Drug Detox

The difference between addiction and physical dependence is that addiction is a complex disease that generally implies a physical dependence on drugs. It’s easy to get these two terms mixed up. But when it comes to the “addiction vs. dependence” debate, it’s important to know the difference.

Fortunately, we’re here to help you understand how addiction and dependence differ. The more you educate yourself on the topic, the better prepared you’ll be to help yourself or someone you love. Keep reading to learn more about the characteristics of addiction and physical dependence.

What is Physical Dependence?

Physical dependence means that an individual can’t function regularly without the use of a substance. This dependency on a drug interferes with their ability to fulfill the responsibilities of their daily lives. Drugs alter the chemical makeup of your brain. Over time, these chemical changes lead to tolerance. 

Tolerance occurs when you need more of a particular substance to achieve the same high initially felt at a lower dose. This occurs as a result of your body becoming used to the substance. 

When an individual who depends on drugs tries to stop using them, they start developing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are your body’s response to learning how to function without the drug. Withdrawal symptoms range in severity but are usually pretty discomforting.

These symptoms can include nausea, headaches, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and many others. Dependence can also be a tell-tale sign that addiction is about to or already taking place. 

What is Addiction?

Addiction occurs when an individual continues to partake in substance abuse despite negative consequences. They may want to stop, but feel like they lost control and can’t. Similarly to dependence, addiction is a result of chemicals changing in the brain.

As these changes take place, the brain’s reward and motivation system become affected. These effects have serious negative consequences. Addiction takes a toll on individual physical, mental, and emotional health. All areas of their life can become severely affected by the disease.

What is the Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?

Physical dependence is generally what causes tolerance and withdrawal (physical effects), while addiction has a more significant mental component. It’s possible to be dependent on a drug without necessarily having an addiction. For example, many individuals may have caffeine withdrawals without being addicted to coffee. 

In other words, getting a headache after skipping your morning coffee doesn’t mean you have a caffeine addiction. On the other hand, you can also be addicted to a drug without having a physical dependency on it. 

Cocaine addiction generally causes no major withdrawal symptoms, but still prompts compulsive behaviors and neurological changes. This is also similar to something like a gambling addiction. 

With addiction, there are changes taking place in the reward system of your brain that causes compulsive drug-seeking behavior. These changes are different from those that cause tolerance or withdrawal.

What are the Signs of a Physical Dependence on Drugs or Alcohol?

The signs of physical dependence vary depending on the drug, length of use, as well as dosage. Physical dependence often shows itself in withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are how your body adapts to functioning without the substance. 

Some physical symptoms that are generally experienced during withdrawal include:

In certain cases, the more difficult stage of drug withdrawal is the second, post-acute phase. This phase doesn’t occur with every individual. 

However, there are many cases in which a severe dependence on drugs leads to acute withdrawal symptoms. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) must be treated in a medically-accredited treatment center.

Our trained staff of professionals will help you to alleviate these symptoms and keep you safe. The symptoms of PAWS include:

How Do I Know If I Have an Addiction?

Recognizing the signs of drug or alcohol addiction as early on as possible is key. Addiction is a severe disease that affects the person from the inside out. 

Issues with relationships, your job or school, and legal complications stemming from substance use can be a major warning sign. Addiction tends to take over an individual’s life making them feel like they have no control. Their addiction runs their daily life.

When assessing yourself or a loved one for addiction, it’s crucial, to be honest, and self-aware. Sometimes we lie to ourselves as a form of protection. 

But the truth will be the only thing that sets you free. Once you’re honest about where you or a loved one is, you can seek help and support.

Questions that are helpful to ask include:

The Statistics of Drug and Alcohol Addiction/Dependence

Although physical dependence and addiction have different definitions, they often intertwine. In many cases, an individual with addiction is also dealing with a physical dependence on the drug. 

As we navigate physical dependence vs. addiction, it’s helpful to be aware of how our nation is impacted. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that 19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017.

Nearly 74% of adults struggled with an alcohol use disorder in 2017 as well. Furthermore, 8.5 million American adults suffered from both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, also known as co-occurring disorders, in 2017. These statistics are a wake-up call. We must help our loved ones and communities overcome the shackles of addiction. 

How Can I Get Help for Drug Addiction or Physical Dependence?

Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for drug addiction and physical dependence. We’ll customize a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs. 

With the right resources and support, you can overcome addiction. Keep reading to get a better understanding of treatment services that our recovery center offers. 

