Amanda Lautieri | American Addiction Centers

Senior Content Editor

Treatment Programs for Addiction: Types & Options for Adults

<h2>Signs Someone Is High</h2>
Physical signs of marijuana use include red eyes, poor muscle coordination, delayed reaction times, and increased appetite. A sudden shift in mood from tense to relaxed could indicate marijuana use, as could abrupt symptoms of anxiety, panic, and/or hallucinations. Marijuana also has a distinctive smell, sometimes described as skunk-like. Catching a whiff of this scent on a person's clothing or hair could also be a sign that the person has used the drug recently.

At home, at work, or in other places where sobriety is the norm, individuals who are high on marijuana may sometimes go unnoticed.

Oftentimes, people who notice a change in someone may second-guess their initial perception. As part of this process of doubting, people may attribute the concerning behavior to fatigue, illness, or even just an off mood.
<h2>Side Effects of Weed</h2>
The <a href="https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/short-and-long-term-effects.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">short-term effects of marijuana use</a> are also signs of recent use. As the Foundation for a Drug-Free World notes, the following are some common physical side effects associated with marijuana use:
<ul>
 	<li>Panic</li>
 	<li>Anxiety</li>
 	<li>Poor muscle and limb coordination</li>
 	<li>Delayed reaction times and abilities</li>
 	<li>An initial liveliness</li>
 	<li>Increased heart rate</li>
 	<li>Distorted senses</li>
 	<li>Red eyes</li>
</ul>
If you believe you or someone you love may be addicted to marijuana and want to see if rehab may be covered all or in part by your insurance provider, use our tool below.
<h2>How Long Does The High Last?</h2>
A marijuana high can generally last up to a few hours. In general, the duration of the high will depend on the user's level of tolerance, the particular potency of the marijuana, and the way the drug was consumed. Despite the high lasting only a few hours, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/how-long-system-body">marijuana may stay in your system</a> from days to months since last use depending on the test that is used.
<h2>Take Our Marijuana Addiction Self-Assessment</h2>
Take our free, 5-minute marijuana addiction self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with a marijuana dependency. The evaluation consists of 10 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a marijuana use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

[self-assessment type="marijuana"]
<h2>The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain: How Weed Gets You High</h2>
Most Americans have a general idea about the side effects associated with marijuana use, and these effects are the result of <a href="https://headsup.scholastic.com/students/the-science-of-marijuana" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">how marijuana acts on the brain</a>. THC is the short-form term for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Blood carries THC to the brain where it acts on cannabinoid receptors (the complexes that interact with the cannabinoid neurotransmitter). Cannabinoids naturally occur in the body.

The general effect of cannabinoids on cannabinoid receptor sites is to slow down communications between the cells in the body and the brain. The presence of THC has a similar effect, which is why marijuana is often associated with a relaxing and calming effect. THC also triggers the brain's reward system, which results in the pleasurable effects associated with marijuana.

<a href="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowToTellWhenSomeoneIsHigh.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-56635" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowToTellWhenSomeoneIsHigh.png" alt="How to tell when someone is high on marijuana" width="700" height="2957" /></a>

As the concerning behavior persists, it becomes more difficult for concerned individuals to deny that there may be a problem. <a href="/marijuana-rehab/child-using">In order to informally investigate if drug abuse is occurring</a>, it's important to have an understanding of both physical and psychological signs of abuse.
<h2>Methods to Use Marijuana</h2>
The following are some of the most popular ways marijuana is used:
<ul>
 	<li>Smoking it (in a bong or rolling papers)</li>
 	<li>In food as "edibles"</li>
 	<li>In teas</li>
 	<li>In hash or wax form</li>
 	<li>In a vaporizer</li>
 	<li>In tonics and tinctures</li>
</ul>
The consumption of marijuana-based edibles can increase the likelihood of adverse reactions. The THC in <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/risks-of-edibles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">edibles takes longer to be absorbed into the blood</a> than when marijuana is smoked. As a result, the individual who consumes edible forms of marijuana may overeat to compensate for the lag time in the high, which can be dangerous
<h2>Dangers of Weed Use</h2>
The hazards are not limited to edibles. A high level of THC in the body can lead to <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000952.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">acute marijuana toxicity</a>.

[quote]In some cases, the toxicity may owe to the marijuana alone, but some drug dealers <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/what-can-marijuana-be-laced-with">mix other drugs into marijuana</a> (such as hallucinogens).[/quote]

The substances added to marijuana may result in serious effects, such as:
<ul>
 	<li>Chest pain and heart rhythm irregularity</li>
 	<li>Hyperactivity and/or aggressiveness</li>
 	<li>Cardiac arrest</li>
 	<li>Heart attack</li>
 	<li>Headache and high blood pressure</li>
 	<li>Stroke</li>
 	<li>Seizures</li>
</ul>
<h2>Increased Potency</h2>
Marijuana is not only a popular drug; it is an evolving one. The <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> warns that the potency of marijuana has been on the rise for the last few decades. The increased potency mainly stems from the ability of marijuana cultivators to continually create new, more powerful strains.

The increased THC may result in uncommon and easily observable side effects. As <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/09/health/weed-potency-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNN</em></a> reports, Dr. Stuart Gitlow of the American Society for Addiction Medicine has found that approximately one in every 100 people who uses highly potent marijuana will manifest psychotic symptoms. Further, as <em>Fox News</em> reports, one study found that smoking marijuana with high THC content can lead to the onset of psychiatric disorders.

[media image="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Marijuana-1.jpg" alt="Marijuana on table"][/media]

These observations about super potent marijuana translate into guidance for concerned individuals. Sudden or uncharacteristic psychotic symptoms (e.g., a disconnection from reality) can be evidence of marijuana use (although it may separately be a sign of a mental health disorder). Psychiatric side effects may be more acute in a person who has an existing mental health disorder, but individuals without a diagnosis are not immune from severe reactions. It is important to note that super potent marijuana is not the same as “synthetic marijuana” (chemicals sprayed onto leaves and sold under various  names, such as Spice). According to <a href="https://www.livescience.com/19140-synthetic-marijuana-unusual-side-effects.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reports on synthetic marijuana</a> side effects, some users have experienced extreme aggression, the inability to speak, hallucinations, and/or general unresponsiveness.

Marijuana use may lead to addiction and/or physical dependence, despite popular belief that it won't. Regular users may begin to build a tolerance and require more of it to achieve the effects. With increasing and continued use, they may become dependent and experience withdrawal if they stop. They may also eventually become addicted.

Although marijuana withdrawal is generally considered to be mild, effects can include irritability or anxiety. In heavy users, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/weed-marijuana" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">marijuana withdrawal symptoms</a> can include cravings for marijuana, trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety, and boredom.

[quote]To avoid these symptoms, or to get a reprieve from them, some people who thought they were done with marijuana decide to resume use.[/quote]
<h2>Finding Marijuana and Related Paraphernalia</h2>
Whether a concerned person finds paraphernalia accidentally or after a search, the discovery can confirm suspicions or alert individuals that drug use is occurring. It is critical to note that searching for drug paraphernalia can be construed as an invasion of privacy, but on balance with the hazards associated with marijuana abuse, it may be considered justified. The question then arises as to where to look. Individuals who are hiding marijuana use from the people with whom they reside can be very inventive.

The following is a partial list of some marijuana-specific types of paraphernalia:
<ul>
 	<li>Rolling papers (usually white or brown)</li>
 	<li>Pipes (various materials, such as glass)</li>
 	<li>Cigar papers (contents emptied)</li>
 	<li>Bongs</li>
 	<li>E-cigarettes (to smoke concentrates)</li>
 	<li>Roach clips</li>
</ul>
The following are some places where persons who use marijuana or other drugs may hide drugs or paraphernalia:
<ul>
 	<li>In a carved-out space at the top of a door</li>
 	<li>In over-the-counter drug packages</li>
 	<li>In an unopened soda can</li>
 	<li>In hollowed-out cans</li>
 	<li>Under a fish tank</li>
 	<li>In the lining of a speaker</li>
 	<li>In a drop ceiling</li>
 	<li>In the false roof of a bird house</li>
 	<li>In a wall outlet</li>
 	<li>Between slats of assembled furniture</li>
</ul>
Once marijuana or paraphernalia is discovered, the next issue will be determining its age or when it was last used. Old marijuana may have mold on it, be brittle, break into a near powder-like consistency, and/or not have a fresh plant-like smell. In some cases, a person may fold marijuana into an envelope or piece of paper that may have a date.

