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Category: Mental health

Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Staying Hydrated During Drug Detox

Dehydration is the condition caused by the loss of too much bodily fluid. This happens when you’re losing more fluids than you are taking in, and the body doesn’t have enough fluids to work properly. The symptoms of dehydration can be hidden beneath other troubling symptoms. You may not realize the effect that dehydration is having on your body when you are undergoing drug detox and feeling withdrawal symptoms.

If you notice decreased urine output, inability to sweat, fainting, sluggishness, confusion, or heart palpitations, you might be dehydrated. If any of these are present while also noticing that you are dizzy, weak, increased thirst, have dry eyes, dry mouth, or have a swollen tongue, then you are experiencing dehydration. Dehydration during detox happens quickly because of expended water, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Staying Hydrated During Drug Detox

Why is it Dangerous to be Dehydrated During Drug Detox?

As mentioned, dehydration symptoms are like those of withdrawals, and these being confused leads many addicts to relapse back to substance abuse. You can experience headaches, dry mouth, and seizures when you are dehydrated. The amount of energy the liver and body use to expel the toxins left over from substance abuse through urine is considerable. The addict will not be in the mood to consume more fluids than they are accustomed to. Poor health can inhibit the recovery process especially if the individual struggles with mental illness.

Not remaining hydrated will inhibit the liver’s mechanism it needs to be efficient in running normal detoxifications processes and will result in the body not being able to rid itself of toxins. Being dehydrated will increase cravings and prevent the system from resetting itself back to normal. The National Institute of Health explains that the body is made up of sixty percent water and that water is a significant component of every cell and is involved in a wide range of fundamental roles.

Without any intake of fluid, death can occur after three to five days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and activity levels. (NIH)

How to Stay Hydrated During Drug Detox?

The recommended amount of water an individual should consume is 0.5-1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. But when someone is detoxing, they sweat much more than the regular person and therefore need twice the amount of water, which would be 1.5-2 ounces per pound of body weight daily. If you are medically assisted during your detox process you might be receiving fluids intravenously, but you should still consume a significant amount of fluids. Try to avoid diuretics such as coffee.

Choose foods that are high in fluids, like juices and fruits. If you notice hunger, it could be a sign of dehydration, so attempt to consume liquids with meals and snacks. If you are performing physical activities, increase your water intake. First thing in the morning, before drinking anything else, have a large glass of water and make sure the last thing you consume at night is also a large glass of water. Avoid high levels of sodium, such as sodas. Try decaffeinated tea or other drinks to break the dullness of only drinking water.

To stay hydrated during drug detox, follow these tips:

  1. Drink Water Regularly: Aim for 1.5-2 ounces per pound of body weight daily.
  2. Electrolyte-Rich Fluids: Consume beverages like coconut water, sports drinks, or oral rehydration solutions to maintain electrolyte balance.
  3. Eat Hydrating Foods: Include fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and strawberries.
  4. Avoid Dehydrating Substances: Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, as they can contribute to dehydration.
  5. Set Reminders: Use alarms or apps to remind you to drink water throughout the day.
  6. Monitor Hydration: Check the color of your urine; it should be light yellow if you’re well-hydrated.
  7. Sip, Don’t Gulp: Drinking small amounts frequently is more effective than consuming large quantities at once.
  8. Broth-Based Soups: Incorporate soups into your diet for added hydration and nutrients.

How Can Allure Detox Help You?

If you or someone you know is fighting with addiction, Allure Detox provides a safe and comfortable environment for you to begin your journey in recovery, and we monitor hydration levels. We offer a personalized treatment plan for everyone to fit their ailments and needs with the help of doctors and therapists. Allure Detox provides different therapies and treatments to maximize each person’s success by facing everyone’s health and happiness head-on.

We help with your journey after you’ve completed your detox treatment. Our addiction professionals will help you plan your aftercare including outpatient therapy and residential treatment. Addiction isn’t easy to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Take the first step towards recovery by reaching out to one of our confidential professionals at Allure detox. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.

FAQ

  • Does non alcoholic beer dehydrate you?

Published on: 2019-12-09
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Withdrawal Symptoms from Sleeping Pills

Sleep is one of the basic needs of a human being to survive. How much and how good you sleep can affect your mental and physical health and your everyday functioning, such as your productivity, emotional balance, brain and heart health, immune system, creativity, vitality, and even your weight—so many health benefits from just lying around and doing nothing.

