Opiate Addiction

Opiate Addiction

An opiate is medically described as any narcotic alkaloid derived from the opium poppy plant. Opiates are widely utilized both with legitimate medical reason and illicitly. Morphine, codeine, heroin, oxycodone and hydrocodone are all classified as opiates. A survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Family Services stated that in 2006, 20.4 million Americans ages 12 and older were illicit opiate users. This translates to 8.3 percent of the population. There were also 10.2 million persons who admitted to driving under the influence of illicit drugs in that same year. Opiate abuse and addiction are widely spread through the entire country, making the need for available treatment options for these addicts is more prevalent than ever.

Recognizing Opiate Addiction

Opiates act directly on the central nervous system, disrupting normal physiological functions and altering brain biochemistry. Continuous opiate abuse means the body changes to accommodate the presence of that opiate. It is important for you to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of opiate abuse and addiction in your loved one. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the individual keep a steady supply of the opiate at their disposal?
  Most people with an opiate addiction keep ample amounts of the drug available to them for whenever they feel the urge to use.
• Does the individual need the drug to go about their day-to-day routine?
  Someone who is dependent on opiates feels they cannot function without having the drug.
• Does the individual have preoccupation with obtaining and using the drug?
  Opiate addicts will often go to extreme measures to obtain the drug. If it is a drug they can obtain with a prescription, they may travel to faraway clinics or hospitals to deal with a physician who is unfamiliar with their case.
• Does the individual show a lack of concern for hygiene and appearance?
  Someone with an opiate addiction with suddenly not care about their outward appearance. This is particularly evident in teenagers who may have a preoccupation with their appearance before developing an addiction.
• Is the individual’s school or work performance suffering?
  Someone with an addiction with often show declining performance in school or work. They may neglect their responsibilities or fail to attend at all.
• Is the individual’s health suffering from their opiate use?
  Someone with an opiate addiction will be aware of the potential long-term consequences of their drug use and may be suffering from some of these complications, but will still be unable to stop using.

Opiate Drug Rehab

Opiates are physically addictive drugs because they act directly on the central nervous system. For this reason, inpatient rehab may be recommended to treat this type of addiction. Inpatient rehab provides opiate addicts with round-the-clock support and supervision from counselors and medical professionals. This ensures their safety during treatment. Detox can be either medically aided or natural, though most physicians recommend a medically aided detox for opiate addiction. The medical aid replaces the opiate in the body but does not produce the same euphoric effects the actual drug might, making them a good option for a medical detox.

Following detox, patients enter counseling where they not only learn techniques to apply in their everyday lives, but work with therapists to understand the core reasons they abuse drugs.