Top 10 Heroin Overdose Symptoms and Signs

Top 10 Heroin Overdose Symptoms and Signs

Heroin is a highly addictive mind-altering drug that is made from morphine. Morphine is a natural substance that comes from the seed pod of an opium poppy plant. Heroin is sold illegally on the streets in several forms. One form of heroin is a white or brown powdery substance that gets snorted or smoked, while the other form is referred to as ‘black tar heroin’ due to its impurities making it a sticky dark substance that is injected into your veins. There are a lot of heroin overdose symptoms and signs.

Using heroin in any form creates feelings of euphoria and it’s for this reason that heroin becomes addictive to users and leads to overdose. When using heroin frequently, your body creates tolerance and therefore you will want to use heavier amounts of the drug.

The more frequently heroin is used, the higher the risk of showing heroin overdose symptoms and other side effects of heroin use. These Heroin Overdose Symptoms and Signs can be fatal and may have lasting impacts on your cognition, mood, physical health, and more.

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction Contact All American Detox Center is one of the leading drug alcohol detox center to learn about drug detoxification.

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Heroin Overdose Signs and Symptoms

Heroin drug abuse and addiction have been on the rise, and so have heroin overdoses.

How do you know if you are addicted to heroin? Are there telltale signs and symptoms of heroin addiction that you should be aware of? Yes! Knowing the signs of addiction may be the first step in getting help. Addiction symptoms may lead to more detrimental overdose symptoms from heroin, and they will look different.

What does heroin addiction look like? If you are suffering from any of these below, it may be time to consider addiction treatment options.

  • Increasing need for more privacy to use
  • Quickly running out of money, or always borrowing money
  • Looking high or sedated to others
  • Nodding off from severe drowsiness
  • Withdrawing from family
  • Withdrawing from work or hobbies
  • Hiding your use from family, friends, etc.
  • Rapid weight loss that happens quickly
  • Visible skin problems from the use

Heroin takes over a person’s life completely due to its highly addictive properties. It’s important to recognize the addiction and seek heroin addiction treatment from the best drug rehab center before more harm occurs to the abuser than the ones around the abuser.

Heroin Drug Abuse

In 2019, more than 14,000 individuals died from a heroin overdose in the United States So, why do people use heroin?

In addition to heroin’s quick effects, there are also feelings of intense pleasure, full-body warmth, calm feelings, and overall heavy feeling of the body, and an increased feeling of confidence and overall happiness.

Heroin use has decreased over the last few years but is still widely used due to it being easier to obtain than prescription opioids, and it is much cheaper to get on the streets. In addition to it being easier to obtain, some people think that pure heroin is safer because it doesn’t have to be injected, consequently this is not the case. Heroin has taken the lives of more than 14 thousand individuals and will take more lives each year.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, heroin abusers are typically between the ages of 18 to 25 and in contrast, heroin use has declined in teens ages 12 to 17.

Signs of Heroin Overdose

 Some signs of continued long-term use may include needle marks or bruising around injection sites, visible skin infections, heart problems, kidney/liver disease, and collapsed or broken veins from injecting heroin into the body.

With prolonged use, there is a much higher chance of overdose. When someone uses too much heroin their breathing becomes much slower to the point where breathing completely stops. Heroin is considered an opioid and opioids are known to reduce breathing and slow the central nervous system.

Heroin and other opioids may have similar-looking drug overdose symptoms. Many drug overdose symptoms and signs include a lowered respiratory system and risk for seizures and heart problems.

Some individuals are at higher risk for overdose such as:

  • People who have reduced their tolerance or have been through detox treatment
  • People who inject heroin rather than smoke or snort it
  • People who take large quantities of other opioids
  • People suffering from liver conditions such as hepatitis C, or HIV
  • People who suffer from depression
  • People who use heroin with a combination of other drugs

According to American Addiction Centers, most heroin users are single,

although many of the overdoses that occur, happen in front of someone else Knowing

the signs of a heroin overdose can potentially save a life. If you see someone showing

heroin overdose symptoms and signs, immediately call 911 for help and assistance.

Symptoms of Heroin Overdose

Heroin is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause frequent mood swings, medical problems, and even possible brain damage due to slowed breathing. Heroin abuse also has shown deterioration of white matter in the brain which is what regulates your decision-making and behaviors.

When you are using heroin chronically, your body creates a tolerance to the drug which will make you want to use higher doses to acquire the same effects. When the drug wears off, withdrawal starts up and these symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, vomiting, and cold flashes.

According to American Addiction Centers, symptoms of heroin use vary depending on how much is used as well as how often it is used.

