Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, a constant or periodic reliance on use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking is stopped, and the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel its effects.Oxycontin Addiction: Oxycontin is a prescription painkiller used for moderate to high
pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocations, fractures, neuralgia,
arthritis, lower back pain and pain associated with cancer. It contains oxycodone,
an opium derivative and is produced in a time released tablet. Oxycontin commonly
referred to as OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton and kicker, was introduced in 1996 and has
had a rapid escalation of abuse. The tablets can be chewed, crushed and snorted
like cocaine, crushed and dissolved in water and then injected like heroin. The
most serious side effect is respiratory depression, particularly dangerous for
the elderly. Oxycontin
addiction and demand has resulted in pharmacy robberies and forged
prescriptions. The estimated number of people aged 12 or older with an oxycontin
addiction has increased from 1.9 million in 2002, to 3.1 million in 2004.
The largest increase occurred among young adults aged 18 to 25.Binge Drinking: According to a rent study conducted by Kathryn Graham, et al of the University of Western Ontario psychology department "Depression is most strongly related to a pattern of binge drinking,"
Binge Drinking is defined in the study as consuming at least 5 alcoholic beverages at one sitting.
Whether Binge Drinking resulted in the development depression or whether depression contributed to a persons binge drinking was unclear in this study.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse has a range of definitions related to disaproval over use or overuse of mood altering substances. These fall into four main categories: Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Medicaly, dependence requires the development of tolerance leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Opiate addiction is recognized as a central nervous system disorder, caused by continuous opiate intake.1 Extended opiate use leads to the nerve cells in the brain to stop functioning as they normally would and stop producing natural endorphins. Because the body is getting opiates and no longer is producing endorphins the nerve cells start to degenerate and cause a physical dependency on opiates. Sudden withdrawal (quitting cold turkey) leads to a syndrome called withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal syndrome is a long and painful process and can result in permanent damage to the cardiopulmonary system and the central nervous system. Untreated and unmonitored, it can result in death for unhealthy patients. For these reasons, opiate dependency treatment requires appropriate and responsible medical care.2 These symptoms have led to the growth of ultra-rapid, anesthesia-assisted opioid withdrawal procedures. Proponents state that rapid detox as a painless way to withdraw from opioid. However, studies show that the procedure can lead to risk of death, psychosis, increased stress, delirium, attempted suicide, abnormal heart rhythm and acute renal failure and are very expensive.3
There other tradional forms of opate detoxification including opioid agonist drugs. These include drugs like methadone, levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM), or Buprenorphine; Clonidine, which blocks some withdrawal symptoms; ultra-rapid opioid detox under anesthesia; and an experimental method using the drug lofexidine. Opioid agonist drugs act like opiates but do not produce the same high and are administered in doses that are gradually reduced. Since these medications act like opiates there appear to be no noticeable or significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms.4
Clonidine can be administered by a transdermal patch, which dispenses the drug gradually and consistently over a seven- day period. Patients who choose to use the patch should also take Clonidine orally for the first two days since medications taken through the skin takes two days to reach a steady effectiveness. Monitoring of blood pressure is essential since Clonidine causes hypotension and sedation.
Rapid detox is done under general anesthesia with intubations for six to eight hours. During this time a combination of drugs, usually naltrexone and Clonidine are administered to the patient.4 Lofexidine, a non-addictive drug brought to the market in 1992, is a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist targeted for relief of opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms continue to be the greatest obstacle in heroindetoxification treatment. Studies concur that there is no proof that one detoxification treatment is better than another. Relapses continue to occur in numerous cases around the world therefore making opiate addiction very difficult to treat successfully long term. Studies show that on average addicts will stop and start detox 10-25 times in their lifetime relapsing back to opiate use each and every time5
Opiate detoxification involves admitting there is a problem, seeking medical help, staying focused on the goal and rehabilitation and treatment through a continuing program. Statistics and studies how that there is no easy cure all nor is there a guarantee that a relapse will not happen. Support from family, friends and physicians along with the will to succeed are all necessary factors in successful detox regardless of the method chosen. While there are many methods to use for opiate detox, one must choose the method that looks at their general health condition, psychological state, external support and length of time addicted and making an informed decision that best meets the needs of the individual.
3. http://www.asam.org/ AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE, INC. Public policy statement on rapid and ultra rapid opioid detoxification ( Formerly Public Policy Statement on Opioid Antagonist Agent Detoxification under Sedation or Anesthesia (OADUSA ))
4. Rabinowitz, Jonathan, Hagit Cohen and Moshe Kotler. Outcomes of ultrarapid opiate detoxification combined with naltrexone maintenance and counseling. Psychiatr Serv 49:831-833, June 1998.
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