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Category: Sober Living Houses

Sober living houses (SLHs), also called sober homes and sober living environments, are facilities that provide safe housing and supportive, structured living conditions for people exiting drug rehabilitation programs.

Difference Between the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions

While it may not be groundbreaking news today, addiction and alcoholism are not a choice, but deciding whether you want to get clean and sober or not is a choice. The diseases of alcoholism and addiction can both be remedied by working a program of recovery such as Alcoholics Anonymous, which is where the 12 steps and the 12 traditions originate. Before we talk about the 12 steps and 12 traditions, it is important to talk about where they come from.

Alcoholics Anonymous is the group that created the concept of the 12 steps. Its concepts of recovery and sobriety have been essential in changing the conversations surrounding addiction since it was created about 80 years ago. Alcoholics Anonymous was created to help those who are struggling with a drinking problem that is destroying their lives. It works on the premise that alcohol is an illness that can be managed like any other chronic illness.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) give those struggling and also recovering a place to come together with other people dealing with the same things and it also provides a set of guidelines, also known as the 12 steps that are meant to act as a guide of recovery and everyday life. These 12 steps and the concepts were adapted into other recovery-based organizations such as CA, Cocaine Anonymous, and NA, Narcotics Anonymous.

Difference Between the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions

What Is The Difference Between 12 Steps and 12 Traditions

The difference between the 12 steps and the 12 traditions is not that big these two things are intertwined with each other. The 12 steps are the guidelines by which to get sober and recover. The 12 traditions act as the principles behind the steps and are meant to keep people focused on the primary purpose. Another way to put it is, the 12 steps are meant to keep your life in order and the 12 traditions are meant to keep the support group, AA/CA/etc., in order. They are also meant to ensure the future of the groups. 12 steps equal individual focus while 12 traditions equal group focus.

Studying and practicing the 12 steps in recovery and everyday life is essential to personal growth. The principles behind these steps are universal and adaptable to more than just recovering from addiction or alcoholism. They can be applied to every aspect of a person’s life.

More About the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions

The 12 traditions act as guidelines for promoting growth and harmony as an organization and fellowship as a whole. Experience, as well as trial and error with perfecting this model, has shown that unity as a whole depends very much on adherence to the traditions.

Research has shown that those who have participated in formal treatment and attended a support group, such as AA, have a much better chance of staying sober than those who do not. The only requirement to get involved in a support group and be successful with the steps is a desire to stop using any mind-altering substances. While the 12 steps and 12 traditions are spiritually based, no one has to feel excluded. There is no exclusion from those who are a different religion, denomination, or organization.

Get the Help You Need

If you or someone you love thinks they have a drinking or a drug problem and want to get help getting sober, you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals here are Recreate Life Counseling is available around the clock for you. We offer many different treatment plans to help you continue in your journey of sobriety. Now is the time to make the change. Let Recreate Life Counseling help you do it!

Published on: 2020-09-01
Updated on: 2024-04-18

What to Say When Someone Offers You Drugs

Many of us went through the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program in middle school or junior high school; a program developed to help promote healthy living and beneficial lifestyle choices. This program was first founded in 1983 and has since served as a useful tool in preventative education when it comes to drug use, alcohol use, gang involvement, and other forms of violence. Still, many of us chalk the program up to a mandatory part of middle school – not something we will need to refer to in our adult lives. The message is simple and straightforward – don’t do drugs.

This may seem like an easy concept to grasp. However, as we get older and we begin experiencing more of life, we might come to find that the tools we learned early on come in handy more often than we initially expected. The truth is that peer pressure is a very real issue, and it is not one that will resolve as soon as you graduate high school. Throughout your entire life – no matter who you are, where you live or what you do – you will be offered chemical substances from time to time. What do you say when someone offers you drugs?

What to Say When Someone Offers You Drugs

Being Offered Drugs in Addiction Recovery

When someone offers you a chemical substance of any kind, the most important thing to communicate is that you are not interested – not now, not ever. Saying something like, “Not right now,” or, “Maybe later,” could send mixed messages, and it could result in the same person asking you a second time. Here are some examples of firm responses:

  • No thank you, I’m clean and sober.
  • I do not do drugs – addiction runs in my family, so I stay away entirely.
  • I do not do well when I use substances; believe me, you don’t want to see me like that!
  • Oh, I’ve done my fair share – drugs don’t agree with me. Thanks anyways.
  • I have struggled with a drug problem in the past, so I completely abstain.

