The 16^th season of ABC’s reality show The Bachelorette has been unlike any other season so far. The show started with Clare Crawley as the lead, but after 4 episodes, she decided to call off the rest of the competition and settle down with one contestant, Dale Moss. This left the rest of the contestants hanging, until a new lead, 30-year-old Tayshia Adams was brought in to take over Clare’s position as the lead. Unlike previous seasons, where cast and crew travel to exotic destinations throughout the season, the 16^th season is held solely at the La Quinta Resort & Club in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This season also has openly discussed issues like racial inequality, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Bachelorette contestant Zac Clark, who made an early connection with Adams, shared his story of addiction and recovery on Tuesday’s episode of the show.

Zac Clark From The Bachelorette Opens Up About Heroin And Crack Use

From the beginning of Adam’s season as the Bachelorette, 36-year-old Zac Clark has received a positive edit from producers of the show, with plenty of screen time that shows his growing connection and relationship with Adams. For this reason, Clark is expected to go far in the competition and is seen as a front-runner, and on the latest episode, airing December 1^st, 2020, Clark opened up about his substance use disorder and his recovery.

The pair started out on a classic “one-on-one” date, with a wedding themed photoshoot, followed by dinner, and then a ride on a Ferris wheel. During the wedding outfit photoshoot, Adams and Clark connect over the fact that they had both previously been married. The topic of conversation continued to get more in depth as they moved to the dinner portion of the date. Clark began by telling Adams he grew up in an amazing home with an amazing family that he loves and that he graduated college, until he, “wasn’t feeling well.” After an x-ray, doctors discovered that Clark had a brain tumor. Clark explained that after his surgery for the tumor, he started abusing pain medication. Many people who start taking prescription pain killers after an injury or surgery develop an Opioid use disorder, and sometimes transition to illicit drugs as their addiction worsens.

The Bachelorette is not the first time Zac Clark has opened up about his struggles with addiction. A 2014 article published in a Pennsylvania newspaper, Reading Eagle, quoted a speech by Clark given to students at Alvernia University. Thirty years old at the time, Clark told the students about how his first drink as a teenager, “set off like 15 years of lying.” In high school he drank alcohol and smoked Marijuana and started experimenting with prescription medications. He used Adderall that he bought from girls who had prescriptions for the drug. Clark explained, “I had the numbers of 5 people who I could call at any time and buy their extra doses off them.” Clark played 3 sports in high school and baseball in college, but all the while he was drinking heavily and abusing drugs.

Clark’s substance abuse disorder only got worse after the surgery to remove his brain tumor in his early 20s. He now had access to drugs like Morphine and Dilaudid, telling Alvernia University students, “Now I had something I could go to doctors with, legitimate.” Bachelorette contestant Zac Clark began smoking and snorting OxyContin, the brand name for Oxycodone, a powerful and addictive Opioid medication that has played a major role in the Opioid epidemic. During this time, Clark was able to graduate and hold down a job, and even get married at 23, but his drug use was severe. Clark explained that at the time, his greatest concern was figuring out how to get drugs during his honeymoon in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A quote from Clark in the 2014 article stated, “I have got to leave the country for 10 days and for a guy with a serious, serious drug problem, that’s not cool.”

In his conversation with Adams on the Bachelorette, Clark said, “I was hanging out with some sketchy people, it wasn’t pretty. So I got arrested.” Clark was arrested for possession of Crack Cocaine and driving under the influence (DUI). This resulted in his wife leaving him and getting a divorce. Clark started on an 8-month drug binge where he injected Heroin, smoked Crack Cocaine, and did Whippets. Whippets are a type of Inhalant drug where the user inhales nitrous oxide to experience a recreational high. He explained the dark and hopeless place that he was in, and how some days he felt as though he wasn’t going to make it until tomorrow. After attempting to cash one of his father’s checks, the bank teller called his father and told him what was going on. This moment sparked a realization in Clark where he felt like, “it was time.”

Zac Clark’s Recovery From Substance Abuse

After that moment with his father at the bank, Bachelorette contestant Zac Clark entered rehab for 4 and a half months at Caron Treatment, a treatment program that Clark now serves on the board of. Clark went on to found Release Recovery in 2017, an addiction treatment center in New York, “with the goal of helping people reclaim their lives from addiction.” Clark admitted to going to rehab once before, and he had to show his family his dedication towards his recovery. Clark’s work has paid off. In his conversation with Adams, he said, “just the fact that I’m sitting here is kind of a miracle.”

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Living With A Drug Or Alcohol Problem

Anyone can succumb to the powerful hold drugs and alcohol can have over a person. Over 20 million American adults have a substance use disorder, and only a small fraction of them receive treatment for it. It doesn’t matter what your personal, family, or financial background is. There are options to get help. Overcoming a substance use disorder can feel impossible without help, but professionals are out there who can help with a medically supervised detox, treatment, and an aftercare plan to stay on the path of recovery. To talk to someone about options for you or a loved one, reach out to a treatment provider for free, available 24/7.

The post Bachelorette Contestant Zac Clark Shares Story Of Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.

