Take Back Control of Your Life with Providence Opiate Addiction Treatment
Providence opiate addiction treatment options are available at top drug and alcohol treatment centers in the country
As of 2013, an estimated 2.1 million Americans meet the description of prescription opioid addiction, having risen 125% from 900,000 in 2002. Also in 2013, 10 million Americans misused prescription opioids for non-medical reasons, up 161% from approximately 4 million Americans in 2002. This isn't even taking into account the shocking jump in opiate abuse, including fentanyl and heroin abuse, which we've seen in the past 5 or so years. Providence opiate addiction treatment centers can help.
To that point, a White House study estimates 1.5 million chronic heroin users in the US and our own state of Rhode Island has seen fatal fentanyl overdoses increase 15 times over since just 2009. These statistics aren't just numbers anymore – this is affecting family members and friends before our very eyes. Luckily, Rhode Island has been expanding its study and treatment of opioid addictions and opiate rehab is becoming more available to those who need it. If you or a loved one are one of Rhode Island's estimated 20,000 opiate abusers who aren't yet receiving treatment, Providence opiate addiction treatment centers are here to help you take back your life.
Because of the ongoing opioid crisis facing Rhode Island and our nation, this article will be reviewing opiate addiction and treatment. If you need help with another substance abuse problem or if you are looking for information on treatment options, top drug and alcohol treatment centers are also available.
The terms opioids and opiates are used interchangeably to refer to a class of drugs that include heroin and many medically prescribed pain killers such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and more. These medications are typically the first opiate that one is exposed to and are initially taken on a doctor's orders. Because of their prescribed use by a trusted source, the risk involved in taking them on a regular basis is often underestimated. Make no mistake- these drugs are incredibly addictive and can be the edge of a slippery slope towards addiction.
With sustained use, even when taken as prescribed, the body can build up a tolerance to the substance and misuse of the drug often occurs as the pain they are meant to treat becomes less responsive to their effect. Eventually the use of an extra pill here or there may seem like an innocent adjustment to your dose, but this only adds to the issue of tolerance and can create a stronger mental and physical dependence upon the drug. As the drug slowly stops having its desired effect or when a prescription is revoked, recent studies have demonstrated that the now opiate-addicted individual may turn to illegal alternatives to sooth their often-overwhelming compulsion for the drug. In fact, a nation-wide survey found that 80% of heroin users reported using prescription opiates before they tried heroin.
Addiction is a disease that hijacks your brain, and it is for that reason those who are abusing prescription opiates or heroin may try to hide or deny their habit and their feelings of shame or fear caused by it. In some cases of prescription opiate abuse, the addict may not even realize they have a problem. However, many exhibit specific behaviors that are symptomatic of their drug use. These symptoms can include
- Inability or refusal to stop using the drug in question
- Secretive and evasive behavior, such as brushing off questions about drug use or making attempts to hide extra pill bottles and other drug related paraphernalia
- Difficulty concentrating or recurrent confusion
- Failing to fulfill usual responsibilities
- Cancelling of plans or appointments frequently
- Risk taking and lack of appropriate judgement
- Mood swings varying from blissful happiness to agitation for no readily apparent reason
- Slurring of speech
- Lack of coordination or slowed movements
- Drowsiness and sleeping frequently or for long periods of time
- Nausea or vomiting
Every individual is different and not everyone reacts to the same drug the same exact way, but if you or your loved one is displaying symptoms of opioid abuse, consider seeking treatment. As some of the top drug and alcohol treatment centers in the nation, Providence opiate addiction treatment facilities are experienced in treating the full range of opioid addictions and have helped many recover from their illnesses.
Providence opiate treatment centers are equipped to take you from start to finish in your journey to sobriety. Nationwide, top drug and alcohol treatment centers start with a medical detox and our local opiate rehab centers are no different. Medical detox is a managed period of withdrawal, during which medical professionals monitor the patient and administer appropriate medications to manage the symptoms experienced during withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal from opioids and their severity depend upon the specific drug abused and the extent of the abuse. Some symptoms of opiate withdrawal include uncontrollable trembling, pain, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, seizures, hallucinations, changes in mood (agitation, depression, fear), and sudden, intense cravings for their drug of choice. These symptoms can be distressing and even dangerous, but choosing to undergo medical detox in Providence opiate addiction treatment centers means that the process is safe and as comfortable as possible under the attentive care of trained professionals.
Treatment of addiction and mental dependency can get underway after the detox process has run its course. There are several choices to make concerning what kind of treatment program is right for you, and the first choice to make is typically between inpatient and outpatient opiate rehab. Outpatient treatment is a good option for those who don't have the ability to take time off of work or school, but most experts report that recovering addicts have more success if they first spend some time at one of Providence opiate addiction treatment programs offered at live-in opiate rehab centers. This is because they offer a safe, temptation free environment for you to readjust to sobriety and focus your full attention on your recovery. Once you have been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic, there are a wide variety of different therapies available to you depending upon your interests. One-on-one therapy and group counselling sessions are standard, but alternative treatments range from yoga to equine therapy. These supplement the traditional programs in opiate rehab treatment and can promote newfound interest in a healthy hobby that you can find meaning in as you recover.
Relapse prevention training is also an important part of the education you receive in Providence opiate addiction treatment centers. You and members of your support group, like close friends and family, can learn about the stages of relapse and how to spot the symptoms at each stage. The goal of this is to be able to recognize when a recovering addict is struggling and stop a relapse before it even happens.
Addiction is a treatable illness. It is not a moral failing or anything to be ashamed of, and addicts don't have to be condemned to a life of struggling under the weight of dependence. If you or your loved one is suffering from opiate addiction, help is available. Recovery is possible with Providence opiate addiction treatment.
For more information, and for help finding treatment centers to choose from, call 401-648-7636.
Sources:
http://www.health.ri.gov/data/drugoverdoses/
http://www.health.ri.gov/news/temp/RhodeIslandsStrategicPlanOnAddictionAndOverdose.pdf