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Prescription Painkiller Addiction, Abuse and Treatment

Prescription Painkiller Addiction, Abuse and Treatment

The number of people dependent on or addicted to prescribed painkillers is higher than ever before. These legal medications contain opiates, a synthetic version of opium which is a natural extract from the poppy plant. The illegal equivalent of opiate-based painkillers is heroin, which is a drug well-known as being highly addictive and incredibly dangerous.

For many people taking prescribed drugs for chronic pain conditions, heroin becomes a cheap alternative, particularly when tolerance has developed and they require a higher dose to manage their symptoms. This exposes individuals to a much wider range of risks by introducing them into a world of illicit drug-taking and also increases the potential for opiate addiction and all its dangers.

In 2012, an estimated 259 million Americans were prescribed opiate-based painkillers, with around 2 million going on to develop addiction illness. In the years following, more options have become available for opiate addiction treatment than ever before.

Types of Opiate Drugs

There are two types of prescription opiate drugs used for chronic conditions as follows:

  • Antagonists: These include clonidine and buprenorphine which are often prescribed during detox and do not contain any addictive components.
  • Agonists: Morphine and fentanyl are agonist drugs in that they have as much potential for abuse and addiction as the substance a person is being treated for.

The most common opiate agonists can be found in the list below.

Codeine

Codeine is a relatively mild form of opiate painkiller used to relieve symptoms of mild to moderate pain. This drug is known to be abused by young adults by mixing it with a sugary drink to give a temporary high.

Demerol

This drug is generally prescribed for more severe pain symptoms and it is known for its potential for addiction. Demerol works in the same way as morphine, or indeed heroin, by creating euphoric effects to distract the brain from pain signals.

Dilaudid

Dilaudid is a drug that is sometimes referred to as “hospital grade heroin” and is a highly potent painkiller that is available in an extended-release tablet form. Individuals abusing the drug can develop respiratory complications and even death.

Fentanyl

This prescription painkiller has 100 times the potency of morphine and as a result, is only prescribed for severe trauma. If an individual abuses fentanyl with other drugs to relieve their pain, they are at very high risk of significant side effects and even fatal overdose.

Methadone

Methadone is not only prescribed for chronic pain, but also as a mechanism to reduce cravings for heroin addicts. Despite the fact the drug is commonly used in an addiction treatment setting, it is highly addictive in its own right.

Morphine

Although morphine has been used for decades for chronic pain conditions, it has also become known as one of the most addictive substances.

Opiate Effects and Abuse

Opiate painkillers work by producing euphoric effects, particularly when taken in larger doses than prescribed. The intense euphoric feelings prove to be extremely compelling when taking opiates for the first time and can often lead to a destructive pattern of abuse.

Prescription opiate abuse generally starts when a person has developed tolerance to the drug’s effects. In essence, tolerance means that individuals need more of a substance to get the desired effects, which can happen quickly for someone with a chronic pain condition.

These individuals are likely to find themselves turned away by their physician if requesting a higher dose, leaving them with no alternative but to seek alternatives. This is done either by “doctor shopping” to get more prescriptions or by turning to the illegal alternative, heroin.

According to a survey carried out in 2014, almost 95% of respondents reported choosing heroin over prescription opiates because it is cheaper and easier to obtain.

Getting Opiate Addiction Help

Despite the challenges faced by people “graduating” from prescription opiates to street heroin being significant, it is still possible to overcome them. There are now numerous treatment paths available for people suffering from opiate use disorder, allowing them to manage pain in more natural and healthy ways.

Residential treatment programs provide patients with a drug-free environment where they can receive around-the-clock support and supervision. This is important with a substance as potent as opiates because of their significant negative impact on the brain if used over a period of time. Therapy sessions provide a platform for self-exploration and unlock a better understanding of the psychological and emotional impacts of addiction to allow for healing.

Many people who have abused or become addicted to prescription opiates are unwilling to commit to a treatment program that uses equally addictive drugs and medications. This is one of the main reasons more rehab centers are offering holistic or complementary therapies for all types of addiction, including prescription opiates and heroin. The holistic approach to addiction treatment addresses mental, physical and emotional issues relating to a person’s illness and can be extremely effective in helping them cope in long-term sobriety.

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