When they are used as directed for a limited time, sleeping pills can be both safe and effective. But misusing or abusing these drugs can lead to a variety of problems, including sleeping pill addiction.

Are Sleeping Pills Addictive?

The term sleeping pills can refer to variety of prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements. For the purposes of today’s post, we’re going to focus on prescription sleeping pills, a category that includes:

• Benzodiazepines
• Nonbenzodiazepine “Z-drugs”
• Antidepressants

To answer the question at the top of this section, yes, sleeping pills can be addictive. A person’s risk of developing sleeping pill addiction can be influenced several factors, including:

• Which type of sleeping pill they have been taking
• How long they’ve been using the medication
• How much they usually take in order to get to sleep
• If they also abuse sleeping pills for recreational purposes
• If they have also been abusing alcohol or other drugs

The Signs & Symptoms of Sleeping Pill Addiction

Someone who has developed a sleeping pill addiction may have symptoms such as:

• Frequently taking larger doses of sleeping pills than they intended
• Experiencing strong cravings for sleeping pills
• Becoming agitated or irritated when they can’t use sleeping pills
• Continuing to use sleeping pills even after incurring harm as a result of previous use
• Using sleeping pills in ways that are clearly dangerous, such as by taking them in combination with alcohol or other drugs
• Missing school or work, or failing to meet other obligations, as a result of their sleeping pill use
• Lying to family and friends about the frequency and amount of their sleeping pill use
• Exaggerating their symptoms or visiting different doctors in order to get additional prescriptions 
• Trying to borrow, buy, or steal sleeping pills that weren’t prescribed to them
• Wanting to end their use of sleeping pills, but being unable to do so

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like these, or if someone that you care about has been exhibiting signs of sleeping pill addiction, the best first step is to schedule an evaluation with a doctor or an addiction treatment specialist.

Being evaluated and getting a diagnosis can be essential steps toward finding the treatment that’s right for you or your loved one.

Dangers of Sleeping Pill Abuse and Addiction

Untreated sleeping pill addition can have a negative impact on virtually every part of a person’s life. As with the risk of addiction, the potential dangers can vary depending on a variety of personal factors, including which type of sleeping pill a person has been using.

In general, though, compulsive sleeping pill abuse can lead to:

• Conflicts with loved ones
• Injuries due to impaired coordination and judgement
• Automobile accidents
• Decline in performance at work or in school
• Legal problems, especially if a person illicitly acquires the drugs
• Diminished cognition, including memory problems
• Onset or escalation of co-occurring mental health concerns
• Overdose

The danger of overdose may be greatest among people who use benzodiazepines as sleeping pills, especially if they combine them with alcohol or opioids.

Signs of a sleeping pill overdose can include:

• Profound confusion or disorientation
• Slow or faint pulse
• Extremely shallow or slow breathing
• Inability to be awakened
• Skin that is cool or clammy to the touch
• Blue coloration near lips and/or fingertips

If you are with someone who is showing signs of sleeping pill overdose, call 911 immediately. Once you’ve called 911:

• If the person is awake, help them into a sitting position
• If they are unconscious, roll them onto their side to minimize risk of choking if they vomit
• Cover them with a blanket or coat
• Stay with them until the emergency first responders have arrived
• Be prepared to tell the responders as much as you can about what medication the person took, how much they ingested, and if they had also been using other drugs

Do NOT try to wake the person up by slapping them, putting them under a cold shower, or forcing them to drink coffee. None of these actions can counteract the effects of the sleeping pills, but they could expose the person to additional harm.

Is There Treatment for Sleeping Pill Addiction?

Sleeping pill addiction can clearly be quite dangerous, but there is piece of good news about this condition: It can be treated.

When you get the right type of care, you can free yourself from the grip of compulsive sleeping pill abuse. Depending on how you have been affected by your addiction to sleeping pills, you may be best served by spending time in one or more of the following programs:

• Detoxification
• Inpatient rehab
• Outpatient treatment

Detoxification, or detox, is a short-term program that may be necessary if you develop intense withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using sleeping pills. While you’re in detox, you will be cared for by professionals who can safeguard your health and help you manage your discomfort.

