HALT Recovery Central's Addiction Blog » Alcoholism

Are Alcohol Blackouts Real? Too Much Alcohol Blocks New Memories

nita — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:26:15 +0000

Have you ever drank so much alcohol that you couldn’t remember parts of the night before? Maybe you couldn’t even remember how you got home.

Your friends tell you that you were the life of the party, dancing the night away or telling funny jokes, but you have absolutely no memory of it? Or maybe you wound up in jail and you have no idea why you were arrested?

Blackouts Are Real

Some people who have never had an alcohol-related blackout themselves don’t believe they actually happen. They don’t see how someone could carry on a detailed argument or behave outrageously and not remember a thing about it. They think blackouts are convenient excuses.

But medical science tells us that blackouts are very real.

Killing a Few Brain Cells?

For many years, it was believed that drinking too much alcohol was “killing brain cells” or the neurons in the brain that receive signals, and therefore causing memory loss.

Now we know what too much alcohol actually does is trigger a chemical reaction in the brain that blocks its ability to learn and form new memories. The brain cells continue to process information and communicate with each other, but are not capable of forming new memories.

Inhibiting Memory Formation

Alcohol interferes with the NMDA receptors in the brain that transmit glutamate, which carries signals between neurons. Alcohol affects some neurons differently than others — it inhibits some and later activates others, causing them to manufacture steroids that inhibit memory formation.

The steroids produced by the alcohol-affected neurons inhibit the brain’s long-term potentiation (LTP), a process that usually strengthens the connections between neurons which is critical for learning and memory. The alcohol-induced steroids interfere with synaptic plasticity in the brain’s hippocampus, the underlying mechanism of memory formation.

Drugs Can Cause Blackouts, Too

It takes a lot of alcohol to cause a blackout. Research shows that a moderate amount of alcohol does not affect the brain’s LTP. However, combining alcohol with other drugs is much more likely to cause blackouts than alcohol alone or drugs alone.

Blackouts can last a few minutes or for several hours. They can occur in females and males, young and older drinkers.

Blackouts Signal a Drinking Problem

Blackout drinking is also considered a symptom of an alcohol problem. If you frequently drink to the point that you don’t remember events from the night before, you may want to take this quiz to see if your drinking has reached the level of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence.

If you find that you have developed a drinking problem, you may want to get help in cutting down or quitting altogether.

AA Meetings and AA: H.A.L.T Recovery Central traditional 12-Step meetings in Las Vegas for alcoholics and addicts. H.A.L.T. is an independent 12-Step Substance Abuse Meeting for Alcoholics and Addicts following the format of AA that meets at Noon Monday through Saturday at Solutions, 2975 South Rainbow Blvd. Suite K, Las Vegas, Nevada 89146

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Chantix May Help Heavy Drinkers Cut Down

nita — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:09:04 +0000

A drug used to help people stop smoking may also help heavy drinkers cut back the amount they drink, thereby reducing their harmful level of alcohol consumption. A study of the drug varenicline, marketed as Chantix, significantly reduced the level of consumption by a group of heavy-drinking smokers, who were seeking treatment for smoking, not for alcohol.

Researchers believe the drug could possibly be a new treatment for those who need to reduce their level of harmful drinking.

At the Wheeler Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco, researchers studied 64 patients seeking treatment for smoking cessation over a 16-week period.

Part of the group was given Chantix and the other a placebo.

Average Number of Drinks Reduced

The participants who took Chantix reduced their average number of drinks per week by 35.32% compared to those taking the placebo. The researchers found that the drug’s effects on drinking were separate from its effects on smoking -there was no correlation between the average number of drink and the average number of cigarettes they smoked.

The study found that Chantix did not reduce the number of days per week the participants drank, but reduced the number of drinks they consumed when they did drink.

“People initiated drinking at the same rate, but they drank less once they started,” said lead author Jennifer Mitchell. “If your usual pattern was to come home and have a few beers, you would still do that, but you might have one or two instead of four or five.”

Reducing Harmful Drinking

The authors concluded that Chantix could potentially be valuable in reducing the harm caused by alcohol abuse.

“If you currently drink seven drinks a night, and we can turn that into two or three, then you’re not only drinking at a level that’s going to harm you less, you’re less likely to harm others, as well. If we could lower the rates of drunk driving, spousal and child abuse and other secondary effects of alcoholism, that would be tremendous,” Mitchell said in a news release.

