A narcotic sedative which slows down the activity of the central nervous system is called an opiate drug. Opiate drugs lessen pain and stimulate sleep. Like every drugs prescribed by physicians, this drug gives benefits to our body. Yet, when taken abusively can lead to addiction.
Opiate addiction is recognized as a central nervous system disorder. Constant and extensive opiate use causes the nerve cells in the brain to discontinue functioning as they normally and stop producing natural endorphins. Opiate replaces endorphins in the body. This makes the nerve cells to deteriorate and opiate dependency would then occur. Scientists have found that the brain has its own opiate and opiate receptors, which are concentrated in the parts of the brain that manages pain and emotions. The nucleus accumbens is a region in the brain that enhances the release of dopamine. Dopamine gives an individual a high feeling of pleasure and relaxation which can lead to addiction.
Usually an addict would do whatever it takes to hide the addiction. But eventually it will start to show, both in their behavior and in their attitudes. Symptoms of opiate dependency includes obsessing over medications, obsessing over doctor appointments and the need to get more medicine, being restless, irritable, and angry when not getting enough opiates, being preoccupied with getting more drugs, lying about how much they have used or when they got the medicine, and lying to doctors or faking injuries or illnesses in order to get more medicine. An addict may even go out of their way to the point of inflicting injury to one’s own body to get medication.
Treating opiate addiction is similar to treating any other drug addiction. All treatments always start with the addict willing to overcome the addiction. To recover quickly, professional help is always needed. Detoxification is needed as a first step in treating the addiction. In the procedure of the treatment, withdrawal symptoms could occur. Opiate detox and withdrawal can occur when one suddenly stops the amount of opiates after intense use. Opiates could be an illegal drug or prescription drugs. Actually, it is the occurrence of withdrawal syndrome that makes the person to continue using the drug. Furthermore, opiate users often experience drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, muscle soreness, constipation and dry mouth.
Opiate dependency was once viewed as a condition with no solution. Patients with opiate physical dependency were said to have inherited an addictive personality or psychological disorder or to have suffered with a dysfunctional family life. However, studies have been made on how to cure this kind of addiction. After more than a decade of NIH-supported animal and human research, buprenorphine was discovered to help stop opiate dependency. The discovery of the opiate receptor determined that buprenorphine worked like a treatment already available, termed methadone, by activating opiate receptors and mimicking opiate drugs of abuse. Receptor-activating medications can help relieve drug cravings and control a person’s addiction. Medications should also be paired with behavioral therapy such that the patient is encouraged to think positively and be hopeful that the addiction would later on subside. Also, one’s behavior should be modified as to how they deal with their dependence on the drug.
Opiate is a drug usually used to alleviate severe and chronic pain. Prescription drugs may be safe to take but exploiting it could always lead to danger. Small things can always lead to dependency where treatment is the only way out.
