Blood tests for alcohol and prescription drugs are not “yes or no” responses but rather a measurement of the amount present.

We all have blood work done from time to time. In some cases, it’s to monitor health conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol. In others, it may be required by your workplace to monitor for alcohol or illicit substances.

TL;DR – Regular blood tests usually do not show drugs. These tests typically focus on measuring blood cell counts, electrolytes, proteins, and enzymes, not detecting drugs. Drug testing requires specific tests designed to identify drugs or their metabolites.

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If you have blood test results coming up soon, you may have concerns about what they may reveal. Let’s review some of those issues.

What Do Blood Tests Look For?

This is a very complicated question. It is important to understand that not all blood tests are the same. If you’ve had blood drawn before, you probably noticed that the phlebotomist filled several different color-coded vials. Each of these was for a specific test, known as a “panel”. The only tests that will detect alcohol or illegal drugs in your blood are those that are designed specifically for that purpose. Routine blood work does not typically screen for drugs or alcohol.

With that said, your doctor or other caregivers may choose to screen you for drugs if he or she sees signs or symptoms of abuse in you, anything from heart irregularities to liver problems. The results of the blood work could reveal the need for life-saving intervention.

Other times, your blood test will be explicitly for drug use. This is commonly done in random screenings of workers or mandatory drug testing before someone is hired for a job. Any employer may choose to have workers tested, but it is most common in vocations where an impaired worker presents high liability, such as commercial driving or the medical field.

Should I Be Worried?

Let’s start by being very direct: Blood testing tends to be more invasive and expensive than other types of illicit drug screenings, it is not commonly used for workplace drug testing. They’re typically administered in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or medical clinic.

If you have been abusing alcohol or drugs, there is a chance that your blood test will reveal your secret, and this could endanger your employment or your relationships with your family and friends.

This may sound like a worst-case scenario, but we want you to keep some perspective here. A worst-case scenario is going to work impaired and causing an accident that injures a co-worker. A worst-case scenario is running through every financial asset you have, feeding your addiction until you are living on the streets. A worst-case scenario is resorting to drug dealing, theft, or prostitution to get your next fix.

A worst-case scenario is dying from your addiction.

Should you be worried about the results of a blood test? Yes, but you should probably be more worried about a “lucky” negative test that does nothing to help you begin addressing your addiction.

Of course, a blood test(requires a blood sample) that reveals only that you drink in moderation or have used prescription drugs appropriately is not an issue, assuming that you haven’t consumed at a time when you shouldn’t have, such as during work hours.

It is very important to understand that blood tests for alcohol and prescription drugs are not “yes or no” responses but rather a measurement of the amount present. If you had a glass of wine late last night and had a blood test this morning, there won’t be a problem because the test will show a very low level of alcohol. If you took your prescription muscle relaxer before bed and got tested the next afternoon, the result will show a therapeutic level of the medication, not a level high enough to be considered abuse.

Any level of illegal substances like cocaine or heroin is a problem, but positive blood tests for alcohol or medication prescribed for you will be a matter of quantity.

How Sensitive Are the Tests?

The amount of substance that you’ve ingested and the time since you last used it are two main factors in whether your results will come back positive. A wide range of drug types, including alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, opiates/opioids, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, additional opiates and marijuana – can be detected with a blood drug test. For example, alcohol is fully metabolized and undetectable in about 12 hours, while cannabis can continue to generate a positive test for days or weeks.

Larger doses are easier to detect as well. The more alcohol or drugs you have in your system, the longer it takes for your body to break them down and dispose of the waste products. If you submit to a blood test during that clean up time, you will show a positive result.

The type of test also plays a role. THC is easily detected in hair fibers for weeks after use, whereas blood and urine tests will show clean somewhat sooner.

How Could It Affect My Job and My Family?

Our choices in life always carry consequences. Sometimes they’re good, and sometimes they’re bad. Sometimes they’re mixed. It is important to remember that your sobriety is the most important thing in your life. If a blood test detects alcohol or drugs in your blood, it might be best for you in the long run.

Escaping the consequences of addiction and abuse does nothing to correct the problem. It only gives you the opportunity to continue to use, potentially creating far more serious problems than job loss or strained relationships. Instead of keeping it hidden, getting it out into the open through a blood test at least makes it impossible for you to hide the issue and will instead create a path for you to regain control of your future before it’s too late.

Where Can I Go for Help?

If you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, seek help. Whether a blood test reveals the problem or not, it’s still there. You need expert involvement to deal with your problem and create a healthy future for yourself and your family.

Garden State Treatment Center should be your first call. Our experienced team has helped hundreds of people struggling with addiction to free themselves from their substance problems and regain control of their lives.

If the possibility of a positive blood test worries you, that’s a sign that you should be working on getting clean. From outpatient treatment to detoxification and inpatient care, Garden State Treatment Center can be just the solution you need. Call today us today to find out how we can help.

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-12-24
Updated on: 2024-04-11

In the United States, alcohol is the most abused substance. Thus alcoholism is prevalent and plenty of people fall into alcohol codependency. This means they can’t function without drinking alcohol. Then alcoholism and codependency go together, then this is a problem that needs to be solved immediately. If you recognize any signs of alcoholism and codependency in yourself or a loved one, you should take a closer look and seek help.

Codependency and Alcohol

Alcoholism means addiction to consume alcohol. When a person can’t go by a day without drinking alcohol or spends the rest of the day thinking about drinking, that is considered alcohol dependency.

How about codependency? What does it mean? A codependent person has an excessive psychological or emotional reliance on another person. Typically, a co-dependent person has low self-esteem, low self-worth, poor sense of self, and poor coping skills.

Having a codependent behavior coupled with alcohol use disorder or drug addiction is a bad combination. Addiction treatment may be delayed, and that’s why help should be sought immediately. If you recognize any signs of alcoholism and codependency in yourself or a loved one, you should look closely and consider solutions that are available like checking-in in at a treatment center.

Codependency and alcohol addiction can seem complex, and they often are, as they tend to happen over the years. Here is a guide on how codependency can be toxic, especially when it is intertwined with alcoholism.

What Are Codependency and Enabling?

A codependent relationship is a relationship where one person eventually takes on a caretaking role while the other person takes advantage of that. In codependent relationships, one partner will have intense emotional and psychological needs; and the other tends to bend backward to meet those needs. This unhealthy relationship is never good for the addicted person.

This creates a power imbalance and a dysfunctional relationship. Unfortunately, codependency relationships are common where substance abuse and alcoholism are involved. One partner becomes the stable one and, eventually, becomes the caretaker of the alcoholic.

Although it may seem like a stable partner is okay, the reality is that this kind of relationship is toxic for both parties. The stable partner continues to give almost unconditionally, and the other codependent partner continues to take. Often, the givers take on too much, discarding their own needs, including emotional needs or their own desires. And as with virtually every codependent relationship, the “giving” is never enough.

When partners continue to take, they eventually become enabled, and their caretakers become the enablers. Enablers allow the takers to continue with their toxic, unhealthy patterns by providing comfort. As long as those who are taking remain comfortable, they will have no motivation to change.

When enablers continue to give in a relationship, it’s because they believe the taker will change. However, in this type of relationship, that is rarely the case. You can’t change people if they are unwilling or unable to make changes in their own lives. In addition, it’s too draining and self-destructive to continue to give endlessly.

What Is an Enabler in a Codependent Relationship?

Sometimes, it may seem like one partner is helping the other by continuously giving or making the other person feel comfortable. Unfortunately, enabling an alcoholic isn’t helping that person at all. What an enabler does is allow the alcoholic to continue with their unhealthy behaviors without any repercussions.

The enabler even allows the destructive behavior to continue. Some enablers aren’t even aware that they are enabling their loved ones. They prefer to think of themselves as a shoulder to lean on without judgment. That may have been their initial intention. After all, the desire to help emanated from love and a need to “save” the other person.

However, by enabling loved ones to continue with their alcohol abuse, they are delaying a solution. Not only do enablers reduce the chances of their loved ones recovering, but they also wear themselves out by shouldering the weight of the burden.

Signs of Codependency

Codependent relationships do not always have to revolve around alcohol addiction. There are different types of codependent relationships and different signs. Here are some signs of codependency to look out for.

Taking on More Responsibility

When one partner takes on more responsibility because the other partner can’t handle those responsibilities, this is often one of the first signs of codependency. One partner remains dependable, while the other continues to shirk his or her responsibilities. At some point, the added responsibility will start to feel like a sacrifice, and that sacrifice will start to eat into the enabler’s own needs.

You Make the Other Person Comfortable Instead of Pushing for a Change

Codependent relationships aren’t just in couples. Parents and their children can have a codependent relationship, too. If children have substance use disorders and they return to live at home, their parents may feel obliged to take care of them. Instead of pushing for rehabilitation treatment, parents may just continue to let their children drink.

Parents think that it’s safer for their children to drink at home rather than at bars or out on the street. This doesn’t help either the parents or the child. Alcoholics will never seek help as long as they’re comfortable, and the parents will feel imposed on them, eventually becoming resentful. When a person’s life cycles around alcohol, a treatment plan is a must. Not doing anything to seek treatment is being an enabler.

The Blame Game

Often, the partner with an alcoholism issue or substance use disorder will blame the other partner. “It’s your fault I’m like this.” Or sometimes, the blame becomes, “If you were not like this, I wouldn’t drink as much,” or even, “If you do this, I’ll stop drinking.” This is a deflection of responsibility.

