Category: Articles

Tramadol Addiction

Addiction does not discriminate between or among people nor does the substance discriminate. While some people start with illegal drugs, many fall into addiction with prescribed medication that then gets out of hand. One such medication is Tramadol. Tramadol is a pain killer that has been on the rise in use and abuse. While there are legitimate uses for Tramadol, it can quickly become a need for the patient. If the doctor then removes the prescription the need to procure the medication in illegal manners may occur. If you are taking, considering taking, or are already suffering from Tramadol Addiction read on as you may be surprised at the staggering abuse rates that have been on the rise the last few years.

It seems that Tramadol has become the new OxyContin even though it was once thought to be the answer to this addiction. In fact, Tramadol was created to counteract the increasing threat of opioid addiction. But the abuse rates of this drug are far above what many predicted. Though many will blame this on ‘pill mill’ doctors, which are a problem. The actual issue is the lack of monitoring and the addict’s desire to get what is needed by any means necessary. Though addiction is a disease, it is a disease in which the person makes choices and those choices have consequences.

So is Tramadol as addictive as OxyContin?

Initially this medication was classified as a non-scheduled drug which meant it was not closely monitored. But with increasing addictions to the medication it has been reclassified. Some studies have shown it to have similar effects to those of oxycodone with an enjoyable ‘high’ at higher doses and a withdrawal period for those who have been using the medication long term. In fact withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, delusions, paranoia, tinnitus, and hallucinations. Despite the similarities there are important differences. Tramadol acts on serotonin and nor epinephrine parts of the body to contribute to the pain relieving effects. But this means unique withdrawal and side effects not typical of other narcotics. This also means that a Tramadol overdose is more difficult to treat.

As concerns for Tramadol addiction are on the rise the need for rehab centers that treat this type of addiction have also increased. These types of centers are available and willing to help those that seek help. If you have an addiction to Tramadol or any prescription medications then do not be ashamed of needing help. Even though it is likely that the medication was or is needed at one time. An addiction is still very real. If this is a medication that is still needed, than it can be monitored until an alternative prescription or other form of help can be established. Please also note that simply taking yourself off of a medication like Tramadol cold turkey without monitoring can be dangerous to your health and well-being.

DARA Rehab Can Help With Tramadol Addiction.

If you are ready to make the choice to seek help then know it is available to you, simply ask. Do your research and choose a facility that meets your needs and can help put you on the road to healing.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Tramadol Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

In the last post we looked at overdose facts about heroin. In this we will take a look at methamphetamine. One of the most dangerous drugs and one of the most abused drugs in the world. It is important to understand just what an overdose of methamphetamine looks like and what can happen during and overdose.

While the number of people using methamphetamine in Australia has either remained stable or declined in recent years. The number of cases of abuse and/or dependence reported by hospitals has actually increased.  What this means is that the actual number of people using the drug is not increasing. The likelihood of addiction and overdose has nonetheless increased.

Methamphetamine Overdose & Abuse

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. Since it is illegal and synthesized in unregulated labs, for this reason the purity and strength of the drug as it becomes available is entirely unpredictable.

Meth abuse can produce high body temperature, mood disturbances including depression and even psychosis, impaired motor activity, and memory problems. Physically, meth can lead to body sores, dental problems, and severe weight loss. With these types of effects, we can imagine that an overdose is an extremely dangerous situation.

Methamphetamine overdoses come in two types: acute and chronic. An acute overdose will inevitably lead to chest pains, irregular breathing, heart attack or stroke. As a result, people suffering from these extreme overdose levels can therefore experience delusions and extreme emotional instability. Severe agitation and paranoia can precede fatal physical consequences.

In what doctors call chronic meth overdose, the cumulative effects of using large amounts of methamphetamine build up over a period of time. Long term use of methamphetamine can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure. In addition, the destruction to teeth, the skin, and bones are also features of chronic methamphetamine overdose.

Chronic Methamphetamine Addiction

Chronic use and abuse of methamphetamine has profound effects on the central nervous system. Meth abuse wears down the respiratory system and causes so much stress on the heart and circulatory system that heart attack and stroke become almost inevitable.

Unlike heroin, there is no easy antidote for an acute methamphetamine overdose. The specific conditions need to be treated by emergency medical professionals immediately. Contact emergency services immediately in the event of an acute methamphetamine overdose.

Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment

For those struggling with chronic use and abuse of methamphetamine, treatment is the best option. Finding a proper treatment program for methamphetamine addiction is the best course of action for anyone addicted to meth. Since there is not therapeutic use for methamphetamine and it is highly addictive, it is therefore extremely unlikely that anyone using meth will be able to stop entirely on their own.

DARA Rehab Can Help

DARA Rehab has treatment programs are available for meth addiction. These treatment regimens utilize the latest science in treating addiction. DARA offers individualized programs which take into account the specific issues which may underlie meth addiction. Therefore, forms of treatment such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy and mindfulness technique are used and as a result lead people out of deadly cycles of meth abuse. If treated, many of the devastating effects of methamphetamine can be treated and stopped.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Methamphetamine Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

According to an International Overdose Awareness project, more than 2000 people per year die from a drug overdose in Australia. Breaking this down this means that five people die every day from a drug overdose. These numbers include all kinds of drug overdoses, many of which are in fact older people taking prescription drugs without proper supervision or care. These numbers also include the staggering number of young people who die experimenting with illegal drugs like heroin and other opioids. Taking a look at the facts about drug overdoses seems worthwhile. 