Immediate Symptoms

– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Itching
– Dry Mouth

Delayed Symptoms

– Feeling sleepy for hours
– Foggy mental state
– Slow breathing
– Slow heart rate
– Nodding off

If you use more than your normal amount or maybe use more frequently overdose will most likely occur. Furthermore, heroin overdose symptoms look like:

– Shallow breathing
– Gasping for air
– Very pale skin
– Blue tint to lips and nails
– Discolored tongue
– Pinpoint pupils
– Weak pulse

– Lowered blood pressure
– Changes in mental state
– Constipation
– Seizures/ spasms
– Nausea/ vomiting
– Coma
– Inability to stay awake

Top 10 Heroin Overdose Symptoms and Signs

Heroin Overdose Treatment

Heroin addiction is a chronic disease, and like many chronic disorders, it can be treated. Recognizing your addiction is the first step, and it may be followed with an intervention or simply by entering a treatment facility. Heroin drug addiction treatment includes medical detox and inpatient services.

The goal of treatment is to not only get you sober but to restructure the brain and teach you healthy coping skills you get through the stressors of daily life.

What happens when you detox?

Your body will go through heroin use withdrawal and during this withdrawal, you will be under round-the-clock medical supervision while also being given medications like methadone to treat these symptoms. Drug detox centers are designed with you in mind and are equipped with the tools and skills to help you start treatment.

After you detox and no longer have heroin in your body, it will be time to start behavioral and cognitive therapy at an appropriate drug rehab center best fit for your needs where you can live at the site and join 12 step meetings as well as support group therapy.

Get Help Now at All American Detox

If you have suffered from any of the above information on heroin addiction, it may be seriously time to get yourself or your loved one help. Chronic diseases like addiction, even heroin addiction, can be treated.

All American Detox Center – A residential inpatient drug rehab center can provide you with personalized luxury detox services and medically trained staff who are ready to help you on your road to recovery.

Not only do they provide detox services, but at their center, they also provide inpatient rehabilitation. They only take about 6 patients at a time as a way to stay dedicated to your personal needs and really focus on you and your treatment plan.

You can contact All American Detox today by visiting their website here at Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center Los Angeles CA. They are currently adhering to all Covid-19 safety restrictions and are also currently accepting new clients. Call them today at (844) 570-1301 for more assistance.

 

How Long Does Cocaine Addiction Treatment Recovery Take?

How Long Does Cocaine Addiction Treatment Recovery Take?

Cocaine use has taken a serious toll on the health of Americans. In 2018, a national survey found that almost 1 million Americans meet the criteria for cocaine use disorder. Since that time, cocaine use has been on the rise–wreaking havoc in American communities and increasing deaths by overdose.

If you or a loved one is thinking about getting treatment for cocaine use disorder (CUD), determining what kind of treatments you need and how long they will take are primary concerns.

If you have spent time on addiction forums, you may have seen phrases like “inpatient”, “detox” or “residential inpatient treatment” being thrown around and wondered how these terms fit into addiction recovery. Today we will be discussing the timeline for cocaine addiction, recovery as well as providing you with useful information about addiction treatment programs for cocaine abuse and addiction.

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Cocaine addiction treatment

Addiction treatment for people with cocaine use disorder and other drug addictions is designed to address the needs of individuals as they continue their journey on the path towards recovery. People who first enter addiction treatment, might attend a drug detox program or go straight to an inpatient or an intensive outpatient program depending on what best fits their overall needs.

After the intensive phase of addiction treatment ends, addiction recovery for cocaine use continues. Many people find that a weekly outpatient program, joining a 12-step program, or attending some other weekly addiction counseling group helps to keep sobriety in perspective.

Cocaine Detox

Before the bulk of treatment can begin, it is important for the body to readjust to being without the drug. In medical detox, a person is evaluated to determine their physical and psychological condition. This helps to determine any potential complications to detox treatment early on.

In medical detox, trained staff are available 24/7 to consistently monitor the patient’s condition, keep them hydrated, nourished, and comfortable as the body experiences a range of cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine detox, despite being less physically intense than other abused substances, has some caveats.

  • There are currently no FDA-approved medications used for cocaine withdrawal.
  • Cocaine users often abuse other substances like alcohol or marijuana, sometimes in the same setting.
  • Initial withdrawal symptoms appear in the form of a crash whereby a person experiences extreme exhaustion.
  • Acute (or severe) withdrawal symptoms for cocaine users typically last 5-7 days.
  • People who abuse drugs commonly also have mental health conditions. These co-occurring disorders can cause additional discomfort and increase the likelihood of relapse as a post-treatment outcome.
  • Once these more severe symptoms have subsided, the individual experiences less severe post-acute withdrawals symptoms or PAWS.

Inpatient Rehabilitation for Cocaine Addiction

At a residential inpatient treatment center, patients live in a 24/7 medically managed facility usually for 1-3 months. While in treatment clients have access to:

  • Individually tailored treatment plans
  • A safe relapse-free environment
  • Set treatment end dates
  • Medication management services
  • Group and individual counseling (including 12-step and other alternative counseling programs)
  • Evidence-based therapies have been shown to improve recovery outcomes
  • Recreational and Holistic therapies (such as art therapy, yoga, and meditation)
  • Access to recreational areas (gyms, pools, and tennis courts)

After completing an inpatient cocaine detox program, patients are encouraged to step down to either a partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient program.

Sometimes if a person has financial constraints or does not need an intensive program, they may opt for a regular outpatient program. These programs can provide greater flexibility and a lower weekly commitment.