It is said that adults need 7 – 9 hours of sleep, but most of us don’t get the minimum, and we don’t even know that we are sleep-deprived. We might think it is normal to be sleepy in the afternoon or during a boring meeting, but this is true only if we are sleep-deprived. We might not even remember what it feels like to be fully awake and fully alert.

For some, we may have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep, which is often called insomnia. Simple lifestyle changes can help with getting to sleep and staying asleep. Such changes as exercise, no alcohol, or nicotine can continually improve a person’s sleep cycle and prevent insomnia. If these simple lifestyle changes don’t seem to work and lack of sleep or insomnia is severe. It is starting to affect your everyday life and health; consulting your physician may be needed to suggest a sleeping pill for a short-term solution.

Withdrawal Symptoms from Sleeping Pills

There are Many Types of Sleeping Pills

The range of sleeping pills includes supplements and over-the-counter (OTC), and prescription drugs. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs should not be taken for the long term because they can lead to dependence and the opposite effect when you stop taking them.

Supplements such as melatonin and valerian root are natural and sometimes used in pill form, teas, or food. These do not lead to dependency.

Many over–the–counter drugs are often as sleeping pills:

  • Diphenhydramine, found in Benadryl, Advil PM, etc., is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects might include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention.
  • Doxylamine succinate, found in Unisom SleepTabs, is also a sedating antihistamine with the same side effects as Diphenhydramine. Both should not be used long-term, can cause dependency, and have the opposite effect when not taken.

Commonly used sleeping pills that your physician may prescribe include:

  • Ambien® (zolpidem tartrate)
  • Dalmane® (flurazepam hydrochloride)
  • Halcion® (triazolam)
  • Lunesta® (eszopiclone)
  • Prosom® (estazolam)
  • Restoril® (temazepam)
  • Rozerem® (ramelteon)
  • Silenor® (doxepin)
  • Sonata® (zaleplon)
  • Desyrel® (trazodone)
  • Belsomra® (suvorexant)

If used over a long period of time, there can be some serious health problems that can occur, such as:

  • Memory problems
  • Mental and behavioral disorders
  • Learning problems
  • Worsening of insomnia symptoms beyond their baseline when the pills are discontinued

If you or a loved one have been on sleeping pills for an extended period of time, have an addiction, and are trying to get off them, you may experience very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms can be intense but vary from person to person, just like any substance, on how long they have been taking it and the severity of the addiction. Some of these symptoms can become life-threatening; therefore, medical detox is recommended.

Common sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Body spasms
  • Seizures
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Drug cravings
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Sweating
  • Increased heart rate
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Help With Sleeping Pill Addiction

If you or a loved one are looking for help with a sleeping pill addiction, then you’ve come to the right place. At Allure Detox, the first requirement of our detox center is that it protects the health and safety of its patients.  This is the least that substance abusers and their families should expect from a decent facility.  Without these protections in place, the detox doesn’t serve a purpose in the recovery process.  Patient safety should be an ironclad guarantee.

When it comes to Allure Detox, we provide much more than the bare minimum.  Of course, we help clients stop using safely – that’s just a given.  Almost as important as that, though, is that we offer clients the foundation for a lifetime of relief and recovery. That’s the Allure Detox promise: that patients leave our care with more than good health at their disposal. Our focus is on minimizing your withdrawal symptoms to a comfortable level while beginning the comprehensive treatment process that will keep you sober.

Published on: 2019-11-07
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Does Imodium Work for Opioid Withdrawal?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) state the Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.

Approximately 10.3 million people aged 12 or older in 2018 misused opioids in the past year. This number of past-year opioid misusers corresponds to 3.7 percent of the population, according to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Many people who abuse painkillers usually become addicted to them. Some of those people may move on to abusing harder illegal drugs such as heroin because it’s cheaper than prescription drugs.

Imodium for opioid withdrawal

Is Imodium effective for opioid withdrawal?

Imodium (loperamide) can help alleviate certain symptoms of opioid withdrawal, but it is not a comprehensive treatment. Here’s how it works and its limitations:

How Imodium Helps:

  1. Diarrhea Relief: Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal medication that helps reduce diarrhea, which is a common symptom of opioid withdrawal.
  2. Digestive Comfort: It can help manage abdominal cramping and discomfort associated with withdrawal.

