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Tips for College Students: How Does School Affect Mental Health?

Aliya on April 1, 2025

College can be one of the most transitional, transformative stages of life. A rite of passage in discovering your independence and personal and academic growth, moving into higher education is like standing at a crossroads — abundant educational and future career aspirations in every direction you turn, where the sky, seemingly, is the limit.  

However, these potential opportunities can bring challenges that can affect students ‘ mental health. You might be just starting undergrad and overwhelmed with living on campus, meeting new people, and acclimating to a heavy courseload unlike anything you had in high school. Or you might be a long-time student pursuing a graduate degree and worried about looming deadlines and high expectations to follow through and succeed. 

You’re not alone if you identify with these feelings; studies show that more than 60% of college students potentially experienced at least one mental health issue stemming from school, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).  

The APA cites another survey where nearly three-fourths of students indicated moderate-to-major psychological distress — insights illustrating the inextricable link between college and mental health.  

What can you do to nurture your mental health so your well-being, self-esteem, and academic performance can thrive? Keep reading for some tips.  

How Does School Affect Mental Health? 

College is a huge time of adjustment. Even though it can — and should be — an exciting time, offering opportunities for learning, self-discovery, and finding yourself as a student and young adult, there are new stressors accompanying it. Transitioning from a structured high school environment to a more independent collegiate atmosphere may conjure uncertainty about the future and intensify feelings of anxiety unlike anything you’ve felt before. 

A 2023 study from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation discovered that nearly three in 10 adult college students (40% between the ages of 18 to 24) claim that emotional stress and personal mental health matters are key factors in why they remain unenrolled in classes. Apart from other reasons, they remain the two biggest considerations in halting their coursework within the last six months. 

The survey further indicated that 41% of current college students admitted staying enrolled remained difficult and that 44% of associate degree and 36% of bachelor’s degree students considered stopping coursework for at least a semester. Among those students, 55% and 47% further cited emotional stress and mental health, respectively, as determining reasons. 

What explains these concerning school and mental health statistics for students who are on the brink of dropping out? 

Academic Pressure 

“Academic pressure together with stressors typical of starting and attending college may precipitate the first onset of mental health and substance use problems or an exacerbation of symptoms,” states a study published through the National Institutes of Health.  

Another study indicates that as many as 87% of college students cited education as their main source of stress. “College students are exposed to novel academic stressors, such as an extensive academic course load, substantial studying, time management (and) classroom competition”  

This weight of expectations — either self-imposed or external (such as from professors or parents) — can lead to anxiety and burnout that may result in falling behind academically. 

Social Challenges  

College isn’t — and shouldn’t — only be about academics, but the pressure to get good grades also gets mirrored in a need to fit in socially on campus. Students ‘ mental health is closely linked to feelings of belonging and acceptance, which is something we all deserve. 

Going from four years of high school and the friendships you made can leave you feeling disconnected when starting again in a new school, with new people and new dynamics. Shyness, introversion, or awkwardness around others can make earning new friends a challenge and invoke feelings of loneliness. Even if you’ve forged some close friendships, there’s additional pressure to participate, whether it’s through extracurricular activities, getting involved in clubs, or joining a fraternity or sorority. This environment of constant social comparison might intensify concerns about your self-worth.  

In addition, all of this can prove more difficult being away from home and the social network you’ve had up until now.   

New Sleep and Eating Habits  

Our bodies tend to flourish through habits like a balanced diet and a regular sleep schedule. But your routine in college might look very different. For students and mental health, pulling all-nighters, skipping meals due to back-to-back classes, late-night takeout and inconsistent sleep can throw off everything from your circadian rhythms, your cognitive functioning and your mental and emotional clarity — regardless of if you’re a new undergrad or seasoned grad student. 

“Diet, exercise and sleep often fall low on the priority list,” says psychologist Susan Albers, in a Cleveland Clinic report. “Students feel like they don’t have time for them. But those three things are the cornerstones of mental health. It’s like pulling the rug out from underneath someone who’s already struggling to stay balanced.”  

Financial Stress 

Money becomes one of the biggest negative factors in how school affects mental health. The Gallup/Lumina poll reveals that financial strain is the number one reason many students remain unenrolled (either foregoing college or dropping out) — 55% are concerned about affording tuition and fees, and 45% are worried about inflation’s effect on cost friendliness. “Nobody should have to decide between paying rent, food, gasoline, groceries and paying for education,” one unenrolled student is quoted. 

Indeed, even if you’ve received grants or financial aid, they may not be enough to cover the entire cost of tuition, and student loans, with interest, can become costly. Without them, the financial responsibilities of students can exacerbate mental health since tuition, accommodations, and daily living expenses can cause significant worry about managing your finances. 

Many students end up juggling part-time jobs to pay their way through college while struggling to keep up with schoolwork. The combination of financial strain/stress with spreading oneself too thin can impact your ability to truly devote focus on academics, self-care, and personal relationships. 

Experimentation with Substance Use 

On-campus parties and dorm hangouts open opportunities to experiment with substances, from alcohol to other drugs. Occasional social drinking or use might not become problematic if you’re responsible, but substance use can quickly turn to abuse, especially when some students may turn to substances for self-medication to cope with stress, depression, or anxiety.  

Unfortunately, even if excess substance use doesn’t develop into abuse, it can still trigger, worsen, or exacerbate student mental health issues. Substance abuse, notes the Cleveland Clinic, makes tangible changes in the brain that can cause someone to develop a mental illness, and with repeated use, the brain’s reward centers are overstimulated, causing you to want to keep taking a substance, a clear pathway to addiction. 

According to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, substance abuse is linked not only to poor mental health in school but also to long-term health problems. In the study of college students aged 18 to 22:  

  • Nearly 6 million smoked cigarettes within the last month 
  • 12 million drank alcohol (with 7.8 million binge drinking) 
  • 4.5 million students used cannabis 
  • 299,000 experimented with cocaine 
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What Are the Most Common Mental Health Issues Students Struggle With?  

Looking deeper into the APA’s assertion that six out of 10 college students experience mental health issues (a 50% increase in just over the last decade), how does school affect mental health specifically? The National Education Foundation (NEA) cites the Healthy Minds survey:  

  • 44% of students reported suffering from depression 
  • 37% said they experienced anxiety 
  • 15% admitted they considered suicide 

The NEA, citing another study, also mentions that close to two-thirds of college students reported feeling deeply sad, with one-third claiming they felt so depressed that they could not function.  

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Poor Mental Health?  

Though symptoms may vary depending on the nature of the condition, there are several telltale signs that poor mental health share, notes the Mayo Clinic: 

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair 
  • Extreme mood swings or irritability 
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits 
  • Social withdrawal or isolation 
  • Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed 
  • Increased reliance on alcohol or drugs to cope 
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide 
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Tips for Maintaining Your Mental Health in College 

Taking charge of your mental health in school means being proactive about your well-being and developing some healthy habits.  

Building a Routine 

College life can be unpredictable, and apart from your class schedule, having a routine often becomes the exception, not the norm. Think of times when you had more consistency in your day-to-day routine, and take the steps to rebuild it. Rather than cramming in studying or completing homework at the last minute, block out a dedicated time for it. Eat meals at the same time each day (and don’t skip any!). And most importantly, set a non-negotiable, lights-out bedtime, and aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night.  

Once you’ve built out a workable routine, try to schedule classes for the following semester around these times. If that’s not possible, negotiate with yourself. For instance, if two prerequisite courses are only available on two weekday evenings when you’re normally in your dorm studying, make up the time in the library on Saturday or Sunday.

Practicing Self-Care  

“When we practice self-care, we do so with the intention of taking care of our mind, body and soul by engaging in activities that bring us joy and reduce stress levels,” says the Mental Health Coalition (MHC). “Practicing self-care helps us value and love ourselves, ultimately resulting in a more full and vibrant life”. 

How can you put self-care into practice and nurture yourself? Listen to what your body and mind need. Start with simple practices like journaling your thoughts when you can. What are you feeling at this moment? Have you noticed patterns when you’re feeling down and sad, and what brings you up? What are you most grateful for? Jot them down. See if yoga or meditation is offered on campus, or just try simple, deep breathing for three to five minutes or taking a walk in nature when you feel stressed.  

Using Campus Resources and Groups  

Your campus likely offers mental health resources for students. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of counseling services, student support groups, and wellness programs. Check your school’s website or check in at the student center to see what’s offered. Talk therapy sessions are often coordinated through the psychology department or a counseling center. 

The MHC encourages reaching out to others, like confiding in a professor you trust if you feel your academic performance is suffering due to mental health; your dorm’s resident assistant, usually an upperclassman who can relate to your experiences; or friends and peers as a shoulder to lean on. “They may be going through something similar,” notes the MHC.  

Avoid Drugs and Alcohol  

Nearly 60% of college students say that they’ve experienced peer pressure to drink. It can be hard to say no when you want to fit in and make friends. It can be tempting to turn to substances to cope with the stress of college life. But alcohol and drugs aren’t a sustainable solution — they may initially take the edge off, but think of how getting hooked on them can worsen your mental health and make your schoolwork suffer more.  

Instead, focus on some of the healthier coping mechanisms above — from better habits to finding someone to talk to — that replace the empty benefits that drinking or drugs offer. At the least, make a compromise with yourself and have a drink only on special occasions, like after you’ve aced an exam, completed midterms, or during spring break.  

Where to Find Professional Mental Health Treatment   

Your school environment has numerous options meant to address student mental health — it’s a place where everyone is meant to learn, grow, thrive, and succeed. But it’s not the only option.  

If you feel your academics, personal life, and mental health have been suffering (or a loved one’s), consider pursuing mental health treatment at a dedicated rehab facility. Even attending therapy on an occasional outpatient basis (where you can go home after therapy is finished) is a positive, proactive step in the right direction with your mental health and well-being in mind.  

If you have questions about student mental health issues and treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Is Drinking Alcohol on Suboxone Safe?

Aliya on April 1, 2025

If you’re taking Suboxone or receiving treatment for opioid use disorder, know that you’re doing the right thing for yourself and your health. It means being acutely aware of how harmful opioid addiction can be — more than 10 million people abuse them each year, and 50,000 succumb annually to opioid overdoses. 

As a MOUD, or Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, Suboxone greatly minimizes these risks (reducing fatal opioid overdoses by nearly 50%) and better enables and enhances your chances at recovery. But does being on a Suboxone prescription mean you’re allowed to consume other substances?   

