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Alcohol is available in many different forms, including beer, wine and liquor. It is a depressant, which slows your body down making it difficult to think clearly. Ethanol alcohol, also referred to as ETOH for its chemical composition, is the form that is ingested orally by humans. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, interfering with communication between brain cells.
Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol affects every organ in the body. It is rapidly absorbed from the stomach
and small intestine into the bloodstream and is metabolized in the liver by
enzymes. The liver can only metabolize
a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate
throughout the body. The intensity
of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount
consumed. Users can suffer from
alcohol poisoning, which is a direct result of binge drinking and can lead to a
coma and even death.
Lasting/Long-Term Effects
Long-term abuse of alcohol allows the liver to become more
efficient at removing alcohol from the bloodstream, causing the addict to
consume larger quantities in order to reach the same effects. Excessive drinking, both in the form of
long-term heavy drinking and in the form of binge drinking, is associated with
numerous health problems, which include the following: Chronic diseases such as liver
cirrhosis (damage to liver cells) and pancreatitis (inflammation of the
pancreas) are common, as well as various cancers including liver, mouth,
throat, larynx and esophagus. High
blood pressure is also an effect of prolonged drinking, as is psychological
disorders. Alcohol can also lead
to unintentional injuries, such as car accidents, falls, drowning, firearms
injuries and more. It can also
contribute to violent behavior, homicide and suicide, and more. Alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol
dependence and addiction.
Detox/Rehab
Because alcohol is legal and most often socially accepted,
it is difficult to convince an addict that they need treatment. Once an alcoholic is willing to enter
treatment, it is imperative that they seek a medically-supervised detox. Alcohol detox is extremely dangerous,
as the alcoholic can experience the shake and/or delirium tremens, depending
upon how advanced their addiction is.
For the well-being of the addict, medically-supervised detoxification
is a necessity. The detox process
should be followed up with an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation treatment will help the
addict to discover the underlying issues that lead to their alcoholism
addiction. For more
information on medically-supervised detox and and/or intensive inpatient
rehabilitation treatment, call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Cocaine has been an abused substance for nearly 100 years. Derived from the pure chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, it is a powerfully addictive substance. The powdered, hydrochloride salt form of cocaine can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected. Cocaine has evolved in form over the years and has not only increased in purity, but has also become available in “crack” form. Crack is cocaine that has not been neutralized by an acid and comes as a rock crystal that can be heated and its vapors smoked. The term “crack” is used because of the crackling sound heard as the drug is heated. Cocaine is a highly illegal substance and one cannot manufacture, distribute or possess the drug.
Some street terms for cocaine are:
Blow, Crack, Freebase, Nose Candy, Rock, Snow, C, Charlie,
White Lady, Aspirin, Yeyo
Effects of Cocaine
The effects of cocaine appear almost immediately after a
dose and disappear within a few minutes or hours, dependent upon how the drug
is administered. The high is more
intense, however shorter-lasting when the absorption is faster. Taken in amounts up to 100 mg, cocaine
makes users feel euphoric, energetic, talkative and mentally alert. It will temporarily decrease the need
for food and sleep. It also causes
constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased temperature, heart rate
and blood pressure. Use can lead
to bizarre, erratic and even violent behaviors, and users may experience
tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches and/or a toxic reaction resembling
amphetamine poisoning. In very
rare instances, sudden death can occur upon the first use of cocaine or shortly
thereafter. Cocaine can cause
cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest and can lead to
death.
Lasting/Long-Term Effects
The stimulant and addictive effects of cocaine are a result
of the drug’s ability to inhibit the reabsorption of dopamine, which is
released as part of the brain’s reward system, by nerve cells. An addict may think they can control
their use, however it is difficult to predict or control the extent to which
one will continue to want or use the drug. Over time a tolerance to cocaine can develop, causing users
to increase their doses to intensify and prolong and euphoric effects. Though tolerance can build up,
sensitization to the anesthetic and convulsant effects of the drug do not. This can cause death to the user even
when taking an extremely low dose.
Cocaine can also lead to full-blown paranoid psychosis, in which the
user loses complete touch with reality and experiences auditory
hallucinations. Long time snorting
of cocaine causes nose cartilage to dissolve.
Detox/Rehab
Symptoms of withdrawal are more moderate than many other
drugs, because it is metabolized and excreted from the body very quickly. Symptoms can include psychological
cravings, fatigue, muscle pain and insomnia. Those seeking detox for cocaine should do it in a
medically-supervised environment.
