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Social Media and Its Impact on Those Recovering from Addiction

Social Media

 In 2018, statistics were taken that showed that a majority of Americans use Facebook and YouTube, as well as many other social media platforms that are popular to us today. Social media has been growing in popularity for several years and will continue to grow, with many other types of social media emerging every week. Research shows that 68% of Americans are now Facebook users and many more are making accounts every year. Social media in itself is a phenomenon that many call ‘addicting’ as we increase our screen time to look at funny pictures and share tidbits about our days. But how does social media actually contribute to relapse in those who are recovering from addiction?

 Research has also pointed toward the fact that social media might trigger relapse in certain situations. In fact, in 2012, the American Psychiatric Association conducted research that showed that 90% of the youth receiving treatment for addiction reported using social media websites like Instagram and Facebook. They also said that “drug cues” are frequently posted on these websites, which prompted them to want to use drugs as well.

 Today we ask, “Why is social media a lead contributor to those recovering suffering from relapse? We will talk about the many ways that this might occur.

 Why Social Media Sometimes Leads to Relapse

 Social Media Carries Addictions: Yes, drugs and alcohol will always be more addicting than social media. However, social media can also be addicting in its own ways because it shares many behavioral aspects with addiction involving drugs. You might be prone to using social media in an obsessive manner, which takes you away from social relationships you may have made in your life, which can cause some of the drastic effects that you experience with drug addiction.

 Comparing Ourselves: We compare ourselves with others and their success all the time. If you have just gotten out of addiction treatment, you might find that your self-esteem is still low and you are working to repair your confidence and relationships. You might see what others have accomplished and it might make you feel down about your treatment, which is why social media might have a negative impact on you during recovery.

 The Glamorization of Drugs: If you are going through recovery, you’re likely to avoid bars and people who bring you down who are constantly talking about using. So why then subject yourself to an area of the Internet where drugs and alcohol are often glamorized? Seeing individuals posting about their latest “bar run” or seeing photos of people using drugs recreationally might take you back to a difficult time or trigger a relapse. You will eventually come across something like this, which is why it is important to know how to deal with the emotions it might bring you.

 Destructive Recovery Information: There is good information online, this is true. However, misinformation can be destructive when you come across it. Perhaps you found information about how to go through drug detox at home or ways to conquer drug addiction in a homeopathic way without help from a professional. This is not information that you want to listen to, as you could find yourself in a dangerous scenario if you try it alone.

 Destroying Relationships: If you have been through drug addiction, you might want to do whatever it takes to repair your relationships. However, handling these matters over social media isn’t the appropriate place to do it and might not bring the same results. If you are communicating with others solely over social media, prepare yourself for results you were not hoping for, as everything has a layer over it when it comes to social media, a life built solely on the Internet.

 Seeking the Help You Deserve

 At the Broadway Treatment Center, our experienced treatment center professionals are well-equipped to help you overcome the disasters of addiction to alcohol or drugs and help you get on a straight path in your personal life. From various detox methods to residential treatment that you can rely on, you will find peace in your life once again as you rebuild everything you once knew and take steps to gain your life back once again. Our experienced professionals would like to speak with you so that you can become healthy and happy once more. Contact us for more information at [phone].

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What You Need To Know About Meth Withdrawal

Meth Withdrawal

Recovering from long-term drug abuse, addiction, or dependency is one of the most difficult and painful processes an individual will ever have to endure. In the long run, though, this unimaginably agonizing and exhausting endeavor will be fully worth it in the end. After you have purged the drugs from your body, you can go back to living a happy, healthy life. However, one major problem may stick around during this time: psychological problems.

 Once you have become attached to a drug, your brain has been rewired to desire that substance. In effect, cutting drugs out of your life is the equivalent of cutting off a limb. In the same manner, you will need support and therapy to achieve your goal of sobriety.

 Like any form of detox, meth withdrawal is a natural process that takes time, patience, and a lot of strength. Although some symptoms may wear off instantly, others will take much longer. So, what can you expect if you or a loved one is breaking away from this drug? Let’s take a closer look and find out more about crystal meth withdrawal.

 How Long Can This Process Take?

 Current research indicates that meth withdrawal constitutes two phases. During the first portion, the addict will suffer the most severe symptoms in the first 24 hours without meth, but this process will become less severe over the next couple of weeks. Overall, the second phase is not as painful and can last about two to three more weeks. However, keep in mind that some addicts will suffer from post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), a condition where they will suffer from an extremely long case of detox. (Meth withdrawal largely depends on the chemistry and personality of the addicts themselves.)

 How Will I Feel during This Process?

 As indicated earlier, every meth user will have different experiences during withdrawal. Some people may endure a small portion of pain and anxiety, while other people may endure unbelievable pain and sleepless nights (or PAWS, as hinted previously). Here is a closer look at the most common symptoms:

Anxiety: An estimated 30% of meth addicts will suffer from anxiety during withdrawal.

Exhaustion: At the crux of meth withdrawal, addicts will suffer from severe fatigue and sleeplessness as the drug leaves their systems.

Cravings: During withdrawal, addicts will suffer from severe cravings for meth, as well as bizarre cravings for foods with high sugar and carbohydrate content (due to poor eating habits during drug use).

Severe depression: Roughly two-thirds of recovering meth addicts will suffer from depression due to separation from their drugs.

Psychosis: In dangerous cases, meth addicts will experience bizarre hallucinations and delusions as the drugs leave their bodies. At this point, therapy at a residential facility is suggested.

 Seeking Treatment for Meth Addiction or Dependency   

 If you are struggling from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction of any sort or know someone who is suffering through one of these problems, multiple resources are at your disposal. It is never too late to save your life or the life of a loved one. At Broadway Treatment Center in Huntington Beach (Orange County, California), we want each and every one of our clients to understand that, despite all the suffering they may have gone through, they can always find a way to live a happier and healthier life than ever before. While temptation can be tricky to overcome, you can always overcome your cravings for drugs and alcohol by means of a high-quality, integrated addiction recovery program.

 Here at Broadway, we provide quality services to patients dealing with two-way addiction and recovery programs, which are beneficial to people suffering from addiction and other health problems. Our staff includes specially trained rehabilitation and addiction experts who are willing to guide you on your path to becoming more content and much healthier. If you are interested in our treatment programs, contact us today at [phone] to take your first steps on the path of healing.

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Can Excessive Alcohol Consumption Cause Prostate Cancer?

Can Excessive Alcohol Consumption Cause Prostate Cancer?

 Ultimately, people who suffer from alcohol use disorder are putting themselves at risk, both psychologically and physically. Besides a few studies that propose how a glass of wine is good for your heart (which we are not discounting), larger quantities of alcohol can inflict tremendous damage on some of the most vital organs in your body. Everything from your brain, heart, eyes, skin, stomach, and liver can suffer due to the toxins produced by these addictive drinks.

