Opioid Addiction
Rushford offers a wide range of services for adults and teens struggling with opioid use disorder, to help you work through withdrawals and start the journey to long-term recovery.
Contact us for more information on our opioid addiction treatment programs for adults and teens.
Call 877.577.3233
Opioids are a class of drugs used primarily for pain relief. They include:
- Oxycontin or Percocet (oxycodone)
- Vicodin (hydrocodone)
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
Prescription opioid pain relievers can be safe when prescribed by a doctor and taken for a short time, but regular use can lead to dependence. Opioids also cause feelings of relaxation and euphoria, which often cause them to be missed, leading to addiction, overdose, or even death.
People may misuse prescription opioids by:
- Using a larger dose than prescribed
- Consuming the medicine in a way that was not prescribed (i.e. crushing pills, opening capsules, dissolving powder in water, snorting powder or injecting liquid into a vein)
- Taking someone else’s prescription medicine
- Using the medicine to get high rather than to treat pain
In the short term, opioids relieve pain and create feelings of euphoria, but may also cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing.
Repeated use or misuse of opioids can lead to opioid use disorder, an illness affecting more than 2 million Americans. Symptoms of opioid use disorder include:
- Strong desire to use opioids
- Increased tolerance to opioids
- Failure to fulfill obligations at home or work
- Trouble reducing use
- Withdrawal symptoms with discontinuation
People with an opioid use disorder may begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms as soon as a few hours after their last dose. They may include:
- Muscle and bone pain
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold flashes
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Severe cravings