Saturday, March 13, 2010

PCP Addiction

What is PCP Addiction?

PCP addiction Pennsylvania is caused by the abuse of PCP (phencyclidine). Street names for this highly addictive drug include: angel dust, ozone, wack and rocket fuel. Killer joints and crystal super-grass are names that refer to PCP combined with marijuana. The variety of street names for PCP reflects its bizarre and volatile effects. The abuse of PCP almost certainly leads to PCP addiction.

PCP is a white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water or alcohol. It has a distinctive bitter chemical taste. PCP can be mixed easily with dyes and turns up on the illicit drug market in a variety of tablets, capsules and colored powders. It is normally used in one of three ways: snorted, smoked or ingested. For smoking, PCP is often applied to a leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano or marijuana. Regardless of its form, PCP addiction Pennsylvania can occur from continued use of the drug.

PCP Treatment

Many PCP users are brought for PCP treatment to emergency rooms because of overdose or because of the drug's unpleasant psychological effects. In a hospital or detention setting, those with a PCP addiction Pennsylvania often become violent or suicidal and are very dangerous to themselves and others. They should be kept in a calm PCP treatment setting where they can be safely monitored by professionals trained in PCP addiction.

The Effects of PCP Addiction
At low to moderate doses, physiological effects of PCP include:

■Loss of muscular coordination
■Generalized numbness of the extremities
■A slight increase in breathing rate
■A pronounced rise in blood pressure and pulse rate
■Breathing becomes shallow
■Flushing and profuse sweating
At high doses of PCP the effects may include:

■Blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration drop
■Nausea
■Vomiting
■Blurred vision
■Up and down flicking of the eyes
■Drooling
■Loss of balance
■Dizziness


Percocet Addiction Treatment

Percocet Withdrawal

Percocet is physically addictive. Whenever you are dealing with a physical addiction it is very important to reduce the intake gradually. Abrupt discontinuation of the drug can have devastating effects on the body including seizures and convulsions. We urge you to seek professional and medical supervision before undergoing Percocet withdrawal. Entrance to residential Percocet addiction treatment programs Pennsylvania seems to be the best defense against any medical complications that could occur during Percocet withdrawal.

Percocet withdrawal discomfort and symptoms vary depending on how long the person has been using and the amount of the drug taken at any given time. It is not unusual for those with a Percocet addiction to consume up to 40 pills daily. The symptoms one might experience during Percocet withdrawal include insomnia, vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, and muscle and bone pain.

Percocet Addiction Treatment Pennsylvania

Due to the physical dependency created by Percocet abuse, addiction treatment should begin in a residential detox center where medical professionals can help you manage any Percocet withdrawal symptoms you may be experiencing. The average length of time spent in a Percocet addiction detox center is approximately seven days where the addict will be monitored for both medical and psychological problems.

After the person is medically stable he or s he can proceed to a residential treatment center to complete the recovery process.

What to Expect in Percocet Rehab Programs

Percocet rehab programs Pennsylvania allow patients to address their feelings of shame and disappointment with others who are struggling with similar problems. Patients will also be given the chance to discuss the detrimental effects of their Percocet addiction on their loves ones. Percocet addiction recovery in a supportive therapeutic environment eliminates outside distractions and allows the individual to concentrate on both the emotional and physical issues directly relating to their addiction. This Percocet addiction treatment process is usually accomplished within twenty days and may be followed by outpatient therapy.


Percocet Addiction

Percocet Addiction: The Dangers

There are many dangers associated with Percocet addiction Pennsylvania. Much like codeine and morphine, Percocet is an opiate available only through prescription. Percocet contains acetaminophen along with Oxycodone which is a narcotic analgesic. Percocet can be taken in tablets and it is not uncommon for people with Percocet addictions to take between 20 - 40 pills a day.

Percocet is both physically and emotionally addictive. It acts as a "block" to pain receptors in the brain, which results in a feeling of euphoria. It is this euphoria that people with a Percocet addiction Pennsylvania are searching for every time they ingest these tablets. They believe they can reproduce this euphoria by increasing the quantity and frequency of the tablets. Unfortunately, this initial feeling is rarely recreated. But the person will continue taking the drug despite the tolerance they have developed which is keeping them from experiencing the euphoric feeling that they crave. This pattern of behavior is known as addiction and it affects millions of people. If the person stops taking the drug, they will experience unpleasant, uncomfortable and, in many cases, dangerous Percocet withdrawal symptoms Pennsylvania.

Percocet is mainly prescribed by physicians to manage pain. When the patient feels this initial pain relief and pleasurable feeling they try to recreate it by taking more. And by increasing the dosage of tablets you are also increasing your tolerance to the drug. What this means is that your body needs more of the drug so that your mind can experience similar affects thus creating a very dangerous and unhealthy addiction.

Percocet Addiction: The Effects

Millions of people take Percocet for pain relief. Doctors prescribe Percocet to patients who are in a lot of pain or discomfort. Others take Percocet to escape emotional issues that are plaguing their lives. Rather than dealing with feelings of depression, anxiety and fear, Percocet abusers use the drug to "dull" their emotional pain.

