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Alcohol is a sedative drug that acts as a depressant on your central nervous system. This may be confusing because you initially get a stimulating "high" feeling from its early use. This is caused by alcohol depressing the core part of your brain, which lessens your inhibitions. When alcohol reaches the brain, it slows down its functions. Based on how much you drink and how often, alcohol causes both temporary and permanent brain injury. Areas affected include memory, problem-solving, judgement, behavior, insight, understanding of pain and pleasure, coordination and regulation of all body systems. Alcohol is an irritant that causes many health risks to various parts of the body. The heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas are all negatively impacted by the excessive use of alcohol. 

Opiates (also referred to as opioids) act like the natural chemicals your body makes to reduce pain. They are intensely addictive and both medical non-medical forms often lead to problems related to use. Opiates give a brief dreamlike sense of well-being and relaxation. They offer an intense euphoric effect for people seeking a high, followed by a severe and difficult withdrawal. Heroin, for example, produces a feeling of euphoria that is often followed by drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Users of heroin also may experience constricted pupils, watery eyes, runny nose and itching. With heroin, as with most opiate drugs, users can easily become addicted and develop a tolerance for the drug. This can force them to take stronger doses in an effort to produce the same euphoric feeling. An overdose may produce slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma and death.

Some treatment approaches encourage Medication Assisted Treatment therapies (such as methadone, suboxone, and naltrexone) to lessen the cravings and withdrawals associated with trying to stop using opiates. These therapies prove beneficial in helping some men not crave their opiate of choice. We can help men reclaim a life of sobriety following a devastating addiction to opiates. Give us a call to learn how we can help men find a sober lifestyle through our CBT Rational Living counseling approach if Medication Assisted Treatment is not a prefered choice for a manageable lifestyle--our social detoxification will be a better route.

Methamphetamine or a stimulant, or uppers, speed everything up. Initially users experience a boost of energy and feeling of euphoria. Even small doses increase alertness and physical activity while decreasing appetite. While stimulants initially cause your brain cells to release chemicals that make you feel good, over time they can permanently impair your ability to feel pleasure without the drug.

Methamphetamine is commonly produced from cold or allergy medications and may contain chemicals like brake fluid, antifreeze, battery acid, lye and drain cleaner. Users quickly discover that the drug overpowers other interests. It can become harder and harder to maintain the high even with more and more of the drug. Most synthetic drugs, including MDMA (Ecstasy), are stimulants.

Asked Questions about Cocaine: Powder and Crack, Their Effects, and Risks

1. 12-Step Program
2. Individual Counseling
3. Group Therapy
4. Family Therapy
5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
6. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
7. Holistic Therapies
8. Psychoeducation
9. Relapse Prevention
10. Dual Diagnosis Treatment
11. Life Skills Training
12. Aftercare and Continuing Support

12 Step addiction has Cognitive Behavioral treatment as one of its treatment components. Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can have a positive effect on people trying to get off stimulant drugs.