Opiate drugs are narcotic sedatives that depress activity of the central nervous system, reduce pain, and induce 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 extended opiate use can cause the nerve cells in the brain to discontinue functioning as they normally and stop producing natural endorphins. Opiate replaces endorphins in the body. In return, the nerve cells start to degenerate and the body becomes physically dependent on opiates. Studies show that the brain has its own opiate and opiate receptors, which are concentrated in the parts of the brain that control pain and emotions. Drugs that bind to opiate receptors in the reward centers of the limbic system that enhances the release of the brain chemical dopamine in another brain area called the nucleus accumbens. Flooding of dopamine in the brain produces a “high” of pleasure and relaxation which in turn could 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. Opiate addicts can 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. First step of the treatment is the process of detoxification. In the process of the treatment, withdrawal symptoms can happen. Opiate detox and withdrawal happens when one suddenly reduces the amount of opiates after heavy and extended use. Opiates could be an illegal drug or prescription drugs. Actually, it is the occurrence of withdrawal syndrome that pushes the person to continue using the drug. Furthermore, opiate users often experience drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, muscle soreness, constipation and dry mouth.
Before, getting addicted to opiate is seen as a helpless condition. Patients with opiate physical dependency were considered to have acquired 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 cognitive therapy such that the patient is encouraged to consider 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.
The substance opiate helps to relieve severe and chronic pain. It may be safe to think that prescription drugs are safe to take, however, dangerous effects may possibly occur due to misuse or abuse. Small things can always lead to dependency where treatment is the only way out.
