Prescription Opiates, The Villa Treatment Center

Prescription Opiates

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Prescription opiates are among the most addictive substances in the United States. Millions of opioid pain medication prescriptions are written every year for people with moderate to severe pain. Frequently, the prescribed dose is more than necessary to relieve the pain, which causes patients to develop an addiction. Over time, the tolerance gained from taking prescriptions to relieve pain creates a substance use disorder. It is suggested that prescription opiate misuse is just one factor that can lead to addiction, heroin use, and a fatal overdose.

Prescription opioids and the illegal drug heroin are chemically similar. Both illicit drugs interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Unlike heroin, opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but they can easily be misused because they produce euphoria and pain relief.

The Department of Justice released the following statistic:

  • 3,900 people will use a prescription opioid outside of legitimate medical purposes and supervision. These prescription drugs are often someone else’s prescriptions obtained through theft or fraud.

For more information on addiction to prescription opiates, its effects, and how to seek treatment, contact The Villa Treatment Center

Summary:

What Are Prescription Opiates?

Addiction Center defines opiates as “controlled prescription substances that are derived from Opium, which is a chemical that occurs naturally” in the opium poppy plant. Some prescription opioids are made from the opium poppy plant directly. Another opioid medication is made by scientists in labs mimicking the chemical structure. Prescription opioids are used for chronic pain as the chemicals found in opioid drugs relax the body. In addition, some opioid prescriptions have been written for excessive coughing or diarrhea.

The feeling opioid drugs produce is a very relaxed feeling and the “high.” The “high” and slowed breathing is highly addictive in opioids. The effects can be dangerous because individuals who are prescribed opioids then start taking them for non-medical reasons, which has harmful consequences. The individuals who abuse opioids gain tolerance and could overdose. Overdose deaths are common. The National Institute of Drug Abuse states that heroin use is the world’s most dangerous drug and is never used as a medicine in the United States and opioid painkillers often lead to heroin use.

Addiction treatment services are there to help the opioid withdrawal process and individuals’ drug use.

Prescription Opioids vs. Opiates 

There is a difference between opioids and opiates, and they are commonly interchangeable because of their same effects. 

  • Opiates 
    • Opiates are drugs prescribed by doctors. Opiates are drugs naturally found in opium seeds and plants. This drug is used to treat mild or severe pain in a patient. Common opiates include Morphine and Codeine. Both have incredibly tranquilizing effects. 
  • Opioids
    • Opioids are very dangerous to people who are predisposed to addiction. Opioids are synthetically manufactured substances that copy the natural effects of Opium. Some opioids are entirely synthetic, and some are partially synthetic. The National Institute of Drug Abuse says there were 500,000 deaths in 2018 due to drug overdoses.

Both Opioids and Opiates work by activating opioid receptors in the brain and depressing the central nervous system. When prescription opioids activate the receptors, they release the feel-good, “high” feeling caused by chemicals known as endorphins. The release of endorphins is what leads to opioid addiction.

Opioid medications can be derived from a natural source or chemically made in a lab. Either way, individuals should be aware of prescription pain relievers to avoid negative consequences and prevent addiction. Always discuss medicinal risks with your doctor, especially if you or a loved one has a history of addiction. If you believe you or a family member is already suffering from addiction, go on our drug abuse website to find resources or contact The Villa Treatment Center directly for immediate assistance.

Contact our mental health services administration located in Santa Monica Hills. We can help end your opioid abuse cycle.

Prescription Opiates, The Villa Treatment Center

Types of Opioid Medications  

There are two types of prescription opioids, antagonists and agonists. 

  • Antagonists are considered to be less addictive and used to help the first part of the addiction treatment detox process. These drugs include
    • Naltrexone
    • Naloxone
  • Agonists respond the same as naturally-occurring endorphins in the body. Agonists include drugs like:
    • Morphine
    • Fentanyl
    • Hydrocodone
    • Oxycodone
    • Heroin
    • Buprenorphine 

Many agonists have a high potential for abuse and addiction. The ten most common opioid medications are:

  • Codeine
  • Dilaudid
  • Fentanyl
  • Percocet
  • Oxycodone
  • Methadone
  • Morphine
  • Demerol
  • Darvon
  • Vicodin

Review your current medication and disclose any past or current drug use with your doctor when discussing whether an opioid prescription or opioid medicine is right for you. Opioids should be taken as directed, and the frequent doses should be the right milligram and only taken when needed to avoid addiction. Be conscientious of any personal or family history of drug abuse because it can increase the risk of becoming addicted to opioids. When discussing prescription medications with your doctor, discuss non-opioid medicine and alternative treatments. 

