The opioid epidemic continues to dominate headlines and public health debates. In fact, more people in the United States now die from opioid overdoses than from car accidents.
This class of drugs includes both prescriptions and illegal substances, but what are opioids exactly? Medical experts define opioids as drugs that interact with the body’s nervous system in order to provide relief from pain. They come in the form of liquid, capsules or tablets. Abuse of opioids can lead to addiction, physical dependence and devastating withdrawal symptoms.
If you’re suffering from opioid addiction, call us today at 866.262.0531 for help.
What are opioids? Common Types
Opioids are a class of drugs that includes the illegal drug heroin, as well as prescription pain relievers such as morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. These drugs are chemically related to opium, the substance extracted from the poppy plant. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors located in the central nervous system and brain. When these receptors are activated, they reduce the perception of pain. Opioids can also produce a sense of euphoria and relaxation.
Common opioids like codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine are available on the market under a wide variety of brand names. Although most people take them orally, fentanyl may be administered through a patch. Nausea, constipation, and drowsiness rank among the top side effects of opioids.
Often, medical professionals prescribe opioids to treat patients for severe pain. Unfortunately, improper use of these drugs can lead to serious addiction. Opioid drugs can be addictive both physically and psychologically. People who use opioids for long periods of time may develop tolerance to the drugs, meaning they need increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effects. When people abruptly stop using opioids, they may then experience withdrawal symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea.
If you’re dealing with oxycodone addiction or another form of opioid dependence, consider Crestview Recovery Center in Portland, Oregon. As a leading rehabilitation center in the Pacific Northwest, Crestview Recovery can help guide your healing process.
Overcoming Substance Use
Crestview Recovery features comprehensive addiction treatment programs and a 30-bed facility. In addition, our facility offers intensive outpatient care, partial hospitalization, and aftercare.
With insurance-based payment plans, Crestview Recovery is an ideal fit for men and women ages 18 and up. You don’t have to live in Portland or Oregon to benefit from the treatment. In fact, many clients come from Seattle, Idaho, Montana and elsewhere throughout the western U.S.
Crestview Recovery has a full range of effective recovery programs, including:
- Dual diagnosis therapy
- Individual therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Safe detox referral process
- Full medical evaluations
The facility’s master level therapists are there for you every step of the way. The privacy, comfort, and safety of clients are the top priorities at Crestview Recovery Center.
Opioid Rehab in Portland
If you’re looking for the most effective substance use treatments in the Pacific Northwest, explore Crestview Recovery’s options. Our center’s 90-day extended care program stands out as a perfect fit for those struggling with opiate addiction and other substances.
The amenities at Crestview Recovery are second to none. Moreover, the facility capitalizes on its location with easy access to nearby whitewater rafting, skiing, and snowboarding destinations. Because the staff members at Crestview Recovery believe that enjoying sobriety is a key to successful recovery, fishing, camping and other recreational activities are available as part of the center’s recovery programs.
What are opioids doing to your life? If you’re suffering from substance use, don’t allow addiction to ruin your life. Quality help is readily available for anyone seeking rehabilitation solutions. Therefore, reach out to us today at 866-580-4160 to begin your road to recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
