Tag Archives: opiate addiction treatment in Calgary

Naloxone Approved and Delisted by Health Canada for Vancouver, BC, and Calgary, Alberta and Other Cities in Canada

Drug Addiction Treatment For Opiate, OxyContin And Oxycodone in Vancouver, British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery

 

Health Canada has delisted the opiate blocker naloxone. Once naloxone is delisted, individual provinces will determine whether or not a prescription is required for the purchase of the drug.

Naloxone has been an overdose reversing drug used by medical personnel to help prevent opiate induced deaths due to overdose. This medication helps to block opiates from entering the bloodstream.

Naloxone - Individuals Living with OxyContin Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

 

Advocates and health groups across Canada have been working diligently to get the medication delisted after the numerous fatalities that have been linked to several street drugs containing fentanyl. They believe making naloxone readily available will help prevent deaths.

According to the world Health Organization, Naloxone may help decrease the number of overdose related deaths once it becomes readily available. Health Canada reported the change based on the finding from a consultation period that took place in mid-January. Naloxone kits will be distributed to homeless shelters across the Vancouver Metro area.

NA and NA Group Meetings on Drugs - Frequently Asked Questions – Vancouver, British Columbia - Options Okanagan Treatment Center for OxyContin Addiction

 

Health Canada has removed naloxone from the federal list of prescription medications, leaving the decision to make it available without a prescription up to individual provinces.

During the consultation period, numerous groups were consulted, including patient organizations, physicians and pharmacists. All of the 130 responses received by the ministry were in favor of the change.

The most common comments to Health Canada was that there needed to be a more user-friendly method of delivering the medication. Currently, the only way the drug can be administered is through injection. The nasal spray form is not yet available in Canada.

Individuals Living with OxyContin addiction in Vancouver

 

Naloxone works quickly, restoring breathing within five minutes.

In 2009, there were only 29 deaths related to fentanyl overdose. In 2014, this number spiked to almost 900, states Canada’s Centre of Substance Abuse.

The decision to delist naloxone has ben met with positive approval in Canada.

Many doctors recommend that Health Canada should work to get the nasal spray naloxone approved for over the counter sales as well.

They state that using syringes can be off-putting to certain individuals; approving an intranasal formula would make it easier on those with no medical training to deliver the medication. However, it is important to note that naloxone is not a cure-all and should not be treated as such, state physicians.

In addition to delisting naloxone, there needs to be addiction care for these individuals suffering from opiate addiction. In order to detox from opiates, patients often require long-term care, psychological counseling and lifestyle management.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Centers
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Canadian Drug Addiction Information In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Canada Drug Addiction Information in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta and British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug addiction and recovery.

Individuals Living with Fentanyl Addiction in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

Drug Addiction In Vancouver, BC

A lot of people believe that addiction and drug abuse is strictly a social matter. Teenagers, parents, older adults and members of the community in general often characterize those who do drugs as morally week, or potential criminals. They believe that drug addicts and abusers should stop their drug use if they’re willing to make a positive change for their lives.

It’s true that addiction begins with drug use – at the point when an individual consciously decide do take drugs – but addiction isn’t simply “using a lot of drugs”. In fact, according to recent scientific studies, there is overwhelming evidence suggesting that drugs interfere with brain functioning in a manner that creates a powerful feeling of pleasure, but also causes long-term effects on brain activity and metabolism. Eventually, these changes turn mere drug abuse into addiction – a chronic and relapsing illness. Those who are addicted to drugs struggle with compulsive craving and usage, and it’s incredibly hard for them to quit on their own. In order to end that compulsive behavior, treatment is necessary.

In order to understand how to prevent people from using drugs to begin with, it’s important that one understands drug abuse in general. It’s necessary to send the message that it is much better not to start doing drugs at all than to have to enter rehabilitation later. Replacing ideology with scientific facts and overcoming misconceptions is the best way to bridge the “great disconnect – a gap between how the general public perceives drug addiction and abuse, and the scientific facts on the matter.

Alcohol Addiction in Vancouver, BC

Those who aren’t alcoholics often fail to understand why can’t someone who suffers from the condition merely “use a little willpower” and put an end to their drinking. Alcoholism, however, does not have much to do with willpower. They face a very powerful craving, an uncontrollable need for alcohol, which overrides their ability to consciously make a choice to stop. This need can be just as strong as the need for water or food.

