While it’s common to believe that only serious drug users who were addicted to heroin would suffer from addiction to opiates, it can actually affect many unsuspecting people if they are prescribed heavy duty medications for illness or injury. Someone treating severe back pain from an accident for example could easily find themselves dependent on their medication. Many people do not realize commonly prescribed pain killing drugs such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are actually derivatives from the opium poppy plant.

One of the first signs of opiate addiction begins with withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person, but in general include feelings of restlessness, anxiety, nausea, headaches, insomnia, muscle aches, or agitation. More severe dependency can cause vomiting, chills, and others. While withdrawal symptoms are certainly unpleasant and uncomfortable, unlike alcohol addiction, it does not pose the same risk of fatality. Dehydration may become a concern if vomiting is persistent.

Withdrawal symptoms are typically the fuel that cause other signs of addiction and dependency, which includes trying to obtain more medication, covering up and lying about use, switching doctors or making multiple appointments for more prescriptions, performance differences in work or school, and problems with family members or friends concerning drug use and habits.

What Type of Opiate Addiction Treatment is Available?

Treatment will be different for each individual and their level of dependency. There are many factors that will play a part in the success of overcoming addiction, including their willingness to stop and the support system they choose to help them. There are many medical treatments available also that can help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal to make initial recovery more comfortable.

In general, opiate recovery and rehab involves several parts in overcoming dependency to the drugs. There is a very good point in this article on opiate addiction that the best treatment for an opiate addict is a program the addict is the most receptive towards participating in. Very few rehab programs can be successful without the desire of the addict to overcome their problems with abusing or depending on the drug.

Here are some of the things you may wish to look for in a treatment recovery and rehab program for opiates:

1. Managing Initial Withdrawal Symptoms: There are many medications available that can help reduce nausea and manage withdrawal symptoms that can greatly help the person overcome their physical need and urges to use the drug. The most common of these are Buprenorphine and clonidine. These medications must be administered in a hospital setting or drug treatment center with physician supervision.

2. Addressing the Reasons for Use: If abuse of prescription pain killers has led to the dependence on opiates, then it is important that the problem of pain management is addressed. If a person continues to suffer from chronic pain then they may be at risk at becoming dependent on drugs again. A drug treatment center that specializes in prescription drug abuse can often provide alternative resources and remedies for effectively dealing with pain without medication.

3. Therapy and Counseling: Therapy and counseling, both in a individual and group setting, can be very beneficial in learning new ways to live without the use of drugs. Many times it is easier to just swallow a pill than it is to cope with the usual stress and problems with life. For this reason it is very important to make sure that new ways of coping with sobriety and living are taught.

4. Relapse Prevention: Many people have problems with kicking the habit for good. Relapse is very common, especially if pain management hasn’t been addressed with non opiate alternatives or if there are emotional and psychological factors that are present and have not been addressed. While there are plenty of programs that offer rapid detox, they can often times be overall ineffective if they lead the person to begin using again.

Where Can I Get Help?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of addiction or you believe you may have a problem, there is nothing to be ashamed of in getting well qualified professional help. Most centers for rehab will welcome you with open arms and will not pass any judgement. Many of their caregivers and counselors have been exactly in the same position as you and can understand your situation and offer support and guidance. For many people, there are state and federal programs that can help you obtain the care you need with little to no cost to you if you do not have health insurance, regardless of your income or employment status.

If you are the family member or friend of someone dealing with addiction, it can be very difficult to watch the person you care about change and struggle with substance abuse problems. While you may not be able to control or change the situation, you can seek help for yourself if it is adversely affecting your own ability to live a healthy and happy life.

Do you have any experiences or thoughts to share about opiate addiction treatment? Share them in the comments below.

Often times it is not until one ends up in the emergency room from their cocaine use that they seek help. Prolonged use or high doses of coke can result in overdose, seizures, nausea, insomnia, malnutrition, cardiovascular and lung failure, chest pain, bacterial infections, anxiety attacks, paranoia, psychosis, delusions, and many other problems. Because cocaine can be taken in a variety of ways, there may be additional possible side effects from using the drug for an extended period of time or by taking a larger dose. Taking larger doses becomes increasingly more dangerous, not only because it is a higher dose, but also because as someone uses the drug their body becomes sensitive to it in a different way, making adverse reactions more possible even with low amounts.

Cocaine rehab must be treated very carefully because even though the withdrawal effects of coke use is not as severe as it is from alcohol or heroin, cocaine is still very addictive not only physically but emotionally as well. Mild withdrawal symptoms can usually be treated at home or without medical supervision, but often a cocaine user who wants to stop is unable to stop on their own, especially if cocaine can be found readily available through their contacts or friends.

