Why Does Boating Therapy Work?
Why Does Boating Therapy Work?
Those in need of physical rehabilitation will realize the many physical therapist benefits they can expect as a result of their treatment. Therapy is mainly focused on individuals who have an addiction, mental illness, injury or physical mobility issue that is related to the neurons, musculoskeletal, integument (skin), and cardiopulmonary systems of the body. However, you’ve not had the best of therapy without trying this modern and progressive treatment program that helps overcome drug addiction- Boating Therapy.
About Boating Therapy for Addiction Treatment
Being a form of experiential treatment, Boating Therapy allows you the chance to break free from constraints of office or classroom-based treatment sessions. Basically, this therapy enables you to take part in experiential methods of addiction recovery that provides learning and healing through first-hand practice, instead of the classroom fashion of merely talking and listening.
At our St. Petersburg, Florida location, we allow everyone to have fun in the sun and on a boat; an experience that helps you become less guarded and more open to healing and more in-tune with your true selves.
How Boating Therapy Works
Our Tampa beach drug and rehab facilitates therapeutic sessions and activities on a boat. Done on the water, it enhances learning and the ability to develop a balance in life to deal with your emotions. It also equips you to overcome challenges by developing mindfulness to be able to make rational decisions being aware of the associated consequences of every decision we make. The atmosphere away from the typical office or group therapy rooms boost openness and being creative and spontaneous.
A comparable similarity exists between recovery in real life and boating therapy, as we all face related challenges each day in the community and our daily lives. So while the time on the ocean may feel like the pursuit of entertainment in the sun, you may be building skills that will help you cope with the sobriety challenges and the difficulties of everyday living. Typically, you’ll learn to live a moment at a time while you are out on the boat, which translates to focusing onto the sober moment of your everyday living and being appreciative and mindful of your life.
Taking part in Transformations By The Gulf’s addiction Boat Therapy enables your emotions that are bottled throughout addiction to come into the surface freely. Your brain gets to intensely focus on the activity rather than maintaining defense or trying to bury or fights your thoughts and feelings. The drug & addiction beach therapy right on the gulf waters of St. Petersburg, Florida, enables you to realize your needs and fears that addiction had masked from view. These needs can then be addressed in a talk or group therapy.
Boating Therapy At Transformations By The Gulf
If you or your loved one is seeking a richer and more fulfilling life by recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs, boating therapy is the form of treatment that will helps connect to the deeper self. It is designed to guarantee whole-person healing of body, mind, and spirit for a complete recovery.
For more information about our boating therapy and other methods that will help you recover from alcohol and drugs addiction, call us at 727-498-6498
Alcohol Addiction Treatment In St. Pete Beach, Florida
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
The party life in Florida isn’t always as enjoyable as it looks on television. There are many people challenged daily by alcoholism, and they may not be familiar with all of the alcohol addiction treatments that are available to them. The idea of going “cold turkey” might be romanticized by some, but the reality is that no one should ever try to face the difficulties of addiction alone. There are many alcohol addiction recovery centers available, but not all alcohol rehabilitation centers are the same. You’re always welcome to contact us at Transformations By The Gulf to see what we have to offer to help you on your journey to wellness. You still have options available, and there are some alcohol addiction treatment centers that are well-equipped and prepared to aid you in your recovery.
Help for Alcoholism, FL: Nearly 14 million Americans abuse alcohol. Three out of every ten adults live in a home that has, in some way, been negatively affected by the use of alcohol.
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how alcohol addiction can affect your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery.
How Alcoholism Can Happen
Although alcohol is considered a legal substance, it is the primary drug of choice in our society because of its widespread availability. Alcoholism has no social, economic or cultural boundaries. Nearly 14 million Americans abuse alcohol, and 3 out of every ten adults live in a home that has, in some way, been negatively affected by alcohol.
The pervasive effects of alcohol abuse can manifest to varying degrees on a physical, psychological, and behavioral level. While often used initially as a means of coping with stress or the emotionally challenges in one’s life, over time alcohol can cause the reverse effect as the ability to function becomes more and more impaired.
Alcoholism is usually predicated on a pattern of drinking in excess to the point of intoxication. Compulsive drinking on a regular basis eventually creates a chemical dependency, causing the body to crave alcohol. The individual then becomes unable to control the desire or need to drink, despite the consequences.
