Opiate addiction is the addiction to the illicit drug heroin. It can also be an addiction to any prescription pain relievers. These include morphine, hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, and other such pain relief opioids. These opioids are also opiates or narcotics.
What is Opioid Addiction?
Opioids produce a sense of wellbeing and euphoria that can be highly addictive to some people. These drugs interact with the human body and nervous system to produce pleasure, euphoria, and even relieve pain. Unfortunately, opiate addiction is oftentimes a chronic and relapsing addiction. It occurs with relief or even reward by substance use and other destructive behaviors.
Unlike other addictions, opioids were originally intended– and are still legitimately used– for treating pain from surgery, persisting pain, or other such pains. Because of this reliance on opioids for pain relief, some people can develop a tolerance to opioids. This means the dosage has to increase in order for them to feel the effect. This need for more and more opioids is how an opiate addiction can begin.
Like most withdrawals, opiate withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable or even painful. However, the important thing to know and remember is that opiate withdrawal is not life-threatening if this is the only drug you are withdrawing from. A mixture of opiates and something else such as alcohol is incredibly dangerous, and we encourage you to seek professional help. Opiate addiction withdrawal includes but is not limited to symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, insomnia, hot and cold sweats, muscle aches and pains, and nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Am I Addicted to Opiates?
If you are unsure if you have an opiate addiction, contact us for professional help. Our certified and professional staff are here to help. We may be able to answer any questions you have or help you find relief and treatment. Unsure if your opiate habit is an opiate addiction then ask yourself a few of these questions:
- Have you increased your opiate usage recently or over time?
- When you attempt to stop taking an opiate, have you experienced any of the previously mentioned withdrawal symptoms or any other type of withdrawal symptoms?
- Are you currently taking too high of a dose
- Are you putting things off or avoiding responsibility because of your opiate usage?
- Have you made unsuccessful attempts at lowering your usage or cutting opiates out completely?
- Have you experienced any negative occurrences or negative behavior due to your opiate usage, and is that behavior-altering your relationship with the people around you?
While these questions are not a guaranteed way to know that you or a loved one may have an opiate addiction, these questions can open the door to the right line of questioning, which could lead to finding help. If any of these questions have you concerned about a potential opiate addiction, then speak with us or another professional that you’re comfortable with– we want to help. With a recovery plan, you can break out of your opiate addiction and take recovery one day at a time.
