Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid that can be ingested by sniffing, smoking or injection. What makes it desirable to users is the rush of euphoria and the feeling of being detached from pain. These effects can produce a strong psychological dependence that leads to users seeking out larger doses of the drug to produce the same effects. Before long, users can find themselves in a position of having to take heroin multiple times a day in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, border restrictions have cut off the supply of several street drugs. During this time, a dangerous mix of heroin and fentanyl has taken hold as the most popular street drug in parts of Ontario and Manitoba. This combination can produce intense, unpredictable effects, and it comes with a high risk of accidental overdose.
If you or someone in your life uses heroin, it is important to know what the short-term and long-term effects are, how to recognize a possible overdose, and how to safely withdraw from the drug and get the help that is needed.
What Are The Effects Of Heroin?
The general effects of heroin are well documented, but in recent years there has been a troubling rise of heroin combined with other substances, often without the user’s knowledge. As a result, the effects can be unpredictable, which poses a challenge for health care professionals responding to possible overdoses.
In addition, many people who use heroin also use other substances like alcohol, and this too can produce effects that are unexpected or unusually intense.
It should also be noted that the effects of heroin depend on several factors, such as the dosage taken, the age and state of health of the user, and the chemical makeup of the drug.
Short-Term Effects
Heroin is used because of the rush of euphoria that it produces. Other less pleasant side effects include the following:
Nausea and vomiting
Mental “fog”
Dry mouth
A sensation of weights in the arms and legs
The skin feeling warm and flushed or clammy
Drifting in and out of full consciousness
Decreased respiration
Long-Term Effects
If you take heroin regularly over an extended period of time, you may be at risk of serious long-term effects. These include the following:
Heart problems, such as infection or inflammation of the heart lining and valves
Complications of the lungs, liver and kidneys
Digestive complaints, such as constipation and stomach cramps
Menstrual cycles that are irregular or absent
Erectile dysfunction
Disrupted sleep cycles
Collapsed veins for those who take the drug through injection
Damaged nasal tissue for those who take the drug through sniffing
Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or behaviour
What Is The Heroin Overdose Risk?
When heroin is used in high doses, breathing can slow down significantly, resulting in a shortage of oxygen to the brain. This can result in loss of consciousness, and in some cases, this can be fatal.
If you or a loved one are a regular user of heroin, it is important that you keep a naloxone kit nearby. Naloxone is available free of charge in most parts of Canada. It is an opioid antagonist that works by binding to the opioid receptors. This blocks the effect of any opioid drugs that are present, including heroin.
Naloxone should never be regarded as the sole treatment for heroin overdose; instead, buys time for you to get the heroin user to a hospital emergency room.
Heroin Risks To The Unborn Child
The use of heroin during pregnancy can be harmful to both the pregnant parent and the baby. Risks include death during or after childbirth, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and stillbirth. Babies may develop neonatal abstinence syndrome, where they suffer withdrawal symptoms from substances they were exposed to in utero.
Heroin Withdrawal
The withdrawal from heroin can produce symptoms that are uncomfortable and potentially harmful. These symptoms include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, diarrhea, anxiety, hot and cold flushes, and a watery discharge from the eyes and nose.
One of the dangers of heroin is that it is frequently mixed, or ‘cut’, with other substances without the user knowing about it. What this means is that withdrawal from heroin may be accompanied by withdrawal of another substance as well.
Safe Withdrawal Via Medical Detox
In order to stay safe during heroin withdrawal, it is recommended that you seek medical detox services. This way, you will have access to medical care throughout the withdrawal process. Symptoms will be treated as they arise, and you will come out of detox in a state of good health, ready to start the rehab phase of your recovery.
What Does Heroin Addiction Treatment Look Like?
A good heroin addiction treatment program is customised to the person who needs it. No two paths to addiction look the same, so the paths to recovery should cater to each individual. Addiction to any substance is rooted in context: it stems from trauma, stress, physical or mental illness, relationship difficulties, or some other cause. In order to treat the addiction, it is important to identify and treat the underlying cause.
Several therapies and methodologies are used in the treatment of heroin addiction.
Therapy
Individual therapy allows you to talk through your issues in a safe, confidential environment. You may also benefit from group therapy, where you can listen to the stories of other people who are struggling, and share your own experiences. Family therapy can help those who are struggling with their relationships with their loved ones.
Mindfulness
Practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness training are being used with increasing success in addiction treatment. These are effective tools for creating mental clarity, reducing stress, and improving concentration and self-awareness.
