Month: April 2021

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Amphetamine Addiction

How to Know if a Loved One is Addicted to Amphetamine?

if loved one is addicted to amphetamine

It’s not easy to know if your loved one is addicted to Amphetamine. There are several factors responsible for this. The first is you have a blind spot for your loved one. Most times, you end up believing what you want about them. This is especially true when you can’t put a finger on any drastic changes.

Another factor to consider is they know you very well. Hence, it’ll be easier for them to keep their Amphetamine use hidden from you. However, one thing common to drug usage is that the user can’t hide it forever. Even if they hide the substance from you, there are symptoms of Amphetamine abuse and dependence that can paint a credible picture.

Beyond this, Amphetamine is dangerous to the health. If your loved one does not stop the abuse, it can lead to death. Hence, it should be a real concern for you if your loved one is dealing with Amphetamine abuse.

Not to worry, we’ll highlight all the indicators you need to know if a loved one is addicted to Amphetamine. This way, you can help them get the help they need.

But first, let’s take a closer look at the disease that is Amphetamine addiction.

What is Amphetamine and its Addiction?

Amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. The drug is known to alter the mood of the user, and in the long run, is highly addictive. However, unlike most other substances, amphetamine is synthetic.

Amphetamine abuse has become a major challenge in Canada. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be able to tell if your loved one is addicted to amphetamine.

After taking amphetamine, the user experiences an increase in brain activity. They may also feel an incredible surge in energy. Other symptoms that follow immediately after each amphetamine use are; focus, euphoria, and confidence. These are all common symptoms and reasons users continue to indulge in Amphetamine abuse. It is this continuous use that opens your loved one to the risk of addiction.

Amphetamine was first created in Germany during the late 1800s. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that its characteristics as a stimulant came to fore. This discovery came after scientists started prescribing it for nasal congestion.

Soon, the usage of amphetamine spun to other things. Among others, it was useful in dealing with weight loss, hangovers from alcohol and depression symptoms.

Types of Amphetamine

Amphetamine, as a drug component, is a stimulant. It is made available in combination with different other substances. This accounts for the different types of amphetamines available in Toronto. The shortlist includes Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, and generic ADHD medications.

Another type of amphetamine is methamphetamine. This is similar in structure to basic amphetamine but has a stronger effect on the body. Due to its strong effects on the user, this substance is declared illicit. Some of its effects include intense euphoria — a highly addictive state that can be very dangerous.

There is another type of amphetamine drug referred to as ecstasy. It is a drug that can alter the mind of the user. If any medical situation will warrant its use, it has to be under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Amphetamine abuse requires vigilance

If you suspect amphetamine abuse in your loved one, you should act swiftly. Amphetamine addiction comes with a host of negative effects that can drastically change a life. And as customary of most addicts, admission of substance dependence is almost impossible.

Most addicts always tell themselves — and others — they are not addicted. They’ll swear to you they can get off the substance whenever they want. This is not true. While amphetamines are mostly administered to treat ADHD, you can get dependent on these small, dark tablets almost subconsciously. Amphetamines are amongst the most addictive substances in the world.

It’s for this reason you can’t get a refill of the substance over the counter. You’ll need to get a new prescription from your doctor. The need for control with this substance is vital. Continuous use can warp the brain, resulting in lasting effects.

Common Amphetamine abuse scenarios

A common amphetamine abuse scenario is mixing it with other substances. This can be dangerous, especially if your loved one is already addicted. For the average person, it’s hard to tell which drug will react badly with amphetamine. A wrong combination can open up your loved one to the risk of nerve-damaging toxins.

The same sentiment goes for mixing amphetamines and alcohol. This also applies to using Xanax and Adderall. These substances are both depressants. Hence, they normally result, individually, in a slowdown of the central nervous system. If your loved one mixes them, it can result in an overdose.

Now, are we saying amphetamine isn’t any good for your loved one? No. However, if you know your loved one has a medical condition that warrants them to use Amphetamines, you need to be vigilant.

There is a very thin line between sticking to the recommended prescription/usage of this substance and addiction. Amphetamine is crucial to treating medical issues like ADHD. But don’t just leave your loved ones to themselves. If it gets too late before you notice the indicators of amphetamine abuse, things can get pretty bad.

Related Article: Amphetamine Addiction: What Are The Causes?

The Negative Impacts of Amphetamine Addiction

The ease with which users can pop Amphetamines into their mouth should leave you worried about your loved one. The side effects and health complications resulting from amphetamine abuse and addiction are extensive.

In this section, we’ll explore all of them. Ample knowledge of them will motivate you to pay attention to whether your loved one is addicted to Amphetamines.

Risk of heart problems or death

risk of heart problems

If you take Amphetamines incorrectly, you may be exposing yourself to a heart attack. Worst case scenario, this can lead to death. Wrong use can cause blood pressure to increase. This can be followed by an increase in heart rate, then stroke, and a heart attack.

Slowed growth in children

Amphetamine is a depressant. The presence of it in the body of a child can lead to a reduction in growth rate. In the case your loved one, a child, has to use the drug, make sure the doctor duly measures their height and weight. If during the treatment, there is a drop in these variables, there may be a need to stop Amphetamine treatments.

However, it goes without telling that once the child has developed dependence, stopping will be very difficult. A stoppage can see the child suffer painful withdrawal symptoms.

Judgment impediment

Addiction to amphetamine ends up clouding the judgment of your loved one. They may make terrible mistakes they wouldn’t make normally. Hence, during the period of amphetamine addiction and treatment for your loved one, limit the precision-demanding activities they engage in. They shouldn’t drive or use heavy machinery.

Insomnia

This is a common effect of addiction to amphetamines and their related substances. It becomes very difficult to sleep, and if this continues for a long time, it can lead to a breakdown. Before breaking down, you may start to function below optimum efficiency

Loss of Muscle control

Amphetamine addiction can result in you losing the functioning and control of your muscles. You may also experience muscle spasms.

Muscle spasms are a scenario where your muscles contract without your control. They are quick, sudden, and most often very painful. This sudden surge of pain can put the user at risk of injury.

Mental Health Problems

Addiction to any substance can make you a shadow of yourself. You’ll most likely lose your mental wellness as well as your normal thought process. With Amphetamine abuse, there’s also the possibility of bipolar illnesses.

A regular Amphetamine user will start to get aggressive for no reason and act hostile on flimsy grounds. This is one of the tells to know if your loved one is addicted to amphetamine.

What causes Amphetamine Addiction?

The factors resulting in amphetamine abuse differ from person to person. For some, it is ADHD, for others it is anxiety. The primary cause of amphetamine addiction is when you use it, uncontrolled, repeatedly. Your body begins to build a tolerance to it as you depend on it. This causes you to abuse it more.

More often than not, amphetamine dependence only develops when you use it outside of the normal prescription. When you use more than prescribed, addiction can. The same happens when you use it without a prescription.

On rare occasions, even when you adhere to prescriptions, you can still end up with a use disorder. Amphetamines have powerful addictive effects. Therefore, you and your loved ones need to exercise extreme care with its usage.

The people most susceptible to falling victim to amphetamine are:

  • Those with easy access to the substance
  • Those with depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
  • Those with stressful lifestyles can also fall victim.

Watching out for the signs that a loved one is addicted to amphetamine becomes even more important if any of these is the case.

How to Know if a Loved One is Addicted to Amphetamine

With deliberate observation, you can tell when your loved one is addicted to amphetamine. The symptoms are easily noticeable, even to outsiders.

Most times, the consumption of amphetamine is oral. It is mainly in tablet form. However, to achieve a faster and higher level, many users snort or inject the substance. As a result of these different usage methods, several behaviours and cues serve as warning signs of amphetamine abuse. Some of these are:

  • Snorting signs: If your loved one snorts amphetamine, then you can look out for some common tools. Some of them are straws, mirrors, and tightly-rolled cash bills. Some other times, users may get a bloody nose. Hence, if you’ve ever had suspicions about your loved one abusing Amphetamines, a bloody nose makes it more possible.
  • Signs of injection: Most addicts hide the injection signs in their long-sleeved clothes. Hence, it may not be easy to detect. If you can get a good view of the inside of their elbows, injection sites are an indication your loved one may be abusing amphetamines.
  • Signs of smokers: Those who smoke amphetamines mainly use a glass pipe. There are other cases when the user works with a metal spoon. For such a spoon, you’ll probably find burn marks on it. This is another indicator your loved one may be indulging in Amphetamine abuse.

Physical Signs of Amphetamine abuse to look out for

Amphetamine is so powerful to the extent that it can drastically influence the user’s body and mind. Some of the visible signs you’ll notice include:

Changes in energy level

There is always a burst of energy in the moments immediately after using amphetamine. Though the different modes of usage afford varying times for the effects to kick in. The important part is that once the effect wears off, your loved one will seem highly fatigued and lethargic.

Increase in the heart rate of the user

Many of the processes controlled by the nervous system speed up with the introduction of amphetamine to the body. Mostly, you’ll see the effects in the breathing and heart rate of the user.

Insomnia

insomnia

Thanks to the heightened brain activity, it becomes nearly impossible for the body and mind to be at peace. Hence, insomnia crawls in.

Withdrawal symptoms of Amphetamine

Withdrawal symptoms are another way to tell if a loved one is addicted to Amphetamine. When a loved one is addicted to amphetamine, it can be hard to stop. Mostly, this isn’t due to the absence of a willingness to stop.

It’s due to painful withdrawal symptoms they have when they aren’t using the substance. The common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue and heavy sleep
  • A voraciously increased appetite
  • Sudden twitches, jerks, and uncontrolled movements of the body
  • Reaction rate slows down
  • Severe aches and body pains
  • Irritation
  • Depression
  • Agitation

All these may not happen to your loved ones at once, upon withdrawal. However, when any of them happen, the only cure they can immediately think of is to go back to the substance.

This is why the best place to begin withdrawal – and recovery treatment – is with a trained specialist. Seeking professional help is the first step towards recovery.

The Long-term effects of Amphetamine addiction

One of the most difficult things with amphetamine is to stop after first use. It is highly addictive and can lead to several chronic diseases.

Physical long-term effects of using amphetamine include the following;

  • Tooth decay and loss
  • Several diseases attack the immune system
  • Numerous kidney complications
  • Lung damages
  • Suffering cardiac issues like stroke and heart attack
  • Slurred speech
  • Convulsion, extreme shakiness, and tremors.
  • There is an increased risk of contracting diseases via needles
  • Vertigo
  • Ulcer development
  • Chronic vitamin deficiency
  • User experiences very high temperatures
  • Inability to enjoy other activities

The psychology aspects of the problem include;

  • A loss of cognitive functions and abilities
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Extreme paranoia
  • Depressive disorder is also a common scenario
  • Psychosis
  • Behavioural disorders.

As regards amphetamine addiction, you don’t have to witness all these to be convinced that your loved one is suffering from amphetamine addiction.  A few of these should put you on notice.

However, you need the expertise to approach a loved one to discuss amphetamine abuse. As said earlier in this guide, addicts exhibit denial of their situation. Hence, it may be difficult to talk about getting help, the same way it will be difficult to stop.

How to Help A Loved One with Amphetamine Addiction?

There is one thing to do when you notice that your loved one suffers from amphetamine addiction. They need to get professional help. You can’t help them by keeping quiet. Neither can you help them by agreeing they aren’t addicted.

There is so much that will be required of you if your loved one is to get back to normalcy. The very first of these is to talk. How you approach a loved one to discuss amphetamine abuse is critical.

Talking: How to talk to an amphetamine addict

Insecurity and shame are the two major reasons why every addict exhibits the denial that comes when they are confronted with statements regarding their addictions.

They all claim they aren’t addicts, which will be a good thing to believe. Even when they say that they can stop the substance whenever they feel like it, you should help them understand they can’t.

When addicts try to withdraw from amphetamine, they experience the symptoms above. The presence of withdrawal symptoms is further confirmation your loved one is addicted to amphetamine. When you want to talk to them about it, here is how you should go about it.

Don’t judge

This is a fundamental fact you need to understand. You are not engaging them in a conversation to judge them. If you do this, that’s the end. They’ll recoil and do their best to avoid you. You need to let them know you understand why they are in that situation in the first place. Be as calm as you can.

Help them understand the problem

In the most subtle of ways, you need to help them see what they are doing wrong and how it’s affecting them. It’s when you can convince them about the problem and its effects that they will be motivated to seek help.

Make sure to have a solution already

One major reason why many addicts don’t seek help is because of the drastic transition it brings to their lives. For chronic addicts, in-house treatments that leverage therapy and medications are the way to go. However, this will require that they move out of their primary environment. This can be scary. Hence, you must have come up with a plan of how you can help them navigate and mitigate the effects of addiction recovery.

Letting them know you are ready to support them in whatever way required is a big boost. This will go a long way in helping them survive the arduous journey to recovery that lies ahead.

Get them to a specialist

Specialists come at varying prices, but they all have one goal, helping your loved one recover. You should ensure you do everything possible to get them to consult with a specialist. When treatment finally starts, you should make sure they attend their sessions (if they signed up for outpatient treatment).

Support

support

Support is incredibly valuable. Either they are your friends or your family member, being there for them in times like this can change the trajectory of their addiction recovery process.

Gather positive friends, make their environment better by removing triggers, and make sure they don’t have to worry about money during recovery. As much as you can, reduce their stressors so they can focus on amphetamine addiction treatment.

Related Article: Signs Of Amphetamine Addiction

Final Take

If your loved one is addicted to amphetamine, you have a lot of work to do. From talking to them to making sure they see a specialist and focus on their addiction recovery programs.

There will be a need to buy medications, amongst other bills. Beyond financial support, moral support is also critical.

All of this can be too much for one person to bear. Thankfully, 1000 Islands Rehab Centre is here to help. Whether you need help talking to your loved one or deciding on a treatment plan, we’re your reliable partner. Contact us today to discuss an amphetamine rehab plan for your loved one!

Categories
Inhalants Addiction

What is the Cost of Inhalant Addiction Treatment?

cost of inhalant addiction treatment

Unfortunately, inhalant addiction seems to go under the radar. People don’t speak about inhalant abuse and the cost of addiction treatment like they do other common forms of drug abuse. Hence, it seems like inhalants don’t pose any dangers. However, this is hardly the case. Many teens and adults in Canada struggle with inhalant addiction and abuse.

Continuously using inhalants leads to many symptoms that will require treatment. Since people hardly mention inhalant abuse, there is not a lot of information about its treatment. That’s why we’re writing this all-in-one price guide for inhalant addiction treatment.

In this article, you will get information about the different types of inhalant addiction treatment. We’ll also explore the cost and the factors that work together to determine this cost.

Are You Struggling With Inhalant Addiction?

When you use inhalants often or abuse them, you put yourself at risk of health problems. These problems include cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal issues. Death can also result from severe inhalant abuse.

Inhalants are potentially addictive. With continuous use, you may become tolerant of its effects. Hence, you’ll start taking more inhalants to reach the level of intoxication you crave.

If you stop taking inhalants, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are rare and unique for every individual.

Common withdrawal symptoms to expect include:

  • Sweating
  • Jitteriness
  • Mood swing
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Impaired memory
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hallucinations and delusions
  • Tachycardia

It’s the severity of these withdrawal symptoms that prompt discussions about the cost of inhalant drug addiction treatment. You’ll need top-notch medical care, monitoring and therapy. All of this is only available at a professional rehab centre.

Signs Someone is Struggling With Inhalant Addiction

You should look out for certain signs if you suspect a loved one is struggling with inhalant addiction. If you notice such signs, you may need to find out about the cost of inhalant addiction treatment because such a person needs immediate help. The signs include:

  • They spend much time trying to get or use inhalants and recover from their symptoms
  • They usually crave inhalants
  • They don’t fulfill their obligations at home, work, or school
  • They continue to use inhalants despite the obvious problems they cause
  • They don’t take part in recreation activities or perform their hobbies because they want to use inhalants.
  • They get into trouble or dangerous situations.
  • They continue using inhalants despite psychological and physical side effects
  • They develop a tolerance to the substance

Related Article: What is Inhalant Addiction: Causes, Signs, Dangers, Treatment

Cost of Inhalant Addiction Treatment

The average cost of inhalant addiction rehab is $6,000 – $14,000. However, if you want your rehab program to include elements of luxury, you can expect the average to double, or even triple.

The cost of inhalant addiction services depends on these factors :

  • Type of inhalant addiction treatment program
  • Treatment the center offers
  • Amenities the center offers
  • Program duration
  • Treatment center staff
  • Medication
  • Treatment center location

Type of treatment program

If you are struggling with inhalant addiction, you will have to enroll in a rehab center. There are two major rehab center types available for inhalant addiction patients. These are inpatient and outpatient rehabs. These rehabs differ widely in structure.

Inpatient rehabs provide 24-hour care for patients. Throughout your stay in the facility, you will always have medical personnel attending to you and noting your reaction to treatment. There are also multiple activities you can partake in. These activities will help you become independent of inhalants and keep you focused on recovery.

