Use of any drug always carries some risk. The onset and effects of depressants vary according to the type and specific chemical. Some depressants may work instantly, with effects only lasting for a short time such as inhalants , while other depressants may take longer for the effects to start and may last longer.
In general, when small to low doses of depressants are taken, the following effects may be experienced:. The effects of taking depressants with other drugs — including over-the-counter or prescribed medications — can be unpredictable and dangerous, and could cause:.
Use of any drug always carries some risk, however, if you choose to take it, always try a small test amount first. People who use depressants regularly, can develop a dependence and tolerance to them. Tolerance means they need to take larger amounts of depressants to get the same effect.
Dependence on depressants can be psychological, physical, or both. People who are psychologically dependent may feel an urge to use them when in specific surroundings or socialising with friends.
People who depend on depressants may find that using the drug becomes more important than other activities in their life. Cravings can make it difficult to stop using depressants. Not sure what you are looking for? Try our intuitive Path2Help tool and be matched with support information and services tailored to you.
For certain drugs, such as alcohol, withdrawal comes with a risk of death if not properly managed. The painful symptoms of withdrawal are frequently cited as the reason addiction seems inescapable.
However, even for heroin, withdrawal symptoms mostly subside after about two weeks. Plus, many addictive drugs produce varying and sometimes only mild withdrawal symptoms. This is not to say that pleasure, habits or withdrawal are not involved in addiction. But we must ask whether they are necessary components of addiction — or whether addiction would persist even in their absence. In the s, researchers made a surprising discovery. Food , sex and drugs all appeared to cause dopamine to be released in certain areas of the brain, such as the nucleus accumbens.
However, this idea has since been debunked. The brain does have pleasure centers , but they are not modulated by dopamine. These rats lost the urge to eat but still had pleasurable facial reactions when food was placed in their mouths.
This makes us crave more drugs. In my own research , we looked at a small subregion of the amygdala , an almond-shaped brain structure best known for its role in fear and emotion. We found that activating this area makes rats more likely to show addictive-like behaviors: narrowing their focus, rapidly escalating their cocaine intake and even compulsively nibbling at a cocaine port.
Opioids — such as oxycodone, percocet, vicodin or fentanyl — are very effective at managing otherwise intractable pain. Yet they also produce surges in dopamine release. Over the years he grew into becoming an advocate for people in recovery or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. James is a CCAR Recovery Coach and believes in developing meaningful relationships, and providing highly individualized therapy and client care.
In , James had the opportunity to combine his business experience and passion for recovery to start The Freedom Center. Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey.
Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober.
James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. James works alongside the clinical director and administrative team to help ensure that every client benefits from a customized treatment plan and holistic approach that offers freedom from the grips of addiction. Meet Federico Douglas. Federico is a certified A. With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery.
With over 32 years in the arena of addiction and sobriety, he uses his vast experience to provide a unique approach to mentorship and guiding our clients toward a supportive lifestyle of recovery.
With a robust foundation in step philosophy, Federico can not only educate the clients on the model, but also integrate the tried-and-true principles in a more personal, clinical setting. She joined The Freedom Center team to provide counseling for substance use disorders and related mental health issues on an individual basis, facilitate group sessions, provide assessments, and provide support to the clinical staff. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.
Meet Cheryl Moore. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community.
As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Meet Mr. Kevin Sockwell. Judy is a Primary Therapist who provides services to clients with dual-diagnosis disorders and is skilled in providing Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Eating Disorders. She has served in both clinical and leadership positions in a number of roles, in inpatient and outpatient settings, as a Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor.
Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues. She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients.
He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Prior to being hired at The Freedom Center, he spent over twenty years working in the field of addictions treatment, and has been involved in nearly every treatment setting, from outpatient to residential to maintenance management. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential.
A veteran of two branches of the U. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. Accruing years of hands-on experience working alongside the administrators of facilities across the country in development of their own unique programs gave Max a unique and robust perspective into the administrative requirements of addiction treatment programs.
Today, Max is able to channel his passion for battling the disease of addiction into ensuring The Freedom Center maintains strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by The Joint Commission and our partnerships in the insurance industry, and is constantly striving to improve the overall performance of the facility.
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