When you or a loved one struggles with a heroin addiction, it can be difficult to talk about. Oftentimes, people who experience a heroin addiction aren’t always honest about their Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and may even lack awareness themselves of how out of control their use has become. If you suspect that someone you care about is using heroin and want to know for sure, pay attention to their home, physical characteristics, and lifestyle habits, as they may begin to change.

At first, a heroin addiction may be hard to identify. However, over time, signs of their addiction can become more noticeable as the disease takes over the user’s life. Identifying the signs of heroin addiction is an important first step toward supporting your loved one with getting help. For this reason, it is crucial to understand the signs of heroin use.

What Are the Signs Of Heroin Abuse?

When a person has an addiction to Heroin, their life will revolve around using the drug. Most individuals addicted to heroin become secretive and overly concerned about money and begin to neglect work and family obligations in order to use heroin or recover from using. There are numerous physical, behavioral, emotional, and psychological signs of heroin abuse that will let you know if they have an issue.

Physical Signs of Heroin Use

There are many physical signs of heroin use that may vary from individual to individual. Some signs will vary depending on the individual’s route of administration. For example, a person who uses heroin intravenously (IV) may display track marks on their arms and other parts of their body. Physical signs of heroin use relate to the body’s manifestation of side effects due to the presence of drugs in their system. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the following are some of the common short-term side effects that may occur after heroin use:

• Frequent sedation
• Flu-like symptoms
• Flushed skin
• Frequent itching or picking of skin
• Slowed heart rate (after the initial rush)
• Drowsiness for hours
• Heaviness of limbs
• Pinpoint pupils
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Weight loss
• Slurred, garbled, or incoherent speech
• Infections or abscesses at injection site (for IV users)
• For women, loss of menstrual cycle (amenorrhea)

Emotional And Psychological Signs Of Heroin Use

When a person is using heroin, there are various common emotional and psychological signs that occur. These signs are easily visible to others, and some are less visible. Signs may vary depending on the individual. However, common emotional and psychological signs of heroin abuse may include:

• Clouded thinking
• Disorientation
• Anxiety
• Mood-swings
• Irritability/agitation
• Difficulty making decisions
• Memory loss
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Euphoria
• Paranoia
• Apathy or lack of motivation
• Obsessive thoughts and cravings to use

Behavioral Signs Of Heroin Use

Behavioral signs of heroin addiction include visual signs, patterns, and changes that occur due to an individual putting their use of heroin first. Some common behavioral signs of heroin use include, but are not limited to:

• Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, school, or with family and friends.
• Frequent concern about finances, including frequently borrowing money from family or friends.
• Being Secretive.
• Sudden change of friends.
• Loss of self-control.
• Frequent tardiness or absenteeism at work, home, school, or social events.
• Impulsivity.
• Lifestyle changes or changes in behavior.
• Social isolation.
• Wearing long-sleeve shirts, even in warm weather, to hide track marks.
• Hostility toward others.
• Frequent dishonesty.
• Presence of drug paraphernalia.
• Periods of hyperactivity followed by periods of exhaustion.
• Erratic behavior.
• Legal trouble.
• Decreased attention to hygiene and physical appearance.

If You Know Someone Is Using Heroin, Get Help Now

If you have concerns that a loved one has been using heroin, it is crucial to understand the various physical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral signs of heroin abuse. Not all heroin users will display the same signs and symptoms of use. However, the longer someone is using heroin, the more signs and symptoms will become present. Reach out to a treatment provider today to learn more about helping your loved one with getting help with heroin addiction today.

The post How Do You Know if Someone Is Using Heroin? appeared first on Addiction Center.

Addiction transference, also known as a cross addiction, is when a person has an addiction to two or more addictive substances or behaviors, which can include addictions to not only drugs and alcohol, but also gambling, sex, video games, food or other compulsive behaviors. Addiction is the continued use of a substance or behavior despite the potential for personal problems or negative consequences. A person with an addiction may want to stop, yet struggle doing so on their own.

Cross addictions do not necessarily have to occur simultaneously. For instance, someone may be in recovery from a drug addiction, such as opioids, and may even be clean for many years, but later develop an addiction to alcohol or engage in behaviors that may become compulsive. This triggers the brain’s dopamine reward center. People who have or have a history of one addiction have a higher propensity for developing a cross addiction. Addiction transference occurs when a person substitutes one addiction for another.

How Does Addiction Transference Happen?

There are various reasons for why addiction transference develops; however, it is often accidental. For example, a person with an addiction or history of addiction may have surgery and be prescribed Percocet or Vicodin, and the euphoric feeling they get from the drug reinforces the continued use of the drug until it leads to increased use and eventually becomes an addiction. Another common cause of addiction transference or cross addiction is lack of understanding that another addiction exists. A person may be aware they have an addiction to a particular substance but may not realize they have an addiction to another substance or compulsive behavior, making it pertinent that individuals with a substance use disorder, or history of one, be aware of the risk of cross addiction.

Another reason addiction transference may occur is if someone has unresolved mental health issues, otherwise known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. A person with trauma, depression or anxiety may begin to use alcohol with other drugs as a way to comfort themselves. Cross addiction also occurs as an attempt to compensate for uncomfortable changes in behavior and routines, as well as due to emotions and thoughts that the person may struggle coping with. A common example is when a person recovering from an alcohol addiction begins gambling heavily. This can lead to financial stress and feelings of hopelessness. However, because of the compulsive nature of gambling and the reward of dopamine in the brain, the behavior continues as a way to cope.

