Nashville Opiate Abuse Treatment

Nashville opiate abuse treatment centers have increased since more people are addicted to opiates now than ever before. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin and Demerol are known as the most addictive types of opioid medications. If your doctor has prescribed these for a medical condition, take them only as directed. If you have to take medications for pain for a long period of time, your doctor may change your prescription to avoid dependence. However, if you find yourself addicted to or abusing opiates, contact Nashville drug detox centers.

Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can occur within hours of the last use. They include chills, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and agitation. When the individual is in an inpatient treatment program, medication may be used to relieve symptoms and reduce cravings.

Medications Used For Opiate Abuse Treatment

• Naltrexone - blocks the receptors for opiates and reduces cravings.

• Methadone - reduces cravings for opiates without the associated "high."

• Diamorphine - medically-prescribed heroin to allow opiate addicts to function normally is available in the United Kingdom

Opiate Receptor Pharmocogenomics

Pharmacogenomics is a field of scientific inquiry that studies how the effectiveness of medications are influenced by the individual genetic makeup of those who take them. The field could someday may it easier to determine which individuals are likely to become dependent on opiates. This information will help physicians more accurately assess which drugs to prescribe for pain to avoid negative outcomes, such as severe side effects and potential dependence.

Other Treatments for Opiate Addiction

Individuals who are addicted benefit from Nashville relapse prevention programs, both individually and in groups, to help them understand the reasons for their drug use and the situations that contribute to it. Maintenance medications that reduce cravings may be necessary for years after treatment to prevent relapse. Learning the signs of impending relapse and what to do when these events occur can help patients resist the urge to begin using drugs again. Narcotics Anonymous (http://nanashville.org/) can help former users avoid heroin and share their experiences.

Are You Addicted?

Addiction has a number of common characteristics that indicate that treatment is necessary to restore your life to sanity:

• Increased tolerance, the need to use more of the drug to achieve the same level of high

• The desire to quit, but inability to stop

• Withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop

• Increased focus on acquiring and using the drug

• Continued use of the drug in spite of negative consequences it causes

If you are dependent on opiates, contact Nashville drug addiction rehab centers to break your dependence and get your life back.