Beating the Addiction: Opioids

The United States is currently experiencing a devastating opioid epidemic. 128 people die every day from an opioid overdose.  Opioids are one of the most common prescription medications used today and also happen to be the most dangerous. Opioids are meant to be used on a short-term basis to help people control pain. They are extremely addictive and it’s common that someone ends up using them for years. 

What is an Opioid Addiction?

Opioid addiction is a long-lasting disease that causes health, social, and economic problems. It’s characterized by a compulsive urge to use opioid drugs, even when they are no longer needed for medical purposes. The addiction happens when the brain chemistry is changed by repeat drug use, and a tolerance is built. Physical and emotional withdrawals will then occur if the person addicted stops taking opioids. Millions of Americans are impacted by opioid addiction every day. 

Commonly prescribed opioids are hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. Heroin is also an opioid but isn’t prescribed by doctors. Heroin is sold and purchased on the streets. It’s not uncommon for someone to start using hydrocodone and eventually use heroin. 

How to Break an Opioid Addiction

Breaking an opioid addiction may seem extremely difficult but it doesn’t have to be. While there are numerous people addicted to opioids, there are also numerous people who are successful in recovery from opioids. Below are a few tips on how to break an opioid addiction: 

  1. Admit You Need Help: The first step in beating an opioid addiction, just like any other addiction, is admitting you need help. Addiction isn’t a matter of ‘self-control’, it’s a disease that affects and rewires the brain. It’s completely ok to admit to yourself and others that you do in fact need help and want to get sober. Don’t be ashamed, asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak, it actually means you’re strong. 
  2. Know Your Options: After admitting you need help, the next step in the right direction is to research treatment options. There are what seems to be an endless amount of treatment options available. It’s helpful to do some research and get informed on the many kinds of treatment available to beat opioids. Beating addiction shouldn’t be done alone and is most effectively done with the help of a treatment center.
  3. Reach Out: It’s important to contact treatment centers and facilities to get more information on their programs once you do some research. It may be helpful to write down the questions you have before calling. Speaking to someone over the phone and asking questions that are important should make you feel more comfortable about pursuing recovery. 
  4. Trust the Professionals: Finally, people who are looking for help with an opioid addiction need to trust trained medical professionals. These are specialists who have the expertise necessary to get to the root of someone’s opioid addiction. They do what they do because they want to help you and see you live a successful, drug-free life. They help you uncover the root of your drug addiction so you can become happy and sober. 

We’re Here to Help

At Soba Recovery, we are honored to be one of the main drug & alcohol treatment programs serving individuals and families in the southwest region. We have programs both in Mesa, AZ and San Antonio, TX. Our detox & inpatient treatment programs help participants battle addiction and take steps to recovery. Our unique luxury addiction treatment program takes advantage of proven, traditional treatment methods and blends them with new, innovative therapies. Our priority is helping our clients overcome substance abuse and retain sobriety. If you would like to find out more about our addiction treatment program, please contact us!

Opioid Withdrawal Timeline

There are a number of significant challenges someone has to face when trying to overcome substance abuse. One of the most intimidating topics to discuss is withdrawals. The symptoms can vary from being mild to severe and are different for everyone. Withdrawal symptoms also depend on the substance someone is abusing.

Withdrawal typically takes place during detox (the first few days of the recovery period). The good news is medical detox helps make withdrawal as comfortable as possible for drug and alcohol users. At Soba Recovery we provide a comprehensive detox program to help our clients overcome substance abuse, making recovery within your reach.

What are Withdrawals?

When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the body has been conditioned to believe it needs those substances to survive. As those substances and toxins start to leave the body, people will start to experience cravings. This is the driving force that has powered their addictions from day one. When the body doesn’t get these substances quickly it will enter withdrawal.

Some withdrawals can cause health complications or lead to relapse. For this reason, it’s important to lean on trained professionals who provide around-the-clock care. You don’t have to go through this alone. Withdrawal can be one of the most challenging phases of recovery but once you overcome withdrawal you can overcome anything.

What do Opioid Withdrawals Look Like?

Withdrawal is going to take many shapes and forms and depends on the substance someone is addicted to. For example, someone who is going through withdrawal from benzodiazepines may develop seizures. Withdrawal from alcohol may take a course known as delirium tremens, often shortened to DTs. There are a few common symptoms opioid users experience during withdrawal.

One of the first symptoms is opioid cravings. Someone may feel a powerful drive to use drugs once again. This can evoke an emotional reaction. Muscle aches are soon to follow as well as body pain. Lack of sleep is also common as cravings can keep someone up at night. Eventually, individuals develop agitation and anxiety. One of the most common comparisons for opioid withdrawals is they are like having the flu.