It is best when choosing a cocaine rehab and addiction treatment center is that be assessed by a professional on an individual case by case basis. While some alcohol and drug treatments can be done in an outpatient setting, cocaine recovery is often more beneficial through inpatient drug rehab. Inpatient treatment allows the addict to remove themselves completely from the situations and friends that give them easy access to the drug, making recovery easier and more successful for many.

Like all drug treatments, treatment for cocaine addiction must not only address the physical cravings for the drug, but also the emotional dependence on using the drug as well. The feeling the need to escape or the high effects of coke use can often be a cause of other problems in the user’s life. Learning how to cope with life without drugs and teaching oneself coping skills is essential in having a successful recovery.

After cocaine rehab has been successfully completed, the next step is to address relapse prevention. Since cocaine is highly addictive, just one slip can potentially cause another cycle of cocaine addiction and it could be more difficult to quit than before. A successful cocaine recovery program should identify possible cocaine relapse triggers as well as help the recovered person identify and recognize potential signs that they may be at risk for relapsing before the relapse actually occurs.

Many people have successfully completed addiction and recovery programs for cocaine and continued on to live healthy and better lives. Cocaine addiction does not have to be an end to a person’ life – getting help can give them a second chance to do everything they’ve ever wanted to do.

If you need information on cocaine rehab and addiction treatment for yourself or your loved ones, visit our where to find addiction help page to find a center or caregiver near you.

Here are some of the differences you can expect to encounter in Christian based rehab:

1. Spiritual Needs: In Christian based alcohol and drug therapy, the focus is not only on behavioral and addiction concerns, but also in nurturing the spiritual side of a person.They may help an addict answer the common questions about God that many have: Why me? Why does he let this happen? Does God Hate Me?2. Prayer: Prayer is one thing you may encounter in a Christian drug rehab program that you may likely not see in other rehab programs. Meetings may start with prayers or songs to help bring everyone closer together and to ask for God’s assistance in becoming and staying sober. Prayer for many people has been a positive way to meditate and understand themselves and their needs better.

3. References to Biblical phrases and stories: The Bible is very important in the Christian faith, and so it is often a great source of inspiration for Christians struggling with addiction. Many of the teachings in the Bible can be applied to learning how to live without drugs and alcohol and can further help one understand their spiritual beliefs.

4. Rebuilding Relationships Also Includes God: Many families and friendships are destroyed by addiction. Christian drug treatment centers often include rebuilding a relationship with God. Going through addiction can make a person feel very empty – rebuilding a relationship with God can help fulfill that void.

Who Should Consider Christian Drug Treatment Centers?

Christian drug and alcohol rehab programs will certainly not turn anyone away who is seeking help with addiction. It does not matter your background or even your faith, as long as you are open to accepting the Christian based teachings.

Christian based treatment centers however are probably going to be the most successful for someone who has always been Christian but has watched their life become difficult to manage due to drug or alcohol use or someone who wishes to have religion and God in their life but don’t know where to start.

Who Should Not Consider Christian Drug and Alcohol Rehab approaches?

If you do not feel comfortable about the Christian faith, or are skeptical of Christian teachings, you may wish to seek other rehab programs that do not involve religion or spirituality in the program. Not because Christian treatment programs are not successful – but because they may not be the best alternative for you. If you are resistant towards the counselor’s beliefs, teachings, or practices, it may also make you subconsciously resistant to overcoming addiction all together.

Choosing an addiction treatment center is a personal choice. For some, Christian based programs have been the lifesaving decision they needed to overcome their addiction and get their life back on track. For those who do not want religion in their life or are resistant towards the beliefs, it can make the journey to sobriety even more difficult. For any rehab program to be successful, the person going for treatment must be open and earnest in quitting. Being forced to recover against their own free will or to be apathetic towards the treatment program can often lead to relapse after relapse.

What are your thoughts on Christian Drug Treatment Centers? Share your comments below.

We often glamorize celebrities with drug problems and famous heroin addicts in our society, but all in all it is only a tragedy that despite a worldwide audience and fame not one person could reach out to them and offer help or convince them they needed to stop. It goes to show just how difficult it can be to convince someone they need to get help. There are many movies about drug addiction that also further glamorize addiction, though some can be beneficial in aiding drug prevention.

Here are some Famous Heroin Addicts who did not survive their addictions:

River Phoenix: River Phoenix was young and at what some would consider at the peak of beginning his career in film and music when he overdosed on heroin and cocaine at a night club. He has starred in movies such as Indiana Jones, Parenthood, and Sneakers. He also often performed with members of the band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He died October 31st 1993.