While you’re in a residential or outpatient program, your treatment team can help you:

• Understand the issues and concerns that may have led to your sleeping pill abuse and addiction
• Develop relaxation skills and habits that promote healthy sleep patterns without relying on medication
• Address any co-occurring mental health concerns that may have contributed to or been intensified by your sleeping pill abuse
• Put together an effective personal support network
• Begin to repair any harm that you incurred as a result of your dependence on sleeping pills
• Share support with others who are working toward a similar goal
• Connect with the community-based resources that can assist you after you have transitioned out of treatment

Contact Sanctuary to Start Treating Sleeping Pill Addiction Today

If you aren’t able to control your use of sleeping pills or other prescription medications, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here to help.

Our detox and rehab center in Los Angeles, California, is a safe and welcoming place where experienced professionals offer personalized care for addictions and co-occurring mental health disorders. With our assistance and a concerted effort on your part, you can stop abusing sleeping pills and build a foundation for lifelong recovery.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

The brain has a remarkable ability to repair itself after being damaged by drug abuse, but this process can take time. Therefore, realizing how long it takes to rewire the brain from addiction may be the motivation you need to get help today.

How Long Does it Take to Rewire the Brain Following Addiction?

The brain’s ability to heal itself after being harmed by addiction is known as neuroplasticity. 

This process, often called “rewiring” the brain, includes both functional and structural repairs. The brain may develop new neural connections, reorganize or repair damaged neural pathways, and even create new nerve cells.

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question, how long does it take to rewire the brain from addiction. Many factors can influence the duration of this process, including:

• The individual’s age and developmental level
• Which drugs they abused and how long they engaged in this behavior
• The type and degree of damage their brain incurred 
• If they have any neurological conditions 
• If they receive effective care in a timely manner

Consequently, depending on these and other influences, the amount of time it takes to rewire the brain from addiction can range from a few months to a few years.

What Does Long-Term Addiction Do to the Brain?

Alcohol, opioids, and other psychoactive substances can interfere with the production and functioning of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. 

As a result, these substances alter message delivery in the central nervous system (CNS), affecting mood, thoughts, feelings, memory, learning capacity, and environmental perception.

Over time, these effects can cause significant harm. Examples of the negative impact of various drugs:

• Alcohol: Wernicke-Korsakoff (WK) syndrome is a severe type of alcohol-related brain damage. WK involves harm in several brain regions, including the thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. Effects can include impairments in language use, vision, memory, and muscle coordination, as well as diminished motivation and disrupted sleep patterns. 
• Opioids: This category includes heroin, fentanyl, and many prescription painkillers. Brain experts have linked long-term opioid abuse with diminished brain volume and abnormal transmission of dopamine in the frontal regions of the brain. This area handles functions like learning, memory, problem-solving, and impulse control.
• Stimulants: Studies have found that amphetamine and methamphetamine use can lead to reduced volume and density of cortical grey matter in the temporal, frontal, occipital, and parietal lobes. This can undermine a person’s ability to focus, use language, make judgments, and solve problems.

This, of course, is by no means a comprehensive list of drug- or addiction-related brain damage. But it offers a glimpse into the range and severity of harm that compulsive substance abuse can cause. It also illustrates why it can be so difficult to predict how long it takes to rewire the brain from addiction.

Contact Sanctuary Treatment Center To Get Started Today

You don’t have to wait until you’ve “hit bottom” or incurred serious damage before you can benefit from addiction treatment. At Sanctuary Treatment Center, we can meet you wherever you are in your journey. It’s our job to help you get to a much healthier place, free from the constraints of compulsive substance abuse.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

Its effects have been compared to LSD and magic mushrooms – but unlike those drugs, salvia is legal in several U.S. states and many other nations. What is salvia, where did it come from, and (perhaps most important of all) how dangerous is it?

What is Salvia?

Salvia (full name: salvia divinorum) is an herb that can produce dissociative and hallucinogenic effects. These effects are due to the naturally occurring presence of salvinorin A, a compound that interacts with opioid receptors in the central nervous system.

Salvia is native to southern Mexico, where the Mazatec have been incorporating it into healing practices and religious rituals for centuries. More recently, it has experienced a rise in popularity as a recreational substance in the United States. 

Historically, salvia was typically ingested by chewing its leaves or drinking an extract that was derived from the plant. Today, some people also grind the leaves and smoke them.