How Long Does Cocaine Recovery Take?

In the early stages of addiction treatment, programs have set start and end dates. Because of this, people tend to associate the end of recovery with the end of their rehabilitation program. This, however, is not the case.

Life can present challenges that put people at low points. When things are going well, sobriety is easier to manage. When it isn’t, self-doubt can find its way in. This by no means suggests that sobriety is unattainable, but rather that recovery takes a lifetime of commitment.

Rather than seeing recovery as the endpoint of addiction treatment and relapse as a failure to change or succeed, we are instead encouraged to view recovery as a life-long journey and commitment to avoid the self-sabotaging behavior of drug abuse.

Get Help Today with Overcoming Cocaine Addiction

If you or a loved one are looking for an addiction rehab or detox program for substances All American Detox Center is here for you. Call addiction helpline number. We are an accredited addiction recovery center serving Los Angeles County, California.

Best Detox Center in Los Angeles: Here’s What To Expect

detox center in Los Angeles- What to expect

Getting rid of drug and alcohol dependence is a herculean task. Experts advise against cold turkey detox as it can be dangerous. Detox centers are the safest places to detox. Here’s what you can expect in the best detox center in Los Angeles:

Detox:

Detoxification is the first step towards recovery. Detoxing aims to thoroughly cleanse all the unwanted toxins from the body. After this process, the detox center undertakes holistic counseling sessions, therapies, relapse-prevention courses, continued education, and after-care.

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Best Detox Center in Los Angeles: Here’s What to Expect

Counseling: The detox process is accompanied by withdrawal symptoms which are painful. Counseling sessions are helpful to fight the pain and maintain sobriety. Drug addiction detox centers have expert counselors who meet you regularly to enhance your mental strength, tackle the physical pain and listen to your dilemma. There are individualized as well as group counseling sessions to help you recover from addiction.

Relapse Prevention Course: Detoxification alone does not ensure sobriety. In some cases, individuals have resorted to drinking or drugs even after a successful detox. These relapses often occur due to a familiar environment, painful triggers, peer pressure, and the like. Best detox centers understand these weaknesses and offer relapse prevention courses.  These courses are a significant part of the aftercare program. They ensure long-term sobriety after recovery.

Family Counseling: The problems associated with drug and alcohol addiction are not restricted only to the addict. It extends to the kith and kin. Detox and treatment should be a collective process. Good detox centers will include family counseling alongside individual counseling sessions. These sessions will help the family to support and respond to their loved ones through their journey in healing from addiction.

Other Therapies: The best detox centers provide holistic treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. The holistic treatment includes a wide variety of therapies. These therapies include yoga, pilates, music and dance therapy, art therapy, meditation, mindfulness, gardening, fitness activities, swimming, and other cognitive-behavioral-dialectical therapy. The drug detox center molds you into a healthy way of living that you can follow even after the treatment program.

Aftercare: Treatment for addiction is a gradual step-down process. The addicts take a long time to heal. Detox and Treatment is never a guarantee for sobriety. In fact, the real challenge begins when the individual revisits the familiar environment and encounters the past triggers. The best detox centers are aware of these issues. These detox centers not only hand-hold you through the process of detoxification and recovery, but they also walk with you through Aftercare. These centers organize regular follow-up sessions, through telephone, video calls, or offline meetings.  They also encourage the patients to meet them intermittently. They provide a minimum of 6 months of follow-up sessions, care, and assistance.

Best Detox Center in Los Angeles Here’s What To Expect

Choose to Detox at a Best Detox Center

All American Detox Center is one of the best holistic drug detox centers in Los Angeles. We provide 24/7 assistance to help you detox in a safe environment. We follow the gradual step-down method to ensure your safety and stability. Contact All American Detox on the helpline number- (844) 570-1301.

5 Ways to Stay Sober During the Covid-19 Pandemic

5 Ways to Stay Sober During the Covid-19 Pandemic

For many, Covid-19 conjures up images of sleepless nights of Netflix binging, baren shelves of toilet paper, and routine headaches with the unemployment office––the quintessential lockdown experience. For those struggling with addiction and other mental health issues, sheltering in place has been especially hard.

As the world shut down, those who relied on their work and daily routines were suddenly unemployed and forced to shelter in place. To make matters worse, social distancing restrictions forced counseling programs online leaving thousands struggling to maintain their support systems at a time when feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression were at an all-time high. You can take quick guidance by calling on our addiction recovery hotline number.

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So, what does the new normal look like for somebody in recovery?

Last year the conditions of quarantine had caused the rates of relapse to sharply rise. For those that relapsed during Covid-19, it is important not to lose heart. According to AddictionCenter.com “40% to 60% of people in recovery have at least one relapse before reaching sobriety” (Hudson 2020).

Fortunately, with vaccines widely available– the worst of the pandemic is behind us. According to the CDC, those that are vaccinated and have passed the two-week period can resume pre-pandemic activities without having to wear a mask or observe social distancing guidelines (2021). Mass vaccination will no doubt improve the quality of inpatient treatment and outpatient care programs and allow for the return of in-person counseling.

