The term “withdrawal” related to drugs and alcohol is most often associated with heroin or other powerful opioid medications. The physical reactions that a person experience’s when they are unable to use a substance that causes physical dependency, such as heroin or fentanyl, or OxyContin. Withdrawal, or drug withdrawal syndrome or substance withdrawal syndrome, is the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in the intake of certain substances, which can be used medicinally or recreationally. As an example, if a regular user of heroin abruptly stops using heroin, they begin to have both physical and mental symptoms, such as hot and cold sweats, muscle aches, and anxiety. Almost all drugs and alcohol, when [...]

Many people make New Year’s resolutions. A resolution in the New Year can provide clarity for goals, create hope for positive change, set expectations for what someone wants for themselves in the future, can bring joy and make a person feel good, or can provide an important fresh start. For someone suffering in active addiction, who most likely has made numerous resolutions about finding sobriety but never a firm decision followed by vital action, making a New Year’s resolution to find recovery may feel overwhelming or even pointless.  However, finding sobriety as a New Year’s resolution makes a lot of sense, for all the reasons described above that resolutions are important as the year ends and a new one begins. [...]

When we think about addiction treatment and drug detox, most often we think in terms of a single drug or a person's “drug of choice”. But the reality is that most people grappling with a substance use disorder are using more than one substance when they enter detox.  This article from Innovo Detox takes a look at polysubstance abuse and the impact that combining different drugs and alcohol can have on the detox and recovery process.  What is Polysubstance Abuse and What Does it Look Like? Polysubstance abuse refers to the misuse of more than one drug or type of drug (including alcohol) within a certain period. The term is derived from the prefix "poly-" meaning "many”. The phenomenon of [...]

With Thanksgiving recently passing, currently celebrating Hanukkah, and Christmas and New Year’s quickly approaching, the holiday season is filled with excitement, joy, and promise of a festive few weeks and a new year to come. However, for many people, the holiday season can also be synonymous with excesses and indulgence, especially related to alcohol or drugs. Families also can feel stress during the holiday season, preparing to deal with a loved one’s addiction or alcoholism. Embracing a Sober Approach to the Holiday On a more positive note, in recent years there has been a growing movement towards embracing sobriety during the holidays, with trends like “Sober October” or “Dry January” getting popular, and more people seeking sobriety. This often is [...]

We are excited to announce the addition of Julie Vance, CRNP, to the Innovo Detox staff as a new Nurse Practitioner. Julie will join our medical team, consisting of Medical Director and psychiatrist Dr. Alok Saharan, M.D, Director of Nursing Leah Christman, RN, Nurse Practitioner Philip Walters, CRNP, and our nursing staff of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in delivering the highest quality of comprehensive medical care for our patients in detox, extended medical stabilization, and addiction treatment. Julie was in school as a nursing student at Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University, before becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. She then went on receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating Cum Laude, from York [...]

Family praying holding hands at Thanksgiving table. Flat-lay of feasting peoples hands over Friendsgiving table with Autumn food, candles, roasted turkey and pumpkin pie over wooden table, top view During this time of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it is always important to take some time to look at gratitude. Ironically, gratitude is not something that is often discussed or identified by individuals in active addiction, but it is almost always something shared by those that have found recovery. Find Gratitude from Addiction Seeking or finding gratitude while dealing with addiction can be challenging. People in active addiction typically look at the negative, seeing themselves as victims of unfair circumstances or feeling that life isn’t fair. However, finding [...]

Most people think of only the medical portion of a drug and alcohol detox. An individual suffering from addiction or substance use disorder will often look at detox as the process of getting through withdrawal symptoms and becoming physically free of substances, and therefore will admit into a drug and alcohol detox facility for the medical care, support, and necessary detox medications. Why Counseling and Therapy After a Detox is Vital for Patients There is no question that 24/7 medical care and support from doctors and nurses is key to creating a safe, supportive, comfortable environment in order to detox from drugs and alcohol, and having medical supervision to administer medications absolutely aids in a safer, more comfortable environment. However, [...]

What Should I Know About Delta-8 THC and Other THC-Derivative Products? Delta-8 THC is part of a wave of THC derivatives that have hit the market recently. The primary motive behind The most important thing you should know about Delta-8 THC and similar products is that they are not the same as the naturally occurring Delta-9 THC found in marijuana.  Products like Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC were primarily developed to work around federal and state laws prohibiting or restricting the sale of marijuana and products containing Delta-9 THC. These chemicals are different enough at the molecular level to be considered something other than the active ingredient in marijuana. The sharp increase in Delta-8 THC use has led to many [...]

Often known on the streets at “Tranq”, Xylazine is a powerful sedative drug approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in veterinary use. A sedative, anesthetic, tranquilizer, muscle relaxant, and analgesic, Xylazine is used by veterinarians in surgical procedures, diagnostic testing, and safe handling for animals. The drug Xylazine is not approved by the FDA for use in humans. However, as is the case with many drugs that become available for recreational use on the streets, Xylazine has become widely available for street use, especially in certain pockets around the country such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is being used as a drug both alone and also in illicit drug mixtures similarly to fentanyl, meaning that Xylazine [...]

The misuse of drugs and alcohol is a prevalent issue in today’s society, especially with the increased mental health challenges Americans have been facing since the beginning of COVID-19. Using substances often carries serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities. The use of drugs and alcohol is often described using various terms, some of the more known or popular being “drug addiction”, “substance use disorder”, “drug misuse”, and “drug abuse.” Each of them represents distinct issues and stages of problematic substance use. First, it is important to look at the term “drug abuse.” This is a commonly used term by people, although like the term “addict”, it carries with it a heavy stigma. Throughout informed or educated individuals that work [...]

Adderall is a prescription that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. A combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are two central nervous system stimulants, Adderall is often prescribed to treat both children and adults that are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.) It can also be prescribed to treat patients that have narcolepsy. Most individuals use Adderall because it helps them stay focused, complete tasks, or combat the symptoms of ADHD. ADHD is often demonstrated by behaviors that include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and includes symptoms such as: Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet settings Being unable to concentrate on tasks or activities Constantly fidgeting Excessive talking Excessive physical movement [...]