In a codependent relationship, one partner will accept the blame in order to avoid a disagreement, and the other partner will continue to blame and deflect responsibility. By allowing this toxic behavior to continue, enablers prevent their partners from taking responsibility for their addiction.

How Codependency Starts

Codependency often seems harmless in the beginning. It may start as one partner shouldering the responsibility once or twice when the other partner is at a low point. Or it may simply be a child moving back home temporarily to overcome an addiction. In other cases, one partner may be too “nice,” refusing to say no and refusing to set boundaries.

Once enablers don’t speak up about their discomfort, then codependency starts. If the situation continues and there is no discussion, the roles start solidifying. Denial of the problem is another way a codependent relationship can start.

Something must be said when there is an apparent problem where one partner is continuously giving and the other partner is continuously taking. If both parties sweep this issue under the rug, the problem worsens, and the codependency continues. How can the addicted person develop healthy coping mechanisms if the codependency continues?

Codependent relationships may also start with one partner seeking out an enabler. In this case, codependency is established from the very beginning of the relationship. Partners who are enablers may seek out people who they can “rescue.” On the other hand, partners who have deep-seated emotional and psychological issues may seek out partners to take care of them.

How Codependency Impacts Relationships

Unfortunately, codependency can be dangerous for both partners. For one thing, the trust is eroded. The giver continues to believe that the taker will change. Over the years, when there is no change, the giver loses faith.

Depression can also set in for those who continue to give. As the relationship continues without a change, the eventual toll it will take on the giver can be huge. Not only can givers suffer depression, but they end up neglecting their own health.

Moreover, they can no longer keep up with responsibilities outside of the codependent relationship. In a codependent relationship, the enabler doesn’t know how to set boundaries. For the taker, the damage can be far worse. If one partner has an alcohol problem, there is no motivation to get help.

In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to severe alcohol poisoning and eventually death. Also, by continuously blaming others for their addiction, these individuals will never take responsibility for their own actions. When both parties are in denial, neither party can get help and free themselves from the toxic relationship.

Treatment

Getting treatment and overcoming a codependent relationship can be very difficult. However, it is possible. The first step is honesty. Both parties have to be honest about their role in the relationship. Enablers must admit to making the problem worse, and those with an addiction must admit that they need help.

Counseling, particularly Family Therapy, is another important step for those in a codependent relationship. Once both parties identify their role, each partner can get their needed help. Counseling with family members can continue together, and counseling can be separate as well. It is crucial, however, that enablers take care of their own mental health.

For the partner suffering from an addiction, taking responsibility is critical. Once users own up to their own addiction, they can then seek help for that addiction, whether it’s an in-patient or out-patient treatment.

Reach Out to Garden State Treatment Center Now

If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol, Garden State Treatment Center can help. We offer alcoholism treatment, partial care, intensive outpatient programs, inpatient treatment, individual addiction counseling, support groups, and even couples therapy. Contact us to learn more about our services.

We are a treatment facility that offers a treatment program for codependency, alcoholism, and with co-occurring disorders with mental illness and other mental health disorders.

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Published on: 2022-11-15
Updated on: 2024-02-16

If you’re looking for drug treatment, you should know that New Jersey has hundreds of drug rehabilitation centers, including Garden State Treatment Center, which offers outpatient treatment, partial care, and intensive outpatient treatment. You don’t have to continue to live with your active drug addiction. You can get help and avoid becoming one of the more than 2,000 confirmed overdose deaths that have occurred so far in New Jersey, according to OCSME.

New Jersey Overdose Statistics by Race

Drug addiction is a problem for all races, not Caucasians or African Americans. You may be surprised to find out that there have been:

• 1,297 overdose deaths in white people so far in 2022
• 631 overdose deaths in black or African American people
• 331 overdose deaths in the Hispanic population of New Jersey
• 27 overdose deaths in the New Jersey Asian population

New Jersey Overdose Deaths by Gender

Drug overdose deaths tend to affect the male population of New Jersey more than other genders. So far, in 2022, there have been 1,716 overdose deaths in males, 622 overdose deaths in females, and 2 transgender overdose deaths, according to OCSME.

New Jersey Overdose Deaths by Age

Most overdose deaths occur in individuals between the ages of 25 and 64. So far, in 2022, there have been 2065 suspected overdose deaths in this age bracket.

• 25 – 34 – 428 suspected overdose deaths
• 35 – 44 – 569 suspected overdose deaths
• 45 – 54 – 540 suspected overdose deaths
• 55 – 64 – 528 suspected overdose deaths

Young Adult Drug Substance Use Disorder By Substance

Young adults are considered those between the ages of 18 and 25. These are the fundamental years for adults. They are learning to handle life independently with less help from their parents, and they may be more inclined to try new things, including drugs. If you have a young adult in your life or are a young adult who thinks they may be developing a drug or alcohol dependency problem, these are the years to seek help so that you can live a happy and productive middle and late adult life. SAMHSA states that between 2017 and 2019, a certain percentage of young adults were diagnosed with a substance use disorder

• Marijuana Use Disorder – 6 percent
• Opioid Use Disorder – .5 percent
• Illicit Use Disorder – 6.9 percent
• Binge Alcohol Use Disorder – 41.2 percent
• Alcohol Use Disorder – 9.2 percent
• Substance Use Disorder – 14.2 percent

Substance Use and Abuse Statistics for Ages 12 and Older

Substance use disorder does not discriminate according to age. Children as young as 12 and adults as old as 74 can have substance use disorder.

• Marijuana Use Disorder – 1.2 percent
• Heroin Use Disorder – .56 percent
• Prescription Pain Pill Use Disorder – 3 percent
• Opioid Use Disorder – .9 percent
• Illicit Use Disorder – 2.4 percent
• Alcohol Use Disorder – 4.2 percent
• Substance Use Disorder – 6.1 percent

New Jersey Treatment Statistics by Drug

If you have or suspect you have substance use treatment disorder, you can get help. According to the New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System, 46,768 people sought drug addiction treatment in 2020.

• Alcohol – 26,674 or 32 percent
• Heroin – 34,007 or 41 percent
• Opiates, Not Heroin – 5,459 or 7 percent
• Cocaine – 4,294 or 5 percent
• Marijuana – 7,409 or 5 percent
• Intravenous Drug Users – 22,373 or 27 percent

New Jersey Workforce Statics of Admitted Individuals

Even if you are unemployed, a student, or out of the workforce, you can get help for your substance use disorder. 58,036 individuals, or 88 percent of admissions into drug treatment programs, were below the federal poverty level, according to the New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System.

• Unemployed – 20,888 or 64 percent of drug-related admissions were unemployed
• Student – 949 or 1 percent of drug-related admissions were students
• Not Participating in the Laborforce – 37,040 or 45 percent of drug-related admissions were not in the workforce
• Employed Fulltime – 23,307 or 28 percent of drug-related admissions were employed in full-time positions

Admissions by Living Arrangement

You don’t have to live independently when getting treatment for your substance use disorder. 19,588 individuals who were admitted into a drug treatment program in New Jersey were either homeless or living in a dependent situation, according to the New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System.

• Homeless – 7751 or 9 percent
• Dependent or Supervised Living – 11,837 or 14 percent
• Living Independently – 62,582 or 76 percent

New Jersey Admissions by Judicial System Status

If you’re worried that you can’t get treatment due to a pending legal case or being on parole, you should know that 42,153 individuals sought treatment for substance use disorder while having legal cases or being on parole.

• Pending Legal Case – 8,164 or 10 percent
• On Probation – 13,728 or 17 percent
• Has a DUI License Suspension – 4,325 or 5 percent
• Case in Drug Court – 9,325 or 11 percent
• Case in Family Court – 4,704 or 6 percent
• Other Type of Legal Case – 1,907 or 2 percent
• No Legal Issues – 43,203 or 53 percent

Admission by Insurance Status

If you need treatment for substance use disorder, you might think it’s unaffordable if you don’t have insurance. The truth is that you can get treatment if you do not have insurance, are on Medicaid or Medicare, or have private insurance.

• No Health Insurance – 14,667 or 18 percent
• Medicare Insurance – 1,585 or 2 percent
• Medicaid Insurance – 54,895 or 67 percent
• Private Insurance – 17,526 or 21 percent
• Other Types of Health Insurance – 1,688 or 2 percent

Substance Use Disorder Admissions by Referral Source

Did you know that you can refer yourself to a drug rehabilitation program, refer a family member or friend, or be referred to by a government agency or addiction services program? The truth is that people enter treatment from a variety of different sources.

• A Corrections Related Program – 17,045 or 21 percent
• A Mental Health Program/Provider – 729 or 1 percent
• A Social Services Agency – 2,377 or 3 percent
• An Addiction Services Program – 12,032 or 15 percent
• CPSAI – 1,844 or 2 percent
• Family or Friend – 2,396 or 3 percent
• IDRC – 3,042 or 4 percent
• NJ/IME – 715 or 1 percent
• Self – 35474 or 43 percent
• Other Type of Referral – 6,600 or 8 percent

Admission Statics by Number of Drug Treatment Admissions

Even if you’ve been to drug rehab before, you can still enroll yourself in another program if you’ve relapsed.

• First Admission – 28,611 or 61 percent
• Second Admission – 9,892 or 21 percent
• Three or More Admissions – 8,265 or 18 percent
• Unduplicated Admissions – 46,739
• Total Admissions for 2020 – 82,254

Getting Help at Garden State Treatment Center in New Jersey

We can help you overcome your substance use disorder with our evidence-based treatment approach and commitment to your lasting substance use disorder recovery. We offer partial care, intensive outpatient programs, standard outpatient treatment, Evening IOP, and dual diagnosis. We even have an alumni program.