Inpatient rehabs also have many luxuries and amenities within their facilities. They require you to stay in the facility throughout your treatment. Hence, most of these facilities are state-of-the-art, with the best personnel attending to you.

Outpatient rehabs differ from inpatient rehabs in that you don’t have to live in a facility for the duration of your treatment. Instead, you can receive treatment daily until you recover from your addiction to inhalants. With such programs, you’ll visit your doctor or therapist on appointed days. You will also take part in group and individual therapies or other activities geared towards aiding your recovery.

When it comes to pricing for inhalant addiction rehab, inpatient rehabs cost more than outpatient rehabs. The cost of rehab in inpatient centers is often about twice that of outpatient rehabs. People with a severe addiction to inhalants should opt for inpatient rehabs, while outpatient rehabs are suitable for those with mild addiction problems.

Your addiction specialists will recommend an appropriate inhalant program, whether inpatient or outpatient. Typically, the decision is a function of your assessment results, level of addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment offered

The kind of treatment you receive at a rehab center influences the cost of inhalant addiction treatment. For instance, if you need medically-assisted detox during treatment, it will increase the price.

If you have co-occurring disorders with your addiction, it will also increase the cost of treatment. You’ll need certified medical professionals to look after you, thereby increasing the cost. Some rehabs offer certain therapies and professional counselling, which also affect the cost of treatment.

Inhalant addiction treatment programs may involve using counselling and behavioural therapy to achieve successful recovery. A great example is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

It helps addicts recognize how their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours cause them to abuse inhalants. You’ll also learn strategies to identify, avoid, and manage situations that can trigger inhalant use. Motivational incentives or contingency management rewards addicts for achieving targets related to their treatment and recovery.

Amenities

Some rehabs, particularly inpatient rehabs, offer certain amenities in their facilities. These amenities can include swimming pools, spas, massages, tennis courts and game rooms.

These amenities will add to the cost you’ll incur for treatment. Luxury rehab centers are very expensive because they have many of these amenities within their facilities.

Program duration

The cost of inhalant addiction treatment increases the longer you stay in rehab. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that most individuals need 90 days to significantly stop or decrease their dependence on drugs.

Some people spend less than 90 days in rehab, while others spend more than that in severe cases of addiction. However, the longer you stay in a rehab center, the higher your expenses.

Staff

staff

Pricing for inhalant addiction rehab may increase if you need the attention of numerous medical personnel. In contrast with outpatient rehabs, inpatient rehabs usually have more medical personnel (with different specializations) attending to you.

This is one of the reasons recovery programs at an inpatient inhalant rehab will cost more than outpatient rehab. Rehabs treating co-occurring health disorders with addiction may require specialists. If this is the case, they will charge more for their services.

Medications

If you need certain medication during your inhalant addiction treatment, your cost of rehab may increase. Mostly, medication is necessary to manage withdrawal symptoms during detox.

They will also help you manage any adverse effects you may experience during treatment. With these medications, your detox stage will be safer and more comfortable.

Location

The cost of inhalant addiction treatment varies based on a rehab center’s location. If the center is in a major city with a high standard of living, it may cost more. If you sign up for outpatient rehab and have to travel a long distance for your appointments, it increases your treatment expenses.

Average Price of Inhalant Addiction Treatment Programs

A typical inhalant addiction treatment program will encompass detox, inpatient or outpatient rehab, medication, therapies, and after-recovery services. Here are the average prices of these treatments.

Detox

If you enroll for outpatient detox, your total expenses will range from $1000-$1500. In most inpatient rehabs, the detox cost is a part of the full program expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay for detox depends on how long it takes and the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient rehab

Inpatient rehab can cost up to $6,000 per month for treatment. If the inhalant rehab program includes all-around comprehensive treatment, you may need to pay up to $20,000 per month. If you require 60-90 days for treatment, you may need to spend $12,000-$60,000. Luxury inpatient rehabs can cost up to $30,000 to $100,000 per month.

Outpatient rehab

Some outpatient rehabs can cost about $5,000 per 90 days. Renowned outdoor rehabs can cost as high as $10,000 per 90 days. The cost depends on the frequency and duration of your sessions with a specialist. It’ll also cover the cost of medication.

Medications

When calculating the cost of inhalant addiction treatment, you need to factor in medication.

Some people may not need drugs for inhalant addiction treatment.

However, others may require a prescription during the detox stage of addiction treatment. Mostly,  treatment courses include sedatives for sleep and anxiety. You may also need mood stabilizers to help with impulsivity, emotional distress, mood swings, and impulsivity.

Sometimes, it may be necessary to take antipsychotics to alleviate hallucinations, agitation, and delusions. Baclofen, a muscle relaxer, proves to be a successful medication in decreasing withdrawal symptoms of inhalant addiction.

medications

How to Afford the Cost of Inhalant Addiction Treatment

Not everyone can pay for rehab. Hence, you need to ask about the cost of inhalant detox and rehab services beforehand. This way, you can start to plan financially. Therefore, you have to ask the particular rehab center about the cost of their addiction treatment. You also need to know what their payment arrangements are.

If the cost of addiction treatment is high, it doesn’t mean the end of the world. There are many ways you can offset the cost of inhalant addiction treatment. These include:

Public Insurance

Government can partially or fully subsidize public insurance. Common types of public insurance include Medicare and Medicaid. With this coverage, you may be able to pay for your inhalant addiction treatment.

However, you must meet certain conditions. Furthermore, you need to ask your insurance provider if they cover inhalant addiction treatment.

Private Insurance

The government does not subsidize this kind of insurance policy. Instead, you can purchase it through your employer.

With this policy, you may pay higher for insurance expenses than what holds in public insurance. The good thing about private insurance is that it covers more treatment options compared to public insurance.

Low-cost/Income-based rehabs

Besides insurance policies, you can afford addiction treatment by visiting rehab centers for low-income earners. The government sets up this scheme for low-income earners who can’t easily afford standard rehab. In these low-income rehabs, these payment assistance plans exist:

  • Scholarships
  • Income-based fees
  • Sliding-scale fees
  • No-interest payment plans

Flexible payment plans

Another way of affording the cost of inhalant rehab programs in Toronto is via flexible payment plans. With such plans, you can arrange with your rehab center to split your payments in instalments. However, this may depend on the duration of your treatment and other conditions.

How to Choose a Good Inhalant Rehab

The cost of inhalant addiction treatment can be expensive. Hence, you should choose the right one to ensure you get the value of your money. When choosing an inhalant rehab center, there are certain factors you should consider. If the rehab center you have in mind meets these considerations, you know it’s right for you.

The rehab center’s location

When choosing a rehab center, you must choose one close to you. This is especially important if you are choosing an outpatient rehab.

You don’t want to spend too much money travelling long distances to get to your rehab center when you can save costs by enrolling for one close by. The inpatient rehab you choose should also be close to your family so they can visit you at intervals.

Staff

A good rehab center must have accredited and licensed medical staff. The medical team at rehab centers should be friendly and able to cater to patient needs by offering the appropriate treatments necessary for complete recovery. Besides these, the medical staff should have experience dealing with cases of inhalant addiction.

Effective treatments

A good addiction center must have effective treatment programs available for inhalant addiction. The treatments available in the best inhalant rehab centers should cater to all your needs and lead to recovery.

Treatment methods

A good rehab center should employ standard treatment methods suitable for every individual. To achieve this, the rehab center should be able to adopt multiple addiction treatment models. With this, it is easier to attend to every patient despite their varied needs.

Reviews

A good inhalant addiction rehab center should have excellent reviews from former patients. It should also have a good reputation and be known for successfully treating people of their addiction.

If a rehab center is good, it will show in its ratings. Hence, always check for reviews before deciding on a particular rehab centre.

Cost

Before choosing a particular rehab, you should ask, “how much do inhalant rehab programs cost?”

You need to research the cost of various inhalant addiction programs available in the rehab and know if you can afford it. Also, compare this cost with others and note if the rehab is standard or not.

What Happens After Rehab?

During rehab, you learn how to avoid circumstances that may trigger inhalant use and abuse. You also learn to deal with life’s problems without turning to inhalants. A good rehab center will recommend its patients join support groups or meetings.

These support groups will help you continue on your recovery path and maintain your commitment to living a life without inhalant abuse. You should also sign up for individual therapy after your rehab.

Besides these therapies and support groups, you should imbibe new hobbies and healthy habits. A key step is to become friends with people who will not lead you back into inhalant abuse and addiction.

You should also live a healthier life and engage in positive activities or worthwhile causes. Doing these will create a new lifestyle that prevents idleness and negative thoughts.

Is The Cost of Inhalant Rehab Worth It?

Due to the high cost of inhalant addiction treatment, some people wonder if it is a worthy investment. The answer is yes, it is. Rehab is beneficial in more ways than one. In a rehab center, you will get treatment in a structured environment specially designed for sobriety.

In rehab, you will take part in various activities and therapies. These activities and therapies will teach you how to deal with life’s challenges and remain sober. You will also learn how to do away with elements that can trigger a relapse and cope with stress.

Other advantages of rehab include:

  • In rehab, you are not alone. You will meet people with similar issues and share stories and experiences with them. This can be comforting and a source of support.
  • You are cut off from inhalants or situations that lead you to use them.
  • You have well-trained and qualified staff attending to you.
  • In rehab, no one judges you. Everyone wants to help you.
  • Rehab helps you rebuild your relationship with friends and family.
  • Post-recovery therapies and group supports are beneficial and help you stay sober.
  • Rehab helps you discover more about yourself and your passion.

Is Inhalant Rehab a Good Idea: The Cost of Addiction

No matter the cost of inhalant addiction treatment, the cost of addiction is higher in more ways than one. Due to your addiction to inhalants, you’ll suffer losses in other aspects of your life. Here’s what we mean.

Financial cost

You spend money buying these inhalants. In time, you can get so dependent that you don’t mind how much you pay to get it. If you add up the amount of money you spend on inhalants, you will see you are losing a lot.

Besides the cost of buying inhalants, you will also spend money on legal-related issues. When you abuse inhalants, you may break laws and get into legal trouble. If this happens, you will spend money on legal matters like:

  • Fines for illicit drug use.
  • Lawyer and court fees for inhalant abuse-related cases.
  • Driving under the influence cases.
  • Divorce-related cases.

Health cost

If you continue to abuse inhalants, you will end up damaging your lungs or other organs in your body. This leads to hospital expenses and additional health costs.

Opportunity cost

The amount of money you spend buying inhalants is way higher than the cost of rehab. Consider how much money you will save if you quit inhalant addiction.

Addiction can cause you to miss work and become less productive, leading to the loss of your income. You may also lose your job.

Relationship cost

Inhalant abuse and addiction lead to strained relationships between you and your family, loved ones, and even your spouse. Your spouse may get tired of your constant inhalant abuse and file for divorce. Your friends may also stay away from you because of your addiction.

You must take steps to redeem yourself and start your journey to recovery from addiction. Find out how much to treat inhalant abuse in Toronto. Be determined to quit your addiction and enroll in an addiction treatment rehab that suits you. With dedication and commitment, you will be on your way to sobriety quickly.

Related Article: Quitting Inhalant Addiction Safely: What You Need to Do

The Cost of Inhalant Rehab is an Investment into Your Future

Continuously using inhalants leads to many adverse symptoms. To curtail these negative effects, you should enroll for treatment at a rehab centre. However, treatment at inhalant addiction rehabs comes at a cost. Mostly, that’s between $6,000-$4000.

The cost of inhalant addiction treatment is dependent on several factors. All these factors combine to determine how much you will pay for a particular addiction treatment program. After rehab, you must continue with the things you learned during treatment. You should also stay on the recovery path.

You should choose a rehab center to ensure it meets the criteria standard rehabs should have. Choosing the right rehab is key to a successful rehab.

If you want an inhalant rehab center that goes above and beyond for its patients, speak with us at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre. Here, we have many years of experience dealing with inhalant abuse patients.

We also have access to the staff, expertise and equipment to ensure safe, effective recovery. Book an appointment to discuss your addiction recovery needs with us for FREE.

Call(855) 929-4045 today!

Categories
Cocaine Addiction

What is the Cost of Cocaine Addiction Rehab?

cost of cocaine addiction rehab

The cost of cocaine addiction rehab is nothing compared to the expenses that come with a regular cocaine habit. Regardless of the unique situation that led to cocaine abuse, you deserve recovery. No matter how hard it proves to be, it’s the only good you can do for yourself now. Cocaine addiction will only leave you a shadow of yourself.

When discussing the cost of cocaine addiction services, you’ve got to remember it’s a one-time fee. Once you attain sobriety, you may never have to pay for a rehab program again. It’s an expense that’s well worth the investment. 

We understand you may want to plan for your time at a cocaine rehab centre. Therefore, it’s likely you have questions about the pricing and how much you’ll end up paying for rehab. In this blog, we’ll answer all of your questions regarding pricing for cocaine rehab.

But first, let’s take a closer look at what happens at cocaine rehab. This is the first factor that determines how much you’ll pay for cocaine rehab. 

What is Cocaine Addiction Rehab Like?

Before we delve into the pricing for cocaine addiction treatment, you need background information. Firstly, you need to know what the experience is like in a cocaine rehab centre. How comprehensive your experience is will influence the cost you’ll incur. 

As regards experience, cocaine detox and rehab services may differ from one another. The easily noticeable differences are the type of amenities on offer. While some rehabs fall into the category of luxury centers, others are pretty basic. Luxury rehab centers feature amenities like a swimming pool, gym or a spa. Typically, basic centers are devoid of these.

On the flip side, rehab centers also have several similar experiences, which we will discuss in this section. This will give you a general idea of what to expect in there, especially if you will be admitted to a cocaine rehab center. 

If your cocaine addiction is chronic, you’ll have to go through cocaine rehab as an inpatient. If not, you’ll be able to come from your home for weekly sessions. Being admitted means you are an inpatient. Weekly sessions from your home mean you are an outpatient.

Your treatment will be unique

This is one of the first things the specialist will help you understand. Your treatment is unique. You will most likely not get the same treatment roadmap as a friend. 

This is due to differences in physiological makeup. Your body is different from that of your friend. Furthermore, your cocaine abuse patterns and their influence on your body are different. Hence, if the thought of using a friend’s rehab medication ever crosses your mind, don’t.

Your therapy will also be unique. This is why a proper consultation step with a cocaine addiction specialist should not be skipped. Don’t try to self-medicate, as this may prove either futile or detrimental to the cause. 

You should only take the medication and therapy your specialist recommends. Depending on the treatment plan, the eventual cost of your cocaine addiction rehab may be more affordable than your friend’s.

Detoxification

This is the first stage of cocaine rehab post-consultation. During this stage, your care provider will rid your body of cocaine and its by-products. With regular cocaine use, your body will store cocaine within and between cells. This is what causes a high tolerance to the substance. 

By the end of the detoxification process, there’ll be zero cocaine in your body. Although, depending on your addiction level, this stage will come with severe cravings. At this point, you’ll exhibit the following withdrawal symptoms;

  • Inability to concentrate
  • Reduced thinking speed
  • Physical fatigue
  • Exhaustion
  • Inability to get sexually aroused
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Increased appetite.
  • Suicidal thoughts

During detoxification, you should remain within the easy reach of medical personnel. Proximity makes it easy to monitor you and administer medications to help you through detox. Hence, if you have the time and can afford it, inpatient cocaine addiction treatment is best.

detoxification

Therapy

At the time of writing this, therapy is still the most effective cocaine addiction treatment technique. Hence, you should expect a lot of therapy sessions. You’ll get frequent individual sessions with licenced and experienced therapists. Sometimes, you’ll also have to attend group sessions, which are mostly in the mornings and afternoons.

If you truly want to enjoy the results of paying the cost of cocaine addiction rehab, be ready to be vulnerable. Together with a counsellor, you’ll explore previous behavioural patterns to unlearn those that encourage cocaine abuse. So you see, there’s a lot of honesty and conversation involved.

Support

There are several ways to get the support you need during cocaine rehab. You can get support from your immediate family, your friends, colleagues, and health workers at the rehab center. Support is important because there are times when your motivation is not enough to keep you going. Cocaine addiction recovery can be pretty tough and you’ll need help from others.

You especially need all the support you can get if you are an outpatient. You need family members to keep your immediate environment devoid of triggers. 

You need to stay away from friends who still use cocaine. Most times, your will alone cannot achieve this. No matter how “weak” it may seem, you need to seek help. Recognizing the need and asking for assistance is a brave thing to do.

12-step program

You’ll most likely have heard of this from scouring the internet, or from watching a movie with characters dealing with addiction. The 12-step program involves several principles with a clear course of action you need to follow on your journey to and through recovery. These actions have been proven to be effective for others, and if you put in the work, you’ll certainly reap the benefits.

