Opioid addiction affects millions of Americans each year, a number that has skyrocketed over the past several years as a result of the opioid crisis. Opioids are a class of drugs that include opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin, along with prescription painkillers like Oxycodone.
Prescription opioids, if misused, are highly addictive, potentially deadly, and can often lead to the use of cheaper alternatives such as heroin. As a result, it is important to understand the risks of this class of drugs and seek treatment. If you or someone close to you is struggling to control your opiate use, reach out to our California drug rehab program today at 866.772.8491.
The Dangers of Opiate Use
The same functions that make opiates effective pain-relievers can also make them dangerous in high doses. Opioids can cause side effects such as drowsiness, brain fog, and nausea, and at higher doses, they can slow your breathing and heart rate, even to the point of death. They also can easily form dependencies, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms and a higher tolerance for the drug. Even opioids that are prescribed for medical use pose risks.
Eventually, abuse can turn into an addiction, which can wreak havoc on both your health and your relationships. Some of the signs and effects of an opioid addiction can include:
- Forging opiate prescriptions
- Stealing narcotics or money from friends and family
- Disregarding familial responsibilities
- Poor work or school performance
- Spending a significant portion of your time getting, using, or recovering from opiates
- Social isolation
- Lying about drug use
- Worsening mental health, including anxiety and depression
- Mood swings
- Memory problems
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Paranoia
The Importance of Opiate Addiction Treatment Centers
Though millions suffer from addiction to opiates, it is a treatable condition. Opiate addiction treatment centers are at the forefront of the fight against the opioid crisis and are the best possible choice to combat opioid addiction. Though some people may try to quit “cold turkey,” doing so is extremely difficult; it can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms and may even lead you to heavier drug use as a result.
It is best for those suffering from opioid addiction to pursue treatment at an opioid addiction treatment center. A treatment center’s priority will be to guide you through the detox process in a safe and medically supported manner while alleviating the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. After you have safely completed detox, opiate addiction treatment centers, like New Bridge Foundation®, provide you with a safe place to continue your recovery by helping you learn about your addiction so that you can more effectively combat it. This will almost certainly involve a range of evidence-based and holistic treatments as well as an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs.
Opiate Addiction Treatment
Opiate addiction treatment can look very different depending on the severity of your addiction, the presence of co-occurring disorders, and your specific treatment needs. Some clients will need an intensive long-term inpatient program, while others may only need short-term residential services. Other clients may need dual diagnosis treatment, a program that treats addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously. At New Bridge Foundation®, some of our treatment services include:
- Detox program
- Short-term residential rehab
- Long-term residential rehab
- Short-term outpatient rehab
- Telehealth services for California residents
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- LGBTQ+ affirming care
- Veterans and active-duty military programs
Learn More About Opiate Addiction Treatment in Northern California at New Bridge Foundation®
Opiate addiction treatment at New Bridge Foundation® is the best possible approach to achieving long-term sobriety from opiates. Our staff of compassionate and caring professionals will guide you through the early detox process and use evidence-based treatments to identify and address the roots of addiction. We also have a decades-long record of excellent and affordable care, and we have been ranked as one of America’s “Best Addiction Treatment Centers” by Newsweek magazine two years in a row (2020, 2021). Call 866.772.8491 to learn more about opiate addiction treatment in Northern California or fill out our online contact form today.
