Understanding Opana Abuse

Opioid abuse is currently at epidemic proportions in the United States. According to a recent New York Times article, more than 60,000 people died from opioid overdose in 2016.1 A few years ago, OxyContin was the drug of choice for most people abusing opioids. But recently, another opioid has moved to the top of the list as a way to get high from prescription drugs. It’s called Opana, and it is an opioid analgesic used to manage pain that requires round-the-clock treatment.2 And like other opioids used for non-medical purposes, Opana comes with a number of dangers that can threaten mental and physical health.

Opana 101

Opana is a semi-synthetic opioid medication, much like OxyContin, Suboxone and Percocet. It is used for the management of moderate to severe pain after surgery, as the result of injury or for chronic pain-causing conditions that require round-the-clock management. As with any prescription medication, there are mild to moderate levels of risk associated with taking Opana.

The most common side effects of Opana use include the following:

  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Drowsiness
  • Constipation

More serious side effects of Opana can include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Fainting spells.3

Like other opioids, Opana (oxymorphon) connects to the brain’s opioid receptors changing the way the body perceives pain. It also produces feelings of euphoria in the user. These feelings of reward, relaxation, and comfort the opioid causes as well as the elimination of moderate to severe pain drives the abuse of prescription painkillers.

This abuse does not come without its consequences. Every day, says the Centers for Disease Control, 44 people die as a result of overdosing on their prescription medication, with many more developing an addiction.4

Opana Addiction

One of the first signs of a dependence on Opana is the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped or the next dose is delayed.

These symptoms can begin as soon as 24 hours after stopping the drug:

  • muscle aches
  • restlessness
  • anxiety
  • lacrimation (eyes tearing up)
  • runny nose
  • excessive sweating
  • inability to sleep
  • yawning very often

More intense symptoms begin after the first few days of stopping Opana, including:

  • diarrhea
  • abdominal cramping
  • goosebumps on the skin
  • nausea and vomiting
  • dilated pupils and possibly blurry vision
  • rapid heartbeat
  • high blood pressure5

If someone overdoses on Opana, he or she is at risk for lowering his breathing rate so much that his body does not receive enough oxygen for proper brain functioning. This can result in coma, cardiac arrest and eventually death.

Opana and Rural America

The problem of prescription drug addiction can cause a cascade of other problems. In 2015, a small city in Indiana experienced an HIV outbreak because people addicted to Opana were using dirty, discarded needles to shoot up. Within one week, 80 people had tested positive for HIV in an area where the general rate of HIV infections had been on the decline.

Speaking to the Washington Post, the only doctor in Indiana city confessed that the combination of drug use and infectious disease is a worst-case health care scenario. The problem is compounded by poverty, lack of infrastructure, lack of education, and the sheer abundance of prescription drugs like Opana.6

From OxyContin to Opana

Indiana is not the only place where Opana abuse is spreading. In New Jersey, the local news reports that drug abusers in the Garden State are replacing their OxyContin addiction with Opana. The executive director of one the local chapters of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence explains that the two drugs are similar, but Opana is twice as strong. One of the reasons users are moving away from OxyContin is because Purdue Pharma, the company that manufactures the drug, changed its formula so that crushing OxyContin tablets, mixing the powder in liquid, and then injecting the solution into veins would not give the same high as it used to.

Opana and the FDA

Because of the danger of abuse and the current opioid epidemic sweeping the nation, the FDA, for the first time ever, has asked a drug company to remove Opana from the market. The FDA sighted their reason for the request was the belief that the benefits of using the drug no longer far outweighed the risks.8

In a recent press release from the FDA, Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D said, “We will continue to take regulatory steps when we see situations where an opioid product’s risks outweigh its benefits, not only for its intended patient population but also in regard to its potential for misuse and abuse.”9 Recently, Endo Pharmaceuticals voluntarily agreed to remove the drug from the market after careful consideration of the evidence and the reasons behind the FDA’s request. Endo is currently working with the FDA on an orderly removal of the drug so that individuals using it for treatment purposes will have as little disruption as possible to their continuing care.10

Finding Help for Opana Addiction

Life with Opana addiction can be difficult and dangerous. Detoxification programs can help break the chains of physical dependence on the drug, while psychotherapy and counseling can help a patient overcome psychological dependence. Through a combination of medication, individual and group therapy, family therapy, and support groups the person struggling can find freedom from Opana addiction. And Black Bear Lodge is here to help. Call our toll-free number now at 706-909-9811 to speak to an admissions coordinator about available treatment options.

Other Opiates

Prescription medications like OxyContin and Vicodin are very commonly the drugs of choice among those who seek treatment for opiate addiction – and those who die due to opiate overdose – due in large part to the fact that they are most commonly the drug prescribed by physicians for the treatment of chronic pain. Local law enforcement, state and federal government organizations and the medical community have pushed to better educate the public on the deadly nature of these drugs, and as a result, the rates of overdose are slowly on the decline.

However, many people are unaware that there are hundreds of different medications that are also classified as opiate medications that are equally deadly. Without this knowledge, families may find potentially addictive drugs among their loved one’s possessions yet not realize that their family member is at risk.

If you are concerned that your loved one is abusing his or her prescription medication or if you believe that addictive medications are just part of your loved one’s drug abuse problem, contact us at Black Bear Lodge today and learn more about how our unique and innovative addiction treatment program.

Lesser-known Prescription Drugs of Abuse

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are a number of different opiate medications that are potentially dangerous and addictive drugs.

