Cocaine Archives - Garden State Treatment Center

Tag: Cocaine

Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid and stimulant drug obtained primarily from the leaves of two coca species native to South America, Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense. It is most commonly used as a recreational drug and euphoriant.

Is Chocolate a Drug?

Some people have addictive personalities. They tend to fall into the pattern of doing things excessively regardless of what they’re doing. For example, a person with an addictive personality might want to spend every waking moment with their significant other.

They might enter into a romantic relationship and soon scare their partner off because they can’t stand to spend more than several hours alone. They might take up running and soon find themselves running for between three and four hours every single day, despite the looming threat of injury.

Can Considered Chocolate as a Drug?

A person with an addictive personality might find it difficult to limit themselves to social drinking or recreational drug use. They might discover the food they enjoy and begin eating that food several times a day. People are wired differently. What serves as a “drug” to one person might be a casual enjoyment for another. Therefore, when asking the question, “Is chocolate a drug,” well — it depends on who you’re asking. By scientific standards, no, chocolate is not a drug. It’s a dessert. But for someone who has been struggling with a binge eating disorder, chocolate might very well act as a drug.

Is Chocolate a Drug?

Is Chocolate Addictive?

When people think of addictive substances, they tend to think of drugs or alcohol or certain behaviors (like sex and gambling) that stimulate the reward center in the brain. However, according to some studies, including a study recently published by the National Library of Medicine, chocolate can provoke the same behavioral reactions in susceptible persons as chemical substances like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Not to the same degree, of course — but chocolate can be physically and psychologically addictive. 

According to the study:

Chocolate contains several biologically active constituents (methylxanthines, biogenic amines, and cannabinoid-like fatty acids), all of which potentially cause abnormal behaviors and psychological sensations that parallel those of other addictive substances. Most likely, a combination of chocolate’s sensory characteristics, nutrient composition, and psychoactive ingredients, compounded with monthly hormonal fluctuations and mood swings among women, will ultimately form the model of chocolate cravings. 

Chocolate Can Act as a “Drug” to Anyone Who is Predisposed

Women are more susceptible to chocolate cravings because of the hormonal changes they regularly undergo, but — interestingly enough — chocolate can act as a “drug” to anyone who is predisposed. This is because chocolate can stimulate the brain’s reward center in the way that drugs and alcohol can. So, of course, a person who has been eating chocolate compulsively might be questioned if they attempted to admit themselves into a medical detox program or an inpatient rehab because of an inclination towards Reese’s or Twix bars. But that isn’t to say some degree of treatment isn’t entirely unnecessary. 

Addiction and Eating Disorders Problems

Chocolate is not a controlled substance, and it cannot be prescribed — meaning for all intents and purposes, it is not a drug. However, for a person who has been struggling with compulsive overeating or any other type of eating disorder, chocolate can act like a drug.

Therefore, if you have been struggling with an eating disorder, there is a good chance that some degree of treatment is necessary. In most cases, a 12 step meeting like OA (Overeaters Anonymous) will do the trick. However, if you have simultaneously been struggling with drug addiction or an alcohol abuse disorder, attending a treatment program like Garden State Treatment Center’s provided might be an ideal choice. 

Co-Occurring Disorders Help at Garden State Treatment Center

At Garden State Treatment Center, we treat people who have been struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and a co-occurring disorder. Addiction and eating disorders often go hand-in-hand, either because a person self-medicates psychological symptoms with a chemical substance or because addiction leads to severely disrupted eating patterns. Regardless of what you are currently struggling with, we are available to help.

Simply contact us today either through our website or over the phone, and we will help you get started on your journey of recovery — regardless of what that looks like. We look forward to speaking with you soon and answering any additional questions you might have. 

FAQ

  • Can you become addicted to chocolate?

Published on: 2021-09-06
Updated on: 2024-02-29

How Dangerous is Smoking Crack?

Crack, or crack cocaine, is an illegal stimulant drug that is made from the powdered version of cocaine. Baking soda or ammonia is mixed with water and powdered cocaine and cooked until it forms a solid substance.

Once it dries and hardens, it is broken down into rocks and smoked by the user in a glass tube, usually referred to as a crack pipe. Crack cocaine is more potent than powdered cocaine because all impurities are cooked out, making it that much more dangerous.

How Does a Crack Work?

When the crack is smoked, it puts the drug straight into the user’s lungs, causing an immediate but short-lived high that lasts anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Once the drug enters the brain, it causes a massive and excessive dump of dopamine.

Dopamine is responsible for causing feelings of pleasure. Once the high wears off, the user will have a strong desire for more of the drug. This is how to crack cocaine addiction forms. This drug is so powerful and dangerous that a user can get hooked even after the first hit.

How Dangerous Smoking Crack Can Be?

Smoking crack is a quick and easy way to turn your life upside down because of how incredibly addictive it is. It has the ability to destroy both your mental and your physical health. It is also very common for many users to turn to stealing, drug dealing, and prostitution to afford their drug habit. As a result, crack puts your entire well-being in danger.

How Dangerous is Smoking Crack?

Major Organ Damage After Smoking Crack

Long-term or heavy crack cocaine use can cause major organ damage. It can cause heart, kidney, and lung function to deteriorate. In addition, many crack smokers can experience respiratory problems like shortness of breath, coughing, lung damage, and bleeding.

The most major form of organ damage is to your heart. Stimulant drugs like crack put a significant amount of strain on the heart, especially in long-term addiction. As a result, you can experience chest pains, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and, most serious, a heart attack. A heart attack is even possible for the first time.

Psychological Problems and Brain Damage After Crack Use

Smoking crack changes the way your brain will function and can even lead to a stroke. As your body gets used to having the crack in your system, it no longer knows how to function properly without it. Most notably, crack cocaine use has a massive impact on the psychiatric health of a person. Some of the psychiatric effects can include:

  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Mood changes
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Psychosis
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium
  • Aggressive and violent behavior

Signs of Dependence Crack Use

Cocaine in any form is dangerous, but smoking crack tends to be that much more dangerous because it allows for immediate effects to the lungs, heart, and brain, causing a rapid addiction. There are some signs to look out for that someone is addicted to smoking crack. You will likely notice behavioral changes before you see physical ones. You will see changes in their level of motivation, social groups, and overall attitude.

Their relationships with family and friends will likely deteriorate, and they will become distant and hostile. They may begin lying and stealing to get what they need to fuel the addiction, despite who they hurt in the process.

Overcome Crack Misuse at Garden State Treatment Center

Even though smoking crack will undoubtedly lead to a dangerous addiction, there is a way out. Treatment centers like Garden State dedicate themselves to providing the support and care necessary to get on the road to recovery.

We suggest you contact one of our addiction specialists so they can help you find out the best treatment options for you. They are available around the clock and all called are free and confidential, it is time to take the important step to become free of addiction before it is too late.

Published on: 2021-08-04
Updated on: 2024-02-29

Signs That My Boyfriend is Using Drugs

If you have never had to experience substance abuse first-hand, you might not know what to be on the lookout for if your boyfriend is abusing them. Being someone with first-hand experience finding out their boyfriend was using drugs, I can tell you that it came as a shock. But once I pieced all of the signs together, it made complete sense. I wish I had known about these signs before it was too late.

Signs and Symptoms Your Boyfriend Abuse Drugs

Many tell-all signs point to your partner abusing drugs. No matter what the substance is, opiates, benzos, amphetamines, cocaine, etc., some pretty general signs point to your significant other abusing drugs. Let’s go over them so you have a better idea of what to look out for.

