Most people are aware, that opiates are often used to treat pain. (Sometimes they are referred to as narcotics). Lots of doctors are great at prescribing opiates, but are not especially helpful when it comes time to taper off the drug before a dependency takes hold. As such, according to statistics from The Center for Disease Control; about 50% of those addicted to opiates, started off by receiving it via a doctor’s prescription. Then, the person feels ashamed when they are not able to discontinue the opiate, without going into what are known as withdrawal symptoms. Opiate withdrawal is very uncomfortable; to say the least, and can consist of hot and cold sweats and chills, muscle aches, stomach cramps and diarrhea, lasting several days. The individual often figures out, the way to alleviate all of the terrible discomfort is by, guess what? Taking more opiates. The person, who took opiates from the doctor now has a “monkey on their back.” That means, they cannot go without taking more opiates, without becoming physically sick and ill. It’s truly unbelievable, if one thinks about it. Then, we all know about all the harm a drug addiction can cause, especially if left untreated. It’s important to understand what could potentially happen, how to prevent it, and what to do about it if does actually happen.
Self-Medicating Is a Problem
Going into rehab often comes with a perceived stigma, as well as a hefty price tag that most people really cannot afford. For that reason, folks with severe problems with, for example, depression and anxiety; find out through trial and error, that their feelings of anxiety and depression seem to just melt away, when they take opiate pain medication, or even heroin. That process has been referred to by some as SELF MEDICATING. Lots of individuals who eventually become addicted to certain drugs like opiates, do so in an attempt to self-medicate. Then, when the person tries to stop the drug, their problems with depression and anxiety come roaring back. People can die in the process of self-medicating, so it can be a huge problem. Seeking help as soon as possible is associated with a more positive outcome.
Long-Term Effects
The longer the person is dependent on opiates, the longer it will probably take to get the person off of them. In fact, one can say that taking high doses of potent opiates, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and heroin, for an extended length of time, causes some damage to the brain. Specifically, the more opiates a person takes, the more opiate receptors are produced. Then, when the person tries to stop, they have all of the extra receptors crying out, “Where’s our opiates?” That is what causes the cravings, or the uncontrollable urges to take more opiates. Then, the problem continues, on and on. Sadly, once addicted, the brain becomes very selfish, and will exclude the important things in life, in order to obtain and use more opiates.
If you feel you may have become addicted to opiates, visit The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi website. You can follow them on Twitter for latest news and updates!
