Understanding Opioid Addiction

Between 21% to 29% of people prescribed opioids for chronic pain end up misusing the drug and between 8% to 12% actually develop an opioid use disorder. [1]

With about a quarter of opiate users misusing the drug, it is no wonder that the drug use has warranted an opioid crisis.

If can be difficult to watch your loved one struggle with an opioid addiction, but the first step to getting them help is understanding opioid addiction and what they are going through. At Faith in Recovery, we know that you may be confused about your loved one’s addiction and why this is happening to them. Our Christian drug rehab is here to help you understand the basics of opioid addiction so that you can get them the help they need .

What Are Opioids?

The first step to understanding opioid addiction is knowing what opioids are. Opioids are any number of drugs that are derived from the opium poppy plant. They are used to treat pain, but because they are highly addictive, they can lead to drug abuse and dependence. Opioids include heroin and prescription painkillers like morphine, hydrocodone, and methadone.

Prescription pain killers are highly addictive and can often transition into a heroin addiction. In fact, it is estimated that almost 80% of heroin users in the United States misused prescription opioids first. [2] If your loved one is addicted to opioids, you will want to get them into our faith-based addiction treatment in Pompano before they develop a heroin addiction.

Withdrawal and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction

Understanding opioid dependence is difficult if you are not addicted to any drugs yourself. You need to understand the signs of opioid addiction so that you can recognize an addiction with your loved one. When someone is addicted to prescription opioids, they may show signs of confusion, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, euphoria, and increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia). As people continue to use opioids, their bodies become more tolerant to the drug, so they need more of it in order to feel the same effect. The body will become dependent on the drug, and they will experience intense cravings if they go through withdrawal. As part of our faith-based treatment in Pompano Beach, our medically monitored detox will help them safely rid their body of the drug before transitioning into a treatment program and practicing spiritual principles during the recovery process.

The most important part of understanding opiate addiction is understanding that addiction is a disease that requires professional help like our Christian recovery programs in order to get better. You want what is best for your loved one, so get them the specialized help they need with our faith-based treatment track.

If you are looking for opiate addiction treatment or heroin addiction treatment in Pompano Beach for your loved one, our experienced staff is here to help. At our faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center, your loved one will get the support they need to overcome their addiction as well as strengthen their faith in the process.

Sources:

1. PubMed: US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health – Rates of opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction in chronic pain: a systematic review and data synthesis
2. SAMHSA: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality – Associations of Nonmedical Pain Reliver Use and Initiation of Heroin Use in the United States