How Common Is Addiction Transference?

According the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are approximately 21 million people age 12 or older who reported having a cross addiction. Many people do not seek help for their addiction due to not believing they can stop or not being ready to stop, while some do not believe they have a problem at all.

How Is Addiction Transference Treated?

Addiction transference is best treated at an addiction treatment center with the help of 12-step programs or other recovery support groups. There are many different types of support groups that focus on specific addictions, including specific drugs as well as compulsive behaviors, such as gambling, sex, or food. A good treatment program will further address any co-occurring mental health issues by implementing evidenced-based treatment modalities. There is also the benefit of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for certain individuals.

If someone has a history of addiction, it is best to speak with a professional prior to the use of any prescribed medications that are considered addictive substances, such as opioids or benzodiazepines, due to the high risk of developing a cross addiction. If one must take addiction medications, having a family member dispense them may help reduce the risk of abusing them.

The best way to avoid a cross addiction from developing is by educating yourself and others. When a person is in early recovery from one addiction, they are more susceptible to developing a cross addiction because their brains are still seeking out the dopamine rush that they received when they were actively using. Despite this, it can still occur after many years of being in recovery. The best form of action is to be aware of the risks and take proper inventory of your behaviors to prevent developing a cross addiction.

Get Help Now

Perhaps you or someone you know is struggling with addiction transference. If you are unsure or feel you need help, do not be ashamed to reach out for help. Regardless of the circumstance, addiction help is available. Contact a treatment provider today who can assist you with finding treatment.

The post Understanding Addiction Transference appeared first on Addiction Center.

Since 1999, the number of drug overdose deaths in the United States has quadrupled. The Opioid Epidemic has contributed greatly to this astounding increase. Among all the opioids which have claimed lives and caused addiction throughout the country in recent years, fentanyl is perhaps the deadliest and most addictive. In fact, fentanyl is even more potent than morphine and heroin, and it killed about 24,000 Americans in 2017. Drug traffickers often mix fentanyl into heroin to increase its potency, but last year, law enforcement officials reported that traffickers have started to mix fentanyl with cocaine. According to DEA reports, this new trend will endanger thousands of lives.

In 2018, according to the DEA, there was a 112% increase in samples of cocaine which contained fentanyl. While about 60% of these samples also contained heroin, there was an overall decline in the prevalence of heroin mixed with fentanyl. In Florida, a state where cocaine is especially prevalent, the DEA reported a “widespread adulteration of cocaine with fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances,” including carfentanil, an animal tranquilizer, in 2017. Authorities in Florida actually discovered traces of fentanyl in more than 180 cocaine samples. That same year, fentanyl caused 57% of all fatal overdoses in New York City. In many cases, the overdose victim was using cocaine (which is already dangerous and illegal) and they weren’t aware that it contained fentanyl.

Why Is Fentanyl In Cocaine Becoming Popular?

The Colombian government has relaxed its campaign to exterminate the coca plant, so there is currently an abundance of cocaine in the global market for illegal drugs. Consequently, law enforcement agencies have confiscated large quantities of cocaine in American ports, including 16 tons on a cargo ship in Philadelphia and 3,200 pounds in a shipping container in New York earlier this year. Customs and Border Protection has seized at least 38,000 pounds of cocaine since October.

As a wave of cocaine floods America’s shores, the DEA believes that drug traffickers are mixing fentanyl into cocaine to make it more profitable. Adding fentanyl to cocaine results in a more powerful “high” and a far more addictive substance. This helps traffickers build a larger base of reliable customers at the expense of people’s lives.

According to the New York City Department of Health, cocaine users who have no experience with prescription or synthetic opioids face the greatest danger of overdose because they have no opioid tolerance. Nevertheless, there is already a demand for fentanyl-laced cocaine. In April, the DEA seized about 116 pounds of cocaine in New Jersey. The entire supply was adulterated with fentanyl.

New Measures To Prevent Overdoses

The best way to avoid suffering an overdose from a combination of fentanyl and cocaine is to avoid cocaine entirely. Health officials and the DEA have warned that no one can be sure which substances may be included in any batch of cocaine.

Fentanyl is so potent, and it’s really hard for someone to tell if it’s in the substance they intend to use. This really is a crisis. 

While law enforcement continues its work to stop the flow of drugs into the country, addiction experts are emphasizing the importance of educating the public about the dangers of fentanyl. One recovery center in New Hampshire is even leading a campaign to distribute free fentanyl testing strips. The strips can be used to test cocaine or heroin for the presence of fentanyl and, hopefully, prevent an overdose. New York City has also begun to distribute free naloxone, a medication which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. If it is quickly and correctly administered, naloxone could save a person’s life from an overdose on fentanyl.

Ultimately, it is most important to understand that the people who manufacture and sell cocaine do not have their customers’ wellbeing in mind. If you are using cocaine, you are at risk not only for a cocaine-induced heart attack, but perhaps also for an opioid overdose.