Give us a call today to learn more about our drug rehabilitation treatments!

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Published on: 2022-10-31
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Suboxone is often used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. The medication contains buprenorphine, a narcotic that partially activates the opioid receptors in the brain. Naloxone, the other active ingredient in Suboxone, binds to the opioid receptors so that other narcotics can’t.

You might wonder why you would treat opioid use disorder with another narcotic. By deceiving the brain into thinking that it’s still getting narcotics but blocking the high, Suboxone reduces withdrawal symptoms so that you can focus on other aspects of healing. You can taper off of Suboxone slowly as you develop strategies for advancing your recovery.

Although Suboxone has life-saving benefits, the drug can produce side effects. Taking the right dose under the supervision of a healthcare professional can minimize some of the following Suboxone side effects.

Flu-Like Symptoms

Some people feel sick after taking Suboxone. They may experience side effects such as:
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Sweating
• Chills

Because it contains an opioid, Suboxone can cause digestive distress and flu-like symptoms. That’s because your gut has a dense concentration of opioid receptors.

The medication acts on the stomach and intestines as much as it does the brain. It delays gastric emptying, which can cause heartburn and abdominal cramping. Suboxone can change your stool consistency and habits, making it harder for you to empty your bowels and interfering with nutrient absorption.

If you are detoxing from opioids, however, you might be used to these side effects. You’re also likely to experience some flu-like symptoms as a result of opioid withdrawal.

Even though Suboxone minimizes withdrawal symptoms, it can’t be used immediately. You’ll experience the initial stages of detox while the other opioids are leaving your system. Taking Suboxone usually makes these withdrawal symptoms subside, however.

Constipation

Suboxone and other opioids can make it difficult for you to have a bowel movement because they alter the absorption of fluids in the colon. Staying hydrated can minimize this side effect. While laxatives can help, you don’t want to become dependent on laxatives. In recovery, you can work toward nourishing your body adequately to minimize constipation and restore a healthy digestive system.

Severe Headache

One of the most frequently reported Suboxone side effects, headache is attributed to the presence of naloxone in the drug. It usually subsides with continued use of the medication.

You can relieve headaches with over-the-counter medications. It’s also essential to take care of yourself in other ways. Get enough rest, manage your caffeine and nicotine intake and drink plenty of water.

Psychological and Behavioral Side Effects

Any medication that affects your brain chemistry can cause psychological side effects. In addition to mood swings, patients report the following mental and behavioral Suboxone side effects:
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Fear
• Depression
• Irritability
• Lethargy and lack of motivation

Long-Term Suboxone Side Effects

Many Suboxone side effects go away over time. However, using the drug for a prolonged period can cause liver damage and hormonal imbalances.

Opioids are known to affect hormone levels with short-term and long-term use. Patients who take this medication may experience endocrine dysfunction, such as adrenal fatigue, hypogonadism, lower testosterone and reduced sexual function.

It’s not clear whether the sexual side effects, such as low libido and reduced pleasure, are due to hormonal imbalances. Opioids can make it more difficult to climax, and they interfere with your body’s reward system. Talking to your healthcare provider about sexual side effects can help you maintain intimacy and enhance your sexual health in recovery.

Suboxone can also be hard on the liver. This side effect is usually temporary. But you are at an increased risk of liver damage if you abuse Suboxone, take it in high, frequent doses or have an underlying liver condition.

Risk of Suboxone Abuse

One of the most significant long-term Suboxone side effects is the increased risk of dependence and abuse. Although the drug is safer than many other opioids, it works by replacing some of your body’s natural mood-enhancing chemicals. If you feel relaxed and at ease when you take Suboxone, you may have a hard time letting go of it.

Still, Suboxone exhibits a ceiling effect, which means that it limits your response to the medication if you take too much of it. This minimizes the risk of addiction.

You can further reduce the risk of dependence and addiction to Suboxone by taking it under the guidance of a licensed physician. The goal is to reduce the dosage gradually so that you reduce your dependence on the drug as you strengthen your coping skills and other healthy behaviors.

Are There Alternatives to Suboxone?

Methadone is a commonly used alternative to Suboxone in medically-assisted addiction treatment. It acts on opioid receptors, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. However, methadone has a stronger action than Suboxone.

It’s also more addictive. With methadone, you don’t get the ceiling effect. Therefore, people have a higher risk of overdosing on methadone than on Suboxone.

Is Suboxone Treatment Right for You?

It’s important to take the right dose if you’re using Suboxone to support your recovery. You’ll work closely with a healthcare professional to monitor and manage your side effects. Combining Suboxone with other medications, especially benzodiazepines, is especially dangerous. Therefore it’s essential for your doctor to know what other medications you’re taking.

Suboxone treatment is approved for treating opioid use disorder, and its benefits often outweigh the risks. It reduces cravings and helps you get through withdrawal so that you can move forward with the positive aspects of recovery. Contact us if you have questions about Suboxone and medication-assisted therapy to help you break the cycle of addiction.

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-10-29
Updated on: 2024-02-16

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, new addiction treatment techniques provide a lot of hope. The latest line of medication-assisted treatments can block opioid cravings and make it far easier to get sober. Suboxone is one of the most popular treatments for substance use disorders. Once you take it, how long do the helpful effects last? Read our guide to find out.

How Does Suboxone Work?

To understand how long Suboxone lasts, you need to understand the answer to “What is Suboxone? Suboxone is the brand name for a medication that treats opioid use disorder. It combines buprenorphine and naloxone.

These two substances combine to reduce the desire and incentive to take opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. Buprenorphine is a long-acting, partial opioid agonist. This means that it lightly activates the body’s opioid receptors at a much weaker level than traditional opioids. The buprenorphine helps to block cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms, yet it doesn’t impair your ability to function or cause a euphoric high.

In addition to reducing the desire to take other drugs, Suboxone also contains substances to prevent Suboxone misuse. The naloxone in the drug blocks all opioid effects if patients inject the drug into their bodies. This immediately halts any helpful impact from buprenorphine and puts you straight into opioid withdrawal. Due to the naloxone, it is almost impossible to misuse Suboxone in a way that would trigger drug-seeking behaviors again.

How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

Since Suboxone affects the body in so many complex ways, it’s impossible to predict exactly how long any given patient will feel the effects. The buprenorphine in the drug usually lasts at least 24 hours. You should not feel any severe opioid cravings or experience any withdrawal symptoms during this time. In some patients, buprenorphine can last even longer. Suboxone may keep them from feeling withdrawn for up to 60 hours.

Meanwhile, the naloxone in Suboxone gets metabolized a little quicker. This substance will usually only directly block opioids for an hour or two. On average, it blocks opioid receptors for 30 to 120 minutes. This means that if you do make the mistake of injecting Suboxone, you cannot feel the effects of another dose for up to two hours.

Why is there no simple answer to “How long does Suboxone last?” There is a lot of variation in how long a dose affects you because every patient metabolizes drugs differently. The length of time you’ll feel Suboxone varies based on your:

• Weight
• Dosage
• Method of ingestion
• Personal health
• Individual metabolism

Understanding the Suboxone Timeline

Once the Suboxone is in your system, it goes through several distinct stages before the effects wear off. The precise timeline varies a little depending on which form of Suboxone you take and how your body reacts to it. Usually, it can take somewhere between 20 minutes to 60 minutes for the drug to start working. Therefore, doctors sometimes suggest people take it a little before feeling intense opioid cravings.

After it spreads through your system, Suboxone will peak around 1.5 hours to 3 hours later. Since Suboxone is only a partial opioid agonist, it won’t cause any intense intoxication. Even when it is at its strongest, you won’t feel much more than mild pleasantness.

Since buprenorphine has such a long half-life, its effects wear off very slowly. Instead of a sharp peak followed by a sudden crash, it will just gradually leave the system. Most people will not feel their Suboxone wear off. The only signs it has reached the end of its lifespan will be if you start to feel cravings, cramps, or other withdrawal symptoms.

Should You Try Suboxone?

If all the effects of Suboxone sound helpful to you, it might be worth talking to your healthcare providers. Suboxone is a prescription medication that only works in certain situations. Before you can take it, your doctor must ensure its effects won’t harm your health. They’ll also spend a lot of time learning about your situation so they can be sure the Suboxone timeline addresses your needs. Some patients may need a shorter-acting or longer-acting drug if the 24-hour effect of Suboxone doesn’t work for them.

Typically, Suboxone is prescribed if you have an opioid use disorder and struggle with cravings and withdrawal. You cannot take it while still using opioids to avoid unpleasant side effects. It only starts working well if you take it at least 12 hours after last using opioids. This medication can occasionally cause reduced breathing and an irregular heartbeat, so it might not be recommended if you have chronic heart or breathing problems. Though rare, some patients try Suboxone and find that they do not like the effects. If it disagrees with your system, you have other options, like trying plain buprenorphine, naltrexone, or methadone.

How Effective Is Suboxone and How Long Should You Take It For?

Suboxone is considered to be one of the most effective medications for opioid use disorders. It prevents withdrawal and cravings, does not have intoxicating effects, and is significantly harder to overuse. Studies have found that Suboxone makes it much easier for patients to avoid using hard drugs.

