Opioids refer to a wide range of chemical substances that can be highly addictive when used regularly. While there are plenty of legitimate medical reasons for taking opioids, each drug must be used in moderation to avoid the potential risk of becoming dependent on the substance. Addictive habits can form quickly and can leave an enormous impact on all aspects of your experience.
If you believe you may be addicted to opioids of any kind, resources are available to assist you. Removing your dependence on foreign substances is key to keeping your life in a good place. The journey will not always be easy, but you can get started on the path to recovery today with just one phone call. By calling our opioid addiction hotline, you are taking the first step to total freedom for both your mind and body.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a category of drugs designed to treat chronic pain that would otherwise prevent a person from living normally. They work by stimulating the opioid receptors of the brain.
The increased stimulation produces a brain signal that mitigates the effects of pain while boosting the effects of pleasure throughout the body. Opioids can be derived naturally from poppy plants or can be synthesized by scientists in a laboratory environment. Each form of the drug has different strength levels and use cases depending on each patient a doctor examines.
Why Do Medical Professionals Prescribe Opioids?
These medications are often prescribed for short durations after surgeries. The sizable incisions inherent in most medical operations understandably leave the recovering person in immense pain for several days. Opioids are rarely prescribed for more than a few weeks at a time to reduce the likelihood of the person becoming dependent on them.
Why Are Opioids Dangerous?
There are two main reasons why opioids are dangerous, especially when used for prolonged periods. The first is the highly addictive nature of this classification of drugs. The combination of reduced pain and increased pleasure is enough to tempt anyone who is experiencing physical discomfort.
Once you get used to the feeling provided by opioids, you must keep increasing the dosage to chase the same effects that you once experienced. Addiction is enough of a problem, but the increased dosage leads to the second main drawback of opioids.
Copious quantities of opioids will slow your heart and reduce your rate of breathing. Overdosing can lead to death if the heart or lungs stop completely. This threshold would never be reached by someone following their doctor’s instructions, but someone who is dependent on the substance can easily overdo take too much.
How to Avoid the Dangers of Prescribed Opioids
To use any prescribed medications safely, always follow the instructions laid out by your doctor. The information is usually printed on the pill bottle, and you can always call your clinic with any additional questions that arise. Be sure to also let your doctor know of any other medications or supplements you are taking. Some chemicals do not mix well together, so always check with your doctor before ingesting anything that could interact with your prescription.
Which Prescription Medications Are Considered Opioids?
There is a wide variety of opioids prescribed by doctors throughout the world. Here are some of the most common types used to treat acute pain that occurs when the body is recovering.
Morphine
Morphine can be administered through IV or taken by mouth to relieve moderate to severe pain. This medication is a naturally occurring substance derived from the poppy plant.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a pain relief medication that was created in a laboratory. While the effects of the drug are similar to morphine, this concentrated synthetic structure proves 50 to 100 times as strong as the natural equivalent.
Hydrocodone
For people with high tolerance to opioids, hydrocodone can be prescribed when other medications are not working as intended. It is used to treat constant pain that lasts for extended durations. This medication is a narcotic, meaning that it targets the central nervous system to relieve discomfort in the body.
Percocet
Percocet is a combination drug that mixes oxycodone with acetaminophen, which is better known as Tylenol in most households. The medication is used to treat chronic pains and aches throughout the body.
Vicodin
This drug combines two pain relievers into one. Vicodin is a mix of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, making it quite similar to Percocet in many ways. However, it is not wise to substitute these two similar medications. Always go with your doctor’s prescription when taking drugs of this type.
Codeine
Codeine has a similar pain relief effect as the other opioids on this list, with the added bonus of reducing the need to cough. In the same way that other opioids send pain-muffling signals to the brain, codeine relaxes the portion responsible for making the body cough.
Tramadol
Tramadol comes in two forms: an instant-release capsule and an extended-release capsule. The instant-release variant sends the medication into your bloodstream immediately for a fast and powerful effect. Extended-release capsules gradually introduce the drug into your system over the course of several hours. Both are used to treat acute pain. Your doctor will know which one is the most suitable prescription to administer.
Methadone
Methadone is a pain reliever with a special secondary use for recovering people. It can also be used to mitigate withdrawal symptoms in people dependent on a stronger form of opioid medication. Whilst enrolled in a recovery program, methadone is used to give users a similar feeling that is less intense and addictive as a means of weaning them off the substance entirely.
Are Opioids Illegal?
Two main forms of opioids are completely banned. The first is heroin, an illicit drug that is created and sold on the black market. The other is opium, which is a powerful substance that used to be legal in the past. Both forms of the drug are strong enough to leave the person in a zombified stupor. This is why they are banned in the United States and are severely restricted in other countries. Since there is no medical need for an effect that powerful, doctors prefer to prescribe a drug that preserves the person’s cognitive function.
What Is an Opioid Addiction Hotline?
An addiction hotline is a handy resource for people who are looking to make a positive change in their life. There is a massive support network looking to help recovering addicts of all kinds. There are hotlines for all the major medications and drugs used in society today.
Our addiction hotline is a dedicated number specifically for people seeking help with their substance use disorder. By connecting with specialists trained in dealing with the unique properties of opioids, you can better navigate your recovery process with specific steps and procedures known to work in opioid cases.
When Is It Appropriate to Call the Opioid Addiction Hotline?
Ideally, you would call a hotline when you or a loved one is seriously ready and willing to take the next step on the path to recovery. Support is available for anyone willing to make a change. The person’s willingness is the main factor that determines how well treatment will go.
If a life-threatening situation occurs, it is best to dial 911 for immediate assistance instead. The opioid addiction helpline is effective at answering questions and connecting you with valuable resources that can start the rehab process. However, emergencies should always be managed by professional dispatch operators with the ability to send help promptly.
What Questions Will Be Asked When I Call the Hotline?
The goal of the helpline operator is to establish that everyone is safe when receiving a call. From there, you can expect them to ask you a few different questions to help give them a better picture of your scenario. Frequent questions include:
- Is the individual seeking a drug treatment program to beat an opioid addiction?
- Are there any other addictions or conditions beyond opioid abuse that need to be addressed?
- Is the individual addicted to or using opioids in a situation where they may do harm to themselves or others?
- Do the programs and services on offer provide a good match for the caller’s individual needs?
Be sure to answer each question as truthfully as possible. The operator needs this information to provide relevant assistance and treatment options.
Is My Call Confidential?
When calling our addiction hotline number, you can enjoy full confidence that your conversation is confidential. This is yet another reason to answer the operator’s questions honestly. Feel free to ask the operator about any confidentiality concerns that arise throughout your phone call as well.
Is It Possible to Start a Rehab Process From One Call?
Since each person’s case is unique, the operator will listen to the situation and determine which options are most compatible with the individual. You may be enrolled in a rehab program or you may be referred to another of the services provided to opioid users. For instance, detoxification and traditional forms of therapy may also be suggested.
Help Is Just a Phone Call Away
The addictive nature of opioids can lead to many additional challenges and problems beyond what the medication was initially prescribed for, and getting back to a life of normalcy can be challenging without help. If you or someone you know is battling with this class of drugs, take the first step toward recovery today. With a lot of focus and some helpful professionals, it’s possible for you to get back to enjoying the clean life you deserve. As soon as you are ready, simply call 866-210-1303 to start the journey toward healing.