Dallas Opiate Addiction Treatment Process

By John Fox


Opiates originate from opium poppy plants. Some are manufactured in laboratories. Opiates are examples of opioids. These drugs are known to reduce pain, produce euphoria and reduce anxiety. Addicts use various methods when taking them. They are snorted, smoked or taken through the mouth. Severely addicted people prefer using intravenous injection so as to acquire quickest and strongest pleasure. Intravenous injection may lead to overdose, infectious diseases, death and respiratory arrest. Addicts should seek Dallas opiate addiction treatment for the good of their health.

Physicians in hospitals located in Dallas, TX use opiates to help patients reduce pain. To ensure patients are not addicted, they use correct amount and procedure. Most importantly, they administer these drugs to patients using right techniques. Addicted people, who try to withdraw from use of opiates without following recommended procedure, may not be successful. They are likely to start abusing drugs after experiencing disturbing withdrawal symptoms.

Commonly experienced withdrawal symptoms are; agitation, muscle ache, nausea, tremors, anxiety, vomiting and diarrhea. Although one feels very uncomfortable after withdrawing from drugs, symptoms do not threaten his or her life. Withdrawal speed and dose consumed determines severity of symptoms. People who take different opioid are likely to experience varying intensities of symptoms. In most cases, consumers of heroine experience severest symptoms.

The initial treatment stage is called detoxification. Addicts undertaking treatment are given medications to minimize effects of symptoms associated with withdrawal procedure. To minimize chances of medics treating patients with wrong type or quantity of medication, they commence by investigating quantity of opiate within blood of particular patient. Furthermore, his or her medical history is studied. The doctor uses information gotten to determine medication type and procedure to apply.

During detoxification, health practitioners use drugs to reduce negative impact of symptoms experienced as one tries to quit. Some of these drugs are; suboxone, methadone and subutex. Suboxone and even subutex occur in tablet form. In a single day, these drugs are taken only once and dissolve under tongue. Suboxone contains both naloxone and buprenorphine. These drugs have been proven to be highly effective in suppressing discomfort brought about by withdrawal symptoms. Most medics prefer suboxone and also subutex to methadone when treating patients.

When patients become medically stabilized, they may stop taking detoxification medications. They are then encouraged to move rehabilitation program. During this stage, patients are taught relapse prevention and coping skills. Most importantly, they are trained how they can live comfortably without using opiates. Recovering patients are trained how to become useful members in society.

Patient then moves to dual diagnosis treatment. In this case, psychiatrist checks and investigates mental health of patient. This professional investigates the level of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety in patient. The professional is likely to make a decision whether patient to proceed with medications or not depending on findings of examination.

When two or more people commence treatment process at the same time, they cannot recover at the same time. This may be experienced especially, if some have been addicted for longer period than others. Such differences could occur in case addicts have been using different types of opiates. Those, who have taken large quantities of opiates, will take longer time to recover. Most patients recover after about six to eight weeks.




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