Opiates Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Garden State Treatment Center

Tag: Opiates

An opiate, in classical pharmacology, is a substance derived from opium. In more modern usage, the term opioid is used to designate all substances, both natural and synthetic, that bind to opioid receptors in the brain

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

Does Methadone Get In Your Bone Marrow?

According to the U.S. Library of Medicine (NIH), methadone is used to relieve severe pain in people who are expected to need pain medication around the clock for a long time and who cannot be treated with other medications. It also is used to prevent withdrawal symptoms in patients who were addicted to opiate drugs and are enrolled in treatment programs in order to stop taking or continue not taking the drugs.

Methadone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. Methadone works to treat pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It works to treat people who were addicted to opiate drugs by producing similar effects and preventing withdrawal symptoms in people who have stopped using these drugs.

Does Methadone Get In Your Bone Marrow?

How Was Methadone Created?

Methadone was created in Germany around World War II to treat pain. It didn’t make its way to the United States till after the war but was not widely used due to the painkillers misunderstood side effects it caused. Like most painkillers, patients started becoming addicted to the drug and it wasn’t until the early ‘90s that it was used regularly in the treatment of other opioid addiction called Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT).

3 Myths About Methadone

There are common myths about all things in life especially about the misconceptions of what a drug can or can’t do. What the side effects are and what these drugs do to persons that use them for long periods of time. Methadone has myths as well such as:

➤ Myth: Methadone damages your body.
➤ Fact: When taken properly, there is no known damage to any parts of the body. There are some side effects such as constipation, increased sweating, and dry mouth; but these go away over time or with dose adjustments.

➤ Myth: Methadone produces abnormalities in babies.
➤ Fact: Women can have a healthy pregnancy if taking the methadone as prescribed.

➤ Myth: Methadone gets into your bones and weakens them.
➤ Fact: Methadone does not “get into the bones” or cause any harm to the skeletal system. Most bone and joint aches are usually mild withdrawal symptoms.

The question of “does methadone get in your bone marrow?” has been researched and been concluded that, Yes, it does get into your bone marrow but no, like the myth was busted above, it does not weaken them.

There has been some evidence showing that methadone is present in the bone marrow of patients but if there are skeletal issues, it’s due to other factors outside of methadone maintenance. Other factors that may weaken methadone users bones and cause weakness and/or pain is:

  • Lack of proper nutrition
  • Pre-existing skeletal issues
  • Drug/alcohol abuse
  • Anemia
  • Compromised immune system

How Long Has Methadone Been Around?

Methadone has been around for quite some time and for good reason because it effectively helps those dealing with chronic pain and/or drug addiction. To receive methadone maintenance treatment, you must be enrolled in a treatment program that is approved by the state and federal governments and must treat patients according to specific federal laws. Methadone must be taken under the care of professional staff unless otherwise directed.

There have been many studies about the pros and cons. It even has been included on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines for treatment for heroin dependence. Research on MMT has found some pros to be:

  • MMT significantly reduces drug injecting
  • Because it reduces drug injecting, MMT reduces HIV transmission
  • MMT significantly reduces the death rate associated with opioid dependence
  • MMT reduces criminal activity by opioid users

We are Here to Help with Methadone Addiction

We at Garden State Treatment Center understand the struggles of trying to quit methadone and can help you safely detox off it. 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.

FAQ

  • Does Methadone get in your Bone Marrow?
  • Is it dangerous to take Methadone under supervised care?

Published on: 2020-03-21
Updated on: 2024-04-28

Does Tramadol Get You High?

Tramadol is a prescription narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain. Since its introduction to the prescription painkiller market, it has been criticized as a “risky” choice. It can be highly addictive and has led to many overdose-related deaths. Tramadol was initially approved in 1995, and it was not – at first – considered to be an opiate drug. It wasn’t until 2014 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration labeled Tramadol a controlled substance based on high abuse rates. Many restrictions were put into place. For example, doctors could only provide five prescriptions for each patient.

Despite government regulations, Tramadol is still very widely abused. If you or someone close to you has been abusing Tramadol or is struggling with a Tramadol addiction, it is crucial to seek professional addiction treatment immediately. If left untreated, Tramadol addiction can be hazardous and lead to painful withdrawal symptoms.

Does Tramadol Get You High?

Can Tramadol Get You High?

