Help Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

February 3, 2009

Oxycontin, Oxycodone

Filed under: Drugs of Abuse,Narcotics,Oxycodone,Oxycontin (R) — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 12:55 pm

OxyContin® is a prescription painkiller used for moderate to high pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocations, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, lower back pain, and pain associated with cancer.OxyContin® contains oxycodone, the medication’s active ingredient, in a timed-release tablet. Oxycodone products have been illicitly abused for the past 30 years.

Oxycodone is a Schedule II narcotic analgesic and is widely used in clinical medicine. It is marketed either alone as controlled release (OxyContin®) and immediate release formulations (OxyIR®, OxyFast®), or in combination with other nonnarcotic analgesics such as aspirin (Percodan®) or acetaminophen (Percocet®). The introduction in 1996 of OxyContin®, commonly known on the street as OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton, Hillbilly heroin, and kicker, led to a marked escalation of its abuse as reported by drug abuse treatment centers, law enforcement personnel, and health care professionals. Although the diversion and abuse of OxyContin® appeared initially in the eastern US, it has now spread to the western US including Alaska and Hawaii. Oxycodone-related adverse health effects increased markedly in recent years. In 2004, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for marketing generic forms of controlled release oxycodone products.

Vicodin

Filed under: Drugs of Abuse,Narcotics,Vicodin (R) — Tags: , , — admin @ 12:46 pm

Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies indicate that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression and nearly equipotent to morphine for pain relief.

Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States with nearly 130 million prescriptions for hydrocodone-containing products dispensed in 2006. There are several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed. All are combination products and the most frequently prescribed combination is hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet®).

Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent years. In 2006, hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical in drug evidence submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) with 25,136 exhibits; the System to Retrieve Investigational Drug Evidence (STRIDE) analyzed 654 exhibits in 2006. In the 2005 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) combination products were associated with more emergency room visits than any other pharmaceutical opioid with an estimated 51,225 emergency room visits. Poison control data, medical examiners’ reports, and treatment center data all indicate that the abuse of hydrocodone is associated with significant public health risks, including a substantial number of deaths.

Morphine

Filed under: Drugs of Abuse,Morphine,Narcotics — Tags: , , — admin @ 12:45 pm

Morphine is the principal constituent of opium and can range in concentration from 4 to 21 percent. Commercial opium is standardized to contain 10-percent morphine. In the United States, a small percentage of the morphine obtained from opium is used directly (about 15 tons): the remaining is converted to codeine and other derivatives (about 120 tons). Morphine is one of the most effective drugs known for the relief of severe pain and remains the standard against which new analgesics are measured. Like most narcotics, the use of morphine has increased significantly in recent years. Since 1990, there has been about a 3-fold increase in morphine products in the United States.

Morphine is marketed under generic and brand name products including “MS-Contin®,” Oramorph SR®,” MSIR®,” Roxanol®,” Kadian®,” and RMS®.” Morphine is used parenterally (by injection) for preoperative sedation, as a supplement to anesthesia, and for analgesia. It is the drug of choice for relieving pain of myocardial infarction and for its cardiovascular effects in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema. Traditionally; morphine was almost exclusively used by injection. Today, morphine is marketed in a variety of forms, including oral solutions, immediate and sustained-release tablets and capsules, suppositories, and injectable preparations. In addition, the availability of high-concentration morphine preparations (i.e., 20-mg/ml oral solutions, 25-mg/ml injectable solutions, and 200-mg sustained-release tablets) partially reflects the use of this substance for chronic pain management in opiate-tolerant patients.

Codeine

Filed under: Codeine,Narcotics — admin @ 12:44 pm

Codeine is the most widely used, naturally occurring narcotic in medical treatment in the world. This alkaloid is found in opium in concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 2.5 percent. However, most codeine used in the United States is produced from morphine. Codeine is also the starting material for the production of two other narcotics, dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone.

Codeine is medically prescribed for the relief of moderate pain and cough suppression. Compared to morphine, codeine produces less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression, and is usually taken orally. It is made into tablets either alone (Schedule II) or in combination with aspirin or acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol with Codeine, Schedule III). As a cough suppressant, codeine is found in a number of liquid preparations (these products are in Schedule V). Codeine is also used to a lesser extent as an injectable solution for the treatment of pain. Codeine products are diverted from legitimate sources and are encountered on the illicit market.

