What Are Opioids?
Opioids are central nervous system depressants. They create euphoric and calming effects for people experiencing physical pain. Opioids act by causing the brain to release dopamine, a pleasure neurotransmitter.
Many opioids have legitimate medical uses. Prescription opioids are used to treat moderate to severe pain such as the pain following injury or surgery, or the pain involved in health conditions like cancer. Some of the most commonly abused prescription opioids include:
- Oxycodone
- Oxycontin
- Vicodin
- Percocet
- Opana
- Suboxone and Subutex
- Morphine
Outside of medical circles, heroin, opium, morphine, and fentanyl are also opioids. Among the side effects of opioid use is extreme relaxation or euphoria. People who abuse prescription opioids do so to experience these side effects.
However, with abuse comes addiction. Opioids are highly addictive and run a high risk of overdose and death. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioid overdoses were involved in more than 68,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2020. Moreover, one reason why opioids are so dangerous is that they affect the parts of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, and other automatic bodily functions.
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Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
As with most other addictive substances, people often try to hide the evidence of their substance abuse. However, for those paying close attention, certain tell-tale signs, physical and mental, may point to a developing opioid addiction.
The more common among these include:
- Drastic mood swings
- Sleeping at odd hours
- Significant weight loss
- Ignoring appearance and personal hygiene
- Pulling away their friends and loved ones
- Engaging in risky behaviors to obtain opioids
A person living with opioid addiction also tends to get very creative when it comes to obtaining their drug of choice. The following actions can be taken by someone with an opioid addiction:
- Lying to doctors to obtain a new prescription for opioids
- Seeking the same prescription from multiple doctors
- Using opioids while using alcohol or other drugs
- Trying to borrow or steal painkillers prescribed to someone else
- Taking opioids in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor, including taking more than the prescribed dose
Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal
With repeated use, an opioid user’s brain grows reliant on the drug for its ability to release dopamine. This is where opioid addiction comes in. When a frequent user of opioids stops using, in many cases, their brain and body begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can be severe, leading the user to relapse, or continue using.
Some common signs of opioid withdrawal include:
- Intense cravings for opioids
- Cramps
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction is an evidence-based practice that utilizes prescription medications to treat a person’s substance use disorder. These medications are dispensed under close supervision by a qualified healthcare professional.
MAT for opioid addiction works by helping clients manage their withdrawal symptoms during detox and rehab. Among the medications used to treat opioid withdrawal are methadone, buprenorphine (commonly known under the brand name Suboxone), and naltrexone (commonly known under the brand name Vivitrol).
How Opioid Addiction is Treated
Detox is almost always the first step in a successful recovery from opioid addiction. Following detox, a client’s treatment team often recommends the most appropriate addiction treatment to follow. It is in the new phase that clients can learn coping skills and make the behavioral changes necessary to prepare them for sobriety in their everyday lives.
A number of factors influence the length of a detox program. First, factors can be the type of program, the kind of opioid the patient had been using, and how long the patient had been using. Secondly, other factors include the severity of withdrawal symptoms involved, and whether the patient is taking medication to manage their withdrawal symptoms.
Opioid addiction treatment in Murfreesboro can take place in any number of ways, and the most effective way depends on the individual. At Tulip Hill, our clients have options when it comes to winning back their sobriety. All in all, we pride ourselves on assisting clients depending on their needs.
Our opioid addiction programs include:
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Our partial hospitalization programs help those who have undergone detox and show an intense level of addiction. PHP involves clients attending several treatment appointments each week. Also, individual and group therapy sessions are also provided during this time.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Representing a “step down” from PHP, our intensive outpatient program allows for a more logistically flexible treatment plan. Additionally, IOP gets clients the support and care they need while at the same time allowing them to attend to work and family duties as needed. Treatment sessions are multiple times a week. We offer therapy sessions as well.
In short, opioid addiction treatment in Murfreesboro is within a person’s grasp. All that’s needed now is to reach out for help.
Get Quality Opioid Addiction Treatment in Murfreesboro, TN
Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, supports and assists people living with opioid addiction, as well as their loved ones. We offer medically supervised detox with individualized treatment plans for substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health disorders.
To learn more about opioid addiction or to start detox and addiction treatment, contact us today.
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