Creative Therapies
Many people need a creative outlet to facilitate their healing. Music, art, dance, and drama therapies provide avenues for self-expression and stress relief. These methods also give people a way to communicate ideas and memories that they are unable to put into words. If you do not feel capable of talking about your feelings, a more creative form of therapy can give you a safe way to work through those difficult emotions.
Health & Wellness
Heroin addiction can do a lot of damage to a person’s health. Most addiction rehab programs include a focus on healthy eating and physical activity, with a view to boosting the immune system and restoring health. With a healthy body, you are far more likely to be able to focus on other aspects of your recovery.
Preventing Relapse
Addiction rehab aftercare is important, especially for those leaving inpatient treatment programs. During rehab, you are in a protected environment, away from your usual stresses and triggers. Once you are back in the real world, you may be susceptible to the same triggers that kept you addicted in the first place. Addiction aftercare programs provide you with support to get you through those difficult times. They may include support lines, training and education, and check-ins with your addiction rehab team.
How To Get Started With Heroin Addiction Treatment
If you need help with a heroin addiction, either for yourself or a loved one, the staff at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre are ready to welcome you. We will provide you with a safe environment that is free from judgment, where you can heal and learn the tools to cope without needing substances. Give us a call at (855) 929-4045. We look forward to being part of your recovery journey.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives. Our lives pre-pandemic were governed by things like our daily commute and our interactions with people. In COVID-19 times, we are having to plan our lives around lockdowns and restrictions. We are working from home, attending school remotely, and shopping online. Even our healthcare has largely gone virtual, with appointments with doctors and therapists taking place over the phone or via Zoom.
Our daily routines have been turned upside down. Instead of rushing out the door, we are setting our kids up for online classes before settling down in our own hastily assembled home office spaces. Gatherings with friends take place via a computer screen. We cannot go to the gym, so we make do with workouts in our living rooms and walks around the block.
Our consumption of foods and beverages has also changed. A phrase that people have been increasingly using is “pandemic pounds” – the weight gain associated with eating less healthily as a result of being stuck at home. Many of us resort to takeout or microwave meals because we’re tired of constantly cooking for family members who, unlike the “before” times, are home 24/7.
Has this change in consumption extended to alcohol? Are Canadians drinking more wine, beer and spirits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
To answer this question, let’s first take a quick look at what “typical” alcohol consumption looks like in Canada.
Typical Alcohol Consumption In Canada
Alcohol is by far the most used and abused substance in Canada. During pre-COVID times, around 77% of Canadians consumed alcohol at least once in a one-year period. At 83%, the highest rate of alcohol use was among young adults aged 20-24. 78% of people aged 25 and older reported alcohol use, and in a troubling trend, 59% of youth aged 15-19 were using alcohol.
Although there has been some variance from one year to the next, these numbers have been relatively stable over the last decade.
Has The Pandemic Changed Alcohol Consumption In Canada?
According to a Statistics Canada survey done in January 2021, 54% of Canadians who consumed alcohol prior to the pandemic have not changed their drinking habits. The remaining number is split roughly evenly between those who have increased their alcohol consumption and those who are drinking less.
When we break down the change in alcohol drinking habits by age, an interesting picture emerges. While increases in alcohol consumption have occurred fairly uniformly across age groups, teens and young adults (ages 15-29) have decreased their consumption at much higher rates than older people.
Another thing that seems apparent is that the pandemic has produced more heavy drinkers. Prior to 2020, 11% of Canadians had at least five drinks on the days they consumed alcohol. By January 2021, this number increased to 18%.
Why The Changes In Alcohol Consumption?
Human beings are creatures of habit. Even the more adventurous people among us like to have some semblance of order: sleeping at certain times of the day, following some kind of work schedule, buying groceries from a favourite location.
When any singular element of someone’s daily routine changes, other things have to change to accommodate it. If you get a new job, you have to change your morning commute. If you take up exercise, you may have to get up earlier to get to the gym. If you get a dog, you have to buy dog food and set aside time for daily walks.
For most people, alcohol consumption is just part of that daily routine, and it is one of the things that can vary depending on the changes that are going on in one’s life. It is not surprising that for almost half of the Canadian population, the massive routine changes that have come with the pandemic have led to different drinking habits.
Why Are Some People Drinking More During The Pandemic?
Any change – even a positive one – is stressful, and the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in complete changes to many people’s lives. According to an April 2020 report by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, 94% of Canadians reported that they were staying home more as a result of the pandemic. Major routine changes experienced by many include:
Working from home
Supervising school-aged children who are learning remotely
Reductions in exercise due to fitness centres and pools being closed
Shopping for groceries online
Eliminating social gatherings
Reducing or eliminating travel
Spending more time on household chores as a result of everyone being home at all times
The top three reported reasons for increased alcohol consumption are:
Lack of a regular schedule resulting from the above-mentioned disruptions
Boredom resulting from lack of social interaction
Stress resulting from all of the changes plus anxiety about the pandemic itself
Other reasons cited include loneliness and online social gatherings.