These include:

  • Fentanyl. Fentanyl is 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine, the drug commonly understood by the general public to be dangerous and addictive. Classified as a Schedule II drug, which means that it is highly addictive but still has medical function, fentanyl and similar substances may be referred to on the street as “China girl,” “dance fever,” “Apache,” “TNT,” “goodfella,” “jackpot,” “friend,” and “Tango and Cash.” Fentanyl is sold under brand names, including Actiq, Sublimaze, and Duragesic.
  • Methadone. Also a Schedule II drug, methadone is prescribed to treat chronic pain as well as high-dose opiate addictions to drugs like heroin. Because it is addictive in its own right, many who take it as a treatment for addiction don’t realize the dangers they face should they abuse the medication. It is also sold as methadone and dolophineand commonly known on the street by a wide range of names, including “fizzies” or “amidone.”
  • Codeine. Classified as a Schedule II, Schedule III or Schedule IV drug depending upon its configuration, codeine, and drugs with codeine as the active ingredient can be dangerous in any amount or form. The drug comes in a wide range of formulations and is prescribed to treat everything from cough to chronic pain. On the market, it can be found in drugs like Fiorinal with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Tylenol with codeine, and Robitussin A-C. On the street, it may be called, among other things, “schoolboy,” “cody,” and “Captain Cody.”
  • Meperidine, propoxyphene, hydromorphone and more. There is a wide range of opiate medications sold as Dilaudid, Darvocet, Darvon, Demerol, and Opana. They more than often fly under the radar of the general public. Be forewarned that use and abuse of these drugs can lead to addiction just as easily as abuse of more commonly known opiate substances like heroin and OxyContin. They may come in the form of suppositories or pills, and they may be ingested by swallowing, snorting or injecting them.

Help Is Available for Opiate Addiction

No matter what form it takes or what the specific substance of choice, dependence upon opiate drugs of any kind can be treated with effective rehabilitation and long-term care. Contact us at Black Bear Lodge today at 706-909-9811 and learn more about how we can help your family member begin the healing process.

To learn more on the history of opioid use, check out this timeline of the epidemic we are now facing today.

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How Addictive Are Opiate-Based Drugs?

Opiate drugs perform one similar task.These drugs, also known as narcotics or opioid drugs, attach to pain receptors inside the brain. Once attached, they all temporarily numb pain sensations and ultimately slow the brain from creating its own natural painkillers. These drugs can also cause slowed breathing, delayed response time, changes in behavior and thought, and a powerful addiction.10

Prescription opiates like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet are designed to assist people who have pain from surgery or devastating conditions like cancer. These drugs are sometimes combined with anti-inflammatory ingredients like aspirin and acetaminophen. Combining drugs in this way can cause multiple problems, as people may experience an overdose of both the opioid painkiller and the analgesic painkiller in these drug combinations.

The prescription painkiller OxyContin was once considered the gold standard in terms of addiction and when released, was touted as a medication with the highest possible level of opioids.

People may abuse OxyContin and other opioid drugs by:

  • Crushing the pills
  • Mixing the powder with water
  • Loading that liquid into a needle
  • Injecting the liquid into the veins11

In 2010, the manufacturer of OxyContin changed formulas, making the pills difficult to crush and nearly impossible to inject. Immediately, OxyContin addiction rates dropped from 35.6 percent of people who entered treatment programs to 12.8 percent. However, some people do continue to abuse this drug by simply swallowing the pills. Unfortunately, other people turned to heroin to prevent distressing withdrawal symptoms.12

Heroin is one of the most addictive opiate drugs available. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has labeled this drug as “extremely addictive” as it has the ability to reach brain cells rapidly.13 There are no fillers to work around and no digestive system to avoid. People can simply shoot up the drug and walk away feeling serene. According to experts, this is the most addictive form of opiate available, simply because it is so very potent and powerful.

New opioid drugs are on the market, including Fentanyl, a drug that can be 50 times more powerful than heroin. Unfortunately, a great deal of Fentanyl is brought to the U.S. illegally, and may be passed off as heroin. This dangerous drug puts users at risk of immediate overdose and death. Fentanyl is so powerful and so dangerous, the life-saving drug Naloxone may not even be able to counter large doses.14

Carol, who shares her story for Heroes in Recovery, lost her daughter December 2014 to a Fentanyl overdose. “Each recovering person I’ve met has a different story,” she says. “There’s no one thing that has turned them all around. They received help from their families, their children, and rehabilitation services. I learned that the most important thing for them is a positive support group. They call on each other to help, and they give back to their recovery community. They have connections.”

Finding Help for Opioid Dependence

No matter what type of opioid a person uses, it’s quite difficult for people to stop once they have started. The brain becomes accustomed to the constant presence of these painkillers, and it can be uncomfortable or painful when people attempt to stop taking the drugs they’ve been using for years or even decades.

Thankfully, evidence-based opiate addiction treatment programs can help. Here, people have access to medications that can smooth the transition from addiction to sobriety, and they have contact with therapists and other experts who can help them to learn how to live without opiates. This is the kind of help we provide at Black Bear Lodge, and we’d like to tell you more about it.

We’re located in the peaceful foothills of Georgia, and we provide a safe and serene place for healing. Our opiate addiction treatment program offers thorough, holistic care, which includes medically-supervised detox, cognitive behavioral therapy, commitment therapy, art therapy, and other elements of care. Please call us at 706-909-9811 and we’ll tell you more.

How Do Opiates Work and Why Are They Addictive?

Opiates are some of the most powerful, and powerfully addictive, drugs. They have important medical uses. This does not mean they are harmless. The same properties that make them work as painkillers also make them harmful. Understand how opiates work. Learn how and why addiction is a risk. Know that recovery help and hope are available.

What Are Opiates?

Drugs in the opiate class originate from poppy plants. The gooey sap inside the pods of mature flowers can be removed and processed. Resulting products are smoked, eaten, sniffed, or injected. Further refining results in many of the opiates available by prescription. Natural opiates include morphine and codeine. Semi-synthetic products include oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Fully synthetic products are some of the most dangerous and addictive. They can be manufactured to be much stronger than any natural product. Fentanyl is one of several synthetic opiates.