Chantix helps people stop smoking by blocking the pleasant effects of nicotine in the brain. The authors believe that alcohol and nicotine use a common pathway in the brain to provide feelings of pleasure and reward.

Low Side Effects in Controlled Group

The downside to Chantix, however, is the negative side effects of producing depression and thoughts of suicide. In this study, the researchers said the side effects were low and reduced over time, but that may be due to the fact that participants were carefully screened for mental health disorders before they were allowed into the study.

The researchers recommend future studies with participants who have comorbid mental health conditions as well as with heavy drinkers who do not smoke.

Source: Mitchell JM, et al. “Varenicline decreases alcohol consumption in heavy-drinking smokers.” Psychopharmacology. 1 May 2012.

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Chantix May Help Heavy Drinkers Cut Down

nita — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:54:43 +0000

Researchers believe the drug could possibly be a new treatment for those who need to reduce their level of harmful drinking.

Part of the group was given Chantix and the other a placebo.

Average Number of Drinks Reduced
The participants who took Chantix reduced their average number of drinks per week by 35.32% compared to those taking the placebo. The researchers found that the drug’s effects on drinking were separate from its effects on smoking – there was no correlation between the average number of drink and the average number of cigarettes they smoked.

The study found that Chantix did not reduce the number of days per week the participants drank, but reduced the number of drinks they consumed when they did drink.

Reducing Harmful Drinking

The authors concluded that Chantix could potentially be valuable in reducing the harm caused by alcohol abuse.

Low Side Effects in Controlled Group
The downside to Chantix, however, is the negative side effects of producing depression and thoughts of suicide. In this study, the researchers said the side effects were low and reduced over time, but that may be due to the fact that participants were carefully screened for mental health disorders before they were allowed into the study.

The researchers recommend future studies with participants who have comorbid mental health conditions as well as with heavy drinkers who do not smoke.

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Prom Night: Tips to Protect Yourself

nita — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:29:20 +0000

Prom night can be one of the social highlights of your high school years, but it can also be the most dangerous. School officials and parents can only do so much to make the event safe, it’s up to you to make the choices that will keep you safe and get you home unharmed.

The decisions that you make between now and the end of the school year could affect the rest of your life.

Make sure your prom night is a pleasant memory, not a tragedy. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you make the decisions that will help make prom night fun and safe.

Travel Safely

Always wear a seat belt.
Don’t drink and drive.
Don’t ride with a diver who has been drinking.

Respect Yourself

Don’t allow yourself to be the victim of dating abuse.
Respect yourself and others, avoid alcohol and drugs.
Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is being abused.

Going to After-Prom Parties

Be sure there will be adult supervision.
Make sure there is a scheduled end time.
Go with a “buddy.”
Avoid using alcohol or drugs.

The CDC has many more Prom Health and Safety Tipsto help you keep the prom experience safe and stress free.

More About Prom Safety:

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‘Heavy’ Marijuana Use by Teens Surges

nita — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:12:37 +0000

The 23rd Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) is out and it’s not good news for parents who hope their children make it through high school without doing drugs. The latest survey indicates that smoking weed is becoming more acceptable behavior among teens and heavy marijuana use is now at disturbingly high levels.

Heavy use of marijuana – smoking 20 or more times a month – has increased 80 percent since 2008, the study shows.

The annual study, conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation, also found that prescription drug use by teens may be leveling off, but it is still a disturbing levels.

Half of All Teens Have Smoked Pot
Some key findings on marijuana use include:

Almost half of all teens (47%) have used marijuana, up 21% since 2008.
Two out of every five teens (39%) have tried marijuana in the past year, up 31%.
Past-month use has increased 42% from 19% in 2008 to 27% in 2011.
Heavy monthly use (20 or more times) is up 80% from 5% to 9%.

The study revealed that the increase in marijuana use is due to the increased use among teenage boys. Teen males reported past-month use up 38% and heavy monthly use up 57%.

Becoming More Acceptable Behavior
Another concern for parents is the shift in high school students’ attitude about marijuana use. According to the PATS data:

Only 26% agree that “in my school, most teens don’t smoke marijuana.”
71% say they have friends who smoke regularly.
Only 41% say they “strongly disapprove” of their friends’ smoking.
Only 51% say that using marijuana causes them a “great risk.”

Leads to Other Drug Use?
Although many marijuana smokers, including some who post comments on this website, claim that marijuana is not a gateway drug, the PATS survey found that among teens who do smoke weed regularly are:

30 times more likely to use cocaine or crack.
20 times more likely to use ecstasy.
15 times more likely to abuse pain pills.
14 times more likely to abuse over-the-counter medication.