Why Are Some People Drinking Less During The Pandemic?
Drinking alcohol is closely linked with social gatherings, especially among younger adults who are more likely to drink alcohol only when they with other people. This could go a long way to explaining why younger adults have cut back on alcohol consumption far more than older people. The lack of opportunities to socialize is by far the number one reason for decreased alcohol consumption.
Other reasons include wanting to be healthy to reduce COVID risks, caring for dependents, and trying to regain health after having had COVID-19.
Alcohol Sales As An Essential Service
Throughout the pandemic, the sale of alcohol has been regarded as an essential service in most parts of Canada, including Ontario. Many people have questioned why this is the case. On the face of it, there do appear to be arguments in favour of limiting alcohol sales.
Some countries have taken this approach. In South Africa, for instance, alcohol sales have been banned outright during the most severe phases of lockdown. Two factors have driven this decision: the concern about alcohol-fueled domestic violence incidents while lockdowns make escape difficult for the victims, and the goal of keeping alcohol-related trauma cases out of hospitals that need space for COVID patients.
There is a dangerous risk to this approach, though: by cutting off access to alcohol, we run the risk of everyone with an alcohol addiction going into withdrawal at the same time. Alcohol withdrawal without medical supervision can be extremely harmful – in some cases, fatal. For someone who is addicted, alcohol sales are indeed essential.
It is reasonable to believe that most jurisdictions worldwide responded to the pandemic as best they could with the information and resources available to them. A lesson learned could be that access to alcohol should be balanced with mental health services for people with addictions, and social services for those who are victims or at risk of becoming victims of alcohol-induced crimes. These services should be available to anyone who needs them, regardless of whether there is a global health crisis. If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has done a great job of highlighting areas where these services are lacking.
Why Is The Data Important?
There are those who would argue that these statistics are “just numbers”, and that alcohol addiction is a serious issue regardless of what is going on in the world. And yes, it is true that help needs to be accessible to anyone who needs it, but by having an understanding of the impacts of a major event like a pandemic, policy makers and service providers can create targeted programs and awareness campaigns.
The world was not prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic: by taking the learnings from this experience, programs and response plans can be put in place for any future crises that may arise on a local, national or global scale.
Getting Help For Alcohol Abuse & Addiction
If you think you have a problem with alcohol abuse or addiction – whether it is related to the pandemic or not – it is never too soon or too late to get help. At 1000 Islands Addiction Centre, we will provide medical supervision to enable you to detox safely, and then we will put together a customized alcohol addiction and recovery program that is right for you. Contact us without delay so that you can reclaim your life.
Any discussion about the legalization of marijuana is bound to draw a wide variety of opinions. On one end of the spectrum are people who believe that easy availability of cannabis will increase rates of marijuana addiction, and even addiction to other substances. On the other end are those who believe that far from being harmful, cannabis is actually “good” for you.
But what does the data tell us? Since marijuana was legalized in Canada in 2018, have more people become addicted to it? And what does it all mean for the addiction landscape in this country?
Cannabis Use In Canada: A Brief Timeline
Canada’s relationship with cannabis plants has a long and varied history.
A Thriving Hemp Industry
Early in Canada’s history, the growing of cannabis plants was not only allowed, but actively encouraged. Various rulers and administrators used incentive systems to encourage farmers to produce hemp, which was used for fabrics and ropes. By the middle of the 19th century, several hemp mills were running across the country.
From Commerce To Crime
Several short decades later, hemp was edged out by cotton production, and cannabis was used more as a substance to be consumed than as a fabric. In 1922, women’s rights activist Emily Murphy wrote a book called The Black Candle, in which she combined anti-marijuana rhetoric with racism in a bizarre way.
Perhaps fueled in part by this, Canadian lawmakers banned marijuana the following year. The next few decades saw a tumultuous conflict when it came to cannabis, with people protesting the ban being confronted by law enforcement authorities who were determined to disperse them. There were escalations of marijuana-related penalties, and there were calls for decriminalization of marijuana which were largely ignored.
The Best Medicine?
After the start of the 21st century, calls to decriminalize marijuana intensified. Several bills were passed, but they were defeated at various stages in the process, partly because of strong negative reactions from United States officials who were concerned about border enforcement.
