Those who are still curious about how drugs affect the heart may want to know, are there drugs that cause heart attacks? A 2012 study demonstrated the dramatic effects of cocaine on cardiovascular health. This Australian study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, documented cardiovascular issues in seemingly healthy regular cocaine users long after the immediate effects of cocaine wore off. The researchers behind the study called cocaine “the perfect heart attack drug.”

They demonstrated how cocaine users had higher rates of multiple factors associated with higher risks of heart attack and stroke. Cocaine users had a 30 to 35 percent increase in artery stiffening. They also had higher systolic blood pressure and an 18 percent greater thickness of the heart’s left ventricle wall. This would indicate that cocaine use can lead to an enlarged heart as well as the danger of a heart attack.

The powdered form of cocaine is either inhaled through the nose and absorbed through nasal tissue, or injected into the bloodstream. As we’ve seen, injecting toxic materials into the bloodstream leads to blood flow issues and eventually to heart problems.

The Australian study demonstrates that even so-called recreational cocaine users may end up with higher blood pressure, stiffer arteries, and thicker heart muscle walls than non-users. And because cocaine acts as a stimulant, it increases adrenaline throughout the body, which leads to an increase in blood pressure. This adrenaline rush can lead to chest pain, which is a common reason for cocaine addicts to visit the emergency room. Clearly, cocaine isn’t friendly to the human heart.

There are many religious rehabs of all different faiths and beliefs. While the United States is predominantly Christian, there are rehab centers across the country that cater to many different faiths and belief systems. There are Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish, and many more belief-based centers available to help patients deal with addiction. Each center will use treatments and services that relate to their religion, such as prayer in Christianity or Islam and meditation in Buddhism.

More so, there are centers that cater to specific denominations, such as Catholic practices within Christianity. Religion plays a significant and important role in many people’s lives. You should consider one’s faith when considering rehabs, as with all other aspects, such as educational and job duties. Many people base everything they do around their religious practices, as it is their way of life. 

Spiritual Denominations

Religion plays an important role in many people’s lives. Many times, one needs to understand and incorporate it into treatment and recovery. In addition to incorporating spirituality into treatment, there are many types of religions that a patient can choose from depending on their own beliefs.

Many people follow their religion and beliefs very closely and live their life by its core values. For example, they may follow the ten commandments in Christianity strictly. The same way one understands other aspects of people’s lives, such as education, and family in regards to substance abuse treatment, they need to understand personal beliefs and individual faith. Faith may even play a bigger part in someone’s life than any other aspect. Some of the religions that treatment centers incorporate include: 

• Seventh-Day Adventist
• Orthodox Christian
• Christian
• Muslim
• Buddhist
• Catholic
• Baptist
• Methodist
• Protestant
• Wicca
• Jehovah’s Witness
• Jewish
• Mormon
• Evangelical
• Hindu

All of these religions help treat patients using their beliefs and rules in that specific belief system. The basics of rehab are met, such as therapy, but with an additional nod to spirituality. This might include practicing yoga or meditating for a Buddhist center, or maybe prayer and communicating with a god for those who practice a monotheistic religion.

Christianity and Drug Addiction

Not to mention, the United States has the largest population of Christians in the world. 205 million people in the United States identify as following the faith. Treatment centers that focus on God and Christ are the most common across the nation, following secular centers.

However, even in non-religious centers, Christianity can play a huge role in recovery for individuals. Individuals may discuss the teachings of Jesus in group therapy, and the patient may focus on their relationship with Christ. Bible study, scripture reading, and spiritual counseling are all services that are available on top of the more standard services such as daily trips to the gym or one-on-one therapy.

Importantly, before addiction was known to be a disease, Christians considered addiction as a character fault and a sin. However, currently, it is thought of as having a lack of faith or a weak connection with God and Jesus Christ. Therefore connecting Christians with their religion is a vital part of their recovery.

Clinical experience has shown that addicts often have a hard time identifying high-risk situations. They may not perceive them as high-risk or be unwilling to acknowledge their potential harm. Around the holidays, it can be easy to dismiss your worries about a situation because it is “normal” or “traditional,” when in fact it is a relapse risk. However, acknowledging and avoiding these situations shows the strength of judgment and clarity of thought; it is also among the best relapse prevention techniques you are likely to find.  

