The opioid epidemic has lead news reports for the past couple of years. Every day there are so many overdoses that emergency personnel now carry Narcan all the time and there have been programs that distribute free Narcan without questions to opioid users. Many cities have also set up safe houses that allow opioid users a place to safely take the drug. The theory being that addicts are going to abuse the drug regardless so having someplace safe to do so allows for less risk and a greater chance of intervention in the case of overdose. In the meantime, lawsuits have been initiated against pharmaceutical companies that failed to inform the public of the addictive quality of opioid pain killers. What is the opiate definition and why has it caused such practices? For opiate addiction treatment, contact Atlantic Recovery Center today.
Opiate Definition
The medical opiate definition is a narcotic sedative that depresses the central nervous system. They are used to treat severe pain. Currently, it has become acceptable to use the words “opiate” and “opioid” interchangeably. However, originally “opioid” referred to a synthetically-created substance that worked in the same way as an opiate. Opiates come from the seeds of poppies, which contain opium.
Side Effects of Opioid Abuse
No matter how you think about the opiate definition, the results of abuse are the same for both natural and chemically-created versions. Even when using an opiate as it is prescribed by a physician, there are predictable side effects. Some of the most common include:
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
- Dry mouth
- Sedation
- Dizziness
Some of the side effects you rarely hear about opioids include the fact that opioid use can increase depression in people who are predisposed to it. This means that many who start using the drug illegally to help alleviate symptoms of depression may ultimately be making the condition worse and setting themselves up for increased risk of suicide.
Yet another little-known phenomena experienced by those who are prescribed opioids for pain relief find that their pain actually increases. No one has found a cause for this. Furthermore, there is no way to predict who will experience this condition. Patients who experience this must look elsewhere for pain relief. The last side effect that isn’t considered is that the use of opioids can reduce the effectiveness of one’s immune system. This leaves you open to even more complications from other diseases.
The Greatest Danger
The greatest danger of opiate use is the very reason society has begun to try and make the world safer for opioid users. They aren’t trying to make abuse an acceptable thing but are trying to save the lives of so many. These drugs have truly become an epidemic in every corner of the country. Morgues are busy on a daily basis with young people who have overdosed, whether accidentally or on purpose.
Addiction to these drugs is one of the strongest out there. It takes help and a strong determination to put the drug behind you. Many fall into addiction by trusting a doctor who prescribed the medication after surgery or an accident. The addiction sneaks up and takes hold before the medication is stopped. When this happens, some people seek help for the addiction but others seek the same feelings through illegal means.
Reach Out For Help
Knowing the opiate definition doesn’t prevent a person from becoming addicted to this drug. Opiate addiction is one that we see often here at Atlantic Recovery Center. It is also one we know is very dangerous to try and give up alone. Don’t allow an opioid addiction to control your future one day longer. Contact us 1-866-824-5193 and get your life back. Recovery can be right around the corner.