Detoxification 

The first step of treatment is generally the detox process. This is when your body rids itself of harmful chemicals accumulated as a result of addiction. 

In many instances, medical intervention is a part of detoxification. Because the body becomes dependent, withdrawal symptoms occur as a result. Medication can help alleviate a lot of the discomfort felt during the detox process. 

Attempting a program without first going through detox will only mean distraction and less effective treatment. You will also leave yourself open to a higher chance of relapse in the future. A drug detox center allows your body to rebalance itself and will enable you to begin learning how to manage your cravings.  

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment, also known as inpatient rehabilitation, is the most intensive level of care. Inpatient treatment provides around-the-clock medical care and support. 

These treatment programs usually last between 28 to 90 days. The recovering individual will also live at our center as they undergo addiction treatment.

Residential treatment includes services such as:

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Partial hospitalization is a step down from residential treatment, but more intensive than outpatient rehabilitation. Patients typically take part in PHPs when they experience severe symptoms, but not severe enough for 24/7 supervision.

Members of a PHP will travel to our recovery center three to five days a week for several hours each day. Treatment will incorporate many of the same treatment services in residential treatment. PHPs are especially beneficial for those with responsibilities outside of treatment such as taking care of a child or attending school. 

Outpatient Treatment

An outpatient treatment program is the most flexible treatment option for those seeking addiction recovery. Individuals will travel to our recovery center with the ability to return home after. Scheduled sessions that take place at various agreed-upon times each week. This is ideal for patients who have a stable at-home environment or need an aftercare option.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

An IOP is also referred to as an intensive outpatient program. An intensive outpatient program is made up of regularly scheduled sessions for addiction and co-occurring disorders treatment. 

IOPs offer flexibility while still making time for rigorous treatment. The American Society of Addiction Medicine Levels of care guidelines states that intensive outpatient programs must last between nine and 20 hours per week. Services offered in an intensive outpatient program include evidence-based therapies, support groups, and access to certain amenities. 

Addiction vs. Dependence, You Can Begin the Road to Recovery Today!

At Coastal Detox, our goal is to pave the path for long-term sobriety and a life of newfound fulfillment. We believe that every individual holds enormous potential. With the right tools, you can uncover your potential and rediscover the joys of life.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can contact us here to begin your recovery journey today.

What is a Residential Treatment Program?

A residential treatment program is a form of inpatient drug rehab for people who are dealing with mental illness and substance use addiction. This type of program requires people to live at the facility where they are receiving treatment. Residential treatment is for people with a long and severe history of addiction that requires a high level of monitoring. 

Types of Residential Treatment

1. Short-term Residential Treatment

Short-term residential treatment programs require their members to live in a treatment facility while participating in a rehab program for anywhere from a couple of weeks to 6 months. 

2. Long-Term Residential Treatment

Long-term residential treatment programs require their members to live in a treatment facility while participating in a rehab program for anywhere from 6 months to 12 months. 

Differences Between Residential Treatment and Other Forms of Treatment

Residential Treatment vs. Regular Inpatient Rehab

Although residential treatment and regular inpatient drug rehab both require their members to live in a drug rehab facility of some sort, the environment that the members must live in each of these two rehab options is very different. For one, during inpatient rehab, members must spend part of their time staying in a hospital. This is partly because people that need inpatient rehab still need to participate in some sort of detox. 

On the other hand, during residential treatment, members do not have to stay in a hospital at any time, as they are usually further along in their detox. In fact, the rehab facility that residential treatment members must stay in is very much like a comfortable home or housing community. 

Although both residential treatment and regular inpatient treatment are made for people suffering from intense levels of addiction that require high levels of monitoring, inpatient rehab requires more restrictions and monitoring than residential rehab. 

Residential Treatment vs. Outpatient Treatment

Again, residential treatment requires its members to live in the facility that they will receive their rehab treatment in. Outpatient treatment very much differs from residential treatment in that during outpatient treatment, the members can live at home while going to a rehab center once or twice a week for 1 or 2 hours.

Unlike residential treatment, which is for people with little to no control over their addiction and health, outpatient treatment is for people that are relatively healthy and are far along in their addiction recovery journey. 

Residential Treatment vs. Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Similar to outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment allows its members to live at home and just make trips to a rehab facility to receive treatment. The main difference between regular outpatient rehab and intensive outpatient rehab is in the amount of time that you must spend at a rehab facility once you go there. 

