Recently, the President declared the epidemic of opioid addiction and the large death toll as a result of overdoses a national health emergency, and it is major problem. Heroin is a highly addictive illicit drug with powerful physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, and a lot of blame for addiction to heroin and extremely powerful controlled substances falls on prescription painkillers.
It is not the doctors prescribing pain medications because they do so to help to improve the quality of life of many people who have suffered from a recent injury or have mild to severe pain. The beginning of heroin addiction usually starts with taking pain medication that does not belong to them. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 75 percent of pain medication misuse is due to people taking medication not prescribed to them by getting it from a relative, friend or a dealer. Then, the spiral may lead them to heroin. Fortunately, there is a lot of resources to help vanquish this powerful addiction, including medications.
Methadone use to be the only thing doctors could prescribe to control the terrible withdrawals opioid addicts would have to face, and those withdrawals are a big reason why addicts relapse so quickly or do not even try to stop. They are afraid and with good reason. Fortunately, there has been pharmacological advances in medications. Many psychiatrists and physicians specializing in helping patients deal with withdrawals and prescribe medications such as Naltrexone Subutex, Suboxone, and Clonidine just to name a few. Additionally, Methadone still works well and is prescribed frequently.
Just treating the physical symptoms are not going to be enough to reach a clean lifestyle. Opioid addiction, like all drug or alcohol addiction, is usually a result of underlying psychological issues, and it is important to deal with those issues during the physical treatment of opioid addiction, and the psychological issues must be addressed long after, including finding a place or group where there are people to lean on and find support.
If you are struggling with addiction, contact The Haven and consult with them about obtaining medical and therapeutic assistance for treatment. The Haven is an efficient and quality treatment center with a high success rate in treating drug and alcohol addiction that will also help connect you to resources in your area after treatment.
Categories: Drug Addiction Support Treatment Medicine Rehabilitation