Limitations:

  1. Limited Scope: Imodium only addresses gastrointestinal symptoms and does not alleviate other withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, muscle pain, insomnia, or cravings.
  2. Potential for Misuse: Some people may misuse loperamide in high doses in an attempt to self-treat withdrawal or achieve opioid-like effects, which can lead to serious health risks, including heart problems.
  3. Not a Substitute for Comprehensive Treatment: While it can provide some symptom relief, Imodium is not a substitute for medically supervised detoxification and treatment.

Considerations:

  • Medical Supervision: It’s important to use loperamide under medical guidance to avoid potential misuse and complications.
  • Part of a Treatment Plan: Imodium should be used as part of a broader opioid withdrawal management plan, which may include other medications and supportive therapies.

Imodium can help manage diarrhea during opioid withdrawal but should be used cautiously and as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Is Opioid Abuse Leading to a Decline in Your Life?

Those who become addicted to drugs, such as opioids, most likely always decline one’s general quality of life as an effect. Some of the consequences include loss of interest in hobbies, loss of friends or connect with family, late work or loss of a job, deterioration of health, isolation, and many more. One may even think of quitting drugs altogether, turning their life around, because of these consequences but cannot because of the fear of withdrawal.

When one stops taking opioids, the drug quickly leaves the body. Without the drug that the body is used to getting, it goes into withdrawal. Opioid withdrawal symptoms usually start not too long after the drug was last ingested; the timeline depends on the method of use. Opioid withdrawal symptoms include, but are not limited to, body aches and pains, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and more. Over time the symptoms will end, but most individuals don’t go through this “cold turkey” without some form of medicinal help or without giving up and relapsing and returning to using opioids.

Going through opioid withdrawals is not life-threatening, even though it may feel like it. It is very uncomfortable, and it is not recommended to go through it alone without medical attention. A healthcare professional can help guide you through the withdrawals with medicine, such as methadone or buprenorphine, that will slowly wean one off the opioids.

Imodium

Using Imodium for Opioid Detox

Although not recommended and usually not successful, some try to detox themselves at home with home remedies one may find online. This can be very dangerous, depending on what is instructed to take for the withdrawal symptoms and the dosage.

One of the home remedies that is often used is anti-diarrheal medication, such as Imodium. Imodium is an over-the-counter medication that prevents one from having diarrhea. While it’s technically an opioid, Imodium (loperamide) does not cross the blood-brain barrier to create an opioid-based high. However, many people assume it will act as a detox medication that can help with many common withdrawal pains, but this is not true. Imodium only treats diarrhea because it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier at regular doses, so there is no high experienced.

Because of these misconstrued concepts of Imodium helping with opioid withdrawal, there is a possibility for overdoses when taken more than severe directed symptoms can occur, including urinary retention, liver damage, and something called paralytic, ileus a stoppage of the intestine.

Conclusion About Imodium for Opioid Withdrawal

So does Imodium work for Opioid withdrawal? No, not effectively, so you should never self-medicate and always have a medical professional around if such symptoms arise, and that is where Allure Detox comes in. We detox patients on a medical basis, which allows us to give patients more than safety, and our medically supervised opioid detox will help ease your painful withdrawal symptoms.

Our detox programs use Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) to detox patients from opiates. And if need be, we administer MAT’s to help patients maintain long-term recovery. Sometimes, additional help is required, but these prescription drugs give every addict a chance for permanent recovery. Please call us today if your family is suffering from opiate addiction.

Published on: 2019-10-09
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Can You Exercise During Drug Detox?

Substance use disorders are associated with a wide range of short and long-term health effects. They can vary depending on the type of drug, how much and how often it’s taken, and the person’s general health. Overall, the effects of drug abuse and dependence can be widespread, and they can impact almost every system in the human body. Since active addiction is so destructive to the body, is it recommended to exercise during drug detox? Let’s explore this subject so that we can all be better informed. Also, please remember that it’s always advised to consult with a physician before beginning any exercise program.

