The term opiates is used when describing a wide range of narcotic pain killers. The street drug heroin is also an opiate. Opiates originally derive from the seed pod of the poppy plant which is grown mainly in Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and Mexico. Some common prescription opiates include Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycontin. Commonly prescribed as physical pain relievers, users also experience relief from varying emotional disorders as well. Those suffering from bi-polar disorder, PTSD, depression and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) report relief from their condition while under the influence of opiates. Two major problems, which also lead to dependence, with continued use of opiates are tolerance and withdrawal. Over time the opiate user develops a tolerance for the drug and needs higher doses to achieve the same pain killing effects and when trying to cut back or discontinue use is faced with many extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These two reasons alone can make recovery from opiates a daunting task.
Medical detox from opiate abuse is highly recommended. Professionals are trained in the administering of such drugs as Suboxone to ease the discomfort of withdrawal. Following detox, the opiate addict may choose to enter a rehab program which specializes in recovery from opiates. These rehabs can vary in length from 28 days to a year or more. The clean time achieved while in rehab will offer the addict a much better chance of recovery as he re-enters society. Drug rehabs will typically introduce the addict to a number of self help programs, including Narcotics Anonymous, which will be instrumental in the addict’s continued sobriety on the outside. Narcotics Anonymous is a 12 step program fashioned after Alcoholics Anonymous and has helped countless addicts maintain long term sobriety and live a happy life free of opiates.