Harmful Effects of Alcoholism
Physically, alcoholism can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, or severe liver damage, high blood pressure, inflammation of the digestive system, impotence, and malnutrition. It increases the risk of cancer of the larynx, liver, esophagus, or colon. Alcohol also alters the transmission of nerve impulses so that users can experience a loss of balance, numbness of the hands and feet, and tremors.
Although initially used as a stimulant, alcohol can depress the activity of the control center of the brain. The prolonged use of alcohol disrupts the brain’s chemistry to such a degree that the person’s cognitive abilities are severely impaired, resulting in a loss of judgment, slowed reaction time, and unpredictable or erratic behavior.
The vicious cycle of consumption and craving also includes the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. One can experience anxiety, irritability, palpitations, tremors, insomnia, and depression, all of which can lead to the desire for more alcohol to relieve these symptoms.
Over-consumption of alcohol over a short period of time can lead to blackouts. This condition, called Anterograde Amnesia, is the inability to recall recent events. When blood alcohol concentration increases rapidly over a short period of time, it blocks the brain’s ability to retain short-term memory during that time.
Such impairments are generally the cause of alcohol-related deaths, whether it’s drunk driving or other accidents or injuries to oneself or others. Statistically, alcoholism is the cause of nearly 40% of all unnatural deaths.
The impact of alcoholism is not only disabling to one’s health, but it also affects personal relationships with loved ones, professional performance, social interactions, and the ability to manage the responsibilities of daily life. Because many people who are dependent on alcohol are unable to recognize that they have a serious problem; the initial, and probably the most important, step in treating alcoholism is admitting that the problem exists. Let’s chat now (727) 498-6498
Barbiturate Addiction Treatment
Barbiturates are CNS (central nervous system) depressants or sedative-hypnotics commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia and nerve disorders. While these medications are usually meant to be short-term solutions because of the risks of addiction, they are sometimes prescribed for longer spans.
Unfortunately, people prescribed barbiturates often find they have a psychological and physical dependence on the medication if they take the medication for more than 30 days. The drug can cause dependence, even if taken as directed for extended time frames. Transformations By The Gulf in St. Pete Beach, Florida, offers barbiturate addiction treatment in several forms to help individuals reclaim their lives.
Barbiturate Addiction Treatment in Florida
Barbiturate addiction treatment must be an individualized approach. At Transformations By The Gulf, we work with you to create a unique, holistic recovery plan that is best-suited to your needs. Our treatment options include:
- Residential Barbiturates Treatment: Spend your time in recovery immersed in a supportive atmosphere with a team of treatment specialists to help 24/7.
- Day Treatment With Community Housing (PHP): Maintain life at home by attending treatment for barbiturate addiction in a comfortable home setting during the day.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Barbiturates Treatment: IOP works well for those who need less-intensive treatment. You must attend nine hours of counseling weekly as you work toward sobriety.
What Is Barbiturate Addiction?
Barbiturates are most often found in pill form, but abusing the pills by injecting or crushing and sniffing them is common among those with an addiction. Barbiturates induce a relaxed state because of their effects on the CNS. Not only is this sedated state desirable for some, but barbiturates can also have effects that are comparable to drinking large amounts of alcohol.
One of the most dangerous attributes of barbiturates is there can be an extremely small difference between a tolerable and potentially fatal dose. If a user develops a tolerance to a current dose, he or she may take a higher dose, which can easily take the individual’s life.
Short-Term Effects of Using Barbiturates
- Lowered blood pressure
- Slowed heart rate
- Respiratory depression
- Drowsiness
- Lowered inhibitions
- Inability to feel pain
Long-Term Effects of Barbiturate Addiction
- Memory lapses
- Extreme mood swings
- Depression
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe fatigue
- Intense withdrawal when not using
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium
The Benefits of Seeking Barbiturates Addiction Treatment
Seeking treatment for barbiturate addiction in a formal setting poses numerous benefits, including:
- Monitored detox to better ensure your safety
- Guidance from professionals who understand addiction psychologically and physiologically
- Access to a recovery plan designed for you
- Peer support from individuals on the same road to recovery
- Relapse prevention support for the long-term
Do You Need Barbiturates Rehab?
Barbiturate addiction can have a stronghold on your life. The right barbiturates rehab program can be your saving grace. At Transformations By The Gulf, we aim to make treatment as easy, comfortable and effective as possible. Through a holistic approach, we help you regain your life.
