A crystal meth drug test does not always give a black-and-white answer. Meth residue remains in your blood and saliva for approximately twelve hours, in your urine for three to five days, and in your hair follicles for up to ninety days. You can have a positive test under one of these methodologies and a negative test under another. How To…
The World Health Organization recently defined a new diagnosis for complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health experts have now summarized the symptoms and issued updated guidelines for clinical assessment and treatment. What Is CPTSD? PTSD is one of the best-known trauma responses. People affected by this disorder suffer overwhelming physical and mental symptoms. But mental health professionals have known for decades that…
Xanax (generic name alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine prescribed for anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, some men take it without a prescription, just to get a quick relaxation effect. Over 100,000 people a year wind up in emergency rooms due to non-medical use of Xanax, often in combination with alcohol or another depressant drug. Even when taken as a legitimate prescription, Xanax carries risks—notably…
What is Magical Thinking in People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? Magical thinking happens from time-to-time. Superstitions fall into the category of magical thinking, like avoiding the 13th floor of a building or needing a specific object to have luck. Even simple acts involve magical thinking. Magical Thinking One of the early writers on the topic was Freud. He discussed magical…
What Does Trauma Have to Do with Opiate Addiction in Men? Addiction is not something people find easy to discuss. Trauma can especially impact the lives of men, who may already struggle with sharing thoughts and feelings. Opiate addiction, like any substance, can pop up as a means of coping with tragedy, trauma, and difficult circumstances in a person’s past or…
As if there aren’t already an infinite number of reasons exercise can benefit your health, there’s now proof that it can help reduce memory deterioration in the brain caused by heavy alcohol exposure.A study published in September’s issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research journal discussed a study done by the University of Colorado about the relationship between alcohol and aerobic…
In July of this year, I reached rock bottom. My addiction had taken full control of my life and I was living in a depressing state of unmanageability. Although I had lost hope in my future I was blessed with a willingness to surrender. I didn’t know where I wanted to go, but I knew I needed to go back to…
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs designed to alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Introduced in the mid-1950s, “benzos” were originally intended to take the place of highly addictive barbiturates. However, decades of research have revealed that benzodiazepines can be just as habit-forming as the drugs they were meant to replace. The addictive potential of benzos lies in their method of action. Like…
Military personnel are at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder. An estimated 11 to 30 percent of veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD – the exact statistics vary by service era. Exposure to combat, life-threatening missions and the stress of deployment all contribute to lifelong trauma after a tour of duty. Using a nationally representative sample of over 194,000 veterans, researchers…
When you think about addictive drugs, you are likely to picture illegal chemicals that people purchase in sketchy alleys. However, the reality is that some of the most common causes of drug abuse can be harmless looking pills that your doctor prescribes to you. Prescription drugs might be legal, but they can still be quite dangerous and addictive when used without…
Microdosing is a method of drug usage that is mostly implemented with LSD and other hallucinogenic drugs. With microdosing, the user ingests smaller-than-normal amounts of the substance that they’re taking and they might take those smaller doses more regularly than they would take larger doses. One of the definitive elements of microdosing is that by doing it, individuals ingest such small…
There is an opioid epidemic and it involves opiates too. These two terms, opioids and opiates, are often used together or interchangeably when discussing the drug addiction epidemic. However, there are some subtle differences between these related substances. Both terms relate to powerful addictive substances that are ultimately derived from the opium poppy, but here, we’ll explore what makes each family…
To overcome an addiction to alcohol, clients will need a detox. This process means ending the consumption of alcohol, and it leads to withdrawal symptoms. While this can be an unpleasant experience, the right medical support can make a big difference. Alcohol withdrawal is nothing to be taken lightly. There are a number of health risks that come with the process….
Recognizing the signs of a drug overdose can save someone’s life. A person can overdose on illicit drugs or prescription medication. Drug overdose symptoms may vary, depending on the substance the individual has consumed. It is always safer to seek medical attention for someone who may have overdosed. Those who overdose as a result of drug abuse or addiction should prevent…
There’s a drug epidemic in the United States, and it’s been going on for years. Every year, tens of thousands of people die from drug overdoses, and many people think this has to do with illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine and meth. While these drugs are a major cause of drug-related deaths, the biggest problem is prescription drug pill popping. People…
You may believe many misconceptions and myths about drugs. To make matters worse, the spread of misinformation is commonplace. The only way to truly dispel these misconceptions is to openly talk about them. Spreading accurate information is the only hope that society has to get drug abuse under control. Myths About Drugs and Hitting Rock Bottom One of the most dangerous…
Addiction to prescription drugs can be as dangerous as other forms of addiction, but people rarely give it the same level of caution. Prescription medication is often seen as more legitimate, leading to a lot of misconceptions about how dangerous abuse can be. Suboxone addiction can be particularly devastating, since Suboxone is often prescribed to wean people out of opioid addiction….
Having a timeline for withdrawing from Xanax is extremely important. You never want to stop using Xanax “cold turkey.” It is better to get help from a substance use treatment program. Substance abuse treatment programs will monitor your Xanax withdrawal symptoms. Staff and doctors will monitor your vital signs, including your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Studies show that when…
Understanding The Drug GHB Gamma hydroxybutyrate depresses the central nervous system and has potential side effects as serious as death. GHB is a federally controlled substance. This means that you could also face serious legal trouble if you possess or sell GHB. Legislation targets it as a date-rape drug because of its ability to lower inhibitions and reduce memory. It does…
Opioid addiction is a widespread health crisis impacting families across the country. If you or a loved one is facing opioid addiction, there is help. The Last Resort offers treatment programs for opioid addiction treatment. Prescription methadone detox is a common treatment route for patients needing help to break the cycle of opioid addiction. Understanding the potential side effects of methadone…
Addiction is not something that only happens with drugs and alcohol. People can also suffer from an addiction to household items like inhalants. Doctors may diagnose an addiction when a person cannot manage his or her use of inhalants despite knowing the damage they cause. Even if you have an overwhelming desire to stop using these products, you may be unable…