Opiate Addiction Centers

The number one class of prescription drug abused in this nation is the opioid class. It’s the top of the line type of painkiller and is extremely effective in treating all sorts of pain, from mild to profound. In fact, the opioids alone are poised to become the number one drug of abuse in American at any moment.

Opioids are solely painkillers. They have no other function. They have a wide range of strength and effectiveness. Codeine is a mild opioid used to suppress coughs. The incredibly powerful drug oxycodone is also an opioid, designed to treat breakthrough pain in people suffering the agonies of terminal cancer. The illegal and highly addiction heroin is also an opioid. Opioids are morphine like derivatives that produce euphoria, a sense of well-being, happiness, and of course—freedom from pain. People in pain who take an opioid do not experience the “rush” and high powered euphoria from the drug. They do experience a milder euphoria that comes from the rapid decrease in pain.

Opioids are addictive. Under the strict care of a doctor, opioids can be given long-term to people with incurable pain disorders, reasonably safely. However, those patients are in a position to where they would be completely non-functional without medication. The opioids allow them to have a productive, enjoyable life.

When abused, opioids rapidly develop tolerance. More and more of the drug is needed to get the same high. Opioids have a whole host of side-effects that are dangerous, not the least of which is fatal overdose. Heroin is extremely prone to producing lethal overdoses. Oxycodone and hydrocodone as well affect the body negatively.

The myriad of ill effects opoiod addiction takes on the body is nigh unto endless. Suffice it to say, getting clean from opioids means abstaining from that drug of choice. All rehab centers need to include medical care for a safe, effective detox.