Opiate Addiction: Methadone Facts

Question: Can someone ever completely get over an opiate addiction? are there any permanent effects on the brain?

(Posted by: on 2010-08-25 16:23:27)

One of my family members is addicted to pain pills and they recently got clean for three months but then went right back to snorting the pills. I know addiction is a life long process but are there any people who have gotten off of opiates and stopped relapsing? I also want to know if he has possibly permanently altered his brain chemistry. I am afraid he is going to get himself killed or never act like his old self again. Any information on this topic would be great. If anyone doesn't mind I'd like to hear from someone else who has had trouble with opiates so I can understand what my cousin is going through.

Posted by: Ronbo on 2010-08-25, 16:26:11

Most any type of narcotic addiction will have permanent consequences... The feeling of euphoria comes from a deprivation of oxygen to the brain. Lack of oxygen kills brain cells and once brain cells are gone, they don't come back. I know that alcoholics who quit drinking have a sort of "reset " period where their brain rewires itself after about 9 or 10 months without alcohol... But they won't be scoring the same on their SAT's as they did before the addiction took control

Posted by: Sarah on 2010-08-25, 16:34:32

I was addicted to pain pills and no they dont get over it the craving will always be thare they just half to stay away from temptation and half to have the will to fight it I get memory loss and really bad heart burn every day

Posted by: Mistressmatrix on 2010-08-25, 16:51:31

Yes they can get over it. With a lot of hard work. The bad news is they arent likely to change until they hit rock bottom, and even then it takes a few tries. ^the answer above me is not correct, the reason Opiates feel so good to the addict it because of receiptors in the brain. It is NOT from a lack of oxygen. The receptors in the brain that use seritonin and dopamine ect (feel good chemicals that occur naturally) can be stimulated with other chemicals. Opiates are like a key that will fit in the lock that is the brain receiptors...but its cheating the brain and the brain will get lazy for making its natural feel good chemicals. Also in people that take a lot of exctassy they use so much fake seratonin that there brains can stop producing the real stuff and they get deeply depressed. I was an opiate addict from 16-19.. and used all drugs from 15-22. I got a physical habbit on opiates and had to use them to feel normal, and also steal poppies from peoples gardens and make homebake. My body would feel AWFUL if I didnt get my drugs I would feel jittery (at best) and completly crippled with pain and anxiety (at worst)... When me and my boyfriend kicked a particulary bad dependency (cos the source ran out, and we couldnt get hold of much-plus our lives were falling apart) we stayed home for 2 weeks, constant flu like symptoms plus the feeling that your going nuts. We were fighting, and drinking just to get some relief. The doctors give you weak-ass stuff that barely helps. You have to tough it out. But even then that wasnt me stopping for good, I would use off and on for years. I was in and out of NA (Narcotics annon), and even had a few rounds of church and baptiseing and praying. I had to want a better life in the end, to truely change. I went to rehab but got booted out for drinking at 19. But over the years the things I learnt in NA, in counselling, and just in life helped me. I had become a prostitute, that was a big wake up call. Now I have a good life, I have a good husband, and a baby girl. Im 25 soon, and goingt o become a youth social worker. I smoke a bit of weed once in a while, and drink.. so Im not 'on the waggon' I just grew up and stopped wrecking myself. I dont think I could shoot up again, Ive had to many bad shots, and seen too many near overdoses. Nearly dying several times, and having shots which left me shivering and shaking with double vision and a splitting headache has put me right off it. I dont know what your brother is snorting, but in my opinion snorting is pointless and useless, It is bad for your nose-yes.. I dont know if youd even get much of a buzz off snorting. May as well just swallow it. Hopefully hes not shooting up. Im bloody luck to not have aids or hepatitus...all the needles ive shared in my life (we always used bleach or boiling water-but when you want a hit and you aint got a needle youll do almost anything) Its bloody easy to OD if hes injecting. I really hope hes not. Get some information about NA, even get some pamphlets and leave them lying around the house. If his body is addicted he can maybe get some help slowly reducing his dose from a clinic (I did this with valium)... but the mind will stay addicted for years, unless he hits rock bottom, or has some kind or epiphany in counselling. Try direct him into something else he enjoys. He may find being wasted all the time doesnt go well with whatever hobby or goals he has for his future. Goodluck. Dont leave pills or money lying round the house. I became a bad person at the height of my addiction, even took a church collection box! Uggggh!

Posted by: Aut-Echo on 2010-08-25, 16:56:04

Am a ex heavy user of a opiate-codeine,was on them for years until only a few weeks ago when was took off them with no come down. was taking them genuinely for severe neuro related pain,and admittedly for some side effects which helped self to interact and communicate,cope with sensory overload better or sleep-due to not having had meds needs met in these areas yet. though they were stopped instantly,had not had one symptom of withdrawal since,not even the slightest,no addiction,have always been this way with drugs,things like caffeine etc yet people assume are addicted if have to use something alot. the worst thing had noticed is how much had actually relied on them for topping up meds was prescribed for other conditions,which am now having to cope with the breakthrough pain meds free- very difficult. people can have addictive personalities,and be attracted to drugs more and end up reliant more than others on them,some of us are unable to get addicted and some take a lot effort to end up addicted, we are all different in this way,so it woud be hard for anyone to judge cousins outcome with drugs-even himself. but with future,there is hope so dont start thinking bad yet when he hasnt had chances to prove himself,as he coud come out of this very well in the end.

Posted by: Nodder213 on 2010-08-28, 14:58:49

Alrite im going through that right now and basically opiates make you feel content with everything and give you energy and motivate you..they make anything you do tolerable so when there not taken you feel the exacct opposite...i can imagine the thought will always be there in the back of your head..i was clean for a month but i always had the thought of them in the back of my head. its actually the mental aspect not the physical withdrawals that are hard...just distract him for long enough like with fun things to do