In short – yes, Tramadol can get you high. Just like every other prescription opioid, if taken exactly as prescribed by a medical professional, the risks of abuse and addiction are significantly reduced. However, even those taking Tramadol for a pain-related disorder are at risk of abuse. It is imperative that you speak with your provider about the risks involved and that you make your prescribing doctor aware of any and all underlying conditions and history of substance abuse in your family. If Tramadol is prescribed, it will be prescribed short-term and in low doses (either to treat an injury or post-surgery pain, in most cases).

Common side effects of Tramadol include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, itching, gastrointestinal issues, and general weakness. Those abusing the drug will likely experience more severe side effects, including a lack of motivation, distancing oneself from friends and family members, secretive, a desire to be alone, doctor shopping, change in sleep patterns, fluctuations in weight, and an inability to stay focused.

If someone has been using Tramadol for an extended period of time, they will develop a tolerance. This means that more of the drug will be required to provide the user with the same “high.” Because this prescription painkiller is an opioid narcotic, it gives the same kind of high that other opioids – like heroin – will tend to produce. Pain receptors within the brain are blocked, leaving the user with relaxation and joy. Of course, these feelings are short-lived, and long-term use will result in severe brain damage.

Tramadol Addiction Treatment

We at Garden State Treatment Center offer drug addiction treatment to those struggling with Tramadol abuse or addiction. Our program of care is both comprehensive and individualized. The first step in every journey of recovery is the medical drug detox. Because Tramadol is so potent, the withdrawal symptoms can be severe if not adequately monitored. In most cases, the physical symptoms of withdrawal are not life-threatening, and they resemble the physical symptoms of very severe flu.

Many newly sober opiate addicts reported that the most severe psychological sign is intense mental cravings. However, the psychological symptoms can lead an addict back to using before the detox process has ended and the patient has been physically stabilized. At Garden State Treatment Center, we focus on reducing cravings while making the overall treatment process as comfortable as possible.

Once a patient has completed medical detox, they will be transferred to our state-of-the-art inpatient drug rehab. Here, the individual will undergo intensive inpatient treatment, including one-on-one and group therapy sessions, relapse prevention education, family therapy, and the teaching of vital life skills. If you believe you may be battling a Tramadol addiction and you’re looking for help, please give us a call today.

FAQ

  • Can you get high on Tramadol?
  • What dosage of Tramadol is required to produce a state of euphoria? So I know how to avoid it.
  • What is a M T7 pill high?

Published on: 2020-02-28
Updated on: 2024-04-28

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: 2024-05-07

Using Heroin When You’re on Suboxone

Pure heroin, diacetylmorphine, is a white powder with a bitter taste abused for its euphoric effects. Heroin, a highly addictive drug, is derived from the morphine alkaloid found in the opium poppy plant and is roughly 2 to 3 times more potent than morphine. Users become fast addicted to heroin both mentally and physically as they seek to experience the unique sensations provided by the drug.

It exhibits euphoric, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties. It is usually injected, smoked, or snorted up the nose. Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, carries stiff criminal penalties, and has no acceptable medical use in the United States. Of all the commonly abused addictive opioids, few are more dangerous than heroin.

Using Heroin When You're on Suboxone

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a brand-name prescription drug and is an addiction treatment medication used in opioid replacement therapy. As an opiate itself, it has a potential for abuse. Suboxone helps reverse the side effects of short-acting opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers. Consisting of two ingredients, Buprenorphine, and naloxone, Suboxone prevents the painful withdrawal symptoms caused by opioid addiction. Suboxone comes as an oral film that’s placed under your tongue (sublingual) or between your gums and cheek (buccal). The film dissolves in your mouth. Some people begin abusing Suboxone after it’s been prescribed as part of a treatment regimen for opioid dependency.

What are the Effects of Using Heroin While on Suboxone?

The key difference between Suboxone and other opioids is the added naloxone component, which serves to counter the action of opioid-based drugs. The naloxone component, in Suboxone, works by attaching to opioid receptors and blocking other opioids, such as heroin, from producing addictive euphoric sensations. Using Suboxone together with heroin, which causes central nervous system depression as well, can lead to serious side effects such as respiratory distress, coma, and even death.

If Suboxone is abused to get high, the naloxone will inhibit the buprenorphine component of the drug from binding to the opioid receptors, making the person experience the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. If a heroin-dependent person were to take Suboxone simultaneously with heroin, or shortly after using heroin, the body’s strong preference for Suboxone will counter the non-specific actions of the more potent heroin, sending the user into immediate withdrawal. Such predicaments can be very dangerous, and they defeat the purpose of Suboxone as a remedial drug.

What are the Benefits of Suboxone?

