Dr. Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC, Author at Sanctuary Treatment Center

Adderall rehab in Los Angeles, California

Adderall Rehab: What to Expect

Written by Dr. Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC on March 20, 2024. Posted in Adderall, Prescription Drugs, Rehab.

Millions of people take Adderall on a prescription basis to alleviate the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most people who use this medication as directed don’t experience harmful effects. But those who intentionally abuse the drug put themselves at risk for a variety of negative outcomes, including Adderall addiction. Luckily, help for this addiction is available at an Adderall rehab such as Sanctuary Treatment Center.

What Is an Adderall Rehab?

Adderall rehab can refer to a several different programs that are designed to help people who have become dependent on this addictive stimulant.

Depending on factors such as the severity of a person’s Adderall addiction, their treatment history, and if they have any co-occurring mental health disorders, their experience in an Adderall prescription rehab may include detoxification, inpatient treatment, and/or outpatient care.

Adderall Addiction: Why Going to Rehab Is Necessary

In 2020, pharmacies in the United States filled more than 41 million prescriptions for Adderall and other ADHD medications. Given both the legality of these drugs and their widespread use, they must be relatively harmless, right?

Not necessarily.

Adderall contains racemic amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Both of these substances are stimulants. Both are also addictive.

When a person who has ADHD takes Adderall as directed by their physician, they can benefit from the medication with minimal risk of serious problems. Unfortunately, Adderall’s effects (including increased energy and improved focus) have made it popular among people who are looking for a cognitive boost – such as those who are studying for a test or working late on an important project.

Some people also abuse Adderall as a recreational substance, using the drug as a way to stay awake longer or to counteract the depressant effects of alcohol.

Side Effects of Adderall Addiction

Regardless of why a person abuses this drug, continuing to do so exposes them to effects such as:

Headaches
Racing heart rate and chest pain
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Fever
Tics and tremors
Insomnia
Sexual dysfunction
Exhaustion and fatigue
Dehydration
Mood swings
Anxiety and agitation
Impaired dopamine production
Malnutrition
Seizure
Addiction

When a person’s Adderall abuse turns into an addiction, they will no longer be able to moderate how much of the drug they use or how frequently they use it. The compulsions that are characteristic of Adderall addiction can rob a person of their health, their independence, and their dignity. Without effective care, they may not be able to regain control of their life.

Signs of an Adderall Addiction

The following are examples of common signs that a person has developed Adderall addiction:

Finding it difficult to get through the day without using Adderall
Spending considerable amounts of time thinking about, acquiring, and using Adderall
Using Adderall in ways that are especially hazardous, such as ingesting excessive amounts or combining it with alcohol
Continuing to use Adderall even after incurring harm as a direct result of prior use
Failing to meet personal, academic, or work-related responsibilities due to their Adderall abuse
Developing tolerance, which means they have to take larger amounts of the drug to achieve the effects they are seeking
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly stop using Adderall or when they are prevented from acquiring and using the drug
Wanting to end their Adderall use, trying to do so, but being unable to stop

Someone who exhibits these types of signs should be assessed by a qualified professional who can provide them with an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.

What to Expect During Adderall Rehab

As we alluded to earlier in this post, different people can have different experiences in Adderall rehab depending on their specific needs and treatment goals. In general, though, here are examples of what you can expect:

Woman being treated at this Adderall rehab

Detoxification: If withdrawal symptoms have prevented you from ending your Adderall abuse, you may need to begin rehab in a detox program. Detox is a short-term service that is designed to keep you as comfortable as possible as you rid your body of Adderall. The professionals who care for you while you are in detox may be able to provide both medical and therapeutic support to ease your discomfort and help you manage your symptoms.
Inpatient rehab: At the inpatient level, you will live at the center where you are receiving care. This allows you to temporarily step away from the stresses and distractions of everyday life, so that you can focus your full attention on your treatment. During your time in inpatient rehab for Adderall addiction, you will follow a structured daily schedule that includes a variety of therapies and support services, as well as meals and supervised recreational and leisure activities.
Outpatient treatment: When you are in an outpatient program, you only need to be at the facility when treatment is in session. During non-treatment hours your time is yours to spend as you see fit. The amount of time you spend in an outpatient program can vary considerably from one center to the next. At Sanctuary Treatment Center, we offer six hours of daily outpatient care (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), five days per week (Monday to Friday).