Men Living with Drug addiction in Vancouver, BC

When an  individual ingest alcohol, it is absorbed by their stomach, and enters their bloodstream – going to all tissues. Its effects depend on a wide variety of factors such as the individuals weight, size, sex, and age – as well as how much alcohol and food was consumed. Alcohol has a disinhibiting effect which is among the main reasons why it is so widely used in social situations. Other effects of moderate intake include talkativeness and dizziness, and, in larger amounts, slurred speech, nausea, disturbed sleep, and vomiting. Even at low doses, alcohol can significantly impairs the person’s coordination and judgement required to safely drive a car. Low to moderate doses will increase an individual’s potential for violence as well, including child abuse and domestic violence. Hangovers are among the possible effects too, after large amounts are consumed – it consists of nausea, headache, dizziness, thirst, and fatigue.

Heavy, prolonged alcohol use can lead to alcoholism. When the individual is an addict, suddenly cessating long term intake will produce withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations, convulsions, tremors and severe anxiety. Long-term effects of ingesting large amounts of alcohol – especially if paired up with poor nutrition – will lead to permanent damage to vital organs like the liver and brain. Mothers who drink alcohol as they’re pregnant can give birth to babies with fetal alcohol syndrome, suffering from a wide array of irreversible physical abnormalities such as mental retardation. According to research, children of alcoholic parents have a significantly larger risk of becoming addicted to it.

 

NA and Group Meetings on Drugs - Frequently Asked Questions – Vancouver, British Columbia - Options Okanagan Treatment Center for Drug Addiction

If you, or anyone you know is in need of help with alcohol dependency or drug addiction, give us a call at our toll-free, confidential number: 1-885-335-0331

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Centers
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The Centers for Disease Control Speaks Out Against Opioid and Opiate Pain Medications

The centers for disease control speaks out against Opioid / Opiate Pain Medications by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug addiction and recovery.

Pharmaceutical companies began pushing to get opioids deregulated beginning in the 1990s. Their reasoning behind this was that research at the time showed chronic pain sufferers attributed to less than 1 percent of those who were addicted to opioids. As more and more people began using prescription opioids, the number of addictions and deaths from overdoses has increased. Today, more than 40 deaths occur daily in the United States as a result of opioid abuse. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control has issued new voluntary guidelines regarding the dispensing of opioid drugs.

The CDC is urging doctors to stop prescribing powerful opiates to patients suffering from chronic pain. The reasoning behind this is that the risks of opiates far outweigh the benefits the opioid drugs offer. The CDC has established dispensing guidelines to morphine-like addictive drugs, including OxyContin and Vicodin. These guidelines are a way to combat the nation’s prescription painkiller addiction epidemic. Those patients who are undergoing cancer treatments and those who are at the end of their lives do not have to follow those guidelines. There may also be other times when physicians deem it necessary to prescribe these types of drugs. The CDC advises that the lowest possible dose and the shortest duration of medication should be prescribed in these conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 40 Americans die daily due to prescriptions painkiller overdose. Additionally in 2013, it is estimated that 1.9 million people were addicted or abused prescription opiates. The CDC’s director, Thomas Frieden, said that no other medicine kills as many patients as that of opiates. These medications carry a great risk of addiction and death. Primary care physicians currently prescribe almost half of the opiates in the country. Although doctors are not obligated to follow the recommendations of the CDC, they are hoping that the recommendations will diminish the number of opiate prescriptions written each day.

The federal government is finally admitting that there is a widespread problem of opiate abuse in the United States, as well as Canada. Treating the most common painful conditions with long-term opioid usages is both inappropriate and dangerous. The CDC’s guidelines should help decrease the number of prescriptions written each year by primary care physicians, specialists and other medical practitioners, which in turn should decrease the number of addictions and deaths caused by opioid pain-relieving medications. The medical community has numerous other medications that can relieve pain without the risk of addiction.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Centers
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Addiction Treatment For OxyContin And Oxycodone In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Addiction Treatment For OxyContin And Oxycodone in Vancouver, British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery

 

Opiods: What Are They?

