There are many different types of drugs and illegal substances out there, and one of the most dangerous is the fentanyl drug, a synthetic opioid most commonly prescribed for pain relief after surgery. It is often found in the forms of lozenges and patches and can be 100 times more potent than morphine.

If you do use fentanyl legally for pain relief, it’s essential to know the source. Fentanyl drug deaths have been on the rise in the past decade, many caused by the drug being illegally manufactured and sold in drug markets. Additionally, the fentanyl drug is often mixed with heroin, cocaine, and marijuana without the buyer’s knowledge, creating an often deadly concoction.

Fentanyl is highly addictive and deadly. If you or a loved one is addicted, seek treatment from Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

How Does Fentanyl Work?

Fentanyl binds to the body’s opioid receptors and changes the way the brain responds to pain. It also affects emotions and alters how a person feels, resulting in extreme happiness, relaxation, and even sedation.

Fentanyl can cause a lot of negative effects to the body as well. They include:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Tightness in the throat
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Itching
• Breathing difficulties

When taken frequently, the drug can lead to dependence and addiction, which can eventually cause a loss of consciousness, brain damage, coma, and death. Even if you follow a prescribed dose for the fentanyl drug, tolerance can still occur. This means you will need more and more of the drug to see the effects. The doctor will generally taper the patient off the drug and replace it with a less addictive medication when this happens.

Speaking of tapering, a user should not suddenly stop using fentanyl. You’ll want to stop gradually to reduce the effects of withdrawal. Symptoms of fentanyl drug detox or withdrawal include the following:

• Runny nose
• Joint or muscle pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Excessive yawning
• Enlarged pupils
• Anxiety
• Moodiness
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Changes to breathing and heart rate

Treatment Options

A person suffering from a fentanyl drug overdose will need emergency treatment. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of fentanyl. However, the drug is very potent, so multiple doses of naloxone may be necessary.

Fentanyl overdose symptoms include:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Very limp body
• Blue or gray lips, fingernails, and skin
• Slow or erratic pulse
• Choking sounds
• Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness

If a person has a moderate or severe fentanyl addiction, long-term medication and counseling are the most effective treatments. An inpatient program might be needed for people with unstable housing and is supervised by professionals who monitor the patient for withdrawal symptoms and help create the most effective treatment plan. This plan may include medications to reduce cravings, such as Suboxone or depot naltrexone shots (Vivitrol).

Once the person has cleansed the fentanyl drug from their system and their health has stabilized, they can move on to other forms of treatment. Therapy and support groups may be helpful.

About Pinnacle Treatment Centers

Pinnacle Treatment Centers has decades of experience creating comprehensive drug treatment plans that benefit the mind, body, and spirit. Each patient gets a customized plan tailored to their needs. We use a mix of traditional and modern therapies—such as psychotherapy, yoga, acupuncture, group therapy, and community support groups—to make your treatment as effective as possible.

At Pinnacle Treatment Centers, we are flexible with treatment options. We offer various levels of care, such as half-day and full-day treatments, inpatient treatment, and outpatient programs. We also offer medically monitored detox. No matter how and when you want to accept treatment, we are willing to work with you to provide that treatment. Our focus is on you.

Contact Us Today

This drug is highly toxic and can cause death if misused. If you or a loved one is abusing fentanyl, Pinnacle Treatment Centers can help. You’re not alone. Contact us today for a treatment plan so you can get started on the road to recovery.

The post Fentanyl Drug Information appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

An opioid epidemic has plagued our country for decades, with an increasing number of Americans dying of opioid overdoses starting in the 1990s. Heroin is one of the cheapest, most accessible versions of the drug, making heroin addiction an all-too-common problem in America.

But what is heroin, and what makes it so dangerous? Check out our guide for everything you need to know about the drug.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a drug made from morphine, which comes from the seed of opium poppy plants. The drug is also known as big H, hell dust, and smack. It is typically sold as a brown or white powder, or a sticky, dark substance. The drug can be injected with a needle, sniffed, snorted, or smoked.

