Alcohol Blog Posts

Some strong painkillers can be potentially harmful and addictive, especially when they are misused. You might be aware of what has been termed an ‘epidemic’ of fentanyl abuse in the US, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reporting that fentanyl has been the main driver of drug overdose deaths in the country, with a more than 7.5-fold increase in just seven years

The UK government, meanwhile, warns that opioid medicines including codeine and co-codamol, tramadol, fentanyl and morphine all pose a serious risk of addiction, especially with long-term use

But what about other types of painkillers? Is ibuprofen addictive and can it be potentially harmful?

What is Ibuprofen and How Does It Work?

Ibuprofen is a commonly used over-the-counter painkiller and, along with paracetamol, a staple of most medicine cabinets in the UK. It is classed as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is used as an everyday painkiller for a range of complaints including back pain, period pain, toothache and symptoms of colds, flu or coronavirus (COVID-19). The anti-inflammatory properties also make ibuprofen useful for treating sprains, strains, swellings and pain from arthritis

Ibuprofen can come in several different forms including pills, tablets or a liquid you swallow, as well as a gel, mousse or spray that you rub into your skin. It can also sometimes be delivered intravenously – although generally only at a hospital and under direct medical supervision. It can also be found as an ingredient in some cold and flu remedies, or combined with other painkillers. Brand names include Nurofen, Brufen, Calprofen, Fenbid, Ibugel and Ibuleve.

In technical terms, ibuprofen works by blocking the effect of chemicals called COX (cyclo-oxygenase) enzymes. These enzymes help make hormone-like chemicals known as prostaglandins, which are produced at sites of injury or damage in the body and cause pain and swelling. By blocking the COX enzymes, ibuprofen can reduce the production of prostaglandins, which also reduces pain and swelling.

Can Ibuprofen Be Addictive?

So can you get addicted to ibuprofen? The answer to that may depend on your definition of addiction.

The manufacturers of Advil, a US brand of ibuprofen, point out that the drug is not an opioid and say: “[It] is not habit forming, and it does not demonstrate addictive properties. Studies show that ibuprofen primarily works in the body (peripherally active), and not in the brain (not centrally active).”

It may also be the case that the body does not generally build up a tolerance to ibuprofen, so a regular user will not need larger doses for the same effect. Also, there are usually no withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using it.

However, many common definitions of addiction also involves psychological as well as physical symptoms. The American Society of Addiction Medicine, for example, says that addiction is “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences”. Crucially, it adds: “People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”

This second part means that compulsive behaviours such as gambling and overeating can also be seen as types of addiction. If a person becomes used to taking ibuprofen, they may develop a psychological dependence on the drug. They may continue to use it for longer than they should, take it in larger doses or to continue to take it even if the original pain or inflammation has been resolved.

One study described a HIV patient’s “moderate substance use disorder” based on her use of prescribed ibuprofen. While acknowledging that this was a rare case, the case report found that the patient met four of 11 symptoms for a substance use disorder as set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

These were:

Developing a tolerance to ibuprofen

Using more ibuprofen than was prescribed or intended

Tried but failed to stop using ibuprofen

Strong desire to take ibuprofen

Interestingly, in this case the patient did report developing a tolerance, suggesting that this may be the case for some users.

The Risks of Overuse and Long-Term Ibuprofen Use

Over-the-counter painkillers addiction may be rare but ibuprofen misuse and overuse can still be potentially harmful.

As with all medicines, ibuprofen can cause a number of potential side effects. Relatively common side effects of ibuprofen include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Indigestion

Abdominal pain

Less common side effects include:

Headache or dizziness

Bloating

Raised blood pressure

Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)

Stomach ulcer

Allergic reactions

Worsening of asthma symptoms

Kidney failure

Bleeding in the stomach

It is possible to overdose on ibuprofen. This can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain (pain in the upper abdomen), and tinnitus or ringing in the ears.

It’s recommended that ibuprofen use should be avoided during pregnancy.

Some research has suggested a link between long-term use of NSAIDs including ibuprofen and gastrointestinal (GI) reactions including gastrointestinal bleeding and peptic ulcer disease. Other medications may be prescribed to protect the stomach if long-term use of ibuprofen is also prescribed.

In general, it is advised not to take ibuprofen for more than 10 days for pain or more than 3 days for fever unless directed by a doctor.