Parallel to this, the path was being paved for legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. A man with epilepsy successfully sued the Ontario government for the right to grow and use marijuana to treat his condition. Twelve years later, in 2013, Canadians finally gained the right to get medical marijuana with a doctor’s prescription.
No More Limits
In October 2018, Canada became the second country in the world after Uruguay to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Residents of Canada who meet minimum age requirements (which vary by province or territory) can purchase cannabis in various forms from marijuana retailers, without having to provide any documentation other than proof of age. In addition, people who live in Ontario are allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants on their private properties.
Impaired driving laws were updated to include consequences of driving while under the influence of marijuana, and it remains illegal to transport cannabis across the border.
Has Marijuana Use In Canada Changed Since 2018?
There were concerns from some quarters that the legalization of marijuana, and the resulting ease of access, would lead to increased use, which in turn would inevitably lead to increased marijuana addiction.
But did this actually happen?
For the purposes of this article, we distinguish between two kinds of marijuana use:
Overall use, which includes regular, occasional and one-time use
Regular use, which includes daily or almost daily use
Overall Marijuana Use Increased By A Small Amount
According to Statistics Canada, almost 15% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported using marijuana over a three-month period prior to legalization in 2018. A corresponding study done post-legalization showed that this number increased slightly, to 16.8%.
Cannabis use after legalization was at roughly the same level as it was prior to legalization – around 33% – among people aged 18-24. Usage increased from 13.1% to 15.5% for those aged 25 and older, but it declined quite sharply in those aged 15.17 (from 19.8% to 10.4%).
No Significant Increase In Regular Use
When we look at the data for Canadians who use cannabis on a regular basis (daily or almost daily), there does not appear to have been a significant change. Both pre and post-legalization, around 6% of Canadians reported using cannabis regularly. This suggests that legalization had the effect of making it easier for people to try marijuana in one form or another, probably out of curiosity, but it did not create new habitual users.
What Does This Mean When It Comes To Marijuana Addiction?
No reliable figures have been released that compare marijuana addiction rates before and after cannabis legalization. However, logic would indicate that since marijuana use did not increase significantly as a result of legalization, addiction probably didn’t either.
Addiction Is Still A Concern
None of this means that Canadian communities should become complacent about addiction to cannabis, especially when it comes to teenagers and young adults.
According to the US National Institute of Health, there is increasing evidence supporting a link between habitual marijuana use starting in the teenage years and psychosis. It should be noted that a causal link between adolescent cannabis use and psychosis has not been established, but the data continues to be collected and analysed.
Is Cannabis A “Gateway Drug”?
There is also a possible link between marijuana use in the teen and early adult years and subsequent use of other substances. In other words, marijuana could well be a “gateway drug”. This could have little to do with cannabis itself, and more to do with the characteristics of the user and their circumstances. Is the individual a risk-seeker by nature? Do they get a thrill out of experimenting with new things? Do they have a history of trauma, abuse, or mental illness?
Is Marijuana Good For You?
The notion that marijuana is “good for you” became popular at around the time it was legalized for medical use. After all, if something can be used as a medicine, it must be good, right?
There are a couple of concerns with this line of thinking. First, there are hundreds of strains of marijuana out there, and each one is unique in the effects it creates. Certain strains of marijuana can help with the management of specific medical conditions. But marijuana in general should not be regarded as an elixir of good health.
Second, just because something is medicine, that doesn’t mean it should be used at will. The current opioid crisis is evidence of that: medications that have legitimate medical use can quickly become abused substances.
A Word About The Data
It has been said many times that “there are lies, damned lies, and statistics”. Every set of numbers has to be analysed in the context of when and under what circumstances the data was gathered. In this case, what we have to bear in mind is that the data is still very new. Cannabis was only legalized in Canada in October of 2018 – less than three years prior to the writing of this article. As data continues to accumulate over time, a picture very different to the one presented here may emerge.
Statistics relating to addiction are particularly difficult to gather and assess, because there is often a delayed effect. Someone may report using a substance today, but only acknowledge being addicted to that substance a year from now. What this means is that someone could enter a rehab program this year for a marijuana addiction that predates cannabis legalization. By the same token, the addictions that have started since legalization may not be reflected in any numbers for months or years.
Could Stigma Impact The Stats?
There is also a very real possibility that the numbers are being underreported. Significant percentages of people would not tell family members, friends, or coworkers about a mental health or addiction problem, and this does suggest that some people may not answer survey questions about these subjects completely honestly. It is important to continue the work of reducing the stigmas surrounding mental health and addictions, not only for the sake of gathering data, but so the proper help can get to the people who need it.
