It is rare to go a day without hearing something about the nation’s opioid epidemic. Abuse of prescription and illicit forms of opioids is now considered a public health emergency, causing serious illness and overdose deaths. If you are caught in the cycle of dependence, it is time to consider the services of an opiate medical detox center. Clients of opiate addiction treatment programs come for help in beginning their journeys of recovery. While under the care of doctors and counselors, these clients focus on ending their use of these drugs. That has medical consequences that must be managed by experienced professionals, such as our team at Atlanta Detox Center.

Understanding the difference between opioids and opiates is essential in navigating discussions surrounding pain management and addiction. Opiates specifically refer to drugs derived directly from the opium poppy plant, such as morphine and codeine, while opioids encompass a broader category that includes both natural opiates and synthetic or semi-synthetic substances. This fundamental distinction lies at the core of their origins and composition. Opioids, including synthetic compounds like fentanyl and methadone, may be entirely human-made or partially derived from natural opiates. Recognizing the difference between opioids and opiates is crucial not only for medical professionals but also for policymakers and the public, as it shapes approaches to addressing opioid addiction and overdose prevention strategies.

Furthermore, the strength and addictive potential of opioids versus opiates emphasize the significance of this distinction. Synthetic opioids, in particular, can be significantly more potent than natural opioids, making them extremely helpful in pain management while increasing the danger of addiction and overdose. The widespread availability and prescription of opioids have exacerbated the opioid crisis in many nations, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive initiatives to reduce misuse and promote safer prescribing practices. Stakeholders may create more focused interventions to treat addiction, enhance pain management, and eventually lessen the negative consequences of opioid misuse on public health by knowing the subtle differences between opioids and opiates.

Statistics surrounding the nation’s opioid epidemic are startling. According to the CDC, 2021 saw more than 75% of approximately 107,000 overdose deaths involved some type of opioid.¹ Most of that abuse involved prescription painkillers.

The epidemic has unfolded in stages over the past 20 years, starting with its initiation in the late 1990s with the over-prescription of a new class of opioids. At the time, doctors had a mistaken belief that these opioids had a minimal risk of addiction.

As a result of high numbers of opioid prescriptions, substance use disorders skyrocketed. Doctors then curtailed their prescriptions to help curb the epidemic, and patients desperate for relief from withdrawal symptoms turned instead to heroin. Later, synthetic forms of opioids surged. While the number of overdose deaths has stabilized somewhat, they still remain quite high. Learn more about the reasons you may want to consider an opiate drug detox center.

Opiates include both legal and illegal drugs, but regardless of their legal status, they are dangerous and highly addictive when misused. They also cause substantial short- and long-term health effects, including the risk of an overdose. Some of the side effects of opiate abuse include:

• Physical dependence/addiction
• Weakened immune system
• Hypoxia (reduction of oxygen flow to the brain)
• Liver damage
• Emotional problems such as anxiety or depression
• Constipation

When you are addicted to opiates, nothing is more important than obtaining the drug, which can lead to lifestyle risks. You are more likely to engage in risky decision-making, including instances where you break the law or deal with dangerous people. Opiate addiction can cause uncharacteristic behaviors that land you in jail or worse.

During your stay at a residential addiction treatment program, you will work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to move forward in your recovery journey. The objective of detox is to help you flush the toxins from your system while keeping you safe and stable at the same time.

Medical oversight is necessary because the moment you begin to reduce your use of opiates, your body reacts and begins a period called withdrawal. Different drugs cause different withdrawal symptoms.

Some of the withdrawal symptoms of opiates include:

• Excessive yawning
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dilated pupils
• Trouble sleeping

Some of those symptoms can destabilize your health. During your stay at a drug and alcohol detox center, doctors will monitor your condition and help keep you stable throughout the withdrawal period.

Even though it is incredibly difficult and painful, opioid withdrawal rarely results in death. On the other hand, difficulties brought on by intense withdrawal symptoms can be quite dangerous, particularly for people with underlying medical issues. Opiate withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Rarely, chronic vomiting and diarrhea can cause electrolyte imbalances or dehydration, which can result in health problems. Severe withdrawal symptoms might also put a person at risk for suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Therefore, even while opiate withdrawal is often not lethal on its own, managing symptoms and avoiding potentially fatal complications require appropriate medical care and support.

There are many benefits of detox for opiates at Atlanta Detox Center.

Some of these benefits include:

• Our caring and knowledgeable staff
• Reduced chance of future relapse
• Eased withdrawal symptoms
• Round-the-clock care

Instead of trying to quit cold turkey at home, reach out to our opiate detox centers team today to find out more about the benefits of our treatment options.

The nation’s opioid epidemic continues to have tragic consequences, including needless overdose deaths, but it does not have to be this way. Treatment and rehab resources are effective tools in helping people turn their lives around, especially an opiate withdrawal treatment program such as the one at Atlanta Detox Center. Our experienced team of addiction specialists and counselors provides a continuum of care to take you from admission to detox to counseling to aftercare.

We offer you caring, confidential treatment services in a facility that is safe and secure. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based care. Our center for drug and alcohol detox in Atlanta provides a safe and comfortable environment for people to begin to overcome their opioid addiction. Although withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, the most effective way to achieve genuine, long-lasting recovery is to detox under the supervision of a team of experts.

Contact our Atlanta Drug Rehab online or call 844-658-0927 to learn more about our opiate detox program and other ways we can offer support.

Source

CDC – Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic