Opioids are often prescribed drugs that are intended to help relieve pain after surgeries or major health complications. These medications can be effective at alleviating pain to a greater extent than over-the-counter medications. Unfortunately, they can be extremely addictive.
The following medications are commonly abused opioids:
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Oxymorphone
- Morphine
- Codeine
Prescription opioid medications can be extremely beneficial for their intended purposes but need to be highly regulated during use. Ensure that you are not going above the recommended amount and refrain from use immediately if you feel that you need the medication after a few days of use.
Aside from prescription-based opioids, fentanyl and heroin are other substances that are commonly used in opioid abuse. Fentanyl is often made illegally and can be hidden within other medications. The chances of this occurring make it vital to ensure you are testing any substances you choose to use and ensure you are taking what you intend to take. Both fentanyl and heroin use have a high likelihood of overdose.
How to Overcome an Opioid Addiction
Opioid addictions can be incredibly challenging to overcome due to the addictive nature of the substance. These addictions commonly begin by attempting to relieve pain from a medical condition. The body can become reliant on these pain medications to heal and crave them to relieve minor pains after long use. Overcoming this addiction requires you to readapt to pain management without the assistance of opioids.
Consider Medication-Assisted Treatment
One of the methods used to treat opioid use disorders is medication-assisted treatment. This form of treatment may seem counterintuitive when your goal is to not depend on pills, but it can be powerful in helping your body wean itself off opioid dependence. Medication-assisted treatment needs to be combined with additional therapy to help you talk through issues and resolve the psychological aspect of the addiction.
The following medications are often prescribed to help relieve the symptoms of addiction to short-acting or semi-synthetic opioids.
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
Medications to prevent overdosing are taken in more severe circumstances. Naloxone is commonly used to counteract the effects that come into play with an opioid overdose and can decrease the severity of an overdose.
The use of medications as a tool to help people end a dependence on an opioid is referred to as opioid replacement therapy. When you implement certain replacement medications, the opioid receptors are blocked. If you suddenly quit opioid abuse on your own, you commonly would experience a variety of withdrawal effects and uncomfortable cravings. However, the medications in opioid replacement therapy can work to diminish these negative effects by blocking the receptors needed. This can make the recovery process much less uncomfortable, which decreases the chance of relapse.
Engage in Relaxation
The goal of opioids when working to relieve pain is to help relax your body and mind, taking your focus off the discomfort. Taking opioids for an extended period can increase your tolerance to the substance, encouraging the use of higher amounts to feel the same effects. A big issue with developing a tolerance to opioids is the potential dangers involved in taking too much.
If you begin to take an increased amount, your heart rate and breathing begin to slow as your relaxation increases. If this relaxation state is increased too much, your breathing could stop completely. This is a common issue that leads to overdose.
Establishing new practices and habits that help you relax your mind without the contribution of a substance can provide many benefits when you are trying to avoid the use of opioids. Working to find different relaxation tactics can help you reach a similar state of comfort and peace without the substance. Practicing relaxation skills can be a useful coping mechanism after you have broken your body’s dependence on opioids as well as during. When you ensure you are practicing self-care, you are taking care of both your mental and physical health while going through recovery.
Track Your Progress
Following your progress is a critical aspect of recovery. Consider keeping a journal or some other form of record to keep track of your progress to help you notice areas you need to strengthen and determine how well your recovery plan is working for you. Reviewing your past experiences and developing a recovery plan with a mental health professional can help as you work on overcoming opioid addiction.
Tracking your progress is key because people find different techniques and recovery plans to work best for them. Recovery is an individualized process. Having background information to base your plan on can help you establish a useful plan from the beginning and avoid spending extra time experimenting with different practices. Maintaining motivation and remaining honest about your treatment success and obstacles is essential for recovery.
Opioids are often viewed as safe substances because a variety of opioids are prescribed medications by health professionals. They may be useful in certain medical situations for a short and regulated period. However, they often become misused and can be extremely addictive. Becoming reliant upon these medications to avoid pain can be incredibly dangerous and even deadly. The potential for overdose with opioids is higher than for many other substances. Prescription medications cause a significant issue regarding the opioid crisis, but opioids used for recreational use also come with extreme dangers. Being aware of the potential risk factors involved with opioids is essential. Review different tactics to determine the best recovery path for you to overcome opioid addiction and get the help you need. To learn more about overcoming opioid addiction, reach out to Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.
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