How to Quit Smoking Pills

How to quit smoking pills

A sad fact of addiction is that when someone is addicted to using drugs, they will continue experimenting with how they ingest the drugs. This experimentation, often dangerous, continues in an attempt to get the best high or the fastest high. Individuals who use cocaine will often move from snorting it to smoking it or injecting it. Similarly, someone who began by ingesting prescription pain medications may begin to snort or smoke the pills. Others, typically those in college or younger, will stumble across smoking opioid pain medications and then find themselves addicted. 

 

As an outsider looking in, you may be trying to determine if your loved one struggles with addiction. You may not know the signs, and you may not know that one drug can be taken in so many different ways. At Laguna View Detox, we know all about the different ways drugs can be taken and the devastating effects created by their use. We are here to help you and your loved one navigate their road away from addiction. 

 

What Does It Mean to “Smoke Pills”?

While many people simply swallow prescription opioids, others crush them into a powder to either inject, snort, or smoke. By injecting, snorting, or smoking the powder, the individual gets a more potent high. However, smoking pills is also more dangerous and can cause respiratory issues. When we swallow a tablet, the drug has to pass through our gastrointestinal system and liver, which means it takes longer to feel the high. When someone smokes pills, the drugs enter through the lungs and result in a faster high. Smoking prescription drugs leads to a higher dependence and, as a result, more drug-seeking behaviors. Someone who is smoking prescription pain pills may be more likely to begin seeking illicit drugs such as heroin as their addiction progresses. 

 

Signs My Loved One Is Smoking Pills 

There are some common signs and symptoms of opioid use, regardless of how they are ingested.  Those who use opioids will have pinpoint pupils, lowered blood pressure, decreased heart rate, and lowered body temperature. Other symptoms include exhibiting a euphoric feeling and appearing to be moving more slowly. 

Those who are smoking pills will likely have paraphernalia for smoking the pills, such as spoons for crushing the pills, lighters, and papers to roll the powder. Sometimes you may see signs of withdrawal when your loved one is between bouts of using. Opioid withdrawal looks almost exactly the opposite of opioid intoxication. You might note that they cannot sleep, are sweating, have teary eyes, complain of pain, are nauseous, and have diarrhea. If you suspect that someone you love is abusing opioids, it’s critical to know the signs of an overdose. Opioids slow down the body, so if you notice that your loved one’s breathing has slowed down to less than ten breaths per minute and they are unable to remain awake, contact emergency services for help. 

 

How Laguna View Detox Can Help You With Addiction

At Laguna View Detox, you will get round-the-clock professional care for your opioid addiction. We understand how quickly opioid addiction can happen, and we’re here to support you as you break free. As one of the leading private drug rehab centers in Orange County, we provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment. With some of the industry’s best staff, we will design a holistic treatment plan catered to you. We are committed to assisting you in getting onto the road to clean and sober. We’ll guide you from detox to inpatient treatment to aftercare in one of the most beautiful areas in California. Contact us today, and let us help you get free of your addiction!  

Cocaine: The Signs, Symptoms, & How To Get Help

Cocaine is often portrayed to be glamorous in movies like Scarface and Blow. Some would even argue that it looks fun. Cocaine is a white powder that might seem harmless during experimentation, but this drug can quickly evolve into a devastating addiction that leads to tremendous personal, financial, professional, and even legal consequences. By knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse, you will be able to better identify if you’re personally struggling with a cocaine addiction or if one of your loved ones are. 

The Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse

If you’re using cocaine frequently and are unsure if you’re addicted, below are some symptoms to watch out for:

  • You feel like no amount of cocaine will ever be enough
  • You think about cocaine when you aren’t doing it
  • You don’t see a point to socializing with friends if cocaine isn’t involved
  • You find yourself lying to people if they approach you about your cocaine use
  • Whenever you aren’t doing cocaine you feel ‘off’ or sick

If you suspect someone you know is abusing cocaine, there are a few signs and symptoms to look out for: 

  • Frequent mydriasis – the medical term for dilated pupils
  • They seem to be up at all hours of the night
  • Weight loss
  • Consistent runny nose
  • Paranoia

Long-term cocaine abuse can lead to psychosis, causing the addict to hear or see things that aren’t actually present. Drug abuse as a whole can lead to irritability, depression, mood swings, financial problems, and legal issues. If you’re currently struggling with cocaine addiction, your substance abuse will impact the people around you. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms above, please don’t wait to reach out to Laguna View Detox for help. 