 However, while we are familiar with how alcohol affects men and women differently, we sometimes fail to look at how these drinks affect men singularly. Although you might be familiar with the fact that men can process these toxins more effectively than their female counterparts, the fact of the matter is that men suffer from their own string of health problems spawning from alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

 At this point, some researchers have started to inquire about a possible connection between excessive drinking and prostate cancer. Is it possible that an overabundance of alcohol toxins in the bloodstream can trigger one of the most common cancers among American men? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

 Can Alcohol Induce Prostate Cancer?

 In short, the answer to this question is “no” (to an extent). Based on a report from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, alcohol consumption and prostate cancer are not linked whatsoever. Meanwhile, the American Cancer Society does not list alcohol as a possible trigger for this illness.

 Nevertheless, additional studies may indicate that alcohol may be more of a risk factor than a cause of prostate cancer. In 2016, one review confirmed that men who consume excessive amounts of this substance may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men who abstain or practice teetotaling (although this survey was part of a self-review from the test subjects). In 2018, another study indicated that men who overindulge in their younger years are putting themselves at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer later in life.

 Can Alcohol Aggravate Prostate Cancer?

 One of the main reasons prostate cancer is so dangerous is the simple fact that symptoms do not take place until a later stage. However, routine screenings can help men catch this illness before it gets out of hand. Here are the initial symptoms of this cancer:

Frequent urination (particularly during the night)

Difficult with urination or pain during urination

Bloody urine or semen

Impotence

Pain during intercourse

Discomfort or severe pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or rectum

 Simply put, alcohol is a diuretic. After consuming this substance, people will frequently urinate to flush out the excessive toxins. As you may have guessed, some men might mistake these symptoms for the early signs of prostate cancer. Regardless, we recommend you avoid alcohol altogether and stick to the best possible route: treatment.

 Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism   

 If you are struggling from a severe case of alcohol use disorder of any sort or know someone who is suffering through one of these problems, multiple resources are at your disposal. It is never too late to save your life or the life of a loved one. At Broadway Treatment Center in Huntington Beach (Orange County, California), we want each and every one of our clients to understand that, despite all the suffering they may have gone through, they can always find a way to live a happier and healthier life than ever before. While temptation can be tricky to overcome, you can always overcome your cravings for drugs and alcohol by means of a high-quality, integrated addiction recovery program.

 Here at Broadway, we provide quality services to patients dealing with two-way addiction and recovery programs, which are beneficial to people suffering from addiction and other health problems. Our staff includes specially trained rehabilitation and addiction experts who are willing to guide you on your path to becoming more content and much healthier. If you are interested in our treatment programs, contact us today at [phone] to take your first steps on the path of healing.

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A Closer Look at How Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Are Connected

A Closer Look at How Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Are Connected

 Nearly every day in our lives, we may experience a form of stress, anxiety, insane energy, and happiness, given what factors are impacting our lives. Sometimes our emotions tend to run a bit wild, but these feelings are only a part of what makes us human. However, for another portion of people, these feelings of overwhelming pride and energy and fits of anger and debilitating sadness are an unfortunate part of reality that require intervention.

 If you know a man or a woman who is suffering from these symptoms, the chances are high that this person may be suffering from bipolar disorder, a debilitating mental illness characterized by emotional “highs” and “lows” brought on by chemical imbalances. Ultimately, bipolar disorder poses a major threat to the physical and mental well-being of patients. So, imagine how difficult the situation can become when drugs and alcohol enter the picture.

 Research indicates that people suffering from bipolar disorder are at a high risk of developing comorbid drug addiction or alcoholism (or a form of abuse) as a means to cope with their overwhelming behavior. So, what factors are specifically put into play to create this chaotic mix?

 Let’s take a closer look at how bipolar disorder and addiction are connected.

 At-Risk Individuals in a Risky Situation

 Simply put, individuals who are suffering from bipolar disorder tend to experience severe issues with everyday issues like finances and relationships and can suffer from higher rates of dangerous accidents and suicidal thoughts. (Keep in mind that symptoms of mania (bursts of happiness or aggression) and depression can range from severe to debilitating.) In that light, research confirms that these emotionally unstable men and women are more likely to suffer from comorbid alcoholism and drug addiction than people who are not suffering from bipolar disorder.

 In a recent assessment published in the American Journal of Managed Care, researchers inspected a group of bipolar victims and produced the following statistics:

In the group of bipolar participants, 56% of the patients also suffered from drug addiction or alcoholism.

46% of patients in this group had previously abused alcohol or suffered from an addiction to alcohol.

41% of the victims suffered from drug addiction.

Bipolar patients frequently abuse alcohol more than any other drug.

 What Is the Connection?

 Ultimately, medical professionals cannot fully explain why bipolar patients suffer from high rates of addiction. However, some sources speculate that these men and women use booze and drugs in an attempt to self-medicate their dangerous and painful symptoms. At times, feelings of anger and depression and episodes of insomnia can become so severe that they will use these addictive drugs to mask the problems rather than seek help. Furthermore, the brains of bipolar patients contain abnormally high levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (which ultimately affect metabolism, sleep, appetite, emotions and other important functions).

 Seeking Treatment for Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, or Addiction  

 If you are struggling from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction of any sort or know someone who is suffering through one of these problems, multiple resources are at your disposal. It is never too late to save your life or the life of a loved one. At Broadway Treatment Center in Huntington Beach (Orange County, California), we want each and every one of our clients to understand that, despite all the suffering they may have gone through, they can always find a way to live a happier and healthier life than ever before. While temptation can be tricky to overcome, you can always overcome your cravings for drugs and alcohol by means of a high-quality, integrated addiction recovery program.

 Here at Broadway, we provide quality services to patients dealing with two-way addiction and recovery programs, which are beneficial to people suffering from addiction and other health problems. Our staff includes specially trained rehabilitation and addiction experts who are willing to guide you on your path to becoming more content and much healthier. If you are interested in our treatment programs, contact us today at [phone] to take your first steps on the path of healing.

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Understanding Addiction Science And How We Become Addicted

UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION SCIENCE AND HOW WE BECOME ADDICTED

 If you are going through the turmoil of drug addiction, you may have found that many people do not actually understand how addiction works or the impact that it can have on your body. It might be frustrating to hear people tell you that you can overcome it on your own or that you just need to be stronger even though you have been doing everything possible to get healthy.

 However, needing help overcoming your addiction is never something to be ashamed of. Addiction alters your body on a fundamental level, making it extremely difficult to overcome. The science behind addiction is complicated, but understanding it can help you on your own path to sobriety.

 Does it All Boil Down to Willpower?

 Many people think that people who use drugs only do so because they do not have the willpower to overcome the addiction. However, what they fail to acknowledge is that drug addiction is a complex disease and stopping drug use is not as easy as it seems, even if your willpower is extremely strong. Researchers have been working for years to discover how drugs affect our brains, which has helped to develop addiction and rehab treatments that work for addicts when are at their lowest and need the extra boost and support.