It is important that you immediately set a personal boundary that you will be able to stick to. This is part of relapse prevention, and it is a skill you will learn while you’re inpatient addiction treatment. While in treatment your counselor or therapist will help you figure out viable responses in case you should ever find yourself in a precarious situation. This way you will be prepared for the situation and you will already know exactly how to respond if and when someone offers you a mood or mind-altering substance.

Another important thing to consider is who you are hanging around with. Are you spending a lot of time with people who regularly offer you chemical substances? If so… why? Are you spending time with people who were in recovery with you and who recently relapsed? In early recovery (and throughout the entire recovery process) you should be trying to surround yourself with other like-minded people who have ample recovery under their belts and who take sobriety seriously. You are the company you keep!

Learning to Say “No”  When it Comes to Drugs

At Recreate Life Counseling, we teach every one of our clients the tools they will need to stay sober for years to come, including the ability to set and maintain healthy personal boundaries. Learning to say “no” is a crucial part of recovery and doing so is a skill that must be learned. Those who have struggled with drug addiction are prone to saying “yes” to chemical substances – of course, this habit needs to change for long-term recovery to be achieved. To learn more about Recreate Life Counseling, please reach out today with any questions you may have.

FAQ

  • What are good reasons to say no to drugs?

Published on: 2020-07-19
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Mixing Valium and Vodka

Valium, also known as Diazepam, is used to treat anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, as well as sedation before medical procedures. It works by calming the nerves and the brain. Valium belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

Benzos are central nervous system depressants, and so is alcohol, such as Vodka.  These two substances work the same on the brain. So when they are mixed and taken at the same time, this can be very dangerous and can lead to overdose and death. According to SAMHSA:

In 2014, approximately 20.2 million adults aged 18 or older had a past year SUD. Of these adults, 16.3 million had an alcohol use disorder and 6.2 million had an illicit drug use disorder (Figure 1). An estimated 2.3 million adults had both an alcohol use disorder and an illicit drug use disorder in the past year. Of the adults with a past year SUD, 4 out of 5 had an alcohol use disorder, nearly 3 out of 10 had an illicit drug use disorder, and 1 out of 9 had both an alcohol use disorder and an illicit drug use disorder.

Because both vodka and Valium work on the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, they both stimulate similar effects especially when taken in high doses. Both vodka and Valium increase the bioavailability of the drugs so when they are taken together, it increases the risk of an overdose. When you mix them, it increases the potency of both substances.

Valium and Vodka

Side Effects of Mixing Valium and Alcohol

Separately, both Valium and vodka create alarming side effects. When combined, this synergetic effect can be even more dangerous. Common side effects with Valium abuse include:

  • Nausea
  • Tremors
  • Hyperactivity
  • Restlessness
  • Vertigo
  • Fatigue
  • Seizures
  • Psychosis
  • Panic attacks

Common side effects of alcohol abuse include:

  • Memory loss
  • Impaired muscle coordination
  • High blood pressure
  • Arrhythmias
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Unconsciousness/ blackouts
  • Impaired judgment
  • Vomiting

When vodka and Valium are mixed, there can be plenty of dangerous and unpleasant side effects such as:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Disorientation
  • Sedation
  • Stumbling
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in appetite
  • Restlessness and/or excitement
  • Memory problems
  • Drowsiness
  • Depression
  • Decreased mental ability
  • Loss of motor function
  • Poor coordination
  • Loss of consciousness

Is Valium Safe? What About Alcohol?

Valium is considered a relatively safe prescription drug when taken as prescribed. Some people mix Valium with vodka to purposely intensify the effects of the calming effects of each substance. It isn’t always easy to tell when someone is abusing these two substances. If you or someone you love are ready to take the steps to get sober, the best way is, to begin with, a medically assisted detox. The withdrawal symptoms from alcohol like vodka and Valium can be extremely dangerous and painful. These symptoms include muscle pain and cramps, seizures, and even coma, just to name a few. Medically assisted detox is very much recommended to safely get the substances from your system.

