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Tag: Heroin

Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is an opioid used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects.

Kratom Detox Withdrawal Symptoms

Unfortunately, there will always be another new addictive drug, whether synthetic or natural, that can cure pain or aid in work productivity. Many of today’s illegal drugs, synthetic and from nature, used to be thought of as a cure with no side effects or dangers. Such drugs are cocaine, prescribed painkillers, heroin and many more. These drugs caused and are causing many of the world population’s deaths due to overdose and millions more are addicted.

Such a drug that is fairly new and thought to have no ill effects is Kratom. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), kratom (Mitragyna speciose) is a tree in the coffee family, found in Thailand and other tropical countries. Traditionally, in Southeast Asia, people have chewed their leaves or made them into a tea that’s used to fight fatigue and improve work productivity. Kratom has also traditionally been used during religious ceremonies and to treat medical conditions such as pain and diarrhea, sometimes as a substitute for opium.

What are Kratom Detox Withdrawal Symptoms?

Kratom detox withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and type but often resemble those of opioid withdrawal due to the way kratom affects the brain’s opioid receptors. Here are some common symptoms:

Physical Symptoms:

  1. Muscle Aches: Generalized body pain and muscle cramps.
  2. Sweating: Excessive sweating, often accompanied by hot flashes or chills.
  3. Runny Nose: Nasal congestion and runny nose.
  4. Nausea and Vomiting: Gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  5. Restlessness: Inability to stay still, feeling jittery or on edge.
  6. Tremors: Shaking or trembling, especially in the hands.
  7. Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and lethargy.

Psychological Symptoms:

  1. Anxiety: Increased feelings of anxiety or panic.
  2. Depression: Low mood and feelings of hopelessness.
  3. Irritability: Heightened irritability and mood swings.
  4. Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
  5. Cravings: Intense desire to use kratom again.

Duration and Management:

  • Duration: Symptoms typically begin within 12 to 48 hours after the last dose and can last for several days to a week.
  • Management: Gradual tapering under medical supervision, hydration, over-the-counter medications for symptom relief, and supportive therapies such as counseling.

Kratom withdrawal can be uncomfortable and challenging to manage alone. Seeking professional help can provide support and ensure a safer detox process.

Kratom Detox Withdrawal Symptoms

What is Kratom?

Two compounds in kratom leaves, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing sedation, pleasure, and decreased pain when taken in high doses. Lower doses cause alertness instead of sedation.

Some people in Western countries use kratom to try to treat pain or manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. But there are also those that have an opioid addiction that maybe can’t obtain their drug of choice or are trying to get the same euphoric effects but want to go unnoticed since most drug tests don’t test for Kratom.

While, just like prescribed opioids intended use when used as directed, it has its positives by relieving pain, relaxation, improved mood, increased energy and treating opioid addiction. But with the good comes the bad when abused which include tolerance, dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.

NCCIH states that a variety of side effects of kratom have been reported. They include anxiety, irritability, and increased aggression, which may be related to the drug’s stimulant effects; and sedation, nausea, constipation, and itching, which may be related to its opioid-like effects. Increased pigmentation of the cheeks, tremor, loss of appetite, weight loss, and psychosis have been seen in long-term kratom users. Seizures have been reported in users of high doses of kratom.

Since Kratom is an opioid its detox withdrawal symptoms are similar to those addicts coming off heroin. It may be less severe, shorter, and less common but you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop your dose if you are taking large enough doses.

Kratom

Kratom Detox is Similiar to Opioid Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms are similar to any other opioid. They typically appear within 12 to 48 hours of your last dose. Symptoms typically disappear within 3 days.

Commonly cited kratom withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Muscle aches
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Cravings
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Cramping
  • Tremor
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Diarrhea
  • Sweating
  • Watering eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Hot flashes
  • Restless legs

There are also reports of heavy kratom users suffering from post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS happens to some people after withdrawal from a variety of substances. People tend to experience depression, anxiety, and insomnia that comes and goes in waves. It may be a few weeks or months before you feel like yourself again.

