The drug epidemic of America is in full force and there need to be addiction treatment centers and opiate rehab centers available for those in need. An opiate is a class of drug and is a natural part of opium. It is used in major prescription medications such as OxyContin and Fentanyl. They work by reacting to receptors in the brain which then produce a feeling of ultimate pleasure and relaxation. The drug is derived from an opium plant and then modified and manufactured into prescription medication. The problem with opiate drugs is that they are highly addictive for those who are predisposed to the disease of addiction. If you or someone close to you is struggling with an addiction to opioids, it's time to consider attending an opiate rehab today.

There are various brands and names for opioids and they come at different strengths as well. Some of these are:

• Morphine
• Fentanyl
• Codeine
• Hydromorphone
• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone

These drugs are available only by doctor's prescription and are prescribed in moderation as to mitigate the chance of becoming dependent. Opioids create a feeling of euphoria which is what makes them so addictive. The brain, over time, becomes reliant on this chemical to produce 'happy' and 'euphoric' feelings, therefore, begins to be unable to produce these on its own. The more you abuse these drugs, the less your brain is able to naturally produce chemicals that produce happiness. If you find yourself on the destructive road to opiate addiction, you may want to consider attending treatment at an opiate rehab.

Typically, these opiate drugs are prescribed to lessen pain after an operation or a surgery. Perhaps you got in a severe car accident and you are in quite a bit of pain. The doctor may prescribe a month or two of painkiller drugs (opiates) so that you do not have any pain. The problem with this is that, for those who have the addictive gene, this can result in a full-on addiction to the painkiller.

Going through an Opioid Withdrawal

For those who are addicted to opiates, withdrawal is a very uncomfortable process. For those who are highly dependent on these drugs, medically assisted detox may be required in order to help lessen the side effects of the withdrawal process. It's important that if you are highly addicted to these narcotic drugs, that you do not quit by going 'cold turkey'. Get in touch with an opiate rehab to arrange a medical detox process.

Some symptoms that are associated with opioid withdrawal are:

• Lack of energy and enthusiasm
• Tiredness
• Aches
• Pains
• Nausea

The Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is in full force across the United States and has been in the incline since 1990. The epidemic first started due to doctors over-prescribing strong and addictive pain medication. These medications became the most prescribed medication in the nation's history. The sad truth is, approximately 30 percent of those who are issued a prescription for opioid medication will misuse and abuse them due to their addictive tendencies.

Heroin users typically became addicted to heroin due to their opioid prescription. When their doctor no longer refilled their prescription, they were left addicted to the drug but had no means of obtaining it. Heroin is an illicit drug that they then turned to. Heroin, a semisynthetic opiate, is a very strong street drug that is responsible for countless deaths every single day as a result of an overdose.

Opiates release around 100 times more endorphins than the brain would release naturally, resulting in a feeling of ultimate euphoria. This is what makes opiates so addictive; the ultimate enhanced feeling that patients receive when they take the drug.

Fentanyl Kills

Fentanyl is a type of opioid drug that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. A lethal amount of fentanyl is only two milligrams which looks like six grains of salt. This is an extremely scary and life-threatening drug that is responsible for countless deaths daily across the nation. Many people who purchase heroin on the streets won't know that the drug is 'cut' with fentanyl. An individual who takes a lethal amount of fentanyl has only a few sections to get help before they die. This is the cold, hard truth about an opioid and heroin addiction.

Since fentanyl is relatively easy to make and is far more powerful and potent than heroin, drug dealers started to 'cut' their product with this dangerously powerful drug. To add insult to injury, a new illegal drug on the drug that is being made in the drug trade business is a drug called carfentanil. This drug is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl making it one of the most lethal drugs available on the black market. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to opioids, it's time to get help from an opiate rehab.

The Importance of Naloxone

The good news is that if you have the drug naloxone immediately available to you, you have the chance to be rescued from death by opioid or heroin overdose. It has saved countless lives and helped many from death by overdose. This is by no means a 'cure' for your addiction, though. You must not rely on this drug to be available for someone to administer when you are overdosing. You must get professional help.

Addiction is a serious mental illness that requires the professional help of addiction treatment centers in order to successfully overcome. An opiate rehab can offer you the necessary tools and resources that can help you make a full recovery from your addiction. Whether you attend inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment, a full recovery is possible. With the help of a professional treatment program, you run the risk of imminent death. This is simply the harsh reality of the disease that is an addiction.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

If you suspect that someone close to you is struggling with an addiction, consider monitoring their behavior in order to find out if they truly are addicted:

* Neglecting responsibilities

* Spending all of their money and savings on drugs/alcohol

* Neglecting their appearance and health Hanging around a new group of friends

* Withdrawing from family and friends

* Getting fired from their job

* Getting irritated when plans involving drugs/alcohol are canceled

All of these are signs that your loved one may be addicted. It might be necessary to stage an intervention if you suspect that someone close to you is struggling with substance abuse. An opiate rehab near you can help your loved one make a full recovery from addiction.

By working with certified staff members, therapists, and counselors, patients can look forward to a life that is free from substance abuse and addiction. It's important that patients are fully committed to their addiction treatment program as this is the only way that you will benefit from the treatment that is offered to you. It's time to get the necessary help that you need today so that addiction does not have to control your life any longer.

Causes of Addiction

It's important to remember that addiction is no fault of your own. Addiction is an actual medical disease that requires the help of professional treatment specialists in order to overcome.

Some causes of addiction are:

• Genetics
• Hereditary
• Environmental factors
• Gender
• Psychosocial factors
• Personality
• Trauma in your past
• Mental health disorders
• Family relationship issues
• Friends and peers

These are all possible reasons as to why you have become an addict. This does not mean that you have to give up on life. There are many treatment facilities such as an opiate rehab that can help you make a full recovery from this disease. You must find the courage to contact a rehab facility today so that you can live a more productive life.

There are various treatment methods and programs that can help patients recover from addiction. Some of these include:

• Inpatient Treatment
• Outpatient Treatment
• Medical Detox
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• 12-Step Programs
• Motivational Interviewing
• Family Therapy
• Life Skills Training
• Relapse Prevention
• Aftercare Programs

Each individual will require a unique and personalized treatment program that is designed just for them. Since not every individual and their addiction are alike, it's important that the treatment program is tailored to their exact needs and requirements. This is the best way that patients will get the results that they want out of their treatment program. While some patients have a less severe addiction and only require outpatient treatment for 30-days, other patients will have a more serious addiction and require medical detox as well as a 90-day inpatient treatment program in order to obtain sobriety.

Get Help Today

Whatever the case may be, one this is certain; addiction is a disease that will never go away on its own. It requires the help and assistance of professional treatment programs in order to successfully recover from. Get the help that you need today as addiction is a life-threatening disease that is progressive and chronic in nature.