Regardless of your initial reason for taking Percocet, an overuse of the drug will produce physical symptoms including but not limited to:

■Loss of concentration
■Dizziness
■Sweats
■Constipation
■Dry mouth
■Nausea
■Drowsiness

In addition to physical symptoms, Percocet abusers also often experience deterioration in personal relationships, financial difficulties, legal problems, employment difficulties as well as, psychological difficulties.


Xanax Addiction Physical Effects

Xanax Addiction – The Physical Effects

Xanax, a prescription medication, can prove to be physically and emotionally addictive. Prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, there is a tendency for people to abuse this medication. Once Xanax abuse Pennsylvania begins, side effects begin to show. These side effects may include:

■Muscle cramps
■Nausea
■Diarrhea
■Drowsiness
■Lack of coordination
■Loss of appetite
■Loss of concentration
■Slurred speech

After a period of time these symptoms may dissipate, even with increased use of the drug. The problem is that with increased use, comes tolerance and with tolerance comes an addiction. At this point, the person is continually abusing the medication in the hope of experiencing that initial calming effect again. What they don't understand is that the initial feeling can never be duplicated and the only solution left is to detox from the Xanax addiction Pennsylvania.

Xanax Addiction and Withdrawal

Withdrawal from a Xanax addtion Pennsylvania is extremely uncomfortable, but manageable. Always keep in mind that it is dangerous to abrubtly discontinue Xanax without medical supervision and the right kind of Xanax treatment. Seizures, convulsions, even death, can occur if Xanax use is not decreased slowly.

One of the major difficulties with Xanax treatment for withdrawal is that it increases the initial symptoms the addict was trying to suppress. The brain, which was sedated by the Xanax, begins to race, creating even more anxiety. This, coupled with the anxiety produced by withdrawal can be extremely intense and difficult to cope with. It is well documented that the brain can actually go into seizure as it transitions from a period of medicated calm to one of hyperactivity, when the Xanax is discontinued.

Xanax Treatment for Xanax Addiction

In almost every case, Xanax treatment usually begins with an admission to a detox center for the management and treatment of any withdrawal symptoms. In most cases, Xanax addiction withdrawal symptoms are manageable under the care of a physician trained in addiction medicine and Xanax treatment Pennsylvania. A physician trained in addiction medicine is referred to as an addictionologist.

After successfully completing detox, which can last between ten and fourteen days, most people recovering from Xanax addiction transition into residential Xanax addiction treatment programs. Due to the emotional trauma people have experienced, it takes time to learn how to cope with the feelings they suppressed for so long. It is best to begin this Xanax treatment process in a supportive therapeutic environment, which is designed to eliminate outside distractions and allow a person to focus on the issues surrounding their recovery. Residential Xanax addiction treatment is approximately three weeks in length.

Upon completion of residential treatment, the patient can choose between attending day treatment, out patient treatment or private therapy. While there are many factors that go into selecting the most appropriate level of care for a recovering addict, the most important decision is to continue with Xanax treatment.


Xanax Addiction

Xanax addiction Pennsylvania usually occurs accidentally. Xanax is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks or moderate to severe stress. A medication that is available by prescription only, Xanax, produces a calming effect on the brain by "slowing it down." Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, slows down neurotransmitters called gamma-aminobutric acid. Individuals that suffer from anxiety disorders or panic attacks seem to have overactive neurotransmitters and by slowing them down the drug tends to relieve feelings of stress and impending doom. When these calming effects cannot be duplicated unless Xanax usage is increased, a Xanax addiction can result.

The Effects of Xanax Addiction
Those who abuse Xanax find pleasure in the drowsy feeling that it causes. Xanax electrifies the brain’s pleasure centers with an initial euphoric feeling that is rarely recaptured. The chase is on to recreate that feeling and a Xanax addiction is born.

Upon taking Xanax, one may experience drowsiness, loss of concentration, loss of motor skills or slurred speech. Generally, these symptoms dissipate after several days. Unfortunately, after experiencing the calming effect this medication can produce, many people continue to seek an even a greater feeling of calm and will begin to increase the amount of medication they take. With an increase in Xanax use and an ever-increasing tolerance, a Xanax addiction Pennsylvania soon emerges. As with other prescription medications such as, OxyContin, Vicodin or codeine, when tolerance increases and prescriptions run out prematurely, the person must find additional Xanax and will do whatever is necessary to avoid running out of the drug and experiencing the symptoms associated with Xanax addiction withdrawal.

At some point in their Xanax addiction Pennsylvania, the addict might be taking between 20 - 30 pills a day. Even before this point, it is extremely dangerous to discontinue Xanax use on your own. Discontinuing Xanax without medical supervision can produce seizures and convulsions, which can be life threatening.