Forbes explains, “Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50-100 times more potent than morphine…and 25-50 times more potent than heroin.”15 Fentanyl may work “better” than other opiate drugs, but the risks match or exceed the possible benefits. The more powerful an opiate drug, the more likely side effects like addiction become.

What Do Opiates Do?

Opiate receptors exist throughout the body. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains, “[Opiates] act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs in the body.”16 When opiates attach to these receptors, they change how the brain perceives pain. They produce feelings of pleasure or euphoria. They also slow essential body functions like heart and breath rates. Wanted and unwanted effects are often almost instantaneous. The stronger the opiate, the faster and more powerful the effects.

Why Do People Get Addicted?

The brain records the feelings of pleasure opiate drugs provide. It cues individuals to experience these feelings again by taking more of the drug. When people take an opiate more often or in greater amounts, the drug becomes less effective. The brain wants the pleasurable feelings opiates provide, but it and the body also want balance. They begin to produce fewer natural opiates to combat the over-presence of chemical ones. They become less responsive to opiate drugs. The reward system combines with tolerance to encourage ever-increasing opiate use.

Soon individuals don’t just take opiates to feel good. They must take them to avoid feeling bad.

The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment explains, “The highs begin with feelings of extreme euphoria and comfort unlike any feeling that can be obtained naturally. In the beginning the lows are just a return to normal…Soon [opiate users] notice the level of euphoria is not as great as it was the first few times…The feelings of euphoria have diminished. Now the opioid only causes feelings of normality not euphoria.”17

When individuals are not on the drug, they begin to feel depressed or anxious. They start to experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, aches and pains, tremors or chills. Individuals may not recognize their growing addiction for what it is. They just know they feel good or at least okay when using opiates and feel bad, in pain or uncomfortable when not. They do not recognize how addiction is beginning to impact their health and happiness. They do not see the effects it has on their lives and those around them.

Who Gets Addicted?

Opiates act on the brain and body. Addiction is a disease that develops in response to opiates’ effects. It is not a matter of personality, willpower or weakness. Anyone can become addicted, but nobody wants to. Opiate use often begins with the best intentions. People want to manage physical or mental pain. They may receive a prescription from a medical professional or borrow pills from a friend or family member. This use quickly escalates.

Even if opiate use involves a prescription, it is dangerous. Opiate use puts health at risk. Overdose rates have reached epidemic levels.

The Centers for Disease Control reports, “In 2015, drug overdoses accounted for 52,404 deaths in the United States, 63.1% of which involved an opioid. Among opioid-related deaths, approximately 15,000 (approximately half) involved a prescription opioid.

In addition, an estimated 2.0 million persons in the United States had opioid use disorder (addiction) associated with prescription opioids in 2015.”18 Opiate addiction is a common story. Opiate overdose is a common result. It doesn’t have to be. Addiction is a serious situation, but there are many reasons to have hope. The number of effective, available treatments is increasing. Stigma is beginning to decrease. You can access immediate, appropriate care for yourself or an addicted loved one. Recovery professionals help people address addiction. They help people develop skills and strengths for sobriety.

If someone you love is abusing opioids, we’d like to help start your family on the road to recovery. Reach out to Black Bear Lodge. We can help you understand addiction and your options. Our evidence-based therapies offer real hope for recovery. Please call 706-909-9811 now. We have so much to share with you. We want to, and can, help.

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Prescription Drug Abuse: Symptoms and Treatment

Prescription drugs can save lives and ease pain. They can also cause suffering and create serious health problems. This is because they are powerful substances that alter how the brain and body function.

Even when used as directed by medical professionals, prescription drugs have potentially dangerous side effects. When they are abused, the risks become greater. Learn how to identify prescription drug abuse symptoms. This helps you or a loved one then find the treatment you need.

What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Prescription drug abuse is easier and more common than many people expect. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that drug abuse occurs any time a prescription drug is, “taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone other than the person for whom they are prescribed.”19

Drug abuse does not have to be intentional. If you use a drug without a prescription, you are abusing that drug. If you have a prescription but take the drug more often or in different ways than indicated, you are abusing the drug. The reasons for misuse vary and can include recreational use, self-medication and more. Even if your intentions are good, your actions are still potentially harmful.

If you do abuse a drug, you aren’t alone.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that in 2016, “An estimated 6.2 million people reported misusing psychotherapeutic drugs at least once in the past month, including 3.3 million people who were misusers of prescription pain relievers.”20

If you or a loved one is struggling, you don’t have to face the problem alone. Resources exist. You can find understanding and effective treatment. Problems like prescription drug abuse are not easy to solve. There are so many reasons and causes of drug abuse. There are so many individuals with their own histories, current situations, and needs for the future. While many factors play into substance abuse, addiction, and treatment, some facts do remain consistent. Signs and symptoms vary, but many are universal. Every individual will find his or her personal recovery path, but the possibility of this recovery remains open to anyone.

Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse vary between individuals. They vary depending on the substance used and how and why it is abused. Painkillers like codeine, hydrocodone, and morphine cause drowsiness and dizziness. Depressants like anti-anxiety medications and sleep aids similarly cause drowsiness. Stimulants cause spikes in energy level. All substances can cause changes in mood and behavior. Intoxication can be easy to spot due to slurred speech, clumsy movement or memory loss. However, individuals will expend effort to hide this intoxication. They may simply seem “off,” or their mood, behaviors, actions or words won’t feel quite right. If you notice changes in how a loved one acts or reacts, don’t ignore your suspicions.

As abuse progresses to addiction, more signs and symptoms appear. Tolerance develops. This means substances become less effective.

Increased Tolerance

You may notice you or a loved one takes more of a drug with fewer signs of intoxication. Using the drug becomes necessary to feel “normal” rather than “good.” Individuals begin to go to great lengths to get enough of a substance to fuel their habit. They may ask for or steal pills from friends and family members. They may begin visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies. They may complain about new or manufactured health issues in order to get new prescriptions. Getting and using drugs comes to replace former interests and hobbies.