A judgment of the age of paraphernalia can be difficult. A bong or pipe that is well used will be darkened from the burn residue of the marijuana. In cases where the marijuana use just occurred, the bong or pipe may be hot or warm. When marijuana smokers make a “blunt,”they will discard the tobacco contents, which may then be found in the garbage or bits may be discovered on the floor. Regarding marijuana edibles, light-colored baked goods like chocolate chip cookies may have a green hue. Edibles may have a noticeable odor, especially if they have high marijuana content.
<h2>Additional Signs &amp; Risky Behaviors</h2>
[media image="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Driving-under-the-influence-of-marijuana.jpg" alt="Driving under the influence of marijuana"][/media]

Individuals who are concerned that someone they care about is abusing marijuana should be advised that this drug invites <a href="https://www.ccsa.ca/cannabis-use-and-risky-behaviours-and-harms-comparison-urban-and-rural-populations-canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">risky behavior</a>.

Uncharacteristically risky or reckless behavior may be a sign that marijuana use or other drug use is occurring. Some of the risky behaviors associated with marijuana include:
<ul>
 	<li>Driving under the influence of marijuana</li>
 	<li>Being a passenger while knowing the driver is "high"</li>
 	<li>Having unprotected sex</li>
 	<li>Conflicts, public fights, or relationship problems</li>
 	<li>Legal troubles such as a DUI arrest</li>
</ul>
[quote]When marijuana users continue to use this drug despite negative outcomes or acute problems, they may be in the grip of addiction.[/quote]

As marijuana is addictive, it has the potential to become a priority in a person's life. As marijuana use becomes a pressing priority, important obligations will likely begin to suffer. Often, concerned individuals will become especially motivated to help the marijuana abuser to get help after an incident, such as a DUI, or other clear indication of a problem. <a href="/marijuana-rehab">It is never too soon to seek treatment.</a>

[link-bank title="You Might Also Be Interested In"]
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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/marijuana-drug-hotline">Marijuana Addiction Helplines</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab">Finding Rehab for Weed</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/quit-marijuana">How to Quit Weed</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox/free-centers">Free Drug Detox Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/outpatient-treatment">Outpatient Treatment</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/free">Free Rehab Options</a></li>
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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/intervention">Guide to Intervention</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]

Signs & Side Effects of Weed Use (How to Tell If Someone is High)

Clonazepam Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment

<h2>Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms</h2>
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can last for as long as a month and may include:
[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li>Nausea</li>
 	<li>Vomiting</li>
 	<li>Headaches</li>
 	<li>Muscle aches/Body Aches</li>
 	<li>Insomnia</li>
 	<li>Lethargy</li>
 	<li>Digestive distress</li>
 	<li>Indigestion</li>
 	<li>Anxiety</li>
 	<li>Depression</li>
 	<li>Irritability</li>
 	<li>Drug cravings</li>
 	<li>Fever</li>
 	<li>Chills</li>
 	<li>Sweating</li>
 	<li>Headache</li>
 	<li>Concentration difficulties</li>
</ul>
[/columns]

While <a href="/suboxone">Suboxone</a> can be an effective drug to aid in recovery from opiate dependence, it is often a drug that is taken for long periods of time after the user has stopped taking other addictive opioids. Despite its effectiveness, Suboxone can also be addictive. As a partial opioid agonist, Suboxone produces similar withdrawal effects to other opioids if it is quit “cold turkey.”

[quote]The symptoms can vary in severity and duration, depending on how long users have been taking Suboxone, as well as the dosage of the drug.[/quote]
<h2>Suboxone Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Do Symptoms Last?</h2>
Generally, most physical withdrawal symptoms will subside after one month, though psychological dependence can still remain. Symptoms are the worst in the first 72 hours of Suboxone withdrawal. This is when most physical symptoms are experienced. Then, in the first week after discontinuation of Suboxone, symptoms generally subside to general aches and pains in the body, as well as insomnia and mood swings. After the second week, depression is the biggest symptom. After one month, users will likely still be experiencing intense cravings and depression. This is the most delicate time after stopping Suboxone use, as users have a great potential for relapse. As such, the timeline for Suboxone withdrawal is as follows:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>72 hours</strong>: Physical symptoms at their worst</li>
 	<li><strong>1 week</strong>: Bodily aches and pains, insomnia, and mood swings</li>
 	<li><strong>2 weeks: </strong>Depression</li>
 	<li><strong>1 month</strong>: Cravings and depression</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WithdrawalTimeline.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-59823 alignnone" sizes="(max-width: 1264px) 100vw, 1264px" alt="Timeline of suboxone withdrawal and symptoms" width="1264" height="534" data-src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WithdrawalTimeline.png" data-srcset="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WithdrawalTimeline.png 1264w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WithdrawalTimeline-300x127.png 300w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WithdrawalTimeline-768x324.png 768w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WithdrawalTimeline-1024x433.png 1024w" /></a>

[video-popup src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZtpTKAi7LIc"]

Suboxone is a prescription drug that is used as part of an opioid treatment program that includes behavioral therapy and counseling. Suboxone, which contains buprenorphine and <a href="/addiction-medications/naloxone">naloxone</a>, can be an effective medication for opiate dependence but sometimes, it must be taken for long periods of time after the user has stopped using addictive opioids. Despite its effectiveness, Suboxone can also be addictive and it produces similar withdrawal effects to other opioids if it is quit “cold turkey.” Symptoms of withdrawal from Suboxone can include:
<ul>
 	<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
 	<li>Muscle and body aches</li>
 	<li>Anxiety, depression, and irritability</li>
 	<li>Fever or chills</li>
 	<li>Sweating and Headaches</li>
</ul>
The symptoms can vary in severity and duration, depending on how long users have been taking Suboxone, as well as the dosage of the drug. Generally, most physical withdrawal symptoms will subside after one month, though psychological dependence can still remain. Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms are the worst in the first 72 hours. This is when most physical symptoms are experienced. Then, in the first week after discontinuation of Suboxone, symptoms generally subside to general aches and pains in the body, as well as insomnia and mood swings. After the second week, depression is the biggest symptom. After one month, users will likely still be experiencing intense cravings and depression. This is the most delicate time after stopping Suboxone use, as users have a great potential for relapse. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction to suboxone, please seek help immediately from a treatment professional. Like any other addictive substances, withdrawal from Suboxone can last several months. Though the major physical symptoms will cease after a month of not taking the drug, psychological symptoms can go on for several months.
[quote]Due to this prolonged potential withdrawal, it is important for those who have stopped taking Suboxone to be in contact with a medical professional to prevent relapse.[/quote]

[link-bank title="More on Withdrawal &amp; Timelines"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/heroin">Heroin</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/hydrocodone">Hydrocodone</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/opiate">Opiates</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/vicodin">Vicodin</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/kratom">Kratom</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]
<h2>Take Our “Am I a Drug Addict?” Self-Assessment</h2>
Take our free, 5-minute “Am I A Drug Addict?” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with drug addiction. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free,<a href="/rehab-guide/confidentiality-hipaa"> confidential</a>, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

