Narcotic drug addiction is a chronic mental illness. Although the condition is incurable, narcotic addiction treatment can teach people how to manage it. It’s beneficial to learn more about narcotics and what treatment includes.
What Are Narcotics?
Most people know narcotics as drugs that alter the mind or behavior. However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration defines them as “opium, opium derivatives and their semi-synthetic” versions. Together, the agency refers to narcotics as opioids. Heroin, codeine, and morphine are natural derivatives. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are semi-synthetic versions. Fully synthetic opioids also fall into the narcotics category, including methadone and fentanyl. Opioids come in capsule, tablet, powder and other forms and colors. People abuse them in various ways too, including swallowing, snorting, smoking and injecting the drugs.
What Is Narcotic Addiction?
Continuous narcotic abuse can lead to addiction because these drugs are very addictive. Over time, they build up a tolerance in people that makes them need higher doses to get pain relief or to get high. Increasing the dose raises the risk for not only opioid addiction but also overdose. Some people can overdose or develop addiction with just a few uses. In addition, several factors affect the likelihood of people developing a narcotic addiction. Some of these include their genetics, living environment and the occurrence of trauma. For example, they might start using opioids because their family or friends do. They could also use drugs to dull the emotional pain from a sexual assault. Once narcotic addiction develops, the users no longer have the choice to stop using. Their bodies become physically and sometimes psychologically dependent on opioids. They continue to seek out and use narcotics even though their health, relationships and other parts of their lives suffer. Although it’s most important to get narcotic addiction treatment at this point, getting help sooner may prevent addiction. That’s where a narcotics detox in Florida comes in.
What Happens in Narcotic Addiction Treatment?
The purpose of narcotic addiction treatment is to help people stop using opioids and stay sober. Achieving that goal requires a full spectrum of treatment that includes detox, therapy, and aftercare.
Detoxification
Detox is the stage in which people abstain from opioid use. This process is dangerous without medical supervision because the body goes into withdrawal without its dose of drugs. It doesn’t typically cause life-threatening symptoms, but not treating the symptoms of withdrawal may lead to complications. For instance, vomit might enter the lungs, causing a fatal infection. Detox at a narcotic addiction treatment center provides 24-hour supervision. The doctors and nurses administer medicines to hinder or prevent the symptoms. Some of these side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Withdrawal can also cause bone and muscle pain, tremors and insomnia. The medical detox team may provide meds that help people taper off of opioids. The meds help reduce all of the withdrawal symptoms, including cravings. This is because they’re less potent opioids. Over time, they reduce the dose until the patients no longer need the meds. However, some people may not totally taper off of these meds before detox is over. In these cases, doctors continue prescribing the meds as maintenance therapy. The patients keep taking them through rehab until they don’t need them anymore.
Therapy and Aftercare
When detox is over, narcotic addiction treatment progresses to rehab. During this stage, patients receive ongoing assessments, education, and therapy. They learn how to address the cause of their addiction and avoid or cope with triggers to prevent relapse. Treatment doesn’t end after that, though. Addiction is a disease, so people who suffer from it need ongoing treatment and support. This stage can involve further therapy from a private therapist and support from 12-step programs or support groups.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery for Narcotic Abuse
If you suffer from narcotic abuse or addiction, get help right away. Serenity House Detox & Recovery offers medical detox to help you get sober. Our team offers several drug detox programs, including:
In addition, Serenity House Detox & Recovery offers gender-specific detox services. We believe that men and women should receive equal attention during treatment. Our men’s and women’s detox programs help us provide that as well as help our clients focus on sobriety. In addition, we offer meditation therapy groups and chiropractic care to help our clients relax. Don’t throw away your life because of narcotics. Learn to take control of your life again with our help. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery now at 866-294-5306 to start your new life.