Allure Detox is Here to Help with Kratom Detox

It can be difficult to stop using kratom for many people. There are a couple of ways to go about it; cold turkey or slowly tapering off the drug. Whatever the path you choose, Allure Detox can help.

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.

FAQ

  • Does Kratom withdrawal cause Restless Legs?

Published on: 2020-01-16
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Which Vitamins Help With Drug Detox?

In the present day, the word “detox” may make you think of a juice cleanse or a diet you go on to help your body get rid of harmful toxins that you may have consumed, and you are preparing your body for a “fresh start” with nutritional food and supplements. However, a darker detox requires proper nutrition and vitamins to get off dangerous drugs safely. This is called drug detoxification, and often it’s medically supervised in a drug detox program.

What is Drug Detoxification?

When we talk about “drug detox,” we refer to our bodies getting rid of harmful toxins such as drugs and alcohol and preparing ourselves for a fresh start by eating the proper foods and taking the right vitamins. We are getting rid of the bad and replacing it with some good.

Detox from drugs and alcohol is painful because of withdrawal symptoms, but your body is also hurting from the lack of nutrition when you were not eating right while in active addiction. There are a couple of ways we starve our bodies of nutrients during our drug use:

  1. Increased Appetite – Substances can cause food cravings, such as heroin users crave sweets such as candy. People that use Marijuana get the “munchies” and therefore eat quick and easy low-nutrient meals such as fast food to curb this craving.
  2. Decreased Appetite – Users of meth, crack, and cocaine often has no appetite, so they aren’t making poor choices in food but not eating enough.
  3. Empty Calories – Alcoholics consume large amounts of calories, but their calories are from alcoholic drinks that have no nutrient value.
  4. No Nutrient Absorption – Certain substances can cause nutrients not to be absorbed by the body even if the user eats a healthy meal.
vitamins

Why are Vitamins Important in Drug Detox

Vitamins are an essential part of your body’s everyday proper functioning. They are essential when going through drug detox; they help remove toxins and rebuild the immune system. They also may help you with anxiety and insomnia that withdrawal symptoms can bring on. Here are a few vitamins and minerals that help remove toxins and will help during a drug detox:

  1. Multivitamins – Many soluble vitamins are depleted during an addict’s drug or alcohol use, especially during withdrawal. Not having enough vitamins is usually a cause for feeling tired, skin problems, lack of memory, and depression in the early stages of recovery. A good multivitamin can help cover all the basic vitamin needs and help you to feel a bit more “normal.”
  2. Vitamin B’s – B vitamins help clean and quickly remove the body from toxins. They help turn sugar into energy, produce blood cells and get the digestive system back on track.
  3. Vitamin C – Vitamin C supports the immune system and can help reduce stress during the withdrawal process. You can find Vitamin C in natural sources such as fruits and vegetables.
  4. Vitamin E – Vitamin E helps reduce the damage done to the body from chemicals, and it restores proper function to the blood call hand helps repair skin damage that may have resulted from drug usage.
  5. Calcium and Magnesium – These help calm the central nervous system and relieve anxiety, which is very helpful in the early stages of detox, which can be severe.
  6. Protein – We know that protein is broken down when you eat. The amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, help rebuild damaged cells and help reduce cravings by creating neurotransmitters in the brain.

There are many ways you can get the vitamins you need. At the beginning of your drug detox, you may not feel like eating, but the medical staff at Allure Detox (or your chosen medical detox center) will provide you with the proper multivitamins. When you start eating solid foods, try to balance them with protein, carbohydrates, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Lastly, don’t forget to hydrate with plenty of water.

We Are Here to Help You With Addiction

At Allure Detox, we not only help our clients stop using safely – we help them on the road to a better life. From 24-hour medical staff to therapists and nutritionists, we 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: 2020-01-12
Updated on: 2024-09-23

I’m Addicted to Suboxone, Now What?