Some people who enter treatment for Adderall addiction start with detox, transfer into inpatient rehab, then step down to an outpatient program for additional support. Others may only spend time at one or two of these levels.

There is no such thing as an effective one-size-fits-all approach to Adderall rehab. What’s most important is identifying the levels of care and types of services that best meet each person’s unique needs.

Benefits of Our Adderall Rehab Center in Los Angeles, California

Here are a few of the many potential benefits of receiving care for Adderall addiction at Sanctuary Treatment Center:

We offer a full continuum of care, including detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programming.
You will complete a thorough assessment and receive a personalized treatment plan.
Your care will be provided by a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals.
Our team is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all patients, staff members, and visitor.
You and your loved ones can participate in family therapy at our center. These sessions can help your family members process how they have been affected by your struggles with Adderall addiction and learn how to best support your recovery efforts.
You can develop essential skills in vital areas such as conflict resolution, stress and anger management, and relapse prevention, all of which can help you throughout your recovery journey.
You can discover the power of sharing support with others who have had similar struggles and who are working toward a future that is free of compulsive substance abuse.

Contact Our Rehab for Adderall Addiction Today

When you are trapped in the downward spiral of active Adderall addiction, it can sometimes feel like there is no escape. If this sounds familiar to you, please know these truths:

You are not alone.
Help is available.
You are capable of more than you realize.
You deserve to live a healthier and more hopeful life.

When you’re ready to get started, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here for you. To learn more about our programs and services or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS)

Written by Dr. Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC on March 7, 2024. Posted in Alcohol, Drug Withdrawal.

Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused substances in the United States, and alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is one of the most common addictions. Once someone has developed this disorder, the distress of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can make it extremely difficult for them to quit drinking. This can be particularly true of people who try to end their alcohol abuse on their own, without proper professional care.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

When a person develops alcoholism, their system adapts to the continuous presence of alcohol. When this person abruptly stops drinking, or when they are prevented from acquiring and using alcohol, their body can respond with a variety of painful physical and psychological symptoms. Clinical professionals refer to this experience as alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Symptoms of AWS

The type, intensity, and duration of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary considerably from one person to the next. Factors that can influence a person’s experience with alcohol withdrawal syndrome include their age and gender, how much and how long they have been drinking, and if they have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns.

With these caveats in mind, someone who goes through alcohol withdrawal syndrome may develop physical symptoms such as the following:

Heart palpitations
Elevated blood pressure
Headaches
Elevated body temperature
Excessive perspiration
Gastrointestinal distress
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
Nightmares
Exhaustion and fatigue
Alcohol shakes, tics, twitches, and/or tremors

The psychological impact of alcohol withdrawal can include the following types of symptoms:

Powerful cravings for alcohol
Agitation and irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Confusion and disorientation
Hallucinations
Delirium

Is Alcohol Withdrawal Actually Deadly?

For people who have become addicted to most drugs, withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, but it rarely poses a long-term health threat. Unfortunately, alcohol withdrawal can be both painful and dangerous. The risk is especially high for people who have a long history of heavy alcohol abuse.

As an indicator of the risk faced by heavy drinkers, a 2010 study in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism reported a 6.6% fatality rate among 436 alcohol withdrawal patients who received care at one Spanish hospital over a 16-year period.

More than 70% of the patients whose data were included in the Spanish study developed delirium tremens. Typically referred to as the DTs, delirium tremens is a severe subset of alcohol withdrawal syndrome that involves the following symptoms:

Visual hallucinations
Extreme disorientation
Dangerously high heart rate
Hypertension
Seizure

Experts estimate that more than one of every three people who develop the DTs would die if they didn’t get appropriate medical care. Thanks to the ability of treatment professionals to address these symptoms, the actual fatality rate among people who have the DTs is estimated to be between 1%-5%.

