The goal of withdrawal therapy (detox)is for you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. Detox may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other drugs that have less severe side effects. For some people it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Other people may require placement in a hospital or a residential treatment center.
Withdrawal from different categories of drugs produces different side effects and requires different approaches. No two addicts detox the same, so comparing scripts with your buddy is b.s.
There is a new sheriff in town. And his name is SUBOXONE, a sublingual tablet that has hard core oxy addicts back in school in less than 72 hours. Pain free. The only drawbacks I see is that Doctors have to be approved to give it to you and the fact that if detox can be this easy, some might consider doing it OFTEN.
You can find more on Suboxone and Subutex (you can actually get high on Subutex...) at these fine sites:
http://www.suboxone.com
http://www.suboxone-directory.com
http://www.suboxone411.com
I'm sure the black market has already begun, but ever the optimist, I remain hopeful.
Detox=Good. Heroin=Bad.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Friday, November 12, 2004
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Isn't It Ironic?
The corner of 6th and Gladys Street in Downtown L.A. is much like any other in our teeming city. Lots of traffic and pedestrians, quite a bit of dirt and grime.
But this corner is also very unique. A magical corner, almost. And somewhere at this intersection in both the richest and poorest city in the world is a story.
Let's see if I can tell it.
Skid Row is the common name for a six square block area of downtown that provides clothing, food and shelter for thousands of the most downtrodden residents that have chosen to call L.A. "home."
These men and women battle with alcohol and drug addictions and homelessness. Many others suffer from mental illnesses that range from simple depression to full-blown schizophrenia. The fact is that most of castaways from what we call "society" wage a daily war against a combination of all of these, if they have the strength or the resources to fight at all. "Cardboard condominiums", actual sleeping quarters made from boxes, paper and trash line the side streets, and there are many more liquor stores than places of employment.
There are more opportunities to score crack cocaine and heroin than there are for training or medical assistance. The men and women who make up the population of Skid Row are not recent immigrants, nor are most of them people who have chosen to live there. They were our neighbors, friends and schoolmates. They are our veterans. Some are our brothers and sisters.
And at this intersection of Hopelessness and Despair, the soup kitchens and detoxes are never lacking for customers. AA meetings are held each night down here at a "park." Its called a park in name only, but it's really just some concrete with a couple of trees surrounded by a high metal fence.
The far corners forming a point that becomes our magical corner of 6th and Gladys. So back to our corner. If you ever feel the need to see how the other half lives, and I hope you will, go to 6th and Gladys Street. Stand at the bus stop there and look around at what we've become.
And while you look around at the grim realities of life for those on the other side, look up. Look up and read. The bus stop sign says the MTA 460, from the corner of 6th and Gladys on Skid Row, goes directly to Disneyland. One bus, one ride. Somewhere, somehow, someone made a very big mistake.
You see the "Happiest Place On Earth" is just a faded dream down here, it's not a destination.
Now that's ironic.
But this corner is also very unique. A magical corner, almost. And somewhere at this intersection in both the richest and poorest city in the world is a story.
Let's see if I can tell it.
Skid Row is the common name for a six square block area of downtown that provides clothing, food and shelter for thousands of the most downtrodden residents that have chosen to call L.A. "home."
These men and women battle with alcohol and drug addictions and homelessness. Many others suffer from mental illnesses that range from simple depression to full-blown schizophrenia. The fact is that most of castaways from what we call "society" wage a daily war against a combination of all of these, if they have the strength or the resources to fight at all. "Cardboard condominiums", actual sleeping quarters made from boxes, paper and trash line the side streets, and there are many more liquor stores than places of employment.
There are more opportunities to score crack cocaine and heroin than there are for training or medical assistance. The men and women who make up the population of Skid Row are not recent immigrants, nor are most of them people who have chosen to live there. They were our neighbors, friends and schoolmates. They are our veterans. Some are our brothers and sisters.
And at this intersection of Hopelessness and Despair, the soup kitchens and detoxes are never lacking for customers. AA meetings are held each night down here at a "park." Its called a park in name only, but it's really just some concrete with a couple of trees surrounded by a high metal fence.
The far corners forming a point that becomes our magical corner of 6th and Gladys. So back to our corner. If you ever feel the need to see how the other half lives, and I hope you will, go to 6th and Gladys Street. Stand at the bus stop there and look around at what we've become.
And while you look around at the grim realities of life for those on the other side, look up. Look up and read. The bus stop sign says the MTA 460, from the corner of 6th and Gladys on Skid Row, goes directly to Disneyland. One bus, one ride. Somewhere, somehow, someone made a very big mistake.
You see the "Happiest Place On Earth" is just a faded dream down here, it's not a destination.
Now that's ironic.