Our facilities are situated near St. Pete Beach, which means your recovery takes place in a serene location that fosters a natural sense of well-being. To learn more about barbiturates treatment for yourself or a loved one, reach out today.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Help In St. Petersburg, Florida
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how benzodiazepine addiction can take over your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, boat therapy, family therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery.
How Benzodiazepine Addiction Can Happen
Benzodiazepines (a.k.a. “benzos”) are considered the biggest selling and most frequently prescribed drugs in history. Approximately 20% of the world’s population – and at least 4 million people in the U.S. – use tranquilizers or sleeping pills on a regular basis. They are quickly becoming the most heavily abused prescription substances in the country.
Benzodiazepines are readily available. Not only are they frequently prescribed by physicians, but they can also be purchased online without a prescription. Derivatives of benzodiazepines can also be found in popular over-the-counter sleep aids.
Benzodiazepines are a psychoactive/psychotropic drug used for treating, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and abnormal sleep patterns, seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol addiction. They are also frequently used for dental procedures and pre-surgery sedation. By slowing down the activity of the brain’s neurotransmitters, the drug induces a sense of calmness, providing relief from various forms of anxiety. Like all addictive substances, with repeated use the body develops a tolerance to the drug, thereby triggering the physical and psychological dependency cycle of addiction.
Personality Changes from using Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (or “Benzos” or “Bennies,” as they are called on the street) changes the brain chemistry to induce a sense of fearlessness, which can cause the user to take more risks or engage in more dangerous activities than they normally would. This behavior can result in serious accidents, lead to financial complications, and damage relationships. It is estimated that 40% of impaired drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents show traces of tranquilizers or sedatives in their bloodstream.
Other adverse personality changes that a user may exhibit include lack of interest in daily activities, rage, increased anxiety, depression or feelings of worthlessness, and in the most severe instances, suicidal ideations.
Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be very challenging and may last for weeks or months. Withdrawal symptoms include violent mood swings, insomnia, paranoia, disassociation, agoraphobia, and hallucinations. One should never discontinue the use of these drugs without medical supervision. Let's chat now (727) 498-6498!
Co-Occurring Disorders in St. Petersburg Florida
Co-Occurring Disorders: It has been estimated that 37 percent of alcohol abusers and 53 percent of drug abusers also have at least one other serious psychological or emotional problem. When a person has a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis, it generally means that they are suffering from addiction and an emotional/psychiatric disorder that may include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, attention deficit disorder, personality disorders, mood swings, trauma, sexual compulsivity, and more. To recover fully, the person needs treatment for both.
At Transformations By The Gulf, a Florida Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehabilitation Center for Women and Men, we understand that not every set of problems fit into a diagnostic pigeonhole or category. For instance, we know that some people with methamphetamine abuse have underlying attention deficit disorder. We have learned that some people with chronic alcohol abuse struggle with social phobias or interpersonal anxiety. We know that some people with marijuana abuse are attempting to deal with chronic pain or ease the distress of chronic depression.
When a co-occurring disorder is assessed, we are careful to treat the addiction and the underlying issue because not doing so would put the person at risk for relapse. Our highly experienced team of clinicians and staff work with the addiction while treating the underlying issue to decrease the risk of relapse. There is no rigid algorithm or formula which we follow. We remain open, personal, flexible and dynamic in our approach. The key is to treat the whole person and all of the conditions inherent in their addictive behavior so that they can achieve complete and lasting recovery.
Don’t Wait. If you feel ready, Get Help Now.
Drug Alcohol Treatment Housing FL
Why Transformations?
- Accredited by The Joint Commission
- Gender Specific treatment with mixed-gender interaction
- Holistic practices woven into traditional therapies to enrich the experience of recovery
- High standard of compassionate care in a small boutique style facility
- 3:1 client to counselor ratio for more individualized treatment
- Well-appointed, gender-specific residences that are located on award-winning St. Petersburg Beach, FL “Top 10 beaches in the US”
- Family Inclusion
- Comprehensive Continuing Care
Let’s talk now, contact us at 727-498-6498
Methamphetamine Addiction- St Pete Beach Florida
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how methamphetamine addiction can control your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery.
How Methamphetamine Addiction Can Happen
The number of illegal methamphetamine labs in the country is currently at an all-time high. Known as a “party drug” or “club drug,” the popularity of methamphetamines continues to grow.
Methamphetamine is an addictive central nervous system (CNS) stimulant known as “meth,” “speed,” “uppers,” or “chalk.” It is a white, bitter powder that can be taken orally, snorted, or intravenously injected. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, called “ice” or “crystal meth,” is a clear, crystallized form smoked in a glass pipe or injected. Methamphetamine is closely related to amphetamine, but the effects on the central nervous system are far more damaging.
