Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms

Are you taking Seroquel or Quetiapine and wish to stop taking it? Seroquel is a prescription medication that is FDA approved to treat schizophrenia, acute manic episodes, and as an additional treatment for major depressive disorder. Over the years, it’s also been prescribed for many off-label uses, including insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and addiction and substance abuse treatment. While Seroquel is available only by prescription and is not considered addictive, a study in rodents by Chinese researchers found that it can cause psychological dependence. Stopping Seroquel suddenly can also cause many unwanted side effects and withdrawal symptoms, which is why getting help is essential if you want to week yourself off of Seroquel.

antipsychotic medication

Side Effects of Taking Seroquel

As part of your drug addiction treatment program, you may have been prescribed Seroquel, especially if you needed dual diagnosis treatment or were also found to have a mental health disorder along with your substance use disorder. While taking the medication, you may have noticed specific side effects, including:

  • Abnormalities in Your Cholesterol Levels
  • Being Constipated
  • Dizziness or Vertigo
  • Feeling Agitated
  • Feeling Drowsy, Tired or Fatigued
  • Having Dry Mouth
  • Increased Appetite and Weight Gain
  • Increased Blood Glucose Levels
  • Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
  • Increased Frequency of Headaches

As you progressed further in your drug treatment program and continued using the medication, these side effects probably lessened as you continued your journey to sobriety, health, and wellness. Now, it’s pretty likely you feel well enough to stop taking your Seroquel. However, it is recommended that you get help to stop the medication.

Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’ve completed your initial drug treatment program and been sober for a while, you may be thinking about stopping the Seroquel to rid yourself of the last reminder of your addiction. Unfortunately, when you stop taking Seroquel suddenly, you can experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. They include:

  • Anxiety, Depression, and Agitation
  • Dizziness
  • Hypersensitivity to Sensory Perceptions (Light, Sound, Temperature, etc.)
  • Increased Frequency and Severity of Headaches
  • Increased Heart Rate
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Mania
  • New Mental Health Issues
  • Severe and Sudden Mood Swings
  • Suicidal Ideation or Attempts
  • Vomiting and Nausea
  • Withdrawal Psychosis

Seroquel Withdrawal Timeline

Because of the severity and long list of withdrawal symptoms, it’s generally recommended to stop taking Seroquel by gradually lowering the dosage while under a doctor’s care so that your physical and mental health can be monitored. The Seroquel withdrawal symptom timeline is generally broken down into three primary phases: initial, rebound, and post-acute.

Initial Withdrawal

The initial withdrawal period for Seroquel starts within four days of stopping Seroquel and can last as long as six weeks or a month and a half. During this phase, you may experience:

  • Aching and Pain in the Muscles
  • Agitation and Anxiety
  • Burning or Prickling Sensations Throughout Your Body
  • Diarrhea or Loose Stools
  • Dizziness
  • Excessive Sweating
  • Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
  • Involuntary Muscle Movements
  • Loss of Appetite or Anorexia
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Trouble Sleeping to the Point of Insomnia

Disease Rebound Withdrawal

When stopping Central Nervous System (CNS) drugs, like anti-psychotics and antidepressants, you may experience a resurgence in the mental health symptoms you were experiencing before starting the medication. This is known as disease rebound and can occur simultaneously with the initial withdrawal symptoms or as a separate phase. There is no specific timeline for this phase of withdrawal. However, it’s a good idea to be medically supervised and have a detailed medical history so that the medical provider can determine if you are experiencing new symptoms or simply a resurgence of the symptoms you had before starting the medication.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome can last weeks or months after stopping the use of Seroquel. This is because medications like Seroquel cause changes in the brain’s neurotransmitters. During this phase, you may experience:

  • Disturbed Sleep Patterns
  • Increased Stress Sensitivity
  • Irritability and Anxiety
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors (OCD)
  • Pessimism
  • Trouble with Your Social Relationships

Coping with Seroquel Withdrawal

Seroquel can begin anywhere from 24 to 48 hours after you stop taking the medication. This is because Seroquel has a half-life of about six hours, meaning six hours after you take your last dose, and the amount of the drug is 50 percent less than it was when you took the medication. You’d have 25 percent of the medication in your system in another six hours. As the medication is naturally released from your body, you’ll start to feel withdrawal symptoms. To lessen those symptoms, most medical providers recommend gradually lowering the dosage over a period of weeks or months and having a medical provider monitor your progress and the frequency and severity of your withdrawal symptoms so that additional treatments can be tried to help reduce your discomfort.