[self-assessment type="drug"]
<h2>Managing Drug Addiction without Medication</h2>
For most people in recovery, the use of Suboxone is temporary. Use of the drug will eventually be tapered to make way for total sobriety. This process should be done in a slow and measured way, allowing for plateaus to accommodate the individual’s experience and stability along the way. When Suboxone becomes the object of addiction, however, and use of the medication no longer serves the person in a positive way, it becomes necessary to chart a new path to recovery that may not include the use of opioid medications of any kind. This requires the guidance of a team of substance abuse treatment professionals who are:
<ul>
 	<li>Educated and experienced in substance abuse treatment</li>
 	<li>Aware of all the issues contributing to the client’s current situation</li>
 	<li>Dedicated to offering a comprehensive treatment plan individualized to meet the client’s needs</li>
 	<li>Available to provide long-term support</li>
</ul>
Through comprehensive treatment that includes medical care to address detox and associated withdrawal symptoms as well as therapeutic intervention, medication may not be necessary.
[segment-cta type="phone"]
<h2>Find Suboxone Treatment Centers Near You</h2>
[callout title="Our Treatment Centers by State"]
[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li>All Treatment Centers: <a href="/treatment-centers">See All Rehabs</a></li>
 	<li>California: <a href="/treatment-centers/laguna-treatment-hospital">Laguna Treatment Hospital</a></li>
 	<li>Florida: <a href="/treatment-centers/recovery-first-hollywood">Recovery First Treatment Center</a></li>
 	<li>Florida: <a href="/treatment-centers/river-oaks">River Oaks Treatment Center</a></li>
 	<li>Las Vegas: <a href="/treatment-centers/desert-hope">Desert Hope Treatment Center</a></li>
 	<li>Locations Nationwide: <a href="/treatment-centers/resolutions">Resolutions Recovery Residences</a></li>
 	<li>Massachusetts: <a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-hospital">Adcare Treatment Hospital</a></li>
 	<li>Mississippi: <a href="/treatment-centers/oxford">Oxford Treatment Center</a></li>
 	<li>New Jersey: <a href="/treatment-centers/sunrise-house">Sunrise House Treatment Center</a></li>
 	<li>Rhode Island: <a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-rhode-island-outpatient">Adcare – <i>Outpatient</i></a></li>
 	<li>Rhode Island: <a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-rhode-island">Adcare – <i>Inpatient</i></a></li>
 	<li>Texas: <a href="/treatment-centers/greenhouse">Greenhouse Treatment Center</a></li>
</ul>
[/columns]

<center>
[button-color color="orange" link="/treatment-centers" width='auto']Compare Our Treatment Centers[/button-color]</center>
[/callout]
<h2>Key Characteristics of Non-medicated Detox</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>Highly educated, experienced treatment professionals</li>
 	<li>Alternative therapies to manage physical withdrawal symptoms</li>
 	<li>Peer support</li>
 	<li>Therapeutic follow-up care</li>
 	<li>Long-term aftercare and continued relapse prevention</li>
</ul>
<h2>Therapeutic Support and Recovery</h2>
The key to maintaining sobriety for the long-term is therapy. Without it, it will be impossible to remain abstinent for any relevant length of time. Depending on the experience of the client leading up to and during addiction, and goals for the future, the therapeutic choices incorporated into an individualized treatment plan may vary widely from person to person. In most cases, however, a <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">therapeutic treatment plan</a> to address Suboxone addiction will include:
<ul>
 	<li><em>Evaluation and assessment</em>: A full understanding of all the issues that play a role in a person’s use of drugs is essential to creating a directed and effective treatment plan. Behavioral disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, underlying medical conditions, trauma, and more are identified early on in order to ensure that these issues are all addressed during the treatment process.</li>
 	<li><em>Unique treatment plan</em>: Depending on the results of the evaluation and assessment, the person’s goals for recovery, length of time in treatment, and available resources, a unique treatment plan is created.</li>
 	<li><em>Personal therapy</em>: Meeting regularly with a therapist on a one-on-one basis can provide a “home base” for the client throughout recovery. Here, it is possible to work on past issues and present challenges, and manage treatment goals.</li>
 	<li><em>Individualized case management</em>: Case management is required to ensure that all pieces of the puzzle are fitting together in a way that provides coping skills for a long and stable recovery after treatment.</li>
 	<li><em>Group therapy sessions</em>: Meeting regularly with others who are also on the path to balance in sobriety can provide a valuable network of support during treatment and in the months and years following.</li>
 	<li><em>Peer support, or 12-Step, meetings</em>: The <a href="https://www.aa.org/">12-Step treatment</a> structure has proven beneficial in the lives of millions of people, and many treatment programs incorporate the philosophy and group session style into their programs. This not only offers clients positive support in recovery but also provides them with a portable therapy option that will assist them in the transition into independent sobriety.</li>
 	<li><em>Alternative therapies</em>: Artistic therapies, food-based therapies, exercise therapies, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2323374/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">animal-assisted therapies</a>, and more can be excellent additions to the traditional therapies mentioned above. These should be chosen based on a client’s interests and areas of need. For example, those struggling with making positive connections with other people in recovery and trusting themselves may opt for a sports and adventure therapy that takes them into the outdoors with a group to explore nature and step outside their comfort zone.</li>
 	<li><em>Holistic therapies</em>: <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/holistic">Holistic therapies</a> can also be personalized to suit the personality and interest of the individual. Some popular options include yoga, meditation, drumming, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and more.</li>
 	<li><em>Long-term aftercare and support</em>: Treatment does not stop when rehab ends. Rather, this initial phase of recovery is just a starting point, and those who are most successful in maintaining sobriety for the long-term are the ones who remain actively engaged in treatment for all issues (e.g., addiction, co-occurring mental health issues, etc.) for years after transitioning into independent living. This can mean continuing to meet with a personal therapist, attending 12-Step meetings, connecting with other support group options, and engaging in holistic and alternative therapies that are meaningful.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SuboxoneWithdrawal.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-59822 aligncenter" sizes="(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px" alt="Signs and symptoms of suboxone withdrawal" width="630" height="756" data-src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SuboxoneWithdrawal.png" data-srcset="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SuboxoneWithdrawal.png 630w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SuboxoneWithdrawal-250x300.png 250w" /></a>
<h2>How to Cope With Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms</h2>
There are a wide variety of <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coping strategies</a> to deal with the stress of withdrawal. These are strategies that can be used when coping with any kind of stress. Rather than engaging in maladaptive behaviors, such as drug or alcohol use, individuals who engage in positive coping behaviors will be able to better maintain recovery.
Some coping mechanisms for Suboxone withdrawal symptoms besides medications include:
<ul>
 	<li><em>Social activity</em>: Keeping in touch with close family and friends, even without having to tell them about possible withdrawal symptoms and the recovery process, may help provide you with the emotional support you’ll need to make it through detox.</li>
 	<li><em>Relaxation time or hobbies</em>: Making time to relax in the midst of everyday life can be hard, but it is absolutely necessary for maintaining recovery. Many who are suffering from withdrawal from Suboxone, or other opioids, may struggle with relaxing in a healthy way, but finding any appealing hobby (writing, art, crafts, etc.) can help you to avoid relapsing back to substance use.</li>
 	<li><em>Adapting to the situation</em>: Accept that withdrawal is part of the recovery process. Adopting a more positive outlook to the recovery process could help to replace feelings of shame, anger, and depression with feelings of satisfaction and pride.</li>
</ul>
[quote]Withdrawal may be a difficult process, but it, like most things in life, will not last forever. It is only a temporary condition that can be handled with many coping strategies.[/quote]
If you would like to withdraw from Suboxone, or any opiate, consult a medical professional. They can help you to determine the best way for you to detox and whether you should use medications as part of your treatment.
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Suboxone Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment

Christian Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers Near Me

[content-overview]
<p class="text-sm">Suboxone typically lasts up to 3 days. Most doctors ask their patients to take the drug once per day, typically at the same time each day. A person's weight, metabolism, and history of drug abuse can lengthen or shorten the action of Suboxone. It's best to work with a doctor on a customized dose, based on your medical history.[/content-overview]</p>
<strong>Prescription pain management medications are opioid drugs.</strong> While they have legitimate medical uses, they are sometimes misused, leading to <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/addictive">dependence and addiction</a>. Rehabilitation for those addicted to opiates sometimes includes the use of medications. Suboxone is one of the medications commonly used to <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/precipitated-withdrawal">lessen withdrawal symptoms</a> and encourage abstinence from illicit opiate drug use.

Suboxone mimics some of the effects of opiates, lessening the brain’s need for the actual opiate drug. This medication is relatively safe and long-lasting, continuing to work for up to three days after being administered.

