How to Get Off Adderall Safely and Effectively

It’s unfortunate, but even drugs prescribed to treat a serious and legitimate medical issue can become addictive. It can be difficult to figure out which drugs are addictive until it’s too late and once someone is addicted, it is often even harder to get off the drug safely and effectively. 

 

Adderall is one of those prescribed drugs that can become addictive, and figuring out how to get off Adderall is just as challenging as any other addictive drug. We at Grace Recovery always want to help clients get the answers they need. That’s why today we’d  like to discuss the dangers of abusing Adderall and how to get off Adderall safely and effectively.

 

What Is Adderall? 

Adderall is the name brand of a heavily prescribed combination drug made of 4 types of amphetamine. The drug is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically in children and young adults. The drug may also be used to treat a specific sleep condition known as narcolepsy, a disorder where a person may fall asleep involuntarily at random points throughout the day. 

 

The drug works by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. By altering these chemicals, it allows a person to focus, be more attentive, stay organized, listen, and follow tasks through to completion. 

 

The drug is classified in the category of stimulants. There is a particular issue with those without ADHD or narcolepsy taking the drug to take advantage of the stimulant effects. This is typically how the cycle of abuse begins for this particular drug, rather than a person who has been prescribed the drug being the one abusing it. Simply put, the effects are different.

Why Is Adderall Addictive If It’s Prescribed by a Doctor? 

Many prescribed medications have the potential to become addictive. In the case of Adderall, most studies have shown that those that become addicted are not normally those that take the drug for ADHD, but instead, others who abuse it for its stimulant qualities. 

 

In users without ADHD, Adderall has the effect of improving concentration, brightening mood, and decreasing appetite. It is known as an academic performance-enhancing drug as well as a “feel good” drug. This is because the drug acts on the dopamine and norepinephrine receptors in the central nervous system. After prolonged use, people become chemically addicted to the drug because of the effect on the central nervous system. The person then becomes dependent on the drug being in their system to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. This can also lead to them needing to take larger and larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect. This can lead to illegal behavior or trying to find alternate sources for the drug. 

How to Get Off Adderall Safely

The first real step in how to get off Adderall safely is recognizing that the individual has a problem. Once that is done it’s time to find a recovery center like Grace Recovery. At Grace Recovery we believe in a holistic approach that treats the whole person, body, and mind, not just substance addiction. We believe in putting our clients on a path to wellness that will last a lifetime. 

 

Treatment typically begins with our medication-assisted detox program. This helps the client get off of the Adderall in a safe and secure manner with well-managed side effects. 

 

Once detox is complete, clients will then move on to our inpatient residential care program, where they will get the care they need to help cope with life after sobriety, the tools to stay clean, and assistance moving forward with a clean and sober life. We also offer aftercare services to help maintain sobriety long after treatment ends. 

 

If you or a loved one is suffering from Adderall addiction, contact Grace Recovery and let us put you on the path to wellness today. 

 

What Are the 4 Types of Drugs?

When dealing with substance abuse and drug addiction, it is important to understand the type of drug that a person is addicted to. While commonly used drugs come in a number of different classifications, there are 4 main types of drugs when we talk about the drugs people use and become addicted to. 

 

This leads us to the question “what are the 4 types of drugs?” We’ll break down each category for you so that you have a better understanding of what the drug is and what it does. 

 

Different types of drugs are addictive for different reasons and have different type of effects on the body. The reasons a person may begin using and eventually abusing certain types of drugs can differ greatly as well. 

What Are the 4 Types of Drugs? 

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of knowing the difference in drug types, we’ll take a closer look at each of the four types so that friends and loved ones of a person suffering from addiction know what to look out for. 

Stimulants 

First on our list of “what are the 4 types of drugs” is stimulants. These are usually easily recognizable because of the effect they have on the body. They are also the most common by far, even above opioids. 

 

Stimulants often give the appearance of someone having lots of energy when they may otherwise be calm. Stimulants can raise the blood pressure, heart rate, and cause severe symptoms over prolonged use. 

 

The most common stimulants are caffeine, found in coffee and many beverages, and nicotine, the primary addictive ingredient in tobacco products. More illicit stimulants like speed and ecstasy are less common and are considered illegal drugs. 