What Are The Next Steps?
What we need to do is continue collecting data. While it seems a little cold to reduce a human problem to stark numbers, it is important to gather the data so we can understand the extent of any issue.
At the same time, the human beings are more important than the numbers, and we need to ensure that people who need help for marijuana addiction are able to get it. At 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, we create addiction rehab programs that are tailored for each individual, and we encourage anyone who is concerned about themselves or a loved one to contact us.
Few substances have cultural, religious, and social significance in the same way alcohol does. Since the beginning of time, alcohol has been a cornerstone of celebrations and ceremonies. It has been regarded as an indicator of wealth in some societies, and one of poverty in others. Some religions ban alcohol consumption; in others, it is an integral part of worship.
Given that alcohol has been an integral part of life for so many generations, it is perhaps not surprising that it is the most commonly abused substance in most parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is responsible for around three million deaths worldwide every year.
Here in Canada, it is estimated that over 20% of people who consume alcohol do so in excess of low-risk drinking guidelines. Substance abuse in Canada costs around $46 billion per year: alcohol and tobacco account for 63% of this amount.
But the true cost of alcohol abuse and addiction goes far beyond a dollar amount. People caught in the grip of an alcohol addiction are at risk of losing their relationships, their health, and even their lives.
What Is The Difference Between Alcohol Abuse And Alcohol Addiction?
Although the terms “alcohol abuse” and “alcohol addiction” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are two distinct conditions.
According to the American Psychological Association, alcohol abuse is a pattern of alcohol consumption that has “significant and recurrent adverse consequences”. These consequences can manifest in many ways: acting violently or dangerously while under the influence; failing to meet work or family obligations; being pulled over for impaired driving.
Alcohol addiction, on the other hand, is a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. Some signs that you may have an alcohol addiction include the following:
You feel as if you need alcohol in order to function
You consume ever-increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effects
When you do not have access to alcohol, you suffer from intense withdrawal symptoms and cravings
You consume alcohol at inappropriate times – for example, first thing in the morning, while driving, or while at work
You are unable to stop drinking once you start, in spite of wanting to
While many people do suffer from both alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, this is not always the case. Many people who abuse alcohol are not addicted: they may drink excessively but limit this behaviour to certain days, or specific social gatherings. They do not rely on alcohol to get them through their day. However, if you do abuse alcohol, you are at higher risk of developing an alcohol addiction at some point during your life. An alcohol rehab program can help you, whether you abuse alcohol, are addicted to it, or both.
What Factors Contribute To Alcohol Abuse And Addiction?
It should not come as a surprise that alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the world. Many societies are set up in a way that makes excessive alcohol use not only easy or acceptable, but desirable.
A Friendly Neighbourhood Liquor Outlet For Everyone
In Ontario alone, there are almost 900 LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) stores and convenience outlets. Additionally, wine and beer can now be purchased at more than 300 grocery stores across the province. While most liquor retailers do their best to follow safe alcohol sale guidelines, such as checking IDs to verify age, and refusing to sell to individuals who appear to be intoxicated, no system is perfect. One method by which people with alcohol use disorders hide their addictions is by purchasing from several liquor retailers in rotation. The sheer availability of retailers makes this very easy.
A Society That Celebrates Drinking
But while availability of alcohol might make life logistically easier for people with alcohol addictions, societal attitudes are more of a problem. People are often pressured to drink alcohol at social gatherings. If they decline, they are referred to as “party poopers”, or persuaded to have “just one”. Meanwhile, those who drink to excess are seen as “the life of the party”. This perpetuates the notion that one must drink alcohol in order to have a good time, and this could result on people drinking in spite of not really wanting to. After all, no one wants to go to a party and be regarded as “boring”.
An Escape From Stress
For many people, alcohol is an escape. Sometimes people need ways to cope with the stress of major life events, like job loss or spousal separation. Sometimes, alcohol provides a way to avoid the lasting effects of trauma that has been witnessed or experienced. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) estimates that people with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety and PTSD are twice as likely as the general population to develop substance use disorders. With mental health stigmas still alive and well, many people are hesitant to seek the help they need, and they may fall into alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism.
What Are The Effects Of Alcohol Abuse And Addiction?
Like many substance use disorders, alcohol addiction can have far-reaching effects.
Physical And Mental Health
The World Health Organization states that harmful alcohol use – whether as a one-time occurrence or as an alcohol consumption pattern – can cause over 200 physical and mental health conditions. These include various cancers, liver disease, stroke, digestive complaints, depression, anxiety, and psychosis. In addition, people who are alcohol impaired are more likely to engage in behaviours that could result in injury or death, such as impaired driving.
