Is ketamine addictive?

Many drugs with medical uses can be addictive. Ketamine is a drug that doctors have been using during medical procedures for decades. But if people use this drug recreationally, they may become dependent or addicted to it. Learning more about the risk of Ketamine addiction and what steps to take next may help you or a loved one get the treatment you need to overcome addiction. What is Ketamine? Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that the FDA first approved in 1970. Doctors and veterinarians use Ketamine during procedures that require anesthesia, such as major surgery. Recently, doctors have begun to use Ketamine to manage treatment-resistant depression. The medication has proven to be effective when other prescription drugs have failed to provide relief. Medical experts are also exploring the potential to use Ketamine to treat patients’ chronic pain, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. While Ketamine has many known medical uses, the drug has the potential to lead to addiction. Some people take Ketamine recreationally for its euphoric, sedating, and dissociative effects. When sold illicitly, Ketamine is sometimes called: K Special K Vitamin K Jet Cat tranquilizer People may steal Ketamine from veterinary clinics or obtain it from foreign markets to distribute illegally. Ketamine comes in a white or off-white powder–which is made into capsules, snorted, or smoked–and a clear liquid that can be mixed into drinks or injected. People who take Ketamine may experience effects similar to those of PCP, including: Distorted sensory perceptions Feelings of disconnection Relaxation Amnesia Detachment from pain Effects can last from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on how the user takes it and other personal factors....

Which Treatment is Most Effective in Treating Addiction?

There is no magical treatment that fits every situation when it comes to addiction. Treatments vary depending on the individual’s needs, and what will work best for them based on a number of factors. Treatment plans depend on which substance is being abused, how much care an individual needs, The individual’s mental health, and which options the individual can afford. All of these have an effect on the overall treatment plan, but the good news is that there are a multitude of quality Denver rehab treatment plans out there. Here’s a look at some of the most common addiction treatments out there. Residential Treatment This is one of the more intensive treatments, but these in-patient programs offer a great environment of those dealing with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Residential programs generally run 28 days, and are very individualized. But the treatment doesn’t stop after the 28 days. Along with the residential program, an aftercare plan is also developed, as well as individual goals and continued treatment. During this type of treatment, the individual generally gets numerous individual counseling sessions per week, as well as group therapy multiple times per day. Another benefit of this type of treatment is that these programs offer 24-hour supervision and support. This is extremely important for those struggling with mental health issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy This has been proven to be one of the more effective ways to treat addiction. There are multiple forms of therapy to promote positive change through the use of cognitive techniques. These are generally focused on thought patterns, and working to improve behavior by eliminating harmful thoughts. One...

What are rehab activities?

Rehab comes with different approaches to recovery. Learn how certain activities help. Rehab is a powerful approach to recovery that can help you to leave a life of addiction behind. Throughout the years, leading experts in psychology have come up with various practices to support rehabilitation for different people. Though the types of activities may differ, there are some more popular approaches that can deliver great results and support you on your journey to recovery. Rehab Activities to Support Your Future The activities that you experience in rehab will often be specific to your treatment team. Different rehabilitation clinics generally have their own specific approaches to treatment leveraging different kinds of activities. Let’s explore a few of the more common approaches that you can embrace. Personalized Therapy At the center of all rehab strategies is a deep focus on therapy. Addiction is as much a psychological concern as it is physical. This means that working with therapists and other experts that are trained in mental health can have a lot of great benefits. Different approaches to therapy can be more or less effective depending on what you need. Many rehab activities include a combination of therapy types in order to treat specific concerns. You might explore cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, solution-focused therapy, and more. Health & Wellness Treatments Since rehab can impact our mental and physical health, there is a big focus on supporting health and wellness. A part of your path to recovery will be focused on helping your body to recover. Acupuncture, yoga, Reiki, and other health or fitness activities can support your progress...

What are the 4 levels of the addiction process?

