5 Things to do to Help Someone Stay Sober

5 Things to do to Help Someone Stay Sober

Do you know someone who recently got sober after living an addictive lifestyle for many years? Maybe, you know someone who has been sober for a long time, but they are struggling to stay sober? Either way, it would be a good idea for you to learn some tips for helping them with their sobriety. Learn about 5 of the best things you can do to help your loved one or friend from here on out.

 

If you have a loved one or friend who wants to get sober, don’t hesitate to help them get in touch with the professionals here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center.

1.Acceptance is Key

If your friend or loved one was living an addictive lifestyle, but has gotten sober, they had to accept the fact they have an addiction. They aren’t able to consume any alcohol. Getting sober is difficult, but they have done it and are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle.

 

One of the best ways you can help your friend or loved one to stay sober is to accept their addiction for what it is – a health condition or a disease. It is just like someone who has heart disease or cancer. For example, people who have heart disease shouldn’t be eating foods that raise their blood pressure. Those who have cancer may need to stick to an immune-healthy diet and avoid foods that will worsen their symptoms. If your loved one or friend is living a sober lifestyle due to an alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder, they can’t drink alcoholic beverages.

 

If you can accept this, it will be much easier for you to support their recovery.

2.Substance-Free Environment

Another tip for helping your friend or loved one to stay sober is to avoid drinking or bringing alcohol around them. If this person lives in your home, it would be supportive and helpful to ban alcohol from the home. You may even want to set some ground rules such as:

  • No parties at the house
  • Visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol in the home or be under the influence of alcohol
  • Not discussions or talking about being drunk or about drinking
  • Don’t take your loved one or friend places where alcohol is served

If you can keep alcohol out of the home and be sure you don’t bring alcohol around your loved one or friend, it could help them to stay sober.

3.Be That Lending Ear

People who are in recovery need to know that their loved ones and friends support their recovering lifestyle. They need to know they have people who will listen to their feelings and thoughts, as well. If you want to help your loved one or friend to stay sober, be the lending ear they need. Some of the best ways you can do this include:

  • Answering the phone when they call
  • Visiting with them regularly in case they need someone to talk to
  • Call them on a set schedule to check in on how they are doing
  • Let them guide the conversation
  • Don’t respond until they are completely done talking
  • Do your best not to judge
  • Let them know you empathize with what they are going through

The more and better you listen to your loved one or friend, the more they are going to feel you are there to help them with their sobriety.

4.Encourage Better, Healthier Habits

When someone begins their sober lifestyle, they learn to replace addictive, negative habits with better, healthier ones. If your loved one or friend is now sober, do your best to encourage the new habits. Some of the habits that you may need to encourage or support include:

  • Cooking and eating healthy foods
  • New exercise or fitness programs/routines
  • Journaling
  • Meditation or yoga
  • Having substance-free parties
  • Going to sleep earlier

You should ask your loved one or friend what habits they are working on. After you know what habits they are developing, you can be there to support them with those habits.

5.Have Patience

If your friend or loved one is sober, it is crucial that you understand how difficult this new lifestyle can be for them. Sobriety is not a walk in the park. Whenever anyone overcomes an addictive lifestyle and abstains from alcohol or drugs, they need strength, will power and a lot of support to stay sober.

 

Knowing this, it is vital that you have patience with your loved one or friend. There might be days when they are on edge, overwhelmed or even agitated. Do your best to be supportive and understanding. The more patience you can have with them, the better it will be for their sobriety.

Support Your Loved One or Friend with Sobriety Today

You now know the best ways to help someone stay sober.

 

Do you have a friend or loved one that wants to get sober? If so, have them contact us today, here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center to get into an alcohol addiction treatment program.

 

Different Treatment Options for Addiction to Heroin

Different Treatment Options for Addiction to Heroin

Do you or a loved one have a heroin addiction? If so, it is important to know that you aren’t alone. There are many others who have struggled with this type of addiction and gotten the help they need to overcome it. You can get the support and treatment you need, as well. There are actually many different treatment options for an addiction to heroin. Your treatment plan here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness could include a range of these treatments.

Heroin Detox Program

If you have a heroin addiction, it would be a good idea to start your recovery in a heroin detox center. During this program, the nurses and doctors will help to make you more comfortable during the withdrawal process. The symptoms of withdrawal are different for everyone. However, some of the symptoms they can help to manage and reduce include:

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pains and cramping
  • Heart racing
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Cold and hot flashes
  • Vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Depression

It is highly recommended that every heroin user attend a professional detox program. The program will greatly reduce the chances of relapsing.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs

One of the heroin addiction treatment options is medication-assisted treatment. It is a program that helps to manage symptoms with medications. Many heroin users will experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms make it very difficult to get and stay clean. However, if you attend a medication-assisted treatment program you can get prescriptions to help manage and reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Over time, the doctors can wean you off these prescriptions, so you can be completely substance-free.