Vicodin Addiction

How Vicodin Addiction Develops Pennsylvania

Vicodin is a prescription medication used to assist in pain management. It is well documented that the use of this medication can easily lead to Vicodin addiction when not taken as prescribed. In many cases, people continue to use Vicodin even after the pain they began taking it for is no longer present.

The longer a person continues taking Vicodin and the more the dosage is increased, the greater the tolerance. The greater the tolerance, the more medication a person must take to achieve the same feeling.

Vicodin is an opiate that can only be prescribed by a licensed physician. Because the medication is available through prescription only and a physician has suggested the medication might help them, denial plays a major obstacle in Vicodin addiction recovery Pennsylvania.

Vicodin addiction is no different than many other types of drug addictions in that it can have negative effects on a person's brain. Vicodin addiction reduces many chemicals the brain needs to function, including endorphins. The only way to reverse this process is to discontinue taking the drug; however, it is too uncomfortable and dangerous for a person with a Vicodin addiction to accomplish this on his or her own.

The Dangers of Vicodin Addiction
As one continues to use Vicodin on a prolonged basis, the effects tend to become more noticeable. Initially, a person may experience constipation, dizziness, skin rashes or nausea. By this time, he or she is already addicted to the drug. As the Vicodin addiction progresses and tolerance increases, more significant symptoms tend to occur. These symptoms may include an irregular heart rate, confusion, isolation and, in the late stages of a Vicodin addiction, hallucinations.

In addition to the physical consequences of Vicodin addiction Pennsylvania, deterioration in personal relationships as well as employment, financial, legal and psychological difficulties may emerge as the Vicodin addiction progresses.


Vicodin Addiction and Withdrawal
Vicodin is physically addictive. Seizures or convulsions could occur if Vicodin is discontinued too quickly. It is for this reason that withdrawal from a Vicodin addiction should be gradual and under medical supervision within residential drug treatment rehab centers designed to guard against medical complications.


Hallucinogen Drugs

What are Hallucinogenic Drug Effects?

Hallucinogenic drugs Pennsylvania are among the oldest known group of drugs used for their ability to alter human perception and mood. For centuries, many of the naturally occurring hallucinogenic drugs found in plants and fungi have been used for a variety of shamanistic practices. In more recent years, a number of synthetic hallucinogenic drugs have been produced, some of which are much more potent than their naturally occurring counterparts.

The biochemical, pharmacological and physiological basis for hallucinogenic activity is not well understood. Even the name for this class of hallucinogenic drugs is not ideal, since they do not always produce hallucinations. Common hallucinogenic drug effects typically include:

■Changes in perception, thought and mood
■Elevated heart rate
■Increased blood pressure
■Dilated pupils
■Perceptual distortion
■Disorders of thought
■Disorders associated with time and space

Abuse of Hallucinogenic Drugs

The abuse of hallucinogenic drugs in the United States received a great deal of public attention in the 1960s and 1970s. A subsequent decline in their use in the 1980s may be attributed to real or perceived hazards associated with taking these drugs; however, there was a resurgence of the use of hallucinogenic drugs in the 1990s. Mushrooms, LSD, and ecstasy became popular among junior and senior high school students who used hallucinogenic drugs Pennsylvania.

Today, young adults ages 18-25 are most likely to have used hallucinogenic drugs. Though hallucinogenic drugs Pennsylvania are neuro-toxic to humans, the most common danger they pose is impaired judgment, which often leads to rash decisions and accidents.


The Science of Addiction

The Science Behind the Brain and Addiction Relationship Pennsylvania

Scientifically-based research on the brain and addiction relationship has demonstrated to us that drugs, alcohol and specific behaviors have a significant impact on the reward center located in the brain. Levels relating to certain neurotransmitters, send messages to the brain. These neurotransmitters include serotonin and dopamine. Chronic use of drugs and alcohol tends to over-stimulate the brain until it must depend upon substances and behaviors to produce the needed chemicals. This chemical dependency is what leads to tolerance and addiction.

Most people believe that drug addiction Pennsylvania lies in the additional use of drugs or alcohol when it truly is related to chemical imbalances in the brain and the compulsion to use, regardless of the consequences. In light of all of this scientific research, we still find professionals who adopt the philosophy that addiction is due to a lack of willpower and/or moral imperfections.

Brain Chemistry and Addiction

Most individuals suffering from addiction use drugs or alcohol to feel "good" or to self-medicate physical or emotional pain. Substance use and addictive behaviors stimulate and increase the brain's production and use of REWARD chemicals such as dopamine. Depending on the dose of the drug, the brain accepts neurotransmitters that are significantly more intense than they would experience during the "natural" highs produced by the brain normally. In basic terms, this is why addiction takes place physically and emotionally.

Addiction Alters the Brain

Over time, the continued use of a drug alters the way the brain functions. A person's brain becomes dependent on receiving the substance. These changes in brain chemistry create the addiction and create the tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The only "good" part regarding drug addiction Pennsylvania is the disease is treatable and recovery is possible.


The Brain and Addiction: A Link?