If you feel like Covid-19 is affecting your road to recovery here is what you can do about it:

5 Ways to Stay Sober During the Covid-19 Pandemic

1. Spend more time talking to friends. Even if it isn’t in person, supportive friendships are good for your mental health. A recent study published in Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies found that those who used mediated communication: such as phones, video calling, and texting to regularly keep in touch with friends reported a greater frequency of emotions associated with “satisfaction with life” and “wellness” (Brown &Greenfield, 2021)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hbe2.246

2. Utilize online recovery resources. Even though Covid-19 has limited the availability of in-person resources, there are plenty of organizations offering assistance on the web.

  • 12 Step.org(informational and social resources including Online, face-to-face, and phone meetings) 12step.org/social
  • The Addiction Recovery Guide(Wealth of information about addiction and recovery) addictionrecoveryguide.org/resources/recovery
  • In the Rooms Global Recovery Community (Online and face to face meetings as well as blogs and articles) https://www.intherooms.com/home/category/community-and-meetings/
  • Narcotics Anonymous World Services. Video chat meetings, local meeting finder news and bulletins na.org
  • Never Alone Club (NA Chatroom Meetings and other recovery resources) neveraloneclub.org
  • Online Token Shop AA Meetings (hosts free online AA Meetings and seminars) (thetokenshop.com/Online_AA_Meetings)

3. Spend More Time Outdoors. Getting in touch with nature can be a great excuse to get out of the house as well as a great way to be around others while reducing exposure. According to an article by the American Psychological Association, a few hours of strolling through the park, or a modest hike can reduce anxiety, improve mood and lower the risk of mental disorders(2020). The article also mentions two studies: One which found that connectedness to nature led to feelings of an overall connectedness(Zelenski & Nisbet 2012) and another which suggests that “nature might help to buffer the effects of loneliness or social isolation(Cartwright et al., 2018)

4. Stay Occupied. Staying idle for long periods of time can be about addictive thoughts and urges. Activities such as reading, writing, working out, or engaging in a hobby can help puta troubled mind at ease. Planning daily activities that promote a healthy and sober lifestyle can make up for holes in your routine.

5. Know What Your Treatment Options Are. If you find yourself on a treatment plan, knowing what options are available to you can help you maintain your sobriety.

5 ways to stay sober during covid-19

Addiction Treatment Centers

An addiction treatment center or a rehabilitation facility is the first step on the road to recovery. As part of inpatient care, specialized medical staff administers a detox to cleanse the body of harmful substances. In the interest of preventing relapse, the patient is given around-the-clock medical care. Once the detox phase has been completed, clinical specialists design a treatment plan tailored to the needs of the individual. During their stay inpatients also benefit from daily on-site individual and group therapy.

Sober Living Programs.

For those that have found themselves in need of rehabilitation during the pandemic and are questioning what to do next, a sober living program can help ease the transition back into independent living.

There are Options for All Levels of Outpatient Care

A Sober Living Program takes place in a sober living facility. This is usually a Halfway House or a Sober Living House (SLH).

A Halfway Home benefits those who have completed a drug detox program, inpatient, or other kinds of outpatient rehabilitation but still need tools and guidance on their journey towards recovery. This option is a good choice for those who need treatment but are of moderate-income as it prices similarly to the monthly rent of a basic apartment.

Unlike Halfway Homes which limit residency to around 3-12 months, Sober Living Homes generally do not restrict the length of stay. It however is required that the resident stay sober and keep monthly payments on time

Detoxification: The Benefits And Why It’s So Important

What is Detoxification and it's importance - All American

You must know this, if you aim for recovery and sobriety from any form of addiction, the first step is detoxification. It involves the flushing out of drugs or alcohol from the physical body before moving towards counseling sessions, relapse prevention courses, continued education, and other social activities. Detoxification is a hard nut to crack! During detox, the individual is invariably trying to survive without drugs/alcohol. Also, this process demands physical and psychological pain endurance caused due to withdrawal. Let’s understand the importance of drug detoxification.

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Did you know about detoxification?

Who needs detox? What are the drug detox process and its side effects? Detox is most effective for individuals with addictions to heroin, alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

The withdrawal symptoms for detox include:

  • crippling anxiety

  • cold sweats

  • intense drug cravings

  • crawling skin

  • nausea

  • muscle spasms

  • goosebumps

  • vomiting

  • irrational thoughts

Planning on Detox in California? Can we look into the types of detox you could choose from?

You have three options for drug or alcohol detox:

  • Cold-turkey detox

  • Medically-supervised inpatient detox

  • Medically-supervised outpatient detox

Wanna know more about these detoxes? Here you go…

In a cold-turkey detox, the addicts typically attempt to detox at home independently without either proper medication or supervision from skilled medical professionals at the Alcohol detox center.

