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What Prescription Drugs Are Considered Opioids?

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Addiction is a serious problem that can impact anyone at any time, and folks in Indiana are not immune to this issue. Unfortunately for thousands of Americans, some of the most addictive substances that are available right now are prescription drugs. Many drugs we are prescribed for legitimate health reasons are highly addictive. Among all the prescription drugs that people are prescribed, the most addictive ones are opioids. This is why it is crucial to be able to distinguish between drugs that are opioids and ones that are part of another category of drug. The opioid epidemic has become the most significant drug problem in the United States, and folks in Indiana are no strangers to this problem. 

That’s why it helps to be able to identify what prescription drugs are considered opioids and the types of effects they can have on a person’s body, leading all the way up to full-blown addiction. SEE Purpose is a luxury inpatient rehab facility in Indiana that works for clients that are addicted to a wide array of prescription drugs and much more. When you need personalized care to get over your addiction, SEE Purpose is the place to come. 

 

Why is Prescription Opioid Abuse Prevalent?

The reason for the problem of opioid abuse comes down to two very important factors. 

The first factor is the number of opioid prescriptions that are prescribed in America on a daily basis. By sheer volume, there are more opioids than any other drug that is used to treat a medical condition in America. By numbers alone, it’s easy to see why people might begin to abuse opioids, even unintentionally.

The second reason that opioid abuse is so prevalent is because of just how addictive opioids are in the first place. All opioids have the potential to be addictive, but with drugs like heroin and the newer drug fentanyl, the rates of addiction are even higher because of these highly potent and addictive drugs. 

 

What Prescription Drugs Are Considered Opioids?

The category of drugs that are opioids is quite large, but in terms of which drugs are opioids, it comes down to just one type of drug, prescription painkillers. Opioids are used almost exclusively as prescription pain meds because they can regulate and manage even the most severe chronic pain. 

Opioids are prescribed not only for injuries but for those in recovery from surgery and other procedures, as well as those with severe or even terminal illnesses such as cancer. Recovering from an addiction to opioids typically requires specialized treatment and even the use of medication-assisted treatment that uses medications to counter the addictive effects of other drugs.

 

How Do Prescription Opioids Impact a Person?

As we mentioned, all opioids are highly addictive, but these drugs are highly addictive not because of one key component in the drug, but rather due to the way they interact with the body and cause dependency over time. 

The reason that opioids are so effective at treating pain is the same reason they are so addictive. When an opioid enters the body, they attach to the pain receptors in the brain and central nervous system. Over time, they alter how the nervous system and brain behave, including slowing the response to pain and diminishing the overall response. This change, while beneficial, also causes the body to become dependent on opioids to function normally. As time passes, this dependency turns into a full-blown addiction. 

 

How to Find Inpatient Treatment For Prescription Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction is a serious problem that can alter a person’s life. Trying to quit opioids without the proper help and support of a treatment center can result in severe consequences due to the effects of withdrawal. 

SEE Purpose provides residential inpatient treatment where clients have the treatment they need to overcome their addiction and the medical support they need. Our comprehensive drug addiction treatment programs in Indiana work to deal with the effects of the addiction while also helping find the root cause of the addiction and developing the coping tools necessary to live without the drug.

It’s never too late to start on your journey of recovery. Contact us at SEE Purpose today!

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