Unreliability and Isolation

Individuals become unreliable and are often caught lying or breaking promises. They may be vague about where they have been or what they have been doing. Your loved one may start skipping school or work. He or she may avoid social events and prefer time alone or with new “friends” who support or encourage drug use.

People who turn away from friends and family do emotional harm to themselves and others. They cut themselves off from a healthy support system. Those left behind experience negative signs and symptoms of addiction as well. The family may begin to experience financial problems. Marriages may slowly or suddenly fall apart as anger, arguments and mistrust become more common. A previously peaceful home can become loud and even violent. The American Society of Addiction Medicine says, “Substance use plays a facilitative role in intimate partner violence by precipitating or exacerbating violence.”21 Changes in behavior and relationships are signs of prescription or other drug abuse. They also put the health and happiness of family members at extreme risk.

Healing After Prescription Drug Abuse

Ending prescription drug abuse quickly and safely is your priority. Protect your health or the health of your loved one. If you think you see signs of prescription drug abuse, reach out. The sooner you take action, the better. Talk with professionals to learn how to talk to your loved one. Discuss possible intervention approaches. Interventions aren’t dramatic, overly-emotional events.

They are carefully structured plans for reaching out to a loved one and offering opportunities for treatment.

An intervention may follow a classic group structure, or it may involve a series of one-on-one conversations. There are many types of intervention, and addiction professionals will help you choose the best one for your loved one and your situation.

After a loved one agrees to treatment, he or she begins the detox level of care. You may have noticed withdrawal symptoms as signs of prescription drug abuse before. If your loved one couldn’t get enough of his or her drug of choice, flu-like symptoms may have developed. Detox involves letting the body fully readjust to functioning without any drugs present. The experience varies in intensity depending on how tolerant your loved one is. In a formal detox program, medical professionals help you or a loved one transition from physical dependence to sobriety. Therapy begins once withdrawal symptoms fade.

Therapy for prescription drug abuse typically includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It may also include family therapy, contingency management programs, group therapy and alternative therapy options.

At Black Bear Lodge, we believe in the importance of customized prescription drug addiction treatment. We build personalized treatment plans that incorporate a wide variety of tools including individual psychotherapy, group skill-building activities, family therapy and more. We want to help you or your loved one heal. We want to bring families back together.

Call 706-909-9811 and tell us more about your prescription drug abuse concerns. We can help you identify addiction problems, arrange intervention and treatment or simply learn more about the recovery process. Please reach out today.

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Over-the-counter Drug Abuse

When we hear the terms “addiction” or “substance abuse,” we often think of hard substances like cocaine, heroin, prescription opioid pain relievers, and alcohol.

Images of young people hopped up on club drugs like Molly or vagrants drinking from paper bags might come to mind, but there’s a whole other genre of drug abusers out there. These people are misusing and abusing over-the-counter drugs.

The OTC Abuse Epidemic

Heroin may have claimed 6,235 lives in 2013, per Drug War Facts, but acetaminophen claimed over 1,500 since the early 2000s and has sent around 78,000 to the emergency room every year with 33,000 needing hospitalization, Mother Nature Network reports. News headlines and crime statistics of what’s happening on the streets often take the focus off what’s really going behind the closed doors of American homes.

Why Abuse OTC Drugs?

Most abusers of OTC drugs start out using them in moderation and as directed. Instruction labels often go unnoticed though — especially with newer designs that allow for the directions to be hidden underneath the sticky ingredient label. Many, if not most, OTC drug users never do more than glance at the warning labels or overdose precautions listed on these drug bottles. Instead, we’re inclined to automatically assume that a drug is safe if it can be bought over the counter.

A lot of people question whether someone can even get high from OTC drug abuse and why abusers do it. The truth is that it’s entirely possible to get high off these drugs, and that isn’t the end of it. They carry risks, too, just like illicit substances do. Some OTC drugs, like daytime cold remedies and even caffeine-containing pain relievers, provide users with a stimulating alertness that they think they need in order to get through the day. Consider it a stepping-stone to drugs like Adderall and Ritalin, something a reported 24 percent of high school students are abusing, per the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International.

Others, such as dextromethorphan (DMX), offer abusers a high similar to that associated with psychedelics. The main ingredient in many cough remedies, DMX has a lot of potential for addiction, and withdrawal from it can really pack a punch, even inflicting the addict with depression and lasting damage to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Philly.com notes around one in 10 teenagers claims to have used cough medicine to get high at some point. Fortunately, patients who overdose on dextromethorphan often respond well to naloxone to reverse the effects when it is administered soon enough.

Others take OTC drugs — often whatever they can get their hands on — to mitigate the uncomfortable symptoms they’re suffering from due to a mental health disorder. Many substance abusers struggle with some form of mental health issue and have no idea — a great deal of them find out only after they start treatment for their addiction. A reported 50 percent of severely mentally ill individuals also engage in substance abuse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness notes.

Pseudoephedrine is another popularly abused OTC cough medicine. Mostly preferred by youths, the drug is widely available and a cause for worry because people use it to make crystal meth and methamphetamines. One of the best regulatory structures in place to deter people from abusing this drug is the requirement of a signature and driver’s license to buy it. Elevated blood pressure, seizures and even organ damage are possible side effects that can stem from an overdose on pseudo ephedrine.

Caffeine supplements and energy-inducing OTC drugs are common drugs of abuse by everyone from the college student who needs to stay up to pass tomorrow’s exam to the truck driver who wants to finish his route by dawn. Sometimes similar in nature with other additive ingredients, OTC diet pills are popular in every demographic. CBS News reported on the 2007 release of the popular diet supplement known as Alli, which five to six million people were expected to purchase every year, a statistic that has remained fairly consistent.