Once you’ve detoxed from Vodka and Valium, the best way to remain sober and avoid relapse is the use of one of our many treatment programs offered at Recreate Life Counseling. We offer many different treatment programs so we can ensure that you will find a program that fits best for you. We combine our treatment programs with therapeutic education and guidance to help each patient safely reintegrate into your life.

Overcome Addiction With Drug Treatment

Addiction isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let Recreate Life Counseling help you do it.

Published on: 2020-06-23
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Reasons Not to Use Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are drugs that cause hallucinations. These drugs alter the user’s thinking and perception in such a way that they significantly distort one’s reality. Most hallucinogens out there are classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. This means they have no known medicinal uses as far as the law goes and also have a high potential for abuse which includes physical and psychological dependence. Common examples of classic and most widely known hallucinogens include:

  • LSD
  • Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybin)
  • Peyote (Mescaline)
  • DMT

On the other hand, the most common examples of dissociative hallucinogen drugs include:

Reasons Not to Use Hallucinogens

Why You Shouldn’t Use Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens have many different short terms and long term side effects as well as adverse effects on the brain. Research into hallucinogens says that classic hallucinogens work by partially interrupting communication between the chemical systems throughout the brain and the spinal cord. Many hallucinogens also interfere with the action of the chemical in the brain called serotonin which regulates things like

  • Mood
  • Sensory perception
  • Hunger
  • Sleep
  • Intestinal muscle control
  • Body temperature
  • Sexual behavior

Dissociative hallucinogens interfere with the actions of the brain chemical glutamate, which regulates the following:

  • Pain perception
  • Emotions
  • Learning memory
  • Responses to memory

There are to long-term effects that are commonly associated with the use of hallucinogens. The first is known as Persistent Psychosis, which is a series of continuing mental issues including visual disturbances, disorganized thinking, paranoia, and mood changes. The other is known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder or HPPD. This includes a recurrence of certain drug experiences like hallucinations and other visual disturbances. Flashbacks like these often happen without warning and can persist for more than a year after the use of the drug. These symptoms can sometimes even be mistaken for other problems like a brain tumor or a stroke.

Bad Trips Can Be Dangerous 

Another reason not to use hallucinogens is because of something called a “bad trip”. Many different things can increase the probability of having a bad trip, but anyone using hallucinogens is at risk of having this happen. Bad trips can vary a bit from mild to intense and can cause overwhelming and frightening hallucinations and delusions that lead to accidents. These accidents can also occur during a normal trip, however during a bad trip people can develop delusional beliefs that can put them in danger like a person believing they can fly. Delusions such as these are serious and death has happened in these situations. Like previously mentioned, anyone can experience a bad trip, but some things can increase the risk including:

  • Taking higher doses of the drug
  • Being in a negative headspace before using and while using the drug
  • Being somewhere with excessive stimulation
  • Using depressants like alcohol at the same time
  • Being by yourself while using the drugs
  • Not drinking enough water.

As the effects of the hallucinogen begin to wear off there is a range of effects a person will feel. After feeling extremely high up from the drugs for so long, a person will often crash and feel the opposite by feeling extremely down. A person will feel extreme depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and even psychosis.

Get the Help You Need

We offer many different addiction treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. sober from drugs isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome what is ailing you. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.

Published on: 2020-06-16
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Does Cocaine Abuse Make You Lose Weight?

Cocaine is an extremely addictive and powerful central nervous system stimulant drug that is derived from coca leaves. In the early 1900s, the purified chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, was isolated from the plant and was used as a main active ingredient in many elixirs and tonics that were used for medical purposes. Today, cocaine is a schedule II drug. This means that it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. As a street drug, cocaine looks like a white, powdery substance.

Cocaine works by sending high levels of dopamine to the parts of the brain that control pleasure.  High levels of dopamine cause high levels of energy and alertness that creates a high feeling. Cocaine has many short-term and long-term side effects on the body.

