Intervention For Alcoholics, Addicts

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Watching someone you know struggle with the negative and destructive forces of drug abuse and addiction can be excruciating, to say the least.

An intervention is a structured way in which people who love and care about an addict can gather to confront that person about his or her addiction. Sometimes it is this very intervention that can mean the difference between recovery and addiction, and perhaps even life and death.

Alcoholic or Drug Addict Intervention

The desired outcome of an intervention is for the alcoholic or drug addict to agree to immediate treatment. Treatment can take several forms, such as outpatient, inpatient, AA and/or a drug and alcohol detox facility.

Good planning is a key to the potential success of the intervention for the drug addict or the alcoholic. Poorly-planned interventions can, in fact, make matters worse.

Intervention professionals (known as interventionists) or addiction specialists can be brought in to help before, during and after — especially if the addict has a history of violence, suicidal behavior, is addicted to multiple mood-altering substances and/or has a history or current signs of mental illness.

That same third-party intervention professional can help follow-up with the treatment plan and with the addict’s recovery. Intervention specialists can help toward avoiding relapse for the addict.

How To Help An Addict

Those who are addicted, in this case to drugs and alcohol, often do not see or even care about the potentially devastating effects their actions and addictions have on those around them. An intervention is a chance for loved ones to help the addict get back on the right path before it is too late.

Interventions are generally staged for those who are addicted, often dangerously so, to alcohol and drugs (including prescription medications as well as “street” drugs). Consulting an intervention specialist prior to the intervention will go a long way toward ensuring the positive results for the addict and for the loved ones looking for hope and help.

How To Do A Intervention

When it comes to planning and staging an intervention, there is much to keep in mind:

Pre-Planning: Having a pre-planned/arranged plan for treatment ready to present is a must.

Evidence: Preparing/presenting specific examples of the addict’s destructive behaviors along with their impact on those gathered as well as on the addict him or herself is important.

Boundaries Going Forward: It is important to be ready, emotionally and verbally, to be specific about a loved one will and will not longer do or accept should the drug or alcohol addict refuse treatment following the intervention.

Being Proactive: Not waiting until the addicted individual indicated that he or she wants or is ready for help. They may never offer such a possibility, and many a loved one has waited until it was tragically too late for the addict in their lives to indicate his or her readiness.

Attitude: Maintaining an attitude and approach of respect, kindness and no judgment no matter how the intervention is going.

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The Truth About Vicodin Addiction

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Vicodin, an opiate-based drug, is the go-to drug of choice for men and women of all ages and walks of life.  Vicodin addiction and addicts can be found in the suburbs, in the boardroom, in the classroom and elsewhere.

Vicodin is a brand name for the combination of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol, for instance) and hydrocodone, an opiate and painkiller. Working together, the two work to slow the production of pain causers in the body and lessen the sensations of pain overall. Vicodin, which as an opiate acts in the same way as heroin, is generally prescribed for pain over a set period of time; Vicodin dependency or addiction occurs when use goes beyond recommended dosages and treatment times.

Side Effects Of Vicodin

A person who is addicted to Vicodin or a similar opiate such as Norco or Lorcet, Because it is often easy to get and effective once used, Vicodin is often the addicted person’s go-to choice.

When someone who is addicted to opiates like Vicodin attempts to withdraw, symptoms such as these can be expected:

• Cold sweats
• Stomach issues, such as diarrhea or vomiting
• Significant and often unbearable pain
• Aching limbs
• Panic that seems to grow

Once someone is addicted to Vicodin, the effects can be immediate and continuous, eventually leading to serious health problems, such as liver damage/failure and even death. Those who are prescribed Vicodin should immediately let their doctors know if they have any of the following conditions:
To make sure you can safely take Vicodin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions: asthma; sleep apnea; low blood pressure; underactive thyroid; history of brain or heady injury or brain tumor; mental illness; adrenal gland disorders and/or a history of addiction to drugs and/or alcohol.

Vicodin Addiction Symptoms

As the addiction to a prescription substance like Vicodin grows, people find they need to take more and more in order to achieve the same effect. As the body builds a higher tolerance to the drug, some Vicodin abusers find themselves taking a hundred or more pills every day.

When taken with other substances such as alcohol or certain kinds of anti-depressants, symptoms related to Vicodin addiction such as these could occur:

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Hives, skin rashes
• Nausea
• Vision problems
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Loss of control over bodily functions

These and other Vicodin addiction symptoms occur as a result of the body trying its best to expel and rid itself of the toxins being put into it almost constantly. In many cases, instead of fighting the addiction and the onslaught of the substance, the body may simply give in and stop, significantly negatively affecting the immune system and the body’s natural ability to heal.

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The Basics of Xanax Addiction

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Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, is one of a group of medications in the benzodiazepine (“benzo”) drug class. It is a habit-forming drug, and addiction is possible after 2 weeks and especially for those who take it for non-medical reasons.

As a short-acting benzodiazepine, Xanax is often taken at frequent intervals to compensate for this short half-life. Some common street names for Xanax include: Footballs, Bars, School, sticks, skateboards and Peaches.

Xanax Addiction

Xanax is prescribed to those who need treatment for panic attacks and possibly agoraphobia, a fear of leaving home or being around other people in open places. It produces a calm and relaxed feeling, as if the brain has slowed down. Despite the ease of addiction, many who take Xanax do so for long periods of time, despite warnings and usually increasing the dosage over time.  This is when xanax addiction sets in.

Once the body adjusts to a certain dosage, the relaxation and other feelings are lessened, causing many abusers to take more and more over time in order to keep up with the effects. Put simpy, benzos such as Xanax are no longer effective after a few weeks or months of regular and increasing use.

Over time, the body builds a tolerance to a medication like Xanax and when taken beyond two weeks, Xanax withdrawal symptoms are usually reported when use is done. Eventually, in what can only be described as a vicious cycle, Xanax causes little or no effect as far as the “calm high” of early use, and continued abuse is carried out more to avoid withdrawal symptoms than anything else.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

As mentioned above, Xanax is a powerful drug that, when abruptly quit, can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health issues, from risk of seizures to respiratory depression (especially when taken in combination with alcohol).

Long-term use of benzodiazepines such as Xanax can lead to a variety of physical and mental issues, from memory loss to depression to anxiety. Withdrawal is not something to be undertaken without proper medical supervision; withdrawal effects of Xanax can include: hallucinations, seizures and bizarre delusions and visions. Those who do manage to successfully withdraw from drugs such as Xanax report  brighter colors, better mood and a clearer mind.

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