Opioid addiction claims the lives of thousands of people every year. There are many side effects associated with using opioids recreationally or counter to a physician’s instructions. We hope that by understanding how opioids affect your brain and body, you can prevent addiction for yourself or someone you love. If you need help, you can turn to the professionals at Coalition Recovery’s opioid rehab program in Tampa, FL.
What Is Opioid Addiction?
You can become physically dependent on opioids. Opioid use disorder occurs when you abuse prescribed or illicit opioids. Once you have become addicted, it’s hard to quit due to intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
If you have decided to stop using opioids, that’s the first step in your recovery process. However, it’s important to check into a reputable opioid addiction detox program to safely remove the drugs from your system. This can help you avoid some of the more unpleasant aspects of opioid withdrawal.
How Does Opioid Addiction Begin?
Opioid addiction often begins with legally prescribed painkillers. Physicians may prescribe opioids to control pain due to surgery, illness, or injury. However, due to the potency and addictive qualities of this class of drugs, it’s easy for someone to develop an addiction to opioids. This often leads to seeking the drugs through legal and illegal means.
Other times, people become addicted through recreational use of opioids, including the following:
- Roxicet, Endocet, Percocet
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Naloxone
- Methadone
If your opioid use disorder started with a legal prescription from your physician, it may take some time for you to realize that you have a problem. Our licensed therapists and medical staff can help you break the habit and find better ways of coping with trauma, depression, and anxiety. For example, yoga and mindfulness meditation have helped those dealing with chronic pain relax and take their mind off their physical discomfort.
Ask about our dual diagnosis program to treat co-occurring opioid addiction and mental health disorders. Mental health disorders often contribute to drug addiction and vice versa, so we address both issues with our holistic recovery approach.
Side Effects of Opioids
The side effects of opioids can start within 24 hours of your last use and include the following:
- Muscle aches and pains
- A runny nose
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Insomnia or drowsiness
- Intense cravings
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
During detox, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Chills
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Blurry vision
This list is by no means comprehensive, and everyone has a unique recovery experience in detox. However, our medically assisted detox program can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce your chance of a relapse.
Do You Need Help for Addiction?
Dealing with pain can be challenging, but turning to the illicit use of opioids can only complicate your situation. No matter how your opioid addiction began, we can help you end it and prepare for a life free of opioid abuse. At Coalition Recovery, our treatment methods take your mental and physical addiction into account and include the following options:
- Detox services
- Virtual recovery
- IOP
- Holistic recovery
- Dual diagnosis
- Intervention services
During the admissions process, we learn more about your addiction and recovery needs. This information helps us customize a plan that caters to your personal needs.
Addiction Treatment Programs at Coalition Recovery
At Coalition Recovery in Tampa, FL, we can help you learn new coping methods to establish healthier behavior patterns. You can also learn to resist cravings and focus your attention on new interests that help you heal and make a lifelong recovery. If you are addicted to opioids, let us help you reclaim your life. Contact us at 888.707.2873, or contact us online for assistance recovering from addiction to painkillers.