 

Some of the many medications that can be used during medication-assisted treatment programs include:

  • Suboxone (naloxone and buprenorphine) – helps to reverse opioid overdose
  • Buprenorphine (subutex) – helps reduce heroin cravings
  • Naltrexone – takes away pleasure from using heroin
  • Methadone – helps to wean people off from heroin

The exact medications that are used in your treatment program may vary from what other clients receive.

 

If you want to know more about any specific medication, you can reach out today to ask questions or to get more information.

Different of Therapy for Heroin Addiction

If you do have a heroin addiction, it would be a good idea to attend an inpatient treatment program. However, if there are reasons why you can’t stay in a treatment center for an extended period of time, there are also partial hospitalization and outpatient treatment programs, as well.

 

During all these treatment programs, there are various therapies offered to help manage emotions, overcome obstacles and work through other problems. Some of the many therapies you can attend include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Trauma therapy/EMDR
  • 12-step facilitation therapy
  • Adventure therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Mindfulness meditation-based therapy

Each one of these therapies offers you the opportunity to talk about your past and present issues.You can discuss recovery-related goals, learn coping skills and discuss ways to prevent a relapse.

If you would like to learn more about any of these therapies, don’t hesitate to let a member of our team know.

Treatment Program Options

As noted above, there are various treatment center programs you can attend. Some of these options include:

  • Outpatient treatment (you generally will stay in a sober living house or at home while you attend different therapies at the treatment center a couple times each week)
  • Intensive outpatient (you will likely live in the sober living home while attending therapy a few hours a day, multiple days a week)
  • Partial hospitalization (you spend most of the day at the treatment center and then go to the sober living home for the evening and nighttime hours)
  • Inpatient treatment program (you stay in the treatment center for the length of your treatment)

The treatment program that is best for you will depend on various factors. For example, if you have tried to get clean in the past, but have had multiple relapses, it may be best for you to attend an inpatient treatment program this time. If you just recently started using heroin and realize that you have a drug use problem, you might be alright attending an intensive outpatient or even outpatient program.

 

If you want to discuss which option you should choose, talk to a member of our team about your drug use history today.

Get Treatment for a Heroin Addiction

Do you have an addiction to heroin? If so, don’t wait any longer to get into a treatment program. There are so many treatment options available to you – with everything from outpatient to inpatient programs.

 

Contact us today, here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center, to get treatment for a heroin addiction.

Fentanyl has become a Major Concern in Florida

Fentanyl has become a Major Concern in Florida

While addictions are on the rise around the country, Florida is being hit pretty hard. One of the drugs that people are abusing the most is Fentanyl. Some people do have a legit prescription for the drug, but they can and often do still abuse it. Other people are buying Fentanyl from drug dealers. Some drug dealers lace the Fentanyl with other drugs which makes it even more dangerous. If you have an addiction to this drug, be sure to reach out to us here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center today to get help overcoming it.

 

So, what do you need to know about Fentanyl abuse and addictions in Florida?

Opioid Epidemic Scope in Florida

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, stated that Florida ranks in the top 5 states for total opioid overdose-related deaths in recent years. Out of all the drugs being abused, Fentanyl is near the top of the list. There are many things being done to try to fight the Fentanyl and overall opioid epidemic in this state.

Using Federal Funds to Fight Against Opioid Abuse

Unfortunately, there are already many people who have lost their lives due to a Fentanyl overdose. However, many professionals are using federal funds to try fighting against the opioid abuse epidemic. In fact, there is a program called the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants that helps to fund opioid addiction education and treatment expansions. Some of the things being taught and offered in these programs include:

  • Advancing alternative pain management education efforts
  • Improving public health surveillance
  • Improving and expanding treatment and recovery service options
  • Making overdose-reversing drugs available to more of the public
  • Supporting research to help further fight the opioid epidemic

If you have an addiction to Fentanyl or you want to learn about treatment options to help a loved one fight this type of addiction, the Harmony Stuart team can help. We can discuss a potential treatment plan with you, as well.

First Responders Use Naloxone to Save Lives

Since the Fentanyl abuse epidemic is on the rise in Florida, it is more important than ever for first responders to have access to life-saving drugs such as naloxone. Federal funds are being used to help provide more of this drug to hospitals and first responders around the state.

 

Naloxone, or Narcan, comes in various forms including a nasal spray which is often administered when first responders arrive at a scene where someone has overdosed. It can be used to reverse the effects of many drug overdoses such as those with:

  • Prescription pain medications
  • Morphine
  • Heroin
  • Fentanyl
  • Other opioids

In some communities, naloxone is even available to the general public. If you have a loved one or friend who has a Fentanyl addiction, you may want to find out if naloxone is available in your community. It could help to save your loved one’s life.