Many heroin users start out by abusing prescription drug opioids, such as OxyContin or Vicodin. Because these drugs are more expensive and difficult to obtain, users end up switching to heroin, which is more affordable and easier to come by.

Heroin is a highly addictive drug with many severe short-term and long-term effects, and heroin overdose can even result in death.

What Is Heroin Made Of?

Heroin is made from the resin found in the seeds of poppy plants. Known as opium, this sappy, milk-colored substance is taken from the poppy pod and refined to create morphine. From there, morphine is refined to make a variety of types of heroin.

Is Heroin an Opioid?

Yes, heroin is an opioid, a type of drug intended to reduce pain in the body. Other types of opioids include prescription drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. Unlike these drugs, heroin use is illegal in any form.

Heroin Effects

Heroin use is typically accompanied by a short-term rush of pleasure or a feeling of euphoria. However, this rush is also accompanied by undesirable side effects, including:

• Dry mouth
• Flushed skin
• Heaviness of limbs
• Nausea
• Itching
• Clouded mind
• Loss of consciousness
• And more

Those who use heroin long-term can experience even more serious effects, such as:

• Insomnia
• Collapsed veins
• Abscesses
• Lung problems
• Mental disorders
• Infection to the lining of the heart
• Damaged nose tissue (if snorted)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Irregular menstrual cycles

How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?

The length of time heroin stays in your system depends on the dosage, purity of the heroin, and how it is taken. The drug is known to stay in the blood up to 2.5 hours and can remain in saliva 24 hours and in urine for up to three days. Heroin can even stay in hair strands for up to 90 days.

Signs of Heroin Use

Physical and behavioral symptoms of heroin use include:

• Dilated pupils (when coming down from heroin)
• Smaller-than-average pupils (when high on the drug)
• Dark eye circles
• Puffy eyes
• Droopiness of the face
• Coughing
• Bleeding nose
• Scabs
• Weight loss
• Fever, nausea, vomiting (during withdrawal)
• Unkempt appearance
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Changes in mood or appetite

Those who overdose on heroin may exhibit symptoms such as:

• Blue lips
• Shallowness of breath
• Confusion
• Tiny pupils
• Loss of consciousness

Is Heroin Legal?

No, heroin is not a legal drug under any circumstances. The drug is manufactured and sold on the streets illegally.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Individuals addicted to heroin who stop using the drug can experience intense withdrawal symptoms. The onset of these symptoms varies, typically starting about six hours to a day after the final dose. The withdrawal phase can last for a week or even months afterward, including symptoms like fever, cravings, mood swings, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.

Get Help with Heroin Addiction Today

If you or someone you know is battling a heroin addiction, Pinnacle Treatment Centers can help. We aim to solve America’s opioid epidemic, one patient at a time.

Our compassionate approach offers hope to those facing even the direst situation. We provide medication-assisted treatment to help our patients do the work of recovery from heroin addiction. Contact us today to learn more about our proven treatment methods.

The post A Complete Guide to Heroin appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

*Dr. Johnston also provides direct care at several of Pinnacle’s opioid treatment programs in New Jersey

Addiction is a problem that plagues people from all walks of life. Opioid addiction is no different. It may start with something completely legitimate, like a prescription painkiller to help with recovery after a surgery or an injury. Unfortunately, for some, it is extremely difficult to stop taking this type of medication, and they develop an opioid addiction (Opioid Use Disorder). Others may take a different path, but the results are the same.

If you or someone you love is struggling to overcome an opioid addiction, speak with your doctor right away. Treatment programs under the supervision of medical professionals are the safest route to recovery. You can get opioid addiction help in a supportive environment designed for your success.

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a classification of drugs that are mainly used as painkillers. Many are derived from the opium poppy plant and can be made into prescription drugs, as well as illegal substances. Some are completely synthetic but they work in the same part of the brain as those derived from the poppy plant. They are typically used to treat medium to high levels of pain, but their relaxing effect can also become addictive. Although they lessen pain, they are in a different drug class than over-the-counter products like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Opiates vs. Opioids

An opiate is a natural substance created using the poppy plant like codeine or morphine but opioids are wholly or partially synthetic, or manmade. The active ingredients in opioids are manufactured using chemicals to create the desired effect. Narcotic analgesic refers to using these opioids for non-medical purposes.