Related Article: Why You Should Not Attempt Cocaine Withdrawal On Your Own

What to Prepare before Going for Cocaine Addiction Rehab

The good news is your search for the average price of cocaine addiction treatment is part of preparing for cocaine rehab. How you prepare for rehab depends on you, and the things you need to put in place. It also depends on the type of treatment you are getting. 

 

What inpatient treatment will require of you certainly differs from what outpatient will. As such planning for both programs will happen through different routes. 

Make sure your family and work obligations are sorted

Once you know that the cost of cocaine rehab is worth it, you should put your house and job in order. This may get tricky, especially if you are working in a company that’s not yours. 

We can only estimate how long cocaine recovery will take. Hence, it may be difficult for your employers to allow you to take an indefinite leave. But if your employer is considerate and invested in your journey, it’s a possibility.

At your job, you should also try to orientate your potential cover. This also applies to your family. If you have children, you can’t just leave them all alone. You should either get them a caregiver or put them up with a family you can trust.

Bottom-line is that you should make sure family and work are properly sorted before you leave for cocaine rehab. Those are two fewer things to worry about during cocaine rehab.

Sort finances

Before you visit a rehab facility, ensure you have sorted all your financial concerns. You should have the fee for the rehab program. If you are leaving those you are responsible for back home, provide them with the financial resources to thrive without you.

Sorting your finances before leaving also helps you prepare for your return. Imagine completing rehab and next thing you’re dealing with financial issues. Stress from finances and other life issues is one of the main reasons many people indulge in cocaine abuse.

Pack only the essentials

Even if you are going in for inpatient treatment, you shouldn’t pack all of your wardrobe. Even if you enroll in a 3-month cocaine rehab program. You should ensure you only pack essentials. No matter how tempted you are to pack more, don’t. 

Take a few clothes and a few other stuff that is in no way related to cocaine or its use. There will be a lot to do in rehab. So, you won’t even have time to use all the things you use at home. You can also go with a couple of books in case you ever get bored.

Relax your mind

Going for rehab changes your daily activities, but you shouldn’t be stressed by this. The cost of cocaine addiction rehab is another reason you can end up stressed. Hence, make sure you are only opting for a facility you can easily afford. When you cut your coat according to your cloth, you won’t be so stressed.

Journal

This is a great way to keep track of your recovery journey. Journaling your recovery journey is more like a letter to yourself. In this journal, you can list your goals and aspirations. You can mark these out whenever you achieve them.

 When journaling, you should be as real and in-depth as possible. That’s the only way the details will resonate when you read them later in the future. Mostly, it’s not a major expense. Journaling does not add to how much cocaine rehab programs cost.

The Type of Cocaine Addiction Rehab and Respective Cost

There are two major systems of cocaine rehab you can enroll for; inpatient and outpatient rehab. The care on offer from each program differs, which in turn, influences the cost you’ll incur. Below is an estimate of the cost of different cocaine rehab programs in Toronto.

Cost of Detoxification

As explained above, detoxification is the first step in recovery. If you are an outpatient, this may cost between $1000 and $1500. You should know that as an outpatient, this cost is calculated separately. 

However, for inpatients, it is calculated and collated with the other costs. Hence, it’s hard to specify how much inpatients will pain for detox during cocaine rehab.

Cost of inpatient Rehab

The duration of your rehab determines the overall cost of treatment. On average, can spend between 30 and 90 days at a cocaine rehab center. In some cases, the specialist may even require that you stay for a while more. This occurs when you don’t respond to treatment quickly.

For normal centers, the cost of a 30-day rehab program is about $6000. However, for luxury centers, it may be about $20000 for 30 days. If you will be spending between 60 to 90 days in the rehab center, then the cost for normal rehab ranges between $12000 and $60000.

Cost of Outpatient rehab

If your cocaine addiction is not chronic, outpatient rehab is best for you. Because you won’t have to live in the facility, the cost is cheaper. Hence, you’ll be able to find programs of $5000 for three months. 

There are, however, some cocaine outpatient programs that cost about $10000. Of course, this depends on the specialist you are consulting with. It also depends on the frequency of your treatment sessions.

Cost of Cocaine rehab medication

Medications for cocaine rehab may cost over $4000. Note, there are cases where you won’t need medication for your treatment. In this case, how much is required to treat cocaine abuse in Toronto will be lower. The overall cost of medication also depends on how long you’ll be using the medication.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Cocaine Addiction Rehab

Several factors influence the cost of cocaine addiction rehab in Toronto. Therefore, when looking to create a budget you need to consider each of these factors in Toronto. 

The cost given on this page is simply an estimated average. The exact cost you’ll incur may be lower or more. Only you can find out when you consider these factors.

Type of therapy

There are different types of therapy your specialist may leverage for successful cocaine rehab. In some cases, your therapist may even decide to combine different therapies for you. Hence, you need to first have a proper consultation with the specialist you have in mind.

From the diagnosis the specialist makes, they’d be able to know what will work for you. You should also make sure it’s not a specialist trying to exploit you by suggesting therapies you don’t even need. 

The best way to avoid this risk is to check the track record of the facility. Check out reviews online, or find someone that has gotten treated in the facility before.

Medications

At different points of recovery, medications may be administered to you. These come at varying prices. The most critical stage of recovery where you need medication is detox. Remember, you shouldn’t just take any medication. Make sure it’s prescribed by the doctor.

Type of facility

Cocaine rehab facilities come in different forms and classes. Some are outright luxurious, and others are more affordable. You should go to one that fits your budget. You shouldn’t spend money you don’t have, especially since you won’t be working during rehab.

Top facilities feature numerous amenities. The living conditions are considerably better than normal facilities. You may have access to a swimming pool, basketball court, amongst other amenities that can make your stay more enjoyable. 

Finding out what amenities are situated in a facility is easy. With quick online checks, you’ll find the information you need. The facilities available directly influence the cost of cocaine addiction services.

Frequency of outpatient sessions

The number of times you have to visit the specialist per week directly influences the cost. As you’ve probably figured, this is only applicable to outpatient treatments. Though most facilities don’t price their services per session, some do. Hence, you need to find out where your facility of interest stands on this.

Extra activities

extra activities

Recovery is a lifetime journey. Once you are done with the rehab facility, you’ll have to spend the rest of your life preventing a relapse.

Many people relapse during treatment. However, to cope with cocaine cravings, therapists may introduce you to different mechanisms. Most times, these mechanisms will cost you money. 

All these little details matter in therapy, and have been proven to be effective. However, being able to keep up with this costs money.

Program length

This is another important factor to consider. If your program extends beyond the standard price option, you’ll have to pay more. More often than not, inpatients may have extended timelines. If the treatment period does not extend beyond 30 days, it’s ‘short-term’.

If you opt for this at the beginning of treatment, you have to be ready to put in the work. That’s the only reason you won’t have to pay more.

Long-term treatments on the other can last 90 days and more. If addiction issues persist after this period, you’ll incur extra costs that will most likely be charged at the standard rate.

Your other health conditions

The cost of cocaine addiction rehab can go up significantly if you have other underlying conditions. Most times, these conditions are discovered during the initial consultation. Common health conditions that therapists have to treat alongside addiction come in the form of mental disorders. This will require further services, which will be charged separately.

How to Afford Cocaine Rehab Cost in Canada

If you suffer from addiction, there is a high tendency that it has somehow affected your finances. Addicts are known to have work-related problems due to addiction. 

And since the craving is always so intense, you’ll probably have to overdraft your account to just afford some more cocaine. This act of making poor financial decisions will probably leave you incapable of footing the cost of cocaine addiction rehab. Hence, you may need help.

In Canada, here are the options available to you.

Private Insurance

Most of the health insurance policies out there have extensive coverage. With the help of a lawyer, you should be able to get the insurance company to pay for your addiction treatment. This will not be easy, as insurance companies always hope they don’t get to pay for anyone.  A proper lawyer should be able to help you get things running with the company covering your expenses.

You should ensure you go for a professional assessment before you choose a rehab center. This will allow the insurance company to calculate the cost of treatment. It’s after the assessment that the insurance company will help you search for a rehab that meets your addiction needs.

If at all you want to get in conversation with a specialist, ensure you get a pre-approval form. If you find anything confusing, speak with a lawyer.

Related Article: How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

Final Take

Now that you know the cost of cocaine addiction rehab in Toronto, it’s time to put your will to action. Don’t just close this page and go back to using cocaine. You need to take the next steps to sobriety.

Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, we are home to cocaine addiction treatment specialists with the expertise to provide effective treatment. Best of all, we offer affordable pricing packages.

Let’s help you chart a cocaine rehab plan that will address all of your addiction and related issues. Get in touch with us today!

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

What to Expect from Alcohol Addiction Rehab

alcohol rehab

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction and you realize you need help with your addiction, you need to take steps to recover and achieve sobriety. Your recovery journey from alcohol addiction begins with detox.

From there, you’ll start your addiction treatment, which usually requires you to enrol in a rehab program. Following treatment, you’ll continue with after-care therapies and support groups to help you stay on the right path.

The above is only a quick summary of what alcohol addiction rehab entails. In this article, you will learn everything about what to expect from alcohol rehab. At its end, you will have answers to every question you have about alcohol addiction treatment.

Am I Addicted to Alcohol?

Many people struggling with alcohol addiction hardly know they are addicted to the substance. When you become addicted to alcohol, it eventually leads to a chronic disease known as alcohol use disorder. At this point, you are dependent on the substance and won’t function properly without it.

There is no single known cause for alcohol addiction. Behavioural, psychological, and genetic factors can contribute to it. When you become addicted to alcohol, it alters your brain and neurochemistry. Hence, you may become unable to control your actions.

There are many ways to tell if you are addicted to alcohol. You may exhibit one or all of these symptoms:

  • Drink alcohol frequently and in increased amounts.
  • Become highly tolerant of alcohol or lack of hangover symptoms.
  • Drink alcohol at inappropriate times or places.
  • Always visit locations where alcohol is available.
  • Damaged relationships with friends and loved ones.
  • Become dependent on alcohol to function properly.
  • Hide alcohol from your loved ones or superiors.
  • Increased lethargy, depression, or emotional stress.
  • Problems at work.
  • Legal problems.

Continued alcohol use may lead to a slew of medical problems like:

  • Ulcers
  • Sexual issues
  • Congenital disabilities
  • Vision problems
  • Increased risks of cancer
  • Diabetes complications
  • Bone loss
  • Suppressed immune function

If you are addicted to alcohol, you may also put others at risk. Drunk people may showcase violent behaviours, drive under the influence, become suicidal or homicidal, among others. To avoid these and many other complications, you should treat your alcohol addiction.

relation issues

Treatment Procedure for Alcohol Addiction: What Happens at Rehab

Many people struggling with alcohol addiction are hesitant to seek addiction treatment. They hear myths about the procedure and withdrawal symptoms they may experience and grow cold feet. However, this should not be the case.

You should seek information about alcohol addiction treatment instead of dwelling on hearsay. This article will show you there is no need to fear what happens during alcohol rehab.

Alcohol treatment begins from the moment you realize you need help with your addiction. No matter the number of people trying to talk you out of your addictive behaviours, only you have the final say and can decide you need help. Only when you come to this realization yourself will you be motivated to take the necessary steps to your recovery.

The next step is to enrol in an alcohol addiction treatment center. At the center, medical professionals will examine you to get some vital information. After the assessment, you will proceed to detox. After detox, you will take part in multiple therapies and treatments. After your treatment, you will also engage in post-recovery therapies and counselling to keep you on the sobriety path.

People ask “How long does alcohol rehab take?” Rehab usually takes between 28 to 30 days. Sometimes, it can take 60 or 90 days. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends a 90-day treatment program for addiction patients.

Check-In and Assessment

Once you check in to an alcohol rehab center, the rehab’s staff will interview you to find out more about you. The assessment is necessary because they need to know the nature of your substance abuse. They also need to know if you have co-occurring conditions.

The answers you provide will help the rehab center customize a treatment plan for you. The answers you provide will also influence what to expect from alcohol addiction rehab.

This is because every person will have a unique treatment plan customized for them. Even though the ultimate goal is to recover from addiction and attain sobriety, your alcohol rehab plan will differ from another patient’s.

Detox

After your assessment, you will undergo detoxification. Detox is aimed at getting rid of all the traces of alcohol in your body after long-term use and abuse. This stage of alcohol addiction recovery is critical and may be difficult for some persons. However, it’s necessary because your body can’t cleanse itself of the traces of alcohol without it. Without detox, you are not mentally and physically ready for alcohol addiction rehab.

Detox prepares you for what to expect from alcohol rehab. Everyone’s experience with detox is different. Your experience depends on the type of alcohol you consumed, the quantity consumed and the duration of use. Based on these factors, detox can last from a day to two weeks. More severe cases can last for a few months.

During detox, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol. These symptoms can range in intensity from mild to life-threatening. Most times, the severity and duration of your alcohol use play a role in the kind of withdrawal symptoms you will experience.

The mild symptoms of alcohol detox are:

  • Anxiety
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Sweating

More serious withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Disorientation
  • Extreme hallucinations
  • Delirium tremens (rarely occurs)

Delirium tremens is not common, but it is the most serious symptom of alcohol withdrawal and detox. You may experience it within two to five days after your last consumption of alcohol. Delirium tremens can cause death. However, it is rare for people to develop it after quitting alcohol.

Because of the severe nature of some alcohol withdrawal symptoms, medical professionals must be on hand. Hence, what to expect from alcohol rehab at this stage is you being surrounded by health professionals. They are monitoring your reactions and taking note of any sudden symptoms. This way, you get all the help you need immediately.

If you develop symptoms in alcohol rehab, you may be given medications to treat them. These medications include benzodiazepines, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.

Benzodiazepines are for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the detox phase. Naltrexone helps reduce your alcohol cravings. Acamprosate helps your brain to function normally again after quitting alcohol. On the other hand, disulfiram acts by producing severe reactions if you consume alcohol.

Related Article: Medical Detox Cost in Canada

detox alcohol addiction

Alcohol Rehab Programs

After the detox stage of your alcohol addiction treatment, the next phase is the rehab stage. There are two alcohol rehab programs. These are inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab.

In inpatient rehab, you will live inside a hospital or rehab center. In the center, you will have round-the-clock medical care and attention. You will partake in several activities aimed at steadily pushing you towards recovery.

In outpatient rehab, you don’t stay in a rehab center or facility. Instead, you’ll receive treatment for your addiction while continuing with your daily activities. Outpatient rehab usually entails regular appointments with a healthcare professional or therapist. You’ll also partake in counselling sessions, individual and group therapies.

These alcohol rehab programs also differ from each other in cost. You will pay more for inpatient rehab than for outpatient rehab. Inpatient rehabs require multiple trained and experienced medical staff. Inpatient rehabs also offer more services than outpatient rehabs. These factors contribute to its cost.

However, if you are suffering from severe alcohol dependency or are a long-term alcohol user, you should enrol in inpatient rehab. You may experience more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms and will need more medical care and attention. Outpatient rehabs are recommended for people with mild withdrawal symptoms.

Rehab therapy and treatments

Therapies are a major part of what to expect from alcohol rehab. After detox, your rehab treatment begins, whether in an inpatient or outpatient rehab center. You will undergo various kinds of therapies during your treatment and recovery process. These therapies help your cravings for alcohol, prevent relapse, and maintain a sober lifestyle.

The therapies you will undergo include:

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, a medical professional will work with you privately. There will be one-on-one sessions to reflect on your addiction and how it has affected your lifestyle. During these therapeutic sessions, you will gradually find healing and reconnect with your true self.

During these sessions, your therapist will also identify the factors triggering your addiction. This is an important aspect of what to expect from alcohol rehab. After identifying these triggers, your therapist will teach you how to deal with or get rid of them healthily.

The therapist will also fashion out the right kind of therapy suitable for you. There are different forms of therapies, but behavioural therapies are effective in dealing with alcohol addiction.

During alcohol addiction rehab,  different therapy forms you may undergo include:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Motivational enhancement therapy.
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy
  • Interpersonal therapy
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Experiential therapy
  • Holistic therapy.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

It helps in unearthing the thoughts or feelings that cause you to indulge in alcohol abuse and addiction. It eventually reduces your chances of relapsing during and after treatment.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy

This therapy accounts for trauma and its impact on behaviours. It helps you connect your trauma with your behaviour. Therefore, you can break the link between trauma and your alcohol consumption behaviour.

Motivational enhancement therapy

In this form of therapy, you’ll learn how to change some behaviours or negative thoughts linked to your addiction. Motivational enhancement therapy is usually used for treating patients with co-occurring conditions.

Dialectical behaviour therapy

This is another therapy recommended for people with dual diagnoses. With it, you’ll learn ways to deal with your alcoholism and co-occurring disorder through motivational enhancement and behavioural skills.

Interpersonal therapy

It helps you build a social network and other support structures that can help you deal with loneliness, negative thoughts, and other things that increase addictive behaviours. This therapy aims to strengthen your resolve to remain sober.

alcohol group therapy

Psychodynamic therapy

What to expect from alcohol rehab when it comes to psychodynamic therapy is the exploration of your emotions. This therapy form helps you uncover subconscious thoughts connected to your addiction.

