You may have heard of the sharp increase in the misuse of pain relievers and overdose deaths on opioid prescriptions. Many people who misuse prescription opioids become addicted to these medicines, and sometimes the consequences are fatal.
Opioids may slow the breathing of a person; an overdose of prescribed opioids can stop a person from breathing entirely. Some 20,000 people in this country die each year from this type of prescription drug overdose, and about 75 of them are adolescents. This article will help inform you about rehab for opiate addiction.
The Effects of Using Opioids
When you take opioids, again and again, the production of endorphins slows down in your body. The same dose of opioids stops causing such a massive flood of good feelings. It is known as tolerance. One reason opioid dependence is so prevalent is that people with tolerance may feel driven to increase their doses so that they can continue to feel comfortable.
Since doctors are now very aware of the risks posed by opioids, it is often hard for your doctor to increase or even renew your doses; some opioid users who can’t get an increased supply from a doctor turn to illegal opioids or heroin at this point. Some illicit drugs, such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora), are laced with contaminants or opioids that are far stronger. Due to the power of fentanyl, a significant number of deaths were associated with this particular drug, and its use is also common amongst those who use heroin.
Please ask your doctor for assistance if you are taking opioids and have developed tolerance. There are other safe choices to help you change and keep feeling good. Do not stop opioid drugs without the assistance of a doctor. Quitting these medicines abruptly can cause serious side effects, including pain that is worse than before you started taking opioids. Your physician can help you taper down on using opioids.
Opioid Addiction and How to Treat It
Opioids are most addictive when they are used by methods other than what has been prescribed, for example, by crushing a pill and snorting or injecting. The quick delivery to your body of any medicine can result in an accidental overdose. Taking more than or more often than your prescribed dose of opioid medication also increases your risk of addiction.
Medicines have been produced by researchers to aid people to overcome opioid dependence. The methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) stimulate both the opioid receptors to block a person with an opioid addiction from exhibiting withdrawal symptoms and minimize the craving, but not feel the high or euphoric effects. It helps avoid reoccurrence while the brain heals. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) blocks opioid receptors and prevents opioid reactions.
These medicines, combined with other support such as counselling, can help people stop opioid abuse and get on with their lives. Naloxone, which also blocks the effect of opioids on opioid receptors, can be used in emergencies to prevent an individual from dying from an overdose. It needs to be given rapidly, so the Food and Drug Administration has just approved an easy-to-use version of a nasal spray that a friend or family member can provide.
Opioids are notorious for withdrawal symptoms — the response of your body to the decrease or stopping the use of a substance that your body is dependent on. Opioid manifestations include uneasiness, muscle and bone discomfort, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and cold blasts. These symptoms generally subside within one week, but some people exhibit some symptoms for months.
Helpful Tips to Remember
Opioids are safest when used only for acute pain, such as pain that follows a surgery or bone fracture for three or fewer days. If you require opioids for severe pain, work with your doctor to take the lowest possible dose as quickly as possible, exactly as prescribed.
If you have chronic pain, opioids will probably not be a safe and effective option for long-term treatment. Many other therapies, including pain treatments that are less addictive and non-pharmacological, are available. Go for a treatment plan that will allow you, if possible, to enjoy your life without opioids.
Help prevent addiction to opioid medicines in your family and community through proper use and disposal of unused opioids. Contact your local law enforcement agency, trash and recycling service, or the DEA for details on local medicine taking programs. If your area does not have a take-back plan, consult your pharmacist for guidance.
Do you want to learn more about rehab for opiate addiction? Recognize that nobody is safe, and we all play a role in combating the grip that our loved ones and communities currently have with these medications.