[segment-cta type="value-prop"]
<h2>Opiate Drug Use</h2>
<img class="alignleft" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/acetaminophen-liver-damage.jpg" alt="pills" width="300" height="163" />

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates">Opiates/opioids</a> are medications primarily intended to relieve pain. These drugs work by blocking the pain signals sent to the brain. Opiate drugs include hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and many other similar drugs. According to the <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> (NIDA), these medications are commonly prescribed for pain, but they are sometimes used illegally, particularly if the person prescribed the medication becomes addicted to the substance.

NIDA reports that opiates can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, and depressed respiration. They can also produce a feeling of euphoria, due to their effect on the parts of the brain associated with reward. This can lead people to overuse the drug or use it in ways other than how it was prescribed.

Some people experience dependence or addiction to opiate drugs. NIDA defines dependence as occurring when the body adjusts to the presence of the drug and then requires the drug to function normally. Those who are dependent on opiate drugs will experience withdrawal when they stop taking the substance. Addiction may include physical dependence, but it also includes compulsively seeking out and using the drug in spite of negative consequences.

<strong>Misuse of opiate drugs, especially long-term, can negatively impact brain functioning and cause damage to brain tissue.</strong> According to <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-classes-prescription-drugs-are-commonly-misused" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NIDA</a>, use of opiates can lead to hypoxia, or insufficient oxygen reaching the brain. This can have negative psychological and neurological impacts, including coma and brain damage. Opiate addiction may also decrease the brain’s white matter, which affects decision-making and self-control.
<h2>Opiate Drug Withdrawal</h2>
<img class="alignleft" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/american-culture-and-treatment-views.jpg" alt="American Culture on Addiction Treatment" width="250" height="179" />

Opiate withdrawal occurs when use of opiate drugs is ceased or greatly diminished. Chronic use of drugs like heroin, OxyContin, methadone, morphine, and other opiates can cause withdrawal symptoms when the person stops taking the drug. The <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm">U.S. National Library of Medicine</a> reports that about 9 percent of the population misuses opiates at some point during their lives.

Since opiates can cause dependence, the body may begin to require the drug to function normally. When the dosage level in the body begins to decline, symptoms of withdrawal begin to appear. The amount of time required for a person to become dependent on a drug varies with each individual. When stopping or reducing the use of opiate drugs, the body needs time to recover and return to a state in which it no longer requires the drug. Because opioid detox can be extremely uncomfortable, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox">medical detox may be essential for many people to avoid relapse</a>.
<div class="panel-block bg-white2 pad-all">

The National Library of Medicine lists the following <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/opiate">symptoms of opiate withdrawal</a>:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/anxiety-and-addiction">Anxiety and agitation</a></li>
 	<li>Muscle aches</li>
 	<li>Insomnia</li>
 	<li>Sweating</li>
 	<li>Abdominal cramping</li>
 	<li>Vomiting</li>
 	<li>Dilated pupils</li>
</ul>
</div>
[quote]While the symptoms of withdrawal can be very unpleasant, they are generally not life-threatening. The symptoms eventually cease as the body readjusts to functioning without the addictive substance.[/quote]
<div class="panel-block bg-dkblue pad-all text-white">
<h2>How Suboxone Works in Addiction Recovery</h2>
Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-medications/naloxone">naloxone</a>. It is an effective medication for those recovering from opiate addiction. According to the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html">U.S. National Library of Medicine</a>, buprenorphine is a partial agonist and naloxone is an opioid antagonist. <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone">Suboxone</a> helps to relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings by producing a manageable level of opioid effects in the brain.

The <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/buprenorphine" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration</a> (SAMHSA) reports that though buprenorphine produces effects like euphoria, the effects are much weaker than those associated with full opioid agonists like heroin or painkillers. Note: Suboxone does not 'block' opiates. Increased doses of buprenorphine do not increase the effects past a certain point, which limits the chances of misuse or dependency. According to the National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment (NAABT), buprenorphine can stay in the system and continue to work for up to three days.

SAMHSA reports that treatment with Suboxone occurs in three phases: induction, stabilization, and maintenance. The induction phase is the beginning of treatment, and starts 12-24 hours after the individual has last used an opiate drug. Treatment should begin during the early stages of withdrawal; beginning treatment with Suboxone during later stages of withdrawal can cause symptoms to worsen.

The stabilization phase begins when the person is rarely or never using illicit opiate drugs, experiencing few symptoms, and no longer has cravings. During this phase, the dosage and frequency of Suboxone will be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual.

The maintenance phase involves a steady dose of Suboxone over a period of time, eventually tapering off to a lower dose until it is no longer needed.

The <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. National Library of Medicine</a> lists common side effects of Suboxone, including:
<ul>
 	<li>Headache</li>
 	<li>Stomach pain or vomiting</li>
 	<li>Constipation</li>
 	<li>Difficulty sleeping</li>
 	<li>Mouth or tongue pain or numbness</li>
 	<li>Blurred vision</li>
</ul>
[quote]Some <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/side-effects">more serious side effects</a> may occur, including itchiness, trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face or extremities, or extreme tiredness. If any of these side effects are experienced, contact a doctor right away.[/quote]

</div>
<h2>Effectiveness of Suboxone</h2>
<img class="alignleft" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/benzos.jpg" alt="Medication" width="165" height="200" />

Buprenorphine, a main ingredient in Suboxone, was approved for clinical use by the FDA in 2002. According to SAMHSA, this medication differs from <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/methadone-addiction">methadone treatment</a> in that it can be prescribed in physicians’ offices, while methadone is only available through specially designated facilities. This allows a greater number of people to receive addiction treatment aided by medication.

A study published by the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09595230412331289473" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Taylor and Francis Group</a> found that Suboxone could be safely administered in unsupervised settings, was well tolerated by most people, and was effective in promoting abstinence from opiate drug use. The application of Suboxone in nonresidential treatment settings makes this medication highly beneficial, because it is one of few addiction recovery medications that can be safely self-administered. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992357/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives</em></a> reports similar findings; participants of the study who remained in treatment long-term saw benefits to their overall health and wellbeing, and abstinence from illicit drug use, while being treated with Suboxone.

A study published in <a href="https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1747-597X-3-16" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BioMed Central</a> found that Suboxone was an effective medication in the reduction of buprenorphine abuse. While Suboxone lessened withdrawal symptoms, participants in the study reported they did not experience the same “high” while using Suboxone as they would abusing illicit opiate drugs. This lack of a “high” discouraged misuse and overdose of Suboxone, making it a safe and effective method of recovery from addiction.

The <a href="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Abstract/2007/06000/Two_year_Experience_with_Buprenorphine_naloxone.8.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Journal of Addiction Medicine</em></a> reports that in a study exploring the effectiveness of Suboxone treatment, compliance with treatment was excellent. A majority of participants in the study were successful in abstaining from opiate use during treatment with Suboxone. No safety issues or misuse of Suboxone was detected during the study.

[quote]Various benefits over other <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/subutex-suboxone">comparable medications</a> have been found, which has made it an increasingly popular choice by treatment facilities and healthcare professionals.[/quote]

Use of Suboxone in the treatment of opiate addiction has risen steadily since it was first introduced.

An article published in the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-drug-called-suboxone-could-combat-the-heroin-epidemic-so-why-is-it-so-hard-to-get/2015/01/13/4135d08c-812e-11e4-9f38-95a187e4c1f7_story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Washington Post</em></a> reports that while Suboxone has been shown to be very effective in combating opiate withdrawal symptoms, it is still heavily regulated and somewhat difficult to acquire. Because Suboxone mimics the effects of opiate drugs, the medication is sometimes sold illicitly as a “street drug.” Extremely large doses of the medication can also cause an overdose. These concerns have led to the continued strict regulations for the use of the medication. However, the effectiveness of the medication in combating withdrawal symptoms has led to a surge in popularity within treatment facilities; the <em>Washington Post</em> reports that Suboxone is now used more frequently than methadone in <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/inpatient">inpatient rehabilitation</a> settings.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has a relationship with many insurance providers that <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage/suboxone">cover Suboxone related treatment</a>; and we may be able to help you get into one of our facilities.
<h2>Find Opioid Rehab Facilities Near You</h2>
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[columns count="2"]
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 	<li>Locations Nationwide: <a href="/treatment-centers/resolutions">Resolutions Recovery Residences</a></li>
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[/columns]
<p style="text-align: center;">[button-color color="orange" link="/treatment-centers" width='auto']Compare Our Treatment Centers[/button-color]</p>
[/callout]

[callout-borders]
<h2>Ways to Get in Contact With Us</h2>
If you believe you or someone you love may be struggling with addiction, let us hear your story and help you determine a path to treatment.