A 2003 study followed patients for over a year and found that 75% of Suboxone users stayed clean while 100% of unmedicated control subjects relapsed. Another 18-month long study from 2009 discovered that Suboxone patients were more likely to be employed, sober, and participating in 12-step programs. Researchers find that Suboxone use doesn’t completely guarantee sobriety, but it always reduces addiction and death risks while increasing quality of life and overall health.

Just about any amount of Suboxone use can be helpful. However, research shows that longer periods of use are more effective. Those who tried the medication for 12 weeks did better than those who only used it to detox, and those who were on it for year-long periods had even better outcomes. How long should your Suboxone treatment last? Every patient is different, but most benefit from at least six months.

What Dosing Schedule Should You Follow for Opiate Drug Withdrawal?

Suboxone’s effects make it very helpful for managing withdrawal. Opiate drug withdrawal happens when you use opioids for so long that your body becomes accustomed to them. If you stop suddenly, your system can no longer function normally. This usually results in intense withdrawal symptoms like pain, anxiety, insomnia, yawning, diarrhea, and vomiting.

To avoid these issues, you must carefully time your dose to get the full range of Suboxone effects. Your doctor will recommend a dosing schedule that addresses your unique needs. Usually, it starts with an induction stage to gradually build up a safe level of Suboxone in your system. The standard recommendation is to take 2 milligrams every two hours on the first day. Patients then typically switch to a single, higher dosage of around 16 milligrams once daily for a few weeks, taking it more frequently.

Not all people use Suboxone as a long-term drug. Some just use it for a few weeks while they detox and get used to sobriety. However, some people find it more helpful to continue taking Suboxone for months or even years. This is called maintenance therapy, which focuses on allowing you to live a normal life without significant opioid cravings. For long-term users, doses can range from 4 milligrams to 24 milligrams of Suboxone per day. Doctors recommend that patients take the minimum amount needed to manage cravings.

Enjoy a Life Without Drugs

Are you tired of your life revolving around staving off withdrawal? There is hope for those who want to reclaim their life. We provide compassionate, effective substance abuse treatment options at Garden State Treatment Center with our medical professionals. Our substance abuse treatment programs can help you get on the path to sobriety and mental health against opiate addiction or the effects of opioids and suboxone dose (high dosage) and other forms of drug abuse.

We offer a broad range of programs, including intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment plans, and partial care treatment. Each of our patients gets a tailored blend of therapy and medical care. At your consultation, we’ll learn about your situation and help you determine what medication and other therapy you need. The main goal is to give your body time to heal while we work on the underlying triggers for your addiction.

Ready to get started on your sobriety journey? The right care can help you feel healthy, happy, and centered again. Contact our team today to learn more about our services.

Resources

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855417/
• https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-naloxone-block-opiates-3543375/
• https://www.Suboxone.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-09-12
Updated on: 2024-04-18

What is IOP?

IOP stands for “intensive outpatient program.” It is designated for a very specific segment of the population. Inpatient treatment is a program that requires you to live at the treatment center, and it is for people experiencing long-term substance use disorders. It is often the first stop on the continuum of care.

On the other hand, an IOP is for people who don’t require a stay in a residential treatment center. The services that you receive in an intensive outpatient program in New Jersey are ambulatory. This means that you aren’t admitted to a hospital. It may also be the next step if you have just been released from an inpatient program. Outpatient treatment programs only provide you with weekly or biweekly treatment sessions, which may not be enough after you have been in an inpatient program.

What Are the Benefits of IOPs?

You will have several benefits in an IOP. For example, the program isn’t residential, so it allows you to continue to go to work or school. It provides you with a clinical setting that can address your needs as issues arise. Most importantly, intensive outpatient treatment has given people better outcomes than outpatient treatment programs.

How Long Does an IOP New Jersey Take?

An intensive outpatient program requires that you attend three separate sessions each week. Each session lasts three hours. If necessary, the staff at your facility will increase the number of sessions, or they may extend them so they last longer. As time goes by, your sessions will become less intensive. While you remain at home, your treatment will last longer than it did in the residential treatment facility, which will be advantageous.

In most programs, you will attend treatment sessions for three to four months, but if your addiction is more severe, you may need a much longer program. After you finish your intensive outpatient program, your treatment will not end there. Substance use is a chronic disease that must be treated over the long term. That is why you must go from one form of treatment to the next for several years.

What Are the Core Services of an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Every IOP in New Jersey has several core services, and they include the following:

Group Therapy

The most important part of an IOP is its “group therapy.” According to the research, group therapy has been proven to provide treatment that is equally as effective as individual therapy.

Group therapy helps you develop your communication skills. If your socializing has revolved around substances, you may need to develop your socialization skills, and group therapy will allow you to do this.

Group therapy is also highly important because you and your peers will have the opportunity to confront each other, support each other and help each other when needed.

When you were ingesting substances, your life may have been very chaotic. Group therapy gives you the structure and the discipline you need to live normally again.

Group therapy provides you with a safe place where you will learn norms and healthy ways of interacting with each other.

Other group members will have been in therapy longer than you have been, so you will benefit from their experience. In contrast, you will have more experience than newer members, so you can guide the new members as you have been guided by older group members.

You can participate in other groups focusing on different skills.

Skills Development

Skills development is one type of group therapy. It will be beneficial to you because you will be able to practice your new skills in a non-judgmental environment.

Another group therapy is the “psychoeducational” group. Psychoeducational groups are intensive outpatient groups in which you learn about your substance use disorder, dependence, and the consequences of the disorder. Your IOP New Jersey treatment begins with psychoeducational groups. This is not where you will experience extreme emotions, but you will learn techniques that will keep you from relapsing in the future.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy supplements group therapy, but it is a one-on-one meeting with your own therapist. You will receive addiction counseling, and if you are in a dual diagnosis program, you will also receive psychiatric intervention for your mental health disorder. Dual diagnosis treatment is for people simultaneously experiencing a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder.

In most cases, IOP New Jersey will focus on the problems your substance use disorder is causing you. It also helps you maintain your sobriety for the long term. In the beginning, you will attend a weekly therapy session that lasts 30 or 50 minutes, and you will receive your own primary counselor to develop a rapport with this professional.

A typical session begins with your counselor asking for your reactions to your group therapy sessions. Your counselor will also be interested to know how you spent the time in between your current session and your last. Of course, your counselor will be interested in your feelings and will ask you if you engaged in any substance use. Your counselor will also be the one to interfere if you are experiencing any urgent issues.

Group therapy is not the appropriate place for you to discuss intimate issues, so it is imperative that you have individual counseling in your intensive outpatient program. Your counselor will also point you in the direction of services that you may need that are outside of the treatment center’s walls. At this point, you may be ready to be discharged or move on to the next level of care.

Skills Training in an Intensive Outpatient Program

Interpersonal Process Groups

These groups focus on one issue, such as sexual abuse, sexual orientation, and gender. The group may be open to your entire family or just you and your significant other. These groups teach you how your substance use affects the important people in your life.

Support Groups

Support groups are for people in the same stage of recovery. They also focus on issues such as conflict resolution, tolerance, and changing negative thinking. A support group may even address how your actions are affecting the group.

Stress Management

You are trained to recognize the triggers that cause stress and learn techniques that help you respond effectively to stress.

Assertiveness Training

This training teaches you the difference between passivity, aggressiveness, and assertiveness. In an IOP, people practice being assertive.

Relapse Prevention Techniques

In a safe environment, you pretend to be in a place where substances are being used or where your triggers encourage you to use substances. Instead, you learn techniques that keep you from indulging in substance use.

Drug or Alcohol Refusal Training

In this training, you practice refusing someone’s offer of your substance of choice.

Is IOP Painful?

IOP New Jersey is not painful. Treatment centers offer medication-assisted treatment that eases the withdrawal symptoms you experience when you are being weaned off your substances of choice.

If you are in an intensive outpatient program that lasts three to five days a week, the staff may need to administer medication to you and monitor you to ensure that you comply with your program.

Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, helps you in the following ways:

• Relieves withdrawal symptoms or cravings
• Prevents relapse
• Reduces the chances of illnesses that users of substances are susceptible to contract
• Relieves the mental health disorder that may be the reason that you have a substance use disorder
• Monitors health conditions that accompany substance use

Research supports MAT for the treatment of opioid disorders and alcohol.

In the United States, 42.1 million adults have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and 18.2% of this population also have a substance use disorder. In contrast, 23.1 million adults were diagnosed with a substance use disorder, and 37.9% also had a mental health disorder. Because substance use disorders and mental health disorders often occur simultaneously, the intensive outpatient program that you enter must be able to treat both disorders if your mental health disorder is moderately severe.

A moderately severe mental health disorder includes anxiety disorders and stable mood disorders, which will be treated in coordination with your substance use disorder. You will not be recommended for the IOP New Jersey if you have a severe disorder.

Monitoring Drug and Alcohol Use

An intensive outpatient program includes monitoring of your substance consumption. This isn’t done to prove that you are ingesting substances when you are supposed to abstain. It is done so that the staff can determine whether the therapies they give you are working for you. It may include voluntarily testing your fluids.

This testing will inform your therapist that your treatment needs to be modified if your tests return positive for the presence of your substance of choice. It is also a method that gives your family members proof that you are following your treatment program when the tests come back negative. Then, your family members trust your clinicians, and they can begin to believe that intensive outpatient treatment is working for you.

In addition to the above, monitoring is another way that your therapists can help you avoid relapses. Most importantly, it stops you from deciding to substitute another substance for the one you are weaning yourself off of now.

