Is prescription opioid abuse as terrible as the media makes it out to be? With so much hype on social media and elsewhere, it’s difficult to figure out what’s a real crisis. In fact, opioid addiction is real and becoming a victim is easier than you think.
How Prescription Opioid Abuse Happens
There are two avenues of addiction. First, there are the people who take someone else’s pills. They want to experience what the high feels like. They like that mellow feeling.
So, they keep using. When they run out of friends to give them pills, they look up pain symptoms. Next, they head to a couple of doctors to get prescriptions. Now, they buy their pain pills for getting high.
Prescription opioid abuse can also happen when you take painkillers because you need them. You follow all the instructions to the letter. Getting high does not interest you. You want to live without pain. After a few weeks, your body gets used to the dosage.
You call your doctor. She or he increases the dosage. The opioids now change your brain’s functioning. Some neurotransmitter activity requires the presence of the drugs.
Even after the pain subsides, you keep taking the pills just to feel normal. Maybe you also like the way they take the edge off things. You might have to lie about symptoms to keep getting prescriptions. Some people start doctor shopping.
Gateway Drug to Heroin Use
Doctors know that prescription opioid abuse can lead to heroin use. Both drugs function in very similar ways. However, heroin’s a lot cheaper. Moreover, when your doctor threatens to cut you off, heroin can be easier to get.
Opioid Abuse Has Deadly Consequences
Opiates such as heroin and opioid painkillers can lead to fatal overdoses. If you’re abusing the substances, you already go over the recommended dosages. Dealers frequently cut heroin with other chemicals to extend the amount they have to sell.
They make money, but they also put your life at risk. Case in point is the substance “Gray Death,” which refers to a mix of carfentanil and heroin. Its potency has led to numerous overdoses and deaths. The only way to prevent an overdose is to quit using.
Overcome Opioid Dependency with Detox
The first step on the road to recovery is opioid detox. This process allows you to withdraw from the drug. You do it gradually and with medical supervision. This step is vital to allow for a pain-free experience.
Many people fear opioid withdrawal symptoms. You don’t’ have to worry about them. Therapists use treatments such as:
- Detox medication management to keep you comfortable and without pain
- Chiropractic care that assists with the treatment of several pain symptoms
- Behavioral therapy as a means of overcoming cravings
- Psychotherapy sessions, which help you chart a course for your continued recovery
- Group therapy that provides peer support and relapse prevention training
To find this type of opioid addiction treatment center in TX, you don’t have to look far. Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston wants to help you get over prescription opioid abuse. Call 866.516.8356 today to find your way to recovery.
