kathy ireland® Recovery Centers

Opiate Addiction

Communities around the country have struggled with the effects of opiates. The clinicians at our various kathy ireland® Recovery Centers have the treatments and resources to provide you with the support you need to overcome substance use disorders (SUDs) involving opiates like codeine or morphine. According to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office in Ohio, “opiate-related deaths accounted for almost 92% of overdose deaths for [the] full-year [of] 2018.” Substance abuse has increased since 2018, leading to even higher numbers of overdose deaths caused by opiates. We offer assistance for individuals and families who need access to high-quality treatment for SUD.

We have programs that provide relief from the side effects and symptoms of SUDs involving opiates. Our facilities have 24/7 medical supervision and evidence-based therapeutic modalities capable of stabilizing your mental and physical health. You can heal from opiate use disorder (OUD) and achieve long-term sobriety with the help of our compassionate team of clinicians. No matter where you are in your recovery, we are here to guide and support you through the next step of your journey.

What Is Opiate Addiction?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “opioid addiction often comes after the person has developed opioid tolerance and dependence, making it physically challenging to stop opioid use and increasing the risk of withdrawal.” Doctors use opiates for pain management and legitimate medical procedures. However, the highly addictive nature of these substances makes it challenging to balance pain relief and the possible danger of addiction. Addiction or substance use disorder usually follows increased tolerance and dependence.

Opiate misuse does not look the same for everyone, and you may develop a dependence on opiates without becoming addicted to them. According to research published in Anesthesia and Analgesia, some of the risk factors for developing OUD include: 

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Family history of opioid abuse or mental health disorders
  • Current or past opioid abuse
  • Co-occurring mental health disorders
  • Social and family environment
  • The use of prescription drugs like Methadone

Opioids Include Natural Opiates

Many people use the terms opiate and opioid interchangeably, but they are not the same. Opiates refer specifically to natural opioids like codeine and morphine. Opioids, on the other hand, include all substances that interact with opioid receptors in the brain and body, including natural opiates and semi-synthetic or synthetic opioids. Most research and medical information that talks about opioids include natural opiates without differentiating between them.

According to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPA) of the State of Oregon, “opiates are chemical compounds that are extracted or refined from natural plant matter (poppy sap and fibers).” Some examples of opiates include:

  • Opium
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Heroin
Opiate addiction
case management for addiction

Signs of Opiate Misuse

The signs of opiate misuse exist along a spectrum. How they manifest can vary from person to person based on a wide range of factors, including age, genetics, medical history, and the type of substance used. Common signs that indicate someone has an OUD include the following:

  • Continued use of the substance despite adverse reactions or consequences
  • Trying to get opiates from illegal sources
  • Attempts to trick doctors into providing more opiates than necessary (for example, claiming it was lost) or “doctor shopping” to get more than one prescription
  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Increased tolerance
  • Cravings
  • A constant preoccupation with getting more opiates

Not everyone with opiate dependency has an OUD. However, if you are worried about yourself or a loved one, reach out to your doctor today or call us to find out more. We have several locations around the country capable of providing intensive outpatient and residential treatment for individuals experiencing SUDs involving opiates.

How Opiates Affect Your Long-Term Health

Your long-term health can be significantly affected by opioid use disorder. Not everyone responds the same way to misusing opiates, but a few of the most common long-term side effects include the following:

  • Constipation
  • Breathing difficulties while sleeping
  • Increased risk of fractures
  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Difficulty focusing

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “opioid misuse can cause slowed breathing, which can cause hypoxia, a condition that results when too little oxygen reaches the brain.” Some of the long-term effects of hypoxia include “coma, permanent brain damage, or death.”

Middle aged women laughing together
self help for mental health disorders and addiction

Treatment and Therapy Options

We believe in providing holistic treatment, which includes modalities that ensure your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being while under our care. At kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, we treat substance use disorders and other co-occurring conditions, including mental health disorders. For opioid use disorder, have the following psychotherapies and treatment services:

  • Peer support
  • Group therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other individual talk therapies
  • Essential skill development
  • Relapse prevention education
  • Case management
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Aftercare planning

Treatment can be more difficult if you have severe acute or chronic pain because most pain relief medications capable of helping with severe symptoms have addictive qualities. As such, we can treat chronic pain in addition to SUDs.

Aftercare Services and Planning

Opioid use disorders and related mental health disorders might require long-term treatment in outpatient or sober living facilities. We have multiple locations around the country capable of providing superior residential and outpatient care, and all of them feature case management that includes aftercare planning and alumni services. We believe that everyone should have access to the treatment they need to live healthier. You can rely on us to help you through challenges you may face during your continuing recovery.

Opiate addiction

To learn more about how we can help you overcome substance use disorders involving opiates, contact kathy ireland® Recovery Centers today:
(603) 619-1132.

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