Kurt Cobain: Kurt Cobain was the lead singer for the popular band Nirvana in the 1990’s. Years of drug addiction and abuse led to several heroin overdoses and failed rehab attempts. Eventually in April 1994, he was found dead, apparently having shot himself while on heroin.

Janis Joplin: Singer song writer, famous for songs such as “Ball and Chain” and “Mercedes Benz”, died at age 27 from a heroin overdose in her hotel room.

Brad Nowell: Singer for the band Sublime died of a heroin overdose at age 28. Sublime was a phenomenal rock/ska band. He was survived by his wife and child.

John Belushi: This actor probably best remembered for his performance in the movie Animal House died of a heroin overdose.

Heroin addiction can affect anyone – from a teenager to a famous celebrity. All of these deaths are tragic and unfortunate and not only did the person lose his or her life, but they no longer had the opportunity to share their gifts of entertaining with the world. Seeing the devastating consequences of heroin use in these Famous Heroin Addicts can hopefully be a lesson to anyone just beginning to get involved in illegal drug use to stop and get help immediately – before the addiction grows and ultimately ends their life.

Know of any other famous heroin addicts not listed here? Share them in the comments below.

Vicodin is a commonly prescribed pain reliever that is made from acetaminophen (the same thing as Tylenol) and hydrocodone, which is a synthetic codeine. Because it is so commonly prescribed, many people can find themselves becoming addicted to Vicodin. Vicodin may commonly be prescribed for injuries, back pain, joint or knee pain, migraines, and many other conditions. Since it is a pain reliever, people become dependent on no longer wanting to feel the pain.

Vicodin has several possible side effect symptoms that first-time users may feel. They include nausea and upset stomach, drowsiness, and dizziness. Emotional symptoms of vicodin use may include euphoria, apathy, and “warm and fuzzy” feelings. Any other symptoms while taking Vicodin should be discussed with a physician immeditaely.

When Vicodin is prescribed as pain medication, users may decide to take more than what has been prescribed and/or start taking them more frequently than prescribed, especially if the pain is severe. Unfortunately, doing this causes you to build a tolerance to the drug, which then lessens its effectiveness in reducing pain. It also begins the habit of becoming dependent on vicodin as you begin to rely on it more and more.

Vicodin can also sometimes be abused by someone without the need of any pain medication at all. Illegally using the drugs that are someone else’s prescription (commonly done in high school – someone will be prescribed it for a sports injury or having wisdom teeth removed for example, and then share it or sell it to friends) can also set up someone to become addicted to Vicodin, especially if the use is frequent and their only objective of using Vicodin is to get high.

Here are the Symptoms of Vicodin Addiction:

Feeling physically ill – nausea, shaking, cold/hot flashes, muscle and/or bone pain, and restlessness.

Going to extreme measures to get a prescription for their Vicodin addiction (looking for it online, going to multiple doctors for multiple reasons, stealing it from people, etc.)

Family and Friends express concern over use – Since Vicodin addiction is relatively easy to conceal, if friends and family notice someone possibly overusing or abusing the drug it can be a huge warning sign that the person using Vicodin is losing control.

Use of Vicodin when operating a vehicle, at work, school, or other times when you should not take it and using Vicodin could put yourself or others at risk.

Feelings of anxiety and panic when you are almost out of Vicodin or completely out.

The symptoms of Vicodin addiction can be moderate to severe, depending on how long the person has been using the drug and their level of dependency.

Abusing Vicodin or taking more than prescribed and for an extended period of time can cause several long-term health consequences, including liver failure. If you are concerned that you may be starting to show the symptoms of Vicodin addiction, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor who can help you decide if your use if becoming a problem or to seek alternative treatments for pain relief if you are displaying any of the symptoms of Vicodin addiction.

It’s a common concern amongst parents of teenagers, and its a good sign that you’re asking this question, because it’s quite possible that if you’re suspicious of your teenager’s marijuana use that you have a good reason to have that suspicion. Of course, it is not always obvious to tell if a teenager is using marijuana or not. Some signs may also signal other underlying problems that while displaying the same signs of marijuana use may be other issues at home.

Here are some signs to help you tell if your teenager is using marijuana:

1. Disinterested in family events, sports, and other hobbies: When a teenager is using marijuana, there is a good chance they will give using the drug their attention. They may not care about going to sports practice or would rather hang out with their friends than come to the latest family gathering. They may suddenly seem withdrawn or uninterested in things going on around them.