Contact a treatment provider today to learn more about how you can overcome addiction to stimulants, opioids, or other substance by getting treatment at a rehab facility.

The post Drug Traffickers Are Increasingly Mixing Fentanyl Into Cocaine appeared first on Addiction Center.

Two non-profits, Trust for America’s Health and Well Being Trust, published a report this month which paints a harrowing picture of reality for millennials with an addiction in the United States. According to the report, which is an analysis of data from the CDC, millennials are the most likely age demographic to die from alcohol, drug abuse, and suicide. Millennials are most often defined as people who were born between the years 1981 and 1996, although some definitions expand the category to cover people who were born up through the year 2000.

Over the course of one decade, from 2007 to 2017, the rate of alcohol-related deaths among millennials rose by 69%, the rate of deaths caused by drugs rose by 108%, and the suicide rate rose by 35%. The report also indicates that the Opioid epidemic has devastated millennials. From 1999 to 2017, the rate of fatal Opioid overdoses among millennials rose by 500% and the rate of fatal overdoses involving Synthetic Opioids (especially Fentanyl) skyrocketed by 6,000%.

“Deaths Of Despair”

The tragic death toll which alcohol and drugs have inflicted on millennials is not just a coincidence. In fact, the report suggests numerous factors that are leading the age group into the kind of despair and hopelessness which so often spawns substance use disorders. In general, millennials are struggling with a variety of hardships, including:

• Crushing student debt
• Unemployment
• Difficulty establishing a career
• High costs of housing
• High costs of healthcare and health insurance
• Loss of potential income and savings as a result of the Great Recession
• Raising young children on low wages

As a nation, we need to pay particular attention to the lived experience of the Millennial generation.  They are young parents, many have burdensome levels of education debt, they are more than one-third of today’s workforce and comprise the largest proportion of Americans serving in the military. Unfortunately, they also comprise the largest portion of people in prison. They are grappling with economic, health, and social challenges unique to their generation.

Overall, economic indicators suggest that millennials as a generation are poorer than their parents and grandparents. This reality impacts every aspect of their lives, including their likelihood to develop addiction. Brittany Rose Hallett is one example of a millennial who suffered what the report identifies as a “death of despair.” Overwhelmed by student loan debt and unemployment, Brittany developed an alcohol use disorder which resulted in fatal pancreatitis. The report finds that despair-driven addiction among millennials is not only a tragedy, but also a burden on a healthcare system which is already practically inaccessible for many low-income Americans.

The Impact Of Healthcare Disparities Throughout the Country

The Commonwealth Fund, another non-profit, also published a report this week which addresses high death rates among American Millennials. The report ranks each state on the basis of the overall health of each state’s population. Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington, Connecticut, Vermont are the healthiest states, according to the Commonwealth Fund, while Arkansas, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi are the least healthy.

The main factor which affects public health in each state is access to health care. For instance, states which chose to not expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act tend to have lower overall health scores. In one state, West Virginia, expanding Medicaid coverage drastically increased the percentage of opioid-addicted residents who received treatment for their addiction.

Access to healthcare is important for millennials who are struggling with addiction and despair, yet many cannot afford health insurance premiums or other medical expenses. In some states, even with the Affordable Care Act, households spend about 8% to 10% of their annual income just to pay for health insurance. Health care is becoming more expensive in America, but millennials are not making more money. This is one important reason why many younger people are not receiving the care they need to overcome addiction.

What Does The Report Recommend To Help Millennials With Addiction?

The Trust for America’s Health and Well Being Trust report offers several recommendations for how governments, healthcare centers, and communities across the country can help millennials enjoy better mental health, obtain easier access to health care, and get support for overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. The recommendations are meant to reduce the number of people who develop addictions and die from substance abuse.

Some of the report’s recommendations include:

• Guaranteeing behavioral healthcare as an essential aspect of primary care.
• Removing barriers to treatment in rural areas.
• Offering behavioral health screenings at colleges and universities.
• Increasing health insurance and Medicaid coverage for addiction treatment.
• Preventing and addressing childhood trauma.
• Continuing and expanding suicide prevention programs within the healthcare system.
• Creating drug courts and mental health courts in every state.
• Strengthening policies to prevent teenagers and underage adults from buying alcohol.

These recommendations, if implemented, would likely help to reduce “deaths of despair” in America. There is a way for you to take action as well. If you know a millennial who’s struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to contact a treatment provider today to learn more about the many options for treatment.

The post Report: Millennials Are Most Likely To Die From Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide appeared first on Addiction Center.

On June 18, a team of police officers and agents from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security discovered 16.5 tons (or 33,000 pounds) of Cocaine on a freighter ship docked at a port in Philadelphia. The authorities confiscated the illegal cargo, impounded the ship, and arrested several members of the crew. The supply of Cocaine was worth over $1 billion. The drug bust in Philadelphia was one of the largest in U.S. history, both in terms of the size of the drug stockpile and its value.

