Opioid Addiction

What are opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain medications, such as OxyContin® Percocet®, morphine, fentanyl, and methadone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. 

Physicians typically prescribe opioids to alleviate pain—particularly severe pain—after surgical procedures, injuries, cancer, or to minimize chronic pain. While these medications can help ease pain dramatically when used properly, they are also highly addictive in nature.

What is opioid addiction?

Opioid addiction, or opioid use disorder, is a medical condition that occurs when you become emotionally or physically dependent on opioids to function. This addiction can affect your life in many ways, interfering with your personal relationships, ability to function at work or school, and even your finances. 

Like any addiction, it’s hard to stop taking opioids once you start. If you are worried about addiction, withdrawal, overdose and you cannot come to the office, you can go to the ER at Stanford ValleyCare Hospital in Pleasanton and Dr. Smeester can help to begin your path to recovery.

As you build up a tolerance to opioids, you may need to take more medication to produce the same euphoric effects, which puts you at risk of addiction, and even opioid overdose.

Are there opioid addiction symptoms to look out for?

Opioid addiction can go unnoticed if you don’t know the telltale warning signs, such as:

• Fatigue
• Exercise habit changes
• Decreased libido
• Sudden weight loss
• Opioid cravings
• Mood changes
• Flu-like symptoms
• Changes in hygiene
• Insomnia
• Oversleeping
• Financial difficulties

Those struggling with opioid addiction often isolate themselves from friends and family members, so it’s important to check in if you think somebody close to you may be dependent on opioids.

How is opioid addiction treated?

Diablo Valley Drug and Alcohol Services is a full-service facility that provides several opioid addiction treatment options, including:

Detox

We are the only accredited and credentialed outpatient detox center in the East Bay. While detoxing isn’t the hardest part of opioid addiction recovery for everybody, it’s likely the most uncomfortable. As time removes any trace of opioids from your system, it leads to a number of opioid withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, sweating, muscle aches, bone pain, restlessness, and insomnia.

Buprenorphine

Most commonly called Suboxone, is an aspect of MAT that has been proven to significantly increase the success of recovery and sobriety.

Vivitrol

This is a monthly injection, a blocker of the main opioid receptor, that has been proven to lead to a more successful recovery and sober life.

Fortunately, Diablo Valley Drug and Alcohol Services offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. This means the team treats your uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms with a combination of counseling and non-addictive medications, such as Buprenorphine or non-opioid alternatives.  Vivitrol® injection (naltrexone), an extended-release injectable suspension, or Suboxone, promotes an easier and more successful recovery. We also have a monthly Buprenorphine injection called Sublocade

Personalized recovery plan

Personalized recovery plans at Diablo Valley Drug and Alcohol Services are unique to every patient. Most plans include a combination of detox, intensive counseling, family therapy, drug testing, and even pain intervention. The team asks that you commit to a 12 week treatment plan, but they’re available for aftercare services once you complete the program.

Diablo Valley Drug and Alcohol Services is committed to helping you lead a healthy, fulfilling life without opioids. Call the office or schedule a consultation online to learn more.