If you’ve ever wondered about treatments for opioid addiction, you might have come across a medication called Suboxone. But what is Suboxone, and how does it help individuals battling addiction? In this simple guide, we’ll look into the basics of the drug, stripping away the medical jargon to give you a clear understanding. Imagine Suboxone as a helper that holds the hand of someone trying to walk away from opioid addiction, guiding them towards a path of recovery. Stick around as we explore how Suboxone works, its components, and why it’s a beacon of hope for many. Continue reading →
Let’s talk about MDMA, a substance that has sparked endless conversations, debates, and research. Whether you’ve heard about it through the media, within academic circles, or at music festivals, MDMA stands as a topic enveloped in both intrigue and controversy. This post aims to shed light on what MDMA is, separating myths from facts and providing you with a clear, unbiased understanding of its effects, uses, and the discussions surrounding its legality and potential therapeutic benefits. So, let’s start this journey together and learn all about MDMA. Continue reading →
Among one of the most preventable risk factors for cancer, alcohol consumption accounts for about 6% of all cancers in the United States. It also accounts for 4% of all cancer deaths in the US, the third-largest contributor to overall cancer deaths. The type of alcohol—wine, beer, or liquor—does not matter. The only way to reduce the risk of cancer from alcohol consumption is to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed.
The reality is that the overall health effects of alcohol can vary from one individual to the next. The amount of alcohol that is consumed can also play a critical role. Despite these grim statistics and countless studies, very few people know about the alcohol cancer risk connection.
alcohol cancer risk
Cancers Linked to Alcohol Use
Like tobacco and obesity, alcohol consumption is one of the few preventable substances consistently linked to an increased risk of cancer. All types of alcoholic drinks, including red and white wine, beer, cocktails, and liquor, are linked with cancer. The more you drink, the higher your alcohol cancer risk.
When you drink alcohol, your body breaks it down the ethanol alcohol into a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde damages your DNA and prevents your body from repairing the damage. DNA is the cell’s “instruction manual” that controls a cell’s normal growth and function. When DNA is damaged, a cell can begin growing out of control and create a cancer tumor.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing these types of cancer:
Mouth
Throat
Voice Box
Esophagus
Liver
Colon
Breast
Kidney
Cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and esophagus:
Alcohol use clearly raises the risk of these cancers, and drinking and smoking together can raise the risk of cancer even more. Smoking causes damage on a cellular level, and alcohol may also limit how these cells repair damage to their DNA by tobacco chemicals.
Liver Cancer:
Regular, heavy alcohol use can cause damage, cirrhosis of the liver and leading to inflammation and scarring. These detrimental effects of alcohol consumption may be why it raises the risk of liver cancer.
Breast Cancer:
Alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol also may increase breast cancer risk by damaging DNA in cells.
How Does Alcohol Cause Cancer?
Alcohol cancer risk isn’t completely understood. In fact, there are likely several different ways it can raise risk, and this might depend on the type of cancer.
The Breakdown
Like most things you eat or drink, alcohol – be it in a pint, shot or cocktail – gets broken down by your cells. This is a relatively straightforward process, and one that evolution has equipped our bodies to handle with ease. So where’s the harm in having a drink or two?
As the body works to break down the alcohol consumed, it goes through a step where it is converted to a highly reactive, toxic chemical called acetaldehyde.
At a normal pace, the body is capable of breaking down the acetaldehyde before any real damage can occur. However, the more you drink the faster the body needs to react to the breakdown process.
The problem is the breakdown process doesn’t kick into high gear simply because more alcohol is consumed. So a backup of acetaldehyde occurs, and this is when damage can occur on a cellular level.
Effect on Absorption of Nutrients
Not only is alcohol devoid of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, it actually inhibits the absorption and usage of vital nutrients such as thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc.
Decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas.
Impairing nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines.
Disabling transport of some nutrients into the blood.
Preventing those nutrients that are absorbed from being fully utilized by altering their transport, storage, and excretion.
Alcohol also interferes with the body’s microbiome.
Alcohol’s toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract also promotes poor nutrition by irritating the gut wall, leading to inflammation and ulceration. This can result in poor absorption of nutrients and issues within the gastrointestinal tract.
Alcoholic beverages may also contain a variety of carcinogenic contaminants that are introduced during fermentation and production, such as nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, and hydrocarbons.
The Combination of Tobacco and Alcohol Cancer Risk
Epidemiologic research shows that people who use both alcohol and tobacco have much greater risks of developing cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx (throat), larynx, and esophagus than people who use either alcohol or tobacco alone.
In fact, for oral and pharyngeal cancers, the risks associated with using both alcohol and tobacco are multiplicative; that is, they are greater than would be expected from adding the individual risks associated with alcohol and tobacco together
Some Recommendations for Alcohol Use
There is no proven way to completely prevent cancer. However, there are steps you can take to lower your alcohol-related risk.