 

Stimulants are highly addictive because they interact with the body’s central nervous system. After prolonged use, the body may become chemically dependent on the substance to function normally. In these cases, medically assisted detoxification is highly recommended to overcome the substance use disorder safely. 

 

Opioids 

Our second category is incredibly common due to many of them being readily available through prescription. Opioids are commonly used as painkillers. Medications such as Vicodin and oxycontin are frequently prescribed. More illicit opioids like heroin are incredibly dangerous as well. 

 

There are two main reasons that opioids can become addictive. The misuse of prescription drugs often leads to addiction in an effort to treat prolonged pain from injury or other means. Secondly, opioids produce a kind of euphoric “high” that causes many users pleasure, which they then become addicted to. 

 

Opioids also interact with the cells in the body similarly to the way stimulants do, with the exception that opioids interact with the opioid (pain) receptors in the body, and over time the body becomes dependent on the substance. 

Depressants 

Third, on the list of drug types is depressants. These are also widely available, with alcohol being the most common. The primary danger with addiction to depressants like alcohol is that they interact with the body’s central nervous system and slow down the functions of the body and brain. 

 

This leads to a feeling of relaxation and over time, the use lowers one’s inhibitions making them act differently than they normally would. The primary danger of alcohol abuse in particular is the slowed bodily response combined with the damage to the liver and kidneys as a result of prolonged use. 

 

Other medications can have similar effects if misused, but alcohol is the primary culprit among this type of drug. A person suffering from alcohol abuse requires specific treatment that is different from other drug addiction therapy. 

 

Hallucinogens 

Hallucinogens are less common than the other three drug types, but the effects can be quite severe. LSD is the most well-known of the different hallucinogens, but all of them work by affecting the brain and altering a person’s perception and mood. 

 

Hallucinogens increase the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and can lead to severe impairment, violent mood swings, and other odd behavior. The use of hallucinogens can even cause or worsen underlying mental issues. 

 

In these cases, it is important that the addicted person seek dual diagnosis treatment to treat the addiction and the mental health issues that accompany it. 

 

When It’s Time to Get Help Come to Grace Recovery 

We know that finding the right treatment for addiction can be difficult and scary. That’s why the trained staff at Grace Recovery focus on treating the individual and not the disease. Our holistic approach to treatment combined with group therapy and other treatment options helps to get patients off of their addictive substances and on the path to a life of wellness. 

Finding Opioid Addiction Help In Los Angeles

If you or someone you know is dealing with opioid addiction and would like help, it’s important to know where to turn. Dealing with opioid addiction can be a frustrating, and at times, terrifying experience. That’s why it’s important to have the right support and information to help guide you or your loved ones to the treatment they need and deserve. 

 

First things first, part of the path to getting clean is to find the right opioid addiction help for you. No two people are alike and it’s important to understand the type of addiction you are dealing with and the opioid treatment options that are available to you. 

 

Please continue reading to understand what opioid addiction is, why and how it affects you, as well as some of the available treatment options. 

 

  • What Are Opioids? 

 

To find the opioid addiction help you need, it is important to understand just what it is you are addicted to. Opioids are a class of drug that ranges from completely illegal substances like heroin to readily available prescription drugs like Oxycontin. 

Even though it is widely believed that all opioids are just pain-relieving drugs that are misused, this is not entirely the case. While most opioids do have pain-relieving properties in addition to other effects, they are called opioids because of the way they interact with the cells in the body. 

All opioids are related chemically by the fact that they work with the opioid receptors in the body and brain’s nerve cells to produce a chemical reaction. In most cases, the point of this reaction is to dull the experience of pain in the body due to an injury or other medical issue. However, pain management is not the only use for these drugs and not all of them are legal to possess and use. 

 

  • Why Are Opioids Addictive? 

 

There are two primary reasons why opioids are addictive. 

The first reason has to do with how the opioid interacts with the cells in the brain and body. Because opioids target the cells in the nervous system, prolonged use chemically alters the cells to be less responsive to the medication, causing you to have to take more and more of it to receive the same effect. 

