It’s true to say that anyone who uses opioids is at risk of developing an addiction. They are a highly addictive substance, but there are some people who will be more at risk than others. For example, your personal history will play a part in how likely you are to become addicted, as well as the length of time that you use them. However, it’s not possible to know who is likely to develop an addiction to these drugs for sure. 

Opioids are destructive and dangerous to your body when they are abused, or depended on. If you find yourself wanting that good feeling that opioids produce even after the pain is gone, this is the first sign that you may have a problem. The worst case scenario is an overdose that causes death, but how does it get to this point? Let’s take a look.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a broad group of pain relieving drugs. They work by reacting with the opioid receptors in your body to provide the pain-relief effect. Doctors prescribe opioids for pain relief on a regular basis, but with a short-term dosage and a warning that they are highly addictive. Some people already know that they have what is known as an addictive personality and will choose to stay away from this kind of drug, where others don’t know and take them. So, what starts out as short-term pain relief can end up as a fatal, life-ruining addiction and dependence on this substance. 

Short Term Vs Long Term Effects Of Opioid Addiction

Short Term Effects

If you are taking opioids on a regular basis over a long period of time, then your body is going to stop producing as many endorphins. At the same time this happens, the dose of opioids that you are taking will stop triggering the good feeling that you are chasing every time you take them. 

This is where opioids become problematic because people will just up their dosage in order to find that good feeling they had before. If you find yourself upping the dose, this is one of the signs of addiction and also a sign that you are building up a tolerance to the substance.

Instead of upping your dosage again, you should speak to your doctor. They will be able to provide you with some safe options that you can pursue in order to remain feeling well, but never stop taking opioids abruptly without the help of a doctor. 

Long Term Effects

Longer term effects of opioid abuse include an increase in the risk of fractures, bowel dysfunction, cardiovascular problems, infections, and eventually in some cases, overdoses and death. There are other effects that you can experience if you are addicted to opioids, some of which are mental. 

Many people who have been unable to get their doctor to increase their dosage or cannot obtain more opioids legally will turn to illegal methods and drugs. 

Many people with an opioid addiction that starts with prescription painkillers will seek out substances such as Fentanyl or heroin which are both opioid based. Those with an addiction may do a lot of things they would not normally do in order to get their next fix of that good feeling including lying, stealing, and far more.

Getting The Treatment You Need

Here at Grand Falls Addiction Treatment Center, we can help you overcome your opioid addiction. We’re not going to lie to you and say that it is going to be easy, because it isn’t. There will be nothing easy about this process, but we combine a range of methods such as detox services and psychological support to ensure that you get the most out of our program. 

If you have an opioid addiction, you need help. This is the first step to getting better: admitting you have a problem. This is not something that you have to face on your own, because we are right here to get you back on your feet. We will be there for you every step of the way while you fight the disease known as addiction.

Get In Touch With Us

If you have an opioid addiction, we want to help you. Here at Grand Falls Addiction Treatment Center, we have the experience necessary to help you overcome your addiction. We know how hard it can be to kick the addiction that is controlling your life, but we can aid you in doing this. The only catch? You need to want the help that we are able to offer. If you do, get in touch with us today and a friendly member of our team will give you all the information that you need.

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