The problem of prescription drug addiction is growing. Oxycodone is one of the the medications that is more widely abused. Most people are more familiar with it as Oxycontin, its brand name. Oxycodone is a type of opioid, which is a classification of drugs that includes many different types:

1. Codeine

2. Morphine

3. Heroin

3. Opium

5. Fentanyl

6. Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Oxycodone is included within many other types of medications and these often also abused. Some of these are Endocet, Oxycocet, Percocet, and Percodan. These medications all have addictive properties at extremely highly levels, which makes them particularly dangerous.

Oxycontin is chemically derived from codeine and is a semi-synthetic opioid. Its use is primarily for the relief of acute pain due to injury, surgery, or disease. Initially, they were used in cases where the issue of dependence was considered non-important, especially in pain management for cancer and other terminal illnesses. Addiction has become an epidemic because they are often prescribed for pain management of all types.

 

Individuals Living with OxyContin Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Addiction Symptoms And The Effects Of Oxycodone

There are many signs of use shown in someone using Oxycodone. Expect to see short-term effects, including:

1. Freedom from distressing emotions, contentment, a state of detachment.

2. Pain relief.

3. Respiratory depression.

4. Euphoria.

5. Suppression of cough.

6. Vomiting.

7. Dry mouth.

8. Constipation.

A break down of the body’s basic function occurs as a long term effect of addiction to oxycodone. The abuse of it can cause harm to the lungs, liver, heart, and function of the brain. Do not allow this to happen to you. In Vancouver, you can find help at our proven program for drug rehab.

 

NA and NA Group Meetings on Drugs - Frequently Asked Questions – Vancouver, British Columbia - Options Okanagan Treatment Center for OxyContin Addiction

Understanding Oxycodone Tolerance

Tolerance rapidly develops with the use of opioids. In order to compensate for decreased sensitivity, larger doses of the drugs must be taken each day as tolerance gradually develops. Eventually, a drug plateau is reached by the user in which they no longer attain the results that they want and the dose cannot be raised any higher. At this point, the user is no longer able to achieve the experience of euphoria. They are simply taking it to avoid withdrawal symptoms. It is not uncommon for oxycodone users to switch to heroin, a more potent drug.

Withdrawal And Physical Dependence

Practically all regular opioid users eventually become dependent on both a psychological and a physical level. These drugs have a high dependence liability due to their ability to relieve pain, eliminate anxiety, and powerfully enhance mood. It is extremely challenging to break purposeful patterns of behavior to seek drugs, which is why the rate of relapse is high.

Opioid withdrawal begins just a few hours after it was last taken and may produce a runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, tears, yawning, and uneasiness. An intense craving for the drug accompanies these symptoms. The peak of these symptoms arrives within 48 to 72 hours and begins to diminish within a week. The symptoms of withdrawal are described as unbearable.

Individuals Living with OxyContin addiction in Vancouver

Recovery From Opioid Addiction

Because people become dependent on opioids such as Oxycontin so quickly, withdrawal from these substances is extremely difficult. In order to be able to stay off the drugs and remain off of them over the long term, professional support and treatment is required. Detox (the management of facilitated withdrawal) begins the process. An assessment then follows to develop an adequate treatment plan.

To find the community support and the professional medical team that you require because of the drug addiction, head to ‘Options Okanagan Drug Rehab Centers‘ to find out what your options are.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and BC for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

What’s Stronger Than Fentanyl? The Opioid W-18! – Options Okanagan Treatment Center

What’s Stronger Than Fentanyl? The Opioid W-18! Addiction in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta and British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treatingdrug addiction and recovery.

Have you heard of W-18? If not, you may be unaware of just how strong this drug really is. It is considerably stronger than fentanyl, which is certainly dangerous of its own accord.

Alberta police recently became more aware of W-18, which is an opioid. Last summer, they determined that W-18 was present in several pills; these pills were part of a batch of more than 100 fentanyl pills that were taken from a home in Alberta. Tests showed that W-18 was present.

W-18 has been on the police radar because it is significantly more toxic than fentanyl. This is particularly concerning because fentanyl has taken many lives as it is.

People Living with Opiate Fentanyl addiction in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

 

What Are The Origins Of W-18?

In the early 80s, there were several opioid compounds found at the University of Alberta. Of the 32 total compounds, W-18 is the most deadly. Because it is not regulated, it is not hard to either manufacture this drug or purchase the drug. Obviously, that is concerning, because you do not know how many people will get their hands on a very dangerous substance.