The brain and addiction Pennsylvania... what is the relationship? There has been an ongoing debate for years about where addiction actually originates from. You will find some drug addiction treatment professionals who claim addiction is a lack of willpower, while others insist that addiction is a disease of the brain, complete with signs and symptoms. The truth about addiction, as concluded by the American Medical Association with research-based criteria, is that addiction is most definitely a disease that is chronic in nature not unlike cancer, diabetes or bipolar disorder.

Another critical outcome of the research-based study showed that the brain of the individual suffering from drug or alcohol addiction Pennsylvania is both chemically and physiologically dissimilar from that of the normal brain. This particular finding supports the theory that the brain and addiction are interconnected. This is critical to understanding addiction, its development and an individual's recovery process.

Addiction Definition
The word addiction is best defined as the obsessive thinking and compulsive need for and use of drugs, alcohol, food, sex or anything that is psychologically or physically addicting. Addiction can also be described by the development of tolerance with distinguishable withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing the use of the particular drug or behavior. In addition to the development of tolerance with regards to addiction, the addict or alcoholic will experience intense physical cravings for the drug accompanied by an emotional obsession to take the drug regardless of the consequences.

The process of addiction Pennsylvania that leads the individual to experience the compulsive need for drugs regardless of the consequences is directly related to the change in brain chemistry affecting the process of thought.

The Drug Personality Syndrome

The "Drug Personality"

There is such a thing as a "drug personality." It is artificial and is created by drugs. Drugs can change the attitude of a person from their original personality to one secretly harboring hostilities and hatreds they do not permit to show on the surface.

A person with a drug personality Pennsylvania may:

■Have mood swings
■Be unreliable
■Be unable to finish projects
■Have unexpressed resentment and secret hatreds
■Be dishonest and lie to family, friends and employers
■Isolate themselves and withdraw from those who love him
■Appear chronically depressed
■Begin stealing from family and friends

Craving is an extremely powerful urge and can cause a person to create all kinds of "reasons" they should continue using drugs or alcohol, even once they try to quit. The person is now trapped in the endless cycle of addiction Pennsylvania: trying to quit, craving, fear of withdrawal, relapse.

Treatment Focused on Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Traditional alcohol and drug addiction treatment Pennsylvania focuses mainly on spiritual talk therapy, while the disease's underlying physiology is never addressed. Modern, more effective treatments focus on correcting the neurological imbalances caused by substance dependence; those imbalances are the direct cause of cravings and withdrawal symptoms which, if left untreated, lead directly to relapse. This new approach, along with nutritional supplements and aftercare psychosocial counseling empowers the patient with the ability to stay on the road to recovery.


Depression and Obsession within the Cycle of Addiction

Depression, Obsession and the Cycle of Addiction Pennsylvania

As the addiction deepens, the person will begin hiding his or her drug use from loved ones. Ridden with guilt, the person may start to withdraw from family and friends. The person may become belligerent and start to behave oddly. These behaviors set off their own sequence of events: the more a person abuses drugs or alcohol, the guiltier they start to feel, the more depressed they become and the more they will turn to the substance to ease those feelings.

Once addicted, a person will sacrifice almost anything in an attempt to obtain more drugs or alcohol. Nothing is off limits - family and friends, jobs, savings, etc. Getting and using the substance is now the most vital thing in their life. Relationships and job performance suffer greatly and the person experiences a great deal of mental stress as a result of guilt and depression.

The cycle of addiction Pennsylvania affects the body physically as well. The person's body has adapted to the presence of drugs or alcohol. If the person stops using drugs or alcohol without having the proper detox treatment, he or she will experience painful withdrawal symptoms. The person becomes obsessed with getting and using drugs or alcohol, in an effort to avoid withdrawal pain.

In addition to the mental stress created by this unethical behavior, the addict's body has also adapted to the presence of the drugs. He or she will experience and overwhelming obsession with getting and using their drugs, and will do anything to avoid the pain of withdrawing from them. The person is now physically and emotionally addicted to drugs or alcohol Pennsylvania.


The Cycle of Addiction

There is a distinct life cycle of addiction Pennsylvania. At its roots, is a person experiencing emotional or physical pain. Perhaps they have had a death in the family, a romantic rejection or a debilitating injury that causes chronic pain.

This individual is basically a good person who has trouble dealing with the difficulty they are experiencing. He or she may be unable to resolve or confront the problem, and see their present situation as hopeless and unendurable.

While everyone has experienced similar situations like this from time to time, the difference between addicts and non-addicts is that addicts turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to resolve their problems or discomfort.

Drug and Alcohol Experimentation can Trigger the Cycle of Addition Pennsylvania

In order to alleviate emotional or physical pain, the person experiments with drugs or alcohol. On the surface, the substances seem to work because the person feels better. The drugs or alcohol are now valuable to the person, because initially, their painkilling effects have helped him or her cope with uncomfortable issues. This pain release seems like the ideal cure for unwanted feelings so the person uses drugs or alcohol a second time, a third time, and so on.