The Justice Department asserts that at least 78 people will die from an opioid-related overdose on an average day. According to public health reports from the field, recent year overdose death statistics far outnumber the 78-deaths-per-day statistics from previous years. The FDA is working toward a resolution to the opioid crisis affecting families. Over the last decade, opioid use has risen astronomically. Public servants, law enforcement, public health officials, and primary doctors have partnered with educators, treatment professionals, and non-profit organizations to bring awareness and develop strategies and solutions to curb the opioid crisis within your community.

Are you suffering from prescription opioid misuse? Call The Villa Treatment Center at 1-818-639-7160 to receive treatment for opioid abuse.

Prescription Opiate Rehab is available at The Villa Treatment Center. We know that prescription drug addiction treatment requires more than medical treatment. Whether you or a loved one chooses inpatient or outpatient treatment, we can assist with withdrawal symptoms. Our treatment centers at The Villa Treatment Center provide a luxury substance abuse treatment that provides both mental health services and physical health services.

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Meditation Therapy Rehab, Opiates, The Villa Treatment Center

Opiates Addiction Detox & Treatment

Opiates Addiction Detox & Treatment – The Villa Treatment Center understands that this can be a difficult time for all coming into a treatment program if you have been confronted with the idea of substance or prescription opiate addiction by your loved ones. Many clients that come through our facility for opiate dependence treatment are ashamed and fearful for a variety of reasons.

There is no need to be afraid of treatment as we offer a set of individualized treatment plans that can help your recovery from the abuse of opiates successfully.

Opiates are Highly Abused

Many people have heard of the term opiate, but not everyone is familiar with what prescription opiates are. Opiates are more commonly known as pain medications. There are a wide variety of pain medications that become available to help those dealing with debilitating painful sensations that can make their lives nonfunctional. Although these opiates are created to help the general population manage their pain and allow them to live their lives free of it, the overuse of these drugs with either increased pain or tolerance development is dangerous. As the body gets used to these numbing pain medications, the liver processes these drugs, and chemical receptors in the body can grow, increasing the need for these stimulants.

Unfortunately, the problem with overconsumption of these opiates comes from the often pleasurable side effects that can come with increased use as well. Opiates are known for their ability to cause feelings of euphoria, feelings of exaggerated happiness that are nearly impossible to compare to reality. When these drugs are removed from the system, opiate addicts will feel like reality can no longer measure up to the feelings the drugs have produced. Many of those addicted to heroin, morphine, Oxycontin, and Vicodin exhibit this sensational withdrawal and have a difficult time readjusting.

Because of their ability to become addictive, there have been many points in history where the drug was banned from use treatments and recreational use. The increasingly high chance that someone will overdose when consuming an opiate puts this drug at the top of the list for highly monitored medically used drugs. Since the banning of pure opiates from society for recreational use, there have been medical advances to create alternative forms of opiates. Opiates began as a treatment for pain relief since they mimic some of the body’s naturally created pain reducers. Unfortunately, because of their other pleasurable effects apart from removing pain they have become increasingly abused within hospitals and clinics as well.

The most common medically prescribed and abused drugs in the opiate class:

  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone
  • Tramadol
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone

Opiates are made naturally from poppy plants, and the production of this drug and all its derivatives of it are mass-produced throughout the world. Places like the Middle East and other under-regulated countries are at the highest risk for overdose and abuse of opiates. Many places ban the planting of these flowers because of their direct use for opiate production. When poppy plants are harvested, they are monitored and bred so as not to produce these drugs.

Addiction Forms Fast

With pain medications such as those that are prescribed or street drugs such as black tar heroin and impure forms of Oxycontin, these drugs start out as recreational drugs but become integrated into a daily routine. They are extremely dangerous because of the way that they interact or interfere with the nervous system and brain function. Since they lower the sensation of pain in the body, the pain receptors in the body that are governed by the brain are numbed. Because of the relationship with the brain stem and respiratory function, an overdose of opiates can cause the individual to stop breathing entirely. No one can ever say they know how much not to take when trying to produce these euphoric numbing feelings with these drugs, so it’s essential that this medication is managed if taken for pain.

First Step: Opiates Addiction Treatment

When you first check into The Villa Treatment Center for your opiate addiction, you will be safely assessed and brought into a custom detox plan to remove the harmful substance from your system. Our team of medical professionals will need to know every substance that is in your system at the time of detox to make sure your detox is managed safely and effectively. We will make the opiate detox process as comfortable as possible, and there is no need to worry. Once the substance is free from your body, you will be able to fully experience effective care and therapy.

Second Step: Opiate Rehabilitation Therapy

Our alternative therapies at The Villa will teach our clients about the sensory experiences that can enhance their moods to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression in a healthy way. Often addictions to opiates stem from the inability to find these natural calming moments, but we want you to know that this is possible. Talk therapy and equine therapy are highly recommended so that social interaction can begin and the discovery process can progress further.

Compassionate and safe care is waiting for you at The Villa Treatment Center. Let us help you remove your fear of substance dependence and find what beauty awaits you in life when you are free of opiate addiction.

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