If you can identify these thoughts, you can determine the underlying cause of your addiction. Psychodynamic therapy also helps you avoid situations that can cause relapse.

Experiential therapy

This therapy uses non-traditional treatment methods to help alcohol addiction patients overcome repressed emotions and feelings.

Holistic therapy

It is a therapy form that focuses on an addiction patient’s overall wellbeing. Besides your overall well-being, it also treats physical withdrawal symptoms. Some examples of this therapy are yoga, meditation, art therapy, and acupuncture.

Marriage or Family Therapy

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s likely your family is also affected. An important aspect of what to expect from alcohol rehab is family counselling.

During family counselling, your family members, who may be aggrieved with your behaviours, can air their grievances. Besides airing grievances, they also get to know how they may have contributed to your addiction with their actions or inactions.

This kind of therapy can become an emotional rollercoaster but tends to serve a good purpose in the end. It is also key to your healing, recovery, and sustained growth after alcohol addiction rehab. Your family members or spouse will learn how best to support you going forward. You will also have strength, knowing you have your loved ones solidly behind you.

Planning for Post-Recovery Treatment

One important part of what to expect from alcohol rehab is that it prepares you for life after treatment. It does this by educating you about things you should note as you return to a normal life after treatment.

This part of rehab is important because transiting from rehab to your everyday life can be topsy turvy. However, if you already know what to expect ahead of time, it becomes easier to navigate.

During post-recovery sessions, you’ll learn the community resources and groups where you can find support. Besides support, these groups serve as motivation and offer some sort of coping mechanism to help you avoid relapse after addiction recovery.

You should join support groups after your alcohol addiction treatment. These groups are important because they help you stay on the recovery path. In these groups, you will meet individuals who have experiences similar to yours. These shared experiences and other people’s success stories after addiction recovery help you stay sober,

Alcohol addiction recovery support groups include:

  • 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous
  • SMART Recovery
  • Al-Anon

Besides these support groups, you should also partake in follow-up therapy and counselling. Go for medical evaluations, take up new healthy hobbies that boost your wellbeing and keep you away from the bottle.

Tips to Ensure a Successful Rehab Program

Knowing what to expect from alcohol rehab is good. What is even better is having a successful rehab. The rehab center plays a role in helping you achieve recovery, but you have a bigger part to play.

Here are some things you can do to make your alcohol rehab effective:

Stay focused on little goals

Don’t overwhelm yourself with huge goals during your recovery process. Instead, start with the small goals you can achieve and gradually move up to bigger goals. These small goals help you stay focused on the bigger goals and encourage you on your journey.

Have a supportive network

While in an alcohol addiction rehab center, you will develop new relationships. These relationships can be with other patients, your therapist, counsellors, and other medical staff. These new friends will become your support network during and after rehab. You can get insights, resources, and tools from them, which keep you on the recovery path.

Your family and close friends are also part of your support network. They are always there for you when you need someone to speak to about troubling situations. While building a supportive network, keep away from relationships that will lead you back into alcohol addiction.

Hold on to something that motivates you

During rehab, what to expect at an alcohol treatment center is not complete without discussing feelings of tiredness and wanting to give up. It is good to have a motivating factor to hold on to at such times.

It can be a picture of your family, a lifelong memory, or your vow to yourself. Whatever it is, it should encourage you to stay on your path to sobriety and achieve your goals.

Don’t think it will be an easy ride

A bumpy ride is a part of what to expect from alcohol rehab. Hence, you will encounter setbacks during your journey. When this happens, don’t become moody and look to give up. Instead, pick yourself up and remember what your end goal is.

Take part in all alcohol addiction rehab activities

During rehab, you should partake in the rehab center’s activities. These activities will help you attain sobriety and a healthy lifestyle. You’ll also continue with the things you learn in rehab after your treatment. If you don’t take part in these activities, you risk relapsing soon after treatment, which is not good enough.

Continue with treatment after rehab

After your alcohol addiction rehab, don’t think your battle with addiction is over. You should continue your treatment by joining support groups, going for counselling sessions and therapies.

These activities will keep you sober and prevent relapse or alcohol triggers. You should also make new friends that help you stay sober and do away with those who lead you into alcoholism.

How Do I Choose a Good Rehab Program?

A good rehab program is key to a successful recovery. If you enrol in a rehab center that does not do a thorough job with its treatment techniques, you may find yourself going back to your old ways sooner than later. Though you have a bigger role to play in your journey to sobriety, the right kind of addiction treatment center will make things easier.

Here are some things to consider before choosing a rehab center:

  • Does it have a license?
  • Does it have trained and professional staff?
  • Does it offer counselling and medical services?
  • Does it offer aftercare services?
  • What will it do to prevent a relapse?
  • Is it affordable?
  • Does it accept my insurance coverage?
  • Does it have good reviews and success stories?

If the rehab center you are considering answers these questions satisfactorily, then you should go for it. However, if you feel it is not good enough, you should seek better options. If you have little confidence in a facility, you may not take your treatment seriously. This defeats the purpose of alcohol rehab treatment.

Related Article: How to Choose Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab

Conclusion

Alcohol recovery is not as complicated as mainstream media makes it seem. As long as you choose the best rehab centre, they have the experience and expertise to make it easier for you. More importantly, the results — sobriety — are well worth it.

Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, our specialists will develop a treatment plan for you based on your exact needs. Contact us today to learn more about our alcohol rehab programs.

Categories
Cocaine Addiction

What to Expect from Cocaine Addiction Treatment

rehab cocaine addiction

Knowing what to expect from cocaine treatment is vital. It tackles the mental aspect of preparation. It helps you build a stronger mindset that’s unfazed by whatever happens during treatment. This knowledge helps you better deal with the realities of cocaine rehab centers.

Cocaine abuse can be overwhelming. From the usage to addiction, and eventual treatment, it’s all a bunch of stuff your normal self won’t handle well. As regards usage, the burst of dopamine is too much for the normal self to handle. The same goes for addiction and its negative effects. Recovery, as you may have heard, is a lifetime process.

Technically, once you start to abuse cocaine, there is no going back. You can always recover from addiction, but you won’t ever be able to go back to undo indulging in the first place. But if you can’t go back to undo the past, you can change the future. As regards addiction, the positive change you can enact for the future is recovery.

Since you are on this page, it means you are looking for a way out — rehab. This is a good step, as it is the best choice you have. To help you along, we’ll explore what happens during cocaine treatment. This will go a long way to make your eventual recovery process easier.

Everything to Know About Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is highly addictive. However, its use started as a pacifier or natural anesthesia. Cocaine is an extract from the leaves of Erythroxylon coca (E.coca), a plant peculiar to South America.

About a century ago, cocaine was used as part of drinks like Coca-cola. The drink, as of then, contained about 9 milligrams of the substance. Its use transcended nutrition to medicine, where it was first used as an anesthetic during eye surgery in 1884.

Its popularity grew till it was discovered to be addictive. In the century that will follow since its first use, cocaine became widely known as an illegal recreational drug. However, you should know that cocaine is still sometimes prescribed for medical uses.

In the illegal usage world, cocaine has the following names; crack, snow, coke, blow and rock. The reality of illegal cocaine transcends the names given to it. Due to its illegal status, the industry is not regulated. And due to the lack of regulation, you can’t be sure what the product you purchase contains.

What does cocaine do in the body?

The presence of cocaine in the body is a two-edged sword. It comes with increased euphoria and a host of negative impacts. Once you consume cocaine in whatever form you want, it heads into the bloodstream. After usage, the effect of cocaine kicks in about 5 to 30 minutes.

This time-lapse is a function of how fast your blood carries the substance to the brain. With cocaine in the brain, the intensity of activities in the brain increases. So does the release and presence of dopamine.

Naturally, dopamine is that substance released whenever you engage in activities that make you happy and active. It sends a signal to the brain and other areas of the body, with the function of triggering pleasure.

You don’t have to use cocaine to get this feeling. Any interesting activity can help you with this. However, cocaine causes an explosive amount of dopamine to be released. Due to this, you get to a high feeling you’ve never gotten before, and then you want a repeat of it. This is where addiction begins.

However, beyond this release of dopamine for heightened pleasure, cocaine causes a dopamine dysfunction in the body. It causes the chemical to accumulate in between cells. This results in ‘tolerance’. With time, your body gets so used to dopamine that you need a higher amount of it to get high. This condition is what ultimately leads to cocaine addiction.

When addiction gets to a certain point, taking cocaine will no longer be for pleasure. You’ll be taking it to feel ‘normal’. At this point, getting cocaine addiction treatment is the only good you can do for yourself.

cocaine addiction signs

Why You Should Get Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Before knowing what to expect from cocaine treatment, it’s best to understand the importance of treatment. Understanding your reason(s) for getting treatment will encourage you through the highs and lows that happen during cocaine rehab.

A concrete reason is motivation to endure the uncomfortable changes you’ll experience during treatment. There are no better reasons why you should engage in a treatment procedure for cocaine addiction than to escape from the health issues cocaine addiction can cause.

Cocaine addiction comes with detrimental effects which can become obvious in the short-term or long term. Here’s what we mean.

Short Term Effects of Cocaine

The degree of what to expect from cocaine treatment depends on how long you have been using the substance. However, no matter how long (or briefly) you have been using cocaine, it’s impossible to escape all of these short-term effects of the substance.

  • Loss of appetite
  • Contraction of your blood vessels.
  • Dilation of the pupils
  •  Increased heart rate
  • Rapid breathing
  • Nausea
  • Distorted sleep pattern
  • Erratic behaviours
  • Intense euphoria
  • Hallucinations
  • Hyperstimulation
  • Anxiety and paranoia
  •  Intense craving for the substance
  • Depression.

This looks like a long list. However, if at this point, you don’t take the necessary steps to mitigate your loss of self, more fatal long-term issues are bound to occur.

Long-Term Effects of Cocaine

The long-term effects certainly make what to expect from cocaine treatment more tedious. Long-term effects develop as a result of continued use extending into addiction and dependence. Example of these long-term effects include:

  • Permanent damage to the heart and brain’s blood vessels
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Destruction of nose tissues if you use cocaine by sniffing it
  • Loss of weight and chronic malnutrition
  • Severe teeth decay
  • Respiratory failure if you smoke cocaine
  •  Loss of orientation
  • Psychosis
  • Frequent indulgence in highly risky behaviour
  • Abscesses and infections
  • Liver, lung, and kidney damage
  • Frequent hallucinations
  •  Irritation and mood disturbance
  • Severe depression
  • Tolerance and addiction.

Other known diseases that can result from or are associated with the persistent use of cocaine include:

  • Hepatitis
  • Gangrene of the bowels
  • Heart attack
  • Seizure
  • Stroke
  • Heart arrhythmia
  • Chest pain
  • Weakening of the immune system.

The degree of damage that can result from cocaine use gives an inkling of what to expect from cocaine treatment. To reverse this damage, you’ll need comprehensive physical and mental rehab. Sobriety is a lot of work.

Common with addicts is the denial of their condition. Ardent users – addicts – tell themselves and others they can stop using cocaine whenever they want. However, this is so far from the truth. This behaviour precedes the other long-term effects that may result from cocaine addiction.

Beyond making you as a user more frail and weak than ever, cocaine addiction can topple your finances and relationships. Because you are addicted, you’ll start to go the extra mile to get the substance. This may involve stealing from work or your partner.

When all things come crashing, that’s the point most people wake up to acknowledge their addiction. You don’t have to get to that stage before you seek professional addiction recovery help. There are several cocaine treatment centers in Canada with the expertise to help you break free.

Now, a crucial part of knowing what to expect from cocaine treatment is knowing what the various treatments are all about. This is what we’d address in the following section.

Related Article: Cocaine Addiction: The Signs and Symptoms

Introducing Cocaine Addiction Treatment

The only way out of this woods is recovery. Recovery starts once you agree you are addicted, and begin looking out for what to expect from cocaine rehab. Now, what to expect from cocaine treatment slightly differs from person to person. This is due to the differences in the physical, mental and psychological conditions of every user.

Hence, there is no one-way approach to treating cocaine addiction. Although, there is a template, especially for behavioural therapy. If you are looking to recover, you need to take the next step of reaching out to a specialist. Only a specialist can properly diagnose you, and administer a recovery path.

Unlike other illnesses, cocaine addiction can’t yet be treated by drugs. As of now, there are no approved medications. However, work continues with scientists who are exploring several neurobiological targets.

To treat cocaine addiction, all we have as of now is therapy — behavioural therapy. Behavioural therapy is a term defining the forms of therapy that look to treat mental disorders relating to substance abuse. In simpler words, this treatment looks for a cure from a mental point of view. The ideology of this treatment system is that “all behaviours are learned, and those unhealthy behaviours can be changed”.

Types of Behavioral Therapy – Cocaine Addiction Treatment

The choice of behavioural therapy is at the discretion of the cocaine addiction expert in charge of your health and recovery.

Contingency Management

This has to do with motivational incentives. In contingent management therapy, when you abstain from cocaine, you’ll get rewards. For instance, under this form of therapy, you’ll earn points when your urine tests come back clean. You can then use these accumulated points to get other things you need.

This treatment isn’t always used to treat chronic cocaine addiction. Mostly, it’s used to further patient interest and motivate you to stay in treatment.

Cognitive Behavioral therapy

This is the best treatment process that prevents relapse. One of the core aims of this treatment is to help patients understand what to expect from cocaine treatment, and develop the necessary skills to handle it.

During recovery, you can expect to deal with cravings for cocaine. When these cravings start, developing skills to handle them without relapse is a huge plus.

With cognitive behavioural therapy, you’ll learn and unlearn the behavioural patterns encouraging previous cocaine abuse. Soon, you’ll be able to modify your thought process to prevent these patterns. Another advantage of cognitive-behavioural therapy is that it can be combined with other cocaine addiction treatments.

Inpatient Rehab

This is the type of treatment where you get to live in the treatment facility through the recovery period. How long this cocaine treatment takes depends on how chronic your condition is. Averagely, most treatments in this facility last between 30 to 90 days.

If in this time frame, you don’t get better, the extension you’ll get is at the discretion of the specialist. This type of treatment is important because the environment is controlled, and you enjoy easy access to the specialist in the case of emergencies.

During addiction recovery, you’ll exhibit withdrawal symptoms once you stop using cocaine. These symptoms are better managed under the supervision of a doctor, especially as regards the medications used to suppress the withdrawal effects.

Outpatient Rehab for cocaine addiction

This is the preferred treatment option for most patients. However, this cocaine rehab is effective only when your condition isn’t chronic. Most times, it is also administered to patients who can’t leave their family or jobs alone.

It’s not as intensive as inpatient treatment. You can still get exposed to triggers when you are not with your doctor. This is why the relapse rate is higher with this type of cocaine therapy.

Outpatient treatment is more effective if you are making a transition from inpatient treatment, and you don’t want to enroll in a sober home.

stop cocaine addiction

What to Expect from Cocaine Rehab

Cocaine addiction treatment is a journey, one that lasts a lifetime. Of course, you won’t have to pay or sign up at a rehab centre for the rest of your life. However, once you’ve been addicted before, to renounce that status, you need to constantly remain sober. Therefore, you need to prevent a relapse continuously.

As far as treatment at a rehab centre goes, here are summarized descriptions of the cocaine rehab program and factors you should be aware of.

Detoxification

If you’re preparing for cocaine rehab, this is the first step. At this stage, you’ll undergo a medical detox that targets the physical remnants of cocaine in your body. During this stage, you can’t indulge in cocaine abuse.

You can think of this forced change as the weaning of a baby. Cocaine is removed from your body, which you’ll react to via withdrawal symptoms. Up next is the administration of healthy habits and medication to help you cope.

We can liken detox to preparation for therapy sessions that’ll happen during recovery. The remainder of your recovery program will be for the specialist to help you correct the psychological aspects of your addiction.

Cost of Cocaine Addiction Treatment

What to expect from cocaine treatment all depends on the cost. The experience of inpatient treatment differs from that of outpatient treatment. The same goes for the difference between reward therapy and cognitive-behaviour therapy. You should note that treatments are mainly combined, to ensure effectiveness.

But breaking it down, detoxification can cost you between $1000 and $1500. This pricing may be more depending on the cost of medication you’ll need during detox.

Inpatient treatments can cost you about $20000 for 30 days. However, for treatment spanning 60 to 90 days, you can incur between $12000 and $60000. Outpatient treatments are cheaper and cost just about $10000.

Group therapies

If you do not like talking about your struggles in the presence of others, you’ve got some learning to do. Typical days in rehab involve group sessions to complement individual sessions. In these sessions, you get to talk about addiction-related problems you are facing, just like the others. This encourages everyone to stick to recovery and not give up no matter the craving.

Free time

You won’t always be busy with treatment sessions in rehab. You’ll certainly have free time to engage in activities like swimming, basketball, Ping-Pong, soccer, volleyball, yoga and meditation.

