Since 1999, more than 760,000 people have died from an opiate or opioid overdose. Yet, despite all of the media attention and government investment, the opioid epidemic is not going anywhere any time soon: In 2019, a federal government drugs abuse study found that an estimated 10.1 million people used opioids that year, with nearly all of them – 9.7 million – misusing prescription pain medication. (Only roughly 35% of those actually got a prescription from a doctor. If you are someone who has found yourself in the grips of an opiate addiction, let us plant the seed of hope: Recovery from opiate addiction is possible for anyone, if you have the right help.
Opiates are perhaps the original painkiller, derived directly from the opium of the poppy plant. Commonly used opiates include codeine, opium, and morphine.
Opioids are chemically-created versions of opiates. Built in a lab instead of a field, these represent the modern advancements of pain medication: from Oxycontin to Percocet or Vicodin.
Whether natural or synthetic, all of these drugs work on the receptors of the brain to relieve pain. They are all highly addictive and can be very dangerous.
If you think that you or a loved one could be misusing opioids, there is an easy way to check: Even if you were prescribed the drugs, if you are taking them other than the manner in which they were prescribed (i.e., more frequently or mixing drugs), then you already could have a problem. If you are taking prescription drugs and you were not prescribed them, that is a sign of danger right out of the gate.
The easiest way to know if you need opiate rehab is to take an honest look at your life: If you are experiencing problems in your work, home life, relationships, or bank account, you could have a problem.
In opiate rehab, you get clean and sober and learn how to stay that way. That starts with opiate detox, which usually takes 5 to 7 days. From there, you learn the skills to stay sober with educational sessions and talk therapy. You’ll also explore and learn to heal the reasons why you used in the first place, using a variety of therapeutic techniques. Finally, you’ll learn relapse prevention techniques and will develop an aftercare plan with your addiction treatment team to set you up for success and sustained recovery on the outside.
Sunflower Recovery in Osawatomie, OK, can help you kick opiates or opioids and begin a new life in recovery. If you’re not sure whether you need addiction treatment, or would like more information, give us a call or send an anonymous chat for more information. It’s time to plant the seed for a new life. Let us help.