On one hand, returning back to work may be just the right decision to stabilize a new way of life. You may appreciate the opportunity to be productive, enjoy aspects of a fulfilling career, take care of financial needs, and establish a routine.

On the other hand, going back to a place of employment might pose some challenges. Certain legal issues regarding job security and expectations may need to be confirmed. Dealing with office gossip could be a hassle. It’s also possible the work environment may contribute to addictive behaviors.

Returning To Work After Rehab can be very scary: What To Expect? After spending a lot of time in a rehabilitation program, you must now face the challenges of daily life. You may be afraid of losing your job after drug rehab. Alternatively, you may be worried that the stress of returning to community life will be a trigger for a possible relapse. Meanwhile, these emotions are very normal, many people can return to work and maintain a sober lifestyle after rehab.

What To Do Before Rehab

If you’re thinking about going to rehab, you know that addiction is ruining your life.

Addiction, whether you realize it or not, harms your work performance. You will gain tools to improve your work performance, relationships, and outlook while in rehab.

Addicts in recovery are more likely to succeed at work or find better jobs than those with untreated substance use disorders. When you choose to seek treatment, you are deciding to live a happier life and pursue your career. And that’s exactly what our rehab will provide. From individual therapy to group therapy, you will have all the help that you need from us.

Give your boss as much notice as possible so that he or she can make sure your responsibilities are covered while you’re away. However, your health and safety come first, so you should take care of yourself as soon as possible.

Tips for quitting your job to go to rehab:

• Tell the truth about how long you plan to be gone.
• Inform your employer of the seriousness of your condition.
• Ask someone to cover you while you’re away.
• Inform your boss and coworkers that you intend to return to work.

You should also keep them updated on your progress during rehab. Give your boss updates as often as possible, or work with a case manager at a rehab facility to communicate with him or her.

The best way to have your job back after drug rehab is to commit to treatment and demonstrate your ability to perform when you return. When you admit to having an addiction, that’s the first step towards recovery. After drug rehab, you will have a lot of challenges but with patience and a lot of will, you will get through this.

If you want to have a successful recovery, you can do it by taking the following steps:

• Find out what addiction is and how it affects you.
• Analyze your behavior, in this way you can reduce the chances of a relapse.
• After the drug rehab, ask for help from friends, family, and, in some cases, coworkers.
• Choose the best treatment option for you.

You may be able to return to work while you are in rehab, or you may prefer to take your time before returning to work. To reduce your chances of relapse, you should stay in a sober living environment and avoid risky situations.

Work And Recovery 

Recovering from addiction is a difficult process. The “after rehab what to expect” phase is even harder. Recovery is full of difficult obstacles to overcome, from the first steps of detox to re-entering society.

There are no positive work references

One of the most serious issues that recovering addicts face is a lack of positive work references. 

After drug rehab, their previous substance abuse had an impact on their job performance and they need to catch up with life.

Even when they limit their substance use to the evenings and weekends, addicts frequently arrive late for work, call in sick, or are not productive at work. Even your boss should be prepared on what to expect after drug rehab from you.

 A “healthy” work-life balance in recovery is possible with the help of a supportive network of peers, clinicians, and medical providers. So work and recovery are related to each other. A lot of people know that after rehab what to expect is just feeling better and staying away from any kind of substances, in this way they can start working and having a normal life.

The Stigma Associated With Addiction Is A Factor

Knowing that a job applicant is in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse can reduce the candidate’s chances of being hired. 

Not getting hired is one of the things to expect after drug rehab.

In today’s society, there is a lot of misinformation about addiction, which can have a negative impact on a hiring manager’s perspective. Employers are hesitant to take the risk even when the recovering addict is doing well and wants to improve himself.

Recovery Can Be Difficult

Some employers hesitate to hire someone with a history of addiction because they are aware that the candidate will have problems.

Group meetings, individual counseling sessions, and other forms of outpatient treatment, these are some of the steps that patient should take. Most employers have strict attendance requirements and are unwilling to bend the rules to allow those in recovery the time they need to attend counseling.

A Person’s Criminal History Is Important

Many recovering addicts have prior criminal files. These could be crimes committed because of their addiction, or they could be other poor decisions made by the individual. 

Work: After Drug Rehab What To Expect

Returning to work after drug rehab has its challenges, but it may be the next step in your recovery journey.

 It may be overwhelming, but unless you can live without your family’s money, you will have to do it sooner or later. Here are some of the advantages of returning to work after rehabilitation. Work and recovery are equivalents of each other. Recovery depends a lot on your work.

Purpose

Work can provide a sense of purpose for many people. People trying to fill the void left by drugs and alcohol may lack a sense of purpose. Returning to work after drug rehab is important because it can give these people a purpose and meaning in their lives. 

Keep You Busy

You may have too much free time if you don’t have a job. 

These long periods, may lead you into bad habits and get back to drugs or alcohol. Instead, a job can keep you busy and help you make better use of your time. After drug rehab, the only thing that you need to do is do fill your free time with different activities. And work is the most helpful thing that can happen to somebody who is in recovery.

