The overarching answer to what are opiates should be one of the most abused drugs in the United States. Over 115 people in the United States lose their life as a result of an opioid overdose every day. Detox centers are the best answer to this growing epidemic.
A Look at What Are Opiates and How They Differ from Opioids
Opiates belong to a class of drugs derived from the opium poppy plant. Examples of opiates include heroin, morphine, codeine, and thebaine.
The term opioid is used commonly to describe opiates and opioids, both of which cause the same effect and are equally addictive. However, opiates are different from opioids, which are synthetic drugs that may be medically prescribed and even used to treat opiate addiction. They include Vicodin, Demerol, Oxycodone and Methadone.
It’s ironic that opioid prescriptions developed to help people manage pain are killing thousands of Americans every year. Along with pill-popping, heroin addiction emerged as a major threat to health and life in recent years. The proper addiction treatment center can help you or a loved one break free from the disease of addiction.
Why Do People Use Heroin?
People may self-medicate with heroin to numb their physical pain. As heroin causes a euphoric feeling, users also return to the opiate every time they feel depressed or anxious. In lower doses, heroin may cause a sensation of warmth and make users feel comfortable around people. In higher amounts, heroin gives users a high that temporarily disconnects them from the world and their problems.
Individuals can use heroin in many ways. Users may inject it into their vein or muscle, smoke it, sniff it or snort it. Although the injection route is popular for the instant high it delivers, many users today prefer to smoke/snort high-quality heroin to prevent the risk of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Heroin addiction can cause a number of short-term and long-term side-effects, as explained below.
How Does Opiate Abuse Affect Your Body?
The desirable effect of using heroin, such as euphoria or sedation, can also cause some undesirable side-effects such as lethargy, nausea, drowsiness and breathing difficulties.
Over the long term, opioid addiction can leave you with abdominal bloating, constipation, liver damage, respiratory depression, and even brain damage. As you develop a tolerance after using opiates a few times, you may also abuse more of your favorite opiate, potentially overdosing from it and creating a life-threatening situation.
Opiate Addiction Rehab: Recover in a Supportive Environment
Professional therapists work with you through the four stages of opiate treatment, from abstinence to advanced recovery.
- Learn avoidance techniques and useful life skills during your 90-day rehab
- Benefit from 1-on-1 counseling
- Address the substance abuse as well as any co-occurring mental health issue or personality disorder
- Receive compassionate care and constant support from our professionally-trained staff
- Engage in outdoor activities and therapy
- Interact with other patients and expand your support system
Don’t let opiate addiction control your life. When you’re ready to learn about what are opiates and find a heroin addiction treatment program, reach out to a professional heroin addiction treatment.
