Details Category: Drug addiction Recently, the drug Lyrica has become increasingly widespread. This drug can be freely purchased at almost any pharmacy, and is a remedy for eliminating neuropathic pain.
As a good pain reliever, Lyrica became popular in drug treatment, and then, from the sphere of doctors, it went out onto the streets - to drug addicts.
So what is Lyrica? What harm and consequences does the use of this so-called “pharmacy” drug cause? So…
Drug addiction is a terrible and destructive disease that constantly takes on new forms. And every time drug addicts find new ways to intoxicate themselves. Increasingly, so-called “pharmacy drugs” are being used to obtain a narcotic “high.” These are medicines, the use of which was originally intended for completely different purposes than for obtaining drug intoxication. Not so long ago, a drug called Lyrica became widely used among drug addicts.
Video: “Lyrical” mood is available to everyone
The drug Lyrica is nothing more than a medicine used to combat pain and cramps. To be precise, Pregabalin, also known as Lyrica, is an antiepileptic drug. It is a strong pain reliever.
Lyrica is used in narcology to relieve withdrawal symptoms during withdrawal symptoms and is an auxiliary component in the treatment program. However, while relieving withdrawal symptoms, the use of Lyrica, even in medicinal doses, leads to addiction.
Like any drug, Lyrica is addictive.
The drug Lyrica has become widespread due to the fact that the drug can be purchased in many pharmacies without a prescription. And this despite the fact that on June 1, 2012, a law was passed and over-the-counter sales of the drug were prohibited. However, unscrupulous sellers, in pursuit of easy drug money, turn a blind eye to this ban, in some cases selling death even “under the roof” of law enforcement agencies.
Although Lyrica is not an opioid, it produces similar sensations to heroin. A state of peace, calm, relaxation and well-being arises.
Recently, “lyrical” drug addicts have been practicing the combination of Alcohol + Lyrica tablets. Ethyl alcohol enhances drug intoxication, while causing multiple damage to the addict’s health.
"Lyrica" as a narcotic substance?
In the early stages of the appearance of this drug, many specialized clinics used it as a means of relieving withdrawal symptoms in the treatment of heroin or opium addiction. But this medicine is also highly addictive, not only among drug addicts, but also among ordinary people who use Lyrica for a long time.
This medicinal product belongs to the group of opioids, developed about a decade ago in America. The medicine is available in the form of gelatin capsules. The active substance is pregabalin. The main purpose of using lyrics is to combat epileptic seizures.
If used incorrectly or in excess of dosage, it causes narcotic intoxication and addiction. A person taking this drug experiences sensations similar to heroin. At the moment, the drug is available only with a doctor's prescription. But some unscrupulous pharmacies and pharmacists play the role of drug dealers and continue to sell medicine without restrictions.
Recently, drug addicts have begun to combine alcoholic products with lyrics. Since alcoholic drinks enhance the effect of the drug, which means the intensity of sensations increases. This type of use increases the risk of a critical condition.
How long do drug addicts live?
Much depends on how often and in what quantities Lyrica is used. If the use is episodic, then life expectancy is reduced slightly. If a person is already “deeply hooked” on the drug and takes it in quantities significantly exceeding the recommended therapeutic dosage, then due to irreversible changes in the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, the drug addict lives 20-30 years less than his genetic maximum. In cases of combining pregabalin with other psychoactive substances (especially opioids), it is difficult to talk about any guaranteed life span, since death can occur at any time from respiratory arrest.
Similar drugs
Like any other medicine, Lyrica has its analogues, where the active ingredient is also pregabalin. This component causes intoxicating sensations and addiction. The substance is contained in the following preparations:
- Pregabalin Richter is a drug used in the fight against epilepsy. Release form: gelatin capsules.
- Algerica is an anticonvulsant medicine produced in capsule form.
- Pregabalin Canon - indicated for neuropathic pain syndrome, epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder. The drug is available in capsules.
