Thousands of people across the United States struggle with opioid addiction every year. For them, moving towards sobriety can be very difficult. Opioids alter how the body functions and can cause severe mental and physical problems for anyone that attempts to quit. Recovering from an addiction is always an option, though, with the right help and support.
How Opioid Addiction Affects The Body
When taken, opioids attach themselves to opiate receptors throughout the brain, spinal cord, and various organs throughout the body. Opiate receptors usually send signals to the brain in order to alert it to the pain and discomfort that the person is experiencing. By attaching to these receptors, opioids help reduce the perception of pain. There are many opioid-based drugs that are prescribed as painkillers for that reason, including:
- Hydrocodone
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Unfortunately, opioids also affect the pleasure center of the brain. Many people who take opioids the first time experience a sense of euphoria. Some users may begin abusing the drug in order to attain that same feeling, which alters the amount of dopamine being produced naturally in the brain. Continuous use can inhibit certain chemical production entirely and cause the user to become physically dependent on the drug.
People who struggle with opioid addiction will experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop their drug use. Withdrawal usually starts within 12 hours after the last drug use and includes mild symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Muscle Aches
- Running Nose
- Sweating
- Yawning
Those who go 30 or more hours without their opioid of choice are going to experience more intense symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. While none of the symptoms is life threatening, they can be incredibly uncomfortable and last for weeks. It’s very common for people attempting to go through withdrawal on their own to turn back to their drug use. For some, continued drug use stems from the belief that addiction is their only option.
What’s Needed To Overcome Opioid Addiction
Recovering from opioid addiction can be a very long process. Often, people need to change life-long habits and behaviors in order to fully live away from their addiction. It can take a combination of counseling, various therapy programs, and support from others in order for patients to recover.
For many, addiction recovery has to start with detox. Through a detox program, patients work through their withdrawal symptoms with medical professionals who are able to provide them with support, one-on-one therapy, and other forms of care. Often, detox programs provide patients with the foundation to build the rest of their recovery on. The lessons they learn during drug detox can help shape how they face life stresses and drug cravings. These lessons learned can help keep them sober years after their treatment has ended.
Start Opioid Detox In A Opioid Addiction Treatment Center Houston Trusts
If you or a loved one needs to go through opioid addiction treatment, Serenity House Detox & Recovery can be a great place to start. We provide all of our patients with individualized detox services that help them through the specific problems they have related to their drug use. Because of that, we’ll be able to provide you or your loved one with the foundation that’s necessary for maintaining lasting sobriety.
You don’t have to let addiction control your life any longer. Let Serenity House Detox & Recovery help you through the crucial first step of your addiction treatment. Call us at 866.516.8356 and let’s talk about starting your recovery journey today.