Connect with People

Another thing to expect after drug rehab is making new friends. 

You may not be close to all of your coworkers, but some of them may become close friends. These people can give you support during your recovery journey, especially if you are having difficulty making new friends in recovery.

Tips for Returning to Work After Rehab

It’s natural to be nervous about returning to work after completing addiction treatment. 

To begin with, you’re probably concerned about whether you’ll be able to get your job back after a rehab, and then keeping it. You have to know that work and recovery can help you either get over your addiction or make the situation even worst. 

Return to your job only when you are ready to face the challenges of a typical workday, not earlier!

Control Work-Stress

Stress is a major risk factor for relapse, and work environments are frequently stressful. There are, however, stress-relieving strategies.

• Avoiding stressful situations.
• Taking a deep breath or going outside to relax.
• Working toward short-term objectives.
• Exercising regularly.
• Eating a nutritious diet.

Many people are also concerned about their reputation or what others may think of them when they return to work. Talking with coworkers can help you a lot.

Interact with Coworkers

You don’t have to say anything about your personal life if you don’t want to. 

Being open about having the necessary treatment and working toward recovery, on the other hand, can help reveal internal stress. Work is a critical component of recovery and coworkers are the same thing.

Coworkers are a support system during the recovery process. Some of your peers may not be supportive, but you should not be concerned about their thoughts and beliefs. This is the reason that our staff will do the best so you can start once again your life and fix all the broken relationships.

Avoid and Manage Relapse

During the recovery process relapse is common, but abusing illegal drugs or alcohol can violate workplace policies.

 Avoid risky situations, attend support group meetings, and continue to attend therapy after treatment to avoid relapse.

If you notice any of the warning signs of relapse, reach out to a friend, family member, or therapist for help. If you feel that you are not feeling well, seek treatment as soon as possible.

Is It Necessary For Me To Return To Rehab?

You may need to return to rehab depending on the level of your relapse to substance use. This depends on the drug or alcohol usage. There is a difference between a single slip and a complete relapse.

A “slip” is described as a one-time usage of a substance for a short period (typically less than a day). After a slip, the person understands the danger they’ve put themselves in and stops using before relapsing into addiction. 

If you have a slip, you can get back on track by attending a meeting, discussing the slip with a counselor, and staying away from your addiction. At this point, it’s critical to get help.

Why Choose CVN Detox?

We have an experienced team, passionate and committed towards the patients.

We at CVN Detox understand how important it is to make the right decision when deciding between rehab centers. And for you coming forward to ask for help is a huge step in the right direction, it is critical to find a treatment facility that best meets your needs. That is why, from the moment you contact us, we will be there to support you and provide you with all of the information you need to know to make the best decision for you so you can work and recovery at the same time.

If you need FREE help or have Medical or Medicaid insurance please contact the National Helpline about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.

Dopamine Diet, Dopamine Detox & Dopamine Fasting are the trendy buzz words right now. But what is behind? Let’s find out!

First Of All, What Is Dopamine? 

Dopamine is a chemical produced in our brain.  It is a neurotransmitter, meaning it sends signals from the body to the brain. It releases when you do an activity that is pleasurable or brings rewards. Many brain networks rely on dopamine to function properly, including a collection of brain structures seated in the center of the organ known as the “mesolimbic reward pathway.” This evolutionarily ancient pathway helps control our response to rewards, like food, sex, and drugs. From this pathway, dopamine ventures out to other brain regions that shape our memory, expectations, emotions, and reactions about rewards. Dopamine… That’s what my brain is chasing. The more anticipation that builds up, the higher are the odds of dopamine being raised. Hence, this causes your brain to put more focus on pleasurable activity. There is a reason why our brain can become so dependent on dopamine. Once it develops tolerance, it requires more and more dopamine, and normal tasks become difficult to complete. Have you ever heard that our brain’s reward system might be completely hijacked by dopamine addiction? Ok, let’s learn a bit about the dopamine diet, dopamine detox & dopamine fasting.

Dopamine Diet

As we discussed above, dopamine is the feel-good chemical, a neurotransmitter that your brain releases as a reward, often for doing very basic life-sustaining stuff, including eating food. Even the anticipation of eating something tasty can tickle the brain’s dopamine-producing pleasure centers. But like so many things in life, too much of a good thing can backfire.

Sugary and high-fat foods are literally addictive. There is evidence that, over time, trying to satisfy constant cravings for sweet or fatty foods can dull the complex reward response. Eventually, the effect of dopamine on the brain is diminished. You eat for the reward, but the feeling of pleasure is blunted — you’re not feeling quite as good anymore. So you eat more, which leads to weight gain and even feelings of depression, which only makes you want to eat more to feel good again…but you don’t. And on it goes…

The idea behind the Dopamine Diet, then, is to get on top of addictive food cravings by boosting dopamine. Protein is a primary food of interest for dopamine dieters. That’s because certain amino acids (L-tyrosine) in protein-rich foods are key to dopamine production. Gradually, so the thinking goes, eating foods high in L-tyrosine will boost dopamine, reduce the urge to overeat, and reactivate dopamine receptors that were stunted by overeating. The end result, if the theory holds, is that you become satisfied with smaller portions and your cravings are brought under control.