Why Do People Smoke Salvia? 

People who smoke salvia typically do so with the intention of having a recreational hallucinogenic experience.

As for why someone might choose to smoke salvia instead of using other hallucinogenic drugs (such as LSD or psilocybin), the plant’s legal status in the U.S. is likely an important factor. The ease with which salvia can be purchased from smoke shops and similar outlets in some states has surely contributed to its popularity.

There are currently no federal laws to regulate the production, sale, possession, or use of salvia. However, as of the writing of this post, 29 states plus the U.S. territory of Guam have banned it, and some other states have placed some restrictions on its possession and use.

To some people, salvia’s legality in many parts of the U.S. (and in many other countries throughout the world) indicates that it poses little risk of addiction or other harmful effects. Is this an accurate perception, though? Can people become addicted to salvia?

As is the case with LSD, psilocybin, and other hallucinogenic drugs, the likelihood of becoming addicted to salvia is low. However, as we will discuss a bit later in this post, this doesn’t mean that salvia is a harmless substance.

What Are the Effects?

Descriptions of salvia’s effects usually include words like psychedelic, hallucinogenic, and dissociative. Some people who use the drug have enjoyable, insightful experiences. For others, the effects are far from pleasurable.

Depending on a variety of factors – including a person’s history with the drug; their age, weight, and metabolism; and how much they have taken – here are some examples of what salvia’s effects can feel like:

• Distorted sense of time and space
• Seeing light patterns and other images
• Hearing voices and other sounds
• Feeling of deep sedation and serenity
• Dreamlike state
• Depersonalization (sense of being detached from your body and/or mind, which is sometimes described as having an out-of-body experience)
• Derealization (sense that you have been separated from your environment or lost contact with reality)
• Difficulty communicating with others
• Disturbing hallucinations 
• Confusion and disorientation
• Anxiety and agitation
• Fear and paranoia
• Dizziness
• Nausea

If a person smokes salvia, these effects can occur virtually instantaneously, and last for about 20 minutes. If someone chew the leaves, it usually takes about five to 10 minutes for effects to occur, though they can last for up to two hours.  

Experts believe that salvia’s effects are related to the drug’s impact on the default mode network (DMN). The DMN, which encompasses several areas of the brain, activates when you are not focusing on your immediate environment. When you are relaxing, daydreaming, reminiscing, or similarly looking inward, the DMN is typically at its most active.

However, an October 2020 study that involved functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) suggests that other factors may also be at play. 

“Salvinorin A is unique as a kappa-opioid agonist that has psychedelic-like effects, and this calls into question whether reduced default mode network connectivity is really a specific mechanism of ‘classic’ psychedelic drugs,” neuroscientist Fred Barrett, who coauthored the study, said in an article about his team’s research.

Dangers of Smoking Salvia

Although salvia poses a low risk of addiction, it is important to remember that low risk is not the same as no risk. In other words, while salvia addiction is unlikely, it is not impossible.

Also, people who use this drug may be exposing themselves to other types of damage. For example:

• A bad experience with salvia can feel a lot like a psychotic episode. Some experts fear that having one or more so-called bad trips could trigger the onset of long-term mental health problems or worsen the effects of existing mental health challenges.
• The perceptual distortions that are central to a salvia high can lead to injuries due to slips, falls, and other accidents. While under the influence of this substance, a person may also be vulnerable to attacks, assaults, and other forms of victimization.
• Due to a relative dearth of studies on the long-term effects of salvia, it is impossible to know for certain what types of physical and psychological problems a person may incur after using this drug.

If you feel compelled to use salvia or any other substance, you may need professional addiction treatment. The good news about substance use disorders (addictions) is that they are treatable. When you find the right type of care, you can end your drug use and live a much healthier life in recovery.

Overcome Drug Abuse at Sanctuary Treatment Center

Sanctuary Treatment Center offers a full continuum of care – including detox, residential rehab, and multiple outpatient options – for adults who have become dependent on salvia and other substances.

At our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, you will work with experienced professionals who can assess the full scope of your needs and develop a customized plan just for you. We understand how addiction affects people differently, and we commit to providing personalized services that help you build a foundation for lifelong recovery.