Holidays and the Stages of Relapse

Some researchers believe that relapse can break down into three stages. The first, emotional relapse, simply means you are feeling unhappy in recovery. The second, called mental relapse, is where you start fantasizing about using drugs again and telling yourself that it would be ok. Most people call this rationalization; among recovery veterans, it’s known as bargaining.

In bargaining–or rationalizing–individuals come up with scenarios in which it would be OK to use their drug of choice. Holidays or special trips are perfect examples. Airports, hotels, resorts, and new cities offer excitement, but can also be potential triggers. The same can be said of going home for the holidays and getting together with old friends or attending a celebration.

Another form of bargaining is when people start to think that they can relapse periodically and be fine, or that they are over their problem and can now enjoy substances without overdoing it. Regardless of the exact thought process, if you are in this frame of mind you are in serious danger of entering the third and final phase of relapse: using again.

Holidays and other special occasions make it all too easy to think as described, and while there are many holiday relapse prevention tips out there, none are more important than staying alert and being honest with yourself.

There are steps colleges and universities can take with alcohol awareness programs for college students, toward positive change and creating a healthy environment, for instance:

• Pay careful attention to environmental factors on campus and in the community. They are extremely important in influencing college drinking behaviors both positively and negatively.
• Actively enforce existing age 21 laws on campus; they help decrease alcohol consumption.
• Use social norms interventions to correct misperceptions and change drinking practices. When discussing alcohol awareness for college students, do not inadvertently reinforce the notion that hazardous drinking is the norm. Help students understand that they have the right not to drink.
• Make information about alcohol prevention programs for college students available to both students and parents, before and after students arrive on campus.
• Be cautious about making alcohol available on campus. In the general population, increased availability is associated with increased consumption.

Below are some things your teen will need to understand before they head off to college, to keep themselves and others safe if they choose to drink.

10 Tips  

• Learn your limit.
• No dinner, no drink. Alcohol on an empty stomach is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.
• Skip a few rounds. Drink juice or water instead.
• If it’s not available in a bar, don’t drink it. Mixing alcohol with sugary juice can be dangerous especially if you don’t measure.
• Don’t put the nozzle directly in your mouth. Stick to amounts you can actually see in your glass.
• Don’t mix alcohol and drugs.
• One hour = one drink. Drinking faster leads to drunkenness.
• Alcohol should only have a supporting role. Making alcohol the focus of an evening puts on pressure to continue drinking.
• Avoid going in the water. Balance and coordination are prerequisites for swimming – and two of the first things diminished by alcohol.
• Watch your drink to prevent “spiking.”

If you need help talking to your college student about binge drinking then call us today. Our specialists will work with you in order to help you in any way possible. Do not hesitate. Call us now.

The danger of substance abuse during pregnancy will lead to long-term damage. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has found in several pieces of research that drug use while pregnant can cause birth defects like neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This defect is described as a baby going through immediate withdrawal after birth. Since the baby cannot undergo any kind of treatment, they must recover naturally. Even though opioids are the primary cause for NAS, the NIDA has found that alcohol, barbiturates, benzos, and caffeine can cause similar withdrawals in a baby. The length of withdrawal is not exact because the drug used, and the consistency of use will influence from mother to mother. There are several symptoms that indicate a baby undergoing withdrawal.

• Discolored skin
• Diarrhea
• Extreme cases of crying
• Fever
• Hyperactive reflexes
• Abnormal sucking reflex
• Irritability
• Bad feeding habit
• Poor breathing
• Seizures
• Poor sleep schedule
• Poor weight gain
• Congestion problems
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Vomiting

These are the primary symptoms that the NIDA present in their work. This also relates to mothers involved in drug use and breastfeeding. Children who are breastfed by mothers using substances are more likely to neurologically develop slower. After several tests, the National Library of Medicine found that in mere weeks, children were developing severe symptoms of NAS. Organizations that conduct these studies across the world are urging mothers who use recreational drugs and are breastfeeding to stop as soon as they can. Many recommend at a minimum; mothers spend 90 days away from drugs in order to allow the baby to have the best breastmilk for development.

