“Substance misuse and substance use disorders can — and do —  prevent people from living healthy and productive lives,” according to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. “And, just as importantly, they have profound effects on families, friends, and entire communities.”

Are you concerned that you or a loved one may need drug rehab? Read on to find out more about drug addiction and determine if our drug treatment is the right option for your situation.

Cocaine

Cocaine, a stimulant derived from coca leaves, has highly addictive properties.

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Fentanyl

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used for severe pain treatment, is 100 times more potent than morphine.

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Heroin

Heroin is an illegal, powerfully addictive opioid drug with no medical application.

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Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (“meth”) is a central nervous system stimulant with highly addictive and damaging effects.

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Opioids/Prescription Painkillers

The perceived safety of prescription opioid drugs causes many to underestimate their potency and abuse potential.

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Drug Addiction By the Numbers

  • In 2014 there were 47,055 drug overdose deaths, including 28,647 people who died from a drug overdose involving some type of opioid, including prescription pain relievers and heroin — more than in any previous year on record.

  • The United States spends more than any other country on healthcare, but it ranks 27th in life expectancy — and the difference is largely due to substance misuse and associated physical and mental health problems.

  • Substance misuse and substance use disorders cost the U.S, more than $400 billion annually in crime, health, and lost productivity.

  • The costs associated with drug use disorders and use of illegal drugs and non-prescribed medications were estimated to be more than $193 billion in 2007.

  • Almost 8% of the population met the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder for alcohol or illicit drugs, and another 1% met diagnostic criteria for both an alcohol and illicit drug use disorder.

  • Although 20.8 million people (7.8% of the population) met the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder in 2015, only 2.2 million individuals (10.4%) received any type of treatment.

Source: Facing Addiction In America, the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2016 report on alcohol, drugs, and health

Drugs’ Effects on the Body

Drug abuse can range from prescription addiction to heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine misuse. Taken in pill form, snorted, or injected, each drug comes with its own set of risks and dangers — but all impact your health negatively. Some issues may be short-term and stop with the use of that substance, while others may cause more lasting health issues.

Use of prescription pain medications like codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) often begins innocently enough. These pills are prescribed by a doctor to manage pain on a short-term basis. Because the risk for addiction is high, though, misuse has become common. As the authorities have cracked down on prescription misuse, those who develop an addiction may feel forced to turn to other drugs, including heroin.

Heroin, meth, and cocaine use have all seen a resurgence in recent years, while new drugs continue to hit the streets. The popularity of any one substance varies by location, with some drugs flourishing in certain regions or rural areas while others are popular in large cities. Teens and college students are always at risk of being exposed to the latest drug trends.

Drug-related health risks:

  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Mood problems
  • Violent behavior
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Weight loss
  • Slowed breathing
  • Potential for HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases

Medical Detox in Drug Treatment

Drug withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and the side effects experienced are dependent on multiple factors, including the amount and type of drugs consumed, medical history, co-occurring disorders, family history, and any past or current trauma.

Common drug detox symptoms:

  •   Anxiety
  •   Trouble sleeping/tiredness
  •   Stomach pain/loss of appetite/vomiting
  •   Physical tremors/sweating
  •   Depression
  •   Confusion/trouble thinking clearly
  •   Mood swings/irritability
  •   Heart palpitations
  •   Elevated blood pressure
  •   Irregular heartbeat/increased rate of breathing
medical exam for detox

A small percentage of patients may also experience more severe withdrawal symptoms, including hallucinations, fever, seizures, severe confusion, and agitation. Our treatment team is here to monitor and assist with these symptoms, using FDA-approved medications (including Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram) to help reduce drug-related cravings.

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Malibu Drug Treatment: Why Seek Professional Help?

The symptoms of drug withdrawal can occur suddenly and can intensify quickly. Quitting on your own without medical supervision can be dangerous. Our professional treatment team is here to help with support and proven treatment methods.

At The Meadows Malibu, our clinical approach uses co-occurring disorder treatment to get to the root cause of substance abuse, addressing any mental health disorders along with your physical addiction to provide the best possible chance of true and lasting recovery.

Call 833-757-5696