For instance, can you drink alcohol and take Suboxone without complicating your progress or, worse, complicating an opioid addiction? Alcohol may still be part of your life — socially, occasionally, or more regularly. But using both can lead to outcomes that aren’t always predictable. What ultimately is the result of Suboxone and alcohol interaction, even if you drink in moderation?   

Keep reading to learn more about the harmful effects of Suboxone and alcohol. 

What Is Suboxone? 

Suboxone is the brand name of an FDA-approved MOUD and combination of two generic drugs, buprenorphine and naloxone. It’s available in tablet form or as a sublingual film that dissolves under your tongue.   

Both can serve you well if you’re in rehab and starting medication-assisted treatment (MAT), especially during the detox phase when reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms is a chief goal. Studies have shown Suboxone to be more effective than methadone.  

Suboxone imparts additional benefits that speak to your future in recovery — a study of 110 people taking buprenorphine (either on its own or from Suboxone) indicated that they are more likely to be sober, involved in 12-step support groups, and employed while being administered the drug. 

How Does Suboxone Work?  

When someone has an opioid addiction, it makes changes to the brain, flooding its reward center and causing the person to want more and more of the drug. As Suboxone, the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone work in tandem to replace these opioids, effectively tricking your brain into not missing the original opioids.  

How does this happen? Suboxone is a type of opioid, but it works by binding to the same receptors in your brain that opioids attach to. However, because buprenorphine — a painkiller and partial opioid agonist — only partially activates these receptors, it eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings without the full euphoric effects. 

The role naloxone plays in Suboxone is as an opioid antagonist. Together with buprenorphine, it attaches to your brain’s opioid receptors to block the effects of other addictive opioids. Naloxone is also effective in reversing opioid overdoses. The naloxone component essentially serves as a built-in safeguard in the medication’s formulation. 

Suboxone Abuse 

Since Suboxone is also a type of narcotic opioid — albeit less potent than fentanyl, oxycodone, or heroin — is it still addictive? 

Buprenorphine, its first active ingredient, is a Schedule III controlled substance, where your risk of developing a Suboxone dependence (when your body begins to rely on a drug) is low to moderate. “Because it is only a partial agonist of the main opiate receptor (the ‘mu’ receptor), it causes significantly less euphoria than other opiates such as heroin and oxycodone,” states a study by Harvard Medical School. “As such, it is less prone to misuse.” 

Experts point to the drug’s ceiling effect — after a certain dosage, taking more won’t increase its effects. (Your initial dose may start at 4 milligrams buprenorphine/1 milligram naloxone, with a maximum dosage of 24 milligrams a day.) The naloxone in Suboxone works hard to counteract this possibility. The relationship between buprenorphine and naloxone makes the chances of abuse, addiction or overdose minimal.  

“When people do overdose on Suboxone, it is almost always because they are mixing it with sedatives such as benzodiazepines, medicines that can additively impair breathing,” states Harvard Medical School. However, you shouldn’t take more Suboxone than instructed. On its own, too much buprenorphine can lead to abuse and eventual addiction or fatal overdose.  

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Is Drinking Alcohol on Suboxone Safe?  

Mixing Suboxone with other illicit, habit-forming drugs is not recommended, and alcohol and Suboxone are no exception. Can you drink alcohol and take suboxone? The short answer is no — drinking alcohol on Suboxone is not safe or recommended.  

Firstly, if you’re in early recovery, alcohol can act as a trigger for opioid relapse. It lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, increasing one’s risk of returning to opioid use. It works against Suboxone’s goal of making opioid withdrawal easier.  

Mixing Suboxone and alcohol primarily creates adverse effects that can prove dangerous even if you drink in moderation: 

  • Enhanced sedation: Alcohol intensifies some of the effects that Suboxone can cause and can lead to extreme drowsiness, lethargy, or even unconsciousness.  
  • Respiratory depression: When taken simultaneously, both drugs — which can slow breathing — increase your risk of respiratory problems. 
  • Cognitive impairment: Driving or operating machinery is not recommended when drinking or taking any drugs, but suboxone and alcohol interaction may impair your judgment, coordination, and reaction times, raising your risk of accidents or injuries. 
  • Increased abuse and dependency risk: You might assume that because Suboxone isn’t a full opioid, the risk of becoming dependent is lower, even with other substances. But mixing suboxone and alcohol can accelerate suboxone and alcohol abuse, leading to higher tolerance and the need to take more Suboxone. This can raise the risk of dependence on both substances. 

The Dangers of Long-Term Alcohol Abuse 

Combining Suboxone and alcohol together carries its own unique set of risk factors, but chronic alcohol abuse on its own can pose several devastating long-term effects to nearly every organ in your body: 

  • Like other addictive substances, alcohol makes neurological changes to your brain chemistry. It disrupts its communication centers and can impair your thinking, mood, coordination, and behavior. Heavy drinking also increases your risk of suffering ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 
  • Even moderate drinking in the long term can place a strain on your heart, leading to heart disease, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure or increased stroke risk. 
  • Alcohol abuse taxes your liver — the primary organ that processes alcohol — and can lead to everything from cirrhosis, steatosis (fatty liver), fibrosis and hepatitis. 
  • Excessive drinking may lead to the eventual development of pancreatitis, a troubling inflammation of the pancreas that can cause digestive problems. 
  • The risk of cancer — from head/neck, liver, breast and esophageal — increases while your immune system becomes weakened from long-term alcohol abuse. 

 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 178,000 people die each year from the effects of alcohol abuse.  

Beyond your physical health, alcohol abuse can impact so many facets of your life. Relationships can deteriorate due to alcohol-related behavioral changes. Your employment and financial stability can become jeopardized when drinking causes your work performance to suffer. Drinking can take a toll on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and more.  

Polysubstance Abuse Help 

Polysubstance abuse is the taking of more than one drug together at the same time or during a short duration. It can be unintentional, like taking an illegal drug unaware that it’s been mixed with another dangerous substance. Or it can be intentional, like drinking alcohol on suboxone.   

If you’ve begun mixing suboxone and alcohol after starting opioid treatment, how do you know when you have a problem? You may find it harder to stop drinking while on Suboxone, despite knowing the risks. You might start taking more Suboxone than instructed when drinking. Or, if you find yourself hiding a burgeoning drinking problem from your therapist or family members, it may be time to seek help for abusing both substances. 

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Substance Abuse Treatment Programs 

A proper, effective addiction treatment program should follow a comprehensive and careful trajectory to address your symptoms and the underlying nature of why and how you’ve developed a substance use disorder — whether it’s alcohol use disorder on its own or a polysubstance use disorder in Suboxone and alcohol together. 

Detox 

Detoxification is the first step in rehab, the process of ending usage of a drug and waiting for your system to rid itself of every trace while managing Suboxone and alcohol withdrawal. In a treatment facility, you’re not alone, and detox is never a cold turkey affair, leaving you to your own devices. Instead, you’re in the caring, capable hands of a clinical staff, from a doctor to nurses and other addiction specialists, to ensure your stay in detox is as comfortable as possible.  

During detox, you’ll receive 24/7 monitoring of vital signs, medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, nutritional support to address deficiencies, and other support. Once a substance has been cleared from your body through detox, it gives you a clean slate to continue with treatment.  

Inpatient Treatment

After detox, many people with severe addictions may benefit from inpatient treatment. The “in” in inpatient means you’ll stay for a time at a treatment facility so you can devote your full, undivided, 24/7 focus to getting well, free of distractions or triggers. Like a retreat to become drug- and substance-free, inpatient is a structured approach to treatment enabling you to commit fully to recovery. This is the stage where you’ll begin therapy, either individually with a therapist or in a group setting with other peers fighting similar issues.  

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient therapy allows you to return home each day after your scheduled treatment is finished. It’s ideal for people who are exiting an inpatient environment and can qualify for less intensive treatment or for those whose substance abuse issues aren’t as severe and don’t necessitate an on-site stay. It’s a best-of-both-worlds opportunity since you can attend therapy and group sessions several times a week while maintaining responsibilities at home or work without having to sacrifice your recovery or your personal and professional obligations. 

Aftercare 

Rehab is like school; your treatment regimen may conclude, but when you graduate, your education is never actually complete. Aftercare is the equivalent of continuing education once you’ve become a rehab alumnus. Your therapist and case manager can connect you with resources like sober living, local support groups (like Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous), and even chances to continue ongoing therapy at your treatment center. Aftercare is designed to keep you accountable for your own recovery and to help you stay in sober shape.  

Using Insurance for Addiction Rehab  

Suboxone is just one avenue to help treat opioid use disorder; it is effective in easing one’s withdrawal symptoms and cravings and making therapy and life in recovery a tool to help you live your best, sober life. Many people forego rehab because they are afraid of the out-of-pocket expenses. However, we accept most major insurance carriers, and we can work with you to minimize your addiction treatment costs.  

That one phone call can change your life to get you on the road to recovery from alcohol and Suboxone abuse, so contact us today; our admissions team is on hand 24/7 to verify your insurance, lay out your options for treatment, and help tailor a treatment plan for you or a loved one. 

Is Outpatient Rehab Right for You?

Aliya on March 25, 2025

One of the most accountable actions you can ever take is admitting you have a problem with drinking or drugs — and that it’s time to take steps toward change. It takes real courage and humility, especially when many people with an undiagnosed substance use disorder remain in denial about how their addiction is affecting them and their loved ones, but few attempt to get treated. 

The question is, how do you choose the type of treatment that suits you best? There’s often an assumption that rehab is only on an inpatient basis, checking into a facility and stepping away from life for a period of time.   

While this is a smart option for people suffering from very severe addictions, it might not be feasible when you have commitments that can’t be neglected. Outpatient rehab seeks to achieve a balance, striking a middle ground between enabling you to pursue recovery and the commitments that define who you are.  

What Is Outpatient Rehab? 

Outpatient addiction treatment allows you to receive therapy for an alcohol or drug addiction while still being able to live at home. It’s particularly suited for people who need an intensive level of support but don’t require the 24/7, onsite residential component that inpatient treatment provides. 

During outpatient drug rehab, treatment typically involves attending therapy sessions several times a week, a few hours each day — this might be individual, one-to-one therapy with a counselor, or group therapy sessions with other people like you in recovery, very similar to the structure of a 12-step program. 

When the day’s sessions are complete, you’re able to leave the facility and go home before returning the next day. It’s the best of both worlds because you get to work toward recovery and fulfill your day-to-day responsibilities without sacrificing or compromising either one.  

Inpatient Rehab vs Outpatient Rehab   

Both forms of treatment have distinct similarities and contrasts, but knowing which option is best for you really depends on your needs and the nature and severity of your problem.  

Inpatient rehab: 

  • Inpatient rehab offers less independence than outpatient rehab, requiring you to stay at a treatment facility 24/7 for about 30 to 90 days. You’re not allowed to leave during this time. 
  • Every aspect of your day and environment is immersive, intensive, and built around recovery, with tight supervision — invaluable if you have a severe addiction, live in a highly triggering home environment, or are prone to relapse. 
  • Easily facilitates the transition to therapy from medical detox, a necessary component to treatment that helps you manage, with staff support, withdrawal symptoms after stopping drug or alcohol use. 

 

Outpatient rehab: 

  • Offers the most independence in drug rehab. Routine counseling sessions during the day follow a flexible outpatient program schedule, enabling you to return home at night and still keep up with work, school, or family obligations. 
  • Treatment may last for several weeks to several months. 
  • Ideal for milder forms of substance use disorder and for people who don’t need round-the-clock supervision or who have supportive families and stable home environments. 

Weigh these considerations when looking into drug rehab. Inpatient may serve best people whose drug abuse or drinking has become life-threatening and who need constant supervision and highly structured care in a controlled setting.  

Outpatient addiction treatment, on the other hand, may be better if you’ve been able to remain functional despite substance abuse. Additionally, full-time residential treatment might be impractical if you can’t take time off from work or miss school.  

Arguably, the most important part of outpatient rehab is that it enables you to take what you’ve learned in therapy and apply those lessons and skills to your life every day when you return home. This opportunity doesn’t exist with inpatient care until the conclusion of treatment when segueing back into independent living. 

What Are the Levels of Outpatient Care? 

Many people new to rehab might assume that there is only inpatient and only outpatient with no other options existing if they need more scheduling flexibility or treatment intensity. However, one of the most appealing parts of outpatient rehab is that there are different graduated levels of care to choose from.  

PHP 

A partial hospitalization program, or PHP, is a more intensive outpatient rehab model recommended for people with more severe addiction issues who call for significant clinical support without 24/7 supervision. Partial hospitalization focuses on promoting personal growth and your own autonomy, ideal if you’re transitioning out of an inpatient hospital stay — or if your symptoms are severe and need rigorous daily care but are stable enough that round-the-clock supervision isn’t necessary. In a PHP program, you’ll attend therapy and treatment about five to seven days a week for several hours but with the chance to return home at night — a hybrid between standard inpatient and outpatient.  

IOP 

IOP stands for intensive outpatient program, and like its name suggests, it’s a type of outpatient rehab that is slightly less intensive than inpatient or PHP care but more engaging and structured than outpatient. Like a PHP, IOP is ideal for people battling addiction who don’t need full-time care, but you’ll receive the same degree of inpatient care while enjoying the benefit of going home at the end of the day — ideal if you have a substance use disorder that needs focused care but also need to balance work, school or family life. 

At our rehab locations, IOP will see you attending treatment several hours a day, multiple days a week. In IOP, group and individual therapy and educational workshops teach coping and relapse prevention skills that you can take home with you every day. 

Outpatient Programs

Lastly, standard outpatient drug rehab is a less intensive, yet still effective, level of care. With fewer weekly therapy sessions, treatment fits seamlessly into your own personal schedule. For some people whose addictions may be moderate and more manageable, outpatient may be their first and only step needed in a treatment program. For others, it’s the next transitional step after completing an inpatient, PHP, or IOP plan — having detoxed from substances and maintained their sobriety. 

Outpatient care usually involves several weeks or months of routine counseling sessions, either one-on-one or group (or both), as you arrive at and return home from therapy each day to give you the full independence in your recovery you deserve. 

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What to Expect from Outpatient Rehab 

We’ve talked about the different levels of outpatient addiction treatment care and how it stands apart from inpatient, but what features can you expect in outpatient rehab?

Individualized Treatment Plans 

Even if the symptoms of an addiction may be similar from person to person, no two people experience it the same way, one reason why individualizing one’s treatment plan may be the most important aspect of outpatient rehab. This means that your treatment, from the time you start to the moment you finish, is tailored for you so you can get the most out of therapy. Working with your therapist, they’ll map out an actionable plan with achievable, reachable goals based on the nature of your addiction, duration, and challenges. 

For example, you might have a moderate drinking problem, and your treatment plan will see you set up in an IOP since you don’t need 24/7 care and you run little risk of relapse by being home in the evenings and on the weekends. But you might start showing signs of therapeutic improvement quicker than expected, so your treatment plan is adjusted, moving you along to OP treatment sooner than expected. Yours may call for a mix of individual and group therapy, but if you respond better to the latter setting, your plan may be customized to include more of these sessions and fewer one-to-one appointments. 

Exceptional Care and Guidance  

In treatment, you’ll cross paths and work with addiction specialists who have one singular goal — to help you heal and get clean and sober. Recovery in the context of the best outpatient rehab remains elevated by a level of encouragement, support, and clinical expertise that’s meant to help you quit drinking or using drugs, manage withdrawal symptoms, and develop a newer, healthier mindset and outlook on life free of substances. Aliya’s treatment centers live by the promise of offering no less than a compassionate, caring environment from the beginning of treatment to the end. 

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Alcohol Abuse   

Treatment that’s evidence-based means it’s been proven effective through years of scientific research and results in a clinical setting — with the evidence being scores of people who have come out of the other end of addiction healthier, sober, and on a true path to recovery. In outpatient rehab centers, CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is one of the most common types of talk therapy, aiming to help you challenge negative thought patterns that may contribute to harmful, addictive behavior and reframe and change your mental narrative. 

CBT, DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), and other forms of therapy effectively emphasize practical strategies empowering you to address the root causes of drug and alcohol abuse, giving you autonomy over your own recovery. 

Holistic Treatment for Alcohol Abuse   

The best outpatient rehab incorporates treatment that is integrative and comprehensive — for example, holistic treatments that work alongside psychotherapy to let you approach recovery in multiple ways. Holistic translates to “whole,” and in outpatient rehab, it refers to practices like yoga, meditation, sound therapy, acupuncture, and more, which are meant to heal your mind, body, and spirit, which can be weakened by addiction and substance abuse. Addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of recovery gives you better mental clarity, physical wellness, and inner resilience, which are so important in helping you rediscover and uncover your true essence that drinking or drug use may have buried. 

Alumni and Aftercare Support  

When your individualized outpatient rehab concludes, there’s a myth that it’s the end of treatment altogether. The truth is that while this marks the first step of maintaining your own sobriety in the real world, treatment doesn’t end here. In fact, the best outpatient rehab will connect you with an assortment of aftercare options — everything from continuing group therapy to access to transitional housing, as well as alumni programs for treatment graduates, meant to strengthen your relationship with the recovery community through 12-step programs and recovery events and activities. 

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What Can Outpatient Rehab Help With? 

Outpatient rehab centers are built to address various drug or alcohol addictions, mental health issues, or a combination of both, known as a co-occurring disorder.  

Substance Use Disorders 

Alcohol Abuse 

Alcohol use disorder affects nearly 29 million people a year. A problem that is one of the most deceptive, abusive drinking remains a problem because alcohol is such a socially accepted substance that can easily become an addictive crutch in one’s life. Therapy at outpatient alcohol rehab Las Vegas and our other locations helps you understand and identify why you drink. What are the underlying reasons? What are your triggers? It’s through accepting the problem and wanting to make a change that you can develop coping strategies when triggers arise and live a newer, happier, more fulfilling life without alcohol.  

Drug Abuse 

Drug addiction remains so prevalent because it can take on so many different forms — from narcotics, prescription medications, opioids, stimulants, to others. Illicit drugs can pose various short- and long-term damage to the body and the brain, but the lasting, almost irreparable harm is on how drug abuse can affect your life and the people around you. No matter the substance, because addiction rewires the brain, it makes it harder to quit even if you do recognize the damage it’s causing. Outpatient drug rehab meets these problems head-on with a blend of therapy — clinical and holistic — that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, giving you the tools, skills, accountability, and willpower to kick drugs to the curb and emerge with a commitment to staying sober. 

Mental Health Disorders  

Anxiety 

Did you know that anxiety disorders, in all forms, affect 40 million people a year? According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorder can stem from a combination of risk factors like genetics, neurological reasons, life events, and your own physiological and personality makeup, resulting in symptoms like chronic worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Unfortunately, mental health disorders often coincide with substance abuse as some people abuse alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, worsening them in the process. Outpatient addiction treatment seeks to rectify the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, teaching real, actionable skills to cope with triggers and symptoms without turning to substances. 

Depression 

Depressive disorders also affect millions of Americans and is a major mental illness that co-occurs with other types of behavioral and substance use disorders. Depression is so much more than just feeling sad — it’s a chronic, unrelenting condition that can affect your motivation, outlook on life, and even your physical health. You may struggle with persistent fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, or difficulty finding joy in activities you once enjoyed with people who care about you. Treatment focuses on structured therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes medication management to mold a new, optimistic mindset through life skills and coping mechanisms.  

Trauma  

Trauma disorders impact every facet of life in every waking moment and can be caused by a singular traumatic event at some point in one’s life. Unresolved, untreated trauma — particularly in the case of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which affects nearly 4% of the population — may lead to hypervigilance, emotional numbness or reliving a past traumatic event. But trauma-informed care in outpatient rehab centers includes therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or CBT to help you work through past experiences in a safe, supportive environment. 

What To Look for in an Outpatient Rehab Center 

That accountability in seeking treatment starts with finding the right fit in an outpatient drug rehab. Make sure to find a facility that’s accredited and licensed, offers a range of therapy options (psychotherapeutic and holistic), is staffed with qualified addiction and mental health experts, and, most of all, is an affordable outpatient rehab center. 

How can you check all these boxes and discover more about what outpatient rehab can offer? Call us today. One phone call can literally change your life. We’re on hand to answer any questions you have about the fundamentals of rehab, which outpatient treatment is right for you, cost, insurance coverage, and more. 

Is Vaping Marijuana Safe?

Aliya on March 24, 2025

More and more states across the country are decriminalizing marijuana, giving people more access to cannabis than ever before. It’s given dispensaries ample opportunities to diversify their product lines, opening the door to everything from edibles to tinctures to drinks infused with THC, cannabis’ main psychoactive ingredient. Vaping is just one method that’s seen a surge in popularity, especially among young people; according to statistics from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, it increased just over 10% for 12th-grade students between 2017 and 2023, with just under one-fifth of high school seniors reporting vaping marijuana two years ago. 

It may seem like a modern, risk-free option to smoking marijuana — perceived as a cleaner, safer, more discreet and convenient alternative. But is vaping marijuana safe? Concerns about brain and lung health, and even the dangers of the vape devices themselves, cannot be ignored. 

Cannabis use disorder is still a very real problem that vaping marijuana plays a role in. If you or a loved one frequently vapes marijuana, let’s take a closer look at the risks involved. 

What Does Vaping Marijuana Mean?  

Since the technology was developed more than 20 years ago, vaping has effectively become the new smoking — it’s a method of inhaling a substance through a handheld, battery-powered electronic device (an e-cigarette for nicotine). 

There are a few types of marijuana vaping devices: 

  • Vape pens are slim, portable devices that typically use pre-filled or refillable cartridges with THC oil or distillates. They’re easy to use discreetly indoors or in public places where smoking is disallowed. 
  • Dab pens are small, handheld devices that use highly concentrated cannabis extracts. They’re made from butane and known as butane hash oil (BHO). Dabs’ different textures can range from a sticky liquid to a brittle, glass-like solid.  
  • Vaporizers vary in appearance and size — some resemble USB drives or larger, tank-style devices. Unlike dab pens, they are more versatile and can be used with multiple forms of marijuana, from concentrates to dried flowers and liquids. 

Most marijuana vape pens include a battery that powers the device, a heating element that warms the THC, and a chamber or cartridge that holds the THC product. 

Instead of burning marijuana like traditional smoking, a vape pen heats it at a lower temperature. Vaping produces no smoke, just vapor, allowing users to use it discreetly indoors or in public places where smoking is disallowed.  

How Else Is Marijuana Used?    

Recent reports tell us that there’s been a marked increase in sales of marijuana vaping products — but it’s just one way how people consume marijuana: 

  • Smoking marijuana leaves from a joint (a rolled marijuana cigarette) or through a bong (a large glass-tubed pipe) are the most traditional methods. 
  • Edibles, like cannabis-infused gummies and other food (like taffy or brownies) or beverages, like THC-infused seltzers, have become more widespread. 
  • Tinctures and oils can also be used to supplement edibles or taken sublingually (under the tongue with a medicine dropper). 
  • Then there are THC- or CBD-based topicals, initially used with the legalization of medical marijuana for localized pain relief.  

However, although vaping is the newest form of consuming marijuana, it’s one of the most popular, presumably because it mirrors the potent delivery and effects of smoking cannabis. In a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), nearly 13% of respondents reported that they smoked marijuana most: 6%, edibles; 4.7%, vaping; 1.9%, concentrates; and 0.8%, topicals. 

The study also noted that while smoking remains the most predominant form of taking marijuana, smoking and edibles were the most popular combination, followed by alternating smoking and vaping.  

Is Vaping Marijuana Legal?    

The legality of vaping marijuana all depends on where you live, with marijuana laws varying from state to state.  

As of this writing, Washington, D.C., and 24 states see recreational marijuana (which includes vaping) fully legalized and decriminalized: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.   

In some states, marijuana legality remains mixed, allowing only for medical use with a doctor’s prescription, while strictly illegal in others.  

Note that state laws may also vary regarding age restrictions and the amount of marijuana you can possess at a time.  

Is Vaping Marijuana Better Than Smoking? 

Vaping marijuana vs smoking — are there advantages to the former against the latter? One pressing concern in states (where cannabis has and hasn’t yet been legalized) is the present danger of unregulated, black-market THC vaping cartridges laced with toxic ingredients. 

In reports, some unlicensed vape shops selling illegal cartridges — not tested or approved for sale — were found to contain some mixture of pesticides exceeding legal amounts, mainly myclobutanil, a fungicide that, when burned, can turn into hydrogen cyanide.  

This prompted complaints to cannabis regulatory sources from users who complained of vaping THC side effects like headaches and nausea. 

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Health Risks of Vaping  

It’s well documented that smoking marijuana can cause damage to one’s lungs, unlike smoking tobacco.  

“Research shows that smoking marijuana causes chronic bronchitis and marijuana smoke has been shown to injure the cell linings of the large airways, which could explain why smoking marijuana leads to symptoms such as chronic cough, phlegm production, wheeze and acute bronchitis,” notes a report by the American Lung Association. 

What are the real health risks of vaping marijuana, though? Many users may advocate that it’s a healthier alternative, at least to the extent that vaping marijuana presents fewer health risks because its vapor eliminates most of the dangerous toxins produced from inhaling smoke.  

But it really boils down to a lesser-of-two-evils argument. While it may not carry the same risks as smoking, vaping marijuana creates a whole new set of health concerns.  

“No two vape brands are alike,” notes an NPR study. “There is a huge variety of products available on shelves today in the states where marijuana is legal. These vapes contain many other chemicals besides the drug itself that make each product different. And often, it’s those other chemicals that prove problematic.” 

Short-Term Risk of Vaping  

Vaping cannabis to get high is just one of the effects of marijuana, but it carries its own short-term vaping THC side effects. A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers brought together 17 volunteers to smoke or vape cannabis and reported, up to eight hours later, feelings of sickness, anxiety, hunger, sleepiness, restlessness, racing heart, dry mouth and eyes, coughing, and impaired memory. 

“Participants who vaped 25 milligrams of THC reported about a 7% higher score on average for anxiety and paranoia, compared with people who smoked the same amount of the compound,” notes the study. “Those who vaped any dose of THC also reported higher levels of dry mouth and dry eyes than those who smoked it.”  

Study participants who vaped marijuana instead of smoking also showed higher levels of motor skill impairment when taking a computer test requiring them to track a square on the screen while also monitoring numbers in each of the screen’s corners. 

Long-Term Risks of Vaping 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently published cautionary warnings about the presence of vitamin E acetate in many vaping marijuana products, black market and legal, which the CDC has linked to a rash of hospitalizations and deaths from EVALI, an acronym for E-cigarette or Vaping, product use–Associated Lung Injury.  

According to the NIH, EVALI can be fatal, causing 68 deaths as of 2023. In an NIH survey of some hospitalized EVALI patients, up to 76% needed additional oxygen, 22% non-invasive ventilation and 26%, intubation and ventilation.  

And the American Lung Association states that there’s enough research to indicate that using vape pens to inhale cannabis concentrates or liquids can pose the same respiratory problems as using e-cigarettes. Dabbing may also pose respiratory issues and lung injuries. 

Additional long-term health effects from vaping marijuana (or nicotine) can include:  

  • Bronchiolitis obliterans, aka “popcorn lung,” a permanent scarring of the lungs caused by diacetyl, a chemical used in some vape cartridge flavorings 
  • Organ damage to the brain and heart 
  • Cancer linked to certain vaping e-chemicals 
  • An increased likelihood of developing or worsening asthma 

Then there are very real and unpredictable dangers from the vaping devices themselves. 

“Some devices might explode, resulting in burns and other injuries,” notes the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. (The first e-cigarette death was reported in 2018, when a user’s vape exploded, killing them when shrapnel from the device entered their brain.) 

“Most vaping devices contain and release a number of potentially toxic substances, including metals and volatile organic compounds from the devices and solvents used,” says the DEA. “Some of these have been linked to cell and DNA damage.” 

Can Someone Get Addicted to Vaping Marijuana?  

Surveys show that more than half (56%) of people believe marijuana is socially acceptable, and it feeds into the myth that it isn’t addictive. But cannabis use disorder is real, and the effects of marijuana can leave numerous adverse impacts on your health and well-being. 

Can you get addicted to vaping marijuana? Vaping may increase the risk of getting addicted due to the potency inherent to vape pens. According to the NPR study, THC oil can reach a concentration of 95% or more. Compare that to regular cannabis flower, which contains between 17% to 18% THC.   

This poses significant problems for young people who assume that vaping is safer or less addictive than smoking — a demographic more vulnerable to becoming addicted and developing health problems from vaping marijuana. 

“Cannabis is considered by youth to be one of the least harmful psychoactive substances, in part because it is often perceived as more ‘natural’ than other substances,” says the NIH study. 

“Vaping is not considered safe, especially for teens and young adults, since the adolescent brain is still developing and inhaling any substance through these devices may be harmful,” notes the DEA study. 

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Are Other Forms of Marijuana Addictive? 

Cannabis carries addictive potential in all forms, and excessive marijuana use can lead to dependence and eventual cannabis use disorder. Studies show that nearly 10% of people who begin smoking marijuana will become addicted and that between 22% and 30% of marijuana users have the disorder. 

“The strongest predictor of cannabis use disorder is how often someone uses it, but other factors, like a family history of drug use and how long a person has been using cannabis, can also play a role,” says the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 

Find Help for Marijuana Use  

Substance use disorders, regardless of the drug, have one thing in common — they can be treated, and you can carve out a healthier direction in life free of addiction. Marijuana addiction is no exception.  

By signing up for treatment, you or a loved one can break free of addiction. From the beginning of rehab, marijuana detox — with the full, compassionate aid of experienced staff — can help you to withdraw from the drug with minimal symptoms and side effects. Rehab at one of Aliya’s treatment centers doesn’t just help you stop using a drug but to understand the nature of why you became addicted, what compelled you to use marijuana, and how you can live life without the need to smoke or vape. Through talk therapy, individually and in a group setting, help and support are here. 

Entering treatment for vaping marijuana is a big step, and we’re here, 24/7, to answer your questions. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to get answers about entering rehab, inpatient and outpatient treatment, cost, insurance coverage, and more. You can change your life with one phone call.  

REFERENCES

What Is Holistic Drug Rehab?

Aliya on March 24, 2025

For addiction treatment to truly be successful, look at it like a puzzle, where all the pieces fit together to form a full, complete picture of recovery. Some of the puzzle pieces regard psychotherapy. CBT, DBT, and other modalities create opportunities to reframe your negative mental narrative and reshape your relationship with drugs or alcohol. Then, there are the remaining pieces that bring everything into focus, such as holistic drug rehab addiction treatment. Therapies that honor the interconnectedness of your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being complete the picture. Studies show us that nearly 40 percent of people make use of alternative medicine, yet a holistic approach to addiction is so much more than just alternative drug rehab — it’s a chance to heal yourself from addiction by addressing your total self. 

