An opioid drug or medication activates the brain’s opioid receptors to release endorphins and dopamine. These two brain chemicals are called neurotransmitters, which cause the person to feel euphoria and morphine effects. There are naturally derived opioids produced from the poppy seed plant and synthetic opioids created in a lab. Natural opioids include heroin, morphine, and opium. Synthetic opioids include fentanyl and methadone. Medically, opioids are used to reduce pain. Unfortunately, addiction to opioids is a serious problem. Today, opioid addiction is the third-highest addiction- alcohol is the second and nicotine the first. Stricter regulations on receiving prescription opioids have led to an increase in heroin addiction.
How to Help Someone Who is Addicted to Opioids?
The first and most crucial step in ending this addiction is to understand that opioids are physically addicting. Anyone addicted to any type of opioid will experience severe opioid withdrawals when they suddenly stop using. Opioid addicts, especially heroin addicts, are most often ready for medical intervention. Their lives have been put on hold because of their physical need to ingest an opioid every day. The answer is a medically supervised opioid detox. Opioid withdrawals get worse as time goes on and often lead to relapse and accidental overdose.
What Does Opioid Addiction Look Like?
When someone is addicted to an opioid, whether heroin or a prescription pain killer, this person will have changed dramatically after one year of use. They will likely not be employed and have begun stealing and lying to get money for more opioids. People high on opioids will look like they are tired all the time and even sound groggy. Other common things to look for to know if someone is on an opioid include:
- Constricted pupils (pinned eyes)
- Vomiting often
- Having numerous sudden emergencies that require money to fix
- Nodding off while sitting up
- Arrests for shoplifting or drug possession
- Low self-care routines (not showering, or cleaning their home, etc.)
What Opioids Come in Pill Form?
There are many types of opioid prescription pain killers. Johns Hopkins Medical Center lists the dozens of prescription pain killers by opioid type. It is important to note that the list provided here is not exhaustive but contains the most popular opioid pills that people get addicted to most frequently.
Oxycodone type opioids: OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percodan, Oxycet, Roxicet, Tylox, Oxecta, Oxaydo, Xtampza ER, Percocet. Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen type opioids: Vicodin, Norco, Lorcet, Lortab, Hycet-Norco. Hydrocodone/Ibuprofen type opioids: Ibudone, Vicoprofen. Morphine type opioids: MS Contin, Oramorph SR, Avinza, Morphabond, Roxanol-T. Hydromorphone type opioids: Dilaudid, Exalgo, Palladone. Oxymorphone Hydrochloride type opioids: Opana. Meperidine type opioids: Demerol. Methadone Hydrochloride type opioids: Methadose. Fentanyl type opioids: Actiq, Fentora, Sublimaze, Duragesic, Subsys. (Johns Hopkins)
What Is Medically Supervised Opioid Detox?
A medically supervised opioid detox provides safe and effective opioid replacement medications known as MAT. Medication-Assisted Treatments are the gold standard in all opioid treatment programs that start with detox. The opioid detox programs at Evoke Wellness in Massachusetts have been helping long and short-term opioid addicts finally become free of this addiction. Our detox program provides medications upon arrival and around-the-clock medical attention. MAT’s are a long-term solution for many chronic opioid addicts who could not stay clean before.
Call to be Admitted into our Massachusetts Opioid Detox Within Hours
The best gift that any person receives who is struggling with an opioid drug or medication addiction is to go to medical detox. They are tired of living for their drug and ruining their life. We provide quick admission to the detox and make entry to our rehab programs simple once you or your family member completes detox. We can help you recover your life and be free to live normally again. Call for immediate entry to our medically supervised opioid detox and chat or email for more information.
