MEMORY IS A FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN Among heroin addicts there is an unofficial term used to describe heroin-related memory loss. That term is “CRS” which is an acronym for “Can’t Remember S__t.” Not surprisingly, the science backs up the term. For instance, we know two things for sure; that heroin use clouds mentation and […]
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I’m having trouble peeing Urine retention is an inability to pee, and we get it, this is not an exciting topic to read about. However, it’s one of the most common complaints from heroin users. That begs the question. Why do heroin addicts have a trouble peeing? That’s what this page will answer.   Normal urination […]
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Among heroin addicts there is an unofficial term used to describe heroin-related memory loss. That term is “CRS” which is an acronym for “Can’t Remember S__t.” Not surprising, the scientific evidence backs up the term. For instance, we know two things for sure; that heroin use clouds mentation and impairs brain function. Since memory is […]
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Can heroin change your personality? There are three primary elements to heroin related personality change; (1) were either of the heroin addict’s parents an addict, (2) the type of behavior used to acquire heroin, and (3) the physical and mental effects from using heroin. Personality traits The evidence indicates specific personality traits common to many […]
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Why was heroin invented? At the time heroin was invented, the only effective medication for pain, diarrhea and coughing was morphine. Unfortunately, many people became addicted to morphine. In response, many chemists tried to create something safer. In the quest to find morphine’s replacement, heroin was invented. Famous quotes about heroin Who invented heroin? The […]
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How You Can Die From Heroin Withdrawal There are not many rules about what “not” to do when you’re withdrawing from heroin, except not to use heroin. Yet because your health and safety are critically important, you should never use stimulants while you’re detoxifying.   Stimulants Stimulants are chemical substances that affect the nervous system by […]
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Available resources for additional information on the causes and consequences of drug and alcohol use and addiction and the prevention of Substance Use Disorders (SUD’s).   National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-4000 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 1 Choke Cherry Road Rockville, Maryland 20857 Phone: […]
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Heroin is in a class of drugs known as opioids. Many people think that when a person uses heroin they just get high. But that is not the entire story. Heroin, much like any other opioid, produces several unpleasant after effects as well, two of which are nausea and vomiting. Nausea is the discomfort that […]
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Alphabetical This is an alphabetical list of opiate terms and definitions. We compiled them here in one place to help people better understand what opiates are, how and why they are used, and the dangers associated with using them. A _____________________________________________________________________ Abuse: Improper use Activity: The response a chemical substance produces after binding to a […]
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PERSONALITY Your personality is the way you think, feel and act. It’s ever-changing, and it influences how you feel about different people, how you perceive different situations and how you act and don’t act within your environment. In short, your personality is what makes you – you. Drugs If you’re taking drugs that alter your […]
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INTRODUCTION We get calls every day from disillusioned men and women who realize they cannot get off methadone. These unfortunates have learned the hard way that methadone dependence can be more difficult to fix than the original dependence they were trying to fix with methadone. And now they’re stuck, but there is a solution.   […]
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How many heroin overdoses in 2016? In 2016 there were 63,632 drug overdose fatalities. Of those fatalities, 42,249 or 66.4% involved opioids. Of the opioid overdose fatalities, 15,469 involved heroin.   Opioid poisoning Signs of opioid poisoning include pinpoint pupils, slowed or stopped breathing, blue lips and fingernails, cold clammy skin, and seizures. List of […]
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What is Heroin? Heroin is a highly addictive derivative of opium, that produces intense feelings of euphoria, when administered in sufficient dose. For almost a century, heroin was administered almost exclusively by injection (intravenous). However, in the 1990s the purity of heroin reached very high levels, making other modes of administration e.g., snorting or smoking […]
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Chronic opiate use inhibits the pituitary gland from releasing luteinizing hormone (LH) into the circulatory system. LH is needed to produce testosterone and sperm. Consequently, less LH ultimately results in a lower sperm count. There is additional scientific evidence that indicates opiates may fragment the DNA within sperm. DNA fragmentation occurs when there is an […]
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Heroin targets your brain’s reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. The overstimulation of the reward system produces the euphoric effects sought by individuals who use heroin. It also teaches the brain to repeat […]
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What is itchiness? Itchiness is a subjective, irritating sensation arising from superficial layers of skin that provokes an urge to scratch. Scratching is simply a reflex response to an itch in order to relieve the itch. The feeling of itchiness that occurs following heroin use comes directly from the spine. We know this because researchers […]
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  Androgens and Testosterone Androgens are sex hormones. They are made primarily in the male testes, female ovaries, and adrenal glands. Testosterone is the most potent androgen in humans. We know now that testosterone is an indispensable hormone for sexual health. That is why it is important to understand the full impact that opiates play […]