To learn more about how we can help, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.

Many addiction experts and public health officials have begun to sound the alarm about a dangerous drug that may be surprisingly easy for people of all ages to acquire. Known as gas station heroin, this substance can cause considerable harm, including addiction, overdose, and death.

What is Gas Station Heroin?

The term “gas station heroin” can refer to a variety of products that contain a substance called tianeptine. It is classified as an atypical tricyclic antidepressant, but it interacts with opioid receptors in the central nervous system. This has made it an enticing substance of abuse among people who are seeking a recreational opioid-like high.

We call these products gas station heroin because vendors often sell them in gas stations, convenience stores, bodegas, and similar outlets.

Is Gas Station Heroin Legal?

Gas station heroin exists in a legal grey area in the United States. The drug has never been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has it been classified as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

You might assume that a drug categorized as a prescription medication elsewhere wouldn’t appear on convenience store shelves in the U.S., but manufacturers of gas station heroin exploit a legal loophole.

Vendors often market products containing tianeptine as “dietary supplements,” which means they are not subject to FDA review or approval before being sold to the public.

At some point, the documented negative effects of these substances could prompt the federal government to ban the sale of products that contain tianeptine. In the interim, several states have enacted their own bans. 

At the time that this post was written, the following nine states have passed laws to prohibit the sale of tianeptine:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Ohio
• Tennessee

Common Effects of Gas Station Heroin

As we established earlier in this post, the term gas station heroin doesn’t apply to just one product. Since multiple products (with varying levels of tianeptine) can fall under this general descriptor, the effects that can result from their use can also vary. 

In general, though, the following are examples of some of the more common effects of tianeptine abuse:

• Elevated heart rate
• Dangerously high blood pressure
• Excessive perspiration
• Slow, shallow respiration
• Difficulty staying awake
• Agitation
• Confusion or disorientation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Addiction

Can You Overdose on Gas Station Heroin?

In addition to causing the distressing effects that we listed in the previous section, gas station heroin use can also result in an overdose. When someone ingests more of this substance than their body can safely metabolize, they may be in grave danger and need immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of tianeptine overdose include:

• Extreme confusion 
• Breathing problems
• Loss of consciousness
• Inability to be awakened

Tianeptine overdose has also been linked with toxic leukoencephalopathy, which is a potentially fatal condition that involves damage to the white matter in the brain.

How to Treat an Overdose

If you suspect that someone has overdosed, you should immediately call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency first responder in your area. Some sources – such as a July 2017 article in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology — suggest that naloxone (Narcan) may be able to reverse the effects of tianeptine overdose.

Regardless of Narcan use, ensure the overdosed individual gets immediate medical attention. In addition to addressing the immediate threat of the overdose, medical professionals can also test for toxic leukoencephalopathy. 

Treatment Options for Gas Station Heroin Addiction

Addiction to gas station heroin is, thankfully, a treatable condition. Depending on a variety of individual factors, the ideal course of treatment for someone who has developed this type of substance use disorder may include detoxification, inpatient rehab, and/or outpatient care.

Within these programs, treatment for addiction may include services such as:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Holistic therapy
• Neurofeedback

If a person’s struggles with addiction are accompanied by certain co-occurring mental health disorders or a history of untreated trauma, they may also benefit from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and/ or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. 

Contact Our Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA

Sanctuary Treatment Center offers compassionate care for adults whose lives have been disrupted by addictions to gas station heroin and other dangerous substances. Our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, is a warm and welcoming place. Patients receive customized services and comprehensive support from a team of highly skilled professionals.

At Sanctuary Treatment Center, we understand that addiction impacts different people in different ways. We are committed to offering a personalized treatment experience to everyone who turns to us in their time of need. We take the time to understand each patient as a unique individual to ensure our programming aligns with their specific needs and goals.

To learn more about how we can help you or someone that you care about, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call our center today.

Parents of addicted loved ones often face challenges that can quickly become overwhelming. But when you get the right help – both for your child and yourself – you can get through this difficult time and emerge as healthier people and a more cohesive and supportive unit.

Understanding Addiction in The Family

Addiction is often described as a family disorder. 