Eventually, the person becomes fully addicted to drugs or alcohol Pennsylvania, gradually increasing usage in order to continue recreating their euphoric effects. The person loses control and is trapped. The person's original problems are forgotten. All the person is concerned with now is satiating getting more drugs or alcohol. They are completely entrenched in the cycle of addiction and are unable, at this point, to see the untold health and emotional consequences.


Monday, March 8, 2010

Effects of Meth Addiction

Effects of Use
Ingesting meth causes the brain to increase production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters. If a small amount of the drug is taken, it has these effects:

Decreased fatigue
Increased alertness
Reduced appetite
Other symptoms of meth use include feelings of euphoria and exhilaration.

Large doses of meth produce symptoms that include:

Agitation
Bizarre behavior
Paranoia
Short-term memory loss
Complications and Long Term Effects of Meth Abuse
As meth addicts continue to use the drug over a longer time, they experience psychological symptoms, including anxiety and pronounced mood swings.

Over time, these symptoms may also include:

Depression
Hallucinations
High blood pressure
Irritability
Itching (some users "feel" that bugs are crawling on their skin)
Paranoid delusions
Rage
Self-destructive behavior
Stroke
Sleeping for 24-48 hours at a time
Violence
Weight loss

Long term meth abuse Pennsylvania can also lead to tooth decay. Known as "meth mouth," this condition is linked to dry mouth, a lack of dental hygiene, and a high consumption of soft drinks containing sugar. An overview of the many negative effects on the body meth causes can be found here at PBS.org and here you can see photos of meth addicts; the results are devastating.

Help and Treatment for Meth Addiction Pennsylvania
Cognitive behavior therapy is a successful method of meth addiction treatment. This treatment approach is used to teach the meth addict how to monitor their thoughts and ultimately to change their behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be used in an individual or a group setting. Self-help groups for addicts may also use this strategy to help people who are addicted to meth. And once addiction treatment is concluded, undergoing sober living house programs could help them adjust to a drug-free life.

Beyond Quitting: Meth Recovery and Rehabilitation
Changing one's thought patterns and continuing to replace them with more positive ones is an ongoing process. Meth addiction treatment programs, as well as 12-step programs like Crystal Meth Anonymous address this fact and are designed to give the addict tools to understand why they turn to the drug to feel good and how to change that thinking. This drug is psychologically addictive, and someone who wants to stop using it needs to understand the hold it had on them. People who are learning how to quit using meth need to understand that they are never going to recreate their first experience with it.


Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine is also known as meth, speed, crank, or crystal. It is a white powder with a bitter taste that can be easily dissolved in alcohol or water. This drug may be smoked, snorted, or injected. The feeling of euphoria it creates may last for several hours.

What is Meth Addiction Pennsylvania?
Meth addiction is a problem affecting people living in all parts of the United States, but it is especially popular in the Midwest. This stimulant is highly-addictive, and it is possible to get hooked on it from the first use onward. More on who uses meth here.

Signs of Meth Dependence
Meth addicts Pennsylvania may display three different patterns of use:

Low-Intensity Users are able to use meth on a casual basis. They aren't psychologically addicted to the drug (yet) and use swallowing or snorting as their ingestion method.

Binge Users consume larger quantities of meth during a relatively short time. In between binges, they may not use meth at all.

High Intensity meth abuse involves regular consumption of the drug. Binge users and high-intensity users are psychologically addicted to meth, and either smoke or inject the drug to get a more intense high.

Causes of Dependency
Meth works on the brain's pleasure centers, creating an almost immediate sensation of well-being. When someone uses it, the heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rates increase. The sense of instant gratification means that other sources of reward in one's life pale by comparison. Unfortunately, the first "high" that someone experiences is the most intense, and it can't be duplicated by continuing to use the drug.


Effects of Marijuana Use

Effects of Use
Marijuana addicts Pennsylvania claim that using the drug gives them these effects, which last for two or three hours after the drug is ingested:

Ease in social situations
Euphoria
Feeling of relaxation
Sexual arousal

Complications and Long Term Effects of Marijuana Abuse
Using marijuana produces a sense of fuzziness in the brain, which has led to a number of accidents involving motor vehicles and in the workplace. Marijuana abuse during pregnancy leads to low-birth weight babies, and puts the child at increased risk for a form of blood cancer.

Marijuana addiction Pennsylvania doesn't contain nicotine, but it does have more tar than tobacco products do. Repeated use increases the addict's risk for:

Bronchitis
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Respiratory tract infections

Help and Treatment for Marijuana Addiction Pennsylvania
Drug rehab centers offering programs for substance abuse are able to provide help and support to marijuana addicts. They can assist the addict through marijuana withdrawal symptoms, which include:

Agitation
Insomnia
Irritability
Nausea
Sweating
Tremors
Weight loss

After the withdrawal phase of marijuana addiction treatment is completed, individual and group therapy can be used to help the person successfully quit marijuana. Clients are taught to recognize the triggers that make them want to use the drug as part of marijuana addiction treatments. Once the triggers have been identified, the addict can learn effective strategies to deal with them. Screening for other addictions and psychiatric disorders should be part of the services offered, since marijuana is often used with other substances, such as alcohol, or as part of self-medicating for mental illness.