Signs That My Boyfriend is Using Drugs

Money Has Started Going Missing

If you live with their boyfriend, you may share a bank account or split rent/mortgage, bills, and other expenses with them. However, you may one day notice that the bank account is empty or low or your savings has been cleaned out. You may also begin to notice that they can no longer contribute to their portion of the bills.

This is because he is now spending most of his money and time on fueling his drug habit. You may even get to a point where you find him asking you to borrow money or even stealing it. But, again, this is because he is now in a place of desperation for the next hit.

He is Moody and Shows Changes in Behavior

Drug use and abuse can quickly and easily cause someone to experience mood swings. He may even be quite pleasant when he is high, but he turns into a completely different person once that wears off. He may become snippy, argumentative, depressed, and easily triggered. Depending on the substance, you will likely see a big difference in your boyfriend when he is high. He may be overly sluggish and quiet, or he could be so energetic and talkative to a point where he is speaking total nonsense.

He is Lying and Keeping Secrets

As your boyfriend, he should be honest and open with his loved ones. After all, you are a team with the intent of building a life together. If you begin to notice that he is acting suspicious and sneaky, it can mean he is on drugs, especially if he is trying to hide his drug use from you. He may lie about where he has been or is going to keep you from finding out. He will probably start coming up with more excuses for why he is always late or not coming around as much.

He Has Lost Interest in You

A sudden loss of interest, especially when things have been going well, could be a sign of something very sinister. It is likely that he really hasn’t lost interest in you, but his priorities have now shifted because his drug use is now the most important thing to him. You may find him hanging around with a new crowd rather than spending time with you, especially when the crowd is not typical for him. This is a common sign of drug use.

He has Issues With Work/School

Your boyfriend may normally be the type who does well at school or work and is very goal-oriented, or at least shows up and gets it done, but when the problems have started to trickle into work or school, it means they could be losing themselves to the drugs. Drugs can impair one’s performance, cause them to slack, and they may even begin to go in late or not show up at all.

Help Your Boyfriend Overcome Misuse At Garden State Treatment Center

If these signs sound familiar to your situation, your boyfriend may be abusing drugs. He must come up with a plan of action before it is too late. Explain to him that drug treatment can help him get himself together again.

You can help your boyfriend overcome his addiction. It takes support and love to heal. Our addiction specialists are available around the clock and all calls are free and confidential. It is time you give us a call we can help on to the path of a happier and healthier lifestyle free from drug addiction.

FAQ

  • How to help someone who has overdosed?

Published on: 2021-07-05
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Can You Build Up a Tolerance to Modafinil?

Modafinil, also known as Provigil, is a central nervous system stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity, sleep work disorder, and narcolepsy.

The drug works on the body by stimulating the neurotransmitters in the brain, such as the ones that produce dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin.

What’s the Difference Between Modafinil And Other Stimulant Drugs?

Modafinil is different from other stimulant drugs like Adderall or Ritalin because it does not contain amphetamines. Some people may think this makes it safer to use, but this is not the case.

While this drug is very when used how it is prescribed, it still does have the same effects on the brain and body, similar to cocaine and amphetamines.

Can You Build up a Tolerance to Modafinil?

What Does Modafinil Do to Your Body?

This drug works by enhancing short-term memory, allowing a person to stay awake for longer periods. This is very helpful for those who have sleep disorders because this approach manages daytime exhaustion and still allows for regular sleep during the nighttime. Unfortunately, many people have started using this drug as a “smart drug,” similar to how people abuse amphetamines.

They believe that since it enhances memory, it will also enhance their intelligence. Unfortunately, this has led to many people using this drug without a prescription, which leads to abuse, dependence, and ultimately addiction.

Modafinil, also known as Provigil, Causes Dangers

Modafinil is a very attractive drug because it has stimulant effects but does not have the same stigma attached to other stimulant drugs. Unfortunately, this can also cause many people to overlook its dangers, including dependence and addiction.

How Does Modafinil Addiction Start?

No one sets out to become addicted to Modafinil. Your abuse of this drug may have started innocently enough. You may have used it to get prepared for a big exam. A doctor may have even prescribed you this drug. Before you know it, you realize that you are craving the drug both physically and mentally.

Once an addiction to Modafinil has happened, the person may have difficulty functioning from day-dd-y. If you are addicted to this drug, a medically assisted detox may be necessary. With a tolerance build-up of Modafinil also comes withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not in your system.

How do You Build a Tolerance to Modafinil?

To be clear, tolerance to anything occurs when a substance is used repeatedly. This can happen with anything from coffee to sugar, all the way up to prescription or illegal drugs. Over time, when Modafinil is taken repeatedly, they will begin to feel less and less of the effects at the same dosage. This is because their tolerance to the drug is increasing, and they will likely need to take a larger amount of Modafinil at once to feel the same effects they felt initially.

The more frequently you take Modafinil, the greater your tolerance will become. Before you know it, you will have to take twice as much as when you started to feel the same thing. Depending on the amount and frequency you take this drug, tolerance can build up in a matter of weeks or months. This can put you at serious risk for addiction.

Help from Addiction at Garden State Treatment Center

While withdrawal symptoms are not severe or life-threatening, they can disrupt your life to a point where you may find it hard to stop using the drug. The withdrawal symptoms can include poor concentration, low energy, fatigue, depression, shortness of breath, and sleepiness. Once detox is complete, it is recommended that you get involved in a more in-depth treatment to get to the root of your addiction.

If you or someone you love is addicted to Modafinil, there is a way out of addiction. We have addiction specialists available around the clock; not only are all calls free and confidential, but they are there to help answer any questions you have.

FAQ

  • Can you build up a tolerance to Modafinil?

References:

Published on: 2021-06-19
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Can You Successfully Cheat on a Drug Test?

For as long as drug tests have been around, people have also been doing their part to cheat the system and weasel their way out of having positive drug test results. It always seems like once one cheating method has been prevented, those trying to cheat their way through come up with some new method of deception.

In all honesty, it is possible to successfully cheat on a drug test or at least attempt to, but at some point, your method will fail you, and your cheating ways will get caught. The most commonly attempted drug test people will try to cheat on is a urine sample drug test.

Drug Test

Ways People Try to Cheat During Urine Screens

  1. Adulterants – This method involves adding something to a urine sample after leaving the body and is in the container. Generally, people will smuggle some form of liquid into the testing area. The things people add to the urine test vary and include a wide range of things, including anything from dish soap to eye drops. Adulterants are added to the sample as a way to interfere with the drug testing process and results.

This method is often shut down because collectors can ask you to empty your pockets before the drug test begins. A lab can also administer further testing to tell if a urine sample has been tampered with.

  1. Substitution – One of the most common ways someone will try to cheat a drug test is to bring in “clean urine” with them. Some people may ask a trusted family member or friend to give them clean urine to pass the test. Other people will flock to the Internet, where they will buy synthetic urine. Synthetic urine is just a liquid with the right pH, a specific gravity, and the right amount of creatine needed to fool a drug test successfully.

The temperature of the sample is an important indicator that it is not the person’s actual sample. Urine needs to be within 90-100 degrees to work, so faking it isn’t easy. Drug test collectors can also tell by listening to you whether the sample was provided naturally or not.

  1. Dilution – Many people trying to cheat on a drug test will do their best to flush any evidence of drugs out of their system beforehand by drinking massive amounts of water or other liquids. There are even additives on the market that can enhance this flushing method. However, the way this method is sniffed out is by administering a second drug test later.

What Are the Different Kinds of Drug Tests?

While urine sample drug tests are the most common drug test administered and cheated, it is not the only kind. There are six different kinds of drug tests available. Some tests must be analyzed in a lab, while others can show nearly instant results. Apart from urine tests, there are also:

Blood Tests: Blood tests are the most accurate form of testing, but they are also the most invasive and must be sent to a lab to be analyzed. They can detect alcohol use for up to 24 hours beforehand and cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and marijuana.

