Opiates Addiction Treatment In Toronto
The opiates addiction crisis is considered one of the biggest challenges facing modern Western society across the globe. Accounting the large majority of all drug overdoses globally, opiates and opioids are extremely addictive and cause a range of life-threatening physical side effects that can easily result in death.
Freedom From Addiction offers a comprehensive opiate addiction treatment in Toronto using a person-centric approach. Our highly experienced medical professionals utilize medical detoxification along with behavioural therapies to isolate the cause of the addiction and giving clients the tools they need to avoid relapse and lead drug-free lives.
What are Opiates?
Opiates and opioids are a powerful class of painkillers that binds to opioid receptors in the brain to lower pain levels. Natural opiates are derived from the opium poppy, whereas synthetic or semi-synthetic opioids are designed and produced artificially. Examples of opiates include heroin, opium, and morphine, whereas opioids include drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Opiates are most commonly consumed in the form of prescription pills but can come in a range of powders, rocks, or tablets as well. Opiates are scheduled in a range of classes in Canada, with the vast majority being only available under prescription.
While different opiates and opioids will have slightly different effects, they all have common effects on the body including euphoria, decreased sensations of pain, sleepiness, feelings of warmth and apathy, and decreased anxiety. Physical effects are also common across all opioids and include constricted pupils, depressed breathing, slower heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. Effects can last anywhere from a couple of hours to up to 24 hours, depending on the route of administration and the kind of opioid taken.
Opiates and opioids have incredible addiction potential due to the way they act on the reward pathways in the brain. Physical and psychological dependence can happen in a very short period of time, with many who are prescribed opiates for standard pain management experiencing some form of addition. Combined with their potent depressant properties, opiates can cause coma and death very quickly if taken in too high amounts or if combined with other drugs.
The Rise of Prescription Opiate Abuse
The Opioid Overdose Crisis is one of the most serious public health issues facing the world today.
In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies were developing hundreds of new opioids that they assured the medical industry would not cause addiction. Doctors and physicians began prescribing them at a higher rate, as they were effective at managing pain in a wide range of cases. However, by the mid-2000s, it became clear that the addictive potential of opioids was not properly understood, and by 2017, more than 47,000 people were dying every year from opioid overdose in the U.S. alone.
With up to 29% of all clients who are prescribed opiates misusing them, the issue has quickly grown to a critical public health crisis that requires a coordinated effort to solve. Opiate addiction treatment is essential in weaning off opiates for good, and preventing relapse and potential overdose in the future.
Signs of Opiate Addiction
Opiate addiction can present in a number of characteristic ways quite similar to other addictions like heroin. You may be dealing with an opiate addiction if you notice any of the following:
- Apathy, disinterest in previously pleasurable activities
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Chronic constipation
- Financial issues stemming from drug use
- Constricted pupils
- Increased sensitivity to pain
Opiate addiction tends to be subtle and insidious, as many clients begin taking them for legitimate pain management. If you notice any of the above in yourself or a loved one, you should seek opiate addiction treatment as soon as possible to avoid potentially devastating outcomes.
Opiate Addiction Treatment At Freedom From Addiction
At Freedom From Addiction, we take a person-centric approach to opiate addiction treatment. Combining supervised medical detoxification with holistic behavioural health therapies, we can give our clients the best chance at leading happy, drug-free lives.
Opiates are some of the most addictive substances available, and their physical and social damage can be extreme. Withdrawals can occur rapidly and feature a range of highly unpleasant side effects such as intense nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, insomnia, and anxiety. In many cases, addicts attempting to go through this process alone will break down and take more opiates just to stop the symptoms from continuing. Our state of the art medical detox facility allows opiate users to go through withdrawals in a safe and supportive space surrounded by medical professionals. Supporting medications can be prescribed to lessen the more severe side effects, while vital signs can be monitored to ensure they are within acceptable limits.
Following successful detox, we approach opiate addiction treatment with a holistic range of synergistic therapies. These include individual and group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and family programs to ensure all aspects of addiction are addressed. We only offer personalized fitness programs to help reconnect clients with their bodies and a sense of routine, which has been shown to improve client outlook and lower the chance of relapse.
Freedom From Addiction takes pride in being the leading opiate addiction treatment centre in Toronto. We have received the prestigious Qmentum grade accreditation from Accreditation Canada with commendation, something only a handful of addiction clinics have achieved across Canada. Our focus on holistic opiate addiction treatment allows our clients to regain control of their lives while rebuilding important social connections.
Contact us today and find out how we can help you.