Intervention

An intervention is a well orchestrated family meeting. During the intervention, family members and friends confront the individual with the alcohol and or substance abuse problem, in a loving caring manner. The goal is to get the afflicted individual to see how their behavior is negatively impacting both themselves and the people around them. Ultimately, the primary objective is to get the person into rehab that day or ASAP. An intervention is a structured, caring process of getting help for a person who is in denial or refuses to get help for their alcoholism or substance abuse. An intervention is a structured, solution-focused process consisting of a small group of close friends, family members or co-workers who come together in a caring and non-judgmental manner. Call us today if you need assistance with an intervention.

Alcoholism

The sustained abuse of alcohol has numerous long-term physiological effects including, but not limited to, liver damage, heart disease, brain damage, stomach and esophageal ulcers, skin problems, sexual performance problems, memory loss, vitamin deficiencies, etc. Other issues include emotional instability and irritability. Many alcoholics fail to see themselves as an alcoholic, ascribing their abuse as controllable and acceptable. That perception is compounded by the fact that alcohol is not a controlled substance (illegal), and thus generally consumed. An alcoholic is often more open to the need for treatment after injuring others or damaging property, while under the influence. For the long-term abusing alcoholic, alcohol detox is often required, prior to entering the rehabilitation phase of alcohol treatment due to the medical complications that may develop as a result of immediate cessation of alcohol ingestion.

Opiate Addiction

The primary opiates derived from opium are morphine, codeine and thebaine. These are narcotics, used for their analgesic (pain relieving) properties. Opiates act as CNS (Central Nervous System) depressants. Prolonged use of any opiates eventually changes the brain in fundamental and lasting ways, which explains why addicts cannot simply quit without professional help. This is why treatment is essential. Drugs of abuse take over the brain’s normal pleasure and motivational systems, advancing the drug use to the highest priority in the individual’s motivational hierarchy, thus overriding all other motivations and drives. These brain changes are responsible for the compulsion to seek/use drugs, which is defined as addiction.

Methamphetamine Addiction

Meth is an insidious drug. Methamphetamine acts as a dopaminergic and adrenergic reuptake inhibitor and as a sympathomimetic. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction. Methamphetamine rapidly enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving. Users of methamphetamine often take one or more benzodiazepines as a means of "coming down".

Heroin Addiction

Heroin is a synthetic opiate, derived from morphine, but 4 times as addictive. It is illegal to manufacture, distribute or possess. Heroin is very addictive and habit forming, as frequent repeated intake causes a rapid development of tolerance. It is a Schedule I narcotic drug. Heroin produces an intense ‘euphoria,’ upon intake, however, it disappears with increasing tolerance. Although the chemical structure is similar to morphine, indeed Heroin metabolizes into Morphine in the brain, and other opioids, many Heroin users claim somewhat different perceived effects, thus making it a more popular recreational drug. Heroin is taken orally, nasally, by smoking, intravenously and through other less common methods.

Detoxification from Heroin is critical, prior to commencing rehabilitation. Although detoxification itself is not a treatment for addiction, it can help relieve withdrawal symptoms while the patient adjusts to being Heroin free. Fortunately, there are a number of effective options for treating Heroin addiction. Long-term Heroin use should not be abruptly discontinued except under the supervision of an experienced physician, who can manage the withdrawal symptoms and minimize the withdrawal period.

Prescription Drug Addiction

Severe physiological and psychological effects may occur as a result of prescription drug abuse. These effects are extremely broad in scope and intensity, some of which can result in death. Many severe physiological symptoms of prescription drug abuse include respiratory depression/arrest, loss of consciousness, coma and even death. Less severe side effects include lowered heart rate, shallow respiration, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and pupil constriction, itching, and rash, among many others

Cocaine-Crack Addiction

Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours, depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Sexual interest and pleasure can be amplified. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.

With excessive dosage the drug can produce itching, tachycardia, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. Overdose causes tachyarrhythmias and a marked elevation of blood pressure. These can be life-threatening, especially if the user has existing cardiac problems.

Chronic cocaine intake may result in the following conditions: a life time risk of heart attack – cocaine abusers are 7 times more likely to suffer from heart attack than non-users!; chest pain, lung trauma, shortness of breath, sore throat, flu-like syndrome, degradation of the nasal septum cartilage, autoimmune and/or connective tissue diseases, kidney diseases and renal failure. Although these latter conditions are commonly diagnosed in chronic users, they may be caused by short term exposure in susceptible individuals.