  1. Make a plan to stop using Seroquel with help from your medical provider.
  2. Start weening off the medication by gradually lowering the dose.
  3. Discuss natural remedies to help with Seroquel withdrawal.
  4. Create a support network of family and friends that can help you through your withdrawal and recovery.

Long-Term Treatment for Seroquel Dependency

The good news about the long-term treatment for Seroquel dependency is that you can use a lot of the skills and coping mechanisms you learned in your initial drug treatment program. This means that you’ll want to focus on your recovery, build your support network, take advantage of the resources and help offered by your medical provider and keep yourself busy with hobbies. Some ideas for a more holistic approach to breaking your Seroquel habit include:

  • Using a little ginger (the spice or root) to help control nausea.
  • Using natural sleep aides like melatonin and warm milk.
  • Staying active by getting plenty of physical exercises or participating in a sport.
  • Taking up yoga and meditation to help keep your mind clear and focused.
  • Trying new hobbies, like painting, crafting, and horseback riding
  • Staying hydrated and focusing on eating healthy so that your body gets all the micro and macronutrients it needs.
  • Using acupuncture for muscle pain relief.
  • Keeping a daily journal to record your symptoms, what you ate and how you feel as you progress through your treatment

Getting Help for Seroquel Dependency from Long Island Interventions

If you need help with a Seroquel dependency resulting from previous drug treatment, our caring and compassionate team at Long Island Interventions can help. We understand that you want to continue your recovery, clearing the medications given to you as a part of your medication-assisted detox treatment (MAT). We offer detox services, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and holistic treatments.

To get help, call us, use our live chat, or fill out our contact form. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you.


Published on: 2022-10-31
Updated on: 2024-03-08

Drug Rehab Horse Ranch

Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction includes a comprehensive range of treatments. Attending an inpatient rehab program that offers a variety of therapies can help you work toward complete health and wellness. One popular form of treatment that some programs offer is equine therapy or other animal-assisted therapies. A drug rehab horse ranch can be a powerful place to heal, especially if you have a strong connection to animals. Here’s everything you need to know about the role of equine therapy in addiction recovery:

Horse Ranch

What Is a Drug Rehab Horse Ranch?

A drug rehab horse ranch is a specialized addiction treatment center that offers equine therapy in addition to the other traditional therapies involved in substance abuse recovery. These facilities are typically found in remote, rural locations, so they provide a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for patients.

A day at an addiction program with equine therapy looks similar to a day at any rehab program. You’re supervised by healthcare professionals while engaging in group and individual therapies to address the underlying cause of your addiction and improve your coping skills. However, you also spend time every day caring for and interacting with the horses, which has its own therapeutic benefits.

What Is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy is a form of mental health therapy provided by a trained and licensed professional. In some cases, a psychotherapist and horse trainer work together to provide equine therapy. In other cases, the therapy is provided by one individual with training in both psychotherapy and horsemanship.

Equine therapy is a relatively new form of therapy, and experts are still researching its benefits. However, the experience has shown a number of benefits for people with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and other challenges. People of all ages and backgrounds can engage in equine therapy, and you don’t need any experience with animals to benefit.

Drug Rehab Horse Ranch

The goal of equine therapy isn’t to become skilled at riding horses. Sometimes, patients at a drug rehab horse ranch never even ride the horses they work with. Instead, the purpose is to connect with the horses and experience the sense of meaning and fulfillment provided by caring for the animals.

The tasks and experiences involved in equine therapy usually progress over the course of your treatment. You might begin by simply petting or grooming the horses. Then, as you become more familiar and comfortable with the horses, you and the therapist might work on leading a horse or riding it.

Benefits of Equine Therapy

Equine therapy offers a wide variety of mental and emotional benefits for people who are overcoming drug or alcohol addiction. The following are just a few of the many benefits of equine therapy:

Horses have a calm and soothing presence.