If you’ve decided it may be time to get help for a drinking or substance abuse problem, read on to learn how holistic drug rehab can play an important role in transforming your life. 

What Is Holistic Drug Rehab?    

What does “holistic” mean? Addiction treatment means addressing the whole, complete person instead of certain separate aspects. Whole-person addiction treatment aligns with the theory that substance abuse is more than just a physical dependency — but a multifaceted and complex condition that can affect your mind, your body, and your spirit. 

Holistic recovery programs aim to treat these complexities through an equally varied and integrated approach. Integrating alternative therapies like yoga, meditation, art therapy, and more with traditional therapy takes rehab to the next level, helping you not only reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings but also understand the nature of your addiction, cultivate awareness, and emerge with a renewed sense of self and purpose after leaving drugs and alcohol behind. 

What Is the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection?  

Like a cause-and-effect relationship, your brain, your body, and your spirit are more closely intertwined than we may think when it comes to addiction: 

  • Mind à Body: Stress, trauma, and mental health struggles can drive substance use as a way of self-medication. Over time, drug or alcohol use makes tangible changes to your neurochemistry, compelling you to take more of a drug to mimic its pleasurable effects. This mental reinforcement leads you to become tolerant, then dependent, and then addicted to a substance. Addiction then begins to take its toll on the body. 
  • Body à Spirit: Our bodies can develop any number of life-threatening ailments from drug or alcohol abuse, from lung or heart disease to stroke, cancer, and more, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This long-term physical damage can wear down one’s spirit and affect one’s emotional well-being, provoking feelings of hopelessness, detachment, isolation, and a lack of resilience, fulfillment, or purpose beyond addiction. 
  • Spirit à Mind: These feelings can lead one to develop mental health issues, from depression to anxiety, or fuel existing problems that lead you to use substances in the first place. Without the proper mind-body addiction recovery, the cycle continues, deepens, and worsens until one’s substance use disorder is properly addressed. 

Traditional Rehab vs Holistic Rehab 

Rehab follows a certain trajectory — an intentional, thoughtfully curated treatment plan where conventional and alternative drug rehab work together in tandem.  

Traditional rehab begins with detox, a period of time where you can wean yourself safely off drugs or alcohol and manage, under safe medical supervision, expected withdrawal symptoms. Once detox is complete, formal treatment begins in earnest — usually a form of talk therapy mentioned earlier, like cognitive behavioral or dialectical behavioral therapy, either in an individual setting (one-on-one with your therapist) or in group sessions with others in recovery. Traditional rehab may be either on an inpatient or outpatient basis. 

Holistic substance abuse treatment isn’t a replacement for traditional rehab but an indispensable complement. A holistic approach to addiction is meant to build on what you’ve learned and how you’ve progressed in talk therapy.   

Here, holistic recovery programs help to strengthen that mind-body-spirit connection through therapies that encourage mindfulness, creative expression, and physical healing and instill pragmatic skills you can take with you after re-entering the world following rehab. 

What Are the Benefits of a California Holistic Drug Rehab Center?  

When you choose one of the eight holistic recovery centers from our network, you step into an environment that’s dedicated to supporting your recovery through a truly holistic drug rehab approach.  

Some benefits include: 

  • Comprehensive, integrated healing: A whole-person approach innately inherent to holistic drug rehab considers your mental health, physical wellness, and underlying causes of substance abuse, strengthening that mind-body-spirit connection. 
  • A restorative environment: Recovery from any addiction happens best in a calm, supportive, and safe space. Our eight centers in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Studio City, and Tarzana offer serene settings to focus on getting well. 
  • The holistic with the evidence-based: The equal combination of science-backed psychotherapy with a holistic approach to addiction offers a balance needed for full recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. 
  • Looking at the long-term: Alternative drug rehab is sustainable because the same therapies at our centers you can keep practicing once treatment is complete, maintaining your sobriety and reducing the risk of relapse. 

What Can Holistic Drug Rehab Treat?  

Holistic drug rehab takes a whole-person approach to recovery, addressing not just the addiction itself but also the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual factors that contribute to substance use.

Here are some of the substance use disorders holistic rehab can help with: 

Alcohol Addiction  

Nearly 29 million people in the U.S. suffer from alcohol use disorder, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The World Health Organization states that alcohol consumption plays a role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and other health problems. Alcohol is accessible and easily addictive, making treatment a necessary human right. Holistic recovery programs work to fill this need, helping you address both physical withdrawal symptoms and emotional triggers that drive alcohol use. 

Opioid Addiction  

Since opioid abuse reached epidemic levels just a few years ago, more than 10 million people abuse prescription drugs — from fentanyl to methadone and other painkillers — annually. Many people unintentionally become addicted and develop strong physical dependencies that are hard to break without proper treatment. A holistic drug rehab program provides a setting where you can step away from this pattern toward sober wellness. 

Stimulant Addiction  

There are nearly 5 million people a year who abuse stimulants, notes the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics — a number that contributes to a rising rate of fatal overdoses. Although cocaine and meth push one’s energy and focus to the extreme, their perceived benefits mask a highly detrimental and addictive potential, taking a toll on the mind and the body that one of our holistic recovery centers aims to heal. 

Prescription Drug Addiction  

Sixteen million — 6% — of Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescription medications each year, and 12% are considered addicted. Prescription medications can feel safe because they’re given by a doctor — but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to quit. Whether it’s painkillers, sedatives, or benzodiazepines, dependence and addiction can develop quickly. Prescription drugs also carry a high risk of overdose.  

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What Therapies are Used in Holistic Drug Rehab?   

Holistic drug rehab is a tool to weave together those mind-body-spirit connective fibers. The good news is that you can continue pursuing these activities on your own once treatment has finished, but while you’re in rehab, each one delivers its own unique value alongside your inpatient or outpatient programming.  

Expressive Arts Therapy  

If talking about your feelings and struggles with addiction is difficult, creative expression can provide another way to explore them. Whether it’s channeling yourself through painting, creating music, or writing them down on a page, expressive arts create a safe space for emotional release that is so important for your healing.  

Art Therapy 

Creating art allows you to express emotions that may be hard to put into words. Painting might speak to you in a profound way, or you might gravitate to drawing or sculpting to create your own artwork that represents your journey toward recovery from addiction. Often, the colors, shapes, or images you create reflect emotions you may not have fully recognized through talk therapy, illuminating deeper insight. 

Music Therapy 

Music is often like a soundtrack to our lives — imagine creating your own sounds and lyrics to document your experiences with substance abuse and recovery. Through music therapy, you’ll explore these emotions through sound, rhythm, and words. You might create music, play instruments, or write songs as a way to process feelings that are difficult to express in words. Don’t worry — you don’t need to be a musician. It’s about finding new ways to cope with stress in recovery (and discovering new talents along the way). 

Journaling  

Writing down your thoughts can help you make sense of things when words may fail you verbally. It’s a different type of communication where there are no rules — just write down what comes to you, even if it’s stream of consciousness. Journaling — which may be suggested to you by your therapist — helps you to untangle difficult, conflicted feelings so you can strengthen your self-awareness and reflect on how far you’ve come in your holistic addiction treatment.  

Yoga 

Yoga can seem intimidating to some people who might feel they don’t have the flexibility for the asanas or postures during a session. Don’t worry — you never need to have taken a yoga class before to enjoy the benefits it brings to your recovery. Signing up for yoga during treatment will see you combine these movements with breathwork and meditation; they not only release tension in the body but also help expand your mind away from the negative mindset that may have influenced your substance abuse. Over time, yoga strengthens that integral connection between mind and body, helping you develop patience, self-awareness, and resilience. 

Massage Therapy 

Chronic substance abuse can build up stress and anxiety in the body, making muscle tension and restlessness a common malady. But massage therapy helps release that tension, improves circulation, and promotes relaxation. It’s the same as going for a massage at your chiropractor or a massage studio, but in treatment, there are added benefits, like providing relief from the physical discomfort associated with withdrawal. 

Meditation and Mindfulness  

Together or separate from yoga, meditation is a valuable tool to train your mind and become mindful — becoming fully aware of your surroundings and emotions in each and every present moment. Addiction is often rooted in reactivity and impulsive behaviors, but through mindfulness-based addiction treatment, watch how you become aware of when triggers are coming on, slow down, observe your thoughts, and let them go without acting on them. It’s an effective form of mindfulness therapy that works to master that mind-body-spirit connection and how one can influence others, giving you greater control over your thoughts and actions. 

Acupuncture  

By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture — a staple of ancient Chinese medicine — is used in holistic substance abuse treatment to help reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms, calming the nervous system in the process. Many people describe a sense of lightness and relaxation after sessions since treatment encourages your body’s natural healing processes by gently placing the needles on certain pressure points. 

Life Skills Training  

Life after treatment comes with real-world challenges, and life skills training prepares you to handle them with confidence when addiction has taken you away from managing day-to-day responsibilities. In these sessions, you’ll learn (or relearn) practical skills like creating a budget, building a resume, or preparing for job interviews. You’ll also work on communication strategies for setting boundaries, managing conflict, and maintaining healthy relationships — insights you’ll also have gained in talk therapy. By the time treatment ends you’ll be equipped with the tools to build independence and sustain your sobriety. 

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Finding a Unique Path to Drug Recovery  

The path to drug recovery needs to be as unique as you and your needs are. Many people go into treatment incorrectly, believing that there’s a cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all approach to therapy that may render itself ineffective in the end, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  

Individualized Treatment Plans 

The goal of rehab is to customize your treatment plan according to the nature and severity of your addiction, plus any other extenuating factors, like co-occurring mental health issues that necessitate a dual diagnosis. Pinpointing and targeting your holistic treatment programs is exactly why they can prove to be so successful for you.  

How will this look? During the admissions and intake phase, your case manager will work with you to see if an inpatient or outpatient stint in rehab is the best course of action to take and what kind of therapy best suits your nature of addiction. Will you need CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing if you’re reluctant to enter treatment? And what types of holistic recovery programs appeal most to you? You have complete autonomy in what you choose. 