What are the Available Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

The best option for dealing with alcohol withdrawal syndrome is to enter a medically supervised detoxification program. Here are a few of the many potential benefits of starting your treatment experience with detox:

If you try to quit drinking on your own, the distress of withdrawal can quickly push you back into active alcohol abuse. When you’re in detox, you won’t have access to alcohol or other addictive substances, which eliminates your risk of immediate relapse.
Reputable detox programs are staffed by experienced professionals who are familiar with all aspects of the withdrawal process. Knowing that you are being cared for by dedicated individuals who can address any contingencies that may occur can be a source of great peace of mind.
Your detox treatment team will be able to offer both medical and therapeutic support to safeguard your health and minimize your discomfort. A member of your team will be available 24/7, so you will always be able to summon help if your symptoms become too intense.
Participating in therapy while you’re still in detox can prepare you to fully engage in the post-detox phases of your treatment, which can improve your ability to achieve successful, long-term recovery.
When you complete detox at a rehab center that also offers inpatient and outpatient programming, you can transfer directly into the next phase of your treatment. This promotes continuity of care and reduces your risk of early relapse.

What Comes After Detoxing From Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

As we’ve established in this post, detox can be an essential step for people who want to free themselves from the chains of compulsive alcohol abuse. But detox alone can’t prepare you to address the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of recovery. This is why it is so important to enroll in an inpatient or outpatient program once you’ve completed detox.

While you’re in residential or inpatient rehab, you will live at the facility where you’re receiving care. This provides temporary respite from the pressures and distractions of everyday life, so you can focus your full attention on your treatment and your recovery. Residential rehab programs typically offer daily schedules that feature a variety of therapies and support services, along with structured recreation and leisure time.
In an outpatient rehab program, group therapy is usually the main method of care, though other services are typically also offered as well. Depending on which type of outpatient program you enroll in, you may take part in either full or partial days of treatment. When the program is not in session, you can return to your home or to an alternative supported residence.

Determining which level or levels of post-detox care are right for you is a personal decision that you should make in consultation with the members of your treatment team. Some people transition from detox into residential rehab, then step down to an outpatient program. Others go from detox to outpatient care.

Remember: There’s no such thing as one perfect path to recovery. What’s most important is finding the path that’s perfect for you.

Contact Our California Alcohol Detox Center Today

If alcohol withdrawal syndrome has kept you trapped in the downward spiral of compulsive drinking, please know that help is available. Sanctuary Treatment Center offers personalized residential and outpatient services for adults who have been struggling with alcoholism and certain co-occurring mental health concerns.

Features of care at our alcohol rehab program in southern California include a safe and respectful environment, personalized treatment plans for all patients, multiple forms of therapy, and thorough aftercare support. With the guidance and support of our dedicated treatment professionals, you can start living the healthier life that you deserve.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

Woman going through alcohol induced psychosis

About Alcohol Induced Psychosis

Written by Dr. Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC on October 3, 2023. Posted in Alcohol, Psychosis.

Psychosis is typically associated with acute mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. But this condition can also be brought on by excessive substance abuse. For example, one of the many potential negative effects of chronic heavy drinking is the development of alcohol-induced psychosis.

What is Alcohol-Induced Psychosis?

Alcohol-induced psychosis can be referred to by several other terms, including alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, alcohol-related psychosis, alcohol hallucinosis, and alcohol psychosis. For the purpose of consistency, we will refer to this condition as either alcohol-induced psychosis or alcohol psychosis throughout this post.

By any name, alcohol-induced psychosis is a disruption in a person’s ability to accurately perceive and effectively interact with their environment. It is characterized by extreme disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions.

A StatPearls article by a team of experts from St. Luke’s University reported that about 4% of people with alcoholism (alcohol use disorder) will develop alcohol-induced psychosis.