Limit the number of alcoholic beverages you drink. You may choose to stop drinking alcohol completely. But if you plan to continue drinking, try to have two or fewer alcoholic drinks per week.
All alcohol contains ethanol and ethanol is the cancer-causing compound. The extent to which alcoholic drinks are a cause of various cancers depends on the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed.
Do not make an exception for red wine. There is no clear evidence that drinking red wine helps to prevent cancer. The current recommended limits also apply to red wine.
If you’re not sure if you can go to an event and not have a drink, keep your health in mind. Remember that you’re keeping your risk of cancers as low as possible.
It’s safest not to drink if you are on any medication, including cancer treatment. If you’re taking prescription medicine, ask your doctor if it’s safe before drinking alcohol.
Avoid using both alcohol and tobacco products. Especially together. The combination further increases the risks of developing certain cancers. These include cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
How Is Alcohol Use Defined?
There is something simple one can do to prevent cancer, and that is to limit the alcohol consumption. But what does that mean exactly? How is alcohol use defined so one can properly abide by limits? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention alcohol use is defined by these parameters.
Moderate alcohol use is defined as consuming up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
Excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, any alcohol use by individuals under the age of 21 years (minimum legal drinking age), and any alcohol use by pregnant women.
Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol use that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08% or more. This is usually defined as consuming four drinks or more for women and five drinks or more for men on a single occasion, generally within about two hours.
Heavy drinking is defined as consuming eight drinks or more per week for women and 15 drinks or more per week for men.
How Do Genes Affect Alcohol Cancer Risk?
A person’s risk of alcohol-related cancers is influenced by their genes, specifically the genes that encode enzymes involved in metabolizing (breaking down) alcohol. As the body works to break down the alcohol consumed, it goes through a step where it is converted to a highly reactive, toxic chemical called acetaldehyde.
Certain genetic conditions can cause the body to metabolize the breakdown even slower, causing a build-up of toxic acetaldehyde. This allows it the time to wreak havoc throughout the body and will change the structure of DNA on a cellular level. This is how cancer forms from alcohol consumption.
So How Much Is Too Much?
The bottom line is that regularly drinking alcohol can harm your health, even if you don’t binge drink or get drunk. All types of alcohol count. For many people, drinking is social. But cutting back on alcohol doesn’t mean cutting back on seeing your friends and family. Keep your health in mind. Remember that you’re keeping your risk of breast and other cancers as low as possible.
Before reading this you may not have realized the dangers of cancer from tipping back wine, beer, or cocktails. In fact, 7 out of 10 Americans are unaware of the link. Knowledge is power. And if you have any further questions regarding the alcohol cancer risk, please reach out to Harmony Ridge Recovery Center. Our professional team is here to help you fully understand your options that lead to your best life.
From 1996 to 2013, the number of people filling benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by over 60%. Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a group of central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Types of benzodiazepines include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Onfi.
These drugs produce feelings of calmness and euphoria, but they can also cause the opposite. They can lead to vivid or disturbing dreams, anterograde amnesia, hostility, and irritability. Benzos can be highly addictive and benzo withdrawal may be difficult to handle on your own. Addiction treatment centers will follow a benzo taper schedule to avoid any unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
After taking high doses of benzos for a long period of time, individuals with substance use disorders can develop a tolerance to benzos. When individuals are dependent on benzos, their bodies don’t know what to do without the drug. Then, when such individuals want to stop taking benzos, withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur—unless they find a facility that understands the importance of tapering benzodiazepines.
Using a Benzo Taper Schedule To Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
When individuals have been taking benzos for two weeks or longer, it’s recommended that they consider a benzo taper. It’s not recommended to stop abruptly. People who quit benzos without a taper may experience a life-threatening grand-mal seizure. To taper off means to take progressively smaller doses over the course of a few weeks or months. Although this may seem like a big step, tapering is a necessary step toward recovery.
Common Benzo Taper Schedule
The American Addictions Center (AAC) suggests an initial reduction of benzos by 25-30% for high dosage chronic users, followed by a 5-10% daily to weekly reduced dose.
A 25% weekly reduction is recommended for individuals who normally take therapeutic doses at bedtime. For those who take therapeutic doses during the daytime, an initial dose reduction of 10-25% should be implemented, followed by further reductions of 10-25% every 1-2 weeks thereafter.
This benzo taper guideline is particularly effective for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who may use benzos to help them manage any emotional trauma. However, there are other benzo taper guidelines doctors may use, as well.