Types of Opioids

There are three main types of opioids used to relieve pain. Keep in mind that each of these categories of opioids has serious risks and side effects, including opioid addiction, and should not be taken without medical supervision.

• Prescription Opioids – Prescription opioids are used to treat moderate to severe levels of pain and are obtained through a doctor who has determined a need.
  • Examples of prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet), morphine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and codeine.
• Fentanyl – Fentanyl is much stronger than other prescription opioids. It can be prescribed to treat severe pain, such as that from advanced cancer. It is also produced and sold illegally.
• Heroin – Heroin is an illegal opioid and less expensive than opioid pain pills.

Some common slang terms for various types of opioids include oxycotton, oxy, OC, vikes, percs, and happy pills.

Opioid Side Effects

There are a number of dangerous side effects associated with taking opioids, including addiction and building up a tolerance until higher doses are needed to achieve the same results. Misusing opioids for significant periods of time is referred to as Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). A few of the other side effects are mentioned below:

• Difficulty breathing, including slowing or stopping
• Negative interactions with other medications
• Drowsiness
• Impaired judgment
• Nausea, vomiting
• Constipation
• Physical dependence
• Tolerance
• Hormonal dysfunction
• Muscle rigidity

Signs of Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder is characterized as an inability to abstain from the use of opioids or a state of being where the use of opioids is interfering with daily functioning. Those who are abusing opioids may or may not visibly show withdrawal symptoms or other obvious signs. If you are concerned that someone you care about may be struggling with opioid addiction, check for the following symptoms and seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

• Dependence or inability to resist the use of opioids
• Unexplained drowsiness or changes in sleep habits
• Persistent or frequent flu-like symptoms
• Excessive or uncontrollable cravings
• Weight loss
• Decline in hygiene
• Stealing, lying about money, or new financial troubles
• Isolation from friends and family
• Decreased libido
• Changes in exercise habits

Opioid Medication Breakdown

Any time your doctor prescribes medication for pain relief, it is important to ask questions and bring up any concerns you may have. Make sure your doctor is aware of any diseases or chronic conditions you may have, as well as every medication you are taking. If you have suffered with any type of addiction in the past, or are concerned that it may become a problem, ask if there are alternative options available.

You should also make your doctor aware of any substance abuse history in your family. If you and your medical team decide to move forward with the use of opioid prescriptions, make sure to follow all the directions, taking only as prescribed, and for the shortest possible amount of time.

Encourage Loved Ones to Seek Help

Unfortunately, many people wait until their addiction leads them to an emotional crisis or a trip to the emergency room before getting the help they need. Offer support and encouragement to loved ones who are struggling and help them to find a treatment center that meets their needs.

It is not necessary that the individual with opioid use disorder wants to get better before starting treatment. People who are sent for treatment by the judicial system frequently do very well. Harm reduction strategies are showing great promise for people who are not ready to stop but want to reduce some of the negative consequences of using.

It is ultimately up to the person suffering with addiction to do the work but getting started in treatment frequently involves some encouragement from other people. You can let them know that you are available to help them and try to motivate them to make healthier choices in whatever ways you can. Keep in mind that the pace of recovery is different for everyone; do not try to force a timeline, even if it makes sense to you.

Where to Find Opioid Addiction Help

The best way to get opioid addiction help is with a program led by medical professionals that is designed to help you succeed. At Pinnacle Treatment Centers, we understand how difficult it is to take that first step toward recovery, as well as remain committed when things get tough. We will provide ongoing support and resources to help you every step of the way.

Our highly skilled medical staff and therapists will help you learn how to overcome the psychological and physical aspects of your opioid addiction. We’ll utilize education, coping skills training, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and relapse prevention strategies to help you remain strong even after you leave our care. We also provide support to the families of our patients to ensure that all who are affected receive the support they need.

