In New Hampshire, there has been a rising concern over lean addiction, which has prompted rehab facilities, like the Live Free Recovery Services, to gear their efforts towards implementing functional and well-structured individualized treatment plans for those who are suffering from this type of substance abuse.
This post explores the dangers and risks related to lean addiction and some of the most effective treatment programs available in the Granite State.
Table of Contents
What Is Lean Addiction?
Lean, also called Purple Drank, Sizzurp, or Dirty Sprite, is an addictive blend of prescription cough syrup, soda, and sometimes hard candy for added flavor. Its addictive properties come from the combination of codeine and promethazine in the cough syrup.
These chemicals can cause euphoria, sedation, and a dissociative state when consumed for prolonged periods and in large quantities. Nevertheless, the allure of the syrup’s euphoric effects has led to an alarming rise in lean addiction in the US, particularly among young adults in New Hampshire.
The impact this type of substance use has on both individuals and the community is overwhelming. It can result in severe health consequences, create a strain on healthcare resources, as well as social disruption.
The Side Effects of Lean Addiction
Lean addiction has been associated with severe side effects that can have significant impacts on both physical and mental health. These effects tend to be immediate but vary in duration depending on the individual’s unique circumstances.
Some of these side effects include the following:
- Physical health effects: The physical health issues related to lean addiction include non-life-threatening conditions like dental decay, urinary tract infections, and weight gain as well as severe disorders, such as respiratory depression, liver damage, and brain lesions.
- Mental health effects: Prolonged consumption of lean may cause individuals to experience memory loss, cognitive decline, and, in severe cases, even psychosis.
- Hormonal imbalances: Lean addiction can disrupt the endocrine system, leading to hormonal imbalances, which may lead to reduced testosterone levels in men and difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. It can also cause menstrual irregularities in women as well as decreased libido.
- Addiction and dependence: As an addictive beverage, lean contains opioids, particularly codeine, which, over time, can lead to physical dependence and ultimately addiction. Then, when the individual attempts to stop using, it can result in severe withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, muscle aches, anxiety, and agitation.
- Increased risk of overdose: With long-term use of lean, individuals feel they need to increase the dose to achieve the same effect. This eventually leads to an increased risk of overdose, which can put them in potentially risky life-threatening situations.
Treatment Options for Lean Addiction in New Hampshire
There are two Live Free Recovery Services in New Hampshire. One is located in Manchester while the second one is in Keene. Both rehab facilities have one aim in mind: “to help men and women recover from chronic drug…addiction.”
With the help of their qualified and nurturing staff along with their treatment programs and tailored therapy plans, Live Free Recovery Services focuses on restoring “well-being, peace, and contentment” for their clients. Their multi-faceted approach to recovery ensures that individuals embark on a successful drug-free journey and maintain their sobriety as they gradually begin to integrate into their daily routines.
Programs
Below is a rundown of the most effective treatment programs available at New Hampshire’s Live Free Recovery Services.
Inpatient
The inpatient treatment program, also known as the residential program, is designed to help people suffering from lean addiction overcome their dependence in a safe and controlled environment. Once they feel powerful enough to break free from the cycle of addiction, they can start learning the valuable skills they need to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
It’s recommended that those who complete the inpatient program continue receiving support via outpatient and aftercare programs. This continuum of care can help reduce the risk of relapse once they leave the residential setup.
Outpatient
There are two kinds of outpatient programs available at Live Free Recovery Services. The first is called the intensive outpatient program (IOP).
IOP is designed for those suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders simultaneously. The way IOP works is that individuals attend specialized therapy sessions and counseling for 3–4 hours a day several days a week. This flexible schedule allows individuals to access the care and support they need from healthcare providers, yet still be able to continue going to school or work and keep up with their daily responsibilities.
The second type is the standard outpatient rehab. It also encompasses a wide range of evidence-based addiction and mental health services at a more flexible schedule than its intensive counterpart. Typically, individuals are asked to attend two hours of counseling and therapy sessions each day only once or twice a week.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Those battling with substance abuse and mental health issues are diagnosed as suffering from a ‘dual diagnosis.’
