Opioid Abuse

The compulsive use of opioids or any use outside the label’s instructions can constitute abuse. Most people don’t set out to become addicted to their medication. In fact, most people become “accidental addicts” after taking prescription medication for a legitimate condition. Opioids, including OxyContin , Percocet, Codeine, Fentanyl and Vicodin, are used for pain relief and cough suppression.

They’re among the most prescribed drugs on the market and sadly, among the most abused. Once regular use has caused a tolerance, the medication becomes ineffective at producing intended effects. At this point, many people decide to escalate their use. Misuse becomes common also, with some people choosing to mix opioids with other substances which can be harmful or cause fatal overdose.

Other forms of abuse include breaking, crushing or otherwise disturbing the medication to cause rapid release of the medicine. Opioid abuse can damage your health, your ability to function normally in everyday life and ruins careers and relationships. Opioids can produce feelings of intense euphoria and can be highly addicting. This class of drugs is derived from opium, as well as synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs similar to opium.

Tolerance and Withdrawal Are Two Signs that a Problem with Opioids Has Developed

Signs that you may have a problem with an opioid include the development of tolerance. At this point, it’s so important to speak to a doctor about switching the dose or the medication itself. The onset of withdrawal symptoms once use has been stopped is a sign that a physical addiction has developed. Opioids can cause very severe withdrawal, especially among patients who have taken them long-term or abused them in any manner.

If you have become increasingly consumed with obtaining the drug or are spending more time engaging in drug-seeking behaviors, it may be time to seek help from an addiction specialist. If your use of opioids has begun to interfere in one or more areas of your life, chances are a problem has developed. Continual use despite negative consequences indicates the presence of a physical and/or psychological dependence. Prescriptions written for opioids have increased in recent years. Patients who have suffered prior addictions are at a higher risk of abusing opioids or becoming dependent upon them.

Safe, Medical Detox Can Take Less than Two Hours

Abuse of opioids can lead to addiction which calls for specialized medical detox to ensure safety. The Waismann Method offers a renowned rapid detox program that is based on the idea that all patients should be treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity. Our safe, humane treatment for opioid detox can rid patients of their addiction within days.

Performed in a hospital setting, the procedure takes less than two hours to perform and uses intravenous medicine to cleanse the drugs from patients’ opiate receptors. Our detox helps to medically manage withdrawal symptoms without the use of other opiates. Patients awake opiate free without awareness of the accelerated withdrawal they went through. We also offer transitional living through our Domus Retreat facility.

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