Evidence-based Psychotherapy  

We’ve talked about the myriad benefits of holistic drug rehab, but how does it work alongside psychotherapy? Evidence-based means it’s proven and backed by scientific research to be effective. CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, helps you to identify and change harmful thought patterns that may contribute to the development of addiction. Likewise, DBT, or dialectical behavioral therapy, aligns well with meditation in cultivating mindfulness and regulating emotions. Trauma therapy is another example, helping to observe past experiences that may have led you to use substances. Together, they contribute to a well-rounded recovery. 

Expert and Caring Staff  

Above all else, the staff at holistic recovery centers convey compassion and a commitment to seeing you through to recovery. From doctors and nurses to support you through detox, to counselors to help you make inroads during therapy, to support staff who have your back every step of the way, treatment becomes a pivotal moment in your life — the transition from addiction to sobriety — that brings you in contact with people who care about you and your welfare. 

Know that entering holistic drug rehab means you don’t have to go it alone. You’ll have questions about holistic addiction treatment, and we’re here to answer them. Change your life with one phone call, and contact us today to learn more about how Aliya can help. 

Percocet vs Vicodin: What’s the Difference?

Aliya on March 18, 2025

When it comes to opioid pain medication, there are different combinations of active ingredients and different brand names. Percocet and Vicodin are two opioid painkillers that can be prescribed for serious acute or chronic pain. But what is the difference between Percocet vs Vicodin?

Vicodin vs. Percocet: What’s the Difference?

Both Percocet and Vicodin are opioids used to treat moderate to severe pain. They are both carefully monitored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The composition of each drug is different, so they have varying effects. Percocet contains oxycodone (a semi-synthetic opioid) and acetaminophen (a non-opioid pain reliever). Vicodin contains hydrocodone (a semi-synthetic opioid) and acetaminophen. Thus, they both contain a different active opioid ingredient along with acetaminophen, which is branded as Tylenol. It is generally believed that oxycodone is more powerful than hydrocodone. In the same vein, Percocet is a stronger opioid medication than Vicodin, and is used for more severe pain. This also means it has a higher addiction potential and threat of overdose.

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 Risks of Opioid Medication

Opioid pain medications are powerful substances with high addiction potential. In the United States, using Percocet and Vicodin without a prescription is illicit use. They are closely monitored by the DEA as Schedule II Controlled Substances. Schedule II drugs are medications with beneficial use when used properly as prescribed by a healthcare professional but with a high risk of physical and psychological dependence. Opioid pain medications are closely monitored and only prescribed when needed because of the damage they can cause if abused. Schedule II substances cannot be refilled, yet it’s common for people to misuse, share, or sell prescriptions such as oxycodone and hydrocodone for recreational use. The risk of overdose is even higher for those who smoke or inject prescription pain medication. 

Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction is a serious condition. The most severe form is opioid use disorder (OUD), a brain condition where an individual cannot quit on their own. Notably, opioids are addictive because they work on the opioid receptors in the brain to target the reward system. Over time, your brain chemistry adapts, and your system requires more substances to function normally.

Potential for Deadly Overdose 

Opioid overdose can be life-threatening. OUD leads individuals down the path of constantly needing more opioids because the pleasurable effects wear off with tolerance. If you overdose on opioids, your central nervous system may slow down to dangerously slow breathing levels. The lack of oxygen leads to brain damage, and within 1-3 hours after the dose, you can die. Markedly, overdose can happen regardless of whether your opioids are natural, like morphine, or come from prescription medications, like Percocet.

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Pain Management Without Opioids

There are other ways besides opioids to treat pain, including mental health pain that often leads individuals to self-medicate with drugs. At our treatment center, we provide holistic treatments that help the whole system heal, from mind, to body, to spirit. Addressing the root causes of your pain gives you greater understanding how to proceed. Traditional therapy for mental disorders and substance use addiction are another alternative to self-medication. Further, your physical pain can be improved with physical therapy, massage therapy, and alternative pain management treatments.

Find Help for Opioid Abuse

If you struggle with opioid abuse, there’s no time to waste in getting help. It can be hard to know where to look, but the best path forward is professional drug rehab. We will help you detox from opioids in our safe medical facility. Through a proven combination of traditional and holistic therapy and counseling, we’ll help you heal your pain and overcome OUD. Taking Vicodin and Percocet for acute pain can lead to dire consequences even if you take them as prescribed due to their addictive nature. If you need help, call us today! 

Is Farmapram Xanax? The Dangers of Mexican Anti-Anxiety Medication

Aliya on March 4, 2025

Most of us are no stranger to feeling nervous preceding a pivotal personal challenge. Your heart races before that big midterm exam or speaking in front of a huge group. Nervousness prior to an important medical procedure or a job interview is a common emotion we all feel from time to time. 

These moments of unease are a normal part of life — they pass, and you move on. Anxiety is a bit different. When persistent worry becomes constant dread or panic, your mind cycles through worst-case scenarios no matter how irrational, anxiety stops being a passing feeling and becomes a legitimate problem, affecting sleep, relationships, work, and daily life. 

Statistics show that over 18% of adults experience these same types of anxiety symptoms, and that anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults every year, says the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. 

If you’re diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you may be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication. But what about some off-market alternatives? You may have heard whispers about Farmapram or even come across names like Farmapram alprazolam in conversations or online forums. 

Does a Farmapram drug deliver the same results as Xanax, and more importantly, is Farmapram (Xanax) safe to use when suffering from an anxiety disorder? Let’s look at the differences, how they work and the potential risks. 

What Is Farmapram? 

Farmapram may sound unfamiliar, and you may have never seen it advertised or at the pharmacy in the U.S. That’s because it’s an off-brand name for a prescription medication from Mexico containing alprazolam, the same active ingredient as Xanax, one of the most popular mainstream anti-anxiety medications. 

Farmapram and alprazolam are both benzodiazepines (or “benzo” for short), a medication widely used since the 1960s to treat and counteract symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder that’s risen in popularity over the decades. The Benzodiazepine Information Coalition states that in a 17-year period from the late 1990s to about 2013, the percentage of people who filled a benzo prescription rose by nearly 30%, as the amount of prescription drugs in the benzo class doubled during this time.  

Most noteworthy, according to the coalition, is that anxiety was the most frequent reason for being given the medication, accounting for 56% of all benzo prescriptions. In fact, Xanax is one benzo listed as one of the top 100 most commonly prescribed medications, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).  

Because your central nervous system is taxed, overstressed and overstimulated during an anxiety or panic attack, benzos work by binding to the GABA-A, or gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in your brain, telling your nervous system to calm down and be less active.  

Benzos closely mimic sedatives and tranquilizers, and in addition to calming your nervous system and reducing anxiety, other Farmapram effects can include the onset of anterograde amnesia (temporarily blocking the formation of new memories) and inducing sleepiness — one reason why benzos are often used to treat insomnia. 

Where Does Farmapram Come From? 

Xanax is manufactured in the U.S. by Pfizer, but Farmapram drug products are made and distributed by a Mexican pharmaceutical company called Ifa Celtics.  

In the U.S., alprazolam is a Schedule 4 Controlled Substance listed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency due to its risk of misuse and abuse. However, these rules don’t apply in Mexico, which means Farmapram is illegal to bring over the border into the U.S.  

In December 2023, U.S. border patrol agents arrested a U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle 110 bottles of unprescribed, unregulated alprazolam — equivalent to 3,300 pills — at the Falfurrias, Texas checkpoint, notes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency.  

“On December 5, 2023, at about 5 p.m., agents working at the Falfurrias Checkpoint conducted an inspection of a northbound commercial passenger bus,” notes CBP in a press release. “During an immigration inspection of one of the passengers, agents observed nervous behavior.  The passenger gave consent to search their personal belongings resulting in the discovery of 110 bottles of Farmapram concealed within potato chip bags.”  

Is Farmapram Xanax?  

Both Xanax and Farmapram share the same active ingredient, alprazolam, targeted at addressing anxiety symptoms.  

Yet, while the chemical makeup is identical, differences in manufacturing practices, quality control and even regional regulatory oversight can lead to variations in the medication. More importantly, Xanax tablets are legally regulated by and registered with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), while Farmapram isn’t.  

So, while Farmapram remains regulated under Mexico’s guidelines, it may not meet the same stringent quality control standards as the U.S. system.  

But are Farmapram Xanax safe if you read the box label carefully and inspect the tablets before ingesting them? Even if a tablet is labeled as Farmapram, this can be misleading — you can’t be sure of its actual contents without proper regulation and testing. If you purchased it online, there are chances your Mexican Xanax bars could be fake pills containing dangerous ingredients like fentanyl or other synthetic drugs, which can increase the risk of unwanted Farmapram side effects. 

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Is Farmapram Addictive? 

Since Farmapram is a benzo like Xanax, it has the same high-risk potential for developing dependence and addiction. Even when taking legally regulated and prescribed alprazolam beyond your instructed dosage (of if taken recreationally), over time your body can become reliant on the drug. 

Addiction takes shape when your body needs a drug to function normally, and you can’t stop taking Farmapram Xanax bars even if you want to.  

“Taking too much and running out of your prescription, being overly focused on when you can take the next one and feeling you can’t live without it could be signs that you’re developing a benzodiazepine use disorder,” says a WebMD study. 

What Are the Dangers of Farmapram Addiction? 

When you become reliant on alprazolam, Farmapram or any benzo, legal or not, Farmapram effects can be hard to ignore, in yourself or in others. Long-term misuse of Farmapram alprazolam can lead to a host of symptoms, including: 

  • Increased anxiety — perhaps worse than the anxiety symptoms Farmapram/Xanax was meant to address
  • Insomnia and fatigue (due to the drug’s sedative effects) 
  • Severe appetite or weight loss
  • Headaches 
  • Bodily weakness 

Of course, these symptoms can act as a gateway to other Farmapram side effects, like memory problems, impaired coordination, drowsiness and confusion, personality changes, respiratory depression, skin rashes, weight gain and an increased risk of overdose (especially when mixed with alcohol, since it and benzos pose a double sedating effect). 

“Psychologically,” says the AAFP, “long-term use of benzodiazepines may lead to overreliance on the need for the agent, loss of self-confidence and varying degrees of drug-seeking behavior.” 

What Is Farmapram Withdrawal? 

If you’ve become addicted to benzos and attempt to quit cold turkey, hard stop, withdrawal symptoms can pose too great of a shock to the body and pose serious consequences. When you face withdrawal, your body is essentially readjusting to the absence of a chemical it’s grown dependent on. 