In a medically supervised inpatient detox, the addicts undergo detoxification by living in a staffed residential facility. Also known as residential treatment, in this medical intervention, you sleep, eat, and live on the residential campus even as you undergo detoxification and other interventions such as counseling sessions, and relapse prevention courses. Some good drug detox centers/alcohol detox centers offer highly customized, comprehensive, and holistic medical interventions for detoxification which include vitamin and supplement intake, drug therapy, and 24/7 supervision.

In a medically supervised outpatient detox, the addicts undergo detoxification and other medical interventions through customized and timely medical supervision of the skilled personnel at the drug detox center California. However, you don’t live on the campus. Instead, you are free to return to work or home upon completion of the treatment session.

Detoxification from drugs or alcohol comes with mild to acute mental and physical stressors. Hence, chances of quitting or relapse are higher with cold-turkey detox. We strongly advise you to undertake the detox under skilled medical assistance to ensure higher success rates. Especially for benzos detox prescription-pill detox or benzodiazepines detox, the chances of grand-mal seizure along with other fatal symptoms are higher when conducted without medical supervision. So pick up your phone and search for an Alcohol detox center near me and you will find plenty of options to choose from.

Detoxification - benefits and why its so important

Importance of Drug Detoxification:

Detox and Live Sober

You will agree that detox is not a cakewalk! Of course, detoxing puts you at the end of your comfort zone. You will crave more alcohol/drugs. You may want to give up. You may have muscle spasms and much more! But when you detox under medical supervision (inpatient/outpatient), even in your weakest moment, you have support from the medical staff that will boost your morale to recovery. Imagine living a life of long-term sobriety. Sober living is a happier living because you are no more craving for drugs/alcohol- you need not be stressed about an anxiety attack or muscle spasm! Detox is the first step to sobriety

Detox and Gain a Healthy Body

Trying to detox? The withdrawal symptoms and the desire to quit are given! But, hey, it is temporary! Detoxing will flush out all dangerous substances from your body. What you will be left with is a healthy body. Who better than a detox center to guide you in this process of transforming your body?

Detox and Boost Your Energy

Being under the influence of a drug/alcohol will surely give you an instant spike in energy and a pleasurable kick. This is so true about stimulants such as cocaine, crack, or amphetamines. But this energy is temporary and extremely dependent. The inability to get these drugs can make you go crazy, anxious, depressed, and whatnot! Instead, a medically supervised successful detox can help you stay energetic, independent, active, and cheerful through each day without depending on drugs or alcohol.

Detox and Boost Your Immune System

Being under the influence of drugs/alcohol can make you weak emotionally as well as physically. Detoxing via medical supervision is the first step to recovery from addiction. When the body has successfully cleansed the toxic addictive substances from the system, the immune system starts getting stronger by the day. Control over impulses and emotions also leads to better health of the immune system.

Detox and Have Healthy Relationships

Addiction can hamper you not just emotionally and physically, it can take a toll on your social life too. A known fact, addicts generally have strained relationships with their family, friends, and co-workers too. But, detoxing and sober living ensures a healthy social life. Sober living gradually prepares you for independent living, healthy relationships with family and friends, better work-life, and larger accountability for your own actions. Just imagine, detoxing can help you start afresh with your everyday activities such as participating in household chores, housekeeping, and socializing with friends and family!

Sign up for an alcohol/drug addiction detox program:

Detox is not a cakewalk! Detox is not impossible! Choose the right companion to help you detox. Choose All American Detox. You can reach out to us by clicking on this number +1-844-570-1301.

For Dual Diagnosis substance abuse and mental health see the Dual diagnosis treatment program: What you need to know. 

Looking for a Drug Rehab Center in Los Angeles?

Drug rehab center in Los Angeles

Palm trees swaying in the cool sea breeze. Endless, pristine beaches. Perfect temperatures year-round. World-class museums and dining.

Los Angeles is a wonder of a city.

But there’s another reason people come to LA; top-tier addiction treatment.

Drug rehab centers in Los Angeles have been helping people defeat their substance abuse demons for decades and with 30 plus years of experience treating addiction, All American Detox is well equipped to lead you on your journey of recovery.

What Is a Drug Rehab Center?

Stating the obvious, but “rehab” is short for “rehabilitation”, which is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “the process of returning to a healthy or good way of life, or the process of helping someone to do this after they have been in prison, been very ill, etc.”

A drug rehab center then is a place where a person goes for dedicated and focused treatment for a substance abuse disorder with the aim of getting them back to a healthy way of life.

Not all rehabs are the same either and each facility takes a unique approach to treatment. Some will specialize in targeted treatment for particular groups, offer different therapeutic methods and modalities, others might be gender-specific, etc. 

Additionally, certain rehabs might only offer outpatient care or inpatient care while others extend to cover more of the process by taking you in at the beginning. From detox through to inpatient care and making outpatient care as well as aftercare services available.

Whichever you’re considering, a reputable and quality drug rehab center will always create a program tailored to your particular needs.

What Are the Benefits of Drug Rehab Centers in Los Angeles?

Back to Los Angeles. La La Land.

There are some distinct benefits to drug treatment in the City of Angels.

