What are opiates, how do they affect the body and how can you spot opiate addiction and get help?
Most of us know opiates are an addictive drug and a serious problem in the U.S., but that may be the extent of our knowledge. So just what are opiates?
Opiate Facts
Opiates are a category of medical-grade painkillers that are legally available by prescription only. Often, they derive from opium, but there are also synthetic versions. Opiates are the most common narcotic used for medical purposes, but there are other narcotics that fit in this classification, including heroin, although heroin no longer has any accepted medical use. Pain medications containing opiates (also known as narcotic analgesics), are marketed under brand names including Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, Demerol and Darvon.
Effects of Opiate Use
Short-term effects of opiate abuse appear almost immediately and last a few hours, providing the user with a euphoric rush. Mental function is diminished as the central nervous system is depressed. The euphoria is often followed by drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Many users also experience constricted pupils, watery eyes, and itching. Long-term effects include collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, cellulitis and liver disease. Outward signs of opiate use may include a reluctance to get out of bed in the morning, weight loss and listlessness.
In addition to producing a feeling of euphoria, opiates also affect functions your body does automatically, including breathing or coughing. Pain signals from the body are also blocked, which can lead to serious injury. Opiate abuse is associated with serious health conditions, including fatal overdose, spontaneous abortion, collapsed veins, and, particularly in users who inject the drug, infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Overdose produces slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and death.
The incidence of emergency room visits related to narcotic analgesic abuse has been increasing in the U.S. since the mid-‘90s, and more than doubled between 1994 and 2001, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). In 2001, there were an estimated 90,232 ER visits related to narcotic analgesic abuse, a 117 percent increase since 1994. Nationally, narcotic analgesics were involved in 14 percent of all drug abuse-related ED visits in 2001.
Opiate Addiction
With regular opiate use, a tolerance develops, requiring more of the drug to get the same “high” as before. Physical dependence means the user is now at risk of withdrawal symptoms when the drug isn't taken regularly. These include drug cravings, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, etc. Sudden withdrawal can even be fatal. That's why medical detox in these cases is so important.
Opiate Rehab At La Paloma
You don't want to trust your recovery to just anyone. La Paloma Treatment Center's staff is experienced in opiate drug addiction. The staff-to-client ratio at La Paloma assures personalized care and the facility uses an integrated treatment approach, dealing not only with the addiction but any mental or emotional conditions that led to substance use in the first place. A newly renovated detox wing is available for those who need it, with medical supervision allowing for the safest possible experience. Length of stay is determined on an individual basis, with the staff choosing the program that allows for the greatest level of long-term success. At La Paloma, continuing care is part of the plan, assuring that recovery is lasting long after you leave us.
If you or someone you know is in need of treatment for OxyContin addiction, contact La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about the treatment process, financing and logistics.
What are opiates, how do they affect the body and how can you spot opiate addiction and get help?
