An addiction or dependency on painkillers, also called Opiates or Narcotics; can have an adverse effect on every aspect of a person’s life. Opiates are drugs used for pain. They can also provide a euphoric feeling or a high. If one takes high doses of opiates over a long period of time, one can develop a dependency or addiction. What this means is, that the person then needs to continue taking opiates on a regular basis or else, go into what are called withdrawal symptoms. Because withdrawal symptoms are so unpleasant and uncomfortable, the person addicted to the opiates cannot go very long without feeling the strong urge to take more to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. Thus the cycle of addiction continues.
Opiate dependence can cause the addict to lose everything. Because of all the time needed to constantly obtain more and more opiates to prevent going into withdrawal symptoms; the person may sacrifice other important life responsibilities. As such, the person can lose their job and spend all their money buying drugs. The person may ignore their families, so marital discord ending in divorce is common. An addict may end up in jail, if any illegal activities become a part of the individual’s routine with procuring more drugs on a regular basis. Finally, an addict’s health may suffer, not to mention the risk of overdose and death.
Treatment for painkiller addiction is available, especially if one knows where to look. The current “state of the art” treatment involves what is known as Medication Assisted Treatment. It is also called “Substitution Treatment.” Such treatment involves having the addict become a patient, who is seen and monitored regularly by a physician, while being prescribed a special opiate medication called Buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone. The Buprenorphine reduced or eliminates the withdrawal symptoms and the cravings for more painkillers. In this case, Buprenorphine is substituted for the opiates the addict takes on a regular basis, hence the term Substitution Treatment.
Patients do not get high on Buprenorphine and also do not die from overdoses while on Buprenorphine. For that reason, it is uniquely different from all other opiates. In addition, unlike all the other opiates which can lead to higher and higher doses due to the formation of tolerance; Buprenorphine has what is known as a “Ceiling Effect.” This means that once the correct dose is established, patients do not need to increase their doses over time. In fact, most lower their doses as their treatment progresses. Finally, when one takes Buprenorphine, other opiate painkiller drugs will be blocked and have no effect.
If you or someone you know has a problem with Opiate Painkillers, call for help before it’s too late. 601.261.9101, or on the web @ www.TheDrugandAlcoholDetoxClinic.com. You can also like them on Facebook for more information.
