Here are answers to some of our frequently asked questions when it comes to recovery, addiction, and detox. If you have additional questions that are not answered here, please feel free to give us a call and our staff is happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is sometimes hard to recognize the difference between legitimate prescription use and dangerous habit-forming behaviors. Using common sense and being alert to patterns of neglect, disengagement from routine responsibilities and an inability to accept simple suggestions are behaviors that warrant careful attention.
Other signs of prescription drug abuse include:
- Finding prescription medications that belong to others.
- Routinely running out of prescriptions early.
- Frequent instances of losing or misplacing medications.
- Frequent trips to the ER for pain medications instead of making and keeping regular appointments with a doctor.
- Prescriptions at multiple pharmacies.
- Apathy or agitation, lack of engagement, lethargy, hyperactivity.
- Lack of ability to make and keep commitments.
If you believe a friend or family member has become addicted to pain medications and is abusing his or her prescriptions to the point that their judgment, personality, and/or ability to function are altered and/or impaired, there are a number of things to consider.
If the individual is aware that they may be abusing their medications and understand they need help and desire help, arranging a confidential consultation with a professional to review medication history and discuss options may be helpful in alleviating fears regarding the possible effects of changing or stopping medications.
If the individual is not aware that their medication use is affecting their behavior or if they are unwilling to seek help, it may be necessary to intervene in their best interest. Before taking action, seek the advice of a medical professional with addiction experience to determine the best approach and to learn about the most appropriate treatment options.
At Nexstep Medical Detox, we provide consultations, detox treatment, and recovery planning. To schedule an appointment, call (877) 983-3869.
Early Alcoholism Withdrawal Symptoms:
Mild to moderate physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms that may be typical 6-48 hours after last drink:
- Loss Of Appetite
- Nausea
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Abnormal Muscular Tics
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Hand Tremors
Severe Alcoholism Withdrawal Symptoms:
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms for those with deep, long-term alcoholism may include:
- Delirium Tremens (DTs)
- Muscle Tremors
- Seizures
- Extreme Confusion
- Overactive Nervous System
- Blackouts
- Convulsions
- High Fever
- Hallucinations
- Agitated, Violent Mood Swings
- Strong Cravings
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Agitation & Restless Behavior
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Generalized Malaise
- Increased Appetite
- Unpleasant Dreams
- Slowing Of Activity
Common symptoms of Heroin and Opium withdrawal:
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Abdominal Cramping
- Anxiety
- Muscle Aches
- Diarrhea
- Dilated Pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Common symptoms of Methamphetamine withdrawal:
- Drug Cravings
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Sweats
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Depression
- Loss Of Energy
- Hyperventilation
- Convulsions
Common symptoms of Oxycontin withdrawal:
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Muscle Pain
- Muscle Weakness
- Fevers
- Flu-Like Symptoms
Common symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal:
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Muscle & Body Aches
- Insomnia Or Drowsiness
- Indigestion
- Anxiety, Depression, & Irritability
- Cravings
- Fever Or Chills
- Sweating
- Headache
- Difficulty Concentrating
Frequently abused medications include:
- Xanax (Alprazolam)
- Ativan (Lorazepam)
- Ambien
- All Benzodiazepines
- Nonbenzodiazepines
- Carisoprodol (Soma)
- Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl, Slang: jelly-bellies)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL, a prodrug to GHB)
- Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB; G; Xyrem; Slang: Liquid Ecstasy, Fantasy)
- Glutethimide (Doriden)
- Meprobamate (Miltown)
- Methaqualone (Sopor, Mandrax; Quaaludes)
- Propofol (Diprivan)
- All Prescription Opiates (OxyContin, Oxycodone, Roxicodone, Percodan, Percocet, Lortab, etc.)
Physical signs:
- Increased alcohol tolerance
- Inability to stop drinking once started
- Shaky, trembling hands (in withdrawal)
- Dilated pupils (under influence)
- Loss of appetite
- Slurred speech
- Weight loss, muscle tone loss
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Unintentional weight gain (because of fluid collection)
- Dry mouth
Behavior signs:
- Mental confusion
- Personality changes (increased sociability or anger)
- Blaming others (unable to take responsibility)
- Avoids family and normal friends
- Hides alcohol
- Hides financial or legal details
- Belligerent
- Irritable
- Irrational
Cocaine primarily targets the brain, heart, and lungs, acting as a stimulant. Early cocaine abuse symptoms include insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, and excess energy and euphoria—especially when followed by a rapid shift to depression, anxiety, paranoia, or energy loss. Sudden loss of weight could also point to cocaine use.