How to Use Ibuprofen Safely

You should only ever use ibuprofen as directed. This means that if you buy it over the counter for use without a prescription, you should follow the guidelines provided with the medicine – either on the packet or in an accompanying leaflet. If directed to use ibuprofen by a medical professional, make sure you follow their instructions. This could pertain to dosage, length of use and how/when to take the ibuprofen.

If you are worried about your use of ibuprofen or any other drug, including stronger prescription medications, it is always best to seek professional help. While addiction to ibuprofen is rare, dependence on other types of painkiller can be much more common.

If you have any issues with medication addiction or misuse, get in touch today to find out how we can help.

1 https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates

2 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/opioid-medicines-and-the-risk-of-addiction

3 https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-adults/about-ibuprofen-for-adults/

4 https://www.pharmgkb.org/pathway/PA166121942

5 https://www.advil.com/faqs-en/advil-pain/

6 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161071

7 https://www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction

8 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5370578/

9 https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/types-of-medicine/ibuprofen/

10 https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ibuprofen/

11 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8256335/

12 https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/nsaids/ibuprofen-over-the-counter

Can You Get Addicted to Ibuprofen?

November 1st, 2024

by Rehab Directory

Approaching somebody with an alcohol addiction is never easy, whether it is suspected or certain. It is a delicate situation that requires caution. So, how can you get help with addiction for somebody you know, love, or care for? Discover our advice below.

How Do You Know If It’s an Alcohol Addiction?

To understand if it is indeed an alcohol addiction, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse. There are a few things to know. Firstly, there are typically 3 pillars of addictive symptoms.

This includes behavioural symptoms, physical symptoms and psychological symptoms. Although addiction is a personal experience and it can look different depending on the person, these symptoms commonly present as the following:

Common Physical Signs of Alcoholism

Presenting withdrawals when alcohol starts to wear off. This can look like shaking, tremors, sweating, appearing agitated and so on.
Change in appearance due to neglect.
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Common Behavioural Signs of Alcoholism

Inability to control feelings and urges to drink.
Neglecting self-care and responsibilities.
Withdrawing from loved ones.
Continuation of drinking even when it is clearly debilitating.

Common Psychological Signs of Alcoholism

Cravings for alcohol and difficulty taking their mind off alcohol.
Depression and anxiety.
Development of psychological disorders.
Denial that there is a problem.

If you’re seeing these kinds of behaviours, it is beneficial to understand how to help an alcoholic and begin the process of helping them find treatment.

How to Approach Somebody with Alcohol Addiction

Confronting the fact that help for alcohol addiction may be necessary is never easy, especially when you’re dealing with a loved one. But it’s also hard to watch and see them suffer, slowly becoming a person you just don’t recognise anymore. But if your loved one is clearly struggling and needs help, the best and most productive thing you can do in this situation is help them find the support they need.

All that being said, it is expected that there may be some instances in which they are difficult to approach. If this is the case, we suggest approaching with sympathy, compassion and understanding.

Some things to keep in mind when approaching somebody that you suspect is suffering from alcoholism include:

Think about the time and place: Grant them privacy and dignity so they don’t feel attacked.
Try not to let your emotions get the best of you: Avoid raising your voice, even if you feel upset and angry.
Talk about how you can help and be encouraging: Don’t give them an ultimatum, e.g. it is me or the alcohol.
Be patient. It may take more than just one intervention: Don’t expect them to feel ready to give up alcohol after one conversation. It could take weeks or months to see treatment in action.

What Kind of Help Is Available for Those with Alcoholism?

Alcohol addiction is treated best with rehabilitation. Addiction treatment isn’t easy, but with the right treatment plan, it is possible to become sober once again.

So how can you help as somebody looking in from the outside?

The first is to intervene using the aforementioned techniques. Think about how you’re going to approach the situation and do so with caution. If you need to set up an intervention, do so with the right people who are close to them and who understand the situation at hand.

This is going to ensure that the person suffering from the addiction doesn’t feel bombarded with opinions. An intervention is to help ease them into treatment; it helps them feel less in denial about their situation.

Avoid allowing it to escalate into anything more than a conversation. It should be calm and helpful, so think about appointing a mediator to keep it on track, as emotions are bound to be high. Have an end goal. In this instance, it would be getting them into rehab.