Despite the wide range of accessible therapeutic treatment programs throughout the United States, Suboxone has quickly become the preferred method of treating opioid addiction. For many, this is an unfortunate reality, seeing as Suboxone addiction can be just as devastating as addiction to heroin or other opioids.

If you have been struggling with Suboxone dependence, you may be feeling hopeless. “If this doesn’t work, then what will?” The good news is, there are numerous alternatives – all of which are more successful in helping opioid addicts maintain long-term sobriety. Suboxone addiction is not a joke, and while it can be a successful opioid replacement therapy, you’re really just substituting one substance for another.

Addicted to Suboxone

How to deal with Suboxone addiction?

Dealing with Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) addiction requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Suboxone is commonly used to treat opioid dependence, but it itself can be misused and lead to dependence. Here are steps to address Suboxone addiction:

1. Seek Professional Help

  • Medical Evaluation: Consult with a healthcare provider or addiction specialist to assess the severity of the addiction and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
  • Detoxification: Undergo medically supervised detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.

2. Tapering Off Suboxone

  • Gradual Reduction: Work with a healthcare provider to gradually reduce the dose of Suboxone to minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce dependence.
  • Monitoring: Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider to adjust the tapering schedule as needed and address any issues that arise.

3. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

  • Alternative Medications: If necessary, alternative medications such as methadone or naltrexone may be used to support the transition off Suboxone.
  • Symptom Management: Medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

4. Behavioral Therapies

  • Counseling: Individual or group counseling to address the psychological aspects of addiction.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A therapy that helps change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with addiction.
  • Motivational Interviewing: A counseling approach that helps individuals find the motivation to change and commit to the treatment plan.

5. Support Groups

  • 12-Step Programs: Participation in groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for peer support and accountability.
  • Non-12-Step Programs: Alternatives like SMART Recovery that focus on self-management and recovery training.

6. Lifestyle Changes

  • Healthy Routine: Establishing a healthy daily routine with regular exercise, nutritious diet, and sufficient sleep.
  • Avoiding Triggers: Identifying and avoiding situations, people, or places that trigger the urge to use Suboxone.
  • Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to manage stress and prevent relapse.

7. Long-Term Follow-Up

  • Ongoing Support: Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
  • Relapse Prevention: Strategies and support systems in place to prevent relapse and maintain long-term recovery.

8. Family and Social Support

  • Involvement of Loved Ones: Educating family and friends about Suboxone addiction and involving them in the recovery process.
  • Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive and understanding home environment to facilitate recovery.

Addressing Suboxone addiction requires a comprehensive approach involving medical, psychological, and social support. It’s important to seek professional help and follow a structured treatment plan tailored to individual needs.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is the brand name for a medication containing naloxone and buprenorphine. Naloxone is used to help reverse the effects of opioids, meaning that the feelings of elation, relaxation, and numbness that typically go hand-in-hand with opioid abuse will be eliminated. Those who use opioid narcotics are almost always doing so to experience the “high” – if the high is elusive, drug use will seem far less appealing.

Additionally, buprenorphine acts as an opioid agonist, which essentially reduces the urge to use and diminishes symptoms of withdrawal. Whereas most other opioid replacement medications must be prescribed in an inpatient treatment center by addiction specialists, Suboxone can be prescribed by a standard physician.

How Does Suboxone Addiction Begin?

The issue with Suboxone as a treatment for opioid addiction is simply that it can be highly addictive itself. Misuse of this specific medication can lead to physical and psychological dependence. If an individual is prone to substance abuse (which they undoubtedly are if they are being treated for opioid addiction), it is best to steer clear of this prescription medication. Still, many ‘recovering’ addicts have prescribed Suboxone, and when misused… the results can be devastating.