Access to Experts and Support

With Southern California being the home to so many drug and alcohol treatment centers, you’ll be in close proximity to plenty of caring and expert addiction specialists that bring peace of mind to the process. On top of that, given the sheer number of rehabs and people on a similar journey as you, you’ll find plenty of support in the form of everything from sober living homes to Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other groups.

Getting Away from It All

One factor that gives you a better shot at sustained success is being able to remove yourself from the temptations and triggers of your old life. Being able to focus fully on recovery without distraction is huge. 

There’s also a comfort in the anonymity and the sense of truly being able to start fresh.

And even if LA is your home, the city is big enough that you can get away while still being here.

Location, Location, Location

As mentioned at the top, there is just an unrivaled beauty to SoCal.

Our Los Angeles rehab center, for example, is nestled right at the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, the other side of which is the majestic Pacific Ocean. Gorgeous and rejuvenating scenery abounds in this particularly special and spectacular part of the city (and country).

And the weather, seemingly always pleasantly warm, ain’t bad either.

How All American Detox Helps With Drug Addiction

At All American Detox, we’re dedicated to helping you overcome addiction and it starts from the day you commit to making a sea change in your life.

You can begin your detox with us and transition to our residential inpatient care. Upon finishing that you can move to outpatient and aftercare and finally we can assist with finding a sober living option that’s right for you.

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In other words, we’re a treatment center that you can count on every step of the way and that’s with you along with all parts of the journey.

Get in touch with us today by calling our recovery helpline number to learn more.

Cocaine Addiction Statistics: How Dangerous Is It?

Cocaine Statistics: How Dangerous Is It?

Classed as a schedule II drug by the government, that alone should paint a stark picture of just how hazardous cocaine is. For those not well versed in drug scheduling, II is defined as, “drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous”. Cocaine Addiction

While there are medical uses for it, one being as a topical anesthetic, when used as recreational drug cocaine leads to disastrous effects.

It’s a powerfully addictive stimulant that works by flooding the brain with dopamine and providing a fleetingly brief euphoric high. The fact that it lasts a short time leads people to use it again to achieve hit those same levels of dopamine eventually leading to building up a tolerance which can quickly turn into an addiction.

If you’re struggling with cocaine addiction or know someone who is, reach out to us at All American Detox, and let’s get you the help you need.

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History of Cocaine

Oddly enough, cocaine has technically been in use for millennia. The indigenous people of South America have been ingesting and chewing on coca leaves, Erythroxylon coca being the source of cocaine, for thousands of years because of their stimulant effects.

It’s essentially one of the oldest known natural stimulants and it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that a German chemist, Albert Nieman, isolated cocaine from those coca leaves.

Famed neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, thought cocaine to be a miracle drug and published a paper on it called “Über Coca”. What he was less aware of at the time were the addictive properties of the drug and thus ended up with addiction.

In that same era, in 1886, a drink invented by John Pemberton was just hitting the soda fountains and eventually the stores. A cocaine-infused beverage known as Coca-Cola with the cocaine itself was removed in 1903.

The 1914 Harrison Narcotics Tax Act heavily regulated cocaine and opiate products and things remained relatively quiet until the explosion of cocaine/crack cocaine in the ’70s and ’80s. From that high watermark, usage has declined quite a bit.

Cocaine Use Statistics in America

While usage is down, it’s by no means under control or at an acceptable level.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2014, about 913,000 Americans met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for dependence or abuse of cocaine (in any form) during the past 12 months.

Additionally, over 1 in 3 drug misuse or abuse-related emergency department visits involved cocaine.

A 2018 study showed that by far the highest use prevalence for the drug is among those in the 18 to 25 year old demographic with 5.8% saying they’ve used in the past year.

Disconcertingly, 2.2% of high school seniors say they’ve used cocaine in the last year, and with roughly 3.7 million high school seniors in America, that works out to about 81,400 that have used cocaine.

Read about:  How Long Does Cocaine Addiction Treatment Recovery Take?

How to Get Help with A Cocaine Addiction

Getting help with cocaine addiction is easier now than ever before and will hopefully get even easier as the stigma associated with addiction fades.

All treatment programs start with detox (for the most part), treating the mind and the mental aspects of addiction can’t be done in any robust way until the drug, aka toxin, is out of your body completely. From there you’d either enter an inpatient treatment program where a team of licensed professionals would develop an evidence-based program tailored to your needs.

Inpatient care focuses on counseling and group therapy to help you work through what led you to addiction and also to lay the groundwork for a life of sobriety. To equip you with the tools you need to overcome cravings and distractions and stick with recovery long term.

 After that, you’d be on your way to outpatient care, a stripped-back version of inpatient care that doesn’t require a long stay, and then transitioning back to your day-to-day by way of aftercare or a sober living home. Whichever suits you best.

 

Medication Assisted Therapy in Rehab

Medication Assisted Therapy in Rehab

The simplified trajectory for going from addict to sober is, in broad strokes, as follows:

Detoxification > inpatient care > outpatient care > aftercare 

Pretty neat and clean process, no?

As we all know, life is messier than that. So, make sure to call our addiction recovery hotline number.