Suboxone offers several benefits to those with opioid dependency and to others for whom treatment in a methadone clinic is not preferred or is less convenient. Approved for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration, medications such as buprenorphine, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid dependence, FDA. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine is safe and effective. The buprenorphine/naloxone combination, Suboxone, is one of only two opioid addiction treatment medications, the other being Subutex, to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for usage outside of licensed opioid treatment facilities.

Heroin Addiction Treatment

You can get help and lead a successful, productive life. The first step is acknowledging the potential problem and just by asking yourself if you want to be the best version of yourself that you can be, you’re already on the right track. Here at Garden State Treatment Center, we provide group therapy, individual addiction counseling, relapse prevention treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, 12 step addiction treatment, and many other services that help teach you the skills you need to lead a Suboxone and Heroin free life. We believe in treating the entire person, not just their addictions. We personalize the treatment plan based on the individual’s characteristics. Our admissions team is standing by for your call.

FAQ

  • Can you take heroin with Suboxone?
  • Can you get high while on Suboxone?
  • What happens if you use Heroin while taking Sublocade?
  • What happens when you take opiates while on Suboxone?
  • Is it true that suboxone withdrawal is worse than heroin withdrawal?

Published on: 2020-02-01
Updated on: 2024-02-06

Mixing Cocaine and Xanax

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is an illicit, powerfully addictive substance. Cocaine, also known as coke, is a strong stimulant most frequently used as a recreational drug. Mental effects may include loss of contact with reality, an intense feeling of happiness, or agitation. Cocaine can be snorted, smoked or injected. It fluctuates in pigment from white to light rose or yellow. It stimulates the reward system, dopamine, of the brain and generates instant effects throughout the central nervous system.

Cocaine addicts build a forbearance swiftly because their bodies get used to the drug, and therefore more of the substance is necessary to deliver the consistent results of reaching a high. A cocaine addict’s physical brain function is dependent on the substance to be able to function normally.

Mixing Cocaine and Xanax2

What is Xanax?

Xanax, which is alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine. Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety. Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Xanax can cause paranoid or suicidal ideation and impair memory, judgment, and coordination.

Combining with other substances, particularly alcohol, can slow breathing and possibly lead to death. Xanax is commonly abused because it is an analgesic that treats moderate to severe pain, but people who don’t have pain can get a significant high off it.

Why is it Common for People to Mix Cocaine and Xanax?

People may co-use stimulants and depressants for several reasons. Cocaine is an infamous drug that is associated with high energy levels, excitability, and mental alertness, but it can cause irritability and paranoia as well. Some people may take Xanax to curb the acute effects of cocaine or to ease the discomfort associated with “coming down” from a cocaine high. Cocaine may also be taken to counteract the depressant effects of Xanax, including drowsiness and a sense of low energy.

What Happens When You Mix Cocaine and Xanax?

Both Xanax and cocaine can be incredibly dangerous drugs on their own, and each has a high risk of developing dependence and addiction. When they are taken together, the risk of immediate and long-term negative health and social consequences is substantially increased. A major danger of combining Xanax and cocaine is a heightened risk of acquiring dependence and addiction to one or both.

When they are taken at the same time, they limit the efficiency of each other, which may lead to someone taking greater doses of one or both drugs than they ordinarily would. Both Xanax and cocaine have opposite effects on the body and brain making difficult for someone who is using to identify the symptoms of an overdose. According to studies done by the Centers for Disease Control both cocaine and alprazolam were among the highest rates of death by overdose in recent years.

Among drug overdose deaths that mentioned at least one specific drug, the 10 most frequently mentioned drugs during 2011–2016 included fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, alprazolam, diazepam, cocaine, and methamphetamine. (CDC)

Polydrug abuse means mixing two or more drugs to get high and it’s a very dangerous road. The more drugs you take at the same time, the more complex the interactions become, and they can often turn deadly. Mixing cocaine and Xanax is especially risky because one is an upper and the other a downer.

How Can Rehab at Garden State Treatment Center Help You?

Here at Garden State Treatment Center, we offer group therapy, individual addiction counseling, relapse prevention treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and 12-step addiction treatment. We will look at your health and your life to make an individualized treatment plan that fits your needs and the safest route will be approached.

The medical staff will provide care that is around the clock. We are committed to an evidence-based treatment approach to be able to facilitate a long-term recovery for you. Take the first courageous step on the road to a healthy and happy life and call now for a confidential evaluation.

Published on: 2019-11-26
Updated on: 2024-05-07

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