Treatment for Suboxone Addiction

Some consider Suboxone treatment nothing more than “trading one addiction with another.” If the medication is abused, it will inevitably turn out to be just that. If you find that you are struggling with this addiction, help is available. As is the case with almost every drug addiction treatment program, medically monitored detox is a necessary first step. Once an individual has safely undergone withdrawals from Suboxone, he or she must immediately enter into a residential treatment program. Inpatient treatment will last for between 3 and 6 months and will consist predominantly of individual and group therapy.

The main benefit of inpatient treatment is allowing newly sober individuals the support and structure they need to begin down the road of long-term recovery. If you have been struggling with Suboxone addiction, you may be feeling confused, seeing as this specific drug is marketed as a “cure” (or at the very least, an aid) to help cure other “more serious” addictions. In truth, Suboxone addiction is very serious, and it must be treated just the same as other opioid dependencies.

Allure Detox and Treatment for Suboxone Addiction

Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to treatment with Suboxone that don’t include eventually dealing with the Suboxone addiction itself once you’re ready to come off Suboxone – among the most popular being intensive, therapeutic inpatient rehab. We at Allure Detox will help you or your loved one find the right treatment center to suit all of your personal needs. Many heroin addicts (and those addicted to other opioids) have maintained long-term recovery with the assistance of rehab and long-term outpatient treatment – usually by means of continued therapy and regular attendance at a 12-step program (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous).

We at Allure Detox understand the seriousness of Suboxone addiction, and our team of licensed and dedicated professionals is here to help. If you or someone close to you has been struggling with Suboxone addiction or dependency, please feel free to give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

FAQ

  • Can you become addicted to Suboxone?
  • How to detox from suboxone?
  • How long does it take to get addicted to suboxone?

Published on: 2019-10-16
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

Dangers of Mixing Uppers & Downers

Today you can get drugs for just about anything. If you want to be happy, there’s one to make you happy; if you want one to feel less tired, they have that too. There are essentially seven different drug types, each with its characteristics, effects, and dangers. Categories include stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, dissociatives, opioids, inhalants, and cannabis.

Dangers of Mixing Uppers and Downers

With so many drugs out there, are they classified and separated in some way? The answer is YES. There are seven different drug types, and each has its own set of effects and risks:

  • Stimulants
  • Depressants
  • Hallucinogens
  • Dissociatives
  • Opioids
  • Inhalants
  • Cannabis
  • Stimulants

Mixing drugs from these different categories can have devastating effects on the body. Today we are talking about the dangers of mixing stimulants (uppers) and depressants (downers).

Stimulants

Stimulants (or “uppers”) impact the body’s central nervous system (CNS), causing the user to feel as if they are “speeding up.” These drugs increase the user’s alertness, pumping up heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood glucose levels.

Stimulants often come in pill form but are also consumed via snorting or even as food and drink. For example, caffeine is found in many beverages, and cocaine is a powder that is snorted.

Examples of stimulants include:

  • Adderall
  • Ritalin
  • Synthetic Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamine
  • Ecstasy
  • Caffeine

Depressants

Like stimulants, depressants also impact the body’s CNS, but with the opposite effect, making users feel as if things are “slowing down.” Thus, they are often called “downers” on the street.

Doctors prescribe some depressants for anxiety, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other medical issues that prevent the sufferer from thoroughly relaxing. These drugs often offer a sedative experience to users, making them an attractive choice for teens who wish to escape everyday stresses.

Examples of depressants include:

  • Rohypnol
  • Barbiturates
  • Xanax
  • Valium
  • Benzodiazepines

Alcohol is also considered a depressant, and believe it or not, Tobacco.

It is known that people often take downers to reduce undesirable effects from stimulant drugs, and an individual might take an upper to come out of a sedate state. Some people think this is a logical way to reduce the adverse effects of these drugs, but it increases the damage and risks.

