Drug Addiction - Demerol
Drug addiction - Demerol is a narcotic analgesic (opiate pain medication) prescribed for short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain. Often used in surgery, Demerol is utilized for its pain-relieving effects. Like heroin and morphine, Demerol attaches to opioid receptors found in the spinal column and brain too interfere with the transmission of pain.
Users of Demerol often feel euphoria as the drug triggers the brains pleasure centers as well as blocking pain. Demerol is not a natural opiate like morphine or codeine, but is a synthetic compound belonging to the phenylpiperidine class. Other members of this group include diphenoxylate and loperamide, agents commonly used to treat diarrhea, as well as the extremely potent analgesics fentanyl, alfentanil, and sufentanil.
Demerol is available in a pill and in a syrup form. Those who abuse Demerol may take the drug orally, inject it and/or snort it. It is important for those who have a legitimate prescription for Demerol to never increase the amount or frequency of their dose without their doctor's approval, or take Demerol for any reason other than the one prescribed. Extended use of Demerol can create a tolerance condition where the medication no longer works at the initial dosage. For those who habitually take Demerol in doses higher than recommended, or those who take it over a long period of time, they will eventually develop a drug addiction - Demerol addiction to the drug both physically and psychologically.
Drug Addiction - Demerol Addiction Signs:
- A strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine.
- A need to increase the dose to maintain the effects of the medicine.
- Withdrawal syndrome occurring after the medicine is stopped.
The general therapeutic effects of Demerol are analgesia and sedation. The effects of Demerol are felt 10-15 minutes after ingestion and last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Demerol slows brain activity and intensifies the effects of alcohol. Individuals are warned not to drink alcohol while taking this medication. Demerol can interfere with mental and physical abilities.
A list of common side effects due to Demerol include:
- Constipation
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Itching
- Lightheadedness
- Lowered blood pressure
- Nausea
- Sedation
- Seizures
- Shallow breathing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Skin rash
- Sweating
- Vomiting
Because Demerol is physically addictive, it should not be discontinued abruptly. Severe drug addiction - Demerol withdrawal symptoms as well as seizures or convulsions may occur if the use of this drug is dramatically reduced or eliminated. It is for this reason that Demerol withdrawal should be gradual and performed in under strict medical supervision.
Demerol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Bone pain
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Muscle pain
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
A Demerol overdose is when one takes more of the drug than their body and tolerate. The most common symptoms of a Demerol overdose include:
- Bluish discoloration of the skin
- Cold and clammy skin
- Coma or extreme sleepiness
- Limp
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heartbeat
- Troubled or slowed breathing
- Weak muscles
Drug addiction - Demerol abuse is a very serious and sometimes life threatening dilemma. Not only is it difficult for the addict, it is extremely hard on those around them who care about them. For the addict, admitting they have an addiction problem can be difficult. However painful this may be, it must be acknowledged as the first gradient to overcoming the problem. The next hurdle is being willing to seek and accept help from an addiction professional.
It can be hard for an addict to confront the fact that they cannot do it alone. Once this fact is accepted, it is time to seek the appropriate professional treatment. Drug rehab programs based on the social education modality are highly successful. This means that individuals who are recovering from Demerol addiction are not made wrong for their past indiscretions, but are taught how to avoid future ones. They are provided with knowledge on how to change their lives and how to live comfortably without Demerol.
The first part of drug rehab is drug addiction - Demerol detox (or "detoxification"). Detox is the process of allowing the harmful toxins associated with drug abuse to leave the body. Drug detox is achieved when an individual stops taking Demerol and enters into a period of abstinence supervised by a medical professional. Why must this process be overseen by a professional? Because during Demerol detox, the individual is likely to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms (mentioned above) that can cause health problems or even bring about a relapse into drug use.
How long does it take to recover from drug addiction - Demerol? The appropriate rehabilitation duration for an individual in Demerol rehab depends on their addiction and needs. Research indicates that for most, the threshold of significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in treatment. After this point, additional treatment can produce further progress toward recovery. There are no quick fixes for drug addiction; rehabilitation takes as long as it takes.
While in Demerol rehab, recovering people can expect to learn about addiction, recovery, and relapse. They will address misguided beliefs about themselves and others as well as make positive changes in their life. Rehab also includes the acquisition of coping tools and drug refusal skills. These tools and skills will help them to identify relapse warning signs and challenge thoughts that could lead to relapse.
Recovery is an ongoing process. The knowledge one learns in a drug addiction - Demerol rehab program and the dedicated application of that knowledge should be their primary focus and must be integrated into their everyday life. This takes time! Those who have completed a successful rehab program will feel like valuable and productive members of society once again.