Heroin Rapid Detox As an Opioid heroin use escalates as the body’s tolerance for the drug increases. The increased tolerance is the cause of many overdose deaths given that the heroin user may be injecting 3 to 5 times the lethal dose in order to maintain their high. Rapid detoxification from high tolerance heroin use is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Relapse for a heroin user after some period of absence can also be fatal as their tolerance level is no longer present and the same amount used during their last episode prior to a period abstinence will often kill the user. 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.Addiction Addiction implies that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user (referred to as an addict). They may be chronically intoxicated, have great difficulty stopping the drug use, and be determined to obtain the drug by almost any means. The term addiction is inextricably linked to society's reaction to the user, and so medical experts try to avoid using it, preferring dependence instead.Residential Treatment is a level of care that entails that the client live (resides) within a treatment facility for a specified duration of care; most often 28 days. Residential Treatment Programs and Centers usually include group and individual therapy sessions and span the confinement continuum from open campus to lock down facilities.
Xanax is a Central Nervous System (CNA) depressant known as benzodiazepine, which is commonly prescribed by physicians to treat panic attacks, nervousness, and tension. Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is considered to be a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). Xanax has been used as a tranquilizer since the 1960s. With strong opposition to the use of benzodiazepines in the 1970s, there was a 25 percent drop in the number of prescriptions written and today, with approximately 3 million Americans (1.6% of the adult population) having used benzodiazepine on a daily basis for at least 12 months, they are the most controversial of all psychotropic medicines.1,2,3
According to the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and under the CSA, all controlled substances are rated on a five-schedule system. Schedule V, the lowest, for the potential for abuse and dependency and I, the highest. Xanax is a Schedule IV. All Schedule IV controlled substances have the following attributes: a low potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and if abused, may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence. Other examples of drugs included in schedule IV are Darvon®, Talwin®, Equanil®, Valium®, and Xanax®4.
Although there are many benefits to taking Xanax and other Schedule IV drugs, many patients are becoming addicted and therefore require an intervention and drug treatment program to overcome their addictions. The patient’s body can also build up a tolerance to the drug and require larger doses if taken for long periods of time. With these increases in Xanax use come physical and psychological dependencies. Xanax is not drug to quit cold turkey. The Journal of Postgraduate Medicine stated that up to 25 percent of patients who stop taking their medication experienced withdrawal symptoms such as: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, chills, lethargy, fatigue, moodiness, crying, dystonia, paresthesia, tremor, vivid dreams, and myalgias.5
The National Institute on Drug Abuse found during a two-year treatment outcome study that 15 percent of heroin users also used benzodiazepines daily for more than one year, and 73 percent used benzodiazepines more often than weekly. Studies also indicate that from 5 percent to as many as 90 percent of methadone users are also regular users of benzodiazepines.6
With this information in mind, the Xanax abuse treatment involves careful monitoring and counseling in an in-patient or outpatient treatment facility. The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) report on benzodiazepines revealed that 11 to 15 percent of the adult population has taken a benzodiazepine one or more times during the preceding year, but only 1 to 2 percent have taken benzodiazepines daily for 12 months or longer (4). However, in psychiatric treatment settings and in substance-abuse populations, the prevalence of benzodiazepine use, abuse and dependence is substantially higher than that in the general population.7,8 Treatment encompasses a patient’s thought process, behavior, and helps them to cope with everyday life. Patients suffering from Xanax addiction should be tapered off gradually. There are basic outpatient plans available for discontinuation of the drug including: gradual discontinuance over a six to 12 week schedule, monitoring and helping the patient to feel in control of their dosage, and supplying a helpline when the patient needs reassurance.9 Other plans include inpatient treatment centers and 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, and drug treatment exchanges such as, Clonidine, propranolol, or carbamazepine. Although these substitutes can be dangerous, an inpatient setting where dosages can be physician monitored until the patient can reach a zero dose of the benzodiazepine is recommended.
In conclusion, Xanax and other benzodiazepines can be addictive drugs that are hard to discontinue however, they are also drugs of great benefit to patients who suffer from anxiety, depression, fear of open spaces (agoraphobia), premenstrual syndrome, and panic attacks. The patient and the physician should work together to regulate long-term usage, monitoring side effects, and any signs of abuse.
This article was last modified on 1/07/2007.
References
1. DuPont, RL, Benzodiazepines: The Social Issues. Rockville, MD, Institute for Behavior and Health, 1986.
2. DuPont, RL, Abuse of benzodiazepines – the problem and the solutions. A report of a Committee of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 1988; 14 (suppl 1):1-69.
3. Mellinger, GD, Balter MB, Prevalence and patterns of use of psychotherapeutic drugs: Results from a 1979 national survey of American adults, In Tognoni G, Bellantuono C, Lader, M (Eds): Epidemiological Impact of Psychotropic Drugs. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1981, pp 117-135.
4. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/publications.html
The Controlled Substances Act: Chapter 1.
5. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
6. Salzman, C, for Task Force on Benzodiazepine Dependency, American Psychiatric Association, Benzodiazepine dependence, toxicity, and abuse: a task force report of the American Psychiatric Association, Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1990.
7. Ciraulo, DA, BF Sands and RI Shader. Critical review of liability for benzodiazepine abuse among alcoholics. Am J Psychiatry 1988; 145:1501-6.
8. Busto, UE, MK Romach and EM Sellers. Multiple drug use and psychiatric comorbidity in patients admitted to the hospital with severe benzodiazepine dependence. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1996; 16:51-7.
9. DuPont, RL, A Patient’s Gude to Getting Off a Benzodiazepine. Rockville, MD, DuPont Associates, 1989.
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