“Withdrawal effects from therapeutic dosages of benzodiazepines are mainly anxiety symptoms,” states the AAFP. “In addition, autonomic instability (i.e., increased heart rate and blood pressure level, tremulousness, diaphoresis), insomnia and sensory hypersensitivity are common. The most serious acute withdrawal symptoms are seizures and delirium tremens, which most commonly occur with abrupt discontinuation.”  

Farmapram withdrawal symptoms may merge between three to four days up to two weeks after last using the drug. 

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Anxiety Treatment Options  

Alprazolam (even Farmapram or Mexican Xanax) has its place in treating anxiety, but it’s not the only option. In fact, there are so many other helpful and effective anxiety or panic disorder treatments available that don’t involve drugs, that medication should be considered only in the most severe cases. 

Here are some addiction treatment programs available at our numerous treatment facilities across eight states: 

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Anxiety 

Behavioral therapy, where you sit one-on-one with a counselor or psychologist in a safe, calming space, is one of the most effective ways to get to the heart of your anxieties.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT for short, is one of the more popular evidence-based therapies (which means its methods have been scientifically tested). CBT makes the connection between your thoughts (your cognitive abilities) and your actions (your behavior) and helps you to reframe negative thought patterns that may be adversely influencing your emotions and subsequent ways of acting. Your anxiety may be rooted in underlying issues such as childhood trauma, habitual patterns, substance abuse or past or current situational factors.   

CBT aims to explore this by allowing you to dig deep and unpack what drives your anxiety and, ultimately, find the tools and skills within you to cope and re-emerge anxiety-free. 

Holistic Treatment for Anxiety  

Just as CBT and psychotherapy aim to reconcile the connection between disordered thoughts and actions, holistic treatment programs offer you a way to manage anxiety by nurturing your body and mind together. Holistic means “whole,” and this whole-person approach can manifest itself in a variety of complementary, thoughtful therapies: 

  • Meditation and mindfulness practices help to still an anxious mind and help you remain in the present moment, observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment and reducing impulsive reactions to stress. 
  • Yoga and breathwork therapies are like a moving meditation, integrating a series of postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and relaxation techniques to calm the body and mind. 
  • Nutritional counseling sees you work with a registered dietitian or licensed nutritionist to assess your dietary needs, identify deficiencies and develop personalized nutrition plans to support your physical and mental recovery in the wake of substance abuse. 
  • Sound therapy is an ancient therapeutic practice utilizing sound frequencies and vibrations to aid in healing anxiety disorder. Sound healing instruments create a sound bath triggering a deep meditative state where physiological and psychosomatic healing can occur. 

Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment at Aliya Health Group  

Alprazolam and benzo addiction can consume your life and lead you down a challenging path. It doesn’t matter if dependence has started through Xanax or Farmapram pills. The important thing is getting the right treatment to retrain your body and mind to live without the need for substances, to avoid relapsing and to live a clean and sober life — for the rest of your life. 

We specialize in treating many types of drug addictions, and benzo use disorder is no exception. If you or a loved one is struggling with a dependency on alprazolam, consider how we can help. Our treatment centers across the country understand the complexities of healing addiction, which is why we take a comprehensive, compassionate approach, from dual diagnosis to medical detox, to inpatient residential treatment and outpatient, to aftercare and sober living that supports your recovery journey once rehab is complete.  

One thing we can promise: recovery from benzo addiction is possible with the right help. Call us today for a free consultation (or request a callback). Our 24/7 admissions department is here to answer any questions you have. You can change your life with one phone call. 

Can the Non-Opioid Journavx Help End Painkiller Addiction?

Aliya on February 24, 2025

Finding pain relief can be challenging because opioid pain meds are highly addictive and dangerous, which is why a new drug called Journavx is in the news. Journavx is an opioid-free pain killer that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year. In the past, those struggling with acute pain (short-term) often had to choose between relief and the fear of developing an addiction. Since Journavx is the first-of-its-kind non-opioid painkiller medication, it is changing the medical field for the better. Some people believe this new drug could be the key to ending the painkiller addiction crisis. Let’s unpack Journavx and how it works to determine whether the medication is all it is purported to be.

What Is Journavx?

Journavx, the brand name for the drug suzetrigine, is a non-opioid pain medication that is approved by the FDA for acute pain management. Notably, Journavx is a first-in-class drug, meaning it uses a new mechanism of action to relieve pain. In the past, the effects Journavx offers would have come with a risk of addiction development. Now, people don’t have to choose between different health choices like pain relief or addiction.

Does Journavx Work?

As you may be aware, opioid abuse is a severe problem known as the opioid crisis. In 2022, almost 108,000 people in the U.S. died from drug-related overdoses. Of this number, an estimated 73,838 cases involved opioids, which alone are the leading overdose death drug. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to stimulate the reward system. Because the results are pleasurable, the brain actually modifies itself to adapt to substances. Notably, opioids can be both natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic. Some common opioids are morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, and fentanyl.

Since an effective non-opioid pain medication has been sought after and prioritized for decades, you might wonder if Journavx works. The answer is yes! Journavx produces similar pain-relieving results as opioid medications but without the addictive risks. In randomized studies, Journavx was shown to relieve moderate to severe acute pain to the same degree as opioids. This is considered a huge landmark treatment, as pain medication that isn’t addictive has been largely ineffective thus far.

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How Does Journavx Work for Pain Management?

As mentioned, Journavx is a first-in-class medication that provides pain relief by targeting different body functions than opioids do. Essentially, the medication works by blocking pain from being felt in the body without affecting the brain. Whereas opioids are so addictive because they stimulate and alter the opioid reward system in the brain, Journavx works differently. It blocks sodium ion channels, which stop the nerve cells from carrying electrical impulses that signal pain. 

Until now, opioids have been virtually the only strong pain-relieving option. Other than turning to opioids with their high risk of addiction, those with pain have had to use over-the-counter pain meds. But these yield little results for severe pain. How Journavx works on the body rather than the brain is exciting and will hopefully improve the state of the opioid crisis moving forward.

Journavx vs Other Non-Opioid Pain Medication

Journavx is not the only pain management medicine on the market that isn’t habit-forming. There are other non-addictive opioids that can be prescribed over-the-counter. Some of the options include:

  • Aspirin
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, i.e. Ibuprofen)
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Yet, these other non-addictive painkillers tend to be ineffective at reducing pain to the same degree as opioids. For those with severe pain, like from an operation, injury, or cancer, a stronger option is needed to raise their quality of life. Many people turn to opioids out of necessity, but the risks can far outweigh the benefits.

What are Journavx’s Benefits and Risks?

Journavx has the obvious benefit of providing pain relief without the risk of addiction. Journavx is expected to have no habit-forming potential because it doesn’t target the brain. There are some side effects to watch for, even with safe painkillers. In studies, the most common potential side effects are muscle spasms, itchiness, rash, and increased creatine phosphokinase in the blood. Your medical treatment provider will be able to monitor you and address any side effects.

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The Dangers of Opioid Pain Medication

Although opioids are often abused, they do serve an important purpose. They are often used in medical settings like hospitals and can be prescribed for patient use. Yet, doctors are not inclined to prescribe opioids as a medication unless absolutely necessary because the drugs are so addictive. As mentioned, opioids are pain-relieving medications with incredibly strong properties. They are often used post-operation for pain management, as well as in people with cancer and those with chronic pain. Individuals who have acute and subacute pain (like after an injury) may be prescribed at-home use of opioids. In these cases, the individual is weaned off the drug once they’ve recovered. On the other hand, prescription opioids can be administered for chronic pain as a long-term medication. Yet, because they are so addictive, taking opioids is risky.

For those with pain, there is a need for safe pain medication. This is why non-opioid pain relievers are necessary. These safer alternatives to pain relief don’t carry the risk of addiction associated with many painkiller meds. Although no one sets out to form an addiction, the risk of dependency is high when using opioids. These dangerous substances are too powerful for individuals to control, as they work on the brain to change neurochemistry. For those who want to avoid the physical, mental, and emotional health risks, we are pleased to offer alternative medications.

Finding an Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Facility

Fortunately, there now exists Journavx, a non-opioid pain medication to replace opioids. People struggling with acute, subacute, and chronic pain can find relief without the risk of addiction. Understandably, opioid addiction can devastate your life. If you’ve been battling with opioid abuse and can’t manage your dependency anymore, it’s time to seek help. Please understand there is no shame in needing outside intervention. Oftentimes, people don’t understand how powerful substances like opioids are when they act on the brain and body. As an individual, it is incredibly difficult and unlikely to overcome opioid addiction alone.

Yet, with the assistance of a professional medical treatment center, relief is possible! Our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program combines medication with traditional therapy and holistic counseling. We can help you overcome your addiction with FDA-approved medicine for substance use disorders (SUD).

Let us walk you through the mental, emotional, and physical healing from your addiction. You can choose from our many treatment facilities across the United States. We’re ready to help you, so make the first move today.

Carfentanil vs Fentanyl: Understanding These Powerful Drugs

Aliya on December 30, 2024

When it comes to opioids, two of the most dangerous are carfentanil vs. fentanyl. Although both drugs have their purpose in medicine, when used illicitly, they present grave danger of overdose and death. It’s more likely you’ve heard of fentanyl, but what is carfentanil? Let’s explore the differences between both substances and unpack why they can have catastrophic effects on your health.

What Is Carfentanil?

Carfentanil is the most powerful commercially used opioid. It acts as a tranquilizer, opioid analgesic, and mu-opioid receptor agonist. This means it has strong effects like sedation, pain relief, and drowsiness. However, carfentanil is not safe for human use, as it’s a veterinary anesthetic for massive-sized animals, including elephants. In a human, even a small amount can be a carfentanil lethal dose. The drug can be sourced as carfentanil pills, powder, patches, and liquid.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used as a painkiller in medical scenarios. Because of how potent it is, fentanyl can be administered for severe pain, including chronic pain, cancer, and post-surgery pain. In fact, fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine, an alternative painkiller. It is also roughly 50 times stronger than heroin, a semi-synthetic opioid deriving from the poppy plant. Thus, fentanyl should only be used as prescribed by a doctor because even a small dose can be lethal. However, recreational fentanyl use has risen in recent years and largely contributes to the opioid crisis. Fentanyl is often laced with other substances or misleadingly sold as a different opioid.

