While a basic understanding of the function of narcotics and their effect on the (normal) brain of a chronic user is simplistic when determining who is likely to abuse opiate medications and why they are in a particularly high risk group for opiate addiction, the truth is, of course, much deeper than that.

Historically, opiate addicts–those who abuse and become dependent on heroin and other other forms of opium including synthetic opiates, such as methadone–have been characterized primarily by their low functionality on the social spectrum. Stimulant addicts; those abusing cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine and other stimulant drugs are the “go-getters” of the addiction spectrum, as a general rule. Therefore, it is important to determine who is likely to become addicted to and dependent on opiates. This information can educate those in the medical field about who are more likely to use and abuse opiate medications.

By and large, there is a certain amount of truth in the theory that “B-type” personalities are those drawn to the opiate family of drugs. There is a certain tendency for opiate addicts to come from certain types of personality and character development patterns. The largest tendency for opiate addicts is those who suffer from disorders stemming from development of social anxieties or having difficulty with relationships, both personal and social. This group also has a low tendency toward regulation of affect, along with little or no development of psychosis. Another group predominantly tending to abuse opiates is those with a low threshold of reality-based cognitions, with impaired views of reality vs. fantasy regarding relationships. The third group is probably the most highly-functional of the three, socially and intellectually. They are somewhat disillusioned about reality ideation, but not psychologically impaired. They are somewhat, mildly depressed as a rule, but not clinically depressed or impaired. Many in this group function with a low energy for many years, with and without opiates.

In today’s trend toward abusing prescription pain killers (synthetic opioids) the latter is probably the most frequently found group. While a certain amount of social functioning is present, due to the high cost of maintaining their addiction and the necessity for obtaining and maintaining numerous prescriptions, they are highest in likelihood of pulling this off. In astonishing numbers, we see them in hospitals, public sector jobs, and other places where drugs are part of the world they inhabit.

Heroin and other opiates are considered “street drugs.” The groups using these substances are more traditionally recognized as the addicts who steal money and goods to pay for their drugs, rather than those who must maintain employment and insurance and who are more functional socially. This group is lower functioning and less likely to be involved in the workplace, unless it is on jobs where they have low productivity and poor attendance records.

Initially, opiates will have beneficial and highly pleasurable effects on the user. Dependence develops quickly because the drugs produce euphoric sensations that lead to more frequent use.. Dependence also develops due to the tolerance to specified amounts of the drug that develop rapidly with use. Because these are the drugs most frequently used for pain management, those with chronic pain symptoms and long-term and chronic pain are highly susceptible to addiction and more likely to go through symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Understanding the nature of those who are likely to become dependent on the drugs is important for monitoring patients on pain medication regimens for early signs of abuse. Figuring out what caused the addiction initially and figuring out other solutions is the first step toward opiate recovery.

Kelly McClanahan has an MSW in clinical social work, with a specialization in substance abuse treatment. Having worked in this field for over 20 years, she is currently working on her certification as an addictions’ counselor.

Methadone is a medication that is used in the treatment of opiate addiction. Methadone is a long-acting opiate that is designed to stay in the system for 24-48 hours, making it possible for addicts to only take the medication once a day, as opposed to a short-acting opiate like heroin, which many addicts use every few hours in order to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. Methadone works very similar to other painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin, and can be prescribed as part of an ongoing pain management regimen, and researchers have found that it’s a very effective form of treatment when used to treat opiate addiction.

When a person is prescribed methadone to treat addiction, the person comes to a methadone clinic once a day to get a dose of methadone that is taken in front of a nurse. Methadone is usually dispensed as a liquid, although also comes in pill and wafer form. Addicts are closely monitored by a doctor to make sure they are not taking too much methadone and that there is no interaction with other medications. Addicts also provide random urine specimens on a regular basis in order to be monitored for illicit drug use. As part of treatment, addicts are also expected to attend individual and group therapy in order to address some of the issues that may have led to initial drug use.

Benefits of Methodone

There are several benefits to using methadone as a way to treat opiate addiction:

• When a person is on the correct dose of methadone, the medication allows them to feel normal, and not “high.” Methadone allows the addict to avoid symptoms of withdrawal while performing activities of daily living such as raising a family and going to work.
• Methadone only has to be taken once a day, as opposed to other opiates that need to be taken several times a day to avoid withdrawal. Addicts do not have to worry about trying to get their next “fix” and, therefore, the amount of crime and illegal activity associated with active drug use drops dramatically.
• Methadone is often times much cheaper for the addict to take, as addicts often times spend hundreds of dollars a day on street drugs.
• Methadone is regulated by the FDA and is, therefore, much safer for the addict to take than street drugs, which can be laced or cut with chemicals or poisons.
• The incidence of contracting or spreading diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV is also reduced, as addicts do not use or share needles to take methadone.
• Finally, methadone that is taken by pregnant women helps to reduce the chance of miscarriage and risky behavior while pregnant, and the fetus will not be going into withdrawal. Women also have a greater chance of seeking out healthcare and seeing an OB regularly if they are able to be on a stable dose of methadone.