Long-Term Health Problems from Cocaine Abuse

The longer you use cocaine, the higher your tolerance will become. This means every time you use cocaine, you’ll have to increase your dose. You will be constantly chasing a high that you can no longer achieve. High blood pressure, which can damage the body’s blood vessels and organs over time, is one of the major side effects cocaine can have on your long-term health.

Because cocaine is most commonly ingested through the nose, you will eventually damage your nasal septum with frequent cocaine use. A tell-tale sign of a damaged nasal passage is frequent nose bleeds. Long-term cocaine abuse can also lead to dangerous heart arrhythmias, which could lead to heart attacks and strokes, which can have fatal consequences. 

Getting Help for Cocaine Abuse

If you or someone you know needs help with a cocaine addiction, Laguna View Detox is here for you. Our detoxification and residential inpatient program have helped many addicts start their journey to recovery, and we know we can help you too. When you reach out to us for help, we’ll collect information about your addiction and also take some time to get to know you. 

Then, during your intake, we’ll work with you to put together a truly individualized treatment plan. Our facility treats six clients at a time to ensure everyone receives the attention they deserve throughout their stay. Before you’re discharged from our facility, we put together a comprehensive aftercare plan to help you maintain your sobriety. The last thing we want is for all your hard work during treatment to go to waste. 

Let Us Help You

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury detox & drug rehab program located in the gorgeous area of Laguna Beach, CA. We’re confident we can provide you with the tools you need to stop using cocaine or any other substance. Call us today to get more information regarding our addiction treatment program. You deserve to live a happy, drug and alcohol-free life!

Opioid Addiction: How To Beat It

Addiction is a serious disorder and impacts people of all backgrounds, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. There are many substances to which someone might become addicted to. Some people develop an issue with alcohol, while others abuse drugs. 

One of the most serious forms of drug abuse is opioids. These are painkillers that are meant to be used for short-term pain relief; however, they are extremely addictive, and people often end up using them for a prolonged period of time. Opioids are widely prescribed by doctors to manage pain. Generally speaking, people think if a drug is prescribed by a doctor it’s not bad for them, but this isn’t always the case. 

What Is an Opioid Addiction?

An opioid addiction is when someone becomes physically and emotionally dependent on opioids. Commonly abused opioids are OxyContin, Vicodin, and Fentanyl. An addict’s brain will fundamentally change in structure after abusing drugs for a period of time. This is why addiction isn’t just a ‘lack of self-control’. The brain has been rewired to believe that it requires opioids in order to survive. 

Addicts end up craving opioids in the same manner in which they look for food, water, and air. This can cause people to sacrifice everything at the altar of opioid addiction. Opioid addiction impacts family members, friends, and even professional relationships. For this reason, people need to seek help for opioids that can help them quit for good.

What To Expect When Quitting

Quitting opioids can be challenging but is attainable with the help of the right treatment program. One of the main challenges are withdrawals. This is a set of symptoms that develop when an addict stops taking opioids. Common symptoms are fever, mood swings, uncontrollable shaking, headaches, and body aches. Fortunately, there are a few tips that people can follow that will make this process easier.

Tips for Quitting

Some of the most important tips for quitting opioids include:

Tip 1: Admit you have a problem. It’s hard to seek help or get better if you don’t admit you’re sick. Try looking at yourself in the mirror and say “I’m addicted to drugs”. Or call a friend and let them know. This may seem like common sense but it’s usually one of the biggest hurdles to overcome when seeking recovery.

Tip 2: Nothing changes if nothing changes. Change your environment. There are certain circumstances that get you to where you are. Without getting rid of these circumstances, you’re bound to relapse. Think about what got you using opioids in the first place and then cut that thing or person out of your life.

