Opioids are often used for pain relief. They are frequently prescribed to people who struggle with acute or chronic pain. They can be incredibly effective at managing pain. However, this efficacy can also lead to dependence, as people who use opioids may feel a sense of euphoria.

While they can be effective pain relievers, some people may take opioids to get high. This behaviour can become a dangerous habit, and people may find themselves needing thorough opioid addiction treatment.

At Sierra Recovery, we offer luxurious treatment services in the mountains of Malaga at a cost-effective rate that makes world-class treatment accessible to more people.

Opiate Use in the United Kingdom

While the Opioid Epidemic is most prominent in the United States, the United Kingdom is no stranger to opioid use and misuse. In fact, in 2019, the UK had the highest rate of opioid consumption in the world, and opioid use has increased roughly 388 per cent since 1993, though death rates have not reached those of the United States.

There are efforts to curb these deaths and to empower nurses, paramedics, and other professionals to be able to care to prevent opioid overdoses, as well as to expand support for people in recovery, with some police services issuing Narcan or Naloxone to its officers.

What is Opioid Addiction?

Opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder or OUD, is a form of substance abuse wherein a person becomes physically and mentally dependent on using opioids. When a person has OUD, using opioids becomes their highest priority, and they will continue to want to use them despite any negative consequences they may suffer as a result.

Like many other prescription drug addictions, one of the main drivers of opioid addiction is a legitimate need. Opioids are prescribed in the United Kingdom to manage pain, but they are recommended for short-term use as long-term use carries an increased risk of dependency.

However, many people who struggle with chronic pain may need opioids to manage that pain, so they may turn to illicit substances if they lose access to prescription opioids.

Even if a person doesn’t need opioids to manage severe pain, their short-term use may be enough for them to develop an addiction.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

Treatment for opioid addiction will require a multifaceted approach. Some of the methods that can be integrated into a treatment programme include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a therapeutic modality that is widely used to treat a variety of mental and behavioural health conditions. This modality is focused on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact with each other. By identifying and changing the thought patterns that contribute to opiate addiction, a person may be able to change their behaviour.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

DBT is an offshoot of CBT. It seeks to help patients develop skills in four key modules: core mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Developing proficiency in these four modules can help people manage their cravings and set boundaries within their relationships.

Individual Therapy

Individual counselling is an important part of treating opioid abuse or any behavioural health condition. In one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist, a person will be able to delve into the underlying causes of their drug use as well as develop coping skills to help them maintain their sobriety and prevent a relapse.

Group Therapy

Group counselling can also be a major part of substance abuse and mental health treatment. During group sessions, a person can connect with other people who are also working toward recovery. This can ease the feelings of isolation that often come with addiction, as well as give a person a chance to practise the coping skills that they develop in individual counselling.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic treatment services can be a vital part of opiate rehab. At Sierra Recovery, not only do we offer evidence-based methods to help treat opioid use, but we also integrate alternative therapies, such as equine therapy, into our treatment plans for substance use.

Signs of Opiate Use

Several signs may indicate that someone is under the influence of opioids. Some of the signs of opioid use are:

Effects of Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid addiction can have a debilitating impact on a person’s life. This is primarily why treatment as soon as possible is so crucial to helping someone prevent further damage not only to themselves but the people around them. Some of the primary components of this impact are:

Isolation

Because people who are struggling with opioid addiction prioritise opiate use over everything else, they may neglect their real-life relationships. This can cause feelings of isolation, as referred to above.

Dependence

A major effect of opiate abuse is dependence. This is when a person needs to use opioids to function normally. People who develop a dependence on opioids will almost certainly develop mental and physical withdrawal symptoms if they are unable to engage in drug use.

Tolerance

One of the most dangerous aspects of becoming dependent is that long-term use of opioids will cause a person to develop a tolerance. This means that they won’t feel opioids’ effects as sharply, and they won’t be able to get as high.

When people become tolerant of the drugs they take, they may take more to achieve a satisfactory high. This puts them at a major risk for overdose.

Social and Legal Problems

There are also social problems associated with opioid use. Synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl or heroin, are often what people turn to when they are unable to access prescription medication because they are under strict control in the United Kingdom.

Opioid addiction can lead to people acting in ways that may not be in their best interest so they can continue to engage in opioid use.

Managing Opioid Cravings

One of the most important parts of drug recovery is managing cravings. Inpatient care is not meant to last forever. It is intended to help people develop skills conducive to long-term recovery. However, people may need continued support as they continue their recovery journeys outside residential care.

Let Us Help You Overcome Opioid Dependence

It’s often the case that people who develop substance use disorder also struggle with their mental health. Depression, anxiety, and other related concerns can often co-occur. Because of this, we make sure that our treatment approach fits the patient’s specific needs.

To the patients who need treatment for mental health, process addiction, or another form of substance addiction, we can offer help.

Let Us Help You Overcome Opioid Dependence

Pain is a part of life, and opioids can help manage it for those for whom pain is overwhelming. But these drugs can also cause a different kind of pain. But it does not have to control your life and can be worked through. At Sierra Recovery, we’re to help you work through opioid addiction and gain back your life.