Saliva Based Tests: This kind of test provides fast results for recent drug use. It is done with a mouth swab or by spitting in a cup and shows drug or alcohol use within the past few days, depending on the drug.

Hair Follicle Tests: This test does not show the most recent drug use, but shows use from 4 days up to 90 before the test. It can test for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamines, and PCP.

Breathalyzer Tests: This is used to check for alcohol and is often used by police to test for driving while intoxicated, but anyone can have one.

Perspiration Tests: While this is a newer form of drug testing, it is often used to watch over those who are in recovery from drugs or are on probation. It screens for drugs through a patch that is put on the skin and left for 14 days. It collects sweat and can detect marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD, and opiates.

Get the Help You Need for Substance Use Disorders

If you or a loved one have an addiction to any drug or alcohol it is time to reach out to get help. Garden State Treatment Center has addiction specialists available around the clock, all calls are free and confidential.

It is time to give us a call and let us help you on the path to a healthier and happier lifestyle. We offer a wide variety of addiction treatments and detox programs, so there is something for every level of addiction.

FAQ

  • Why is it bad to try to cheat on a Drug Test?

Published on: 2021-06-16
Updated on: 2024-03-25

What Famous Music Artists Died Recently Due to Drugs?

Perhaps addiction is most visible when it is suffered by a member of an American celebrity, and each year it’s inevitable that someone we love from the screen or stage will be taken by their addiction or circumstances surrounding it.

Musicians, artists, and creatives all seem to be more susceptible to the dangers that drugs have to offer. It’s heartwrenching. But if nothing else, their sacrifices shed light for the rest of us when it comes to the dangers of addiction, dependency, and the inevitable consequences if one doesn’t get the help they need.

What Famous Music Artists Died Recently Due to Drugs?

DMX (aka Dark Man X)

Known for his gravitas voice and edgy lyrics, DMX (real name Earl Simmons) was one of the most prolific rappers of the early 2000s. He led his so-called Ruff Ryders crew to many milestones and plenty of success as an artist. But the musician struggled with cocaine addiction. And as early as 2009 had admitted himself into rehab in an attempt to battle his demons.

DMX continued to make music for his adoring fans even though his popularity in the mainstream media was declining. Unfortunately, the rapper was never able to get himself clean completely from cocaine. In early April of this year, the rapper was hospitalized near his White Plains, NY home for an overdose of cocaine after what was assumed to be a self-administered injection of the substance. The artist fell into a coma and never awoke; he passed away on April 9th. DMX was only 50 years old and was looking forward to releasing more music, staying sober, and continuing his church activities.

Justin Townes Earle

Justin Townes Earle was the son of country artist Steve Earle that’s certainly maggots try to separate himself from his father. As an up-and-coming folk and Americana artist based out of Nashville’s thriving music scene, Earle thrived in the city and was well. loved by his community and fans.

Known best perhaps for his debut album called Yuma, Earle was recognized as an emerging artist of the year in 2009 anybody with an Americana music award and also had the song of the year in 2011. But in a Tale As Old As Time, Earle struggled with addiction. In August of 2020, the artist was found overdosed in his Nashville home. A few months later, Earle’s family announced that he had passed away from an accidental overdose involving cocaine that was probably laced with the deadly drug Fentanyl. He was 38 years old.

Prince (Musician)

Although this artist died several years ago, it seems apparent that Prince’s death is still very much on the minds of most Americans when they think of musicians and overdose. There aren’t many people who don’t love Prince.  As we’ve seen over and over, the musician struggled with drug addiction.

More specifically he struggled with addiction to opiates which seems to be a drug of choice for the highly sensitive artist type that is required to create such sensual music. And again Fentanyl seems to be the deadly culprit complicit in his overdose. Prince was found unresponsive in his Minneapolis home on April 21st, 2016. He was one of the most successful artists of all time. Prince was 57.

Get Help if You Struggle With Addiction

Studies have shown that when an artist passes away from an overdose or suicide, there is a subsequent increase in overdoses and suicides among the common peoples. It appears that their influence and energy have a real effect on the daily lives of the people who love them.

This is perhaps why it is so important to get the help that is needed if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction. If you or your loved one is struggling with dependency, please reach out to Garden State Treatment Center today.

Published on: 2021-06-04
Updated on: 2024-02-29

Differences Between Urine and Saliva Drug Tests

Drug tests have become a pretty common way of life in America and around the world. For one, employers often use drug tests for hiring purposes and to protect themselves in the case of an accident or injury. Testing for drugs is also a crucial step in upholding accountability for those in recovery from addiction. Unfortunately, since addiction rewires the brain, counselors and figures of authority cannot trust the word of recovering addicts.

So if you or someone you know is dealing with recovery or addiction, expect to pee in some cups. But as we will find in the rest of this article, urine analysis drug tests are not the only ways of detecting substances in the system. The following blog is a resource for you and any questions you might have when it comes to the differences between saliva and urine drug tests and what might be the best options for you.

Differences Between a Urine and Saliva Drug Test

What Are the Most Common Types of Drug Tests?

Drug testing can also occur with a sample of hair, blood, or breath. But the most common ways of testing for substances are with urine analysis (UA) or saliva tests. The most common urine analysis type is the five-panel instant test cup. This test is relatively cheap and can be purchased over the counter by almost anyone.

Urinalysis Drug Tests Are Most Widely Used

Urine drug screens are the go-to for about 90% of drug tests when it comes to accountability for those in recovery. They are ready-to-use and can be administered in a home setting, making them very accessible and a first-line option. The five-panel drug test looks for five different types of substances: marijuana, opiates, methamphetamines, cocaine, and benzodiazepines.

With results ready within minutes, this is by far the most popular of all the drug tests. But five-panel cups can be easily fooled and a little research on the subject brings up thousands of articles on how to beat drug tests.

There Are Drug Tests You Cannot Cheat On

Enter urine analysis via gas spectrum chromatography. This highly advanced method for testing for drugs is nearly impossible to be. This is because the testing type uses a method that separates each of the molecules found in the urine. Therefore it’s nearly impossible to dilute or fool such a scientific test. But the gas spectrum chromatography test is expensive, so it’s not used as often. Most drug counseling centers will randomly throw chromatography tests into the mix along with five-panel cups to deter tampering.

Information About Saliva Drug Testing

Saliva testing is useful for detecting the ingestion of substances within a few hours. But unlike urine in which substances will be detectable for a month or more (as in the case of marijuana; other drugs are detectable for about 3 days), saliva only retains measurable amounts for less than 2.days (from 5 to 48 hours depending).

Saliva tests are usually used by school authorities or drug recovery accountability enforcers. Their inexpensive and quick result time also. make them. an ideal. test for certain jobs. As of now, about 10% of all. drug tests are saliva-based.

What Kind of Drug Test Should I Be Using?

If you suspect someone you love of secretly using drugs, you have many resources available to you. Drug tests of all sorts are available at most pharmacies, but you’ll most often see urine and saliva tests, why is that? Confirming drug abuse and the presence of substances might not be as easy as having your loved one give a sample to you to test; how would you know if it were tampered with?

The best way to confront a potential addiction is with a combination of abstinence, accountability enforcement, and certified drug counseling. There is no cure for addiction but there is hope and a community of people who have dedicated themselves to helping addicts overcome their darkest moments.

Published on: 2021-04-30
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Does Crack Cocaine Affect the Lungs?

Cocaine has been a devastatingly addictive drug to users ever since its appearance in the club scenes and discotheques of the 1970s. Perhaps even more destructive was the crack cocaine epidemic (also known as ‘rock’)  that began in the early 1980s and still has its deadly hold upon thousands of addicts today.