The Ashton Method as a Benzo Taper Guideline
The Ashton Method was developed by Dr. Ashton, a physician in England. This method allows the body and the brain to adjust to the brain chemistry change when stopping benzo use. Although tapering off benzos is not pleasant, patients have found that The Ashton Method is very tolerable compared to other options.
The Ashton Method has reported a 90% success rate. This method’s protocol recommends using diazepam to taper, as the benefits of a long half-life are important for tapering. Diazepam’s half-life of up to 200 hours means it can help to prevent secondary issues, like interdose withdrawal (withdrawal symptoms that develop between doses), that can lead to major problems during cessation. Diazepam also comes in smaller doses.
There are other types of medications that may be used to ease benzo withdrawal symptoms. Clonazepam, another type of benzo, has a medium half-life. Alprazolam has a short half-life. It’s up to the discretion of the medical professional to decide on what he or she will administer.
Why It’s Important To Follow Benzodiazepine Taper Guidelines
Benzos affect the GABA receptors, a neurotransmitter that sends chemical messages through the brain and the nervous system and is involved in regulating communication between brain cells. Since benzos impede these receptors from functioning properly, it slows down the body’s systems. The brain becomes accustomed to this influx of GABA and attempts to adapt. Stopping abruptly can cause the body and brain to react violently as a result.
A benzo taper can take two to three weeks for some patients and several months for others. When tapering off benzos, people may still experience some symptoms of withdrawal after each dose reduction.
Addiction Treatment Centers Can Help With a Benzo Taper
When a person wishes to stop taking benzos, it’s important that the process is done at a specialized drug treatment facility where medical and mental health professionals are on hand to offer direct support and care, like Harmony Ridge Recovery Center. Substance abuse treatment can help a person sustain abstinence from benzodiazepines in the long run.
It’s important to note that there is no “one size fits all” solution for people tapering off of benzos. Doctors can make a personalized tapering schedule. This will be based on one’s current dose and particular circumstances.
What To Know About Benzo Withdrawal
Understanding how to taper off benzos doesn’t illuminate the severity of benzo withdrawal symptoms. Benzos are known to have among the most dangerous withdrawals of any drug. According to American Addiction Centers (AAC), drug withdrawal may include a combination of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms — some of which can prove dangerous if left unmanaged.
The first signs of benzo withdrawal usually starts within six to eight hours for shorter-acting benzos (Xanax, Dormonoct, Halcion) and 24 to 48 hours of longer-acting benzos (Valium, Klonopin, Librium).
The severity of withdrawal symptoms is associated with a variety of factors, including current dose, how long a person has been taking it, whether someone takes other sedating drugs, and so much more.
Common Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
Headaches – Patients may experience splitting headaches in the complete absence of benzos.
Sleep disturbances – Insomnia or excessive sleep habits may develop as a patient goes through withdrawal.
Irritability – Agitation and rude behavior are common occurrences, especially when the patient’s cravings are hitting their hardest.
Convulsions – Erratic actions and movements can result from disrupted brain chemical signals.
Tremors – Involuntary movements may manifest in various areas of the body, particularly in the hands.
Nausea and vomiting – Patients going through withdrawal may be in a state of perpetual sickness throughout.
Psychosocial episodes (severe panic attacks, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures) – A patient’s central nervous system will be attempting to self-correct after substance interference. In turn, neurological incidents may result.
Delirium – Characterized by auditory, tactile, and visual hallucinations. It can also cause disturbances in consciousness and cognition, which can lead to erratic behavior as well as possible accidents.
Rebound Effects vs. Benzo Withdrawal
Rebound symptoms usually occur within one to four days of discontinuing benzo use without a proper tapering method. This depends on the type of benzo used, the dosage, and the frequency of use.
Rebound effects are the return of previous symptoms (anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc.) that were in existence before the patient started using benzos. Withdrawal symptoms are caused by the body struggling to adapt to the end of benzos use.
Those experiencing anxiety while tapering off benzos should have a backup plan. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), meditation, mindfulness training, and exercise may help.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms may continue to occur after people suffering from substance use disorders stop using benzos. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms can occur for six months or longer. Symptoms include persistent anxiety, chronic insomnia, difficulty performing complex tasks, poor concentration, loss of sex drive, and depression. Psychological withdrawal symptoms may also continue for months, but they can be controlled and minimized with proper professional help.
What To Do After Tapering Benzodiazepines
Treatment for Benzo Addiction
Those taking the first step to free themselves from a substance use disorder will need to taper off benzodiazepines through a detox program. Afterward, they have the option to go to inpatient or outpatient treatment. The main difference between the two programs is that inpatient treatment requires patients to stay at the addiction treatment facility while outpatient care doesn’t.
