Opioid Addiction Treatment Center in Colorado

Opioids differ from other drugs, such as methamphetamines, in that the physical and mental effects they have on the body may not be that clear in the beginning. Someone can suffer from opioid addiction and still appear to be completely healthy. Recognizing the indicators of an opioid addiction can help you save you or a loved one’s life.

Opioid abuse can be detected by several signs and symptoms, whether the drugs are prescribed or obtained illegally. Some indications of opioid abuse are:

• Abusing or misusing opioids in any other way than your prescription states
• Experiencing cravings for opioids
• Showing signs of withdrawal or intoxication
• Changes to eating and sleeping habits, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, or trouble with your sleep/wake cycle
• Self-isolation, or changing friend groups to associate with people who use or supply opioids
• Trouble completing normal home, school, or work tasks
• Abstaining from hobbies or interests that were once important
• Stealing money, medications, or valuables to purchase more opioids
• Spending a lot of money on opioids
• Legal problems related to opioid use, such as arrests, charges, convictions for drug possession, driving under the influence, or theft
• Opioid use-related health problems, such as infections, injuries, liver damage, or overdose

Prolonged opioid abuse can affect your physical health in many ways. The effects may not be completely obvious at the beginning of an opioid dependency as many of them remain internal. Opioids have the following effects on organs and bodily systems:

• Brain. Prolonged opioid abuse can change the normal functioning of the brain, making it more difficult to stop using opioids or feel normal without them. Opioid abuse can also cause the body and brain to become hypersensitive to pain, which makes it difficult to cope with pain without opioids. Your moods and emotions can also be severely affected, creating a feeling of euphoria or pleasure, but also increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
• Respiratory system. Prolonged opioid use can slow down breathing, which will reduce the amount of oxygen available to the brain and other vital organs. This will cause organ damage or even death. Overdosing on opioids is a life-threatening condition that typically occurs when someone overloads on opioids or mixes them with other drugs or alcohol. Opioid overdose can cause respiratory arrest, meaning breathing stops completely, and this will cause some level of brain damage, coma, or death.
• Digestive system. Opioid abuse long-term can affect the muscles of the digestive system, leading to stomach cramps, constipation, nausea, and vomiting, The slowed gastrointestinal functioning and chronic constipation typically associated with opioid abuse also increases the risk of serious bowel problems, such as bowel perforation, obstruction, and infection. These conditions can cause internal bleeding, severe pain, and sepsis, which is a critical infection of the blood.
• Cardiovascular system. The risk of heart problems, such as low blood pressure, heart failure, and irregular heartbeats is increased by opioid misuse damaging effects on the heart and blood vessels. Opioid abuse also increases the risk of blood clots developing, which block blood flow to the heart, lungs, and brain, causing heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and strokes. These conditions can cause permanent damage to vital organs and be fatal.
• Endocrine system. Long-term opioid use affects the hormones that regulate bodily functions, such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction by causing hormonal imbalances, such as low testosterone in men and irregular menstrual cycles in women. These imbalances can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, and other health problems.
• Immune system. The immune system can progressively weaken, due to heavy dependence on opioids, and this makes it harder for the body to fight off infections and diseases. Opioid abuse can also increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV, particularly if the user shares needles or other injection mediums with others. These diseases cause serious complications, such as cancer, liver damage, and AIDS.

These are only a few of the many complications and effects that opioid abuse can have on a person. Reaching out to a residential treatment facility or medical professional early enough can save you from permanent organ damage, brain damage, hospitalization, or even death.

Currently, there are three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid addiction. These are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These medications work by either diminishing the cravings and withdrawal symptoms of opioids or by blocking opioid effects.

Often people’s thoughts, behaviors, and feelings heavily contribute to their addictions and dependencies. Behavioral therapies for addiction strive to help patients address these challenges and shift their thoughts and behavior to be more positive. This helps patients learn to cope with stress, triggers, and cravings while developing life skills and strategies to prevent relapse.

Aftercare or support services for addiction are value-added resources that help people dependent on or addicted to opium address their social, emotional, and practical needs. Support services can include peer support groups, case management, recovery coaching, housing help, employment assistance, legal aid, and health care.