Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Substance Abuse and Addiction

Answered: What are the short-term effects of cocaine?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:22:00 +0000

Short-term effects of cocaine may include:

Extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, and sight
Intense happiness
Anger/irritability
Paranoid feeling
Decreased appetite

Answered: What can lead to an overdose and how can cocaine affect you?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:21:01 +0000

You may have strong cravings for the drug and the high it brings. But the more you use cocaine, the more your brain will adapt to it. You’ll need a stronger dose to feel the same high. This can lead to a dangerous addiction or overdose. Stronger, more frequent doses can also cause long-term changes in your brain’s chemistry. Your body and mind begin to rely on the drug. This can make it harder for you to think, sleep, and recall things from memory. Your reaction time may be slower. And you’re at risk for more heart, stomach, and lung problems.

Answered: What are the signs of a cocaine overdose?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:20:27 +0000

Physical signs include:

Watch for these mental signs of overdose, too:

Increased sweating, body temperature, or heart rate
Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion, seizures, tremors
Anxiety
Panic
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Delirium

Answered: What can a cocaine overdose lead to?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:19:45 +0000

An overdose often leads to a stroke or heart attack. An ER doctor will test for those conditions and try to treat them first. He or she may also use medication to treat other complications you have.

Answered: What is cocaine?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:18:53 +0000

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that ups your levels of alertness, attention, and energy. You may hear it called a stimulant. It’s made from the coca plant, which is native to South America. It’s illegal in the U.S. It comes in a few different forms. The most common is a fine, white powder. It can also be made into a solid rock crystal. Most cocaine users snort the white powder into their nose. Some rub it onto their gums or dissolve it in water and inject it with a needle. Others heat up the rock crystal and breathe the smoke into their lungs.

Answered: How should I talk to my doctor about alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:17:28 +0000

Alcoholism (not a medical term) is a type of alcohol use disorder. Milder cases -- when people abuse alcohol but aren’t dependent on it -- are as well.

Your doctor may say you have alcohol use disorder if you:

When you meet with your doctor, talk about your goals. Are you trying to drink less or stop drinking? Together, you can make a treatment plan. You doctor can refer you to a treatment center or experts who can help.

Feel like you have to drink
Can’t control how much you drink
Feel bad when you can’t drink

Answered: What does one (alcoholic) drink equal?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:16:08 +0000

A serving of alcohol is:

12 ounces of regular beer
8-9 ounces of malt liquor
5 ounces of wine
3-4 ounces of fortified wine (such as sherry or port)
2-3 ounces of cordial, liqueur, or aperitif
1.5 ounces of brandy, cognac, or 80-proof distilled spirits

Answered: What do I need to know about counseling for opioid addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:15:35 +0000

Kicking an addiction is a major accomplishment. But for most people with opioid addiction, detox is only the beginning of a long-term battle against craving and relapse.

Counseling is an essential part of drug abuse treatment for many people. Cognitive behavioral therapy, family counseling, and other therapy approaches can help people recovering from opioid addiction stay clean. Psychotherapy can also treat the other mental health conditions that often contribute to prescription drug abuse.

Answered: What are symptoms of a methadone overdose?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:14:58 +0000

Overdose symptoms can include:

In some cases, overdose can be fatal. It’s important to be honest with your doctor about your methadone use.

Slow breathing
Slow heart rate
Severe drowsiness
Weak muscles
Cold, clammy skin
Small pupils
Fainting

Answered: What are risks of taking methadone?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:14:20 +0000

You can become dependent on it. Your brain may begin to rely on the pain relief it brings.

Even though the effects are milder than other opioids, your body can still adapt to it. This means you’ll need to take more to feel the same relief from pain or withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to abuse and addiction. Your doctor will call this tolerance.

No two people react the same to methadone. Your doctor calculates the dose that’s right for you. Changing it can lead to dangerous side effects or an overdose.

Answered: Who should not take methadone?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:13:47 +0000

Some people shouldn’t take methadone. Tell your doctor if you have:

Heart disease
A heart rhythm disorder
An electrolyte imbalance
Breathing problems or lung disease
A history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures
Liver or kidney disease
Problems urinating
Gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid problems
A condition for which you take sedatives

Answered: What therapies are available for opioid addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:13:16 +0000

Several counseling therapies are available for opioid addiction, and no one established method is known to be better than another. Likewise, no one approach is appropriate for everyone with opioid addiction. The right drug abuse treatment plan is tailored to a person's addiction and his or her individual needs.