Dimenhydrinate, a motion sickness remedy, and diphenhydramine, an OTC allergy treatment, are both drugs of abuse due to the potent high they can deliver when enough is taken.

Some drug abusers often experiment with herbal supplements, too. Some vitamin stores and health shops will sell variants of herbs that are medicinal in small amounts but can be abused to get high, such as salvia and yohimbine.

OTC Doesn’t Equal Safe

Many people are surprised to find that abuse of OTC drugs is even possible. Most assume the very drugs they have been taking since childhood for average ailments and discomfort are 100 percent safe. One poll of medical professionals touts that 79 percent of those surveyed believed there was reason for concern when it came to misuse of OTC drugs, Be Medwise reports. If mixed with alcohol, the risks are magnified.

For most abusers of OTC drugs, the habit starts innocently. They are actually in pain and begin taking the medication every day as a remedy for it. Over time, they might start trying to prevent the onset of ailments like back pain or migraines altogether by taking the medication early. When tolerance for these drugs grows — just as it would for illicit substances — they start taking more and more of the drug and become hooked. If they try to discontinue use of it, they experience withdrawal symptoms just like other addicts do.

The Need for Treatment

Substance abuse treatment facilities aren’t just for illicit drug and alcohol abusers. Many who abuse OTC medications seek professional help for the issue. When you first approach treatment, you’ll have to be open to discussing your drug abuse problems. No one will judge you; that isn’t what this is about. Of the 23.1 million people that the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported as being in need of substance abuse treatment in 2012, 2.5 million of them got help for their problems, and that help often started with detox. Depending on the substance you’ve been abusing and what symptoms you suffer from during withdrawal, your detox experience will be unique.

Typically, detoxing from pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen comes with both psychological and physical symptoms. The withdrawal experience may be a bit more uncomfortable for those who abuse stimulant-like drugs, such as cough meds. These drug abusers may encounter withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations and nightmares. The good news is that all of these symptoms can be treated with medications under the supervision of consulting physicians, and they can also be treated holistically.

The overall goal is to get you through detox and into addiction care that will teach you how to cope with your life and pain in all forms without substance abuse. Reach out to us here at Black Bear Lodge today at 706-909-9811 for this kind of help.

Are Over-The-Counter Drugs Safe?

When it comes to substance abuse, most people focus on the dangers of illegal drugs or even prescription drugs like opioid painkillers, but we do not often talk about the dangers of over-the-counter medications. These common medications, drugs that don’t even require a doctor’s prescription to slip into our grocery carts, may contain hidden dangers. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can treat anything from the common cold to fungal infections, but there are limits to how benign they can be.

Prescription Drugs and Over-the-counter Drugs

In the United States, there are two types of commercially available pharmaceutical medications: prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. As explained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, prescription drugs have to be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, they have to be purchased at a pharmacy, they have to be used exclusively by the patient, and exclusively for the reason they were initially prescribed.[1]

Some prescription drugs are heavily regulated and monitored if they carry a significant risk to cause physical and/or psychological dependence. This is a good precaution, because the National Institute on Drug Abuse has estimated that over 52 million American adults used prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes in a given year.[2]

By comparison, over-the-counter drugs are slightly easier to procure. They often contain milder doses and potency than prescription medication, so they do not require a doctor’s approval to be purchased; they’re often much cheaper than prescription medication; they are stocked and found in larger quantities; and the causes for which they are taken are rarely (if ever) as serious as those that require a doctor’s input. Over-the-counter drugs are made available to the general public with the understanding that they will be used responsibly, without the need for supervision by a health care professional.

OTC Medicine and Pregnancy

Any substance can be abused; patients may consume dangerous amounts of any drug. Also, over-the-counter meds may react negatively with other drugs (either prescription or recreational) that are taken at the same time. In some cases, over-the-counter medications may exacerbate pre-existing mental health or medical conditions.

Pregnant women should not take an over-the-counter medication without first consulting with their doctor. Some studies show that there is insufficient data to say if even up to 98 percent of commercially available medicines (whether prescription or otherwise) are safe to take during pregnancy. For obvious reasons, the Food and Drug Administration does not often test medicines on pregnant women and their unborn children.[4],[5]

Unfortunately, many people, not just pregnant woman, assume that if drugs are available over the counter, and if they are approved by the FDA, the drugs are safe to take at anytime. However, human fetuses are incredibly sensitive to any chemical or hormonal changes in their mother’s body, and that is why even the most basic of over-the-counter medications have to be approached with caution. Hormonal changes readjust the entire system of the mother’s body.[6]

Misusing Over-the-counter Medicines

Pregnant women are not the only people who should be careful about taking over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter drugs are purely for treating short-term illnesses and symptoms, yet they often get used for much longer periods of time. Taking these medications over a long period of time increases chances of adverse effects on health and worsening of pre-existing medical conditions that then require medical intervention.

A large part of the problem is that many people do not fully understand what they are putting into their bodies. Even medications that are meant to treat the most basic conditions are formulations of several drugs. For example, cold and cough medicines contain pseudoephedrine, and if a patient is taking antidepressants or stimulants to treat ADHD, the cocktail can cause high blood pressure to the point of becoming life-threatening.[7]

Another good example surrounds the warning from the FDA that targets drugs that exceed 325 mg of acetaminophen per dose. While acetaminophen is commonly found in many over-the-counter drugs for the treatment of pain and fever, patients are unaware of (or willfully ignore) the maximum recommended dosages. In the case of acetaminophen, taking more than a recommended dose can cause irreversible, fatal liver damage.[8],[9]

The seemingly innocuous nature of over-the-counter drugs, and the fact that they are sold in such large quantities, is what disarms a lot of people and lures them into excessive consumption. Even simple, everyday drugs, like aspirin, can interact with blood thinners and antibiotics, which may cause severe internal bleeding, while some anti-inflammatory painkillers, like ibuprofen, can lead to ulcers.[10],[11]

Other over-the-counter drugs that may be misused include diet pills or laxatives, partly because they are believed to cause a mild buzz when taken in large doses, but also because individuals who deeply struggle with body image may overdose or damage their digestive tracts in an attempt to lose weight quickly.[12]

Dangers of OTC Cough Syrup: Dextromethorphan Abuse

Unfortunately, some OTC medications are recreationally abused, and many of the people who misuse those drugs are under the age of 18. While prescription medication abuse remains a massive problem, the ease with which OTC drugs can be obtained, and the erroneous belief that they cannot be too harmful, leads some young people to experiment with them.

