...Opioid addiction is a serious chronic relapsing but treatable disorder. Treatments approaches must be tailored to address each client’s drug abuse patterns, psychiatric and social problems, the primary care provider will choose along with client the best treatment. There is no right or wrong medications, only the right and wrong ways to use them. The treatment course will depended on duration of addiction, prior treatment experience, co-morbid medical and psychiatric conditions, and preferences for medication treatment. Medications can only change physiology, but new behavior can change lives. Many treatment programs that provide pharmacotherapy (Methadone or Suboxone) also requires that client participate in group therapies such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or weekly therapies with psychologist or psychiatrist. The addiction affects a person in so many ways and treatments must address the needs of a whole person to be successful. The goal of treatment counselors is to meet the individual medical, physiological, social and vocational to help with their recovery from addiction. Client and clinician should discuss the ongoing support options that will best fit the client’s needs. Here are some examples of these therapies: * Cognitive Behavioral Therapy seeks to help patients to recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations in with they are most likely to abuse drugs. * Group Therapy helps patients face their drugs abuse realistically, come to terms with its harmful consequences...
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...there is an extremely big difference between Suboxone (Buprenorphine) and heroin, or any other full agonist opioid for that matter. Hydrocodone (Vicodin,Lortab), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), OxyContin, Oxymorphone (Opana), and diacetylmorphine (heroin) are all full agonist opioids, which means that they bind to the endogenous opioid receptors, especially the mu-receptor, with high affinity (binding strength) and high efficacy (strength of drug) and therefore the more a person takes of these opioids the more pain relief they receive, the more respiratory depression they experience, and so on. This is evident in that if an individual abuses these drugs, their tolerance increases, which requires a higher dosage of the drug to reach that same "baseline". Suboxone on the other hand is a partial agonist,...
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...individual to gradually come off the pre-existing addiction, while decreasing the opioid withdrawal symptoms. According to National Institutes of Health, Buprenorphine is listed as a Schedule III controlled drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is believed to have less risk of causing dependence than Schedule II drugs such as methadone, morphine, and oxycodone. The primary side effects of buprenorphine are similar to other μ-opioid agonists such as...
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...• Methadone – An opioid, methadone reduces withdrawal symptoms and is used as a replacement drug for heroin during detoxification. It is also used during detox for other opiate drugs. • Naltrexone (Naltrexone hydrochloride) - Naltrexone is a pure opioid antagonist. It works by blocking the effects of opioids. • Antabuse (disulfiram) – Is used in cases of chronic alcohol abuse. Antabuse disrupts an enzyme that works with metabolizing alcohol. It is used to keep alcoholics from drinking by creating unpleasant side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, cramping, and more. How does detox trigger relapse without treatment? The intense cravings and urges that are associated with addiction are not addressed through the detoxification process. Especially in cases of...
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...“No Vacancy” The number of heroin-related deaths has increased nearly 160 percent since the year 2010, and the numbers continue to spike. What if the addict knew that they were able to test their limits, thanks to the new antidote, Narcan? Narcan is used to reverse an overdose and push out any existing opiates that may be in the users system and is supposed to save the addict, who otherwise would not have lived to see another day. Some argue that because of this antidote, it has taken away the fear of death to the users and is not a fix at all, but more of an enabler. Treatment and resources for treatment are not mandated after they are saved, so is this really a solution, or just a quick fix to the epidemic of substance abuse? Are we really saving the addicts, or making it a safer environment for them to get high? Ocean County NJ prosecutor Joe Coronato stated, “There have been several individuals that we’ve sprayed two or three times already, but sometimes by the 3rd, they’ve not survived.” The problem is addiction, lack of long-term treatment centers, and not enough funding. Those problems will remain, with or without an antidote. Narcan was deployed more than 1,000 times in 2014; 1,000 lives extended, but not saved, which is clear when you see the 95% chance of relapse after being released back to the streets. Who can blame them? The Narcan blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose, causing the user immediate withdrawal symptoms, and just like that, they are...
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...using drugs at the age of 24. The applicant reports to using cocaine and heroin, by IV. His last use of cocaine was about a month or two ago, a $20 bag. As for the heroin, the applicant reports to using it daily, by IV, 2 bundles. The applicants then reports he had used alcohol at the age of 16 and drinks occassionally. The applicant is aware about the effects of mixing alcohol and methadone and stated, " I haven't used any alcohol while receiving methadone treatment in the past, I know the risk. I will stop. I, was only drinking 1-2 beers once a month during social events and I was not in any program, but again, I will stop." The applicant reports smoking one pack of cigarrettes per day and wants to quit smoking. The applicant denies using any benzos, usage of designer drugs, street methadone, and street suboxone....
