Drug Treatment Center Library

The authors of the articles found on this page wrote these articles based on their own unique perspectives that they acquired while struggling with addiction themselves, their experiences as treatment providers after recovering from their addictions and researching the written materials of other treatment professionals. Also, from working with hundreds of recovered (and some not so recovered) addicts. This combination can deliver some insight into the world of addiction and recovery that just can't be found in many other places.

Read the portions of the addiction articles found on this page or you can click on the title of a desired article (or on the link below) to read the entire article.

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About Methamphetamine
The acute effects of methamphetamine include increased heart rate and blood pressure, vasoconstriction (constriction of the arterial walls), pupil dilation and hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar). A person who ingests meth will experience an increased focus and mental alertness, the elimination of the subjective effects of fatigue and a decrease in appetite. Continued high doses of methamphetamine produce anxiety reactions during which the person is fearful, tremulous and concerned about his well-being; an amphetamine psychosis in which the person misinterprets others' actions, hallucinates and becomes unrealistically suspicious; an exhaustion syndrome, involving intense fatigue and need for sleep after the stimulation phase; and a prolonged depression, during which suicide is possible.

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Three Stages Of Alcoholism
When someone who has become "alcohol dependent" stops drinking, they will experience some level of physical discomfort. This is why it is extremely difficult for them to stop drinking "on their own" without assistance and support.

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Managing Opiate Withdrawal
Heroin addiction, as well as all opiate addictions, usually require medically monitored detox for the severe withdrawal symptoms the drugs produce. Heroin use causes a strong physical dependence and therefore withdrawal can result in serious complications when the use of the drug is stopped abruptly. Cold-turkey heroin detox and withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, heart irregularities, vomiting, insomnia and the sweats. Once the body has adapted to the presence of the drug, withdrawal symptoms may occur if heroin use is reduced or stopped.

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Effects of Cocaine or Crack Cocaine
The effects of cocaine normally occur immediately after ingestion and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. The duration of the drug's effects depends on how it is ingested. Snorting cocaine produces a slow onset of effects that can last from 15 to 30 minutes, while the effects of smoking cocaine last from 5 to 10 minutes and produce a more intense high. Cocaine produces euphoric effects by building up dopamine in the brain, causing the continuous stimulation of neurons.

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Guide To AN Alcohol or Drug Intervention
Persons suffering from alcoholism and other drug addictions are prone to serious denial about the harmful effects of their behavior on themselves and others. Efforts to reason with them and convince them to stop causing such damage are frequently met with denial, defensiveness, justification or minimization and sometimes even attacks upon the loved-one that is trying to help.

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There Are Different Types Of Rehabs
Alcohol and Drug Rehabs can differ greatly in the types of services that they provide. If you're attempting to locate a suitable rehab for yourself or a loved one, this article will give you an overview of the different types of alcohol and drug rehabs that are available. Some are fairly expensive, running as much as forty to fifty thousand dollars for a 30-day program, while others are county funded, county contracted or accept Medicaid, Medicare and insurance for payment. Others don't accept any insurance, but their fees are moderate, so they are reasonably priced alternatives for those with limited or no insurance coverage at all.

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