It is important to understand that alcohol-induced psychosis is different from (and more serious than) extreme drunkenness. A person who develops this condition can continue to experience signs and symptoms of psychosis for weeks after they have stopped drinking.

What Causes Alcohol Psychosis?

Alcohol-induced psychosis can result from extreme alcohol intoxication or occur during withdrawal. It is most common among people who have become addicted to alcohol.

Experts don’t fully understand exactly why some people develop alcohol-induced psychosis while most others don’t – but they believe it is related to disruptions in the body’s ability to produce and disseminate certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. Abnormalities in various areas of the brain may also play a role.

According to the article that we cited in the previous section, the following factors can increase a person’s risk of alcohol-induced psychosis:

Becoming addicted to alcohol at a young age
Having low socioeconomic status
Being unemployed or living on a pension
Living alone

Various experts have estimated that as many as 20%-30% of people who experience alcohol-related psychosis will later develop schizophrenia or a similar disorder.

Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis

As we noted earlier, alcohol-induced psychosis involves disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions. It can also cause a person to experience intense fear, to the point of paranoia.

This is what it can feel like to have hallucinations as a result of alcohol psychosis:

Hearing music, voices, or other sounds that don’t actually exist
Seeing people, objects, or light patterns that no one else can see
Feeling that bugs are crawling over or underneath your skin

Here are a few examples of delusional thinking that can result from alcohol psychosis:

Becoming convinced that your spouse or partner is cheating on you, even though there is no credible reason to think this
Claiming that your thoughts and/or behaviors are being controlled by some external force
Expressing suspicion that you are being spied on, persecuted, or otherwise harassed

Understandably, these symptoms can undermine a person’s ability to work, go to school, or maintain healthy relationships.

The delusions and paranoia that are characteristic of this condition can also prompt people to behave impulsively and aggressively. This can cause them to harm themselves or others. This, in turn, can lead to serious medical and legal problems.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Psychosis

Alcohol induced psychosis treatment center in Los Angeles, California

If someone has developed alcohol-induced psychosis due to heavy drinking, the most important first step in treating this condition is helping the individual quit drinking. If they develop alcohol psychosis during withdrawal, focused interventions may be needed to keep them safe.

In either case, the proper response to alcohol-induced psychosis should involve professional care from a reputable treatment provider. Depending on the needs of each patient, they may need to spend time in one or more of the following programs:

Treatment in each of these programs may include both medication and therapy.

The medical component of treatment for alcohol-induced psychosis may involve benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and sedatives. There is no single psychopharmacological approach that works best for every person. It can take a bit of time to identify the correct medication.

Sustained sobriety is essential to prevent a recurrence of alcohol-induced psychosis. This is why the therapeutic part of treatment is so important. Therapy can help people develop the skills they need to establish and maintain an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Addiction Therapy Options

As with medication, the most effective types of therapy can vary considerably from one person to the next. In addition to the severity of the person’s struggles with alcohol abuse, the presence of co-occurring mental health concerns can also influence which therapeutic services may be most helpful.

Beneficial therapy options for someone with alcohol use disorder can include:

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Individual, group, and family therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Other trauma-focused therapies
Holistic therapy
Neurofeedback
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Remember: There is no single right way to treat someone who has been impacted by alcoholism, alcohol-induced psychosis, and co-occurring mental health conditions. What is most important is finding a treatment provider that will assess the full scope of the patient’s needs, then use the information from that assessment to develop a truly customized treatment plan.

Contact Our Alcohol Rehab at Sanctuary Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California

If someone in your life has developed alcohol-induced psychosis or is struggling with other effects of alcohol addiction, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here to help. At our center, adults who are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses receive customized services from a team of highly skilled and extremely dedicated professionals. Working together, we can help your loved one end their alcohol abuse, overcome the impact of alcohol psychosis, and build a foundation for long-term recovery.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.

Author: Dr. Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC