Painkiller addiction, also known as Opiate Use Disorder has reached epidemic levels in the United States, killing over 30,000 Americans every year. Many of those lost to this crisis are young people in the prime of their lives. Most everyone now a days, unfortunately now knows someone who has died from a drug overdose.
In order to best deal with Opiate Use Disorder, it is really vital that the person with the problem realize that he or she actually does have a serious problem. Often times, others in the individual’s life will try to get their loved one into treatment and will put forth more of an effort toward obtaining help for the person; than does the person with the drug problem. As one can imagine, the more the person with the problem does for themselves, the greater the success of any sort of treatment program. The converse is true as well. If the person with Opiate Use Disorder only puts forth a minimal amount of effort in ridding themselves of the addiction; it can be expected that the person will only receive minimal benefits in terms of becoming/staying clean and sober.
While there is a component of shame, in seeking help for an addiction; the person is better off, (in most, but not all cases), if he or she opens up to their family and friends for support during the time when treatment is taking place. Most family and friends only want to be supportive. Family and friends do not want to addict to feel ashamed. Yet, the addict will say he or she does feel ashamed. For that reason, it is very helpful to deal with the person with the addiction in as much of a non-judgmental fashion as possible.
If you find yourself in treatment for Opiate Use Disorder, the best thing you can do is follow the advice of the professionals and to not think that you know better than they do. You might think you know yourself better than the professionals, but they understand addicts as part of their job. So, accepting advice is a very good way to start dealing with an addiction to painkillers.
If you or someone you know has a problems with Opiate Use Disorder, good help is available at The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi. They can be found on the web at www.TheDrugandAlcoholDetoxClinic.com or call 601.261.9101. You can also follow them on Twitter for more information. There’s Still Hope!
