The causes of opiate addiction.
Opiates are made from the poppy plant to serve as painkillers like morphine, codeine and heroin. They are used to treat pain after surgery, injury or after developing a chronic issue, because they change the way the brain and body perceive pain to produce feelings of euphoria. This means that those who abuse opiates, even […]
Opiates are drugs derived from the opium poppy plant and are used to treat pain. Opiates work by binding to the receptors in the brain to decrease the perception of pain. They have been in use for centuries, and over time some social stigmas have developed about opiate addiction. A few common examples of opiates […]
There is a close relationship between homelessness and opiate addiction. Homelessness can be a result of addiction, and the stress of homelessness can lead a person to abuse drugs. These cause-and-effects are also not exclusive, as a person can become homeless because of addiction and related issues, and the addiction may then continue or worsen […]
Everyone has difficult events that shape their lives, but for individuals that suffer from opiate addiction, negative life events can play a big role in the development and continuation of substance use. If traumatic, upsetting, or negative life events are not treated properly, a person may never fully come to grips with the implications of […]
Research has concluded that there is a connection between addiction and mental illness. With mood changes at the height of an addiction, it can be hard to determine whether mental illness traits are related to opiate abuse or are underlying issues that need to be addressed. An untreated pain pill addiction can easily mask a […]
In the United States, addiction to prescription opiate drugs and heroin is on the rise. The abuse of opioids such as heroin, morphine, and prescription pain relievers is a serious global problem that affects the health, social, and economic welfare of all societies. It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide.[1] […]
Most patients who go through surgery are given pain-blocking medications before, during and after their procedure. Prescription painkillers are highly effective and allow doctors to fix medical problems that would be far too painful to treat otherwise. These painkillers are often delivered intravenously before and during the procedure. During the recovery process, a lighter dose […]
Most individuals who suffer from a mental illness will try different methods of treatment in order to reduce their symptoms. Some may reach for herbal remedies, such as vitamins, but others may reach for drugs and/or alcohol to dull painful symptoms. Dissociative personality disorder is a mental illness with troubling side effects, so patients with […]
If you have an addictive personality, you are more likely to develop an addiction to drugs. It is estimated that between 10%-15% of the population has an addictive personality.[1] However, the good news is that an addictive personality disorder does not mean you will become an addict. So what specifically does it mean to have […]
Using opiates to cope with difficult situations – like the illness of a loved one – may seem logical…even necessary. But, in most cases, opiate abuse ends up making a difficult situation even worse. (more…)