Tip 3: Stay busy during the recovery process. Unproductivity can easily lead to never stop using drugs or relapsing. If you don’t feel like you have a purpose, you’re bound to continue to use drugs. Pick up a hobby or do community service. Helping others is a great way to feel like you matter in this world. 

Tip 4: Get professional help. You don’t have to do this alone. There’s also information you probably don’t know about your drug use. There are trained professionals all over the country with a lot of knowledge they’re waiting to share. These people will teach you the coping skills you need to live a life of recovery. They’ll help you retrain your brain to live without drugs. By getting professional help you’ll also build your sober network. One of the crucial components to getting sober and staying sober is having a support system.

Let Us Help!

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury drug & alcohol treatment program located in the beautiful area of Laguna View, CA. We are happy to offer detox and inpatient treatment for addiction disorders. Our facility is run by recovering addicts with years of sobriety under their belts.  We provide a unique luxury program that combines traditional treatment with modern therapies to assist participants in overcoming substance abuse for good. If you are looking for a solution that can provide you with long-term sobriety, please contact us today!

 

Why You Should Exercise in Addiction Recovery

Each year more than 21 million Americans will be affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Substance abuse is nearly impossible to overcome on your own but with the help of treatment programs, sobriety is possible. 

Like other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression, diet and exercise can be beneficial in overcoming addiction.  At Laguna View Detox, we stress the importance of giving our clients plenty of opportunities to exercise. Addiction affects the mind and body, and we encourage our clients to adopt a healthy lifestyle in sobriety. Healthy clients are happy clients.

Why is Exercise Beneficial for Those in Addiction Recovery?

One of the primary hallmarks of addictions is drug or alcohol cravings.  These urges are strongest within the first few months of sobriety. A combination of time and treatment can help them go away. To help combat these cravings, we introduce exercise into a client’s everyday regimen. Exercise is a great distraction and productive hobby our clients can engage in for the rest of their lives. The exercise routine they adopt during treatment can easily be taken home with them. Aside from the physical benefits of exercise that our clients enjoy, there are mental and emotional benefits as well. 

Better Sleep

Exercise improves your sleep in several ways. It promotes a better, deeper sleep, which is extremely restorative.  Deeper, more restful sleep boosts your immune system, supports cardiac health, and controls stress & anxiety. In addition to improving the quality of your sleep, exercise increases the duration of your sleep.  When you exercise, you expend energy, which makes you feel more tired and ready to rest at the end of the day. A good night’s sleep is an amazing way to start a new day. 

Improved Focus

Exercise helps your body to trigger endorphins which are chemicals in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and increase the positive feelings in your brain.  After you exercise, you’ll find it easier to block distractions from your mind which improves concentration. Maintaining sobriety is a lot of work and the more concentrated you are on your recovery, the better off you are. 

It Can Turn Into a Hobby

Exercise is a fantastic hobby. It can be done anytime, anywhere, and it’s something you can always improve on. At Laguna View Detox we want to set our clients up for success. After they stop using substances, it’s important for our clients to find joy in life again. Exercise is something we can encourage during treatment and they can take it home with them. It’s an activity they can do alone or with friends. They can set goals and challenge themselves in a healthy way. 

We Want to Help

If you or a loved one have a problem with drugs and alcohol, contact us at Laguna View Detox.  Exercise is just one of the many methods we use to help our clients discover a new and healthier way of life. We give our clients all the tools to be happy and get their life back. Give us a call – your new life awaits you! 

Drugs 101: The Most Commonly Abused

Drug addiction is a complex disease and can be fatal. In 2017 there were over 70,000 drug overdoses in the US and over 18 million people struggling with substance abuse disorder. It’s a common misconception that drug addicts can just stop using whenever they want. Addiction is like any other health complication, it needs to be treated and if it’s left untreated, there are serious complications. 

While there are numerous drugs circulating the market, there are five common ones we see people abusing in the treatment industry. 