Contact us at Pinnacle Treatment Centers to learn more about opioid addiction help and to begin the admissions process. Take the first step toward healing today.

Call us at (800) 782 – 1520

The post Opioid Use Disorder Help, Treatment, & Information appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid drug that comes from the poppy plant. It is often introduced to a patient as a prescribed analgesic and can provide necessary pain relief for those with extreme conditions, such as cancer or acute pain. Unfortunately, it can sometimes become addictive and lead to drug abuse. If you or a loved one needs oxycodone addiction treatment, speak to your doctor or seek help from Pinnacle Treatment Centers right away.

Other Names for Oxycodone

Anytime you take a drug for any reason, it is important to understand what you are putting into your body, as well as the potential side effects. Oxycodone often goes by other names, or is combined with other ingredients. OxyContin is a common brand name for oxycodone when it is the sole ingredient, as well as Endocodone, OxylR, Percolone, and more. You may also be prescribed Percocet, Roxicet, or Percodan, which are drugs containing oxycodone and another ingredient, such as acetaminophen or aspirin. Others include Combunox, Endocet, Magnacet, Lynox, Primlec, Taxadone, and more. Ask your doctor if you are concerned your prescribed painkillers may contain oxycodone.

Oxycodone also goes by several “street names,” such as OC, Roxy, Perc, Oxy, Ox, Kicker, and Hillbilly Heroin.

Effects of Oxycodone

Oxycodone can have both helpful and dangerous effects on the body. Relaxation and euphoria are common effects, which is one of the reasons it can lead to abuse. A person may begin taking the drug with good intentions, but continue taking it for the wrong reasons and despite the dangers.

Physiological Effects

The effects of oxycodone on the body include sedation, pain relief, cough suppression, respiratory depression, papillary constriction, and constipation. Using oxycodone for extended periods of time can also lead to liver damage.

Overdose Effects

When a person takes too much oxycodone, they may experience muscle weakness, confusion, extreme drowsiness, fainting, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, or shrinking of pupils. In the worst cases, it is possible for oxycodone overdose to lead to a coma or even death.

Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone

Oxycodone and hydrocodone are both narcotic pain killers that produce the same effectiveness. They are both used for severe acute pain or pain associated with cancer.

Withdrawal Symptoms

When the body becomes accustomed to consuming a certain substance, it will experience withdrawal symptoms. Oxycodone is no different. Some of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience when slowing or stopping an extended use of oxycodone include anxiety, insomnia, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps or spasms.

Get Help for Oxycodone Addiction

Addiction to an opioid substance is also referred to as opioid use disorder. If you or someone you care about is suffering from opioid use disorder or exhibiting symptoms of opioid addiction, seek treatment immediately. Pinnacle Treatment Centers can help you find relief and develop the skills needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle after treatment is complete.

Contact Pinnacle Treatment Centers to learn more about oxycodone addiction and our addiction recovery programs. With our medication-assisted treatment programs, we can help you get your life back.

The post All You Need to Know about Oxycodone appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

When treating opioid use disorder, or opioid addiction, methadone is often used as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan. Learn more below about methadone and opioids, and how to seek treatment for opioid abuse.

What Is Methadone & What Is It Used For?

Methadone is a synthetic opioid, which is used as an analgesic for severe pain in cases where the patient may not respond to lower-grade painkillers. It is legal when used under the direction of a doctor, but as with any opioid, there is a risk of developing a dependence on the drug, leading some to seek it out illegally.

Methadone affects the same parts of the brain as morphine and heroin, but has a longer-lasting effect. With the help of a doctor in the proper treatment center, it is often used to help patients overcome opioid addiction. This process is referred to as medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, and includes counseling to be most effective.

Methadone Treatment for Opioid Abuse

Addiction recovery can be a long and challenging process. It is both a physical and psychological journey, which requires a great deal of support, medical assistance, and determination.

Methadone medication is used to alleviate or lessen physical withdrawal symptoms to enable the patient to fully focus on recovery. It also blocks the euphoria, or “high,” of opioid use and is an effective way to help the body adjust under controlled conditions.