Beyond Quitting: Marijuana Recovery and Rehabilitation
Follow-up care for those who have been addicted to marijuana may include a referral to a 12-step program, such as Marijuana Anonymous, or a recommendation to enter a sober living house. Any psychiatric issues must be monitored, and medications or appropriate therapy given to avoid a relapse


Marijuana Addiction

The most common method for using marijuana is to place the dried leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant onto rolling paper and make it into a cigarette, to be smoked. It can also be smoked in a waterpipe or "bong", or other metal or glass pipe. This drug can also be put in food products or mixed with coffee or tea.

What is Marijuana Addiction Pennsylvania?
A person who is living with an addiction to marijuana is unable to stop using it, even when they want to. The urge to use is simply too strong. Couple the dependence on the drug with the fact that it is cheap and relatively easy to get, and you will see why so many people become addicted.

Signs of Marijuana Dependence Pennsylvania
Signs that use of marijuana has moved from the recreational stage to a more serious problem are similar to those of other addictions, and include:

Spending a large portion of time thinking about marijuana
Focusing on getting more and finding the money to get it
Need to use a larger amount to get the same effect

Causes of Dependency
An individual who is addicted to marijuana Pennsylvania becomes dependent on the drug because it affects the pleasure centers in the brain. Repeated use makes it more difficult for the person to remember events, learn new ideas or skills, and adapt to changes appropriately. This impairment can lead to depression, and the marijuana addict may continue to use the drug as a way to deal with the feelings of emptiness and hopelessness that accompany this disorder. The side effects of marijuana use may also lead to anxiety when the person tries to quit.

Effects of Heroin Addiction

Effects of Use
Along with the rush that takes place shortly after use, heroin addicts Pennsylvania also experience these effects:

Decreased ability to cough
Difficulty breathing
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Heaviness in the extremities
Hypothermia
Nausea and/or vomiting
Reduced anxiety
Severe itching

As evidenced by pictures of heroin addicts Pennsylvania, the aesthetic physical effects can be extensive as well.

Complications and Long Term Effects of Heroin Abuse
Heroin abusers are also putting themselves at risk for a number of health issues, including:

Risk of contracting HIV or Hepatitis C from needle use
Increased risk of miscarriage
Increased tolerance over time where the addict must use more of the drug to achieve the same effect
Heroin overdose


Help and Treatment for Heroin Addiction Pennsylvania
People who want to quit using heroin do better when they are well motivated to do so. The motivation may come from the person who is addicted to heroin themselves or because of the involvement of concerned friends or family members who hold a drug rehab intervention. When someone detoxes from heroin, they are going to experience a series of withdrawal symptoms, including:

Diarrhea
Insomnia
Muscle aches
Vomiting
The withdrawal symptoms will start within a few hours after the person stops using heroin, with the peak occurring within 24-72 hours. Symptoms of withdrawal may be present for a week after the last time the addict used the drug. Ideally, this step in heroin treatment is performed under the supervision of a doctor. People who have been heavy users for a long time should avoid trying to stop all at once, since a sudden stop in use could be fatal. This extraordinarily painful and dangerous process is a primary factor that makes heroin addictions often last years and can result in death.

Beyond Quitting: Heroin Recovery and Rehabilitation
After successfully getting through the drug detoxification phase, a follow-up program needs to be in place if you want to successfully quit heroin. Individual and group therapy is used at drug rehab centers to help people who are trying to beat an addiction to heroin get to the root of the problem, understand it, and come up with strategies to avoid using the drug again. 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous could also be of help.

Your doctor may be able to refer you to a treatment center. If you have health insurance coverage for addiction treatment at HMO insurance drug rehab centers, private insurance drug rehab centers or at a PPO insurance drug rehab center, the company may have a list of facilities that are approved for full or partial coverage. Lack of coverage doesn't need to be a barrier to getting help, though. State-run facilities may be able to provide treatment at no charge or on a sliding geared-to-income scale and some facilities offer financing for treatment.


Heroin Addiction

Heroin is a narcotic and an illegal drug that is typically injected or snorted by users though it can be smoked. The manner in which the drug, from the opiates family, is ingested has little bearing on the potential for addiction. The fact is that repeated use leads to addiction, whether you are using needles or not.

What is Heroin Addiction Pennsylvania?
A person who is a heroin addict continues to use the drug, even though they are experiencing negative consequences in their life as a result. They are not able to choose whether they are going to use heroin. Instead, they experience a "need" for it that becomes a driving force in their life.