Case Management

When people have substance use disorders, they often lead to other issues. In an intensive outpatient program, your case manager will be able to send you to several agencies that can help you with those issues.

A case manager helps you find services that can assist you with the particular problems that you are having. The issues that you may need help with cannot necessarily be addressed in an IOP, so your case manager will help you determine which needs are greatest at the moment so that he or she can find help for these issues outside of the treatment center.

Case management services include the following:

• Helping the client find food or shelter
• Helping clients obtain services from their providers
• Addressing clients’ individualized needs
• Being someone to advocate for clients when they need to find resources
• Providing social services, including advocacy, monitoring and assessment

12-Step Fellowship

The most common type of recovery group is known as the “12-step fellowship.” Examples of 12-step groups are CA or Cocaine Anonymous, NA or Narcotics Anonymous and AA or Alcoholics Anonymous. These programs have high retention rates, so they have proven that giving people principles of conduct and support is a highly effective way of helping people navigate their way through their addictions to substances.

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program in New Jersey Right for Me?

Intensive outpatient treatment will help you overcome your substance use disorder if you are willing to participate. It is just one step on the continuum of care, but it is a very important step. As a matter of fact, an IOP New Jersey is as effective as residential treatment for a majority of the people.

The intensive outpatient program in New Jersey at Garden State Treatment Center is better than the rest because we will remain with you from the beginning of your journey toward sobriety until the end. After we guide you through recovery, we will develop a treatment plan that is tailored specifically for you. We even have an alumni program designed for our outpatient program graduates. It is our way of offering you continuous support and guidance throughout the years.

Contact us at Garden State Treatment Center today if you are ready to get help for your substance use disorder.

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-08-30
Updated on: 2024-02-16

What Is Cocaine and How Does It Affect Your Body?

Cocaine is a fast-acting and powerful drug made from coca plant leaves. It’s a chemical stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Users who take cocaine may feel more confident and alert, and the drug often causes an intense euphoric high that lasts for a few minutes to an hour. Unfortunately, cocaine can be psychologically and physically addictive, and it has a high potential for abuse. In the United States, cocaine is a heavily restricted drug that is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Under United States federal law, it is illegal to possess cocaine, yet it remains a popular and common recreational substance.

How Do People Use Cocaine?

Cocaine is fairly easy to consume. It takes effect quickly, but how quickly and long a user feels the effects of cocaine depends on how they use it. Cocaine can be powdered, solidified, or liquefied. It can be snorted through the nose, injected, rubbed into the gums, or smoked. If you snort cocaine, it will travel through your body’s mucous membranes and tissues before it enters your bloodstream, so it may take three to five minutes to feel high. Smoking and intravenous injections immediately deliver the drug to your bloodstream and produce effects within five to ten seconds. All of these delivery mechanisms produce a high that lasts about 20 minutes. If you ingest cocaine, it will become active in about 10 to 30 minutes, but you may feel its effects for up to an hour. Using cocaine with other drugs can also change the duration or intensity of the high.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Your System?

The mode of delivery doesn’t just affect how you feel when you use cocaine; it also influences how long cocaine will remain in your system. Cocaine can stay in your body for up to four days, but it can also leave behind traces of evidence that stick around for weeks, months, and even years. Cocaine can be detected in your urine, blood, saliva, or hair. Many variables, like your body weight, metabolism, frequency of use, and the amount you take, influence how long the drug will stay in your system. An hour after you take cocaine, half of the dose will leave your bloodstream. If you snort cocaine, rub it into your gums, or take it while drinking alcohol, your body may eliminate it less quickly than it would if you injected or smoked it. If you’ve ever wondered, “How long does cocaine stay in urine?” the answer is less than three days. The more cocaine you consume, the longer your body will take to get rid of the drug. Long-term or frequent use may cause cocaine to linger in your body, making it detectable for longer. The purity of the drug can also affect the length of time it stays in your system. It’s unlikely that you can flush cocaine from your body by drinking water, although the drug may stay in your tissues longer if you are dehydrated.

What Are Cocaine Metabolites?

Your body produces byproducts called metabolites as it metabolizes, or processes, cocaine. As your body breaks down the drug, various metabolites travel through your bloodstream, accumulate in your cells and tissues, and pass into your urine. Some metabolites stay in your body longer than others. The most commonly screened metabolite is benzoylecgonine, a substance that can be stored in fatty tissues. If you have a high body fat percentage, you’re more likely to retain cocaine metabolites in your system.

How Do Drug Tests Identify Cocaine?

Cocaine and its metabolites can be identified by drug screening tests given within two to ten days after use. Sometimes the detection window is longer. The amount of time a test will be viable can also depend on the test given. Generally, blood or saliva tests can detect cocaine and its metabolites for up to two days after use. Urine tests can show a positive response for up to three days for average users, and heavy users can test positive within a 14-day window. Cocaine can be detected in your hair for up to three months. In some cases, traces of cocaine can be found in your hair years after you take it, but this is less likely if you cut your hair.

What Is Cocaine Withdrawal?

The sooner you stop using cocaine, the faster it will leave your body. If you are a frequent or heavy user, you may experience symptoms of cocaine withdrawal a few hours to a few days after you stop using the drug. If you are affected by cocaine withdrawal, you may experience the following symptoms:

• insomnia
• anxiety
• depression
• lack of focus
• fatigue
• hunger
• impatience
• oversensitivity
• cravings

How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?

Cocaine withdrawal can last several days and sometimes longer. Three commonly experienced stages of cocaine withdrawal are listed below.

Acute Cocaine Withdrawal

The initial withdrawal period may involve the acute onset of symptoms that may be severe. This phase can last up to two weeks. A user needs to be extremely self-aware or carefully monitored and supported through the extreme exhaustion and depression that can occur when they stop using cocaine.

Post-acute Cocaine Withdrawal

A user may continue to feel fatigued and moody after acute withdrawal. Changes in appetite and cocaine cravings are common. The combined acute and post-acute withdrawal periods may last two weeks or more.

Prolonged Cocaine Withdrawal

Prolonged cocaine withdrawal can include persistent fatigue and depression lasting for weeks or months. Some people will experience extreme drug cravings or changes in demeanor during this time.

How Can Cocaine Withdrawal Be Managed?

It’s always a good idea to reach out for assistance if cutting back on cocaine becomes too uncomfortable. With caution and attention, some people can manage the detoxification process at home, but clinical supervision is often advised. In every circumstance, you should practice self-care. Eating nutritious food and drinking plenty of fluids regularly can help you feel better. If you can, try to eliminate stressors from your life for a few days. Take a long bath, massage, go outside, or watch a movie. Keep in touch with friends you trust, and call your primary physician or a professional if you feel overwhelmed.

What Is a Cocaine Overdose?

Cocaine users should be aware of the risks taking the drug presents and be able to recognize signs of an overdose. Chest pain, an irregular pulse, rising blood pressure, and extreme agitation should be taken extremely seriously and require immediate medical attention. A cocaine overdose can cause hallucinations, seizures, or heart attacks. These conditions can be critically injurious or fatal.

What Treatments Are Available for Cocaine Addiction?

A person who is addicted to cocaine will keep using it even if it is causing harm. Addiction can’t be cured, but it can be managed and treated. When cocaine use becomes unmanageable, some people seek inpatient or outpatient treatment at a drug rehabilitation facility. Individual and group therapy can include individual and group sessions, cognitive behavioral techniques, and adventure therapy. These treatments can strengthen your resolve, self-esteem, and ability to function without chemical substances. Drug addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all; different treatments work for different people. Medication-assisted treatments are a viable option for some people. The best treatment for you depends on your situation and the severity of your condition. If you feel like your cocaine use is out of control or damaging your life and relationships, it’s important to ask for help. Seek out a compassionate, knowledgeable physician or a drug rehabilitation professional you can trust to help you find the path back to a healthier lifestyle.

How Can I Ask for Help?

If you have an unhealthy relationship with cocaine, consider reaching out to the professionals at Garden State Treatment Center in Sparta, New Jersey. Our caring staff has the training and expertise to facilitate your recovery. We can provide you with therapies and treatments that ease your suffering and take you beyond addiction.

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Published on: 2022-08-30
Updated on: 2024-02-29

Almost everyone wonders if they can drink alcohol while taking antibiotics. As health experts, we say no. We often get questions about using levofloxacin and alcohol together, while some inquiries concern Levaquin and alcohol. Neither drug interacts well with alcohol, leaving you to deal with the consequences. We understand you need to use antibiotics sometimes for UTIs or other bacterial infections. However, taking them when you drink an amount of alcohol can create problems you do not want.

At Garden State Treatment Center, we always tell you the straight truth. If you keep reading, you can see that we rely on facts. You can count on us to tell you the best things to do for your health. Our honesty and knowledge require us to tell you the things not to do also.

UNDERSTANDING HOW ALCOHOL AND ANTIBIOTICS CAN INTERACT

Some of the unpleasant effects you get from alcohol may occur from antibiotics, too. When you combine them, you get a double dose of side effects. Levaquin and alcohol can upset your stomach and make you dizzy or drowsy. The same thing happens when you use levofloxacin and alcohol. While these two drugs may not produce a dangerous reaction, many other antibiotics can create a potentially serious condition.

Package labels warn you not to use either drug with alcohol, and you take a risk when you ignore them. In addition, the combination of either drug or both with alcohol can cause memory loss and confusion. Disturbances in attention can make it unsafe for you to drive, operate machinery, or accept responsibilities for the welfare of others.