This can allude to the fact that the children of parents who have struggled with compulsive substance abuse are at increased risk of having similar problems. It is also a way to acknowledge that when one person develops an addiction, their closest loved ones are likely to be impacted.

The good news is that parents and other family members can play a vital role in helping their loved one end their drug use and establish a foundation for successful recovery. In other words, addiction may well be a family disorder, but healing can also be a family endeavor.

How to Tell if Your Son or Daughter is an Addict

For many parents of addicted loved ones, accepting that their son or daughter has developed a substance use disorder can be difficult. Part of this can be due to guilt, shame, or stigma – but a lack of knowledge about the signs and symptoms of addiction can also be a contributing factor.

Signs of Addiction in Your Child

• Their performance in school or at work has declined considerably.
• They frequently miss school or work for no apparent reason.
• They seem to be neglecting their appearance and personal hygiene.
• They have begun to pull away from you and from their friends. 
• They have become secretive about how they spend their time (and who they spend it with).
• They undergo dramatic swings in mood, attitude, and energy.
• They have unintentionally gained or lost a noticeable amount of weight.
• They claim that they function better after they’ve had a few drinks or used other substances.
• They become angry or irritated when they can’t drink alcohol or use other substances.
• They don’t seem to be interested in topics or activities that used to be very important to them.
• They have unexplained financial problems.
• They don’t seem to be able to experience joy or cope with sadness without using substances.

On their own, none of the signs or symptoms listed above are definitive proof that your child has developed an addiction. But if several (or all) of them apply to your son or daughter, you should have a serious discussion with them about getting help.

In addition to looking for the indicators listed above, keep an eye out for any other sudden or unexplained changes in your child’s mindset, appearance, and/or behaviors. You don’t have to be a substance abuse expert to notice that your child is in crisis. You just need to know your child.

How Can Parents Address Addiction to Their Addicted Children?

Once they understand that their child has a substance abuse problem, the next challenge for parents of addicted loved ones is deciding how they can help. 

When you discover that your son or daughter has developed an addiction, it’s common to momentarily feel helpless. You can’t cure your child’s disorder or take their pain away, but you can play an important part in the effort to keep them safe and connect them with proper professional care.

Tips for Parents With Loved Ones Who Are Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol

• Do your research. Visit websites of reputable organizations (like you’re doing right now) to learn about addiction and treatment. The more you know about what your child is going through, and how they can be helped, the better prepared you’ll be to offer meaningful assistance.
• Resist the urge to judge or issue ultimatums. You may be disappointed in (or even angry with) your child. But remember that addiction is a disease, not a personal failure. Talking down to your child or threatening them will only serve to push them away from you. Especially at a time when they most need your support.
• Keep the lines of communication open. When you talk to your child about their substance use, they may respond with denial or even outrage. Prepare for these negative responses and do whatever you can to prevent the discussion from descending into an argument. It will likely take several conversations before your child is willing to get help.
• Don’t confuse support with enabling. Trying to shield your child from the consequences of their actions might feel like the right choice in the moment. However, it can have disastrous long-term consequences. A willingness to take responsibility for one’s decisions and behaviors is a vital step on the path to recovery.
• Get help for yourself. Find a trusted friend or relative that you can talk to. Consider seeing a therapist or counselor. Whether you realize it or not, you are affected by your child’s struggles with addiction. There’s no shame in getting help to protect your own wellbeing. You can’t be fully present for your child if you are neglecting your own needs.

Support Groups and Resources for Parents of Addicted Loved Ones

Connecting with other parents of addicted loved ones can be valuable both for informational purposes and as a source of vital emotional support. Here are a few nationally recognized organizations that may be able to help you:

• Al-Anon Family Groups
• Nar-Anon Family Groups
• SMART Recovery Family & Friends
• SAMHSA Family Resources
• Partnership to End Addiction
• NIDA Parents & Educators Page

Contact Our California Addiction Treatment Center About Treating Your Loved One

If you are the parent of an adult child who has become addicted to alcohol or another drug, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here to help. 

Our rehab facility in Los Angeles, California, offers a full continuum of customized care, including detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient programming. At each of these levels, skilled professionals provide personalized services while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment. 

With our help, your child can find their path to improved health and a much more hopeful future. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment for your child, please visit our Contact Us page or call our center today.