Many people that subscribe to an abstinence based model of treatment believe that because methadone is still a drug, people taking methadone are not really clean and sober. When viewed from a risk-reduction model of treatment, methadone can be seen as a medication that helps opiate dependent individuals lead healthier, productive lives.

Jessica Parks is a certified alcohol and drug counselor in the state of Illinois and has her M.A. in art therapy counseling.

Addicts Don’t Have To Live Life with Heroin; Heroin Treatment Solutions Readily Available

Throughout the U.S., heroin treatment solutions are available for addicts, regardless if those addicts have been prescribed legalized forms of heroin and are consequently addicted, or if they became addicted to heroin through street drugs and illegal sales.

Heroin treatment solutions are readily available because heroin is such an addictive drug that is widely used both legally and recreationally. Equally, as up to 90% of heroin is produced in Afghanistan, the trafficking of heroin is and has been an international problem.

Most developed countries classify heroin as a Schedule 1 drug. Its’ pain relieving and medicinal properties have been known for centuries, but its’ devastating long-term effects on the human body have only come largely to light during the 20th century.

As the medical and drug community began to realize the harmful effects of prolonged or continued use of heroin, heroin treatment solutions have come to life to help addicts alleviate themselves of the grip of the drug. Through these heroin treatment solutions, drug addicts looking to recover can find treatment, support, and information to help them live sober lives.

Consult SoberRecovery.com for Heroin Treatment Solutions

An online resource for heroin treatment solutions is just a click away.

For nearly a decade, SoberRecovery.com has helped recovering addicts and their families and loved ones deal with heroin addiction. Through heroin treatment solutions and options at SoberRecovery.com, drug addicts looking to get clean and stay clean can find hope and help with their addiction. From inpatient treatment options to online community forums and support groups, heroin treatment solutions are available 24-7 at www.soberrecovery.com.

To Find Heroin Treatment Centers, Other Drug Addiction Resources, Visit SoberRecovery.com

From lists allowing you to find heroin treatment centers in your area of the country, all the way through to online community forums for heroin and other drug and alcohol treatment centers, SoberRecovery.com has been for nearly a decade the online resource for drug and alcohol addiction.

When you go to find heroin treatment centers, you may need to recognize that heroin treatment is particularly difficult compared to some other drugs. This is because heroin is such an addictive drug; when taken, heroin replaces hormones your body already produces, which leads to your body no longer producing those hormones and therefore making the user take more heroin to replace the hormones the body no longer produces. It is a nasty cycle that typically requires prescription to methadone to relieve the physical withdrawal symptoms and pain, which can be severe.

To Find Heroin Treatment Centers, Research Methadone Along with Primary, then Outpatient Treatment

When looking to find heroin treatment centers, you’ll want to look into what methadone actually does in conjunction with primary (also called inpatient) treatment. Following a methadone regimen coupled with inpatient treatment at a heroin treatment center, many recovering addicts will also undertake outpatient treatment to keep them strong and free from the pull of heroin after they’ve left the inpatient treatment center.

Additionally, many recovering heroin addicts regularly attend group and/or individual counseling sessions to gain strength from other recovering addicts as well as recognize individual behaviors that may have contributed to their heroin addiction in the first place.

For more information or to find heroin treatment centers, visit www.soberrecovery.com.

Heroin Treatment Centers Throughout the Country Offer Recovering Addicts, Families Hope

Heroin treatment centers around the U.S. are available for those looking to recover from the drug and live a clean and sober life. Though many drugs are highly addictive, few are as difficult to detox from as is heroin. Heroin treatment centers employ a variety of treatment methods and highly trained professionals to help recovering addicts wean themselves from the physical addiction of the drug, learn about the emotional or mental behaviors that enabled them to become addicted to the drug, as well as learn to live a life free from the addiction.

Through methadone, a prescription detox treatment used at many heroin treatment centers, recovering addicts do not have nearly as severe physical withdrawal symptoms as they would have if no prescription detox help was available.

 Heroin Treatment Centers Recognize the Highly Addictive Properties of Heroin

Heroin is so difficult a drug to stop taking because of the very nature of the drug itself. By augmenting naturally occurring euphoric hormones in the brain, heroin, a semi-synthetic opiod drug, makes the user feel pleasure and heightened good feelings. Eventually, because the brain recognizes that these pleasure hormones are being introduced into the brain rather than made by the body itself, the body stops producing its own hormones. The addict then must shoot up heroin in order to feel better or even just to feel normal.

Heroin treatment centers realize this and are ready to help heroin addicts recover from their addiction. In addition to methadone prescriptions, recovering addicts receive counseling and support at heroin treatment centers. From sharing their experiences with other recovering addicts as well as counselors, therapists, psychologists, or other staff at heroin treatment centers, recovering addicts can learn from their mistakes and recognize behaviors they may have exhibited that influenced them to take heroin in the first place.

For more information, or to find heroin treatment centers near you, visit www.soberrecovery.com.