The first known use of opioids was back in 3400 BC when individuals cultivated opium poppies for their sedative properties. It quickly spread from Southwest Asia to Egypt and was referred to as the “joy plant.” There was no way of knowing way back then that this flower would be the source of what has become one of the biggest health hazards we now face in our country, the opioid crisis. The use of the poppy seeds to gather opium has grown into the use, and misuse, of such drugs as heroin, fentanyl, and several narcotic pain medications.
At Ethan Crossing Recovery, we help you overcome opioid abuse through our opioid addiction treatment program. Learn more about opioids and their effects and contact our residential treatment center today.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are narcotic pain medications that work by suppressing the central nervous system. There are both natural opioids that originate from the seeds of poppies and synthetic opioids. Both types are used to treat pain that is often not controlled by other pain medications. Heroin is an illegal opioid, and both require a professional drug addiction treatment program to overcome addiction.
Effects of Opioids
What are opioids? They are drugs that cause a person to feel relief from physical pain while at the same time gaining a feeling of euphoria. They cause the user to become sleepy, experience slowed breathing and heart rate, and often experience such side effects as nausea and constipation. In many cases, doctors prescribe these drugs to patients who have had surgery or have been in an accident and can’t take other pain medication. Professionals often prescribe Morphine and Fentanyl to cancer patients who have exhausted all other pain relief methods.
Even when used as directed by a physician, these drugs can be highly addictive, especially to those prone to addiction to begin with. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, contact a drug detox center to get started on your recovery.
What Drugs are Opioids?
What are opioids that people may be familiar with and not necessarily know are addictive? A short list includes:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Morphine
- Heroin
These drugs are often recognized by their brand names such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Palladone, and Vicodin. They can come in tablet form and are often administered with a needle.
Overdosing on opioids is a very high possibility, especially when dealing with illegally obtained ones. This is because illegal opioids, such as heroin, are often mixed with other drugs to give the dealer a greater profit. For example, people often mix heroin with Fentanyl. Fentanyl is less expensive and is also a hundred times stronger than heroin. An unsuspecting addict can easily overdose on this and will need help from a substance abuse treatment program.
Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal symptoms are often so severe that a person trying to shake a heroin addiction may be given a weaker opioid first. Once the stronger substance has been eliminated, detox from the lesser opioid is then necessary. The detoxification symptoms can include the initial symptoms of a runny nose and eyes, muscle aches, restlessness, nausea, and anxiety. As the withdrawal continues, you may experience:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
It is not advised to undergo the detoxification process alone without the help of a medical detox program. Opioid use changes the brain chemicals and may even affect your brain stem as that is where your heartbeat and breathing are controlled. Having access to continuous heart monitoring and breathing equipment is essential to prevent the heart from beating too quickly or the breathing becoming labored and possibly stop.
Treatment for Opioid Addiction At Ethan Crossing
Rehab centers such as Ethan Crossing Recovery are finding that opioid addiction is one of the most common today. You don’t have to continue letting this drug control you. When asked the question, “What are opioids?” we say, a product of your past that no longer has a place in your life. Contact Ethan Crossing Recovery 937-646-7795 to talk about how we can help you get through this.