 

If someone you know has survived an overdose, talk to them about the treatment programs they can attend. Let them know that you will support them throughout their recovery journey. If they need someone to take them to the treatment center, maybe you could offer to drive them there, as well.

Treatment Options for Fentanyl Addiction

Do you or someone you know have an addiction to Fentanyl? If so, it is crucial to know about the many different treatment options available to overcome this type of addiction. Some of the treatments people can receive include:

  • 12-step facilitation therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Adventure therapy
  • Medication-assisted treatment programs
  • Intensive outpatient program
  • Outpatient program
  • Inpatient program
  • Partial hospitalization program

If you are struggling with Fentanyl abuse, don’t wait any longer to get into a treatment program. The sooner you enter into one or more of these treatment options, the better chance you will have at living a successful recovering lifestyle.

 

If you want to know the specifics of any type of Fentanyl addiction treatment program, you can talk to someone here at Harmony Stuart today. We can discuss how these programs work or answer any other questions you might have about them.

Get Help for a Fentanyl Addiction Today

Anyone who is struggling with drug abuse should be able to get the help they need. If you have a Fentanyl addiction don’t be afraid to come to us here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center. We can get you into a treatment program to help you get clean and into recovery.

 

Contact us today to start receiving the help you need to fight a fentanyl addiction.

 

How to Help a Loved One with an Addiction to Opioids

How to Help a Loved One with an Addiction to Opioids

Do you have a loved one who is addicted to opioids? If so, you may notice certain personality or mood change with them. Your loved one may also have legal, financial or relationship issues.

 

Sometimes, people who struggle with an addiction are more likely to get treatment when they have family members or friends who encourage them to get treatment. If you follow the tips noted here today, maybe your loved one will enter into an opioid addiction treatment program here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center.

Opioid Addiction Education

If your loved one has an opioid addiction, one of the first things you should do is learn more about this type of addiction. There are many things that can cause someone to abuse opioids. There are also many triggers that can lead to drug use. These are just a couple of the things that you may need to learn about, so you can better help your loved one. After learning about these things, you may want to learn about the various treatment options available to your loved one.

Observing Your Loved One

Another way that you can help your loved one if they have an opioid addiction is to observe them. Some of the things you should look for include:

  • Mood swings
  • Drug abuse habits
  • Symptoms of addiction
  • Relationship issues
  • Withdrawal symptoms

After observing your loved one for a while, you can learn more about their lifestyle and what drugs they may be abusing. The more information you have, the more you will be able to discuss with them about the addiction and what treatments may be best for them.

Intervention

Many people who struggle with opioid addiction won’t get clean on their own. They often need their loved ones or friends to talk to them about how they are behaving. Sometimes, ultimatums need to be given before a person will agree to enter a treatment program. If needed, you can even have an intervention specialist help with the intervention for your loved one. The purpose of this meeting is to have everyone share how the addiction is affecting them and to let your loved one know they need to get treatment.

 

It is crucial to make sure your loved one isn’t under the influence of drugs while holding the intervention. Everyone who is attending the intervention should be clean, as well.

Using Naloxone

Unfortunately, many people who abuse opioids do overdose on the drug. Even though you may not want to think about it, it is imperative that you are prepared for an overdose. If your loved one does overdose, you should be able to administer naloxone right away. The longer you wait, the less likely it is that your loved one will survive the overdose.

 

If you did have to use naloxone on your loved one, it is still important that they get immediate medical treatment. There may be other symptoms of the overdose that need to be managed and treated.

Supporting Them in Treatment and Recovery

If your loved one has an addiction to opioids and they agree to get help, it is important to support them as much as you can throughout their treatment program and in their recovery, as well. Some of the many ways you can support them include:

  • Don’t take any prescriptions or drugs in front of them
  • Don’t take them to places where drugs or alcohol are being used
  • Let them vent or talk to you about anything they are going through
  • Attend meetings with them and go to meetings for family members of addicts on your own
  • Create a calm, peaceful home environment
  • Do activities with them that don’t involve drugs or alcohol
  • Visit them if they are staying at a treatment center (there are often visitor hours)
  • Attend family therapy to work through relationship and trust issues with your loved one

These are just some of the many ways that you can be there for your loved one if they have an opioid addiction. If you want to know more about the treatments your loved one will be receiving, you can talk to our Harmony Stuart team.

Get Help for a Loved One Who Has an Addiction to Opioids Today

Does your loved one have an opioid addiction? If so, there are numerous ways that you can help and support them. From learning about opioid addiction to holding an intervention and offering support in recovery, you can be there to help your loved one in each part of the journey to living a better, substance-free life.

Contact us today to help your loved one get treatment for an opioid addiction.

Klonopin Addiction Treatment & Recovery in Florida

Klonopin Addiction Treatment & Recovery in Florida

Do I Need Rehab for Klonopin Addiction?