So far, W-18 has only been found in Alberta. However, it is an issue that the entire province needs to pay attention to. Fentanyl, for example, has popped up in Calgary. That means that there is potential for this drug to travel as well, and police agencies should have W-18 on their radar as a result. And, just like fentanyl, W-18 is manufactured in China and typically travels through British Columbia. There is nothing that can really be done to cut back on the supply, because of the fact that it is being produced in another country. Therefore, it is best to put time and attention on the demand side, by helping others learn what it is and making prevention a priority.

Opiate addiction and Fentanyl abuse in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

The Problem With Fentanyl.

There have been more fentanyl deaths this year than ever before. As a result, people are starting to sit up and take notice of this drug. Law enforcement has also started speaking out about W-18 as well. The statistics are concerning; in 2015, there were 213 deaths attributed in fentanyl. In 2014, there were just 120 deaths attributed to fentanyl. And, in 2011, only six people died as a result of fentanyl. Families that have lost loved ones to the drug are starting to speak up as well, detailing the dangers of prescription drugs and the impact they have had on their families.

Because more people than ever are dying as a result of fentanyl, certain steps are being taken to help with the situation. Naloxone will now be more available, for example. It is a medicine that helps those that have overdosed on opioids.

In addition, Health Canada is thinking of making some changes as well. They would like to see naloxone available to anyone, even those without a prescription.

Still, there continue to be worries about W-18. Because it is so much stronger than fentanyl, no one even knows if naloxone will help.

Men Living with Fentanyl  addiction in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

 

Ontario Sees Bootleg Fentanyl

Police have spoken out about bootleg fentanyl after there were several heroin overdoses in different areas.

In just three days in late January in Waterloo, six people overdosed, with one person dying. Heroin played a role in five of the six situations, and fentanyl is thought to be involved with one (at least). Close to the same time period, Kingston reported five overdoses, with one being fatal. Of those, three are thought to have ties to fentanyl.

This is happening with alarming frequency. Other areas of Canada have had a problem for a while now, and the situation is starting to present itself in Ontario. Bootleg fentanyl is of particular concern, because it appears that there is a much greater likelihood that people will overdose after taking it.

Prescription opioids in general are receiving a lot of attention in Canada, because consumption is greatest in this country. The United States comes in second. No one really knows yet if W-18 has made its way to Ontario; toxicology reports often take a while to be released. One thing is certain, however; opioids need to be taken very seriously.

 

Options Okanagan Drug And Fentanyl Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Fentanyl Addiction in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Fentanyl Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Fentanyl Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Understanding How Long Opiates Stay In The Body, Vancouver Opiate Addiction – Options Okanagan

Understanding how long Opiates stay in the body, and Vancouver Opiate addiction and treatment in Vancouver, British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery

If you have been planning on an opiate detoxification, the knowledge of how long opiates stay in your system will give you a good idea of the amount of the detoxification period for these types of drugs.

Opiates are considered narcotic opioid alkaloids that are found within the opium poppy plant. The term opiates is generally used for the constituents of the opium poppy plant, like codeine and morphine. However, heroin and oxycodone are considered part of this family as well. There are opiates such as heroin that are considered to be contraband substances and are abused on a wide scale. While hydrocodone and oxycodone are used as prescription drugs. Regardless of the type of opiate drug, extended use in large amounts can lead to a severe addiction problem which can take months or longer to recover from.

Opiate Withdrawal

After an extended period of time that a person uses opiates it will turn into a full-fledged addiction. Once an individual realizes they have a problem and try to stop it will trigger what is known as an ‘opiate withdrawal’. The symptoms tend to include nausea, cramps, insomnia, and even extreme agitation. The symptoms can be so severe that it will make it almost impossible for a person to quit on their own.

There are several medications that are available that help to treat the underlying symptoms and allow for the detoxification of the body from opiates. The depression a person feels from opiate withdrawal can be overwhelming and cause them to lose any resolve they may have. With this knowledge in mind, knowing the withdrawal timeline can be of great help to get back to a normal and healthy life.

Men Living with Drug addiction in Vancouver, BC

 

How Long Do Opiates Stay in the Body?