Methamphetamine can be produced from pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, the active ingredients in many over-the-counter decongestant cold medications. As a result, pharmacies across the country are now enforcing restrictions on the distribution of these medications.
Users can initially experience a “rush” of heightened energy, increased libido, and elevated self-confidence. However, the rush passes quickly, inciting the need to use again. Chronic use can lead to binging, where the abuser goes for days without food or sleep. This vicious cycle can drive one farther and farther away from normal life, as the need to use becomes the primary concern. Eventually, the initial euphoric feelings can be replaced by aggression, irritability, paranoia, and, in some cases, hallucinations.
Neurological and Psychological Effects
Methamphetamine has a neurotoxic effect on brain cells. Once it enters the bloodstream, the drug releases high levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which stimulate the brain cells responsible for our moods and body movements. Eventually, not only is the brain no longer able to produce the same euphoric feeling that the drug has synthetically induced, it interrupts the brain’s production of these neurotransmitters to such a degree that the user experiences involuntary body movements and tremors similar to Parkinson’s disease. If the drug use continues, the effect may be irreversible.
Long-term use can also cause permanent cognitive damage, resulting in a loss of memory and attention span, and may even result in psychotic episodes resembling schizophrenia.
Physical Effects of Methamphetamine
Even using small amounts of methamphetamine can result in symptoms including frenetic physical activity, appetite suppression, hyperthermia, dizziness, insomnia, confusion, anxiety, and palpitations. With increased use, it can damage the kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system, and cause elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and stroke.
The withdrawal symptoms from methamphetamines include severe depression, inability to feel pleasure, extreme fatigue and lack of energy. In addition, the intense craving to use the drug again combined with deep depression can sometimes lead to suicide. Let’s talk- contact us 727-498-6498
Opiate Addiction Help, St. Pete Beach Florida
How Opiate Addiction Can Happen
Opium, which is the dried sap harvested from the seed of opium poppy plants, has been used for thousands of years to treat and manage pain. Today, it can be used by itself or synthesized to create various types of opiate drugs. More than 15 million people worldwide use illegal opiates – and, in the U.S., over two million people are addicted to prescription opiates.
Opiates are the natural alkaloids found in the resin of the poppy seed. Opioids are the chemicals extracted from the resin. Commonly used opiates include Morphine, Heroin, Codeine, Vicodin, Oxycontin (Oxycodone), Percocet, Darvocet, Dilaudid, Subutex or Suboxone, and Methadone. Although some opiates are prescribed medically, they are also available as street drugs, which are non-regulated and therefore may contain harmful levels of toxic substances. While codeine is the most widely used opiate in the world, heroin is the most lethal, and the most abused.
When an opiate enters the bloodstream, it activates the opiate receptors throughout the body. Once it reaches the brain, it binds to specific opiate receptors that affect pleasure and pain relief. The stimulation of these pleasure receptors causes more significant amounts of dopamine to be released, producing a feeling of euphoria and contentment. However, the brain organically produces endorphins that activate these same opiate receptors, so prolonged opiate use can disrupt the body’s natural pain and pleasure response, which leads to dependency and addiction.
Heroin is usually taken by intravenous or intramuscular injection, and penetrates the brain more quickly, which is why many addicts prefer it to other opiates. Although most opioids are prescribed in pill form, buprenorphine is taken sublingually, and morphine can be used in patch form.
Side Effects of Opiates
The physical side effects of opiates can include sweating, drowsiness, constipation, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, rashes or hives, reduced sex drive, vertigo, pinpoint pupils, low blood pressure, liver damage, and edema.
Opiates also significantly decrease respiratory activity. When taken in excessive amounts they can cause a person to stop breathing. Since heroin is usually injected, it can lead to other serious health problems acquired through transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C.
One of the most dangerous results of opiate use can be an accidental overdose. When used regularly for a prescribed period of time as a treatment following trauma or injury, opiates create a level of tolerance in the user. After prolonged use, increased doses are required to achieve the same results, causing the user to desire or use more than the prescribed dose. Additionally, what may be an acceptable dose under medical supervision for one user can be a lethal dose to a non-tolerant user, resulting in an overdose.
There are also severe side effects associated with opiate withdrawal, including tremors, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, head and body aches, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and hot flashes. Therefore, opiates should never be discontinued without medical supervision.
