You’ve heard of the opioid crisis. Maybe you’re a part of it. Perhaps you worry about a loved one. Therefore, what are the different types of opioids, and how can you overcome an addiction to them?

Prescription Painkillers vs. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

For the average head or muscle ache, over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough. You follow the instructions on the bottle, and your problem goes away. For muscle aches, it may take a couple of doses for a few days to overcome the symptoms. However, there are types of pain that need more.

For example, you might have a chronic back pain condition. Someone else may have undergone surgery recently. Maybe you had an oral surgeon pull your wisdom teeth. These kinds of pain all respond well to various types of opioids.

Understanding the Different Types of Opioids

Opioids are prescription drugs. These drugs interact with receptors in the brain and along the spinal cord. They change the way that your body responds to pain. For this reason, you can’t buy them over-the-counter.

Even in cases of severe discomfort, opioids can provide you with temporary relief. The majority of the prescription drugs comes in pill form with various strengths. Examples include oxycodone and hydrocodone. Many are extended-release products that allow for longer intervals of pain relief.

Other types of opioids come in patches that allow for absorption of the painkiller through the skin. Fentanyl is one example. Other opiates come in a suspended form that a pharmacist might add to a liquid such as a cough syrup. You’ve probably seen codeine in this form when your doctor prescribes it for cough relief.

Recognizing the Abuse Potential

Opioids don’t just provide pain relief. Users sometimes say that the nervous system depressants mellow them out and make them not care for a while. When they take more than the prescribed dose, the drug might also provide a euphoric high.

But this high comes at a significant risk. As you are likely aware, opioid overdose deaths are on the rise. Moreover, opioids are gateway drugs for heroin, an illicit opiate with dangers all its own. For these reasons, if you are currently struggling with a dependency, it’s time for opioid addiction rehab.

At a rehab center, intake counselors work with you to put together a customized treatment regimen. Examples of possible therapies include:

• Individual therapy that explores your reasons for using the drug in an off-label way
• Family therapy, which allows you to reconnect with loved ones and begin establishing a support network
• Group therapy sessions that offer opportunities for addiction education and relapse prevention training
• 12 Step recovery as a way of practicing accountability that benefits you after discharge
• Holistic treatment to provide you with alternative ways of handling stressors and triggers

Don’t put off rehab. Addiction to any of the various types of opioids can quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency. At Crestview Recovery, caring therapists want to help you. Call 866.262.0531 today to set up an appointment.