No matter how an opioid addiction develops, whether with legal or illegal drugs, uncontrollable cravings and intense withdrawal symptoms make it nearly impossible to break the habit on your own. With outpatient addiction treatment from Karen Hanks, MD, and her caring team at Priority Health in Union City, Tennessee, you can detox and recover without going through withdrawal and remain in the comfort of your own home. If you need help for an opioid addiction, call the office or book an appointment online today.

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What opioids lead to addiction?

Opioids are a large group of prescription and illegal drugs. No matter what type you use, they’re all highly addictive.

Heroin is the most common illegal opioid. Prescription opioids that are used to relieve severe and chronic pain include:

  • Fentanyl
  • Codeine
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)

Of all the opioids, fentanyl is currently the strongest and most dangerous. Fentanyl, the primary cause of overdoses, is 50-100 times more potent than morphine.

What causes an opioid addiction?

When you take an opioid, it stimulates your brain, sending a surge of biochemicals through your body. You experience pain relief and a feeling of euphoria.

With ongoing opioid use, your brain changes in response to the drugs, causing uncontrollable cravings. Then your brain gets used to the amount you use, and you need higher or more frequent doses to get the same results.

Then withdrawal symptoms begin if you’re late taking the next dose, or you try to stop. At that point, you have an opioid addiction.

What happens when withdrawing from an opioid addiction?

You have cravings within 3-4 hours of your last dose. Then 8-10 hours later, flu-like symptoms begin (nausea, vomiting, stomachaches, and sweating).

In 1-3 days after your last dose, you experience body tremors, muscle spasms, insomnia, and diarrhea. You also have intense cravings.

After the physical symptoms go away, you stay in a vulnerable emotional and psychological state for up to two years. During this time you may experience:

  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Cravings
  • Insomnia
  • Difficulty concentrating

You can avoid all withdrawal symptoms with addiction treatment at Priority Health.

How is an opioid addiction treated?

The team at Priority Health uses medication-assisted treatment (MAT), an outpatient approach that combines medication with therapy.

During MAT, your provider prescribes Suboxone®, a medication that stops opioid cravings and prevents withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone also helps restore balance to your brain chemicals.

You take your first dose in the office under close supervision. They watch for signs of physical problems and make sure you’re on the right dose to prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Afterward, you take daily doses of Suboxone at home.

When your cravings stop, your provider may adjust your dose. However, you can stay on Suboxone or another medication during your recovery to prevent a relapse.

Don’t wait to seek help for an opioid addiction. Call Priority Health or book an appointment online today.