One very commonly abused household medicine can be found in cough syrup.

Dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in most cough syrups, can also cause a number of dangerous side effects, including:

  • Vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Difficulty coordinating muscle movement
  • Blurred vision
  • Extended periods of drowsiness[13]

When combined with alcohol or other drugs, an excessive dose of otherwise everyday cough and cold syrup can be deadly. Further, many cough syrups contain alcohol. The common cough syrup brand name NyQuil has an alcohol content ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent (more than most domestic beers), so it is perhaps not too surprising that this substance can tie in with alcohol dependence.[14]

Combining OTC Medications with Alcohol

Why does alcohol react so adversely with medication? The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that since medicines are drugs (and have drugs in them), and alcohol itself is a drug, the combination often leads to undesirable reactions in the human body, especially when other factors are taken into consideration:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Body weight
  • Previous substance use
  • Physical health
  • Family history of medical and mental health issues[15]

Using Over-the-counter Medication Properly

All-in-all, it is important to learn as much as you can and use all medicines — OTC or prescription — wisely. Any substance can be misused, and most substances can be dangerous if taken in dangerous ways. If addiction has impacted you or your family, it is especially important to watch these medications carefully and exercise care when using any substance.

Read labels carefully to ensure that the ingredients of the medication do not clash with other medications currently being taken. Questions should be asked directly to a pharmacist and if you choose to research your medications on the internet, find multiple reliable sources before proceeding.

Over-the-counter tablets should not be crushed or mixed with other liquids for faster consumption and effect. This is a common way that people who misuse medication try to get higher faster or to get rapid relief from their conditions. However, even OTC medications are only meant to be taken as directed. Altering medication in any way (by crushing the tablets and dissolving them in liquid, for example) might overwhelm the body with the drug.

While they are not manufactured with the intent of causing addictions and lining the pockets of drug dealers and manufacturers, OTC drugs are still drugs. Those going to their neighborhood grocery store to get something for a cold or an upset stomach should know what they are putting into their bodies.

If you or someone you care about has been misusing substances of any kind, we are here to help. Our experienced treatment team has resources to help individuals and families overcome addiction and its effects. Call us today to find support and information that can improve your life.

How Potent Are Your Prescription Medications?

“I had never had an issue before with alcohol or other forms of addiction. It all started with the prescriptions, and there was no turning back.” —Sandi F., at Heroes in Recovery

Most of us rarely ask questions when a trusted doctor prescribes a medication. Our lives are often busy, and we rely on our doctors and pharmacists to give us medications that meet our needs. A family physician is often a very reliable source, but it is also a good idea to learn more about each medication that enters your home and to lock up any prescriptions for safety’s sake.

Some medications may be more potent or more strong than other medications. Even medications that perform the same task may be dosed in very different measurements. If you or someone you care about is at risk for addiction or substance overuse, you should take the time to learn about the potency and the potential addictiveness of every substance in your house.

Coffee is a good example of how potency works. Those who enjoy drinking coffee know that you are able to brew a very strong cup of coffee by using more ground coffee beans and less water, or by purchasing strongly caffeinated coffee beans. Both of these methods result in more potent coffee; that is, a coffee that packs more caffeine per cup. People who choose to have less caffeine (less potent) coffee may add more water or milk to their coffee, or they may choose coffee beans that have had some caffeine removed.

Similarly, some medications contain more active ingredients than others. This is why drugs like Fentanyl are extremely dangerous: the potency of a Fentanyl patch may be stronger than even illegal heroin, and therefore, much more deadly.

Common Prescription Medication Classes

Any medicine, prescription or over-the-counter, can be misused. However, in discussions of medication abuse, most experts focus on certain classes of prescription drugs. Different classes of drugs serve different purposes, and it is a good idea to be aware of the most commonly abused prescription drug classes.

A few to consider include:

  • Opioid painkillers, also known as narcotics. These drugs are a hot topic in recent news and legislature. Opioids change the way our brain perceives physical pain. These medications vary widely in potency, and may be mixed with other medications, such as acetaminophen, which can also be dangerous in larger doses. Opioids are notoriously addictive, and each one of these drugs can be measured differently. For instance, one person may ingest a 10-milligram dose of oxycodone, and another person may take a much smaller 50 microgram dose of Fentanyl, and the effects of the Fentanyl will still be much more potent than the oxycodone dose. Similarly, these medications may affect each person differently, which makes using opioids without medical supervision very dangerous.22
  • Benzodiazepines. These medications create sedative effects and are generally prescribed to treat anxiety and seizure disorders. This class of drugs includes Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan. Each benzodiazepine is measured differently, and doses vary among drugs and for their intended purpose. Benzodiazepine drugs are habit-forming, and use may lead to dependence in just a matter of days or weeks.23
  • Amphetamine Drugs and Stimulants. This class of drugs includes medications used for weight loss, to treat attention deficit disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy. Popular amphetamine drugs include Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. Most of these drugs increase dopamine and norepinephrine and may temporarily boost mood but also increase heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Unfortunately, these drugs can also cause cardiovascular distress and can lead to accidental overdose.

Do Stronger Drugs Lead to Stronger Addictions?

