Opioids Addiction Explained |
Posted: October 30, 2012 |
Description of Opioids Opioids (oh-pee-oyds) are typically prescription medication that is utilized by physicians to treat and alleviate pain, explains drug and alcohol treatment Florida. The mode of action of these drugs is via reducing the number of pain signals an individual’s body sends to the brain. Additionally, these particular drugs change the mode by which an individual’s brain responds to the symptoms of pain. Drug and alcohol treatment Florida observes that the primary usages for this class of pain medication is for pain reduction associated with dental procedures and toothaches, back injuries, post-operatively after surgical procedures and chronic conditions such as cancer. Additionally, it is not uncommon to find opioids in prescription cough medicines prescribe by physicians. David Kolker, Therapist at Drug and Alcohol Treatment Florida states, “Although when opioids are used for their intended purpose (mainly to relieve pain or symptoms associated therefrom), they can be extremely effective, the primary concern is that they are highly addictive.” Not only are they psychologically addictive, they are physically addictive, thus, meaning that an individual who utilizes these drugs for prolonged periods of time will develop tolerance and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. How do we define Addiction? Addiction is a brain disorder that impacts a person biologically, socially and psychologically. Typically, drug and alcohol treatment Florida recognizes that addiction is characterized by an inability to stop a substance or predict the usage pattern after an individual begins to ingest the substance. Moreover, drug and alcohol treatment Florida observes that addiction is a process whereby the choice to use drugs and alcohol are impeded and the brain, after prolonged usage, changes in such a way that urges to use the substance dramatically changes a person’s behavior. List of typical Opioid Drugs:
Tolerance: Indicative of Addiction and Dependence How do we define tolerance? David Kolker, Therapist at Drug and Alcohol treatment Florida and Sober Living Outpatient, states, “Tolerance is a process whereby an individuals body, after prolonged usage of opioids, begins to get used to the drug and increased amounts of the drug are needed to achieve the same effect at earlier lower dosages.” Quite simply, tolerance exists when an individual must take increasingly higher doses of a drug or substance to reach a euphoric state or achieve pain relief. Drug Dependence: Indicative of Addiction and Dependence What is drug dependence? Drug dependence is a process whereby the brain changes as a result of increased and prolonged usage of a drug or substance. Additionally, the process of drug dependence includes changes in the way an individual’s body reacts to a drug or substance over prolonged usages of the drug or substance. Drug and alcohol Treatment Florida recognizes that the keystone indicator of drug dependence is withdrawal upon discontinuation of the drug or substance. When the individual ceases the intake of the drug or substance, quite often, they will suffer from the following symptoms:
These symptoms will typically subside after several days of discontinuation of the drug; however, drug and substance dependence and the side effects therefrom, often prevent individuals from cessation of the substance or drug. What is the difference between drug tolerance, dependence, and addiction? Prolonged usage of a drug or substance normally creates drug tolerance and dependence on the substance. Additionally, Drug and alcohol treatment Florida reports that it is possible to be tolerant and dependent without being addicted. Tolerance and Dependence are a normal part of prolonged usage of opioids and the symptoms can be treated whereby the individual is able to successfully cease usage of the drug or substance. However, addiction to a drug or substance is not a normal condition, but rather, a disease of the brain. Drug and Alcohol Treatment Florida states that “An individual is addicted to a drug or substance when an individual’s body and brain cannot function without the ingestion of the drug or substance.” Additionally, obsessive drug seeking behavior, health problems related to the substance usage and relationship or social issues related to the substance impact the individual’s daily activities. How do I know if I'm addicted? You might be addicted if you crave the drug or if you feel like you can’t control the urge to take the drug. You may also be addicted if you keep using the drug without your doctor’s consent, even if the drug is causing trouble for you. The trouble may be with your health, with money, with work or school, with the law, or with your relationships with family or friends. Your friends and family may be aware of your addiction problem before you are, because they notice the changes in your behavior How is opioid addiction treated? Treatment for opioid addiction is different for each person, but the main goal of treatment is to help you stop using the drug (this is called detox) and avoid using it again in the future (this is called avoiding relapse). To help you stop using the drug, your doctor can prescribe certain medicines to help relieve your withdrawal symptoms and control your cravings. These medicines include methadone (often used to treat heroin addiction), buprenorphine, and naltrexone. After detox, drug and alcohol treatment Florida offers behavioral treatments such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, and cognitive therapy, that can help you learn how to manage depression, avoid the drug, deal with cravings, and heal damaged relationships. Additionally, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Florida highly recommends that the individual become involved with a 12-step based program of support and recovery. What should I do if I think I'm addicted? The first step in breaking addiction is realizing that you control your own behavior. Drug and Alcohol Treatment Florida suggests the following steps that will help and individual fight their addiction and substance dependence:
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