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...30 year old male who presented to the ED with substance abuse issues with Suboxone and "downer". He reports a history of bipolar. Per documentation family brought him in becaue they do not feel safe with him living in their home. Dr. Gentry requested a consult with mental health to determine appropriate services. He denies suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and symptoms of psychosis to ED staff. At the time of the assessment Mr. Cook continues to denies suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and symptoms of psychosis. He acknowledges a history of polysubstance abuse. He reports last inpatient treatment was at Moore Regional Hospital. He agreed for his records from Moore Regional to be released to Randolph Health. Per documentation Mr. Cook was sent to Moore Regional Hospital from Randolph Hospital 10/13/15 and was treated for substance abuse services. At there facility he diagnosed with Opiate Dependence, Major Depression, Recurrent Episode, Moderate; personality disorder not otherwise specified with borderline and narcissistic histrionic features. He was encouraged upon discharged to follow up with Sober Living America or Daymark, which did not happen afterwards. Mr. Cook stated at that time suicidal ideation and auditory hallucinations, however symptoms were resolved and his primary concern was to "get off medication. He has a...
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...overdosing and dying. A small dose of fentanyl has to the ability to kill someone. Even though the withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and make people sick, a person can still survive and become sober. For example, alcohol is one of the only substances that can kill and individual, if alcohol use is discontinued after a high tolerance has been built. In society, people who are or were addicted to opiates, such as Percocet or heroin now need to go on another synthetic form of opiates. There’s methadone, Suboxone (buprenorphine), and naltrexone. Women who are pregnant are being put on these drugs to help get them off of illicit drugs. However, there child can suffer from birth defects. “Both cocaine and opiate exposures are associated with premature birth and lower birth weight, but their impact on later development is less clear” (Messinger, et all., 1677). Methadone keeps an individual high all day for a long period of time. The point of methadone is to help avoid taking heroin. However, methadone is a synthetic opiate and people become dependent. If they’re not on any synthetic opiate, then they’ll continuing using other opiates. “Illicit drug use by pregnant women constitutes a widespread public health problem” (Messinger, et al., 1677). Opiates are extremely harmful to a fetus. Newborns are suffering from withdrawal symptoms. “The number of women addicted to opiates is on the rise and this issue is increasingly alarming in pregnant women” (Keikha, et al., 479). ...
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...For my interview I chose Summer Alessi. She is the Intake Supervisor for the Life Center of Galax. Describe a typical day at your job. What types of problems do you deal with? A typical day consists of getting intake packages together for processing. The packages consist of all paperwork that we need to fill out prior to entry to our facility, a drug screen, rules, expectations, etc. Some days are easy but that depends on how many intakes I have. That can be anywhere from one to fifteen. With larger groups it takes all day and we try to get all of the clients in at the same time so we don't find ourselves do repetitive work. The only real problems I have had is when a client tries to bring contraband into the facility. I'm allowed a bit of discretion as to whether or not to report it to the local authorities and I try not to but there are a few individuals who try to bring in enormous quantities of illegal (and legal) drugs. Why they try to do that still puzzles me. What are your typical duties, tasks, and responsibilities? How is your time divided among your various responsibilities? At my job I do intake for a residential drug rehab. It's my responsibility to make sure all of the necessary paperwork is in order including any insurance papers that need to be filed for payment. I also do thorough searches of the client's belongings and their initial drug screen . If a client brings in prescribed medication it is my responsibility to make sure the nurse gets it...
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...Drug Abuse: Silent Epidemic Jennifer Lieberman Com 220 December 4, 2011 A. Caruso Drug Abuse in Today's Culture There are many drugs that are abused in today’s culture, and they are more readily available and affordable than a person would think. Even though not everyone that uses illegal drugs is an addict, drug abuse is a terrible epidemic in the United States because so many people die every day from drug overdose and drug abuse can lead to long term health problems. The current statistics state that one in four people die from fatal drug overdose. The most commonly abused drugs fall into six categories, have both “positive” effects and adverse effects, withdrawal symptoms and overdose potentials. The first category I want to explore is Stimulants. The drugs most commonly abused from this category are Amphetamines and Cocaine. Each drug in this category will give the user the feeling of increased energy, increased strength feelings of euphoria and a suppressed appetite. The adverse effects of this type of drug are an increased blood pressure, dry mouth, weight loss, mood swings, and paranoia. The most commonly seen withdrawal effects are mental agitation, depression, and panic. Both Amphetamines and Cocaine have the potential for fatal overdose even in small amounts. The next category I am going to talk about is Hallucinogens. The most commonly abused drugs from this category are LSD, Ecstasy, and Mushrooms. The drugs in this category...