The second reason is that, in addition to pain relief, opioids produce a sense of euphoria that often acts as an intoxicant and can cause people to misuse their prescriptions or to seek out illegal opioid substances. 

For this reason, there are several drug replacement or detoxification therapies available as opioid treatment options to help patients who are suffering from the physical and mental symptoms of opioid withdrawal. 

  • What Are Common Opioid Treatment Options? 

Once you decide to seek help, there are many treatment options available. One of the most common options that clients begin with is detoxification, this is the process of removing the drug from the body. This can be done as either an inpatient or outpatient process. 

Dual diagnosis therapy is another treatment option that focuses on treating both opioid addiction and the accompanying mental illness that many clients suffer from. It is important to diagnose all aspects of the addiction to find proper treatment. 

Medication-assisted treatment is another option that clients who struggle with the detoxification process may consider. This helps them to adjust gradually to the lack of opioids in their system to limit the effects of cravings and withdrawal. 

Aftercare and recovery is also an important part of the treatment process and avoiding the recurrence of drug use. This is best accomplished by a combination of therapy, social, and emotional support from the community surrounding the patient. 

 

  • How Grace Recovery Can Help You Today 

When you decide it’s time to get opioid addiction help, let Grace Recovery be the ones to guide you down the path to becoming sober and addiction-free. Grace Recovery offers a well-rounded approach to treatment including both inpatient and outpatient care, detox and dual diagnosis treatment options, and aftercare and recovery support. Contact Grace Recovery today to get the treatment you need and deserve! 

Finding an Alcohol Detox Center In Los Angeles

Let’s paint a picture of Brian, an alcoholic trying to abstain from alcohol on his own accord. In his opinion, visiting an alcohol detox center is just unnecessary and a tad expensive.
In the first week of abstinence, Brian experienced deep-seated withdrawal symptoms: vomiting, restlessness, unsteady, and hands. Despite all that, Brian’s resolve to abstain from alcohol is unshaken.

As the week goes by, Brian starts becoming a shadow of himself. He lost weight and became angrier.
Eventually, Brian gives into taking a sip, which leads him to take another sip, and in no time, he is plunged deeply into alcoholism once again.

Below is a fictional yet realistic portrayal of what it’s like trying to stop drinking alcohol on your own. According to the WHO, 3 million deaths every year result from the harmful use of alcohol; this represents 5.3 % of all deaths. Those mind-boggling statistics show the extent of the damage alcoholism imposes.
Are you battling with alcoholism? Do you want to break free from it? Then, one of your best shots is going to a drug and alcohol detox centers in Los Angeles.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is a treatment plan that works by purging the system of alcohol. This detox process is pivotal in gaining independence from alcohol. Even drug abuse.gov acknowledges the fact that medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of treatment.

Why You Should Go to an Alcohol Detox Center

It is only natural to question why you should go to a drug and alcohol detox center to help with your alcohol addiction. Stopping drinking may seem like a fairly simple process but unfortunately it’s much more nuanced than just not picking up a drink anymore.
Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2015 revealed that about 21.7 million people needed substance use treatment and only 2.3 million of those people received treatments from a specialty facility.
There are many reasons why someone wouldn’t want to go to an alcohol detox center, like cost or not being able to take time off work. If you are battling an alcohol addiction, the best first step to take in recovery is detoxing. Other reasons why you should go to an alcohol detox center in Los Angeles is:

You Are in the Best Hands

The truth is you can’t wean off alcohol easily. In fact, the moment you start making a move to abstain, it will increasingly become excruciating. You are likely to experience consistent bouts of migraine, which could eventually cause insomnia and other extremities.
However, when you do alcohol detox under a licensed facility, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be getting the best treatment. If you start experiencing some of those withdrawal symptoms listed above, someone will be by your side helping you through it

You Will Be Recovering in a Safe Place

There is something reassuring about fighting alcohol addiction within a community of people with a similar cause. You become inspired to take your treatment plan seriously because you have the right support.

You Will Be Able to Deal With the Root Cause

Most of the time, there is something that triggers an alcohol addiction. If you don’t deal with that root cause, you may likely relapse. With the help of a professional, you can find out what the root cause is and be guided on better coping mechanisms.

