An opiate addiction, like any other substance addiction, can have very pervasive effects on the life of the addict, which is why seeking treatment is so encouraged. Let’s go over what an opiate addiction is, what it looks like, and what a Los Angeles opiate detox center can do for it.
Los Angeles Opiate Detox
Though some people use the term “opiates” interchangeably with “drugs”, the two are not exactly the same. Opiates are, more specifically, a category of substances that have similar effects on the brain’s opiate receptors than morphine, which is the go-to example of an opiate. While these are commonly used medically in order to provide patients with pain relief, diarrhea control, reversing an opioid overdose, replacing opioids in cases of disorder, and cough suppression, they are also used by people as recreational drugs for their euphoric effects. The medical over-prescription of opioids has led to what has come to be known as the opioid crisis in the United States. Patients who started using opioids after they were prescribed to them by a doctor have ended up addicted to the substances in question.
What is an Opiate Addiction
Now, is an opioid addiction different from, say, an alcohol addiction? There are going to be differences in the effects on the mind and the body, for one, which means that the actual treatment of the addiction is also going to differ in terms of details. Ultimately, however, addiction to different substances is going to present itself in very similar ways, such as an increased tolerance to the substance, difficulty fulfilling obligations, trouble reducing use, and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing its use. Withdrawal symptoms in case of opioids, for example, can include diarrhea, muscle aches, difficulty sleeping, nausea, and mood swings. These symptoms can be very violent and have hazardous effects on the body, which is why Los Angeles opiate detox is necessary to help you navigate the withdrawal process.
The Need to Detox
Everyone knows that, in order to treat addiction, a patient needs to go through rehabilitation. This is where they will learn the tools they will need to cope with the urge to use and prevent relapse. This will involve a lot of emotional work, which is why it’s so important that the patient is ready to deal with this difficult process. In order for them to get there, they will first have to go through detoxification. is the stage in the treatment that takes care of ridding the body of the substances the patient is addicted to and, in doing so, reducing the harm of withdrawal symptoms. Sudden uncontrolled withdrawal can have a lot of harmful effects on the body, so it’s important that you go through this with the help of the qualified medical personnel at a Los Angeles opiate detox center that can protect you from them.
Understanding Opiates
At Saving My Tomorrow, a Los Angeles opioid detox center, we believe everyone deserves to achieve happiness regardless of circumstances and that your past does not define who you are. For more information about our rehabilitation facilities, give us a call at 818-403-6770 or fill out our contact form.