However, not all cocaine rehab facilities offer access to this. What to expect or experience at the cocaine treatment center depends on the quality of treatment on offer. This also has a direct impact on the cost you’ll incur.

Support

You are going to need a lot of this. You can’t recover from cocaine addiction on your own. You have to carry your family along. You’d also be getting support from the staff at the rehab center.

You need your family members to hold the fort when you aren’t around. You also need them to give you something positive to look forward to. You also need their support to make sure your home is free of triggers when you get back.

Duration of treatment

How long your treatment takes depends on how bad the cocaine addiction is. It can take as little as a month, and it can extend to six months. One thing you need to have is the will to get better. If you don’t want to get better, there is no way you will.

The specialists will try their best with you, it’s up to you to make it work. Your addiction specialist may need to change your therapy’s approach or medication. Recovery is a continuous discovery process for both you and the specialist-in-charge.

Relapse

This is part of what to expect from cocaine treatment. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40-60 percent of drug addicts will relapse from their treatment programs.

This is especially common if you are taking the outpatient treatment path. However, you shouldn’t let this stop you from beating cocaine addiction. Relapse is an opportunity for you to learn and get better.

The 12-step program

The founders of Alcoholics Anonymous were the creative force behind this program. It has a simple aim of helping you overcome the problems you face. The average 12-step program offers you a platform to get support and share experiences with others.

The program is widely successful, and you should be ready to take part in it. The best part is a 12-step program also continues even after you are done with rehab.

5 Tips for a Successful Rehab Program

Cocaine addiction recovery is a lifetime journey. From the symptoms of withdrawal that develop during cocaine treatment, to the post-rehab days, these tips will make it all easier on you.

  • Always be ready to learn
  • Be ready to be vulnerable
  • You should make sure your will for treatment is steadfast
  • You shouldn’t miss a treatment session
  • Ensure your support system is solid

Most importantly, you should ensure you create a system to prevent relapse.

Related Article: How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

Final Take

Part of what to expect from cocaine treatment is the development of new skills to handle triggers and cravings. Before this, you’ll go through a rigorous detox procedure.

The process of recovery becomes easier when you choose the right addiction treatment center. There are several of them out there, but you need one that puts your recovery needs first, always.

At 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, we are fully focused on how we can contribute to your cocaine recovery journey. Contact us today to discuss your cocaine recovery needs!

Categories
Amphetamine Addiction

The Cost of Amphetamine Addiction Rehab

amphetamine addiction rehab

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs known for their addictive nature. If you abuse the drug and become dependent on it, it can lead to devastating consequences. However, all hope is not lost as you can escape from the drug’s grip via amphetamine addiction treatment. The good news is there are different amphetamine addiction treatment options available at different costs.

In this blog, you’ll learn more about the cost of Amphetamine addiction rehab. More importantly, we’ll discuss how to get the best out of the price of Amphetamine addiction rehab.

Come on! Let’s take a step on the first journey to Amphetamine addiction recovery.

What are Amphetamines?

Amphetamines are classified as stimulant drugs. In the medical field, they are used for treating narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, breathing disorders, and deficit disorder. Despite the drugs’ medical benefits, it is very addictive. Hence, many people end up abusing it.

Amphetamines are easily accessible and affordable. If you continue to take the drug without a prescription, your body eventually becomes tolerant of its effects.

When this happens, you’ll start to increase your intake of the drug and become addicted to it. If you or a loved one is addicted to amphetamines, you must find help immediately. This is where discussions about the cost of Amphetamine addiction rehab become relevant.

Side effects of amphetamines use

If you take amphetamines, you may experience the following side effects:

  • High blood pressure
  • Elevated heartbeat rate
  • High body temperature
  • Reduced appetite
  • Sleep disturbances or insomnia
  • Weight loss
  • Mood swings
  • Facial tics
  • Muscle spasms
  • Crawling or tingling sensation on or underneath your skin.

If you use amphetamines continuously over a long period, you may experience the following severe health complications:

  • Depression.
  • Damaged blood vessels resulting from high blood pressure.
  • Malnutrition resulting from reduced appetite.
  • Tooth loss and decay resulting from dry mouth.
  • Heart damage or failure due to high blood pressure.
  • Sores that don’t heal quickly because of skin picking and poor circulation.
  • Tissue and organ damage resulting from elevated temperature.
  • Tooth picking resulting from crawling sensation.

When you start to see the effects of Amphetamine addiction, you should pursue recovery through rehab programs. However, before you enroll in an amphetamine addiction rehab program, you should make findings of the cost.

The cost of amphetamine rehab programs in Toronto differs based on several factors. Not to worry, you’ll learn more about these factors as we progress in this blog.

sleep disturbances

Things to Consider Before Joining a Rehab

Rehabs play a major role in your recovery from amphetamine addiction. However, before you move on to pricing for amphetamine addiction treatment, you need to find a rehab that suits your preferences.

Here are some of the elements to consider before deciding on an amphetamine addiction treatment rehab.

  • What type of treatment benefits you the most?
  • What type of treatment does the rehab program offer?
  • What is the cost of amphetamine addiction treatment?
  • What payment options exist for treatment?
  • Where is the rehab located?
  • Does the rehab have experienced staff?
  • Does the rehab have good reviews?

What to Expect During Amphetamine Rehab

Multiple rehab centers provide amphetamine addiction treatment in Canada. However, before signing up for one, you need to understand rehab is not child’s play. While it’ll help you overcome addiction to drugs, you need to be determined and committed to making things work. A comprehensive amphetamine addiction recovery program should encompass the following:

  • Assessment
  • Detox
  • Rehab (Inpatient or Outpatient)
  • Support Services
  • Post-Recovery care and support

When you visit an amphetamine addiction treatment center for the first time, you’ll undergo an examination or assessment. With this assessment, the Amphetamine treatment expert will help you isolate the factors related to your addiction.

Based on the results from the evaluation, they’ll be able to chart a suitable treatment plan for you. After the assessment, you will begin detox. During detox, your body gets rid of the traces of amphetamines in your system.

You should note that during detox, you will experience some withdrawal symptoms. The severity of these symptoms is dependent on the level of your addiction. Symptoms may include:

  • Anxiety
  • Cravings for the drug
  • Depression
  • Hunger
  • Fatigue

These symptoms may make it difficult for you to withdraw from amphetamines. Detox may or may not be medically assisted. If it is medically assisted, you may be given some drugs to help you manage withdrawal symptoms that come with detox. Non-medically-assisted detox doesn’t need medication.

Following detox, you’ll be referred to an inpatient or outpatient rehab. During inpatient rehab programs, you have to live within a facility till you recover from addiction. In such facilities, you will be away from triggers that tempt you to indulge in amphetamine addiction and abuse. You will also receive 24-hour medical care and support.

For an amphetamine outpatient rehab program, you don’t have to live in a facility. Instead, you will attend appointments at a designated addiction rehab center. You will also receive medical support and counselling until you make a full recovery from addiction.

Support services will aid your recovery from addiction by connecting you with housing after your rehab program ends. They may also suggest vocational training and education. Generally, these support services work to help you build a foundation that supports drug-free life.

Post-recovery care and Amphetamine support programs will help you stay on the recovery path after treatment. Some of these programs include group counselling, 12 Step support groups, and individual counselling. If you enroll in a good amphetamine rehab, it will include comprehensive aftercare and support services.

Related Article: Amphetamine Addiction: What Are The Causes?

cost of amphetamine addiction rehab

How to Determine the Cost of Amphetamine Addiction Rehab

To determine the cost of amphetamine addiction rehab, you need to understand the factors driving it. There is no exact price of addiction rehab as many variables come into play. Hence, it’s best to represent the cost of addiction treatment with a range.

Below are factors affecting how much you’ll pay for amphetamine addiction rehab:

The treatment option you choose

The cost of amphetamine addiction rehab will be higher or lower depending on the rehab treatment option you choose. If you have a long-term Amphetamine problem, it’s best to opt for inpatient rehab because you will be away from the factors pushing you to use the drug.

However, if your addiction is mild or you are new to Amphetamine, an outpatient rehab will suit you just fine. The cost of inpatient rehab is more expensive than outpatient rehab.

Duration of rehab program

The longer you stay in rehab, the higher your chances of making a complete recovery. However, the longer you stay in rehab, the higher the cost.

Hence, the duration of your program plays a role in how much to treat amphetamine abuse in Toronto. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most individuals require 90 days to stop or reduce drug use significantly. With 90-day programs, you’ll end up paying more compared to 30-day Amphetamine rehab programs.

The facility staff

Inpatient rehabs usually cost more than outpatient rehabs due to the level of care on offer. For one, there’ll be different medical personnel with varying specializations on hand.

The higher the level of specialization necessary to assess and care for you in rehab, the more expensive your treatment will be.

Rehab facilities treating co-occurring health disorders may need to hire specialists. This also increases the cost of Amphetamine addiction treatment. Though outpatient rehabs are less expensive than inpatient rehabs, their prices will be higher if specialized staff are hired to treat or counsel you.

Medication

While recovering from amphetamine addiction, it may be necessary to treat withdrawal symptoms with medication. This medication will help you go through detox comfortably and safely.

Some drugs used for this purpose include methadone, naltrexone, and suboxone. If a rehab center uses these medications to treat your addiction, expect the cost of treatment to be higher.

Amenities in the rehab center

If a rehab facility offers state-of-the-art amenities, the cost of amphetamine addiction services tends to be higher than for a normal rehab without such luxuries. Some of these amenities include swimming pools, spas, massage therapy, recreational facilities, gyms and gourmet dining.

Location

A rehab facility’s location plays a role in the cost of its service. If the facility is located in a large city with a high standard of living, the price will be higher.

On the other hand, if you enroll for outpatient rehab, you may have to travel to an outpatient center far away from your residence. It means you’ll pay more for transportation.

Average Price of Amphetamine Addiction Treatment Programs

The average cost of amphetamine addiction rehab is about $10,000 per month. Inpatient rehabs for amphetamine addiction treatment cost between $10,000-$19,000 on average. Residential rehabs with high-class staff and services may cost between $18,000 to $35,000 per month.

The daily cost for outpatient rehab is about $150, while it is about $750 for inpatient rehab. However, these costs are not fixed and change based on the facilities you choose and your treatment plan.

Other Costs of Amphetamine Addiction

Away from the cost of rehab, amphetamine addiction leads to other “hidden” expenses. These additional costs include:

  • Monetary cost
  • Opportunity cost
  • Health cost
  • Relationship cost

The monetary cost

Drug addiction costs a lot of money. Firstly, you’ll spend a lot of money buying illegal and non-prescribed amphetamines from street traders. The more you buy and use the drug, the more your body adapts to it. Hence, with time, you spend more money buying higher doses of the substance.

If you spend an average of $15 on amphetamines per day, you’ll end up paying $5,400 per year, which is quite a lot of money. Heavy users of the drug spend much more. The amount they spend per year can be as high as $36,500 or more.

If you continually abuse amphetamines, you may end up overdosing on the drug. This is very dangerous and can lead to extra costs when it happens. The cost of treating an amphetamine overdose can be as high as the cost of amphetamine addiction rehab.

Besides the cost of buying amphetamines and treating an overdose, there are also legal-related expenses associated with amphetamine addiction. If you abuse the drug, you are breaking the law and May find yourself in legal trouble. Hence, you’ll spend money on several legal issues like:

  • Fines for owning illegal drugs.
  • Lawyer and court fees for amphetamine-related legal issues.
  • Divorce-related costs.
  • DUI cases

The opportunity cost of amphetamine addiction

It is now obvious that the money you spend on buying amphetamines and dealing with the consequences of abusing the drug costs more than rehab. However, take your time to consider the money you will save if you are not addicted to the drug.

Besides that, you may have to take time off work at a point because of addiction. This equates to lost money. Addiction may also cause you to lose your job or spend time in jail.

With compulsive Amphetamine abuse comes a nonchalant attitude toward important areas like career and education. Due to this, you may remain stagnant in your job or even lose it due to a lack of focus. You’ll develop poor work habits and lose promotions due to substance abuse.

 

Health cost of amphetamine addiction

If you are addicted to amphetamines or abuse them, you risk causing damages to your health. Some of these health hazards include liver failure, heart failure and cancer.

The relationship cost of amphetamine abuse

If you continually abuse amphetamines, it may cause you to lose your relationships with your friends and loved ones. Your spouse may separate from you or file for divorce.

You may become estranged from your children, family, and friends. While you may recover funds lost to addiction, you may never be able to restore lost relationships. Hence, you should try to avoid abusing amphetamines or becoming addicted to them to the detriment of your relationships.

How to Choose an Amphetamine Rehab Center

There are many amphetamine detox and rehab services and centers in Toronto. Due to the high cost of Amphetamine addiction treatment, it becomes doubly important to select the best treatment facility. You don’t want to spend all of that money without achieving long-term sobriety.

Choosing an Amphetamine rehab centre may be difficult, but here are some considerations to make before doing so:

Location

If you are choosing an outpatient rehab program, you should ensure the center is located close to you. With that, you’ll avoid extra expenses in the form of transportation costs.

If you choose an inpatient rehab, it is best if you have friends and family living close to the addiction rehab center. This way, they can visit you regularly and provide valuable support during your treatment.

Effectiveness

You should choose an addiction center with effective treatment programs. Effective programs should solve all of your Amphetamine-related problems.

While one treatment plan may work for one person, it may be ineffective for you. Hence, the amphetamine addiction rehab you choose must meet your specific treatment needs.

Treatment methods

The treatment methods an Amphetamine addiction rehab center employs should be of the highest standard. More importantly, they should be able to fit their treatment program for different addiction issues. Hence, the rehab must adopt as many treatment models as possible to cater to each individual.

Staff

A standard Amphetamine rehab center should have licensed and accredited medical staff. These members of staff should be able to provide patients with adequate and appropriate treatments necessary for addiction recovery. The medical team must be experienced in dealing with amphetamine addiction rehab treatment.

Success Rate

An amphetamine addiction rehab worth the cost is one with a good reputation. It should have positive reviews and be known for its high success rate when dealing with patients.

Before making the final decision, research the rehab centre. Be sure it is reputable and can deal with your kind of addiction.

Cost

You should also factor in the cost of amphetamine addiction rehab programs in the center. You already know addiction rehab can be very expensive. Hence, you must find out the cost of a particular rehab program before enrolling. Check to see if you can afford it or find a more affordable substitute that still meets your addiction treatment needs.

How Can I Afford the Cost of Amphetamine Addiction Rehab?

It may be hard for you to pay the cost of amphetamine addiction treatment services. However, this should not dissuade you in any way from getting addiction treatment. There are multiple options available for you to afford the cost of rehab. Some of these options include:

Private Insurance

This is an insurance plan that the federal government does not subsidize. People usually purchase this type of insurance through their employers.

Based on your plan, you may have to pay a higher out-of-pocket expense for private insurance compared to public insurance schemes. The good news is private insurance covers extensive rehab treatment, including amphetamine addiction treatment.

Public Insurance

The federal government partially or fully subsidizes public insurance. Medicare and Medicaid are the most common public insurance programs.

However, there are a few conditions to meet before public insurance can cover the cost of your addiction treatment. Contact your insurance plan provider to know if it covers amphetamine addiction treatment.

Income-based and low-cost Rehabs

If you cannot afford public or private insurance, you don’t have to give up on getting addiction treatment. There are subsidized rehab centers available for low-income earners. These low-cost and income-based rehabs provide various payment assistance like:

  • Scholarships
  • Sliding-scale fees
  • No-interest payment plans
  • Income-based fees

After Rehab: What Next?

You must go through rehab to overcome your amphetamine addiction. After rehab, it’s up to you to build on a rigorous learning and sobering program.

Staying sober requires your commitment and dedication. Support and post-recovery groups play a role in keeping you on the recovery path after treatment. To avoid a relapse, you should join such groups.

You should also form healthy habits and hobbies. Make new friends who will not lead you back to addiction. Also, get involved in activities and volunteer for charitable causes. These steps will help with your recovery process and help you prevent a relapse.

Is the Cost of Amphetamine Rehab Worth It?

While the cost of amphetamine addiction rehab may be expensive, it is a worthwhile investment. With rehab, you have access to a stable and structured environment that helps you avoid setbacks on your journey to sobriety. Rehabs also set you on track for a long-term recovery lifestyle.

Rehab programs have several forms of behavioural therapy. These therapies teach you how to cope with living a sober lifestyle. They also teach you how to avoid factors that may trigger a relapse. To cap it off, behavioural therapy sessions will help you learn how to manage stressful situations positively.

Related Article: Signs Of Amphetamine Addiction

Amphetamine Addiction Rehab Costs are Affordable

The average cost of an Amphetamine addiction rehab program in Toronto is $10,000. However, depending on how severe your addiction is, you may end up paying less. With insurance and other government-sponsored programs, it’s easier than ever before to offset the cost of excellent addiction treatment.

Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, we are ready to help. We offer different payment plans that make it easier to bear the cost of Amphetamine rehab treatments. Contact us today to discuss your options with our friendly addiction professions!

Categories
Marijuana Addiction

Is Marijuana Addictive? How and Why You Can Get Hooked

consuming marijuana

Marijuana is addictive. Unfortunately, mainstream media and the recent legalization of marijuana in Canada are passing the opposite message.

While it seems like marijuana offers you so much at the point of usage, you can get hooked. Controlled substances (or formerly controlled as is the case of marijuana), always have a risk of leading to a use disorder. Hence, if you don’t manage your usage properly, you can have a bigger problem on your hand than the initial one that led to use.

The concept of addiction, and the question of why and how marijuana addiction happens, is complex. With the vast available information, it’s easy to get lost in the whole matrix while searching for answers.

That’s why we’re here. With our years of experience dealing with marijuana abuse cases, we can provide answers to all your questions about the addiction potential of marijuana.

Everything to Know About Marijuana

Marijuana addiction is subject to several factors like age, which we will cover in this section of the article. However, there is a need to first understand Marijuana, its use, and the said addiction.

What is Marijuana?

Since the legalization of cannabis usage in Canada, a lot has changed. As of 2019, about 5.1 million people above the age of 15 now indulge in marijuana usage. This amounts to about 16.8% of the Canadian population. This leaves one to wonder what this substance is about, and why so many people are using it.

Marijuana is otherwise known as cannabis, a reflection of the plant from which it emerges – Cannabis sativa. In more urban parlance, marijuana takes up names such as weed, herb, pot, ganja, Mary Jane, grass, and bud. The names it is known by depends on the region of use.

Marijuana has a composition made of a mixture of different flowers of the same plant. And amongst the various drug substances out there, Marijuana has the most varied means of consumption. These differences in consumption methods influence the rate with which its effects kick in. This, among other reasons, is why users may prefer one method of consumption to another.

Different forms of Consuming Marijuana

The experience from the different use methods somewhat varies. However, they all result in you being high. Whether you’re using marijuana for medical purposes or leisure, the delivery method is an important point of consideration.

Smoking

This is arguably the most common method of using marijuana. These are the cigarette-like ones you see easily on the streets. For this method of consumption, the user wraps cannabis in tobacco rolling paper. You can also smoke marijuana in a pipe or a bong. (The bong is a filtration device, which makes use of water).

It’s also possible to smoke marijuana using a blunt wrap. A Blunt is a cigar in which you have emptied the tobacco content and replaced it with marijuana. In some cases, you can choose to make it a mixture of tobacco and marijuana. To smoke marijuana, you can also make use of bubblers. These devices have a similar size to pipe.

Marijuana addiction and abuse occur fast with smoking, with a risk for detrimental effects thanks to the smoke’s carcinogenic properties. Scientists continue to research the effect of smoking marijuana. However, as of now, the negative impact it has on physical health cannot be overemphasized.

Vaping

This is a newer method of smoking marijuana. This process involves vaporization, as the marijuana is heated to just below combustion. This releases vapour that can then be inhaled by the user. This process is less harmful than smoking, as the vapour contains less detrimental substances to smoke.

You should, however, note that this doesn’t mean vaping is without its adverse effects. Vaping is less dangerous than smoking, not non-dangerous.

Other than the relative perceived safety of vaping, there are other reasons people use it. One of these is the claim of a better high while vaping. Vaporizers are also known to produce less marijuana smell than smoking. Also, you can easily conceal the device from sight.

Edibles

These are marijuana forms you can add to your meals. The common ones are brownies, which have been around for a while now. Nowadays, you can add marijuana to different types of foods.

This is possible through the oil extract from marijuana which you can use to cook. You can also use this oil to bake, or just mix it with any other food you want.

These edibles are also made into capsules you can easily swallow. To this effect, you’ll see recreational marijuana vendors also selling marijuana-infused cookies, gummy bears, and granola bars.

Tinctures

This is most common with medical marijuana use. However, because of the intense high that comes with it, leisure users also abuse it. Taken in this form, marijuana is addictive, to a very high degree.

The process involves the infusion of marijuana plants with alcohol and/or water. Drops of this mix are then applied to under the tongue. This brings the marijuana near the veins and arteries. Hence, there is rapid absorption into the bloodstream.

marijuana tinctures

Factors that Influence Marijuana Addiction

As you’ll recall, earlier in this blog, we established that some factors influence marijuana addiction. Marijuana is addictive but these factors play a role in how quickly addiction sets in. They also form a basis for the questions regarding marijuana dependence and addiction.

Age

Users who start before the age of 18 have a higher tendency of falling into the addiction loop. According to research, about 1 in 6 persons (below 18 years of age) get addicted to the substance.

Adults technically have a higher resistance to marijuana addiction. The rate of addiction is lower, as it is expected only of 1 out of 10 persons.

While age may seem to give reason to the continued use of the substance in adults, it isn’t safe. These figures are also changing. This is because the quality of marijuana products available today is higher. The substances are more powerful and potent, hence, increased susceptibility to addiction.

Over the past few years, the amount of THC in marijuana has increased. This increase reveals an increased effect of marijuana on the brain. Hypotheses have it that this influence directly links to addiction and dependence.

Biological Factors

The biological risk factors for marijuana addiction include genes, gender, and even ethnicity. Some people possess genes that leave them more predisposed to marijuana use.

Though, these genes are activated by environmental factors that will be discussed below. For someone that comes from a family of heavy marijuana users, falling into addiction is more than likely.

Environmental Factors

The environment plays a huge role in addiction. This is why one of the first steps for effective marijuana addiction treatment is a drastic change in the environment. One of the major environmental causes of marijuana addiction is family.

The type of home an individual is exposed to, especially as a child can determine if such a person ends up an addict. If a parent uses the substance, the child may indulge at an early age. This, according to the first factor stated above, is a terrible idea.

Peers at school can also be a determining factor for addiction. The curiosity and pressure that arise amidst friends can lead a teenager to want to try the first time. If such a teen now suffers from abuse, violence, or anxiety, marijuana will soon become a go-to relief. Marijuana is very much addictive in these cases.

Method of usage

There is one other method of usage that was not stated above. This is because it has the highest potential of leading to addiction. And with wrong use, it can be highly detrimental. This is the injection method of using marijuana. If you take it this way, marijuana is highly addictive. This is because it shoots straight to the brain within seconds of administration.

However, the downside of this intensity is that the feeling disappears within minutes. Hence, in the bid to experience the pleasure of injected marijuana more, subsequent use follows. This way, you can get addicted to marijuana before you know it.

Related Article: How to Talk to Your Teenage Children about Marijuana Use

How does Marijuana Addiction Occur?

We have been able to identify the conditions under which marijuana is addictive. However, this information still doesn’t do justice to why and how marijuana addiction happens. We have only been able to tell that ‘yes, marijuana is addictive if those conditions are fulfilled’

As with other substances, addiction occurs after repeated use. The only exception to this rule is opioids. In the case of marijuana, you need to have gotten to an irredeemable level of habit and dependence to be addicted.

Marijuana addiction is not common, but it can and does happen. As with other substances, the presence of marijuana in the body causes a release of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is directly involved with the feeling of pleasure. The body produces it, and the central nervous system transmits it between nerve cells during pleasurable activities.

Beyond pleasure, it also plays a role in our thinking and planning. This is why marijuana users indulge when they feel down and hope to achieve clarity of thoughts.

However, with the continued use, the body gets used to the presence of the substance to achieve such clarity. Hence, you’ll find it difficult to achieve that level of high and ecstasy when you aren’t using the substance. This explains why marijuana is addictive – the continuous quest to attain a level of high.

marijuana cigarettes

Marijuana Addiction in Canada

This issue is worsening in Canada by the day. Since the legalization of the substance, Canada has risen through ranks to become one of the most marijuana-addiction-ridden countries in the world.

A study revealed that 83.2% of Canadians have at one time used the substance. This reality bites harder when you realize the majority of these users are teens and young adults.

Signs of Marijuana Addiction

You should know that the first step towards recovery is to recognize the presence of the problem. Different substances have differing addiction signs. Hence, there are no general signs to look for.

Below is a list of signs that point to a marijuana addiction. Once you notice any or a combination of these, as a marijuana user, seek marijuana addiction treatment immediately.

Increased tolerance for the substance

When one is addicted to a substance, they begin to need more of the substance to achieve highness. This is called tolerance. Your body builds tolerance over time.

At this stage, you begin to use more of the substance than you plan to. You may want to smoke just one wrap, but end up with three. You also feel withdrawal symptoms like loss of appetite, insomnia, irritation, and anxiety.

You spend more time high

What you spend your time on defines you. When you are addicted to marijuana, you’ll notice that you spend a lot of time smoking or using it. You’ll never seem to get enough of it. You are always looking forward to getting high. In most cases, you won’t be able to keep calm if you can’t find marijuana.

As a result of this, you have reduced the amount of time left to spend on things that matter. You’ll notice that your schedule has suffered a huge depletion of recreation and other physical activities. Rather than hanging out with your friends and family, you’ll prefer to stay alone to get high.

Despite the negative effects, you continue to get high

This is as destructive as it sounds. When you experience this sign of marijuana addiction, things are certainly bad. In this situation, you are aware of the negative impacts of the substance, but you continue.

Not only will it cause issues for your health, but it will also open you up to problems at work. When your addiction begins, you begin to care less about other important things. These acts of self-sabotage can be detrimental.

You see marijuana as an escape from problems

Life is generally plagued with issues. When you start seeing marijuana as your escape from such problems, you have a problem. For instance, when you have a bad day at work, if you feel that the only way you can handle it is by smoking, that’s a problem right there.

Searching for creativity and relaxation in highness

As an artist, if you depend on smoking weed to be able to fall in sync with your art, you are addicted. You also look forward to indulging in the substance as it is your best way to relax.

This is detrimental and in the long run more likely to make you violent. Not only will you not be able to get the relaxation you seek, but you’ll also be unable to attend to daily activities.

Negative Effects of Marijuana Abuse and Addiction

An addiction to anything is bad. Now, an addiction to a substance with known health effects is outright terrible. Marijuana has contents like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These substances result in a paradigm shift over time.

During early use, THC is responsible for you getting high. CBD on the other hand plays no part in highness. But it somewhat has a role to play in ensuring the balance of substance in your brain. You should know that leaving the health and function of your brain to these constituents is unhealthy.

These substances result in short and long-term detrimental effects. These health effects may vary from person to person, and occur at varying intensity.

influence-marijuana-addiction

Short-Term Effects Marijuana addiction

Marijuana is an addictive substance that can cause massive damage even in the short term. Some of these effects include;

Impairment of coordination

When you are high on marijuana, you’ll find it hard to coordinate your body. You wouldn’t be able to concentrate. Hence, you can’t operate machines or anything that needs your focus.

For these reasons, you are warned to not get high when you need to drive. Since coordination is impaired, you are at risk of having an accident.

You can’t learn or remember stuff easily

The presence of marijuana in the brain makes it difficult to concentrate. Your thinking is also impaired. It comes with a significant fall in your decision-making ability. Overall, this will affect your performance at school or work.

Your mental health suffers

Not only will marijuana cause you to get high, but it will also leave you in the valley of panic, anxiety, and ‘almost depression’ when you can’t use the substance. In some rare cases, it can trigger psychotic episodes for you. In the worst cases, it can get to the point of paranoia.

Long-term risks of Marijuana Use and Addiction

Marijuana is addictive and destructive. Not only in the short-term, but marijuana can also cause irreparable damage. Long-term in this case refers to several months and years. Examples of the long-term effects of marijuana addiction are:

Damage to the lung

Like cigarettes, marijuana dependence and addiction can cause damage to the lungs. The smoke from cannabis affects your lungs.

Terrible mental health

Let’s paint a picture for you. The consistent use of cannabis will lead to use disorder. This brings about withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Then, you continue with the use, and every other thing in life seems to be crashing.

Work, relationships, friends, family, and even finances start to drop. You continue using the substance at the expense of your family, friends, and money.

This collapse of your other worlds gets you anxious or depressed. Then to get away from this state, you use marijuana again. As such, the cycle continues.

There are many more issues that can arise from the use of cannabis. Each person experiences a different reality from another person. In summary, it’s impossible to provide answers to how marijuana addiction happens without stating the negative impacts. It’s all part of the reality of how marijuana addiction plays out.

Marijuana addiction is real, though it occurs less frequently than addiction from substances like tobacco, opioids, and alcohol. Marijuana addiction may take time to surface, but when it does, it technically takes over.

Before getting to this stage, if you use the substance, it’s best to evaluate yourself and seek help if necessary.

Related Article: Top Reasons Young People Use Marijuana

Final Take

Marijuana is addictive. The addiction does not occur as fast as some other substance. But when it does, it will cause serious damage. Hence, if you use the substance, don’t stop at knowing the signs of marijuana addiction. Get help.

The continuous use of marijuana, and other related substances, takes more away than it offers. Since being on this page, it means you have the will to know about yourself. This is a bold step.

But you should take the next step of checking out marijuana addiction treatment services near you. Speak to a specialist about how you can reclaim your normal life without the substance.

Don’t leave marijuana use to chance or self-control. Addiction can creep in when you least suspect. We at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre can help you cross this bridge. Contact us to speak to an expert today!

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Marijuana Addiction

How to Recognize Someone Who Is High On Weed

methods of using weed

Learning how to recognize someone high on weed is a life skill in today’s world. Currently, many global nations like Canada and some US states have ended cannabis prohibition. Some other countries worldwide are also embracing marijuana as a medicinal drug and legalizing it.

With these developments, it’s become important to learn how to identify weed or marijuana addiction in someone you love. The first step to doing that? Recognizing someone who is high on weed.

Experienced smokers or marijuana users may find it easy to tell if someone is high. However, inexperienced people may not know how to recognize someone is high on weed.

In this article, you will learn how to recognize the signs that someone is high on weed. We’ll also discuss the key indicators to weed abuse and addiction as well as the necessary measures to curb it. Read on to discover so much more.

What Happens When You Use Weed?

Though marijuana is now legalized in Canada, there are still dangers attached to its abusive use. There is a high potential for the drug to become addictive because of its effects on the body.

When you smoke or ingest marijuana, you will begin to feel its effects within five to thirty minutes. On average, these effects can last for about two hours. The impact you’ll feel from taking weed is due to the way the substance acts on your brain.

Marijuana contains a psychoactive chemical known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. When you ingest weed, your blood carries the THC to your brain. There, it reacts with your brain’s cannabinoid receptors.

Due to this reaction, you’ll experience a relaxing and calming effect. THC also triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes pleasurable feelings. This is why the drug becomes so addictive.

What are the Methods for Using Weed?

Before discussing the signs of marijuana use, it’s important to understand how your loved one may be using marijuana. There are various methods through which most people used weed. These include:

  • Smoking it (They May smoke it in a bong or use rollers).
  • Taking it in food as edibles.
  • Taking it in wax or hash form.
  • Taking it in a vaporizer.
  • Taking it in tinctures and tonics.

For those who take marijuana as edibles, it heightens the chances of suffering adverse reactions. This is because the body needs a longer time to absorb the THC present in those edibles.

This differs from what happens when you smoke it, where you feel the effects almost immediately. When you ingest weed via edibles, you may overeat to compensate for the long time it feels to get high. Doing this may lead to dangerous circumstances.

Related Article: Is Marijuana Addictive? How and Why You Can Get Hooked

weed inhale

How to Tell Someone is High on Weed

Weed is very addictive. Due to the euphoric, calming and relaxing feeling it gives, you may find yourself taking it again and again. With continued use of the substance, your body eventually gets used to the effects. When this happens, you’ll start taking even higher doses of the drug.

At this point, you are already addicted to marijuana use. Essentially, you have conditioned your body to the drug’s effects. Hence, when you lack the substance in your body, you will become unstable and unbalanced, seeking the drug like your life depends on it.

The problem with addiction is that a marijuana addict hardly knows they are dependent on the substance. Most of them struggle to come to terms with the fact and continue to delve deeper into abuse and addiction. Hence, their friends and loved ones need to be there for them to help them beat addiction, recover, and live a healthier life.

The first step to doing this is knowing how to recognize weed addiction. For you to do this, you must be adept at telling the indicators that a loved one is constantly high. This is not so easy at first, especially if you’re not used to such things. However, the tips in this article will make things easier for you.

The following signs show how to recognize someone is high on weed:

Withdrawal from others

It is common for someone high to withdraw from others and be alone. If your loved one who is usually socially active suddenly secludes themselves, it may be possible that they are stoned.

The voice tone

Sometimes, people who are high on weed find it hard to gauge the volume of their voices. Hence, they tend to talk louder or lower than they should normally do.

They give off strong scents

One key part of how to recognize someone is high on weed is by the pungent smell the substance leaves on them. While this is one of the signs to look out for, someone who smokes weed may use perfume or cologne to mask the strong scent.

Watch the eyes

The eyes are one of the indicators that tell someone is high. It is natural for your eyes to be constricted when you are in a well-lit room. However, the reverse is the case for someone who is high.