One of the most dangerous elements of alcohol addiction is the effects of withdrawal. For people who have been consuming large amounts of alcohol for an extended period of time, unsupervised withdrawal can lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and seizures. Delirium tremens, often referred to simply as “the DTs” is a serious seizure condition that can be fatal.
Relationships
Alcohol abuse and addiction can result in the erosion of relationships with family members and close friends. This happens for several reasons, one of them being the fact that alcohol abuse can make a person behave aggressively. Many incidents of domestic violence begin with excessive alcohol consumption, and it doesn’t take long for family members to fear the person who is drinking.
But even in the absence of domestic violence, relationships can suffer. The person with the alcohol addiction may start to withdraw, favouring alcohol use over other activities. Combined with the deception of trying to hide the addiction, this can alienate family members. Many marriages have broken up due to alcohol addiction; many children have been removed from parents for whom alcohol use had taken precedence over family.
Finances
There are two elements to this one. First, alcohol doesn’t come free, and for people with an addiction, it is a necessary expense. Progressively larger amounts of alcohol need to be consumed in order to achieve the same effects, and it can easily get to the point where the addicted person has to choose between buying liquor or putting food on their table.
Secondly, excessive alcohol consumption often goes hand-in-hand with erratic behaviour. The addicted person might start showing up late or not at all. They may drink while at work, and this can affect work performance and interactions with coworkers and customers. Eventually, the individual may lose their job.
How To Get Help
If you feel that you are experiencing an alcohol abuse or addiction problem, or if you are concerned about someone you love, help is available. It is strongly recommended that you enter a medically supervised detox program, since withdrawal from alcohol can be extremely dangerous if attempted alone. At Thousand Islands Rehab Centre, we will get you through your withdrawal safely, and then we will design a comprehensive alcohol addiction rehab program that is tailored for your needs and circumstances. To get started, call us at 855-929-4045.
Many people think of substance abuse as being an expensive undertaking, accessible only to those who have some way, however unethical, of getting their hands on large amounts of cash. But there is a category of substance abuse that involves ordinary household products that are available for a few dollars at any grocery or hardware store: inhalants.
What makes inhalant so pervasive is that it is accessible to almost everybody. The products can be purchased without restriction by people of all ages. There is no minimum age as there is with alcohol and tobacco. No prescription is needed as is the case with opioids. These factors make inhalants a common substance of abuse among people who don’t have access to money, such as homeless people and children.
According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), most people in Canada who use inhalants are between 10 and 16 years of age. In 2011, 5.6% of Ontario students in Grades 7-12 reported having used solvents or glue at least once during the previous year.
What Are Inhalants?
Inhalants are volatile substances that are commonly found in common household or DIY products. As the name suggests, they are usually ingested through inhalation. They can produce a psychoactive effect similar to what one experiences through alcohol consumption. Since inhalants include products with a vast array of ingredients, they can affect people in many different ways.
The sheer volume of inhalant products makes it difficult to categorize them. One of the more common methods of classification centres around the form of the product. The four general categories are solvents, gases, aerosols, and nitrites.
Volatile Solvents
Volatile solvents are liquids that vaporize at room temperature. They are found in products like paint, paint thinner, gasoline, glue, and many household cleaning liquids.
Gases
Several household products come in gaseous form that can be abused. These include refrigerants, propane barbecue tanks, butane lighters, and whipped cream dispensers.
Aerosols
As the name suggests, aerosol products are those that are typically used by being sprayed from a can. They include hairspray, deodorant, cooking spray and spray paint.
Nitrites
Nitrites are used mostly in the medical and dental fields, but they can still be found in a few household items such as video head cleaner and leather cleaner. Unlike other inhalants that directly affect the central nervous system, nitrites dilate the blood vessels.
How Are Inhalants Ingested?
The method of ingestion depends on the substance. As with many substances that are abused, the danger lies not only in the substance itself, but in how it is taken.
Sniffing
Some products can be ingested with very little effort. The user simply opens the jar or bottle and holds it up to their nose while inhaling deeply. The chemicals can damage the nasal cavities through burning and inflammation.
Bagging
This extremely hazardous practice involves spraying an aerosol substance into a plastic bag, which is then placed over the head. Bagging creates a significant risk of suffocation: as the user starts to experience the effects of the substance, they may suffer a loss of motor skills that renders them incapable of removing the bag.
Huffing
A liquid substance is poured over a cloth or rag, soaking it completely. The cloth is then put into the mouth, putting the user at risk of asphyxiation.
What Are The Dangers Of Inhalants?