Crack cocaine is a highly concentrated version of the drug that when smoked, produces a short high that overwhelms the brain’s pleasure centers and is incredibly habit-forming. Users can become addicted after trying the substance only a handful of times and the results are often catastrophic to the addict’s life and their body.

Crack Cocaine Affects Many Organs Including the Lungs

As addiction to crack cocaine intensifies, smokers are no longer able to achieve the same high with the same amount of substances. Because of this, it is extremely common that addicts require more and more to satisfy their urges. This only creates more problems for them in their personal lives and again, for their bodies. Heavy users may need to spend upwards of $500 per day to stay high and need to be smoking crack nearly constantly. This abuse, of course, has a tremendously negative effect on the body and particularly the lungs.

Does crack cocaine affect the lungs?

Long-Term Effects of Crack Cocaine Use on the Body

People who have suffered from an addiction to cocaine are particularly at risk for certain effects from their use, especially when the addiction was to crack cocaine. Research has found that prolonged crack cocaine abuse created issues with not only lung health (known as ‘crackling) but with heart health as well!  One study conducted by the National Institute of Health describes one study on the effects of crack addiction on one particular user.

 A 33-year-old woman developed acute bilateral pulmonary infiltrates after the intense use of rock cocaine. She subsequently had progressive deterioration of pulmonary function to the point of being ventilator-dependent. (NIH)

Effects upon the body of the user are also compounded with the general effects of addiction including limited food intake, deprioritization of personal health matters, frequent unsafe sexual situations, and, of course, depression. Even abstaining crack users struggle with the constant threat of relapse which is often magnified when ingesting any other mind-altering chemical such as alcohol or marijuana. The risk of relapse is even more severe in urban areas where the drug proliferates.

Recovery from Crack Abuse and Healing for the Body

The only way to curb the cataclysmic damage of addiction is to live a healthy and vibrant life free from chemical use. Unfortunately for so many addicts, envisioning life without their drug is unimaginable, much less one that is happy, sustainable, and productive. Recovery from any substance is nearly impossible to achieve on one’s own without the help of trained professionals.

This is because addiction has so much more to do with than simply abstaining from the drugs. Even if an addict is fortunate enough to kick their habit with will-power alone,  dealing with the stresses of everyday life can often prove too difficult driving the addict back to their unhealthy source of comfort: substances.

There Is Hope for Crack Cocaine Addicted Individuals

If you or someone you love is struggling with a dependence to crack cocaine, alcohol, or any other drug, Garden State Treatment Center is the first step towards regaining independence. Unfortunately, abstinence is not enough. Our comprehensive and evidence-based treatment works with a myriad of treatment options to keep patients off of substances for good.  Your life or the life of your loved one is too important to lose to the evils of addiction. Contact us for a free consultation and start to heal today!

FAQ

  • Do your lungs and organs recover after Crack Cocaine abuse?

Published on: 2021-03-03
Updated on: 2024-04-07

Why is Meth a Popular Drug in the South?

Illegal drugs are prevalent in almost every area of the world especially the United States of America. You can find marijuana probably in every time zone in America. This also is true for Cocaine, Heroin, and many other illegal drugs but some areas are more prone to have increased use because of many factors – demographics, wealth, population, dense or rural areas, and many other reasons.

We all know about the opioid crisis in this country but what many of us forget is there is still a rise of other illegal drugs. One, in particular, is Methamphetamine or Meth. According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Crystal methamphetamine is a form of a drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. It is chemically similar to amphetamine, a drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder.

Why is Meth a Popular Drug in the South?

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine can be used in many ways such as smoking, oral (pill form), snorting, and injecting. The high of this drug comes and goes quickly which often leads to a cycle using effect, binging and crashing over and over again. Some users will sometimes use for long periods without food or sleep for hours to several days.

How Meth Addiction Works

Meth can be found all over the country but it is highly popular in the southern region of the United States. This is because a key ingredient in meth production is the over-the-counter (OTC) drug pseudoephedrine, which is found in common cold medicine, and household cleaners therefore, it is easy and cheap to come by. The south region of the states tends to have more low-income populated areas therefore, the meth is more affordable.

The product to make meth is commonly “cooked” in trailers or remotely located residential homes, which are found in the rural areas of the south. Rural areas also have a lower police presence witch can also increase the use and production of meth. Meth labs are notoriously dangerous because the byproducts of the drug’s creation process are toxic and explosive.

Meth Abuse is Mostly in the Southern United States

Another reason, according to the White House, that may be for the concentration of meth in the southern region of the United States is the Mexican cartels bringing it in over the border.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), currently, most methamphetamine in the United States is produced by transactional criminal organizations (TCOs) in Mexico. This methamphetamine is highly pure, potent, and low in price.

Methamphetamines have the same initial effects on the user just like cocaine, amphetamines, and other stimulants: increased wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, faster breathing, rapid and/or irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and body temperature.

Users who continue to use methamphetamine over long periods are also known to have cognitive problems. It can cause changes in the brain that can damage coordination, verbal learning, emotion, and memory.

Contact us for Meth Addiction Help 

If you or someone you love needs drug treatment Methamphetamines in New Jersey, you’ve come to the right place and we’re very glad that you’re here. You’ve taken the all-important first step toward relief, and that’s what we want for you and your family.

Right now, you need compassionate professionals who understand what you’re experiencing right now. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we are at Garden State Treatment Center. We’re an experienced and highly trained team that has helped pull hundreds of families just like yours from the jaws of addiction and despair.

We are a Joint Commission (JCAHO) accredited facility, which shows our commitment to continue elevating our standards and providing superior treatment for substance abuse.

FAQ

  • What are popular drugs in the Southern United States?

Published on: 2021-02-27
Updated on: 2024-04-07

Was Cocaine Once a Legal Prescription Drug?

Many drugs that currently are illegal and carry criminal penalties began as useful medicinal therapies, such as opiates, cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamines. They were legal and were often available over the counter at pharmacies or through licensed sellers.

Besides being legal, some drugs were even in our food products such as cocaine. The definition of cocaine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), states that cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America.

Was Cocaine Once a Legal Prescription Drug?

Cocaine Was Legal in the Early 20th Century

For a long time, cocaine was a legally distributed drug and an active ingredient in several products. Sigmund Freud used to take it himself and give it to his close friends for depression and sexual impotence. The drug was first labeled as a pharmaceutical for those with low energy and as an energy-boosting supplement for athletes. By the turn of the 20th century, cocaine could be found in many products, including Coca-Cola and even margarine, and was regularly prescribed as a cure-all for ailments ranging from morphine addiction to asthma to tuberculosis and hay fever.

Cocaine Use Leads to Addiction and Abuse

Eventually, reports were popping up of cocaine addiction that sparked concern that the drug posed a serious threat to the health and safety of its users. Local and state lawmakers began to restrict cocaine use, and eventually, the federal government stepped in to try to stop the drug abuse, including cocaine, with the passage of the Harrison Act of 1914. The law banned non-medical uses of the drug. Although health care providers can use it for valid medical purposes, such as local anesthesia for some surgeries, recreational cocaine use is illegal and is no longer prescribed.

On the street, cocaine looks like a fine, white, crystal powder. Dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits. They may also mix it with other drugs such as the stimulant amphetamine, or synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. Adding synthetic opioids to cocaine is especially risky when people using cocaine don’t realize it contains this dangerous additive. Increasing numbers of overdose deaths among cocaine users might be related to this tampered cocaine.