Nosebleeds can indicate cocaine use, as can rapid breathing, fast pulse rate and the sudden onset of hypertension.
Symptoms like increased irritability, frequent mood swings, paranoia, and hallucinations are usually signs of severe, long-term cocaine use.
Common signs of Cocaine addiction:
Physical signs:
- Dilated Pupils
- Increased Temperature
- Rapid Or Irregular Heart Rate
- Increased Blood Pressure
- A Runny Or Bloody Nose
- Seizures (From High Doses)
- White Powder Seen On Face Or Clothes
- Small Spoon-Like Items Used For Snorting
- Mirrors & Razor Blades Used For Making Lines
- Rolled Money Bills Used For Snorting
- Small Bottles With Screw On Lids
- Small Plastic Packets With White Residue
Behavioral signs:
- Job Loss
- Relationship Problems
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Frequent Tardiness Or Absence From Work
- Debt Or Money Problems
- Hyper-Alertness
- Lack Of Normal Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Panic Attacks
- Extremely Talkative
The greatest signs of heroin addiction are the tracks from injections and the severe change of moods from the euphoric high to the extreme low prior to the next dose. Heroin is very addictive, and tolerance builds quickly, leading to the need for more frequent and larger, more dangerous doses.
Common signs of Heroin addiction:
Physical signs:
- Runny Nose
- Needle Marks On Arms & Legs, Or Infections
- Slurred Speech
- Alternating Between Sleepiness & Hyper-Alertness
- Shallow Breathing
- Nausea And/Or Vomiting
- Small Pupils
Behavioral signs:
- Loss Of Motivation
- Poor Memory
- Spending Time With A Different Social Circle
- Disorientation
- Difficulty Speaking
- No Interest In The Future
- Poor Self-Image And/Or No Upkeep Of Self
- Hostile
- Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia
Overdose signs:
- Slow, Shallow, Distressed Breathing
- Extremely Small Pupils
- Tongue Discoloration
- Dry Mouth
- Weak Pulse
- Lips & Fingernails Tinged With Blue
- Stomach Spasms & Constipation
- Muscle Spasms
- Disorientation To Delirium
- Coma
The side effects, which arise from the use and abuse of methamphetamine, include irritability, nervousness, insomnia, nausea, depression, and brain damage.
‘Tweaking’ refers to using meth or manifesting behavior modified by meth use, such as repeated, useless movements.
Common signs of Meth addiction:
The initial side effects of methamphetamine are pleasurable, but ongoing use of meth causes mental confusion, severe anxiety, and paranoia. Methamphetamine users tend to be both aggressive and paranoid and can resort to violence. There is a direct relationship between methamphetamine abuse and increased incidents of domestic violence and child abuse.
Physical Signs:
- Lack Of Sleep
- Appetite Loss
- Nervous Twitching
- Grinding Teeth Or Jaw Clenching
- Poor Dental & Skin Health
- Dilated Pupils
- Loss Of Coordination
- Slurred Speech
Behavioral Signs:
- Intense Anger
- Obsessive Behavior
- Paranoia
- Blaming Others (Unable To Take Responsibility)
- Avoids Family & Normal Friends
- Abnormally High Amounts Of Energy
- Panic Attacks
- Hallucinations
Oxycontin is prescribed to be taken every 12 hours because the tablets contain a controlled, time-release formulation of the medication. Oxycontin abusers remove the sustained-release coating to get a rapid release of the medication, causing a rush of euphoria, very much like heroin.
Common signs of Oxycontin addiction:
Physical Signs:
- Red Around Nasal Passages
- Nosebleeds (This drug is often crushed and snorted.)
- Euphoria
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Dry Mouth
- Hives
- Fast Or Slow Heartbeat
Behavioral Signs:
- Job Loss
- Relationship Problems
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Frequent Tardiness Or Absence From Work
- Debt Or Money Problems
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Short Temper
- Shortness Of Breath
- Hallucination
- Confusion
The signs of suboxone addiction mimic other opioid drug addictions, such as heroin or opium, especially if used soon after using narcotics such as heroin, morphine, or methadone. This drug is intended for use under a doctor’s supervision, as part of a larger treatment plan. A dependence on suboxone to prevent the return of withdrawal symptoms is an indication of potential addiction.