For immediate information, please call 1-877-251-6604.
Oxycodone is an opiate derived from morphine and is legally prescribed for pain relief. Found in the prescription drug OxyContin, it is a Schedule II narcotic analgesic and is highly addictive. Oxycodone is found either alone in a controlled release formulation (OxyContin) or in an immediate release formulation (OxylR, OxyFast). It can also be found in combination with other non-narcotic analgesics such as aspirin (Percodan) or acetaminophen (Percocet). OxyContin was introduced in 1996 and has escalated in abuse ever since.
Street terms for OxyContin are:
OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton, Hillbilly heroin, kicker
Effects of OxyContin
OxyContin use can lead to sedation, euphoria, respiratory
depression, papillary constriction and cough suppression. The effects of OxyContin can last 8-12
hours, however if taking oxycodone alone, the effects generally last up to 5
hours. Oxycodone is an opioid and
is frequently abused because of the euphoric feelings that it gives users. Taking a large single dose of oxycodone
could cause severe respiratory depression leading to death.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Continuing abuse of opioids can create a tolerance for the
drugs, causing users to take higher doses to achieve the same initial
effects. Users can become
physically dependent upon opioids as well, and if use is stopped withdrawal
symptoms can occur. An overdose of
oxycodone can cause respiratory depression, cold and clammy skin, reduction in
blood pressure and heart rate, coma, respiratory arrest and death.
Detox/Rehab
Convincing an addict to enter treatment to receive help for
their addiction is crucial.
Symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone include heart palpitations,
nausea, hypertension, fever, insomnia and muscle and joint pain. In order to have a safe,
medically-supervised detox, please call us at 1-877-251-6604.
Processed from morphine, heroin is the most abused and rapidly acting opiate available. Morphine is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. Typically found in a white or brownish powder form, heroin also is found as a black sticky substance commonly referred to as “black tar heroin.” Purer heroin is becoming more common, but most street heroin is still “cut” with other drugs or substances including sugar, starch, powdered milk, quinine, strychnine, fentanyl and other poisons. Heroin users are at high risk for overdose due to the fact that they do not know the true potency or strength of the dose. Heroin is also extremely dangerous and puts users at risk for HIV and other diseases due to the fact that users often share needles. Heroin can be injected, smoked or sniffed/snorted.
Street terms for Heroin are:
Smack, thunder, big H, Horse, China white, Dope, Junk
Effects of Heroin
Heroin can effect intravenous users within 7 to 8 seconds
after injection, though intramuscular injection takes an average of 5 to 8
minutes to take effect, and snorting or smoking the drug usually produces peak effects
within an average of 10 to 15 minutes.
Heroin provides users a feeling of euphoria, as it is a synthetic opiate
that binds to receptors in the central nervous system that work with the body’s
own physiological opioids like endorphins and enkephalins.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Frequent users of heroin quickly become addicted and build
up a tolerance to the drug, making it necessary to ingest larger quantities in
order to achieve the same initial effects. Chronic users may develop collapsed veins, abscesses, liver
disease, pulmonary complications and more. Heroin can also cause death.
Detox/Rehab
It is critical that a heroin addict enter a medical detox
facility in order to safely withdrawal from the drug. Heroin can cause several withdrawal symptoms, including
psychological cravings, nausea, insomnia, muscle pains and more. In some cases, if the addict is in poor
health, sudden withdrawal is fatal.
Because of the severity of withdrawal associated with heroin, as well as
the tenacity that the drug has, it is imperative that users not only seek a
medical detox, but also then enter residential rehabilitation treatment. In order to have a safe,
medically-supervised detox and/or intensive inpatient treatment, please call us
at 1-877-251-6604.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic drug containing potent central nervous system stimulant properties. Methamphetamine can be swallowed in pill form, sniffed as a powder, injected intravenously or intra-muscularly or smoked. It is a highly addictive and habit forming narcotic with high abuse potential.
Street terms for Methamphetamines are:
Speed, Meth, Ice , Crystal, Chalk, Crank, Tweak, Uppers,
Crunk, Glass, Zoom
Effects of
Methamphetamines
Methamphetamine increases dopamine and adrenaline production
allowing for a large amount of both to flood the central nervous system and
brain, producing a dramatic stimulant effect and causing increased wakefulness
and physical activity, as well as decreased appetite. This “high” comes from the dopamine and adrenaline entering
areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure. Smoking or injecting methamphetamine
supplies the user with a brief rush, or intense sensation, while oral ingestion
or snorting can produce a longer lasting high, that can last for as long as
half a day. High doses of
methamphetamine are toxic, and not only raise body temperature to dangerous and
sometimes lethal levels, but also can cause convulsions.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
The human body very quickly develops a tolerance to
methamphetamine and as a result, much more must be taken to produce the same
initial effects. Not only does the
user become addicted to methamphetamine, but it also can cause functional and
molecular changes to the brain.
