are encouraged and embraced.

Where to Begin

Searching for a holistic addiction treatment option? Call Above it All today! With a  team of seasoned addiction specialists available to address your individual needs, you can count on Above it All to have you on the fast track to sobriety in no time. Call now!

Success Stories – Celebrity Recoveries

Hollywood is riddled with tales of excess, abuse and addiction. Fortunately for some stars, there is a happy ending. In this entry we will discuss 5 prominent celebrities who have managed to combat their addictions, achieve sobriety, and revamp their careers for the better. 

Angelina Jolie

Before Angelina was known as the voluptuous humanitarian super mom we see today, she was known for wearing then husband Billy Bob Thorton’s blood around her neck, making out with her brother, and abusing an array of mind-altering substances. The starlet has admitted to using cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other drugs in the past. These days, Mrs. Pitt enjoys the adoration of millions, both on and off the silver screen.

Robert Downey Jr.

The Iron Man star was an utter wreck before cleaning himself up in 2001. Following an arrest for drug possession, various rehabilitation stints, trespassing onto a neighbor’s property while under the influence, the actor chose to seek help for his affliction. Downey Jr. is now every mom’s celebrity fantasy.

Drew Barrymore

The transition into adulthood can be a struggle for Hollywood child stars. Many battle with some type of substance abuse during adolescence. Though Barrymore’s E.T. role placed her on the fast track to stardom, the troubled actress was already in rehab by age 13. Clean, gorgeous, and happy, Barrymore now spends her time as an actress, CoverGirl model and director.

Russell Brand

Though most people recognize Russell Brand as the wacky comedian from Get Him To The Greek and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, this entertainer has a history of sex and heroin addiction. After getting caught with heroin at an annual Xmas party, Brand made the decision to seek professional help. The actor has remained sober since ’02.

Steven Tyler

Former American Idol judge, Steven Tyler is no stranger to “Living on the Edge”. The Grammy Award-Winning singer spent much of his early career in a tailspin of drug abuse, citing over $20 million in heroin and cocaine use throughout the years. After getting clean in the late 80’s and again in ’09, this rock and roll icon has taken hold of his addictions, and maintained his sobriety ever since.

Need Help?

Seeking drug addiction treatment? Above it All treatment center is the place to call! Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy and fulfilling lifestyle you deserve. 

Heroin Nicknames to Recognize

Heroin types and availability can vary depending on where you reside in the U.S. While black tar heroin is typically found on the West Coast, the white powder-type version is generally favored along the East Coast.  Each form of the substance has spawned an array of street names and nicknames, which we have listed below.

English Terms (No Particiular Order)

Dragon – Dope - Heron - Herone – Hero – Hera – H – Big - White China -  White -White Nurse - White Lady - White Horse – Boy – He – Black - Black Tar - Black Pearl - Black Stuff - Black Eagle – Brown - Brown Crystal - Brown Sugar - Brown Tape - Brown Rhine - White Girl - White Stuff – Chiba – Chiva – Chieva - Mexican Brown - Mexican Mud - Mexican Horse – Junk – Tar – Snowball – Snow - White Boy – Smack – Scag – Scat – Sack – Skunk - Number 3 - Number 4 - Number 8

Spanish Terms (In Alphabetical Order)

Bombita – Brea – Blanco – Bonita – Caballo – Calbo – Carga - Carne Chapopote – Chatarra – Chicle – Cocofan – Gato – Heroina - La Buena La Chiva – Polvo – Tecata – Tigre - Tigre Blanco - Tigre del Norte - Vidrio -Zoquete

Heroin Drug Combinations

The practice of combining different drugs with heroin is quite common. As such, many of these combinations carry their own unique names:

·         Atom bomb, Canade, Woola, Woolie, Woo-Woo – Marijuana and heroin

·         Bars – Alprazolam and heroin

·         Beast, LBJ – LSD and heroin

·         Belushi, Boy-Girl, Dynamite, Goofball, H & C, He-She,Primo, Snowball – Cocaine and heroin

·         Chasing the Dragon, Chocolate Rock, Dragon Rock, Eightball, Moonrock – Crack and heroin

·         Cheese – Cold medicine and heroin

·         China White – Fentanyl and heroin

·         Chocolate Chip Cookies, H bomb – MDMA and heroin

·         Cotton Brothers, New Jack Swing – Morphine and heroin

·         Meth Speed Ball – Methamphetamine and heroin

·         The Five Way – Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, Rohypnol and alcohol

Need Help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, Above It All treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy lifestyle you’ve been missing.

