
Addiction is not a mistake that a person commits. It’s a condition. Something that began as pleasure-giving activity turns into something that your body and mind cannot live without. Now, even if you don’t want to use the thing, you must. If you don’t, you will fall very sick.
This is a pitiable condition, remarks one of the rehab doctors at a reputable center. “We have seen people wanting to stop using the substance but cannot because if they do, their body gives horrible symptoms of withdrawal.”
Opioid addiction is one such condition that leaves people with little control over their choice. Many addicts want to stop using opioids, but alas, they cannot. They have reached a stage wherein stopping the use of opioids can make them ill. Now they must consume opioids just to keep the illness away.
It’s no longer a pleasure-giving activity. It has turned into a necessity, a kind of helplessness.
Doctors’ definition of addiction
Doctors define addiction as a craving for a drug that is so irresistible that the person is compelled to use the drug, and the repeated use creates health disasters for the person.
According to doctors, opioids come in the category of highly addictive drugs. They are known to stimulate reward centers of the brain, and this is where all the “drama” begins.
It’s as simple as that:
When your brain knows it will get a reward (pleasure) after doing a certain activity, it will crave that activity. You will get a strong urge to do it. If you don’t, you will feel uneasy.
Depending on the level of addiction, you will get withdrawal symptoms. All willpower fails in the face of opioid cravings. This is mostly because addiction is not just about the mind; it affects your physical health too. At times, the symptoms you get are life-threatening. So doctors advise against stopping the use of opioids all of a sudden.
The best thing to do
The best thing to do is enroll in a rehabilitation program. Experts at the program help you go off opioids slowly. This saves you from powerful symptoms. Even if you get symptoms, you are under the guidance of doctors who will help you appease them through certain medications.
Why is opioid highly addictive?
Opioids stimulate the release of endorphins in excess amounts. Endorphins are happy hormones. To put it in medical terms, these are the neurotransmitters of the brain that provide a feeling of pleasure. Endorphins numb pain and feelings of sadness. They make you feel happy. This creates an overall feeling of well-being.
When the effect of opioids wears off, you stop feeling the pleasure. So, this is a temporary phase of pleasure and happiness. Now, you want to feel the same again. So your brain gives off a strong craving.
Most people succumb to the craving. When you repeatedly satiate your cravings, a time comes when you get addicted. This means now your body system has adapted to the substance. Now it “needs” it to function well. This is the phase when it becomes dangerous to go off the substance cold turkey. It sends your body system into a shock, and you get the symptoms.
Social stigma of addiction
One must understand the science behind addiction. An addict may not always be a bad person; he or she is rather helpless.
Society looks down upon drug addicts. But have you ever tried to know how they started it? Was it just for a moment of seeking pleasure? Was it some mental issue? Did they have some emotional problem that led them to seek happiness through drugs?
Admonishing, preaching, or taunting won’t work here. The person in front of you no longer, has control over his/her drug habits. In some cases, where addiction is too severe, it can be dangerous to confront addicts because they can become violent.
According to experts at the Colorado drug rehab center, continuous use of opioids changes brain chemistry. This can lead to a change in behavior and thinking patterns. That’s the reason addicts won’t listen to what you preach or advise. They would think the opposite – that you are out to get them or want to ‘snatch’ their ‘happiness.’
It is better to seek professional help in this case. Aggression and violent behavior are two common symptoms of severe drug addiction.
Only a thorough rehabilitation program can help an individual who displays such signs of addiction. In fact, directing them toward a program is like saving their life. Rehab comes as a ray of hope in the lives of individuals who have otherwise plunged into the dark realms of drugs.
FAQs:
What exactly are opioids?
Opioids are actually pain-relieving drugs. They are made from the poppy plant. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid made in the lab. They attach to the opioid receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals. This numbs the pain and creates a feeling of pleasure through the release of endorphins.
If opioids are dangerous, why do doctors prescribe them?
Doctors prescribe opioids to treat pain in patients. They are meant to be taken at a particular dose for a particular time. If you stick to the prescription, you won’t get addicted. Addiction happens when people go beyond the prescription limit and continue to take opioids. Some people overdose on opioids.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of opioids?
Early symptoms of withdrawal include anxiety, restlessness, agitated behavior, insomnia, excessive sweating, pain in muscles, and runny nose. Later on, the person may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, and goosebumps on the skin.
What if I don’t take medical help for symptoms?
It is important to consult a doctor or seek professional help from a Colorado drug rehab center to tackle the symptoms. They may become life-threatening if left unattended.
How much time does it take to recover from opioid addiction?
It largely depends on the severity of the addiction. Generally, withdrawal symptoms subside within a week or two. However, the recovery rate varies with individuals. It may take several weeks or several months to completely recover from addiction.