Heroin

Filed under: Drugs of Abuse,Heroin,Narcotics — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 12:43 pm

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as “black tar heroin.” Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine, fentanyl or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Heroin also poses special problems because of the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment.

For more information about heroin laced with fentanyl, click here.

First synthesized from morphine in 1874, heroin was not extensively used in medicine until the early 1900s. Commercial production of the new pain remedy was first started in 1898. It initially received widespread acceptance from the medical profession, and physicians remained unaware of its addiction potential for years. The first comprehensive control of heroin occurred with the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914. Today, heroin is an illicit substance having no medical utility in the United States.

Heroin can be injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. Injection is the most efficient way to administer low-purity heroin. The availability of high-purity heroin, however, and the fear of infection by sharing needles has made snorting and smoking the drug more common. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) researchers have confirmed that all forms of heroin administration are addictive.

Types of Help Available for Your Loved One

Filed under: Alcohol,Amphetamines,Barbiturates,Benzodiazepines,Cocaine,Codeine,Depressants,Dissociative Anesthetics,Drugs of Abuse,Family,GHB,Heroin,Hospital Detoxification,Ketamine,Marijuana,Methamphetamines,Morphine,Narcotics,Outpatient Addiction Treatment,Oxycodone,Oxycontin (R),PCP,Percocet (R),Residential Addiction Treatment,Signs and Symptoms,Sober Housing,Stimulants,Twelve Step Groups,Types of Help Available,Vicodin (R) — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 12:25 pm

Acknowledging the problem of addiction is the first step on the road to recovery. This first step is the most important and once you have admitted there is a problem and that you or your loved one needs help you will need to find the type of support and recovery that is right for your situation. A common approach is to have an assessment done by a licensed chemical dependency counselor, who will then come up with a treatment plan for you. This plan may include, detox, inpatient treatment followed by outpatient and aftercare treatment and a plan for the future. This is extremely general and your situation will require plans to confront your specific problems. Alcoholism and drug addiction often mask other psychological or physiological problems which will need to be dealt with to ensure long term success. Read on to find out more about some of these treatments and to get a general idea of what is involved in each step along the way.

Hospital Detoxification

Drugs such as heroin, Prescription Opiate Based Painkillers (Morphine, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Vicodin) and alcohol can create a condition in the body known as “physical addiction”. Excessive use of these drugs over time creates a state in which your body has an actual physical need for the drug. When stopped abruptly intense physical urges occur which make it very difficult to quit using the drug. In the case of alcohol, these withdrawal symptoms can be so serious that it is essential that you have medical care during this period. In the case of opiates such as heroin the physical symptoms create such discomfort that medical help is strongly suggested to decrease discomfort and increase your success in getting through detox. Generally a patient is admitted into a 3-7 day detox program at a hospital or medical detox facility in your area prior to further treatment. At this facility a doctor will examine you and you will undergo treatment specific to your drug of abuse. This treatment may include the use of certain prescription drugs to ease symptoms, the use of Buprenorphine for opiates or benzodiazepines for alcohol.

Residential Addiction Treatment

The most successful treatment for addiction continues to be precluded by a length of time at an inpatient residential treatment center. An inpatient treatment program allows a patient to be immersed in treatment for a length of time. This time can vary but is most often 7 – 35 days. In this process the addict is surrounded by other people going through the same problems. There is also 24 hour access to chemical dependency counselors. In residential facilities the addict is given the unique opportunity to completely focus on their recovery. These facilities usually offer many types of programs to aid in the individual’s recovery. An additional benefit to being at a residential treatment facility is that the underlying problems, either physical or psychological can be diagnosed during sobriety and dealt with appropriately. The residential facility can then recommend further treatment such as dual diagnosis, anger management, trauma counseling, or medical treatment for physical disabilities. Treating these underlying problems is a key to long term success.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient treatment is an umbrella term which describes any number of methods which do not include being admitted to a facility. Outpatient treatment is a good choice for an individual’s first recovery experience or as an extension of treatment once an individual is released from and inpatient program. Outpatient treatment often is a group therapy situation where an individual comes to their group from once a day to once a month. The group is used as the addict’s support system as well as the counselor who runs the group. Outpatient therapy is most successful when done for the long term and in conjunction with participation in twelve step groups such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous.