Monday, November 01, 2004
the addictions helpBlog
the addictions helpBlog
A disease? Moral Defeciency? Lack of Will?
Whatever it is, millions of us have "it".
Threfore, despite everything you may have heard, that equals millions of ways to treat "it"...
From Methadone to Meditation, Treatment Centers by the Sea to Downtown Detox Clinics. And meetings...and meetings...and meetings.
Or not.
The majority of Alcoholics and Addicts who quit drinking or using drugs have never seen the door of a 12-Step meeting. At the same time, millions of formerly hopeless/helpless drunks and dope fiends have found a new way of life in the rooms of N.A. and A.A. (But trust me when I tell you not to EVER bring up the topic of getting clean and sober without the 12-Steps. While denial may not be a bad word, it's not exactly a compliment.)
If you've read this far hoping that I would have an answer for your particular brand of addiction, I am sorry to dissapoint you. There are plenty who will tell you what you should do. And how you should do, where you should do, and why you should do.
Shouldy, shouldy-do.
At last count there was something like 120 "formal" 12 Step Organiziations. There are hundreds of thousands of churches and synagogues. The Drug and Alcohol Treatment industry has thousands and thousands of licensed facilites, and many more run from houses and Recovery homes. Medication advances like Suboxone and Subutex make detox safer and more comfortable. The Salvation Army has free treatment centers in practically every U.S. State. Alternatives to 12-Step programs can be found in simple Yahoo or Google searches-and there are more every day. Some rational, some not so rational...
My point, if there really is one, is that it doesn't matter what "kind" of drunk you are or the religious values buried by your addiction. You, and I, are two of millions. And absolutely, positively unique. That means there are millions of qays to get sober.
Pick one, or make your own. And let us know how it goes.
Or doesn't go.
A disease? Moral Defeciency? Lack of Will?
Whatever it is, millions of us have "it".
Threfore, despite everything you may have heard, that equals millions of ways to treat "it"...
From Methadone to Meditation, Treatment Centers by the Sea to Downtown Detox Clinics. And meetings...and meetings...and meetings.
Or not.
The majority of Alcoholics and Addicts who quit drinking or using drugs have never seen the door of a 12-Step meeting. At the same time, millions of formerly hopeless/helpless drunks and dope fiends have found a new way of life in the rooms of N.A. and A.A. (But trust me when I tell you not to EVER bring up the topic of getting clean and sober without the 12-Steps. While denial may not be a bad word, it's not exactly a compliment.)
If you've read this far hoping that I would have an answer for your particular brand of addiction, I am sorry to dissapoint you. There are plenty who will tell you what you should do. And how you should do, where you should do, and why you should do.
Shouldy, shouldy-do.
At last count there was something like 120 "formal" 12 Step Organiziations. There are hundreds of thousands of churches and synagogues. The Drug and Alcohol Treatment industry has thousands and thousands of licensed facilites, and many more run from houses and Recovery homes. Medication advances like Suboxone and Subutex make detox safer and more comfortable. The Salvation Army has free treatment centers in practically every U.S. State. Alternatives to 12-Step programs can be found in simple Yahoo or Google searches-and there are more every day. Some rational, some not so rational...
My point, if there really is one, is that it doesn't matter what "kind" of drunk you are or the religious values buried by your addiction. You, and I, are two of millions. And absolutely, positively unique. That means there are millions of qays to get sober.
Pick one, or make your own. And let us know how it goes.
Or doesn't go.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Suboxone - Buprenorphine Approved for Opiate Detox
The FDA has approved two versions of the drug buprenorphine for treating opiate dependence, clearing the way for heroin and other opiate users to receive treatment in doctors' offices in addition to methadone clinics.
Like methadone, buprenorphine can be used to treat dependence on opioid-based prescription drugs, such as OxyContin and various pain medications, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. But buprenorphine is subject to less-stringent government regulation than methadone, meaning doctors may be more willing to prescribe it to patients.
My feelings are mixed.
While at first quite enthused about the prospect of a pain-free, outpatient heroin kick I couldn't help but think "Cool. Get strung-out, see the doc, come down and do it again..." Easy. Maybe too easy?
Resources:
SoberRecovery.com-Suboxone
Support Systems Homes
Assisted Recovery
Home Detox of California
Like methadone, buprenorphine can be used to treat dependence on opioid-based prescription drugs, such as OxyContin and various pain medications, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. But buprenorphine is subject to less-stringent government regulation than methadone, meaning doctors may be more willing to prescribe it to patients.
My feelings are mixed.
While at first quite enthused about the prospect of a pain-free, outpatient heroin kick I couldn't help but think "Cool. Get strung-out, see the doc, come down and do it again..." Easy. Maybe too easy?
Resources:
SoberRecovery.com-Suboxone
Support Systems Homes
Assisted Recovery
Home Detox of California
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