Certain celebrities such as TV chef Tom Kerridge have boosted this diet’s popularity in recent years. There are several different versions of the diet, but all are based around foods that are thought to boost dopamine. These can include:

• Dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt
• Unprocessed meats such as beef, chicken and turkey
• Omega-3 rich fish such as salmon and mackerel
• Eggs
• Fruit and vegetables, in particular bananas
• Nuts such as almonds and walnuts
• Dark chocolate

Most versions of the diet recommend avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and processed sugar, while some also recommend cutting out or severely restricting starchy carbohydrates.

Dopamine Detox

Dopamine detox is a concept that a lot of people follow. Consider it to be a detox, but for your brain. The simple rule to follow is to avoid engaging in any activity which you enjoy doing or which stimulates the brain-it could be browsing your phone, avoiding screentime, listening to music, or engaging in any hobby. The idea is- to devoid the brain of any good happy activity, that, in the end, even a boring activity ends up being fun. That way, the brain starts to love it.

Ideally, by the end of the detox, a person will feel more centered, balanced, and less affected by their usual dopamine triggers. However, it is important to note that a true dopamine detox, whereby a person successfully halts all dopamine activity in the brain, is not possible.

The human body naturally produces dopamine, even when it is not exposed to certain stimuli. A more accurate description of the dopamine detox is a period of abstinence, or “unplugging” from the world.

Doing so may have positive effects on those who implement the practice from time to time. However, the term “dopamine detox” by its very nature is problematic, and not at all scientifically correct. Dr. Sepah himself says the name is not meant to be interpreted literally.

Dopamine Fasting 

The dopamine fast, created by California psychiatrist Dr. Cameron Sepah, has very little to do with either fasting or dopamine. As Sepah told the New York Times, “Dopamine is just a mechanism that explains how addictions can become reinforced, and makes for a catchy title. The title’s not to be taken literally.” Unfortunately, with such a snazzy name, who could resist? This is where the misconceptions begin.

It’s important to note that, despite the name, the original idea behind dopamine fasting is not to literally lower dopamine levels.

“The goal is not to reduce dopamine or elicit functional brain changes,” Sepah, who is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, told. Instead, dopamine fasting encourages people to reduce the “time spent on problematic behavior,” he said. 

Still, research shows there is a connection between dopamine and problematic behavior, such as drug abuse.

When the brain picks up clues that it may soon receive a reward — whether that reward is food, illicit drugs, or likes on social media — a flash of dopamine zaps the reward pathway. Another hit of dopamine comes with the reward itself. Addictive substances and behaviors repeatedly bombard the reward pathway with huge surges of dopamine, and over time, the brain morphs in response.            

“When we image [drug users’] brains, we find that in the immediate aftermath of using they actually have less dopamine and fewer dopamine receptors than those who don’t use drugs,” said Dr. Anna Lembke, an associate professor and medical director of addiction medicine at Stanford University. 

All addictive drugs cause dopamine levels to spike in one way or another, Lembke said, and in response, the brain weakens or eliminates the receptors built to respond to the chemical. That means drug users need more of the substance to elicit the same surge of dopamine, and that other rewards, like food and social interaction, steadily lose their appeal. 

You can’t “fast” from a naturally occurring brain chemical

Dopamine is one of the body’s neurotransmitters and is involved in our body’s system for reward, motivation, learning, and pleasure. While dopamine does rise in response to rewards or pleasurable activities, it doesn’t actually decrease when you avoid overstimulating activities, so a dopamine “fast” doesn’t actually lower your dopamine levels.

We have already clarified that a complete and total detox from naturally occurring dopamine is not possible. That said, the decision to unplug and detach from certain impulsive behaviors may come with some health benefits, one of which is the potential for heightened focus and greater mental clarity.

Dopamine is often distracting and may be a hindrance for some people from achieving their goals. It is what prompts the excessive repetition of certain feel-good behaviors, causing people to scroll mindlessly on social media or binge-watch their favorite TV shows.

These unnecessary compulsions detract from spending time more productively on work, health goals, home organization, and more. When people actively avoid these distractions, they may free up more time for the things that matter more to them.

In short, a dopamine detox is not technically possible, and any evidence of its positive effects are purely anecdotal.

However, by avoiding certain behaviors, such as spending hours scrolling through a smartphone and social media sites, people may be able to achieve a greater state of mindfulness, which comes with its own benefits. Among these are stress relief, lower blood pressure, and improved sleep.

Dopamine Fasting or Dopamine Detox For People Who Struggle With Addictive Behavioues Or Mental Health Issues

Without substances, screens or other stimuli to distract them, people suddenly become reacquainted with themselves, that, in fact, can be terrifying for people. 

To move past these withdrawal periods and avoid relapse, people must address the roots of their addictive behaviors. For example, people practicing compulsive internet use must learn how to place healthy limits on their use of the technology. Just like those addicted to drugs, they must come to recognize and cope with triggers that push them toward destructive behavior. 