TYPES OF ANTIBIOTICS

There are hundreds of different types of antibiotics, but most of it are classified into six groups of common antibiotics, according to the National Health Service (NHS).

1. Penicillins – this is frequently used to treat a number of illnesses, including skin infections, chest infections, and urinary tract infections. Examples of penicillins include penicillin, amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, flucloxacillin, and phenoxymethylpenicillin.
2. Aminoglycosides (such as gentamicin and tobramycin)- Since they can have major adverse effects like hearing loss and kidney damage, they are often only used in hospitals to treat very serious illnesses like sepsis. They are typically administered by injection but may also be administered as drops for specific ear or eye infections.
3. Cephalosporins (such as cefalexin) – are used to treat various illnesses, but some of them are particularly useful for treating more severe infections, like sepsis and meningitis.
4. Tetracyclines (such as tetracycline, doxycycline, and lymecycline) – can be used to treat a variety of infections, although they’re most frequently used to treat rosacea and acne.
5. Fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) – are broad-spectrum antibiotics that were originally used to treat a variety of illnesses, including respiratory and urinary tract infections; these antibiotics are no longer regularly used due to the potential for major adverse effects.
6. Macrolides (such as azithromycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin) – can be very helpful for treating lung and chest infections, or as a replacement for penicillin for those who have an allergy to it, or for treating germs that are resistant to it.

Other antibiotics include nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim (used for urinary tract infections), fusidic acid (used for skin and eye infections), and doctors prescribing metronidazole drugs for skin infections, leg ulcers, pressure sores, and vaginal or oral infections. 

Aside from that, there is tinidazole, an antibiotic that is occasionally used to treat many of the same infections as metronidazole which also aids in the elimination of the gut bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and chloramphenicol (used for eye and ear infections).

FINDING OUT WHAT SIDE EFFECTS CAN OCCUR FROM ALCOHOL AND ANTIBIOTICS

We understand that you may want a drink when you have a UTI, but it defeats the purpose of healing medicine. Alcohol can make it take longer to get rid of the infection, leaving you in extreme discomfort for longer than you need otherwise. In addition, antibiotics can lose their strength when you drink alcohol. So, not only does it take longer to heal, but the quality of your recovery suffers, too.

As your body processes alcohol, it produces reactions that can cause nausea. When you take antibiotics, you may already feel some digestive side effects. Unfortunately, the feelings of nausea can increase when you drink alcohol.

While you probably know that drinking alcohol causes liver damage or liver disease, you may not realize it can also affect your immune system as well. When your body tries to rid itself of an infection, it needs help from you to avoid making things worse. Medical advice is a must.

WEAKENING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Drinking too much makes your body subject to attack by disease. Chronic drinkers face a greater risk of getting pneumonia or tuberculosis than those who drink less. However, as you try to recover from a UTI attack, alcohol makes it more difficult. Drinking a lot on even one occasion to take a break from the discomfort you feel may make it tricky for you to defend against infections. Depending on how much you drink to relieve the pain of an infection, it can take 24 hours for the effects to stop interfering with getting well.

CONSIDERING WHAT ELSE ALCOHOL AFFECTS

You may temporarily relieve stress when you drink, but nothing else in your body benefits from it. The damage seems to accumulate over time, but you can see an immediate reaction in your organs. So, when you see the impact of alcohol on your body, it makes sense that antibiotics make it harder for them to do their job.

Brain

Alcohol affects the way your brain works. Changes to the communication pathways affect your mood, behavior, movement, and ability to think clearly.

Heart

Drinking too much on any one occasion can damage your heart, depending on how much time passes. It can stretch your heart muscle and make it droop. As a result, you can get an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or even a stroke.

Liver

As the organ that processes the alcohol you drink, it can become inflamed or fatty in response. Fibrosis and cirrhosis commonly result from heavy drinking.

Pancreas

Alcohol makes your pancreas produce toxins that eventually prevent it from helping you digest food.

Cancer

While not a pleasant thought to consider, research shows that the more you drink, the more your risk of cancer increases. The effects accumulate and get worse over time.

LEARNING WHY ALCOHOL INTERFERES WITH ANTIBIOTICS

We know that you may find it confusing to think about how your body reacts to alcohol and drugs. Our board-certified physician in Family Medicine wants to ensure you have the information you need to make good decisions. Our experienced staff of expert healthcare providers places your welfare as the top priority. We can assist you through any issues concerning Levaquin and alcohol, levofloxacin and alcohol, or any other treatment matters.

The antibiotics you take can achieve the effect you need by traveling through your bloodstream to the site of the infection. Then, it makes the changes you need. The effects of medication become less as your body processes and eliminate them. An antibiotic’s effect when it reaches the infection depends on retaining its healing availability. Unfortunately, alcohol can change its availability. It competes with the drug for processing and can make the drug more likely to produce side effects.

GUARDING AGAINST ALCOHOL-DRUG INTERACTIONS

About 70 percent of American adults drink alcohol at least once in a while, and research suggests that 10 percent drink daily. About twice as many men as women have had at least one adverse life event related to alcohol. An event may not amount to more than an argument with a family member, but many results in more serious outcomes.

The potential for interaction problems becomes greater when considering the wide use of drugs in the country. Americans have access to more than 2,800 drugs that require a prescription. In addition to them, anyone can buy 2,000 medicines that do not need a doctor’s order. As a result, physicians write about 14 billion prescriptions each year.

When you match alcohol use with the availability of prescription drugs, it seems clear that concurrent use may happen pretty often. However, researchers find that the elderly population seems more likely to have medication interaction side effects than younger people. The Centers for Disease Control notes that 1 out of 5 visits to the emergency room for medicine-related problems result from a reaction to antibiotics.

AVOIDING EVEN MORE DANGEROUS ANTIBIOTICS

Levofloxacin and alcohol or Levaquin and alcohol can change the effects of alcohol, medicine, or both. The interaction can happen even with moderate drinking and produce adverse health effects. Either they prevent the antibiotic from working or make the drug more powerful. Both types of interactions may occur at the same time.

After reading about mixing antibiotics or drugs that treat UTIs with alcohol, you know you can get some unpleasant side effects. Drowsiness and dizziness may occur with an upset stomach as they prevent the medicine from doing its job. However, some other antibiotics can cause more serious side effects.

Three antibiotics that we recommend you avoid include Flagyl, Tindamax, and Bactrim. A severe reaction can occur if you drink any alcohol while you take these drugs. Responses may include flushing and a rapid heart rate. A headache with nausea and vomiting can make you feel terrible. In addition, Zyvox can interact with red wine, tap beer, and other alcoholic beverages to create a dangerous increase in your blood pressure.

Also, wine, beer, sherry, and lager are examples of undistilled (fermented) alcoholic beverages that may interact with the medication linezolid. Furthermore, doxycycline may be less effective in patients with a history of heavy drinking since alcohol consumption can decrease this medication’s effectiveness.

SEEING THE DIFFERENCES

Because antibiotics and alcohol have certain things in common, you may wonder what makes them different from each other. First, both have addictive substances that can harm your body. Second, age provides the only restriction against buying an alcoholic beverage, while drugs require a prescription. Third, your body can absorb only a few of the various kinds of alcohol because the others produce toxicity. However, your body can absorb drugs that treat specific conditions if you do not take too much.

Some drugs may produce allergic reactions, including itching, rashes, fever, watery eyes, and swelling. Anaphylaxis, a hazardous condition, causes low blood pressure and other symptoms. Alcohol allergies present some of the same symptoms. They may show up as a headache, nausea, vomiting, or rapid heartbeat. Alcohol allergies can create anaphylaxis, too, and it may take nothing more than a sip of wine or beer to start a reaction.

SAYING GOODBYE TO A FRIEND

When you think of how alcohol helps you relax and forget about worries, you may start to think of it as a good friend. Always available and ready to help, it can seem like the best friend you ever had. However, it stops acting like a pal when it starts making demands that harm you. Most friendships have a give-and-take relationship, where everyone gets what they want part of the time. Alcohol does not behave like that.

Even when you know that mixing levofloxacin and alcohol or Levaquin and alcohol can cause harm, your body may still want you to drink. By then, you may understand that alcohol has become a threat to your well-being and not a friend. When you realize that you have no choice in the matter, we can help you regain control of your life and decisions.

CHOOSING GARDEN STATE FOR BETTER TREATMENT

We believe everyone can change and choose a path to fulfillment and enjoyable life. Unlike other treatment programs, we know everyone who comes to us has a unique life experience.

Therefore, we treat you as an individual with your own set of circumstances. At Garden State Treatment Center, you can find an outpatient treatment that suits you perfectly. Let us hear from you on our Live Chat feature online, or call us today.

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-07-04
Updated on: 2024-02-28

Believing in God means believing in forgiveness and redemption. For people who struggle with addiction, the recovery journey is similar. It is a fresh start, and as many people go through treatment and recovery, they seek redemption. They work hard to improve their lives. Having faith in God helps people realize they have an ultimate goal to work toward both on their recovery journey and in other aspects of life. It gives them the hope of an eternal reward for all their struggles.

For example, the Orthodox Christian church, which views church as a hospital for the soul, teaches that even the most difficult struggles in life can give people opportunities to strengthen their faith and draw closer to God.[1] Viewing struggles as opportunities for rewards can help change a person’s perspective on the difficulties they face throughout recovery. People who are Christians or are interested in learning about faith-based recovery programs can benefit from learning about how to overcome addiction with God. Treatment facilities respect everyone’s religious beliefs and encourage them to treat mind, body and spirit during recovery.