How Long Does Opioid Withdrawal Last?

Withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as six hours after the last dose of drugs. Some people even notice symptoms as quickly as two hours after the last dose. If the addiction is a longer-acting opioid medication, the symptoms may be delayed for up to a day.

Within 72 hours, the symptoms should peak. This peak might be delayed if someone is using a longer-acting opioid. Then, over the next few days, the symptoms are going to subside gradually. Again, if the opioid is longer-acting, this process may be a little longer. Withdrawal periods vary from person to person but on average last around five days.

Get Help

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) published between 26.4 million and 36 million people around the globe abuse opiate drugs, which includes prescription pain relievers and the illegal drug heroin. Know that you’re not alone battling this addiction. Soba Mesa offers medically assisted detox and our clients are monitored 24 hours per day. Our medical practitioners prescribe the correct medicine to alleviate the discomfort associated with the withdrawal symptoms mentioned above. Contact us to get help. We would be honored to assist you with addiction treatment.

The Top Five Thoughts to Have Before Using Opioids

Addiction is a serious issue that impacts countless individuals and families across the country. Fortunately, the attitude towards addiction and mental health issues is starting to see a shift. This has allowed countless people who are impacted by addiction to seek the help that they deserve. Once someone is able to achieve sobriety, this is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated. When it comes to an addiction to opioids, this is an impressive achievement. Sadly, a large percentage of people who achieve sobriety are going to suffer a relapse. The relapse rate during recovery may be as high as 60 percent. Before someone makes the decision to use opioids, there are a few thoughts that need to enter the head.

1. Why Do I Feel to Urge to Revert to Substance Abuse?

First, people need to ask why they are feeling the urge to use opioids once again. While a relapse after a period of sobriety is not uncommon, it is also important for people to know why they are doing this. During the road to recovery, one of the goals is to address the root cause of the reasons why someone decided to use opioids in the first place. Have these causes changed? Are the roots the same?  Figuring out why someone is feeling the urge to use opioids again is an important part of avoiding a relapse. Even though relapse can impact more than half of all individuals in recovery, there are still steps people should take to stay sober.

2. What Was My Top Priority During Addiction Treatment?

Next, people need to ask themselves whether or not sobriety is really their top priority. Sure, there are lots of pulls on people’s time. This includes personal relationships, professional relationships, job obligations, and personal hobbies. On the other hand, unless someone gets clean for themselves, they are not going to be able to stay sober. Without a complete and total dedication to long-term sobriety, relapse is going to happen. This means that people need to be willing to put in the hard work. Is the hard work getting done? Are meetings being attended? Are sponsors being called? Or are counseling sessions being capped? This can help people stay sober and avoid relapse.

3. Where Is My Addiction Treatment Support System?

In addition, everyone needs to ask whether or not they have a strong support system. Addiction is a disease. It should be treated as such. At the same time, addiction can be beaten. In order for someone to overcome addiction and stay sober, a strong support system must be in place. Someone who has newly achieved sobriety needs to rely on the support network from day one. This can make a difference in helping someone stay sober or relapsing back into the claws and reaches of addiction. Anyone who is thinking about using opioids needs to reach out to the support system. This might include friends, family members, spiritual leaders, and support groups.

4. Why Did I Make the Decision to Quit Substance Abuse?

Next, people need to make sure that they are quitting for the right reasons. As mentioned above, everyone needs to make the decision to quit for themselves and their long-term well-being. Anyone who enters into treatment in order to make friends or family members happy is bound to fail. If they aren’t committed to themselves, they are not going to be able to commit to treatment. This is one of the biggest reasons why people think about using opioids again. Everyone needs to make sure they are quitting for the right reasons. This can have a long-term impact on someone’s overall health, well-being, and future desires. Remember, before making the decision to use again, the impact this is going to have on one’s own life.

5. Am I Ready?

Finally, before making the decision to use opioids, people need to think about all of the work they have done to get to this point. When someone achieves sobriety, they had put in a tremendous amount of work in order to get clean. All of this work has been done to rebuild a regular life and avoid a relapse. Is it really OK to destroy all of this work at the altar of opioids? Is it really OK to return to the world of social isolation and damaged personal relationships? Remember to think about this before making the decision to use opioids again.

Rely on the Professionals at Soba Recovery

At Soba Recovery, we are dedicated to helping everyone find the drug and alcohol addiction treatment they need. With locations in Mesa, AZ, and San Antonio, TX we provide detox and inpatient treatment for numerous types of addiction. If you would like to learn more about our services, please call us today to learn more!