When individuals suffering from opiate dependency reduce or discontinue their chronic use of opiates (heroin, prescription pain medication), they will experience withdrawal symptoms. That is why, as part of their treatment, it is important to alleviate these symptoms to prevent relapse, thus enabling individuals to overcome their dependency.
Our therapists and medical personnel at North Fulton Treatment Center have encountered a growing number of individuals who have developed a physical dependency on opiates and yet are unaware of this. Usually these individuals have suffered from chronic pain and have been taking prescription pain medication on a long-term basis.
Individuals who are given regular doses of pain medication can naturally develop a physical dependency on opiates without being aware of it. If their course of pain medication ends abruptly, individuals will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms such as runny nose, anxiety, muscle cramps, etc. These symptoms may be mistaken for the flu, when in reality they have developed a physical dependency. The withdrawal may be so severe that the only way people can find relief is to return to their pain medication. As their bodies build a tolerance to the substances, higher and more dangerous doses are required to obtain relief.
Not all opiate dependency begins as a result of chronic pain. There is a large population of individuals who self-medicate with opiates in response to an underlying problem, such as depression or anxiety. Individuals also sometimes use opiates to suppress trauma and grief in an effort to avoid dealing with the issue at hand. Addiction can occur before the individual even notices it.
Treating opiate dependency is a long process involving counseling and medication. Our licensed master-level therapists will help you recognize and deal with the underlying problems that have caused the dependency.
Buprenorphine (Subutex) and methadone are common medications used to suppress withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Once the withdrawal symptoms decrease, the real work begins. NFTC focuses on treating the individual’s underlying issue that led to the addiction. Once that issue is resolved, the individual can start decreasing his or her level of medication and eventually complete treatment.
About the Author: North Fulton Treatment Center
North Fulton Treatment Center’s main goal is to help eliminate the destructive behaviors that lead to your dependency. Our therapists work one-on-one with you to find the root of your dependency and help you transition to a healthier life. Although the medication helps with the physical withdrawals of opiate dependency, counseling is part of program that helps you with the psychological aspects. This program takes time and patience, but the results are worth the healthy lifestyle you will live during and after the completion of the program.
