If you or someone you care about has experienced a major surgery or other event resulting in significant physical trauma, you may have received a prescription for an opiate painkiller. You may also have encountered opiates through other channels, such as the illegal market. However you first came upon this powerful class of drug, it’s important to be aware of its high addiction potential. Moreover, if addiction is already present, it’s essential to seek substance abuse treatment as soon as possible. The risk of overdose and death due to opiate abuse is also tragically high.
If you’re looking for opiate rehab in Tennessee, contact the caring team at Apex Recovery. We look forward to discussing our effective opiate addiction treatment options with you. Call 619.458.3435 or reach out online to get started.
What Are Opiates and How Do I Know If I Need a Rehab Program?
Opiates are as impactful as they are because they work directly on the brain’s pain receptors, blocking their ability to convey this sensation to the rest of the body. Moreover, by altering the brain’s normal use of the mood-regulating chemicals dopamine and serotonin, opiates produce a potent “high.” This sensation can be much more intense than normal experiences of pleasure. What’s more, opiates create tolerance over time, meaning those who use crave more and more to get the same effect.
Many people wonder what the difference is between opiates and opioids, and the distinction is indeed subtle. “Opiate” refers to the original, poppy-derived version of the drugs, including opium, heroin, codeine, and morphine. “Opioid” refers primarily to synthetic versions of opiates, which includes fentanyl, tramadol, methadone, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and oxycodone (OxyContin).
Nothing beats a doctor’s formal appraisal, but here are a few warning signs that a dangerous addiction may have developed:
- Taking opiates outside of the scope and directions of a prescription
- Using opiates as a “preventative” instead of in response to current pain
- “Doctor shopping,” e.g. trying to find more than one source for prescription opiates
- Borrowing others’ medications or pretending to misplace one’s own in order to access extra doses
- Altered sleep schedule
- Engaging in illegal behavior such as buying opiates on the street
- Neglecting relationships with loved ones
- Becoming delinquent from school or work
- Unstable mood and rapid emotional shifts
- Loss of ability to make good decisions
What to Expect from Opiate Addiction Treatment at Apex Recovery
Opiate addiction treatment in a clinical setting often begins with detox. This may happen onsite or in another facility that specializes in this part of the process. Detox entails getting fully free from the drug on a physical level. The process can be very unpleasant and even dangerous. It’s thus best to undergo it in a hospital setting to ensure as much safety and relief as possible. Doctors may, for instance, provide medication to manage withdrawal symptoms. They will also take care that your fluid levels and nutrition remain in check while the body purges harmful substances.
Following detox, individual counseling helps clients learn to remain sober and reinvest in their lives in positive ways. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is common in opiate recovery since it helps clients gain more control over dysregulated, self-sabotaging thoughts and emotions. Dialectical behavior therapy is also prevalent for its additional emphasis on mindfulness. This refers to the ability to remain resilient and grounded even under distress or when facing triggers.
Opiate rehab typically also includes group components like peer support meetings facilitated by a counselor, and/or family therapy. In the latter, clients and their loved ones can work to repair relationships damaged by drug use or other factors. Family therapy can also educate about the cycle of addiction and how to support one another without sacrificing individual needs.
Getting Treatment for Opiates in TN at Apex Recovery
People have used and abused opiates in one form or another for centuries. The upshot for the modern era is that the drugs and their chemical pathways are now well understood. This means there’s a tremendous amount of effective support available for those committed to recovering from addiction. Call 619.458.3435 or reach out online to connect with Apex Recovery Tennessee for more information and resources.