Inpatient and Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Support

The options for rehab include outpatient and inpatient treatment.

Outpatient treatment means that those who require treatment can get it alongside their daily life.

This can arguably be a little more difficult for those who have more intense alcohol addictions, as there is the temptation to continue drinking when there is no requirement for total abstinence from alcohol.

The other and arguably more effective option is inpatient addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment allows for total abstinence from alcohol in a rehab centre with a personalised addiction treatment plan. Due to the sheer difference in treatment intensity, it is of course, more likely to see higher recovery rates from an inpatient facility.

Ultimately, there is no ‘correct’ way of recovery. It is subjective to each and every individual and what is suitable for the addiction at hand. It is important to get to know the addiction on a deeper level and then agree on the best course of action.

The Dos and Don’ts of Helping Somebody with Alcohol Addiction

There are some things to keep in mind when helping somebody with an alcohol addiction. As a rule of thumb, keep in mind these dos and don’ts before approaching somebody you know with alcohol addiction.

Be kind and empathetic
Be honest but not harsh
Let them know you’re here to help
Come with solutions

DON’T

Don’t Drink around them
Don’t give them money for alcohol
Don’t be aggressive
Don’t tell them what to do, suggest instead

Find Support For Alcohol Addiction Today

It isn’t easy watching loved ones suffer, but there is help available – and we can help you find it. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, so contact us today to find out more about how we can help.

How Can I Help Someone With Alcohol Addiction?

Approaching somebody with an alcohol addiction is never easy, whether it is suspected or certain. It is a delicate situation…

June 7th, 2024

by Rehab Directory

Alcohol is a substance that is often consumed socially, but its addictive nature is a serious worry. For many, alcohol can become a problem.

But why is alcohol addictive? What is it about this substance that causes some individuals to develop a dependence on it? Find out what you need to know in this article.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?

When we drink alcohol, it travels through our bloodstream to our brain, which can change the way we feel, think, and behave.

Alcohol affects chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. These chemicals help send messages between nerve cells – and one important neurotransmitter is dopamine.

Alcohol Addiction and Dopamine

Dopamine is a chemical that makes you feel good. When you do something enjoyable, like eating your favourite food or spending time with people you care about, your brain releases dopamine. This makes you want to do the activity again. Alcohol has the power to increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, making you feel happy and relaxed.

However, too much alcohol can change how your brain works. Over time, your brain gets used to the extra dopamine. This means you need to drink more alcohol to get the same good feeling. This is one reason why people become addicted to alcohol.

Other Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Alcohol doesn’t just affect dopamine. It also affects other neurotransmitters, such as GABA and glutamate. GABA is responsible for making you feel calm, and glutamate makes you feel more alert.

Alcohol increases GABA and decreases glutamate, which is why you might feel relaxed and less anxious after drinking. But, with regular use, your brain adjusts. It might produce less GABA and more glutamate, making you actually feel more nervous and irritable without alcohol. This balance shift makes you crave alcohol to feel normal again.

Alcohol Addiction: Tolerance vs. Dependence

As you drink more alcohol, your body builds a tolerance. This means you need to drink more to feel the same effects. For example, if you used to feel relaxed after one glass of wine, you might need two or three glasses to get the same feeling after drinking for a while.

In relation to alcohol dependence, what this means is that – when your body gets used to having alcohol, it can become dependent on it. So, your body will start to feel as though it needs alcohol to feel normal.

If you quit drinking suddenly, you might experience physical symptoms, such as shaking, feeling sick or sweating, as well as a range of psychological symptoms, which commonly include feeling stressed, sad, and anxious. This is called alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are very unpleasant and make it hard to stop drinking, and they can also be quite dangerous, depending on the person and the severity of the addiction.

Alcohol can also cause psychological dependence. So, similar to a physical dependency, you’ll start to feel like you need some level of alcohol consumption within your daily routine to cope with everyday life. You might drink to feel more confident, to relax after a hard day, or as a way of coping with problems you’re going through. Over time, you might believe you can’t handle these situations without alcohol.

Are Some People More Prone to Developing Alcohol Addiction?

Not everyone who drinks alcohol becomes addicted to alcohol, but there are certain factors that mean that someone may be more likely to develop an addiction in the future. These include genetics, mental health, and environment.