How Cocaine is Used Now to Get High

Even though it is illegal, users still crave the euphoric stimulant high it creates. There are many ways that cocaine can be used. One popular method is by snorting cocaine powder through the nose. Another is by dissolving the cocaine into a liquid and injecting it intravenously. Combining cocaine with heroin, called a Speedball, is another way.

Another cheaper and most popular way of using cocaine is by smoking it. The powder form is processed and concentrated to form a rock crystal (known as a crack rock or rock cocaine). The rock is heated up to the point of releasing vapors, which are then inhaled into the lungs (known as freebasing).

Cocaine is very easy to overdose from. It is commonly used, simultaneously, with other drugs and/or alcohol, which are deadly combinations and can lead to accidental overdoses.

Treatment for Cocaine Abuse and Dependence

If you or a loved one think they may be addicted to cocaine and want help, Garden State Treatment Center can get you on the right track. Our customized and personalized drug addiction treatment programs are guided by individual treatment plans that tackle co-occurring disorders. These include disorders such as ADD/ ADHD, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Psychological or emotional distress often leads to self-medication and drug abuse and is a big contributing factor to chemical dependency. Treating drug addiction without tackling these underlying psychological problems is not effective, that’s why we have a dual diagnosis treatment program. Start living today!

FAQ

  • Can I get a legal prescription for cocaine?
  • Why do young people use cocaine?
  • Is cocaine used primarily by wealthy people?

Published on: 2021-02-21
Updated on: 2024-02-29

Does Cocaine Burn Your Nose?

Cocaine is a very addictive and illegal central nervous system stimulant drug that is derived from a plant called a coca leaf that is native to South America. More than 100 years ago, the purified chemical cocaine hydrochloride was isolated from the plant and used as an active main ingredient in many tonics and elixirs that were used to treat many different illnesses. Surgeons also used it as a way to block pain before local anesthetics were created.

Nowadays, cocaine is a schedule II drug, which means it has a very high potential for abuse and addiction. As a street drug, it normally comes in a powdery white form. Cocaine dealers often dilute this drug with other substances like cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda as a way to increase their profits.

Does Cocaine Burn Your Nose?

TL;DR – Yes, cocaine can burn your nose (known as cocaine nose or coke nose). Snorting cocaine can irritate and damage the nasal tissues, potentially leading to a burning sensation and, worse, nose damage.

What are the Side Effects of Cocaine

High doses of dopamine, a body’s natural chemical messenger, are sent to the areas of the brain responsible for pleasure perception. Cocaine causes extreme energy and alertness that results from this building is known as a “high.” Users may feel the following effects: Happy, awake and energetic, talkative, restless, less hungry or sleepy, and sensitive to touch, sound, and sight.

And when the cocaine has come down, cocaine users might notice or feel the following: Anxiety or depression; Irritability, Exhaustion, Sweating, Headache, Runny nose, Body aches and pains, and Confusion.

Health Effects of Snorting Cocaine

The most common way that cocaine is abused is by snorting the drug through the nose. Many people also shoot cocaine directly into their veins or smoke it. While you do not feel the high as quickly when the drug is snorted, you do feel the effects for much longer. When cocaine is snorted, it coats the soft tissues in the nose and gets absorbed into the user’s bloodstream. To feel the effects of this drug, it has to enter a person’s bloodstream and flow to the brain. Once cocaine makes it to the brain, it binds to certain receptors in the brain, making sure that dopamine isn’t being removed as it normally would be.

Dopamine is essentially the feel-good chemical that your body produces when doing enjoyable things. Cocaine creates a euphoric and energized effect when used that lasts for about 30 minutes.Snorting cocaine does burn your nose. It will burn your nostrils when it is first inhaled before becoming numb and dripping through your nasal cavity and down your throat, causing numbness in those areas as well. Many people enjoy the initial burn and the feeling of the cocaine running down their nasal cavity and into their throat. This is because cocaine is a local anesthetic.

nose

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Dangers of Snoring Cocaine

Cocaine use doesn’t just burn your nose as you snort it, it can burn a hole right through your nose. After prolonged use, one of the most common long-term effects is a septal perforation (perforated septum) or a hole in the nasal septum. With low oxygen getting to the nose due to snorting cocaine, the septum lining will begin to die. Once this lining dies, it will no longer be able to support the cartilage that is underneath, and that will die, too.

Once a septum has perforated, the nose can collapse because the septum is what supports the structure of the nose. Once septal perforation is present, it will never heal on its own. Cocaine users can often be unaware of perforation because the early signs often mimic other nasal conditions. Nose bleeds, sinus infections, nasal congestion, and allergy symptoms are all early symptoms of perforation.

Get the Help You Need With Cocaine Abuse

The best and safest option to getting off cocaine, drug use, drug abuse, and any other forms of drug addiction is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Garden State Treatment Center, a healthcare provider. We offer treatment that provides therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one one-on-one group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs.Substance use, like Cocaine addiction treatment, requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. You do not have to face getting sober from cocaine on your own. Our admissions counselors and addiction professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction through our detox program or treatment options. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you take care of your mental health and well-being do it and call our helpline today!

FAQ

  • Is cocaine is supposed to burn your nose?
  • Relief from a red burning nose?

Published on: 2020-11-20
Updated on: 2024-03-25

Is Valium Used for Treating Panic Attacks?

Some of us deal with a lot of pressures on a day-to-day basis. From school to work, family or marital problems, the stress of wondering if we are going to be able to keep food on the table or pass that exam that will determine if we graduate with a degree. We all have stressors and some of us may develop anxiety to the point of exhaustion or insomnia; some of us to the point where we can’t function. So needing a quick fix to be able to get back to work or school we visit the doctor to help us out

Many of us feel anxious from time to time but for some people, ongoing anxiety can affect your ability to function at home, school, and work. Sometimes it can get to the point of having a panic attack. Treating panic attacks often involves talk therapy and antidepressant medications such as Benzodiazepines.

Valium and Panic Attacks

One of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines or benzos is Valium. It is one of many medications prescribed short-term for the treatment of panic attacks. In addition to panic attacks, Valium also treats several other conditions, including:

  • Acute alcohol withdrawal
  • Skeletal muscle spasms
  • Seizure disorders
  • Chronic sleep disorder
  • Anxiety

Is Valium Used for Treating Panic Attacks?

How Does Valium Work?

Valium works by impacting the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is connected to the regulation of sleep, relaxation, and anxiety. When influencing the GABA receptors, Valium slows down the central nervous system.

The reason for the short-term use is because, after a few weeks, most people will develop a physical dependence. It doesn’t matter if you were taking the prescription as directed, there is a high chance that once you stop taking the drug, you will start to have some form of withdrawal after a few hours or days.

Becoming Dependent on Valium

Over time, it is harder for a Valium abuser’s brain to function normally without the drug. Even though, some people addicted to Valium may not even realize they have a problem. Taking Valium for longer than 4-6 weeks, even with a prescription from a doctor, increases the likelihood of becoming dependent on the drug and most likely addicted.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains:

Dependence develops when the neurons adapt to the repeated drug exposure and only function normally in the presence of the drug. When the drug is withdrawn, several physiologic reactions occur.

One of the most obvious symptoms of a Valium addiction is needing larger doses to feel the drug’s effects. Other signs of an addiction to Valium include:

  • Strong cravings for the drug
  • Isolation from family and friends
  • Continued use despite problems caused by the drug
  • Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
  • Ignoring obligations

Once a person has a tolerance to Valium’s effects, they could also have withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it. Valium withdrawal can be uncomfortable and life-threatening, which makes it hard for people addicted to quit on their own. The symptoms of withdrawal are intense, and many people addicted to Valium need the drug to feel normal.