Signs/Symptoms Your Loved One May Be Abusing Drugs

Filed under: Alcohol,Amphetamines,Barbiturates,Benzodiazepines,Cocaine,Codeine,Depressants,Dissociative Anesthetics,Drugs of Abuse,Family,GHB,Heroin,Ketamine,Marijuana,Methamphetamines,Morphine,Narcotics,Oxycodone,Oxycontin (R),PCP,Percocet (R),Signs and Symptoms,Stimulants,Vicodin (R) — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 12:19 pm

Alcohol or drug abuse is sometimes easy to spot. However in most situations substance abuse is difficult to notice. The abuse of substances is a disease which presents itself through a variety of physiological and psychological symptoms. Part of the disease of addiction is the fact that the alcoholic or addict goes to great lengths to disguise their illness. The addict realizes the consequences of their behavior and in an effort to minimize their behavior’s negative effect on their life they will develop elaborate rituals, deceptions and manipulations to be able to continue using. Though an individual may not exhibit stereotypical symptoms they may still be suffering from a serious addiction.

If you suspect that a family member, friend, co worker or other loved one is in a sate of addiction to drugs or alcohol there are some signs and symptoms which you can look for over time to help you determine if your suspicions are correct. Different drugs and alcohol have slightly different physical symptoms of abuse, however the baseline signs of addiction are common to all addictions. Read on for some symptoms to look for if you are trying to determine if you need to take further action to help your loved one.

Psychological signs of addiction

  • Reclusive behavior, long periods spent alone or isolated from others.
  • Extended unexplained absences
  • Lying or stealing
  • Involvement in the law, arrests or jail time
  • Deteriorating personal relationships
  • Obvious intoxication, slurred speech, odor of drugs or alcohol
  • Changes in behavior or attitude
  • Decrease in work or school performance.

Physiological signs of drug abuse

Physical symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse are outward signs which can be observed in the physical reactions of an individual while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or shortly after as the effects are wearing off. These symptoms are more specific to the chemical being used and may also be caused by other environmental influences such as prescription drugs, normal social drinking, tiredness or stress and other factors. The key is to look for these symptoms in combination or recurring over time. These factors may not be indicative alcoholism or addiction, this is best determined by a professional. One or more of these symptoms is a good sign of a problem and should prompt further action and questioning.

Alcohol

  • Dehydrating Effect
  • Decrease in the time it takes to fall asleep
  • Loss of muscular coordination
  • Slowed reaction time
  • Slurred speech
  • Reduction in some social inhibitions
  • Exaggerates current emotional state

Marijuana

  • Rapid talking, loud speech and burst of excessive laughter
  • Sleepy or stuporous in the later stages
  • Losing track of conversation and loss of memory
  • Red eyes or dry eyes
  • Odor similar to burnt rope on clothing or breath
  • Time distortion, tendency to overestimate time intervals
  • Use or possession of paraphernalia including roach clip, packs of rolling papers, pipes or bongs

Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines)

  • Dilated pupils (when large amounts are taken)
  • Dry mouth and nose
  • Excessive activity, difficulty sitting still, lack of interest in food or sleep
  • Irritable, argumentative, nervous
  • Talkative, but conversation often lacks continuity; changes subjects rapidly
  • Runny nose, cold or chronic sinus/nasal problems, nose bleeds
  • Use or possession of paraphernalia including small spoons, razor blades, mirror, little bottles of white powder and plastic, glass or metal straws

Depressants (barbiturates, benzodiazepines)

  • Similar symptoms as alcohol without the characteristic odor of alcohol on the breath or body
  • Lack of facial expression or animation
  • Flat affect
  • Flaccid appearance
  • Slurred speech

Narcotics (heroin, codeine, morphine, Vicodin)

  • Drowsiness, lethargy, random sleep “nodding out”
  • Constricted pupils
  • Scars (tracks) on inner arms or other parts of body, from needle injections
  • Use or possession of paraphernalia, including syringes, bent spoons, bottle caps, eye droppers, rubber tubing, cotton and needles
  • Slurred speech

Dissociative Anesthetics (PCP)

  • Unpredictable mood swings
  • Disorientation; agitation and violence if exposed to excessive sensory stimulation
  • Fear, terror
  • Rigid muscles
  • Deadened sensory perception (may experience severe injuries while appearing not to notice)
  • Pupils may appear dilated
  • Floating pupils, appear to follow a moving object
  • Comatose (unresponsive) if large amount consumed; eyes may be open or closed

Sources:

HelpGuide.org
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm

Addictions.org

http://www.addictions.org/signs.htm