Opioids and opiates are effective pain medication that treats chronic and severe pain caused by surgery, a serious accident, or a medical condition. If you or a loved one are taking opioids to treat pain, you should be familiar with the opioid side effects to help reduce the risk of developing an addiction and overdosing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 107,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2021 alone.
Skywood Recovery in Augusta, MI is open to anyone who has developed an addiction to prescription or illegal opioids and is ready for a positive change. Our treatment programs offer inpatient and outpatient options along with separate men’s and women’s rehab for those whose addiction stems from relationships with the opposite gender. Patients work with a certified behavioral therapist in group and private therapy sessions to develop a better understanding of addiction and how to cope with their symptoms and triggers. If you or a loved one is abusing opioids, call 269.280.4673 today to discover the benefits of our opiate addiction treatment programs.
The Dangers of Opioid Abuse
The opioid epidemic started in the 1990s when doctors began prescribing opioids without understanding their addictive properties or the dangers of opioid side effects. Today, millions of people continue to struggle with opioid addiction caused by prescription or illegal opioids like heroin and street fentanyl.
Opioids work by binding with mu-opioid cell receptors that, when activated by opioids, release a massive amount of dopamine and serotonin that your body can never produce on its own. This causes an intense but short-lived euphoria that is very addicting, especially for people who experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders. When you take more than prescribed, your body begins craving the same amount, which will cause painful withdrawals and intense cravings until you take the same amount or more opioids.
If you suspect a friend or loved one is abusing their opioid prescription, look for these signs that point to addiction:
- Running out of their prescription before the refill date
- Having the same prescription from multiple doctors
- Using someone else’s prescription for opioids
- Taking opioids before any activity “just in case”
At Skywood Recovery, we are well aware of the dangers of abusing opioids and work closely with each patient throughout their recovery journey. Therapists will continue to monitor each patient’s progress during therapy and make adjustments to the program to ensure they reach their recovery goals.
Understanding Opioid Side Effects
The side effects of opioid abuse are well known, yet many people continue to abuse opioids due to our society’s lack of understanding of the dangers of addiction. While opioids are OK to take when you follow the prescription, many people will take more than prescribed or with other drugs or alcohol to feel the euphoric effects.
The most common types of opioid side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, constipation, and nausea which are generally mild. More serious side effects of opioid abuse include:
- Shallow breathing
- Slowed heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Poor muscle control
- Feeling as if you can’t wake up
People who take large doses of opioids put themselves at risk of an overdose and death if not treated right away. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include:
- A blueish tint to lips and fingers
- Their face is very pale and clammy
- You are unable to physically wake them up
- Their breathing and/or heart rate is very shallow or stops completely
Opioids and opiates are very effective for treating pain but come with a high risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose. If you become addicted to opioids, several treatment programs can help you stop the abuse before it is too late.
Find Opiate Addiction Treatment in Michigan at Skywood Recovery
Skywood Recovery provides Michigan residents with comprehensive opioid use disorder treatment programs for anyone who needs help recovering from this treatable mental health disorder. When you first arrive at our private facility, we will run a health assessment to determine the right course of action to stop the abuse and develop healthy coping skills. Therapists work with patients in group and private therapy sessions using a mix of behavioral and holistic therapies while providing medical support to ease withdrawals and cravings.
If you would like to learn more about the side effects of opioid abuse, send us a message online or call 269.280.4673 today to speak with our staff.