The general idea is to get into the counseling portion of therapy once your body is fully detoxed from the substances you were taking. In reality, that can sometimes prove dangerous. In addition to each person being their own separate case that requires a unique approach, detox from certain drugs sometimes necessitates that some medications be involved.

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What Is Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)?

Medication-assisted therapy combines the commonly accepted forms of inpatient care and rehab with medications that are meant to relieve withdrawal and subsequent cravings.

Most often medication is used in the treatment for opioid and heroin addiction with the FDA approving 3 drugs specifically for that purpose: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These powerfully addictive drugs are just extremely difficult for a person to kick on their own because of the stronghold they have on a person’s body and mind.

The way it works for opioids is that the approved medication essentially blocks the euphoric feelings associated with opioids and what makes them so addictive. Additionally, they relieve mental cravings and help normalize body functions. In other words, this type of therapy keeps the brain and body stable so the work of therapy can move forward.

In a 2009 study it was noted that “after buprenorphine became available in Baltimore, heroin overdose deaths decreased by 37 percent during the study period, which ended in 2009.” On top of that, medication-assisted therapy increases social functioning.

Medication, in the form of acamprosate, disulfiram and again, naltrexone, is also used in treating alcohol addiction.

An extremely important thing to note though is that this type of treatment does not just substitute addiction to one substance with addiction to another.

What Are the Benefits of Medication Assisted Therapy in Addiction Treatment? 

The benefits go beyond the few mentioned above. The relief from cravings and the normalization of your body functions are somewhat immediate effects, MAT treatment reaches further forward in time with its benefits. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), describes the effectiveness as such:

  • Improve patient survival
  • Increase retention in treatment
  • Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
  • Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
  • Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Arguably the biggest positive is that the medication allows a person to actually focus on the work of recovery. By removing the euphoric effects of a drug, in the case of opioids and heroin, you’re really removing the mental compulsion that drives you to take more. The “reward” is taken out of the equation so you’re able to control cravings that would otherwise seem like huge mountains to climb.

We said it once, and it bears repeating and hammering home, the point isn’t to swap out drugs and create a new addiction. What an opioid or heroin does and what a drug for treatment does are different in vitally important ways. One can kill you, the other can help cure you.

All American Detox Is Here for You

The main goal of medication-assisted treatment is ultimate to help people break the cycle of addiction once and for all and find not just sobriety, but sobriety that lasts. The process of getting clean isn’t always clean or straightforward and if medication-assisted treatment is right for you or your loved one, a carefully crafted plan for intake and monitoring will be created. Reach out to us at All American Detox to find out more information.

What Is the Definition of Addiction?

What Is the Definition of Addiction?

It’s stigmatizing. It’s a struggle. It’s helplessness. It can seem perversely fun. It’s the illusion of control. It’s destructive. It’s deceptive. It’s painful. It’s euphoric. It’s devastating. It’s life-shattering. And it’s certainly treatable. Learn here about drug addiction!

How Do You Define Addiction? 

So, how do you define addiction? While addiction comes in many forms, the American Psychiatric Association does a great job of defining it concisely: “Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use disorder despite harmful consequences”.

The effects of substance abuse and addictive behavior eventually manifest in a dancing plethora of adverse ways, a few of those, according to Healthline, being:

  • A lack of self-control
  • Increased reliance on the substance 
  • Emotional numbness

What starts maybe innocently as a way to feel better or from curiosity, snowballs into one of those, you-just-can’t-help-yourself vibes, and it continues ad nauseum until you reach a breaking point. The proverbial rock bottom.

But does it happen to everyone?

What is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a disorder of the brain and behavior. When you’re hooked to drugs, you can’t stop yourself from using them, no matter how dangerous they are. The sooner you seek treatment for drug addiction, the more likely you are to prevent some of the disease’s more serious consequences.

Drug addiction can begin with the occasional use of a recreational drug in social situations, and for some people, the drug usage progresses to more frequent use. Others, particularly those addicted to opioids, develop a drug addiction after being exposed to prescription drugs or acquiring medications from a friend or relative who has been given the medication. The risk of addiction and the rate at which you get hooked differs depending on the drug. Some medicines, such as opioid pain relievers, have a higher risk of addiction and induce it more quickly than others.

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Drug addiction is not limited to heroin, cocaine, or other illicit narcotics. Alcohol, nicotine, sleep and anti-anxiety drugs, and other legal substances can all lead to addiction.

Why Addiction Effects Some People and Not Others

Drug addiction is defined as a complex condition and brain disease. Addiction is not a fate that befalls all, which honestly is great, so let’s take a moment to acknowledge that fact. That said, it is something that can touch everyone in one way or another. It’s not as if we’re separated out and sorted into static columns of “addict” and “addiction-free” at birth. Like the fluidity with which our lives move, so too does addiction.

There are a handful of big-time considerations for why the scourge of substance abuse affects some of us and not others, the National Institute of Health does a great job boiling it down:

  • Biology – The risk of addiction is 40 to 60% related to genetics, which is wild. Gender, ethnicity, and existing mental disorders all can be factors that increase risk.
  • Environment – This is perhaps the most visible factor. Things related to your neighborhood, home life, family, and socioeconomic standing. All these things play an enormous role when combined with the peer pressure many kids and even adults face.
  • How the substance is taken – Simply put, smoking or injecting increases the potential for addiction drugs.

