Opiate Addiction Treatment
At Dr. Paul's By The Sea, we know the dangers of prescription opioids and how easily a person can become physically dependent on them. Our Rehab in St. Augustine is dedicated to helping those struggling with addiction by providing programs and services that not only treat the body but will also address the patient's mental health. Visit us today and learn how we can help you towards a life free of addiction.
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Opiate Addiction
Prescription drugs are derived from opium or synthetic opium compounds are commonly used for treating pain. Patients recovering from surgery or have been diagnosed with chronic pain are often provided with opiates to alleviate their discomfort. Opiates are easy for people to obtain and are prescribed relatively often. However, they can be highly addictive and will frequently be using in ways not intended by a doctor.
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a long term chronic disease that affects the user's entire life, including relationships, financials, and health. An opiate will attach itself to receptors in the brain, blocking natural endorphins and changing the brain's chemistry. They will gain access to the nervous system and induce feelings of pleasure while providing pain relief. If not monitored carefully by the user and a healthcare professional, this can easily lead to physical dependence.
The cause of opiate addiction is not easily explained. It can be a result of a variety of factors, such as genetics, environment, and chosen lifestyle. The genes thought to be involved in the substance abuse of opioids are connected to the endogenous opioid system. This is the body's natural internal system in charge of regulating pain, rewards for healthy behaviors, and addictive behaviors.
Opiates are addictive because they cause the brain to release dopamine, a hormone that controls feelings of reward and pleasure. they are useful as painkillers because they can decrease the perception of pain when they bind to the brain's receptors.
Opioid abuse is characterized by an uncontrollable, compulsive need to use opiate drugs even after they are no longer needed to treat pain. People from various backgrounds and age groups may need help for addiction after being prescribed drugs like Vicodin, Oxycontin, or Percoset.
Addiction to these types of prescription drugs has grown more prevalent in recent years and has reached almost epidemic proportions in the U.S.
Facts about Opiate Addiction
The Opium Poppy
Overdose
Prescriptions
Addiction
Criminal Activity
Brain Chemistry
Risks of Opiate Addiction
Taking opioid medications can be essential when dealing with chronic pain; however, it is crucial to keep in mind the risks involved if misused.
In 2016 it was estimated that more than 20,000 people died in the United States from overdosing on opioids. They can cause life-threatening health issues that affect a person’s ability to breathe correctly. If they take too much or mix opiates with other drugs, then an addict risks overdosing and potentially dying from addiction.
Types of Opiates
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Although prescription painkillers are highly addictive, anyone can recover from dependency with the help of a treatment program. Detoxing from opiate addiction can lead to uncomfortable and long-lasting withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, agitation, hot and cold sweats, or muscle aches and pains. Many patients choose medications that can help them get through the period of withdrawal or even require substitution drugs such as buprenorphine if their addiction is especially severe.
Medication-assisted treatment will also help people who are struggling with severe cravings or cannot control their desire to abuse prescription drugs again. After completing detox, however, patients can begin to recover from the negative effects that opiates have had on their bodies.
Their brain can start to produce chemicals that make them feel pleasure naturally like serotonin and dopamine instead of relying on drugs use to experience joy and happiness. Opiate addiction can be challenging to deal with in recovery. It could be helpful for patients getting treatment to look into aftercare so that they can learn to handle sobriety successfully.
Our drug and alcohol rehab center in St. Augustine, Florida, offers help to anyone struggling with an opiate addiction by providing effective treatment through therapy and group counseling. If you or your loved one has a problem with prescription pain medication, then rehabilitation and recovery is the only answer to help them escape their addiction. We can provide the support and care needed to build the foundation for long-term sobriety.
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