The potency of a medication isn’t always directly associated with addiction. People who plan to misuse a substance often find ever-creative ways to increase the potency of their medications. They may do this by taking bigger doses, mixing the drugs with alcohol or other substances, or snorting the medications.

Potency can play a big role in making a substance more dangerous. After all, people who are taking very strong pills on a regular basis are much more likely to overdose or impair their long-term health. Once a person becomes accustomed to misusing a substance, it can be tempting to simply use more, forget previous doses, or accidentally mix the drug with something dangerous.

It’s easy to understand why taking a powerful pill might be considered just a little bit more dangerous than a less powerful pill. There are more active ingredients involved in a very potent medication, and more damage to the brain might result, and that might make very strong addictions or deaths due to addiction all the more likely.

It doesn’t matter how potent your medications are if you are not using them correctly. Black Bear Lodge offers an evidence-based treatment program for both substance use and emotional wellness. We can help you break your reliance on prescription drugs, and we can work to give you your life back. Please call us at 706-909-9811 and our admissions coordinators can tell you more.

Understand the Ingredients of Your Prescription Drugs

Over four billion prescriptions are filled at pharmacies across the United States each year, and this amount is only expected to increase.25 In fact, consumer spending on prescription medications is expected to reach nearly $610 billion by the year 2021.26

The vast majority of these prescriptions do something very beneficial for a person in need. Some may combat an infection. Others may quell a sensation of pain. Others might help to reduce congestion or sneezing. All in all, these drugs are very useful. Some might say that they’re vital.

But unfortunately, some of these prescription drugs can do more than alleviate illness. Some can actually cause a different illness, particularly if they’re taken in ways that aren’t recommended.

These are just a few of the prescription medications that are worth handling with care.

Ambien

Sleep is a vital part of life, so when insomnia lasts for more than a few days or weeks, many people seek relief. Medications can sometimes play a role in that process, and Ambien (generic name: zolpidem) is just one prescription drug doctors can provide to people who need to sleep.

Ambien is generally considered safe, simply because it’s effective. People who take this drug tend to fall asleep swiftly, and they may stay asleep for a long period of time. Doctors often prefer Ambien to benzodiazepine medications like Valium, Xanax, or Klonopin, because it has been advertised as less addictive than benzodiazepines. Newer research, however, shows that Ambien may lead to dependence and addiction.28

Ambien contains zolpidem. This drug calms electrical impulses in the brain, which quiets the conscious mind to make sleep easier. This drug is known as a hypnotic drug, due to the way it alters brain function.

Some people find that they don’t get sleepy when they take Ambien. Instead, they have an opposite reaction. Rather than feeling tired, they feel energized and awake. They may even feel a little loopy or high. Sometimes, they may hallucinate, behave strangely, or experience episodic memory loss.29

This drug may even cause a mild rush of mania, and it may cause temporary, pleasant feelings that leads to a temptation to use this drug again. People who use Ambien and run out of this drug may find that they struggle with withdrawal symptoms. That’s a hallmark of addiction.

People who take Ambien per the advice of a doctor and who only take the drug for a short period of time may not be at a high risk for this cycle of addiction. Thankfully, there are no hidden substances in Ambien that have been linked to physical harm, but those who abuse the substance may find that they struggle with addiction.

Xanax

Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug that is similar to Klonopin and Valium. Benzodiazepines are similar to Ambien and also cause a depression, or slow, in brain activity. It’s so effective in slowing brain activity, in fact, that Xanax is sometimes used to help people to sleep, but Xanax is in a different medication class than Ambien. Xanax, like all other benzodiazepine medications, come with some very special abuse risks.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax work on receptors in the brain known as GABA receptors. Each molecule of Xanax has the potential to hop onto a GABA receptor, and when it does, it slows down the work that the GABA cells are designed to do.30

Typically, these GABA cells act a bit like the brain’s cleanup crew. They remove extra cells associated with brain pleasure and euphoria, so a person can get back to normal after exposure to some rewarding event. When that cleanup isn’t happening, the brain may feel numb or mildly euphoric for a short period of time. Feelings like that can be terribly addicting.

As people with these addictions develop a tolerance for the drugs they enjoy, they may be forced to do unusual things with the drugs they take. For Xanax abusers, that might involve crushing the pills and injecting them directly into the bloodstream. Xanax isn’t, however, designed to move through the bloodstream. Each Xanax pill contains inert ingredients like cornstarch that can bunch up and clog the little capillaries in the body. That blockage can cause cell death, which might manifest as ulcers.

That’s why it’s vital for people suffering from Xanax addiction to get help from a formal treatment program. People can then get the help they need to stop abusing Xanax for good.

“To deal with life, I started abusing my meds,” writes Laurie W. “I was prescribed Xanax and Ambien at the time and I used these excessively to deal with my anxiety and insomnia. I always would lose track of how much I took though, one pill would suddenly turn into 10… The way I remember describing my state of mind then was that I felt like “half a person.”
– Laurie of Heroes in Recovery

Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital and other barbiturate drugs are used in a variety of ways. Some people use the drug to help control or prevent seizures. Others use this medication to help calm anxiety. Ironically, others use this medication to help them ease addiction symptoms. These drugs are sedatives that slow down almost every single system in the body.

Barbiturates like phenobarbital are known to be habit-forming, and people who take this type of medication are often encouraged to follow directions carefully and avoid:

  • Taking bigger doses than recommended
  • Combining the drug with another drug, like alcohol
  • Taking doses too close together
  • Taking the drug in an unusual way (like snorting pills)31

This drug is also intoxicating to the tissues of the brain, and sometimes, people who take this drug become enamored with what it can do and how it can make them feel.

People who choose to crush phenobarbital pills and inject the powder may have the same abscesses and cell death seen in people who inject Xanax. That’s because phenobarbital pills also have the same inactive ingredients that just aren’t meant to hit the bloodstream directly.