Instead of being constricted, a high person’s pupils become dilated in a lighted room. When in a dark room, such a person’s pupils become smaller.

Another way to recognize someone is high on weed using their eyes is by checking if they have bloodshot eyes. The presence of bloodshot eyes is like the easiest way to determine someone is high. However, bloodshot eyes can also mean someone is stressed or lacks good sleep.

Acting unusually

Another one of the signs a loved one is high on weed is if they begin to act unusually. Some of these unusual actions include delirious laughter, compulsive snacking, excessive eating, or violent behaviours. They may also act slower than normal and maybe unsure or unaware of their environment.

Losing focus during a conversation

If you are high on weed and are in a conversation with another person, it will be hard to maintain a normal conversation. A high person finds it hard to stay focused on a conversation.

One moment they are talking about how good a hockey team’s goalkeeper is. Within the same breath, they may start speaking about how fun skydiving can be.

Lost motivation or lack of energy

Being high can make a person lose motivation or interest in any activity. If you have a loved one who is passionate about a particular activity and they suddenly lose interest in it, it is one of the signs of marijuana use.

Besides the loss of interest, a high person loses motivation in doing anything and just wants to lay in bed all day. Hence, they tend to sleep excessively or display bad sleep habits.

lost motivation

Laughing inappropriately

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone, and they just start laughing at something that is miles away from being funny?

Being high on weed can cause you to laugh uncontrollably, even when it is inappropriate. Hence, if a person displays such behaviour, it is an indicator they are high on weed.

Feeling paranoid

Paranoia is a major way to recognize someone who is high on weed. If you or a loved one suddenly begins to feel paranoid and harbours thoughts that you are in danger, they may be high on marijuana.

Hence, if you are trying to find out if someone is high on weed, you need to watch for such behaviour, thoughts, or feelings.

Financial problems

Most weed addicts are constantly looking for money to buy the substance. Since they have conditioned themselves to use the substance, they continue to buy it.

This eventually leads to financial issues, as they invest so much in weed and forego other necessities of life. Such an individual may start borrowing money and end up owing multiple people.

Constant financial problems are a part of how to recognize marijuana addiction. If your loved one is constantly borrowing money or using important funds to buy weed, it means they are always getting high and are addicted to weed. They also need help because if they continue on that path, it’ll eventually lead to terrible consequences.

Mood Swings

One way to recognize someone is high on weed is if they constantly have mood swings. One minute they are happy and excited, and the next minute they are crestfallen and sad.

If you observe such behaviour in a person, it may be they are high on weed or using the substance. If this goes on for long, you should speak to the persona and seek marijuana addiction treatment for them after confirming they are using the substance.

Legal Problems

If you are constantly high on weed, you may find yourself in trouble due to your actions. You may be involved in street fights, club fights, or arguments.

You may also showcase violent behaviour. If you are arrested for such misdemeanours and find yourself in court, you’ll end up having legal problems and have to spend money on attorneys and settling court bills. If you have a loved one displaying such behaviour, it is wise to get them somewhere safe to prevent them from getting into trouble.

Owning drug paraphernalia

One way to recognize someone is high on weed is to find them in possession of drug paraphernalia. These include rolling papers, bongs, pipes, and other items used in storing or smoking marijuana. If you find these items and have noticed some unusual behaviour in a loved one, then it may be that they’re constantly getting high.

Staggered movements

For a loved one high on weed, they may walk staggeringly or without composure. Some other persons may walk very slowly, as though they are in a world of their own. You may also feel disoriented because weed makes you feel like you are in a dream state, making you unaware of your surroundings.

Check for signs of chronic drug use

If you notice unexplainable injuries on a person, it may indicate weed use. The person may also have open lesions and darkened veins. Such injuries and physical signs point to drug use.

These signs discussed are what to look out for when you suspect a loved one is high. However, you must note that not everyone reacts in the same way to highness.

Each person reacts uniquely to weed, and their reactions depend on several factors. Hence, if anyone is exhibiting these signs, it does not necessarily mean they are high. But the signs enumerated above surely give away a person who is high on weed.

weed in cigarette

Factors Affecting How You React to Weed

Your reaction to using weed may differ from another person’s reaction. These differences depend on the following factors:

The dose, strain, and potency of the weed used

If you smoke a weed strain that is stronger than the one another person smokes, chances are you’ll display more severe signs of highness than the other person. If you and another person smoke a weed strain of similar potency and strain, but you take larger amounts of the substance, your level of highness may be more.

The method of ingesting weed

The time in which you feel the effects of taking weed differs based on the method you use in taking it. Smoking is the fastest way to get THC into your lungs. Hence, you’ll feel the effects almost immediately.

When you chew weed or ingest it via edibles, it takes a longer time for you to feel the effects. However, these effects will be stronger and longer-lasting than other methods.

The number of times you use weed

If you use weed often, your body gets used to the effects and becomes tolerant to the substance. Hence, you may need more doses of the drug to feel the usual high you want to get. However, for a weed newbie, just a little puff of the substance can get you stoned because your body is not used to it yet.

Your age, body type, and gender

An older person may get stoned faster than a younger person. Females may also get high more quickly than men do, even with little doses of weed. If you are massively built, you may also take a longer time to get high than someone who is not. However, these conditions are not confirmed and vary among individuals.

Using weed with other drugs or alcohol

If you use weed with other drugs or alcohol, you may get stoned quickly. However, it can also lead to dangerous circumstances and is ill-advised.

Unpleasant Effects of Weed Use

Constant use of weed may lead to unpleasant effects that may become severe and life-threatening. These severe symptoms are also ways to recognize someone is high on weed:

  • Anxiety
  • Delusions
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Paranoia
  • Racing Heartbeat
  • Panic
  • Hyperactivity
  • Aggressiveness
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Headache
  • Stroke
  • Chest pain
  • Heart rhythm irregularity
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Seizures.

It is not set in stone that everyone using weed will experience these negative effects. However, becoming addicted to the drug causes different issues for your health and eventually leads to severe consequences.

Besides health consequences, being addicted to weed also strains your relationship with loved ones, makes you less unproductive at work, and causes you to neglect your duties.

After learning how to recognize someone is high on weed (and eventually discovering that they are), you should take steps to get them the help they need. There is no use in finding out about a person’s weed use and not taking measures to help them, especially if they are loved ones.

rehab therpist group

Getting Help for Marijuana Addiction

Knowing how to recognize someone is high on weed or addicted to the substance is a small step in the right direction. If you or your loved one is addicted to weed, you need to take steps to get yourself treated.

However, the first step to finding help is admitting you have a problem. Once you come to that realization, you are well on your way to recovering from marijuana addiction and abuse.

Detox

The first phase of addiction treatment begins with detox. At this stage, your body weans itself of every trace of marijuana in your system. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms.

These include:

  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Intense cravings for the substance
  • Depression
  • Agitation
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Weight loss and reduced appetite.

Detox can last for a few days up to weeks, months and even a year, depending on the severity of your addiction. After detox, the next stage in marijuana addiction treatment is enrolling in a rehab program. There are two major types of rehab programmes. These are inpatient rehabs and outpatient rehabs.

Inpatient rehab

Inpatient rehabs address all areas of a recovery patient’s addiction. In these programs, there are structured treatments or therapies tailored to each patient’s needs. If you or a loved one joins this program, you’ll live in a substance-free facility and get access to daily therapeutic support and medical care.

Inpatient rehabs are best suited for persons struggling with chronic marijuana addiction. It’s also beneficial for patients with co-occurring mental and behavioural disorders.

Outpatient rehabs

Outpatient rehabs are more flexible than inpatient rehabs. Patients in outpatient rehabs receive similar treatments and therapies that exist in inpatient rehabs. However, they don’t stay in a facility. Instead, they live at home and continue with their everyday activities while attending weekly scheduled treatment sessions.

This treatment is recommended only for those with mild forms of addiction. During outpatient rehab, patients are exposed to everyday activities during treatment and are at risk of experiencing triggers. If managed poorly, these triggers can cause them to relapse. Commitment and discipline are key to making this rehab program a success.

During your marijuana addiction treatment, you’ll take part in several therapies and counselling to make you decondition yourself from drug use. With these therapies, medical professionals trace the root cause of your addiction and help you become independent of weed use. These therapies include:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Biofeedback therapy
  • Holistic therapy
  • Dialectical behavioural therapy
  • Experiential therapy
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Motivational enhancement therapy

Support groups

After you are through with rehab, you should join support groups. These support groups are beneficial and are critical in helping you remain on the right path after your recovery from addiction.

In these support groups, you will meet people who have also experienced similar situations. They will share their experiences with you, encourage and ensure you stay on the recovery path.

Some of these support groups include:

  • 12-Step programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous.
  • SMART Recovery
  • Nar-Anon and Al-Anon.

It is also good to have addiction counsellors who provide recovery patients with unbiased support while receiving treatment. These counsellors create treatment plans and aftercare programmes suited to their patients’ needs.

Related Article: What to Expect During Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Conclusion

Since you are at this point in this article, you should now know how to recognize someone who is high on weed. Firstly, you learned what happens to you when you smoke weed. How your body reacts with continuous intake of the substance, eventually leading to addiction.

You also discovered the methods of taking weed. Afterward, you learned about the many ways you can tell someone is high on weed. You also read that there are factors influencing your reaction to weed use. Furthermore, you found out marijuana’s unpleasant effects.

All the information you know now is useless if you don’t take action through marijuana addiction rehab. If you or your loved one is always getting high on weed or struggling with addiction, you should find the help you need.

If you decide to do just that, look no further than our marijuana addiction treatment services. Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, our addiction treatment experts will help you devise a custom treatment plan designed for long-term sobriety. Contact us today to discuss your options!

Categories
Marijuana Addiction

How to Talk to Your Teenage Children about Marijuana Use

Teenage Children about Marijuana Use

Although, it may seem like an uncomfortable prospect, you must talk to teenagers about marijuana use. You aren’t protecting them by keeping them in the dark. In today’s world, it’s impossible to keep teenagers in the dark about topics like this.

They have access to the internet. Or they may have friends or classmates that indulge in marijuana. Hence, the way to protect your teenagers is not by avoiding any mention of it. Instead, you need to get them to understand your position about marijuana use.

Initiating and engaging in this talk is easier said than done. Not only is it difficult to bring up, but it’s also sensitive. If you don’t do a good job, it may backfire.

You shouldn’t feel any pressure, as there is no perfect foolproof way to do it. In the end, it all depends on the kind of relationship you have with your teenager.

To avoid the conversation taking a wrong turn, we’ll provide you with general information that can help you get talking to teens about marijuana. This way, you can come up with a strategy that makes it easy for you to have this talk.

Marijuana Use Among Teenagers

According to an NCBI report, about 28% of the teen population that uses marijuana are Canadians. Since the legalization of marijuana in Canada in 2018, its use has been on the rise.

This is very worrying, as addiction and ultimately fatal issues result from the continuous abuse of marijuana. In light of that, you must talk to teenagers about marijuana use. It can end up being a vital step that stops your ward from falling into addiction.

There are different ways teenagers consume marijuana. The most common mode of consumption is smoking. Marijuana can also be consumed as an edible. As the years roll by, the concentration of marijuana strain per volume has increased astronomically. Hence, the efficacy of today’s marijuana supersedes that of the same strain a few years ago.

Marijuana has medical applications. However, this does not apply to teenagers. If for anything, the use of marijuana is detrimental to the health of teenagers. With teenage marijuana addiction, there is a cause for worry.

What’s more worrying is that the stigma that caused refrain for many persons in the early 2000s is no longer there. With the legalization of the substance, the moral acceptability of marijuana consumption is on the rise.

Before you talk to your teenage children about marijuana, it’s important to understand why they may want to use it in the first place. Two major factors lead to teenage marijuana abuse.

Peer Pressure

When children live in a family where there is a smoker, the risk of picking up the behaviour is high. Friends are also a major influence on whether your teenager smokes weed or not. If they have friends who do, thanks to the curiosity and the exploratory disposition of teens, they may try marijuana out.

Recent trends show that high school students are more likely to do without marijuana use. However, when teens progress towards college, they are more likely to start smoking marijuana. This is one reason why you should talk to teenagers about marijuana use.

teenager use drugs

Self-medication and psychological escape

Depression is a common mental health problem among teenagers. Worse, it can lead to marijuana abuse. According to an NBC News report, about 7% of depression is linked to marijuana use.

As a solace from depression, teens resort to this illicit drug to get ‘high’ and active. The repetition of this activity leads to addiction in no time. This “self-medication”, rather than getting expert help, is dangerous and a leading cause of cannabis addiction.

The issue that causes the use of marijuana doesn’t have to be depression. Sometimes, anxiety, abuse and other mental health problems can also cause it. This is one major reason why you need to master how to talk to teenagers about marijuana abuse.

Related Article: Top Reasons Young People Use Marijuana

Risks of Marijuana Use for Teenagers

If you don’t talk to teenagers about marijuana use, you may soon be getting more than what you bargained for. The risks of consistent marijuana abuse among teenagers are enormous. Unlimited marijuana use can result in terrible mental and behavioural conditions.

Thanks to the legalization movement in Canada, most teenagers now think marijuana is safe. This miscommunication can be damning if care is not taken. It should be said that legal marijuana use in Canada is not for those under 19. However, teens younger than this still use marijuana — without much reproach.

As a guardian or parent, dealing with a child that uses marijuana involves you effectively communicating the risks to them. Helping them understand the following risks is vital.

Reduced retention-ability

Teenage years should be full of active learning. The use of marijuana distorts the learning process for teenagers. With consistent marijuana use, the average teenager will find it difficult to be retentive.

Learning, generally, becomes arduous. You’ll notice this in their grades and results. They’ll fall below their usual standards and may find it hard to recover. This can ultimately go on to negatively impact their life career choices.

Addiction

Addiction is terrible, especially for teens. Hence, you should do everything possible to talk to teenagers about marijuana use.

After marijuana use, its psychoactive influence kicks in, releasing dopamine in the brain. This gets the user happy, active, and very aware.

This is what lures most users. However, after a while, this effect wanes. To achieve the feeling again, you’ll have to use the substance again.

In no time, addiction comes knocking. Your teenage children begin to need more of the substance to reach the same levels of high.

This is because the brain builds tolerance with constant use. Getting to this level of marijuana addiction may take a while. However, marijuana dependence and addiction occur faster in teens.

Poor life quality

Once addiction kicks in, quality of life takes a persistent nosedive. The plummeting quality of life gets worse as your teen starts to make all the wrong decisions.

This may lead to depression. And in a bid to escape the depression, they may use more of the substance. As such, the vicious cycle continues.

For teens, poor life quality may mean they start to lose good friends. Or, they may start to lose direction in life and exhibit rebellious behaviour. At this point, it’s best to take the bold step of working with marijuana rehab services to reverse this issue.

Mental Illness

This reality is sad, especially for teens. Consistent marijuana abuse has the probability of resulting in panic attacks. It can also come with conditions like hallucinations, disoriented thoughts and paranoia. None of these are good news.

Accidents

The number of Canadians that suffer auto-crashes due to drugs is skyrocketing. Teens are a larger part of this demographic. For teens, or anybody else for that matter, the influence of marijuana results in a lack of proper judgment. Coordination gets poorer and your alertness douses.

You become incapable of driving safely — an activity that requires you to have swift reactions. Teens are dying on the road under the influence of marijuana. Hence, it is time to talk to teenagers about marijuana use.

Signs Your Teen is Using Marijuana

It’s very easy to dismiss the signs of marijuana use and addiction as teenage tantrums. Many of the signs of addiction bear somewhat of a resemblance to that of puberty. Hence, you need to be extra careful and vigilant. Here are signs to tip you off if your teen smokes or eat weed:

Loss of interest

They begin to lose interest in things they normally hold dear. For instance, they may suddenly lose interest in the family Friday night movies.

It’s easy to mistake this as your teenage children growing up. However, the loss of interest may also be due to marijuana addiction.

cigarette teenagers

Bad grades

Bad grades suddenly begin to surface in their results. When you confront them with this plummet, they’ll probably refuse to talk about it. You’ll probably notice your teen being lackadaisical about the drop in grades.

They change or lose friends

Teenagers are arguably the most social age group. They make friends easily. In the neighbourhood, your teen probably has numerous friends.

When you notice these friendships are changing, you should sit up and take notice. Teenagers who use marijuana will likely crave solitude. They’ll want to be alone as much as possible. This way, they can indulge in peace. As a result, they’ll spend less time with friends and family.

They stink of marijuana

To know what’s up with your teens, you may need to find out what marijuana smells like. Teens addicted to marijuana will surely have the scent hanging around them.

Change in personality

This is the most radical and easily noticeable of changes. Is your teen someone that was always happy and jovial, but is now dull and moody? Something may be wrong. Typically, teenage marijuana users and addicts experience a change in personality, appearance, and mood.