The ship, MSC Gayane, launched its voyage from Chile and sailed to Peru, Colombia, and Panama before docking at Freeport in the Bahamas. From there the Gayane sailed to Philadelphia and would have departed for the Netherlands, its final destination, had detector dogs with the Philadelphia police not found Cocaine in seven shipping containers aboard the ship. Mediterranean Shipping Company, which owns the Gayane, expressed concern that its vessel had been used to transport illegal drugs and vowed to cooperate with law enforcement.

One Gayane crew member, Ivan Durasevic, claimed that he had been promised $50,000 to help bring the drugs onboard. The police arrested Durasevic after investigators found traces of Cocaine on his arm. Fono Faavae Tiasaga, another crew member whom the authorities arrested, admitted that he had partnered with Durasevic to smuggle Cocaine onto the Gayane during a previous voyage.

Prosecutors charged both crew members with “conspiracy to possess Cocaine aboard a ship subject to U.S. jurisdiction.” According to the prosecutors, drug traffickers approached the Gayane on smaller boats and delivered the cocaine to the conspirators in South American waters.

Part Of A Pattern

The drug bust in Philadelphia was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a series of drug busts which have recently taken place in the northeastern region of the United States. In March, law enforcement officers confiscated about 992 pounds of Cocaine from the MSC Desiree at the Port of Philadelphia. Like the Gayane, the Desiree was bound for Europe and its owner is Mediterranean Shipping Company. The Cocaine supply in the March drug bust was worth about $18 million.

Later that same month, police discovered 3,200 pounds of Cocaine in a shipping container at the Port of New York and New Jersey. The Cocaine stash was worth about $77 million. That drug bust was the largest in New York since 1994. The Cocaine, which was hidden under boxes of dried fruit, was stored a ship that was bound for Belgium.

Cocaine, New York’s nemesis of the 90s, is back – indicating traffickers’ push to build an emerging customer base of users mixing Cocaine with fentanyl. This record-breaking seizure draws attention to this new threat and shows law enforcement’s collaborative efforts in seizing illicit drugs before it gets to the streets and into users’ hands.

Trafficking Cocaine

Ever since the Colombian government relaxed its campaign to eradicate the coca plant, Cocaine production has increased in Colombia, resulting in a cocaine surplus. This may explain the recent surge in cocaine trafficking and the record-breaking quantities of cocaine that U.S. authorities have been seizing. The drug bust in Philadelphia this month demonstrates that cocaine trafficking is still a vast and lucrative illegal enterprise.

Cocaine is illegal to use or possess in the United States. The drug is addictive and has the potential to kill its users by causing heart attacks. Drug traffickers reap enormous profits by getting ordinary Americans addicted to Cocaine. If you or someone you know is addicted Cocaine, contact a treatment provider today for information on rehabs.

The post Authorities Confiscate 16 Tons Of Cocaine From Cargo Ship In Philadelphia appeared first on Addiction Center.

Anyone can develop mental health and Substance Use Disorders (SUD), regardless of age, race, or background. Celebrities, too, must often battle co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders – sometimes made worse by the spotlight. Moreover, drugs and alcohol can aggravate symptoms of depression, mania, anxiety, paranoia, and more. Below are 10 celebrities who have struggled to maintain positive mental health while also struggling with substance abuse.

1. Britney Spears

Britney Spears, 37, made headlines again this April, after checking into a mental health center. While the hashtag #FreeBritney circulated on social media, others were reminded that the singer has sought treatment multiple times since 2007 for her mental health. Spears had admitted to being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffering from postpartum depression in the past.

Drugs and alcohol often aggravate symptoms of some mental health disorders. Spears has admitted to excessive drinking, “dabbling” with drugs, and being a “smoker” (referring to Marijuana).

2. Demi Lovato

Fellow Disney teen star, Demi Lovato, similarly struggled through her twenties with substance abuse and her mental health. In July 2018, the 25-year-old overdosed at home in the Hollywood Hills and had to be revived with Narcan (an anti-Opioid overdose medication). For years, Lovato has been open about addiction and how that’s affected her bipolar disorder and disordered eating. For the pop singer, relapse has been a part of recovery – she relapsed after 6 years of sobriety last year – yet she pushes onward, sharing her journey with her fans via social media.

What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet. I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well.

3. Russell Brand

As a teenager, Russell Brand said he started using drugs and alcohol. He was also treated for depression and had problems binge eating. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD. Yet, the British comedian didn’t let that stop him. In 2002, he began his recovery journey and has since raised money for drug treatment programs, advocated better mental health resources, and in 2017 released the book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions.

If you’re addicted to bad relationships, bad food, abusive bosses, conflict, or pornography, it can take a lifetime to spot the problem, and apparently a lifetime is all we have.

4. Jada Pinkett Smith

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook show “Red Table Talk” has allowed a number of guests to be open about troubling experiences in their lives. Jada, 47, has also opened up about the effect her mother’s hard drug use had on her as a child, as well as her own addictions. For instance, she recently admitted to having a sex addiction and that she and husband, Will Smith, continue to work on themselves and their marriage.

I had many addictions, of several kinds, to deal with my life issues, but today, at 42, I have my wisdom, my heart and my conscience as the only tools to overcome life’s inevitable obstacles.

