By Jennifer McDougall
The opiate crisis in America is something that everyone is talking about. It is broadcasted on every media outlet, highlighting the record-breaking number of overdoses and deaths all across the country. Many of us have lost someone we know and love from an addiction to opiates. Unfortunately, to decrease the number of people who get hooked on these prescription drugs such as, Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Fentanyl the treatment needs to change so that people can successfully break free from their dependency related issues and lower their risk of overdose and death.
With outdated methods such as, Narcotics Anonymous that use traditional forms of therapy that don’t look at what is initially causing dependency on the drug at hand and healing the person mentally, physically, and spiritually, nothing is going to change or improve in this increasingly deadly epidemic.
That is why at Passages we pride ourselves in our 16+ years of experience in treating addiction to drugs and alcohol. We have been rated the #1 Rehab Center in the World by Healthcare Global and have a team of professionals who will work with you on breaking free of opiate addiction. The educational resources we provide will help you stay up to date on all the advances in medical technology to best assist you in recovering from addiction and healing those underlying conditions causing you to use and abuse drugs and alcohol.
Is it the silent suffering and sneaky bond between brain and opiates that is leaving millions of people left out in the cold—unable to put a stop to this growing problem we are facing in America? Are people just not educating them enough about the dangers of prescription medication? Has the treatment industry not stepped up to the plate to meet the needs of those who are suffering beyond the drugs they are consuming?
When will we stop and look at what is going on with each individual and notice that each person deserves customized treatment for opiate addiction rather than a one size fits all approach. Clearly, something needs to change if we are ever going to see the number of deaths and overdoses shrink majorly. This is where Passages Addiction Treatment Centers comes in and teaches people what they need to know about the dangers of prescription drugs and how we can join together as a community to bring hope to those who are suffering.
This is an opportunity for all of us to open our eyes, open our hearts, listen, and educate ourselves on what needs to be done to save the lives of those who are at risk. If you turn on the TV or open up your computer, you will see the staggering number of lives being lost to opiate addiction. It’s mind blowing how many people have been affected by this substance which comes in several forms.
What are opiates?
Opiates are alkaloid compounds that originate from the opium poppy seed (located in the sap) which is grown in Southern Asia. Since the earliest civilization in history, opioids (the more modern term) have been used to help those in need of chronic pain relief. Opioids peptides and opioid receptors have a euphoric effect on the brain that increases the release of dopamine which can be highly addictive. With repeated use a person’s tolerance and increases the body’s desire for more of the substance. Chronic users have been known to see multiple doctors in order to receive more prescriptions for opioids. Abuse of opiates can severely impact your health and well-being beyond what you may imagine at first. Whether it be prescription painkillers, heroin, or synthetic Fentanyl, the effects can affect nearly every part of your body and ability to function in a responsive manner, which includes slowing down the respiratory system which can lead to heart failure and death.
What are the effects of opiates:
- Heavy use of opiates can cause your brain to be sedated (sleepiness)
- Injections of opiate substances can cause your veins to collapse
- The lining of the human heart can become infected due to contamination of pills or the use of heroin
- Constipation is a very common side-effect and slowing down of the digestive system
- Breathing slows down, and lungs become depressive
- Hepatitis is likely when needles are shared between multiple users
- Ironically a greater sense of pain is felt when there is chronic opiate abuse due to damage to the nervous system
- Weakened immune system causes you to be more likely to be infected or get sick with a more difficult time fighting off illnesses
What are the withdraw symptoms of opiates:
When you stop taking opiate drugs, you may experience the harsh reality of the following symptoms. With proper detox such as the detox program at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers, these symptoms can be lessened.
- Nausea
- Muscle cramping
- Depression
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Opiate cramps
- Constipation
- Fever
- Hypertension
- Runny nose
- Insomnia
- Perspiration
At Passages, our 24/7 licensed and experienced medical team of professionals use innovated technologies to ensure a safe and reliable detox for you to flush your body of any lingering chemicals that may be causing you extreme discomfort.
How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:
Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Passages, Where Addiction Ends and Life Begins™
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