During regular outpatient rehab, you only need to go to a rehab facility for treatment once or twice a week for 1 or 2 hours. On the other hand, during intensive outpatient treatment, you have to go to the rehab facility around 3 times a week for around 3 hours each time. 

Residential Treatment vs. Partial Hospitalization Treatment

Residential treatment differs from partial hospitalization treatment in many ways. For one, residential treatment requires its members to live at the inpatient drug rehab center during treatment. On the other hand, partial hospitalization is another form of treatment that does not require its patients to live and stay overnight at a rehab facility. 

Although partial hospitalization treatment does not require its patients to live and stay overnight at a rehab facility, it is still very different from standard outpatient treatment. This is because, during partial hospitalization treatment, patients must attend treatment at a rehab facility for around 7 or 8 hours a day before returning home. In other words, partial hospitalization treatment patients live all day at their treatment facilities but stay the night at their own homes. 

Another difference between partial hospitalization treatment and residential treatment is that partial hospitalization treatment requires its patients to spend some time receiving medical attention at a hospital during the time that they are in treatment. This differs from residential treatment in which members do not have to spend any time in a hospital.

Residential vs. Inpatient Outpatient Treatment

Residential treatment also differs from inpatient outpatient treatment in many ways. For one, in inpatient outpatient treatment, members do not have to leave the comfort of their home to receive treatment. Instead, medical professionals and therapists come to the members’ home multiple times a week to give them treatment. This is unlike residential treatment in which its members must live in the inpatient drug rehab center where they are receiving treatment while receiving treatment. 

Signs That You May Need to Enter a Residential Treatment Program

Should You Still Seek Residential Treatment During a Pandemic?

During a pandemic such as COVID-19, you may be wondering if seeking residential treatment for your addiction is a good idea right now. Well, we are here to tell you that it most definitely is! 

You should never hold back on receiving the physical and mental health help that you need, even during a pandemic such as the coronavirus. This is especially true since we do not know how long the current COVID-19 pandemic will last. Besides, you will be more able to fight off the virus if you are clean, sober, and healthy.

When it comes to seeking out a residential addiction treatment program, just make sure that the treatment facility that you choose is taking all the necessary precautions to keep you and the other members at the facility healthy and safe during the pandemic. 

Necessary Health Precautions at Residential Treatment Programs During a Pandemic

1. Testing Their Members and Workers

When looking at possible residential treatment programs to attend during a pandemic like the one we’re currently facing, check to see if they are testing possible members prior to accepting them.

Does the residential inpatient drug rehab center that you are considering attending ever ask to test you? Or does it require you to test yourself for the current virus prior to allowing you to live in the facility? If not, may not be a safe enough facility for you to attend during these times. 

2. Medical Staff Is On Hand

During a pandemic, it is vital that you have access to a medical team at all times. Having constant access to doctors and nurses while in a residential treatment center will make it possible for you to safely continue staying at the center if you were to ever get sick.

3. Limiting the Number of People That They Are Accepting at Their Facilities

When looking at possible residential treatment programs to attend during the pandemic, make sure that they are limiting the number of people they are allowing to stay at the center at one time. 

You should also ensure that the residential treatment center is following any capacity limitation rules set forth by the state. If you find that they are not abiding by their state’s capacity rules, look at attending another facility. 

4. Practicing Social Distancing

Like everyone else, the residents within a residential treatment facility should be standing around 6 ft apart from one another when possible to maintain social distancing during the pandemic.

Before signing up to receive treatment at a residential inpatient drug rehab center, make sure to inquire about whether or not they are practicing social distancing. Also, if you ever get the chance to visit the facility prior to deciding on becoming a member, watch to see if everyone is social distancing themselves.

5. Utilizing Telehealth Services 

To maintain social distancing during a pandemic, every residential treatment program should utilize technology to provide its members with treatment and therapy services from a distance. Technology that provides treatment and therapy services is called telehealth treatment. 

6.  Wearing Masks

When residing in a residential treatment program facility during a pandemic, it is vital that everyone wears their masks as much as possible. If a residential treatment center does not provide its members with complimentary masks or require all its members to wear masks during a pandemic, it may not be the safest option for you.

7. Disinfecting/Sanitizing Their Facilities

All residential treatment centers should take extra measures to intensely disinfect their facilities on a regular basis during a pandemic. Before registering to live in a residential treatment center, ask about any cleaning measures that the facility is taking. If the facility is not taking any particular measures to stay germ-free, consider going to another residential treatment center.