 Drug addiction is compulsive in nature and is difficult to control. If somebody continuously uses drugs, their brain can experience drastic changes. This is why many people will experience a relapse. Many addicts recover only to return to the drug even if they haven’t touched it in quite some time. If you are involved in treatment or looking to enter a treatment program, residential treatment is the best option as it provides the care you need around the clock.

 The Truth Behind Addiction

 Drugs impact the brain’s reward circuit, which makes them feel euphoric and peaceful when they continue to feed the drug into their system. When your reward circuit is activated through something addictive, you feel the need to engage in that activity again and again. Many people feel this way about normal, everyday activities such as spending time with loved ones, reading a good book, or going to watch a new movie. However, this urge to seek out this positive stimulus can become complicated and destructive when it centers around a drug it causes your body significant harm.

 Long-term use of drugs can cause your brain to change, potentially damaging, destroying, or affecting certain functions. This includes parts of the brain that affect your ability to learn, make good decisions, and control behaviors. Drug addicts may feel more stressed and not be able to enjoy the activities they once did when drugs were not in control of their every thought and action.

 Seeking Help When Addiction Take A Hold

 When addiction has held a tight fist around your life, you might start to wonder where you can turn for the help that you deserve to live a happy and successful life. At Broadway Treatment Center, we understand that overcoming the disease of addiction is the hardest thing that anybody can do. You don’t want addiction to control your life, and a complete detoxification and treatment program can provide you with the help you need to recover. The road ahead might not be an easy journey, but it is also not an impossible one either.

 At Broadway Treatment Center, we have a supportive environment for the major life-changing steps that you are about to take. We are committed to changing your life in a positive way through long-term recovery and helping you sustain a happy and healthy life. Call us for more information on how we can play a role in your life when you need us the most at (714)–443-8218 or contact us online  We are standing by, waiting for your call for help.

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Impact Of Drug Addiction On Your Children

Impact of Drug Addiction on Your Children

 There are many reasons to break your cycle of addiction. By deciding to stop using, you begin to prioritize your own well-being and health. For many addicts, this decision can affect their friends and family, but the most impacted by this decision are often an addict’s children.

 Many people forget that drug addiction can have a significant impact on the children of addicts, especially when the signs and symptoms of the addiction are hidden and the children are still in the care of their addicted parent. When treatment for their addiction is not prioritized, children can be put in a desperate situation where their mental and physical health is jeopardized.

  Effects of Parental Drug Use on Children

 Children whose parent is addicted to drugs could be exposed to a wide range of horrific effects that could negatively affect their well-being. Children of addicts often fall victim to parental abuse or neglect. Household resources are often limited, which means that a child might go without clothing or food and struggle to secure basic necessities as a result of their parent’s choices.

 How Addicted Parents Can Harm Their Children

 Parents who abuse substances might fail to fulfill parental obligations both at work and home. They might not be bringing in income for long periods of time and might not provide the essential resources their children need to thrive and survive. With their energy focused on their addictions, these parents can even entirely forget about their children while using, potentially placing them in danger.

 Various types of drugs could have a massive impact on a parent’s ability to follow through with their parental responsibilities. For instance, a parent who is addicted to alcohol could forget or neglect to make sure their children attend school or that they are cared for. As the addict transitions from the highs of their addictions to the lows, sudden mood swings can create an uncomfortable a scary environment where children worry for their safety.

 Growing Up Too Fast

 In the absence of a strong parental figured, a child of a parent who has been consumed by drug addiction could take on a parental role. As their parent continues to neglect them, they may begin to take on responsibilities that their parent is no longer fulfilling.

 Alternatively, they may choose to go down the same path as their parent. After a lifetime of being exposed to addiction and the lifestyle it creates, a child may decide that this behavior is normal and recreate the cycle themselves. Children of parents who are addicted to drugs have as much as a 79% chance of becoming drug users themselves.

 There is a genuine fear that a child could blame themselves for their parent’s drug addiction. They may begin to believe that if they just tried harder, got better grades, or kept the home cleaner, then their parent would become the parent they wish they were. The child is never to blame for their parent’s addiction, but this mindset can have a significant impact on them for the rest of their lives.

 Help Managing Your Addiction

 It can be scary to face your addiction, even if you know that your children could suffer due to your choices. At  Broadway Treatment Center, we can help you get back on track so that you can continue to play a healthy role in your family’s life and build successful, happy relationships.

 With the life skills training and the unique recovery services offered through our program, you can begin to build a better, healthier future. As you and your family go through this challenging time, you are not alone. Contact us at [phone] to find out what you can do to protect your family.

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Various Factors That Influence Drug Addiction

Various Factors That Influence Drug Addiction

 Every year, a variety of factors combine to lead an astonishing number of people to drug addiction. Various things they experienced when they were younger, the environment they were subjected to, and the social relationships they had with others can all contribute to an individual’s drug use.

 Research shows that there are many risk factors such as witnessing aggressive behavior, suffering a lack of parental supervision, and having easy access to drugs that may lead to addiction. The more risks that a child is exposed to, the more likely it is that they will endure drug addiction at some point in their lives.

 Drug addiction doesn’t always start with what you experience as a child. It can also be caused by many experiences that you endure as an adult. By focusing on and identifying these risk factors, you can better understand why many people become addicted and why they might feel as if they can’t control this dangerous desire.

 Factors That Might Influence Addiction

 Genetics: Due to the makeup of your DNA, you could be more inclined toward addiction. Because of this, you will find that family members sometimes follow the same pattern. Genetics can make you more likely to become predisposed to experiencing addiction and can lead to an entire family suffering through its consequences, one generation after the other.

 Environment: Genetics alone, however, are not enough to lead to addiction. If you and your siblings grew up in a home where drugs were easily accessible, there is a higher likelihood that you will experience addiction yourself.

 Several other environmental factors can increase your likelihood of addictions such as divorce, frequently arguing parents, mental illness, or drug abuse by other family members in your household. Many people will grow up to mimic the behaviors of those that they have watched growing up.

 Trauma: Traumatic events can wreak havoc on victims who will then turn to drug addiction in the future to help manage the pain. Some of these events include neglect, verbal abuse, physical abuse, physical altercations, accidents, and terrorist incidents. When the real cause of this trauma is not addressed, some people use drugs to drown out or overwhelm their internal pain.

 Peer Pressure from Others: Peer pressure doesn’t just affect teenagers. It can also play a role in addiction that arises in your adult life. Some people start abusing drugs because their partner does. They might find that using with your significant other is a way to bond or that it is a solution to the negative aspects of your relationship. However, this addiction is often not sustainable and can leave the user vulnerable and addicted should the relationship fall apart.

 Mental Illness: More than half of all users of illegal substances are also battling a mental illness. Sometimes, people believe that abusing a drug will relieve their stress and the often-mixed emotions created by their mental illness. They may use it to feel normal and maintain their social life, but this method does not address the root cause and doesn’t help the person genuinely understand themselves and the needs of their illness.

 Getting to the root of the issue and the reasons why you became addicted in the first place is essential to moving forward and away from an addiction. At Broadway Treatment Center, our recovery resources can be beneficial tools to help you move forward when you have been struggling in the grips of addiction.

 Huntington Beach Addiction Treatment Resources

 From residential treatment and aftercare programs to a wide array of other unique recovery services, our caring professionals will offer you a new outlook on life and stand by your side as you take strides to manage your addiction and recover. Contact us at [phone] for more information on how we can assist you during this challenging but life-changing time.

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Finding A Job After Addiction Treatment

 Finding a Job After a Drug Treatment Program

 One of the biggest worries that many individuals have after their drug treatment program is finding employment and moving forward with a normal life. After years of addiction and drug and alcohol abuse, you may be uncertain about securing stable employment, ensuring that potential employers don’t discriminate against you because of your past, finding the proper job training, and being able to succeed in interviews after being in your residential treatment program and speaking closely with those who understood and empathized with your addiction.

 Recovering addicts have a variety of resources available to them to help with this transition and don’t need to feel anxiety about their next steps into the workplace.

 Job Discrimination Against Recovering Addicts 

 Those who have once struggled through addiction now have many more protections under federal law than they did even a few years ago. For instance, multiple federal laws make it illegal for a potential employer to discriminate against you because of your past struggles with addiction and substance abuse. Having a history of substance abuse is considered to be a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and is thus protected against discrimination.

 Under these rules, an employer is limited in what they can and can’t ask you about as well as what they can punish you for. If an employer discovers that you were part of a treatment program in the past, but you are not currently battling addiction while employed, they will not be permitted to punish you or fire you from your job based on this past addiction.

 However, an employer will be able to deny you a job based on your addiction is if you are unable to complete job tasks because you are still an addict and are not working toward recovery.

 While these rules protect your past from being used against you by an employer, they do not prohibit your employer from firing or punishing you for drug use while you are employed. Just as your path to drug rehabilitation required daily effort, so does sustaining employment. The success of your recovery ensures you can achieve career success.

  Facing Your First Interview Following Treatment

 If you are working to build a career, applying for jobs after finishing your detox and recovery program can be a nervous time. Initial interviews are some of the most stressful for any potential employee but can be especially nerve wracking for a recovering addict.  Here are some tips that can be helpful for those who are facing their initial interview for a job:

 Consistency: Your employer will likely look into background information about you before your interview. If you want to keep specific details private throughout the job interview, you also want to ensure that your social media life is private as well and that only the information you want is publicly available

 Focus on Your Strengths: You have been through a harrowing ordeal if you’ve battled addiction and recovered. This battle provided you with many skills that can apply to your work. During the interview, you want to solely focus on your many strengths so that your future employer knows how dedicated and capable you are.

 Prepare for and Battle Against Prejudice: For those who have never had close friends or family suffer through addiction, they might not understand what you have gone through. If it is discussed during an interview, you might feel vulnerable and at a loss for what to say. Address the addiction, but focus on the steps you took to heal and the ways you’ve grown stronger. You don’t need to apologize for your past as long as you’ve grown from it.

 Be Honest: You can still be honest while withholding information that you are not required to disclose. If you choose not to speak about your recovery with your potential employer, you can instead state that gaps in your employment history were times you took off to focus on yourself and your wellbeing. Burnout can apply to addiction just as much as it can apply to a heavy workload.

 Be Informed: You have many rights that are protected under federal laws and keep employers from discriminating against you for your addiction. If your future employer knows about your addiction, you want to ensure that you speak with them about the recovery you have received and how it will help you move forward. Understanding your rights can help you fight for your own interested during the transition from recovery to employment.

 Addiction Treatment to Help You Return to Work

 At Broadway Treatment Center, we offer a variety of unique services including life skills training to those suffering from addiction in Huntington Beach. These trainings will help you transition into a career even as you work toward recovery. They also provide the training you need to secure your dream job after leaving recovery. If you are interested in knowing more about your treatment options, contact us for more information today at [phone].

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How to Talk About a Parents Addiction and Recovery

How to Talk About a Parent’s Addiction and Recovery

 One of the most difficult conversations a parent can have with their child is about drugs. It can be an uncomfortable topic and one that leads to more questions than answers. Some may even worry that the mere conversation will actually prompt the child to experiment. However, this conversation is a necessary one for every family, especially when one or more individuals in the family struggles with addiction or is in recovery. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when speaking with a young person about a parent’s addiction.

 Addiction is a Disease

 First and foremost, a child of a parent with an addiction needs to understand that their parent is suffering from a disease. If they don’t understand how their family member fell into addiction, it can be easy for a child to feel responsible in some way or begin to dislike their parent. It may be useful to use terms like “sick” and” getting better”, especially for younger children. While the parent is away in treatment, expressing their condition in medical terms can help children to not see their parent as a bad or dangerous person. Verbalizing the “c’s”: (you didn’t cause it, you can’t control it, you can’t cure it) can be beneficial in the case of children that have witnessed a parent doing or saying something regrettable while under the influence of a substance.

 The Addiction is Not Your Fault

 Studies have shown that parents that use substances have a tendency to be over-involved in their child’s life in a negative way while also showing fewer outward signs of affection and responsiveness. Children may already be feeling abandoned, neglected, or rebellious because of this and may desperately miss the “old version” of the parent or wish things were different. It is imperative to let them know they are not alone. By speaking openly about these issues with the child and encouraging them to share their thoughts and emotions openly, you can start a dialogue. That dialogue, in turn, shows mutual respect and trust, something the child may feel is lacking.

 The Difficult Conversation About Substance Abuse

 At Broadway Treatment Center, we know these conversations are tough to have. You might feel scared or ashamed to speak with your child about your addiction, but our team of dedicated staff members can help make it easier. We can guide you through these healthy discussions and help you acknowledge your addiction. Through every step of the process, we remain focused on your recovery and assist you in identifying the triggers that might lead you back to your addiction.

 Adult Addiction Treatment Center in Huntington Beach

 At Broadway Treatment Center, we strive to offer a personalized treatment experience in a comfortable and inviting setting. As you begin your path to recovery in our residential treatment program, your family will be glad to hear that you are taking the positive steps to improve your life and theirs. Call us today at [phone] to learn more about our state-of-the-art programs and premiere facility. Your son or daughter will be proud, and so will you.

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How To Adjust When Your Teenager Returns From Addiction Treatment

How to Adjust When Your Teenager Returns from Addiction Treatment

 A family that has been without their son, daughter, brother, or sister as they underwent drug and alcohol treatment often anxiously awaits their loved one’s homecoming. There is often a sense of comfort and excitement knowing that everyone will be together again. However, family members are also often fearful that their home environment may not be structured enough to prevent continued use and relapse. No matter the family, an adjustment phase always occurs when a teen returns home from treatment and many families work to grapple with their new normal.