Mental health professionals can guide people through this process using standardized techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a protocol that helps people re-evaluate their patterns of thinking and behavior, and better cope with difficult situations, according to the American Psychological Association. (Sepah claims his recommended version of dopamine fasting is actually based on CBT techniques aimed at empowering people to overcome unhelpful impulses.)  Advertisement

“The idea is to … temper our consumption” of rewards, Lembke said. In an age in which we enjoy easy access to addictive substances and a million other distractions pull at our attention, sometimes, we must “consciously abstain” from behaviors that could spiral out of control, she said.

That said, you probably shouldn’t cut out all pleasurable experiences from your life, Greenfield added.

“I don’t think it’s realistic, and I’m not even sure it’s healthy” to completely eliminate all pleasurable experiences, he said. “I am not familiar with any programs that advocate for that, and that’s certainly not within the realm of typical medical treatment.” 

Dopamine Deficiency

Do you wake up each morning and feel as though there is no more spark in your life? If so, you might have what is known as dopamine deficiency. Dopamine is the primary brain chemical response that motivates us and makes us feel good. Aside from making us feel moody and tired, low dopamine levels also contribute to many mental health conditions and addiction.

Dopamine plays a part in controlling the movements a person makes, as well as their emotional responses. The right balance of dopamine is vital for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Vital brain functions that affect mood, sleep, memory, learning, concentration, and motor control are influenced by the levels of dopamine in a person’s body. A dopamine deficiency may be related to certain medical conditions, including depression and Parkinson’s disease.

A dopamine deficiency can be due to a drop in the amount of dopamine made by the body or a problem with the receptors in the brain.

The symptoms of a dopamine deficiency depend on the underlying cause. For example, a person with Parkinson’s disease will experience very different symptoms from someone with low dopamine levels due to drug use.

Some signs and symptoms of conditions related to a dopamine deficiency include:

• muscle cramps, spasms, or tremors
• aches and pains
• stiffness in the muscles
• loss of balance
• constipation
• difficulty eating and swallowing
• weight loss or weight gain
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• frequent pneumonia
• trouble sleeping or disturbed sleep
• low energy
• an inability to focus
• moving or speaking more slowly than usual
• feeling fatigued
• feeling demotivated
• feeling inexplicably sad or tearful
• mood swings
• feeling hopeless
• having low self-esteem
• feeling guilt-ridden
• feeling anxious
• suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
• low sex drive
• hallucinations
• delusions
• lack of insight or self-awareness

Sumary

Dopamine deficiency can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, affecting them both physically and mentally. Many mental health disorders are linked to low levels of dopamine. Other medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, have also been linked to low dopamine. Always speak to a doctor first if they are concerned about their dopamine levels.

That said, the decision to unplug and detach from certain impulsive behaviors may come with some health benefits. By avoiding certain behaviors, such as spending hours scrolling through a smartphone and social media sites, people may be able to achieve a greater state of mindfulness. Among these are stress relief, lower blood pressure, and improved sleep.

Navigate through your life, using common sense, native intelligence, and stay healthy!

Updated 02/08/2021

Update 1/31/2022

In the US, over 85% of American adults say they’ve drunk alcohol at some point in their life. Drinking profoundly alters an individual’s mood, behavior, and neuropsychological functioning. For many people, alcohol consumption means relaxation. However, the effect of alcohol can actually trigger anxiety & increase stress. 

To understand exactly how alcohol impacts your life, you should find out a little about it. Yes, it is known that alcohol affects brain function, but you may wonder exactly how it works. Some people think of alcohol as a stimulant that can increase your heart rate, give you energy, and decrease your inhibitions. However, this is not the whole story. At the same time, alcohol slows your body down. So, do you know the right answer to this question: is alcohol a stimulant or a depressant? Read on to find out more about alcohol and its effects on your brain and body.

Is Alcohol a Stimulant?

Stimulants are substances that increase central nervous system activity. This can include increased heart rate, rapid breathing accompanied by increased energy, and positive feelings. For a substance to be classified as a stimulant, these effects must be the dominant ones produced by the substance. For example, the brain may release it when we eat or even see the food we crave. This can result in feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Dopamine can also increase heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Some examples of stimulants include caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, and betel nut. As you can see, some stimulants are legal, while others are illicit substances. While some level of dopamine in the brain is important for our well-being, high levels may generate aggression, anxiety, poor impulse control, and risk-taking behavior.

Alcohol, particularly in the early stages of consumption, is a stimulant on the central nervous system. It triggers an increase in dopamine levels. This speeds up the heart and respiration rate and can increase energy and confidence, lower inhibitions, and improve mood.

Is Alcohol A Depressant?