8. Clear Procedures and Measures are in Place for When Someone Receives the Virus

Any residential treatment center should have clear procedures and measures in place for when someone gets the coronavirus at this time. For example, a residential treatment center should already have a procedure ready for when a member or worker needs to be quarantined.

Coastal Detox is The Treatment Facility to Go to During the Pandemic

If you are looking to attend a residential treatment center as soon as possible, look no further than Coastal Detox’s very own inpatient residential treatment program. Our residential treatment program offers standard holistic treatment services and amenities. It also provides continuous medical, clinical, and psychiatric care. 

Due to the highly equipped medical and clinical staff at our residential treatment program, there is no better place to receive residential treatment during a pandemic than at one owned by a detox center such as Coastal Detox. 

There’s no need to wait any longer to find the hope you need at this time. Addiction does not have to be a part of your life any more. You can find freedom today! To learn more about Coastal Detox and our inpatient treatment program, contact us through phone or message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The short answer is, ambulatory detox is a detoxification program that works on an outpatient basis. Most people describe the home setting as their preferred choice for supervised detoxification. Many more might be willing to initiate detox if they can do it at home.

The patient is supervised in their home by a caregiver and receives daily visits from a registered nurse or a general practitioner during ambulatory detox. The process needs to be monitored, just as it does in a treatment center and the suitable interventions used. 

The addiction epidemic in America has become a driving force that calls for creative treatment programs that can produce results efficiently. The cost of continuing with the status quo is too great in terms of human lives.

The Goals of Home-based Detox

Some of the things an outpatient or home-based detox program seeks to achieve are as follows:

How Ambulatory Detox Can Help You

High Success Rate

An ambulatory detox pattern gives patients a combined approach that brings a high success rate at a lower cost, compared to a traditional inpatient treatment type. 

Although not welcome in the traditional treatment community, this innovative method of detoxing people off alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates in an outpatient setting has proven to be effective.

It is understandable why there is resistance to welcoming this type of treatment. Detoxification from alcohol and benzodiazepines had never been tried on an outpatient basis because of the risk of seizures and stroke when patients go home each day.

Significant Saving

This treatment model can save patients a substantial amount of money. Even though the length of time spent at the detox level is greater in ambulatory detox, the cost of care is about 40% lower. This is accomplished by eliminating the overnight stays. This is the unicorn in the field of medicine. Better outcomes in medicine typically come at a significantly higher cost.

Less Disturbance at Home

Outpatient detox is usually more acceptable to patients because it doesn’t disrupt the home situation to be able to access treatment. This helps reduce the stigma of the disease by normalizing it. People with other chronic diseases like diabetes do not require that the patient be confined in a hospital.

Integration with Home Environment

The patient will eventually have to learn to live in his or her home environment. Outpatient detox makes it easier to tailor therapy to meet the patient’s needs in the specific home environment. This helps the patient learn to cope with his actual living conditions.

Family Involvement

The support system for any patient is his loved ones and family members. Ambulatory detox gives them a better chance to be involved in the treatment, with the consent of the patient. Family participation assures the patient of a higher level of support at home and to maintain sobriety over the long-term.

Longer Length of Stay

Because ambulatory care is less expensive, health insurance providers are able to extend the length time in treatment. As a result of this, medication can be tapered more slowly and patients are able to take part in therapy and start making changes that strengthen their sobriety.

Because of this, the treatment community is now more convinced that ambulatory detox is a safe alternative to inpatient treatment.

Who Can Benefit from Ambulatory Detox?

Home detoxification is appropriate if:

It has been estimated that almost 50% of the patients who visit a primary care provider have some sort of issue related to substance use. And, since the physician may be the first contact for them, the start of treatment often begins in the family doctor’s office. 

Physicians need to be cautious when determining who may go through an ambulatory detox safely. Generally, outpatient treatment is just as effective as inpatient treatment for patients with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. The ambulatory model is helpful for younger patients who might have a fear of being sent away for treatment. This motivates them to not hide their addiction from their parents.

Ambulatory Detox: Levels of Care

Ambulatory detox without extensive onsite observation—This level of detoxification is an organized outpatient service. This level is designated Level I-D by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). It may take place in an office setting, healthcare or addiction treatment facility, or the patient’s home. 

Service is supplied by trained medical professionals. They provide medically-supervised evaluation, detoxification, and referral services according to a preset schedule, and in regularly scheduled sessions.

