Opiates are a drug that depresses the central nervous system to relieve feelings of pain. They create effects such as euphoria and drowsiness.
Natural opiates are derived from the opium poppy, whereas synthetic opiates are created in a lab. There are hundreds of millions of opiate prescriptions written out every year across the world.
Opioid use and misuse are very common globally, and many people can become addicted. Opioid-related overdoses are extremely common, making the substances dangerous if not used as prescribed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to opioids, get in touch with us today to learn more about how rehab could benefit you.
Below, we will take a look at some further information about Pethidine and the effects of opioid addictions.
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Is Pethidine Addictive?
Pethidine is a variety of opioid pain-relief medicine. It used to be much more common than today as much safer opioid medicines are available on the market.
It was once used commonly to treat pain for a wide range of different conditions.
Pethidine is considered a very highly addictive medicine and is never prescribed on an ongoing basis, and it’s never used to treat pain associated with chronic conditions.
What Are The Symptoms of an Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction comes with a range of signs and symptoms, including things that are physical, psychological, and behavioural. One of the main signs of opioid addiction is being unable to stop taking the drugs.
Another sign of opioid addiction is when a person can’t stop themselves from consuming more of the substance than the amount that their doctor prescribed.
Some other common signs and symptoms of opioid addiction include the following:
- Agitation
- Slow or shallow breathing rate
- Depression
- Anxiety attacks
- Decreased motivation
- Poor decision making
- Mood swings
- Abandoning responsibilities
- Irritability
If you feel like you constantly crave the drug or if you feel like you are unable to control your urge to continue taking the drug, this may be a sign that you have an opioid addiction.
If you continue using the drug without your doctor’s consent, this may also be a sign of a painkiller addiction.
Addicts will continue to take the drug despite the negative things that come with it. These negative things may include issues with your health, job, relationships, finances, or the law.
In many cases, your friends and family will notice your problem with addiction before you’re even aware it’s becoming an issue. They may notice some of the behavioural changes that come with addictions.
The Risks of An Opioid Overdose
If you consume too many opioids, this could result in an opioid overdose. An opioid overdose is an extremely serious medical condition. Some of the symptoms of an opioid overdose include the following:
- Unresponsiveness
- Small pupils
- Slow, irregular breathing
- Not breathing at all
- Slow erratic pulse
- No pulse
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
When someone overdoses on opioids, this is extremely serious and requires immediate, emergency treatment by medical professionals. If you think someone may have overdosed on opioids, it’s important to call an ambulance immediately.
Detoxing From Opioid Drugs in Rehab
Opioid addictions can be treated in a rehab setting. Inpatient or private drug and alcohol rehab is the best possible way for someone to overcome their addiction to opioids this type of treatment is the safest and most effective.
When someone is addicted to opioids, the first step in the treatment process is the drug detox. The detox is a very important first step as this is a way of removing all of the harmful substances from your system so that you can move forward with your further treatments with a clear mind.
Detoxing from opioids can be very dangerous due to some potentially extreme withdrawal symptoms so you mustn’t attempt to detox from opioids on your own at home.
When you go through your detox in a rehab setting, you will be surrounded by medical professionals. These medical professionals will monitor you constantly to ensure you remain safe and comfortable during detox.
They will also be able to prescribe you some non-addictive prescription drugs that can help you get through the worst of your withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably.
Once you have completed your opioid rehab detox, you will need to work on the psychological side of getting over your addiction.
Get The Help You Need Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to opioids, it’s essential to reach out for help as soon as possible. The longer you leave an addiction untreated, the worse the problems will become.
Addictions can be detrimental to many different parts of your life, which can only worsen over time.
As we’ve mentioned, inpatient rehab is the safest and most effective option for treating opioid addiction. If you want to learn more about how rehab can help you overcome your opioid addiction, get in touch with us today on 0800 012 6088.
Our friendly and helpful staff are waiting for your call. They are happy to answer any questions and give you the advice you need to move forward with your addiction treatment.
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