Based on the name, many people think that depressants make you feel depressed. However, that’s not necessarily true. “Depressant” refers to the effect that these substances have on your central nervous system, not how it’d impact your mood. Depressants slow down central nervous system processes. For example, the heart rate and breathing are slowed, and reflexes and response times are dulled. To be classified as a depressant, these effects must be the dominant ones produced by the substance. Examples of depressants include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, ketamine, and heroin. Most of the substances on this list are either controlled ones or flat-out illegal to use. So when you ingest a depressant, you might feel relaxed and even sleepy and/or sedated. Depressants will slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

After the initial stimulant effects, alcohol slows down your central nervous system, decreasing your blood pressure, heart rate, and mental clarity. In turn, people who have ingested large amounts of alcohol have slower reaction times and may seem sleepy, disoriented, or sedated. In addition, higher doses of alcohol can suppress dopamine production, making you feel sad or listless. Depressant effects of alcohol occur when your BAC reaches about 0.08 mg/l. Once your BAC reaches 0.2 mg/l or greater, its depressant effects on your respiratory system can become so powerful that they cause coma or death. 

It’s important to understand that when alcohol is referred to as a depressant, that doesn’t mean it gives people depression. Depression is a mental health issue. Although it can arise from alcohol addiction and many people develop an alcohol use disorder attempting to self-medicate when depressed, the substance itself doesn’t create the mental health condition. Rather, when alcohol is referred to as a depressant, it is meant in a medical sense as it slows down several processes in the body. For example, alcohol abuse slows breathing, blood flow and can dull the senses. Thus, alcohol is a depressant. But again, drinking alcohol does not give you depression; mental health conditions cannot be transmitted or created this way.

The Bottom Line: Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant?

You might’ve noticed that we haven’t put alcohol in either category above. Alcohol is a depressant with some stimulant effects. In small doses, it can increase your heart rate, aggression, and impulsiveness. However, in larger doses, alcohol typically causes sluggishness, disorientation, and slower reaction times, as it decreases your mental sharpness, blood pressure, and heart rate.

It is a common myth that alcohol is a stimulant. After all, it ramps up your confidence, makes you giddy, and certainly gives you a burst of energy! It does raise your heart rate, along with some other physical changes. However, these effects are just temporary. Plus, they’re a result of your brain releasing more dopamine after your initial drink. Dopamine is also known as the feel-good hormone, as it can make you feel happy and lessen pain processing.

Alcohol, is in fact, truly a depressant. Think about how you feel when you drink alcohol, especially in excess; you start slurring your words and have slower reaction times. As you can see, while alcohol does have some stimulant effects, it’s scientifically classified as a depressant. You’ll typically feel the stimulant effects at a BAC of under 0.05mg/l. But once you go over 0.08mg/l, the depressant effects will take over. Do note that you should never mix stimulants (or other medications such as SSRIs) with alcohol. Doing so can have serious and even fatal results.

What Effects Does Alcohol Abuse Produce?

Alcohol alters both your brain and your nervous system. It just depends on how much alcohol you have as far as your body’s degree gets altered. The more alcohol you have, the more significant the effects of the alcohol are. If you drink too much alcohol, your body will become completely sedated. Here are some of the effects of alcohol, starting with the mildest and progressing to more serious effects:

• Lowered ability to make good choices
• Struggles focusing
• Decreased depth-perception
• Heart rate increases, then slowly decrease as alcohol intake increases
• Slurring speech
• Coordination problems
• Digestive tract issues (vomiting and diarrhea occur frequently)
• Mood changes
• Lower than normal body temperature
• Increase in blood pressure
• Struggles staying conscious
• Memory loss
• Increased risk of cancer
• Decreased ability to retain information
• Liver problems
• Stroke
• Heart problems
• Death

This list is full of a lot of health issues that can result from alcohol. However, it is only a small portion of all of the issues that alcohol can lead to. The occasional drink is typically not a problem that will result in long-term negative effects of alcohol. What is a problem is chronic drinking or binge drinking on a regular or semi-regular basis. Your body can only handle so much alcohol. The more you drink and the less time off you give your body, the more your body will struggle and the worse the effects will likely become.

The Effects Can Be Wildly Varying for Everyone

Do note that the depressant effects (as well as the stimulant effects) can be different for everyone. For example, you might feel giddy and alert after one beer while your friend is sulky and incoherent on the same amount of alcohol. The main things that affect how someone’s body handles alcohol include their:

• Age
• Sex
• Weight
• Unique body chemistry
• Alcohol tolerance

Alcohol Addiction

Some can drink casually, while for others, one drink can be all it takes to spiral into addiction. Are you concerned that you or a loved one might be developing alcohol dependence or addiction? Then watch out for these signs:

• Blackouts
• Drinking in isolation
• Excessive excuses for drinking
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Hangover symptoms when not drinking

If you’ve noticed these signs in either yourself or a loved one, it may be a good idea to go to rehabilitation so you can get sober.

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction Today

Alcohol is a powerful drug. It can raise you for a short time, and it can keep you down for a lot longer. It will leave you struggling with how you feel about yourself or your situation if you let it. Regardless of whether you still think that alcohol is a stimulant or a depressant, one thing’s for sure: dependence or addiction to this substance can have detrimental effects on your life. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, then a trip to rehab can be beneficial. There, caring professionals can help you get on the road to recovery and sobriety. Are you ready to get help for alcohol addiction? Then get in touch with us now. We’re here to help you 24/7.