To help individuals with this condition, Live Free Recovery Services offers a dual-diagnosis treatment program. In addition to providing individualized support, this comprehensive treatment program utilizes evidence-based care in an effort to ensure lasting recovery.
This type of treatment includes:
- Specialists qualified in treating both substance abuse and mental health issues
- Psychotherapy treatment
- Individualized therapy
- Family therapy
Medication-Assisted Treatment
The medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program integrates prescription medication, such as acamprosate and disulfiram, with behavioral therapies and mental health counseling. This combination aims to develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan to help individuals overcome their lean addiction and live a drug-free life.
MAT programs are considered a highly effective treatment option for treating opioid addiction. They’re often used collectively with traditional mental health treatment programs, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychotherapy.
Therapies
Here are the five therapies available at New Hampshire’s Live Free Recovery Services.
Detox Treatment
Almost every individual who struggles with drug abuse needs to go through a period of detox. During this time, the body and brain will re-learn how to function without getting the chemical substance they’d been used to.
Yet, when an individual misses a dose, they’ll begin to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which is why many people are unable to quit using on their own.
That’s why the best thing to do is to detox in a structured environment with the right type of medical supervision and round-the-clock care.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT, aka cognitive-behavioral therapy, was first practiced by Aaron Beck in the 1970s. Considered a type of short-term treatment, CBT highlights thought patterns that negatively affect your overall behavior and works to modify them.
Therapists then begin a step-by-step guide to allow individuals to reshape their harmful patterns. Over time, this helps them develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving, which reduces the risk of relapse.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of treatment approach designed to boost distress tolerance, regulate emotions, and enhance mindfulness. It consists of four modules that work together to teach individuals the skills they’ll need to become emotionally resilient and achieve long-term sobriety.
The four main modules of DBT are:
- Emotional regulation: Allows individuals to understand their emotions and differentiate between them, then ultimately change negative emotions with those that are more positive and fulfilling.
- Mindfulness: The practice of mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment while accepting one’s emotions and thoughts without censoring or condemning anything.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Having good interpersonal skills allows individuals to assert themselves and maintain boundaries while treating others with respect so they can appreciate more positive social connections.
- Distress tolerance: To avoid being dependent on addictive substances like lean, individuals must learn how to develop healthy coping mechanisms that help minimize the impact of traumatic events, unfavorable external factors, and negative thoughts.
Family Therapy
As the name suggests, family therapy relies on the one constant that most individuals can depend on when struggling with a debilitating condition like addiction: family.
Family support has been proven to be one of the most crucial factors in guaranteeing long-term success because as the staff at Life Free Recovery Services believes, “rehab is a team effort.” So, it makes sense that family counseling plays a vital role in the recovery of not just the individual, but also in the recovery of the whole family.
Group and Individual Therapy
Group and individual therapies have been proven to be useful and informative recovery tools to help those battling their addiction.
In group therapy, people suffering from substance abuse get together, along with a certified therapist, to share experiences, develop coping skills, and discuss their recovery journey. It often involves activities that help individuals gain insight into addiction while motivating positive changes in behavior and thought patterns.
Individual therapy, on the other hand, is conducted in one-on-one sessions that are more intimate than those carried out in a group environment. Yet, the two work in tandem to complement one another and provide individuals with a deeper dive into possible factors that led to their addiction.
In individual therapy, clients feel that they’re in a safe space where they can share their thoughts and emotions without fear of being judged or criticized.
Conclusion
To sum up, addressing lean addiction in New Hampshire depends on a comprehensive approach because of the way it impacts not just young adults but families and communities as a whole.
Treatment programs for this type of substance abuse are typically tailored to the individual’s needs and unique circumstances. Yet, they generally consist of medical detox, behavioral therapy, as well as individual, family, and group counseling sessions. They also focus on co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis designed to mitigate the impact of lean addiction, ensure long-term sobriety, and provide hope for the future.
Published on: 2024-05-07
Updated on: 2024-06-26