 Drug Abuse Among Teenagers

 A teen returning home may simultaneously feel that nothing and everything has changed. This is especially true if the teen feels like he or she has fallen behind in personal, academic, or athletic goals but is watching siblings excel in their interests. Your loved one is not alone. Drug use amongst teenagers is decreasing, but it still affects and disrupts the lives of thousands of adolescents every year.

 What To Do About Changes in the Home

 It is important for everyone else in the family to keep living while also acknowledging the challenges your loved one faces. The teen may have strong feelings about changes around the house. For example, if the medicine cabinet has been emptied or the teen’s lock on their bedroom door has been removed, they may respond passionately to these necessary adjustments. Parents can prepare in advance for conversations to address those problems and should always focus on the fact that these adjustments come from a place of concern for the teen.

 Steps Towards a Happier Home After Recovery

 Families may find themselves walking on eggshells after a teen’s return home from treatment so as not to offend the teen or create a problem. A sibling may not know what topics are safe to bring up, and a parent may not know what questions are okay to ask because so much has led to arguments in the past. Finding that balance and setting expectations and boundaries can be key. Steps like setting a schedule, agreeing that the whole family eats dinner together, and following strict curfews can help bring a sense of community and structure.

 Finally, don’t be complacent and don’t ignore the signs. If something seems wrong, it probably is. And if you suspect that your teen is using again, you need to take action as a team.

 If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, call us today at 714-443-8218

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Tawnyas Recovery Story

My Story of Recovery

My Addiction

I started my car to roll down the window just enough to not let the rain soak my door, lit my cigarette and stared at the people walking by my car into Walmart thinking to myself how much I hate them for not feeling the way I feel, being oblivious to my desperation and anger. I looked at my phone hoping that if I looked at enough my drug dealer would call saying “I’m here where are you”. I look at the time and think what is taking so long I have money, I called him, I texted him, where is he?

An hour goes by I can’t stop shaking my legs and stretching them under the gas pedal trying to stay calm knowing that soon I’ll have my heroin and I’ll feel better. Finally, a car pulls up next to me and I see him. I quickly jump out run over and hop in the passenger seat, I get the bag and give him the money and ask him if he will be good later for more, he says “just call me”. I jump out and get back in my car and pull across the street. I open my bag and that vinegar smell fills my car and this overwhelming sense of relief comes over my body. I spend 30 minutes trying to find a vein, frustration anger and hopelessness showers over me I begin to yell at myself out loud in my car “please god just let me get it this once”, finally I see the blood rush into the syringe and I push it all in my veins. I sit back and think this is what I need to do in order to function every day, because I am a heroin addict.

 This was my story, my movie, the metaphorical train I was on for 8 years, get the money, get the dope, do the dope and then repeat day in and day out. I never thought to myself how it came to this how did I become a junkie? To me this was comfortable it was the life I thought I wanted to live I honestly thought I was good at it. Being emotionally disconnected from everyone and everything seemed to work for me no matter what I had heroin to rely on it always made me feel better no matter how sad, angry, and hopeless I felt as soon as that drug hit my blood stream, I was the best version of myself. This was the false reality I told myself to justify my actions.

The thought of going to rehab was never an idea I came up with on my own always forced upon me by my parents or other family members. I was so hostile and aggressive when these conversations would come up and I would always leave saying “this is why I don’t come over anymore”. I felt like no one understood the demons I was battling inside my head, that I could not just walk away from this war I created with myself. In and out of jail, living from place to place, using people and being used by people something changed for me, I stopped fighting.

My introduction to Treatment

It was October 2014, it was raining as it always does in Seattle, I had broken into a club house at an apartment complex and made a bed out of cushions from patio furniture in the bathroom and I sent a message to my parents on Facebook messenger begging them to let me come stay with them in California. Later, my mom said, “I could tell you were done and really wanted help finally when I read that message”. Within a week I was on an airplane with my mom heading to Orange County, California. I got off the plane already shaking and regretting my decision to leave the life I had hated some much but became so comfortable with.

When I was detoxing off  heroin I kept telling myself there is nothing I can do but try to power through the aches and pains the feeling hot then cold the constant shaking of my legs , I reminded myself that it does not last forever and I am not a weak person I have been through some terrible things in my life and I survived,  this was just a speed bump in my life that I needed to breath and just slow down and eventually I will get over it.

Surprisingly I felt really good physically within the first week but mentally I could not get the images of the needles going into my pale white skin and I would feel myself romanticizing the idea of getting high just one more time, I thought that I was setting myself up for disappointment and failure again but that was not my truth I had literally failed my way to success , looking back on it now I was trying to prove something to myself to everyone that doubted that I would not make it out of the life of the heroin addict statistic. I finally was not worried about disappoint my parents or my daughter I was genuinely fighting to not disappoint, myself.

In November 2014 I walked into the group room of the treatment center I had been admitted too, nervous and shy I had given up on thinking that I knew what the best answer to the problems I had created for myself, I did something different, I started to listen. Every day I was in treatment I wrote a number on my left had that represented how many days I had been sober, 11 became 30, 30 became 54, 54 became 87 and when I made it to a year I made a promise to myself that I would treat these days that I had collected like I treated my bags of dope, I was not going to let anyone or any circumstance I was going to encounter take away these days.

My Life Today

It’s difficult for me to describe what my life has become over the past four years, the only thing that really comes to my mind when I am asked this question, what it was meant to be. Coming down to California turned out to be the best thing to happen to me. Not only did I overcome the hardest thing in my opinion to overcome during the sickest time of my life, but I was able to build a better foundation to share my experience strength and hope with other struggling addicts.

To talk to my peers about the important things I learned to help change people’s perspective as much as far as I can possibly reach. I still have days where I struggle to get out of my own head but I’ve learned taking life day by day , appreciating what I can do and what I have gained , telling people I love them , not taking anything personally, and enjoying every second that has been given to me is the most amazing new way I look at life. The whole point of writing this is I want people who struggle with addiction to know they are not alone and all it takes is a little willingness and motivation to reach out. To stop fighting this war you created.

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Recovery and Anxiety

Feelings of Anxiety as You Are Going Through Recovery

 Going through addiction and recovery can be one of the most difficult things you will ever experience. Unfortunately, many people who start making the positive choice to work toward recovery will find that it causes intense feelings of fear and anxiety, and sometimes even depression as you enter into new walks of life. Many people are unsure of the links between anxiety and addiction, and how anxiety can sometimes worsen when you are going through the treatment needed to recover from your addiction.

 The Link Between Anxiety and Addiction

 Despite how common it is, there is little scientific research on the relationship between anxiety disorders and substance abuse. Even without this wealth of knowledge, there are some clear signals. Anxiety disorders can be reinforced by substance abuse and can worsen a variety of disorders such as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Studies have shown that, in a panel of over 300 treatment patients, an astounding 48% were dealing with significant anxiety in addition to their recovery.

