Opioid addiction has a serious impact not only on the person who has a substance use disorder but also on their friends, family, colleagues, and others. Addiction is a disease that has far-reaching effects requiring professional support to heal from. Addiction recovery has the potential to help them back to a place of sobriety so that they can enjoy life after addiction once again. At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we are here to help our patients as they work through detoxification and toward sober living in the future.
What Is An Opioid?
Opioids are drugs that are derived from the opium poppy, a flowering plant. The drug affects the body by working on the opioid receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and other body regions. When these drugs do that, they help reduce sensations of pain.
Opioids are often used for pain that does not respond to other types of pain medications.
There are dozens of different opioid medications. Some of them include:
- Hydromorphone
- Meperidine
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
- Naloxone
- Hydrocodone
These and other opioids are sometimes taken by mouth or through a patch.
Opioids require a prescription because they have the potential to cause addiction and significant side effects. Some people may quickly develop a tolerance and dependency, which should be closely monitored by a medical professional.
What Are the Signs of Opioid Addiction?
The first sign of opioid addiction is an increasing tolerance to the drug. At that point, the body needs more of the medication than usual to get the same results, so a patient may find that their pain is not relieved as well as it once was.
People will seek out pain medications compulsively once an addiction and dependency sets in. This is because of withdrawal symptoms, including heavy drug cravings, anxiety, irritability, and others.
Some signs of opioid abuse include:
- Changes in appearance
- Low energy levels
- Loss of interest in social activities
- Decreased concentration
- Running out of a prescription before the appropriate time to refill
- Cravings
- Withdrawal symptoms
Fortunately, addiction recovery is possible. Opioid addiction can be addressed with supportive detox and rehabilitation therapies.
What Is Life Like After Opioids and Drug Addiction Treatment?
After seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder, many people move on to a sober living facility or community to live with others going through the same challenges.
Transitioning back into normal activities with the support and guidance of peers who are also living life after addiction can help reduce the likelihood of relapse by encouraging each person to support the other and make sure they’re focusing on a happy, healthy, and sober life.
What happens after treatment is largely dependent on each person’s goals. One person may choose to move into a sober living community to work on their sobriety in a safe place with few triggers. Others may return home to their loved ones and work on reentering society with familial support. Others may choose to work as sober coaches. Those with pain may attend physical therapy or work with medical professionals to better manage it without opioid drugs.
Contact Pines Recovery Life Detox for Support with Addiction Recovery
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we know that opioids can quickly cause addiction, even in those who take them as directed. Although that’s possible, we want you to know that we are there to help our patients overcome the potential risks of withdrawal and detox so that they can move on to addiction recovery and sober life. Contact our helpful hotline today at 800.263.3869, or contact us online to find out more about our recovery services and how we can assist you or someone you love as you work toward a life free from opioid addiction.