Inpatient Programs
A benzo addiction is not to be taken lightly. With this in mind, it’s best to join an inpatient treatment program where patients are under 24/7 care and are constantly surrounded by peers all working toward sobriety. There are standard inpatient programs that are rigid and structured while residential inpatient programs are a bit laxer.
Outpatient Programs
Alternatively, there are outpatient programs that may benefit those who don’t have the ability to live in an addiction treatment center while working toward recovery. In this case, they may opt to choose between a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), or a standard outpatient program.
A PHP requires the most time while an IOP requires less time, but is still quite rigorous. Standard outpatient programs require only a few hours a week and are only truly beneficial to those who are taking a step down from a more intensive program. Standard outpatient treatment would be a good part of an aftercare plan.
Aftercare Plan
It may seem hard to stay sober when leaving inpatient treatment for a benzo withdrawal. Those just leaving inpatient treatment may find themselves put in triggering situations, or situations that spark the thought of reverting back to old habits. There are a few actions to take to avoid or manage these temptations, including:
Finding a solid, sober support system. When people surround themselves with sober people who have their best interests at heart, they will have a sense of community. If such people are not sure who to turn to, they should try looking for a support group in their area.
Modifying the environment. Before someone leaves treatment, he or she should ask a loved one to remove anything triggering from his or her home. This will prevent a trigger before it happens.
Setting goals for the future. When people in recovery look towards the future and set goals, they will be able to manage their temptations when they arise. People in recovery must remember why they want to stay sober and all the benefits it will bring to their life.
Keeping follow-up appointments. It’s important to schedule follow-up appointments with a doctor to ensure one is staying on the right track after completing rehab. It’s easy to think that people in recovery can handle things on their own. As a result, though, individuals may be tempted to skip appointments. Still, it’s much easier to handle temptations when getting help from health professionals.
Finding moments each day to be thankful. Whether individuals write down their gratitude in a journal or just think about what they are thankful for every day, they will reap the benefits. When individuals have a strong appreciation for the life they have been given, it is easier to recognize how much they have to be thankful for.
Creating new, healthy habits to replace old ones. Keep pushing forward. It’s important to find some new and enjoyable activities. Those in recovery should find something that they like doing and stick with it. Exercising, meditating, and volunteering can all take up time in positive ways.
Taper Off Benzos In a Safe, Peaceful Environment
Benzos are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. If you or a loved one is addicted to benzos, help is available. With proper care and follow-up support, recovery can be achieved.
Addiction treatment will help you or your loved one improve coping skills and rectify behaviors that influence drug use. Without the right treatment, withdrawal from benzos can be extremely dangerous. We are here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Eutylone is a synthetic stimulant that people use to get a quick energy boost. However, it can have some pretty serious effects. Originally, scientists made eutylone for medical purposes, but it didn’t take long for it to hit the streets as a recreational drug. Knowing how to spot when someone’s using eutylone and what it can do to them is crucial. Our West Virginia Treatment Center is here to answer all the important questions concerning this drug. What is eutylone exactly? What are its effects and risks? And how does it compare to other synthetic cathinones? Find out all you need to know with us. Continue reading →
You might have heard the term Tesla Pills thrown around in movies or at parties. Let’s cut through the noise and get down to what Tesla Pills are. They’re a type of party drug known for their strength and unique logo. You might see them at clubs or festivals, but there’s more to them than just being a party favorite. They come with their own set of risks and issues. It’s important to understand the whole picture when it comes to Tesla Pills. They can be dangerous, and it’s vital to know what you’re dealing with. If you or someone you know needs help with drug use, rehab centers in West Virginia are a great resource. They offer the support and help needed to tackle these challenges. Continue reading →
Opioid overdose prevention is crucial today, especially in areas like West Virginia (WV), where the impact of the opioid crisis is significant. Understanding this crisis, its causes, and prevention methods is key to saving lives. Awareness of resources, including rehab centers in West Virginia, is vital for those seeking help and support in overcoming opioid addiction. Continue reading →
Wet brain, also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, is a complex condition that involves a range of challenges that people may experience due to thiamine deficiency, often caused by alcohol abuse. Harmony Ridge Recovery Center will explore the causes, symptoms, and possible treatment options for this medical condition. Continue reading →
There is a link between bullying and addiction in Cambridge OH. Harmony Ridge Recovery Center WV will explore why this issue arises and what it means for the community. Our goal is to bring this complex problem into the open and start a conversation that could make Cambridge a better and more caring place for everyone. Continue reading →
Embarking on the path to recovery from addiction is a courageous step, but it’s essential to acknowledge that the road is not always linear. We must explore a critical aspect of this journey – relapse. Our aim is to shed light on the signs and symptoms associated with the three stages of relapse, providing valuable insights to help individuals and their loved ones recognize and address them. Continue reading →
(888) 771-8372