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What is Addiction and What Causes it?
Addiction can be described as a chronic, relapsing disorder that is characterized by some features, such as compulsive drug seeking and the abuse of drugs, even when they’re aware of the side effects and other harmful consequences. Addiction can be also be classified as a brain disorder because it alters the brain circuit, especially the ones pertaining to reward, stress, and self-control. Drug addiction, if not treated, can lead to a lot of complications, even death. This is apart from ruining relationships, jobs, health and so on.
Drug addiction usually starts when an individual decides to take a drug, probably for the treatment of pain, or cough. However, the repeated consumption of this drug might lead to a tolerance in the system of the patient. This means that the patient would need to take more of the drug, to achieve the desired result. This continues until the patient can’t do without the drug. Patients usually find it hard to resist the urge of taking the medications. After doing this for a long time, the patient might develop withdrawal symptoms when they try to abstain, or stop using the drug.
Is Heroin an Opiate?
The most common drug that people get addicted to is opiates. These are drugs that are used for the treatment of pain. Opiates are one of the most addictive substances in the world, especially in the United States. A lot of prescriptions are administered every year, with patients getting addicted to these drugs. Before going into the common treatments for drug addiction, it’s important to know why people take drugs, even when they are aware of the side effects. Heroin belongs to this class of drugs as well, and has no benefit other than producing an addictive and life destroying high. With proper help the heroin addict can be helped to become drug free and to reclaim life the way it is meant to be.
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Why Do People Abuse Drugs?
People take drugs for different reasons. Below are some of them;
- For euphoria: There are some drugs that give consumers intense feelings of pleasure. However, this good feeling is temporary. The side effects of the drug kicks when the good feeling fades away. For drugs like cocaine, users feel more powerful, confident and more energized after consuming it. While for opiates, patients feel relaxed and satisfied.
- To feel better: People who suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, and stress starts to use drugs that would make them feel better. The relief they get from using these medications, makes them want to use it more until they become addicted. This is how people get addicted to drugs.
- Social pressure: Another reason people consume drugs is to feel among. This is more common in teens, especially when they belong to a clique of friends that indulges in drugs and other illicit substances. Young adults trying to impress their friends, and in the process, become addicted.
Studies have shown that the most abused drugs are opioids. Examples of this include heroin, morphine, Percocet, codeine and so on.
Which Drugs are Opiates?
Opiates are used for different reasons. However, they are mostly used for the treatment of pain, and cough. There are two types of opiates. These are the opiate agonist and antagonist. An example of opiate antagonists is clonidine. They are generally non-addictive and can be used for the treatment of opiate addiction. On the other hand, opiate agonists include fentanyl and morphine, which are the most used and are very addictive. They are strong opiates and are also has the most potential to be abused, in the class of opiates. Other examples of opiates include oxycodone and codeine.
- Codeine: The drug was produced solely for the treatment of cough and pain. However, codeine abuse has almost become an epidemic in some parts of the world. Although it’s only available by prescription in some countries, it can be gotten over the counter in some parts of the world. It mostly abused by young people.
- Percocet: This is also a heavily abused drug, that was manufactured for the relieve of pain. This drug has been responsible for a lot of emergency cases, and deaths due to overdose. Although these drugs are no longer prescribed, there is still a black market for it. This drug got so popular, that it became part of “pop-culture” at a point.
- Fentanyl: This drug is about a hundred times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is only used for the treatment of severe pain. It can easily be overdosed on, especially when used with other drugs such as heroin. It’s available in patches, so patients don’t have to swallow them orally.
- Methadone: This is an opioid, that is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. This is the drug administered to people who’re trying to get off an addiction to other drugs such as heroin. Although it’s important for the treatment of heroin addiction, some patients still find a way to get high off these drugs and eventually become addicted to them.
- Morphine: Morphine is used for the treatment of severe and chronic pain. However, it’s very addictive, and also the cause of a lot of addiction cases. This drug has been responsible for a lot of substance abuse-related deaths.
Treatment For Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a disease that is difficult to treat by yourself. The most effective way of getting off drugs is by checking into a rehabilitation center. They have counselors, nurses, and doctors that would take patients through a recovery process of between one month to 3 months. The duration could be longer, depending on the outcome of the process. Below are the phases involved in the recovery program for drug addiction;
- Assessment: The first step in this program is to assess the medical and psychological status of the patient. In addition, they check for the extent and severity of the addiction. This is determined based on tests performed on the patient, and the history got from him/her. A treatment is made for the patient based on the information provided.
- Detoxification: The patient is cleansed from any form of the drug, in this case, opioids. This process can be dangerous, as patients generally do present with withdrawal syndrome. This is why it’s done gradually until the patient can live totally without the drugs.
- Rehabilitation: The rehab center will create a plan that is specific for the patient by helping him/her recover. This includes counseling, therapies, support groups, and even alternative therapies.
- Aftercare: This is done before the patient completes his/her rehabilitation. This is done to prevent a relapse from occurring. The aftercare usually involves doctor/nurse appointments. The patient would also be tested periodically for the presence of drugs. The counselor might also be dedicated to the patient, for regular consultations.
Heroin Addiction Rehab Centers Near Me
Addicted to Heroin?
We Can Help!
866-494-8180
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References
Maskey, R. (2011). Alcohol consuming habits and its effect on adherence and blood glucose level in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Health Renaissance, 9(3).
Molloy, E. (2015). This Ad is for You: Targeting and the Effect of Alcohol Advertising on Youth Drinking. Health Economics, 25(2), pp.148-164.
Dethmers, M. (2010). Ambulante opiatendetox met Suboxone®. Verslaving, 6(2), pp.50-54.
HUNTER, W. (2007). Suboxone for Opiate Withdrawal in the Hospital. Clinical Psychiatry News, 35(1), p.54.