It is no secret that the overuse of opiates and opioids is a serious problem in our nation. In fact, the abuse of these drugs is considered to be an epidemic in the United States. Unfortunately, California is no exception to this issue. This is why offering effective treatment at our opiate rehab facilities in Palm Springs, California is crucial to the well-being of the area’s residents.
Prescription opioids and opiates are used for pain management and are often prescribed after surgeries or serious injuries. Opiates, such as heroin, can also be illegally produced and distributed. No matter the type, opioids, and opiates have highly addictive properties—making them easy to become dependent on but difficult to quit.
Opiates vs. Opioids
Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, they are in fact different. All opiates are technically opioids. This is because the definition of an opioid is essentially any drug compound that acts on the opioid receptors in the body—as both opioids and opiates do. While all opiates are opioids, not all opioids are opiates.
Opiates are only opioids whose chemical compounds naturally come from the opium poppy plant. The other opioids that aren’t opiates are either synthetically made in a lab or partially natural and partially synthetic. There are numerous effects of opioid and opiate addiction. Some of these effects include the following:
- Short, slowed breathing
- Drowsiness
- Unconsciousness
- Upset stomach
- Coma
- Death
- Feelings of euphoria
Types of Opiates
Opioids can be synthetic, natural, or semi-synthetic while opiates are all-natural. Both affect the body similarly and are highly addictive. Though both are commonly prescribed for pain management, they can also be accessed illegally.
Common Synthetic Prescription Opioids
These are opioids made entirely in a lab. They include:
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Methadone
Common Semi-Synthetic Prescription Opioids
These opioids are produced through a combination of natural and synthetic means. They include:
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet, Roxicodone)
- Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab)
- Hydromorphone ( Dilaudid, Exalgo, Pelladone)
- Buprenorphine (Subutex, Buprenenex, Butrans, Probuphine)
Common Prescription Drugs Made from Natural Opiates
These drugs are derived from the poppy plant and are considered natural. These include:
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Illegal Opiates
- Heroin
Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Addiction
There are various signs and symptoms of opiate addiction. These can be behavioral, physical, or mental. If you or someone you know is taking opioids or opiates and is exhibiting multiple of these signs and symptoms, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible.
The behavioral signs and symptoms of opioid/opiate addiction include but are not limited to:
- Mood swings and irritability
- Emotional withdrawal
- Being secretive
- Risky, dangerous, or illegal behavior
- Financial issues
- Slurred speech
- Not keeping up with daily responsibilities
- Excessive sleeping and tiredness
- Loss of interest and low energy
- Changes in diet
- Sudden bouts of energy
The physical indicators of opiate addiction typically include:
- Poor personal hygiene
- Insomnia
- Weight changes
- Blurred vision
- Upset stomach
- Slowed breathing
- Shrunken pupils
Additionally, mental signs and symptoms of opiate addiction can also be present. They include:
- Poor concentration skills
- Depression
- Anxiety
Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Overdose
Being able to recognize the symptoms of opiate overdose can be life-saving. If you notice the following signs and symptoms in a person that abuses opiates, call 911 immediately.
- Unresponsive
- Physically limp
- Slowed heartbeat and pulse
- Extreme paleness
Opiate Addiction and Mental Illness
Many people that suffer from an opiate addiction also battle mental illness. Those with pre-existing mental health disorders might have turned to opioid/opiate use in order to cope. However, some individuals aggravate symptoms of mental illness by overusing opiates—changing their brain chemistry.
Depression, in particular, is very common in people that suffer from opiate addiction. Research even shows that 10% of people that were prescribed opioids showed signs of depression within a month. Furthermore, individuals that used opioid prescriptions for longer periods of time experienced depression at even higher rates.
Patients with these co-occurring conditions, known as dual diagnoses, have a better chance of making a full recovery when their mental illness and substance use disorder are treated at the same time. Treating the issues together allows them to find relief from the symptoms of their mental health disorder as well as achieve and maintain sobriety. This is why we offer dual diagnosis treatment for opiate addiction co-occurring with a mental health condition at our opiate rehab in California.
Types of Opiate Rehab Centers in California
There are several options for opiate rehab treatment programs in California. Which is right for an individual largely depends on how frequently, in what amount, and for how long they have been abusing opiates. It also depends on their personal circumstances and individual needs.
The following are available treatment options:
Detox
It is important to start opiate treatment by ridding the body of all drugs and toxins at a medical detox center. The pain and discomfort associated with opiate withdrawal symptoms can have dangerous consequences. Many people who try to detox at home are unable to complete the process due to its difficulty. This is why it is important to always detox from opiates and opioids at a licensed opiate rehab center under medical supervision.
Opiate rehab facilities usually use medication-assisted treatment to aid discomfort and reduce cravings. Additionally, these medications can also help with the depression associated with the abnormal dopamine production that results from opiate/opioid abuse.
Inpatient Treatment
Both standard inpatient treatment and residential inpatient treatment require patients to live on-site while receiving care. This gives them a high level of structure and allows them to be monitored 24/7.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Treatment
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) require their patients to attend rehab for five to eight hours a day, five to seven days a week. Though treatment occurs in a medical setting, individuals are allowed back to their own homes or sober living houses at night.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Treatment
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) require their patients to attend rehab for approximately a few hours a day, a few days a week. This is usually a step down for those who were in stricter forms of treatment. People in IOPs can uphold personal and professional responsibilities during treatment.
Outpatient Program (OP) Treatment
This is the least intensive form of outpatient treatment. Standard outpatient programs only require their patients to attend rehab for approximately a couple of hours a day, once or twice a week. OPs mainly focus on preparing individuals to fully integrate back into society while maintaining sobriety.
Therapies Used During Opiate Rehab
In each of the programs used in the treatment of opioid/opiate addiction, patients undergo various therapies. Combining these therapies allows patients to make a full recovery that will prevent relapse and lead to long-term sobriety. The following are therapy methods typically used during opioid and opiate rehab in Palm Springs, California.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on changing one’s negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors into positive ones. Through CBT, individuals receiving opioid and opiate addiction treatment will learn how to manage their addiction triggers and improve their coping mechanisms.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on helping individuals accept their negative thoughts and emotions so that they do not have any power over them. Once this is done, DBT patients can change their negative behaviors into positive ones.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy allows a person to reflect on their past, present, and future during one-on-one sessions with a compassionate therapist. This type of therapy helps people to identify the underlying causes of their addiction. It also helps them to cultivate healthy coping mechanisms and set obtainable goals.
Group Therapy
Group therapy allows people with opioid and opiate addictions to connect with and learn from other individuals in recovery. It also reduces stigma and encourages peers to support one another long-term.
Family Therapy
Addiction not only affects the person struggling with substance abuse, but their family as well. Family therapy allows individuals to speak with their family members about how they have affected their addiction. It also allows loved ones to tell an individual how their addiction has impacted them.
Begin Opiate Rehab in Palm Springs, California
Living a life of addiction is barely living at all. It is time to seek treatment, so you can get back to being you. At Phoenix Rising Recovery in Palm Springs, California it is our mission to provide individuals with the most effective and efficient opiate rehab programs. Your recovery is our priority. Give us a call or visit our contact form today to seek the help you need and find the healing you deserve.