Answered: Why is counseling important in opioid addiction treatment?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:12:39 +0000

Opioid addiction is more than a physical dependence on drugs. Even after detox, when physical dependence has resolved, addicts are at high risk for relapse. Psychological and social factors are often powerful stimuli for prescription drug abuse relapse.

These factors can create ongoing, nearly irresistible urges to use drugs. Prescription drug abuse counseling helps addicts escape craving and learn to cope with life, without using drugs.

Answered: What is the difference between outpatient treatment and residential treatment for addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:06:35 +0000

Residential therapy separates the addicted person from the environment that allowed him or her to use drugs, and teaches new habits or skills for sober living. A person goes away to a specialized facility for a period of weeks to months. While highly effective in the short term, there is debate as to whether residential programs lead to longer abstinence from prescription drug abuse than outpatient programs.

Outpatient treatment programs are the usual setting for treating ongoing prescription drug addiction.

Answered: What is the difference between individual therapy and group therapy for opioid addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:55:14 +0000

While any counseling therapy for drug abuse treatment is better than none, group therapy is generally preferred over individual therapy. In group therapy, a person is more likely to be both challenged and supported by peers who are also going through drug rehab.

Individual therapy can be helpful in the case of a dual diagnosis: coexisting depression, bipolar disorder, or other significant mental health condition that requires treatment in its own right, separate from the opioid addiction.

Answered: How can maintenance therapy help with treating drug addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:54:45 +0000

Most experts today consider drug addiction to be a chronic, relapsing illness. Just like other chronic illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure, opioid addiction treatment in some form must be lifelong.

Many people with opioid addiction will continue to take maintenance therapy. By the same token, experts say, they should also continue some form of counseling.

Answered: Why is counseling and family therapy important in treating drug addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:51:26 +0000

Prescription drug misuse and opioid addiction don't only affect the user's life; the whole family is transformed. Strong relationships with family and friends are essential for successful drug abuse treatment. Various counseling methods include the spouse and other family members of the addicted person.

Answered: How does cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) work?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:50:48 +0000

Cognitive behavioral therapy -- or CBT -- teaches a person how to recognize moods, thoughts, and situations that stimulate drug craving. A therapist helps the person avoid these triggers, and replace negative thoughts and feelings with healthier ones that are more consistent with sobriety.

The skills learned in cognitive behavioral therapy can last a lifetime, making it a potentially powerful method of drug abuse treatment. However, not all therapists are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, which can be complex.

Answered: What does long-term, open-ended treatment for drug addiction mean?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:50:16 +0000

The idea of long-term, open-ended treatment runs counter to the one-time view that a person was likely "cured" in a relatively short time after attending a drug rehab program. However, evidence is mounting that lifelong treatment with maintenance medication along with counseling or therapy should be standard drug abuse treatment for most people with relapsing opioid addiction.

Answered: How can contingency management therapy help with treating drug addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:49:38 +0000

In contingency management therapy, a person in treatment for addiction receives positive incentives for staying clean. Vouchers for goods and services, or privileges in a more rigid treatment setting are common incentives. Contingency management therapy is effective in drug rehab studies. But skeptics point out its high costs, and that when incentives stop, its positive effects decline.

Answered: If you misuse opioid drugs, can you get withdrawal symptoms if you quit suddenly?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:49:11 +0000

If you misue opioids and you cut off the opioid supply "cold turkey," you’re likely to get withdrawal symptoms such as:

Craving for drugs
Diarrhea
Large pupils
Yawning
Belly pain
Chills and goosebumps
Nausea and vomiting
Body aches
Agitation and severe bad moods

Answered: Can buprenorphine help treat opioid use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:48:48 +0000

Buprenorphine is a drug that can help treat opioid use disorder. It's a shorter acting drug than methadone, another medication that treats opioid use diosrder. It hits the same receptors in your brain, but not as strongly.

Answered: How long would I take methadone for?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:46:23 +0000

While there’s no set amount of time you’ll take methadone to treat an addiction, experts say it should be at least a year, and maybe more than that. The doctor will carefully track your body’s response to it and adjust your treatment. When it’s time to stop taking it, he’ll help you stop slowly to prevent withdrawal.