This is a fair question. Klonopin is a prescribed medication, so it is easy for people to see it as safe. The fact is that Klonopin addiction is a widespread problem in the U.S. While Klonopin can be safe and effective when used exactly as prescribed by a doctor, it is habit-forming. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine, which is a class of sedatives commonly prescribed for anxiety. Benzodiazepines are also one of only three categories of drugs with potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.

The other two are alcohol and barbiturates. Even someone with a prescription for Klonopin can fall prey to Klonopin addiction. Sometimes people increase their medication against doctors’ orders because they feel the dose is no longer adequately controlling their symptoms. Others might discover they like the euphoric side effects when they take extra medication or combine their medication with alcohol or other intoxicants.

Signs You May Need Help for Klonopin Dependence

  • Running out of medication before you can refill a prescription.
  • Seeking to “boost” the effect of your medication by combining it with alcohol or other intoxicants.
  • Stealing medication or money to buy drugs from other people.
  • Substituting any mind or mood-altering substance for Klonopin.
  • Taking unprescribed Klonopin.
  • Other Klonopin addiction symptoms, like feeling unwell before you take the medication.

Getting Help for Klonopin Addiction in Florida

However, you ended up here, you’re here. It’s not important whether or not you have a Klonopin prescription or if your Klonopin addiction is a result of pills you bought off the street or got from a friend. What matters is that you’ve recognized you have a problem and you want help. That’s tremendous in fact. Believe it or not, the biggest obstacle to early recovery is usually denial or unwillingness to stop and get help. If you’re even part of the way past denial and reluctance, then you’re doing great! The next step is planning for treatment. Klonopin dependence will generally require a medical detox. You come off the Klonopin under medical supervision. They use medications to make you comfortable and control any withdrawal symptoms.

A Note About Benzodiazepine Detox

Note, you must never try to detox yourself off Klonopin at home without medical supervision. Even under controlled conditions, there can be some discomfort but a detox can monitor you and respond to any withdrawal symptoms as they appear. If you were to attempt a home detox, you would not have the advantage of detox medications and the careful eye of doctors and nurses. Klonopin withdrawal can result in anxiety and seizures. Like alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal, these seizures can be potentially fatal. We tell you this not to alarm you, but to impress upon you the importance of medical detox for Klonopin dependence.

Why You Should Consider Treatment for Klonopin Addiction 

As mentioned above, it’s dangerous to try and detox yourself off any benzodiazepine like Klonopin. It must be under medical supervision. But what about after detox? The question then becomes how to do you keep from picking it up again. If you had a prescription, your doctor should be fully aware that you had a problem with it so they can prescribe you a non-narcotic alternative if needed. However, there is still a risk of relapse. That risk is usually greatest in early recovery.

This is why detox for Klonopin addiction symptoms is so important. It’s also why to follow-up treatment after detox is critical if you want lasting recovery. Very few people can simply detox for a week or two and then go back to life as usual without relapse. Those are the facts. People who attend addiction treatment for benzos are far more likely to be drug-free 6 months to a year later or more. There’s no reason to try and buck the odds when excellent help is available to you.

Conclusion 

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers high-quality evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, including benzo addiction. All of Harmony Recovery Group’s facilities are gold standard institutions with excellent reputations for patient care. You are welcome to contact us directly at (772) 247-6180 or reach out to us via our contact page here.

Finding Crack Rehab Near Me in Florida

crack rehab

 I Might Need Crack Rehab, What Do I Do?

Something finally clicked for you. You realize you need crack rehab or you’re never going to get out of this downward spiral you’re stuck in. As low as you might feel right now, this is something to feel good about. You were ready enough for help that you searched for it online. That shows willingness and willingness is the first key to unlocking recovery. People do recover from crack cocaine addiction and go on to live happy lives. Believe that. We’ve seem thousands of them pass through our doors here at Harmony Treatment and Wellness.

Crack rehab works, as long as you can follow directions and you’re willing. It isn’t going to just be you and your willpower against the crack anymore. That doesn’t work. We all know it. Trying to ‘white knuckle’ it through cravings while you drive through that neighborhood DOES NOT WORK. Trying some “controlled drinking, but I just won’t pick up the crack”. Yeah, that doesn’t work either. You know this. If you thought you could just muscle through it, you wouldn’t be searching for crack rehab on the Internet right now, would you?

 

OK, I Think I’m Ready for Crack Addiction Rehab. What’s Next?