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WHAT IS CBT? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or “CBT” is an integration of two different therapies, Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. CBT is a generic term that refers to a broad combination of these two therapies. It’s also one of the most recommended and scientifically proven therapies. Behavior Therapy Behavior Therapy or “BT” is the first […]
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INTRODUCTION Addiction is tenacious seeking and compulsive use of a chemical substance without regard for consequences. On the other hand, denial is the refusal to accept the truth. Yet together, these two create the perfect storm.   Denial Denial is a serious psychological problem, but it’s a little difficult to explain. It’s as if a […]
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Nobody completely understands why a person who drinks less than most, becomes an alcoholic, while another person who drinks more, does not. However, if you were trying to create an alcoholic the surest way to do so would be to start an individual drinking as young as possible. Drinking before age 15 makes it 5 […]
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OPIOIDS and BENZOS No doubt about it, cold-turkey opioid-detox is a nightmare, but the most difficult detoxes are the combo detoxes, which includes detoxes such as; Alcohol and Methadone detox, Alcohol and Xanax detox, Heroin and Xanax, and Buprenorphine and Xanax. But by far the Klonopin (clonazepam) and Methadone detox is the worst. Few people […]
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DEFINITION Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) refers to a spectrum of signs and symptoms that develop after a person, who has been drinking alcohol everyday, suddenly stops drinking. In these people, the central nervous system (CNS) has adjusted to the constant presence of alcohol in the body by compensating for alcohol’s depressive effects. Consequently, when alcohol […]
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Drug Addiction Treatment:  The process of drug addiction treatment can be summed up in one word – “change.”  After all, it’s changes to the brain that produce alcohol and drug cravings.   Women’s needs in treatment Gender-related drug abuse treatment attends not only to biological differences between males and females but also to social and […]
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WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME Chronic substance abuse may lead to physical dependence, which is a biological condition characterized by susceptibility to withdrawal syndrome soon after discontinuation. Furthermore, some individuals are hypersensitive to the symptoms of withdrawal. These individuals typically cannot overcome their dependency without professional assistance. For these highly addicted individuals full recovery requires, at a minimum, […]
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“Doctors who enable addicts betray their profession,” – Nick DiGiulio. United States Attorney Zane David Memeger, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent-in-Charge Nick DiGuilio indicted Dr. Alan Summers for running a pill-mill. Dr. Summers of Pennsylvania sold prescriptions of Suboxone to known dealers and drug addicts in exchange for cash payments. The Suboxone ring operated […]
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WHO IS MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO ALCOHOL? Those with higher personality trait inhibitedness are most susceptible to alcoholism. The subjective effects vary depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: Age Health status Family history Personality One of the key concepts in alcohol abuse recovery is the learning or relearning to be social […]
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Tolerance to heroin Heroin tolerance is is a complex process of neuroadaptation. It is defined by reduced response to one or more of heroin’s effects after repeated administration. Essentially, nerve cells (neurons) with opioid receptors become less sensitive to heroin, and more heroin is needed to achieve the same intensity of effects. Heroin tolerance has […]
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Heroin tolerance, dependence, and addiction are all manifestations of brain changes resulting from repeated heroin use. The struggle for heroin abuse recovery is in great part a struggle to overcome the effects of these changes.   How to help someone with heroin withdrawal A variety of heroin dependence treatment options are available to help men […]
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Addiction is a Family Problem Drug addiction has a negative impact on the family and just about everyone else the addict knows and cares about. It frustrates employers, disappoints friends, upsets spouses, terrifies parents, and neglects children. Can Drugs Change Your Personality   Here are some alarming facts: In the United States, the leading cause […]
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Understanding Addiction Drug addiction is a neurobehavioral syndrome characterized by tenacious seeking, and compulsive using plus an inability to control consumption. Nobody decides to become a drug addict or alcoholic. It happens gradually over time. Addiction often begins innocently enough as a teenager with tobacco, marijuana and alcohol. Areas in the brain that govern decision […]
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DETOXIFICATION The purpose of drug detox is fourfold: (1) to manage withdrawal symptoms, (2) purge chemical substances, (3) recuperate the body and (4) return the brain to normal function.   Why Do You Need Detox? Withdrawal should always be avoided, because the longer a person uses drugs or alcohol, the longer it may take to […]
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  Alcohol Dangers: We know the subjective effects of alcohol appear to be greatest in men and women with higher personality trait inhibitedness. We also know that drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over time can have serious health consequences. Most people are aware that drinking too much can lead to nausea, […]
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Goals The goals of addiction treatment are to attain and sustain long-term abstinence. This outcome allows men and women to lead active lives among their family, workplace and community. One of the challenges, however, is keeping a man or woman in treatment long enough for him or her to turn their life around. That’s why […]
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