• Opiate Addiction Blog – South Florida Detox Center

    Opiate addiction, from prescription drug abuse to heroin addiction, is rampant in the U.S. Many people point to over-prescription of medications as a contributing factor, but what makes one person develop an opiate addiction when another does not? Understanding the things that contributed to your drug dependence in West Palm Beach is an important part of your recovery. By knowing your risk factors, you can reduce your chances of relapsing in the future. Here is a closer look at some of the factors that increase the risk of developing an opiate addiction.

    Family History

    Drug Addiction treatment in West Palm Beach Most researchers believe that there is a genetic component to addiction. If you have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has a history of addiction, then you could have a higher risk of developing an opiate addiction yourself. Not everyone with a family history of addiction will develop one, but having this history does indicate that you could be more susceptible to addictive behaviors.

    Environment

    Being exposed to opiate addiction may make it more likely that you will engage in it. This can include growing up in a home that was chaotic because of addiction or having a circle of friends who abuse prescription drugs or heroin. When these conditions are part of your environment, opiate addiction can take on a normality that makes you more likely to take on those same behaviors. If your family history already makes you vulnerable to addiction and you see it play out in front of you repeatedly, you are even more likely to develop a drug dependency.

    Biology and Psychology

    Physical and mental illness can also contribute to addiction. Experts believe that some people who develop a drug dependence are born without a sufficient amount of endorphins, neurotransmitters that create feelings of well-being. These people may abuse opiates to achieve those feelings of well-being that are not being created by the usual biological pathways. Mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression, frequently accompany drug abuse and must be treated to effectively treat the addiction. Having a condition that causes chronic pain may also lead to opiate abuse.

  • Defining Opiate Addiction

    If you are worried that you may have an opiate addiction near West Palm Beach, it’s important to know the symptoms of this form of drug dependence . Opiates are a class of drug that are typically prescribed for pain relief. These medications give people a feeling of euphoria, which encourages the addiction.

    Watch this video to understand more about opiate addiction. Over time, people develop a tolerance to the opiates and need to take more of them to continue experiencing the euphoric effect. Merely the threat of not being able to continue taking the drug can cause an addicted person to experience opiate withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, profound psychological distress, and anxiety.