Whether you know it or not, our country is in the middle of an ever-growing opioid addiction epidemic. Not only is the disease dangerous for the user, but it also impacts friends and family. If you know someone who’s battling an opioid addiction, high-quality treatment could save his or her life.
Opioid Addiction is on the Rise
Prescription opioid abuse has seen an alarming rise in recent years. In fact, annual accidental overdose deaths have quadrupled since 1999. Studies have also shown a link between increased non-medicinal opioid use and heroin abuse.
Why Are Opioids so Dangerous?
Physicians prescribe opioid medications to help patients manage pain. The drugs attach to brain receptors and send messages that block pain. This results in slowed breathing and produces a generally calming, anti-depressant effect. It also creates a heightened sense of euphoria, as dopamine floods the brain and activates the brain’s reward center. These pleasurable effects are what users begin to chase, especially if use occurs over an extended period of time.
When taken correctly, opioid painkillers can be an effective form of pain management. However, abusing even one single large dose can result in severe consequence, including respiratory distress and even death.
Opioid Addiction Requires High-Quality Rehab
Like any addiction, opioid addiction causes chronic, uncontrollable urges to seek out and abuse substances for their mind-altering effects. As time goes on, the addiction will continue to grow worse without treatment.
Long-term abuse can have lasting, negative effects on the user’s physical and mental health. Physical effects may include insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, and intermittent hot and cold flashes. Psychological symptoms often persist longer than the physical ones, and include issues like anxiety, agitation and depression.
In order to overcome this type of addiction, specialized top-level treatment is required. First, individuals must rid their bodies of all toxins associated with substance abuse. Then, they need comprehensive substance abuse programs that involve therapy and other treatment resources for resisting the urge to use again in the future.
At Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland, we provide a life-changing rehab experience to help individuals overcome opioid abuse and addiction.
We offer four beneficial core programs, including:
As part of our core programs, we provide patients with a variety of recreational therapies like yoga, acupuncture and massage. We also have an on-site wellness center with fitness equipment and qualified fitness instructors.
No matter how long your loved one has been abusing opioids, we can help him or her discover a healthy, sober new beginning. Our innovative, integrated and holistic approach has proven effective for thousands of individuals struggling with addiction. It can work for your loved one, too. To learn more, call Ashley Addiction Treatment today at 866-313-6307.