Bay Area Confidential Rehab and Sober Living
| Substance Abuse and Alcoholism in Paradise
| Functional addicts and alcoholics appear to be ok. They go to work every day and complete all projects on time. Most functional addicts are workaholics. And most are well-respected by their peers at work.
In fact, functional addiction often appears to work great. Functional addiction works for the user right up until the time it no longer works – because the user is being carried out by EMS personnel on a stretcher.
Most functional substance abusers identify no issues with their ‘performance enhancing’ activities. But the damaged hearts, livers and lungs of drug abusers will eventually have a differing opinion.
Pressure Cooker Work Environments and Drug Use
Silicon Valley is one of the most productive work environments in the world. Tech companies in the Valley are described by employees as being fast-paced, driving and incredibly demanding. This can include 70+ hour weeks and no time off.
In a 2015 Computerworld article, Silicon Valley’s ‘pressure cooker:’ Thrive or Get Out, Google is described as having ‘world-class chefs cooking free food for its employees; while also setting up nap pods, meditation classes and sandy volleyball courts.’
According to Megan Slabinski, district president of Robert Half Technology: “All those perks – the ping pong tables, the free snacks, the free day care – in the tech industry come with the job because the job is so demanding,” she said. “There’s a level of demand in the tech industry that translates to the work environment.”
From Bio-Hacking to Drug Addiction
The temptation to ‘get an edge’ on the competition is always present.
In start-ups, workers are expected to work until projects are complete. This can mean working 24+ hours at a stretch.
Some tech workers set up sleeping bags or sleeping areas to be more comfortable when catching a few hours of rest at the office.
Progression of Performance Enhancing Substances
Many workers start out with caffeine, which includes coffee and energy drinks. A tolerance will develop even with caffeine – which means the individual will require more to have the same effect.
Because there is only so much coffee or energy drinks that can be consumed during a day – other substances are often sought. And there is a certain progression of use that we often see in our clients.
- Nootropics – Reputed to enhance brain activity for stamina and creativity. Most are legal but not well-tested.
- Adderall – Performance enhancer; amphetamine. Available by prescription only.
- LSD – Reputed to be a creativity enhancer in ‘micro’ doses. LSD is a classified Schedule I drug by the DEA.
Schedule I drugs are defined as no currently accepted medical use/high potential for abuse.
Penalties for possession of Schedule I drugs are the most severe.
- Crystal Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) – Stamina booster.
Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II substance by the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act.
Possible side effects: paranoia, severe insomnia with possible hallucinations and induced psychosis. - Opioids – Pain relief, relaxation. Available by prescription only.
Often used to alleviate the side effects of meth use. - Heroin – Euphoria and pain relief. Often used to alleviate the side effects of meth use.
Heroin is classified as a Schedule II drug according to the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
Do I Have a Substance Abuse Problem?
Just making it to work every day is not an indicator of physical or emotional health.
For help in looking honestly at your lifestyle, take our online Addiction Self Assessment.
Addiction Self Assessment Form
Questions? Or Need Confidential Help with Addiction Recovery?
Support Systems Homes (SSH) is an internationally accredited, state-licensed substance abuse treatment program dedicated to the innovative and cost-effective treatment of chemical dependency (drug/alcohol addiction).
Based in the Bay Area of Northern California, our San Jose rehab facilities provide confidential recovery services with a comprehensive structure of addiction treatment programs, sober living environments, and services for those suffering from the diseases of alcoholism and drug addiction.
Support Systems Homes has drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs of the highest quality for the most affordable rates. We have a full spectrum of substance abuse treatment services.
Our addiction recovery services include alcohol detox, drug detox, residential treatment, day and outpatient substance abuse treatment; as well as aftercare with family drug and alcohol education, relapse prevention and multiple sober living environments located throughout Northern California. We are licensed by the State of California, and accredited by CARF.
How to Get Started: Assessment and Insurance Verification
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Please Call Us 24/7 at 408-370-9688.
Or use the forms below online.
Addiction Self Assessment Form
Start Your Journey Home to Sobriety
with Support Systems Homes.
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