The Talk – Drugs & Your Teen

When it comes to drugs and alcohol, the parent/child discussion is not one to be taken lightly. Rather, the “talk” should serve as an opportunity to create and support ongoing dialogue between both parties to ensure enhanced communication, trust and respect. In this entry, we will discuss some tips and tricks to utilize when confronting the topic.

Instructions

1 – Clarity is key. Make certain that your child understands the importance of the discussion at hand, and that they, under no circumstance, are permitted to use drugs or alcohol. Avoid leaving any room for misinterpretation. Teenagers are crafty devils…

2 – Revisit the discussion regularly. Talk about the dangers associated with alcohol and drug abuse at the dinner table, during family outings, and whenever else the opportunity presents itself. Avoid forcing the topic, with an emphasis on casual conversation. Nobody likes to be bombarded with unwarranted lecture.

3 – Listen! Ask questions, and encourage the same. Paraphrase the ideas that your teen conveys to you, and follow up on topics that may pose more serious issues. The more available you make yourself, the more comfortable your child will be discussing these topics in an honest and proactive manner.

4 – Be honest! Many parents who have dabbled with drugs and alcohol in the past attempt to hide their indiscretions. In doing so, they risk diminished credibility in the eyes of their children if and when the truth comes out.

5 – Do NOT react to your child with anger or hostility. If your teen provides information that challenges or upsets you, it’s in your best interest to keep calm. Yelling or punishment will only serve to hinder further discussion. Use the opportunity instead to connect with your teen in a positive and supportive manner. 

The Consequences Of Long-Term Opiate Use

When used as prescribed, opiates can offer an array of benefits to those coping with extreme pain. It is when these substances are misused over a long period of time that the risk of serious repercussions becomes heightened.

Opiates Defined

Opiates are defined as painkillers, which release naturally-produced endorphin's from the brain. Once the endorphin's have flooded the body, a euphoric and calming effect takes over. Common opiates include substances ranging from heroin and morphine to prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, codeine and Vicodin.

Dependency

The more frequent an individual uses liver-opiates, the higher the tolerance required to achieve the initial effect. Over time, addicts lose the ability to create natural endorphin's; becoming dependent on the substance to concoct these bodily chemicals.

Physical Effects

The prolonged use of opiates often results in conditions ranging from liver disease and heart infection to pulmonary issues such as pneumonia. Additional effects include constipation, diminished sex drive, and infertility. In IV users, collapsed veins is yet another potential condition.

Hygiene

Long-term opiate users will often fail to maintain basic hygiene standards, ultimately increasing the risk of disease, while alienating those they care for.

Death & Crime

In some cases, prolonged opiate use leads addicts down a road of crime in an effort to support their habit. Death, too, may occur due to opiate overdose or complications associated with the health issues outline above.

Need Help?

Considering substance abuse treatment? Pick up the phone and call Above It All treatment center! With a team of seasoned addiction specialists available to assess and address your individual needs, you can count on Above It All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call now!

Neurological Effects of a Heroin Overdose

Heroin overdoses are traumatic for both user and loved ones alike; the neurological effects of which can cause days, months or life-long damage. Neurological disabilities may require individuals to relearn information and skills from scratch, with some users requiring professional treatment for years on end.

Sedation or Sleepiness

A mild neurological effect of overdose, sedation is caused by  the substance reaching the bloodstream and hitting the brain. Sleepiness is generally temporary, wearing off within an hour or two. Once the drowsiness has worn down, additional symptoms may come into play.

Personality Changes and Confusion

Users experiencing an overdose are often confused; exhibiting garbled speech patterns, memory issues and signs of disorientation. Problems with communication or formulating thoughts are also apparent, alongside extreme mood swings and personality changes. While these effects will often diminish over a few hours time, memory issues have inhibit a user for months following the incident.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are another temporary effect of overdose. Most last for only hours.

Coma

A vegetative state, persistent in nature, may occur following heroin overdose. These comas may last for hours, days or even weeks at a time. In some cases, physicians may elect to place a patient in a medically induced coma when stimulation is to excess.

Brain Damage

Brain swelling, ruptured blood vessels, reduced blood supply or drug induced stroke during an overdose may result in brain damage… a potentially permanent side effect, causing long- or short-term memory loss, learning difficulties, attention problems and personality changes.

Seizures

An overdose can cause our brains to short-circuit, creating a seizure-like experience. Though these seizures may only be experienced during the initial overdose period, prolonged seizure phases may require medicated assistance.

Need Help?

Need help combating an addiction to heroin or opiates? Out Above it all inpatient rehab facility to the place to call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the happy, healthy and productive lifestyle you’ve been missing.