Heroin

Heroin is the most potent and powerful of all of the opioid drugs. Although it’s illegal to sell or purchase, it’s readily available throughout the United States. When mixed with the drug Fentanyl, it’s not only more addictive than it was before, but the chance of overdosing is increased and has led to countless deaths across the country.

As of 2017, about 494,000 Americans over the age of 12 became regular heroin users and nearly 900,000 Americans had tried the drug at least one time.

Opioids 

According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, about 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose and nearly 400,000 people lost their battle with opioids between 1999 and 2017.

Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain management. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine are all opioids. It’s common to open up a household medicine cabinet and see at least one of these drugs. Opioids are becoming a crisis in America because they’re easily accessible and it’s easy to build a tolerance when taking them. 

The sale of opioid-based painkillers skyrocketed from 1999 to the present time a total of 300 percent. Several drug companies have recently been sued and held accountable for pushing opioids onto patients with the knowledge that they are highly addictive and can easily lead to overdose deaths.

Cocaine

Cocaine comes from the coca plant that is grown mostly in South America. It’s addiction rate generally includes young users, anywhere from the age of 15-34. It’s estimated that about 7.4 million people in that age group have used cocaine at least one time in their lives. Cocaine can be snorted, ingested, or smoked (normally referred to as crack cocaine) and is highly addictive. It’s the most trafficked drug in the world since the demand for the supply is always present.

Many cocaine users or drug dealers at some point begin to mix the drug with heroin and fentanyl, leading to an increase in overdose deaths.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most abused substance of all and affects about 300 million people throughout the world. Many people try alcohol at a very young age since it is legal and easily obtained.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an average of 30 Americans die each day due to a car crash involving a drunk driver, and about six people die each day from alcohol poisoning. Approximately 88,000 people die as a result of alcohol addiction every single year in the United States. About six percent of all adults in the United States, which is about 15 million people, have an addiction to alcohol and only a small percentage seek treatment for their addiction.

Crystal Meth (Methamphetamine)

Crystal Meth can be smoked, injected, or snorted. It can cause users to be awake for days at a time and make them feel invincible. It’s highly addictive with an addiction rate of approximately 774,000 Americans each year who are regular users, and approximately 16,000 of that figure are teenagers between the ages of 12-17. In 2017, 10,000 Americans suffered fatal overdoses. 

Seek Treatment Now

If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or battle drug abuse, you can get help at Laguna View Detox. The unique program offered by the professionals at Laguna View encompasses detoxification and inpatient treatment for all types of addiction. Call us today! 

An Oncoming Relapse? Here’s What You Should Watch For

The National Institute on Drug Abuse relates drug addiction relapse to the relapse of patients with chronic illnesses like hypertension or asthma. Statistics from 2000 show that 40-60% of people treated for substance abuse have relapsed. Patients treated for hypertension or asthma relapse 50-70% of the time. These rates are alarmingly similar to substance abuse.

If you or a loved one are ready to seek treatment for addiction or are fighting to maintain sobriety, there are a few things to  know upfront about relapse:

  • It’s normal and healthy to worry that you might relapse. It takes time to develop self-confidence and sense of security in your new sober lifestyle.
  • Relapse doesn’t mean you failed. It simply means you’ve taken a step back on the road to recovery and need to act quickly to correct your path.
  • While relapse isn’t uncommon, it isn’t an experience you have to endure. Understanding the signs of an oncoming relapse and acting quickly could keep you from taking that step backward on your journey to sobriety.

At Laguna View Detox we want to help you understand exactly what relapse is and why it occurs for so many people fighting for sobriety. When you’re aware of the risk and the red flags you have a stronger chance of overcoming your obstacles before you sink into relapse. If you or someone you love does relapse, it’s important to contact the professionals at Laguna View Detox to seek help as quickly as possible.

What Is Relapse?

Relapse occurs when someone in any stage of recovery from substance abuse uses a substance that they have abused in the past. It only takes one use to qualify as a relapse and it doesn’t matter how much you consume or how it’s administered. If you’re in recovery from alcohol and consume just a few sips of an alcoholic beverage, you have relapsed.