The withdrawal symptoms of Valium are very similar to withdrawal from alcohol. Both are probably the worst withdrawal you could experience and the only you could die from if you don’t have supervised medical detox. You can feel anxious and have flu-like symptoms. They can be severe or mild and they can come and go.

Valium Rehab at Garden State Treatment Center

Due to the risks associated with Valium detox, this process should only be carried out under medical supervision. At Garden State Treatment Center, we offer a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program that is perfectly suited to assist our clients that need to build a strong relapse prevention plan.

Recovery from substance abuse takes more than good intentions or determination. When a family member is struggling with addiction, it is important to get them the right kind of help. Attempting on your own to recover exposes you to a higher risk of experiencing a relapse. With the right professional care, you can come off clean in a gradual, stress-free manner.

FAQ

  • Is Valium Used for Treating Panic Attacks?

Published on: 2020-10-30
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Effects of Snorting Pills on the Nose

Addicts have found multiple ways of using drugs. Drugs can be taken orally, smoked, injected, and sniffed or snorted. Some of these ways are taken to achieve a more intense high in a shorter amount of time. Every different way you take a drug has it’s own effects and affects the addict short and long term. A lot of addicts think by snorting a drug they are safer because they aren’t injecting it intravenously. Another misconception is if an addict is snorting a prescribed drug rather than a street drug they are also safer. Both of these misconceptions are far from the truth. Snorting prescribed drugs is just as dangerous as shooting up street drugs.

Some drugs that are commonly snorted include:

  • Cocaine
  • Meth
  • Heroin
  • Opioid painkillers, such as Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin.
  • Prescription stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), non-medical use of prescription pain medication is a rampant problem affecting nearly 2.5 million people in the United States. This is even more distressing when you consider the suffering and adverse health effects that result from such abuse. One report indicated that approximately one million visits to emergency departments could be attributed directly to prescription drug abuse.

The various harmful effects upon the body that result from drug abuse can be further aggravated by the method used to ingest the substance. Many people who abuse drugs prefer to take prescription pain pills by crushing them into powder and then inhaling them through the nose.

Effects of Snorting Pills in the Nose

What Is Sniffing and Snorting?

Snorting or sniffing is when an addict inhales a drug, which is in powder form or a crushed up pill, through the nose. This way of administration is also referred to as nasal insufflation or intranasal.

Because it is misunderstood that snorting prescribed drugs, such as pills, are safer than shooting street drugs, there is and has been a rise of addiction and overdoses due to snorting prescription pills.

Prescription pills are made to be taken in a particular way, often ingested orally, and to be released slowly. When taken the right way, the medication is broken down in the stomach before it is absorbed into the bloodstream over time. By snorting, the full effect of the drug is released almost immediately by going straight into the bloodstream via blood vessels in the nasal cavity, which can have serious consequences.

The Health Dangers of Sniffing and Snorting Drugs

Your nose simply wasn’t meant to inhale powders. Sniffing or snorting drugs has multiple health consequences. You can damage your respiratory system, making it difficult for you to breathe normally. The mucous membranes in your nose are extremely delicate and can be easily damaged. When these get damaged, they stop functioning normally, making your normal respiratory actions not work properly.

Other side effects of snorting drugs include:

  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Shakiness
  • Dizziness
  • Increased heart
  • Loss of smell
  • Nosebleeds
  • Frequent runny nose
  • Problems with swallowing

Long-term effects are the most severe and often cause permanent damage to the nose. Long-term snorting of drugs sets up a cascade of infections and damage leading to perforation in the septum part of the nose. A nasal septum perforation is a medical condition in which the nasal septum, the bony/cartilage wall dividing the nasal cavities, develops a hole.

How do Snorting Drugs cause Aneurysms?

Snorting drugs increases blood pressure by tightening blood vessels (vasoconstriction). High blood pressure causes small tears on the inside of blood vessels. If these tears do not repair properly, the vessel walls become thin and have a hard time maintaining pressure. A weakening vessel may then bulge or balloon.

Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm

Symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm are similar to a stroke:

  • Double vision or changed vision
  • Numbness of one side of the face
  • One pupil dilated when the other is not
  • Pain behind the eyes

If the following symptoms are experienced, call 911 immediately

Signs and Symptoms of Snorting Drugs

The belief that snorting drugs cannot lead to addiction is also far from true.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs. But over time, a person’s ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised. Seeking and taking the drug becomes compulsive. This is mostly due to the effects of long-term drug exposure on brain function. Addiction affects parts of the brain involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and control over behavior.

If you or a loved one have been sorting or sniffing pills and noticed the signs of addiction such as:

  • Obsessive thoughts
  • Disregard of harm
  • Loss of control
  • Denial
  • Mood change
  • Loss of interest
  • Denial
  • Hiding drug use

Professional Addiction Treatment

We at Garden State Treatment Center can help you get in the right direction to recovery. Located in the heart of Northern New Jersey, Garden State Treatment Center is an outpatient and partial care addiction treatment facility that offers nuanced levels of care for individuals struggling with the horrors of substance abuse. It is our explicit goal to help addicted clients rebuild their lives from the inside out and reintegrate themselves back into society. The most important thing you can expect from your Garden State Treatment Center Treatment experience is that you will emerge from it transformed, stable, and ready to begin a lifetime of recovery.

FAQ

  • What does snorting pills do?
  • What are the signs someone is snorting drugs?
  • What are the effects of snorting pills on the nose?
  • What are the effects of snorting pills on the lungs?
  • Can snorting drugs cause a brain aneurysm?

Published on: 2020-10-16
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Abscesses from Intravenous Drug Abuse

Intravenous administration of drugs is the riskiest way to use drugs. When you street drugs, the majority of the risk is related to the needle. The drugs are dangerous, and usually, there’s no way to know how strong they are or what else may be in them. It’s even unsafe to use them along with other substances like alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs.

Some drugs that can be injected are:

  • Bath Salts
  • Heroin
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamine
  • Ecstasy
  • Ketamine
  • PCP
  • Prescription drugs like Vicodin and Adderall

Using drugs intravenously, a person has most likely a progressed form of addiction. Besides addiction to the drug, being more likely to overdose, many other major health concerns follow the repeated injection of drugs.

Abscesses from Intravenous Drug Abuse

Dangers of Abscesses from Injecting Drugs

Besides viruses, other health issues can come over time with repeated injection of drugs. There is the damage that can be done to internal organs of course but there are many different types of damage a user can do to their skin as well. This can be a result of injecting regularly, using potentially tainted needles, or injecting into fat or muscle by accident due to missing the vein, and injected right under the skin called “skin popping.” This can result in a painful lump that could potentially cut off blood flow to the area.

Other skins problems that can arise are:

  • Heavy bruising
  • Abscesses
  • Severe bacterial skin infections like cellulitis
  • Fungal infections

Bacterial infections can cause serious complications and even death. If not treated. One such common bacterial infection is abscessed. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), abscesses are subcutaneous masses, filled with pus and debris, resulting from one’s bodily defenses against an outside infectious agent. Abscesses result from the introduction of an infectious agent, often Staphylococcus aureus, into the body through unsterile injection equipment or unclean skin.

As time goes on and the skin gets infected, the body’s immune system tries to fight the infection, which causes inflammation from white blood cells sent to the infection site. Pus forms from the resulting mixture of germs, dead tissue, and white blood cells, both dead and living.

Whether at home or a medical center, abscesses must be treated. Applying Keeping it free from contamination and warm compresses are important steps to take. A doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat an abscess that is large or has become infected.