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how opiate addiction can take over your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, holistic therapy, and boating therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery. Call us now and let’s get started on a sober life 727-498-6498
What is addiction?
Addiction Explained
What is drug abuse and addiction? The explanation of substance use and abuse may be simple: An individual is using or misusing a substance. However, addiction explained is more complicated. The condition is a complex, chronic and progressive disease that, left untreated, will devastate your life whether you are a woman or a man. Addiction knows no age limits or cultural boundaries and cares not whether you are rich or poor. It doesn’t discriminate on your sexual preference, your religious beliefs, or the color of your skin. Addiction is a disease.
Decades of pointed research has proven that addiction alters the brain through small but continual changes to its structure and function. The frontal cortex, which is associated with judgment and decision making, is significantly affected by substance abuse. Neurochemicals and brain circuits that are involved in reward, motivation, memory and inhibitory control are disrupted, making the drug cravings and compulsion to use that much more powerful.
While the initial decision to use drugs may be a voluntary one, eventually, the disease of drug addiction compels a person to continue to abuse drugs despite the plethora of negative consequences associated with it. Since 2000, there have been 700,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. Further, 20.3 million Americans are dealing with an active addiction.
What Are the Symptoms of Addiction?
What is drug addiction characterized by? To understand how to explain addiction, you must also consider what happens to the mind and body when someone has the disease. Many symptoms of addiction will be associated with psychological actions and behaviors.
Some trademark symptoms of addiction include:
- Distorted behaviors or thought processes
- Personality changes
- Memory and learning problems
- Continued use in spite of knowing the risks
- Inability to reduce or control the use of a substance
Physically, addiction can be characterized by intense cravings for the substance and severe withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not used. For example, the person may experience flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal distress, tremors, chills and even seizures with abstinence from certain substances. The individual using a substance can also develop a tolerance to what he or she is taking, which means he or she may need to take more to feel the same effects.
How Do You Treat Addiction?
The good news is that drug addiction, like other chronic diseases, can be successfully treated. Through residential or intensive outpatient (IOP) substance abuse treatment, people are given the tools they need to restructure their lives and reach sobriety.
What is residential treatment and what is intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment? Residential treatment involves 24/7 care while you stay in a facility. IOP involves attending therapy and treatment sessions with certified professionals to overcome addiction.
At Transformations By The Gulf, we offer specific women’s and men’s addiction treatment programs that get to the core psychological and emotional issues of your self-defeating behavior. We utilize modalities to counteract the neurophysiological effects of addiction, so you can regain control of your life.
Our holistic approach to addiction treatment takes place in a serene location that fosters a sense of well-being. Our experiential therapies involve immersion in new, soothing environments where taking steps toward sobriety is easier. Transformations By The Gulf offers IOP, day treatment and residential treatment.
Don’t Wait. If you are ready, Get Help Now. (727) 498-6498
Cocaine Addiction Help, St. Pete Beach Florida
How Cocaine Addiction Can Happen
One of the most widely abused narcotics in the history of modern society, cocaine is considered the primary drug threat in the U.S. More than 36 million people in this country have used cocaine at least once – and nearly half of all drug-related emergency room visits are related to cocaine use.
Cocaine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder. “Crack” is cocaine hydrochloride that has been refined with either baking soda or ammonia and water into a liquid “freebase” form. Cocaine, or “blow,” can be snorted in pure powder form, where it is absorbed by the mucous membranes, or it can be dissolved in water and injected. Crack cocaine is smoked.
What Does Cocaine Feel Like?
With cocaine, the user experiences a euphoric high that heightens the senses, increases energy and mental alertness, and boosts confidence, making them feel more “alive.” This is because cocaine stimulates the brain’s pleasure receptors, dopamine, and serotonin. The effects of the drug can begin to dissipate within an hour, which triggers the desire to use again. This repeated activation of the brain’s pleasure receptors alters the brain’s chemistry so that it “remembers” that feeling of euphoria, and associates the drug with that feeling. As a result, the user believes the only way to achieve that sense of well-being again is to use more cocaine. Different forms of cocaine, such as crack, can be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. However, faster absorption also results in a shorter high.
Once the effects of the drug have worn off, the user experiences a “crash” which can lead to severe fatigue and depression, prompting the desire to use again. With repeated use the body develops a tolerance to the drug, so more cocaine is required to achieve the same high. Additionally, since cocaine is a stimulant, users will often resort to alcohol or other drugs to “come down” or induce sleep when needed.