Although a rehab facility can offer a great deal of emotional support, overcoming addiction is always incredibly challenging. You might feel anxious, depressed, angry, or overwhelmed as you navigate the early steps of addiction recovery. Equine therapy can be a very soothing experience, which is highly beneficial during inpatient treatment. Horses have a calm, stable presence that can be therapeutic in and of itself.

Equine therapy improves your emotional awareness.

Horses are highly intelligent animals, and they often respond to the emotions of the people around them. When you interact with a horse during equine therapy, you might learn a great deal about your own emotional state simply by observing how the horse responds to you. In some ways, the horse can act as a mirror for your thoughts and feelings, which can open the door for self-reflection.

Drug Rehab Horse Ranch

Equine therapy puts you on a schedule.

Structure and routine are absolutely essential for anyone in addiction recovery. Resisting your cravings and staying sober are daily challenges in early recovery, but sticking to a consistent routine helps you stay grounded. Programs that incorporate equine therapy are usually highly structured because the horses require so much daily care. This can be a great way for you to relearn how to structure and schedule your day, which is a skill you will continue to apply after you leave the rehab program.

Working with horses promotes productivity and consistency.

If you attend a rehab facility that heavily incorporates equine therapy into their programming, you probably have tasks to complete for the horses every single day. The horses rely on you, the other patients, and the therapists for their care. Assuming responsibility for another living thing can be a very meaningful experience in recovery, and it can motivate you to stay committed to the program. Taking care of yourself may not feel like a priority when you’re going through a mental health crisis, but taking care of someone else can feel much different.

Equine therapy takes your mind off of your addiction.

At times during your equine therapy sessions, you and your counselor may discuss your addiction. However, equine therapy is largely an opportunity to take your mind off of your cravings. Addiction can completely take over your life and consume all of your thoughts and behaviors, so many patients find that they desperately need to replace their previous substance use with a healthier activity. While you’re in treatment, equine therapy serves as this positive activity.

Equine therapy provides a sense of pride and accomplishment.

When you’re struggling with addiction, you may lose your sense of self. It’s common for people in recovery to have low self-worth or to feel unsure of their place in the world. Caring for horses during equine therapy provides a valuable sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, which has enormous benefits for your overall mental health and self-esteem. As you see yourself get better at caring for the animals, you develop a strong sense of pride in the work. This can be a powerful reminder that you are a skilled, compassionate person who offers a great deal to those around you.

Disadvantages of Equine Therapy

Equine therapy is generally a very beneficial treatment for people in addiction recovery. However, there are some circumstances in which it might not be the best choice. If you feel nervous or uncomfortable around horses, you may not benefit from the therapy. Even though the horses at a drug rehab ranch are trained to be therapy animals, some people don’t experience the therapeutic benefits because being in the presence of such massive animals makes them feel anxious.

People with certain allergies may struggle with equine therapy, too. If you’re allergic to horses, hay, or barn dust, your doctor will probably advise you not to participate in equine therapy.

Drug Rehab Horse Ranch

Another consideration to keep in mind is that equine therapy has not yet been extensively researched. Many people have reported having a powerful and healing experience in equine therapy, but much more research needs to be done to back up those claims scientifically. The best program is one that combines equine therapy with traditional, evidence-based treatments to ensure that patients get comprehensive support.

How We Can Help

Long Island Interventions offers inpatient and outpatient addiction recovery services for clients in the New York area. We are committed to helping our patients find the best possible treatment options that match their unique needs.

Attending a drug rehab horse ranch far outside the city can be highly beneficial for New Yorkers who need a calm, quiet, and private location to work toward their mental health goals. If you’re looking for a residential addiction center that offers equine therapy, there are a number of options available. Contact us today to learn more about equine therapy rehab facilities.


Published on: 2022-05-31
Updated on: 2024-03-08

How does drug abuse affect your community

When a person is dealing with addiction, they often tend to think things like, “I’m not hurting anyone else, so why should I stop?” However, the reality is that addiction affects more than just the drug user. Substance use disorders are a very widespread problem that impacts society as a whole. Understanding how drug abuse affects society can help motivate you to make positive changes.

society

Does Drug Use Really Affect Society?