Genetics

Some people are more prone to alcohol addiction due to their genetic makeup. For example, if you have a family member who struggles with alcohol addiction, your risk might be higher. Various research studies have shown this to be the case, as our genes can influence how your brain reacts to alcohol and how quickly you develop a tolerance.

Mental Health

Living with a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, can also heighten the risk of addiction. This is because research has shown that individuals with these conditions may turn to alcohol to improve their mood or as a form of escapism because of the emotional pain or numbness they are experiencing, but this can eventually lead to dependency.

Environmental Factors

Your surroundings can also significantly impact your likelihood of developing an alcohol addiction. For example, growing up in a household where heavy drinking is frequent and normalised can increase your chances of drinking.

Additionally, peer pressure to engage in binge drinking in social situations can also greatly influence your drinking habits, leading to both a physical and psychological addiction. Studies have also shown that even the price of alcohol can influence an individual to become dependent. If it’s cheaper to purchase, it increases the risk of engaging in alcohol abuse, which increases the chances of developing an addiction.

The Impact of Alcohol Addiction

Living in active addiction and drinking too much alcohol over a long time can seriously impact your body. Your liver takes a big hit, and you could end up developing liver cirrhosis, which is an extremely dangerous condition.

Alcohol addiction has also been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. It also affects your brain, causing memory problems and increasing the chance of mental health issues. Plus, alcohol weakens your immune system, so you get ill more easily.

Alcohol Addiction’s Impact on Day-to-Day Life and Relationships

Aside from the physical effects of alcohol dependency, day-to-day life and responsibilities become harder to maintain, but sometimes it’s not easy to spot.

For example, someone who is living with functioning alcoholism may not present as someone who has an issue with alcohol abuse, but in private, they will be battling with a constant craving, often finding ways to incorporate consuming alcohol into their day-to-day without others suspecting a thing.

If the addiction is overt, it can really strain your relationships with the people you care about. It can lead to constant arguments and breakdowns of trust.

Your family and friends might feel hurt and frustrated because of your drinking habits, and they might not understand that it’s a disease, not a choice, at first. Financial problems can also pile up, as money might get spent on alcohol instead of important things. All this stress can create a lot of emotional pain for everyone involved.

Socially, someone who is living in active addiction might also pull away from friends, family and activities they once enjoyed, especially if they don’t involve drinking.

Find Support for Alcohol Addiction Today

Alcohol addiction is a complex problem, and no experience with addiction is the same. But understanding how it works can help you take the first steps towards recovery.

It’s important to remember that if you’re struggling with your alcohol – you are not alone. Our team have helped many people find the support they need, and have overcome addiction. With the right support, you can too.

Why is Alcohol Addictive?

Alcohol is a substance that is often consumed socially, but its addictive nature is a serious worry. For many, alcohol…

June 3rd, 2024

by Rehab Directory

You wake up on a Sunday morning, your head is hurting from drinking too much alcohol and again, you can’t remember what happened the night before. Does this sound like a regular occurrence to you? Blacking out after drinking alcohol is a major sign of excessive alcohol consumption and can be dangerous for both your body and your mind, causing serious long-term effects for your overall health and wellbeing.

What is the definition of a Blackout?

The phrase ‘blackout’ is used to refer to a temporary loss of memory, where an individual is unable to remember what happened over a period of time. It is usually mentioned when referring to alcohol activities and is caused as a result of over alcohol consumption.

How Long Does a Blackout Last?

The duration of alcohol blackouts can vary, depending on the individual and the amount of alcohol that they consumed. It can last from hours up to days, but this can depend on a number of factors affecting the duration.

What are the Causes of Blackouts?

It’s no secret that the one main cause of alcohol blackouts is…alcohol consumption, however there are other factors that can affect blackouts from occurring and the intensity or duration of the alcohol blackouts.

When a person drinks a certain amount of alcohol, the body is unable to store memories in the brain so the more a person drinks, then the longer their alcohol blackout is likely to last.

It’s common for individuals suffering with an alcohol addiction to experience blackouts and prolonged periods of memory loss due to the regular misuse of alcohol.