This level of care is appropriate only when a helpful and positive social network is available for the patient. Detox services should be designed to treat the patient’s level of addiction severity. This will enable a safe and comfortable withdrawal from drugs and ease the patient’s transition into treatment and recovery.

The ambulatory model is helpful for younger patients who might have a fear of being sent away for treatment. This motivates them to not hide their addiction from their parents.

Ambulatory detox with extended onsite observation (ASAM Level II-D)—The availability of appropriately credentialed and licensed nurses is essential to this level of care. They monitor the patient over several hours each day of service. Alternatively, this level of detoxification is also an outpatient service. 

Similar to Level I-D, in this level of care, services are provided during regularly scheduled services using a defined set of procedures and medical rules. Services are designed to treat the patient’s level of addiction severity and have a safe and comfortable withdrawal from drugs or alcohol and to ease the way into further treatment and recovery.

Matching the Patient with the Treatment

Addiction medicine has been seeking to develop an effective system of care that matches patients’ medical needs with the appropriate care environment. It needs to be matched in the least restrictive and cost-effective method. Obstacles to effective placement matching come from several factors.

About Least Restrictive Care

Least restrictive care refers to the civil rights of patients and their right to choose their care. There are four important points.

  1. Patients should be treated in settings that interfere least with their civil right and freedom to take part in society.
  2. Patients should be able to disagree with recommendations about their care. This includes the right to refuse care. It also includes the right to receive care in the setting of their choice. (This depends on the consideration of danger and mental competency.)

It gives the patient the right to get a higher or different level of care than what the physician had planned.

  1. Patients should be informed and participate in designing their plan for care.   This should be done in cooperation with their healthcare providers.
  2. There must be careful consideration of State laws and policies for patients who aren’t able to act in their own best interests. The legal complications of this issue will vary from state to state.

The Future for Inpatient Detox

Ambulatory detox treatment has shown some solid promise for further growth. But that doesn’t mean that inpatient facilities are in jeopardy. As mentioned previously, it may not be right for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options one may consider:

Medically-monitored inpatient detox—If you are intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal, this provides 24-hour supervision and support. The main objective, in this case, is to make sure the patient is stable enough to go to another level of care.

Residential detoxification—Residential detox programs provide 24-hour supervision and support for patients that are in withdrawal. Residential settings vary in the level of care provided. The facilities with intensive medical supervision including doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses are able to handle all but the most severe complications of withdrawal. Facilities with less intensive levels of care should have a collaborative relationship with a medical institution in the case of emergencies. 

Live the Addiction-Free Life You Deserve: Contact Coastal Detox Today!

You have the right to live a full life. Also, you have the right to think about more than getting the next supply of your drug of choice or alcohol. You have the right to find the treatment that can get you where you want to go. Coastal Detox can help you. You don’t have to do anything alone. 

Reach out to our team today; our compassionate and knowledgeable team can design a program that will get you on the road to recovery and health. What are you waiting for? It’s your right to live free from substance use disorder and we’re here to make that happen!

Self-care is made of measures you take to improve your well-being and general health. While it is often used in a context outside of addiction, self-care is an important part of addiction recovery. People will often use the term self-care to describe minor actions, such as a spa day or buying something expensive. But if they are short-term decisions, they won’t do much. Self-care is much more than that, and it is vital for everyone.

When it comes to self-care in addiction recovery, the role of these activities is to help in areas of life that detox alone won’t. The emotional aspect of recovery is just as important as the medical, physical, or psychological ones as well. Relapse has many stages, and one of them is emotional relapse. In fact, poor self-care is not only part of emotional relapse, but it can actually be a trigger for it.

Multiple factors in recovery can make someone fall back into old habits. Emotionally, those who struggled with addiction need to:

These and many other topics are part of why self-care is important through recovery. Self-care activities are meant to help address these issues and enable recovering addicts to get help. They take time, take work, and some might even seem too hard to go through. But in the long run, these will help prevent relapse, overcome addiction, and improve quality of life.

What Is Self-Care? 

Self-care should be comprised of several activities meant to help a recovering addict take care of themselves. Can the previously mentioned spa day count as self-care? Sure! But that alone will not be enough, since it is a one-time-only activity. Self-care should be several daily activities with the purpose of improving one’s general lifestyle, too. A person should come up with a self-care plan in order to make sure they are covering all the bases.