The idea of drug use being a personal matter is a myth. Using dangerous, addictive substances harms more than just the user. It can also be very dangerous for those around them. How does drug abuse affect society? It impacts our society by changing the way individual people behave. When a person is struggling with addiction, they cannot make reasonable choices. These poor decisions can snowball into major problems that greatly harm others.

Often, the people most affected by substance abuse are those nearest to the addict. Substance use can destroy relationships, harming a person’s ability to interact with their spouse, children, parents, or friends. It also makes it hard for a person to manage responsibilities like working or caring for children. This can lead to all sorts of disastrous consequences.

Addiction even harms people who are not in close contact with an addict. People dealing with substance use disorders can damage public property or injure others. They may also use taxpayer money for healthcare, housing, or even imprisonment costs.

Costs of Drug Use

Exploring the Costs of Drug Use

As you can see, drug abuse will affect society in all sorts of ways. To get a look at the big picture, it can be helpful to take a look at some financial statistics. Researchers have carefully analyzed all the negative impacts of substance abuse to see how much they cost society each year. Here are the estimated costs for some common types of drug abuse.

  • Alcohol: Alcohol is one of the most costly substances to abuse. Society loses roughly $249 billion annually due to lost productivity, legal expenses, medical expenses, and more.
  • Prescription opioids: Abusing prescription opioids in non-medically necessary ways costs society $78.5 billion. Roughly a third of these costs is due to helping opioid abusers with healthcare.
  • Methamphetamine: The economic burden of methamphetamine use is estimated at up to $48 billion annually. Much of this is due to crime and premature mortality.
  • Illicit drugs: Researchers estimate that all illicit drug use costs society $193 billion annually. This includes the use of various substances ranging from cocaine to heroin.

Other Ways Drug Use Impacts Society

Looking at the financial cost of drug use is one of the simplest ways of seeing its effects on society. However, lost or wasted money isn’t the only issue. There are a variety of other ways that substance use can harm society.

Decreased Productivity in the Workplace

One of the big reasons for the costs of drug abuse is decreased workplace productivity. When you are dealing with addiction, it is impossible to do your best at work. Many people with substance use disorders go to work while drunk or high. Even if they are sober, they tend to be distracted because they are thinking about how to acquire more of a drug or recovering from the effects of the drug.

Researchers have found that people with a substance use disorder tend to have a roughly 34% decrease in productivity. Of course, this does result in some financial losses for employers, but it does far more than that. The decreased productivity impacts a workplace’s potential. People are less likely to come up with new ideas or chase after new clients. They are also less able to achieve promotions or better their own career. This drastically reduces a workplace’s ability to grow, improve, and assist others.

Decreased Productivity in the Workplace

Increased Crime Rates

Substance use is closely linked to increased crime which has a major impact on all sorts of people. When a person is under the influence, they typically do not exercise wise judgment. They are more likely to get into conflicts with others, and financial difficulties can encourage them to resort to desperate measures for their next fix. Research has shown that about one-third of all violent crimes may be linked to substance use. Substance use can also encourage theft, fraud, and other types of property crimes.

On a broader scale, addiction is also linked to criminal activities like drug trafficking and gang warfare. People who have a physical dependency on a substance often end up having to buy it from unethical organizations. Their money can contribute to drug organizations that are responsible for a variety of violent crimes.

Extra Stress on Healthcare Systems

Each year, a massive amount of time is spent helping people with overdoses, organ failure, and other side effects of drug use. This puts a massive amount of strain on our already understaffed healthcare system. Hospitals, doctors, and emergency departments struggle to provide adequate care because they don’t have enough time for every patient.

In many cases, those with substance abuse disorders cannot pay for their own care. This adds an extra burden to society. Medical professionals have to donate their free time, and charities must spend their resources helping impoverished addicts. Medicare and other national health programs often try to help with the costs, so taxpayer funds are spent on healthcare. Furthermore, emergency rooms must treat people even if they cannot pay. Hospitals start charging other patients more to offset the cost of non-paying patients.