Why Faith in God Helps Many People Recover From Addiction

Faith in a higher power may help people overcome addiction because of the positive benefits it produces. One of the common feelings people have with addiction is guilt. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that can have lasting effects on the brain.[2] Substances alter the way the brain functions, and the altered functions also lead to behavioral changes.[3] People who struggle with addiction do not behave in ways they normally would. They may lie, steal or do other things that hurt family and friends, and those actions make them feel guilty later when they start addiction treatment.

Many people also say that they feel like something is missing in life. Others learn that they seek substances because they feel empty or are trying to heal from past trauma. Research shows that having religious beliefs may help some people heal from past trauma and may help treat depression for some.[4] Part of having faith in God is believing that every person’s life has a purpose. When people believe that, it may help them fill the emptiness they feel from other negative experiences in life.

People who learn how to overcome addiction with God also find faith rewarding. The Christian faith promotes helping others, which can be great for people with addiction. When individuals struggle with addiction, their brains create cravings for substances because of the pleasurable feelings they cause. Studies show that helping others can create similar rewarding feelings for the brain.[5] In this way, helping others can replace a negative habit with a positive one.

Those are just a few reasons why having faith God may help people overcome addiction. It is also important to understand how to overcome addiction with God through regular treatment and spiritual health changes.

Why Professional Addiction Treatment Is Also Important

Faith alone is not meant to replace addiction treatment. Even many pastors, priests and other leaders recommend professional therapy along with trying to build or rebuild a relationship with God. These are some key reasons why professional addiction treatment is also important:

• People work with therapists to learn the causes of their behaviors or choices.
• Therapists teach people ways to change behaviors, avoid triggers and cope with troubling or unavoidable situations.
• People undergo treatments that can help them face past traumas to heal from them.
• There are supporting therapies that help people improve mind, body and spirit.
• Individuals with unmet mental health needs discover them, and those mental health issues are often major factors that lead to addiction.

When people discover that they have a co-occurring mental health disorder, they can find a treatment plan that works. Treating mental health issues and addiction together is critical to reduce the risk of relapsing.[6]

How To Overcome Addiction With God

Addiction often has a detrimental effect on personal relationships, work, school and more. Having a source of hope through faith can help people find the daily ambition to keep moving forward. Connecting with God spiritually for the first time or reconnecting can be both helpful and meaningful to people who are starting their recovery journey. These are some examples of how to overcome addiction with God.

Find Christian Community Support

One of the first things people learn in professional addiction treatment is how important it is to have support. Having a support network is so important that clinicians often recommend inpatient treatment if people do not have a supportive living environment.[7] For Christians, it is important to find a supportive church, a church group or a Christian sobriety group. For example, there are Celebrate Recovery groups in several areas throughout New Jersey. Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program with a Christian foundation.[8]

Pray

As all Christians know, it can be hard to pray sometimes. Many Christians or people who are considering Christianity feel ashamed of past actions. Praying can also seem hard when life is filled with other responsibilities and concerns. However, prayer can be a powerful tool in building self-discipline. Practicing self-discipline to abstain from substance cravings is one strategy that people learn in addiction treatment. For Christians, praying is often the first response to any trouble. It can be a helpful way for many to deal with troublesome situations that may trigger them.

However, it may sometimes seem difficult to know what to pray about or how to put thoughts into words. One of the oldest and simplest prayers is just a request for the Lord’s mercy. It is not mercy in the form of pity as people know it in the modern English language. The original Greek translation also means kindness, good will for people who are afflicted and a true desire to help.[9] Addiction is an affliction, and many Christians find it helpful to pray for God’s mercy since God knows even the needs they cannot communicate.

Practice Biblical Principles

Galatians 5:22-23 in the Bible talks about the fruits of the spirit. They are:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

These spiritual fruits help people build virtues and good character. Also, this list aligns with what people learn in addiction treatment. For example, practicing patience can be helpful in overcoming addiction if anger is a response that a person often has to situations. Through addiction treatment and a faith-based approach, a person can learn healthier responses to situations. Biblical principles and strategies for overcoming addiction align so well that more than 70% of addiction treatment programs in the United States include one or more faith-based approaches.[10]

Seek Encouragement

Because peers or family can be sources of valuable encouragement, this point emphasizes the importance of community support. Also, Christians can seek encouragement from the Bible. Encouragement is helpful to deal with daily struggles of triggering difficulties and substance cravings. Psalms is especially a great book in the Bible for encouragement. There are also free devotional materials online from different denominations or even pre-denominational churches. Celebrate Recovery or other 12-step meetings can also be great sources of encouragement to continue in recovery and grow spiritually.

Focus on Forgiveness

One of the commandments that appears often in the Bible directly and in stories is forgiveness. It is so important that Jesus said for anyone who does not forgive others, that person’s sins will not be forgiven. Holding onto anger, resentment and other negative feelings will mostly hurt the person holding them. In traditional addiction therapy, people learn how to let go of negative feelings for their own healing. In the 12 steps, people ask for forgiveness from those they wronged. Asking for forgiveness and being quick to forgive others helps build humility, which is one of the most powerful virtues.

Christians in addiction recovery can also appreciate the story of the Prodigal Son. Remembering that God is quick and willing to forgive anything like the father in that story is an encouraging reminder that redemption is always available. That helps people get back up quickly when they fail. Getting back up, repenting and moving forward is a practice that is also helpful to have in the event of a relapse.

Learn More About How To Overcome Addiction With God and Professional Treatment

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and needs spiritual help, there are options. Garden State Treatment Center in Sparta can help connect you with the right addiction treatment program. Also, we can help you find spiritual resources and learn how to overcome addiction with God. We also respect all other religions and welcome people from all backgrounds to learn more about our New Jersey addiction treatment programs.

References
[1] https://www.schwebster.org/about-orthodoxy/the-church-as-a-hospital
[2] https://www.verywellmind.com/addiction-is-a-chronic-brain-disease-67874
[3] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3426191/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3780662/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1362227/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64815/
[8] https://www.celebraterecovery.com/resources/cr-tools/12steps
[9] https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/eleos.html
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6759672/

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Published on: 2022-05-18
Updated on: 2024-02-16

For those not familiar with Adderall, it is a combination drug comprising amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. For years, Adderall has been considered a go-to drug for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, and this is for a good reason.

The amphetamine and dextroamphetamine in Adderall act as central nervous system stimulants, which means they affect chemicals in the nerves and brain responsible for regulating hyperactivity and impulse control. Because of its effects on the central nervous system (CNS), Adderall also combats narcolepsy. In short, this means it keeps people awake when they would otherwise be sleeping. Because Adderall promotes wakefulness in this way, it is exceedingly popular among college students. Available data shows that more than 14 percent of college men and a little over 8 percent of college women misuse or outright abuse the drug, often to stay awake while studying for an exam. Many have even admitted to pairing Adderall with caffeine to intensify its effects. Although combining Adderall with caffeine does make it easier to pull an all-night study session and maybe even ace a few exams, doing so comes at a hefty cost.

Adderall and Caffeine: The Downside of Being Overstimulated

There is such a thing as having too much of a good thing, and it certainly applies to combining Adderall and caffeine. When taken as prescribed and consumed responsibly, they both offer incredible benefits. However, pairing the two or misusing them by themselves can have consequences. Misusing Adderall alone can increase the risk of encountering numerous physical and mental health problems, notes a combined study from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Collectively, these organizations agree that the misuse and abuse of Adderall can alter the brain to the extent that it triggers cravings, drug-seeking behaviors, and, more often than not, addiction. But it doesn’t end there; the following can also stem from misusing and abusing Adderall:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coronary artery disease
• Circulation issues
• Arrhythmia
• Psychosis
• Anxiety and depression
• Unintended weight loss

When individuals combine Adderall with caffeine, they are at even greater risk of experiencing these issues. They may even encounter a few additional ones as a result of being hopped up on caffeine, some of which include the following:

• Restlessness and shakiness
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• A rapid heartbeat
• Dehydration
• Digestive Issues
• Muscle breakdown
• High blood pressure
• A frequent need to urinate

How the Human Body Responds to the Combination of Adderall and Caffeine

Having established that there are dangers associated with combining Adderall and caffeine, let’s take a moment to learn about what happens in the human body when someone overindulges on these two powerful stimulants. Both Adderall and caffeine are powerful stimulants that affect dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, which means they overtax the CNS when taken together. One of the things that have come out as a result of studies done on the effects of Adderall and caffeine is how caffeine reduces the efficacy of Adderall. Studies show that when individuals consume coffee, tea, soda, or even caffeine pills, it makes Adderall less effective and increases their chances of experiencing plenty of unpleasant side effects. And this was said to be true even if they consumed caffeine within just a few hours of taking Adderall. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned doctors and individuals alike about the dangers of combining Adderall with caffeine, citing that the combination can cause anxiety, nervousness, trouble sleeping, and more.

A Closer Look at How Combining Adderall and Caffeine Affects Both the Brain and Body

To fully appreciate how combining Adderall and caffeine, in any form, can trigger an onslaught of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms, we should probably take a close look at how these stimulants, when taken together, affect the brain and body. When someone has Adderall and caffeine in their system, their heart rate and blood pressure will increase considerably. Initially, these two events will trigger chest pain and feelings of anxiety, which speaks to the combined effects of Adderall and caffeine on the brain and the body.