Short-term side effects of cocaine addiction include:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased breathing
  • Dilated pupils
  • Disturbed sleep patterns
  • Nausea
  • Hyperstimulation
  • Erratic behavior
  • Irritability
  • Intense euphoria
  • Paranoia
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite

The long-term and chronic side effects of cocaine abuse include:

  • Permanent damage to the heart and brain
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver, kidney, and lung damage
  • Destruction to the nasal cavity
  • Hallucinations
  • Tooth decay
  • Extreme exhaustion
  • Disorientation
  • Infertility
  • Irritability and/or mood changes
  • Psychosis
  • Severe depression
  • Malnutrition and weight loss

While weight loss is one of the “side effects” of cocaine abuse, it’s a dangerous health issue and only adds to a list of side effects that severely damage the body over time. It’s not healthy and leads to weight loss that weakens the body. If anyone is contemplating using cocaine as a weight-loss tool, they are playing with fire.

Does Cocaine Abuse Make You Lose Weight?

Cocaine and Weight Loss

There is a general association of weight loss with cocaine use due to its appetite suppressing abilities. It has always been thought that cocaine users to eat less because it is an appetite suppressant, but it can actually change the way the body digests food and stores food for later by changing the way the body metabolizes food.

This causes users to become unnaturally thin and malnourished. Oddly enough, a cocaine user’s body will continue to get thinner and thinner even though they tend to eat diets consisting of higher amounts of high-fat and high-calorie foods. Having a severe and speedy dip in weight can wreak havoc on a person’s heart, liver, and kidneys. According to an article posted by NIH:

The cocaine-dependent men in our study reported increased food intake, specifically in foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates, but there was no concomitant increase in body weight. In short, our findings challenge the widely held assumptions that cocaine use leads to weight loss through a global suppression of appetite. Rather, they suggest a profound metabolic alteration that needs to be taken into account if we are to understand fully the deleterious physical consequences of repeated use of this drug.

Eating solid and healthy meals is difficult if you’re using cocaine, and it starts to show on your body rather quickly because you can become malnourished.  Once you’re addicted to this dangerous stimulant, it’s important to reach out for professional help.

Overcome Cocaine Addiction

Consequently, when a person gets sober, a user could experience excessive weight gain once cocaine use has stopped. It is helpful to know that overeating during early sobriety is very common and should level out.

The best and safest option to get off cocaine is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling. We offer partial care and outpatient treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one on one, group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs. Addiction treatment requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. Addiction isn’t an easy thing to face and the health risks are not worth a short high.

You do not have to face getting sober from cocaine on your own. Our admissions counselors and addiction professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it!

FAQ

  • How much weight do people typically lose when using Cocaine?

Published on: 2020-05-08
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Can You Potentiate Xanax?

Xanax, or alprazolam, is a very powerful benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders and can even be used as a muscle relaxant during medical procedures. It was created to take the place of barbiturates believing benzos would be less addictive. However, this is far from the truth. It is extremely addictive when used long term. Xanax is the most commonly prescribed Benzodiazepine in the United States. According to the NIH:

Between 1996 and 2013, the number of adults who filled a benzodiazepine prescription increased by 67%, from 8.1 million to 13.5 million. In 2015, 23 percent of people who died of an opioid overdose also tested positive for benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax are not typically primary drugs that are abused. This means they are commonly used in combination with other drugs. They are commonly mixed with narcotic pain medications, alcohol, stimulants, and illegal opiates such as heroin.

Can You Potentiate Xanax?

Potentiation of Xanax

When a user mixes two or more different drugs at the same time, they heighten the risk of experiencing effects that are different than what they would feel taking a drug individually. There are different kinds of reactions a person will have depending on what is mixed together. The four major groups are:

  • Antagonism: This happens when one drug reduces the effect of another drug. For example, taking Xanax while taking cocaine at the same time will reduce the effects of both the cocaine and the Xanax taken.
  • Synergism: This happens when two or more drugs work jointly to produce a therapeutic effect.
  • Interactions: With a person, metabolism will occur in multiple places in the body and can either facilitate or slow down the elimination of the drug from one’s system.
  • Potentiation: Happens when the effects of one drug strengthen the effects of another drug. For instance, taking Xanax with alcohol will produce and enhancement of the depressant effects in both things that are taken.