Can You Exercise During Drug Detox

Side effects of drug addiction may include:

  • A weakened immune system, increasing the risk of illness and infection
  • Heart conditions ranging from abnormal heart rates to heart attacks and collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs
  • Nausea and abdominal pain, which can also lead to changes in appetite and weight loss
  • Increased strain on the liver, which puts the person at risk of significant liver damage or liver failure
  • Seizures, stroke, mental confusion, and brain damage
  • Lung disease
  • Problems with memory, attention, and decision-making, which make daily living more difficult
  • Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, can lead to other health problems

Substance use disorders can also lead to multiple behavioral problems, both in the short and long-term, which can include:

  • Paranoia
  • Aggressiveness
  • Hallucinations
  • Addiction
  • Impaired Judgment
  • Impulsiveness
  • Loss of Self Control

Drug abuse has serious consequences, such as missed work, punishable offenses, accidents, and injuries. Alcohol and drugs are often the reason for many offenses leading to jail time.

After one is ready to surrender and turn their lives around, one of the first steps is usually detox, if one has been using for a long continuous period of time. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH):

Medical detoxification safely manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use. However, medical detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use. Although detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicts achieve long-term abstinence, for some individuals it is a strongly indicated precursor to effective drug addiction treatment.

There are many different forms of detox and length of stay. Withdrawal is a part of the detox and varies among individuals depending on the drug used and the size. Withdrawal symptoms can affect a person physically, mentally, or emotionally. Going through withdrawal is a complex process and is dealt with in many practical ways.

Physical activity has numerous health benefits for people recovering from a substance use disorder. Regular exercise can reduce stress, increase self-confidence, improve both physical and mental health, but can you exercise during the drug detox process? Yes, it helps and lessens withdrawal symptoms and immediately reverses the physical and psychological harm done while in active addiction. But the exercise should be very light and not intensive because your body is regulating itself from drug abuse during this time.

Exercise is Great for Your Body

Light exercise under the guidance and supervision of clinicians is one of the best ways to improve your physical and mental health during the recovery and detox from drug or alcohol addiction. In addition to strengthening your muscles and bones, it can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. It can also decrease the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers.

While rehab is effective, it does not guarantee sobriety. People in recovery deal with various stressors that can result in drug or alcohol use, including triggers and cravings. Many people who complete treatment experience relapse.

But physical activity can assist people striving to maintain sobriety. Whether it involves walking around the neighborhood, running through a park, or playing recreational sports at a nearby gym, exercise can provide physical and mental relief to those battling stress during the detox process.

Allure Detox is a New Way to Start Your Life Again

Allure Detox is here to help addicts and alcoholics that want to detox safely. We are a comfortable and evidence-based drug and alcohol detox in West Palm Beach, Florida. We can free you or your loved one from the physical symptoms of addiction and start you on the path to recovery. We offer detox from drugs and alcohol on a medical basis so that you can safely resume the life you once lived, the life you thought was lost forever. Addicts emerge from Allure Detox healthy, sane, and prepared for a lifetime of recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you or someone you love is suffering the pain of addiction.

Published on: 2019-09-04
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Can You Die From Benzo Withdrawal?

The question on many people’s minds is: can benzo withdrawal kill you? Yes, people have died as a result of withdrawal complications from the extended use of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are sedative drugs generally prescribed to treat insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, and a host of mental health conditions. Benzodiazepines also referred to as benzos, are very lethal when combined with alcohol or opioids.

Can You Die From Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Statistics released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicated that between 1999 and 2017, overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased from 1,135 to 11,537. According to the same source, the number of deaths in the United States due to combining benzodiazepines with other synthetic narcotics has been on the rise since 2014.

Commonly abused benzos include Xanax (Alprazolam), Valium (Diazepam), Klonopin (Clonazepam), and Ativan (Lorazepam). The number of adults prescribed benzodiazepines continues to increase despite its potency for misuse and addiction. Between 1996 and 2013, the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions filled by adults in the United States rose from 8.1 million to 13.5 million, a 67% increase over previous years. As a result, emergency room visits are standard when people run out of benzos or become severely addicted, fatal if left untreated.

TL;DR: Yes, severe benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening and lead to complications like seizures, which, if not managed, can be fatal.