There are a variety of confidential, free, and no obligation ways to get in contact with us to learn more about treatment.
<ul>
 	<li>Call us at [phone]</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/verify-insurance">Verify Your Insurance Coverage for Treatment</a></li>
</ul>
[vob]

[/callout-borders]

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[/link-bank]

How Long Does Suboxone Last to Manage Opiate Withdrawal Pain?

Kratom abuse has been around for thousands of years, as indigenous people like laborers and farmers in Thailand and Malaysia reportedly chewed the leaves of the plant or brewed them in tea in order to combat fatigue, increase energy levels and productivity, and relieve pain or strained muscles, the <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/kratom.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DEA</a> publishes.
<h2>What is Kratom?</h2>
Kratom is a botanical substance coming from the plant <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> native to places like Thailand and other regions of Southeast Asia.

Kratom can, in effect, make someone "high" when abused. In Thailand, it is considered a controlled substance and the third most commonly abused illegal drug, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/asian-leaf-kratom-making-presence-felt-us-emergency-rooms-flna487433" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NBC News</a> reports. In the United States, kratom is listed as a "drug of concern" by the <a href="https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/kratom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drug Enforcement Administration</a> (DEA), although the drug is not controlled or considered illegal in most states.

Kratom may be mixed with a caffeinated beverage, or codeine-containing cough syrup to create the drink called <em>4×100</em>. Often consumed by young Muslims in southern Thailand, this drink is said to have effects similar to alcohol intoxication, the <a href="https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/kratom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction</a> (EMCDDA) reports. In the United States, kratom may be marketed as a dietary or nutritional supplement, or sold under the radar in tobacco or head shops, most commonly in a powder or tablet form. Kratom is known to have a variety of reported uses and desired effects, from sexual enhancement to pain relief to a "safe" and legal "high." In North Carolina, New York, Colorado, and possibly more states, kratom may be sold as a drink called <i>ketum</i> in bars, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/us/kratom-an-addicts-alternative-is-found-to-be-addictive-itself.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>The New York Times</i></a> states.

[quote]Kratom may also be abused by those battling heroin or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates">opioid addiction</a> as a method of combating opioid withdrawal even though kratom carries a potential risk for dependence and addiction in and of itself.[/quote]

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/neurontin-abuse">Individuals seem to be regularly seeking a new method to get high.</a> The uptick in kratom abuse and adverse reactions to the substance may have caused the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/us-marshals-seize-dietary-supplements-containing-kratom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</a> (FDA) to ban its import in 2014.

<a name="Kratom"></a>
<div class="panel-block bg-dkblue pad-all text-white">
<h2>Kratom Dosage</h2>
Because of the relatively unregulated use of kratom, dosage information is unreliable. As with other drugs, kratom use can lead to dependence and overdose and can potentially be unsafe.
<h2>What are the Kratom Effects?</h2>
The <a href="http://www.nursingshow.com/2015/10/20/kratom-update-from-lisa-booze-and-maryland-poison-center/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nursing Show</a> publishes that kratom likely takes effect within 5-15 minutes and <a href="/kratom/how-long-last">remains effective for 2-5 hours after taking it</a>. In low doses, kratom is considered to be a stimulant drug that increases sociability and alertness. In higher doses, kratom may have effects similar to those of opioid drugs. These effects include:
<ul class="bullet">
 	<li>Reduced anxiety</li>
 	<li>Sedation</li>
 	<li>Lowered pain sensations</li>
 	<li>Relaxation</li>
 	<li>Pinpoint pupils</li>
</ul>
Additionally, kratom may produce a "high," or rush of euphoria that is akin to the effects of opioid abuse. The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NY OASIS) compares the interaction of kratom with opiate receptors in the brain to how morphine interacts with the brain. Opioid drugs bind to opioid receptors, which then creates a flood of some of the brain's neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that help to regulate mood and influence the decision-making process. When the level of these neurotransmitters is increased in the brain, it makes a person feel good, thereby elevating mood. <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/codeine-addiction">Opioid abuse causes a high that leaves a person feeling euphoric, mellow, and less sensitive to pain.</a>

Kratom abuse may have similar effects. In some cases, kratom exposure has resulted in psychosis. Symptoms of kratom-induced psychosis may include hallucinations, confusion, and delusion, the DEA reports.

[vob]
<h2>Find Drug &amp; Alcohol Treatment Centers Near You</h2>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-63704" sizes="(max-width: 421px) 100vw, 421px" alt="rehab centers on map of the United States" width="421" height="307" data-src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/state-funded-treatment-300x219.png" data-srcset="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/state-funded-treatment-300x219.png 300w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/state-funded-treatment-768x560.png 768w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/state-funded-treatment-1024x747.png 1024w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/state-funded-treatment.png 1190w" />
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</div>

Does Kratom Get You High?

Medical professionals often research and warn against the dangers of polydrug use, or the ingestion of more than one type of drug. While polydrug use often centers on substances like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, or marijuana, there is a growing trend of mixing prescription medications for recreational purposes. Some users may attempt to mix opioid painkillers (e.g., <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/vicodin">Vicodin</a> or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/oxycodone">oxycodone</a>) and benzodiazepines (e.g., <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/xanax-treatment">Xanax</a> or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/valium-treatment">Valium</a>) in an effort to enhance the painkilling or euphoric effects of opiates. This combination has drawn a great deal of attention due to its potential consequences.
<h2>Opiates</h2>
Opioid prescription painkillers are a class of medications that bind with opioid receptors in the brain to stop a person from feeling serious pain. These drugs are typically derived from the opium poppy and reduce pain messages from parts of the body to the brain. These are typically prescribed after surgery, such as wisdom tooth removal, or to treat chronic pain from arthritis or cancer.

Two of the most common opioid painkillers are Vicodin—discontinued in the U.S. market, which is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, and oxycodone, which is found in prescription medications like <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/percocet-treatment/how-long-in-system">Percocet</a> and OxyContin. Both drugs are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, which over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen cannot help.
<h2>Benzos</h2>
<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine">Benzodiazepines are a family of medications that are prescribed to treat anxiety</a>, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and seizures. They induce relaxation in the central nervous system and allow muscles to relax. Two of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam). Both are prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders, and Valium is sometimes prescribed to treat seizures and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
[segment-cta type="value-prop"]
<h2>Abuse of Opiates and Benzos</h2>
<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30651" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/white-pills-43854715-300x200.jpg" alt="white pills" width="300" height="200" />Opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines are two of the most frequently abused prescription drugs in the world, although they are frequently prescribed together. Medical researchers have been concerned about this combination since the 1970s, when the trend began to surface. A report from the Drug Abuse Warning Network shows that combining opioid medications and benzodiazepines increases the risk of overdose leading to emergency medical care. Another report published in the British Medical Journal suggests that, while some of these emergency room visits involve prescribing practices that accidentally mix benzodiazepines and opioids in dangerous quantities, some patients take more of these drugs than prescribed, or they get a “high” off taking higher doses than prescribed of both medications. They noted that benzodiazepines enhanced the effects of opioid painkillers, which means this drug combination has a high potential for abuse.

The BMJ study found that, of 2,400 veterans in the study’s population who died because of a drug overdose while taking opioid painkiller prescriptions, 49 percent had been concurrently prescribed benzodiazepines. While some of these individuals may have been abusing opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines to create a high, an article published in the Washington Post suggests that people who abuse these two medications together must be exposed to this combination in the first place, and that is typically through their doctors’ prescribing practices. People who suffer acute or chronic pain, for example, may receive opioids like Vicodin to treat the pain on a long-term basis, while also receiving a prescription for Valium to treat muscle spasms. Or, if individuals suffer from anxiety, they may receive a Xanax prescription from their therapist, while also receiving oxycodone to treat chronic pain.