The potentiation of Xanax occurs when a person abuses Xanax with other central nervous system depressants mixed in for a synergetic effect. This can include drugs like narcotic pain medications, alcohol, sedatives, cannabis, and other benzo products. When taken on their own, central nervous system depressants result in reduced blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and reaction time that will result in effects such as poor coordination, poor balance, impaired reflexes, and impaired judgment. When taking central nervous system depressants with other depressants, you will potentiate these effects. Different potentiating effects are depending on the doses of each drug. It is important to know that the amount of a drug that can produce an overdose is decreased when combined with other central nervous system depressants.

Get Help Now With Xanax Addiction

If you or someone you love are ready to take the necessary steps to get sober, the best way to start is with a medically assisted detox process. Due to the brains rewiring after prolonged use, withdrawal symptoms can be extremely intense and even deadly when you abruptly stop. These symptoms include seizures, coma, hallucinations, muscle pain, and cramping, and even suicidal thoughts, to name a few. Medical detox is always recommended and your doctors will come up with the best plan for you to safely detox the benzos from your system.

Once you have detoxed, the best and safest option to get off of and stay off Benzodiazepines is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling We offer many different treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one on one, group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs. Benzodiazepine treatment requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. We want to make sure you have the tools you need to avoid relapse in the real world.

Addiction isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.

FAQ

  • What potentiate’s Xanax?
  • What chemicals potentiate benzodiazepines, antagonize them or have an adverse reaction when mixed?
  • What can cause a Xanax overdose?

Published on: 2020-04-25
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Can You Get High on DXM Cough Syrup?

Dextromethorphan, also known as DXM, is an active ingredient cough suppressant in cough medicines. Dextromethorphan (DXM) on its own can cause a high, however, it is most often found in cold and flu medicines that can enhance the effects of DXM when taken synergically. Other ingredients found are things like acetaminophen or pseudoephedrine. When this is taken as directed, the drug is very safe and effective. However, when it is taken in large doses, it can cause a psychedelic effect. The effects can range from similarity to marijuana to ecstasy to PCP. The high will generally begin to start within 15-30 minutes after consumption and last anywhere from 3- 6 hours. According to an article written by the DEA:

There were 12,077 case mentions, 9,223 single exposures, and one death related to dextromethorphan preparations (not otherwise classified or in combination with other substances) for 2016.

Recreation use of DXM cough syrup is extremely dangerous and also has a high likelihood of being abused. If you or a loved one abuse DXM recreationally, getting help for your addiction is very important if you want to be healthy.

Can You Get High on DXM Cough Syrup?

What Does A DXM Cough Syrup High Look Like?

DXM has been known to become habit-forming and has an intoxicating effect when taken in high doses. Repeated use of high doses can do serious damage to a person’s body. Not only is the risk for overdose very likely, but it also impairs a person’s cognitive function and memory. It is very possible to abuse this drug and it can even cause a life-threatening overdose. When a person is high on DXM, the symptoms will include:

  • Numbness
  • Impaired motor skills
  • Audio hallucinations
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Dissociative experiences
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate
  • An agitated state
  • An elevated body temperature

Signs and symptoms of a dextromethorphan overdose include:

  • Breathing problems such as irregular or shallow breathing
  • Bluish colored lips and fingernails (due to lack of oxygen)
  • Blurred vision
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach or intestinal pain
  • Blacking out
  • Restlessness
  • Hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Changes to blood pressure
  • Heart palpitations
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Muscle twitching

If someone is overdosing on DXM cough syrup, they will require immediate medical help. There are no drugs that can counteract an overdose on this drug so the only way to survive is with the help of medical professionals. This is so the patient can be stabilized and monitored until they are no longer in a life-threatening situation.

How Can I get Sober from DMX Abuse?

If you or someone you love are ready to take the necessary steps to get sober, the best way to start is with a medically assisted detox process. Withdrawal symptoms are very likely with a person who is abusing or addicted to DXM cough syrup. They will experience things like insomnia, cold flashes, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle and bone aches, weight loss, as well as strong cravings for the drug which makes it that much harder to get off of them on your own. Medical detox is always recommended and your doctors will come up with the best plan for you to safely detox the DXM cough syrup from your system.

Once you have detoxed, the best and safest option to get off of and stay off this drug is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling. We offer many different treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one on one, group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs. Treatment for this drug requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. We want to make sure you have the tools you need to avoid relapse in the real world.