Opioids are the umbrella term that includes natural opiates, semi-synthetic opioids, and synthetic opioids created in a laboratory. Opioids dull the senses and relieve pain, acting as pain relievers or anesthesia. Opioids include natural opiates, semi-synthetic opioids, and synthetics opioids. Some people refer to opioids as synthetically generated narcotics and to opiates as narcotics delivered from natural plants. Our language is evolving; lately many people, especially journalists and politicians, tend to refer to all of these drugs as “opioids.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, in 2019, opioids dispensing rates continued to remain very high in the USA:

• In 5% of U.S. counties, enough opioid prescriptions were dispensed for every person to have one.
• 153 million Opioid Painkiller prescriptions were written in 2019
• The overall opioid dispensing rate in 2019 was 46.7 prescriptions per 100 people, and some counties had rates that were six times higher than that.

Do you know the difference between Opiates and Opioids?

Some people carefully distinguish between these two groups of narcotic drugs when they speak about them. Other people use the two terms interchangeably or prefer one over the other. Our language is evolving; lately many people, especially journalists and politicians, tend to refer to all of these drugs as “opioids.”

Both opiates and opioids are used medically. They may be prescribed for pain relief, anesthesia, cough suppression, diarrhea suppression, and for treatment of opiate/opioid use disorder. Both opiates and opioids may also be used illicitly by people with substance use disorder. The main difference is in how opiates and opioids are made.

The poppy plant creates opiates. Opiates are labeled as “natural” because nature creates the active ingredient molecules. Common opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine; both made directly from poppy plants.

An opioid is a substance (molecule) that is synthetic or partly synthetic. This means the active ingredients are created chemically. Opioids act just like opiates in the human body because of their similar molecules. Common opioids are OxyContin, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and others.

Opiates are narcotics derived from the opium poppy (natural).
Opioids are narcotics that include natural opiates and semi-synthetic opioids and synthetic opioids created in a laboratory.

Sometimes people refer to opioids as synthetically generated narcotics and opiates – narcotics delivered from natural plants.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are the umbrella term that includes natural opiates, semi-synthetic opioids, and synthetic opioids created in a laboratory. Opioids dull the senses and relieve pain, acting as pain relievers or anesthesia. Opioids include natural opiates, semi-synthetic opioids, and synthetics opioids.

Opioids attach to proteins called opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, gut, and other parts of the body. The opioids block pain messages sent from the body through the spinal cord to the brain when it happens. While opioids can effectively relieve pain, they carry some risks and can be highly addictive. The risk of addiction is especially high when opioids are used to manage chronic pain over a long period of time.

Types of Opioids :

• Naturally Occurring Opiates: Opium, Morphine, Codeine, Heroin
• Semi-synthetics opioids: Vicodin (Hydrocodone), Percocet (Oxycodone), Oxycontin (Long-acting Oxycodone)
• Synthetic (Man-made) Opioids: Methadone, Fentanyl

The pharmaceutical industry has created more than 500 different opioid molecules. Some are widely used medically; some are not.

Well-known opioids used medically in the U.S:

• Dextromethorphan (available in the U.S. without prescription as, e.g., NyQuil, Robitussin, TheraFlu, Vicks)
• Dextropropoxyphene (e.g., Darvocet-N, Darvon)
• Loperamide (e.g., Imodium)
• Hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin)
• Oxycodone (e.g., Oxycontin, Percocet)
• Oxymorphone (e.g., Opana)
• Meperidine (e.g., Demerol)
• Methadone (e.g., Dolophine)
• Fentanyl/fentanil (e.g., Ultiva, Sublimaze, Duragesic patch)
• Carfentanyl/carfentanil (e.g., Wildnil, for veterinary use)

If you are prescribed opioids, consider following the safety tips below:

• Talk to your doctor. Make sure you have considered all alternative pain-relieving medications that don’t carry an addiction risk. If opioids remain the best option, ask how to minimize the risks and side effects. Provide information on your medical conditions — and if you have taken opioids in the past, tell your physician how they affected you. Also tell your physician if you have a history of addiction to drugs or alcohol; people predisposed to alcohol abuse may be more susceptible to misusing opioids.
• Watch out for side effects. Some side effects of opioids may be mild, such as sleepiness and constipation, while others, including shallow breathing, slowed heart rate, and loss of consciousness, can be serious and may be signs of an overdose. Ask your physician what you should be aware of and what you can do to prevent potential problems. If you experience possible symptoms of an overdose, contact your doctor or call 911.
• Take opioids only as directed. Follow your physician’s directions, and read the prescription label. If you take other medications, ask your physician whether it is also safe to take opioids.

