Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict
Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict

If you're living with chronic pain, opioids are not likely to be a safe and effective long-term treatment option. Many other treatments are available, including less-addictive pain medications and nonpharmacological therapies. Aim for a treatment plan that makes it possible to enjoy your life without opioids, if possible. For example, more health professionals are using the term “substance use disorder” instead of “substance abuse” to recognize the condition as a medical and health issue and not a moral failing. And instead of references to people being “clean” or “dirty,” people are increasingly using the medical terms “recovery” and “relapse.” It’s gratifying to see this change in the language of addiction.

How do most people develop an opioid addiction?

As with other substance use disorders, both genetic factors and environmental factors, such as exposure to trauma or ease of access, contribute to the risk of opioid use disorder. Access to prescription opioids and to heroin have contributed to the current opioid epidemic.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care. Bunmi is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.

Opioid Use Disorder

All patients at risk for overdose should have or receive naloxone kits for home use. Unlike morphine, heroin, oxycodone, and other addictive opioids that remain in the brain and body for only a short time, methadone has effects that last for days. Methadone causes dependence, but—because of its steadier influence on the mu opioid receptors—it produces minimal tolerance and alleviates craving and compulsive drug use. In addition, methadone therapy tends to normalize many aspects of the hormonal disruptions found in addicted individuals (Kling et al., 2000; Kreek, 2000; Schluger et al., 2001).

How did opioid addiction start?

The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s, with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increasing since at least 19993. The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin4.

A patient’s system must be completely free of all opioids before beginning to take naltrexone. Training in administration of naloxone for a loved one with substance use disorder is offered in most communities. Early in the process of opioid use disorder, people may take an opioid drug because of the pleasurable effect.

Health

Learn how to work with your anesthesiologist or another physician to use opioids more wisely and safely and explore what pain management alternatives might work for you. Several drugs are available that can help people discontinue opioid use by reducing cravings or blocking the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ pleasant feelings that opioids cause. Once the drugs are out of the person’s system, continuing treatment is recommended to avoid relapse ― resuming opioid use after quitting. Opioid use disorder is a complex disease, and treatment works best when tailored to the individual.

how does opioid addiction start

James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. James works alongside the clinical director and administrative team to help ensure that every client benefits from a customized treatment plan and holistic approach that offers freedom from the grips of addiction. Finding the right addiction treatment program is the first step toward the road to recovery.

Treatment For Opioid Addiction

In the midst of this terrible crisis, that’s what gives me the greatest hope for the future. Healthcare providers measure opioid dosages in morphine milligram equivalents or morphine equivalent doses opioid addiction treatment , which are values that represent the potency of an opioid dose relative to morphine. MME is intended to help providers make safe, appropriate decisions concerning changes to opioid regimens.

how does opioid addiction start

Maternal methadone dosages are managed by addiction treatment specialists within registered opioid treatment programs, and communication between the obstetric team and the opioid treatment program facilitates good care. The methadone dosage may need to be adjusted throughout the pregnancy to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which include drug cravings, abdominal cramps, nausea, insomnia, irritability, and anxiety. Opioid use in pregnancy has escalated dramatically in recent years, paralleling the epidemic observed in the general population. To combat the opioid epidemic, all health care providers need to take an active role.

What is drug dependence?

From 1999 to 2020, more than 800,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. Increasing rates of drug addiction have contributed to recent decreases in U.S. life expectancy. In most situations, pregnant women initiate methadone induction in a licensed outpatient opioid treatment program. Some obstetric services initiate opioid agonist therapy with methadone or buprenorphine in an inpatient setting. Although this may allow closer monitoring of medication response, it is not always necessary or available. In cases when a pregnant woman initiates methadone treatment as an inpatient, an arrangement should be made before discharge for next-day admission to an opioid treatment program so that there are no missed days.

  • However, it is crucial to obtain detailed history in patients in whom OUD or its sequelae are suspected.
  • In 2015, 91.8 million individuals in the United States used prescription opioids.
  • Opioids, also called narcotics, are highly addictive pain medications.
  • What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential.
  • The basic idea is that drug abuse alters a biological or physiological setting or baseline.
  • Go to Community & Volunteer Opportunities Information on resources in your community and volunteer recruitment and training, and services provided at local DHS offices.

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