In: Psychology
Opioid addiction is a chronic disease which changes the brain mechanisms causing further addiction. It takes more than determination and willpower to break free from prescription drug abuse. However, counseling can help in the long term. Opioid addiction leads to genuine changes in certain areas of your brain. It alters the circuits in the brain capable for temperament and compensates behavior. Once you stop consuming it, you will develop withdrawal symptoms such as bad moods, goosebumps, body ache, dilated pupils, nausea and vomiting. The withdrawal can last for days, hours or weeks. IT depends upon the individual’s consumption pattern that is how long one is using it and the dose. Once the symptoms subside, physical and mental discomfort may linger for weeks.
Treatment
The withdrawal symptoms have severe unpleasantness which leads to relapse of drugs. However, there are medicines that help combat unpleasantness. According to experts, psychological and social factors are major reasons why one goes back to drug abuse. Other factors like stress, financial and personal issues also contribute to relapse. Thus continues counseling and medicines can help individual’s to stay on the right track for the long run.
Methadone is one of the most widely used and effective treatment for addiction. It affects the brain the same way that opioid does, however, it does not get you high. This is prescribed only by a physician. The medicine prevents withdrawal symptoms and eases drug cravings..
Buprenorphine is a shorter acting drug than methadone. It hits the same receptors in your brain, but not as strongly