Destin Tourism: Is Substance Abuse More Prevalent on Vacation?

Destin is a premier destination for tourism in Florida. The white sand beaches and beautiful weather draw tens of thousands of tourists to our beautiful city each year. Destin also hosts a number of summer festivals and outdoor music events. However, summer events are filled with celebrations and recreational activities where substance use and abuse happen. National Prevention week occurs every year in May, before summer begins, as a means of raising awareness regarding substance abuse at celebratory events.

The celebrations in Destin are no exception when it comes to substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol at music festivals and summer celebrations are notorious as local authorities report numerous hospitalizations each year for attendees. The combination of alcohol, crowds, street drugs and the Florida heat can have serious consequences. Often, the electrifying atmosphere can stimulate people to use more drugs or ingest more alcohol than they would have otherwise, with dangerous side effects. Both alcohol and street drugs, like ecstasy, can hasten dehydration. In very hot environments, like in Destin, dehydration significantly increases the risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse.

Signs and Symptoms

For those partaking in the celebrations, there are a number of signs and symptoms to be aware of which may be signaling the onset of more serious complications and even overdose. Some symptoms to be aware of include:

• Nausea
• Blurred Vision
• Fainting
• Chills
• Excessive sweating
• Dehydration
• Muscle cramping/twitching
• Shortness of breath

Combining alcohol and drugs can have serious consequences, so it’s important to be aware of the signs of intolerance or overdose. The added stressors of heat and celebration also contribute to a more dangerous environment for overdose. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should stop taking drugs and/or drinking alcohol immediately and seek help right away.

Staying Sober

For those individuals working to maintain their sobriety after drug or alcohol rehabilitation, summer celebratory events, like those in Destin, can be a difficult source of temptation. You may want to actively participate in the events, but feel worried the temptation to also partake in drugs and alcohol will be too great. There are a number of helpful things you can do to maintain your sobriety during these events.

A Plan

First, know that starting each day with a plan to fend off relapse is crucial. Stay focused on your goal of sobriety and evaluate the risk scenario of every situation. Take along a friend who doesn’t smoke, drink or take drugs to help you stay sober at social events. Recovering addicts should know their triggers to relapse and know how to manage them. Make sure you are mentally and physically prepared to ward off these triggers. If necessary, you might have to forgo events altogether if the risk of relapse seems too great.

Destin Rehab Can Help

Summer festivals and celebrations can and should be fun, but they are also a prime time for substance abuse. They also are a risky source of relapse for those in addiction recovery. During this time, it’s important to find and lean on your support system. Make time to attend extra meetings during the summer to stay on track. Stay close with your sober friends and family and those you’ve met on your recovery journey. Also, know that your friends who still abuse substance may have to celebrate without you this year.

If you are struggling with drug or alcohol addictions or to maintain your sobriety, contact Blu by the Sea today. We are a Destin rehab facility, committed to helping you on your journey to recovery from addiction.

Offering Substance Abuse Help During Let Freedom Ring All American Tribute in Destin FL

Destin, Florida is celebrating patriotism and Americana all summer long with the Let Freedom Ring All-American Tribute, which is held every Thursday in the Destin harbor. It is an all-American celebration including live music, a vintage air show and fireworks. While this might be a great time and place for Destin residents to celebrate our nation’s freedoms, it is also a major source of temptation for those in recovery from drug or alcohol addictions. Festivities and parties are common this time of year, but the prevalence of alcohol can make them especially challenging and uncomfortable for those trying to abstain.

Watching friends and family drink or use without impunity can be incredibly tempting, especially for those new to sobriety. Even those individuals who have been sober for a long time can be easily caught off guard if they don’t take precautions to care for themselves and to utilize their recovery program. Wanting to fit in and partake in the festivities is normal for anyone, but substance abusers are particularly susceptible to relapse during times like these. For those just beginning to implement the internal changes needed to maintain sobriety, social pressures to “celebrate” can lead to relapse if they are not careful.

Triggers

Triggers are social, emotional or environmental situations that remind those in recovery of past situations of drug or alcohol abuse. Social cues often instigate addictive urges that lead to relapse. While triggers do not force a person to use drugs or alcohol, they dramatically increase the likelihood of doing so. Long term drug or alcohol use forges associations in the brain between daily routines and drug experiences. When these routines and experiences are cued, individuals may suffer uncontrollable drug and alcohol cravings. These internal reflexes can even trigger those who have abstained from substances for a long time to relapse.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 40-60% of individuals treated for substance abuse will relapse. Celebratory events with alcohol-centered festivities like the Let Freedom Ring Tribute can act as an external trigger for those in recovery. Individuals in recovery should develop a plan of action to avoid triggers that can prompt a relapse. They should also be prepared to fight urges and cravings during situations like these. Avoiding celebrations like these may be difficult, especially if friends and family are participating, but avoidance may be necessary for those new to a sober lifestyle.

