Opioids have become an obsession for Americans. The news always contains information about the current prescription medication abuse epidemic. The country also continues to have issues with heroin addiction. Unfortunately, this is not a passing fad. It’s a troubling trend that has been escalating for more than a decade. Opium abuse is undoubtedly part of the problem. It’s a shame to continually see people abuse substances intended for pain suppression.

About Opium Abuse

While opium has many of the same properties as Oxycontin and heroin, we want to clear up some confusion. The main ingredient in opium is morphine. Some people actually believe it’s the other way around. Opium acts on the central nervous system to suppress pain. Physicians typically don’t prescribe it for chronic pain because of its addictive properties. Instead, doctors will usually prescribe opium for serious accident victims and post-op patients.

As one will find with other opioids, opium creates a sense of euphoria. This is the primary reason so many recreational drug users seek it out. Taking opium without a prescription is one form of opium abuse. Another type of abuse is taking the drug outside the scope of a legitimate prescription. That means taking the drug longer than necessary and taking larger doses than the doctor has prescribed.

These are the forms of opium abuse that lead directly to opium addiction. Remember, opiate-based drugs are not only highly addictive, but they can also create an addiction quickly. For some people, that means weeks, not months like other drugs. As part of the addiction, opium addicts must deal with side defects. These side effects might include heart rate and breathing problems, stomach issues, moodiness, loss of appetite and muscle cramping.

Drug Addiction Help for Opium Abuse

Opium abuse sometimes leads to heroin addiction.Opium abuse is a formula for disaster. Without some healing action, an opium addiction could create significant health issues, not to mention the prospects of overdose. And we mustn’t forget those pesky withdrawal symptoms that are just as dangerous as a drug overdose. To get out before it’s too late, opium addicts will want to consider treatment. The only remedy with a consistent record of success comes from a reputable treatment center like Beaches Recovery.

For the most part, opium addicts can expect to need detox before starting therapy. The serious nature of opioid addiction makes detox a likely first step towards the road to a healthy recovery. A successful stint in detox removes harmful toxins from the patient’s body. It also minimizes cravings, which stand to interfere with the treatment process.

After detox, it’s time for some therapy. The objectives of one-on-one and group therapies are to raise the patient’s awareness about their addiction. If they can identify the causes of their addiction, the patient will be better prepared to build a defense system. A defense system usually includes support groups and coping skills education. These are the tools a recovering addict needs for relapse prevention.

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville Florida

Beaches Recovery has a reputation as a premier drug and alcohol treatment center. Our facility holds an accreditation from the Joint Commission. For our patient’s convenience, we accept payments from most healthcare plans, including Aetna, BCBS, Humana, Magellan, VA CCN and United. Our inpatient facility has 30 beds designated for primary and extended care (more than 90 days) patients. Aside from our inpatient care options, we also offer:

It’s challenging to navigate day-to-day life without drugs or alcohol. If you are trying to do it with an addiction in tow, you are putting everything at risk. Before it’s too late, find the strength to admit you are struggling and need drug addiction help. Help is what we do best at Beaches Recovery. You can get the recovery process started by picking up the phone and calling us at 866.605.0532. Believe it or not, there’s a beautiful life that awaits you on the other side of rehab. It’s yours for the taking.