There are many opiates out there, including some made naturally and some created synthetically; some available legally and prescribed by doctors, some illegal and illicit — all can lead to opiate addiction. In the camp of legal opiates, you have many powerful painkillers, including Oxycodone and Codeine; when people talk about illegal opiates, meanwhile, they are usually referencing heroin.
But whether these drugs are obtained through legal or illegal channels, they can be exceedingly powerful—and potentially addictive. In fact, addiction to perfectly legal, prescription painkillers is one of the leading healthcare epidemics in the country right now. And once the effects of legal opiates become too tame, addicts often turn to the harder, illegal opiates to get the fix they need.
Opiate Addiciton
Opiates all work in basically the same manner: They bind to the natural opioid receptors in your brain and mimic some of the specific chemical signals that correspond to either pleasure or pain. Legal opiates, when administered correctly, can therefore be powerful agents for managing and mitigating pain. Because opiates both relieve pain and come with major psychological powers, though, they can be very easily abused.
This level of abuse can come from legal painkillers when administered incorrectly, but also from any illegal opiate use—if only because the illegal opiates are so extremely powerful, much more potent than legal ones.
Signs of Opiate Addiciton
Those struggling with opiate addiction may have a number of psychological symptoms. Some of these include anxiety attacks, euphoria psychosis, depression, lowered motivation and irritability.
There can also be behavioral symptoms, including using opiates for a longer period of time, or in greater quantities, than was prescribed by the physician. Trying to decrease opiate doses, unsuccessfully, is also a potential sign of addiction.
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Opiate Detox Centers
Opiate addiction is powerful in its grip and potentially lethal in its effect. The good news is that recovery is possible—but it is not necessarily easy, and will require a clinical approach. The first step is to detox—something best done in an addiction detox facility.
The reason for this is simple: Kicking an opiate habit is exceedingly difficult, and the withdrawal effects can be dire. They include:
- PHYSICAL CRAVINGS
- NAUSEA AND STOMACH
- PAIN
- COLD SWEAT AND
- CHILLS
- AGITATION
- ANXIETY
- SHAKING AND
- QUIVERING
- INSOMNIA
- PAIN IN THE BONES
By locating a clinical detox facility, you can ensure that you are receiving around-the-clock supervision, and also getting access to pain management techniques to help you keep your withdrawal symptoms at bay. In some cases, non-habit-forming medications may be administered to suppress these withdrawal effects.
To learn more about opiate detox, for yourself or for a loved one, please contact the New Start Recovery team right away.
NON-MEDICAL USE
DRUG OVERDOSE
HEROIN USE
Opiate Rehab
Detox is necessary, but it is also just the beginning. After detox, ongoing treatment is imperative, as recovery is a lifelong journey. Those struggling with opiate addiction will have the option of either inpatient or outpatient treatment; speak with an addiction recovery specialist to determine which path is best for you. Also ensure that you find a rehab facility that offers aftercare and long-term sobriety services.
Opiate addiction can be life-ruining and in some cases life-ending. To start the healing process, learn more about detox. New Start offers personalized attention and a compassionate approach. To speak with a member of the New Start team, give us a call at your earliest convenience.