24 Sep Regina Interventions For Opiate Addiction
Opioids are one of the most commonly abused drugs, as a majority of opiate and opioid addiction stems from prescriptions. While fentanyl is now found as a street drug, it’s actually used in patch form in hospitals for pain management in a generally safe environment and safe doses.
Not everybody who uses heroin or other street opiates starts out there, and commonly when an opiate prescription runs out, a person who is more likely to develop a dependence to the drug will seek it out in other forms – finding heroin, Oxycontin, or fentanyl to be more accessible than their initial prescription. Unfortunately, these street versions of opiates tend to be far more addictive, both psychologically and physically.
The Psychological Effects of Opiate Addiction
Opiates, or opioids, are a powerful class of illicit substances used to treat pain and help with pain management after surgeries or accidents. When taken properly, opiates under medical supervision can be helpful, but if there’s a predisposition to addiction, opiates can be incredibly dangerous when prescribed, leading to abuse of prescriptions. While all drugs run the risk of addiction, opiates in particular increase oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain, and psychological addiction is built on the craving of these ‘feel-good’ endorphins. Eventually, the mind convinces itself that the only way to feel good is to use opiates, and the psychological addiction to the drug occurs.
The psychological withdrawal effects of opiates include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Lethargy
- Anger or irritability
- Anhedonia, or loss of enjoyment
- Drug cravings
The Physical Effects of Opiate Addiction
The physical effects of opiate addiction can be equally as damaging as psychological addiction. Instead of the mind believing it needs these drugs to feel good, the body begins to build up a physical dependency, as well as tolerance to these drugs. This means that the body begins to go through withdrawal symptoms when the user ceases using. Oftentimes one doesn’t realize that their opiate abuse has gotten out of control until they begin to experience the physical withdrawal symptoms which can cause a range of nasty sensations such as:
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Muscle cramps
- Hot and cold flashes
- High blood pressure
- Nose running
Commonly Abused Opiates
Oxycodone or Oxycontin is one of the most commonly abused opiates as it’s easily prescribed, and readily found on the streets. Percocet is a lower-dose opiate containing Oxycodone and acetaminophen. Both of these drugs are classified as Schedule II drugs, meaning they have a high likelihood of misuse.
When looking for more powerful opiates, one may turn to heroin as their dependence grows, and their tolerance to doses increases. While you may start off with prescription drugs, oftentimes one finds that smoking, snorting, or shooting heroin has a far greater effect, is easier, and potentially cheaper than prescription painkillers. From here it’s easy to turn to fentanyl, which is far more potent than heroin, and far cheaper. Unfortunately, fentanyl has a much higher risk of overdose than any other opiate.
Opiate Addiction In Regina: Symptoms and Warning Signs
If you’re concerned about somebody close to you and believe they may be abusing opiates, here are some warning signs to look out for.
Becoming moody and withdrawn
As addiction festers, the user will withdraw more and more from their loved ones, friends, and family, so they can keep their drug use to themselves.
Constant runny nose and/or illnesses
A runny nose is a symptom of opiate withdrawal, and one of the easiest ways to tell if somebody is hiding an addiction. Similarly, they may suffer from other physical symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or simply a weakened immune system causing more illnesses than usual.
Poor management of finances
As drug tolerance goes up, it often takes more and more of the drug to produce the same euphoria that a little bit provided when beginning use. As a result, the user needs to find more money. They may be borrowing money or selling possessions to get more drugs to support the addiction.
Job loss and sudden drop off in friendships
Eventually, addiction takes over everyday aspects of life. It will come to a point where the user is unable to function properly or hold a job. Personal relationships and friendships may suffer, and people eventually will drop out of their lives, either by the addict’s choosing or those around them.
How Long Does It Take To Detox From Opiates?
Detoxing from opiates once you’ve developed a psychological and physical dependence is described as one of the most unpleasant sensations and experiences that one can have. While you’re able to detox and go through the withdrawal process on your own, often it’s so uncomfortable that an addict will give up just to ease the withdrawal, and continue using. Detoxing from opiates is one of the hardest things to do, but it’s not impossible.
Withdrawal symptoms from opiates begin usually within 6-12 hours after the last use, and these can include tearing eyes, agitation, sleeping difficulties, anxiety and nervous sweats, racing heart, runny nose, and the beginning of a fever. In time these symptoms will worsen.
Roughly 72 hours after the last use, the user will begin to experience the more uncomfortable physical withdrawal sensations. This is when nausea will peak, and vomiting and diarrhea occur along with painful stomach cramps. The depression will become worse, and the drug cravings more intense. At this time if the user still has access to the drugs, abstaining from use will be the hardest thing they can do, knowing it will make the physical symptoms go away. These sensations last for roughly a week to ten days.
Recovery From Opiate Addiction In Regina
Once the detox from opiates has occurred, continual work must be done to ensure that the user does not relapse. Very rarely does one stay clean and sober simply after detoxing. Oftentimes it requires counseling, therapy, and major lifestyle changes to ensure they do not use again.
Even though Regina and the rest of Canada are in an unprecedented opioid epidemic crisis, there is always hope for recovery from opiates in Regina.
Regina Opiate Addiction Intervention Services
If you suspect that somebody you know may be suffering from opiate addiction, our team at Andy Bhatti is here to help. When it comes to opiate withdrawal, management is recommended at a professional facility.
Our Regina intervention services experts will conduct a formal interview with you, and create an intervention team. This helps to show the addict that they have a loving and supportive community, and one that they will lose should they continue to abuse opiates. We will create and rehearse the intervention scripts alongside you, to facilitate recovery for the user. Our team arranges for post-detox recovery options, including transportation into detox centers, and arrangement for beds in long-term treatment centers designed to help with alcohol and drug addiction in Regina. It’s important to properly and thoroughly prepare for the intervention process, as well as participate in the planning for a post-recovery lifestyle.
With our help, recovery from opiate addiction in Regina is possible. Contact our team today to learn more about the intervention process, and how Andy Bhatti can help.
1-888-960-3209 or email support@andybhatti.com