RIGHT PATH RECOVERY

Signs of Opioid Abuse

The chances of dying from an unintentional opioid overdose are, according to the National Safety Council, far higher than the chances of dying in a car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 37,133 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2017 compared to 70,237 drug overdose fatalities, according to the CDC.

The increasing rate of deadly opioid overdoses is a widespread issue. Families from all walks of life across the nation have experienced the loss of a loved one as a result of opioid misuse.

Although each person's signals of opioid abuse are unique, some of the most typical ones include:

uncontrollable opioid usage
narcotic urges that are too strong to resist
drowsiness and changes in sleep patterns
unexpected weight reduction
ongoing flu-like symptoms
improper hygiene
separation from friends or family
stealing from loved ones, acquaintances, or companies
new financial challenges

If you or a loved one displays any of these symptoms, get in touch with Right Path Recovery as soon as possible by contacting us.

Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal

Since opioid consumption is such a pervasive problem, many people would prefer to completely give up taking opioids. However, quitting opioid use without medical assistance might be all but difficult for some people. Additionally, it can be risky or even fatal for people to try to stop abusing opioids on their own.

Opioid withdrawal occurs when an addict tries to stop using the drug "cold turkey." Withdrawal symptoms after the first twenty-four hours without opioids may include, but are not restricted to:

Muscle aches
Anxiety
Excessive sweating
Insomnia
Restlessness

After the first day without opioids, the symptoms become more severe, including:

Diarrhoea
Abdominal cramping
Rapid heartbeat
Nausea and vomiting
High blood pressure

Opioid withdrawal can, in rare circumstances, even end in death.

Right Path Recovery Medication-Assisted Treatment Program

FDA-approved drugs are used in combination with other counseling and behavioral therapies during medication-assisted therapy. This form of treatment is administered by a medical professional who has undergone the additional education required to manage concurrent medication in the treatment of drug use disorders.

According to research, MAT is an effective, evidence-based treatment that can effectively cure various diseases and even aid patients in long-term rehabilitation.

Your body will be able to detox from heroin addiction more quickly thanks to the drugs, which will help lessen your drug cravings.

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that frequently accompany heroin withdrawal can be treated with medicines. Antidepressants and sleeping pills might also be used to speed up the procedure and ease the pain. The same opioid receptors that heroin targets can then be addressed by other drugs without the associated risks.

These drugs fall under 3 main categories:

Agonists: Activate opioid receptors powerfully
Partial agonists: Milder activation of opioid receptors
Antagonists: Block the opioid receptors and their rewarding effects

Depending on your demands, a different drug may be utilized. Among the above groups, the most commonly used of these drugs are:

Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
Methadone
Naltrexone
Disulfiram
Buspar

Most Common MAT Drugs

Right Path Recovery Medication-Assisted Treatment Program

Buprenorphine (Suboxone)

Buprenorphine, sold under the trade name Suboxone, is a weak opioid agonist. It lessens cravings for heroin while preventing a high. Buprenorphine was the first medication that doctors may prescribe under the new Drug Addiction Treatment Act when the FDA gave its approval in 2002. Access to this medicine has grown as a result of approval.

When used as directed, buprenorphine is safe and helpful in reducing the negative effects that opioids can have on a person's physical reliance. Although using buprenorphine has some negative side effects, it can benefit those who are experiencing buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms.

Methadone

Long-acting opioid agonist methadone is taken orally under medical supervision in an outpatient setting. The drug does not provide a high and takes some time to reach the brain. Since the 1960s, the drug has been used to treat heroin addiction.

Methadone is used to lessen opiate withdrawal symptoms and cravings as well as to block or diminish its effects. Methadone is a safe and efficient treatment option for those who have developed an opiate addiction when used as directed.

MAT: A Common Misconception

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment Program

One prevalent misperception about MAT is that it acts as a medication replacement. This is untrue, though. Instead, MAT is used to ease the psychological cravings and withdrawal symptoms that many people experience, making treatment simpler. This gives the client stability so they may start the crucial therapeutic work they need to do in order to achieve long-term recovery.

The FDA's 2002 approval of buprenorphine for usage is the most recent development in MAT. Buprenorphine used in conjunction with other treatment methods offers an all-encompassing strategy for treating opioid addictions. It reduces withdrawal symptoms by satisfying the body's opiate desire. The biggest issue, though, is that buprenorphine doesn't cause as much exhilaration. The "ceiling effect" of buprenorphine lessens the likelihood of abuse.

The term "ceiling effect" describes a specific pharmacological phenomenon when a medication's effects on the body plateaus. Consuming bigger dosages will have no more of an impact. In a sense, it has reached its limit.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment Program

Because patients are under the care of skilled medical experts, medication-assisted therapy is safer than stopping at home.
MAT drugs inhibit the effects of opioids in the brain, reducing the likelihood of relapse. People are less inclined to look out for opioids to misuse since they don't obtain the "high" they desire.
MAT normalizes brain chemistry, allowing patients with opioid addictions to properly concentrate on their treatment regimens and achieve sustained recovery. People have a better chance of maintaining their recovery as a result of their stronger foundation.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that those who finish MAT have lower crime and incarceration rates.
The cost of missed job productivity, medical expenses, and expenditures related to the criminal justice system total billions of dollars per year. It has been demonstrated that medication-assisted therapy greatly lowers these expenses.