Heroin Addiction Is Now At Global Epidemic Proportions

Since abuse of heroin is now something of a global epidemic, it makes sense to talk about heroin first. Heroin is now the most abused illegal substance world-wide. Highly addictive, it can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Heroin, like all opioids, causes an increase in dopamine production in the brain which is the chemical associated with pleasure. This is why it is so addictive. An overdose of heroin can be lethal.

Heroin Overdose Symptoms

The symptoms of a heroin overdose include bluish nails or lips, depressed breathing, weak pulse, disorientation and delirium, repeated episodes of loss of consciousness, and coma. In the event of a heroin overdose, victims require immediate medical attention of they will likely die. The suppression of breathing alone will ultimately kill someone experiencing a heroin overdose.

The final stages of a fatal heroin overdose consist of what is termed the overdose triad: pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure. Respiratory depression is ultimately the most deadly aspect of a heroin overdose. Since heroin effectively shuts the respiratory system down, if a person is not treated they will stop breathing altogether.

What To Do In Case Of A Heroin Overdose

In the event of an overdose, contact emergency services first. The immediate treatment for a heroin overdose is Naloxone, also called Narcan. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids especially during an overdose. Because Naloxone does is not as long acting as heroin, multiple dose may be necessary in reversing the toxicity of an overdose.

There are side effects to Naloxone. Because it reverses the effects of opioids, particularly heroin, people will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms as the drug begins to reverse the effects of the opioid. They will experience nausea, sweating, aching, and agitation. The heart rate will increase. This can be alleviated by administering small doses of Naloxone, but the unfortunate reality is this is a consequence of the drug as it reverses an overdose.

While Naloxone is effective in reversing the effects of an overdose, it is not a treatment for heroin addiction. Anyone who has gotten to the point of abusing heroin that they experience and overdose is in need to drug treatment. In most cases, inpatient treatment is required for heroin addiction. Heroin is powerfully addictive and people generally cannot get sober on their own.

DARA Rehab Can Help With Heroin Addiction

Inpatient treatments are available. Dara Rehab in Thailand provides a full treatment program for heroin and opioid addiction. Medical treatments are available to assist with the pain and discomfort of withdrawal. Heroin is simply too dangerous to tackle alone, and the deadly nature of heroin overdose cannot be overemphasized.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Heroin Rehabilitation Assessment.

All around the world, drug use is an ever-present epidemic that has long plagued people of all ages, all races, and all color. As children grow, they tend to see the use of drugs as ‘normal’ or ‘necessary’ to prove their maturity. Modern-day drug use has become an issue of concern. Its cancerous tentacles have spread into the minds of kids all over the world. With its potent effect on children, pre-teens, and teenagers, it is leaving almost nothing for the future. Unfortunately, some of the victims of these designer drugs may become addicted and can potentially lose their homes and their loved ones. And in extreme cases, their lives.

Many people that have fallen victim to drug abuse confessed to having developed this habit in their pre-teen and teenage years. The reason is not far-fetched. Peer and societal pressures have pivotal roles in whether or not kids decide to use drugs. Without a proper understanding of drugs and guidance on how to be drug-free, the habit, once developed, can become a very serious addiction. And a life-threatening problem in some instances.

How to Begin Teaching Kids About Drugs

1. Drugs, their effects, and the aftermath

When we teach kids about drugs, their effects, and the aftermath, we utilize a powerful tool in making sure that the next generation doesn’t become addicts. The job of educating teens about drugs does not only fall on the parents. But also on educators and the community at large. If what they learn at home and see on the streets correlate with what they learn at school, they will grow to believe that drug abuse is harmful and should be avoided. Educating children about drug use will make them better informed and hence, more likely to avoid drug use.

It is important that students also learn about the effects of drugs on the human body and brain. Also the possible dangers that drug use can pose. Painting the whole picture for these teens to see how drugs can destroy their emotional and physical life is essential. When students can see a relationship between drug use and real life. They begin to see drugs for what they truly are.

2. Resources to enhance learning

Different resources should be used to achieve the aim of a drug-free world. Guest speakers could be brought to school. Projects could be given among peer groups. It could be included in the lesson plans, etc. No matter the method of approach, learning about drugs is key to prevention. Everyone in the community should get involved so that kids feel like they have all the solid support network they need. Local police precincts should also be involved and speak at school and educate kids about drug use and abuse.

Kids will feel more confident in their choices to avoid the use of drugs when everyone pulls together to show support for kids. They will feel more confident in their choices to avoid drug use. Talking to students about drugs may not always prove to be easy. However, with good resources, and the right teaching strategies, parents and teachers can help to explain drug abuse in a way that kids will understand and remember. Kids should be made to understand that the risks of drug use far outweigh the benefits. This will help them to say a firm ‘no’ to drug use. Educators should also be on the alert and constantly update themselves with information on newer “designer” drugs.

3. Earn their trust

Always be available for the students when they need someone to talk to. Who knows, they might just need a little pull to drag them from the beckoning hands of drug addiction. Let them know that there is always someone they can talk to if they are worried about drug use issues or need help. Schools should make their counseling more effective and refer kids who might be struggling with drug use.

Educating Teens About Designer Drugs Conclusion

Working together in synergy while educating kids about drugs is the best way to help ensure that they enjoy a safe, drug-free adulthood.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.