Tips to Talk to a Teenager about Weed (Marijuana)

Teens are arguably the most sensitive age groups to deal with as adults. They can easily snap at you, and storm out of the room. Or they can decide to clam up and venture no useful information. Hence, due to how delicate their age group is, knowing how to properly talk to teenagers about marijuana use is vital.

You should know there is no singular best way to go about this talk. As a parent, guardian, friend, or family member, you must know who you are dealing with. It helps to know and understand the peculiarity of the teen in question.

Most times, teens won’t admit they indulge in marijuana. This is understandable. The fear of getting punished won’t make them admit it. But if you are adequately armed with knowledge of marijuana usage indicators, you’ll know.

Once you cross the stage of knowing, here are tips to talk to a teenager about weed.

Don’t scare them off

A mistake most parents make when looking to converse with their ward is starting with “we need to talk.” This may seem harmless to you as a parent or guardian.

However, no child likes or wants to ‘talk.’ It’s a red flag they run away from. Hence, you need to be adept in the art of getting their attention, without asking for their attention.

Be as subtle as possible

When trying to talk to teenagers about marijuana use, whether they indulge or not, you need to be subtle. Going hard on them will get you nowhere. You need your teenage child to be as vulnerable and as honest as they can be.

Remember, talking to them can either make or mar the situation. For a teen that doesn’t use the substance, they may get curious after your ‘talk’ and try it out. It’s a dicey situation you must handle expertly.

Make sure it’s the right time

There is no rush to talk about marijuana. Even if you’ve confirmed your teens’ addiction, don’t rush things. Recovery is often a long-term journey.

You need to make sure the time is right. If the teen is high, wait till they are sober. If angry, wait till smiles return to their faces. Most of the time, your teenage child’s mood can affect how smoothly your talk about marijuana abuse goes.

Don’t be judgmental

The last thing you want to be during this talk is a judge. No one likes to be judged. Everyone feels insecure about many of their actions. Your teenagers are not excluded from this sentiment.

Once your tone tilts towards passing judgment, you’ll most likely never reach the desired destination. Hence, your talk should be more positive and expository, rather than conclusive and inferential.

Be calm

You may not achieve your aim on the first try, especially if the teen is already used to marijuana. Talking to teens about marijuana requires that you are cool, calm, and collected. They’ll fret, deny, and panic, amidst a million other things. You need to be the calm one. Losing your calm in any of these situations won’t get you anywhere.

Don’t be rigid

Most times, indulging in marijuana is simply an escape for the teen. There are probably bigger issues underlying their action. Hence, you must be willing to hear and respond to them. Once you can get them vulnerable and talking (if they are users), listen and be ready to change your mind about things. Be ready to help.

Be an example

There is no point trying to talk to teenagers about marijuana use if they know you use it too. You can’t tell them to avoid or quit what they see you do. It doesn’t even have to be marijuana.

You shouldn’t be a drug user if you are going to engage in this tough conversation with your teenager. Where substance abuse is concerned, you must be the pristine example of sobriety.

Be prepared

Teens are curious and most times argumentative. They have a knack for rationalizing bad behaviour. To get them to flip to your sphere of thought, you need to convince them beyond reasonable doubts. They’ll ask numerous questions in the bid to support their stance. Hence, you must have done your homework.

That’s why this article starts by exposing you to some facts about marijuana addiction and teens. Don’t talk to teenagers about marijuana use if you don’t have answers to the questions they’ll ask.

Be ready to get help

You never can tell what the result of the conversation may be. Things may prove beyond your control. Hence, getting help for teenagers with marijuana addiction becomes vital. You may hit the jackpot and your tee is on the same page with you. If this is the case, be ready to help them maintain that stance and understanding.

You shouldn’t let things get too late before you step in. This may result in huge marijuana rehab expenses. It’s best to nip things in the bud as soon as possible. Start by speaking to a marijuana addiction expert near you!

Related Article: Common Myths About Marijuana Abuse

Final Take

Getting to talk to teenagers about marijuana use is a delicate move. It’s sensitive, for both you and the teen in the question. Hence, you must reassure them you are on their side.

Furthermore, you must create a condition that’s conducive and allows them to be vulnerable. Achieving this is not a one-day job. The premise is on the trust and understanding between you and them. But it’s not too late to make them know you care.

Teenage years are critical to the overall development of your children. As such, it’s up to you to make sure they navigate these years with zero exposure to drugs.

If your teenage child has a marijuana addiction problem, it’s not the end of the world. Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, our addiction treatment specialists have considerable experience working with teenagers. Let’s help put your kid back on the right path!

Categories
Heroin Addiction

How to Help a Loved One You Suspect of Heroin Addiction

Heroin treatment

When you want to help a loved one with a heroin addiction, you need to exercise patience. Of course, you love this person, and as such, you want to help them as fast as possible.

But, you don’t want your good mindset to cause avoidable problems with that loved one. So, if you care about them, you’ll take the necessary steps to help without compromising your relationship with them.

The first step you can use to protect a loved one you suspect of heroin addiction is knowledge. You need all the info you can get about heroin and its abuse.

Firstly, heroin is an opioid drug with highly addictive properties. Heroin is highly addictive and dangerous. Between 2002 & 2015, information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported a sixfold increase in deaths related to heroin overdose.

When heroin enters your body, it activates the brain receptors, and in turn, the brain releases dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in our brains that gives us a joyful feeling. So, when you take heroin frequently, you start to feel good only under its influence. And, your brain starts to adjust to this reality.

Heroin disrupts dopamine production making sure you’ll rely on the medication to feel great. That’s why it’s easy to get addicted to the drug. It’s the same reason it can be hard to help a loved one you suspect of heroin addiction.

In this article, we’ll be showing you some signs to watch out for if you suspect a loved one for heroin addiction. After that, we’ll explore how to approach and help a loved one with a heroin addiction. Let’s get your loved ones the help they need!

How to Tell if Your Loved One is Addicted to Heroin

Before you can help a loved one with heroin addiction, you have to be sure they’re addicts. To confirm this condition, you need to pay close attention to that loved one’s attitude and behaviour. Although, you have to make this attention as discreet as possible. If your loved one notices unwanted attention, they may react harshly to you.

For example, let’s assume you suspect your cousin is a heroin addict. If you start sneaking up on them and intruding on their privacy, they may avoid you. In some cases, they may even get furious with you.

Let’s take a look at common signs of heroin addiction you can look out for in a loved one.

Tools for using heroin

The best way to verify if your loved one is a heroin addict is to see them take heroin. However, most heroin addicts will do all they can to use the substance privately.

As a result, no matter how addicted they can get, you may never see them use heroin. They may keep secrets about the actual smoking of heroin, but they don’t always keep the devices. The best way you can confirm if your loved one is a heroin addict is to find the tools they use to take heroin. The question you need to ask yourself is, what are the devices for taking heroin?

To answer that question, you need to first know the different ways to take heroin. In most cases, users usually inject heroin into their veins. The primary tool they use to do that is a medical needle syringe. So, you can start looking around for it to help a loved one struggling with heroin addiction.

However, injecting heroin is only one of multiple ingestion methods. Heroin addicts can also choose to smoke or snort heroin. For these methods, the tools they’ll need are mostly pipes, lighters, and spoons. So, if you have any suspicions, you can check around your loved one’s space for those objects.

You can also check for crumbs of heroin leftovers in the immediate environment of your loved one. Heroin can come in three different colours namely white, brown, and black. The most popular colour you’ll often see is the white powdered form.

Look out for these particles in your loved one’s space. A good place to start the search is their pile of dirty clothes.

Misplaced focus

Once you notice a loved one who has a drug abuse history having problems focusing, there’s a possibility they have issues with heroin.

Of course, this doesn’t mean anyone who is struggling to focus is a heroin addict. What it means is most heroin addicts naturally find it hard to concentrate on their everyday life activities. All they want to do in most cases is use heroin.

For instance, let’s assume you want to help a loved one who’s a doctor with heroin addiction. One of the signs you’ll notice is a total loss of interest in their job. They’ll suddenly stop taking medical-related classes and scenarios seriously.

To confirm this, you can try to bring up conversations relating to a topic they love. If your loved one has that conversation with their regular gusto, they may not be addicts or are in the early addiction stage.

But if you notice their reaction is anger or disinterest, you can suspect a heroin habit — especially if they have a history of drug abuse.

heroin addict

Negative physical changes

Heroin abuse, like any other hard drug addiction, will naturally affect your physical appearance when you abuse it. The mouth of a heroin addict is primarily dry when they are high on heroin. Also, their skin may begin to react and start looking flushed.

Another sign that comes with heroin addiction is a loss of interest in physical appearance. For instance, let’s assume you suspect a loved one who is a ‘fashionista’ with heroin addiction. A great sign to look out for is a lack of interest in their fashion choices and appearance.

Psychological changes

When heroin is always in the body of an addict, it begins to affect their psychology. They begin to showcase new behaviours you haven’t noticed before. A self-explanatory one is a total replacement of old friends with new ones. In most cases, these new friends happen to be the source of their heroin addiction.

Also, heroin addicts may have rough relationships with their family, friends, and loved ones. So, say you are close friends with a loved one, you want to help with heroin addiction. You have to be careful enough to help with their condition intelligently. If you don’t, the relationship may suffer.

Furthermore, the average heroin addict will drop their usual daily activities and habits. They may suddenly become very secretive with their daily lives. If they loved talking, they may suddenly become reluctant to hold conversations. So, you can keep an eye on these behavioural changes in someone you love.

Financial problems

Heroin is not a drug you can find in any drug store in Canada. In most cases, you can only buy heroin from illegal sources. That means these illegal sources have total authority over the price of heroin. As a result, heroin often falls on the expensive side.

Despite the cost, heroin is still one of the primary sources of widespread opioid addiction across Canada. That means many addicts spend thousands of Canadian dollars trying to get heroin. So, if you have a loved one with a heroin addiction, you may want to help before their finances take a permanent downturn. Lack of money is another sign you can look out for in a heroin addict.

All of a sudden, they may begin to need more financial help than usual. For instance, let’s assume your loved one earns about $2,000 at the end of every month. If at the early stages of a new month, they need loans, you can suspect an addiction. Again, you need to confirm this claim before you try to help.

Crime activities

At some point in the life of a heroin addict, they may get into a lot of debt. Yet, they’ll need money to buy heroin.

To fill this need, heroin addicts may get involved in criminal activities like stealing to earn money. If you have a loved one you suspect with heroin addiction, watch out for any criminal activities.

If they are being shady in the bid to make more money, they are likely stealing to fund an addiction habit. However, you need to look out for the other behavioural changes we have discussed before you confirm your assumption.

Related Article: Is There Hope for Someone Dealing with Heroin Abuse?

How to Help a Loved One Struggling with Heroin Addiction

The best thing you can do for a loved one with a heroin addiction is to offer help. However, you must know that heroin addiction is a complex situation to manage for the addict. In some cases, they do not believe they need help to conquer their addictions. In other instances, they know they need the service but have no idea how to get the help they need.

That leaves you with a daunting challenge if you wish to help a loved one with a heroin addiction. You can’t just wake up one morning and say, “Hey, I think you are a heroin addict.” The reaction you’ll most likely get is probably extreme anger from the addict. If they do not get angry, then they’ll try to avoid you at all costs.

The first thing to do, as we have mentioned earlier, is to confirm your suspicion silently. For you to do that, you have to do adequate research about the signs of heroin addiction. It’s a procedure that will require your time, focus, and attention. So, you must be willing to give that amount of work and attention to your loved one.

Depending on the extent of the heroin addiction, the work you have may reduce or increase. If you want to help a loved one with early-stage heroin addiction, the path may be easier.

But if the situation is worse, you have to put in more work and may need to involve heroin addiction rehab services. Let’s take a look at the steps to help a loved one get help with heroin addiction.

stop addiction

Prepare your mind

If you think heroin addiction treatment is an easy process, you need to reconsider your stance. It’s a procedure that requires a lot of research, patience and attention. Also, helping someone with a heroin addiction may take a lot of your time. So, if you don’t have the right schedule, you may need to involve another person.

That person must have the required freedom and free time to handle this task. Some addiction treatment programs may last as long as 12 months. In some other cases, some people get free from heroin addiction within a few weeks.

At some point through the recovery process, it’s very typical for you to get frustrated. In some cases, that loved one may pick a fight with you for trying to help. That’s why when you want to help a loved one with heroin addiction, you need to prepare your mind for a few bumps in the road.

Do adequate research

You can’t convince yourself that your loved one is a heroin addict if you don’t understand heroin addiction. Like we have explained above, there are many behaviours to expect from a heroin addict. You need to understand them.

However, that’s not where your heroin addiction research should end. When you want to help a loved one with a heroin addiction, you have to trace why they became addicts.

There are a lot of reasons why the person you care about is using heroin:

  • Heavy smoking: Sometimes, heroin addiction didn’t just develop overnight. It starts from somewhere, and in many cases, it begins from smoking heavy amounts of tobacco.
  • Depression: Sometimes, the rigours of life may cause overthinking which leads to depression. For someone who is depressed, they’ll feel moody most of the time. In that situation, it’s easier to crave happiness from every source possible.

When a depressed loved one comes in contact with heroin, they’ll feel happy after use. Of course, you can trace that to the release of dopamine in the brain. So, if you want to help a loved one with a heroin addiction, they may need a mental evaluation. Sometimes, substance use disorder is an indication of a higher problem.

  • Peer pressure: The average Canadian has no idea what heroin looks like or where to buy it. However, if they start to move with addicts they may get introduced to heroin. This drug is an opioid with highly addictive properties. So, your loved one may want some more after using it only once.
  • Addiction history: Sometimes, people can become addicts because of a family addiction history. It may be another substance, but that addiction history can influence new addiction behaviours. Before you help a loved one with a heroin addiction, try to confirm if they have an addiction history. Whether it’s a personal addiction or a close family member, it can influence a new addiction.

These are some of the risk factors of heroin addiction that we have listed above. However, it doesn’t mean that when someone has these risk factors, they automatically become heroin addicts.

It’s only a measure of the possibility of addiction. More importantly, these risk factors can be a roadmap that guides effective heroin addiction treatment.

Plan your approach

The way you choose to help a loved one with heroin addiction is a crucial part of their recovery. If you get it right, you will most likely succeed in helping them. However, if you get it wrong, you may worsen the situation. In some cases, you may even lose the relationship.

You cannot approach a loved one with heroin addiction aggressively and expect a change. In most cases, you’ll only affect the relationship between the two of you. What’s better is for you to approach them from a place of love and compassion. That way, you can even get them to trust you enough.

The first thing you should do is to make them understand why they are addicts. After that, make them believe they have what it takes to break free from heroin addiction.

However, you should note that they are fragile at these points. With that in mind, you should choose your words carefully. Here are some of the common mistakes you should avoid:

  • Do not try to preach or lecture a heroin addict about religion or morals
  • Do not lie on behalf of the heroin addict
  • Do not rub the guilt of addiction in their faces
  • Do not fight or argue with them when they are high on heroin
  • Do not feel guilty that you can’t stop them. It’ll take a while for them to stop. Their addiction isn’t your fault.

Provide treatment options for heroin addiction

If you want to help a loved one with heroin addiction, you will need help. Of course, you may feel like a third party is risky. However, it’s only dangerous if that third party is not a professional with experience helping heroin addicts.

You may ask why you need help to treat a loved one with a heroin addiction. The simple answer is, you can’t do it alone.

Heroin addiction can’t be reversed with stern words and punishment. It is a disease that changes the way the brain works. As such, recovery will require medication and extensive therapy.

There are two ways to treat heroin addiction;

  • Medical treatment: This treatment is the best option to go for heroin addiction. You can choose to get treatment in the rehab centre as an inpatient. Also, you can get the treatment on specific visits to the hospital as an outpatient. Whichever one you choose, depends solely on the extent of addiction and the choice of medical centre you’re using.

The first step is the detoxification stage, where the patient clears their body system of all heroin particles. You have to do this under close supervision from doctors and family. It’s at the detoxification stage that withdrawal symptoms begin to reflect within the patient. So, in most cases, it’s safer to contact a medical facility to handle these conditions.

Some drugs can help with withdrawal symptoms when they come. An example is methadone which is also an artificial opiate drug. Another example is Buprenorphine.

  • Psychology treatment: Psychological treatment is the treatment that focuses on behaviour. Mostly, it’s often used in combination with medication-based treatment. Psychology treatment involves using methods like cognitive behavioural therapy to reverse the patterns that encourage

Related Article: What is the Cost of Heroin Addiction Treatment in Toronto?

Get Help for Your Loved One Now

Trying to help a loved one with heroin addiction can be a daunting process. It may require you to drop your daily activities for the cause.

The good news is you don’t have to try to help that loved one with heroin addiction on your own. It’s a brilliant idea to seek some help. All you have to do is ensure the person is a professional with experience in heroin addiction treatment.

Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, we are home to specialists who have experience treating heroin abuse and related symptoms. Let’s chart a recovery path for your loved one today!