Having not received the coveted Lyrica capsule, a person with addiction may ask loved ones to give him one of these remedies for pain relief. It should be remembered that these funds have an identical effect. In this regard, such medications should not be given to an addict unless the drug has been prescribed by the treating specialist.
Help with Lyrica overdose
If after taking the drug no more than 2-3 hours have passed before the start of treatment, then you should:
- rinse the stomach (through vomiting) with one and a half liters of warm water;
- repeat the procedure 2-3 times;
- provide the patient with bed rest and rest;
- prescribe any type of enterosorbents to prevent absorption of the substance in the intestines;
- maintain an active drinking regime.
In severe cases it is required:
- infusion-drip detoxification;
- laser cleaning and/or plasmapheresis;
- ozone therapy;
- administration of diuretics;
- symptomatic drugs (respiratory and cardiac stimulants, hepatoprotectors, sedatives).
Terminal phases of poisoning are an indication for hemodialysis and resuscitation measures.
What are the dangers of taking the drug?
Any narcotic substance poses a danger not only to a person’s life, but also to those around him. That is why the issue of lyrics is now extremely acute:
- Firstly, because even with the introduction of the law on the sale of the drug only with a doctor’s prescription, many pharmacies and unscrupulous pharmacists continue to dispense the drug “under the counter.” In this regard, it is quite easy to buy Lyrica, and it is one of the most affordable narcotic drugs.
- Secondly, this drug causes “lightning-fast” addiction. Since the state after using lyrics is almost identical to being on heroin, a person almost immediately gets the hang of it and it becomes more difficult to fight this habit.
- Thirdly, a person, being under the influence of lyrics, does not completely control his actions.
Despite the obvious danger of this drug, even today it can be found in many pharmacies.
Working with codependents
The term “codependency” has been around for decades. Although it originally applied to the spouses of alcoholics, the characteristics of codependency have now begun to extend to cases of use of other psychoactive substances that cause persistent addiction. Moreover, the term even applies to addiction to work, food, sex, computer games or gambling.
Codependents themselves try to care for a person who has difficulties with drugs, but such care usually becomes obsessive and compulsive. Codependents often take on the role of martyr and become a kind of benefactor for the addict. A wife can protect her alcoholic husband from the completely reasonable criticism of other relatives; a mother can make excuses to a teacher for her child’s absenteeism, and a father can “raise connections” so that his son does not suffer from the consequences of offenses. The problem is that this behavior allows the addict to continue to lead an unhealthy lifestyle and strengthen his dependence on the care of his benefactors.
The task of workers in rehabilitation centers is to break this vicious circle. Because codependency typically has deep roots in a person's childhood, treatment typically involves exploring early parenting issues and how they relate to current destructive behavior patterns.
Rehabilitation of codependents includes classes in general groups, as well as individual and group therapy, with the help of which relatives of drug addicts come to understand the wrong course of behavior.
Treatment also aims to help such people reconsider their relationship with the addict and help him break free from destructive patterns of behavior.
Signs of Lyrica use
At the moment, every second family has problems with drug addiction. In this regard, the question becomes acute: what signs can be used to determine the presence of addiction in a person?
- Lack of control over one's own movements: staggering, sudden involuntary movements.
- A distinctive feature of being under the influence of drugs is dilated pupils and “shifty” eyes. In case of an overdose, the effect of sunken eyeballs is observed.
- After drinking Lyrica, sweating increases several times.
- Tremor of the limbs.
- Speech deterioration.
- Sleep problems.
- Confusion and acute mood lability.
- Unreasonable attacks of aggression.
It should be noted that addiction does not always show all the signs. Moreover, even one of the factors listed above is a reason to take a closer look at the condition of a loved one. Timely assistance increases the chances of winning in the fight against addiction several times.
How is “lyrical” drug addiction treated in a narcology clinic?
Drug addiction treatment always begins with detoxification. The patient is placed on a drip and prescribed physiotherapy aimed at cleansing his body of drug breakdown products. Due to this, his physical condition quickly improves.