You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘strike while the iron is hot’. It means do not let an opportunity pass you by. Never take it for granted, because you don’t know when or if it will ever be back. If you think you’re ready for treatment right now, in this moment, that is a precious thing. Don’t throw it away. That little spark of willingness and hope you have right now just might save your life. Run with it. Don’t overthink this. Don’t worry about the rest of your life, let’s focus on the next 24-hours, okay?  Get a pen and some paper and write this down. Here is what you’re going to do:

  1. Write down 5 reasons why you want to get sober right now.
  2. Now write down 5 bad things that will probably happen if you DON’T go to crack rehab.
  3. Make a list of people who you believe would support you in your recovery. Names and phone numbers.
  4. Find a Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous meeting online or near you and commit to making ONE meeting.
  5. Get your driver’s license or photo ID, and health insurance card if you have one.
  6. Call Harmony Treatment and Wellness at (772) 247-6180

That’s just SIX things. Make a promise to yourself that you will get all 6 of them done in the next 24 hours. We promise if you do, you will be in a better position than you are right now. Recovery isn’t about figuring out how to stay sober for the rest of your life all at once. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other. Every person who ever went to crack rehab and has a successful like in.

 

Someone I Love Needs Crack Rehab

Watching someone you love wrestle with crack cocaine addiction is incredibly painful. It’s like watching a train derail in slow motion, over and over again. You can see the disaster about to unfold every time, but you feel powerless to stop it. We are here to tell you that, yes, it is painful, but you are not completely powerless. You can’t recover for someone else. You can’t make them willing. What you can do is love them. Let them know you are ready to help the minute they want it. Do not enable them or act co-dependently. If you don’t know about enabling and co-dependency it is absolutely CRITICAL that you learn. Countering those behaviors in yourself is one of the best things you can do to help. The second important thing you can do to help is to be ready to get the person into crack rehab the moment they show willingness.

 

Tips On Helping an Addicted Loved One 

  • Be available to listen without judgement, as much as you are able.
  • Do NOT enable them or behave co-dependently. As much as you are able, avoid these behaviors.
  • Let them know that you are ready to help them the moment they are ready.
  • Have a plan. What will you do if they call and say they want to go to crack rehab?
  • Contact a treatment center like Harmony Treatment and Wellness in advance and know if your loved one can admit there.

Conclusion

Here’s what we know: Crack rehab works. You came here because you’re looking for crack addiction rehab, either for yourself or someone you care about. Getting help for crack cocaine addiction is easier than most people think and millions have recovered from it successfully. The situation can seem overwhelming though. The best thing to do when you’re faced with a challenge is to get help and follow a plan. Keep it simple. Take care of one thing at a time and don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Don’t dwell in the past and avoid worrying about the future as much as you can. Just do the next thing that’s right in front of you. You are welcome to contact Harmony Treatment and Wellness at (772) 247-6180 for help with crack addiction or anything else

What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco?

What is the difference between Lortab and Norco?

So, What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco exactly?

 

If you take pain medication, you may have asked yourself what is the difference between Lortab and Norco? Understanding prescription medications, their differences and potential interactions is important. Especially when controlled substances like opioids are involved. This article from Harmony Treatment and Wellness will help you understand the difference between Lortab and Norco and why it matters.

The first thing you should know is that nearly every prescription medication has a “common” name and a brand name. The common name is the active ingredient in the brand name. It often becomes the generic name for the medicine when a generic becomes available. This can confuse people sometimes. This article aims to clear up that confusion for you.

 

What’s the Difference Between Name Brand and Generic Opioid Pain Meds?

 

This question could be the topic for its own article. For the purposes of this piece, we’ll keep it simple. Pretty much every pharmaceutical drug begins as a name brand product. Drug companies spend billions every year on researching and developing new medications. One of the ways they recoup these costs (and turn a profit) is selling the medication. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all prescription medications. Companies hold a patent on any new medication they introduce That allows them to be the only one who can sell that particular drug for a period of time. That period of time varies, but it can be as long as 20 years.

You may have noticed many new medications are only available in the brand name form. This is usually because the patent has not expired yet. Once a patent expires, other companies are free to make their own versions of the same drug. These may include a generic version. These medications must have the same active ingredient as the name brand, that is the medicine part. The rest of the medication can vary. That includes things like fillers, coatings, color, flavor and so forth. When you ask what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, that last sentence is your answer.

 

OK, That’s Interesting, But What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco?

 

Lortab and Norco are both formulations which include hydrocodone as the primary active ingredient. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication. What is Lortab? Well, both medications have acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) as a secondary ingredient. The rest of each table (the inactive ingredients) may vary, but that has little bearing on the effect of the medicine. In the United States, hydrocodone is always combined with another non-narcotic pain medication. Acetaminophen he most common choice by far. Some less common hydrocodone compounds may include ibuprofen (Advil) or even aspirin instead.

 

If you want to know what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, it helps to be familiar with the medications in this category. The only practical difference between them is the fillers and form the come in.

 

These are all examples of prescription drugs that include hydrocodone and acetaminophen as the active ingredients.

  • Vicodin
  • Lortab
  • Norco
  • Lorcet
  • Xodol

 

As mentioned, there are also some much less common medications that combine hydrocodone with a different ingredient.