Many sources will tell you that opiates stay in the body for a period of 1 – 2 days, however, the recovery process takes on several considerations. These drugs are fat-soluble in nature and have the ability to dissolve in the blood stream and reach the brain very quickly. In addition, they have the ability to accumulate in the fat cells and will enter the blood stream each time your body needs to burn fat for energy. One must also consider that the metabolism of these drugs is going to differ for every person and it can be quite difficult to predict how long it will take to expel these opiates from the body.

The amount of the recovery time is also dependent on the type of drugs that are in the system. The amount of potency is critical in determining how long it will take to be expelled from the blood stream. For example, it may take up to four days for heroin to be expelled from the body while meperidine  (narcotic analgesic) can be easily flushed away within 24 hours. Some factors to consider when planning a detoxification include your age, health, amount and type of drug, how potent it is, as well as any medications you may be on.

NA and Group Meetings on Drugs - Frequently Asked Questions – Vancouver, British Columbia - Options Okanagan Treatment Center for Drug Addiction

 

How Long do They Stay in the System Without Showing Up in Drug Tests?

This is a very valid question that is important to many people. You can typically expect the physical symptoms to stop after 72 hours and the psychosomatic symptoms to continue for up to three months. The type of test you take is going to determine which drugs can be detected. For oral based testing, these drugs can be detected up to 12 hours after they were last used. However, a urine test can detect up to 5 days after the last use. While hair tests can discover drugs, opiate drugs that were taken as long as three months ago.

If you have decided to give up opiate drugs it is a great first start. One that you must consult your physician with and create a proper detox protocol. Choose the right medications and never give in to any cravings. Remember that one of the most important things you can do during this process is to ask for help. Don’t try and so it alone as there are plenty of support systems out there that can offer you the help you need. While this may seem like a daunting process it is vital if you want to live a healthy life that is drug-free.

Children Living with Drug addiction in Vancouver, BC

If you feel as though you do not have the right support system at home or with the people you know, look online for professional help. There are many organizations that are available that can help you free of charge or at very low cost. These are people that have been in the very same situation and know what is needed to get past this stage at life. With their help and that of a medical physician it is very possible to beat an opiate addiction and regain full control of your life again. There does not have to be any reason in your life that you are chained to the opiates that took control of you. Use the information in this article to break the chain and start a new life.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and BC for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Everything We Know So Far About W-18, the Drug That’s 100 Times More Powerful Than Fentanyl

Everything Known So Far About W-18: A Drug 100 Times More Powerful Than Fentanyl

 

Via scientific analysis, Health Canada has identified some of the blue-green pills that are sold in Calgary as fentanyl, often sold as fake OxyContin, are actually a pill that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. This drug, W-18, is a synthetic opioid that offers no known clinical benefits. It could be an even larger risk for overdose for those who take them. It is often called fentanyl or fake OxyContin. It has just now been confirmed to be in existence in Calgary.

W-18 is considered a psychoactive drug that is a synthetic opioid and is found in a powder form. It probably comes from labs over in China where these little-known drugs are mass produced and then sold Online. It is believed that these are 10,000 times stronger than that of morphine and 100 times more powerful than that of fentanyl. This increases the chances of overdose and even death. In 2015 alone, fentanyl caused 213 deaths per Alberta Health and approximately 21,000 of the fake OxyConton/fentanyl were seized in Alberta alone.

A search warrant, issued in Calgary, found 110 of the tablets and sent them for analysis at Health Canada. Results were in by Mid-December.

Calgary police believe that W-18 is from China. Staff Sergeant Martin Schiavetta from the Calgary Police Services Drug Unit told the VICE that “Organized Crime” is far behind in the importing of fentanyl. He believes that it is also behind in W-18.

While the search warrant from August yielded a positive test for the W-18 pills, it’s also possible that more were seized without the realization. More testing would be beneficial, however, it’s difficult at best.

Also, many of the pills, such as those that contain fentanyl or the W-18, are referred to as “beans” or “Shady 80s” between many users and the dealers. They’re created in a homemade lab and the actual contents of the tablets may vary greatly from lab to lab.

It’s very similar to when making chocolate chip cookies and varying the amount of chocolate chips per batch. Each individual cookie will have different amounts, in the same fashion, each pill that is created in home labs will vary as to the actual concentration. Without any consistency, the drugs may be more potent at some times than others. Some may have one milligram and another may have three or more milligrams. This is where many of the dangerous issues come in. Someone may try the drug once thinking it’s great and then try it again only to die from an unexpected overdose when they took the same sized pill. With no guarantees of potency, this drug can be extremely dangerous.

