Opiate Addiction in Bryan, TX

Opiates are a class of drugs that include heroin and prescription painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin. Opiate addiction in Bryan has increased in the past decade, as it has across the country, where opiate overdose deaths have more than quadrupled since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The sooner you get help for an opiate addiction in Bryan, the sooner you can restore your life and your sense of well-being.

Why Are Opiates So Addictive?

Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug use and the inability to stop even though drugs are causing major problems in your life. Opiates are highly addictive for two reasons:

1. They produce an intense euphoria and a strong sense of well-being, making them extremely pleasurable.
2. They produce a high level of tolerance very quickly, which means that you need increasingly larger doses of opiates to get the desired effects.

Diagnosing an Opiate Addiction

Opiate use disorders, including addiction and dependence, are diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition. Eleven criteria are used to determine whether a disorder exists. Meeting two or three criteria indicates a mild opiate use disorder, while four or five criteria denote a moderate disorder. Six or more criteria indicates a severe disorder. The criteria are:

1. Taking opiates in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than you intended.
2. Wanting to cut down or quit using but finding you're unable to.
3. Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from opiates.
4. Experiencing intense cravings for opiates.
5. Consistently unable to perform well at work, school, or home.
6. Continuing to use opiates despite the problems they cause in your life.
7. Neglecting activities you used to enjoy in favor of using opiates.
8. Using opiates in high-risk situations or engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence.
9. Using opiates even though they're causing physical or mental health problems.
10. Developing a tolerance to opiates so that you need larger doses to get the same effects.
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using opiates.

If you think you might be addicted to opiates, our high quality inpatient drug rehab in Bryan can help.

Dangers of Opiate Addiction

Opiates are very dangerous drugs. In addition to a high risk of overdose, using opiates damages your organs, causes blood infections, increases your risk of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and can cause serious cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems. Other problems associated with opiate abuse include:

• Constipation and bowel problems.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Increased risk of fractures and broken bones.
• Increased risk of tooth decay.
• Sleep problems.
• Breathing problems.

Opioid Withdrawal Doesn't Have to Be Awful

For many people with an opiate addiction in Bryan, the prospect of going through withdrawal is enough to keep them using opiates. Opiate withdrawal symptoms mimic those of the flu and can be excruciating, although they're not typically dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms associated with opiates include:

• Intense cravings.
• Muscle aches.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
• Cold sweats.
• Runny nose.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most people who try to withdraw from opiates on their own turn back to using very quickly if only to make the discomfort stop. There are two options for reducing the intensity of opiate withdrawal in treatment. Though, in order to receive the right treatment, your best course of action is to enter our treatment center for drug withdrawal in Bryan.

Option One: Medical Detox

Our center for medical detox in Bryan is supervised by medical and mental health professionals who offer medications as needed to reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and even shorten the duration of detox. However, once detox is complete, which usually takes about a week, intense cravings typically continue, making recovery challenging.

Option Two: Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication assisted treatment, or MAT, involves taking daily doses of safer and less addictive opiate medications to wean you from these drugs over time. This prevents withdrawal symptoms altogether, and it keeps cravings at bay so you can focus on learning new skills and strategies in treatment without constant discomfort.

Treating an Opiate Addiction in Bryan

Detox is not the same as opiate addiction rehab. Rather, it's only the first step in treatment. Treating the addiction is far more complex and requires intensive therapy. Treatment for opiate addiction involves a variety of complementary and traditional treatment therapies that help you delve into the complicated issues that led to the abuse and addiction. Common issues that may lead to addiction include:

• A history of trauma, such as sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
• Chronic stress.
• Family dysfunction.
• A history of mental illness.

The goals of therapy, which takes place in individual, group, and family settings, include:

• Identifying harmful ways of thinking and behaving and replacing them with healthier thought and behavior patterns.
• Developing skills and strategies to cope with cravings, stress, and other powerful relapse triggers.
• Finding purpose and meaning in a drug-free life.
• Learning to have fun again without drugs.
• Working through important issues underlying the drug abuse.

Getting treatment for an opiate addiction improves your life in countless ways, including helping you repair damaged relationships, resolve complex emotional issues, improve your well-being, and increase your overall quality of life. Call us today at (877) 804-1531 to get the help that you need.