 

Here are some examples of drugs that include hydrocodone and something other than acetaminophen:

  • Ibudone (hydrocodone and ibuprofen)
  • Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen)
  • Hycodan (hydrocodone and homatropine)
  • Rezira (hydrocodone and pseudoephedrine)
  • Tussionex (hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine)

 

More About What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco?

 

Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Lorcet and Xodol are all medications that combine hydrocodone and acetaminophen. They are just brand names used by different drug companies for pretty much the same medicine. Each version will include a number which tells you how much of each active ingredient each tablet contains. For example, a Norco 325/10 has 325 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen and 10 mg of hydrocodone. A Lortab 10 mg – 325 mg tablet has…you guessed it. 325 mg of acetaminophen and 10 mg of hydrocodone. Can you guess what’s in a Vicodin 5 mg / 500 mg? The smaller number is always the hydrocodone.

 

Conclusion

 

If you’re still wondering what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, the answer is ‘not much’. They are different brands of essentially the same thing. The filler ingredients will vary a bit. The size, shape and color of the tablets will vary too. But for all intents and purposes a 10/325 Lortab and a 10/325 Norco are going to produce the same effect. Lortab and Norco both contain hydrocodone which is an opioid. That means they are controlled substances with a high potential for addiction.

If you or someone you love is struggling with their use of any controlled substance, Harmony Treatment and Wellness can help. Give us a call at (772) 247-6180 or reach out to us via our contact page here.

What Type of Drug is Xanax?

what-type-of-drug-is-xanax

Xanax And Other Types Of Benzodiazepine Drugs

Xanax (alprazolam) belongs to a type of drug called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines (benzos or BZDs) are  prescribed for various kinds of anxiety. Benzos are effective. But benzos are also addictive. And they can become so very quickly. Benzos work. But for some people, they work a little too well. Xanax addiction can be overcome. But it takes patience, dedication, and proper protocol.

In this blog, Harmony Stuart will help you to:

  • Gain knowledge of what benzos are
  • Explain why benzos like Xanax are so addictive
  • Understand how to overcome Xanax addiction
  • Treatment options without drugs
  • How to get help for types of drugs like Xanax

 

Gain Knowledge Of What Benzos Are

Doctors mainly prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety disorders. Some scientific evidence also suggests that benzos may help people withdrawing from alcohol. Benzos work by slowing down certain processes in the brain and body. They take effect almost immediately. This attribute also tends to make them addictive.

GABA

Our brain make chemicals that regulate our bodies. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. They influence our appetites, how we think, how active we are. They impact how we understand the world and conduct ourselves in it. One such neurotransmitter is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This means it inhibits. It slows things down. GABA keeps the inner workings of our bodies from happening too fast. In the case of anxiety, our thoughts race. Our heart rates elevate. And our blood pressure increases. GABA helps keep these things under control.

GABA And Benzos

Benzos (like Xanax) increase the amount of GABA in the brain. For someone suffering from anxiety, this helps them calm down. Their brain balances out what’s happening inside them. This makes them feel more stable and grounded.

Explaining Why Benzos Like Xanax Are So Addictive

Some medications will gradually make changes. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) must usually be taken for a few weeks before a person notices a difference. But benzos can affect a person after a single dose. In fact, benzos are so addictive that a person can experience withdrawal after only 3-4 weeks of use.

Withdrawal is connected to dependence. If a dependent person stops consuming a drug, they experience withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms occur, then the person has become dependent. So, a person can become dependent on benzos in less than a month. This means that a person suffering from Xanax addiction cannot function without Xanax. And what’s worse, benzo withdrawal symptoms can be fatal.

Understanding How To Overcome Xanax Addiction

The best way to overcome Xanax addiction is to prevent it in the first place. Use Xanax (or other benzo) for a short period of time. Make appropriate lifestyle changes to address the sources of anxiety. Then, phase out the Xanax. It’s always easier to prevent an addiction than it is to react to one. That said, below you will find some practical strategies to overcome benzo addiction.

Tapering

Quitting benzos cold turkey is not advisable. Doing so can cause one to slip into benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BWS). BWS symptoms can cripple one’s life. And as mentioned above, BWS can be fatal.

A key method for avoiding BWS is tapering. Rather than simply quitting, tapering slowly decreases one’s dose. Tapering slightly lowers one’s BZD dosage over an extended period of time. This allows the body to acclimate itself to a lower dose, without producing withdrawal symptoms.

Use Different Medications

Several benzo alternatives exist. They do not produce effects as immediately as benzos. Rather, some of these meds build up gradually in one’s body. For example, most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) need several weeks to help combat anxiety. The advantage to this is that they are less habit-forming than benzos.

