Author: Gary Jackson

Whether you are contemplating this decision or it’s already been made, you should be proud of yourself for taking this important first step. You may have heard people say, “once they hit rock bottom, they’ll get help.” This saying is dangerous because it encourages a person to keep going until they are near death or […]

Free radicals (also called reactive oxygen species [ROS]) are one of the by-products of alcohol metabolism and are known to cause cellular damage, unless the body can use antioxidants to clean them up. Oxidative stress occurs when the body cannot detoxify free radicals as fast as they are being produced, and it is pivotal in […]

There is an absence of scientific research regarding 2C-B addiction and withdrawal. 2C-B is considered to have a low potential for abuse similar to other hallucinogens. In the case of 2C-B addiction treatment, there is no evidence to suggest whether it is optimal to quit 2C-B cold turkey or gradually. It is potentially very dangerous in […]

Counselors may select from a menu of services that meet the specific medical, mental, social, occupational, family, and legal needs of their patients to help in their recovery. The chronic nature of addiction means that for some people relapse, or a return to drug use after an attempt to stop, can be part of the […]

All barbiturates affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter (chemical) that nerves use to communicate with one another. A key reason why healthcare providers don’t prescribe barbiturates as often now is the risk of misusing them. Because of that risk, you should keep these medications under lock and key in a secure place in your home. […]

In the early stages of alcoholism, one or two drinks may be all it takes to get the “song” to stop. But soon it takes six or seven, and later maybe ten or twelve. Somewhere down the road, the only time the song stops is when the person is passed out. Other types of brain […]

Your doctor may adjust the dosage of one or more of your medications, or they may have you try a different medication for your condition. In clinical trials, some adults taking Lyrica for nerve pain or fibromyalgia reported a decrease in pain within 1 week of starting treatment. It may take several weeks before the […]

The liquid form of ketamine is often stolen from veterinary offices and then sold as a recreational drug. The liquid form of the drug can also be heated and evaporated, leaving a white powder that is then snorted or orally ingested. Ketamine is often combined with other illicit substances, particularly opiates, marijuana, and alcohol. Your […]

It may last longer or shorter, depending on your unique biology and how much you’ve had to drink. Although antiemetic medication like Pepto-Bismol might help reduce nausea and vomiting, it might not stop it entirely. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, causing acid release and inflammation. If you’re not sure which OTC nausea treatment to […]

Group members can learn by observing others, being coached by others, and practicing skills in a safe and supportive environment. Groups help members learn to cope with their substance abuse and other problems by allowing them to see how others deal with similar problems. Groups can accentuate this process and extend it to include changes […]