People who abuse phenobarbital need to get help in order to stop, as the drug can cause uncomfortable side effects when removed on a cold-turkey basis. But those who do choose to get sober will find that they’re feeling better than they ever did while under the influence of this very powerful drug.

Duragesic and Other Opioids

When people in pain need severe relief, they might be provided with the prescription drug Duragesic.

This is a very powerful painkiller medication that comes in multiple forms, including those that can be:

  • Placed on the skin
  • Injected into tissues
  • Absorbed through the gums
  • Snorted through the nose

If used properly, this medication can provide a great deal of relief, but the active ingredient in Duragesic—the opioid fentanyl– can be quite dangerous.

Opioids work by latching to the brain’s pleasure receptors. When they’re latched on, opioids trigger a cascading series of chemical reactions that can be amazingly powerful, and the person going through those reactions often feels blissful or happy.

Unfortunately, fentanyl is highly associated with overdoses. The drug can slow vital systems down to such a degree that it’s hard to support life. Fentanyl is very powerful and leads to a large number of overdoses each year.

Opioids are not designed to be used in mild cases or for long periods of time. Where someone with cancer might be given Duragesic to help quell symptoms, someone with a toothache might be given something much less powerful, like Vicodin. It’s important to know that all opioid drugs are dangerous.

This prescription drug can be dangerous too, but it’s just not as overwhelmingly strong as its close cousin. Prescription painkillers like Vicodin, however, have plenty of their own dangers. Vicodin, for instance, contains hydrocodone, which is an opioid medication capable of boosting signals of pleasure that can quickly become addictive. In time, people with an addiction to Vicodin and other prescription opioids find that they need more and more of the drug in order to feel a high.

Each boost of dosage brings an increased risk of overdose and death. That active ingredient is responsible for a great deal of harm. Vicodin and many other opioid painkillers also have other ingredient that are worth monitoring. In Vicodin, the secondary ingredient is acetaminophen, which is designed to reduce pain. It’s processed by the liver, and when taken in small doses, it does little long-term harm. But when people are addicted and they take large doses of this drug, they can ingest huge amounts of acetaminophen, which can lead to liver failure and death. That’s why it’s vital for people who are dependent on opioids to get the help they’ll need in order to stop the abuse.

Working Through Treatment

Reading through a laundry list of possibilities can be a little overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that these side effects don’t have to occur in everyone who fills a bottle at a prescription counter. Patients who work closely with doctors, follow the instructions to the letter and do everything that’s required in order to get well often have a low risk of developing an addiction.

But, if you or someone you love has drifted from using drugs into abusing drugs, we’re here to help. At Black Bear Lodge, we have a suite of treatments we can use to help you both understand the nature of prescription drug abuse and build up skills you’ll need in order to stop abusing drugs. Just call us at 706-909-9811, and our admissions coordinators can outline the steps we can help you take.

What Are the Risks of Injecting Opana?

Opana and Opana ER, the extended-release version, are narcotic painkillers commonly prescribed to patients who are living with severe pain. Unfortunately, they are also highly potent and addictive. Many who are addicted to opiates will abuse the drugs with the express intent of getting high.

Long-term opiate addicts will often go to extremes in order to get the biggest impact out of their drugs of choice. Rather than just swallowing the pills, they will crush them, dissolve the crushed substance in water, and then inject the solution. Especially when using an extended-release version of the drug or multiple pills, this can mean a huge dose injected straight into the bloodstream – an extremely dangerous practice.

Risks of Shooting Opana

Abusing Opana in any way comes with a set of risks, and injecting any illicit substance comes with a host of risks as well. Together, the practice of shooting up with Opana can compound the risks associated with opiate drug abuse or dependence and expose the user to a number of health problems.

Risks of Injection Drug Use:

  • Infection at the injection site
  • Blood infections
  • HIV or hepatitis C infection
  • Overdose

Risks of Opana Abuse:

  • Addiction
  • Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (a blood clotting disorder)
  • Overdose

Effects of Shooting Opana

Users who opt to shoot Opana will often experience a high that is quicker in onset but shorter in length as compared to those who swallow the pills whole. The short-term effects of use may be a feeling of euphoria and blocking of the experience of pain but it may also mean:

  • Slowed heart rate
  • Slowed or shallow breathing rate
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Constipation

In the long-term, injecting Opana can increase the chances of:

  • Overdose
  • Addiction
  • Infection
  • Contracting a blood-borne disease
  • Vein collapse
  • Circulation problems

Signs of Opana Abuse

Opana abuse can occur in a number of different ways, and using the drug in any manner or amount that is not prescribed by a doctor is a form of abuse. Injecting Opana is a sign of abuse of the drug in and of itself; no doctor would ever prescribe that someone crush the pills for any purpose, especially to inject them.

Signs of injecting Opana include:

  • Paraphernalia including needles, cookers, small cotton balls, etc.
  • Flat surfaces with white residue and/or razor marks from crushing the pills
  • A “cook kit” with all the items stored together
  • Track marks on the inside of the arms and anywhere the veins are visible
  • Vein collapse and poor circulation (e.g., swollen hands and feet)
  • Bruises on muscles (e.g., bicep, buttocks, thigh, etc.) where people must inject the shots when veins collapse

Additionally, people who abuse Opana by injection are often high-dose opiate addicts. They may abuse other drugs as well including anything containing oxycodone, codeine, morphine, or hydrocodone. They may also exhibit drug-seeking behaviors like going to multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions for opiate drugs and/or filling prescriptions at multiple pharmacies.

Opana Abuse Treatment Services

If someone you love is an injection drug user or abusing Opana or other opiate drugs, treatment can help him or her to stop all methods of substance abuse safely and effectively. Learn more about what your loved one needs to break free from addiction today. Call us at Black Bear Lodge at 706-909-9811 for more information about our opiate addiction treatment services.

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