Opioid Addiction in the UK: The Facts

Opioid addiction, detox, rehab: Four heavy words for a serious subject.

What Are Opioids?

In short: Painkillers. Analgesia would be the medical term. For many struggling with painkiller misuse, seeking out an Opioid Addiction Detox Rehab can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Some are available over the counter (in a weaker form than prescribed ones) and the majority prescribed by GP’s.

Commonly used in post operative pain management or when you get treated in A+E it is very common to be sent home with some.

Often, dependency on opioids starts with a prescription following an injury or surgery.

What Do Opioids Do?

Opioids attach themselves to receptors in the brain: This is what they are designed to do.

When they do this chemical channels are opened up (or partially, depending on the type taken). This leads to naturally occurring chemicals being released which is why the feelings of pain are dulled.

The pain hasn’t gone away: You just can not feel it.

If you keep taking them, the pain will be kept at bay.

Opioids also provide a feeling of euphoria. This is one reason why people start on opioids in the absence of pain.

Why is Taking Opioids Problematic?

When you take opioids your brain becomes accustomed to you taking them.

In time, the chemistry of your brain will change.

You will develop what is known as tolerance. This means that the longer you take them the more you will need to have the same effect as the amount you started with.

Your doctor is unlikely to agree to increase your prescription. Indeed, GP’s are under pressure from NHS commissioners (who pay for GP services) to reduce opioid prescribing.

When this happens, you are forced to make a choice: reduce your opioid use or source additional opioids through street dealers or online suppliers. Sometimes, people will go to a private doctor and not tell them they are already being prescribed opioids by their GP. This is dangerous.

Opioid addiction detox rehab is possible.

Are there different types of opioids?

Yes.

Just as with any type of prescribed medication, there are different types and strengths of opioids.

Weaker forms are available over the counter (when a pharmacist is on duty). These are still highly addictive. Often sold in combinations with paracetamol and ibuprofen, these combinations cause additional problems.

Paracetamol can not be taken less than four hours apart or it can not be metabolised properly. Ibuprofen can cause very significant problems with the gastro intestinal tract. This can lead to internal bleeding and ulcers.

What are the different names for opioids?

There are branded medications, generics and street names. A full list would run into the hundreds!

Some common names are:

• Morphine
• Tramadol
• Fentanyl
• Methadone
• Diamorphine
• Alfentanil
• Heroin

Why are they dangerous?

In the short term, opioids can be very useful for managing pain.

A fracture, acute back pain, dental emergency: All common reasons as to why opioids can be very useful.

The problem is that opioids don’t deal with the underlying problem.

Due to tolerance, you will need every increasing amounts to keep the effects going.

If you stop taking them the brain will not be able to cope with this immediate change. As a result, incorrect chemical messaging will be sent around the body. This is what leads to the signs of withdrawal.

The feelings of pleasure you felt will disappear leading to a crash.

When you stop taking opioids your tolerance to them drops:: Fast.

If you succumb to the cravings you are likely to take an amount you think you need to feel settled. This is how people overdose. Not intentionally, but simply to try and regain balance.

Are there Alternatives?

Yes.

Opioids do not deal with the source of the problem. They simply provide a sticking plaster over the hole in the bucket, so to speak.

Surgery, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes and psychotherapy are some of the ways that opioids can discontinued.

Many antidepressants provide more pain relief than opioids yet do not bring the same problems.

Having that difficult conversation with your doctor is never easy. You may have been taking opioids for decades. Change is scary. It is never easy but it can be done.

Recovery From Opioid dependency

Recovery is possible.

It matters not how long you have been dependent, whether you inject heroin bought from a dealer or are buying over the counter medication: The process is the same.

There are four elements to recovery. Each as important as the other.

Detox

A Detox from opioids must be done under medical supervision.

Forget what you see in films and on television. A “Do it yourself” detox at home can be fatal.

Even if you did manage to do it, you will , most certainly, not be able to deal with the cravings.

Your tolerance will drop and you will run the real risk of an accidental overdose. It has nothing to do with lack of willpower but everything to do with science.

Substitute medication will be given and then reduced, over a period of time, until you are opioid free.

Therapy

Whether you became depend on opioids through a prescription for back pain or started taking heroin because of childhood trauma: It matters not.

What matters is that you receive the therapy you need to help you explore why you were using and how to face up to life without opioids.

Through groups and individual sessions, while challenging, you will make a transition from dependency to abstinence.

Relapse Prevention

In rehab there are staff on hand :24/7.

Many are in active recovery themselves.

While everyone’s experience of recovery is different, there are common themes. They will understand what is going on for you.

When you go home, this support has gone : You need to support yourself.

With the relapse prevention skills you will learn in rehab you will have the tools to cope.

Relapse happens: FACT.

It doesn’t happen to everyone, but if it does, you will have the skills to deal with it.

Aftercare

All rehab centres offer a minimum of a years aftercare.

This is usually a weekly support group, as well as telephone check in.

Should you find yourself struggling, there will be a dedicated number to call.

Is Rehab Expensive?

It doesn’t need to be.

While there are high end centres, the essentials of treatment are the same: everywhere.

Opioid detox can not be rushed. If it is you are put at very serious risk. Why? Because your tolerance has dropped and you will be cravings. Overdose becomes a real threat.

Most centres will not take you for less than 28 days. Exceptions do arise.

Speak to An Experienced Addictions Clinician For Free Advice and Referrals

We are addictions clinicians.

Opioid addiction is something we deal with: Daily.

Whatever opioid you are taking, for how long and what route, we can help.

Where to get help, how it works and what it will cost are all questions we can answer.

Our service is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

We only signpost to legally registered centres.

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