Answered: What are warning signs of alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:45:29 +0000

You may have an alcohol use disorder if you:

Drink more, or longer, than you plan to
Have tried to cut back or stop more than once and couldn’t
Spend a lot of time drinking, being sick, or hungover
Want alcohol so badly you can’t think of anything else
Have problems with work, school, relationships, or family because of alcohol
Keep having alcohol even though it made you depressed or anxious, hurt your health, or led to a memory blackout
Have withdrawal symptoms when the buzz wears off, like trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, a seizure, or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there.

Answered: Can opioid addition lead to changes in your brain?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:44:15 +0000

Opioid addiction leads to real changes in certain areas of your brain. Prescription drug addiction alters the circuits responsible for mood and reward behavior.

Answered: Can methadone treat narcotic addiction?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:43:34 +0000

Methadone is an effective treatment for narcotic addiction. It’s a long-acting opioid that affects the same parts of your brain as the drug you’re having a problem with does, but it doesn’t get you high. You can take it every day, but you have to go to a special clinic to get it. The correct dose prevents withdrawal symptoms and eases drug cravings.

Answered: Which drugs does nalaxone block the effects of?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:42:28 +0000

Naloxone blocks the effects of drugs made from opium, or opioids. These include:

heroin
morphine
oxycodone
methadone
fentanyl
hydrocodone
codeine
hydromorphone
buprenorphine

What is heroin?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:40:10 +0000

What is a drug overdose?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:38:40 +0000

Answered: How can you prevent addiction to pain medication?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:38:25 +0000

The key to avoiding addiction is to take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Tell your doctor of any family history of substance abuse or addiction. Your doctor will use that information to pick the best pain medication for you. It’s common for people to build tolerance to pain medication and to need higher doses for the same amount of pain relief. That’s not a sign of addiction. But talk to your doctor if your tolerance becomes troubling.

Answered: Does joining a support group help with alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:37:50 +0000

Group therapy or a support group for alcohol use disorder can help you stay on track as life gets back to normal.

Group therapy, led by a therapist, can give you the benefits of therapy along with the support of other members.

Support groups aren’t led by therapists. These are groups of people who have alcohol use disorder. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and other programs. These people can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable. Many people stay in groups for years.

Answered: Does seeing a counselor or therapist help with alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:37:16 +0000

With alcohol use disorder, controlling your drinking is only part of the answer. You also need to learn new skills and strategies to use in everyday life. Psychologists, social workers, or alcohol counselors can teach you how to:

Some people just need a short, focused counseling session. Others may want one-on-one therapy for a longer time to deal with issues like anxiety or depression. Alcohol use can have a big effect on the people close to you, so couples or family therapy can help, too.

Change the behaviors that make you want to drink
Deal with stress and other triggers
Build a strong support system
Set goals and reach them

Answered: How should I talk to my doctor about alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:36:33 +0000

Alcoholism (not a medical term) is a type of alcohol use disorder. Milder cases -- when people abuse alcohol but aren’t dependent on it -- are as well.

Your doctor may say you have alcohol use disorder if you:

Feel like you have to drink
Can’t control how much you drink
Feel bad when you can’t drink

Answered: What types of detox programs are there for alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:35:59 +0000

Your two basic options for alcohol detox programs are:

Inpatient, where you live at a hospital, detox clinic, or rehab center during the process. You’ll have care around the clock to help you through.

Outpatient, where you get some treatment during the day but live at home. This mig

Answered: What are treatment options for alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:35:28 +0000

The one that’s right for you depends on your situation and your goals. Many people find that a combination of treatments works best for alcohol use disorder. Some of these are inpatient or residential programs, where you stay at a treatment center for a while. Others are outpatient programs, where you live at home and go to the center for treatment.

Answered: Does medication help with alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:34:43 +0000

No medicine can cure alcohol use disorder. But some can help as you recover. They can make drinking less enjoyable so you don’t want to do it as much:

Drugs for other conditions -- like smoking, pain, or epilepsy -- also may help with alcohol use disorder. Talk to your doctor to see of one of those might be right for you.

Disulfiram (Antabuse) will make you feel sick or throw up if you drink.
Acamprosate (Campral) can help with cravings.
Naltrexone (Revia) blocks the high you get from drinking.

