Successful Non 12 Step Opiate Rehab Treatment
Opiate Rehab for Addiction
According to the latest statistics, overdoses attributed to prescription pain relievers have overtaken the number of deaths attributed to street drugs. Because of these alarming numbers that keep rising, it is understandable that more and more people seek opiate withdrawal treatment at available non 12-step treatment centers.
The Opiate Drug Family
When talking about opiates, people often think about heroin and recently have started to consider prescription drugs such as OxyContin. However, while these represent a problematic part of the opiate group, countless other drugs fall into this category as well. These include opium, oxycodone, morphine, pethidine, buprenorphine, methadone and codeine. The base ingredient for making opium is poppy flower seedpods. Opium is then the starting ingredient for all of the other mentioned drugs that fall into this category.
What You Need to Know about Opiate Addiction
Some of these prescription painkillers that people abuse are able to produce one hundred times more endorphins (our body’s natural painkiller) than our body is able to do naturally. Take a moment and imagine why this might affect our nerve and brain cells – it floods our system with countless more endorphins than we are able to produce on our own.
Because the body becomes accustomed to having these large amounts of endorphins, the body shuts down natural endorphin production. This should make it obvious why so many people who abuse these medications require non 12-step programs to help them recover – the body has no way to compensate for the lost endorphins anymore, EXCEPT to take more of the opioid that led to these problems in the first place. That helps you understand one facet of the vicious cycle of addiction.
People who stop taking these substances without seeking opiate withdrawal treatment are going to experience withdrawal symptoms that can start instantly after the user stops ingesting the drug. They may include a lack of sleep, restlessness, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and stress. Because these withdrawal symptoms are often severe, the person is likely to reach for these substances again to alleviate the urges. This is another reason why it is important that the user seek professional non 12 step opiate rehab and addiction treatment.
These Drugs Cause Chemical Changes
Remember that our body is constantly monitoring its own chemical levels. If it notices that something is not balanced, it will produce counteracting chemicals in an attempt to restore balance. However, those who constantly abuse opioids are effectively fighting their own bodies. Because they keep flooding their system with endorphins, the body begins to make less and less of them. As the body’s natural production starts to dwindle and the users’ tolerance for these medications increases, they have to take in more.
The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry published an article that revealed those struggling with opioid dependence might be able to survive an amount that is upwards of ten times higher than what would be fatal for a normal non-addicted person. The body becomes so used to having access to these chemicals that they need massive amounts in order to feel the desired effects.
Why is it So Hard to Stop Using?
Because the body creates increased tolerance, many addicts give up early on in their recovery process without the help from professional non 12 step opiate rehab counselors. The different withdrawal symptoms we mentioned earlier are to blame, including:
- Physical symptoms, shaking, sickness
- Low blood pressure
- Yawning to excess and exhaustion
- Goose bumps
- An intense craving for the drug
- Teary eyes and runny nose
- Stomach and muscle cramps
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Restlessness
While most individuals notice that these symptoms begin to subside a few days after they stop using, others have to struggle with depression, insomnia and countless other problems for a much longer period of time.
Suggestions for Successful Non 12 Step Opiate Rehab
In order to help people through opiate detoxification, we have included some suggestions and tips that are only available in non 12-step addiction recovery. With this information, we hope that it not only inspires those struggling with dependence to get help, but also makes it clear that unlike what the traditional 12-step treatment say, how much effort you put into recovery really does make a difference:
- Be healthy – Any good non 12-step recovery program will look at the underlying causes that resulted in someone struggling with dependence, while aiming to get this person as physically healthy as possible to exponentially increase the chance of success.
- Adopt the right attitude – Throughout the entire rehabilitation process, having the right attitude will make a significant difference. While a person does not have to attend rehabilitation treatment voluntarily, if he or she develops a positive attitude and demonstrates a willingness to change, it increases the chances of the program working.
- Use a professional service – There are people who managed to kick dependence without assistance from anyone. However, these success stories are exceedingly rare, it is far more likely to hear from people who tried to remain sober on their own but relapsed repeatedly. Not only do you benefit from having professional experience and guidance throughout a program, it also offers a safety net when the withdrawal symptoms become severe.
- Consider your options – Remember that not all programs are the same. Some will have you rely on medications such as methadone in order to guide you through the recovery process. While this may work in theory, remember that drug replacement is ultimately nothing more than switching an illegal addiction for a legal one. It does not get to the underlying issues of why someone uses. This type of medication merely keeps the person complacent in recovery. Find a program that meets your needs, that uses the latest scientific data and does not brand you as a life-long addict.
- It is not over yet – Remember that after completing non 12-step rehab, this is only part of the equation. Having a good aftercare program in place is going to help you come to terms with some of the psychological aspects of addiction once you leave the facility. It is comforting for most to know that they have someone they can fall back on if they experience any issues later on.
If you have any further questions about opiate addiction treatment or want to know where you may find a qualified rehabilitation program for yourself or someone close to you, call our professional counselors right now. Don’t delay another minute and begin your new life today.
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Additional Information on Opiates