Physical Effects of Cocaine Use
The physical effects of cocaine can begin to manifest even after the first use. Initially, the user may experience dilated pupils, a manic “rush” of energy, elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, or fever. The effects of prolonged cocaine use include tremors, severe weight loss as a result of a decrease in appetite, constriction of blood vessels which could eventually lead to heart attack or stroke, sexual dysfunction, respiratory problems, itching or a sensation of skin “crawling,” and even convulsions. Snorting cocaine can damage the sinuses and mucous membranes, causing nosebleeds and eventually a deviated septum. Repeated use severely impairs the central nervous system, the brain, and cognitive function.
Psychological Effects of Cocaine Use
Psychologically, repeated cocaine use can cause panic attacks, severe mood swings, paranoia, hallucinations, and erratic behavior. Habitual users may begin to demonstrate personality changes akin to schizophrenia. Withdrawal symptoms from cocaine can include delirium tremens, anxiety, exhaustion, depression, nausea, and vomiting.
Cocaine addiction affects the way the user processes information and handles interpersonal relationships. It can also lead to such severe eating and sleeping disorders that the user can no longer carry out the normal activities of daily life.
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how cocaine addiction can take over your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, holistic treatments, boating therapy, family therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery. Let’s start getting sober 727-498-6498
Marijuana Addiction, Florida
How Marijuana Addiction Can Happen
Marijuana is the most popular drug used in society today, and 41.5% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 has used it at least once in their lifetime. Marijuana addiction knows no barriers in terms of age, race, sex or social status. Although some states have decriminalized the use of marijuana, from a federal standpoint, it remains a controlled substance.
Marijuana is composed of a mixture of the stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant. The primary method of use is smoking it as a rolled cigarette or “joint,” in a pipe, or in a water pipe known as a bong. It can also be ingested orally as a concentrated liquid in tincture form, or by cooking it in food or tea. Typically, the effects of the drug last longer with oral ingestion. Marijuana is known by many names, such as weed, dope, grass, pot, ganja, and hash. There are also trademarked names for its many varieties, including Blue Dream, Northern Lights, etc. Hashish is a highly concentrated resin extracted from the bud of the female plant that is used either in clumps that are smoked alone or added to the pot or as a sticky, tar-like liquid ingested by itself or in beverages.
Although there are over 400 chemicals in a marijuana plant, the one responsible for altering brain function is THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Marijuana growers genetically enhance their plants to increase its levels of TCH, making it even more powerful and addictive.
When marijuana is smoked, THC travels from the lungs into the bloodstream, carrying the chemical throughout the body to the brain. When it reaches the brain, THC binds to specific cannabinoid receptors on the nerve cells that influence pleasure, memory, concentration, coordination, and perception of time. This cellular reaction in the brain’s pleasure centers is what causes the high. THC also binds to the fatty tissues in the body and therefore can be detected in users for weeks after it has been used.
How is Marijuana Addictive?
Part of marijuana’s widespread appeal is based on the misconception that it’s a “safe” drug. Although most people don’t think it’s addictive, nearly 4.3 million Americans are using it at abusive or dependency levels.
Marijuana is a psychotropic drug, the effects of which can be mildly psychedelic. Although the high usually brings feelings of relaxation and sensuous pleasure, users may also experience extreme paranoia and anxiety. It’s also considered a “gateway” drug, which means it often leads to the use of other more dangerous drugs, such as heroin or cocaine.
How Marijuana Influence Addiction Within The Body
In the short-term, marijuana causes reddening of the eyes, burning or irritation of the mouth and throat, suppression of motor control and loss of coordination, distorted perception, and increased heart rate.
Since marijuana contains 3-5 times the level of carbon monoxide than tobacco, it damages the lungs and respiratory tissues, which can lead to chronic bronchitis and even cancer. It also causes an increased risk for heart attack due to its effect on blood pressure and heart rate. Repeated use of marijuana can lead to infertility in females and a drastic decrease in sperm count in males.
Long-term marijuana use causes changes in brain pathways that are consistent with the use of other major drugs. The cumulative effect can impair one’s cognitive abilities, causing memory loss, difficulty concentrating or processing information, and lack of judgment. However, studies have proven that some cognitive abilities may be restored after discontinuing marijuana use.
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how marijuana addiction can affect your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery. Call us today for questions 727-498-6498