Real Trouble for the Future
From 1998 through 2008, teen marijuana use showed a steady decline in past PATS surveys. The new report shows a steady upward trend in teen marijuana use for the past three years. Teen marijuana use is now back to the level at which it peaked in 1998.

“These findings are deeply disturbing as the increases we’re seeing in heavy, regular marijuana use among high school students can spell real trouble for these teens later on,” said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “Heavy use of marijuana – particularly beginning in adolescence – brings the risk of serious problems and our data show it is linked to involvement with alcohol and other drugs as well. Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance use disorders when compared to those who start using after the teenage years.”

The complete report is available online in PDF format.

^{Source: The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study 2011.” 2 May 2012.}

Related Information:

Marijuana: The Myths
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in the Body?
Why Do Teens Use Marijuana?

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H.A.L.T. Recovery Central: Commonly Abused Medications

nita — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:03:02 +0000

When prescription or over-the-counter medications are taken for non-medical purposes, they can produce serious adverse health effects, including addiction, dependence, overdose and death. Some patients can become dependent on medication even when taken as prescribed, because of the nature of these drugs.

The number of people who have become addicted to prescription drugs in the United States has risen to epidemic levels, according to officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of annual deaths from accidental overdose has increased at an alarming rate, rising from 4,000 a year to 14,800 per year over a 10-year period.

Which medications are causing this epic increase in addiction and overdose deaths? There are many different medications that can be abused, but the most commonly abused drugs are:

Opioids

Opioids, natural and synthetic compounds that are prescribed mostly for the relief of pain, can be safe and very effective if taken exactly as prescribed. For patients with injuries, recovering from surgery, or with chronic pain, they can be used to successfully manage pain.

But painkillers — such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet), morphine, fentanyl, and codeine — are the most abused prescription drugs in the U.S.

Opioids are usually taken orally and many of them, such as a certain formulation of oxycodone (oxycontin), are intended to be time-released drugs. But the pills can be crushed and the resulting powder can be snorted or injected, causing a rapid release of the drug into the system.

That’s when the abuse of opioids can become dangerous, when higher doses than intended are released into the bloodstream, producing a quicker dependence on the drug and in some cases causing overdose deaths. They can also be extremely dangerous if taken with alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines.

Stimulants

Stimulants, such as Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin, are usually prescribed to increase alertness, attention, and energy. Originally, they were prescribed by physicians for a wide variety of medical conditions, but as their potential for abuse and addiction became known, their use was greatly curtailed.

Now, stimulants are prescribed mainly for treating ADHD and sleep disorders, as well as augmenting antidepressants.

When abused, stimulants are usually taken orally, but some users will dissolve the pills in water and then try to inject the mixture. This can potentially cause vascular problems.

There are several medical dangers associated with stimulant abuse. These are primarily related to the cardiovascular system, including rapid or irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, and heart damage or failure. There can also be serious psychiatric reactions to stimulant abuse.

Stimulant use can also be dangerous when combined with a variety of medications, including certain antidepressants and over-the-counter cold medications, which contain decongestants. The combination can cause extremely high blood pressure and irregular heart beat.

Depressants

Another group of drugs adding to the increase of overdose deaths in the United States are sedative-hypnotics. There are different types of these agents that are potentially abusable.

The most commonly abused depressants are:

Barbiturates, such as Mebaral and Nembutal. This category of medications is used as anesthetics, anti-seizure medications, and were previously used for anxiety and sleep. Given the potential risks of dependency and overdose associated with these drugs, however, their use in sleep and anxiety has generally been supplanted by the benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Xanax and Klonopin, which are used to treat anxiety, seizures and sleep.

A particular danger of the benzodiazapines is when they are taken along with other drugs that can cause drowsiness, including alcohol, prescription pain medications, or some over-the-counter cold and allergy medications.

An overdose of these sedatives can cause unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

One over-the-counter drug that is commonly abused, mostly by adolescents, is cough syrup and caplets that contain dextromethorphan (DXM). Used as directed, these cough remedies are safe and effective, but their potential for abuse is great.

DXM can produce mind-altering effects similar to those produced by ketamine and PCPbecause it affects similar regions of the brain. But in order to achieve these effects, excessive amounts of the cough medication must be consumed.