 Additional research has been conducted that shows that anxiety and substance abuse are often intertwined. Anxiety causes many people to abuse substances like alcohol and drugs so that they can escape and manage their anxiety. For many people who deal with anxiety, they typically have a variety of personality factors that are more impulsive, which can make them more likely to abuse illegal substances.

 When it comes to treatment, anxiety and recovery go hand-in-hand, because you can’t treat one thing and not the other. Whether it is during the early stages of detox or several days into residential treatment, anxiety can continue to play a large role in recovery and needs to be cared for to ensure long-term success.

 Ways to Approach Anxiety in Times of Sobriety

 When you are going through recovery and working toward a healthier life, there are many ways that you can work through the anxiety that you are feeling.

 Talking to Someone: If you are experiencing anxiety as you go through recovery, you might feel alone. Anxiety tends to fester in those who have previously experienced it, and it is important that you have multiple people you can rely on and speak with while you are feeling its effects. You might find that it is easier to manage when you receive advice from a trusted friend or mentor.

 Healthy Distractions: Distractions can be helpful as long as they are healthy ways to cope. If you have been abusing drugs for several years and you would turn to them when you were experiencing anxiety, you will now need new coping methods. Some options are going to the movies with a friend, cooking, writing, or reading, but the best coping method is whatever works for you.

 Meditation and Peaceful Yoga: Some people might engage in meditation, yoga, and other exercises that are meant to relax your mind. Staying healthy is one of the best ways to manage anxiety and any other effects that come along.

 Calm, Relaxing Addiction Treatment in Huntington Beach

 At the Broadway Treatment Center, we use a streamlined treatment philosophy that guides us to the reasons behind the addiction. Your recovery doesn’t need to be stressful, and our team of experienced addiction treatment professionals can ensure you work towards a happier life in a safe and comfortable environment. Contact us to find out how we can help you at [phone].

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Myths About Drug Addiction That You May Have Heard

Common Drug Addiction Myths that You May Have Heard

 If you’re considering seeking treatment for your drug or alcohol addiction, you may have heard an astounding number of untrue things regarding addiction recovery. These myths can dissuade you from protecting your long-term health and can have devastating consequences. Understanding the difference between truth and hearsay is necessary for your recovery. By dispelling these myths, Broadway Treatment Center hopes to guide you and others towards the truth about drug addiction and recovery.

 Myths Concerning Drug Addiction

 Myth: Addicts can stop using drugs whenever they choose if they really want to.

Truth:  If you are suffering from addiction, you might have heard that you have made a conscious decision to become addicted and that the problem is easy to fix. From the perspective of someone who has not been through addiction themselves, it might seem like you can easily stop using drugs. For an addict, this is not the case. Many people continue to abuse drugs despite the repercussions due to the addictive properties in the drugs and the terrible pain of withdrawals.  Drug detox can be difficult to manage and the fear of it in addition to the uncontrollable desire to use drugs can keep many from seeking help.

 Myth: Punishing somebody for their drug addiction is the only method that works.

Truth: Many people who have not suffered through addiction themselves will often say that those who abuse drugs have committed a crime and need to be punished. They thoroughly believe that this is a treatment method that is proven and works, but research shows that this is not the case. A significant portion of people who are arrested for drugs will end up back in prison within the twelve months on the same or similar charges. If we choose treatment over prison, the criminal justice system could save billions of dollars every year. Treatment should always be your first option.

 Myth: It is easy to identify somebody who regularly abuses drugs.

Truth:  Stereotypes lead many people to think that it is easy to identify someone who regularly abuses drugs, but this is not the case. While the stereotypical drug user is a male from a low socioeconomic background who is unemployed and has been arrested in the past, but this is not always the case. In fact, the rate of substance abuse and dependence amongst Hispanics and whites was around 8.5 percent for both groups. For African Americans, the rate was only 7.5 percent. Anybody can become addicted.

 Myth: Rehabilitation doesn’t work if you’re severely addicted.

Truth: Rehab can be the best way to get the treatment that  you need to recover. Residential rehabs are one of the most effective forms available for treatment and focus on changing both the environment the addict is living in that supports their addiction as well as their mental response to the substance. Professional residential rehab helps patients recover on mental, physical, and emotional levels when they need the support the most.

 Myth: If you have relapsed, you have failed.

Truth: If you have relapsed in the past, you have not failed. Many people will feel shameful, guilty, hopeless, and anxious after they have relapsed and believe it’s a sign that they’re not strong enough to recover. This is not true.  Not everyone can face their addiction on the first try, and relapse is a normal part of recovery. The key to success is to not let these failures dictate your future recovery.

 Addiction Treatment in Huntington Beach

 If you have stumbled in the past and need a helping hand to guide you through the process of recovery, Broadway Treatment Center can help you gain stable footing. Having a personalized treatment plan that is perfectly tailored to you and focuses on your strengths is the best way you can get started in the process of recovery. Contact us at 714-443-8218 today to find out how you can begin working towards a happier and healthier future for yourself.

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Why Addiction Recovery Is So Difficult Early On

Why Addiction Recovery is So Difficult Early On

The early stages of addiction recovery are actually some of the most difficult. Adjusting back into a lifestyle without something that you once depended on can be one of the most difficult things that you ever experience. There are multiple reasons why those enduring the first few steps of recovery will sometimes feel as if their world is crashing down on them, but there are ways you can get through some of these difficult phases.

Why Recovery Isn’t Always Easy

Relationships You Have Formed:

You want to surround yourself with positive people when you are going through addiction recovery. Sometimes, this is easier said than done, because the people you have relied on in the past might be those who enabled you to continuously abuse drugs in the first place.

In the early stages of addiction recovery, you will have to stray away from these friendships and toxic relationships that you have built in the past while you were still using. This essential step can leave addicts feeling unmoored and detached from their support group, but your own health depends on it. By getting involved in activities and programs where you can meet new and sober friends, you can enter into the kind of positive environments that you need to stay sober.

Intense Emotions:

When you are going through recovery, even the smallest irritation can bring intense emotions such as anger and sadness. During this is truly emotional time, you may find it difficult to address these emotions calmly. However, Feelings of anger should be dealt with in a meaningful and positive way through methods like exercising, choosing a healthy diet, or sticking to routines.

Breaking Away from Traditions:

During previous holidays when you were surrounded by family and friends, you might have enjoyed the tradition of drinking or using recreational, illicit drugs. Now, you might feel uncomfortable as you come to these get-togethers and realize that you won’t be joining in. However, you have to remember that your relationships with people cannot be built on these harmful substances. It makes sense to create your own drug and alcohol-free traditions, and your loved ones will understand.