What about thinking about using a substance? While that may lead to guilty feelings and other emotions, this isn’t considered relapse unless you follow through with the act of using a substance. Many recovering addicts do think about the substances they previously abused. They can even dream about it. Pulling yourself back from those thoughts and reminding yourself why you want to continue with sobriety is often a powerful moment that can help you maintain your clean healthy lifestyle.

The Stages of Relapse

A relapse may seem to occur out of the blue but it’s usually the final stage of a process that starts days or even weeks prior to the use of a substance. Use this list to understand each stage of relapse so you can keep an eye on yourself or your loved ones to catch the cycle before it spins out of control:

  • Emotional Relapse – You experience emotional responses to daily life or inner turmoil which set the stage for an eventual relapse. Using the abused substance is often a reaction to these emotions because you haven’t developed the coping skills needed to overcome obstacles and handle strong emotions without an escape. Continuing to seek help through 12-step meetings and recovery programs in addition to working a sobriety plan daily can give you the strength and skills needed to handle these emotions and stop the relapse cycle right here.
  • Mental Relapse – You’re starting to fight your urges to use. You’re not serious about seeking out the substance, but the thought is starting to cross your mind more and more often. You’re fighting these thoughts but you can’t deny that you think about relapsing.
  • Physical Relapse – This is when you start taking action to relapse. You may find yourself driving to a liquor store in the middle of the afternoon or driving through a neighborhood where you used to buy drugs in the past. You’ve graduated from thoughts of using to actively placing yourself in situations where using is likely or guaranteed. 

Early Signs of an Oncoming Relapse

Some signs of relapse that you may notice in yourself or a loved one include:

  • Poor eating habits
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Mood swings
  • Withdrawal from loved ones or activities
  • Lying
  • Gravitating back to friends and acquaintances from the old lifestyle
  • Glamorizing or bragging about old addictive behaviors
  • Not following a recovery treatment plan

Many of the early signs of a potential relapse are internal so friends and loved ones may not catch them until the mental, physical stages, or relapse begins. 

You may notice that you’re no longer interested in exercising, going to meetings, or taking healthy steps toward daily recovery. You start to realize that you’re thinking about your old lifestyle and friends more often. Those thoughts are signals that you need help to stop the cycle of relapse.

Laguna View Detox Can Help Before or After Relapse

Our Southern California detox and rehab center offers comprehensive addiction therapies that are customized to the individual. If you or someone you love is struggling with a potential relapse contact us to discuss your options. We want to help you develop the skills and the strength that is needed to successfully walk the path of sobriety for life. 

Four Signs You’re Suffering from Addiction

You didn’t plan to be here. You didn’t expect to one day need something so badly that your heart rate elevates at the thought of never having it again. But now you’re here and you’re asking the right questions since you found yourself on the Laguna View Detox blog looking for answers.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is generally thought of as the physical dependence on a mood-altering substance, like drugs or alcohol. If a person does not consume the substance they have a physical dependence on, their bodies start to experience withdrawal symptoms. After the physical dependence is gone, residential treatment and other addiction treatment services are offered to help tackle the emotional stuff to get down to the root of the problem. 

Signs of Addiction

You feel sick when you haven’t done drugs or alcohol in a while.

Withdrawal is one of the first signs you may notice if you suffer from addiction. This can include tremors, slurred speech, nausea, insomnia … the list goes on. On the emotional front, you can also feel empty and completely drained.

Why am I experiencing this?

The National Institute for Drug Abuse explains that your brain is made of billions of neurotransmitters. Imagine these neurotransmitters are a highway navigating through your brain. These paths allow you to do everything from forming thoughts to maintaining a regular heartbeat. When you introduce drugs into your system the foreign chemical(s) disrupts the normal flow of traffic. It’s as if a dog is trying to cross a six-lane highway, chaos would ensue and normal traffic patterns would certainly be disrupted. 

After a certain amount of time, your brain can stop healthily producing signals and becomes accustomed to the disruptions. Withdrawal is your brain’s way of signaling you to take the substance you’re addicted to so it can operate the way it thinks it’s now supposed to. 

You absolutely can’t stop even if you want to.

