Opioid Addiction

What causes an opioid addiction?

An opioid addiction is a complex disease that affects your brain and body. Opioids stimulate your brain’s reward system, triggering the release of pain-killing endorphins and other biochemicals. As a result, you experience a sudden rush of euphoria along with pain relief.

As you continue to use opioids, they cause physical changes in your brain. Your brain becomes dependent on opioids and makes you crave the drug. The brain also gets accustomed to your usual dose, and then you’ll need to take a higher dose to get the same feeling.

What symptoms occur if I have an opioid addiction?

The symptoms of opioid addiction are: not being able to stop, needing a larger dose, and developing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t take your usual dose.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Yawning
• Muscle aches
• Runny eyes
• Runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps

You’ll experience mild withdrawal symptoms several hours after your last dose. If you don’t take more opioids, the symptoms continue to get worse, reaching their peak in a few days. 

What happens during opioid addiction treatment? 

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) takes a dual approach that combines medication with therapy. The medication helps manage your detox, while the therapy helps you with the psychological, social, and behavioral challenges of opioid addiction.

The First Step Recovery Center team may prescribe one of several medications that prevent withdrawal symptoms, reduce or stop your cravings, and block the effects of opioids. These medications also help normalize your brain chemicals as you detox.

You receive intensive individual therapy and group therapy, such as dialectical behavioral therapy. You learn about the emotions and behaviors that led you to become addicted, so you can make mindful choices as you move forward in your recovery.

Before you leave the clinic, you’ll have a solid plan for ongoing success. Throughout your treatment, you receive aftercare planning to ensure you have the tools you need to prevent a relapse. 

Does opioid addiction treatment include help for a dual diagnosis?

Many patients with opioid addiction have a dual diagnosis, meaning they also have a mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The First Step Recovery Center team uses an intensive screening protocol to identify patients at risk of a dual diagnosis. Then they perform detailed diagnostics and assessments to diagnose your co-occurring disorders.

You may receive state-of-the-art testing to determine the medications that are right for you, and your ongoing therapy is designed to support your recovery and treat your dual diagnosis. 

If you need help with opioid addiction, call First Step Recovery Center or book online today.