What is an Opiate?
Opiates, also known as narcotics, are powerful drugs derived from the poppy plant used frequently to relieve pain. They include:
Natural Opiates
Opium
Morphine
Codeine
Synthetic Opiates “Opioids”
Oxycodone, Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol
Heroin, OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Darvon
Percodan, Dilaudid, Methadone, Suboxone
Researchers report that physical addiction occurs after repeated use of an opiate alters the reward pathways in the brain. It is a real illness that causes physical damage to the brain, much like hypertension or diabetes damages the body. As a result, it is classified as a chronic disease and requires comprehensive medical treatment to address, not just willpower.
Opiate addiction is a brain disease that affects the lives of an estimated 4 million people creating compulsive, addictive behavior that destroys lives, careers, finances, health and families. Sadly, the guilt and stigma of this condition prevents many patients and family members from seeking medical treatment before it’s too late.
Our program is designed to educate you and your family members about this disease and to help you set your guilt, frustration and desperation aside, so you can embrace treatment. Our program offers medication assistance combined with counseling and support, offering you the highest possible chance of recovery. In fact, over 80% of our patients remain free of their previous addiction for more than 6 months – a truly remarkable achievement!
Who does Opiate Addiction affect?
There are many paths to addiction, ranging from individuals seeking relief from chronic pain, recovering from major surgery, to recreational drug users – all of whom gradually fell into reliance on an opiate. This diverse group of people encompasses all demographic and economic classes. Our patients include:
- Students
- Sales People
- Contractors
- Stay-at-home Moms
- Engineers
- Truck drivers
- Family Members
We approach each patient, not as an addict, but as an individual with a complex medical condition in need of respect, compassion, support and guidance.
What is the solution?
Our program provides:
- Medication-assisted treatment with Suboxone
- Counseling & support
- Medically supervised taper and withdrawal
- Post Suboxone support with Naltrexone
- We get amazing results!