Opiate Receptor Restoration

Opiate addiction is one of the most difficult to overcome. Opiate receptors, activated by opiate compounds and consisting of cellular membrane proteins will eventually become clogged over an extended opiate use period. In some cases, extensive therapy is required to restore these receptors to their natural state by utilizing specific medications in a 12 step addiction recovery program. Restoring and cleaning these receptors may be a challenge, but with a basic understanding patients can begin the process independently.

1 – Purchase herbal supplement blends proven to aid addiction recovery. Polygala – from China – has often been touted as a willpower her due to the positive effects experienced in addicts recovering from addiction. In essence, this herb works to detox the body while cleansing opiate receptors.

2 – Consider incorporating a Dragonbone and Bupleurum supplement mix. Throughout the detox and withdrawal process, this mixture has been seen to aid in stabilizing compulsiveness or addictive behaviors while dulling opiate cravings.

3 – Locate a specialized California drug rehab center that deals specifically with opiate addiction. Here, a team of addiction specialists will be able to assess and address your individual needs while concocting a plan of action to ensure a healthy and long-lasting recovery.

4 – Perhaps the best and most effective form of receptor restoration lies in opiate abstinence. With enough time, the protein receptors will begin to regenerate and regain normal functionality. Though the time needed to achieve a full recovery varies according to patient history and usage, this tactic will ultimately provide the individual with the results they’ve been striving for.

The Alcoholic Defined

In simple terms, an alcoholic is someone who suffers from a dependency to alcohol - otherwise known as alcoholism. This condition is defined by repeated alcohol consumption to and beyond the point of intoxication, despite negative consequences. An alcoholic is physically addicted to alcoholic beverages, and as such, will suffer severe withdrawal symptoms when consumption is inhibited.

Types

When it comes to alcoholics, there are two types to be aware of: Abusers and dependents. Abuse refers to the routine consumption of alcohol that causes significant distress or impairment in one or more areas of an individual’s life. Common occurrences include calling in sick for work, or a DUI charge. Dependency is defined as a alcohol compulsion. With enough time, a dependent will develop a tolerance for a certain alcohol amount in addition to severe withdrawal symptoms.

Identification

“Alcoholic” is the most common word used to define people dealing with alcohol dependency or abuse issues. Consumption of alcohol does not need to occur every day or week in order for a person to fall under this classification. College students have long been known to drink heavily, or “binge” on the weekends. And though this behavior is considered abuse, it will often set the stage for dependency issues down the road.

Features

Occupational and/or social functioning is often impaired by both types of alcoholism. Common features include poor work performance, strained relationships and a preoccupation with obtaining alcohol, often leading to rampant financial issues.

Effects

Simply put: Alcoholism is a wretched condition. In the initial stages, alcoholics will experience bouts of intoxication resulting in memory and attention loss, slurred speech, and coordination issues. Once a drinker’s judgment has become impaired, reckless behavior often follows.

Prevention / Solutions

Fortunately, alcoholics are not at a loss when it comes to recovery assistance. At our Los Angeles drug rehab facility, recovery specialists are available to assess and address each patients individual goals and needs to help ensure a healthy and effective plan of action. Give Above it All a call today and let us help you back on track towards the happy and productive lifestyle you deserve.

Protocol For Opiate Detox During Pregnancy

Those addicted to opiates while pregnant must make a point to detox to avoid serious health risks to their unborn children. Physicians recommend mothers seek professional help to curb their addictions as quickly as possible, so the child is not born with an opiate addiction. Prior to beginning detoxification, it is important to discuss treatment options with your doctor to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy moving forward.

Standard Protocol

When an expecting mother expresses interest in opiate detox, the standard protocol is typically a physician supervised methadone treatment plan. Because methadone use is not directly attributable to any known birth defects, it is widely considered the healthiest alternative. Other common medications include Subutex or Suboxone, but due to a heightened risk of harm to the fetus, these drugs are not recommended when treating pregnant women.

Methadone Maintenance

Maintenance and weaning are the two methods used most commonly in opiate detoxification. A patient who is “weaned” is administered doses of the drug in slowly tapering dosages until a point where use is hindered completely. These patients will still experience withdrawal symptoms, but to a much lesser extent. While this method is certainly effective, many physicians avoid it due to the risk of killing the fetus. As such, methadone maintenance is often employed to ensure a healthy and comfortable birth for both mother and child. In this method, mothers are provided a small dose of methadone daily for the pregnancy’s duration.

Considerations

Though many physicians consider methadone maintenance the safest pregnancy detox method, the choice is ultimately up to the mother. Drug detox of any kind, especially while pregnant, can be extremely risky.

Need Help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with an opiate dependency, our Above It All treatment specialists are available to help! Give us a call today, and let our team help you back on track towards the healthy and happy life you deserve.

How To Address Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin is an extremely dangerous and addictive substance. Withdrawal following heroin addiction occurs once an addict inhibits use after an extended use period. The withdrawal process is commonly defined through an assortment of uncomfortable emotional and physical symptoms, including insomnia, vomiting, yawning, diarrhea, sweating and chills. In this entry, we will discuss some common methods for combating the withdrawal process on the road to recovery.

1 – Touch base with a physician once you have decided to stop using heroin. They may be able to address your symptoms or point you in the direction of someone who can. If you do not have a general physician, consider the possibility of an emergency room or medical clinic visit.