Among other benefits, treatment with methadone significantly reduces deaths, relapse, and criminal behavior associated with opioid addiction.

Warnings

Keep in mind that there are conditions that should be avoided when using methadone. For example, do not consume alcohol or operate heavy machinery, store it safely away from children, and never take more than the recommended dosage.

Potential Side Effects

As with any medication, taking methadone does have potential side effects. Watch for any of the symptoms listed below and contact your doctor right away if you are concerned for any reason.

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Hallucinations or confusion
• Hives or rash
• Swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat
• Feeling lightheaded or faint
• Fast or pounding heartbeat

Signs of Abuse of Methadone and Opioids

If you are concerned that someone you love is abusing methadone or other opioids, reach out for help right away. Some of the signs to watch out for can be found below.

• Euphoria
• Sedation, drowsiness
• Decreased reaction time and/or attention span
• Droopy eyelids
• Dry mouth
• Low body temperature
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle weakness
• Little or no reaction to light

Overcoming Your Addiction

For medical assistance in overcoming an addiction to opioids, contact your doctor or Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

We understand that no two addiction experiences are exactly the same, which is why we work with you to create a plan that begins where you are. We’ll not only help you with the physical withdrawal symptoms during recovery, we’ll also help you get to the root causes of your substance abuse. Join us at one of our many locations to get started with MAT, behavioral therapy, and more.

The post Methadone: What Is It and How Is It Used? appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

Buprenorphine is used as a medication to treat patients with an addiction to opioids. Buprenorphine and opioids are similar in that they affect the same receptors in the brain, but buprenorphine does not offer the same euphoria or high level of risks. It also alleviates pain and withdrawal symptoms, making it effective for patients who are psychologically stable and ready to recover from opioid abuse disorder.

What Is Buprenorphine & How Is It Used?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which essentially means that although it is an opioid, its effects are not the same as many others. It is most often used as a prescribed treatment to aid in opioid abuse recovery by alleviating withdrawal symptoms.

Buprenorphine medication is typically administered in a clinic under a physician’s supervision. It can also be done as part of an opioid abuse recovery plan at a treatment center. Occasionally, with permission from your doctor, you may begin buprenorphine use at home. Like all medications used to treat opioid use disorder, buprenorphine is most effective when combined with counseling services.

Benefits of Buprenorphine in Opioid Abuse Treatment

When buprenorphine medication is used to treat patients who are recovering from opioid addiction, it provides numerous benefits compared with other medications:

• Less euphoria
• Less physical dependence and lower risk of misuse
• Mild withdrawal symptoms
• Ceiling on opioid effects, so that higher doses do not have as great an impact on breathing as other opioid medications, for example

Buprenorphine vs. Methadone

Methadone has shown a somewhat higher rate of retention among patients but is best used under close supervision, such as in a care center for opioid abuse treatment. It is more often used for patients with multiple addictions or who are more psychiatrically compromised.

Buprenorphine, on the other hand, can be given to patients who are more stable and can be monitored monthly or at longer intervals as needed. It is also less likely to lead to an overdose death, due to its ability to put a ceiling on opioid effects. It is also possible to transition from other opioid medications to buprenorphine.

Potential Side Effects of Buprenorphine

The side effects of buprenorphine include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, constipation, and other moderate risks. However, if you experience any of the symptoms listed below, seek medical attention immediately:

• Abdominal pain
• Signs of adrenal failure
• Mental or mood changes
• Fainting, dizziness
• Inability to wake up, severe drowsiness
• Shallow breathing
• Fast or irregular heartbeat

Where to Find Help for Opioid Addiction

When you are ready to put a stop to your opioid use, speak with your doctor or a medical professional at Pinnacle Treatment Centers. Buprenorphine medication may be administered if it is determined the best course of action for you. Your medical team will help you create a recovery plan based on your individual needs.

Reach out to Pinnacle Treatment Centers today for more information about buprenorphine medication and other treatment plans for opioid addiction recovery.

The post What Is Buprenorphine (Suboxone) & How Can it Help Me? appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.