Opiate Addiction Program at Balboa Horizons for Women
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Opiate and opioid drugs are intensely addictive, highly dangerous and can be potentially fatal. The opioid family includes the naturally occurring opiates morphine and codeine, as well as their synthetic and semi-synthetic derivatives. These include heroin, methadone and a variety of prescription pain medications.
Balboa Horizons’ clinical team is highly trained to deal with the challenges involved with opioid addiction and treatment. A controlled and medically supervised detoxification will be necessary and the intensity of withdrawal will depend on the duration and amount of opioid use. However, detoxification is not a complete solution. Most addicts will eventually resume using opioids unless they receive further help.
Opioids enhance the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain called endorphins to suppress pain, reduce anxiety and, at sufficient levels, produce euphoria. After any period of continual use, nerve receptors adapt to these drugs, leading to an increased tolerance. As tolerance and dosage increases, the brain will cease to produce its own natural endorphins. At this point, the abrupt absence of opioid drugs will induce withdrawal syndrome as the body tries to compensate. Symptoms include agitation, anxiety, tremors, muscle aches, hot and cold flashes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Once this dependence has been established, the user is in a seriously high-risk situation. Professional help should be sought immediately. Examples of opioid drugs include.
Morphine
Codeine
Heroin
Methadone
Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan)
Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Lorcet)
Oxymorphone (Opana)
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Fentanyl
Meperdine (Demerol)
Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet)
The rising popularity of prescription pain medications has made opioid addiction an alarming epidemic. Although heroin has been the long-time favorite among opiate users due to its high potency, prescription medications like vicodan, oxycontin (known to users as “legal heroin”) and the recently developed opana are equally dangerous. What begins as legitimate pain management can quickly progress into full-blown opioid addiction. As prescription dosages become insufficient, users often utilize alternate methods of consumption including smoking, snorting or intravenous injection, highly raising the risk of overdose or infectious diseases like Hepatitis C or HIV. Many will turn to illegal methods of obtaining stronger opioids like oxycontin and opana and may eventually graduate to more affordable and obtainable street drugs like heroin.
Balboa Horizons has extensive experience treating women suffering from opioid addiction. As many addicts tend to conceal, minimize or rationalize their addictions, we work to break down these barriers to recovery with a caring and holistic approach. We understand that addictions of this type involve a multitude of physical, emotional, legal, financial and social consequences. We are here to personally help clients process the devastation associated with their addictions so that healing can occur and lives may be rebuilt.
We are here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction, please don’t hesitate to contact us immediately.
