4 Ways to Manage PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects people from all walks of life who’ve been through trauma. Learn lifestyle strategies you can use to stay on top of your PTSD symptoms.
Warning Signs You’ve Developed an Opioid Addiction
Opioids are powerful medications sometimes needed to control severe and chronic pain. But using them outside of your doctor’s recommendations or recreationally can quickly lead to a life-altering opioid addiction.
At Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment, board-certified psychiatrist Richard E. Repass, MD, offers comprehensive help if you think you might have an addiction to opioids.
Dr. Repass recommends that you reach out for an evaluation if you find you’re no longer able to control your dependency on opioids or if you’re experiencing other warning signs that you’ve developed an opioid addiction.
Understanding the power of opioids
Opioids are highly addictive painkillers that work by bonding to receptor sites in your brain to interfere with pain signals.
Your brain already produces endorphins, natural chemicals that work by reducing pain and providing you with a feeling of well-being. When you take opioids recreationally or for medical reasons, they increase the effect of your endorphins and cause pleasurable sensations to flood through you.
This feeling of pleasure, even euphoria, can hook you into taking more, so you continue to feel good. The longer you misuse the opioids, the more likely you are to develop an opioid dependency.
Once you move away from taking the medications as directed and begin abusing them, you build up a tolerance to the opioids. This means you need to take more of the drug to achieve the same feeling. The more you use, the more likely you are to engage in risky and reckless behavior to gain access to the drug.
Warning signs you might have an opioid addiction
It's possible that the first warning signs of an opioid addiction aren’t something you’ll recognize on your own. It might be that your friends and loved ones start voicing their concerns over changes in your behavior, your personality, or your actions.
Some common warning signs others might see in you because of an opioid addiction include:
- Weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- Changes in appetite
- Stealing
- Isolation or avoidance of friends and family
- Difficulties keeping up with financial and personal responsibilities
You might notice the physical side effects of an opioid addiction in yourself, such as frequent drowsiness, loss of libido, and persistent flu-like symptoms.
An opioid addiction is also likely to cause uncontrollable cravings that make you do almost anything to get more of the drug.
If you think you’re no longer able to control your opioid use and need help for addiction, you can rely on the compassion and the discretion our team at Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment.
Treatment options for opioid addiction
One of the reasons people don’t seek treatment for an opioid addiction is because of the withdrawal effects, such as the fear of sickness and the intense cravings.
Dr. Repass offers solutions to help you overcome your addiction to opioids and assist you with a safe detox from the drug. Using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a substance found naturally in your body, our recovery team can help you stop opioid use without the cravings or physical side effects.
Our infusion of BR+NAD™ is delivered intravenously. You receive a slow-drip therapy every day for 10-15 days to help you detox from the drug. NAD is effective at restoring your brain’s function, improving your mood, and helping regulate your impulse control.
In addition to BR+NAD infusions, Dr. Repass specializes in medication-assisted treatments using Suboxone® to help you detox without withdrawal symptoms. He combines this and NAD therapy with extensive counseling to reduce your risk factors for relapse.
If you’re struggling under the weight of an opioid addiction, contact us at Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment in Mercer Island, Washington.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Helping a Loved One with Bipolar Disorder
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can affect the family members and friends of people with the disorder and even trigger relationship conflicts. Learn more about bipolar disorder and the steps you can take to be a good support system.
Can Anyone See a Psychiatrist?
Working with a psychiatrist can be instrumental in helping you face with confidence the challenges of anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Find out what you can expect at your first psychiatric evaluation.
Understanding Alcohol Poisoning: Signs and Treatments
Excessive alcohol use can quickly spiral out of control and increase your risk for alcohol poisoning. Learn more about the warning signs of alcohol poisoning and what to do if you or someone you love struggles to quit drinking.
Why Can't I Stop my Cannabis Habit?
When you’re ready to live life without dependence on cannabis, you may be a candidate for BR+NAD™ infusion therapy. Learn how BR+NAD works to reduce drug cravings, so you can break free from the hold of cannabis.
How a Psychiatrist Can Help You Manage Parkinson's Disease
Those with Parkinson’s disease have more to deal with than just their physical symptoms. Learn how the condition contributes to issues like anxiety and depression and why psychiatric care is an important part of your treatment plan.