More on Opiate Addiction

Effects of Use
Opiate addicts Pennsylvania use the drug to feel a sense of well-being that comes in a rush after the drug is taken. After this initial feeling of euphoria, the user goes through alternate periods of feeling alert and then drowsy. Using opiates affects the user's ability to reason clearly. Respiration slows, and reflexes are impaired.

Complications and Long Term Effects of Opiate Abuse
Whenever someone uses opiates and develops a tolerance for the drug, the possibility of a drug overdose is always a concern. Be alert for these signs and call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number if you notice them:

Difficulty breathing
Fingertips and lips turn blue
Shallow breathing
Weak pulse

Over the long term, opium addicts Pennsylvania may display these kinds of symptoms:

Collapsed veins (if the drug is being injected)
Refusing to eat
Ignoring basic personal hygiene
Liver disease
Pneumonia

Help and Treatment for Opiate Addiction Pennsylvania
A drug detox and rehab facility can help an opium addict get free from the drug. Opium withdrawal symptoms include:

Aches and pains
Chills
Cravings for the drug
Insomnia
Nausea
Restlessness
Vomiting
For most people, the withdrawal symptoms subside within seven days. Since an addict's health may already be compromised after long-term use, getting drug abuse help by checking into an opiate addiction treatment facility is a good choice. That way, the person's condition can be monitored closely while they are going through the process of ridding their body of the drug.

There are a number of rehab clinics that offer services to people who are trying to break the cycle of addiction to opiates. Many of these facilties, such as Narconon, have web sites where you can get information about the services offered and the approach the facility takes to helping people learn how to quit using opiates.

Beyond Quitting: Opiate Recovery and Rehabilitation
Detox and quitting are only the first steps; an individual must also get help to deal with the reasons why they became addicted to opiates in the first place. Opiate treatment must include this element, or the person is at increased risk for a relapse. Part of opiate drug rehabilitation is teaching the addict that even though they have quit opiates, they need to learn new patterns of behavior to replace their former ways.

Opiate Addiction

Opiates are narcotics, and drugs in this category tend to make the user feel sleepy (downers), as opposed to energized (uppers). Many are powerful and can severely "numb" the user.

As medication, opiates are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. The term opiate refers to any of the narcotic alkaloids found in opium, as well as all derivatives of such alkaloids.

Common Opiate Use

People with chronic pain, cancer, or who are recovering from surgery may be prescribed these medications. Opiates include such prescription medications as:

Codeine
Morphine
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Percocet
Percodan
Ultram
Vicodin

What is Opiate Addiction Pennsylvania?
A person has an opiate addiction when they develop a dependence on the medication. They continue to take the medication to avoid going through opiate withdrawal symptoms or because they want to continue to experience the euphoric effects of the drug.

Signs of Opiate Dependence
Signs of addiction to opiates Pennsylvania include:

Having to take larger doses of the medication to get the desired effect
Spending a lot of time focusing on the drug, using it and being able to take it again and again
Depression and/or suicidal thoughts
Unkempt physical appearance, including weight loss in some cases
Social withdrawal
Causes of Dependency

Opiate addicts Pennsylvania get hooked on the medication because of the way it acts on the user's brain. If the drug is used regularly and to excess, the brain stops producing natural painkillers called endorphins. As a result, the person who is addicted to opiates experiences a physical dependence on the drug.

Opioid Addiction

The dependence of opioids is more common than is discussed. Women and men of all races, ethnicities, educational levels, and ages are susceptible to opioids. No specific group of people, gender or age is protected from opioid dependence.

An opioid is a drug that is either created from opium, or is chemically related to opium. Some prescription pain medications are opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, codeine). Heroin is also an opioid. Someone is considered opioid dependent when repeated opioid use is needed to avoid feeling bad and this use continues even when it causes negative effects on the user.

Any type of drug use usually begins as a choice but frequent use can catapult into addiction by causing the brain to think that the drug is necessary to exist. Many drugs, opioids included, cause changes in the brain that can cause cravings for years after the drug usage is discontinued. Opioids attach themselves to opioid receptors (specific places where molecules of opioid drugs or medications attach and begin to exert their effect) in the brain. This stimulates the release of dopamine (a naturally occurring chemical that helps cause feelings of pleasure). Eventually the opioid detaches from the receptors and causes cravings and withdrawal, making the user want to experience the feeling again.

The need to avoid withdrawal and appease cravings can be so intense that it can cause someone to do something he wouldn't ordinarily do to obtain more of the drug or similar ones. People who want to discontinue the use of opioids usually find it to be extremely difficult. For these reasons, opioid dependence can affect one's behavior.

Since 1972, the renowned Clearbrook Treatment Centers have been providing effective treatment programs for adults and adolescents who suffer from alcoholism and/or chemical dependency. Clearbrook’s rehabilitation program is based upon the belief that alcoholism and chemical dependency is a primary disease and that the suffering addict and his or her family members deserve immediate help.