Since W-18 isn’t yet regulated as the fentanyl is, it can be very dangerous according to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of Canada. Thus, it comes down to whether or not something is available or accessible. Worse, the dealers can’t guarantee the potency and thus many overdoses are happening. According to Calgary policy, “the criminal element hasn’t had any foresight or time to consider this”. All they’re out for is the money making aspect of the drug and how they can get their hands on it and sell it. They have no regard for their customers and safety, they’re only out for the money part of the deal.

In 2014 alone, 120 persons died from overdoses of fentanyl in Alberta. In 2015, the number of fatalities nearly doubled. According to Alberta Law Enforcement, fentanyl is the biggest trend in drugs of the year.

Options Okanagan Drug And Fentanyl Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Fentanyl Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Fentanyl Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Fentanyl Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

 

Indications of Fentanyl Abuse In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Indications of Fentanyl abuse and addiction in cities like Calgary and Vancouver, Canada by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug addiction and recovery.

Fentanyl is a narcotic that is typically used to help patients that are suffering from severe pain. For example, many cancer patients are prescribed Fentanyl to help them manage their condition. It is also known by the name Duragestic. Doctors often have their patients use a transdermal patch, which lets the drug slowly filter into the body.

Fentanyl is meant to combat pain. However, the drug is very addictive, and patients should be under the care of a doctor while taking it. This is because medical professionals are trained to recognize the warning signs of an addiction. This article will review some important information about Fentanyl.

Signs of Abuse

Fentanyl is an opiate, so it latches on to the body’s opiate receptors. Dopamine production is increased. Dopamine can be found in the brain and it has an impact on motivation, behavior and movement.

It can be hard to tell when a person is abusing Fentanyl. However, there are certain things to look out for, and if you are diligent, you may be able to recognize the signs of addiction long after the user has become tolerant to the drug. For example, look at the addict’s eyes. When the person is abusing Fentanyl, the pupils will be very small, even when it is dark.

In addition, the drug causes the user to be so relaxed that they may fall asleep at the drop of a hat. For instance, you may be talking to the person and watch as they simply nod off right in front of you. Since most people do not do this, you can usually conclude that something may be wrong.

Some users experience extreme happiness after taken Fentanyl. However, this is not true for everyone that takes the drug, so it depends on the individual person. The happiness the user feels does (of course) subside after a while, and then they get cranky until they are able to take more of the drug. Some users recognize that what they are doing is wrong, and they then begin to contemplate suicide as a result.

What Does Fentanyl Abuse Look Like?

Abusers act in a myriad of ways while under the influence of the drug. However, one of the largest changes observers will notice is that the user engages in drug-seeking behavior. They may try and alter a prescription, for example, in order to get more of their drug. They could jump from doctor to doctor in an attempt to get as much of the drug as possible. In addition, Fentanyl users typically start to under-perform at school or at work. They may pull away from their loved ones. Finally, they may lack interest in doing normal, every day tasks.

Opiate addiction and Fentanyl abuse in Calgary, Alberta and Vancouver, BC

What Happens During Withdrawal?

Users that are addicted to Fentanyl will have to deal with withdrawal when they stop taking the drug. These symptoms often show up shortly after the final dose is taken. The user may start to sweat, feel nauseous, have cramps, experience diarrhea and become agitated. They may also throw up, twitch, or have chills. In addition, the user typically experiences a strong urge to get more drugs.

Options Okanagan Drug And Fentanyl Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Fentanyl Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Fentanyl Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Fentanyl Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Opening A Safe Drug Injection Site Being Considered By Interior Health In Kelowna, BC – Options Okanagan

Opening a safe drug injection site in Kelowna being considered by Interior Health

A drug treatment center director in Kelowna is praising the recent announcement that Interior Health is currently conducting feasibility studies regarding opening a safe-injection site to operate in the Okanagan.

Fentanyl Injection Kits for Opiate addiction and Fentanyl abuse and addiction in Vancouver, BC

A safe-injection site provides intravenous drug users with a safe, secure environment in which to inject drugs. While Interior Health has stated that it has no plans to open such a facility at present, it has taken the first steps towards exploring such an option.