Recognizing an Abscesses

Abscesses are usually easy to recognize. Abscesses are typical:

  • A round or oval-shaped mass with dark puss at the center
  • Located anywhere on the body, but mostly at or around the injection site
  • Painful, swollen, and tender to the touch
  • If allowed to grow unchecked, the abscess may spread into the bloodstream or into deeper tissues, where the septic contents can create further health complications

Complications of an Untreated Abscesses

Though skin abscesses can resolve on their own, they can lead to the following complications if left untreated:

  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Sepsis, or the spreading of the infection throughout the body
  • Skin tissue death (gangrene and possible limb amputation)
  • Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining)
  • Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis)
  • Recurrent skin infection
  • Death

Treating an IV Drug Use Abscesses

If an intravenous drug user is unable or unwilling to visit a physician for treatment, smaller, more superficial abscesses can be treated at home. Larger abscesses, or abscesses with surrounding red streaks, will need to be treated professionally.

There are many addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, but what makes Garden State Treatment Center different is our commitment to your success. From the moment a client steps through our doors, you’ll have our unmatched attention. We believe that being with you every step of the way throughout the early recovery process is the key to avoiding relapse or pitfall. Get help now at Garden State Treatment Center.

Published on: 2020-08-12
Updated on: 2024-02-28

Differences Between Swallowing and Snorting Drugs

There are many different ways to abuse drugs, whether they are illegal and illicit drugs or prescription drugs. Most can be ingested in many ways and can be swallowed, snorted, inhaled, smoked, or injected. Either of these methods eventually delivers the drug into the bloodstream, which is how it is carried to the brain.

crushed pills

Swallowing and snorting drugs are both popular methods of abusing drugs, but they are different in some aspects that can impact the consequences of drug abuse. The potential risks and side effects also vary but one constant remains the same – if you are getting high and can’t stop, then reaching out for professional help is the number one priority.

  • Swallowing Drugs: Slower onset, longer-lasting effects, potentially less intense high, more predictable absorption, and generally considered safer.
  • Snorting Drugs: Faster onset, shorter duration, more intense high, higher risk of damage to nasal passages, and increased risk of overdose.

Dangers of Snorting Drugs to Get High

Snorting drugs is the practice of sniffing any powdered substance through the nose whether it is already in a powdered form or it is crushed into a powder. Substances such as cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, and crystal meth, most commonly abused this way. Many people also often crush and snort prescription opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone to snort them.

When you snort drugs, the way the drug is administered to the brain is different than when you swallow them. Snorting a drug requires the drug to be absorbed through the nasal membrane and goes into the surrounding blood vessels.

Then those blood vessels carry the drug to the heart and throughout the bloodstream and to the brain where the drug then interacts with the brain’s receptors resulting in the drug’s effects on the body. Snorting drugs also allows the drug to enter the bloodstream quicker than if it were swallowed, causing the effects of the drugs o the body to be much quicker. This also can increase the effects of the drug making the high much more intense.

Snorting drugs can also create different devastating effects on a person’s physical health. Because drugs enter the body through the nasal cavity, these drugs can negatively impact a person’s respiratory system. Long-term use of intranasal use can lead to things such as nose bleeds, loss of smell, and perforation of the nasal cavity, which can lead to difficulty breathing. Often, the side effects can be permanent.

Dangers of Swallowing Drugs to Get High

Many different drugs can be administered by swallowing them. Most prescription medications as well as many illegal street drugs like Acid and MDMA. When substances are swallowed, they are absorbed onto the body differently than when it is snorted and will have to overcome additional steps to reach the brain to feel the effects.

Swallowing Drugs

When swallowed, the drug is dissolved in the person’s stomach and is absorbed into the bloodstream by going through the stomach lining. Once it is in the bloodstream it travels to the liver to be metabolized before it can make it to the brain and the effects of the drug are felt. Due to this process, swallowing a drug can have less of a noticeable effect.

According to NIH:

About 4 percent of Americans met the criteria for drug use disorder in the past year and about 10 percent have had drug use disorder at some time in their lives.

When you swallow drugs, you can have different but equally serious negative effects on the body than when snorting them. The digestive tract and the liver are impacted after prolonged drug use in this way and can eventually lead to liver failure.

Both snorting and swallowing drugs can create lasting physical and mental health problems and both can lead to very serious substance abuse disorders. Chronic use of addictive substances in any form can lead to addiction and potentially death.

Treatment for Substance Abuse

Drug addiction isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let Garden State Treatment Center help you do it.

FAQ

  • Why do people snort drugs?

Published on: 2020-07-06
Updated on: 2024-04-14

What Does Valium Feel Like?

Valium (the brand name for the drug diazepam) is a potent prescription sedative used to treat anxiety disorders and seizures. Valium is often frequently used to treat severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a medical detoxification setting. This specific medication has a high potential for abuse and is one of the most commonly abused prescription medications throughout the United States. It is essential to take Valium precisely as prescribed by a medical professional because it is highly habit-forming and can result in serious side effects when not taken properly. This specific drug is generally only prescribed for short periods; taking Valium long-term leads to tolerance, symptoms of withdrawal upon ceased use, and other health-related severe concerns. It is possible to overdose on this medication.

What Does Valium Feel Like?

Diazepam-related overdoses can be fatal and are responsible for thousands of fatalities nationwide annually. If you or someone you love has been abusing Valium, professional medical help must be sought immediately. Garden State Treatment Center offers comprehensive addiction treatment services to those abusing prescription drugs of any kind. For more information on our recovery program, please feel free to reach out at any point in time. Our dedicated team of diverse, compassionate professionals is standing by to answer any questions you may have and to get you started on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

What Does Valium Feel Like?

Those who abuse Valium (take more than the recommended dose or take the prescription medication other than as prescribed) generally report similar experiences. Some of the short-term symptoms of Valium abuse include:

  • Slurred speech and an inability to form complete sentences.
  • A lack of coordination.
  • Dilated pupils.
  • Changes in appetite, usually a loss of appetite.
  • Mood swings, typically marked by agitation, irritability, and sadness.

The immediate effects of Valium abuse are similar to alcohol consumption – an individual who is high on Valium might appear to be intoxicated. Because the medication is generally used to treat anxiety, the “high” produced by the drug will somewhat resemble the “high” produced by heroin but significantly less intense. The user will feel relaxed, calm, and maybe even euphoric. Unfortunately, getting high off of prescription diazepam also results in serious side effects like respiratory depression, irregular heartbeat, and seizures. Drowsiness, weakness, confusion, and extreme dizziness are also side effects of Valium abuse.

Those who use Valium regularly over an extended period are also at risk of developing permanent mental health disorders. This medication, which is most commonly used to treat anxiety, changes brain chemistry so that the brain cannot adequately regulate stress without it. Prolonged abuse can lead to anxiety-related disorders or worsening symptoms if an anxiety disorder is already present. Brain damage can also include long-term and lasting issues with memory and cognition. Those struggling with Valium abuse or addiction must seek help sooner rather than later to prevent severe and permanent damage to the brain and the body.

Valium Abuse and Addiction Recovery

Many people believe that medications prescribed by a medical professional do not pose the same risks as illicit substances, like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. The truth is that prescription medications are just as dangerous when abused. The abuse of prescription drugs like Valium is far more common than many illicit substances. It can be challenging to determine whether or not someone is abusing Valium because many prescription drug users hide their symptoms well. Fortunately, if you or your loved one is struggling with Valium abuse or addiction, Garden State Treatment Center is available to help.

However, there are several telltale signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for, including all of the characters listed above as well as a general lack of motivation, disinterest in activities and hobbies that were previously enjoyed, increased desire for privacy, and doctor shopping (attempting to obtain Valium from more than one source). For more information on our recovery program, give us a call today.

FAQ

  • How does diazepam make you feel?
  • Why do people abuse Valium?
  • What does Valium feel like in preparation for surgery?

Published on: 2020-05-07
Updated on: 2024-04-14

What Schedule Drug is Xanax?

