Narcotics Anonymous Powerlessness: What Does it Mean?

July 21, 2016

Category:12 Step Program / Addiction & Recovery General / Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) / Disease of Addiction / Heroin Treatment Options / Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

This concept of “powerlessness” often discussed by Narcotics Anonymous and the 12 Step Program has a lot of people thinking and wondering how it relates to their heroin, opiate and/or drug addiction and recovery. Does being powerless mean that we have no control over conquering heroin addiction? Or does it simply provide us with a starting point and a recognition that some things are beyond our control and must be accepted?

While this community isn’t affiliated in any way with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) / Narcotics Anonymous (NA), we are a proponent of the 12 step program as one possible treatment option. Learn more about preparing for recovery by visiting “Recovery 101“. Thus, we do not believe that the concept of being “powerless” as defined by AA and NA is meant to enslave or promote excuses for continuing to use. In fact, recognizing that there are simply some things beyond our control is a …

NARCAN (Naloxone): Save a Life from Heroin Overdose

July 20, 2016

Category:Heroin Treatment Options / Naloxone / Narcan

NARCAN contains the active ingredient Naloxone hydrochloride and is an opioid antidote. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain medicine such as morphine, methadone, codeine, oxycodone, Percocet and Vicodin. When someone overdoses on an opioid, their breathing can slow down, or even stop. It is extremely difficult to awaken someone once they have slipped into such a state. NARCAN (Naloxone) works to block the effects of the opioid and reverse the effects of the overdose. This cannot be used to achieve a high, and if this is given to someone that did not overdose on opioids, it will have no impact on them, either positive or negative.

How does NARCAN (Naloxone) work?

NARCAN (Naloxone) works by removing the opioid from the opiate receptors in the brain. Even if the opiod(s) are taken along with other drugs or alcohol, NARCAN (Naloxone) can still help with preventing an overdose. If this is administered to someone using …

Probuphine: First FDA Approved Implant to Treat Heroin Addiction

July 19, 2016

Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Heroin Addiction / Heroin Treatment Options / Medicine Assisted Treatment (MAT) / Probuphine / Suboxone / Withdrawal Symptoms

Recently, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved a new medication called Probuphine, to treat heroin and opiate addiction. This implantable device is designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and provides new hope for those serious about conquering their own heroin addiction.

What is Probuphine

Probuphine is a subdermal implant and is the first and only treatment for heroin and opiod addiction that provides non-fluctuating blood levels of buprenorphine 24 hour a day for a period of six months following a single procedure. Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in Suboxone, a popular medicine assisted treatment (MAT) to treat heroin and opiate addiction. Probuphine utilizes Titan’s proprietary ProNeura drug delivery platform and is marketed in the United States by Braeburn Pharmaceuticals under a licensing agreement with Titan.

Probuphine: How Does it Work?

Four small match-stick size rods are implanted under the skin typically under the upper arm area. The implant releases a steady stream …

Can Suboxone Kill? Deaths Linked to Suboxone, Treatment for Heroin Addiction

July 18, 2016

Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Heroin Addiction / Heroin Treatment Options / Suboxone

We were recently contacted by one of our heroin addiction & recovery discussion forum members who recently lost a family member. A few hours before his death, he had taken Suboxone, a legitimate medicine assisted treatment (MAT) option for heroin addiction. The official autopsy report didn’t rule Suboxone as the cause of death but since the reason he died is unknown, our member wanted to know whether or not “other” Suboxone related deaths existed.

An initial investigation of the topic led me to a case in Wisconsin where the cause of both deaths were potentially linked to Suboxone. However, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) feels confident that Suboxone is safe and that other causes of death should not be ruled out. The official report states:

“An official with the federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said the overdose deaths seem to be the tragic …

Recommending Only the Best Heroin Addiction Treatment Centers
July 17, 2016
Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Addiction Treatment Centers / Heroin Addiction / Heroin Treatment Options / Recommendation

Like the world at large, there are some outstanding addiction treatment centers and programs out there that are truly dedicated to helping heroin, opiate and drug users conquer their addiction. Meanwhile, other clinics and facilities treat patients like “customers” and are far more interested in funding their corporate pockets full of cash than doing what’s right and best for their patients. Examples of unacceptable practices includes but is not limited to: inadequate accommodations; unacceptable living conditions; inexperienced, non-sympathetic or simply not enough staff, incomplete or inadequate programming, counseling, etc.

Distinguishing Between Good and Bad Clinics

Kill the Heroin Epidemic Nationwide™ prescreens, interviews and performs a thorough investigation on all clinics we are considering for recommendation by this community. We also encourage recovering addicts to share their genuine experiences with any and all clinics whether they are good or bad in the “Reviews of Treatment Centers, Clinics, Programs and Facilities” discussion forum. Your experiences will help others …

Ibogaine: Cure for Heroin Addiction?
July 16, 2016
Category:Addction Replacement Therapy / Addiction & Recovery General / Heroin Addiction / Heroin Treatment Options / Ibogaine

A few members of our Heroin Addiction & Recovery Facebook page and Heroin Addiction & Recovery Discussion Forum boldly stated that Ibogaine is a cure for heroin addiction. And while it is not legal in the United States, or at least it hasn’t been since the 1960s, these few individuals are convinced that Ibogaine is the guiding light out of the dark, cold caverns of heroin addiction. So what is Ibogaine and why isn’t it available in the United States?

Ibogaine: What is it and Where Does it Come From?

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in the plants in the Apocynaceae family. The Apocynaceae family is a family of flowering plants found in trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents and vines that are found to be indigenous to African rain forests. It has been used as a psychedelic for ritual and medicinal purposes by African pygmy tribes.

Unlike Methadone,

Rebuilding and Cultivating New Relationships in Recovery
July 16, 2016
Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Family & Friends of Heroin Addicts / Heroin Addiction / Rebuilding Relationships

Many people who are new in recovery may start trying to repair and rebuild old relationships that were damaged, devastated and/or destroyed as a result of their heroin use and abuse. However, recovering heroin addicts may on occasion run into resistance simply because some family members and friends simply aren’t ready to forgive and forget. This failure to repair an old relationship can sometimes lead to sadness, depression or even despair. Some brand new to recovery may even use this as an excuse to relapse and / or fall completely back into addiction. But if people living in active recovery are vastly different than they were when they lived in active addiction, why the hesitancy to reconnect? Is there any hope of rebuilding lost relationships, bonds and friendships?

Why Rebuilding Old Bonds with Family or Friends Sometimes Fail in Recovery

Those living in active addiction fail to realize at the time just …

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