Use can lead to violent behavior, anxiety, confusion and insomnia, as
well as psychotic problems including paranoia, auditory hallucinations,
delusions, homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Delusions can manifest into “formication”, in which users
believe that there are insects crawling on their skin.
Detox/Rehab
When ending methamphetamine use, there are a variety of
withdrawal symptoms that occur.
Users may experience depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression,
and intense cravings for the drug.
Research has reported that as much as 50 percent of the brain’s
dopamine-producing cells can be damaged after prolonged exposure to relatively
low levels of methamphetamine.
Serotonin-containing nerve cells could be damaged even more extensively,
and the toxicity of the drug can lead to psychosis. Because of the severity and havoc of methamphetamine, it is
critical that those seeking treatment detox in a medically-supervised facility,
as well as seek intensive residential inpatient treatment. For more information and to have a
safe, medically-supervised detox and/or intensive inpatient treatment, please
call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Barbiturates are prescribed legally for medical use and produce a wide spectrum of central nervous system depression, from mild sedation to coma. They are used as sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics and anticonvulsants. The primary differences between barbiturates are related to their effects. Barbiturates are classified as ultra-short, short, intermediate and long-acting. Generally ingested as a pill, barbiturates can also be dissolved and injected. The following barbiturates are available and go by these names:
Amobarbital (Amytal), Aprobarbital, Butabarbital (Fiorinal), Hexobarbital (Sombulex), Methylphenobarbital (Mebaral), Pentobarbital (Nembutal), Phenobarbital (Luminal), Secobarbital (Seconal), Talbutal (Lotusate), Thiobarbital, Tuinal (equal proportions of amobarbital and secobarbital)
Effects of Barbiturates
In moderate amounts, barbiturates produce a state of
intoxication that is similar to that of alcohol intoxication. Symptoms can include slurred speech,
loss of motor coordination and impaired judgment. Barbiturates can also cause drowsiness, confusion, inability
to concentrate, tremors, depressed pulse rate and more. Using barbiturates can lead to
addiction and dependency.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Barbiturate users can rapidly develop both a physical and
psychological tolerance over time, depending upon dose, frequency and duration
of use. With the development of a
tolerance for barbiturates, users are at greater risk for overdose, as the
margin of safety between an effective dose and a lethal dose becomes narrow
over time. This can lead to coma
and/or death.
Detox/Rehab
Due to the fact that barbiturates are legally prescribed to
many people, it can be difficult for the user to make the decision to enter
treatment. However, due to their
highly addictive and dangerous nature, it is imperative that treatment be
sought at a medically-supervised detox facility. Because the drug is legally prescribed, addicts will often
justify the use, making it extremely important that they follow up detox with
intensive inpatient rehabilitation.
For information on medically-supervised detox and/or inpatient
rehabilitation treatment, call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
A weak opiate derived from codeine and typically combined with acetaminophen, hydrocodone is legally prescribed for pain relief. It is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, and is found to be nearly equal to morphine for pain relief. It is the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States with several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed. Hydrocone is usually ingested in pill form, however can also be dissolved in water and injected. As a narcotic, it is very habit forming.
Brand and Generic forms of Hydrocodone are:
Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP, Anexsia, Dicodid, Dolacet,
Hycodan, Lorcet, Lorcet HD, Lorcet Plus, Lortab, Norco, Zydone and more
Street terms for Hydrocone are:
Vikes, Hydro, Norco
Effects of Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is abused for its opiate effects. An analgesic and antitussive agent
structurally similar to codeine, its effects are more similar to morphine. Hydrocodone goes beyond pain relief to
create feelings of extreme euphoria and puts users at high risk to become
addicted.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Over time the body develops a tolerance to hydrocodone
effects making it necessary to ingest higher quantities to achieve the same
initial effects. Use of
hydrocodone also causes the brain to slow and in some cases cease to produce
endorphins, resulting in severe pain without hydrocodone use. Because hydrocodone is almost always
combined with acetaminophen, users are at risk for liver toxicity, nausea,
headaches and more. Users also can
become addicted and dependent on hydrocodone.
