The State of Ohio is recognizing that opiate addiction is becoming a problem that must be dealt with. According to experts, the number of people that have suffered an overdose on oxycontin and heroin has reached dramatic levels. Even though the actual suggestions from Ohio are not going to be introduced until March, by the discussion up to this point, it seems clear that treatment is becoming a key point for opiate addiction in Ohio.

Part of the problem is that too few people take time to educate others about opiate addiction. Far too often authorities invoke the age-old catchphrase “just say no” instead of educating people. As a result, people are unaware of the true dangers of opiate addiction. Another problem is in the case of oxycontin for example, use often begins in a legally prescribed manner. However, in today’s medicated culture’ it should come as no surprise that patients receive too many prescription drugs without actually being told what the dangers may be after prolonged use.

The Problem With A Tolerance

Nerve receptors in the body are eventually likely to adapt when someone takes opiates frequently over a long period of time. This means that these nerve receptors start resisting the drug. As a result, the person who is struggling with opiate addiction is going to have to increase his or her intake of the drug to have the same desired effect. Once the opiates leave the body, there is also a physical withdrawal reaction. This is because the nerve receptors have to readapt to the fact that the opiates are now absent from the system. This is one of reasons that a legal prescription can eventually become a major problem, the user may initially take opiates to numb pain, but eventually with continued use, the body starts to expect the intake of opiates. Cancer patients, sickle-cell patients, surgical patients, and chronic pain patients can become dependent on prescribed pain medication simply because they are seeking pain relief by a physician.

Treatment Available For Opiate Addiction

For most people suffering from opiate addiction, detoxification should always be used at the start of treatment. Even though detoxification by itself is not a solution to the problem, (this is because most people addicted to opiates are struggling with underlying problems and use drugs as a coping mechanism) it does provide the best possible chance of staying sober.

Even someone who has not been addicted to opiates for a long period of time is going to experience some extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, hot and cold flashes, muscle aches, tremors, anxiety, and agitation. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the speed and dose of withdrawal. For example, heroin, a short-acting opiate, tends to have very intense withdrawal symptoms but for a shorter period when compared to other opiates.

One step that you may have noticed that is not listed here is use of methadone or buprenorphine. While there may be select cases where just using detoxification may be hazardous to a patient’s health, most of the time the use of methadone or buprenorphine is simply switching one addiction for another. Some people may argue that because it is doctor prescribed and administered, these drugs may be different.  However, it ultimately does nothing but continue the ‘addict’ mentality. The person struggling with addiction is still required to come in at regular intervals and still receive its numbing effects.

The Importance Of Treatment

There are several reasons that opiate rehabilitation is such an important step that should never be overlooked if someone wants to live a healthy life:

• People can die from opiate addiction – In recent years, the use of opiates in the United States has skyrocketed. Excessive use can have such dramatic effects that it is important that a person have the best possible chance of staying sober.
• It has long-term health consequences – There are several serious health concerns attributed to opiate addiction. Liver disorders and heart disease are just a few of the most prevalent health concerns. Once a person is in detox, it gives them a chance to reverse these problems as much as possible.
• It influences behavior – The most important part of breaking free from the cycle of addiction is learning individual behaviors and improved decision-making that can help someone stay clear of opiates in the future. Simply detoxing the body alone doesn’t do a complete job for long-term sobriety.
• The skills needed later on – It is important for someone who is struggling with addiction to be provided the tools required to live a drug-free life. This can include making better decisions, exercising, finding a job, avoiding temptations, and many other activities that others may take for granted.  For many people this is the only way that they are able to stay sober after detox.

An Important Step For Ohio

While it is true that personal responsibility should never be discounted, it is important to recognize the steps that the State of Ohio is taking to help its citizens that are struggling with addiction. It is not that long ago that opiate addiction was considered a problem that did not have a solution. Those who were struggling with opiate addiction were considered to have a psychological disorder or an addictive personality.

The important thing about treatment is that people with an opiate addiction are seen as patients rather than social outcasts or criminals. It would seem the majority of law enforcement agencies are more interested in ostracizing someone who is struggling with opiate addiction from society. Ultimately, this is the very treatment we encounter on a daily basis and it strips these people of their human value. This in turn leads to feeling excluded and invalidated as a human being, which only increases the desire to find another outlet for dealing with the emotional pain.

It is important to understand consequences of opiate addiction, recognizing signs that could indicate a problem. Knowing there is help available may motivate those that are already struggling with addiction to seek treatment before they lose their self-esteem, families, loved ones, jobs and if they are not careful – much more.