Opioid Addiction Treatment

Opioid Addiction Treatment at Engage Wellness Acton, MA

Opioid addiction treatment is available to anyone struggling to end their use of various substances ranging from prescription painkillers to heroin. It’s no secret that there is a national epidemic of opioid use disorders, with many people unaware of the addictive nature of the drugs they may have been given by a medical professional.

Our expert team at Engage Wellness Acton, MA understands the many causes of opioid addiction and will never judge you. We’re here solely to help you find the right treatment for opioid addiction so you can overcome your struggles and resume a happy, fulfilling life.

In this short guide, we explore the nature of opioids and how to recognize signs of addiction in yourself or someone else.

How Addictive are Opioids?

Opioids are all, without exception, addictive. They bind to the parts of the brain that produce neurotransmitters like dopamine. Dopamine is a highly beneficial chemical associated with happiness and reward. You’ll feel the effects of dopamine when you see a loved one, achieve something great at work or in your personal life, or hit the gym. Unfortunately, when drugs cause your brain to release too much dopamine, you start to crave the higher levels of the chemical which eventually leads to addiction.

Opioids come in various forms and are usually either organic, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Organic opioids are sometimes called opiates. All are derived from or mimic the effects of Papaver somniferum, more commonly known as the opium poppy. Common opioids that are prescribed by doctors include:

Codeine
Oxycodone
Percocet
Morphine and its derivatives
Buprenorphine
Methadone
Tapentadol
Fentanyl

Fentanyl is one of the most commonly available illicit substances, despite being a prescription drug. This is because it’s very potent and usually given during surgery via injection. Some people may also have it prescribed as a skin patch or throat lozenge. The brand names for these are Duragesic and Actiq, which is useful to know if you think your prescription medication could be causing an addiction. Fentanyl is powerful enough to use as an anesthetic, so it’s open to misuse as people may take it trying to achieve a “high” or simply match the feeling of opioids they used to take.

The Culture Surrounding Opioid Use in the United States

Alarmingly, opioid use in the United States is at an all-time high. Statistics show that opioid use rose dramatically between 2017 and 2021 and, sadly, the deaths associated with opioid misuse. Opioids are not limited to younger age groups, either. People of any age can succumb to opioid addiction, often through no fault of their own.

Many diseases require pain management, particularly chronic conditions ranging from arthritis to cancer. Opioids are the most commonly prescribed options as they’re effective at numbing pain and increasing feelings of well-being. However, many people are not told about the potentially addictive nature of opioids and don’t have the right information to take the medication properly. Because they don’t understand that they’ll develop a tolerance for the meds, they may start to take more, leading to a potential spiral into addiction.

If this addiction takes hold, once the prescription is finished, the person is discharged from medical care with a potentially serious addiction. They may not even realize that this is what’s happening, especially if they’ve never experienced a substance use disorder before.

The results may be people from all backgrounds struggling with day-to-day life, seeking out alternatives, and often taking dangerous street drugs to try and chase the feeling they’ve come to rely on from their prescription opioids.

At least 6.1 million people in the United States suffer from opioid addiction, according to the latest survey from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). That’s around 2% of the entire population, plus there are more who say they’ve misused opioids but don’t consider themselves addicted.

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, opioids are at least partially indicated in 72% of all overdose-related deaths. Over 2000 of those occur each year in Massachusetts, making opioid addiction treatment more essential than ever. Engage Wellness Acton, MA understands the opioid epidemic and is here to help you or a loved one regain control of your lives.

We accept most private Insurance & cash pay options

Speak to Our Admissions Team (978) 699-9786

Opioid Addiction Warning Signs

How do you know if you’ve become addicted to opioids? Because many opioids are prescription medications, it can be unclear when you’re craving a drug or when you’re simply being mindful to take your medication. This list of symptoms could help you tell the difference:

Wanting the drugs outside the prescribed times or wanting more than you’ve been prescribed
Over- or under-eating
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue or drowsiness
Poor sleep patterns or a change in sleep quality
Feeling like you have the flu — aches, fever, or malaise
Being uninterested in things you used to enjoy
Out-of-character behavior
Mood swings

If you’ve started to experience one or more of these symptoms and you’re on prescription opioids, there could be a connection. You can always speak to a member of the team at Engage Wellness Acton, MA to understand if you could be experiencing addiction. We can start you on a program of opioid addiction treatment right away with no judgment — just the right support for you.

Conversely, you might already be aware that you have an addiction and may have started seeking alternative sources for your medication. Or, you may have tried opioids to find out what the “high” was like and have unfortunately found them addictive. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone, and we can help you take back control and overcome this addiction.

How Opioids Impact Your Body and Mind

We already covered how opioids bind to neuroreceptors in the brain and flood your system with dopamine. This creates an intense feeling of euphoria. The more powerful the opioid, the more intense the rush. Unfortunately, more powerful opioids also come with serious risks.

Strong opioids dull pain receptors so you could injure yourself and not realize you have until later. This can lead to infection or even death.

Many opioids are “cut” or mixed with stronger drugs. Some drug dealers may believe this is a good way to get their customers “hooked” so that they come back more often. However, if you think you’re taking codeine but you actually consume a large amount of fentanyl, this could lead to an instant overdose.

Opioid misuse can put tremendous stress on your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and impact your immune system. They can also lead to serious mental health conditions including chronic depression.