Signs of Heroin Dependence Pennsylvania
Heroin addicts have similar experiences when they have become dependent on the drug, including:

Cravings in between uses
Spending time thinking about the last time they got high and what the next high will be like
Focusing on where and when they can get the next dose
Sudden financial difficulties and erratic behavior
Track marks around injection points

Causes of Dependency
Heroin is a very effective pain killer that works by depressing the body's central nervous system. Using it affects the way nerves in the spinal cord communicate pain sensations to the brain. Shortly after the drug is snorted or injected, it creates an intense feeling of pleasure. Heroin works on the pleasure centers in the brain by affecting the level of dopamine that it produces.

More on Opiate Addiction

Effects of Use
Opiate addicts Pennsylvania use the drug to feel a sense of well-being that comes in a rush after the drug is taken. After this initial feeling of euphoria, the user goes through alternate periods of feeling alert and then drowsy. Using opiates affects the user's ability to reason clearly. Respiration slows, and reflexes are impaired.

Complications and Long Term Effects of Opiate Abuse
Whenever someone uses opiates and develops a tolerance for the drug, the possibility of a drug overdose is always a concern. Be alert for these signs and call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number if you notice them:

Difficulty breathing
Fingertips and lips turn blue
Shallow breathing
Weak pulse

Over the long term, opium addicts Pennsylvania may display these kinds of symptoms:

Collapsed veins (if the drug is being injected)
Refusing to eat
Ignoring basic personal hygiene
Liver disease
Pneumonia

Help and Treatment for Opiate Addiction Pennsylvania
A drug detox and rehab facility can help an opium addict get free from the drug. Opium withdrawal symptoms include:

Aches and pains
Chills
Cravings for the drug
Insomnia
Nausea
Restlessness
Vomiting
For most people, the withdrawal symptoms subside within seven days. Since an addict's health may already be compromised after long-term use, getting drug abuse help by checking into an opiate addiction treatment facility is a good choice. That way, the person's condition can be monitored closely while they are going through the process of ridding their body of the drug.

There are a number of rehab clinics that offer services to people who are trying to break the cycle of addiction to opiates. Many of these facilties, such as Narconon, have web sites where you can get information about the services offered and the approach the facility takes to helping people learn how to quit using opiates.

Beyond Quitting: Opiate Recovery and Rehabilitation
Detox and quitting are only the first steps; an individual must also get help to deal with the reasons why they became addicted to opiates in the first place. Opiate treatment must include this element, or the person is at increased risk for a relapse. Part of opiate drug rehabilitation is teaching the addict that even though they have quit opiates, they need to learn new patterns of behavior to replace their former ways.


Opiate Addiction

Opiates are narcotics, and drugs in this category tend to make the user feel sleepy (downers), as opposed to energized (uppers). Many are powerful and can severely "numb" the user.

As medication, opiates are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. The term opiate refers to any of the narcotic alkaloids found in opium, as well as all derivatives of such alkaloids.

Common Opiate Use

People with chronic pain, cancer, or who are recovering from surgery may be prescribed these medications. Opiates include such prescription medications as:

Codeine
Morphine
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Percocet
Percodan
Ultram
Vicodin

What is Opiate Addiction Pennsylvania?
A person has an opiate addiction when they develop a dependence on the medication. They continue to take the medication to avoid going through opiate withdrawal symptoms or because they want to continue to experience the euphoric effects of the drug.

Signs of Opiate Dependence
Signs of addiction to opiates Pennsylvania include:

Having to take larger doses of the medication to get the desired effect
Spending a lot of time focusing on the drug, using it and being able to take it again and again
Depression and/or suicidal thoughts
Unkempt physical appearance, including weight loss in some cases
Social withdrawal
Causes of Dependency

Opiate addicts Pennsylvania get hooked on the medication because of the way it acts on the user's brain. If the drug is used regularly and to excess, the brain stops producing natural painkillers called endorphins. As a result, the person who is addicted to opiates experiences a physical dependence on the drug.


More on Cocaine Addiction

Effects of Use
A person who is addicted to cocaine in Pennsylvania may experience the following symptoms and effects from coke:

Confusion
Dilated pupils
Excess energy
Increase in heart rate and blood pressure
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
Rapid heartbeat
Rapid speech
Runny nose
Stuffy nose

Complications and Long Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse
If the cocaine use continues, the cocaine addict may experience some serious consequences in the form of long-term effects or serious health issues as a result, including:

Blurred vision
Chest pain
Hallucinations
Heart attack
Heart disease
Seizures
Stroke

Help and Treatment for Cocaine Addiction in Pennsylvania
Cocaine treatment has two components: detoxification and rehabilitation. The first step is to stop using the drug. For a person trying to quit cocaine, they may experience intense cravings, anxiety and depression when they seek help. A medically-supervised detox program may include medications given to reduce the severity of these symptoms.

A person who is ready to quit using cocaine can contact a treatment center for help. An online search can lead you to several places offering programs for people addicted to cocaine. Once the body is free of the drug, then the rehabilitation process can begin.

