Opioid Addiction

Substance Abuse

Opioid Addiction

At our drug rehab in Pennsylvania, just a few miles from New Jersey, we believe recovery is a hard road to walk alone, but we can journey together through the healing process. A life worth living is possible after drug rehab.

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What are Opioids?

All opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose incidents, and deaths. The progression from use to abuse of opioids leads people to move to cheaper and more accessible drugs such as heroin and fentanyl. Those with a physical dependence need to continue use to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, while others with a psychological dependence believe they need it to survive.Those who stop using heroin abruptly develop withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The severity of the symptoms often lead the individual to seek out more substance to relief the pain. (Drugabuse.gov)
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What is heroin?

Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. Heroin can be a white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Other common names for heroin include big H, horse, hell dust, and smack. People inject, sniff, snort, or smoke heroin. Some people mix heroin with crack cocaine, a practice called speedballing.

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. Street names for fentanyl or for fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash. (Drugabuse.gov)

What are pain killers?

Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and codeine are opioids that are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. Prescription opioids are used mostly to treat moderate to severe pain, though some opioids can be used to treat coughing and diarrhea. Opioids can also make people feel very relaxed and “high” – which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive, and overdoses and death are common.

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Our holistic approach is designed to restore balance, and re-calibrate the mind, body and spirit through a combination of masterfully-planned clinical sessions and extraordinary experiential experiences.

Our programs are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the Drug and Alcohol Programs of Pennsylvania and offer an on-site Psychiatrist five days each week, two 1-on-1 sessions weekly with masters-level clinicians, group therapy daily, relapse prevention through exposure therapy, seasoned mental health professionals and so much more.

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Opioid Addiction

Drug Effects

Heroin and other opioids enter the brain rapidly and bind to opioid receptors on cells located in many areas, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure and in controlling heart rate, sleeping, and breathing.

Withdrawal Effects

Those who are addicted to heroin and stop using the drug abruptly may have severe withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms—which can begin as early as a few hours after the drug was last taken—include:
  • Restlessness
  • Severe muscle and bone pain
  • Sleep problems
  • Diarrhea and vomiting
  • Cold flashes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”)
  • Uncontrollable leg movements (“kicking the habit”)
  • Severe heroin cravings

Researchers are studying the long-term effects of opioid addiction on the brain. Studies have shown some loss of the brain’s white matter associated with heroin use, which may affect decision-making, behavior control, and responses to stressful situations.6–8

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Opioid Addiction

Signs of Abuse

Individuals who take inhalants over a long period of time can have withdrawal effects. Medically supervised detox from inhalants is recommended to prevent relapse and risk of death while using inhalants.

Short term effects:

People who use heroin and other opioids report feeling a “rush” (a surge of pleasure, or euphoria). However, there are other common effects, including:

  • Dry mouth
  • Warm flushing of the skin
  • Heavy feeling in the arms and legs
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe itching
  • Clouded mental functioning
  • Going “on the nod,” a back-and-forth state of consciousness

Long-Term Effects

People who use heroin over the long term may develop:

  • Insomnia
  • Collapsed veins for people who inject the drug
  • Damaged tissue inside the nose for people who sniff or snort it
  • Infection of the heart lining and valves
  • Abscesses (swollen tissue filled with pus)
  • Constipation and stomach cramping
  • Liver and kidney disease
  • Lung complications, including pneumonia
  • Mental disorders such as depression and antisocial disorder
  • Sexual dysfunction for men
  • Irregular menstrual cycles for women

Substance Abuse

Treatment for Opioid Addiction

A range of treatments including medicines and behavioral therapies are effective in helping people stop heroin use. It’s important to match the best treatment approach to meet the particular needs of each individual patient.

If you or someone you know is in danger of addition, there is help available. At Water Gap Wellness Center, we treat the root causes of addiction in a variety of settings. Our trained medical and clinical staff will guide you along the way to recovery from benzodiazepine addiction.

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We Accept Most Major Insurance

Many insurance plans cover the cost of Water Gap Wellness Center’s treatment plans – Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Rehab. Although Water Gap Wellness Center accepts benefits from most major insurers, it is essential to verify coverage before admission. Your admission counselor partners with you to determine coverage and benefits from companies like Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UHC, UMR, Humana, Magellan, Horizon, etc.

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