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...treat tranquilize dependence is likewise a suitable treatment. For the most part, medication habit is frequently connected with emotional instabilities, so it is critical to treat these psychological well-being conditions with the meds endorsed by a specialist. These may incorporate antidepressants, hostile to nervousness medications and medications to treat schizophrenia. The advantages of these extra meds ought not be thought little of. Note that these new medications are not a trade for existing, very much perceived treatments for compulsion, for example, guiding, needle therapy and 12-stage gatherings, to say only a couple. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is likewise a sedative solution that has an indistinguishable impact from methadone. In the event that Suboxone is infused, it obstructs the impacts of agony slaughtering sedatives). Suboxone is an exceptionally safe medication, with negligible danger of overdose. Also, considering smoking as an enslavement, bupropion and a NRS will twofold the shot of stopping nicotine habit. Additionally varenicline all alone is utilized rather to quit nicotine, there is four times more prominent possibility of stopping contrasted with utilizing no guides. A couple reasons that lead addicts to back off prescription upheld recuperation are the high costs of medicine recuperation, which by far most can't hold up under, the Stress of being around disillusioned addicts 24h/7D , and the way that not all drugs have same levels of stimulant on different...
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...compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The rise may be attributed in part to increased maternal drug misuse and addiction, as well as to greater legitimate use of medication to treat pain and depression. Further, more careful surveillance for symptoms associated with maternal drug use have turned up more affected babies. About 1% of pregnant women report recreational use of opioid painkillers like Oxycontin, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health, a number that has stayed constant since 2003. The new treatment guidelines, appearing on Monday in the journal Pediatrics, recommend that pregnant women addicted to prescription pain relievers or heroin should be maintained on either methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex). These recommendations are in line with prior consensus documents from the National Institutes on Health and World Health Organization. MORE: The ‘Oxycontin Baby’ Scare The authors state that the alternative to maintenance — active or passive detoxification — is “associated...
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...Name Writing Assignment 3: Writing a comparison- contrast essay Due: October 13th, 2015 Introduction to Independent Learning Teachers name Herion Abuse VS Alcoholism My goal in this paper is to compare and contrast the difference of Heroin abuse and Alcohol abuse. To achieve this goal, I will explain the differences and the similarities. Heroin is a very popular drug affecting all ages. It is a drug that is severely abused by mental dependency. According to narconon.org, Opium was “developed as a pain killer in approximately 1810. It was considered a wonder drug because it eliminated severe pain associated with medical operation or traumatic injuries.” This drug was used in the Civil war treating thousands of soldiers. Resulting in, becoming addicted to Heroin. At one point in the 1920’s, in the United States Heroin was sold legally. Quickly, congress realized the danger of this drug and created the Dangerous Drug Act. This act prohibited people to purchase, export, and transit Heroin. In 2011, according to drugabuse.gov Heroin has effected 4.2 million American aged 12 or order. This means, they’ve sniffed, injected in veins, or smoked this evil drug. Many documentaries have been filmed about Herion addiction. Including, Drugs, Inc, National Geographic, and Monroe news. All these documentaries have been aired on Television. Heroin has become a public focus. According to think process.org, the Obama administration “unveiled a new strategy to combat heroin abuse...
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...Baltimore: A Community in Crisis Since the 19th century, the illicit drug, heroin, has been a part of American society. When heroin was first discovered it was thought to be a wonder drug because of the euphoric feeling a person is said to feel after using it. However, once the debilitating effects of this highly addictive drug was realized the anti-drug law, the Harrison Narcotics Act, was enacted that restricted its use to medicinal purposes only. In 1920, heroin was banned altogether through the Dangerous Drug Act (Habal, 2011). Heroin for the most part was thought to have gone underground until the Vietnam War. In 1971, two congressmen returned from visiting U. S. servicemen serving in Vietnam with an alarming revelation that “15 percent of U.S. servicemen in Vietnam… were actively addicted to heroin” (Spiegel, 2012, para. 3). The idea that American servicemen were addicted to such a horrible drug disgusted much of the American public. “It was thought to be the most addictive substance ever produced, a narcotic so powerful that once addiction claimed you, it was nearly impossible to escape” (Spiegel, 2012, para. 4). President Richard Nixon took swift action by creating, The Special Action Office of Drug Abuse Prevention which concentrated primarily on prevention and rehabilitation. In the late 70s and early 80s the use of heroin reached its peak when it seemed to take a backseat to the reappearance of cocaine and the subsequent crack epidemic that overwhelmed much...
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...In particular, the Reading Hospital Drug and Alcohol Center (DAC) does not own a separate mission statement apart from the Reading Health System, which is “to provide compassionate, accessible, high quality, cost effective healthcare to the community; to promote health; to educate healthcare professionals; and to participate in appropriate clinical research.” However, this statement is applicable to the DAC specifically, save that perhaps this branch of the agency goes beyond this generic declaration albeit, I have become partial since interning at this site. Consequently, I believe the overall purpose of the DAC to be more revealing in the role it plays in addressing certain social problems. Primarily, the goal of this facility is to cosign...
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