Also, ask your doctor about other pain management alternatives, including:

• Combination therapy. Opioids by themselves may not always fully control your pain. Combining opioids with other medications or nonmedication treatments, while under the care of a physician, can improve your pain management and result in your needing a lower dosage of opioids.
• Nondrug therapies. Many people find relief with alternative therapies, such as biofeedback, meditation, massage, and acupuncture. You may also get relief with interventional therapies such as nerve blocks, or surgical procedures in which the nerves causing the pain are cut. A physician anesthesiologist or other pain medicine specialist can help you find what works best for you.
• Injections or implants. If you are having muscle spasms or nerve pain, an injection of local anesthetics or other medications can help short-circuit your pain. If you have chronic pain in your back, arms, or legs, a pain medicine specialist might suggest spinal cord stimulation, in which a device is implanted in your back and blocks pain by delivering electric pulses to your nerves and spinal cord.

What Are Opiates?

Opiates include substances derived from Opium, a chemical that occurs naturally in poppy seeds and plants. These drugs are used clinically for treating mild to severe pain. Unfortunately, due to their intensely calming effects, Opioids have tremendously high rates of abuse, which can lead to addiction in many cases.

Opiates include:

• Opium
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Heroin

What is Heroin?

Heroin is the most popular opiate and a Schedule I narcotic under the Federal laws of the United States (no medicinal purpose, highly abused). Genuine “heroin” is an opioid. Heroin is still synthetic, even though it uses molecules from the opium plant in its synthesis process. People can use the terms interchangeably. On the street, “heroin” may mean synthetic, natural, or semi-synthetic compounds. Additionally, people may call manufactured opioids like Oxycontin “synthetic heroin,” adding more confusion. Many references currently use opioids to refer to all opium-like substances (including opiates and opioids) and limit the use of “opiates” to only natural opium poppy-derived drugs like morphine. The brutal fact is both are highly addictive and can be life-threatening when the dependency becomes out of control. The best option to avoiding the possibility of fatally overdosing is finding a treatment center that can provide care from detox to residential care to outpatient programs.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioids or opiates addiction, contact CNV Detox in Los Angeles, California, for detoxification and residential treatment.

We all know that honesty is a very respected characteristic. If someone highly respected is discovered to be dishonest, it can ruin their reputation. Nevertheless, some types of dishonesty are more acceptable than others. The fibs and “little white lies” that we all tell from time to time are viewed as harmless and occasionally as kind.

But still, individuals who are trying to recover and rebuild their life after addiction need to be particularly careful about being honest. They need to be truthful with other people and especially with themselves.

Honesty Is One Of The Most Important Qualities During Addiction Recovery

Honesty is the most important principle for anyone in recovery. If a person who has problems with alcohol or other substances can be sincerely honest, recovery is assured. If the individual with substance use disorder (SUD) of any kind can admit, claim, or just plain tell the truth about what is going on, it forms the basis for everything to come. During recovery from substance abuse, honesty is crucial because:

Coping

Lying is a common trigger for relapse. Addicts often lie and lying during recovery is a sign that the person is going back to old coping mechanisms for coping with their life.

Denial

When recovering addicts stop being honest with themselves and other people, they can become “stuck” in their recovery. By being unwilling to face the challenges ahead of them, they start to hide in denial where no progress can be made. This is another common reason for relapse.

Relationships

Not being honest with friends and family can ruin and progress that has been made to restore and rebuild relationships.

Self-Help Programs

Twelve-step and other self-help programs require relentless honesty. If a member is dishonest with the group, they won’t get any benefit from the program.

Guilt

By maintaining honesty during recovery, it means the person doesn’t have to also deal with feelings of guilt for being dishonest. Feelings of guilt during recovery can make it difficult to find real happiness in sobriety and potentially cause a relapse.

Self-Deception

It was the addict’s lack of honesty with themself that kept them trapped in addiction. Honesty helps make it possible to avoid letting self-deception take over their life again. If it does they may doubt the value of sobriety and the need for abstinence.

• Healing

Honesty reinforces the healing of the person and those who are close to them. Dishonesty prevents the healing process.

Therapy

Honesty is crucial to any type of therapy. If an individual is attending therapy in recovery, it is essential, to be honest in the therapy sessions, otherwise, there will be little benefit.

How You Can Increase Honesty in Recovery

Honesty is the key to a successful life free of addiction. As a result, it’s important to develop this characteristic. Recovery and honesty go hand in hand. Some ways to practice and increase honesty include:

• One solution to breaking away from dishonesty is to admit when it has happened as soon as possible afterward. It’s difficult to admit lying, but it makes it more difficult to be dishonest going forward.
• Similar to building muscles, the more you develop your honesty, the more honest you become.
• Keeping a journal is another good way to keep track of your behavior. By journaling, you have a way to look back on the day and find any examples of dishonesty. Also, it reduces the chance of being caught up in self-delusion.
• A person in recovery needs to have a clear understanding of the importance of honesty, and the pitfalls of dishonesty in recovery. People who don’t value honesty will not put much intention into living life honestly.
• As mentioned previously, there are times when telling a lie might be the lesser of two evils. Everyone plays down the importance of a “little white lie.” However, it’s not a good plan during recovery to view any type of dishonesty as acceptable. Always aim for total honesty, even if you are unlikely to achieve it.