Not Accepting Mistakes:

You might find it difficult to accept that you made mistakes in the past, but this is one of the best ways to move on. You have to be able to set reasonable expectations for yourself and accept that the past is the past and that you will not always be perfect. The road to recovery is not straight and it’s often bumpy. The key to success is staying on it anyway.

Pressures of Careers and Finances:

Finding and keeping a stable job is essential to you being able to focus on the positive aspects of your life. But finding a job can also be one of the most difficult steps after getting sober. Your career and finances can often be sources of intense stress, and your first instinct will be to reach for your addiction. You have to learn to build new coping measures and focus on how staying sober helps your career and future.

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Fentanyl Is Now The Most Dangerous Drug In The United States

Fentanyl is Now The Most Dangerous Drug in the United States

A majority of the substances fueling this health crisis are 100% legal. However, one opioid has been leaving a trail of suffering people and dead bodies in its destructive path: fentanyl. Responsible for the death of musicians Prince and Tom Petty, has risen to become a national crisis, afflicting hundreds of thousands of Americans and, recently rising to a new level of infamy. According to federal health officials, fentanyl is now the most dangerous drug in the United States.

How Fentanyl Became a National Pandemic

Over the past decade, the United States has suffered through a nationwide opioid epidemic. Despite attempts to help people suffering from abuse and addiction, the problem only seems to be picking up speed. In 2015 alone, an estimated 2 million U.S. residents were living with an opioid painkiller addiction, while an additional 117,000 people died from opiate overdoses.

Though the drug has been in use for years, this is the first time that fentanyl has received the title of America’s deadliest drug. Heroin previously held the title, but as the number of deaths caused by fentanyl rose by 113% from 2013 to 2016, fentanyl asserted its deadly dominance in America.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 63,000 U.S. residents died as a result of drug overdoses in 2016 alone averaging to nearly 175 deaths every day. The percentage of Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have skyrocketed from 2011 to 2016, rising from 4% to 29%. These vast increases reveal both the widespread use and the increased potency of this drug.

Something Is Rotten in America

 Even as fentanyl became a nationwide pandemic, one its most significant threats come from its propensity to be mixed with other drugs and chemicals.

Dr. Holly Hedegaard, an injury epidemiologist at the National Center for Health Statistics and the lead author of a report into the fentanyl epidemic, stated that overdoses a rarely contained to one type of drug and that people who die from overdoses often have multiple drugs in their bodies.

“We’ve had a tendency to think of these drugs in isolation,” said Dr. Hedegaard. “It’s not really what’s happening.”

According to Hedegaard, the public at large tends to consider the dangers of addictive substances independently without considering the potential pitfalls of the drugs when they’re combined. For example, 40% of people who died from a cocaine-related overdose also had traces of fentanyl in their bloodstreams, and combinations of fentanyl and heroin also caused a string of accidental deaths in America.

While treating fentanyl addiction in isolation will not stop the opioid crisis, it can have lasting impacts on those suffering. Though the pain caused by fentanyl has spread across the country, you don’t need to suffer alone. A welcoming and professional residential treatment program can provide the care you need if, like thousands of Americans, you are suffering from a fentanyl addiction.

Getting the Drug Addiction Treatment You Deserve

If you are struggling from a severe case of opioid abuse in California or know someone who is suffering through it, multiple resources are at your disposal. It is never too late to save your life or the life of a loved one. At Broadway Treatment Center in Huntington Beach, our addiction 

treatment philosophy believes that each of our clients can find and foster ways to live happier and healthier lives. While temptation can be tricky to overcome, you can always overcome your

cravings for drugs and alcohol through a high-quality, integrated addiction recovery program.

 The opioid epidemic may have personally affected you and your family, but it doesn’t need to define your entire life or your future. Our staff of trained rehabilitation and addiction experts are ready to guide you on your path toward recovery. If you are interested in our treatment programs, contact us today at [phone] to take your first steps to a happier and healthier you.

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Why Prisons Must do Better at Treating Opioid Addiction

Why Prisons Must do Better at Treating Opioid Addiction

In what’s being called a landmark decision, a federal judge in Essex County, Massachusetts ruled that a man facing jail time must be permitted to continue his treatment for opioid addiction. This was the first time a federal judge mandated prisons to continue an inmate’s opioid use disorder treatment. While the ruling was specific to 32-year-old Geoffrey Pesce’s situation, it has set a precedent that could have far-reaching consequences for addicts who are forced to discontinue treatment during incarceration.

The Prison System’s Lack of Opioid Addiction Treatment Options

Experts estimate that nearly a quarter of inmates suffer from opioid use disorder. Yet out of 5,100 facilities in the US, only 30 jails offer methadone or buprenorphine, which are proven to effectively treat opioid addiction.

 In most US prisons, inmates who are addicted to opioids must go through the painful withdrawal process unassisted. Opioid withdrawal includes flu-like symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, pain and vomiting, and while withdrawal itself do

esn’t usually result in death, symptoms like dehydration have killed several inmates in recent years.

The real danger, however, waits outside prison walls. Once an opioid addict gets back on the streets, the risk of overdose is high. After going through involuntary withdrawal, opioid users lose their tolerance for the drug; when they take their usual dose, the results can be fatal. The involuntary withdrawal process is traumatic, and many inmates continue to experience intense cravings throughout incarceration. An estimated 95 percent of untreated opioid addicts who go through the prison system return to drug use within three years of leaving jail, and one North Carolina study found that former inmates were 39 times likelier to overdose on opioids than the general population.

The Massachusetts federal judge found that the prison that attempted to deny Geoffrey Pesce treatment was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that its actions were comparable to denying a diabetic insulin. Experts are hopeful that the ruling will help change the attitude, still prevalent among prison administrators, that providing medically-assisted treatment (MAT) to opioid addicts is replacing one drug with another.

Despite the Evidence, Stigma Around Drug Rehab Persists

This attitude is baffling in light of the overwhelming evidence that medically assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addicts works, and works especially well in a prison setting. Providing methadone or Suboxone to incarcerated opioid addicts has been shown to reduce post-incarceration deaths by 61 percent in the case of Rhode Island, which is the only state to offer all addiction treatment options to inmates. MAT has also been shown to reduce the risk of former inmates reoffending once released. And anecdotally, prison officials have noted that introducing addiction treatment options has made for a better environment in prisons.

Needless to say, stigma around drug addiction persists in our society, but nowhere is it more evident than in the prison system. One official stated that “The best way to not get addicted to opioids is to never use them,” and other officials have expressed reluctance to replace one drug with another, which shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the treatment method itself.

Concerns Over Logistics Are Costing Lives Amidst the Opioid Crisis

The main objections to MAT that prison officials voice are logistical: inmates would have to be closely watched to ensure they actually take the medication, additional training would be needed for staff administering MAT, inmates would have to be escorted somewhere to take their prescription and precautions would have to be in place ensure the drugs are not sold on the black market. To be sure, these are valid concerns and logistical hurdles that prisons will need to overcome.