Because self-care activities will depend on a person’s preferences, personality, and needs, it will be different for each person. There isn’t really a readymade list, and each person will have to make their own self-care plan. There is no use in forcing yourself to do something perceived as self-care if it does you no good. You should consider what makes you feel better, and what you lack in your life. 

Self-care should not be harmful to you in any way. For instance, if traveling is on your list, you should do it in a way that will not make you stressed, anxious, or depressed. If you have seasonal depression, don’t go somewhere with few daylight hours. If you don’t like planes, consider a road trip. If you have a problem with gambling, avoid destinations like Las Vegas. You should take a lot into account when making your self-care plan.

How To Make a Self-Care Plan – 10 Useful Tips

When thinking of what to include in your self-care plan, there are a few categories of activities to pick from: mental, emotional (and/or spiritual), physical, social. Ideally, having a little bit of each should help you have a more balanced self-care plan. The whole point of the plan is to tackle as much as possible, in a way you’re comfortable with, so that you can work on everything while following it.

The different activities should be defined by the “owner” of the plan. However, there are some things to keep in mind when picking them that could help you make up your mind. Here are some tips on each of the categories:

Mental

1) Find balance in your short- and long-term plans – Having a routine is important for a number of reasons, and not just so you can organize yourself. It is important to know when to work and/or study and when to take time off. Save some time for the other important parts of your life, like socializing, having quality family time, working on a hobby, etc. 

This balance is also important in the long run. Vacations or breaks throughout the year should not be taken for granted. They should be a way to recharge your batteries. 

2) Disconnect once in a while – There’s no need to delete all of your social media accounts, but taking some time off could be beneficial. It is easy to become overstimulated and overwhelmed by social media without realizing it. And reading the news constantly might trigger a lot of negative emotions. You can try to cut down your daily time spent online, or maybe take one weekly day off. Whatever your job and routine allow you to do!

Emotional And/Or Spiritual 

3) Find counseling and/or therapy – Before, during, and after recovery, counseling and therapy are vital. From relapse prevention to mental health treatment, they are one of the pillars of recovery. For those who need prescription medication, psychotherapy is also highly recommended. Therapy groups, or support groups, are a crucial part of recovery, helping combat feelings of loneliness, purposelessness, and making you feel understood.

Counseling can also help you set goals and/or milestones for yourself and find out how you can follow through. This can also allow you to feel purposeful and acknowledge that you are growing. These are all ways to keep yourself on track and moving forward towards a healthy objective.

4) Keep a journal – Writing or recording what you feel is not only a great way to vent. It can actually help you acknowledge, recognize, and process your feelings. Recovery is a very emotional process, so being aware of your feelings is part of it. Registering your experiences will help you see how much you have evolved in the future, too.

Some people also keep what is called a mood journal. It is a good way to learn more about your emotions – what triggers them, recognize warning signs, and find a healthy coping mechanism. This in-depth analysis is a great way to understand yourself and to improve your behavior and attitude.

5) Holistic therapy and activities – From acupuncture to meditation, holistic medicine has been applied by numerous treatment centers. They have been proven effective in improving well-being and mindfulness. Many believe holistic therapy is a great way to help align the mind and the body through recovery. The natural imbalance that comes from substance abuse requires special attention that holistic therapy can provide.

Physical

6) Fix both exercising and sleeping habits – Exercising and sleeping well are important to help release important chemicals, such as endorphins. This will help a body that is out of balance due to prolonged substance abuse pick itself up. They also help improve your immune system along with brain functionality.

7) Have a healthy diet – Going on crazy diets is not the same as being healthy. You need to find the diet that works for you in terms of nutrition, routine, and even budget. Make sure to think of it as a way to “relearn” how to eat rather than a diet to lose weight or get muscular. Ultimately, your goal should be getting healthier. Avoiding foods that might be harmful to you is important, too, like caffeine or sugary snacks.

Social

8) Know who you should surround yourself with – Sobering up means making changes to your social circles. You need to have supportive people around you and cut all ties with negative influences. Be with people that respect your boundaries (i.e.: not going to bars) and your sober lifestyle.

9) Volunteer – Volunteering allows you to help others while also making new connections. It can be a great way to get to know your community and your neighbors. You can choose to do something specific to your skill set, or learn something completely new! In general, it is an opportunity to work on multiple items that are vital for recovery.

