If you are looking to find treatment for opiate addiction, it is important to know what opiates are and the signs of opiate addiction. This can make finding treatment for opiate addiction easier in the long run.
Individuals who are illegally using opiates or have begun to misuse their medication need to seek opiate addiction treatment immediately. Opiate addiction accounted for nearly 50,000 overdose-related deaths in 2019 and even more than that in 2020.
What are Opiates?
Opiates can be divided into two classes; prescription pain-relievers and illegally produced opioids like heroin. Within either category, the drug acts to block the opioid pain receptors and, in doing so, creates an increase of dopamine in the brain, signaling to the reward center that the action just completed was a positive one.
Examples of opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and methadone. These drugs act as a suppressant on the central nervous system and can slow the body’s functions down so dramatically that they can cause a person to stop breathing.
Opioid overdose deaths account for over 70% of all drug overdose deaths in 2019. The number of overdoses is actually much higher, but with the drug Narcan, many individuals are revived. Narcan prescriptions doubled between 2017 and 2018 to over 550,000.
If you are worried that a loved one may be misusing their prescription or using illegal drugs, it is vital to know the signs of opiate addiction.
Signs of an Opiate Addiction
Individuals can quickly and easily become addicted to opiates with misuse. Opiate misuse occurs when an individual uses an illegally obtained opioid, takes the incorrect amount of a prescribed opioid, and even when they take the medication in a way that it was not intended (crushing or snorting).
When an individual becomes addicted to opiates, they will spend a large amount of time thinking about the drug and how to obtain the drug. They may even lie or ask you to lie for them to obtain more. If this is occurring, you or your loved one may have an addiction which is a serious medical mental health disorder.
Individuals who are addicted to opiates might also display the following mental and physical symptoms before, during, and after use.
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Slowed or stopped breathing
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, consider getting treatment for opiate addiction today.
How to Treat an Opiate Addiction
Opiates are dangerously addictive and can have long-lasting effects on the body even after the individual has stopped using the drug. Not only has the drug caused damage, but the numbing of the pain of what may have initiated the use can continue to cause pain.
To treat an opiate addiction it is important to seek a detox center that is familiar with the withdrawal symptoms for individuals who are withdrawing from opioids. While the symptoms are typically not life-threatening, they can be highly uncomfortable and can continue for longer than necessary if not managed correctly.
After completing detoxification, it is recommended that individuals find treatment for opiate addiction to maintain sobriety. Through this addiction treatment, individuals can learn relapse prevention skills and self-management, and coping skills for use in triggering situations.
Individuals may also have the option with opiate addiction to participate in a Medically Assisted Treatment program. A MAT program is designed to provide medication to addicts that will mimic the opioid without the high. These programs are strictly monitored, and individuals are slowly weaned off to ensure that they are healthy enough to continue without using.
Finding Opiate Rehab Centers in Ohio
Findlay Recovery Center is a top-rated Ohio opioid addiction treatment facility newly designed to support you through every step of the opioid rehabilitation process. Our modern treatment center provides individuals with the safety and structure of a treatment program used across the Midwest.
At Findlay Recovery, we believe in affordable treatment designed to support every individual who chooses to make a change in their life. We offer guidance on the path to recovery through detoxification and residential inpatient treatment.
Contact us today to speak with an admissions coordinator. We often have same-day openings and are happy to verify your benefits.