In large doses, the drug can cause nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and impaired motor function. In excessive amounts, the drug can produce severe respiratory depression and a lack of oxygen to the brain.

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H.A.L.T. Recovery Central: Diagnosing Addition

nita — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:25:19 +0000

The diagnosis of an addiction can seem like a daunting experience, but it can be the starting point for making positive changes in your life.

Where Should I Go for a Diagnosis?

If you recognize the symptoms of addiction in yourself, the easiest way to find out whether you have an addiction is to make an appointment with your family doctor. They may decide to refer you to a specialized addiction clinic or clinician who specializes in addictions for a full assessment and addiction diagnosis if appropriate.

Who Will Make the Diagnosis?

Many different health care professionals are trained to conduct addiction assessments, including addictions counselors, physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other therapists. They are often called “clinicians” when they are carrying out assessments or therapy.

Occasionally, there is more than one person involved in making the addiction diagnosis. For example, you may be interviewed once by a counselor and again by a physician. Do not let this put you off – you will have two experts’ opinions instead of one!

All health care professionals are trained to treat people with addictions with courtesy, respect, and a non-judgmental attitude. You can trust them to keep the information you give them confidential.

How Will They Decide If I Am Addicted?

The clinician will make the addiction diagnosis using a combination of objective criteria and clinical judgment.

Objective criteria are usually based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), which lists the symptoms of addiction for substance and gambling addictions. As some addictions, such as sex addiction and computer addiction, are not included in this version of the DSM, the clinician should use the most recent diagnostic criteria published in scientific journals.

Diagnostic information can be gathered in several different ways, including:

Standardized assessment tools and other questionnaires that the clinic staff will give you to fill out.
Face to face “open-ended” interviewing, which is like a conversation, with the clinician making notes. This is best for history-taking so you can explain the circumstances in your own words.
Face to face “structured” interviewing, in which the clinician will ask standard questions and write down your answers. It’s a bit like completing a questionnaire, but you can discuss questions as you go along.

The questions and focus of the discussion will involve some or all of the following:

The history of your addiction, including when and how you started the addictive behavior, how it has progressed, and factors which have contributed to its development.
Your current pattern of addictive behavior – what your addictive behaviors are, how much and how often you engage in them.
Your current symptoms of addiction.
The effects of your addiction on the other areas of your life, including your family, social life, work life and financial situation.
Your readiness to change.

You may also be asked for a urine sample to assess the levels of drugs in your system. Blood samples are not routinely taken, but if you have signs or symptoms of serious physical illness, a clinician may request a blood sample, for example, to assess your liver function. Not all addiction clinics are set up to take urine or blood samples.

A good diagnostic assessment will also gather information on your general mental and physical health to assess whether you are suffering from another condition such as depression, anxiety disorder or personality disorder. You might be referred to medical physician if there are specific physical concerns, or to a psychiatric physician if there is an indication of another significant mental health issue. Inpatient or outpatient detoxification may also be advisable at this stage.

Co-existing conditions can and should be treated at the same time as the addictive behavior.

It will help the process if you follow these Tips for Getting an Accurate Diagnosis.

What Next

Most clinics will be able to give you a verbal addiction diagnosis right away. Occasionally, there may be a delay, for example, if a psychologist wants to score your standardized tests before making a diagnosis. If so, you should make an appointment to come back to get your diagnosis in person.

Your diagnosis and the information gathered will form the basis of your treatment plan. This plan will be made in consultation with you, with the opportunity to discuss their recommendations and the options available.

You are free to withdraw from the process at any time. Often times, just knowing your addiction diagnosis can be the start of making positive changes in your life.

H.A.L.T Recovery Central traditional 12-Step meetings in Las Vegas for alcoholics and addicts. H.A.L.T. is an independent 12-Step Substance Abuse Meeting for Alcoholics and Addicts following the format of AA that meets at Noon Monday through Saturday at Solutions, 2975 South Rainbow Blvd. Suite K, Las Vegas, Nevada 89146

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Looking For A Cross-Addiction Meeting In Las Vegas? Come To H.A.L.T.

nita — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:17:54 +0000

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About Addictions: Five Myths About Marijuana

nita — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:21:16 +0000

Some enthusiastic marijuana users are prone to giving elaborate justifications for their drug use. This has resulted in the development of a number of myths about marijuana, most of which are based on expectancy effects, and transient changes in mental state which are counteracted by the rebound effect of the drug. Apply the rules of logic to any myths you hear about marijuana, and you will realize they simply don’t stand up to scrutiny.