Common signs of Suboxone addiction:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Slurred Speed
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Respiratory Depression
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Alcohol detox can be life-threatening and is a very serious process. Alcohol detoxification requires a considerable amount of rest and nourishment, as well as advanced medical supervision. At Nexstep Detox, highly skilled detox staff monitors each client’s progress with 24/7 monitoring from arrival until departure. Nexstep offers a different kind of detox: detox supported by medical, psychological, behavior treatment and counseling.
The first 30 days of alcohol detox treatment are focused predominately on monitoring and medical support. Once the patient is stabilized, it takes time to resolve the trauma and demoralization of alcohol addiction. During the first critical days, pharmaceuticals may be prescribed to stabilize the body through this dangerous period. Minimum treatment includes an additional 60 days of advanced counseling, ongoing medical supervision and a supportive therapeutic environment.
Quality treatment in a professional addiction recovery center is required for a safe and effective recovery from this dangerously addictive drug. The fact that alcoholism is common does not reduce its dangers. Nexstep Medical Detox is focused on breaking the cycle of addiction with counseling, behavior modification training and learned emotional life management skills.
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Cocaine withdrawal may be less physically severe than withdrawal from alcohol. Cocaine is also considered less addictive than heroin. However, the withdrawal from any chronic substance abuse is very serious. There is an underlying risk of suicide or relapse and overdose.
At Nexstep Medical Detox, highly skilled detox staff monitors each client’s progress with 24/7 monitoring from arrival until departure. Nexstep offers a different kind of detox: detox supported by medical, psychological, behavior treatment and counseling. Use of sedatives, such as Valium, is not recommended because it simply shifts addiction from one substance to another.
Minimum treatment includes an additional 60 days of advanced counseling, ongoing medical supervision, and a supportive therapeutic environment. Symptoms and cravings usually disappear over time.
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Heroin detox requires constant, advanced medical attention for the safety of the patient. Nexstep has developed an advanced process for the very specific needs of those caught in the web of heroin addiction, which includes medical support.
At Nexstep Medical Detox, highly skilled detox staff monitors each client’s progress with 24/7 monitoring from arrival until departure. Nexstep offers a different kind of detox: detox supported by medical, psychological, behavior treatment and counseling.
Each day of detox will address the medical report and the progress of the patient. The first 30 days of treatment are focused predominately on monitoring and medical support. Once the patient is stabilized, it takes time to resolve the trauma of overcoming heroin addiction. During the first critical days, pharmaceuticals may be prescribed to stabilize the body through this dangerous period. Minimum treatment includes an additional 60 days of advanced counseling, ongoing medical supervision, and a supportive therapeutic environment.
Withdrawal from heroin is life-threatening. Incomplete treatment can result in relapse and fatal overdose. Quality treatment in a professional addiction recovery center is required for a safe and effective recovery from this dangerously addictive drug.
Nexstep Medical Detox is focused on breaking the cycle of addiction with counseling, behavior modification training and learned emotional life management skills. Because of the extreme seriousness and potential for dangerous recurrence, Nexstep requires extended stays for all heroin recovery patients.
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Meth detox requires a considerable amount of rest and nourishment. At Nexstep Medical Detox, highly skilled meth detox staff monitors each client’s progress with 24/7 monitoring from arrival until departure. Nexstep offers a different kind of detox: detox supported by medical, psychological, behavior treatment and counseling.
The first 30 days of treatment are focused predominately on monitoring and medical support. Once the patient is stabilized, it takes time to resolve the trauma of overcoming methamphetamine addiction. During the first few critical days, pharmaceuticals may be prescribed to stabilize the body through this dangerous period. Minimum treatment includes an additional 60 days of advanced counseling, ongoing medical supervision, and a supportive therapeutic environment.
Withdrawal from Meth is very uncomfortable, and in some cases, life-threatening. Quality treatment in a professional addiction recovery center is required for a safe and effective recovery from this dangerously addictive drug. Nexstep Medical Detox is focused on breaking the cycle of addiction with counseling, behavior modification training and learned emotional life management skills.
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Chemical detox from Oxycontin usually takes between five to seven days. At Nexstep Medical Detox, highly skilled detox staff monitors each client’s progress with 24/7 monitoring from arrival until departure. Nexstep offers a different kind of detox: detox supported by medical, psychological, behavior treatment and counseling.