As the body works to combat chest pain and feelings of anxiety, more side effects start to emerge. When the brain signals the nervous system and major organs in the body to work harder to counter the effects of chest pain and anxiety, it sends fewer signals to itself. And those are signals that the brain sends to itself are critical to homeostasis; as such, the chest pain and feelings of anxiety that most people experience due to having Adderall and caffeine in their system is usually in addition to the following:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased anxiety
• Extreme fatigue
• Difficulty thinking

Even if someone is lucky enough to avoid all of the side effects commonly associated with Adderall, there is still the risk of addiction.

How Caffeine Increases the Risk of Adderall Addiction

Studies show that Adderall is as addictive as crystal meth. That said, pairing it with caffeine only leads to a higher tolerance. When individuals develop a higher tolerance, they often resort to taking a higher dose of the powerful stimulant. The more they do this, the more likely addiction becomes, say many addiction experts in rehab facilities all across America. They further say this because of the increase in production of norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain when someone takes Adderall, especially when they combine it with caffeine. To better make sense of all of this, we should probably take a moment to familiarize ourselves with these two neurotransmitters. In the brain, norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter responsible for promoting arousal, alertness, and vigilance, all of which help combat narcolepsy and feelings of fatigue. Dopamine, meanwhile, is a neurotransmitter responsible for, among other things, pleasurable sensations.

Common Signs of Adderall Addiction

When most people develop an Adderall addiction, they will often engage in new or strange behaviors. Some of these new or strange behaviors might include the following:

• Needing to keep upping their dose
• Wanting to quit stimulants but being unable to do so
• Not being able to get through the day without taking stimulants
• Becoming preoccupied with finding, buying, and taking stimulants
• Being unable to feel alert without stimulants
• Neglecting work or home obligations
• Becoming depressed, irritable, or struggling with other withdrawal symptoms typical of abrupt cessation of stimulants

Something to note when it comes to stimulant addiction is that it happens unintentionally in most cases. Even people who take Adderall or combine Adderall with caffeine do so for legitimate reasons, such as combating ADHD, staying awake to study for an exam, or being more productive at work. Over time, unfortunately, the constant desire or physical need to overindulge on stimulants culminates in addiction.

Bottom Line

In summary, combining Adderall and any form of caffeine is a bad idea. After all, numerous side effects can result from doing so, not to mention an increased risk of addiction. If that is not enough to deter you, you should know that it is entirely possible to overdose and die from going overboard with Adderall. According to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), between 1994 and 2020, over 6100 reports of adverse events have been attributed to abusing Adderall and Adderall XR. Of those 6100 or so cases, over 200 resulted in death. Bearing that in mind, along with everything else discussed in this article, if you suspect that you have a problem with Adderall or any other stimulant, consider seeking help today.

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Published on: 2022-03-30
Updated on: 2024-04-07

Although millions of Americans struggle with alcoholism, only about 10% receive the treatment they need.[1] Friends, family members, and colleagues may be the first ones to notice signs of alcoholism in a person. If you are wondering how to identify an alcoholic, it helps to understand what alcoholism is, the different types of alcoholics, and their common characteristics. Recognizing the characteristics of an alcoholic is an important step toward developing a strategy to help someone.

What Is an Alcoholic?

An alcoholic is a person who has alcohol use disorder, which is also called alcoholism.[2] Alcoholism occurs when a person cannot control their ability to stop drinking. They become dependent on alcohol and may develop an addiction. Addiction happens when a person is unable to stop drinking even though the person recognizes and understands the negative effects of alcohol.

Types of Alcoholics

For anyone who knows an alcoholic or is trying to identify one, it also helps to understand the five subtypes.[3] Not all people who struggle with alcoholism are the same. Their misuse may have started at different times or for different reasons. Also, their actions can differ. These are the basics to understand the five subtypes:

1. The young adult subtype comprises about 31% of alcoholism cases, and people in this group usually start drinking in their teens and are dependent on alcohol as young adults.
2. The functional subtype, which accounts for about 20% of alcoholism cases, includes people who are able to maintain normal professional and personal lives for a while.
3. The young antisocial subtype makes up about 21% of cases and includes antisocial people who start drinking in their teens and often have co-occurring mental health disorders.
4. The intermediate familial subtype, which accounts for nearly 19% of cases, includes people who are more likely to have alcoholic family members, multiple addictions, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
5. The chronic severe subtype includes about 9% of alcoholics, and they heavily drink more frequently than others, are more likely to have substantial difficulties in life, and commonly have co-occurring mental health issues.

Subtypes can help provide clues about substance misuse that may be harder to detect. For example, a common sign of alcoholism is a poorer performance at work. However, a high-functioning alcoholic may still perform well at work for several years. At some point, the person’s life may start to fall apart due to health problems, loss of a relationship, or something else.[4] It helps to combine knowledge of subtypes and characteristics to better understand an alcoholic.

Common Characteristics of an Alcoholic

If you are wondering how to potentially identify alcoholism in a loved one, there are several characteristics you may observe. Since alcohol addiction causes changes in the brain, people often share some of the same characteristics that result from those. These are some of the most common behavioral examples.

Blaming Others

This is a common behavior among people with any type of addiction. An alcoholic may blame the effects of alcohol use or the alcohol misuse itself on someone else. For instance, a person may blame stress from a boss at work or a spouse for their urge to drink. If the person loses a job, gains weight or experiences something else negative as a result of alcohol misuse, the individual may instead blame those effects on another person or event. You may also notice that an alcoholic tries to rationalize behaviors.

Focused on Alcohol

With any subtype of alcoholic, it is common to notice a fixation on alcohol use. For example, the person may carefully plan activities or social gatherings to make sure there will be alcohol. When there is no alcohol, the person may appear agitated or bored. An alcoholic will likely decline an invitation to your home if you do not drink or do not allow alcohol in your home. Also, if you suggest meeting at a place where there is no alcohol, such as a coffee shop, the person may quickly decline. This change is easier to notice if the individual used to attend events or meet friends at alcohol-free places.

Makes Excuses

Unless an alcoholic is in recovery, the person will continually place blame on other people or things. People who abuse alcohol do not want to place accountability on themselves for their drinking or their actions. For example, if someone you think may be an alcoholic says that a rough week is a reason for consuming five or six drinks, that is placing the blame on the week’s events. The person will make excuses to drink heavily by using that tactic. An alcoholic will also make excuses for missing work, canceling plans with friends, or anything else. Even though you may be sure alcohol consumption is the reason for the individual’s absence, the person will shift the blame to something else. It is common for alcoholics to lie about their plans or whereabouts.

Mood Swings

Because how alcohol alters the brain, it causes a person’s mood to change. Also, when someone who is dependent on alcohol needs more of it, the individual is more likely to be agitated and anxious. You may notice that the person lashes out at you, gets upset easily, and becomes angry when you talk about a possible drinking problem. Some may appear more cheerful when they are drinking, and some people tend to become angrier or more depressed. Watch for behavior shifts when a person is drinking and when the person is in a situation where there is no alcohol.

Deceptive or Manipulative Behavior

Alcoholics tend to deceive or manipulate people in order to feed their alcohol cravings. This may include manipulating or deceiving someone for more money to buy alcohol. An alcoholic may deceive or manipulate people to keep them from criticizing the individual’s behavior or trying to help. Since alcoholics believe they need the substance, anyone who tries to take it away or interfere may appear as a threat.

Impulsiveness or Recklessness

Most of the alcoholic subtypes discussed previously include people who start drinking at a young age. Research shows that adolescents and young adults tend to have significant impairment in judgment and increased impulsivity with heavy drinking.[5] One dangerous change occurs in the area of the brain that is responsible for higher reasoning, which is why alcoholics often make self-destructive decisions. If you spend much time around an alcoholic, you may notice that the person’s drinking and reckless behavior become uncontrollable.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Some people who struggle with alcoholism do not spend much time around others, which can present challenges in studying their characteristics. If you are unable to be around a person you suspect has an alcohol use disorder, you may notice some signs of a problem. Although high-functioning alcoholics may not display all these signs, these are some potential changes to watch for:

• Acting unusually secretive and maybe guarding a drawer or other place where alcohol is kept.
• Experiencing new and unusual financial or legal difficulties.
• Withdrawing from social obligations.
• Inability to maintain obligations to family.
• Performing poorer in sports, at school, or at work.
• Lack of interest in physical appearance and poorer hygiene.

How To Help an Alcoholic

If you notice any of the previous signs or characteristics of an alcoholic in a loved one, trying to help can be a challenge. The person may mistake your attempts to help as personal attacks. Every situation is different, which is why it is important to enlist the help of professionals whenever you consider developing a strategy to help someone. Rehab facilities can often refer concerned family members, friends, or colleagues to professional interventionists. They assist in helping a loved one realize the effects of alcoholism on those around them.

Convincing someone to get help often takes the collaborative effort of more than one person. If you notice characteristics of an alcoholic in someone and have questions about treatment options, we are here for you. Please contact us to learn more about how you can help. Also, if you struggle with alcohol misuse and need help for yourself, we can discuss treatment options with you.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4872610/
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163
[3] https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-health-education-and-promotion/resource/five-types-of-alcoholics
[4] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/200901/characteristics-high-functioning-alcoholics
[5] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116181945.htm

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Published on: 2022-03-30
Updated on: 2024-02-28