Opioid addiction is a serious public health crisis impacting many areas of the country. Men and women don’t start out hoping to develop an addiction. Yet, circumstances such as over-prescription and chronic pain have led to opioid abuse and addiction, and it can impact people regardless of their financial circumstances, age, or background. For many, opioid addiction is part of daily life. If that is your situation, reach out for help from Georgia Addiction Treatment Center today.
Commonly Abused Opioids
Access and function are two of the reasons why some drugs are more commonly abused than others. In opioids, the following are some of the most commonly associated with addiction:
- Oxycodone, also sold as OxyContin
- Hydrocodone, also sold as Vicodin
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Heroin (though not a prescription drug)
Any of these drugs can cause addiction and dependence. They are all drugs that need to be carefully monitored when used. Heroin, which is an illicit drug, is highly risky for anyone to use.
How Does Opioid Abuse Begin?
These drugs interact with the opioid receptors in the brain. These are small molecules that receive signals from various areas of the body. When a person suffers an injury, these molecules pick up on that, letting the brain know that something hurts. Opioids work by attaching to the receptors located on nerve cells. These cells are in the spinal cord, brain, and other areas of the body. As this happens, pain signals are minimized. That’s why these drugs are so important for pain management.
In the case of opioid abuse, the drugs work in the same way, but once they attach to the receptors, they cause the release of dopamine. This comes from the pleasure center of the brain, the area that recognizes what feels good and what does not. As the dopamine releases, a person feels euphoria, or the high commonly attributed to these drugs. Over time, as these drugs are used more consistently, the brain seeks out those drugs more readily because of the good feelings they create.
How Addiction Begins
Many people using these drugs are given prescriptions from their doctors. These prescriptions require a specific amount of the drug to be used at specific intervals. When prescriptions are followed, opioids can be safe to take for chronic pain conditions.
However, when used outside of these recommendations, opioid addiction can form. Too much of the drug encourages the brain and body to become reliant on it. Over time and routine use, this can cause an inability to stop using the drugs due to withdrawal symptoms (physical pain in the body) and cravings. When this happens, it indicates physical and psychological addiction has occurred.
Drug Addiction Treatment
A person with an opioid addiction can get help. Medication-assisted treatment is one approach that can be effective in promoting long-term recovery by relieving withdrawal symptoms.
Individuals struggling with opioid addiction also benefit from other types of therapy. Psychotherapy is beneficial because it helps people learn how to avoid the onset of relapse. Learning to deal with stress, life challenges, relationship concerns, and mental health disorders in therapy helps a person to refrain from turning to drugs for support.
Some of the other therapies we offer include:
- Individual therapy programs
- Group therapy programs
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapy
Call Georgia Addiction Treatment Center Today for Immediate Help
Are you engaging in drug abuse? Do you feel like you cannot stop using? If so, Georgia Addiction Treatment Center can offer help. Our team provides the support you need to stop using opioids for good. To learn more, call us at [Direct] or connect with us online.
