Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending!
-Maria Robinson
South Jordan UT Opiate Addiction
Definition
Many heroin addicts will resort to using prescription opiate pills to satisfy their heroin addiction and to help curb their withdrawal symptoms. Most heroin addicts first started their opiate addiction through opiate prescription pain pills. However, not all heroin addicts are addicted to or are using opiate prescription pain pills. Opiate prescription addiction and abuse is on a national rise, especially in the state of Utah. It is suggested this is primarily due to easy access to prescription refills from doctors as well as the “clean appearance” associated with merely only swallowing the pills and not having any of those “dirty junkie” behaviors who use pipes and needles. Unfortunately no addict ever plans on progressing to the use of pipes and needles, it just eventually happens out of drug survivorship.
Any human being that is prescribed or has access to prescription pain pills is susceptible to develop an addiction with opiates. Either a physical or a psychological dependency or both simultaneously can occur without the user even being aware of it. The user will suddenly experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms from abstinence and therein starts the cycle of addiction to avoid going through withdrawals and to keep the good times rolling. The now addicted individual will do whatever it takes to obtain more opiate pain pills and may resort to heroin if no longer as easily accessible. The results can be fatal if a high enough dose is taken or mixed with alcohol or benzodiazepines. The number of accidental overdoses and death are very high when it comes to opiate prescription addiction. In fact there are more deaths from prescription pills in the nation then there are from automobile accidents (SAMHSA, 2012). There are so many different types of opiate prescriptions on the market. Pharmaceutical manufacturers seem to keep producing different kinds, and as long as they are available…there will be opiate prescription addiction. Some of the more common types of opiate prescription medications are as follows:
Hydrocodone
Lortab
Vicodin
Anexsia
Co-Gesic
Hycodan
Lorcet
Norco
Procet
Vanacet
Vicoprofen
Zamicet
Fentanyl
Oxycodone
OxyContin
Percocet
Percodan
Perloxx
Roxicet
Roxicodone
Taxadone
Tylox
Codeine
Morphine
Demerol
Methadone
Diskets
Dolophine
Methadose
Buprenorphine
Suboxone
Subutex
Hydromorphone
Dilaudid
Oxymorphone
Opana
Signs and Symptoms of Use
Common signs of an opiate prescription addiction are:
Coming up with ways (physical/mental health issues) to get more pills
Doctor shopping
General lack of interest in treatment and prefers pills over getting help
Openly asking for prescriptions from other individuals
Suddenly missing different pill jars or pills from your jar
Addict is constantly running out of prescription before refill date
Becomes extremely ornery when prescription runs out
Loss of control
Constantly requesting money and has none of their own
Sudden loss of job and inability to remain gainfully employed
Involvement with the legal system
Mood swings
Personal material things of the addict start disappearing
Personal material things of friends, family and loved ones start missing
Majority of relationship with friends and family are negatively affected
Isolation from both friends, family and loved ones
Depression is prevalent with an attitude of not caring about anything
Manipulative behaviors
Money is missing or stolen and checks are not balancing anymore
Eye pupils are the size of pin heads despite a light or dark environment
Telling lies and getting caught in them more often than not
Personal hygiene starts to really suffer
Appears slowed down and mellow with an overall lack of interest
Drastic change by staying awake through the night and sleeping during the day
Sudden rapid weight loss with little to no interest in eating
Droopy eyelids
Track marks (sores) in arms and legs, neck, etc.
Voice sounds slower, slurred and much deeper than usual
Alternating between feeling alert and drowsy (“nodding in and out of consciousness”)
Facial color is pale and gaunt in nature with minimal animation
Sudden craving of high caloric fatty foods such as sweets and chocolate, etc.
Common symptoms of an opiate prescription addiction are:
Dry mouth
Scarred and/or collapsed veins
Warm skin flush
Slowed breathing
Slowed heart rate
Constipation
Harder to think clearly due to clouded central nervous system
Respiratory problems and/or failure
Circulatory problems and/or failure
Pulmonary problems and/or failure
Continually use to avoid withdrawal symptoms
Random and spontaneous premature birth and/or miscarriage
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Tolerance from prolonged use requiring higher dosages
Vomit and nausea
Heavy feeling in body extremities
Running nose and eyes
Stomach cramps
Sweating
Night vision is further impaired
Surges of euphoria
Premature death
Infections and Diseases from Injecting
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Tuberculosis
HIV
AIDS
STAFF
Gangrene
Bacterial
Abscesses
Heart lining and valves
Cellulitis
Withdrawal Symptoms
Often begin hours from last use
Worst part is between first 48-72 hours of abstinence
Lasting seven (7) days up to two (2) weeks
Overwhelmingly strong cravings for more opiate pain pills
Body and muscle aches
Diarrhea and vomiting
Runny nose and eyes
Depression and dysphoria
Anxiety
Insomnia
Cold and hot flashes
Chills and goosebumps
Restless leg syndrome (constant shaking to cope with symptoms)
Inability to feel comfortable
Overdose Symptoms
Dry mouth
Small constricted pupils
Constipation
Labored or stopped breathing
Low blood pressure and weak pulse
Cold skin with a bluish tinge of color on lips and finger nails
Drowsiness
Loss of consciousness
Possible coma
Death
Treatment for Opiate Prescription Addiction
One addiction is really no different from another, so in other words if you or a loved one has a life threatening opiate prescription addiction, you must seek after immediate professional treatment help. The first step you are going to want to go through is detoxification to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Most detoxification and residential facilities allow a person addicted to opiates to taper with synthetic opioids such as Methadone or Suboxone. Although these drugs have been known to help with curbing cravings, they are still agonists meaning they attach themselves to the opioid mu receptors acting in place of what the opiate is already doing for the addict. This can be very dangerous as the addict is still vulnerable and new to the ways of recovery and will never fully embrace recovery if relying on a chemical dependency to cope with life on life’s terms. Make sure to keep this in mind as you are selecting the right treatment center. You may go through a “social detoxification” which involves placement in a residential inpatient drug treatment program relying heavily on the staff and group family for support and guidance.
The next step will be inpatient treatment to force a physical separation between you and the opiate prescription(s). You will give your brain the necessary rest it requires to function again. You may require Naltrexone pills or shots to curb possible cravings, and to help with deppresion symptoms. This will also allow time for you to become aware of your triggers and reasons behind using. You will also be able to further develop new alternative healthy coping skills. You will explore your underlying and mental health issues.
To finally recover from your opiate prescription addiction, you must then complete outpatient aftercare to ensure accountability and to keep you healthy and on the right track. Upon successfully completion of both detoxification, inpatient and outpatient programs, one can expect to continue to regularly attend 12-Step meetings. You might find yourself living in a monitored environment such as “Sober Living” too. South Jordan Suboxone Recovery Center is able to provide these different levels of care and is an expert provider when it comes to opiate prescription addiction therapy. We address the Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) an opiate addict can expect to experience within the first year of their recovery. We develop a personalized and individual relapse prevention and safety plan dealing with the thoughts, behaviors and feelings. Our clients successfully complete their inpatient residential stay in 60-90 days and our outpatient treatment program within 90-180 days on average. If a South Jordan Suboxone Recovery Center client desires to move into a sober living home, we are willing to help them through every step until this occurs. South Jordan Suboxone Recovery Center’s promise is backed with a lifetime guarantee.
Call for immediate help with an opiate prescription addiction today. (801) 895-2950