Addiction and abuse aren’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.

Published on: 2020-04-17
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Benefits of a Service Pet for Recovering Addicts

Staying sober is harder than getting sober. This statement is something that most addicts and treatment professionals agree on. Detox and quitting their drug of choice is extremely difficult and dangerous as physical withdrawals can last from days to weeks to months. Once the initial detox is over, the question then is, what next? The goal is to not relapse and to ultimately create a life that you don’t want to let go of.

To obtain long term sobriety, the addict must address and heal the mental and emotional causes of their substance abuse. Many addicts suffer from a mental illness and their substance abuse is a form of self-medication. Anxiety, social isolation, depression, loneliness, and suicidal ideation are all effects of mental illness. When not addressed during recovery, the chance of relapse multiplies. Depending on how long they have been self-medicating as a way to avoid their feelings, the addict will have no idea how to move forward and tackle emotions and fears daily.

Benefits of a Service Pet for Recovering Addicts

How can a Service Pet Help You in Recovery?

Service dogs are a proven way to help the addict recover and stay sober. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to help those with mental health disorders or disabilities and are trained specifically to meet the individual’s needs based on their mental illness as well as the severity of the disorder. If there is not a specified mental health disorder, the recovering addict can still be helped by the companionship of a service pet because they help relieve anxiety and lessen symptoms of depression. Some of the many benefits include: reducing negative emotions, coping mechanisms for stress, mood boosters, encouraging responsibility and healthy habits in daily life.

Addicts can be prone to a negative mindset, which hinders their recovery and causes anxiety, shame, guilt, and loneliness. The unconditional love of a service pet can soothe the addict and reduce their feelings of isolation. This encourages a more positive outlook on their life and environment and the addict will begin to develop healthy daily habits and hobbies. Addicts are encouraged to develop interests in healthy activities that will take them outside of their minds. As we all know, the mind can be our own worst enemy, and service dogs can help change the addict’s mindset. Taking care of a service dog requires grooming, bathing, playing with, feeding, and walking their pet. This allows the addict to think of positive ways to plan out their day because they have someone else to care for.

Get into Good Habits to Erase the Bad Ones

Caring for their service pet can also create positive reinforcement for the addict and they will see the benefits of positive daily habits. The addict will see that if they care for their pet each day, the pet stays happy and healthy. The addict, in turn, sees it is possible to take care of themselves and maintain their health and happiness, and therefore their sobriety.

Social isolation is much less of a choice when the addict has a pet to care for. Service dogs require daily walks, during which the addict might be “forced” to stop and engage in simple conversations. Having a scheduled activity that they are responsible for will, in turn, get the addict to wake up, shower, get dressed, make their bed, and put food out for their pet. In doing these little things for someone else, the addict will start developing a routine and begin caring for themselves as well. All of these are steps that can either help in pulling a person out of depression or keep it at bay.

The simple fact that the addict now has someone to love and that depends on them to stay alive can keep the addict motivated to make better choices and avoid relapse. Many addicts have low self-worth and self-esteem. They might think of themselves as unloved or unlovable. A cat that playfully runs around and paws at you or a dog that barks loudly and jumps up and down when you enter a room is unconditional love. This is a feeling that the addict has been chasing their whole lives and they will be motivated to stay sober.
Service pets can also increase an addict’s sense of trust and loyalty.

Addicts can have experiences that have caused them to become distrusting of the world. Animals are known for their loyalty and of course, they cannot be dishonest! A service pet can change this outlook for the addict and allow them to start having faith in others, but in a safe way. This is part of one of the most beneficial factors of working with a service pet – PTSD symptoms. Their calming and soothing effect on people – just the rhythm of their breathing or cuddling with their soft fur – can bring peace. The combination of this peaceful presence with the security that a dog, for example, can bring, is a great way to heal from PTSD.

Recreate Life Counseling is Here to Help

Recreate Life Counseling in Boynton Beach is an outpatient treatment center that teaches the addict how to achieve, maintains, and enjoy a new way of life in long term recovery. We offer a PHP program of Day / Night Treatment with Community Housing. We engage the addict in therapy and activities that will teach life skills and behaviors to prevent relapse. It is so important to one’s sobriety to have the ability to care for yourself and someone else, and our staff teaches the addict how to do this in a healthy and safe environment. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, please reach out and a Recreate Life Counseling staff member will be happy to help you begin your new life in recovery.

