Opiates are derived from the opium plant and come in natural and synthetic forms. Many prescription painkillers are opiates, as well as heroin. Oftentimes those who are prescribed pain pills to help manage pain become addicted to the pills, finding it very difficult to stop using them. Common types of opiates include:
- Hydrocodone – This is a widely prescribed pain killer, also known as Vicodin.
- OxyContin – Prescription pain killer.
- Codeine – This drug is one of the weaker pain killers and is oftentimes combined with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Methadone, morphine, & Fentanyl – These are strong prescription opiates for severe and chronic pain.
What are Opioids?
What are opioids? It’s a question that many people are asking lately. Opioids are usually prescribed by doctors to treat those who experience mild to severe pain. Usually, it’s prescribed after a surgery or to those who have severe pain or chronic pain.
For example, someone who is due to have a surgery will probably be prescribed some sort of pain pill after surgery because they will experience pain. The doctor may prescribe something like OxyContin to take every six hours for a few days. It will be essential that the person takes the pills as directed and stops taking them when their pain subsides because pain pills can be addictive.
Sometimes opioids are called narcotics. Over recent years, there has been a significant increase in opioid addiction, ranging from pain pills to heroin use. It’s not that people set out to become addicted to opioids. In fact, most start out taking a prescription for pain but become addicted to the relaxed and euphoric feeling they get when taking the pills.
Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a treatable disease caused by the prolonged use of opiate drugs such as heroin, codeine, morphine, OxyContin, hydrocodone, Percocet, and others. Pre-occupation with the need to constantly seek opioid drugs is the main descriptive characteristic of the disease.
Both psychological and physical dependence is present in a person that undergoes opioid withdrawal, as opioids latch onto certain brain receptors and cause a reaction that compels people to seek out drugs in order to relieve themselves of pain. This comes with a risk to their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Medical Detox is Sometimes Necessary
People often start abusing opioid drugs in order to deal with physical or emotional pain. Since they have a numbing and euphoric effect, individuals usually feel much better when under the influence of a certain opioid substance. As addiction to the drug grows, it slowly starts to consume their body and personality, since it produces a constant craving for the drug. In the end, addiction to opioids always produces larger problems, and in order for a patient to get his life back on track, a medical detox may be necessary.
Is Medicine Given to Ween Off Opiates?
Sometimes certain medications are used to slowly guide patients through withdrawal symptoms from opiate addiction. This has been a very consistent and successful method of treating opiate addiction. Patients are given drugs that serve the purpose of gently escorting them through the unpleasant and dangerous process of drug withdrawal. Not applying substitute drugs and attempting to undergo the withdrawal without any medication can have extremely harmful consequences for patients.
What Drugs Are Given to Taper Off of Opiates?
Drugs like Suboxone and Tramadol are carefully administered by professional medical staff, with the dosage reduced after a certain amount of time. Steady opioid tapering is efficient in aiding patients with chronic pain who are taking a high dose of the drugs to slowly reduce it while lowering amounts of pain and threats of depression. Reducing the dosage of drugs used in the drug detox process shows promising results, and patients experience minimal withdrawal symptoms which can be quite helpful for those on high-dose opiates.
Am I Going to be in Pain During My Detox?
Withdrawal does cause sensations of pain, including body aches and stomach cramping, but this can be treated with the right mixture of substitute drug substances and professional medical care. Patients will be under the constant care of medical staff and any signs of physical or psychological distress will be treated, keeping pain during recovery reduced to the bare minimum.
How Does Medical Detox Help Me Through This?
Medical detox serves the purpose of taking you or your loved one on a path to recovery in the quickest and least painful way possible. Professional staff will take their experience and expertise and apply it to your needs. Every patient requires a unique and individualized method of treatment, and staff will help you devise a plan that will serve you well.
Reach Out For Help For Opioid Addiction
If you’ve wondered what opioids are, you’re not alone. With this information, you can make a more informed choice about what to do if you’re going to be taking opioids, or if someone you know already does. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to opiates and cannot get free, please consider reaching out for help. We can assist you with finding the best care for you or your loved one.