During the first critical days, pharmaceuticals may be prescribed to stabilize the body through this uncomfortable period. Minimum treatment includes an additional 60 days of advanced counseling, ongoing medical supervision, and a supportive therapeutic environment.
Quality treatment in a professional addiction recovery center is required for a safe and effective recovery from this dangerously addictive drug. Nexstep Medical Detox is focused on breaking the cycle of addiction with counseling, behavior modification training and learned emotional life management skills.
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Suboxone detox is the Nexstep in becoming completely drug-free. At Nexstep Medical Detox, highly skilled detox staff monitors each client’s progress with 24/7 monitoring from arrival until departure. Nexstep offers a different kind of detox: detox supported by medical, psychological, behavior treatment and counseling.
The first 30 days of treatment are focused predominately on monitoring and medical support. Once the patient is stabilized, it takes time to resolve the trauma of overcoming the source addictive process, which led to suboxone. Minimum treatment includes an additional 60 days of advanced counseling, ongoing medical supervision, and a supportive therapeutic environment.
Quality treatment in a professional addiction recovery center is required for a safe and effective recovery from suboxone, and also to prevent the return to more dangerous drugs. Nexstep Medical Detox is focused on breaking the cycle of addiction with counseling, behavior modification training and learned emotional life management skills.
If you or someone you love are struggling with any type of medication abuse, call Nexstep Medical Detox at (877) 983-3869 for a detox treatment plan and tools for obtaining and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Alcoholism is the dependence on Alcohol or Alcohol addiction.
The National Institute of Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse (www.niaaa.nih.gov), identifies four key indicator symptoms of alcoholism:
Craving: Strong need, or urge, to drink.
Loss of control: Not being able to stop drinking (once drinking has begun).
Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get ‘high.’
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant and an appetite suppressant. Because of the way it affects the brain’s reward pathway, cocaine is addictive.
Crack cocaine is the freebase (vapor) form of cocaine that can be smoked. It is also be referred to as ‘rock’ or ‘crack’.
Cocaine travels through the blood, affecting the whole body. It is responsible for more U.S. emergency room visits than any other illegal drug. Cocaine harms the brain, heart, blood vessels, lungs, and can even cause sudden death.
When heroin is taken orally it undergoes a metabolic process that parallels the systemic delivery of morphine. However, part of the severity of heroin as an addictive substance is that when the drug is injected, it avoids this first-pass metabolic effect, and very rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts more directly on the brain. Brain chemistry results in the drug’s euphoric, pain relieving and anti-anxiety effects, which are psychologically and physically addictive.
Heroin is known for the transcendent relaxation and the intense euphoria it induces. As an illegal substance, the heroin addict cannot be certain of the dosage, purity or exact content of the drug, leading to many fatalities. Shared needles fuel the spread of HIV and hepatitis among injecting addicts.
Heroin is used illegally by snorting or smoking by inhaling its vapors when heated, rolled with tobacco in a cigarette or by heating the drug into an injectable liquid. Pure heroin is a white, powdery substance. Impure heroin may be brown. Heroin is sometimes wrapped in small plastic bags or paper-wrapped packages.
Discarded needles may be a sign of heroin addiction or another drug abuse. Drug paraphernalia includes razor blades, straws, pipes and rolled up pieces of paper.
Heroin is a semi-synthetic drug synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy. Other drugs derived from the opium poppy (opiates) are codeine and morphine.
Opium is the dried latex obtained from opium poppies. Opium contains up to 12% morphine, which is the drug from which heroin was developed by the German drug maker, Bayer, in 1895.
Heroin and opiates are used as painkillers and recreational drugs. Opiates are highly addictive, especially heroin. Tolerance builds quickly to moderate physical dependence and severe psychological dependence.
Heroin is internationally controlled and is an illegal substance with few exceptions worldwide.
Medical Detox is used to safely break the cycle of chemical dependence through the use of appropriate medications. Detoxing at home or outside of a medical setting could result in relapse, overdose, and death to due to medical complications during withdrawal. In fact, research indicates that contrary to the assumed belief that enduring a painful detox will act as a relapse deterrent, there is no correlation between discomfort during detox and sobriety rates. In addition, a primary cause of relapse during detox is physical discomfort while a critical factor for those who successfully transition from detox toward treatment and ongoing recovery is a high level of physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social support.
