drug addiction Archives

3 Common Risk Factors for Addiction Relapse

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

People who experience an alcohol or drug addiction often relapse at some point during their path to recovery. Relapsing does not necessarily mean that addiction treatment has failed; however, it is a harmful and potentially life-threatening obstacle to recovery and should be prevented before it can occur.

Relapse typically occurs in three stages: emotional, mental, and physical. The emotional relapse stage occurs when you are unable to cope with your emotions in a healthy way. The mental stage occurs when you begin to experience cravings and consider the possibility of relapsing, which may involve glorifying past substance use and minimizing its negative effects. The physical stage begins when you give in to these cravings and return to substance use.

As the stages of relapse progress, you may find yourself increasingly vulnerable to certain risk factors that speed up the process. Some of the most common of these risk factors include:

Social pressure: A wide variety of social factors, such as peer pressure from people who use drugs or alcohol, interpersonal conflicts, and a lack of social support can all contribute to a relapse.

Environmental triggers: Physical sensations, such as scents, as well as certain objects or places that you associate with drug or alcohol use may induce or intensify cravings.

Insufficient coping mechanisms: Relapse often occurs when internal coping mechanisms fail to help you process the negative thoughts, emotions, and sensations you experience in a healthy way, making drug or alcohol use potentially seem like an easier way of relieving these pressures.

The best way to prevent an addiction relapse is to work with medical professionals that can give you the guidance and resources you need to stay sober and manage risk factors in a healthy, effective way. Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services can help through our Reflections treatment program. To learn more, please call (718) 670-5078.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

International Overdose Awareness Day

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

The annual International Overdose Awareness Day campaign began in 2001. In the years since then, government and non-governmental agencies worldwide have worked to raise awareness about drug overdoses and the issues surrounding them.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, over half a million people died from drug overdoses internationally in 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics also reported that over 100,000 people in the United States alone died due to drug overdoses in 2021. This is an increase of more than 8,000 deaths since 2020.

Many of these deaths may be fueled by factors such as economic uncertainty, increased rates of anxiety and depression, and insufficient mental health resources. Additionally, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl have become more available since the COVID-19 pandemic as access to other drugs such as heroin has decreased.

People who regularly use drugs have also become more likely to do so alone since the beginning of the pandemic. This greatly increases the risk of overdose, as there’s no one present to call 911 or administer life-saving treatments such as naloxone in the event of an emergency.

You don’t have to face addiction or mental health issues alone. If you’ve developed a substance abuse problem, Flushing Hospital’s Division of Addiction Services provides a safe space for drug withdrawal and offers access to psychiatric assistance, substance abuse counseling, and care from our medical team. Our Reflections treatment program also offers helpful holistic techniques for curbing addictive behaviors.

To learn more about our addiction services, call Flushing Hospital Medical Center at (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540. For more information about the Reflections program, call (718) 670-5078.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week – Prescription Opioid Facts

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Prescription opioid abuse among teens living in the United States has become a major public health concern. In fact, many national health organizations have declared that the U.S. is in the midst of an opioid epidemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the use of these drugs among young adults has more than doubled and the number of opioid- related deaths has quadrupled in recent years. The CDC, along with other health organizations such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), hope to reduce these statistics by increasing education among teens and their families.

It is crucial for parents and young adults to know the facts about opioids so that they can understand how these drugs can negatively affect a person’s health and quality of life. Here are six important facts families should know:

Opioids are narcotic medications that are prescribed to treat mild to severe pain.
Some of the most common types of opioids are fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine tramadol and codeine.
Opioids work by reducing the intensity of pain signals being transmitted to the brain. They interact with opioid receptors in the brain to produce pain relief and feelings of euphoria.
Misusing opioids can result in the development of a chemical dependency to these drugs. Misuse may occur when a person is taking opioids long term, is taking more than what was prescribed or is taking them for non-medical reasons.
It is common for teens to mix prescription opioids with other substances such as alcohol. A recent study revealed that seven out of ten teens combined opioids with additional substances and 52% within this group co-ingested prescription pills with alcohol. This behavior puts teens at a higher risk for overdose.
Some of the warning signs of opioid abuse include; anxiety attacks, a sudden improvement in self-esteem, depression, improved alertness, increased energy, a decrease in appetite, fatigue, nausea, constipation and breathlessness.

There are several steps one can take to prevent or reduce the chances of prescription opioids misuse, they include; keeping medication locked up or keeping track of medication to ensure pills are not missing, correctly disposing unused medication, monitoring your loved one’s behavior while they are taking medication and communicating with your doctor about not exceeding the recommended time period for pain treatment.

If your loved one is addicted to prescription opioids it is highly recommended that you have an honest conversation with them about harmful effects that could potentially lead to death. Reassure them that you are here to help and not to judge them. Seek help from a trained medical professional immediately. There are several treatment options available which include medication and counseling. Your physician or mental health counselor will determine which treatments are best for a healthy recovery.

For further information and resources about opioid addiction and treatment, please visit the NIDA’s website www.drugabuse.gov.

Is Your Home Safe for Someone Struggling with Addiction?

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Living with someone who is struggling with an addiction can be very difficult. One important aspect of helping them recover is making your home drug and alcohol free. For most, this means emptying the liquor and medicine cabinets. However, that might not be enough as there are many other substances used to get “high” in your home. An addict might turn to any number of household items in times of desperation including:

• Hand Sanitizers – These items, commonly found in most homes contain up to 60% alcohol. Recently, there have been many reported cases of individuals being rushed to hospital emergency rooms after consuming hand sanitizers hoping to become intoxicated. A simple tip: replace all hand sanitizers with an old fashioned bar of soap.

• Bathroom Items – Those living with an addict should keep track of certain bathroom items as well. Bath salts contain amphetamine–like chemicals that, if sniffed, can be very dangerous. In addition, potpourri, also often found in bathrooms can be smoked and can result in the user experiencing a sense of paranoia, hallucinations and even heart palpitations.

• Spices – Used for cooking or baking, spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon are being consumed by those looking for a high because they contain natural compounds that are known to cause hallucinations and feelings of euphoria when taken in large quantities.

• Whip Its – This term describes the practice of using aerosol spray cans of whipped cream to get high. These cans contain nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. Users can experience highs that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. This practice can be very dangerous to the user.

If someone you know is struggling with addiction, Flushing Hospital has services that can help. We offer both inpatient and outpatient addiction services. For more information about our outpatient Reflection clinic, or our inpatient Chemical dependency Unit, please call 718-670-4416.