Opiates are among the most addictive substances in the United States. Millions of prescriptions are written every year for opiates as an anti-anxiety medication. However, many people develop an addiction on just their prescribed dose. Addiction is far more serious than a strong desire to use drugs. It is a neurological disease that can feel inescapable. The only way a person can truly overcome the grips of an addiction to opioid painkillers is by seeking treatment at a professional facility, such as Addiction Recovery Institute of America.
The brutal fact is that addiction can be life-threatening when the dependency becomes out of control. The best option to avoid the possibility of a fatal overdose is to detox at an addiction treatment center that can provide both residential care and outpatient programs, like the Addiction Recovery Institute of America.
HOW DO OPIATES DIFFER FROM OPIOIDS?
Opiates are very different chemically from stimulants or sedatives. This class of drugs includes controlled prescription substances that are derived from opium, which is a chemical that naturally occurs in poppy seeds and plants. These drugs, which are clinically used for treating mild to severe pain in patients, are also referred to as “opioid painkillers.” Due to their intensely calming effects, opioid painkillers have tremendously high rates of prescription drug abuse, which can lead to addiction in many cases. Common opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine, which are made directly from poppy plants.
An opioid is a substance that is synthetic or partly synthetic. This means the active ingredients are created chemically in a laboratory. Opioids act just like opiates in the human body because of the similar molecules. Common opioids are OxyContin, hydrocodone, fentanyl, among others. Genuine heroin is an opioid because it is still synthetic, even though it uses molecules from the opium plant in its synthesis process.
People tend to use the terms opiate and opioid interchangeably. On the street, heroin may mean synthetic, natural, or semi-synthetic compounds. Additionally, people may call manufactured opioids like Oxycontin “synthetic heroin,” adding more confusion.
THE BENEFITS OF AN OPIATE DETOX PROGRAM
Medical detox at ARIA is the first step on the road to recovery. The detox process may be followed by residential addiction treatment, in which residents participate in individual and group therapy, learn to avoid triggers, and establish healthy routines. Because detox involves the complete removal of the substance or substances from the body, you are spared many of the mental and physical symptoms of going “cold turkey” on your own and are more likely to avoid future relapse.
Detox is not easy, even in a medically supervised setting like ARIA. However, medical detox during drug rehab does offer several advantages, such as:
- Medical detox thoroughly removes toxic, addictive substances from the body, allowing residents to focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of recovery.
- The process prepares residents for the rehab process.
- Detox reduces the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
- Residents report that medically supervised detox gives them the peace of mind, mental clarity, and focus they need to move forward in their recovery.
- Detox allows residents to avoid immediate relapse.
- ARIA’s opiate detox program staff continually monitors residents to ensure that they are as safe and comfortable as possible.
- Once the body is free of toxins, rehabilitation is more likely to succeed.
THE OPIATE DETOX PROGRAM AT ARIA
As part of your opiate detox program at ARIA, you will be enrolled in the programs and therapies that best suit your needs during recovery. Our treatment team will design a customized treatment plan that gives you the best possible chance for success in recovery. Your treatment plan will benefit you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Additional benefits of your treatment include:
- Medical detox thoroughly removes toxic, addictive substances from the body, allowing residents to focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of recovery.
- The process prepares residents for the rehab process.
- Detox reduces the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
- Residents report that medically supervised detox gives them the peace of mind, mental clarity, and focus they need to move forward in their recovery.
- Detox allows residents to avoid immediate relapse.
- ARIA’s opiate detox program staff continually monitors residents to ensure that they are as safe and comfortable as possible.
- Once the body is free of toxins, rehabilitation is more likely to succeed.
Most importantly, without the influence of opiates clouding your mind, you’ll gain a new perspective on life.
Simply put, detox programs, drug rehab programs, and substance abuse treatment programs help individuals to manage withdrawal symptoms while medical professionals safely remove toxic substances from the body. When an individual is addicted to drugs or alcohol, their body has become conditioned to it. In other words, their brain chemistry and many physical processes have changed as the body has become dependent. As a result, the effects of withdrawal can be extremely painful. They can even be fatal. This is why going through the process with the support of a full team at ARIA can be so effective.
ENROLL IN OUR OPIATE DETOX PROGRAM AND START RECOVERY TODAY
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioids or opiate addiction, call our team at the Addiction Recovery Institute of America at (606) 462-3001 or contact us online. We have years of experience helping people just like you ease or end their opiate addiction with our opiate detox program. If you or a loved one is considering entering an opiate addiction treatment or detox program, reach out to us today to find out more information about our treatment programs. Don’t wait another day to end your dependence on opiates.