Blu by the Sea Can Help

Staying in touch with your treatment and recovery program can be a great way to avoid relapse. Calling one or two other people in recovery every day can make all the difference in maintaining your sobriety. Make verbal commitments to other recovering individuals to call each other if things get uncomfortable or tempting for an added pillar of support. You can also make plans for an exit strategy from events and parties if drug or alcohol use gets too difficult to resist.

Blu by the Sea is a Destin rehab facility, offering drug and alcohol abuse support to members in our community. If you or a loved one are concerned about staying committed to a sober lifestyle this summer during the Let Freedom Ring celebrations, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to engage and support those who are in recovery and working to maintain a sober lifestyle. Call Blu by the Sea today, located in Destin, Florida, for more information about our drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Adderall Weight Loss: When It’s Actually Addiction

Today, people everywhere are looking for a fast and easy way to lose weight. Unfortunately, many people, especially women, are turning to the prescription medication Adderall for weight loss. Adderall is an amphetamine drug, classified as a stimulant, which decreases appetite and speeds up metabolism, among other things. Though amphetamine drug abuse has many outlets in the United States, stimulant use and abuse is highest among women between the ages of 20 and 44.

Since 2002, the number of prescriptions for all amphetamine-based drugs used to treat ADD have skyrocketed. Sales for extended release Adderall more than doubled from 4.2 million in 2002 to 9.5 million in 2007, according to IMS Health, a health-care information enterprise. Data shows a continued increases in sales in the decade since these statistics were published. In online, Adderall ranks next to Viagra in terms of black market pharmaceutical sales on the Internet.

Women trying out the “Adderall diet” typically do not fit the standard description of drug abuser. With so many people being prescribed Adderall to combat symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is not surprising to find that many people who abuse it for non-medical reasons typically obtain it from friends and family members. It can easily be bought on the street or online venues and some people even obtain it through prescription by faking symptoms. However, like other amphetamines, there are significant risks to using Adderall for weight loss, which include depression, withdrawal, paranoia and much more.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at what Adderall does to the body and why those who abuse it are at an increased risk for a dangerous addiction.

What is Adderall and Why Does it Cause Weight Loss?

Adderall is a particularly controversial prescription drug, which is classified as a stimulant, meaning it stimulates chemicals in the brain and the central nervous system. It affects neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine and norepinephrine to speed up processes in the body, specifically metabolism. It is most often prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. For those with ADHD, it can help to improve concentration, behavioral control and focus when prescribed appropriately.

Because Adderall increases dopamine concentrations in the brain, it can induce feelings of euphoria and energy, making it highly addictive. Physical effects often include increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased blood sugar, opened breathing passages and constricted blood vessels.  Adderall also suppresses appetite, which may result in eating less. People who take Adderall for ADHD may experience some weight loss, but typically most do not see significant loss at normal prescribed levels.

Most often, those seeking weight loss by taking Adderall must do so at a higher dosage than prescribed to see results. When taken at a higher dosage, Adderall can be both psychologically and physically addictive. Additionally, long term abuse can lead to tolerance and a need for increasing amounts for the same appetite suppression.  High dosage leads to bigger and more immediate effects, which increases the risk of addiction. Abuse may eventually lead to malnutrition, feelings of hostility, and paranoia. Chronic abusers will experience serious symptoms of withdrawal as well if they stop using them. Many users have to get treatment for their addictions once they stop taking it. Also, once users stop taking Adderall, they tend to gain back as much or more weight than they lost due to rebound hunger.

 Risks Associated with Adderall Weight Loss

Even when used as directed, Adderall can cause irritability, anxiety, headaches and nausea. When used at higher dosages, side effects can be much more severe, which is an excellent reason not to abuse it. A few possible side effects of Adderall use include:

•   High blood pressure

•   Anorexia

•   Mood swings

•   Elevated blood pressure

•   Insomnia

•   Increased heart rate

Some people may even experience dangerously severe reactions to high doses of Adderall, including hallucinations, hives, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, seizures and even coma. In rare cases it can be deadly.

Adderall, like crystal meth, is an amphetamine with similar physiological effects. It is also a powerful stimulant, and like other stimulants—morphine, cocaine and meth— it has a high potential for both addiction and abuse. This risk for dependency increases dramatically when people take Adderall without medical supervision or a prescription. Ultimately, taking Adderall for weight loss is both unwise and dangerous, presenting significant health risks.

Addiction and Options

For most people, especially women, if taking Adderall for weight loss, the effects will often diminish with time. When one dose stops being effective, they need to take more to maintain results. This increased dosage puts women at an increased risk of dangerous side effects and potential risk for addiction.

If you are interested in losing weight, know that there are many other safe options available for you. You do not have to resort to Adderall or other stimulants. Contact your doctor or weight loss specialist to discuss your options about which, if any, drugs intended for weight loss are available for you.

If you have already tried the Adderall diet and find yourself struggling with addiction, know that there is also help for you. Do not hesitate to reach out to others who are in recovery from similar addictions and who can share their own Adderall addiction stories with you. Our facilities and programs at Blu by the Sea are designed to help those suffering from addiction, including Adderall addiction. Contact us today to find out more about our rehabilitation programs.