Detox/Rehab
Hydrocodone detox can cause withdrawal symptoms including
but not limited to muscle and joint pain, heart palpitations, nausea,
hypertension, fever and insomnia.
Because of the severity of the withdrawal symptoms it is critical that
the addict seek detox in a medically-supervised facility. It is also important that the addict
follow-up detox with intensive inpatient rehabilitation treatment. For more information on
medically-supervised detox and/or to seek inpatient rehabilitation treatment,
call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Codeine is the most widely used, naturally occurring narcotic in medical treatment in the world. It is an alkaloid that is found in opium in concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 2.5 percent. Most codeine used in the United States is produced from morphine, and is the starting material for not only codeine, but also dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone. Codeine is medically prescribed for relief of moderate pain and cough suppression, and compared with morphine, codeine produces less analgesia and respiratory depression. Codeine is usually ingested orally in pill form, however it can also be found in some liquid preparations (i.e. cough suppressants).
Products
containing Codeine are:
Tylenol with codeine, Codalgin, Nurofen Plus, Pirophen,
Panadeine, Prescription and over the counter codeine cough syrups
Effects of Codeine
Codeine is quite similar to hydrocodone and as with
hydrocodone, is often abused for its opiate effects. It provides more than pain relief, and often leaves users
with a feeling of euphoria. Use of
codeine can lead to confusion, shallow breathing and heartbeat, agitation,
hallucinations, convulsions and more.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Continued codeine use can lead to addiction and dependency
on the drug. Over time, the user
develops a tolerance to the drug, and must increase the amount ingested in
order to produce the same effects.
Use can also cause the brain to slow and in some cases stop endorphin
producting, causing severe pain without codeine use. Users can experience high blood pressure, nausea, liver
damage, stomach ulcers and more over a prolonged period of use.
Detox/Rehab
Due to the fact that codeine is a legally prescribed drug,
it is often difficult to convince the addict that he/she needs treatment. However, once the addict is willing to
enter treatment, it is imperative that they seek a medically-supervised detox
facility. Withdrawal symptoms can
include headaches, nausea, stomach cramps, insomnia, fever, muscle spasms,
etc. Due to the legal nature of
this drug, it is important that the addict follow-up their detoxification with
an intensive inpatient residential rehabilitation program. For information on medically-supervised
detox and/or inpatient rehabilitation treatment, call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Benzodiazepines are often used therapeutically to produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. Benzodiazepines act as hypnotics in high doses, anxiolytics in moderate doses, and sedatives in low doses. Benzodiazepines effect the central nervous system functions and are classified as depressants. They are more commonly referred to as “benzos” or “benzies” and are ingestible in pill form or injected.
Benzodiazepines
can be found in many medications, including, but not limited to:
Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Librium
(chlordiazepoxide), Tranxene (clorazepate), Paxipam (Halazepam), Centrax
(prazepam), Klonopin/Clonopin (Clonazepam), Serax (oxazepam), Restoril
(temazepam), ProSom (estazolam), Dalmane (flurazepam)
*Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam) is a benzodiazepine not manufactured or legally marketed in the United States, however it is often smuggled in by traffickers. This drug is often referred to as a “roofie” and is known as both a “party drug” and a “date rape” drug. It often is found to be popular among younger users.
Effects of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepine use can lead to amnesia, hostility,
irritability, vivid or disturbing dreams, as well as tolerance and physical
dependence. Use with alcohol or
another depressant can lead to death, and often benzodiazepine abuse is
particularly high among heroin and cocaine abusers.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Benzodiazepines target the emotional response system
(limbic) of the brain, rather than the entire central nervous system. This leads to fewer long term effects
than other drugs, however continued use can lead to physical and psychological
dependence as well as addiction.
Due to a tolerance developed to benzodiazepines, users must increase
their doses in order to achieve the desired effects. Over an extended period of time, users find themselves
unable to sleep without the aid of benzodiazepines.
Detox/Rehab
Users are often very adept at hiding their benzodiazepine
addiction from loved ones, as they will explain symptoms as stress and/or
anxiety over external problems.
However, it is important that when the addict enters treatment that
he/she seeks out a medically-supervised detox program. It is critical that the addict
follow-up their detox program with an intensive inpatient rehabilitation
treatment program. For more information
on a medically-supervised detox and/or inpatient rehabilitation treatment, call
us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Inhalants produce effects similar to alcohol and are created from a diverse group of substances that include volatile solvents, gases and nitrites that are sniffed, snorted, huffed or bagged. The substances used are found in common household products such as glues, lighter fluid, cleaning fluids and paint products. Inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhaling or sniffing of these substances to get high. Inhalants are often one of the first drugs that an addict abuses, as they are easily accessed and cheap to acquire.
Street terms
for inhalants:
Moon gas, Spray, Ames, Air blast, Bullet, Heart-on,
Highball, Hippie crack, Huff, Laughing gas, Medusa, Poor man’s pot,
Quicksilver, Poppers, Snotballs, Whippets, Whiteout
Effects of Inhalants
Inhalants directly effect the central nervous system to
produce psychoactive, mind-altering effects. The short term effects are similar to anesthetics and slow
the body’s function overall.
Inhaling chemicals rapidly absorbs them through the lungs and into the
bloodstream, quickly distributing them to the brain and other organs. Within seconds of inhalation, the user
experiences intoxication along with other effects similar to those produced by
alcohol, including euphoria, dizziness, reduced coordination, hallucinations,
delusions, lightheadedness, and more.
A single session of prolonged sniffing can cause irregular and rapid
heart rhythms and lead to heart failure and death within minutes.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Chronic use of inhalants has been associated with a number
of serious health problems, including sometimes irreversible damage to the
heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Glue and paint thinner sniffing can lead to kidney abnormalities, while
sniffing the solvents toluene and trichloroethylene cause liver damage. Memory impairment, attention deficits,
and diminished nonverbal-intelligence have also been linked with inhalant
abuse. Deaths resulting from heart
failure, asphyxiation, or aspiration have occurred.
Detox/Rehab
It is important that inhalant abusers seek a
medically-supervised detox, as withdrawal symptoms do occur. Inhalants can lead to weight loss,
muscle weakness, disorientation, depression and many more serious symptoms if
the addict does not receive treatment.
It is imperative that users follow-up a medically supervised detox with
intensive inpatient residential rehabilitation treatment. For more information on
medically-supervised detox and/or inpatient residential treatment, call us now
at 1-877-251-6604.
LSD is derived from ergot, a fungus that develops on rye grass. It is sold on the street in tablets, capsules and occasionally in a liquid form. It is odorless and colorless and has a slightly bitter taste. LSD is usually ingested orally, often being added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper and divided into small decorated squares, each representing one dose.
Street terms
for LSD:
Acid, blotter
acid, window pane, dots, mellow yellow
Effects of LSD
The short-term effects of LSD are unpredictable and depend
on the amount of the drug taken, the user’s personality, mood, expectations and
the surroundings in which the drug is used. The user generally feels effects within the first 30 to 90
minutes of ingestion. The effects
on average last for a period of 12 hours, and include dilated pupils, increased
body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of
appetite, tremors, delusions and visual hallucinations.
Lasting/Long-Term Effects
LSD users often have flashbacks during which their LSD
experience recurs even though they have stopped taking the drug. Users may also develop long-lasting
psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression. Though not considered a physically addictive
drug, LSD does have mentally addictive tendencies, and users can develop a
tolerance over time, meaning that they will consume progressively larger
quantities of the drug in order to achieve the same hallucinogenic effects from
use to use.
Detox/Rehab
Due to the psychoses effect in taking LSD, it is important
for users to seek intensive inpatient residential rehabilitation treatment to
deal with the delusions and flashbacks that occur. Also, severe depression and schizophrenia can be a result of
use, making it imperative that users find a facility that can deal with their
mental health needs. For more
information in inpatient residential treatment, call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug in the United States. It is comprised of a dry, shredded green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa. It is usually smoked as a cigarette (joint) or in a pipe (bong or bowl). It is also smoked in a blunt, which is a cigar that has been emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana, sometimes in combination with another drug. Marijuana can also be mixed in food or brewed as tea. In its more concentrated, resinous form, marijuana is known as hashish, and as a sticky, black liquid, hash oil. The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
Effects of Marijuana
Membranes in certain nerve cells in the brain contain
protein receptors that bind to THC.
Once the membranes and the THC bind together, the THC kicks off a series
of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the high that users experience
when they smoke marijuana. When
smoked, the effects of marijuana occur immediately after the drug enters the
brain and last 1 to 3 hours. If
consumed in food or drink, the effects begin more slowly and last longer. Smoking marijuana puts more THC in the
bloodstream than eating or drinking the drug. Short-term effects can also include increased heart rate,
relaxed bronchial passages, and more.