Drunk Driving and Other Dangerous Behavior

Substance use puts many people at risk, even if they do not abuse drugs or know anyone who does. Almost all types of drugs and alcohol tend to impair a person’s judgment. They can cause aggression, paranoia, and all sorts of other problematic behaviors. This often results in dangerous interactions.

The most common example of dangerous substance use is driving under the influence. When a person is drunk or high, their impaired coordination can make them more likely to get into accidents. People who abuse substances may have an increased risk of getting in fights or abusing family members. They may also neglect children or do other negligent things that harm others.

How to Decrease the Effect of Drug Use on Society

As you can see, substance use has many negative effects on society. Figuring out ways to reduce those effects can be challenging. In some cases, the effects can be reduced with policy changes. Human rights advocates point out that decriminalizing drugs can reduce unnecessary prison sentences and weaken organized crime. Making it legal for substance use disorders to be able to test their drugs or own overdose-treating medications like Narcan can somewhat decrease impacts on the healthcare system.

community

However, the most effective method of reducing drugs’ impact on society is simply treating substance use disorders. When substance use disorders are demonized and treated as a moral failing, it is almost impossible for people to get the help they need. The reality is that a substance use disorder is a medical problem that deserves appropriate care. The right blend of medication and therapy can give people the skills they need to quit using drugs.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug abuse, it is important to get help promptly. The right substance use care can help you overcome the negative consequences of drug use. When you’re ready to seek help, Long Island Interventions is here for you. We provide compassionate, effective assistance for those dealing with substance use disorders. To learn more about our services, give us a call today.

Reference section
https://archives.drugabuse.gov/trends-statistics/costs-substance-abuse#supplemental-references-for-economic-costs
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9438.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7109245/
https://www.unodc.org/pdf/technical_series_1998-01-01_1.pdf
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/12/us-disastrous-toll-criminalizing-drug-use


Published on: 2022-04-20
Updated on: 2024-03-08

Krokodil: What Is It and Should You Be Worried?

Often called “The World’s Deadliest Drug,” Krokodil is one of the most frequently misunderstood drugs. Some people have heard gruesome stories about the drug dissolving skin while others assume it is no worse than prescription painkillers. How do you tell fact from fiction? Explore this guide to discover what it is and how it really affects the body.

What Is Krokodil?

Krokodil is simply the street name for desomorphine which is a type of synthetic opioid. Though many people assume it is a new drug, it is actually a fairly old medication. Desomorphine was first made in the 1930s, and it was frequently used to manage pain. Due to its unpleasant side effects, this synthetic opioid was discontinued by the 1980s.

desomorphine

Unfortunately, in the early 2000s, drug traffickers found that desomorphine was very easy to produce. It could be manufactured with codeine, iodine, and other commonly-available substances. The drug became very popular in Russia where it was named after the Russian word for crocodile. Some people think desomorphine is called the crocodile drug due to its effects on the skin. However, it might also get its name from chlorocodide, the type of codeine derivative used to produce desomorphine.

Effects of the Drug

People use the crocodile drug because it provides many of the typical effects of opioids. When someone uses this drug, they may experience:

  • Euphoria
  • Feelings of relaxation and peace
  • Slowed breathing heart rate
  • Reduction of pain

However, these intended effects are not the only result of using the drug. It also tends to cause a lot of very nasty side effects. Due to the way it is manufactured, the substance often contains toxic byproducts that can poison the blood or damage the skin.

How Is Desomorphine Used?

Technically, there are multiple ways to use this drug. As an opioid, it can be consumed orally, snorted, or smoked. However, almost all users inject the opioid instead. This drug is usually sold as an injectable substance because that produces the most intense effects. Regardless of how a person takes the drug, it goes through their system fairly quickly. The fast-acting substance produces effects within two to three minutes, and typically, the effects wear off in two hours or less.

Understanding the Dangers of the Crocodile Drug

This drug is so frequently discussed because of its many disastrous side effects. Even if a person uses pure desomorphine, they are likely to deal with unpleasant issues like dangerously low breath rates and higher overdose risks. These dangers are why the opioid was discontinued in the first place. However, in modern times, the main issue is the toxic byproducts in the substance. Though it is easy to create with a kitchen and a few common household substances, it is almost impossible to produce a pure version. Almost all street versions of the drug have toxic byproducts that can cause major health problems.