The effects of inhalants can be felt within moments of ingestion. Since they are inhaled, they enter the bloodstream through the lungs, and they quickly travel to the brain and other organs. The immediate effects of inhalants that can happen with each use include the following:
Poor motor functioning, slowed reflexes, and loss of coordination
Mood swings, ranging from irritability to euphoria
Hallucinations
Excitability and impulsive behaviour
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness, light-headedness, and headaches
Slurred speech
Drowsiness and loss of consciousness
These effects are short-lived, usually lasting for a few minutes. People who use inhalants will frequently do so several times over the course of a few hours in hopes of prolonging the high. Each successive use of the substance exacerbates the effects, putting the user at increasingly higher risk.
Can The Use Of Inhalants Cause Death?
The dangers of inhalant abuse are sometimes overlooked, possibly because many people don’t automatically associate household products with substance abuse. Most instances of accidental ingestion are dealt with swiftly, and they involve relatively small amounts of the product.
However, even a single case of intentional inhalant use can lead to death in any one of the following ways:
Sudden sniffing death. The chemicals in the products can lead to a rapid and/or irregular heartbeat, which in turn can result in cardiac arrest.
Choking. One of the common effects of inhalant use is nausea and vomiting, paired with a loss of consciousness. This can result in the user choking to death as a result of not being able to move to a safer position.
Asphyxiation. Putting solvent-soaked rags into the mouth can result in asphyxiation. In addition, high concentrations of inhaled fumes displace oxygen in the lungs, resulting in asphyxiation, regardless of the method of ingestion.
Suffocation. When fumes are inhaled from a plastic bag placed over the head, the user can suffocate. A loss of motor skills and coordination can prevent the user from being able to remove the plastic bag in time.
Carbon monoxide poisoning. Some solvents are converted to carbon monoxide, which is toxic to humans.
Accidental injury. Because inhalant use can lead to dizziness, impaired coordination, and slowed reflexes, the user is more prone to accidental death from motor vehicle accidents and other incidents.
Long-Term Effects Of Inhalants
Prolonged frequent use of inhalants can lead to significant long-term consequences, including the following:
Some volatile solvents can damage the myelin sheath – the protective coating surrounding nerve fibres. This can lead to nervous system damage that looks clinically similar to that seen in conditions like multiple sclerosis.
The user may experience cognitive decline ranging from mild impairment to severe dementia.
Due to the efficient means of ingestion, prolonged use of inhalants can have long-term effects on the organs, including the heart, lungs and liver.
Bone marrow can become damaged, and this can interfere with the body’s ability to produce red blood cells, putting the user at higher risk of developing conditions like anemia and leukemia.
Use Of Inhalants During Pregnancy
Although the use of inhalants during pregnancy has not been sufficiently studied in humans, animal studies suggest that some inhalant substances can result in low birth weight and delayed neurological development in babies.
How Can I Stop Using Inhalants?
Many people become psychologically dependent on inhalants, meaning they experience strong cravings after a period of abstinence. However, the physical dependence is low, which means withdrawal symptoms, while uncomfortable, are not life-threatening.
The symptoms of inhalant withdrawal include anxiety, headaches, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, hand tremors, and mood swings.
Although these symptoms may be mild, quitting inhalant use can still be a challenge. If you are caught in a cycle of inhalant abuse, it is important that you seek help. Most addictions have their roots in other causes, and by joining an intensive rehab program, those underlying issues can be explored and understood. At 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, we will create an addiction rehab program that is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Contact us today to start your journey to a better life.
Opioid addiction in Canada has many faces. It is Benjamin, who was prescribed opioids for dental pain and then discovered that they helped him cope with the memories of childhood trauma. It is Greg, who woke up one morning and found his wife dead from an accidental fentanyl overdose. It is Sean, who turned to alcohol and opiates when he lost his pregnant girlfriend in a drowning accident.
The tragedy of opioid addiction is woven through the stories of those who are addicted, the loved ones who are supporting them, and the doctors and social workers who are trying to help them. Some of these stories – including those mentioned above – have been compiled in The Opioid Chapters, a project that attempts to shed light on the humanity of a crisis that is often reduced to statistics.
A Double-Edged Crisis
Addiction to prescription opioids is not as simple to analyze as addictions to other substances. It is easy for us to say that street drugs like heroin and cocaine destroy lives. And this is true: there is no circumstance in which using these drugs contributes to a person’s overall state of health and wellness.
The same cannot be said of prescription opioids, because when used in accordance with medical guidelines, these can provide significant quality of life to people who would otherwise have none. What this means is that society has to strike a balance between solving the opioid addiction crisis and ensuring that the people who need to use the drug for legitimate medical purposes have access to it.