10) Adopt a pet – Studies have stated that having a pet can make you healthier and happier. An unconditional, loving friendship can elevate dopamine and serotonin levels. In layman’s terms, they can reduce stress levels and balance the mind. The act of caring for a pet and feeling loved by them are truly effective remedies.

Sail Through Recovery at Coastal Detox

Transitioning into a new, sober life is no easy feat, and it has an emotional toll. Having emotional support during recovery is as important as any other aspect of treatment. That is why we at Coastal Detox offer multiple services meant to help you emotionally as you recover.

Our center is equipped with a Holistic Room, Wellness Groups, a zen garden, and even a gym. This way, you will be able to actually fulfill many of your possible goals for your self-care plan!

If you have any questions or would like to have a tour of our facilities, contact us today. Our team will be happy to provide any information you need and guide you through the process of recovery. We believe in emotional, mental recovery, and we are here to support you!

Due to the recent appearance of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Coastal Detox wishes to inform you, our valued client, that our facility is taking the necessary steps to avoid the spread of the virus. We understand that you or your family may have concerns about safety and health as they relate to the global pandemic and our local facility. However, we seek to assure you that we are enforcing the most effective preventative measures possible. 

Here at Coastal Detox, we are committed to the health of each client and staff member who enters our building. With this in mind, we are striving to create a safe and healthy environment to ensure the comfort of each individual here at our facility.

Our detox center is taking the following steps to help prevent the spread of COIVD-19 here at our location:

We also would like to inform you that we are keeping a close eye on the developments and reports regarding the coronavirus and its effects. Our team is aware of the seriousness of this pandemic and we are committed to following suit with the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations throughout this time. 

If you have any further concerns about our safety measures and precautions here at Coastal Detox, please reach out to us today. We fully understand the concerns and questions you may have. Call us today, whether you are a current client, a potential client, or you have a family member who is a client. Our compassionate and understanding team will meet your questions with the best possible answers.

We know that this is a difficult time for everyone and we are working to make the best of these circumstances. So, if you are seeking help in working through the recovery process, please call us here at Coastal Detox. While COVID-19 is certainly causing many of the world’s events to pause, it should not prevent you from getting the help you need. 

We are waiting for your call here at Coastal Detox. Allow us to walk with you through what may be one of the most challenging seasons of your life. Together, we will make it through this time.

Alcohol and Cocaine Use: The Dangerous Facts

Alcohol and cocaine use are unfortunately commonly abused polysubstances. Every person that faces substance abuse and/or addiction has their own reasons for use; although it is common for a lot of users to share similar abuse stories, no ones story is completely the same. Many that abuse alcohol and cocaine together do so because it prolongs the “high” when combined versus using only one of the substances at a time and gives a false sense that things are better with the dual substance abuse. Let’s break down the substances individually and try to understand the real effects it has on our lives and bodies.

Alcohol Use – In this day and age, most adults regularly drink alcohol. 86.3 percent of all adults in the US ranging between the ages of 18 or older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime, according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In addition, it was reported that 70.1 percent of those adults had drank alcohol within the past year and 55.9 percent of which was reported that they had drank alcohol within the past 30 days. Although those numbers do not mean that those surveyed adults will have abuse or addiction associated with the use of alcohol, it does mean that the chance of abuse or addiction to alcohol can be more likely. 

The possible side effects of alcohol abuse are listed below:

Cocaine Use – Cocaine use in either powdered form or freebase, aka crack, is abused by numerous people within the United States. In 2015, it is reported by The Center for Disease Control (CDC) that 5.2 percent of people had used cocaine at some point within their lives. Although cocaine use is on a slow and steady decrease amongst most Americans, it was further reported by the CDC in 2016, that 2.3 percent of seniors in high school had tried cocaine in either powder or its freebase form. This is alarming for any person or parent in these already difficult times in which we all currently live. 

The possible side effects of cocaine abuse are listed below:

What is Polysubstance Abuse?

Polysubstance abuse or dependence means that someone is psychologically addicted to being in an intoxicated state with more than one substance at a time. There are a lot of substances for people to abuse but one of the most common abused polysubstances are alcohol and cocaine use. 

Ten Most Commonly Abused Substances in the United States:

Although there are many combinations of abused substances, there are some that are more commonly abused. Let’s explore some of these polysubstances.

