How long does it take to get addicted to opioids?

The misuse of opioids is a large epidemic in the United States due to their extremely addictive nature and how prevalent they are in modern medicine. Many people are prescribed opioids as a means for managing chronic pain or to help in recovery from an injury. However, continued use of opioids or the misuse of them can lead to an addiction that can be very difficult to break from.

How long does it take to get addicted to opioids?

Opioid addiction can set in slowly for some and much more quickly for others. It depends on a number of factors, such as:

• The type of opioid you’re using. For example, heroin is an opioid derivative that is one of the most addictive substances on earth. Prescription opioid pills are also very addictive but not on the same level as something like heroin.
• Whether you are using opioids as prescribed or misusing them.
• Personal factors, such as age, weight, medical history and mental health.

A psychological addiction to opioids can develop within just a few days of misusing them. A physical addiction can take a little longer, but again, this varies depending on a number of factors. 

Regardless of how long it takes to become addicted to opioids, in the end you will still need help from professionals if you want to break free from addiction.

Recovery from opioid addiction

Opioids are extremely addictive because of the dopamine levels they produce in your brain, which triggers a pleasure and reward response. This sense of euphoria drives the desire to continue misusing opioids to re-create the sensation, leading to a psychological and physical addiction that is hard to break from.

Recovery professionals, like those at Tulip Hill Recovery, can help you break free from your addiction and manage mental health issues that may be fueling the addiction. Quitting on your own is very difficult, but with a team like ours by your side, freedom from opioids is within your reach.

Start your recovery journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to addiction in order to treat it at its main source. Our treatment model emphasizes the dual diagnosis approach, which means we treat addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders that might be fueling the addiction. This helps a person in recovery become better equipped for dealing with the challenges of mental health disorders without feeling like they need substances or alcohol to cope.

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction for you or someone you love? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and help start the recovery journey.