When your brain becomes altered by drugs or alcohol and dependent on them to function, you’ll feel compelled to do anything and everything to get a hold of the substance. Once you get a hold of it, it may never feel like enough. Like an itch you can’t scratch. 

Medical detox plays a crucial role in overcoming addiction. Laguna View Detox allows you to rid your body of drugs and alcohol in a safe environment. Our professional staff will guide you through the process every step of the way and our residential program is a great – and almost always a necessary step to take – after detox. Our staff will teach you healthy coping skills and retrain your brain to enjoy life without the aid of alcohol or drugs.

You’ve changed as a person and you don’t like it.

It’s come to the point where drugs or alcohol are all that matter. Between your lack of hygiene, unstable mood, and inability to maintain relationships, you’re feeling absolutely hopeless. You look in the mirror and hate what you see. The substances rewired your brain so severely you aren’t even taking them to get high anymore. You just don’t feel normal without them.

No amount of drugs or alcohol is enough.

Your brain is powerful and wants to protect itself. The fight between your brain trying to find balance and you trying to get high creates a tolerance. The more tolerance you have to drugs or alcohol, the more of the substance you need to feel the effects. This also makes you feel like nothing will ever be enough. 

Seek Addiction Treatment At Laguna View Detox

Drug and alcohol abuse is extremely hard to beat on your own. If you feel like you have no one to turn to and have alienated all of the people in your life, Laguna View Detox is here to help. The biggest battle will be getting yourself here but once we get the drugs and alcohol out of your system, we can help you get your life back. Contact us at Laguna View Detox today to talk to an addiction treatment professional. We want to help you!

Why Aftercare is Essential to Long Term Sobriety

Making the decision to seek addiction treatment for drug or alcohol abuse may seem like a major decision. It’s common for you to begin your journey to sobriety in an inpatient setting. This can include a form of detox and intensive inpatient program. At Laguna View Detox our residential treatment program focuses on holistic treatment in addition to evidence-based practices. Once treatment is complete it’s important to remember this is the first step on the long road toward recovery. Staying sober requires daily commitment. One way to stay committed is by completing aftercare. 

What is Aftercare?

Aftercare is a place where people go to learn coping skills that can be used to maintain sobriety outside of residential treatment. One of the biggest challenges during recovery is avoiding a relapse. The coping skills gained in aftercare can be used in everyday life. 

Aftercare is also a place you can go to repair broken relationships. Addiction not only takes a toll on your life but it affects everyone around you. This can even include professional relationships. Taking back your life includes mending broken relationships. 

Aftercare programs will vary from individual to individual but we are confident. At Laguna View Detox, we will put together a rockstar plan tailored to each person’s needs. We believe in empowering our clients and hold them accountable for their actions which helps them stay sober. 

How is it Beneficial for Long Term Sobriety?

Leaving residential treatment can be quite a culture shock. The way you interact with society will be completely different from when you were using drugs or alcohol. You will see the world in a new light and people will look at you differently. You’ve changed but the world around you may not have changed. The job you have to go back to may still stress you out or maybe you’re experiencing financial insecurity and need to get a new job. It’s easy to get caught up in life and forget what you’ve learned in residential treatment. Aftercare will give you the coping skills you need to handle your new life. 

The goal of aftercare is to provide you with a dual system of support and accountability. While the goal is to prevent relapse from taking place, Laguna View Detox also wants to provide you with the support you need to walk the road of recovery. Individuals who leave the inpatient world are particularly vulnerable to relapse during the first year. A high-quality aftercare program can provide tools and support for people who are learning to navigate their lives without drugs and alcohol.

Stay Consistent with Aftercare

Getting sober doesn’t mean you are recovered. The threat of relapse is real. It can happen in the blink of an eye. Life is stressful and you’re only human but you don’t have to live life post-residential treatment alone. Aftercare provides support and accountability. Everyone deserves help from trained professionals.

Laguna View Detox is Here for You

At Laguna View Detox, we’re a luxury drug and alcohol treatment program who really cares. Our services include detox, residential treatment, and aftercare. We want you to get sober but more importantly remain sober. Give us a call to get the help you need.