5. Mary-Kate Olsen

For her 18th birthday, Mary-Kate Olsen chose to enter treatment at an undisclosed facility for anorexia and disordered eating following an intervention by her family. The fashion icon and Full House alum is said to have also struggled with Cocaine abuse – a Stimulant often abused by people trying to lose weight.

While Mary-Kate rarely speaks to reporters and has never spoken publicly herself about an eating disorder, when Elle magazine brought the subject up in a cover story interview, the fashion mogul replied, “I think it’s important that what anybody goes through — and I’m not saying that it’s true or not true — you realize it’s part of growing up. Everybody is going to go through hard times. It’s a part of life. I think the hardest part to get to is that point of asking for help or reaching out to other people and being honest with yourself.”

6. Jean-Claude Van Damme

Before being diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, action star Jean-Claude Van Damme struggled with an addiction to cocaine and alcohol, was arrested for drunk driving, and charged with domestic violence. He now takes Lithium and credits proper mental health treatment for turning his life around.

Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is one of four types of bipolar disorder and involves extreme highs and lows and 4 distinct mood episodes each year. Substance abuse, especially involving stimulants, can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder.

7. Justin Bieber

Young pop star, Justin Bieber, started his journey to recovery in 2014 after years of making headlines for his bad behavior and drug use. The “Sorry” singer admits his drug use “got pretty dark”, that he had a “problem with sex”, and that he suffered from depression while touring. Since going through detox, the married man (wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber) says he’s now able to drink socially but has avoided narcotics since.

I found myself doing things that I was so ashamed of, being super-promiscuous and stuff, and I think I used Xanax because I was so ashamed.

Among people with an addiction, feelings of guilt and shame often lead to greater amounts of substance abuse. Resolving the underlying triggers behind drug use can help those struggling with addiction to recover and develop new, healthy coping strategies.

8. Kurt Cobain

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was diagnosed as a child with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and bipolar disorder, and his family had a history of suicide. For years, Cobain and wife, Courtney Love, abused drugs like Heroin, Cocaine, and pills – even as Cobain struggled with severe depression. Yet, the singer never sought treatment and died of suicide in 1994 at 27-years-old.

9. Carrie Fisher

Known globally as Princess Leia in Star Wars, Carrie Fisher admitted that she struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years. Initially, she found sobriety at 29-years-old and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder the next year – while someone is abusing substances, most medical professionals will not diagnose a mental health disorder. Fisher went on to become a prolific writer and stand-up comedian, before her death in 2016. Coroner’s found cocaine, Heroin, Methadone, other Opiates, alcohol and Ecstasy in her system but could not conclusively report that they were the cause of death.

My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life. She ultimately died of it. She was purposefully open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases… I know my Mom, she’d want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles.

10. Ernest Hemingway

One of the most famous writers of the twentieth century, Ernest Hemingway suffered from bouts of severe anxiety and depression, which eventually contributed to his development of alcoholism. Books have been made of the For Whom the Bells Tolls author’s quotes on alcohol and drinking. More recently, studies reveal Hemingway’s heavy drinking habits may have exacerbated his traumatic brain injuries, deteriorating the writer’s grip on sound decision-making until his death. In 1961, Hemingway shot and killed himself in Idaho.

Find Treatment For Co-Occurring Disorders Today

If you or someone you know is struggling under the pressure of addiction and mental health disorders, contact a treatment provider today.

The post 10 Celebrities Who Battled Addiction And Mental Illness appeared first on Addiction Center.

The United States – still in the grip of the nation’s worst addiction epidemic in history – lost over 700,000 people between 1999 and 2017 to drug overdoses. On average, 130 Americans die every day from an overdose related to Opioids. Approximately 1.7 million Americans have a diagnosable addiction to prescription Opioids (such as OxyContin® or hydrocodone). Another 652,000 people suffer from addiction to Heroin. Celebrities are no different and their journey to recovery can be just as challenging. Below are 10 celebrities who have found recovery from Opioid addiction and continue to promote sobriety.

1. Robert Downey Jr.

The universally-beloved Iron Man actor was first introduced to drugs by his father at the age of 6. In the years that followed, Downey recounts experimenting with a range of substances, including mixing alcohol with Heroin and Amphetamines. After multiple failed attempts at sobriety in and out of rehab and jail, Downey checked himself into rehab in 2001. It took 6 years of sobriety and working to regain the trust of studio heads before he was cast in both Iron Man and Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder in 2007.

Job one is get out of that cave. A lot of people do get out but don’t change. So the thing is to get out and recognize the significance of that aggressive denial of your fate, come through the crucible forged into a stronger metal.

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2. August Alsina

August Alsina, too, grew up with parents addicted to drugs. While he witnessed the damage Crack Cocaine had on his family, he failed to see the destructive power of prescription painkillers until it was too late. Following hospitalization for exhaustion (where he was in a coma for 3 days, dying twice), his doctor prescribed Percocet® for pain. After a tearful phone call from longtime friend, Jada Pinkett-Smith, he made the decision to seek recovery.

Because it’s coming from a doctor, you feel like, what am I doing wrong?

3. Bradley Cooper

While promoting A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper opened up about his own history with prescription drug abuse and alcoholism – similar to his character in the movie, Jackson Maine. The Hangover star has been sober since the age of 29 but admits the trauma of addiction and his journey to recovery helped make him the healthy, focused celebrity he is today.