The use of  multiple drugs at one time is frequently seen; the 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report lists several relevant findings, including the following:

  • Alcohol is present in 38% of all medical emergencies involving stimulants.
  • Fifty-six percent of all medical emergencies involved multiple drugs, and Fifty-three percent involved various prescription medications.
  • Sixty-six percent of all non-emergency detox requests involved various drugs.

Many people will take a depressant to come down from a stimulant high and possibly to fall asleep, while others seeking a particular euphoric high might intentionally combine uppers and downers such as shooting a speedball (cocaine and heroin). Dangerous drug mixes can also happen unintentionally with people who take medication for pain, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety, especially if they drink while on these drugs. A legal yet dangerous combination of uppers and downers is alcohol and energy drinks.

There are Other Health Risks Beside Overdose

In addition to potentially fatal overdoses, upper-downer combinations involve several other health risks, including the following:

  • The mix minimizes the symptoms of each substance, creating the illusion that users are more in control than they are.
  • The stimulant effects often motivate the user to continue partying for more extended periods and underestimate their intoxication level.
  • Uppers might mask warning signs that a CNS depression is occurring, while downers might mask a dangerously rapid heartbeat.
  • The physical fatigue from taking conflicting drugs strains multiple systems in the body.

Allure Detox is a New Way to Start Your Life Again

Allure Detox is here to help if you are struggling with polydrug abuse. 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: 2019-09-16
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Does Narcan Always Work?

Narcan is a life-saving drug that stops the deadly effects of opiates on a person who is experiencing an accidental overdose, thus saving them from dying. When a person overdoses on opioid drugs like heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain pills such as Vicodin, Percocet, or Dilaudid, their breathing slows or stops, and oxygen is limited. This means their heart and brain begin to stop functioning, causing death. A person overdosing from opiate-based drugs will not move and appear in deep sleep or unconscious. Their lips and skin will be gray or blue, and their breathing will be limited. These symptoms of overdoses are reversed when a dose of Narcan is administered.

Narcan is the name brand used for Naloxone; Naloxone is a medication designed to stop an opioid overdose quickly. It is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. As a life-saving medication, Narcan restores normal breathing and consciousness to a person who may be close to dying because of the potency of the opiate drug they took to get high. Narcan is administered as an intramuscular injection in the thigh, hip, or upper arm, or it can be sprayed into the nose with a nasal spray.

Does Narcan Always Work

Is Narcan always effective?

Narcan (naloxone) is highly effective in reversing opioid overdoses, but it does not always work in every situation. Here are some important points to consider:

Effectiveness:

  1. Opioid-Specific: Narcan is effective only for opioid overdoses. It will not reverse overdoses from other substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or stimulants.
  2. Dosage and Timing: The effectiveness of Narcan depends on the dose administered and the timing. Multiple doses may be needed if the person has taken a high amount of opioids or long-acting opioids.
  3. Severity of Overdose: In cases of severe overdose, especially involving potent opioids like fentanyl, Narcan may need to be administered multiple times, and immediate medical attention is crucial.

Limitations:

  1. Underlying Health Conditions: If the individual has other severe health issues or complications, Narcan may be less effective or may not fully revive them without further medical intervention.
  2. Polysubstance Use: If the person has ingested a combination of drugs, Narcan will only address the opioid component of the overdose.

Key Considerations:

  1. Emergency Response: Narcan is a temporary solution. Even if it successfully reverses the overdose, it is essential to seek emergency medical help immediately, as the effects can wear off, leading to the risk of re-overdose.
  2. Availability: Having Narcan accessible and knowing how to use it can save lives, but it is not a substitute for comprehensive addiction treatment and support.

While Narcan is a critical tool in combating opioid overdoses and can be life-saving, it is not infallible and should be used as part of a broader emergency response and treatment strategy.

How to Get Narcan for an Opiate Overdose

Narcan is available with or without a prescription, depending on the state that you’re in. All emergency responders, schools, government offices, medical facilities, and private or public organizations that support addiction recovery often have access to Narcan. Many employers and other private businesses also make Narcan available in case of an accidental overdose at work. It has become a lot more known in recent years as the opioid epidemic continues to ravage the country.

