Recognizing Opioid Addiction and Getting Help with Suboxone

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Drug addiction is a serious condition that can lead to significant health issues and even death. Understanding the differences between opioid addiction and tolerance is one of the keys to knowing when it is time to find help in order to live a healthier life.

Opioid Addiction Versus Drug Tolerance

Tolerance is a term used to describe when the body gets used to the effects of a drug. As a result, you have to take higher dosages of the drug in order to obtain the desired effect. In the case of opioids, a person who has built up a tolerance needs to take a higher dose in order to achieve relief from pain. On the other hand, if you stop using opioids for a period of time, the tolerance will begin to fade and you likely will not have to return to the higher dose if you need to start taking the drug again for pain relief.

Opioid Addiction Versus Drug Dependence

In some cases, people can become dependent upon opioids for pain relief. Dependence is also different from addiction. While you will experience withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking the drug, this is a normal reaction to drug dependence. With addiction, both your body and mind feel like they cannot function without the drug. As a result, you obsessively seek out and use the drug, even if it causes problems with your health, relationships and general behavior.

If you or someone you love is addicted to opioids, treatment with Suboxone may be able to help. Contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more about this option.

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