I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people, or even been able to take in other people, if I hadn’t changed my life. I never would have been able to have the relationships that I do. I never would have been able to take care of my father the way I did when he was sick. So many things.

4. Matthew Perry

The pressure of being on the immensely popular Friends and chronic pain landed Matthew Perry in rehab twice for a Vicodin® addiction. The Fools Rush In actor has also been treated for addictions to alcohol, Amphetamines, and Methadone (an opioid addiction treatment medication sometimes abused by people seeking to “come down” from heroin). After his recovery, Perry went on to open a sober house and lobby Congress to allow more drug courts.

Drug courts are the single most effective program for curing serious drug addicts for life-long recovery.

5. Eminem

Before Eminem released Recovery, an album detailing the depths of his addiction to prescription drugs, the emcee had severe Opioid and Benzodiazepine addictions. What began with misusing Vicodin to feel “mellow”, spiraled into a dependence on a cocktail of prescriptions, including Xanax® and Valium®. He credits his love for his young daughter, Hailie Scott Mathers (now 23), for his dedication to recovery and continued sobriety.

It’s been a learning process, I’m growing. I couldn’t believe that anybody could be naturally happy without being on something. So, I would say to anybody, “It does get better.”

6. Gerard Butler

Six years after his mega-successful role as King Leonidas of Sparta in 300, Gerard Butler suffered an injury while filming the surfer movie Chasing Mavericks. After receiving a prescription for painkillers, he eventually became dependent on them. In 2012, he checked himself into the Betty Ford Center, where he describes being ‘ripped apart’ by rehab and realizing how his choices affected his addiction.

I’m glad I did it… They really do rip you apart [in rehab]. You get rid of a bunch of s**t, realize a bunch more s**t, and you make a plan.

7. Macklemore

Before Macklemore rose to fame with “Thrift Shop”, he was drinking alcohol alone in his parents’ home as a 13-year-old. In his twenties, he describes becoming addicted to OxyContin – even nicknaming it “Synthetic Heroin”. When his addiction began to seriously jeopardize his relationships as well as the career as a musician he hoped to have, he turned to rehab. Since then, he’s become a vocal advocate for the recovery community. Working with Ryan Lewis and President Barack Obama, he released the documentary Prescription for Change: Ending America’s Opioid Crisis in 2016.

It’s a progressive disease, it gets worse with time. And I always felt that I could control it by myself, that I could take this drug out or just do this, but it didn’t work and it got worse… Going to a treatment facility, I was given the tools and the counseling to figure out how to stay sober.

8. Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes is well-known for his brilliance in aviation engineering and his work in Hollywood (he even produced the original Scarface). In 1946, a plane crash left him with severe, chronic pain. Consequently, after years of dependence on narcotic painkillers, the towering 6’4” figure had shrunk to 6’1’ by the time of his death. Receiving drugs like Phenacetin, Codeine, and Valium, he would sometimes inject them intravenously, resulting in the kidney damage that took his life.

9. Nicole Richie

Party girl daughter of Lionel Richie, socialite, and Simple Life star, Nicole Richie, was once arrested for Heroin possession and jailed for driving under the influence. While she may no longer be BFFs with Paris Hilton, the 36-year-old mom and fashion designer believes it’s important to be honest with her children about her addiction and the recovery that saved her life.

What I can do is use that experience as a tool for when my kids get older. They know that people have died from drugs because they go to school and it happens.

10. Steven Tyler

The now 71-year-old rock legend, Steven Tyler, has claimed he spent over $2 million “easy” on illicit substances. As the front man for Aerosmith, Tyler says he’s had serious addiction to heroin, alcohol, cocaine, and (most recently) prescription Opioids in 2009. Despite knowing how much he was hurting his family, his band, and himself, Tyler says addiction didn’t allow him to care about any of it. Nonetheless, he’s been able to recover each time he’s relapsed.

I’m telling you all my truth. I am a drug addict and alcoholic, and fighting it every day.

Celebrities Who Lost Their Lives To Opioid Addiction

Because up to 60% of people with an addiction relapse, addiction specialists emphasize ongoing support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous as well as detox and rehab when required. Below are a 8 celebrities who did not find recovery from their Opioid addiction in time to save their lives.