Skin Necrosis

Many people believe this drug gets its name due to its effect on the skin. At the injection site, this drug tends to cause swelling and pain. It then progresses to skin that looks discolored and scaly. Skin may look blue, red, purple, or green, and the scabby texture causes skin to resemble crocodile scales. With repeated injections, a person’s skin starts to rot and die. 2013 research shows that this happens because the toxic additives in the drug are corrosive. They quickly travel through the tiny blood vessels near the injection site, damaging the cardiovascular system and the skin. In habitual users, skin necrosis can be severe enough to cause limb loss and system-wide infection.

Muscle and Bone Damage

The drug’s toxic effects appear all over the body. Once it enters the circulatory system, it travels through the body and causes damage to muscles and bones. These small spots of damage turn into infections that gradually eat away at surrounding tissue. People may develop giant abscesses or lose the use of their arms and legs. These effects tend to be most noticeable at injection sites. However, the damaged circulation also affects other parts of the body. Many users also see damage to the tips of their fingers and toes.

Organ Damage

The crocodile drug’s toxicity also harms the organs that process opioids. Whenever you take any sort of opioid, the liver and kidney process the drugs and remove them from your system. Over time, the small amounts of damage cause scarring in these organs. They cannot function as well, and they start to shut down. People who use the drug can end up with life-threatening kidney failure or liver damage. This is especially common among those who take enough to cause an overdose.

Mental Deterioration

This drug is sometimes called “the zombie drug” due to its mental impact. The substance drastically harms the cardiovascular system, so users basically end up suffering from a series of mini-strokes. Burst blood vessels in the brain tend to leave users with speech impediments and memory problems. Some people may have impaired concentration, difficulty focusing, or trouble regulating moods.

Who Is At Risk for Krokodil Addiction?

This drug is still a little on the rare side. However, as the opioid crisis progresses, it may show up in some surprising places. Addiction to this drug is definitely something you need to be on the lookout for.

Krokodil

Which Countries is This Drug In?

The crocodile drug is typically only found in a few regions. It is primarily used in Russia and Ukraine. Reports indicate that up to 35% of drug users may have tried this substance. There are also some reports of the drug being found in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Norway, and Germany. Outside of these Eastern and Central European countries, the drug is quite uncommon. There have been a few government reports of it in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and other similar places, but it still is not a widely-available option.

This is partly due to the substances used to make it. The codeine that is necessary to make the drug is a controlled substance in the United States. In many other countries that do allow over-the-counter codeine sales, the crocodile drug still isn’t used because most countries do not have as strict anti-heroin laws as Russia. Most people are aware of how dangerous the drug’s side effects can be, so they prefer alternatives like heroin or prescription painkillers.

Are All Users Addicted?

It is extremely rare for anyone to go straight from being sober to using the crocodile drug. Instead, it is almost always used by people who already have an opioid use disorder. In most cases, people were using other opioids but can no longer get them due to legal crackdowns or financial issues. Therefore, most users already tend to qualify for an addiction diagnosis. However, there are occasionally situations where a person takes a desomorphine-containing substance without realizing it’s the notorious crocodile drug. In this sort of case, you may be addicted if you:

  • Notice dangerous side effects but keep taking it anyway
  • Find yourself constantly thinking about the drug and wanting to use more
  • Take the drug even though you are trying to cut back
  • Participate in risky behavior while under the influence of the drug
  • Begin to take the drug more frequently or in larger doses

What to Do If You Suspect You’ve Taken This Drug

After reading all about the dangers of the drug, it is easy to panic if you think you have taken it. However, just using it once does not necessarily mean you are going to lose your limbs. The most important thing is to seek immediate medical care. Even small skin infections can grow into a major problem, so you need to address any sores, scabs, or necrosis immediately.

The effects of the drug become more dangerous with each repeated use, so it is also essential to quit using the substance. Seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder can do more than just protect your physical health. It can also improve your mental health and make it easier to manage your daily responsibilities.