In February 2016, lawmakers and regulators began pushing the Food and Drug Administration to issue a black box warning on both prescription opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines about mixing these two medication types.
<h2>Why Is It Dangerous to Combine Valium or Xanax &amp; Oxycodone or Vicodin?</h2>
Both opioid medications, such as <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/oxycodone">oxycodone</a> and Vicodin, and benzodiazepines, like Xanax and Valium, have a high potential for addiction and abuse when they are taken alone. Both of these types of medications are high on the list of drugs that lead to <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/overdose">overdose</a> and prescription drug deaths.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, in 2014, there were 18,893 prescription painkiller-related overdose deaths in the US. Between 1999 and 2006, there was a 250 percent increase in fatal overdoses in the United States due to opioid painkillers; more than half of those overdoses were due to a combination of opioid painkillers and another medication, most typically benzodiazepines. For people hospitalized due to a benzodiazepine overdose between 1998 and 2008, 95 percent of the time, benzodiazepines were combined with another drug; in 54.2 percent of those cases, opiate drugs (heroin or prescription painkillers) were the other drug in the combination.

This combination appears to be especially dangerous because benzodiazepines enhance the “high” from opioid painkillers. When people become addicted to opioid painkillers like Vicodin or oxycodone, they can develop a tolerance over time so they do not experience the same effect; however, when these individuals add benzodiazepines to the mix, they can return to the same euphoric feeling they had the first time they abused opioids.

[callout]
The Centers for Disease Control noted that, in about half of overdose deaths caused by opioid drugs, including Vicodin and oxycodone, another type of drug acted as a contributing factor. Benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax were found most frequently, in about 17 percent of the cases, to contribute. This deadly combination leads to two primary problems:
<ul>
 	<li>Depressed breathing</li>
 	<li>Enhanced sedation</li>
</ul>
Death may result if emergency medical assistance does not come in time.
[/callout]

[callout title="
<h2>Dangers of Mixing Drugs</h2>
"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="/benzodiazepine/mixing">Suboxone and Benzodiazepines</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/methadone-addiction/and-mixing-heroin">Methadone and Heroin</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/suboxone/combined-with-adderall">Suboxone and Adderall</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/valium-treatment/dangers">Valium and Drugs or Alcohol</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/steroid-abuse/mixing-with-cocaine">Steroids and Cocaine</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/xanax-treatment/dangers-of-mixing-with-klonopin">Klonopin and Xanax</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/polysubstance-abuse">Polysubstance Abuse</a></li>
</ul>
[/callout]
<h2>What Happens When Opioid Painkillers and Benzodiazepines Are Mixed</h2>
It is possible to overdose on either opioid painkillers, like Vicodin or oxycodone, or benzodiazepines, like Xanax and Valium, alone. There is a higher chance of overdose when mixing. Below are some of the signs of overdose for benzos and opioids.
[callout]
[columns count="2"]
<h3>Symptoms of an opioid overdose can include:</h3>
<ul>
 	<li>Pinpoint pupils</li>
 	<li>Unconsciousness</li>
 	<li>Slowed, irregular, depressed, or stopped breathing</li>
</ul>
<h3>Symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose include:</h3>
<ul>
 	<li>Confusion</li>
 	<li>Slow or shallow breathing</li>
 	<li>Unresponsiveness, either awake or unconscious</li>
</ul>
[/columns]
[/callout]

One of the two biggest problems with mixing opioid painkillers like Vicodin or oxycodone with benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium is the issue of oversedation. This is the inability to wake up or respond to stimuli, which can put individuals at risk of falling, if they are standing up, or causing a serious car accident, if they are driving. People could also slip into a coma.

Additionally, both opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines can change breathing patterns – specifically, they can both depress breathing. This condition leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain, eventually shutting down vital organ systems, leading to brain damage and even death.
<h2>Get Help for Opiate and Benzodiazepine Abuse</h2>
If a person overdoses on benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium, painkillers like Vicodin or oxycodone, or a combination of these medications, it is important to get emergency medical help as soon as possible. Call 911, and stay with the person until help arrives.

For people who struggle with an addiction to prescription painkillers, benzodiazepines, or both, comprehensive addiction rehabilitation can help. With adequate care, people can overcome their addictions and avoid overdose.

Treatment options for addiction include:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox">Detox</a>: A highly supervised program to help patients overcome the uncomfortable effects of withdrawal.</li>
 	<li>Inpatient rehab: A live-in rehab program in a highly structured hospital-like setting.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-medications">Medication assisted treatment</a> (MAT): The use of medications in the course of addiction treatment.</li>
</ul>
Addiction impacts every person differently, so to get the best treatment for your situation, contact us today at [phone]
<h2>Find Addiction Treatment Facilities Near You</h2>
[callout title="Our Treatment Centers by State"]
[columns count="2"]
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 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/recovery-first-hollywood">Miami, Florida Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/river-oaks">Tampa, Florida Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/desert-hope">Las Vegas Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-hospital">Massachusetts Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/oxford">Mississippi Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/sunrise-house">New Jersey Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-rhode-island">Rhode Island Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/greenhouse">Texas Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li>Locations Nationwide: <a href="/treatment-centers/resolutions">Resolutions Recovery Residences</a></li>
</ul>
[/columns]
<p style="text-align: center;">[button-color color="orange" link="/treatment-centers" width='auto']Compare Our Treatment Centers[/button-color]</p>
[/callout]

[vob]

[link-bank title="You Might Also Be Interested In"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/prescription-drugs/how-long-in-system">How Long Are Prescription Drugs in Your Body?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/prescription-drugs/classifications">Prescription Drug Scheduling</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/overcoming-addiction">How to Overcome Addiction</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/how-to-stop-enabling">How to Stop Enabling an Addicted Loved One</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates/rehab-treatment">Opioid Rehab Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders">Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/residential">Residential Rehab Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics">Substance Abuse Statistics</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/30-day-rehab-program">30 Day Rehab Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/alcohol-drug-hotline">Drug &amp; Alcohol Addiction Hotlines</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]

Dangers of Mixing Opiates & Benzodiazepines: Vicodin, Xanax, Oxycodone & Valium

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment">Heroin</a> is an illegal opioid, classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the US due to its addictive quality, damaging nature, and the fact that it has no approved medical use in the country. It’s typically smoked, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/snorting">snorted</a> or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/shooting-dangers">injected</a> straight into one’s veins for a fast, euphoric high, followed by sensations of contentment, relaxation, and sleepiness.

<strong>Heroin can be detected in the urine for up to 48 hours, blood for up to 5-6 hours, saliva for up to 5-6 hours, and hair for up to 3 months or more. </strong>These times may change based on the test used, and whether heroin was used long-term.
<h2>Heroin Effect Duration &amp; Half-Life</h2>
Heroin’s effects last longer than the effects of drugs like cocaine and meth, but it has a particularly short half-life of only 30 minutes. This means that if a user takes a single dose of heroin, it will take 30 minutes for half of the drug in the person’s system to be flushed out. Some studies suggest that this half-life is as short as 3-8 minutes.
The actual time this takes for each individual depends on a number of factors, including:
<ul>
 	<li class="faded">Height and weight</li>
 	<li class="faded">Age</li>
 	<li class="faded">Genetics</li>
 	<li class="faded">Body fat content</li>
 	<li class="faded">The amount taken</li>
 	<li class="faded">The quality of the drug</li>
 	<li class="faded">Metabolism rate</li>
 	<li class="faded">Health of the liver and kidneys</li>
 	<li class="faded">Hydration</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?</h2>
The rate at which heroin exits the body, of course, affects how long it will take before the substance is no longer detectable in various drug tests. The drug tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for heroin are those for the blood, saliva, urine, and hair follicle.<sup>1</sup> Newer, more advanced tests can detect traces of heroin in the system for a longer period of time since the last dose. Many tests now look for heroin metabolites, which are created when the liver metabolizes the drug. These stay in the system much longer than the actual intoxicant.

