Opioids Addiction Treatment
What is Opiate Addiction Treatment?
Opiates (and opioids, we’ll explain the difference later), can be prescribed or purchased and misused illegally—in any case, they can be extremely dangerous and addictive.
The highly- addictive nature of opioids/opiates often leads to a deadly cycle of recovery and relapse.
In 2019 alone, opioids took the lives of nearly 50,000 Americans.
But if you or a loved one are struggling to stay away from these highly-addictive drugs, we’re here to tell you that the road to recovery is within your reach.
What are Opioids & Opiates?
Opiates and opioids are generally used to treat severe pain by blocking pain receptors in the human nervous system.
Both opioids and opiates are considered narcotics.
All drugs in these categories work in similar ways, but the key difference is in how they’re made:
Opiates are naturally derived from opium (a substance made from the poppy plant). The most commonly used (and misused) opiates include:
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Heroin
- Opium
Opioids are produced synthetically
Opioids are produced synthetically—some are fully synthetic and others contain varying amounts of natural opium. These substances generally mimic the powerful, painkilling effects of natural opiates. The most commonly used (and misused) opioids include:
- Oxycodone (e.g. Oxycontin, Percocet)
- Hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin)
- Hydromorphone (e.g. Dilaudid, Exalgo)
- Fentanyl (e.g. Sublimaze, Ultiva)
- Dextromethorphan (sold in the U.S. without prescription as, NyQuil, Robitussin, TheraFlu, Vicks)
- Loperamide (e.g. Imodium)
- Methadone (often used to treat opioid addiction, but still addictive)
As a byproduct of their primary uses, opioids/opiates tend to release powerful “feel-good” chemicals in the brain.
This can quickly lead to dependence and addiction, even when used as prescribed—often, it takes just a couple weeks of regular opioid use to become dependent.
Whether the drug in question is an opiate or opioid, all carry a dangerously high risk of addiction, and the consequences of consistent misuse can be deadly.
What are the Signs of Opiate Addiction?
While it’s often very difficult to seek assistance with any addiction, getting treatment for opiate addiction sooner rather than later can mean a better chance for long-term recovery.
signs of opiate addiction
Here are the potential signs of opiate addiction to look out for:
Changes in sleep habits
Weight loss
Drowsiness
Flu-like symptoms
Decreased libido
Mood swings
Physical agitation
Irritability
Changes in exercise habits
Isolation from family or friends
Stealing from family, friends, or businesses
Why Are Opioids & Opiates Dangerous?
As we mentioned, opiates are extremely addictive and often deadly.
Because these drugs are so effective at numbing pain and have a tendency to release “feel-good” chemicals in your brain, they are very easy to misuse and very difficult to stop using.
The tranquil, calming effects opiates produce make recovery that much more difficult, especially if you attempt to stop using on your own.
And unlike other commonly-abused prescription drugs, opioids are closely related to a few widely-available, illegal opiates (mainly heroin).
It doesn’t take long for someone using legal or illegal opioids to develop a tolerance, leading to a need for higher and higher doses to produce the desired effect.
Ultimately, this vicious cycle of misuse can lead to overdose and death.
At our facility, you’ll never have to do it on your own
Our comprehensive care includes 24/7 safe, supported detox and assistance from medical professionals.
Opiate Overdose: What to Look For
If a friend or family member’s behavior seems “out of control” or “too far gone” to recover, it’s vital to remember that a fatal overdose is a probable outcome.
Knowing what to look for could save a life:
- Unresponsiveness/unconsciousness.
- Slowed or stopped breathing
- Skin that is cold to the touch
- Snoring or gurgling sounds
- Discolored lips or fingernails
- Sluggishness/inability to wake up
The road to recovery won’t be easy, but recognizing the signs of addiction and overdose is always the first step.
Get Support You Can Count on, With StillDetox
When it comes to opiate addiction seeking professional support and treatment may mean saving a life.
The road to recovery from opiate addiction won’t be easy…
But that’s what we’re here for—our team of experienced doctors, nurses, and therapists work to cover every facet of the recovery process.
From withdrawal (the most difficult part of the process) to full recovery, the StillDetox team provides 24/7 support utilizing a variety of evidence-based treatment options.
No one is defined by their addiction, and no two cases are the same. That’s why our treatment process always starts with an in-depth interview with our residents.
From there, we’ll develop a personalized treatment program that works for your needs.
We offer a number of diverse treatment options to achieve long-term recovery:
- Detoxification – The most important—and often the most difficult—step in the recovery process. Our staff ensures this process is exceptionally comfortable and safe from start to finish
- Impatient Treatment – From our luxury treatment center in Boca Raton, FL, our residents can focus on resting and recovering without distractions. We work with all of our residents to ensure dedicated treatment on a daily basis
- Dual Diagnosis – We take an integrated approach to dual-diagnosis treatment, so substance use disorders and mental health disorders can be treated effectively and simultaneously
- 12-Step Programs – From substance use to behavioral treatments, our 12-step program is an improvement on this time-tested method
- Non-12 Step Programs – We recognize that 12-step treatment isn’t always the best option. That’s why we offer a variety of alternative recovery programs and holistic treatments as well
You’ll receive professional, private treatment where your voice always comes first, and your needs are always met.
Together, we can overcome addiction and start on the road to recovery.
Click or give us a call to get started today.
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We can help you or your loved one through the admissions process and begin recovering from addiction. All it takes is the courage to reach out and take the right step forward. Everything starts here.
