Opiate Addiction in Galveston, TX
One of the most serious forms of drug addiction in existence today is opiate addiction. The epidemic of opiate addiction in Galveston, Texas is on the rise. Opiates, both illicit (illegal) in nature and prescription, are among the most addictive drugs around. And opiate addiction is such a widespread and worrisome problem in the United States, that the Centers for Disease Control has actually deemed opiate addiction to be an epidemic.
If you are among the millions of people in the United States suffering from an opiate addiction or you are concerned that you may be developing such an addiction, it is important to learn the facts about opiate addiction as well as the available programs for addiction treatment in Galveston. Then, you can be sure you get the right treatment for opiate addiction in Galveston so you can be sure you get into drug rehab center as soon as possible.
What is Opiate Addiction?
An opiate addiction is a physical and mental health issue. The first thing to understand, before you even consider trying to deal with your opiate addiction in Galveston on your own rather than check into an opiate addiction treatment center, is the fact that addiction is a disease. This means that addiction is not something that can be overcome with sheer force of will or "mental strength."
When a person suffers from an opiate addiction, it means that they are biologically and psychologically dependent on the opiate. Both the mental and physical aspects of an opiate addiction, as well as the effects that it has on the rest of a person's life need to be addressed at our inpatient rehab in Galveston in order to successfully overcome the addiction.
Opiate Effects: Why are Opiates so Addictive?
One of the questions that many people ask about opiate addiction in Galveston as well as all across the country is why opiates are so addictive. This has much to do with the effects that opiates have when a person consumes them. The noticeable effects of opiate consumption (i.e. the reasons that people take them) include:
- Pain relief
- Euphoria
- Extreme calm and relaxation
- Drowsiness
- Sedation
These effects are often the reasons that a person begins consuming and abusing opiates. However, the reasons that opiates are so addictive are mainly issue that occur below the surface. When a person consumes an opiate drug, no matter how they do so, the drug will make its way to the bloodstream.
The blood will the carry the opiate to the brain. Once the chemicals in the opiate drug reach the brain, they begin to interact with the neurons and chemicals already in the brain. To get the effects that opiates cause, the drug sends signals to tell the brain to perform certain actions while also blocking others.
For example, chemicals in the opiates attach themselves to the neurons responsible for pain signals, preventing the body from experiencing or processing pain. They also trigger the release of dopamine, which causes the feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
Because the opiates have such extreme effects on the brain, the brain will quickly learn to adapt to their presence in the bloodstream. The brain will stop releasing dopamine or blocking pain signals and receptors when the opiate drug is lacking in the bloodstream.
This can happen quite quickly even after only using the opiate one of two times and these changes to the brain are indicative of a physical addiction. An addiction to opiates can develop so quickly that a person may not even realize there is a problem until family or friends are asking them to go to drug rehab or an opiate addiction treatment center.
How are Opiates Used?
Opiate drugs can be consumed or used in many different ways. This is due, in part, to the fact that there are so many different types of opiates. Some of the most common opiate drugs include:
- OxyContin
- Hydrocodone
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Vicodin
- Valium
These different drugs can be used in a wide variety of ways. In drug rehab, treatment professionals find that heroin is most commonly injected directly into the veins using a needle.
However, it can also be snorted or smoked. OxyContin, Valium, and Vicodin are prescription medications that come in pill form most frequently and because of that, they are often taken in this form or are sometimes crushed to be dissolved into an injectable liquid or for snorting.
Opiate Addiction Signs and Symptoms
When a person develops an opiate addiction, there are numerous signs and symptoms a person may experience. Some of the most common opiate addiction signs noted in an opiate addiction treatment center or drug rehab facility include:
- A loss of control over opiate use
- Increased tolerance to opiate effects
- Physical dependency
- Opiate cravings
- Lack of energy and lethargy
- Slow motor functions
- Constricted (small) pupils
- Shallow or slow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Slurred speech
- Impaired memory and cognitive functions
If you believe you are suffering from an opiate addiction or opiate abuse problem, it is imperative that you seek out the care and treatment available for opiate addiction in Galveston as soon as possible. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.