Narcan Doesn’t Always Work On All Opiates.

The question on many addicts’ minds is…does Narcan always work? Unfortunately, a new dangerous drug on the street affects all drug addicts, not just heroin and opiate addicts, that one dose of Narcan cannot always reverse. This dangerous drug is undeniably Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opiate added to heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, and mixed with Ecstasy and other club drugs. The reality of Fentanyl is that it kills many people…and very quickly. Accidental overdoses occur even when a  person does not decide to take an opioid drug intentionally.

The potency of Fentanyl is why this drug is so dangerous. Drug dealers and addicts may not realize how much of the drug they are adding to other drugs, making it a deadly dose of cocaine, meth, or tab of ecstasy. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, and it takes to kill a person is very small. Therefore, Fentanyl overdoses are the most likely to require repeated doses of Narcan to stop the effects of the Fentanyl on the user’s body.

Another essential fact about Narcan is that it will reverse the effects of all opiates, but one dose of Narcan may not be enough depending on how much of an opiate the person has taken. As in the case of Fentanyl overdoses and other potent opiate-based narcotics, Narcan often has to be repeatedly administered to begin reversing the effects. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that very high doses of opiate drugs in a person’s body may limit Narcan’s ability to stop an overdose.

“Naloxone alone may be inadequate if someone has taken large quantities of opioids, very potent opioids, or long-acting opioids. For this reason, call 911 immediately for every overdose situation.” (CDC).

However, the current research on Narcan proves that it is reducing mortality and THK’s or take-home kits are now of interest by the medical field. A recent systematic review conducted by McDonald and Strang (2016) noted:

“When communities were compared that implemented THKs versus no THKs and their findings indicate decreased overdose deaths in communities with THKs…It can be viewed as unethical to withhold naloxone, a known lifesaving medication for those experiencing an opioid overdose.” (McDonald, Strang)

THK’s are effective and should be prescribed to the following persons who are at risk for an accidental overdose, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

If you or someone you know meets any of the following criteria, there is an elevated risk for an opioid overdose:

  • Misusing prescription opioids (like oxycodone) or using heroin or illicit synthetic opioids (like fentanyl or carfentanil).
  • An opioid use disorder, especially those completing opioid detoxification or being discharged from treatment that does not include ongoing use of methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
  • Being recently discharged from emergency medical care following an opioid overdose.
  • Being recently released from incarceration with a history of opioid misuse or opioid use disorder.

It should be noted that, in addition to the above patient populations, patients taking opioids as prescribed for long-term management of chronic pain, especially those with higher doses of prescription opioids or those taking prescription opioids along with alcohol or other sedating medications, such as benzodiazepines (anxiety or insomnia medications), are also at elevated risk for an overdose.” (HHS).

Those at risk for an opioid overdose should seek out addiction treatment immediately. Every second in active addiction makes it more challenging to find the courage to reach out for help.

Narcan Can Still Be Effective with a Fentanyl Overdose

Although Narcan may have to be repeatedly administered to prevent a fatal overdose, the effectiveness of Narcan overall is excellent. If you or your loved one are addicted to opiates and are ready for recovery, Allure Detox in West Palm Beach, Florida, has a specific opiate drug detoxification regimen. Please remember that not all opioids have the same potency. Therefore a person addicted to Fentanyl versus a person addicted to a low dose of Percocet will require a different detoxification approach.

To be admitted within 24 hours into our inpatient West Palm Beach detox center, the first step is to speak with one of our representatives. They will make all the arrangements for your journey to lasting sobriety.

Published on: 2019-08-15
Updated on: 2024-09-23

Cocaine and Ketamine: Calvin Klein Club Drug

When you hear the words, Calvin Klein, you think of the fashion house, but now the brand name has taken on a new moniker in the dark underworld of drug addiction. The New York Post recently reported how there is a new cocktail drug killing our youth and that it tragically took the life of a young violinist who was a musical prodigy.

