Opioid Addiction Treatment Center in Southern California

Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the body, which are responsible for regulating pain. When this happens, pain is blocked in the person. At the same time, there is a release of the chemical dopamine, which creates a very pleasurable sensation.

All of these side effects activate the brain’s reward system, which makes the body crave more when the effects wear off. To the brain, taking an opioid is like a reward, and it wants it again and again and again, making it hard to stop. This is especially difficult for those with a lot of pain or mental health struggles who use opioids as a way of treating those ailments.

This is a slippery and dangerous slope, as the more a person uses an opioid, the higher their tolerance builds, to the point they need stronger doses to feel the same effects. Over time, a physical dependence occurs, which causes withdrawal symptoms when the person stops taking the opioid. At this stage, an addiction treatment program is necessary.

Who is More at Risk of Opioid Addiction?

First, it’s important to understand that anyone can experience a substance use disorder. However, there are certain risk factors that may make a person more susceptible to opioid addiction.

Mental Health Conditions: People with pre-existing mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, are more likely to turn to opioids to self-medicate. This encompasses those who struggle with trauma and stress.

Social Factors: There are several social and environmental factors that may mean a person is more likely to become addicted to opioids, for example, someone who has been exposed to the drugs from an early age.

Accessibility: If someone has easy access to opioids, whether through illicit means or because of a prescription, they are more likely to develop an addiction.

Family History of Drug Addiction: There is a genetic predisposition to forming an addiction in those who have a family history of it.

While all of these factors may bump up a person’s chances of experiencing opioid addiction, keep in mind that it’s never set in stone. Even if you tick off several of these risk factors, addiction treatment services can go a long way to helping you recover and leave addiction in your past.

The Signs of an Opioid Addiction

For people to seek the drug treatment and mental health services they need, it’s important to be able to spot the signs of an opioid addiction. There is a mix of physical and behavioral signs to watch out for.

Physical Signs of Opioid Addiction:

• Significant Weight Loss

• Slurred Speech

• Pain Sensitivity (hyperalgesia)

• Lowered Sex Drive

• Dry Mouth

• Tooth Decay

Behavioral Signs of Opioid Addiction:

• Social Withdrawal

• Avoiding Family, Friends, and Other Loved Ones

• Acting More Secretive

• More Argumentative

• Neglecting Work/School

• Poor Hygiene

• Financial Difficulties

• Seeking Drugs (such as doctor shopping)

If you tick off these signs, seeking drug rehabilitation is the next step – you don’t need to let a drug addiction take over your life.

The Dangers of Opioid Addiction

Long-term use of opioids is very dangerous for the individual, which is why seeking addiction treatment services matters so much.

The Short-Term Risks:

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Drowsiness and Dizziness

• Slowed Breathing

• Respiratory Depression

• Falls and Accidents

• Overdose

An opioid overdose is very serious and can be fatal in some circumstances. The signs of an opioid overdose, or opioid toxicity, include dilated pupils, hyperthermia (low body temperature), hallucinations, hypertension, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and coma. If any of these symptoms occur, seek professional medical help as soon as you can – it’s essential and might save a life.

The Long-Term Risks:

• Reduced Libido

• Infertility

• Depression

• Other Mental Health Issues

• A Weak Immune System

• Hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain)

• Cardiovascular Issues

• Chronic Constipation

• Increased Risk of Overdose and Death

There are also personal and social issues that opioid addiction can contribute to. For example, people with opioid addictions may withdraw from family and friends and lose their jobs. It truly is a disorder that can impact every facet of your life, which is why going to an addiction treatment center is the best possible decision.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

In order to get clean after a substance use disorder, individuals must go through the withdrawal process. This includes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that can be hard to deal with and, in some cases, dangerous, which is why seeking a medical detox in an addiction treatment center is important.

The following systems typically occur within a few hours to a day of stopping the use of opioids. They then peak at around day two to three, with most subsiding by the time a week has passed.

• Anxiety

• Irritability

• Agitation

• Tremors

• Feeling Restless

• Muscle Aches

• Muscle Spasms

• Frequent Yawning

• Difficulty Sleeping

• A Runny Nose

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Dehydration

• Increased Heart Rate

• Dilated Pupils

• Intense Cravings for Opioids

These withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant but not typically life-threatening. Still, there is some danger, especially regarding dehydration, vomiting, and intense cravings. Attending an addiction treatment center with access to medications and mental health treatments means your discomforts will be lessened, and any medical problems will be handled safely.