Some Things Have Not Changed

Girl is standing in a crowd

The last two years have been strange and uncomfortable. Yet, it feels like everyone is collectively breathing a sigh of relief. But while things may seem more normal, drug addiction and its related issues have never stopped being a crisis across the world, with more people facing tragedy each year. Whether it is incarceration or overdose, it is hard to think about how many families will be spending the holiday season without a member of their family. This is why we always encourage families not to wait to send their loved ones to treatment.

Due to the prevalence of fentanyl in the drug supply, each day in active addiction has become more of a gamble. Fentanyl has been found mixed into several different types of drugs. As far back as 2018, cocaine mixed with fentanyl caused a measurable impact on the increase of deaths in the drug epidemic.

One of the worst culprits is the increased availability of counterfeit prescription pills that contain fentanyl. Often Xanax or Oxycontin sold on the street is just fentanyl pressed into the shape of the actual prescription pills. This is why it is so important to do something if you know your loved one is struggling with addiction. While Xanax and Oxycontin can be deadly, some forms of fentanyl can kill with an amount the size of a grain of sand.

While things get back to normal, we wanted to take this time to remind everyone of the signs of addiction. Knowing the signs and spotting them could make the difference between your loved one getting the help they need or ending up dead or incarcerated.

Some of the signs to look out for are:

  • changes in regular behavior
  • altered sleeping patterns
  • odd smells on the individual or in their room/house
  • slurred speech
  • money problems that have nonsensical explanations
  • emotional responses that do not match what’s going on
  • overly lethargic or energetic when the time of day does not match

The signs may vary depending on the substance an individual is using. For example, a person who has taken opiates will show many different signs than someone who has taken methamphetamines. The easiest way to tell if your loved one is using it is to pay attention to them, what they are doing, and what is going in their life. You know your loved one best.

Once you have spotted the signs your loved one is using, you have to do something. It is not something they are going to just figure out on their own. Nor is it something you can hide from, and it will not just go away. The longer you let your loved one continue to use, the higher the chance gets that something terrible will happen to them.

The Narconon program has helped thousands of families get their loved ones back. I understand how it can feel like you have lost your family member forever and there is nothing that can be done, but there is a road that leads to a new life for your loved one. Stop spending your life worrying about getting that phone call that something bad has happened. Be able to sleep at night without worrying about where your family member is.

Each step of the Narconon program is designed to address the underlying issues of addiction. The detox, overseen by Medical and Nursing staff can safely detox people off most substances. Once it is complete, we offer a longer-term Sauna Detoxification that helps to alleviate post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Many addicts will feel the effects of coming off of a substance for months after they get sober. The sauna portion of our program works to shorten this time frame and reduce cravings significantly. This is followed by the objectives portion of the program, which helps your loved one learn to live in the present. All this is done they enter the life skills portion of the program where they address the core underlying issues that lead to abusing drugs and or alcohol.

If you are interested in learning more about the program or have any questions, please fill out the form below or call us today.


AUTHOR

Aaron

Aaron has been writing drug education articles and documenting the success of the Narconon program for over two years.

NARCONON NEW LIFE RETREAT

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION