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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Opiate Addiction Treatment

An opiate is a type of drug derived from the opium poppy plant. Opiates relieve pain by binding to pain receptors in the brain. This blocks pain signals and reduces pain associated with injuries and serious illnesses. Because opiates produce euphoric feelings, they can be addictive. If you are dependent on an opioid drug, enrolling in an opiate addiction treatment program can help you regain control of your life. Our toll-free hotline is available 24/7 for anyone who needs information about opiate rehab programs. Call us at for a free referral.

Effects of Addiction

OpiateOpiates can have a variety of effects on humans. One of the most common effects is a feeling of euphoria, which is defined as intense feelings of ecstasy, happiness, excitement, joy or elation. Opiates also cause drowsiness and pupil constriction and can slow down your respiratory rate. Some people experience nausea after taking opiates.

When an opiate is used for a long period of time, the body develops a tolerance to the drug. This means that you need to take a higher dosage of the drug to get the same amount of pain relief. Larger doses increase the risk of dependency and opiate misuse. In fact, the King County Department of Community and Human Services reports that approximately 5 percent of people in the United States misuse opiates.

Opiate Overdose

A drug overdose is the ingestion of a drug in an amount greater than recommended. If the maximum therapeutic dose of a drug is 100 mg, taking 200 mg of the drug would count as an overdose. How an overdose affects the body depends on an individual’s weight, body composition and a few other factors, but opiate overdose typically produces the following effects:

  • Shallow breathing
  • Convulsions
  • Slow breathing
  • Clammy skin

Someone who overdoses on an opiate drug needs immediate medical attention before entering an opiate addiction treatment program. The goal of emergency treatment is to preserve life and stabilize the overdose victim. Once the person is stable, opiate detox is recommended. A detox program helps people with opiate dependency cope with withdrawal symptoms and get on the road to recovery.

Withdrawal Symptoms

“If you have an opiate dependency, you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you do not take the drug at the same time each day.”If you have an opiate dependency, you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you do not take the drug at the same time each day. This is because opiates suppress the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. If you do not take the drug, your brain produces a surge of adrenaline. The adrenaline surge often produces multiple symptoms, including sweating, anxiety, difficulty breathing, palpitations, restlessness, tremors, irritability, depression and insomnia. If you experience these symptoms, an opiate detox program can help you get through them and prepare you for an opiate addiction treatment program where you’ll address the reasons behind your addiction.

Choosing an Opiate Detox Program

Choosing an opiate detox program is a very important decision. You need to research available programs very carefully, as what is right for someone else may not be right for you. If possible, visit each facility or speak with a program administrator on the phone before enrolling in a program. This will help you determine which program best meets your needs. During a detox program, you will work with addiction professionals who care about your well-being. You may take medications to help you cope with the symptoms of withdrawal. This process prepares you to enroll in an opiate addiction recovery and treatment program.

Rehabilitation Programs

rehabRehabilitation programs involve a variety of tools designed to address the emotional aspects of drug addiction. Some opiate rehab facilities offer individual counseling, group therapy and family therapy sessions to help clients understand their addictions. Individual and group therapy sessions help people develop the skills they need to abstain from drug misuse. Family therapy sessions explore various concepts, such as enabling and codependency. Participants share their feelings and work together to develop healthy coping strategies. If you need help finding the best private rehabilitation facility, we can help. Call our confidential referral line at .

Private vs. Public Facilities

There are private and public opiate addiction treatment programs available all over the world. This is partially due to the fact that the use of opioid pain relievers has increased by more than 10 times during the past 20 years, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Private facilities typically have more features than publicly funded programs.

There are also luxury rehab facilities available for those who want to use meditation, yoga and other alternative strategies to get their lives back on track. The amenities offered at each facility vary. Luxury facilities offer private rooms, high-quality meals and other desirable amenities.

Did You Know?

  • Opiates affect the brainstem, limbic system and spinal cord. This results in physical and emotional changes.
  • Some people have allergic reactions when they take opiates. These reactions may cause itching, wheezing, swelling and other symptoms. Without immediate treatment, someone who has an allergic reaction to an opiate may go into anaphylactic shock.
  • Mixing drugs, using drugs when you are alone and using the maximum dosage of a drug without testing its effects may increase your risk of opiate overdose. If you are engaging in these activities, consider enrolling in an opiate addiction treatment program.
  • In some cases, Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose. The drug wakes an overdose victim within five minutes. If you need more information about opiate addiction recovery, call our toll-free helpline at .

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