Polysubstance Use: Alcohol and Cocaine

Alcohol and cocaine are the most commonly combined substances abused. When someone who drinks alcohol combines it with cocaine use, the amount of cocaine in their system is shown to increase by upwards of 30 percent. A psychoactive metabolite called cocaethylene, is produced by the body and remains in the blood for a much longer period of time, and is shown to increase blood pressure and the heart rate. This can be very dangerous because it can lead to more serious health problems within the body’s cardiovascular system. It is also more likely for the user to consume more alcohol since cocaine will reduce the perception of the effects of alcohol. 

Polysubstance Use: Opioids and Benzodiazepines

Opioids and benzodiazepine substances are central nervous system depressants. Combining the two substances can result in respiratory depression that can potentially lead to an overdose and often resulting in death. The combined substances restrict the oxygen flow to the brain which can cause permanent brain damage and/or impairment, even resulting in death. Benzodiazepines do not metabolize as quickly by drug users that are older in age, and it actually increases the risk of respiratory complications.

Polysubstance Use: Prescription and Illicit Drugs

Unfortunately, a lot of people “believe” that prescription drug use is safer to abuse than illicit drugs. Largely because the substances are prescribed by a medical doctor. This is simply not the case. Many prescription drugs are almost identical in their chemical formulation to those considered to be illicit drugs. Polysubstance use that includes prescription drugs is no less dangerous to the user than those that abuse substances that are considered illicit drugs. 

Alcohol and Cocaine Abuse and/or Addiction: How To Stop

No one sets out to be addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Some alcoholics and/or addicts don’t realize that they can get help to stop their polysubstance abuse with alcohol and cocaine by participating in detoxification (detox), or they may be too embarrassed or afraid to even ask for help. A drug detox program helps you do that in a safe, comfortable way. In the old days, people had to go through polysubstance detox and withdrawal on their own. This was not only unpleasant but in many cases unsafe and sometimes even resulting in death. Thankfully, insurance companies now consider drug and/or alcohol addiction to be a disease and this has safely created these types of addiction treatment centers. 

Detox programs were created to help you detox from polysubstance abuse from alcohol and cocaine in a medically supervised setting that is welcoming, compassionate and committed to helping you feel better. Going to a detox program ensures that you will be safe while detoxing, and also get the emotional support you need throughout the process. If you or someone you love is struggling with abuse from alcohol and/or cocaine, it is important to know that you are not alone and that addiction is a treatable illness that can be overcome with support, understanding and with medical professional help.

When seeking detox through addiction treatment programs from the use of alcohol and cocaine there are many factors to consider. For example, patient health, safety, comfort, and privacy are priorities for these types of treatment facilities. In addition to safe, effective medically supervised detox protocols, patients can expect to experience a variety of addiction treatment services and amenities.

Most Detox Programs Offer:

They also offer tranquil surroundings that help bring peace and a sense of calm. While going through the many stages of alcohol and cocaine detox, maintaining your privacy is also important. These treatment programs give addicts a real chance by ridding the body of alcohol and cocaine use and then assisting with a specially designed addiction treatment plan. 

Alcohol and Cocaine Detox Programs: Will Your Health Insurance Pay for Detox?

The answer is typically yes! However, most insurance companies require policyholders to choose from an approved medical provider list, and usually, there will be some costs associated with these types of addiction treatment programs like co-pays or cost-share insurance programs. Finding out what kind of health care insurance policy you have or what exactly is covered is important so contacting your insurance agent is one way to determine what you can afford. 

In addition, alcohol and cocaine detox programs have medical professionals on staff who are highly trained to assist you while dealing with insurance companies, and they can answer questions about coverage quickly and efficiently and even assist you with getting the approvals.

Coastal Detox: A Detox Program Ready to Provide the Help You Need to Stop Using Alcohol and Cocaine

If you need treatment for addiction from the use of alcohol and cocaine abuse, Coastal Detox, in sunny South Florida, is eager to help you fight and win the battle over polysubstance abuse. They have a long-trusted reputation within the addiction treatment industry and truly understand how valuable it is to have all the information you need for recovery. 

At Coastal Detox, providing the best care possible for their clients is the ultimate goal. Every person suffering from the holds of addiction from alcohol and cocaine can rest assured that their detox program is prepared to provide the best path towards your freedom from polysubstance abuse. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; Coastal Detox located in Stuart, Florida will help you along your journey as they have for thousands of others. For any and all inquiries, please call Coastal Detox today at (877) 406-6623 to speak with one of their addiction treatment specialists.

 

References:

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics

https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/10-most-common-addictions/

https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/alcohol/effects/

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/cocaine-use-and-its-effects#1

 

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