Opioid Abuse Statistics

Over 3 million people in the United States struggle with opioid use disorder (OUD), of which fentanyl is a prevalent cause. Overdose deaths are a major concern across the world, which is also why opioid abuse is so concerning. The spiral into addiction occurs quickly with both fentanyl and carfentanil and can lead to overdose death. In 2023, an estimated 70% of overdose deaths in the U.S. were due to illegal fentanyl drugs, including carfentanil.

The Difference Between Carfentanil vs Fentanyl  

Carfentanil and fentanyl are drugs in the same drug class and act as opioid analgesics with painkilling and relaxing effects. However, there is a key difference. Alarmingly, carfentanil is 100 times more toxic than fentanyl because it’s made for large animal veterinary medicine. In powder form, even a few grains can have a fatal result. Your risk of severe physical and mental dangers is greatly increased with carfentanil use vs. fentanyl, although both opioids can be deadly.

Which Is Stronger?

Undeniably, carfentanil is the stronger drug, at 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine.

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What Are the Risks of Using Carfentanil and Fentanyl?

There are many dangers of using either carfentanil or fentanyl, let alone engaging in polysubstance use and mixing drugs. Both fentanyl and carfentanil deaths are risks of abusing substances. The key concerns are addiction, overdose, and negative health effects.

Addiction Risks of Carfentanil and Fentanyl

Both substances work similarly in the brain to produce a pleasurable and relaxing effect. As such, fentanyl addiction is highly likely and occurs quickly. Opioids like carfentanil and fentanyl bind to opioid receptors in the brain to activate the reward system. Because the results feel temporarily good, the brain craves more and soon becomes tolerant to that dose.

Health Risks of Carfentanil and Fentanyl

Although opioids feel good at first, they are far from beneficial for the body. Taking fentanyl or carfentanil has many dangerous physical and mental symptoms. You may experience the following fentanyl or carfentanil side effects:

  • Cravings
  • Irritability
  • Being distracted or unable to process information as normal
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood changes

It takes far less carfentanil than fentanyl to experience these withdrawal symptoms, considering how much stronger it is.

Overdose Risk of Carfentanil and Fentanyl

The risk of overdose is high with both opioid drugs because of how potent they are. Along with the above unpleasant symptoms of fentanyl and carfentanil use, you may experience these overdose symptoms:

  • Slow breathing
  • Low blood pressure
  • Slow heart rate
  • Decreasing circulation
  • Blue or grey skin
  • Blackouts
  • Coma
  • Death

A carfentanil overdose is an urgent concern that must be acted on and treated immediately. Long-term rehabilitation can help prevent a repeated occurrence.

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How to Stay Safe from Carfentanil and Fentanyl

In order to protect yourself from the dangers of carfentanil vs. fentanyl, be sure to follow these precautions.

Educate Yourself

People who take illicit substances face the risk of overdose because of polysubstance mixing. It’s not safe to take drugs that have been illegally created and sold, as they are likely laced with multiple ingredients. You can help protect against drug overdose by educating yourself on the dangers of illicit drug use.

Use Naloxone (Narcan) for an Overdose

If someone you know has overdosed and is showing symptoms, it’s imperative they immediately receive naloxone to reverse the effects. Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, is an opioid antagonist that fights against opioid poisoning. Naloxone kits are sold over the counter to help save lives.

Find a Treatment Center for Loved Ones

Most importantly, if you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl abuse, they need to receive professional medical help. Finding the motivation to stop on your own is difficult, and implementing detox alone is nearly impossible. As soon as you try to break free from addiction on your own, you’ll be hit with intense withdrawal symptoms that cause many to relapse. We can help you find true healing from your opioid addiction at our drug rehabilitation centers.

Opioid Detox and Recovery Options

Because the risk of taking drugs laced with fentanyl is high, drug abuse is a dangerous situation to be trapped in. The best way to protect yourself is to enter treatment for substance addiction. At Aliya, we provide full-service rehabilitation for opioid addiction, regardless of whether it’s carfentanil vs. fentanyl or other drugs. Don’t stay stuck in a place of real danger to your health. Let us help you through fentanyl rehabilitation.

What Does a Methadone Clinic Do?

Aliya on December 23, 2024

Methadone clinics are places where people overcome their addiction to opioids using medication-assisted treatment, specifically a drug called Methadone. Methadone clinics provide medication to help clients manage their dependency and withdrawal symptoms. Often, the most difficult part of quitting drugs is getting through withdrawal symptoms, like cravings for the drug. As such, treatment at a methadone clinic makes the process of reaching sobriety less challenging by diminishing withdrawal discomfort.

What Is a Methadone Clinic?

A methadone clinic is a drug rehabilitation program for those struggling with substance addiction. Particularly, those who have an opioid use disorder (OUD) can find relief from their symptoms through the medication methadone. Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist that reduces symptoms of opioid addiction, such as cravings and withdrawal. Because it is long-acting, unlike other opioids like fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone, it can adequately replace short-term drugs.

In a methadone clinic, which is a medical detoxification center, clients are administered methadone dosage according to their unique situation and needs. Typically, methadone is used as a long-term treatment for the maintenance of opioid withdrawal. Individuals may remain on a methadone medication plan for years. In this case, they will work with a doctor to ensure their dose remains correct to prevent dependency.

What Is Methadone Used For? 

As mentioned, methadone is a medication used to lessen opioid withdrawal symptoms to help people overcome opioid addiction. It also manages chronic pain, which sometimes goes hand-in-hand with drug abuse problems. It is common for people to self-medicate with substances but go too far as to develop a drug disorder.

How Do People Get Methadone?

Methadone is a Schedule II Controlled Substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse. Thus, it must be administered by a medical professional for the treatment of opioid addiction or pain management.

How Does Methadone Affect the Brain?

As an opioid, methadone works similarly on the brain to other opioids like heroin and fentanyl. It changes the central nervous system’s response to pain by altering brain messaging. However, it doesn’t produce the fast-acting high that heroin and fentanyl do because methadone is a long-acting substance. One key difference is that it actually treats the discomfort caused by other opioids to negate their effects. Methadone blocks feelings of euphoria that other opioids create and reduces symptoms of craving and withdrawal on the comedown.

Is Methadone Dangerous?

Unfortunately, when methadone is used outside of its intended treatment, it has addictive properties that can lead to dependency. It will blunt the effect of other opioids, but when used with other substances, like methadone and alcohol, it can cause disinhibition. Some people may desire the effects of methadone. When abused, methadone has the danger of addiction.

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What Are the Signs of Methadone Addiction?

Although the effect of addiction will always vary from person to person, there tend to be common signs. These methadone overdose symptoms may indicate that someone is addicted to the opioid drug.

  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Constipation
  • Changes to sex drive
  • Mood changes
  • Agitation
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight gain
  • Hallucinations
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Rapid heart rate

What Is Methadone Detox Like?    

Methadone detox is the right step for anyone who has abused methadone or other opioids. Depending on your circumstance, detoxification can remove traces of methadone from your body to help you achieve base sobriety. If you haven’t abused methadone but struggle with opioid addiction, detox will remove short-acting opioids from your body. Notably, methadone can be used as intended to alleviate withdrawal symptoms during the process.

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal from opioids, long- and short-acting, may include the following temporary symptoms:

  • Agitation
  • Sweating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Anxiety
  • Aches and pains
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Low energy
  • Nausea
  • Restlessness

Methadone Detox Timeline

Detox tends to last between four and eight days, during which your health will be monitored. You may be given extra fluids and nutrients, along with comfort medication like methadone, to make withdrawal more comfortable. By the end, you will have reached a base degree of sobriety.

Preparing for Methadone Detox

The best way to prepare for detox is mentally. Know that you will be well-cared for with 24/7 supervision. Detox can be uncomfortable and difficult, but your medical team will make it as smooth as possible.

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Who Can Help with Methadone Detox?

A treatment center plays a large role in making the detox process feel safe and fast. Aliya’s detoxification facilities are comfortable locations with state-of-the-art equipment. Our medical care team is empathetic about making the detox experience as easy as it can be.

What Are the Benefits of a Methadone Detox Center?

Detoxing in a methadone clinic provides layers of protection that you won’t have if you try to detox alone. We monitor you around the clock to ensure your vitals remain healthy. Additionally, we can administer methadone to alleviate and distract from any withdrawal symptoms.

Helping a Loved One Find a Methadone Clinic

If your loved one is battling an opioid addiction, the best way to care for them is to help set them up in a methadone treatment center. As Aliya clients, they’ll be treated like a person with a unique issue, not like a disorder. Our medication-assisted treatment programming is always tailored to the individual and their needs. Rest assured that sobriety is possible through comprehensive treatment.

Other Tips for Recovering from Methadone

Recovering from opioids is much more than detoxing them from the system. After a person achieves sobriety in their body, they need to make sobriety a personal goal in their mind. Our treatment programming combines psychotherapy and holistic therapy to help clients realize the negative thoughts and habits that are trapping them in addiction. We help clients with a number of psychiatric resources.

Recovery Support Groups

Recovery support groups are pivotal in long-term sobriety maintenance after a drug us disorder. Traditional talk therapy is evidence-based for teaching clients to overcome triggers and prevent relapse. You can find support group meetings near you through Aliya.

Holistic Lifestyle Changes

Holistic therapy is equally as beneficial as traditional talk therapy. It focuses on healing the body, mind, and spirit. We teach clients holistic lifestyle changes they can continue after rehab, such as mindfulness, nutrition counseling, yoga, and nature therapy.

Family Resources

Individuals who are recovering from an opioid addiction strongly benefit from having family support. They need to know their loved ones stand by them in order to access their internal well of resilience. Explore these addiction recovery resources to better understand what your loved one is going through and help them end substance abuse and improve their mental health.

A methadone clinic can be the step that finally allows you to leave opioid addiction in the past. Medically-assisted treatment is a valuable tool in the fight against substance abuse. Methadone maintenance is something that only a professional addiction treatment center can provide.

Reach out today to reserve a spot at one of Aliya Health Group’s opioid treatment and detox facilities.

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Aliya Health Group is a comprehensive network of addiction and mental health treatment centers, with locations spanning nationwide. 

We are driven by our commitment to empower individuals, families, and the community by providing education, tools, and support, to help them lead healthy, fulfilling lives in recovery. 

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The Joint Commission
NALGAP
NAADAC, National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
ceu training, ceu trainings, NAADAC
Wellbriety Certified Treatment Center