How Benzodiazepines Work In the Body

Benzos belong to a class of drugs known as Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants. When taken into the body, benzodiazepines become active within minutes of entering the bloodstream. They slow down the brain’s activity, exhibiting a calming or sedative effect on users’ bodies by increasing the level of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

When benzos are mixed with other narcotics such as opiates, it carries a very high risk of overdose death because both drugs act as sedatives and suppress breathing. Additionally, a combination of both medications negatively impairs cognitive functions. Bezo withdrawal can kill you if it’s not safely and clinically tapered dosages.

Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Overdose

Benzodiazepine overdoses usually lead to fatal consequences. You must recognize the signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose in your loved one to seek appropriate help immediately. If you notice the following signs in your loved one, they may have overdosed on benzos:

  • Blurred Vision
  • Uncontrolled muscles twitching
  • Trembling
  • Disorientation
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Impaired mental coordination
  • Coma

Benzodiazepine overdose should be treated in a hospital, so it’s important to contact emergency services immediately. This could mean the difference between life and death for your loved one.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes withdrawal as a group of physical and psychological symptoms that manifest due to stopping the regular dosage of a particular drug. Withdrawal symptoms are far-ranging, and however, in almost all cases, they tend to exaggerate the very physical manifestations they were supposed to suppress.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can result in irrepressible and fatal seizures. You should never attempt to quit using benzodiazepine suddenly or on your own. It may take weeks or even months to taper off withdrawal symptoms safely without adversely affecting your life.

The following are symptoms associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal:

  • Irritability
  • Panic attack
  • Profuse sweating
  • Increased heart rate
  • Inflated blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Trembling
  • Confusion
  • Heightened anxiety

Guidelines for Benzo Withdrawal Management

If you are dependent on Central Nervous System depressants such as benzodiazepines, there’s a high probability that you will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when you come off the drug.

There are standard medical and psychological guidelines for managing patients experiencing discomforts due to withdrawal symptoms, known as Withdrawal Management (WM). At Allure Detox, we have years of experience in offering world-class benzo detox treatment that minimizes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Even a casual brush with benzodiazepines can lead to a chemical dependency. It’s challenging to recover from drug addiction on your own, especially without help from a detox program specializing in benzodiazepine abuse. At Allure Detox, we provide withdrawal management through medical detoxification in a systematic way. In this controlled environment, our clinical team provides the necessary support needed to cope with the discomfort felt in the detox process.

As with other psychotropic drugs, withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be pretty dangerous if handled carelessly. Depending on the length of usage and severity of your addiction, symptoms can take complex dimensions within hours of taking the last dose.

Withdrawal symptoms often progress over time, leading to possible seizures, hallucinations, confusion, Delirium Tremens, increased blood pressure, and heart rate. These symptoms are potentially life-threatening, and there have been cases of reported deaths directly due to benzo withdrawal.

Generally, the most reliable way to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal is to administer the drug in gradually decreasing amounts until the effects begin to wear off. This helps in relieving unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and prevents the onset of seizures. Other medications may be administered to reverse the effects of benzo withdrawal.

Manage Your Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Safely at Allure Detox

If you or a loved one are struggling with benzodiazepine addiction and have been delaying seeking professional help, you may be putting yourself in harm’s way. Our well-structured benzodiazepine detox program will help you come through the withdrawal phase without the usual pain and discomfort. Our team of addiction experts is available to give you 24-hours supervision throughout the whole withdrawal period. Medical detoxification has been recognized worldwide as one of the first steps in any addiction treatment program.

You must take action now to set yourself free from the grip of chemical dependence. Contact us today and start your journey to a life of sobriety without any delay. Recovery is possible for you, regardless of how long you have been addicted to benzos such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, or Ativan. Give your life a new turn by speaking to one of our addiction detox specialists around the clock.

Published on: 2019-02-21
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Real Reviews from Real Clients

At Allure Detox, client safety and comfort are our top priorities. From the moment you walk through our doors, you can expect a warm welcome from every member of our team. We are committed to providing exceptional drug and alcohol detox services and creating an environment that supports long-term, successful recovery.

Recover in Comfort

At Allure Detox, we recognize that facing drug and alcohol withdrawal alone can be daunting. We're here to listen, understand your challenges, and provide personalized guidance as you explore professional detox options. Our admissions team is ready to support you, whether you're seeking treatment, need advice, or just want someone to talk to.

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