You Will Have a Healthier and Longer Life

Research has shown those who maintain minimal or no intake of alcohol lives longer.

Detox in Los Angeles at Grace Recovery

At Grace Recovery, we have built a reputation over time as one of the top-tier alcohol detox centers in Los Angeles. Our treatment center focuses on a dual-diagnosis and holistic approach to addiction recovery.
We also offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol substance abuse, with individualized treatment plans for each of our clients.
Contact us today to begin your journey to sobriety!!

What An Opioid Detox Looks Like

Opioids are the most addictive prescription drugs on the market today. They are designed to interact with the Opioid receptors in the brain, which not only blocks the pain but also creates a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. In a very short time, Opioids will rewire your brain so that your body can adapt to their presence. Soon, a person cannot function normally without Opioids, which results in detox symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, using Opioids for just five days can result in an addiction.

How Long Does it Take For Withdrawal To Begin?

If a person is addicted to Opioids, it can take between 6 and 12 hours after their last dose for the withdrawal symptoms to begin. This is one of the reasons that so many people have trouble quitting. Many addicts would rather take another dose than go through the detox symptoms. They know that if they have another fix, they will have the euphoric feeling that they crave, and the withdrawal symptoms will end.

What Are the Symptoms Of Withdrawal?

The symptoms of Opioid withdrawal are incredibly uncomfortable, and they can be dangerous. The severity of the symptoms would depend on how chemically addicted a person is. The longer a person is using Opioids, the worse their symptoms will be. They include:

  • Anxiety
  • Hallucinations
  • Insomnia
  • Sweating
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures

How Long Does It Take To Detox?

The detox process varies from person to person. There length of time that the detox symptoms last would depend on a few factors, including:

  • The period of time a person has been abusing Opioids
  • The level of chemical dependency
  • The amount they have been taking regularly
  • The type of Opioid they were using
  • A person’s age
  • Their genetics
  • Their overall health
  • Being addicted to alcohol or other drugs

Overall, the longer a person has been using and the more they have been taking, the longer it will take for them to detox completely.

What Are the Stages of Detox?

The stages of detox come in stages, depending on how long it has been since you last used it.

  • 6 to 24-hours since the last use: During this time, a person will start to have cravings for the drug. This is the point where many people take another dose because the cravings are so intense. Anxiety and depression will also set in. After that comes nausea and vomiting. When a person has nothing left in their stomach, dry heaves can begin.
  • 36 to 48-hours since the last use: During this time, abdominal cramps are common. The person will also start sweating, and they will develop a runny nose. Finally, nausea and vomiting will continue. During this stage, people often get desperate for another dose just to make the symptoms dissipate.
  • 48-72 hours since the last use: During this time, diarrhea is common. Insomnia will also set in along with muscle pain. In severe cases, hallucinations can begin at this point, and possibly seizures. This is one of the most critical points of the detox process, mainly if hallucinations and seizures occur.

How Can I Detox Safely?

Trying to detox cold turkey is usually not effective. When the detox symptoms become too severe, the addict will want to take more Opioids just to make the pain and discomfort stop. It can also be harmful to a person’s health to detox without the necessary monitoring and medication. The safest way to detox is at a treatment center. There, a person can be monitored by a professional medical staff, and they can begin Anesthesia-Assisted Rapid Detox medications. These medications won’t make the detox process painless, but they will make a person more comfortable while they are detoxing. Also, IV fluids are necessary to prevent dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. If a person becomes severely dehydrated, it can cause several serious health problems.

If you have an Opioid addiction, your best chance of detoxing safely and getting clean is to check into Grace Recovery in Hollywood, CA. When you first check in, you will begin safe detoxification. When the drugs are out of your system, you will move onto our state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation program where you will get the individual, group, and family counseling that you need to continue with your sobriety. We will also give you the tools necessary to remain clean after leaving the program. We can help set you up in a sober living house, continue your one-on-one and group therapy, and help you find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings. According to The American Addiction Center, addicts who quit cold turkey are 40 to 60 percent more likely to have a relapse. The best way to get clean and stick to your sobriety is to check into Grace Recovery addiction treatment in Hollywood.