Most of the time, heroin is no longer detectable in a person’s urine after just 2 days.<sup>2</sup> However, certain tests have been known to have a positive result for this drug for up to 7 days. Blood and saliva tests aren’t often used for heroin due to the fact that this opioid, like many others, has such a short half-life. It can therefore take only 5-6 hours for the drug to become undetectable in these fluids, though they can possibly be found for up to 2 days. The only test that works for longer than a week is the hair follicle test, which can detect heroin for up to 3 months or more. However, there are many possible factors that can interfere with hair tests. It’s also important to note that heroin can generally be detected much longer in the systems of long-term, heavy users. This is because excessive use causes the drug to be stored in fatty tissues that take much longer to be flushed out than substances that are merely in the blood and other bodily fluids.
To summarize how long heroin stays in your system:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Urine</strong>: 48 hours or 2 days, with certain tests showing up to 7 days</li>
 	<li><strong>Blood</strong>: 5-6 hours, with certain tests showing up to 2 days</li>
 	<li><strong>Saliva</strong>: 5-6 hours, with certain tests showing up to 2 days</li>
 	<li><strong>Hair</strong>: Up to 3 months or more</li>
</ul>
Heroin is considered to be one of the most addictive drugs in the world. Alarmingly, heroin use has been on the rise in recent years, with the number of first-time users rising from 90,000 in 2006 to 156,000 in 2012.<sup>3</sup> Its use is spreading, from being concentrated primarily in poor, urban areas to more suburban and affluent neighborhoods. The pull of heroin can be strong, but there are many treatment options for this type of drug, including medication, rehabilitation centers, and addiction therapy. No one is beyond help when it comes to addiction, no matter how bad the problem may seem.
<h2>Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment</h2>
Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 10 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

[self-assessment]
<h2>Finding Heroin Treatment Near You</h2>
Heroin addiction is a large problem that should be handled with the proper professionals. A <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox">drug detox</a> or rehab program may be right for you. If the cost of finding treatment is preventing you or a loved one from seeking help, insurance may be able to cover all or part of the cost of treatment. Find out instantly below.

[vob]

Additionally, American Addiction Centers has rehab facilities across the United States. Explore the various amenities and treatment programs below.

[callout title="Our Treatment Centers by State"]
[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/treatment-centers">All Treatment Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/laguna-treatment-hospital">California Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/recovery-first-hollywood">Miami, Florida Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/river-oaks">Tampa, Florida Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/desert-hope">Las Vegas Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-hospital">Massachusetts Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/oxford">Mississippi Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/sunrise-house">New Jersey Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-rhode-island">Rhode Island Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/greenhouse">Texas Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li>Locations Nationwide: <a href="/treatment-centers/resolutions">Resolutions Recovery Residences</a></li>
</ul>
[/columns]
<p style="text-align: center;">[button-color color="orange" link="/treatment-centers" width='auto']Compare Our Treatment Centers[/button-color]</p>
[/callout]
<h2>Infographic on Timeline of Heroin in the Body</h2>
<a href="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowLongHeroinInSystem.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-56623" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="How long does heroin stay in your system" width="700" height="2291" data-src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowLongHeroinInSystem.png" data-srcset="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowLongHeroinInSystem.png 700w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowLongHeroinInSystem-92x300.png 92w, https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HowLongHeroinInSystem-313x1024.png 313w" /></a>
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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/heroin">Signs of Heroin Withdrawal</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage/heroin-cocaine-and-meth">Is Heroin Rehab Covered by Insurance?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/cut-with">Heroin Additives &amp; Cutting Agents</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/how-to-help">How to Help Someone Addicted to Heroin?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/slang-names">Heroin Slang &amp; Street Names</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/cold-turkey">Stopping Heroin Cold Turkey</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/purity">Heroin &amp; Purity</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/brain-damage">Heroin &amp; Brain Damage</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/dangers-pregnancy">Dangers of Heroin Use During Pregnancy</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/symptoms-of-addiction">Symptoms of Heroin Addiction</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ol>
 	<li>U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration. (2018). <em><a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/drugs-abuse-tests">Drugs of Abuse Tests.</a></em></li>
 	<li>MedlinePlus. (2019). <em><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003578.htm">Toxicology Screen</a>.</em></li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). <em><a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/scope-heroin-use-in-united-states">What is the scope of heroin use in the United States?</a></em></li>
</ol>

How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?

[content-overview]

Opioid drugs are incredibly effective at relieving pain, but in the past their use in medicine was limited due to their addictive potential. Opioid use by medical practitioners exploded, however, after the American Pain Society identified pain as the “fifth vital sign” in 1995 and the Joint Commission published new guidelines for pain management 5 years later.<sup>1</sup> This article will highlight some of the illicit and prescription opioids that have created concern in recent years.

[/content-overview]

<img class=" wp-image-68170 alignright" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/shutterstock_1503498524.png" alt="Bottle of opioids. There are new opioids; learn more about their risks." width="399" height="266" />

Relaxed scrutiny over opioid prescribing by physicians combined with increased scrutiny over pain management led to huge increases in opioid prescriptions in the early 2000s. However well-intentioned this prescribing was, it played a major role in the menacing opioid crisis in the United States that continues today. An estimated 80% of heroin users report first misusing prescription opioids, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).<sup>2</sup>

For many years, the opioid drugs most people knew about were heroin and commonly prescribed painkillers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. The opioid crisis has resulted in drug manufacturers introducing new formulations of opioids designed to deter abuse. Today, opioid overdose deaths are being increasingly driven by the presence of potentially dangerous synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and closely related fentanyl-derived drugs, such as carfentanil — sometimes diverted from legal sources but also cheaply manufactured in illicit laboratories for inclusion in the nation’s supply of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. <sup>3, 4</sup>

If you are interested in <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates/rehab-treatment">opioid rehab</a> for you or a loved one and are not sure where to turn, call us today at [phone] You may also fill in our insurance verification form below where one of our compassionate admissions navigators will contact you and help you determine your options for treatment.

[vob]
<h2>Fentanyl</h2>
<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/fentanyl-treatment">Fentanyl</a> is an extremely potent prescription synthetic opioid with intense and fast-acting effects. Fentanyl is marketed under numerous trade names, including Duragesic and Actiq. This medication is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, and it’s typically reserved for patients with severe pain, such as those who’ve just undergone surgery, and in patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids.<sup>4, 5</sup>

Fentanyl is not a new drug; however, drug dealers are increasingly using fentanyl increase the potency in heroin resulting in its involvement in rising numbers of overdose deaths, which has taken it from a medication that used to be largely unknown and has made it a household name.<sup>6</sup>

The amount of fentanyl that can cause critical overdose in individuals that ingest it is extremely small compared to that of most other opioid drugs.
<h2>Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl</h2>
<div class="panel-block bg-brown pad-all">

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which means it can be made in a lab. As a prescription drug it is highly regulated, like all opioids. However, because it is a synthetic drug it can be nefariously produced on the black market. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is big business, and increasingly detected in many street drugs, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. It has also been found in counterfeit prescription pills, such as OxyContin and Xanax.  Of course, this can prove extremely hazardous for those who don’t know that the drug they’re taking is laced with this intensely potent synthetic opioid.<sup>5, 7</sup>

</div>
[segment-cta type="value-prop"]
<h2>Carfentanil</h2>
<img class="wp-image-44051 alignright" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Pills-69723832-e1599151226912.jpg" alt="Bottle of opioids. Opioids can be dangerous. " width="402" height="268" />Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid drug that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine, making it 100 times more potent than the previously mentioned opioid, fentanyl.<sup>10, 11</sup>

During January of 2016 lasting until December of 2017. Florida saw over 1,181 carfentanil-involved fatal overdoses. Almost one-fifth of these of these carfentanil-driven deaths were in the Sarasota area, a coastal region of the state on the Gulf of Mexico.<sup>10</sup>

While the abuse of carfentanil may be relatively new, carfentanil itself is not new. In fact, it was first synthesized in 1974 by a Belgian pharmaceutical company. As a drug predominantly used by veterinarians to anesthetize large animals, its extreme potency makes it inappropriate for use in humans.<sup>11</sup>

It takes only about one microgram of carfentanil for humans to experience its effects. Even like fentanyl, carfentanil’s potency is such that an overdose may require multiple doses of <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-medications/naloxone">naloxone, the opioid reversal drug</a> and in some naloxone may not be effective. Carfentanil, a white powder, may be mixed into heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine, posing an extreme risk to users.<sup>11</sup>
<h2>Pink</h2>
U-47700 is a potent synthetic opioid that goes by the street names “Pink” and “U4,” that is abused similarly to heroin. This synthetic opioid gets its name from its appearance: a signature pinkish-white powder or fine crystals.