According to a statement from Interior Health’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Trevor Cornell, safe-injection sites present a valuable tool for mitigating the risks to which substance abuse sufferers are exposed to. Safe sites for use also provide an excellent venue for substance users to connect with services offering treatment.

At the Options Okanagan Treatment Center, program director Doug Mackenzie said that a safe-injection site would be particularly helpful given the recent spate of fatalities coming from drugs laced with fentanyl.

Problems tend to make up the majority of the information flow about substance abuse, according to Mackenzie. Solutions should also be part of the discussion. He said it’s very clear that Canada faces a nationwide epidemic. He also noted that he had personally heard of three deaths involving fentanyl over the past month.

Insite, located in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver in 2002, is the paradigm for the safe-injection site concept.

The centre has not been free of controversy, but it received support in the form of a legal exemption from the Supreme Court to continue its operations in 2011. Thanks to the exemption, neither users nor centre employees will not suffer any legal penalties due to the use of illegal drugs on the centre’s premises.

According to the court’s reasoning for the exemption, Insite had established a positive record for saving lives without encouraging any rise in crime or drug use in the area around it.

Mackenzie said a major part of the opposition to safe-injection sites is the classic “not in my backyard” syndrome. Even when faced with evidence of such sites’ value, nearby residents may be leery about such programs operating in close proximity to their families.

The Conservative government passed the Respect for Communities Act last year, which posed several new restrictions for injection sites to overcome.

Vancouver Coastal Health, the body which operates Insite, said when Act was passed was effectively a ban on new safe-injection sites. Health Canada was able to gain approval for opening a second site in Vancouver recently thanks to support from the new Liberal government.

According to Mackenzie, injection drugs are getting used in his area regardless of their legal status. He sees no reason to prevent responsible people from monitoring the activity and addressing it directly.

 

Options Okanagan Drug And Fentanyl Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Fentanyl Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Fentanyl Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Fentanyl Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Treatment For Fentanyl Abuse And Fentanyl Kills In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Treatment For Fentanyl Abuse and the addiction to Fentanyl is a Major DEADLYdrug issue in 2016 in Vancouver and other parts of BC by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug addiction and recovery.

If you or someone that you know has been abusing Fentanyl, you should know that the symptoms of withdrawal can be both unpleasant and uncomfortable. This is what makes treating the addiction so difficult for so many people.

According to the Police, today three people a woman in her twenties, a man of 24 and another man of 35 died of Fentanyl overdoses.

With the first step, a patient must go through a detox program to help the body get rid of the drug. However, this is a step that should be done through an addiction treatment center or some sort of rehabilitation facility to make sure that it is safe. This process will include a number of medical techniques that will allow the user to hopefully eliminate the addiction.

The treatment plan will have to address social, behavioral and psychological aspects in order for the detoxification profess to be a success. To do so, there needs to be a combination of counseling sessions and a variety of proven therapies to help the patient work through their addiction step by step.

Opiate addiction and Fentanyl abuse in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta

Fentanyl KILLS Headlines In Local Newspapers

Programs for Fentanyl abuse will start off with a patient evaluation that helps to establish the severity of the addiction and what side effects may have already had an impact on the body. Some centers will work to stabilize the patient by administering the medications that will help to cut back on the mental and physical symptoms. Substitute therapies are a great way of starting such a plan, which may include drugs like Subutex or Suboxone.

There is a fine line that has to be taken into consideration as these drugs can also lead to an addiction if not careful. This is why it is recommended that such a detoxification process be carefully monitored by a medical professional to ensure the safety and best interests of the patient at all times.

Natural detoxification methods can be a bit more difficult to handle, however there are not that many adverse side effects. This will usually include natural remedies and herbals that will target the withdrawal effects of the Fentanyl. During this time, it may be necessary for the patient to rink plenty of fluids for flushing toxins and keeping the body hydrated.

 

Opiate addiction and Fentanyl abuse in Vancouver, BC

Call for information 1-855-335-0331

No matter which detoxification process is used, the goal overall is to make sure that the addict has the tools and platform to eliminate Fentanyl abuse.

Options Okanagan Fentanyl and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Men and Women Living with Fentanyl Addiction in Vancouver, BC

Our unique and distinctive Fentanyl Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Vancouver, Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and BC for Opiate addiction treatment, Fentanyl drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Fentanyl Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331