Reasons It's So Hard To Break An Opioid Addiction
Posted on: 22 August 2018
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According to statistical information, there have been over half a million deaths from opioids from the year 2000 to 2015, and this is the reason opioid drugs are considered an epidemic. People who are addicted to these types of drugs have a very difficult time breaking their addictions, and here are some of the top reasons for this.
Opioids Change the Brain
If a person takes just one opioid drug, the drug will not change the person's brain; however, people who take and use these drugs several times or many times will suffer from the effects of brain changes. This occurs when the brain responds to the opioids the person uses. Because opioids cause the release of chemicals in the brain, the brain releases chemicals. This combination leaves the person feeling euphoric. The brain soon is trained to need opioids in order to feel good, and a person addicted to these drugs will not even feel normal unless he or she gets them.
Withdrawing from Opioids Is Painful
The second reason people struggle breaking opioid addictions is due to the painful nature of the withdrawals. Not only will an opioid addict crave the euphoric feelings from the drugs if he or she does not get them, but this person's body will respond in many other ways when it does not receive the opioids. This results in major withdrawal symptoms.
An opioid addict will experience nausea, vomiting, irritability, increased heart rate, and many other side effects during withdrawals. Additionally, he or she may become dehydrated and may feel extremely agitated, depressed, and overwhelmed. These symptoms are painful, uncomfortable, and horrible to go through.
It's Easier to Keep Taking the Drugs
Because the withdrawal symptoms are so bad for an opioid addict, he or she finds that it is often so much easier to simply use more drugs. When the addict uses drugs when feeling these symptoms, the symptoms will go away, and he or she will feel normal and good once again. Even though an addict does not want to keep using, it is often easier to continue the habit rather than to face all the challenges of breaking the addiction.
People can break opioid addictions, though, but it is not easy or fast. It typically requires professional help, and it also requires motivation and a long-term mindset for recovery. If you or someone you know has an opioid addiction and is ready to get help, contact a mental health counselor like one with Dr Kuris Counseling Centers today.