Opiate Addiction
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The Perry Clayman Project provides specialised treatment for individuals who struggle with drug addiction, including opiate abuse and addiction. This includes inpatient detox, which begins the process of physical healing from addiction, and drug rehabilitation, which helps clients heal from their history of drug abuse, build skills that help them confront their history of drug abuse, and build skills that help them manage their well-being. If you or someone you love is struggling with opiate addiction, it is important to seek help and take steps towards unwinding the issues that have played a role in addiction.
Opioids, both derived from plants and synthetic drugs, are a class of drugs that are used to treat pain, cough, and diarrhoea. However, they are also used illegally. Most individuals who abuse opiates do so to re-create the first high. Commonly, individuals abuse opioids as a way to manage pain or decrease withdrawal symptoms they are experiencing.
Opiate Addiction
Worldwide, both opioid addiction and opioid use disorder (OUD) are extremely common. An estimated 16 million individuals worldwide are or have struggled with opioid addiction in their lifetime. In 2020, there were 2,263 opiate-related deaths in England and Wales. Opiate addiction impacts individuals of all ages, demographics, and educational backgrounds. This is due to the large amount of opiates prescribed to manage pain and the addictive nature of opiates. The misuse of prescribed opioids, particularly when taken outside of prescribed guidelines, significantly increases the risk of developing an addiction.
Opiates directly receptors in the brain that control pain and pleasure. In addition, they have an effect of sedation and pain relief. However, unlike endorphins that the brain naturally creates, opiates create a significantly larger response in the body. This results in pain relief and a high. The euphoria, pain relief, and sedation caused by opiates are significant reasons for a person to abuse opiates.
What is Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD), is a chronic condition characterized by the compulsive use of opioids despite negative consequences. Opioids, which include prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illicit drugs such as heroin, can lead to significant physical dependence. This dependence often results in tolerance, where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop or reduce opioid use. These withdrawal symptoms can be severe, making it challenging for individuals to quit without professional help.
Risk Factors for Opiate Addiction and Opioid Overdose
Opiate addiction can develop in many different types of individuals. Misuse of opioid medicine, such as taking it inappropriately or for extended periods, can significantly increase the likelihood of developing an addiction. Individuals with a disorder such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at a higher risk of opiate addiction. In addition, individuals with a history of substance abuse or addiction are at a significantly higher risk of becoming addicted when using opiates.
Commonly Used Opiates
There are many kinds of opiates available, both legally and illegally. Each type of opiate is prescribed for different uses. However, in general, they are prescribed to help individuals to manage pain, both acute and chronic. Commonly used opiates include:
Codeine
Fentanyl
Heroin
Hydrocodone
Morphine
Methadone
Oxycodone
Pethidine
Opioid analgesics are prescribed for pain management, but it is crucial to follow appropriate prescription practices to prevent misuse and addiction.
Symptoms and Withdrawal Symptoms of Opiate Addiction
If you believe you or someone you love is developing an opiate addiction, there are multiple signs and symptoms of opioid abuse to look for. While each person will display their addiction to opiates in a unique way, common symptoms can be physical, mental, or emotional. Symptoms of an opiate addiction are due to physical dependence on opiates.
Signs of physical dependency include:
Increasing the opiate dosage above the prescribed dosage
Mixing substances to increase the effects
Participating in high-risk behaviours
Impaired cognitive functions
Flu-like symptoms
Pain and muscle spasms
Rapid heart rate
High blood pressure
Constant thoughts of opioid use
Withdrawing from loved ones and social groups
Choosing opiate use above responsibilities
Mood swings and cravings related to not using opioids
Continued opioid use despite negative impacts
Diagnosis
In order for you or your loved one to be diagnosed with an opiate addiction, it is important to work with a licenced professional. Diagnosis begins with an assessment which takes opiate use, history of substance abuse, and other signs of addiction into consideration. A professional diagnosis is crucial for identifying opioid dependence and determining the appropriate treatment plan.
Clients at The Perry Clayman Project go through an intake process, which helps both clients and staff understand if they are struggling with an opiate addiction. Through detox and treatment, clients will continue to understand their diagnosis. In addition, they will learn tools that help them to manage their diagnosis in the short term, in treatment, and in the long term.
Opioid Overdose
An opioid overdose occurs when an individual consumes a quantity of opioids that overwhelms their body’s ability to function normally, often leading to life-threatening symptoms. The most critical danger of an opioid overdose is respiratory depression, where breathing slows down or stops entirely. Signs of an opioid overdose include extremely slow or stopped breathing blue-tinged skin, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect someone has overdosed on opioids, it is crucial to call emergency services immediately, as prompt treatment can be life-saving.
Complications of Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction can lead to a range of serious complications that affect various aspects of an individual’s life. One of the most severe risks is opioid overdose, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Additionally, sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Opioid addiction can also exacerbate mental health issues, leading to conditions like depression and anxiety. The strain of addiction often extends to personal relationships, causing significant problems with family and friends. Furthermore, opioid addiction can impact employment and financial stability, making it difficult for individuals to maintain a stable and productive life.
Opiate Addiction Treatment
The first step of treatment for an opiate addiction is to go through drug detox. Facing the drug detox process is intimidating. However, it is the first step to healing from an opiate addiction. During detox, clients do not use opiates and, therefore, go through the withdrawal process. However, clients’ symptoms are addressed through prescription drugs that protect them from the negative impacts of withdrawal. Opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone, play a critical role in managing opioid use disorder and preventing relapse.
Detox is an important and vital step in healing from opiate addiction. However, it is important that it is followed by a comprehensive treatment programme that addresses the underlying causes of addiction and builds skills that help an individual build a new life after treatment. A comprehensive treatment programme for opiate addiction consists of both individual and group therapy. In therapy, clients build skills that help them make different choices in the future, avoid triggers, and manage their substance use in the future. Safe practices for managing opioid medicines are essential to prevent misuse and addiction.
Through treatment for opiate addiction, clients also learn the underlying causes of addiction. This may include a personal or family history of substance abuse, challenges with mental health disorders, or struggles with chronic pain. Regardless of the unique issues at hand, treatment for opiate addiction helps clients to understand their struggle with opiate abuse more clearly and, therefore, be more able to adjust their actions for the future.
Opiate addiction is a serious issue that influences millions of individuals worldwide and creates chaos in a person’s life. To learn more about treatment for opiate addiction at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project and how it can help you rebuild your life after treatment, call us today at 08000 380 480.