When Does Medicine Become A Drug?
The term “opioids” is generally used to refer to prescription medication that is used to block pain signals between the brain and the body. Opioids that are commonly prescribed include oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl. They are typically used for short term management of chronic pain, pain relief following surgery, and management of pain resulting from cancer.
The risk of addiction arises from the fact that as the medication blocks pain signals, it boosts feelings of pleasure. In an individual who is struggling with trauma memories or stress, this can be dangerous: what starts off as a pain relief medication becomes a substance that is used to help the person function mentally or emotionally.
As the individual uses the opioid medication for a longer time, they may start to increase the dosage to achieve the same effects. And as the doses and frequency of use increase, so does the risk of decreased heart rate and breathing. This can lead to death. Add other substances like alcohol into the mix, and the danger increases exponentially.
The True Cost Of Opioid Addiction
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use & Addiction (CCSA), there were over 15,000 opioid-related deaths in Canada in the years 2016-2019. Over the last five years, emergency room admissions resulting from opioid harm have increased by 27%. It is estimated that in Ontario, the number of opioid-dependent people who gave birth to babies was 16 times higher in 2014 than in 2002. Many of these babies had to be treated for neonatal withdrawal.
The human cost of opioid addiction is undeniable. In addition to the lives lost, there are the lives permanently altered by disability or illness, loss of a loved one, and the breakdown of relationships.
The Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH) estimates that mental illness and addiction costs the Canadian economy more than $50 billion per year. This includes lost productivity and the costs of healthcare and social services. With an annual amount of $3.5 billion, opioids contribute to the third biggest substance-related cost in Canada, behind alcohol and tobacco.
First, Do No Harm
The obvious answer to this crisis would seem to be, “Let’s get people the help they need.” While society should always have a goal of helping people who are vulnerable, this is not quite as simple as it sounds.
One of the problems is stigma. Although we have come a long way in terms of societal attitudes to addiction, we have not quite managed to let go of the idea that equates addiction with irresponsibility. We routinely see people with addictions being referred to as “junkies” or “deadbeats”, instead of being treated as human beings worthy of being helped.
The tragic reality is that many people who want to seek treatment for addictions hesitate for fear of being ridiculed or rejected. In a lot of cases, trauma has brought them to the point of addiction: having been hurt by some element of humanity, they do not have faith that humanity will treat them with empathy.
Another problem is access to services. Not everyone has the financial means to go to rehab. Not everyone has the option of stepping out of their lives to go into a treatment centre, and when they do, they may find that treatment centres are full.
Therefore, while it is important to ensure that as much help as possible is available for people with opioid addictions, this does not go far enough. We also need to use harm reduction strategies to protect people who use opioids from serious harm or death. Some of these strategies can also serve as a first step in a drug rehab process.
Naloxone
Freely available in most parts of Canada, naloxone is a short-acting opioid antagonist that binds to the opioid receptors, thereby preventing other opioids from binding. This can rapidly reverse the potentially fatal effects of opioid overdose, such as depressed breathing and heart rate. When given soon after possible overdose events, naloxone can save lives. It should be noted that even when naloxone is administered, the individual should receive emergency care as soon as possible, since the effects of naloxone are not long-lasting.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Unsupervised opioid withdrawal can be dangerous and uncomfortable. Individuals who want to break the hold of opioids on their lives may benefit from medication-assisted treatment, in which they are given longer-acting opioids that have less intense euphoric effects. This allows the person to start rebuilding their life while avoiding the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.
Public Education
One of the most powerful harm reduction strategies for any addiction is educating members of the community about the signs and symptoms of overdose, what to do in the event of such an emergency, and what sequence of events is set in motion when someone calls for help. A lot of people are hesitant to help those who are experiencing overdoses because they fear arrest by the police or stigmatization from family members. Humans have demonstrated over and over again that we fear what we do not understand: public education can reduce the anxiety about assisting people who need it.
Approaching Opioid Addiction Rehab With Empathy
The key to helping people with opioid addictions is empathy. Whether the situation calls for immediate harm reduction or longer term rehab, it is important for the individual to feel that they are in a safe place that is free from judgment, where they will receive the treatment they need.
If you decide that inpatient addiction rehab is the right choice for yourself or a loved one, 1000 Islands Rehab Centre will provide a healing environment, compassionate addiction treatment professionals, and a rehab program that is tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.
It is never too soon or too late to get help. Reach out to us today to begin your journey to recovery.
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.
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
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
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 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.
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