Published on: 2020-03-21
Updated on: 2024-04-18

What Does Snorting Cocaine Feel Like?

Cocaine, a potent central nervous system stimulant derived from coca leaves, has a long and tumultuous history. Originally utilized in the early 1900s for its anesthetic properties, it wasn’t long before its addictive nature became apparent. Today, despite its Schedule II classification indicating its high potential for abuse, cocaine remains a prevalent street drug, typically appearing as a white, powdery substance.

what does coke feel like

One of the most common methods of consuming cocaine is through snorting. This involves inhaling the powdered form through the nasal passages, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. For many users, the experience of snorting cocaine or substance use is intense and immediate.

So, what does it really feel like? What are its side effects? 

What Does a Cocaine High Feel Like?

Because cocaine is a local anesthetic, it causes numbness to the throat, mouth, and tongue when it is snorted. It can be described as tasting and smelling very chemically or much like gasoline, depending on what the cocaine is mixed with. Since this is an illegal street drug, the smell and taste can vary. In its pure form, it should smell sweet and somewhat floral. Snorting cocaine also tends to burn your nose when first inhaled before becoming numb and will drip down your throat from your nasal cavity long after it is initially snorted.

When you snort cocaine, it is described as a feeling of alertness, energy, and power. One of the main effects of cocaine use is that a person who snorts cocaine feels an intensely pleasurable feeling known as euphoria. This feeling of euphoria is short-term and generally only lasts for about 30 minutes. This feeling happens because cocaine stimulates the brain by affecting how it processes dopamine, which is associated with regulating pleasure responses. People will also feel hyper-stimulated, have reduced fatigue, be more talkative than usual, have an increased libido, be numb to physical and mental pain, and cannot comprehend the danger,

On the flip side, it is also possible to experience anxiety, agitation, restlessness, mood swings, and paranoia. Also, when cocaine is taken over a long period of time, the user can experience these opposite effects during a cocaine high, including sadness and isolation from other people.

Immediately after snorting cocaine, the user will have the following physical symptoms:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Nosebleeds 
  • Runny nose that might lead to sinus infections affecting the sense of smell
  • Constricted blood vessels
  • Increased heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • Muscle tension
  • High body temperature resulting in increased sweat
  • Potentially diarrhea or increased bathroom use

Health Risks of Cocaine Abuse

Repeated cocaine use or other form of stimulant drug use can cause a wide variety of health effects or health problems in the user’s body and could have long-term effects. The consequences of long-term cocaine use include:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Chest pains
  • Hypertension
  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Weight loss
  • Impaired thinking and cerebral atrophy
  • Bizarre or aggressive behavior
  • Heart attack or stroke

Getting Clean From Cocaine

For those struggling with cocaine addiction or cocaine users, seeking treatment is crucial. Detoxification (detox) programs can help individuals safely withdraw from cocaine and manage withdrawal symptoms, while rehabilitation programs offer therapy and support to address the underlying issues driving substance abuse. Additionally, medications, medical advice, and behavioral health therapies tailored to cocaine addiction can aid in long-term recovery and reduce the risk of relapse.

In addition to powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, a crystallized form of the drug, is also widely abused. Smoking crack delivers a rapid and intense high, often leading to compulsive use and addiction. The impact on physical and mental health can be severe, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare interventions to address the complex challenges of cocaine addiction and drug abuse.

Furthermore, addiction treatment requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. The best and safest option to get off cocaine is using one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling, a treatment center. We provide partial care and outpatient treatment options that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one-on-one group therapy and many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs.

Addiction isn’t easy to face, and the health risks are not worth a short high. You do not have to face getting sober from cocaine on your own. Our admissions counselors and addiction professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it!

Published on: 2020-01-13
Updated on: 2024-04-02

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At Recreate Life Counseling, we understand that the journey to recovery can be daunting without the proper support. We're here to listen, understand your challenges, and offer personalized guidance as you consider a life free from drugs and alcohol. Our admissions team is ready to assist you, whether you're looking for treatment, need advice, or simply want someone to talk to!

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