Verbal, Physical, or Emotional Abuse

This often comes in the form of bullying. However, the person drinking may also neglect you, which is a form of emotional abuse.

Sleep Disturbances

If a friend or family member is waking you up at night because of their drinking, secondhand drinking affects you.

Property Damage

When the property of any kind is damaged because of another person’s drinking, it is a sign of secondhand drinking. Often when we think of property, houses and cars come to mind. However, this could be a plate hurled against the wall during an argument, or a Christmas tree pulled down by someone trying not to fall. Property is anything you can touch or feel. 

Unwanted Sexual Advances

People who have been drinking often make sexual advances, and they don’t always take rejection in stride. This can be traumatic for the other person if they are not in the mood or, worse, feel threatened. This is a serious concern that you must handle right away. 

Being Argumentative

Argumentative behavior can show up in many ways. Sometimes it’s an insult. Other times it’s an irrational or illogical criticism. Almost everyone has a story of when someone drinking insulted them or started an argument for reasons that didn’t make sense.

When insults or discussions affect your self-esteem, you have become the victim of secondhand drinking.

Getting into a Fight

Since alcohol lowers inhibition, it’s not uncommon for people who’ve been drinking to start a fight. In many cases, these will be people who normally keep their anger carefully contained. Alcohol can easily make a person feel like now is the time to let their emotions run wild.

Being Pushed or Hit

Another sign of secondhand drinking is being pushed, hit, or beaten. This one is all too familiar. Movies are full of scenes where drunk characters push around their longsuffering spouses or children, and many studies have shown that domestic violence and substance abuse are linked. Situations like these may not be aggressive or physical enough to call them a fight, but they are undoubtedly harmful.

Being the Victim of a Traffic Accident

We often refer to accidents involving alcohol as drunk driving. However, if you are in an accident caused by someone who’s been drinking, you can also be said to be a victim of secondhand drinking.

Financial Difficulty

If you have a tough time paying your bills because of someone’s drinking, secondhand drinking is affecting you. This is about more than paying bills. This also applies to late payments or barely scraping enough together. It isn’t uncommon for the cost of drinking to affect the budget of a joint account significantly. It’s also possible that the one causing the financial difficulty is a roommate who cannot get you their share of the rent on time. Until they come up with it, you are on the hook for the difference.

If you, or someone you know, are suffering from alcohol addiction, then call us today. Our specialists can help you start living your happiest and healthiest life. 

In this stage of addiction treatment, you’ve decided you’re going to try to quit. You’ve built up some resolve and may have experienced a pivotal change in your attitude.

Of course, you may still have reservations about the recovery process. You’ll be ready to dedicate yourself to the complicated process of a full recovery, and you’re prepared to make an informed decision to break the addiction cycle.

Since the next step of the stages of change in addiction recovery involves formulating a plan, your determination in this period will make that process easier.

Moreover, you haven’t yet acquired the skills or knowledge about recovery you will need to be successful. But your determination is real, and at this point, a knowledgeable treatment professional can be of great help. They can guide you through the difficulties you may be facing as you decide to start treating your issue. 

You’ll probably start recognizing the pitfalls of getting sober, but won’t let them keep you from moving forward. When you’re ready to develop concrete solutions to end your substance abuse, it’s time to start building a treatment plan and also consider the ongoing support you’ll need after rehab. Let us help you stay determined. Our experts have the tools and resources you need to start your recovery and stay healthy.

Alcoholism and genetics are affected by environmental factors as well. It is normal to ask ‘is alcoholism genetic?’, and assume it is just a gene problem. Social environments can have a huge source of influence over an individual’s likes, choices, and characteristics. Lots of alcoholism problems begin at a young age due to high school parties and college experiences. 

According to the “The Influence of Gene-Environment Interactions on the Development of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence” study, “alcohol consumption is commonly initiated, and drinking patterns established during adolescence and early adulthood. About 50% of alcoholics have developed their symptoms by age 23”. 

