The pathway to becoming addicted to heroin is not always clearly defined. Increasingly, the ease of obtaining and rampant use of opioid painkillers has demonstrated an undeniable link in eventual heroin use. It’s critical to undergo heroin addiction rehabilitation as soon as possible to avoid becoming another statistic.
The Reality of Opioid Use In America
Opioid overdose has now become the third leading cause of preventable death for adults in the United States. It is a statistic that can seem like nothing more than numbers until it strikes close to home. The United States heroin epidemic is partially fueled by unintentional opioid addiction. It’s getting increasingly rare to not know someone that has struggled or is struggling with opiate use. Part of it is due to addiction to street heroin, yet a large segment of new opiate use happens straight out of the home medicine cabinet. Prescription opiate painkillers are easy to obtain and some of the most unwisely used in existence.
The Explosion In Prescription Opioid Addiction
Natural opioids and synthetic versions are prescribed for individuals that deal with high levels of chronic pain, or as a method of getting through serious medical procedures like surgery. Doctors understand that regular use will create a situation in which dependence develops in the patient. The body gets used to having the presence of opioids to ward off the pain. The real problems begin when the dependence turns into a full-blown addiction. The fine line that separates dependence and addiction is different for every individual. What is mere dependence for one can be enough to fall into an addiction for another.
Understanding the Difference Between Opioid Dependence and Addiction
Anyone that has never struggled with balancing the use of opioid painkillers and developing a dependence may not be aware of the constant risk and circumstance that can see you tumble down into addiction. Whether you are experiencing a dependence or addiction, both offer an uncomfortable experience when trying to quit the use of opioids. The main difference is that an individual with a dependence can quit using opioids without experiencing extensive withdrawal symptoms. An addiction makes you feel locked into taking the drug. You don’t feel strong enough to live a day without. It’s mostly due to the near-immediate severe withdrawal symptoms that start.
How to Tell If You Are Developing an Opioid Addiction
It might seem difficult to determine if you have an addiction to opioids but there are a few signs to look out for:
– Consistently using more than prescribed.
– Seeking extra sources of prescription opioids from non-traditional sources.
– Withdrawal symptoms that are beyond slight discomfort when you cease taking opioids.
Honest Discussions About Pain Control
If you have a chronic condition that requires some type of pain management, you should have honest discussions with your physician about all possibilities of medications that are non-opioid and non-addictive. It may be impossible to avoid use completely if you are recovering from surgery, but long-term chronic use for pain relief should be monitored closely. You need to keep an open dialogue about your concerns if you feel you are developing an addiction.
Find a Quality Drug Treatment Center
You need to address any serious dependence or opioid addiction as soon as possible to keep the situation from getting out of control. Begin seeking a drug rehab center that will offer you a comfortable and safe method of detox, as well as a full treatment program to assist you in working through an addiction.
Avoiding Relapse By Using Natural Pain Control Methods
It’s essential to seek other, more natural methods of managing chronic pain conditions once you have completed detox and treatment. You can explore holistic therapies, acupuncture, and other ways to increase comfort, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall quality of life. Taking a stand to personally discontinue use of opiate painkillers is one of the most positive changes you can make that will ensure your recovery is lasting.
The dangerous rise in the use of heroin and other opiates indicates that more and more people are being exposed to the ongoing problem. Understanding how easy it is to turn to street heroin after developing an addiction to opioid prescriptions will help you make better pain management decisions.