Beyond Quitting: Cocaine Recovery and Rehabilitation
Moving forward in the recovery process involves rehabilitation. A person who has been using cocaine associates certain people, places and feelings with drug use. They will need help to identify the kinds of things that act as "triggers" that make them feel like they want to use the drug again.

Over time, they can learn how to deal with their triggers and substitute other behaviors in the place of using cocaine. Both individual and group therapy may be used as treatments for this type of addiction. Another option that may be helpful is a 12-step program like Cocaine Anonymous, where cocaine addicts help other cocaine addicts. By sharing their experiences, they learn from and support one another as they strive to remain clean.


Cocaine Addiction

Using cocaine may be compared to a roller coaster. The person using this drug experiences a pleasurable "high," but that good feeling only lasts for a short time before the user starts to come down again. The cocaine addiction in Pennsylvania continues to use the drug to attempt to recreate the experience they enjoyed so much.

What is Cocaine Addiction in Pennsylvania?
Cocaine addictions can start off by the person being introduced to the drug at a party. They use the drug and enjoy the feeling of euphoria that it gives them. The individual may continue to use the drug as part of their social activities, and not realize they are falling into a cycle of cocaine abuse.

Signs of Cocaine Dependence
This is not a drug that causes a physical dependency; instead, it causes a psychological one. Other symptoms of cocaine use include:

Using the drug more often
Needing to use more coke to get a "high"
Neglecting paying bills so that you can buy cocaine
Selling or disposing of possessions to get more
Continuing to use the drug in the face of negative consequences, including not being able to sleep, poor work performance, or difficulty in personal relationships

Causes of Dependency
Cocaine addicts in Pennsylvania continue to use the drug because using it makes them feel good. The person using it feels energetic and has a tremendous sense of well-being. They keep using in an attempt to recreate the pleasurable sensations that cocaine gives them. Coming down from a cocaine "high" is not pleasant, since the user feels depressed. Cocaine abuse involves a vicious cycle of using the drug, coming down, feeling lousy, and then using again to feel better.

More About Alcohol Addiction

Complications and Long Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Pennsylvania
If someone continues to use alcohol to excess for an extended amount of time, they are running the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver as well as brain damage in the form of memory loss. Drinking more than a moderate amount has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. (Keep in mind that heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in North America.)

Help and Treatment for Alcohol Addiction in Pennsylvania
The first step in getting on the wagon (and staying there) is to get sober, whether of your own volition or through the drug rehab intervention efforts of family and friends. If you have been drinking for some time, you will likely go through physical withdrawal symptoms when you try to get off booze. These symptoms may include hallucinations, headaches, seizures, shaking, and vomiting. Going through medically-supervised detox is the first step, since you need to rid your body of alcohol before you can move forward to understanding and dealing with your addiction in the rehabilitation stage.



Beyond Quitting: Alcohol Recovery and Rehabilitation in Pennsylvania

Alcohol rehab centers offer inpatient care for patients who are starting their recovery journey. Patients examine the reasons they became addicted and learn how to deal with triggering events that may tempt them to start drinking again. Follow-up care on an outpatient basis gives them the support they need to stay sober. Recovery programs such as a 12-step like alcoholics anonymous are frequently relied upon for the long-term recovering addicts support system.


Alcohol Addiction

Many people enjoy a drink without it leading to an addiction. People who have developed a more serious problem with alcohol use may shy away from thinking of themselves as addicts; after all, alcohol is a legal substance and readily available to adults.

What is Alcohol Addiction?
The line between having a few drinks as part of a social experience and having an addiction to alcoholic beverages comes down to whether drinking is something you "have" to do as opposed to something that you "want" to do. A person who enjoys a drink controls their consumption and in the case of an alcoholic, the drinking controls them.

Signs of Alcohol Dependence Pennsylvania
Signs that your use of alcohol may have moved from social drinking to an addiction include:

An increased tolerance for alcohol
Difficulty in stopping drinking even when you want to
Withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking
Spending a lot of time thinking about drinking, consuming alcoholic beverages, or recovering from a bout of drinking
Negative consequences from drinking, such as relationship difficulties, DUI or arrest for public intoxication, or job loss, yet continuing to drink anyway

Causes of Dependency
There are several reasons why someone may become addicted to alcohol in Pennsylvania. The alcoholic may be looking for the "high" that drinking gives them and must continue to drink larger amounts to recreate that experience. Other people with alcohol dependency issues are looking for a way to numb out to deal with stress, personal issues, or emotional pain. It's no surprise that alcoholism tends to run in families, since we learn a lot about how to cope with circumstances in our lives from seeing the way our parents and other family members do so. Having a parent or a close relative who has an addiction issue increases your risk of having one as well.

Effects of Use
Part of the reason that someone may start drinking is to feel more comfortable in social situations, since it helps to reduce inhibitions. As the person drinks more alcohol, they may feel more talkative, as well as a bit dizzy. As more alcoholic drinks are consumed, the person's speech may become slurred, and they may become aggressive. It's no coincidence that use of alcohol is often linked to violent acts.