These environmental factors can intertwine with a previous genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Creating alcoholism as the outcome of both of these factors. The social circle often shapes people’s personalities and choices we surround ourselves with. A study called “The Multiple, Distinct Ways that Personality Contributes to Alcohol Use Disorders” was conducted by Andrew K. Littlefield and Kenneth J. Sher. They studied 3,000 college students because they wanted to see what individuals chose to become part of sororities and fraternities. 

According to the study, they discovered that “ individuals high on impulsivity/novelty-seeking appeared to select into Greek societies because of the heavy drinking environment associated with these organizations.” Greek membership is classified as an environmental risk factor because the involvement of alcohol can turn problematic. Unfortunately, Greek societies are known more for their drinking then anything else, so they appeal to specific individuals. 

Therefore, it is essential to remember if you have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, social situations such as these can be incredibly dangerous. There is a  possibility of increasing drinking due to the surrounding social environments you put yourself in.

So why, despite the health effects of edibles, do people continue to consume them? Put, people want to feel good. Like other drugs, edibles are a way for people to get those feel-good surges of dopamine. They feel more “fun” than smoking because there wrapped up in tasty foods like gummies, brownies, and lollipops. They are straightforward to make at home, and people feel like they are a healthier option. 

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these are some of the reasons people continue to consume edibles, “Anecdotal reports attribute increased interest in edibles to several perceptions shared by users: (1) edibles are a discreet and more convenient way to consume cannabis; (2) edibles offer a “high” that is calmer and more relaxing than smoking cannabis; and (3) edibles avoid the harmful toxins and health risks that come with smoking cannabis. However, scientific evaluation of the accuracy of these perceptions is incomplete.” 

One of the riskiest consequences of marijuana use is that there are many long-term effects we are still learning about the drug. Fortunately, marijuana has never been linked directly to death, but studies frequently dispel that marijuana is a “safe” drug. Unfortunately, being aware of the risks discussed earlier and still choosing to abuse edibles could be a sign of addiction. Are you concerned about someone you love? Do you think they might be abusing weed? Do you need support for yourself? No matter the case – call us today. With our judgment-free policy, our experts will work with you to make sure you feel safe and secure. Do not hesitate. Call us now, and start getting the help that you deserve.

The gateway drug, nicotine, is a drug and vital compound found in the plant known for its dried and fermented leaves, tobacco. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. It is one of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the United States. Like marijuana, nicotine is widely known and used for the sense of relief and pleasure it brings to those who choose to use it.    

How People Use it 

Similar to marijuana, there are various forms and ways for one to consume nicotine. Typically, people use nicotine by either smoking, sniffing, or chewing tobacco products through a cigarette, pipe, gum, cigar, or hookah.     

Effects of Using 

While engaging with the tobacco substance, the nicotine can absorb into the user’s bloodstream. Thus, immediately causing the adrenal glands to release the adrenaline hormone, epinephrine, into the blood vessels. Once the epinephrine reaches the central nervous system, the user’s heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure will spike. Also, nicotine activates the brain’s reward circuits and increases the chemical messenger dopamine, which reinforces rewarding behaviors. However, after the initial intake, the substance will cause fatigue and depression to ensue, forcing the user to crave more nicotine.   

Addiction 

Like alcohol, nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Not to mention it is both a stimulant and depressant. This varies depending on the dosage. Like those who seek and use marijuana to find relief from day-to-day stresses, the same is for those who choose to consume nicotine. Their anxieties and troubles are making them seek out more of the substance to distract themselves. It is just a matter of willpower. Is the person stuck using nicotine as a distraction, or are they willing to push through their hardships more organically?   

Treatment Options 

Regarding the options for treating nicotine addiction, both behavior therapies and medications have proven successful for those who sought help and recovery. Additional treatment options include nicotine replacement therapies (using a nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, nasal spray, and pills), and counseling.  You do not need to suffer through addiction alone. If you, or someone you love, have an addiction then please contact us today. Our specialists will help you start your healthier life now.