1. Marijuana Makes You More Peaceful

While it is true that marijuana often temporarily subdues users, and may have a longer term effect of decreasing energy and vigor, it does not reduce aggression. Although marijuana may not cause aggression, many aggressive and violent people use marijuana. Smoking marijuana will not reliably calm an aggressive person, and may increase anxiety and paranoia, thus increasing the possibility that they will lash out.

And although marijuana smoking is associated with the hippy peace movement, many other subcultures also use marijuana, including members of underground and organized crime groups. Marijuana is definitely not the drug of love and peace that it was promoted as being in the 1960s.

2. Marijuana Reduces Stress and Anxiety

The subduing effects of marijuana may initially make users feel less anxious and stressed. Furthermore, psychological factors, such as a low stress set and setting, positive expectancy effects, and a decrease in withdrawal symptoms that occurs after taking the drug may increase the marijuana user’s belief that it reduces stress and anxiety.

However, these effects are counteracted by the rebound effect of increased anxiety after the drug wears off, marijuana addiction, and the stress of the marijuana using lifestyle. The fear getting caught and charged with drug possession or trafficking increases the stress of being a marijuana user, and long term use results in marijuana users often finding day to day life more difficult to cope with.

3. Marijuana is an Aphrodisiac

Marijuana does tend to reduce inhibitions, and may be associated with sexually promiscuous behavior in some circumstances, such as party and play (PnP). However, marijuana does not, in itself, increase sexual arousal. In some men and women, it actually decreases sexual arousal. This is one of several ways that marijuana is associated with infertility. However, note that it is not a reliable method of birth control.

4. Marijuana is a Safer Drug Than Alcohol or Tobacco

Alcohol and tobacco are both highly addictive drugs that are currently legal for adults. They are both associated with life threatening health effects with long term use. However, that does not make marijuana safe.

Smoke inhalation of any sort is harmful to the lungs and increases the risk of lung cancer and other diseases of the respiratory system. Unfiltered smoke is particularly harmful. Marijuana is also associated with short and long term mental health problems, and the risk is particularly high for younger marijuana users.

The fact that alcohol and tobacco are harmful does not in any way reduce the harms of marijuana smoking.

5. Smoking Marijuana is Healthy Because it’s a Plant, Not a Drug

This is nonsense. There are many poisonous and hallucinogenic plants, which are unhealthy for human consumption. Several other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, magic mushrooms and alcoholic beverages, also come from plants. Consuming them is not healthy.

The argument that God created magical plants for people to access higher spiritual states is contradicted by religions that specifically renounce drug use, and that fasting, prayer, and meditation help many achieve spiritual awareness, making drug use an unnecessary step. It is demeaning to those who have achieved spiritual enlightenment to attribute their sacred experience to a drug, rather than to the individual. And many chronic marijuana users do not claim to have spiritual awareness.

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About Addictions: Marijuana For Stress Management — How Ironic!

nita — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:11:38 +0000

The following from About Addictions:

One of several myths about marijuana is that it helps people cope with stress. Many clients entering treatment are terrified that they will never be able to cope with the stresses and strains of life without their daily toke, yet the irony of the situation is that often it is the drug itself that is impairing their ability to cope in the first place.

As our resident expert on stress, Elizabeth Scott, explains, we all deal with stress on a daily basis. And we all have an innate ability to cope with stress. It is only when the stresses of life build up beyond our capacity to cope that problems arise.

And marijuana addiction is stressful. While many tokers deny that the condition even exists, the reality is that the American Psychiatric Association have a category for it in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or Mental Disorders — also known as DSM-IV. Add to that the secretive lifestyle required to constantly dodge drug laws while making illicit purchases of the drug, and you have a recipe for anxiety.

Anxiety is often an effect of marijuana, either during intoxication, or as a rebound effect. And, like other drugs, it is a costly and ineffective sleep aid.

So if you are struggling with anxiety, and you are using marijuana to try and cope, think about giving it a rest for a few weeks — marijuana is the slowest drug to leave the body, as it is stored in the fat cells of the body. You may suffer from an increase in irritability during the initial withdrawal period, but if it is the only drug you’ve been using, you are unlikely to need detox.

Talk to your doctor if your anxiety remains, or if you are unable to cope with quitting on your own. You may have a pre-existing or cannabis-induced anxiety disorder. Be sure to inform them about any drugs you have taken, including marijuana.

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