Our latest drug and alcohol detox blogs

A person sitting on a couch holding their temple in discomfort, with a cigarette pack nearby, depicting nicotine withdrawal symptoms in a calm, naturally lit living room.
Detox: Austin
HJ Miranda

Nicotine Withdrawal: How Long It Really Lasts

For most people, nicotine withdrawal begins within hours of the last use, peaks around day 3, and gets easier over the first 2–4 weeks. Some symptoms—especially cravings—can surface occasionally for months, but they’re usually brief and manageable with the right plan.

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Person receiving supportive medical detox care in a calm Austin treatment room, symbolizing help for hybrid weed use at Briarwood Detox Center.
Detox: Austin
HJ Miranda

Does Weed Kill Brain Cells? Here’s What Studies Say

People ask this because cannabis is everywhere, products are stronger than they used to be, and many strains—especially hybrid weed—promise powerful effects. The short answer: human studies do not show routine cannabis use directly “kills” brain cells in the way a toxin might, but heavy and early use is linked to measurable changes in brain structure, function, and thinking skills. Those risks are higher with high‑THC products and adolescent use.

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Realistic 4K photo of a nicotine-free vape device beside a 0 mg vape juice bottle and dried tobacco leaves on a gray tabletop with a wooden bowl blurred in the background.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

Nicotine‑Free Vapes: Ingredients, Risks & Safer Picks

Many people reach for “0 mg” vapes to avoid nicotine. It sounds straightforward, but labels, ingredients, and device factors all matter. Below is a neutral, evidence‑based look at what’s in nicotine‑free vapes, what current research says about risks, and practical steps if you want to cut back or stop—plus how Briarwood Detox Center in Austin supports change.

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Doctor discussing detox options with an adult patient while holding a prescription bottle in a bright medical office.
Detox
HJ Miranda

Anavar (Oxandrolone): Effects, Risks & Detox

Anavar (oxandrolone) is an oral anabolic‑androgenic steroid (AAS). It is a synthetic derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) developed to promote tissue growth and weight gain in specific medical situations. Oxandrolone binds to androgen receptors in muscle and other tissues, increasing protein synthesis and nitrogen retention. Oral oxandrolone has a reported elimination half‑life around 9–10 hours.

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A brown prescription bottle tipped on its side with off-white tablets spilled onto a wooden table beside a clipboard with patient intake forms, a pen, and blurred glasses in the background.
Detox: Austin
HJ Miranda

Sertraline Side Effects: Common, Severe & Long‑Term

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed for depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety, and PMDD. It is generally well‑tolerated, yet side effects can occur—some mild and temporary, others serious and needing urgent medical attention. Understanding what to expect helps you and your clinician make safe, informed choices.

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Sertraline medication setup with a blister pack, prescription bottle, pen, and glass of water on a wooden surface under soft natural light.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

11 Sertraline Side Effects to Know

If you’ve been prescribed sertraline—or the brand Sertranorm in some countries—it helps to know which effects are common, which are serious, and what usually improves with time. The list below uses clear, plain language so you can speak with your prescriber and make informed choices. (Sertranorm is an international brand name for sertraline.)

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Fluoxetine capsules and a prescription bottle on a clinician’s desk during a medical consultation, with a doctor and patient talking softly in the background.
Detox
HJ Miranda

Prozac and Bipolar: What to Know

People ask this often: “How bad is it to take Prozac if I’m bipolar?” The short answer is that fluoxetine (Prozac) can help some people with bipolar depression, but taking it alone may raise the risk of switching into mania or hypomania. Clinical guidelines and FDA labeling support its use with a mood stabilizer or an atypical antipsychotic—not as stand‑alone treatment for most people with bipolar I.

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Person meeting with a nurse in a modern inpatient detox room at Briarwood Detox Center in Austin, with the city skyline and a small succulent visible in the background.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

How to Help Fight Substance Abuse in Austin

Substance misuse touches families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. If you want to help, you can act in ways that are safe, informed, and local to Austin. This guide explains practical steps anyone can take, and it shows how inpatient detox at Briarwood Detox Center fits into the larger effort to reduce harm and support long‑term recovery.

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A counselor and an individual sit in a quiet room discussing early steps in outpatient drug abuse counseling, with natural light and a small succulent on the table.
Drug Addiction
HJ Miranda

Beginner’s Guide to Drug Abuse Counseling in San Antonio

Starting a conversation about drug use is hard, especially when you’re new to it. This guide explains how to open that discussion, when outpatient counseling fits, and where Briarwood Detox Center can help as part of a safe, evidence‑based plan in San Antonio. It uses plain steps grounded in national guidance on treatment and motivational interviewing.

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