Opioid Addiction Treatment
Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a condition where individuals are unable to feel pain. While this can seem ideal, this condition is incredibly rare, and the odds of being born with it are about 1 in 125 million.
Pain is universal. Barring those with the rare condition described above, everyone will feel pain at some point in their lives. But some people will feel more pain than others. For some people, it can be chronic and be their default state of being. This can lead to people needing to take medication to manage the constant pain that they feel. Opioids are a popular maintenance treatment for pain.
Opioids are a class of drugs that encompass both prescription medications and illegal substances. They are primarily used to relieve pain and bind to specific receptors in the brain and body to reduce pain. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl.
Illegal drugs, such as heroin, also fall into this category. While effective for managing pain, opioids carry a high risk of abuse due to their euphoric effects. Misuse can lead to severe health issues, dependence, and even opioid overdoses. Opioid use is a major concern in Australia, and steps have been taken to address this concern.
At Sivana Rehab, we offer world-class treatment programmes to help people overcome substance use disorder (SUD), mental illness, and process addiction.
What is Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction or opioid use disorder is a chronic medical condition that’s primarily characterised by the compulsive use of opioid drugs despite the harmful consequences associated with opioid use.
Opioids, including prescription medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal substances like heroin, are highly effective at relieving pain but also carry a high potential for addiction and misuse. Addiction occurs due to alterations in the brain’s reward system. These alterations can create intense cravings and a strong desire to use opioid medication.
This can lead to opioid dependence, where the body requires the drug in order to function normally. This dependence can also lead to opioid withdrawal symptoms when a person is unable to take the drug for any reason.
Opioid addiction can have devastating effects on an individual’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Treatment of opioid use disorder may involve a combination of medications such as methadone and buprenorphine, therapy, and support groups to help individuals overcome the addiction and regain control of their lives.
What are the Causes of Opioid Addiction?
The causes of opioid addiction, or any addiction, are multifaceted and include genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics play a major role, as individuals with a family history of addiction are more likely to develop substance use disorder.
Psychological factors, such as mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or trauma, can also increase the risk of addiction. Environmental influences, including exposure to drugs at a young age, peer pressure, and stressful life circumstances, can contribute to the development of addiction.
It also shouldn’t be ignored that some medications are overprescribed, and using opioid painkillers for chronic pain management can lead to dependence and, eventually, addiction.
Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction can manifest through a variety of physical, behavioural, and psychological symptoms. One of the most worrisome of all the signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder is increased tolerance, which makes users need higher doses to achieve the same effect. This greatly increases the risk of overdose. Physical signs include drowsiness, constipation, and constricted pupils.
Behavioural changes often encompass withdrawing socially, neglecting responsibilities, or becoming secretive regarding medication. Psychological symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, and irritability when not using opioids. Individuals may prioritise obtaining and using opioids over other aspects of life, leading to financial problems or strained relationships.
Opioid cravings can become intense and dominate a person’s thoughts and behaviours. They may start neglecting their personal hygiene and appearance and exhibit a decline with a decline in overall health. One of the most severe signs of addiction is when individuals engage in risky behaviours to obtain drugs.
Treatment For Opioid Addiction
Numerous options can be used to treat opioid dependence. An effective treatment programme will generally include some of the following treatment options:
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone or buprenorphine can be used in opioid treatment. Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist used to treat chronic pain and opioid use disorder. It can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Buprenorphine can be taken to treat chronic or acute pain and opioid addiction.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment for drug use involves putting someone in a treatment centre. In this controlled environment, they won’t be able to access their drug of choice, and they’ll undergo therapeutic interventions to develop coping skills to manage their cravings.
Inpatient treatment centres also remove people struggling with addiction from triggering circumstances or people who, sometimes unknowingly, enabled their addiction. This can give them the space they need to focus wholly on their recovery without any distractions.
Opioid Detox
Opioid detox is the process by which a person purges their body of opioids. This process can be incredibly uncomfortable, and a person may suffer a number of withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can become more severe the longer opioid abuse goes on. Because of the risk of withdrawal, a person must have medical supervision when they undergo detox.
Alternatively, some people choose to taper off their opioid use over the course of a few weeks to a few months until they can get their usage down to zero. This slower process can help avert some severe withdrawal symptoms as it can help the body acclimate to the absence of opioids.
Regardless of how a patient chooses to detox, it is still an important phase in the treatment of opioid dependence as it helps a person get sober enough to proceed to other phases of their personalised treatment plan.
Behavioural Therapies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that is used to identify, address, and change unhealthy thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that can lead to addiction.
Support Groups
Support groups can often be vital components of a person’s recovery. Addiction is a chronic disease and can often make those who suffer from it feel isolated and alone. Support groups can offer an opportunity to make connections, which can become sources of encouragement and accountability during recovery.
Another way support groups can help is by allowing members to learn from each other. While the people in a group may have similar experiences, they may come from different backgrounds, and this diversity can lead to different perspectives on addiction and recovery.
Seek Help For Opioid Addiction Today
Opioid misuse isn’t always rooted in a person trying the drug and enjoying the high that comes with it. Often, a person gets hurt, and the pain lingers. They get prescribed opioid medication, and their mind and body get used to it. But then their prescription runs out, and they can’t obtain it at a pharmacy any longer.
However, just because they can’t obtain it legally doesn’t change their need. In a lot of cases, it can be difficult to treat opioid use disorder because many people who have it also struggle with chronic pain that the medication helps manage.
That said, our treatment services have helped many people overcome addiction as well as manage the underlying conditions that led to the dependence in the first place. If you’re concerned about your problematic opioid use or that of a loved one, then don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We want to help you and be there for you every step of the way.