It’s a bit nature and a bit nurture and ultimately recognizing that each person’s situation is unique is important in forging a road to recovery they can confidently, and successfully, travel down.

How to Treat Addiction

It’s not an easy task but luckily there are many approaches to suit the varied needs of those suffering from addiction. Often the first thing that happens is an acknowledgment of their addiction and the struggle, or impossibility, to cope with it personally and internally. That’s how it all starts for us at All American Detox, we help anyone who reaches out and asks for help.

After that momentous leap, a huge component to getting on the straight and narrow is drug detoxification, i.e. the act of removing toxic substances from your body through physiological and medicinal practices. Our program is a way to safely get you off the drugs or alcohol and back in the driver’s seat of your life.

Defining Addiction at All American Detox

Depending on the individual situation, inpatient treatment may be the best way to go. We create a welcoming environment, with loads of amenities and surrounded by a team of medical and psychiatric professionals, to keep you comfortable while you get yourself clean.

As important as it is to get clean and on the right track, doing it in a bubble at a center like ours isn’t quite the same as real life. We know that. Because of that, we offer robust outpatient and aftercare to help adjust to sober living on the outside. It’s essentially the same treatment we offer at a facility but at a scaled-back level. Think of it as us holding your hand through the transition.

Yet another element of the treatment ecosystem is sober living, more or less a stripped-down version of inpatient treatment. Folks can come and go as they please, get back into and resume normal life while having a safe space to come back to as they really cement those newly formed healthy habits.

Addiction doesn’t have to be a life sentence and at the All American Detox Center, we are here to help people find a path to lasting recovery once and for all. Call us today to learn more about our drug alcohol detoxification program!

What Things To Do in Los Angeles When You’re Sober

What To Do in Los Angeles When You’re Sober

The journey toward addiction recovery is a long road filled with numerous twists and turns and happens to be different for everyone. The ultimate goal of sobriety is less of a destination and more of an experience. At All American Detox, we’re here to tell you Los Angeles is a great city to seek addiction treatment in, and even a better city to live in afterward. The LA community has a lot to offer for a post-treatment life. Let’s read below about What to do in Los Angeles when you are sober?

At All American Detox, we are a caring drug & alcohol treatment service located in the beautiful setting of Woodland Hills, CA. We offer drug alcohol detoxification, residential inpatient treatment for drug abuse and addiction.

Sobriety in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the country. Second in population only to New York City, you can find your niche on the West Coast. With a massive community composed of all different kinds of people, you’ll have the opportunity to start fresh here sobriety in Los Angeles. You can make new friends in sobriety and find support groups that will help you maintain your sobriety and enjoy your life ahead.

Why You Should Get Sober in Los Angeles

what to do in los angeles when you are sober

There are a number of benefits that come with getting sober in Los Angeles. Some of the biggest benefits include:

  • Distance:
    Distance is an important part of the recovery process. When people seek addiction treatment, they naturally look close to home at first. This is because people are afraid of change and like familiar settings; however, when it comes to addiction recovery, distance is exactly what people need. They need to separate themselves from the environment that led to addiction. By traveling to LA, people can do exactly that.
  • Weather:
    While it is often overlooked, the weather is one of the most important factors in the recovery process. When someone is trying to focus on themselves, the other stressors need to fall by the wayside. Without extreme cold or heat, people are likely going to feel comfortable in LA. This makes it easier to focus on the recovery process.
  • Professionals:
    Finally, Los Angeles is home to some of the country’s leading professionals in the world of addiction and mental health. Addiction can impact anyone, including celebrities. This has led to a burgeoning community that can use both modern therapies and innovative treatment methods to help people recover.

Sober Things To Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the perfect place to enjoy your new sober life. Some fun activities that don’t involve drugs or alcohol are:

  • Hiking:
    Los Angeles is home to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. There is an endless expanse of hiking trails for those who love the outdoors. Because the weather is so beautiful and ranged from about 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, these trails are accessible during the entire year.
  • Tourism:
    Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Los Angeles and there is plenty for people to see. Between Hollywood, Dodger Stadium, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory, and all of the beaches, you’ll have plenty of things to do in Los Angeles when you are sober.
  • Focus on wellness:
    LA definitely focuses on wellness. There is plenty of organic grocery stores, yoga and meditation studios, gyms, and vegan restaurants. A big part of sobriety is taking care of your health so you can feel your best. LA makes it very easy to be healthy. So these are the things to do in Los Angeles when you are sober and also want to stay sober in your life ahead.

Let All American Detox Center Help You!

All American Detox is a detox center in California. our comprehensive program is created to work with people who are recovering from addiction from start to finish. Our program blends traditional treatment techniques with modern therapies and we tailor our treatments to meet the individual needs of our clients. Call us today to learn more about our addiction and substance abuse treatment programs!