However, prisons have a duty of care to inmates that is not currently being met. Support staff have training to administer insulin and inmates with cancer receive treatment (though the quality of prison health care in some states has been disputed). The logistical concerns are not insurmountable, and are a small price to pay for helping to abate the opioid crisis and save lives. When treatment was made available for opioid-addicted inmates in Rhode Island, statewide overdose deaths dropped by 12 percent. This is no surprise given that opioid users are 13 times more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system. The prison system must not underestimate its vital role in addressing America’s opioid crisis.

The Prison System’s Role in the Cycle of Addiction

In the current state of affairs, the prison system plays a central role in the cycle of addiction that ensnares many opioid users. As money runs out and desperation sets in, opioid addicts often resort to crime to pay for their addiction. They land in prison, stay for an involuntarily detox, and then they’re released and often relapse due to lack of support and proper treatment. Once an addict is caught in the prison system, minor infractions can carry a jail sentence, and the cycle repeats itself until an overdose occurs.

But instead of perpetuating the cycle of addiction, the prison system could be instrumental in breaking it. When incoming inmates are identified as opiate addicts, MAT and even therapy could be administered. And once they’ve served their time, providing addicts with MAT and inpatient or outpatient treatment program options would drastically lower the odds of relapse and recidivism. The recent ruling in Massachusetts is cause for optimism, but it’s only the start of the changes that need to be made to ensure incarcerated addicts get the treatment they need.

Broadway Offers Orange County Families a Way Forward

If you’re struggling with opioid use or substance-related legal issues, you deserve a chance to recover. Broadway Treatment Center offers a Jail Diversion Program as an alternative to incarceration for drug-related offenses. We are located in Southern California, but able to accept jail diversion clients from all over the nation. At Broadway, you’ll have the chance to recover in a safe environment with a personalized combination of one-on-one counseling, group therapy, family counseling, and continuing care.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you get – and stay – sober.

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Meth Addiction Is A Public Health Emergency

Meth Addiction Is Rapidly Becoming a Public Health Emergency

In recent years, conversations around addiction usually focus on the devastation that opioid use is causing, or, more recently, the resurgence of alcoholism as a public health issue. These are of course urgent issues that deserve our attention, but while efforts have been focused on managing the opioid epidemic, meth addiction and the urgent need for increased access to meth rehab has quietly become a national crisis in its own right.

The numbers are grim. In 2017, 5.4 percent of Americans over the age of 12 had used meth in their lifetimes, and this number has remained steady in recent years. What hasn’t remained steady is the human cost of meth use: from 2008 to 2015, amphetamine-related hospitalizations soared by 245 percent and an estimated 10,000 Americans died from meth overdoses in 2017.

Dueling Crises: Methamphetamine and Opioids

Law enforcement and medical professionals warn that the resurgence of meth is not getting the attention or resources it merits. Due to the current focus on combating the opioid crisis, one researcher observed that, “meth has been completely overshadowed by opioids.”

The unfortunate reality is that there are finite resources to fight addiction, and meth just isn’t on many lawmakers’ radars. Those on the front lines are sounding the alarm: “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t see someone acutely intoxicated on methamphetamine,” one California emergency room doctor reported.

Though meth and opioids are being pitted against one another in a fight for attention and resources, they are actually interconnected. Local authorities are finding that many street drugs, including meth, are now cut with fentanyl, which causes the majority of overdose deaths among opioid users.

Some meth users are also dabbling in heroin, and as the crackdown on opioids progresses, more opioid users are turning to meth because it’s cheaper and more widely available. The overlap between meth and opioids signals a need for a more comprehensive strategy to combat drug use, as users don’t always stick to one substance and street drugs are often mixed.

Mexican Superlabs Are America’s Main Meth Supplier

During the meth crisis of the 1990s and early 2000s, addicts began making their own meth, putting themselves and others in danger. But after lawmakers placed a restriction on substances used to make methamphetamine, the crisis abated for a time.

However, where there is a gap in supply, bad actors will always emerge to fill it. The majority of the meth in the US now comes from Mexican “superlabs.” Drug cartels then smuggle it across the border and distribute it in the southern states and all the way to Oregon, where meth-related deaths are skyrocketing.

Law enforcement officials are fighting the rise in meth trafficking by seizing meth at highway stops, but judging by its availability on the streets, a lot more is getting through. United States Customs and Border Protection reports that the amount of meth that has been seized has tripled in the past five years. But the drug cartels are winning: meth is now selling for as little as $5 a hit, and it’s more potent than ever.

The Human Cost of Cheap Meth

Meth can cause a terrifying array of health issues, including tooth decay, psychosis, brain damage, and rapid weight loss. It disrupts users’ lives by causing them to behave erratically and sometimes violently, and it tears families and communities apart. Researchers have recently highlighted a few specific trends that exhibit the human cost of meth use.

Heart Failure

The American Heart Association recently reported that meth causes severe congestive heart failure; doctors are seeing a rise in patients with meth-related heart failure, and these patients tend to be young. Congestive heart failure is usually seen in older patients, but meth users as young as 30 have the condition.

Meth Use Among Pregnant Women

Meth use is becoming more common among pregnant women. A study found that in 2015, 82,000 deliveries were impacted by amphetamine use disorder. Meth use during pregnancy increases the maternal mortality rate: expectant mothers who continue to use the drug are at a higher risk of cardiac arrest, death during or after delivery and seizure. Fetuses carried by meth users are at risk of losing oxygen supply or being born prematurely.

Mass Incarceration

In cities where meth proliferates, mass incarceration is close behind. In an attempt to keep afloat, some meth users begin to sell the drug; when they are caught, they face lengthy prison sentences. In Oklahoma, which has some of the highest rates of meth use in the country, more than twice the national average of women are incarcerated. Some treatment programs are available as an alternative to prison, but too many female meth users are being separated from their families without getting the treatment they need.

More Treatment, Less Punishment

Increased legislative focus, more support for addicts and research on treatment methods are all necessary to improve the situation of people struggling with meth addiction. A discussion about how different addictions intersect with each other is also long overdue: medical experts are warning that since drug users tend to switch drugs or use more than one substance at once, a broader focus on addiction is necessary when drafting policies and developing treatment plans.

If You’re Struggling with Meth Use, We Can Help

Meth addiction is insidious and intense, but there is hope: with the right treatment, you can and will recover. You’ll need a facility that understands co-occurring addictions and mental health issues, and in the early stages of recovery from meth addiction, it’s important to have the supervision of trained medical professionals.

Broadway Treatment Center’s team of addiction experts can help you safely detox from meth. We offer unique services such as pet-friendly residential treatment, couples’ addiction treatment, jail diversion programs and holistic treatments like yoga, art and surf therapy. Your personalized treatment plan will address co-occurring addictions and mental health issues and enable you to develop healthy behavior patterns and improve overall health and wellness. To learn more about how we can help you get back on track to the life you want, contact us today.

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