Balboa Horizons, we have treated many women addicted to ecstasy

Ecstacy Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons

Ecstasy is the common street name for a synthetic, psychoactive drug called MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). MDMA has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects and produces feelings of euphoria, increased energy and altered reality. Ecstasy is one of many dangerous and habit-forming substances known as “club drugs.” It has long been associated with the nightclub and rave scenes and users claim to enjoy the drug for its ability to diminish social anxiety and create a sense of belonging. They experience emotional warmth and increased empathy with others and these emotional and social qualities make ecstasy extremely attractive to female users.

Although ecstasy use has diminished since its peak in 2000, the drug is still a widespread problem and studies show that it remains highly popular. Perhaps one of the most dangerous misconceptions concerning ecstasy is the belief that it is a harmless party drug with little potential for abuse or addiction. Nothing could be further from the truth. The consequences experienced as a result of ecstasy abuse are severe and treatment is highly recommended. At Balboa Horizons, we have treated many women addicted to ecstasy and other “club drugs,” with whom ecstasy was their primary drug of choice. We understand the multitude of reasons why women are attracted to this class of drug and have experience in successfully dealing with the aftermath of an ecstasy addiction.

Ecstasy is most commonly ingested in tablet or capsule form. Although all ecstasy is known to contain MDMA, street ecstasy is typically a cocktail of drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, ephedrine or any number of toxic substances. These are dangerous recipes and users rarely know what combination of drugs they are actually ingesting. Furthermore, many ecstasy users commonly take ecstasy along with alcohol or marijuana, greatly compounding the risk of adverse health effects and neurotoxicity. One-time use can cause severe dehydration, hypothermia, liver, kidney or cardiovascular system failure and death. 

Ecstasy is known to produce confusion, depression, insomnia, severe anxiety and drug dependency. A survey of young adult ecstasy users found that 43% of those who reported ecstasy use met the diagnostic criteria for dependence. Those addicted to ecstasy will experience increased tolerance along with the presence of serious withdrawal symptoms should they discontinue their use, making ecstasy a highly dangerous and addictive drug. Aside from these physical implications, perhaps the most severe risks are due to the distorted reality created by ecstasy. Users experience seriously impaired judgment, heightened levels of trust or bouts of extreme paranoia, which can lead to a multitude of traumatic events including rape, injury, car accidents, assault and criminal charges.

Ecstasy has the ability to dramatically alter brain chemistry. MDMA works on the neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and pain. It binds to the serotonin transmitter, increasing and prolonging the serotonin signal to the brain. It also causes an excessive release of serotonin from the neurons, increasing feelings of euphoria. After any period of use, ecstasy can permanently damage serotonin nerve terminals. Due to these serotonin deficiencies, many women recovering from ecstasy addiction will struggle with depression. Our clinical staff is highly trained to treat depression associated with addiction and we employ a variety of treatment modalities that have been proven effective. In addition, there are a multitude of psychiatric medications known as SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, that may be helpful if necessary.

Heroin Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons

Heroin Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons
Heroin addiction is a rapidly growing problem among women of all ages. Whether she is the successful career woman looking to manage stress, the young adult looking for a good time or the working mother looking to relieve anxiety, many report being drawn to this potent opiate for its euphoric effects. However, no matter what life situation brought a woman into heroin use, the result is the same-a devastating physical and mental addiction that is highly dangerous and potentially fatal. Common side effects include shallow breathing, lowered heart rate, nausea, itching, constipation, urinary retention, pupil dilation and dry mouth. More serious common occurrences include respiratory arrest, seizure, coma and death.

Heroin is the most potent drug in the opiate family. Almost identical to morphine in chemical structure, the differentiating factor is the addition of an extra acetyl molecule that allows heroin to cross the brain-blood barrier immediately. This eradicates the time-release characteristic of most prescription opiates and causes an intense rush of euphoria exclusive to heroin. The drug may be smoked, snorted, taken orally or injected intravenously. Users prefer the latter method as it increases the rush of euphoria, greatly raising the risk of overdose. Opiate overdose is second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.

Opiate Pain Med Treatment

The rising popularity of prescription pain medications has made opioid addiction an alarming epidemic. Although heroin has been the long-time favorite among opiate users due to its high potency, prescription medications like vicodan, oxycontin (known to users as “legal heroin”) and the recently developed opana are equally dangerous. What begins as legitimate pain management can quickly progress into full-blown opioid addiction.

As prescription dosages become insufficient, users often utilize alternate methods of consumption including smoking, snorting or intravenous injection, highly raising the risk of overdose or infectious diseases like Hepatitis C or HIV. Many will turn to illegal methods of obtaining stronger opioids like oxycontin and opana and may eventually graduate to more affordable and obtainable street drugs like heroin.

Balboa Horizons has extensive experience treating women suffering from opioid addiction. As many addicts tend to conceal, minimize or rationalize their addictions, we work to break down these barriers to recovery with a caring and holistic approach. We understand that addictions of this type involve a multitude of physical, emotional, legal, financial and social consequences. We are here to personally help clients process the devastation associated with their addictions so that healing can occur and lives may be rebuilt.

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Alcoholism Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons

Alcoholism Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons

Alcoholism is a disease that has long been associated with men. Social expectations of women feed the misconception that females do not experience alcohol-related problems to the extent that men do. In reality, about one-third of all alcoholics are women and the disease actually develops quicker in females. However, many female alcoholics share the mentality that alcoholism is a male disease. This mentality brings on feelings of shame and denial about their illness, often barring them from admitting to their problem or seeking treatment.

Loved ones will often partake in the denial and avoid intervention for fear of insulting the female alcoholic or being too harsh. These are fears that are not a typically a concern when addressing male alcoholics. This stigma serves only to endanger the female alcoholic. As one writer noted, “more female alcoholics die in their living rooms than in the street.” The disease of alcoholism is equally severe among women and men. However, the circumstances of denial and recommended approaches to recovery vary greatly among genders. To understand more about how alcoholism affects women specifically, it is important to first understand the general nature of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a disease that has no respect for gender, age, race, profession or social standing. Perhaps the most common misconception concerning alcoholism is that the disease involves an extreme lack of willpower. This is entirely false as willpower is of absolutely no use when dealing with alcoholism. When an alcoholic drinks alcohol in any amount, they experience a physiological reaction known as craving that drives them to drink more and more, despite extreme intoxication or negative consequences. www.balboahorizons.com