2. Change of Friends: While teenage friendships can come and go, it’s a good chance that if your teenager has stopped hanging out with their “good” friends and now have a new crowd of friends they spend more time with, it’s quite possible it is because they are using drugs. People who use marijuana will spend less time with their friends who do not do drugs to spend more time with their friends who do.

3. Obvious Signs of Being Stoned: Teenagers who use marijuana will from time to time show the obvious signs of being stoned. This includes red puffy eyes, extreme hunger (also known as the “munchies”), extreme giddiness, extreme tiredness. It is also possible that he or she will smell like marijuana/smoke OR smell heavily of cologne or another perfume if they are trying to cover up the smell of marijuana on their clothes.

4. Secretiveness and a Concern for Privacy: If your teenager never cared about you coming in their room before or suddenly has a new bag or backpack they have started carrying around that you’ve never seen, it could be a cause for concern that they are hiding something.

5. Drug Paraphernalia: It can be hard to know what drug paraphernalia looks like. Common smoking devices include rolling papers, pipes (which can be glass, wood, or metal) and water bongs, which look pretty much like a vase but with an area to put the marijuana in to smoke on the side. Teenagers may also may their own homemade smoking devices out of soda cans or plastic soda bottles. If you see soda cans with burn marks in them, it’s a good chance it was used to smoke marijuana. Another sign would be if you notice your child wearing pro-marijuana clothing, listening to pro-marijuana music, or having other pro-marijuana related merchandise or accessories.

It can be difficult to determine if your teenager is using marijuana. If you notice one or more signs listed above, you now know the answer to “How can I tell if my teenager is using marijuana?” and respond appropriately. If you think your teenager might be using marijuana, be sure to read our article on How to Help Your Teenager Stop Smoking Weed.

Marijuana does not have severe withdrawal symptoms and it can be easy to quit smoking pot on your own without treatment centers, rehab, or counseling. In fact, many people often question is marijuana addictive? However, even if it is not physically addictive as most other drugs are, it is still habit forming and one can become mentally dependent on it. While one can quit smoking weed on your own, it can be beneficial for many to seek counseling or drug treatment, since marijuana use can be a result of underlying problems such as depression, anxiety, or other emotional problems.

Before you become skeptical that the tips and steps for how to stop smoking pot below may not be of any use to anyone, it should be noted this article is written by someone who smoked enough weed/pot/marijuana (whatever the cool term for it may be these days) to be high from the moment she woke up until she passed out at the end of the night – roughly about an 1/8 ounce of marijuana a day. This was no regular old marijuana either, this was heavy duty, highly concentrated, rare to find, expensive pot.

Here are some tips on how to stop smoking weed from a former pothead herself:

1. Lose All Your Friends: This probably sounds like the most extreme thing you can do if you want to know how to stop smoking weed, especially if your friends are ones you’ve known a long time. But it is critical if you want to quit smoking weed that you no longer hang out with the friends that do smoke weed or are involved with other drugs. You’ll soon discover after a few weeks that these friends weren’t real friends anyway and while yes, you will miss them, hanging out with them will only increase your hunger to start smoking weed again.

After you have gone several months without smoking weed, you may be able to call them and do something together that doesn’t involved alcohol or drugs, but chances are they may not be interested anymore. You may be tempted to quit smoking pot with a friend – this is almost always a bad idea since one of you will likely slip up again and fall back into your old pot smoking days easily.

2. Get Rid of Anything Related to Weed: Having pipes or other smoking paraphernalia is likely to make you desperate to start smoking weed again. Even other things such as t-shirts or music might make you desire to get high again, so be sure that you get rid of it all! If it is something you associate with smoking weed, it is likely to make you want to start smoking pot again. Give it away, destroy it – whatever just make sure you have no access to it!

3. Do Things to Occupy Yourself: When you quit smoking weed, you will wonder what you ever did without it. Finding new activities to replace your weed smoking activities with can be difficult. Do puzzles, watch movies, go to a park, take walks, read a book, sign up for a class to learn a new skill or hobby, exercise, or hang out with people who do not smoke weed at all. Replacing your old habits with new ones will help you quit smoking weed much easier. Remember that life was fun before and it can be fun again!

4. Learn New Ways to Cope With Stress: Since smoking marijuana is often used to escape or deal with problems, you will want to learn new ways to cope with stress. Meditation and relaxation techniques may be able to aid you with this. It also helps to start thinking objectively about problems and dealing with them as they arise instead of harboring them.

5. Do not Turn to Alcohol Instead: A common problem with trying to quit smoking weed is that you may be tempted to use alcohol or other drugs instead. This is a very bad idea, since these drugs are even more dangerous and addictive and more difficult to overcome. Alcoholism is much harder to overcome than marijuana addiction, and the withdrawal symptoms of severe. You do not want to give up one problem only to create more problems. If you were addicted to weed, you will be easily able to fall into other addictions, and those will not be as nearly as easy to quit.

After just a few short weeks you will feel like a new person. You can learn how to stop smoking weed on your own. But if you continue to have problems quitting and still wish to stop, you may benefit from speaking to someone you trust or even considering therapy to help deal with the underlying problems preventing you from living a happy drug free life you have 100% control of.

Do you have any questions about how to stop smoking pot/weed? Feel free to leave a comment below or use our contact form.

A person who smokes marijuana only a few times is likely to be able to stop and go several weeks or months without ever falling into the patterns that would cause marijuana to be addictive.

While it is speculated that it is more psychologically addictive than physically addictive, physical addiction is possible because a tolerance can be developed to the drug. A chronic marijuana user will often develop a tolerance on the drug, needing to smoke more and more each time to feel the effects they desire to achieve.

Like other drug addictions, a marijuana user may begin to crave getting high or use marijuana as a means of relaxing or escaping from the daily stress and problems of life. When marijuana use begins to become a weekly or daily habit, the person is likely to only increase their use of marijuana, which in turn increases their tolerance and has more lasting effects of marijuana.

The long term effects of marijuana use can result in depression, mood swings, lack of motivation, apathy for the rest of the world, weight gain or weight loss, lung and breathing problems from smoking, and other possible risks. Because marijuana can cause someone to be scatterbrained or physically impaired, it may also cause them to be more accident prone or put themselves and others in dangerous situations. Their lack of motivation and mood swings can cause problems at work or school or with their relationships with family and friends.

After excessive prolonged use of marijuana, the person may begin smoking it several times a day and begin to depend on it to motivate themselves out of bed in the morning or need it in order to fall asleep at night. They will also seek any opportunity they can find to smoke it.

The interesting thing that makes people question “is marijuana addictive” is the the very mild withdrawal symptoms. Unlike alcoholism withdrawal, a person who is dependent on marijuana is unlikely to experience problems with shaking, headaches, nausea, or other signs of withdrawal. For many it may be a feeling of unease, anxiety, or tension when they go longer periods without use. Some may experience difficulty sleeping.

These withdrawal symptoms of marijuana are very mild, especially when compared to those of other drugs and alcohol. Because of this, if the person is only using marijuana and not combining it with other drugs or alcohol they can often cease marijuana use on their own and without the need of treatment centers.

Because the withdrawal symptoms are mild and dependency may take several months or years of use to truly recognize, you can see why people may ask if marijuana is addictive.

Here are some ways to help you find information fast:

Your Phone Book: Most phone books have a section in the front with government and non-profit listings. There will be several places and hot lines listed there you can call.

Your Local Hospital: Most major hospitals have drug and alcohol divisions and mental health departments. Calling the hospital can help point you in the right direction for learning about detox and alcohol rehab services.

Online: You can use the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Center Locator to find a place near you.

A Local Church: Even if you are not religious or a member of a church, they often have this information available and will be more than happy to help you.

School Guidance Counselors: Every school has a guidance department. Contact them to see if they can recommend any services.

We will be adding our own directory of places for treatment by City and State soon. Until then, the above 5 places will steer you in the right direction.

Often one of the most dangerous times for alcoholics and drug addicts is the several weeks and months following alcohol rehab. Many people have successfully completed rehab and been “cured” only to unfortunately die of an overdose as soon as the next day. Many people believe that since they’ve gone through rehab they can use again, only “less” this time. Rarely does this actually work however, since not enough time has passed for the person to learn how to live life without relying on alcohol or drugs.

To successfully stay sober, one must learn how to ultimately change your life for good. This includes learning how to live without drugs, how to manage stress and deal with problems, how to avoid risky situations, and how to adopt a healthy attitude towards life without drugs.

Changing your life for the better for good may seem impossible when you’re still at step one of alcohol recovery, but for many becoming sober has given them the ability to enjoy life again. Many recovered alcoholics and drug addicts who have been able to change their life and overcome addiction have been able to have successful careers, successful relationships, and even start healthy families amongst many other achievements after becoming sober for good and completely the therapy needed to learn how to live life positively.

For more information on tips to remain sober after drug and alcohol rehab, take a look at our article on Relapse Prevention.