The Connection Between Honesty and Well-Being

There is a connection between honesty and well-being.  Honesty has beneficial effects on our feelings of contentment, security, and happiness. A study was conducted that found that people who intentionally work to lie less typically experienced fewer problems with physical and mental health. One obvious reason that honesty is beneficial is that people who tell the truth don’t have to worry about, or deal with, the stress that often comes with lying.

When you lie, you have to remember your lies to prevent them from being found out and proved to be lies. In many cases, you have to tell more lies to cover the original lie. This results in an increasingly complicated set of lies that become increasingly hard to remember. It’s best to realize that although being honest can be difficult initially, it can prevent you from having to deal with the stress and anxiety of lying. Which is more rewarding in the long run.

Pitfalls of Dishonesty in Recovery

Not consciously practicing honesty as an important personal quality could lead to:

• Higher risk for relapse
• Life in recovery is not as fulfilling
• Dry drunk syndrome (behaviors that are usually seen with alcohol use that carry over into recovery)

3 Tips for Making Honesty Easier

Most people think honesty is simply the act of telling the truth. But it’s deeper and more complex than that. What may be true for one person may not be true for another. And at times, it may be hard to tell only the truth. 

Almost everyone tells a lie occasionally and, unusually, a person strives for honesty in every situation. But if the person feels like lying has become a habit or they feel like they can’t help lying, some things can be done to become more honest such as:

1. Be aware of the times you are more likely to resort to dishonesty. Recognize that all people experience moments of dishonesty and then try to acknowledge your examples of deception instead of feeling ashamed or embarrassed.

2. Recognize situations and surroundings where dishonesty is more likely to occur. Those situations can then be avoided or dealt with carefully. Circumstances where deceit is more likely to occur include:

• In cases where there is a conflict of interest
• Situations where the rules aren’t clearly stated

3. During therapy, you have an opportunity to work on honesty, but some people misrepresent the truth in therapy. This commonly happens when an individual wants to avoid painful consequences or feelings of shame and guilt. In reality, therapy provides a safe place for people to share their inner thoughts without being judged and can help a person understand why they have been dishonest in the past.

How To Cope With Emotions During Recovery

Coping with emotions during recovery is one of the more difficult things to handle and could risk a person’s recovery and cause a relapse. Being open and honest about your emotions can help ward off uncomfortable feelings. The emotions that are most likely to cause problems for people in recovery are:

Loneliness and Boredom

Humans are social beings. And because of this, loneliness is a difficult emotion to deal with. When an individual stops using substances, it often means leaving their social group who were also involved with substance use. Leaving these social relationships can cause feelings of loneliness and boredom when they are gone. Boredom or the feeling that you have nothing to do is also a dangerous emotion. It’s also often a reason why people return to substance use.

Joy and Happiness

Somber emotions are not the only ones that can bring on a relapse. During recovery positive emotions also have that power. Stress can come from being happy about a first date, taking a trip, or a promotion at work. “Just one drink” to celebrate can undo a recovery.

Anger

Anger is the most dangerous of all emotions. When people are angry they aren’t thinking clearly. Due to this, it is easier for people to take part in behavior that they will regret later which leads to feelings of guilt.

Guilt and Fear

Guilt is extremely self-destructive and benefits no one. Since it’s impossible to change the past, the best path is to focus on the future. Unfortunately, the most common fears that people have in recovery come from worrying about things that have not happened and may not happen in the future. Self-destructive ideas related to anger, guilt, and fear of the future provide an easy path to relapse.

Breaking the Bonds of Addiction

Addiction does not respect people, money, or power. It doesn’t care if it destroys people, families, or entire communities. It doesn’t care if it cripples or kills. It only wants complete devotion.

When addicts become honest and admit what is in their hearts, they become empowered. They are no longer confined to their little worlds of lies. Honesty destroys the shackles of addiction and lets the addiction know that they will not be slaves to it anymore. Honesty is a ticket to freedom from substance abuse.

Are You Looking for Honesty and Recovery?

Are you starting to take an honest look at yourself, your life, and your future? Good for you. You are laying the foundation for your freedom from addiction. CNV Detox knows that you will need help to break the bonds of addiction safely and to live an honest, fulfilling life in your future. 

We have programs that include:

• Medical Detox: Medically supervised detox so your body can return to a more normal balance safely.
• Residential Program: You live at our Los Angeles facility, safe and secure and away from the distractions and triggers that might cause a relapse.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): You may need medication to help you ease into total sobriety and help you focus on getting well.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Many people with substance abuse also have a mental disorder. This is called co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. It’s vital to have both conditions treated at the same time in a dual diagnosis treatment program to spot underlying issues that could be contributors to making things worse. 

Our facility provides a home-like atmosphere where you can build strong and supportive relationships with the staff and other residents. But we can’t do anything until you contact us. Whether it’s for yourself or someone close to you, don’t wait any longer. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help you recover, and get your life back in control.

References:

www.aacle.org

www.wishope.org

www.insighttimer.com