Opioid Abuse Treatment

Addiction may be hard for you or someone you know to deal with. It can affect various aspects of your life such as work, friends, love, and more. If you or someone you know may be suffering from opioid abuse and are seeking treatment, consider contacting us today at CEC Health Center. We offer opioid abuse treatment in Nassau county that accepts Medicaid. Our mission to serve underrepresented patients is our utmost priority regardless of their inability to pay. We will offer an individualized treatment plan that can get you back on the path to recovery. 

What are Opioids? 

Opioids are a group of drugs that are used to treat and relieve pain. These drugs when entered in the body bind to receptors in your brain, spinal cord, and other areas to release dopamine, the body’s natural pain-killer.

 A list of opioid drugs that are commonly prescribed are:

• Codeine
• Fentanyl 
• Hydromorphone 
• Methadone 
• Morphine
• Oxycodone 
• Oxymorphone 

 Heroin is derived from morphine and is considered the most highly addictive opioid drug. Whether obtained illegally or prescribed, opioids are highly addictive and it’s important to understand what are the side effects and how to tell if someone may be overdosing.  

What are the Side Effects?

When taken, opioids release the body’s natural pain-killing hormone known as dopamine. These give a feeling of pain relief which is temporary. As a result, people will continue to take doses of it to achieve the same “high” feeling. However, over time your body begins to build a tolerance and it will require more doses to achieve the same effect which can lead to dependency or addiction.  

Side effects include not limited to:

• Pain relief
• Confusion
• Constipation 
• A slower rate of breathing 
• Dizziness 
• Depression 
• Drowsiness
• Headaches 
• Itchiness
• Nausea

 What If I am Addicted? 

 It is important to understand the difference between dependency and addiction. Dependency is where your body becomes dependent on the drug. You begin to need more and more of the doses to achieve the same effect and experience withdrawal if you stop taking the drug. Addiction occurs when you cannot stop using the drug regardless of any consequences. 

The signs of addiction vary from person to person depending on the type of substance they take. However, the general warning signs include:

• Daily use of the drug.
• Experiencing a sense of urgency to use the drug that it prohibits you from concentrating on anything else. 
• You begin to take larger doses of the drug or prolong use than intended. 
• You take larger doses to achieve the same effect. 
• You always have a supply of the drug. 
• You begin to spend your money on the drug which was meant for necessities. 
• Develop risky behaviors to get the drug such as stealing or becoming violent. 
• Engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence such as unprotected sex and driving. 
• Experiencing withdrawals when you stop using the drug.

If you notice a shift in personality, behavioral, physical, performance or health, you or someone you know may be experiencing an addiction. Contact us today and start an opioid abuse treatment in Nassau county that accepts Medicaid to get you back the path of recovery.  

What Are My Options? 

 The first step if you think someone may be experiencing addiction is to learn about the misconceptions of the drug and how it can affect the brain. Asking is the next step when you or a loved one is ready to seek treatment. We advise bringing a family member or friend who can help you begin the road to treatment. 

Once acceptance has been filled, detoxification begins. This is the process of ending opioid usage as quickly as possible and can take anywhere from several days to weeks.  Our doctor will complete an examination and develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Once the drug is out of your system, treatment can begin. 

Treatment options include: 

• Medicines
• Counseling Therapy
• Support groups
• Residential and hospital-based treatment centers

Relapse is also part of the recovery process. it is important to avoid outside triggers and reduce your risk of relapsing in the future. 

Contact Us Today

If you are seeking opioid abuse treatment in Nassau county that accepts Medicaid, contact us today at CEC Health Center. We will assist you by developing a treatment plan that is right for you and take your life back from opioid addiction.