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
Basil Ciocon

Nicotine Withdrawal: How Long It Really Lasts in Austin, TX

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
Basil Ciocon

Does Weed Kill Brain Cells? What Studies Say in Austin, TX

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

Anavar (Oxandrolone): Effects, Risks, and Detox in Austin, TX

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
Basil Ciocon

Sertraline Side Effects: Common, Severe, and Long-Term in Austin, TX

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
Basil Ciocon

11 Sertraline Side Effects to Know in Austin, TX

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
Basil Ciocon

Prozac and Bipolar: What to Know in Austin, TX

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
Basil Ciocon

How to Help Fight Substance Abuse in Austin, TX

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 clinician and patient sit together in a calm medical consultation room, discussing inpatient substance abuse treatment at Briarwood Detox Center in Austin, with natural light and a warm amber desk lamp in the background.
After Detox
Basil Ciocon

Inpatient Substance Abuse Care in Austin

Substance abuse rarely has a single “fix.” Most people do best with a stepwise plan that starts with safe withdrawal management and then moves into ongoing care. In Austin, Briarwood Detox Center provides inpatient medical detox designed to stabilize individuals, reduce health risks, and prepare them for the next phase of treatment.

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A caring doctor in blue scrubs supporting a male patient during inpatient detox at a medical facility in Austin, Texas.
After Detox
Basil Ciocon

What Are the Stages of Substance Abuse?

Understanding how substance use progresses helps people spot problems early and choose the right level of care. Experts describe the “stages” in more than one way. Many public‑facing guides talk about a behavioral progression from first use to addiction, while researchers also describe a three‑stage cycle that repeats inside the brain. Both views point to the same truth: as use escalates, risks rise and medical support—often including inpatient detox—may be needed.

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