Factors affecting the cause of blackouts

Alcohol affects everyone differently, as we are all wired differently and have different tolerances to alcohol. Factors that can change the effects of alcohol are:

The amount of alcohol consumed
The weight of the individual
The individual’s physiology
How much the person has eaten that day

The Link Between Alcohol Addiction and Blackouts

It’s common for individuals suffering with an alcohol addiction to experience blackouts and prolonged periods of memory loss due to over consumption.

How to Prevent Blackouts from Happening

There are preventions that you can put in place to stop blackouts from occurring and putting yourself at risk of causing harm to your body. This includes:

Monitoring how much alcohol you drink
Eating a large meal before drinking
Drinking water between alcoholic drinks
Have a night off and give your body a rest from alcohol!

What are the Health Impacts of Blackouts?

Over consuming alcohol and causing temporary mental blackouts can impact an individual, causing effects on both their body and their mind including:

Vomiting
Dry mouth
Diarrhoea
Headaches
Delayed reactions
Slurred speech

If experiencing regular blackouts, then there can be detrimental long-term effects. Alcohol misuse over months and years can cause damage to the frontal lobe of the brain, causing long term memory loss, and altering their ability to perform activities and decision making.

Why Do I Blackout After Drinking?

You wake up on a Sunday morning, your head is hurting from drinking too much alcohol and again, you can’t…

February 21st, 2024

by Rehab Directory

There are many ways to decide if a rehabilitation centre is appropriate and the Care Quality Commission report can be a great place to start. CQC is the Care Quality Commission which monitor, inspect and regulate social care services and providers like; GPs, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and care homes. All inspections are performed by highly trained experts who create a report which is graded as either, outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

What Is The Purpose Of The Care Quality Commission?

Their purpose and values are to make sure people are receiving effective, compassionate, high-quality care. And they strive for excellence, care, integrity and teamwork, which is particularly important when selecting a rehabilitation centre. Most rehabilitation providers will share their latest report and results on their websites or can provide you with the full report if you ask for it.

What Does The CQC Report Cover?

The report will cover everything they check during the inspection. The CQC make sure that all patients are treated with respect and care at every stage of treatment. They also check the quantity and quality of any food and drink and all the facilities and equipment are well maintained. The CQC are aware that there may be issues from time to time, so the report also covers how any complaints are handled and how they continuously have plans to maintain high levels of care. They also check the quantity and quality of all the staff.

Why Are CQC Reports So Beneficial?

Care Quality Commission reports are so beneficial when choosing a rehabilitation centre because it is an unbiased evaluation of service providers. And because the providers are continuously inspected you know the care you will be receiving is the care reflected in the report. We know it could feel overwhelming reading a full report for every rehabilitation centre you are considering but thankfully any centres that have a CQC rating will normally display it clearly; like the traffic light system below. The rating will be displayed in any waiting areas or communal and service rooms. They must also show their rating on their website. So you will know at a quick glance if you should consider your chosen rehabilitation centre. CQC Ratings

I'm Still Unsure

If you are still unsure about how to pick the right rehabilitation centre contact us and we can talk you through the selection process and begin your recovery journey.

CQC is the Care Quality Commission which monitor, inspect and regulate social care services and providers like; GPs, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and care homes. All inspections are performed by highly trained experts who create a report which is graded as either, outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

What Is The Purpose Of The Care Quality Commission?

Most rehabilitation providers will share their latest report and results on their websites or can provide you with the full report if you ask for it.

What Does The CQC Report Cover?

The CQC are aware that there may be issues from time to time, so the report also covers how any complaints are handled and how they continuously have plans to maintain high levels of care. They also check the quantity and quality of all the staff.

Why Are CQC Reports So Beneficial?

We know it could feel overwhelming reading a full report for every rehabilitation centre you are considering but thankfully any centres that have a CQC rating will normally display it clearly; like the traffic light system below.

The rating will be displayed in any waiting areas or communal and service rooms. They must also show their rating on their website. So you will know at a quick glance if you should consider your chosen rehabilitation centre.

I’m Still Unsure

If you are still unsure about how to pick the right rehabilitation centre contact us and we can talk you through the selection process and begin your recovery journey.

Benefits of Choosing a CQC Registered Rehab Clinic

CQC is the Care Quality Commission which monitor, inspect and regulate social care services and providers like; GPs, hospitals, rehabilitation…

January 20th, 2020

by Rehab Directory