Opioid addiction in America has increased over the past few years as more and more Americans have begun to struggle with a dependency on prescription medications. Even worse, when some people get cut off from their prescription opioids, they turn to heroin to get the same high. With the switch to heroin comes the risk of unknowingly using drugs cut with fentanyl, a potentially dangerous combination. While you may be aware of the opioid epidemic in the country, you may not be familiar with which particular drugs are classified as opioids. Awareness of which drugs are classed as opioids can help you and your loved ones use more caution if your doctor prescribes them.
At Midwest Center at Youngstown, we realize how easily one can become addicted to prescription opioid medications. Our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs can help you disentangle from the web of opioid addiction. MAT can make the recovery process more comfortable and long-lasting combined with therapy, holistic wellness, and case management. Call us today at 844.544.0502 to learn more about our comprehensive addiction treatment programs.
What Drugs Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription medications and illicit drugs. Doctors typically prescribe opioids for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, severe cough, diarrhea. Some examples of opioids are:
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
Fentanyl is a potent pain reliever often reserved for those suffering from severe pain or pain that does not respond to other prescription medications. While all opioids can help reduce pain, fentanyl is less often prescribed because of its high potential for addiction. If a person cannot obtain the prescription opioids they crave, they may turn to heroin. Some heroin sold on the streets is mixed with fentanyl, so it has a much higher risk for addiction and overdose. If your addiction to prescription opioids is leading you to seek out illicit opioids, it is time to get help as soon as possible to prevent potentially fatal consequences.
What Are the Causes of Opioid Addiction?
Some people may not understand how others can become addicted to prescription pain relievers. After all, people do not become addicted to aspirin or ibuprofen. The difference is in the euphoric effect that accompanies pain relief with prescription opioids. Many people begin to crave that feeling and may start to take their prescription more often or in higher doses than prescribed. When taken exactly as prescribed, prescription opioids can be safe to use but only temporarily. The longer you use them, the higher the risk that you will become dependent.
To further explain the causes of opioid addiction, it helps to understand how opioids affect the brain. Opioids interact with neurotransmitters in the brain and trigger the release of endorphins. These are your body’s feel-good hormones. While boosting your mood, endorphins also help minimize the sensation of pain. By making you feel happy and pain-free, opioids can easily lead to dependence and addiction.
What Are the Symptoms of Opioid Addiction?
Whether you are using prescription or illicit opioids, you may not realize when you have developed a dependence on the substance until you are deep in the throes of addiction. If you start to notice any of the following symptoms of addiction, it is best to seek professional addiction treatment before your habit worsens:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Breathing difficulties
- Excessive sweating
- Cravings for the drug more often than the prescribed dose
- Tolerance to your prescribed dose, no longer feeling the same effect
- Seeking out more than one doctor to obtain multiple opioid prescriptions
Midwest Center at Youngstown: Opioid Rehab in Ohio You Can Count On
Opioids can present severe withdrawal symptoms, making recovery more challenging. Midwest Center at Youngstown provides medication-assisted treatment and withdrawal management programs to help keep you comfortable as you detox so you can stay focused on recovery. To help heal your body and mind in unison, we also include holistic wellness and fitness programs as part of your treatment. To get started with an evidence-based opioid rehab in Ohio that is proven to work, give us a call at 844.544.0502.