Across the United States, communities continue to suffer from an opioid epidemic. From OxyContin and prescription fentanyl to heroin and street fentanyl, opioids can be detrimental to individuals and their families. Unfortunately, opioids are often easy to get, incredibly addictive, and challenging to stop taking without medically-assisted treatment and psychiatric support. Medication-assisted treatment programs are the leading approach to successful opioid rehab.
If you or someone you love is struggling with opioids, know you are not alone. Help may be more accessible than you think. There is opioid addiction treatment in New Hampshire that you can enroll in today. Don’t wait. Opioid overdose and death are common. Seek an opioid rehab center for substance abuse treatment today.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs that mimic opiates. Originally from the opium poppy, opiates have been used for centuries to relieve pain and provide a euphoric high. Natural opiates like morphine, opium, and codeine are used to create synthetic or semi-synthetic opioids like heroin, OxyContin, fentanyl, and Vicodin. These drug versions are significantly stronger, longer lasting, and more dangerous.
Both opiates and opioids block pain receptors in the brain and release high levels of dopamine. Dopamine is known as “the pleasure chemical, ” which causes euphoria, hallucinations, and joy. It also causes a dopamine “reward effect” that causes the brain to crave more dopamine and more opioids. While some opioids are designed as slow-release patches or tablets, many must be consumed every 6-12 hours to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Opioid withdrawal occurs when the brain and body depend on opioids for certain chemical processes. Often called “dope sickness,” opioid withdrawal causes uncomfortable symptoms that make it hard to quit opioids without help with a substance abuse treatment program.
Why Medically-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Essential for Opioid Withdrawal
Dope sickness can cause someone to become a danger to themselves and those around them. During withdrawal, the brain believes it cannot survive without more opioids. This is a normal reaction to withdrawal. Unfortunately, it also leads to relapse. Long-term use of opioids changes a person’s brain, making it even more difficult to become sober. Medically-assisted treatment lessens withdrawal symptoms and helps the brain slowly restore after opioid addiction.
Signs of opioid addiction include:
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Profuse sweating
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Emotional reactivity
- Paranoia
- Drug-seeking behavior
- Hallucinations
Unfortunately, many people take opioids as prescription medication. After surgery, an accident, or routine procedures, someone may begin a course of opioids and quickly crave more. This is because it’s easy to build a tolerance to opioids. Building a tolerance means that the more someone takes opioids, the more they will need to feel the same effect.
Many people self-medicate with opioids to numb emotional pain, PTSD, chronic stress, and undiagnosed mood disorders. A holistic dual diagnosis program can help people understand and treat their mental health alongside opioid recovery. The medically-assisted treatment uses medications that act similarly to opioids in the brain, assisting people to slowly ween off of painkillers. Without medication, it can be impossible to avoid relapse.
How Can Opioid Addiction Treatment Help
Many people self-medicate and self-soothe with opioids. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for people to seek treatment or find the right opioid rehab center for their needs. When looking for a program, looking for dual diagnosis clinics is essential. These clinics provide mental health assessment and treatment alongside opioid recovery.
This holistic approach often heals the root cause of substance use and lessens addiction triggers. It’s also important to find a clinic with medically-assisted treatment options. While not everyone may be a candidate for medically-assisted treatment, it can lessen the risk of relapse and increase program completion rates and success.
Never trust a center that boasts a “quick fix” or has unlicensed therapists. While holistic treatment is essential in modern addiction treatment programs, not all alternative therapies work. It’s important to screen a clinic through your healthcare provider, and it never hurts to ask local support groups or addiction therapists for recommendations.
Locate an Opioid Addiction Treatment Center in New Hampshire Now
Opioids can be deadly. If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait for opioid abuse treatment. Seek treatment in New Hampshire today.