Drugs have been around since the beginning of time. Whether they’re needed for pain, illness, or anxiety, there is a drug for just about everything. In the early year’s nobody knew what consequences if any, the drugs had. There had to be some trial and error, hence using cocaine in Coca-Cola and opium being purchased over the counter for headaches. One doctor’s started understanding the physical and psychological effects these drugs had on people and that they could become addictive; there was a need to control the substances.

The U.S. has been trying to safely and effectively control drug use since the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. When President Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that gave the DEA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to determine which substances are fit for medical use; the act was changed numerous times over the six decades that followed, but the most significant change took effect in the early 1970s with the CSA.

xanax

What are the Different Schedule Levels?

Medications controlled by the CSA are divided into five categories called “schedules.” Each schedule tries to divide drugs according to their potential for abuse, medical value, and safety standards. Schedule I drugs are seen as the most serious, and Schedules II through V include drugs in decreasing order of potential for abuse and addiction.

Schedule I

The drugs considered the most dangerous by the DEA are Schedule I substances. These are drugs with no current medical use, by analysis according to the DEA and FDA. These substances also carry a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Schedule I drugs include:

  • Heroin
  • LSD
  • Marijuana
  • Ecstasy
  • Quaaludes
  • Bath salts

Schedule II

These drugs also have a high potential for abuse and addiction, but they are also currently accepted for medical use in the U.S. It’s noted in the CSA that abuse of these drugs may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Schedule II drugs include:

  • Methadone
  • Demerol
  • OxyContin
  • Fentanyl
  • Morphine
  • Codeine

Schedule III

Substances with a low to moderate physical and psychological dependence potential are classified under Schedule III by the DEA. When misused, these drugs can still lead to abuse or addiction. You can purchase these drugs at a pharmacy with a prescription, but you generally will not find them available over the counter.

Schedule III drugs include:

  • Vicodin
  • Tylenol with codeine
  • Suboxone
  • Ketamine
  • Anabolic steroids

Schedule IV

This is where Xanax and other benzodiazepines fall into the controlled substance classifications. The drugs or substances classified as Schedule IV have a lower potential for abuse and addiction, but the risk does remain. Again, these have medical uses, and many are common treatments for anxiety and similar medical conditions. These also require a prescription and are not available over the counter.

Schedule IV drugs include:

  • Xanax
  • Soma
  • Klonopin
  • Valium
  • Ativan

Schedule V

Finally, according to the DEA, the least addictive substances are labeled under Schedule V. Schedule V substances have a very low potential for abuse; however, physical or psychological dependency could develop if the substance is misused to a large degree.

Schedule V drugs include:

  • Robitussin A.C.
  • Phenergan with codeine
  • Ezogabine

The Warnings Regarding Xanax (Benzodiazepines)

Xanax (Benzodiazepines) are included in Schedule IV of the CSA. This classification would seem to indicate that this class of medications has a relatively low potential for abuse compared to many other types of controlled substances. This doesn’t mean that it is in any way less dangerous and addictive. Xanax and other Benzodiazepines have the potential for physical dependence when used for long periods of time and can be psychologically addictive in some individuals.

Benzodiazepines should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor. If you take more than prescribed or quit suddenly, doing so may cause unwanted withdrawal symptoms or worsen your condition. Xanax withdrawal symptoms can take hold within hours of the last dose, and they can peak in severity within 1-4 days. During withdrawal, people can experience:

  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Muscle pain
  • Tremors
  • Diarrhea
  • Numb fingers
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Panic
  • Paranoia
  • Seizures

It has been reported that Xanax is one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States to manage panic and anxiety disorders. It has also been reported from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reported that close to 10% of all emergency department visits related to the abuse of pharmaceuticals involved the benzodiazepine, or benzo, alprazolam.

We at Garden State Treatment Center understand when you or a family member is struggling with Xanax addiction, it is essential to get them the right kind of help. Detox from Xanax should not be done at home due to the dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can occur. Attempting on your own to recover exposes you to a higher risk of experiencing a relapse. With the proper professional care, you can come off clean in a gradual, stress-free manner.

FAQ

  • What class of drug is Xanax?
  • How do you detox from Xanax?

Published on: 2020-02-26
Updated on: 2024-02-28

Are Hallucinogens Dangerous Drugs?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse – and contrary to widespread belief – hallucinogens can sometimes be addictive. While the addictive properties are far less intense than they are in other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol, an individual with a genetic predisposition, wavering emotional and mental health, and an unfavorable home or social life may develop a substance dependency disorder after ongoing experimentation.

Hallucinogen

What are hallucinogens? They are a diverse group of drugs that completely change one’s perception of the world around them, leading to auditory and visual hallucinations. Hallucinogenic drugs are typically split up into two categories: dissociative drugs (including PCP and Ketamine), and classic hallucinogens (like ‘magic’ mushrooms or LSD). While classic hallucinogens tend to grow naturally, dissociative drugs are often made synthetically.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding these drugs, predominantly because many ‘classic’ variations – such as mescaline (peyote) and psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) – have been used medicinally for ages.

How do Hallucinogens Work?

It is believed that once hallucinogens are consumed, they begin disrupting signals within the brain – they interrupt the communication of cellular systems, and change the way that serotonin is received and processed. Serotonin regulates a lot of important physical functions, thus when it interrupted, a lot of adverse physical reactions are likely to take place. These may include (but are not limited to):

  • Interrupted sleep
  • Increased or decreased appetite
  • A change in sexual behavior
  • Increased or decreased body temperature
  • Disrupted sensory perception
  • Mood swings
  • Bodily control/muscle control

Additionally, dissociative hallucinogens interfere with glutamate, another important chemical in the brain. This chemical regulates environmental responses, emotions, perception of pain, and learning and memory.

While classic hallucinogens tend to have shorter-term effects, the effects can be devastating for some. Common short-term effects include increased heart rate, profuse sweating, dry mouth, intensified sensory experiences, nausea, vomiting, discoordination, and generally bizarre behaviors.

Unfortunately, the psychological effects of hallucinogens are not always short-lived. Some who experiment with these drugs slip into paranoid episodes have panic attacks some even experience psychosis. These effects are far more common amongst those who use the drugs repeatedly over a long period of time. In some cases, hallucinogen-induced psychosis is permanent.

Hallucinogen mushrooms

Are Hallucinogens Dangerous?

In short, yes – any illicit drug was originally made illegal because of the dangers it posed to society. Even legal drugs are dangerous, such as alcohol and (in many states) marijuana. It really all boils down to the concerned individual and their personal propensity towards substance abuse. Those who have pre-existing mental health disorders are also at greater risk, seeing as major changes in brain chemistry can ‘push them over the edge.’

There is a lot of information circulating about the potential benefits of drugs like psilocybin for those struggling with mental health disorders. According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, some naturally-derived hallucinogens may have healing properties. However, medical professionals agree that much more research must be conducted before these claims can be confirmed.

Get the Help You Need with Garden State

It is also extremely important to remember that those who have struggled with addictive disorders previously can never use drugs of any type safely. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, drugs like LSD produce a tolerance, meaning the user will need to take greater and greater quantities in order to produce the same effects.

Increased tolerance is a telltale sign of addiction – if you find yourself using hallucinogens in greater quantities on a more and more frequent basis, you are likely struggling with a dangerous substance abuse disorder. Fortunately, we at Garden State Treatment Center are available to help. If you’re interested in learning more about the risks involved in hallucinogen use, or if you feel you may have a problem, please feel free to contact us today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

FAQ

  • Are Hallucinogens addictive?
  • How are Hallucinogens dangerous?

Published on: 2019-12-01
Updated on: 2024-03-25

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