Answered: What happens after you finish your alcohol use disorder program?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:34:11 +0000

Once you get back into the swing of your normal life, it might be easy to relapse and start drinking again. So you’ll likely want follow-up care for at least a year. You have lots of options, including 12-step programs, private therapy, and group counseling.

Answered: Do I need a detox program for alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:33:43 +0000

If you need alcohol for your body to feel normal, then you most likely need help. A program gives you support to guide you through the withdrawal. That often includes medicine to help ease symptoms, as well as care for medical and mental health conditions.

Answered: How do you choose a program for alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:33:19 +0000

You might want to make a list of questions to ask different alcohol treatment programs, such as:

What types of insurance do you take?
How is your staff trained? Are they licensed?
Can you send me a sample treatment plan?
Do you offer counseling and medical services?
How do you help prevent a relapse?
Is there aftercare when I’m done with the program?

Answered: Does going to detox help with alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:32:50 +0000

For people who have severe alcohol use disorder, this is a key step. The goal is to stop drinking and give your body time to get the alcohol out of your system. That usually takes a few days to a week.

Most people go to a hospital or treatment center because of withdrawal symptoms like:

Doctors and other experts can keep an eye on you and give you medicine to help with your symptoms.

Shaking (tremors)
Seeing or feeling things that aren’t really there (hallucinations)
Seizures

Answered: What is alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:31:29 +0000

Alcohol use disorder is when you can’t control how much you drink and have trouble with your emotions when you’re not drinking.

Answered: What are long term effects of alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:30:49 +0000

Long-term effects include:

Stomach problems
Heart problems
Cancer
Brain damage
Permanent memory loss
Pancreatitis
High blood pressure
Cirrhosis, or scarring on your liver

Answered: What is heavy drinking for women and for men?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:29:07 +0000

For women, "heavy" or "at risk" drinking means more than seven drinks per week, or more than three in any day. For men, it's more than 14 drinks in a week, or more than four in a day.

Answered: What is one alcoholic drink serving size?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:28:22 +0000

One drink equals:

1.5 ounces of liquor (such as whisky, rum, or tequila)
5 ounces of wine
12 ounces of beer

Answered: What causes alcohol withdrawal?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:27:50 +0000

Alcohol has what doctors call a depressive effect on your system. It slows down brain function and changes the way your nerves send messages back and forth. Over time, your central nervous system adjusts to having alcohol around all the time. Your body works hard to keep your brain in a more awake state and to keep your nerves talking to one another. When the alcohol level suddenly drops, your brain stays in this keyed up state. That’s what causes withdrawal.

Answered: What is detox for alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:26:46 +0000

Detox is when you stop drinking and your body gets rid of the alcohol, which leads to withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve been a heavy drinker for a long time, you can start detoxing within 6 hours of your last drink.

Answered: What kind of help do I need if I have alcohol use disorder?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:26:14 +0000

Alcohol use disorder is the name doctors give to the range of issues people have with drinking. The care you’ll need depends in part on where you fall in that range.

Alcoholism is on the more serious end of the scale. It means your body has learned to depend on alcohol. Once you take it away, the physical effects can be hard to deal with. That’s where detox comes in.

Answered: What are problems from alcohol withdrawal?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:25:37 +0000

More serious problems range from hallucinations about 12 to 24 hours after that last drink to seizures within the first two days after you stop. You can see, feel, or hear things that aren't there. That isn’t the same as delirium tremens, or DTs as you’re likely to hear them called. DTs usually start 48 to 72 hours after you put down the glass. These are severe symptoms that include vivid hallucinations and delusions. Only about 5% of people with alcohol withdrawal have them. Those that do may also have:

Confusion
Racing heart
High blood pressure
Fever
Heavy sweating

Answered: What are examples of stimulants?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:25:08 +0000

Examples of stimulants are dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ProCentra), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin, Ritalin), and the combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Stimulants were first used to treat asthma and obesity. Today, they're also prescribed to treat problems such as ADHD, ADD, depression, narcolepsy, and other problems.

Answered: How do I know if I am abusing prescription drugs?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:24:39 +0000

If you are abusing them, you may be taking larger doses than your doctor prescribed, or using them for reasons other than prescribed. Your doctor may notice that you call more often for refills for the medication or that you're asking for larger amounts of it. This may also be a sign of abusing prescription drugs. Also, your pharmacist may notice prescription drug abuse by spotting false or altered prescription forms or multiple prescriptions for controlled substances from different doctors.