Blacking out due to alcohol or drug use is a significant health concern that can impact individuals of various ages and backgrounds. Understanding these memory lapses and how they occur is paramount in creating and employing strategies to prevent them. What Does ‘Blacking Out’ Mean? Blacking out refers to a period in which you experience partial or complete memory loss. During…
Clonidine is a prescription medication that’s used to treat high blood pressure. It’s also used in opioid addiction treatment to alleviate some withdrawal symptoms. Clonidine is not a controlled substance and has a low potential for abuse or addiction, but it can be abused in conjunction with other drugs. Learn more about clonidine regulation, uses, and precautions, particularly as a medication…
Drug testing is often used as part of the hiring process to give employers the information they need to make a hiring decision. It’s also used in the legal process, professional sports, and other situations. If you have to take a drug test or are relying on drug test results, it’s important to know how long you may expect to wait….
The HALT acronym, which stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, is used in the mental health community, specifically with addiction recovery. These emotional states and needs are recognized as stressors that can inhibit your decision-making and judgment. In addiction recovery, it’s important to recognize stressors and triggers for relapse. HALT represents these stressors and acts as a sign to “halt” and…
NyQuil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to treat symptoms of flu, colds, and other respiratory illnesses, including congestion, sneezing, and coughing. NyQuil has several active ingredients with different durations, typically lasting up to 6 hours.[1] Learn more about NyQuil, how long its effects last, and how to use it safely. What Is NyQuil? NyQuil is the brand name for an…
15mg Meloxicam Equals How Much Ibuprofen? The doses for Meloxicam vary widely from the doses for ibuprofen (both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs), which are not directly interchangeable. However, in most cases, Meloxicam should be taken once daily, whereas ibuprofen can be administered every few hours, depending on the dose. Drug Facts for Meloxicam and Ibuprofen While both drugs are nonsteroidal,…
What Is a Sponsor? A sponsor is someone far into recovery who can offer guidance, support, and accountability to someone new to recovery. Sponsors will often share their experiences, help you tackle challenges when they arise, and stay committed to your recovery goals. It’s been shown that having a sponsor hugely benefits the recovery process.[1] The Qualifications of a Sponsor A…
Is Alprazolam A Controlled Substance? Alprazolam is a Schedule IV controlled substance that is most often prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders.[1] It is classified as a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines affect the central nervous system and produce a calming effect. How Alprazolam Works Alprazolam works by enhancing the effects of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter. This reduces excessive brain…
NyQuil is a non-prescription medication primarily used to relieve common cold and flu symptoms. It reduces symptoms like coughing, sneezing, fever, or body aches.[1] There are various formulations of NyQuil, such as ‘NyQuil Severe,’ ‘NyQuil Cough,’ and ‘NyQuil Cold & Flu.’ However, the most common ingredients of NyQuil include acetaminophen, dextromethorphan HBr (DXM), and doxylamine succinate. These drugs help relieve fevers…
The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-Step program relies on several prayers and daily reflections to find strength in recovery, but the best-known prayers are The Serenity Prayer and the prayers for steps One, Three, Seven, and Eleven. The Serenity Prayer is consistent across programs, but other AA prayers may have different versions. However, they always have the same essential message to aid…
The definition of a drug is flexible depending on the use and the context. From a broad perspective, a drug can be considered as any substance that can change your body and brain functions. Put another way, anything that interacts with your body’s biochemistry and, as a result, alters your mood, perceptions, and behavior can be considered a drug. Drugs are…
Does Hydrocodone Make You Sleepy? One of hydrocodone’s side effects is that it causes you to feel sleepy and drowsy. However, it negatively impacts your sleep quality by disrupting your sleep architecture. This can have the negative side effect of making your pain feel worse. Unfortunately, for some, this results in an increase in the dosage of hydrocodone, which further exacerbates…
Codeine and hydrocodone are both opioids that are commonly prescribed for pain. They have many similarities, including side effects and risks, but hydrocodone is stronger. While they can be effective for treating pain, both codeine and hydrocodone have a high potential for misuse and addiction. Learn more about the similarities and differences between codeine and hydrocodone, their side effects and risks,…
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a hallucinogenic substance with mind-altering effects and a high potential for abuse and addiction. This potent drug was initially intended for use as an anesthetic but was pulled from medical applications due to the severity of its effects. Some effects of PCP include euphoria, hallucinations, irritability, disorientation, memory loss, detachment, and more. PCP Drug Facts PCP (phencyclidine) was…
Both meloxicam and ibuprofen are NSAID medications. As a classification, these can lead to gastrointestinal issues, and it is not recommended to mix two drugs of the same type at the same time. NSAID Medications: How do they work? Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are a classification of drugs used to treat inflammation, pain, and fever. NSAIDs work by blocking an enzyme…
Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be a long and arduous process with obstacles to overcome along the way. For some, transitioning to everyday life can be the most overwhelming aspect, but 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) build connections between recovery peers and offer resources to help, including AA Daily Reflections.[1] What Are AA Daily Reflections? AA Daily Reflections…
Concerta and Ritalin are two brand-name versions of the prescription medication methylphenidate hydrochloride. Other than some differences in how these drugs are formulated and prescribed, the primary difference is how long the effects last. Find out the similarities and differences between Concerta and Ritalin, how they work, their side effects, and how to determine which is right for you or a…
The drug formerly known as Accutane was the brand name for the generic medication isotretinoin, which is administered as a treatment for persistent, treatment-resistant acne. Due to the dual risk of liver toxicity, mixing accutane and alcohol can be harmful and is not recommended. Alcohol Facts: Effects, Health Risks, and Dangers Drinking alcohol is typically a socially acceptable vice when consumed…
Ativan, a brand-name benzodiazepine prescription medication, has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating anxiety symptoms.[1] Ativan also carries a risk profile much like other benzodiazepines—namely, the risk of dependency and misuse. Ativan can pose challenges if used for longer durations than intended or if subjected to misuse. What is Ativan? Ativan, known by its generic name lorazepam, is a widely…
Cocaine is a potent stimulant drug that causes an intense but brief high. People who use cocaine tend to use it regularly to achieve that high, quickly leading to dependency. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which covers substance use, mental health, and treatment, approximately 4.8 million…
The long-term effects of meth can be incredibly detrimental. Methamphetamine is an incredibly addictive drug that can cause a variety of health problems. Many people end up getting addicted to this drug and have a hard time getting off of it. Addiction is by far one of the worst side effects of meth. The Last Resort Recovery has some more information…