Get Help for Krokodil Addiction

If you or a loved one is dealing with addiction, Long Island Interventions can help. Our substance abuse professionals help patients begin addressing virtually any addiction. To learn more about our services, give us a call today.

Reference Section
https://archives.drugabuse.gov/emerging-trends/krokodil
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233938321_Desomorphine_Goes_Crocodile
https://www.drugs.com/illicit/krokodil.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2537678/
https://theconversation.com/weekly-dose-krokodil-the-russian-flesh-eating-drug-makes-a-rare-appearance-in-australia-117594
https://nida.nih.gov/international/abstracts/emerging-drug-in-ukraine-crocodile-desomorphine
https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/health/krokodil-zombie-drug/index.html


Published on: 2022-04-10
Updated on: 2024-03-08

Does Alcohol stop Muscle growth?

Some people who have the most experience with alcohol regard it as the best friend they ever had. It seems to provide relaxation and enhance self-confidence appeals to almost anyone. However, the friendship lasts only as long as the body can stand it. An expensive relationship that can cost someone a job, a relationship, a marriage, good health, or cause an accident, drinking requires careful consideration beforehand. The downside of ethanol becoming a best friend occurs when it becomes equally efficient as the worst enemy. Terminating casual relationships may prove difficult, but they cannot compare to escaping an almost unbreakable grip.

The drug seems to have no middle ground that lets people drink without damaging the body. Of course, the risk of dependence and addiction poses an ever-present threat for the long term whenever anyone consumes it. However, the immediate effect starts affecting muscles at once.

Considering Expert Opinion

Popular magazines and scientific journals report the same thing about its effect on muscles over the years. The National Institute of Health flatly states that it produces acute and chronic toxic effects on the heart and skeletal muscles. It shows up as weakness and atrophy eventually, although it may take a long time to do so.

Alcohol and muscle growth

A report on college drinking prevention shows that the heart muscle weakens with long-term heavy drinking, and even binge drinking can change the pace of heartbeats. While most people think of biceps and triceps for fitness, the heart provides them with the blood that nourishes every cell. It works harder by exerting its entire force with every contraction, while skeletal muscles work on the principle of gradation.

Understanding Some Effects of Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis creates the transition of protein into muscle tissue that repairs the tears that occur in resistance training. When not interrupted by ethanol consumption, the process produces muscle growth. However, scientific research confirms that it stops the synthesis process and prevents muscles from growing. The blocking effect limits the production of muscle mass. The result seems more significant when anyone drinks on training day than others.

Studies agree that the damage varies by the amount consumed. However, the fact remains that the body sees the drug as a toxin. Research shows that it impairs muscle protein synthesis, a significant factor in muscle development. Setbacks in muscle gains impede fitness goals. HuffPost reports that ethanol reduces blood flow to muscles and produces other harmful effects.

Dehydration occurs as a consequence of the diuretic properties of the intoxicant. When the body metabolizes ethanol, it creates a signal that prevents burning any fat or sugar. Instead of achieving the desired effect, it reduces the amount of fat that the body can burn. Some studies show that it can reduce testosterone levels after cardio and increase estrogen, hardly the results that one may choose.

Seeing the Impact on Testosterone

Protein synthesis benefits from testosterone in both males and females. Science Direct points out that it promotes the process and increases muscle growth and strength. In addition, testosterone increases bone density and strength. Further, it stimulates linear growth.

While almost everyone knows what testosterone does, its importance contributes significantly to muscle growth. Unfortunately, the potent hormone that can produce steroids suffers from the presence of alcohol. While most people want as much as possible, ethanol lowers testosterone levels. The possibility of achieving maximum muscle growth becomes impossible. Control group studies show that testosterone levels dropped in subjects who consumed it while not others who did not drink.

Control group studies offer convincing proof of effects on different groups subjected to the same conditions except for one variable, ethanol in this case. As lower levels of testosterone reduce protein synthesis, ethanol also has the effect of raising estrogen levels. The combined reaction produces the worst possible combination of hormones for anyone who wants muscle growth.