Then the patient is asked to encode. Good options for Pregabalin addiction are to use the Dovzhenko method or conduct a hypnosis session. In parallel, an experienced psychotherapist constantly works with the patient. It helps to realize the mistakes made in life and tune in to a positive future, teaches techniques for switching attention, and promotes the full socialization of the patient.
There is no drug for which cravings cannot be overcome. The main thing is to recognize the presence of addiction and enlist the support of a narcologist.
Consequences of use
Many people believe that since Lyrica is not made from opium, the effects and withdrawal symptoms will be weaker and milder, but this is far from the case. Many drug addicts and doctors who work with them find that after taking this drug, the sensation is similar to heroin. In addition, long-term use or overdose of the drug can lead to serious negative consequences.
- A sharp increase in appetite, while the person does not gain weight.
- Development of pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea, colic, constipation, vomiting.
- The formation of psychological problems - a constant feeling of fear, depression, panic attacks, apathy, confusion.
- Disorders of the central nervous system, regular and intense headaches, vertigo, insomnia.
- Unreasonable change of mood.
- Decreased cognitive function.
- Dermatological diseases: severe skin rash, increased sweating.
- Intense pain in muscles and joints, tremors of the limbs.
- Infertility.
- Placement in a coma, death.
In men, the use of this drug leads to a decrease in potency, in women the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and disruptions in the hormonal system occur. At the moment, not all possible consequences are known to medicine, but the negative impact of long-term use of this drug on the entire body has been proven.
Therapy for those addicted to the pharmaceutical drug Lyrica
Getting rid of this addiction is a rather pressing issue that worries hundreds of thousands of people who have fallen into the network of lyrics. Drug addiction treatment is a complex and complex process carried out under the supervision of a professional specialist. The fight against addiction in our clinic requires complexity, a step-by-step approach, a personal approach, and professionalism. Treatment takes place in several stages:
- Collecting tests, conducting the necessary diagnostic studies, developing an individual program.
- At the next stage, the body is cleansed using intensive therapeutic effects from the active substance.
- A prerequisite for therapy in our center is the weakening of withdrawal symptoms, so that the addicted person endures treatment in a comfortable environment.
- The next important stage is consolidation. At this stage, the person is prescribed mild antidepressants for about 1-2 months, in order to reduce the occurrence of a relapse situation.
In addition, one of the mandatory components of treatment in our center is psychological support. This direction involves regular work by a psychologist not only with the patient, but also with people close to him. The inclusion of this component allows you to form clear motivation and provide the dependent person with the support that is so necessary in his situation. In addition, the center’s psychologists help the patient resolve internal personal conflicts, which significantly reduces the risk of relapse.
Lyrica is one of the dangerous modern narcotic drugs. The negative consequences of using this drug are quite serious, and the withdrawal state is similar to getting rid of heroin addiction. But it is possible to fight this addiction; the main thing is to turn to professional specialists.
Addiction treatment
Elimination of addiction to pregabalin generally proceeds in the same way as in the case of other drugs.
The main thing is the patient’s expressed consent to treatment. According to the observation of narcologists and other medical specialists, this position provides the best treatment results. Treatment at home is usually ineffective, so the drug addict must be placed in a hospital.
The first stage of overcoming addiction is detoxification of the body. Lyrica is excreted primarily by the kidneys and in small amounts by the liver. With intravenous infusions of saline and auxiliary agents, doctors stimulate the patient’s metabolism in order to remove pregabalin from the body as quickly as possible. During drug withdrawal, the patient is prescribed painkillers and sedatives, and a little later - vitamins and minerals to restore strength.
The second and third stages often occur in parallel. Specialists of various profiles examine an addicted person and identify diseases associated with drug addiction. Meanwhile, psychotherapists are eliminating psychological dependence. To do this, they identify the circumstances that prompted a person to become a drug addict, and then teach them to overcome life’s problems without the help of any dope. The duration and success of treatment depends on many factors. It may take more than six months to cure long-term drug addicts with various concomitant diseases. Lyrics are a vivid example of how a medicine, if used incorrectly, can become a real enemy of a person.