At Nexstep Medical Detox, before establishing an individualized detox treatment plan, we comprehensively assess each client’s history, consider any co-existing medical and/or mental health conditions, and review the client’s own long-term wellness goals. Following this in-depth assessment, a personalized detox protocol is designed and administered by our medical and clinical staff. Medications to manage potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms as well as discomfort, anxiety, and sleeplessness are available and administered by nurses 24 hours a day.
Because we believe medical stabilization through detox is the beginning of an ongoing recovery process, our providers, nurses, and therapists provide safe, effective, comfortable medically assisted detoxification from addictive, mind-altering substances while helping to lay a foundation for sustainable long-term recovery through unconditional positive regard and a safe, supportive environment.
Nexstep provides medical detox from:
- Oxycontin
- All Other Prescription Medications
- Opiates
- Alcohol
- Benzos
- GHB
- Meth
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Heroin
- All Other Substances
To learn more about addiction and recovery visit our Resources Section. For information on admissions or to speak with a nurse 24 hours a day, call (877) 983-3869.
Methamphetamines are synthetic amphetamines or stimulants. They are produced and sold illegally in pill form, capsules, powder, and chunks.
Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant. It is a controlled substance that is manufactured in clandestine laboratories throughout the United States. It is easy to make using common household chemicals.
Methamphetamine can be ingested by swallowing, inhaling, injecting or smoking. Methamphetamine is highly addictive. Meth is sometimes laced in club drugs, like Ecstasy and also marijuana.
The chemical substance amphetamine has stimulant properties similar to the body’s naturally produced chemical, adrenaline. Methamphetamines stimulate the central nervous system and are extremely addictive. Crystal meth can cause severe withdrawal that is more intense and longer lasting than either meth or cocaine.
Methamphetamines may be known as crystal meth, crank, glass, speed, crystal, ice, batu, chalk, shabu, or zip.
Crank is a less pure form of methamphetamine and has become slang for any methamphetamine drug.
Methamphetamine is often manufactured by backyard chemists without regard for the user. The user cannot know exactly what they were taking because the ingredients differ from “batch to batch.” This inconsistency adds to methamphetamine risk.
Oxycontin is the brand name for the time-release pain reliever, Oxycodone HCI controlled-release. Oxycontin is an opioid narcotic medication. It is available by prescription only and is used to treat moderate or severe pain when around-the-clock pain relief is needed for an extended period.
Suboxone is the first opioid medication approved in the United States for the treatment of opioid dependence in an office-based, outpatient setting.
Suboxone is used to treat narcotic (opioid) dependence. It prevents withdrawal symptoms since it is actually a type of narcotic (opioid) itself. Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. While it assists in reducing opioid addiction, Suboxone also has addictive qualities.
Because buprenorphine is similar to other opioids such as morphine, codeine, and heroin, it produces less euphoric (“high”) effects and therefore may be easier to stop taking.
Suboxone for many is a step closer to becoming completely drug-free.
“At its core, addiction isn’t just a social problem or a moral problem or a criminal problem. It’s a brain problem.” This quote comes from Dr. Michael Miller, the past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) who recently oversaw the creation of a new, official definition for addiction now being included in the fifth edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. This definition, based on the research of 80 experts over the course of several years, offers new encouragement and direction for all those struggling with addictions of any type. According to ASAM, addiction can be defined as: Primary Chronic Progressive Relapsing Brain Disease. It is not a behavior problem. It is not a character flaw. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a disease.
Similar to being diagnosed with a heart failure or diabetes, people do not chose to suffer from addiction. ASAM’s new definition removes the stigma from addiction along with some of the judgment and shame. It is no longer something to be hidden in the dark, rather, it is something to be openly addressed and openly treated. Like a heart ailment or diabetes, there are choices people can take to help prevent the manifestation of the disease and clear steps people can take once the disease has already appeared. The key lies in recognizing these steps and in acting promptly. As Dr. Miller says, “We have to stop moralizing, blaming, controlling or smirking at the person with the disease of addiction, and start creating opportunities for individuals and families to get help and providing assistance in choosing proper treatment.”
Another interesting development involved in the creation of this new definition is the classification of addiction as a primary disease. Extensive research has been done to back this up. Functional MRI studies, genetic testing, and differences in endorphin levels in addicts prior to drug or alcohol use prove addiction is a brain disease that exists independent of outside sources. As Dr. Raju Hajela of ASAM explains: “Simply put, addiction is not a choice.”