Users may also experience pleasant sensations, colors and sounds, or the
user may experience sleepiness and/or depression. Users can also experience anxiety, fear, panic and distrust.
Lasting/Long-Term Effects
Long-term use of marijuana can lead to respiratory problems,
similar to those of tobacco smokers.
Cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs can also be an effect of
smoking marijuana. Marijuana smoke
contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco
smoke. Short-term memory loss can
also occur over time, as THC alters the way that information is processed by
the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for memory formation. Marijuana can also significantly impair
and effect critical skills related to attention, memory and learning.
Detox/Rehab
Prolonged periods of use can lead to marijuana
addiction. Users become physically
and mentally dependent upon marijuana, making is necessary to seek
treatment. It is imperative that
users seek intensive inpatient residential rehabilitation treatment to deal
with their addiction, as because of the nature of use and how widespread
marijuana is, it is extremely difficult to quit abusing. Inpatient treatment is critical for
success in overcoming marijuana addiction. For more information on intensive inpatient rehabilitation
treatment, call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug chemically similar to methamphetamine. MDMA is an illegal drug that produces an energizing effect, along with distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment form tactile experiences. Used to promote euphoria, it is most commonly used by adolescents and young adults. It also creates feelings of closeness, empathy, sexuality and reduced inhibitions. It is most widely considered a “party drug”. Though MDMA is known universally as ecstasy, it has also been found that many ecstasy tablets contain not only MDMA, but also a variety of other drugs and drug combinations that can be harmful to the user. These can include methamphetamine, cafeine, ephedrine, cocaine and more. Ecstasy is taken orally in capsule or tablet form.
Street terms
for MDMA:
MDMA,
Ecstasy, XTC, E, X, Beans, Adams, Hug Drug, Disco Biscuit, Go
Effects of MDMA
Ecstasy can cause muscle tension, involuntary teeth
clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating. It can also cause confusion, sleep
problems, depression, and severe anxiety while taking ecstasy and in the days
or weeks immediately thereafter.
It can also cause users to become dehydrated or drink too much water
without realizing it, which interferes with the salt content in your body and
can have deadly results. Ecstasy
can also lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Ecstasy is addictive and research links MDMA exposure to
long-term damage to neurons that are immediately related to mood, thinking and
judgment. A study in nonhuman
primates showed that exposure to MDMA for only 4 days caused damage to
serotonin nerve terminals that was still evident 6 years later. MDMA research has shown that it is
unsafe for human consumption.
Detox/Rehab
MDMA users have reported withdrawal symptoms including
fatigue, loss of appetite, depression and trouble concentrating. It is critical that users seek
intensive inpatient rehabilitation treatment in order to cope with their MDMA,
or ecstasy, addiction. For more
information on inpatient residential treatment, call us now at 1-877-251-6604.
Anabolic (“muscle-building”) steroids are man-made substances closely linked to the male hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids require a prescription for use and can be taken orally, injected intramuscularly, or rubbed on the skin in the forms of gels or creams. Steroids are only available to treat certain medical conditions, however they are often abused in an attempt to gain muscle mass and can lead to serious health problems.
Street terms
for steroids:
Arnolds, Gym
candy, Pumpers, Roids, Stackers, Weight trainers, Juice
Effects of Steroids
Steroid abuse has been associated with a wide range of side
effects, ranging from acne, shrinking of the testicles, and breast development
in men. In both males and females,
steroid use can lead to male-pattern baldness, cysts and oily hair and
skin. Side effects for females can
include facial hair growth, menstrual changes and a deepened voice. There is also the possibility that
steroid use will lead to more life threatening effects. Most effects are reversible if the user
stops taking the drug, however some are permanent. Anabolic steroids can also lead to increased irritability
and aggression.
Lasting/Long-Term
Effects
Steroid abuse can lead to cardiovascular diseases, including
heart attacks and strokes, even in athletes under the age of 30. Steroids contribute to the development
of cardiovascular disease by changing the levels of lipoproteins that carry
cholesterol in the blood. This can
lead to blood flow being prevented from reaching either the heart or brain,
resulting in a heart attack or stroke, respectively. Steroid use over time can also lead to hostile, violent and
angry behavior for no apparent reason.
Users are prone to uncontrollable outbursts of frustration and
combativeness, often called “roid rage”.
Detox/Rehab
If users abuse steroids, it is critical that they seek
treatment to discover and treat the underlying causes of their abuse. For treatment information and to
receive more information about our intensive inpatient treatment programs,
call
us now at 1-877-251-6604.