Addiction can take on many different stages. Explore notable moments. Given the challenges that can come with addiction, it shouldn’t be surprising that it doesn’t happen overnight. For many, the path to addiction can feel slow and gradual until it is too late. In this article, we will discuss the main steps associated with addiction. The Common Stages of Addiction Addiction is a gradual process, which is why it can be so overwhelming. Many people feel like they are in control until it is too late. In reality, they are simply engaging in a cycle that can have lasting impacts on their health and wellness. Knowing how to recognize the stages can help you to learn how addiction happens and how to push back against it.  Trying Out the Substance The first step towards addiction is very simple—using the substance for the first time. This can happen in a variety of different ways, though it commonly happens in social settings. Most people think that they can try certain substances without repercussions because they know people who they believe are doing it. It is true that not everyone will become addicted to certain substances, but you should never use other people to gauge your personal health. You don’t know where they might be in the same cycle. Habitual Use After the first time, you will find that you are not quite as concerned about the substance itself. You might think that you “know” about it now and know what to expect. This will make you more comfortable with the substance. As your comfort levels grow, you will find that you use...

Does insurance cover addiction treatment?

When you or a family member need help for addiction treatment, it can be stressful to navigate insurance coverages on top of everything else. Insurance coverage for substance abuse treatment has long been a barrier for many, even keeping people from seeking the help they deserve. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to find out whether drug rehab in Denver is covered by your insurance. Don’t let payment issues dissuade you from seeking help. Keep reading to discover more about rehab insurance options. Drug Rehab and Health Insurance Over the years, addiction treatment has become less stigmatized. Due to the Affordable Care Act in 2010, a new wave of health insurance coverage policies became available for mental illness treatments, as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Many insurance packages now cover substance abuse treatment, but many factors are still at play. You’ll need to check your policy’s specific guidelines on behavioral health benefits, including on whether substance abuse treatment programs are covered. Some policies may require you to get a referral from your primary care physician before starting rehab. What it covers The Affordable Care Act outlines that substance abuse treatment and drug rehabilitation have to offer complete services under the plan, much like other medical procedures. An insurance plan will often include treatment options like: Drug rehab evaluation and detox Drug intervention Addiction treatment options and medication In-clinic visits with a physician Testing for drugs and alcohol In-home health visits Counseling and therapy services Both in-patient and out-patient drug rehabilitation options are covered by health insurance plans. With ACA-sponsored health plans, a percentage of the expenses may only...

How substance abuse can be reduced?

Substance abuse impacts both the user and those around them. Luckily, substance abuse is a disease that can be reduced and treated with help from therapy and medications. One of the best ways to get help for reducing substance abuse is through affordable substance abuse treatment at an in-care facility. Find out more about the most common treatment options for reducing substance abuse and how you or a loved one can get care.  Common substance abuse treatment options Substance abuse care features a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual’s needs. This could look like medical or mental health care, or a combination of both. Many treatment options include the implementation of various types of therapy and medication. Therapy Behavioral therapies are often used as a treatment method to help patients recover from substance abuse. Depending on the treatment plan, they can help: Minimize negative thought processes associated with substance abuse Change behaviors and coping mechanisms associated with substance abuse Develop more healthy life skills and choices Implement other long-term treatment options like medication Different types of therapies are also utilized depending on outpatient or inpatient treatment plans.  Outpatient treatment  In outpatient treatment, patients typically visit with a healthcare specialist on a weekly basis in either group or individual therapy sessions. After successful treatment, visits decrease in hours per week. Depending on the patient’s severity of substance abuse, the following therapies may be implemented: Motivational interviewing, a type of therapy that determines how ready a patient is to make long-term changes and which treatment options they should pursue Family therapy, a type of group therapy that includes the patient’s...

5 Signs My Loved One Should Consider Alcohol Rehab

If you suspect a loved one suffers from alcohol addiction, a rehab treatment program may help. Alcohol rehab centers in Colorado offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment options. These centers can help your loved one with a structured program that gives them the tools to overcome their addiction. No matter where they are in their addiction, alcohol rehab is a smart path forward. Review these five signs that indicate your loved one may need to start a rehab program today. They consume an excessive amount of alcohol. Although many people drink socially, you may notice that your loved one depends on alcohol differently. For example, they are dependent on alcohol to get them through everyday scenarios. Over time, the body can form a tolerance to substances, leading the person to take it in higher amounts. If you notice your loved one is drinking excessively, they may already be to the point of tolerance. Unfortunately, the higher the tolerance, the more likely an overdose can happen. This is because they will keep drinking more each time to achieve a certain feeling from the substance. This is a sure sign that your loved one needs help in overcoming their addiction through rehab. Drinking is the main priority. If your loved one is drinking in excess, alcohol is most likely the main focus for them. However, alcohol abuse often leads to an obsession with the substance. They may always think or talk about when their next drink is. They may spend an inordinate amount of money or resources on alcohol. They may also forgo participating in activities and interests that they formerly enjoyed...

