Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment in Colorado

What are opioids?

Opioids, also known as Oxy, Percs, and Vikes, are a group of drugs that can be found in the opium poppy plant or made by scientists in a lab using the same chemical structure. Opioids contain chemicals that can relax the body and produce a feeling of relaxation or euphoria, which can make them addictive and dangerous. These drugs are often used as prescription medications to relieve moderate to severe pain, coughing, and diarrhea, but their addictive nature makes opioid recovery an essential process for many. This is why Achieve Whole Recovery offers comprehensive opioid addiction treatment in Colorado Springs and Denver, addressing the complexity of opioid addiction. People misuse prescription opioids by taking them in ways or doses other than prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription, or using the medicine to get high. Heroin, an opioid that is never used as a medicine in the United States, exemplifies the risks associated with opioid misuse.

Opioid Dependence and How It Develops

Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other organs in the body, which blocks pain signals and releases large amounts of dopamine, causing a feeling of pleasure and reinforcing the use of the drug. While opioids can provide short-term relief of pain and make a person feel relaxed and happy, they can also have harmful effects on the body, including drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, euphoria, and slowed breathing.

Research has found that taking opioid medicines for more than a few days raises the risk of long-term use. After only five days on an opioid medication, the likelihood increases that a person will still be using opioids a year later. Long-term use of prescription opioids, even when taken as prescribed by a doctor, can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Dependency can occur with repeated use and lead to physiological reactions when the drug is absent. This is where prescription opioid treatment becomes crucial, and the opioid recovery process at Achieve Whole Recovery is designed to manage these effects. Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences and long-lasting changes in the brain.

Signs of Opioid Misuse and Addiction

Opioid misuse can be difficult to recognize, especially when it begins with a legitimate prescription. Common signs of opioid addiction include taking more medication than prescribed, continuing to use opioids after pain has resolved, seeking prescriptions from multiple providers, mood swings or irritability, withdrawal from social and family responsibilities, and using opioids to cope with stress or emotional pain. Physical signs may include drowsiness, constricted pupils, slowed breathing, and significant changes in weight or appearance.

Risks of Opioid Overdose

Prescription opioids can cause an overdose if someone takes enough of the drug to produce life-threatening symptoms or death. An opioid overdose can lead to a decrease in the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which can result in coma, permanent brain damage, or death. Overdose risk is significantly higher when opioids are combined with other substances, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Valium, other sedatives, or illicit drugs including fentanyl and heroin. If someone suspects that someone has overdosed on opioids, they should call 911 immediately so that the person can receive medical attention and opioid treatment. Medical personnel will administer naloxone, which is a medication that can help with opioid overdose recovery. Naloxone works by rapidly binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of opioid drugs. It is available as an injectable solution, a hand-held auto-injector, and a nasal spray. In some states, naloxone can be dispensed by pharmacists without a personal prescription, which allows friends, family, and members of the community to use it to save someone who is overdosing.

Misuse of opioids can lead to dangerous health effects, including hypoxia and the risk of contracting infectious diseases, particularly when sharing drug injection equipment. Pregnant women who use prescription opioids are at risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome and low birth weight. Opioid treatment with methadone or buprenorphine, combined with prenatal care and a comprehensive drug treatment program, can improve outcomes for opioid-dependent pregnant women and their babies.

Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment at Achieve Whole Recovery

Various treatments, such as medicines and behavioral therapies, are effective in helping people quit using prescription opioids. To provide the best possible opioid treatment, it is important to match the appropriate treatment approach to each patient’s individual needs. Medicines such as lofexidine, buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are helpful in reducing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and preventing opioid drugs from having an effect. Behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management are also effective in modifying drug-use expectations, behaviors, and managing triggers and stress. These approaches can be even more effective for opioid recovery when combined with medications.

If you are interested in prescription opioid addiction treatment, learn more about our medically assisted treatment (MAT) and psychiatry services or call us at (303) 749-5150.

Frequently Asked Questions About Opioid Addiction

Are opioids addictive even when taken as prescribed?

Yes. Anyone who takes prescription opioids can become dependent on them, regardless of whether they are following their prescription exactly. Opioids trigger powerful reward centers in the brain, and the brain can begin to adapt to their presence over time. Tolerance builds, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect, and stopping can trigger withdrawal. This does not mean a person has done anything wrong. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failure.

What is opioid withdrawal, and is it dangerous?

Opioid withdrawal occurs when someone who has become physically dependent on opioids reduces or stops use. Symptoms include anxiety, muscle aches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, goosebumps, insomnia, and intense cravings. While opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening on its own, it is extremely uncomfortable and carries a significant risk of relapse. Quitting opioids suddenly after a period of heavy use is also dangerous because tolerance drops quickly, meaning a return to previous doses can cause a fatal overdose.

How long does opioid withdrawal last?

For short-acting opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone, withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 8 to 24 hours of the last dose and peak within 36 to 72 hours. The acute phase usually resolves within 5 to 7 days. For longer-acting opioids like methadone, withdrawal may not begin for 36 to 48 hours and can last two weeks or more. Psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and cravings can persist for weeks to months beyond the acute phase.

Does Suboxone work for opioid addiction?

Yes. Suboxone, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone, is one of the most effective FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it activates opioid receptors enough to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the intense high associated with full opioids. The naloxone component helps deter misuse. Suboxone is a cornerstone of medication-assisted treatment and is available through Achieve Whole Recovery’s MAT program.

Does methadone treat opioid addiction?

Yes. Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing euphoria when taken as directed. It has been used in opioid addiction treatment for decades and is one of the most well-studied medications for opioid use disorder. Methadone is dispensed through licensed opioid treatment programs and is particularly effective for individuals with severe or long-term opioid dependence.