Considering Similar Effects on the Growth Hormone

Many functions in the body depend on the growth hormone, and the muscle-building process depends on it. Its assistance in protein synthesis builds muscle just as testosterone does. The most significant growth hormone that the body receives occurs during sleep. Muscle growth occurs during rest when the body releases the growth hormone. As a contrary factor, ethanol suppresses the release of the hormone during sleep. Producing the opposite of the desired effect makes ethanol use questionable for anyone who wants muscle growth. Anyone starting in muscle building may choose to abstain from drinking for a few months to gain as much mass gain as possible. Even those who do not participate in muscle building can learn from the experience of those who do.

HGH plays an essential role in building and maintaining muscle. In addition, it produces collagen, a connective tissue that makes tendons and ligaments responsive and flexible. But, again, as with testosterone, alcohol disrupts HGH production. Further, it tends to disturb sleep patterns with the concurrent consequence of reducing the body’s time to release essential hormones.

Storing Fat 

As a negative contributor to muscle growth, the body stores the sugar in the body as fat. Unfortunately, it does it more quickly than storing calories from carbs or protein. Unlike food that requires time for the body to digest, about 20 percent of ethanol can pass through the stomach walls and go directly to the brain in about one minute. The rest goes to the small intestine and onto the liver for processing by enzymes.

The problem with weight gain from drinking occurs; the liver has a significant impact. The organ considers it a toxin that must deal with first, allowing fat to receive later processing and weight gain. While muscle development seems counter to dealing with fat, the problem lies with how the body metabolizes ethanol. Drinking imposes barriers to losing weight and building muscle mass.

Considering the Pros and Cons

Experts at ACE, a nonprofit organization https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/ setting standards for professional health coaches, cite the impact of HGH on protein turnover, protein synthesis, and regulation of metabolism. Two adverse effects that ethanol produces on the hormone significantly affect muscle gains. First, it increases stress hormones, reducing growth hormone production by up to 72 percent. Second, the decrease in the hormone distribution due to sleep interruption amounts to almost as much at 70 percent. The scientific community and private, public, and governmental organizations concur that drinking contributes to achieving training goals.

Some sources suggest that drinking in moderation has some beneficial effects. However, any alcoholic beverage can lead to dependency, whether a beer, wine, or hard liquor. As a source of worthless or empty calories, each carries a risk of damaging the body in many ways. Specifically for anyone who wants to gain muscle mass, the choice of drinking or refusing can make all the difference.

The facts speak for themselves, and they confirm that ethanol does reduce testosterone and increases estrogen. Muscle protein synthesis suffers a reduction in productivity. The dehydration that accompanies drinking prevents muscles from obtaining the 70 percent level they need. With only negative aspects of building muscle, ethanol consumption deserves serious consideration before accepting it. The options that face anyone in choosing between drinking and muscular fitness create challenges that may seem difficult. However, examining the long-term effects can put a decision in the proper perspective.


Published on: 2021-11-14
Updated on: 2024-03-15

Suboxone Doctors in Long Island, NY

Suboxone is the brand name for buprenorphine, which is one of the leading medications that is prescribed to help opiate addicts get and remain clean from their addiction. Suboxone is ideal for people who have become physically dependent on heroin, Fentanyl, prescription pain killers, and other opioid drugs. Opiate addiction causes addicts to experience very severe withdrawal symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, cold sweats and chills, insomnia, muscle and body pain, uncontrollable sneezing and leg and arm movements (known as kicking), as well as intense cravings and emotional instability.

The withdrawal symptoms are the reason that so many opiate addicts may want to stop using opiates but cannot. Suboxone diminishes withdrawal symptoms providing the opiate addict relief, and there is a vast amount of evidence that shows Suboxone promotes long term recovery from opioid addiction. If you are searching for Long Island Suboxone doctors, then we can help you find the best one that is closest to you. We also work with Suboxone doctors in Long Island that offer telemedicine services so that your prescription can be provided online from the safety and comfort of home.

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Published on: 2020-04-26
Updated on: 2024-03-08

Starbucks begins offering employees mental health benefits

Mental health awareness continues to increase in recent years and more employers are addressing the importance of mental health benefits for their workers. One of those employers is Starbucks, and the CEO Kevin Johnson recently went over the changes that are being implemented for the coffee giant.

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Published on: 2019-09-08
Updated on: 2024-03-08