The Danger of Using Alcohol and Xanax

Out of all of the concoctions and cocktails of drugs that people choose to mix, Xanax and Alcohol are probably one of the worst ones. Looking back at a majority of the celebrity overdose deaths we have seen over the last decade, many of them were attributed to this lethal combination, most likely with a dash of painkillers. In more recent years, with the widespread awareness of the opioid epidemic and need for inpatient treatment, it seems as though more people are turning to Xanax and alcohol as a “safer” alternative to reach that state they are looking for but is it really safer? The Terrible Twosome Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic, and not everyone who takes Xanax abuses it, those people make no sense to me but they are real. For those of us who do not qualify under that category, the reason WE combine Xanax and alcohol is for complete oblivion. However, apart from these two drugs being the most deadly to withdrawal from, there are also more pressing dangers to worry about the night of. Danger Number 1 - Alcohol is a sedative Believe it or not, alcohol is a depressant - it slows down the internal systems. This is why the slurred speech, the lack of coordination, and blackouts occur. Apart from those side effects, alcohol also: Slows heart rate Strains the liver Slows production of insulin Increases Blood Pressure (through widening veins as a means to release body heat) Weakens the immune system Effects hormones (skipped periods and ED!) For many hard drinkers and alcoholics, those health problems seem like something that could...

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Kicking the bottle is no easy feat. If you’re drinking has begun to become a problem for you or your loved one, there are two choices to make. You can keep drinking and punishing your own life, liver, and sanity, or you can get the help you need to recover. A normal drinker wouldn’t have to think twice about this; they would get help and stop drinking. However, alcoholics are different. They continue to drink even when everything tells them they should stop. When the day finally comes that the decision must be made, chances are the person is well accustomed to many of the initial symptoms of alcohol withdrawal; nausea, the headaches, the shakes. Usually, an alcoholic would simply drink, and these physical symptoms would go away. So what happens when the road to sobriety is continued, and the detox process is seen through? The Importance of Medical Detox There are really only two classes of substances that can actually be deadly to withdrawal from, alcohol and benzodiazepines. Alcohol withdrawal, since the dawn of smashing grapes, has been known to be a potentially deadly endeavor for those who drink often and heavily. It is dangerous in that it can cause: Stroke Seizures Liver Failure Delusions (which have been reported to be the cause of many suicides and attempts) It is absolutely imperative to go through the alcohol withdrawal process in a medical detox facility. In the old days, people would slowly wean themselves off the bottle throughout their detox process, drinking less and less until they could stop. Despite this being a somewhat successful way to go through it,...

What is Delirium Tremens?

The Diagnosis Delirium Tremens is a medical condition that most commonly occurs in chronic alcoholics. It is not always permanent and can be largely reversed through the aid of medical intervention, but the symptoms can be pretty alarming and if not taken care of professionally, can actually cause serious long term damage. Delirium Tremens, also known as, “the DT’s” or “the shakes” are more common in people who drink large amounts over a long period of time. So relax Jessica, your weekend binging, while most likely problematic, will only result in a hangover and most likely some guilt. However, for the folks who have been drinking daily for months or years, Delirium Tremens should be on your radar. Signs to Look For Whether you are concerned about yourself or a loved one's drinking problem, the fact that withdrawing from alcohol should, at this point, be very clear to your now. Just about everyone has experienced a hangover, but for alcoholics, suddenly putting the bottle down can actually be extremely dangerous outside of a medical detox facility. When the time comes to stop drinking, for a person who has been doing so for an extended period of time at a rapid pace, there are some warning signs of Delirium Tremens to be aware of, such as: Symptoms showing up within the first 48 hours after the last drink Tremors Confusion Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) Delusions (believing things that aren’t true or in reality) Insomnia OR Sleeping more than 18-24 hours Erratic mood swings Memory Loss Seizures The Dangers of DT’s It can be pretty scary to watch...