Opioids are a type of drug that slows down the responses of the central nervous system and are therefore classed as central nervous system depressants. All opioid drugs (heroin, Fentanyl, morphine) and prescription medicines (pain killers) are addictive. When someone is addicted to an opioid, they will experience physical withdrawal symptoms if they do not use an opioid every day. Physical dependence is an addiction that occurs after someone takes an opioid consecutively for one or two months of daily use. Therefore, the longer someone uses opioids, the worse their addiction and chemical dependency becomes. The types of opioids most people are addicted to, in order, are prescription pain killers, heroin, and Fentanyl.
Why do Opioids Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?
Opioids stimulate the reward center in the brain to release massive amounts of endorphins and dopamine. Both of which are neurotransmitters that maintain balance in the body when it comes to physical responses to pain or other stimuli. When someone takes opioids all the time, they are telling their brain that it no longer needs to monitor or treat physical sensations of pain or discomfort (loud noise, bright lights, etc.). This means the person must take an opioid regularly to feel healthy and normal. If they do not, their body goes into withdrawals, and they feel tremendous physical discomfort.
Can A Doctor Prescribe Opioid Withdrawal Medications?
Opioid addiction is treated with medications to minimize opioid withdrawals. Most of the symptoms manifest physically causing vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose, cold sweats, fever, insomnia, muscle and bone pain, and inability to hold down food or water. Still, the mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms are also hard. The medications that control withdrawal symptoms are called opioid replacement medications, medication-assisted treatments, and pharmacotherapies. A doctor will prescribe the following types of withdrawal medicines to help someone get through opioid withdrawals:
- Suboxone
- Subutex
- Methadone
- Vivitrol
- Sublocade
- Probuphine
What Do the Experts Say About Opioid Addiction?
The National Institute of Drug Abuse is a government agency committed to helping slow the opioid addiction epidemic. Their research is advanced, and they provide expert insight on opioid addiction and other addictions. They recommend the following for treating opioid addiction.
Buprenorphine and methadone are “essential medicines” for treating opioid addiction. A NIDA study shows that once treatment is initiated, a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an extended-release naltrexone formulation are similarly effective in treating opioid use disorder. Medications should be combined with behavioral counseling for a “whole patient” approach, known as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). (NIDA)
What Is The Best Treatment for Opioid Addiction?
The only effective way to truly help someone end an addiction to opioids is to first get them into a medically assisted detox center followed by intensive treatment. The best treatment methods for opioid addiction are evidence-based types of therapy. Evidence-based forms of treatment are based on science. They have proven to help a person enter recovery and continue to live life drug-free long term. The primary treatment for opioid addiction that is evidence-based is medication-assisted treatment or MAT. Evoke Wellness in Florida combines medications and the following evidence-based therapy methods:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
- Individual Counseling
- Expert-led Group Counseling
How Do I Get Admitted into MAT programs at Evoke Wellness at Miramar?
The success that MAT has for people addicted to opioids to get clean and remain clean is indisputable. We have seen the most addicted heroin, Fentanyl, and prescription pill addicts come to Evoke and give up drugs for good, making their recovery their only priority. Do not put off opioid addiction any longer. The result of this addiction is most often death. We make entry fast and medicate our patients upon arrival. We have the answer, and to get admitted today, call our treatment specialists in South Florida. Evoke Wellness at Miramar has specialists ready to process your admission, bill your insurance, and have you or your loved one admitted within 24 hours. Call now and ask for priority admission and chat or email for more help.
