Oceanfront Recovery offers treatment for synthetic opiates and other substance use disorders. If you are looking for help with your recovery, consider checking out our opiate addiction treatment center in Laguna Beach, CA. Learn more about synthetic opiates, how it compares to other opioids.
What Are Synthetic Opiates?
Synthetic opioids provide pain relief in the same way as codeine and morphine. These drugs are made of naturally occurring ingredients. Because synthetic opioids have high potency, just a small amount produces the desired effect. Some examples of synthetic opiates include:
- Methadone
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Dextropropoxyphene
- Meperidine
Synthetic vs. Natural Opiates
There are three types of opioids, including natural, synthetic, and hybrid varieties.
Natural opiates are alkaloids. They contain nitrogen compounds found in poppy plants. Examples of opiates are codeine, morphine, and thebaine.
Semi-synthetic opioids are made in labs using natural opiates. These include hydrocodone, and oxycodone (OxyContin), as well as heroin, which is made out of morphine.
Fully synthetic opiates are manmade designer drugs such as pethidine, fentanyl, methadone, and dextropropoxyphene.
How Do Opiates Affect Your Body?
Humans and animals have opiate receptors that serve as active sites for opiates and opioids. The brain has internal neurotransmitters that produce responses similar to that of naturally occurring drugs.
Opiates bind to these receptors to mimic natural pain-relieving chemicals. These synthetic and natural versions of these drugs bind to receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and other locations throughout the body. This blocks any feeling of pain. Instead, opiates relieve pain and cause a sense of euphoria. Side effects include drowsiness, nausea, and confusion.
Those who use opiates for pain relief often become dependent on drugs. The biggest difference in synthetic vs. natural opiates involves the degree of potency. However, synthetic opiates are typically much stronger and more addictive. However, both natural and synthetic versions cause addiction among a high percentage of users.
Effects of Synthetic Opiate Withdrawal
When you use opiates regularly, your body gets used to it. This causes you to develop a tolerance, meaning you need more drugs to attain the same effect. Furthermore, using higher doses to achieve relief from pain often leads to an opiate use disorder.
If you suddenly stop using synthetic opiates, withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
What to Expect in Opiate Addiction Treatment at Oceanfront Recovery
Opiate addiction treatment can help you or a loved one begin to heal. Oceanfront Recovery provides professional intervention when needed to help someone you care about to see the need for rehab.
Medically-assisted therapy and inpatient treatment plans work best for many clients beginning their recovery. It helps to live among your peers for support and to avoid distractions in your daily life. Many clients at Oceanfront Recovery come from all over California and the rest of the country.
Lower levels of care include 12-step modalities and supervised outpatient programs. All addiction treatment programs involving synthetic vs. natural opiates, alcohol, and other drugs, need to fit your lifestyle to work.
Oceanfront Recovery Addiction Treatment Programs
One of the things you should look for in like an addiction recovery clinic is a strong-willed team of counselors and medical professionals ready to put your needs above their own. We offer the following drug addiction treatment programs to help you overcome your addiction to opiates:
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program
- EMDR Therapy Program
Talk to an intake counselor at any time to learn how the process works.
Opiate Addiction Recovery in Laguna Beach, CA
Addiction should not control your life. Find a high- quality drug rehab in Laguna Beach, CA. Call Oceanfront Beach at 877.296.7477 today to break free of synthetic opiates and their power over you.
