Opioid Addiction

Find Freedom, Healing, and Hope at SecondNewLife

At SecondNewLife, we understand how opioid addiction can quietly but powerfully take hold of your life. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that causes serious physical or mental health problems. Researchers project that over 6.5 million people aged 13 or older in the US have an opioid addiction. SecondNewLife’s specialized opioid addiction treatment program is designed to help you reclaim your life with dignity, from medically detox to lasting relapse prevention. We offer a comprehensive approach to help you or your loved one begin again with strength, dignity, and hope.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are narcotics. Narcotics are a class of drugs that are chemical, natural, or synthetic and are primarily used to relieve pain (such as recovering from any injury or post-surgery). Opioids are almost always made by using chemical substances. Opioid medicines work by attaching to specific sensors in the brain or spinal cord, blocking pain signals or producing a feeling of relaxation or delight. The main purpose of opioid medications is to treat opioid dependence over time. Some examples of prescription opioids and opiates of the following:

Oxycodone
Morphine
Codeine
Fentanyl
Oxymorphone

They can cause breathing problems because of their drug-related effects, and an opioid overdose can be life-threatening.

Different Types of Opioids

Opioids can be mainly classified into the following categories:

Natural opioids:

Morphine, codeine, or thebaine. All of these opioids are directly derived from the opium poppy plant. Morphine is commonly used for severe pain, or codeine is often used in cough syrups or for mild to moderate pain, and thebaine serves as a base for making semi-synthetic opioids, not for use directly.

Semi-synthetic opioids:

Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Buprenorphine, or Oxymorphone. All of these are partially derived from natural opioids but are chemically modified in a lab.

Synthetic opioids:

fentanyl, methadone, tramadol, meperidine, all of these are fully man-made or & derived from the opium plant, though they mimic natural opioids in their effects.

What is Opioid Addiction?

Opioid addiction, also referred to as opioid use disorder, is a serious medical condition that can last for a long time. where an individual develops an opioid dependence, both physically & psychologically. It involves the obsessive use of opioid medications, even when they are harmful or no longer needed for medical purposes. While it is legal for doctors to prescribe opioids to treat pain, doing so can result in addiction. The abuse of prescription opioids (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or morphine) or illicit opioids (such as heroin or fentanyl produced illegally) can result in this addiction. In the US, substance addiction is a health tragedy. Over 805,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses between 1999 to 2022.

Is Opioid Addiction A Disease?

Yes. Opioid addiction is a disease. It is a substance use disorder (SUD). This disorder affects brain function and changes the behavior of the person. It also affects areas that control judgment. It requires both medical and psychological attention. Over time, individuals still lose control over their opioid use even after knowing their harmful outcomes. Like other diseases, opioid use disorder has specific symptoms or a structure of growth. Though its treatment may help start it. Knowing opioid addiction as a disease helps bring down shame. It also promotes access to effective evidence-based treatments such as medication-assisted therapy & behavioral counseling. Thus, it creates long-term recovery.

What Causes Addiction To Opioids?

Using an opioid continuously maximizes the chances of becoming Habituated. Multiple factors may contribute to the spread of drug addiction, like many mental health disorders or other medical disorders. Opioid addiction is caused by some factors, as follows:

Environment:

Factors like a family's values and attitudes play a critical role in early drug use. It also includes touches with a peer group that inspires drug use.

Psychological:

People who struggle with psychological factors like trauma, anxiety, & depression are more at risk. These individuals are more likely to abuse opioids.

Genetics:

Once a person starts using a drug, then inherited genetics may influence their development into addiction by making them more likely to develop opioid addiction.

Signs Of Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder, can develop gradually. It is difficult to recognize at first. Common signs include of the following include:

Heavy craving for opioids
Using more than a normal prescription
Continue use of opioids
Changes in mood, like anxiety, depression
Continuous desire & unsuccessful efforts to take down or control opioid use
Spending a lot of time attaining, using, or healing from opioids
Secretive or risky behavior, such as stealing medications or using street drugs

Risk Factors for Opioid Addiction

Opioids are among the most addictive drugs when taken in amounts higher than a doctor’s prescription. It is a chronic condition that involves the misuse of prescription & illegal opioids. Multiple factors can boost the risk of developing opioid addiction. Such factors as Genetic, psychological, or environmental factors also play a major role in this addiction. Opioid addiction can happen quickly or after numerous years of opioid use.

Risk of opioid addiction factors include:

Personal or Genetic Background of Substance Abuse
Younger people & particularly in their teens or early 20s
Mental Health Disorder
Long-Term Use of Prescription Opioids
Growing up in a household or community with common drug use
Easy availability of opioids via friends and illegal markets
Have a past of physical or sexual assault
Use tobacco massively

Opioid Addiction Treatment At Secondnewlife

At Second New Life, we offer caring and evidence-based treatment for individuals who struggle with opioid addiction. If the addiction stems from prescription painkillers or illegal substances like heroin, we help clients break free from dependency. We also help them build a healthier and substance-free life.

Medically Detox:

Medically detox is a process that methodically pulls people back from addictive substances with safety. Usually, it is done under the care of a healthcare professional. Detoxification helps your body remove alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, stimulants, & other substances.

Aftercare Planning:

Aftercare planning helps those struggling to manage their recovery in the long term while continuing to benefit from the necessary tools and skills.

Behavioral Therapy & Counseling:

Behavioral Therapy is a general type of talking therapy. & also called psychotherapy. It can help handle health conditions, such as depression & anxiety, & emotional concerns, such as coping with sadness & stress.

Relapse Prevention:

Relapse prevention is an expert cognitive behavioral method that requires patients and their Specialists to determine situations that put the person at more risk for relapse.

Take the First Step Today

Struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is? SecondNewLife is here to help. Healing starts with hope. This hope will begin with action.

Your life is not over. It is just that addiction halted it. A Second New Life is just beginning. Start it on your own willpower and without fear of any addiction.