Alternatives to benzos include:

Treatment Options Without Drugs

Medications can become invaluable to recovery. But, they are only one tool. We must not rely too heavily on medications to help us. Other methods for dealing with Xanax addiction will also help us. Therapy helps people become conscious of underlying problems. Once they have this awareness, they can begin making changes to their internal lives.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) helps us develop and integrate our thoughts. We learn to practice mindful awareness of what we think. Next, we learn how to make progress in spite of stress. Then, we acquaint ourselves with healthy emotional patterns. Finally, we become fluent in articulating our emotions.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has also shown effective in treating benzo addiction. CBT helps us to audit our own thoughts. Rather than taking them for granted, we question and evaluate them for truth. This keeps our thoughts from asserting control over us.

Speak With Your Treatment Provider

DBT and CBT are only two examples of nonmedicinal treatment options for Xanax addiction. Speak with your treatment provider to find out more.

How To Get Help For Types Of Drugs Like Xanax

Xanax, and other types of benzodiazepines, have a high potential for addiction. If you or someone you love struggles with benzodiazepine addiction, call or contact Harmony Stuart today.

The Physical Effects of Alcohol

The physical effects of alcohol can be dangerous.

The Physical Effects of Alcohol Explained

Alcoholism is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. To better understand the physical effects of alcohol, it is vital to know how alcoholism starts and progresses.

Alcohol can cause mental and physical addiction. Sometimes, there are fatal consequences as a result of consuming alcohol. Alcohol affects some aspects of a person’s life, including finances, legal, relationships, and personal life.

A dependence upon alcohol should always be taken seriously.

 

Early Stages of Alcoholism

Consuming alcohol is common in the United States. Most people have had at least one alcoholic beverage in their life. Some will drink moderately. Others may binge drink or begin to drink alcoholically. Heavy drinking does not always indicate alcoholism however. A person also does not need to down half a bottle of scotch or more every night to be an alcoholic.

Alcohol impacts a person’s judgment quickly. For some people, just one alcoholic beverage can affect their ability to make healthy decisions. Almost everyone who has an alcohol use disorder diagnosis began their drinking safely.

How Does Alcoholism Start?

What can cause someone to become an alcoholic? The shift from normal drinking to alcoholism generally happens when someone changes why or how they consume alcohol. For example, someone might go from drinking with their friends to drinking to relieve pain. When the change occurs, there is usually an increase in cravings. From there, the person will likely start drinking more and more.

It has as much to do with their relationship with alcohol as it does behavior. A true alcoholic will not put down the drink in the face of consequences. Many people drink to excess in college for example. Someone who binge drinks in college may be exhibiting an alcohol use disorder at the time, but if that person is able to simply quit on their own or cut back substantially and drink only lightly after that, then that person isn’t typically what you’d call and alcoholic.

Many people don’t get the effects they are looking for when drinking alcohol, so they turn to harder liquor or increase their alcohol intake. A lot of people that struggle with alcohol abuse slowly increase the amount they drink. When someone drinks a lot of alcohol, especially for a longer time, they will likely start experiencing the physical effects of alcohol use.

If someone doesn’t get addiction rehab help, the physical effects could cause significant health issues. Alcoholism could take their life via drunk driving or deterioration of body organs, as well.

 

Immediate Effects from Abusing Alcohol

Alcohol can consume a person’s life. It can lead to severe health issues. Some of the health issues will take longer to develop. However, other effects can happen right after someone starts drinking.

Some immediate effects from abusing alcohol include:

  • Getting into an accident or having an injury
  • Having an arrest for reckless or irresponsible behavior
  • Higher chance of engaging in risky sexual behaviors
  • Relationship damage
  • Severe dehydration
  • Blackouts
  • Damage to fetus
  • Alcohol poisoning

These are just some immediate effects of abusing alcohol. Some long-term effects could occur with alcoholism, as well.

 

Long-Term Physical Effects of Alcohol Abuse

If someone keeps abusing alcohol for longer, they will start experiencing more severe health effects. In addition to the effects above, long-term abuse of alcohol can lead to:

  • High risk of neurological issues
  • Increased risk of having a stroke
  • Digestion issues
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Cancer
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased risk of developing mental health issues
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Alcoholic hepatitis
  • Brain damage

These are just a few of the many long-term physical effects that could occur from alcohol abuse. If you or someone you know has alcohol addiction, don’t wait. Getting treatment now could help to prevent some or all of these long-term effects.

 

Other Issues Caused by Alcohol Abuse

The immediate and long-term effects above can happen to anyone.

There are some other issues caused by alcohol abuse, as well. Some of these issues may include:

  • Malnutrition
  • Higher risk of getting anemia
  • Immune system function issues
  • Higher risk of getting pancreatitis
  • Seizures

The only way for someone to fight against these health problems is to quit drinking. The best way to overcome alcoholism is to get professional rehab help. The rehab team members can help you work through obstacles, triggers, personal issues, and much more. They can help you manage any health issues you already have, as well.

