Opiate Drug Addiction
What is Opiate Drug Addiction?
It is the prolonged use of opiates. Opiates are a family of drugs, which are derived naturally or even synthetically from the seed of the poppy plant. Opiate drugs are narcotic sedatives which depress the activity of the central nervous system and they are used to reduce pain and induce sleep. Opiates are an effective treatment for many types of pain, from moderate to severe pain, but they also have a high chance of physical and emotional dependency.
Using opiates for a long time may lead to tolerance, which means that the amount of drugs taken needs to be increased in order to achieve the same effects as before. This can also lead to dependence. The Opiate Drug Addiction can often lead to overdose and even death. The opiates family includes prescribed opiates, but also the illegal drug Heroin. The most common opiate drugs that are prescribed include:
The long term opiate abuse leads to physical dependence. Usually, a person who suffers of Opiate Drug Addiction needs to be treated by specialized medical staff in order to be able to stop using opiates; otherwise, the withdrawal symptoms may be serious and even lead to death. The most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Craving to use the drugs
- Cramping in the stomach
- Chills or goose bumps
- Irritation or agitation
- Shakes or trembling
- Muscle aches
- Bone pain
- Dilated pupils
Anyone who suffers from Opiate Drug Addiction needs to get specialized help in order to safely give up the addiction and recover from it. There are more methods of treatment for those addicted to opiate drugs, but the main ones include detox, medication replacement therapy, support groups, counseling, and therapy. Here is a list of the main types of treatments for opiate addiction:
- Residential treatment – this is the most suitable for people who suffer from a severe addiction and cannot complete the needed treatment without constant medical supervision. It takes place in a hospital-like setting.
- Inpatient treatment – it resembles the residential treatment and it is recommended for patients who need medical supervision and care in order to keep them from relapsing
- Outpatient treatment – it is designed for addicted people who can also continue their lives outside the facility.
- Support groups