What does Opiate Dependent Mean?

Opiate medications elicit powerful effects in the body, by operating on the opiate receptors in the brain to block pain and produce pleasure. The reasons why opiates are a favorite among substance abusers are for the pleasure and pain relief experienced. When opiate drugs are prescribed for the relief of pain, and taken as directed, there is little chance of addiction. However, when the drug is misused or abused, the individual can become opiate dependent and require drug addiction treatment for the problem.

What happens when someone becomes opiate dependent?

Opiates activate the reward center in the brain and when a person injects, snorts or orally ingests it, the drug travels quickly through the bloodstream to the brain. Within the chemical reward system, the morphine acts on the opiate receptors and produces feelings of reward and pleasure, and increases dopamine production. Then, the brain feels intense euphoria and it spreads throughout the users body and makes the person feel relaxed and content. The excessive release of dopamine and the simulation of a reward, can lead the person to become dependent quite quickly.

Is there a difference between opiate addiction and dependent?

Although you may sometimes hear the terms addicted and dependent used interchangeably, these two words are entirely different in meaning. Drug addiction is present when a person seeks and compulsively uses the drug of choice, despite knowing there are negativity, dangerous consequences and ill effects from the behavior. However, being drug dependent means a person requires the substance in order to function and can experience intense cravings when it is not regularly used.

Does someone that is opiate dependent need to go through detoxification to get clean?

Often the very first initial step in a person getting clean from opiate dependency is to enroll into a detoxification center. Because of the intense addiction caused by opiate drugs, many addiction treatment centers provide detox and inpatient rehab options for a client. Depending on the severity of addiction and the extent of the problem a person has, withdrawal symptoms may vary and become quite dangerous, which makes the need for medically supervised detox all the more important.

What are the symptoms of opiate withdrawal?

Withdrawal for the opiate dependent individual can be quite a long and uncomfortable process, which can cause permanent damage to the heart, lungs, respiratory system and brain, as well as other vital organs. For those with a compromised immune system or severe addiction, going through unsupervised withdrawal can be deadly. Opiate dependent people can go through a number of withdrawal symptoms which can include cold sweats, dilated pupils, cramps, chills, fever, nausea and vomiting, goose bumps, shaking, irritation, muscle aches, runny nose, cramps, strong cravings, severe depression, uncontrollable diarrhea, panic, agitation, yawning and insomnia and appetite loss. For a drug dependent individual, the best way to combat the discomfort of withdrawal is to undergo medical detox, because there are medications and things which can be done to make it more comfortable for the individual.

Why should an opiate dependent individual seek addiction treatment?

Addiction treatment for an opiate dependency is the best way to ensure withdrawal is done in a safe and secure environment. You probably never intended to become a drug dependent individual and it is not your fault, but now you have to make a choice, do you want to live or die? Entering an addiction treatment center is the only way you can truly conquer your demons, adjust to life without opiate drugs and have the best possible chance of leaving your addiction in the past where it belongs.