The drug has become known as the ‘Calvin Klein’ drug because it goes by the initials’ CK,’ referencing the brand. CK is a cocktail drug that is a mixture of cocaine and ketamine. It’s being used in the club scene by young people and has become a lethal combination with deadly consequences. The young violinist died from an accidental overdose of the drug in London on Thursday, July 11th, 2019. Her death raised awareness about polydrug abuse when you combine two or more drugs for a dangerous high. Mixing multiple medications for a more substantial effect makes it that much easier to overdose.

Cocaine and Ketamine

Calvin Klein is now a dangerous club drug.

Authorities did not see the Calvin Klein drug craze coming as they struggled to deal with the situation. As reported by the New York Post, “Katya Tsukanova, 17, a leading musician in the UK, died of an apparent overdose from a cocaine and ketamine drug cocktail — just days after performing at the Royal Opera House in the city”. This news has prompted further investigation of how dangerous this drug is. Although more evidence is needed in how cocaine and ketamine combined affect a person’s brain, there is research on the two drugs separately.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, classifies ketamine as a dissociative drug similar to hallucinogens. NIDA states that the reason people take dissociative drugs is to:

“enable them to enter into what they perceive as a more enlightened sense of thinking or being” (NIDA).

Additionally, from NIDA,

“Ketamine—also known as K, Special K, or cat Valium—is a dissociative currently used as an anesthetic for humans as well as animals. Much of the ketamine sold on the street has been diverted from veterinary offices. Although it is manufactured as an injectable liquid, ketamine is generally evaporated to form a powder that is snorted or compressed into pills for illicit use.” (NIDA)

Cocaine is considered a stimulant drug, and when added to ketamine, it likely increases the effect of Ketamine. Historically, cocaine has been mixed with many other drugs to enhance their impact. It is commonly mixed with heroin, methamphetamine, and alcohol. Tsukanova was a victim of the lethal effects of both drugs. The New York Post reported that her father, Igor Tsukanova, said his daughter was a “smart girl, and she made one bad choice.” (NY Post)

The CK drug is a popular club drug, and like other club drugs, it may continue to take lives as it continues to be sold. The DEA currently does not acknowledge the drug cocktail CK as a specific drug type but references cocaine and ketamine in their drug schedules. The DEA scheduled drugs according to how dangerous they are “Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential… the abuse rate is a determinate factor in the scheduling of the drug; for example, Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and the potential to create severe psychological and physical dependence.” (DEA). Currently, Cocaine is listed with the DEA as a schedule II drug and Ketamine a schedule III.

Deadly Ketamine and Cocaine Mix: Calvin Klein Club Drug

If you suspect a loved one of abusing drugs, it’s best to reach out for help as soon as possible. The fact that a young violinist died accidentally from the mixture of cocaine and ketamine is tragic. Although most experiences with dangerous drugs do not end well, cases like this are very saddening and force us to examine what our younger generations are doing when they get together.

Becoming involved and educated about the types of drugs available in clubs and on the street is a starting point. Additionally, adults must look for warning signs and behaviors that indicate drug use and abuse, as well as supporting laws that will limit the accessibility of these drugs to be bought over the web and by illegal prescription, as in the case of ketamine. Allure Detox is an Inpatient Detox and Residential Treatment Center that is ready to assist men, women, and families affected by the substance abuse scourge.

Summary

TL;DR: “Calvin Klein” is a slang term for the combination of cocaine and ketamine when used recreationally.

FAQ

  • What is lemo drug?
  • How does Cocaine and Ketamine interact physiologically?
  • What are the LD50 of Cocaine and Ketamine separately and together?
  • What are the causes and symptoms of Cocaine and Ketamine abuse?

Published on: 2019-07-15
Updated on: 2024-09-23

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