Opiates are drugs that have long been used for several purposes, ranging from treating pain to altering the mind. Heroin, morphine, opium, and codeine are some of the most widely used opiates in the world, and also behind millions of substance use disorders.
Opiates are different from opioids in that they are naturally occurring. Opiates are drugs that are directly derived from the poppy plant, while opioids are either semisynthetic or synthetic substances that mimic the effects of opiates. While the terms might not be interchangeable, their effects are.
Those who are addicted to opiates are likely grappling with several different issues. For example, an individual abusing opiates can start to isolate themselves from friends and family, ignore everyday responsibilities, and begin showing physical symptoms of abuse, including poor hygiene and changes in weight. He or she might begin experiencing dramatic mood swings, unpredictable behavior, and periods of depression. His or her relationships with others can start to suffer, and he or she can have problems maintaining and/or finding a job.
These are truly just some of the many different effects that an addiction to opiates can cause within one’s life, which is why seeking professional treatment is critical in order to prevent them (or others) from occurring.
In order to put a stop to opiate addiction, however, there are a few steps that one must take first. The beginning step usually includes drug detox, which can be extremely difficult and distressing for an individual. Luckily, our opiate detox center is designed to help make this part of the overall process of getting sober as simple as possible.
Opiates are extremely potent substances that have the power to cause even the most stable of individuals to fall into a deadly spiral of abuse. Heroin is currently one of the most talked-about opiates today, as it is known for how addictive and deadly it can be when abused. Regardless of what opiate is being abused, the longer that it is abused for, the more likely an individual is to become dependent on it.
When someone is dependent on an opiate, he or she must keep consuming it in order to prevent the body from going into withdrawal. The body does not become dependent on opiates overnight, rather as the individual continues to use, he or she must keep abusing more and more of the opiates in order to achieve the desired effects. This is known as tolerance, and once tolerance develops, it is only a matter of time before the body develops dependency issues.
Withdrawal symptoms are commonly felt when an individual stops his or her use. This is because the body is used to having opiates in its system, and when they are withheld from the body, it reacts negatively by producing painful withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include the following:
- Muscle pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Depression
- Anxiety
The withdrawal symptoms that an individual will experience will be reflective of his or her relationship with opiates. In other words, the more opiates he or she abused, the more likely he or she is to suffer from more withdrawal symptoms.
How Can an Opiate Detox Center Help You?
Opiate detox can help individuals addicted to opiates through this challenging period of time. Many of those who reach out for help at opiate detox do so after making one or more attempts at getting sober on their own but have been unsuccessful at doing so.
Probably the biggest draw to an opiate detox is the medication-assisted treatment that is often provided to clients. Because opiates are so potent, it can take time for individuals to effectively wean off of them safely. To help this process along but with no risk to the individual’s health and wellbeing, opiate detox has professionals administer medications such as methadone, Subutex, and Suboxone. Each one of these medications has been scientifically proven to decrease painful withdrawal symptoms and control cravings for continued use. This is extremely beneficial for recovering users in a number of ways, particularly because it allows them to get through detox without giving up due to the withdrawal symptoms they experience.
A medical team is also available at an opiate detox center to provide additional medications to help further control these symptoms. For example, the majority of clients experience problems sleeping when opiates are being cleared from their systems. As a result, a medical professional like a nurse or a doctor can provide a natural sleep aid to help the client rest.
In addition to a medical team, an opiate detox also has a team of mental health professionals on board. These individuals work beside clients to help them cope with their current state, as well as to provide them with healthy coping skills. These individuals can also advise whether or not the client is experiencing a temporary bout of a mental health condition, or a permanent, more significant health problem. Through this advisement, that appropriate skills and/or medications can be offered to enhance the clients stay and recovery.
Get Help Now Through an Opiate Detox Center
If you are addicted to opiates, you do not need to keep using. It is understandable the fear you might have about getting sober, however, continuing to abuse opiates will only lead you towards a dead-end route. Reaching out for the help that you know will save your life is critical in order to survive this disease and learn how to manage it.
Opiate detox can give you the comfort and support needed to take those first few steps towards recovery. While you might be fearful or concerned about the unknown, rest assured that within an opiate detox center, you will be in good hands.
Do not let another day go by. Call us today to learn about your options for an opiate detox. Start your path to recovery.
“Detox services are provided at our Experience Recovery Program. Often clients who need drug or alcohol detox will begin their journey at Experience Recovery for addition detox and transfer to Breathe or other programs for continued care. We will make sure you receive the highest care of medical detoxification at Experience Recovery.”