2 – Legally prescribed medications have been found to help address withdrawal symptoms, while offering the potential for a reduced withdrawal period. Common medications include methadone, buprenorphine and clonidine. Individuals experiencing severe diarrhea or vomiting may be treated with additional substances.

3 – Locate a reputable 12 step addiction recovery program. Here, a team of seasoned addiction specialists will be able to monitor and support your transition into sobriety while providing education and tools with which to counter your addiction moving forward.

4 – Begin attending support groups in your area. These organizations serve in helping former addicts maintain sobriety while reducing the risk of relapse in a community setting.

5 – Be sure to seek out professional counseling following withdrawal.

6 – Though you may not need it, it’s important to complete a full psychological evaluation following withdrawal to help avoid potential relapse risks. We all go a little crazy from time to time… Either way, you’ll be on the road to enjoying the confidence and peace of mind you deserve. 

IV Drug Use - Relapse Prevention Tips

IV (Intravenous) drug use is one of the quickest means of getting a substance into the body - to the brain - and producing a “high”. As such, many drug users find themselves opting for hypodermic needle injections to help streamline their addictions. Unfortunately, it often takes a little longer for these types of users to maintain sobriety following a successful recovery stint. In this entry, we will discuss some tips to help avoid IV drug relapse.

Hobbies

One of the most effective ways to combat relapse is finding a hobby to throw yourself into. Idle hands often turn to old habits. The more time you spend thinking about using, the more likely you are to act. What may initially prove a simple distraction, may ultimately become an entirely new passion or outlet.

Triggers

Do your best to avoid relapse triggers. These can include places, people and even smells that remind you of prior use. It is especially crucial to avoid areas or neighborhoods where you previously used or bought drugs.

Relationships

Weed out the negative and discouraging relationships from when you were using and focus your attention on people with goals and ambition! Though it can be tempting to rehash “the good times” with old pals, the risks associated with it far outweigh any good. If these people are really your friends, they will understand and support your decision. 

Paraphernalia

Items such as pipes or needles have no purpose anymore. Make sure to rid your property of any and all drug supplies, taking care to ensure that any used needles are disposed of properly.

Support

Locating and attending local support groups on a regular basis is a wonderful means of affirmation and support for the recovering addict. Groups like NA or AA offer training, education, and guidance to those looking to maintain a clean, happy and healthy lifestyle.

Help

If you or someone you love is suffering from a drug 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 life you deserve. 

Behind Teens & Drug Use

Teenage drug use is perhaps one of the most serious issues facing our great nation. While pot is the most common substance among this demographic, it is far from the problem that cocaine, meth and heroin can be. In order to grab hold of this issue, we must first study the reasoning behind it.

Identify

Obviously, there is no one answer to explain teenage drug use. However, several common traits are often shared between these adolescents. Curiosity is an easy one. Children and teens are curious individuals by nature, and tend to push boundaries more than individuals in their 20s and 30s. The more often teens are subjected to stories about the effects of these substances, the more intrigued they become.

Peer pressure is yet another reason many teens opt to experiment. Though many scoff at the mere notion of peer pressure, it is important to note that this factor does not necessarily come from a group of friends actively pressuring someone to experiment. More often than not, this “pressure” is felt passively via the desire to “fit in” and be part of the crowd.

History

A look back into a teenager’s personal history may provide insight as to where they began looking for escape. Many studies have pointed to abuse or neglect as reasons for early adolescent experimentation. The pain caused by these factors will often create a void… one that can easily be filled by drugs and alcohol.

Need Help?

If you know a teen struggling with substance abuse, our Los Angeles drug rehab center is available to help.  Give us a call today, and let us help your teen back on track towards the happy, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle they deserve. Call now!

Drug Addiction’s Effect On Society

When it comes to addiction, the negative effects stretch far further than the addict themselves. Friends, family members and society as a whole must take on the burden; each playing their part on emotional and financial levels alike. In this entry, we will discuss the role addiction plays in our society.

Institutions

Child neglect, family dysfunction, citizen endangerment and divorce place stress on the institutions of church, school and family.

Economy

Inefficiency, absenteeism, health insurance costs, pilferage and training expenses place strain on corporation budgets alongside an economy whose operation is dependant upon their profitability.

Crime

Drug-related crimes are often violent, disruptive, and random, causing a need for specialized law enforcement teams, services and equipment that ultimately drains funding from other pertinent community assets. In addition, drug-related offense cases muddle the court systems, ultimately delaying enforcement productivity.

Public Welfare

Preventative and restorative justice programs, parole and probation services, social work, specialized physical therapy and vocational rehabilitation are programs funded by hard-working taxpayers.

Public Health

Diseases such as hepatitis B and AIDS endanger the population, while increased emergency room dependency from patients drains public health resources.

Hazardous Materials

The public’s cost of addiction is only heightened by expenses associated with drug testing programs for convicted felons and employees, as well as hazardous waste cleanup for illegal drug processing and production.

Public Impairment

It’s no secret that impaired drivers cost lives. The more users there are, the higher the risk that someone will get hurt.

Help?

If you’re seeking help for a drug or alcohol dependency, our rehab center in CA is available to take your call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists steer you back on track towards the healthy, happy, and productive lifestyle you deserve.