Much like heroin, Pink produces a strong, short-term high and is approximately 7.5 times more potent than morphine.<sup>13 </sup>U-47700 may be smoked, snorted, injected, or swallowed, and is typically sold illegally online as a “research chemical” that is “not for human consumption”.<sup>14 </sup>
When pressed into pill form, it can become nearly indistinguishable from other widely abused prescription opioids, such as OxyContin.<sup>12</sup>

U-47700 was originally developed during the 1970s as a possible alternative for morphine but was never tested on humans nor approved by the FDA and was abandoned due to its addictive properties.<sup>13</sup>

The DEA reported a total of 46 confirmed fatalities in New York and North Carolina associated with abuse of Pink between 2015 and 2016, leading the agency to place U-47700 into Schedule 1 of the controlled substance act in November 2016.<sup>15</sup>

[cta button="Does Your Insurance Cover Treatment?" link="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/verify-insurance"]American Addiction Centers offers opioid addiction treatment and your treatment could be covered depending on your insurance policy. [/cta]
<h2>Newer Opioid Painkillers of Concern</h2>
In light of the opioid crisis, new prescription opioid painkillers that emerge on the market are regularly met with a great deal of concern. However, new formulations—even those that are very strong—often gain FDA approval because they are therapeutic when used appropriately. The following are some of the newer opioids that have been approved in recent years despite worries over their potency and abuse potential.<sup>16</sup>

The number of recent fatalities associated with illicit opiates and counterfeit opiates is an important reminder that individuals should not obtain drugs on the street. The potential to buy a counterfeit drug that contains a seriously potent substance or amounts of a substance that can be potentially fatal is high when individuals illicitly purchase drugs from illegal sources.
<h3>Zohydro</h3>
Zohydro extended-release capsules range in strength from 10 mg all the way up to 50 mg—very large doses compared to other opioid painkillers on the market.<sup>17</sup> However, the capsules are meant to release the medication over a 12-hour period. The danger comes in when people crush the pills to override the extended-release mechanism.<sup>18</sup>

Despite controversy around Zohydro’s abuse potential, the FDA did approve the powerful opioid. The FDA countered concerns over the drug with several statements attesting to its effectiveness, medicinal purposes, and the safeguards that are normally put in place on substances in this classification. For example, many physicians complete risk assessment protocols before prescribing the drug; however, even the FDA admitted that the drug has an extremely high potential for abuse.

Eventually, <a href="https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fda-approves-abuse-deterrent-formulation-of-extended-release-hydrocodone-product">BeadTek</a> technology was applied to the drug where the drug becomes a gel-like substance when it is crushed for snorting or dissolved in liquids in preparation for injecting it. Applying this technology makes the drug more difficult to abuse, however, it may still be misused by being taken orally without a prescription or in larger quantities than prescribed.
<h3>Hysingla</h3>
Hysingla ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) is another extended-release version of hydrocodone that was originally approved with abuse-deterrent technology built into the drug. This drug can be obtained in differing doses of hydrocodone, from 20mg to 120 mg.

The very high doses available in this medication prompted its creators to make it with abuse-deterrent technology that discourages crushing the pill for snorting, injecting or chewing. Despite its abuse-deterrent properties, Hysingla still has potential to be abused orally when taken without a prescription or in larger quantities than prescribed.<sup>19</sup>
<h2>What State has the Most Opioid Deaths?</h2>
Drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with opioids being the most common drug.<sup>20</sup> Unfortunately, certain states in America have more cases per capita of opioid overdoses than others.

While the opioid epidemic has ravaged the entire country, the state that is currently hit hardest in terms of opioid deaths is West Virginia, with over 42 opioid-involved overdose deaths per 100,000 persons. Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Ohio follow close behind.<sup>21</sup>

[link-bank title="You Might Also Be Interested In"]
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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/mixing-opiates">Mixing Opioids With Alcohol</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/prescription-drugs/opiate-overdose">Signs of Opioid Overdose</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/opiate">Signs of Opioid Withdrawal</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/opioid-hotline">Call an Opioid Addiction Hotline</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/residential">Residential Rehab Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/90-day-rehab-program">90 Day Rehab Programs</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/overcoming-addiction">Overcoming Addiction</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/couples">Rehab for Couples</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/self-assessment">Take a Substance Abuse Assessment</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders">Dual Diagnosis Treatments</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]
<h4>Sources:</h4>
<ol>
 	<li>Pain Ther. (2018). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5993682/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>A Brief History of the Opioid Epidemic and Strategies for Pain Medicine.</em></a></li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Prescription Opioids DrugFacts. </em></a></li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Understanding the Epidemic. </em></a></li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>What is fentanyl?</em></a></li>
 	<li>Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration (2020). <em>Fentanyl. </em></li>
 	<li>J Psychoactive Drugs (2018).<em> </em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6114137/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Sold As Heroin: Perceptions and Use of an Evolving Drug in Baltimore, MD</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Department of Justice/Drug Administration (2020).<a href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Fentanyl-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <em>Fentanyl</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Fentanyl</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Am J Public Health (2018). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5844400/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Quantifying the Epidemic of Prescription Opioid Overdose Deaths</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6905a2.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Carfentanil Outbreak — Florida, 2016–2017</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>National Library of Medicine (2020). <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Carfentanil" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Carfentanil</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>United States Drug Enforcement Administration (2020).<a href="https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/u-47700" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <em>U-47700</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Neuropharmacology (2018). <a href="https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2017-Fentanyl-Fentanyl-analogs-and-novel-synthetic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and novel synthetic opioids: A comprehensive review</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Front Pharmacol (2018).<em> </em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048284/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>First Case in Italy of Fatal Intoxication Involving the New Opioid U-47700</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>United States Drug Enforcement Administration (2016). <a href="https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2016/11/10/dea-schedules-deadly-synthetic-drug-u-47700" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DEA Schedules Deadly Synthetic Drug U-47700</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration  (2020). <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/timeline-selected-fda-activities-and-significant-events-addressing-opioid-misuse-and-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Timeline of Selected FDA Activities and Significant Events Addressing Opioid Misuse and Abuse</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (2016)<em>.<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/202880s009s010lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> ZOHYDRO ER (HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE) Label</a>.</em></li>
 	<li>U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (2014). <em><a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/fda-provides-facts-about-zohydro" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FDA Provides Facts About Zohydro</a>.</em></li>
 	<li>U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (2016). <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/206627s004lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>HYSINGLA (HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE) Label</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>National Library of Medicine (2020). <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29262202/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Opioid Overdose</em></a>.</li>
 	<li>Kaiser Family Foundation (2018). <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/opioid-overdose-death-rates/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Opioid%20Overdose%20Death%20Rate%20(Age-Adjusted)%22,%22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Opioid Overdose Death Rates and All Drug Overdose Death Rates per 100,000 Population (Age-Adjusted)</em></a>.</li>
</ol>

New Opioid Drugs: Risky & Potent New Opioids

Amanda Lautieri is a Senior Content Editor at American Addiction Centers. She has more than 10 years of professional editing experience that includes working as a web editor for several major online publishers and editing medical content ranging from academic texts to online training and re-certification courses for emergency medical service responders.

Amanda Lautieri, B.A. | American Addiction Centers

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Amanda Lautieri, B.A.

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