Opioid Addiction Treatment & Rehab

What are Opiates?

Opiates, also known as opioids, are commonly used to relieve pain. They work by blocking pain signals from your brain and central nervous system that go to the rest of the body.

Opiates are addictive because they activate powerful reward centres in your brain, causing euphoria and making you feel good. They do this by releasing endorphins. As the effects wear off, you may want to get that feeling back, so you take it again. Soon your tolerance increases, and you have to take more to achieve the same effect as before.

There are many types of opiates out there with different strengths and availability.

Codeine is an opioid used as a painkiller for adults and children. A prescription is needed to get it on its own, but over-the-counter medication such as Nurofen includes codeine.

Morphine is another example of a much more potent opiate used for people who are in severe and chronic pain. Morphine is often utilised in hospitals when a person is in the advanced stages of an illness, in decline and unlikely to recover.

Another opioid is heroin. It is probably the most well-known opiate as it is highly addictive, illegal, and considered the worst recreational drug to be addicted to. Many people that become addicted to heroin turn to the drug after they are no longer able to get access to legally prescribed opiates.

If you’re considering morphine or heroin rehabilitation, contact our team today.

The Dangers of Opioid Abuse

The dangers of opioids tend to arise when you abuse them, taking higher doses than you should and doing so more frequently. Low doses of opioids can make you sleepy, but higher doses can slow your breathing and heart rate, which can prove fatal. Opioid abuse can also cause constipation, insomnia, and decreased appetite. Long and sustained abuse will cause organ damage that can lead to death.

Opioid overdose can come about if you take the drug in a way you’re not supposed to. Many people who abuse opioids crush up the pills and snort them. This rapid delivery method means the drug hits you quicker and harder, increasing the risk of overdosing.

Alongside physical dangers, opioids can also worsen mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. These particular issues may arise due to the drug taking over your life.

Soon you will become consumed by getting opioids, taking them, and keeping the habit a secret from others. This type of behaviour will put a strain on your relationships and may affect your work.

Choosing Inpatient Rehab or Outpatient Rehab

When considering drug treatment centres, there are two main pathways – inpatient and outpatient rehab. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.

Inpatient rehab is when you leave your home for a period and move into a rehab centre to undergo treatment. This stay in a facility can be as long as you want, depending on what you can afford to pay. The minimum stay at any private drug and alcohol rehab is 28 days. This gives you enough time to complete a thorough addiction treatment programme.

Inpatient rehab provides a discrete, safe place to overcome your addiction. You will have access to a wide range of addiction treatments and be cared for by expert staff 24/7. The addiction treatment plan you take part in will be personalised to your situation, ensuring your time at rehab is effective.

The second option is outpatient rehab, where you undergo treatments that fit around your regular routine and is available for free via the NHS. This recovery method takes longer, and you won’t have access to the same treatments available in a private facility. There can also be long waiting lists for treatment.

Despite this, outpatient treatment may suit you if your dependency is mild and you need the flexibility it gives you.

Addiction Advocates recommend inpatient rehab as it carries a higher success rate and provides a proactive response to addiction that can help you more effectively.

Detox and Withdrawal from Opioids

To get clean from opioids, you will have to undergo a drug detox. By stopping your intake of opioids, your body will flush the harmful toxins from your body and begin to heal itself. Over time your body will stop needing opioids to function effectively.

Detoxing brings with it withdrawal symptoms. When going through this process, you can expect to experience high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps and insomnia.

The process will be medically assisted during a private drug and alcohol rehab detox. This means that medication can be administered to ease symptoms.

Support at Private Rehab for Prescription Drug Addiction

If you are addicted to prescription drugs, a wide range of treatments are available at a private rehab centre.

Individual sessions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy will help you work on coping techniques and examine how you process emotions and deal with problems. Group therapy allows you to connect with others and build a support network.

After your time at the rehab, you can access continued support through a personalised aftercare plan. Taking part in weekly support sessions and honing the skills you have learnt during treatment are important aspects of relapse prevention. If you engage fully in your recovery journey and the work that needs to be done, you will likely stay off opioids forever.

Get Help Today

No situation is hopeless, and it is never too late to get help. Call Addiction Advocates today at 0800 012 6088 or text HELP to 83222.

We help you with the admissions process and treatment options and ensure your entry to a treatment centre is as stress-free as possible.