Better Addiction Care Blogs

The EtG (ethyl glucuronide) test is used to detect recent alcohol exposure by identifying a biomarker that remains in the body after alcohol itself is no longer present.Because EtG can be detected for days rather than hours, understanding its detection window is especially important in settings such as workplace testing, probation monitoring, and medical or addiction treatment programs.

When someone stops meloxicam suddenly—especially after long-term use—the body may react. It’s not withdrawal in the addictive sense, because meloxicam doesn’t change brain reward pathways or create cravings.

Drug and alcohol interactions occur because the brain and body have finite safety limits for how much suppression or stimulation they can safely manage at once.

When two or more substances act on the same physiological systems—especially the central nervous system—their effects don’t simply add up. Instead, they can compound or multiply, overwhelming the brain’s ability to regulate alertness, coordination, decision-making, and breathing.

When someone takes amitriptyline for weeks or months, the brain adjusts its own chemical balance. Think of it like a thermostat gradually resetting to the drug’s presence.

When the drug is reduced too quickly, the thermostat hasn’t caught up — causing withdrawal.

Libido changes on Vyvanse are possible, and they can look very different from person to person. Because the medication influences dopamine and norepinephrine—the same pathways involved in desire, reward, and arousal—sexual shifts are understandable and often temporary.

Most muscle relaxers leave the system within hours to 1–2 days. But cyclobenzaprine is the main exception, often lingering for several days. [2]

Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant and Schedule II controlled substance. It increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to improve focus and impulse control.

As Vyvanse enhances dopamine, it can produce effects that lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction, particularly when misused.

Like any medication, the duration depends on many personal factors — but we can look at averages to create a clearer, calmer picture.

Paxil (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, PTSD, and related conditions. It works by increasing the availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, emotional balance, sleep, and stress response.

Paroxetine (brand name Paxil) is an SSRI antidepressant that increases serotonin availability in the brain by blocking its reabsorption at nerve synapses. Serotonin plays a central role in mood regulation, anxiety control, sleep, and emotional processing. [1]

With meloxicam, interactions often involve increased strain on organs or heightened risk of side effects rather than immediate intoxication.

Stopping Cymbalta (duloxetine) can be overwhelming for the person taking it and for their family. Many people are told it’s “Easy to stop,” only to feel unprepared when symptoms appear. 

This page is designed to explain what happens, why it happens, and how Cymbalta can be stopped safely, gradually, and with realistic hope, using evidence-based guidance.

Alcohol is one of the most common and underestimated risks for people taking duloxetine.

Both substances affect the CNS, but in different directions. Duloxetine stabilizes neurotransmitter signaling, while alcohol disrupts it. When combined, the result can feel unpredictable — sometimes numbing, sometimes overwhelming.

Drug testing is often encountered during moments of stress—when a loved one is entering treatment, facing legal or workplace requirements, or when families are searching for clarity after concerning behavior. 

Understanding how drug testing works, what different tests detect, and how long substances remain detectable can help families respond calmly, protect health and safety, and make informed care decisions.

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing pain perception and activating reward pathways. [1]

The primary differences between kratom strains come from leaf vein color (red, green, or white), along with variations in alkaloid content, leaf maturity, and processing methods.

These factors influence how each strain tends to affect energy levels, mood, and physical sensations.

While all kratom comes from the same plant species, these differences can lead to noticeably different user experiences.

Some individuals notice changes in their sex drive after starting buspirone—either an increase, a decrease, or subtle shifts in desire or intimacy. These experiences can feel confusing or even distressing, especially during recovery when emotional balance matters deeply.

The reassuring reality is that sexual side effects with buspirone are generally mild, variable, and manageable.

Open, honest communication with healthcare providers can make a meaningful difference in both comfort and outcomes.

Effexor functions by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

This increases their availability in synaptic spaces, helping improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall emotional balance.

However, these same neurotransmitters are also involved in hunger signals, satiety, and energy expenditure.

Effexor functions by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

This increases their availability in synaptic spaces, helping improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall emotional balance.

However, these same neurotransmitters are also involved in hunger signals, satiety, and energy expenditure.

Venlafaxine, commonly known by the brand name Effexor, is a prescription antidepressant belonging to a class called serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).