• Philip Seymour Hoffman – actor known for roles in Capote and The Hunger Games. He died in 2014 of an apparent Heroin, Cocaine, Benzodiazepine, and Amphetamine overdose.
• Prince – legendary singer and songwriter best-known for Purple Rain. Prince died in 2016 of a Fentanyl overdose.
• Corey Monteith – the Glee actor had a history of substance abuse starting at age 12. After multiple failed attempts at completing rehab, Monteith died in 2013 of an alcohol and heroin overdose.
• John Belushi – an actor known for roles on Saturday Night Live and National Lampoon’s Animal House, Belushi was known to “speedball” (a combination of Heroin and Cocaine) that eventually led to his death in 1982.
• Amy Winehouse – the “Rehab” singer previously battled addictions to Heroin, Ecstasy, Cocaine, Ketamine and alcohol. She also suffered bulimia. At 27, in 2011, Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning – her blood alcohol content was 5 times the UK’s legal limit.
• Corey Haim – known for his role in The Lost Boys and being one half of The Two Coreys (alongside Corey Feldman). In 2010, Haim was accused of “doctor shopping” (or visiting multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions) for thousands of pills, including OxyContin. In 2010, coroners attributed his death to pneumonia and an enlarged heart.
• River Phoenix – the eldest of the Phoenix clan, River quickly rose to teen idol stardom in the 80s after the release of Stand by Me. In 1993, at the age of 23, Phoenix overdosed on Morphine and Cocaine.
• Heath Ledger – the Australian method actor broke new ground in films like Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight. Ledger said his role as the Joker and his role in I’m Not There affected his sleep and he felt forced to take pills to help. At age 28 in 2008, he overdosed on a combination of Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Diazepam (the generic version of Valium), Temazepam, Alprazolam, and Doxylamine.

You Don’t Need To Be A Celebrity To Get Help For An Opioid Addiction

It’s never too late to find sobriety. If you or someone you know needs help finding detox and rehab options, contact a treatment provider for more information.

The post 10 Celebrities Who Found Sobriety After Opioid Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.

Opioids are created naturally within the body and are commonly prescribed, but how do they work?

What Are Opioids?

Opioid is a term that originally specified a group of man-made Opiate-like drugs, Opiates being natural drugs created from the poppy plant. Recently the term has been adapted to cover both synthetic and natural drugs. This group is most commonly associated with its analgesic (pain relieving) effects and physicians commonly prescribe Opioids to patients dealing with moderate to severe chronic pain or overwhelming acute pain. The method through which your body uses Opioids grants them access to many different parts of your physiology.

How Do Opioids Work?

To understand opioids, it is useful to understand what parts of your body they interact with. Within your body, small proteins dot the outside of your cells. These proteins act as locks and will only open when a specific chemical keybinds to them. The nerves within the body have many receptors specifically for Opioids and they interact in different ways with different Opioids.

Mu-Receptor (MOR)

The majority of Opioids bind to these receptors, making them the focus of scientists in pursuit of developments and cures for Opioid use and abuse.

Kappa-Receptor (KOR)

KOR receptors play a role in receiving opioids and chemicals that regulate mood. This has led to studies linking addiction to other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety that can govern one’s mood.

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Delta-Receptor (DOR)

This receptor is less well studied than the previous two, but it functions similarly. Scientists are pursuing studies to reveal underlying connections between chronic pain and lasting mental illnesses involved with the DOR receptor.

Agonists and Antagonists

Within the classification of opioids, there are different types. Agonist is a general term for a chemical that can bind to and create a response with a receptor in the body. In terms of Opioids, these are the drugs most commonly associated with strong effects and common abuse. Codeine, Heroin, and Fentanyl all fall into the agonist category.

Opioid antagonists like Naloxone and Narcan occupy opioid receptors, blocking access to Opioids. These are commonly used in emergency overdose situations and are so aggressive that they will knock opioids off of their receptors and stop any further Opioid effects.

There are also partial and mixed agonist Opioids. These classifications refer to drugs that have Opioid effects, but their effects are not as powerful as full agonists.

Where Do Opioids Go?

If abused, Opioids can have negative effects on many different systems within the body, but there are three areas most commonly associated with Opioid use.

The Brain

Opioids bind to different parts of the brain to increase comfort and induce a sleepy feeling. They can also bind to the brain stem to relax breathing and fight off coughing. These effects help reduce stress in the body, which is why it produces its own endorphins.

Nervous System

Binding to nerves in the spinal cord and other pain sensing nerves throughout the body, opioids dull or fully remove sensations of pain. Once bound to a receptor, opioids essentially order a nerve to prioritize other signals over pain. If pain signals aren’t being sent, pain isn’t being felt.

Digestive Tract

A common side effect of opioid treatment regiments arises once opioids begin binding to the digestive tract. Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction (OIBD) is a complication characterized by a suite of intestinal issues. Most commonly, Opioids cause constipation, but they can also cause reflux, abdominal pain, and more serious issues if use is prolonged.

Opioid Dependency

Your body produces its own Opioids in the form of endorphins. These chemicals produce runners high during long races and create the feel good effect after exercise in general. Because of the powerful effect of Opioids in the body, it only takes a little to achieve the desired effect, but if someone is a regular Opioid user, than this relationship is shifted out of balance.

As Opioids are used more frequently, the body becomes accustomed to their presence and effect. Like many other substances, a tolerance to the drug builds and more is required to achieve the same effect. Receptors become desensitized to the Opioids and as you take more, your body begins to produce less by itself. If you’re addicted to Opioids, your body will not function normally without them, creating a dependency. Without the presence of Opioids in the body, an addict will start to suffer from withdrawal.

Opioids are a serious group of drugs usually prescribed to handle serious issues. They are known for their addictive quality and ability to quickly form dependencies. If you or a loved one is struggling with Opioid abuse contact a treatment provider for rehab-related help.

The post Getting On Your Nerves (Literally): How Opioids Work appeared first on Addiction Center.