 

Most people who succeed in an alcohol addiction program don’t miss their drinking days. They may have cravings and triggers, but they realize their life is better in recovery than drinking. It may take some time before you feel like this. However, once you start getting treatment, you can find more meaning in life when you are sober.

Get Help for the Physical Effects of Alcohol

Millions of Americans are living with alcoholism or an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).  A lot of the people who have an alcohol addiction experience immediate physical effects of alcohol use. The people who continue drinking for years may start experiencing the long-term effects, as well. Alcohol addiction comes with serious psychological effects as well.

Even if you don’t have any of the long-term physical effects of alcohol yet, it is still best to get treatment now. Many of the physical effects of alcohol which occur later are irreversible. Other than these effects of alcohol there are the consequences of behavior while drinking. Driving while intoxicated, fights, destroyed relationships, high-risk sexual behaviors. The results can be tragic. But they don’t need to be. You can also take back control over your life with the right kind of help.

Contact us at Harmony Treatment and Wellness today. We can answer your questions and explain how our alcohol treatment program can help.

 

Lortab Addiction

Lortab addiction can be challenging to overcome.

Treatment for Lortab Addiction

Lortab addiction is a serious, condition when an individual develops a dependence on prescription painkillers . Lortab is an opioid analgesic used as a pain killer and only available by prescription. Physicians prescribe this for patients who suffer from moderate to severe pain due to injury, surgery, or terminal illnesses. Lortab is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone that provides relief from pain.

If you struggle with Lortab addiction, it is important that you consider seeking professional help to help you with the process. Harmony Stuart can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team to discuss our process for treating hydrocodone addiction.

Symptoms of Lortab Withdrawal

As with most other forms of opioid addiction, withdrawal from Lortab can make you feel ill.  Some symptoms of Lortab withdrawal are:

  • Anxiety
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability

How Addictive is Lortab?

Lortab is classified as an addictive drug, which means that it can become physically and/or psychologically habit-forming. It is a strong opioid analgesic, containing hydrocodone, and it can be physically addictive. For example, it can cause the brain to release dopamine when you use it. Dopamine helps regulate emotions and stimulates physical pleasure centers of the brain. As an opiate analgesic substance, this causes a euphoric effect.

You may develop a tolerance to Lortab or experience physical side effects within just a few weeks. When this happens, your body and brain begin to get used to the drug. So, you will need more of the drug to get the same euphoric feeling that you experienced in the beginning. Many people who have developed a physical dependency on Lortab will feel ill if they go too long without using it again. This is because their body has begun to rely on the drug in order to function properly.

Causes of Lortab Addiction

Scientists have yet to determine the exact causes of Lortab addiction. Many believe that people who struggle with addiction to Lortab and other painkillers often have a history of addiction in their families. Studies show that this is more likely if an individual struggles with alcoholism as well. Others try to self-medicate for physical ailments, but end up developing a dependency on the drug instead. You may also experience Lortab addiction, or any other substance abuse problem, if you are suffering from emotional trauma or mental illness as well.

Prescription Medication Addiction Treatment

The most important step in your recovery from Lortab addiction is to get the right help. Treating drug addiction can be difficult, and you need to be prepared. It is important that you find a program that offers you care and support throughout the process. You need to find a program that has the qualifications necessary to help treat your addiction, while also matching your specific needs, goals, and concerns. The first thing you should do if you are looking for treatment facilities for prescription medications is to research all of your options.

In addition to choosing the right facility, treatment should include cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involves learning about and practicing healthier behaviors. Counseling involves one-on-one or group sessions with a therapist who can provide advice and support to assist in maintaining abstinence. It is important that individuals seeking detoxification do not attempt to self-detoxify without the assistance of their physician or another professional who has experience with drug withdrawal.

Need for Medical Supervision

Something else that is important to remember is that if you are addicted to prescription medications, the withdrawal process can be dangerous. The body can become dependent on them; they can be a mild form of heroin or other opiates. Therefore, it is always advisable to seek help from your doctor for detoxification. You will also need to have a prescription for any medications you take at the beginning of treatment. Treatment should include counseling and medical supervision.

Other Names for Lortab

Lortab is also known as:

  • Fluff
  • Dro
  • Veeks
  • Tabs

Co-Occurring Disorders and Lortab Addiction

Lortab addiction is just one of the problems that co-occur with other disorders.  Lortab addiction can also be a sign of a mental disorder that requires treatment. In fact, it is common for people struggling with drug addiction to suffer from a mental disorder at the same time. Often, both the mental disorder and the drug addiction are underlying causes of one another. For example, having depression can cause you to self-medicate with prescription drugs. The most effective treatment addresses both.

Lortab addiction is a serious, but treatable, condition.  If you struggle with Lortab addiction, it is important that you seek professional treatment.  We know how to help with hydrocodone addiction and can provide you with the customized care that you need. Contact Harmony Stuart today to speak with a member of our care team.