Opiate Treatment in Phoenix

What Are Opiates?

Opiates represent a class of drugs derived from the opium poppy plant or created synthetically to mimic these natural compounds.[1] This category includes prescription medications like morphine, codeine, and oxycodone, as well as illegal substances such as heroin. These powerful drugs work by binding to specific receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and digestive tract, effectively blocking pain signals and triggering the release of dopamine. This dual action makes opiates highly effective for pain management but also creates their significant potential for dependence and addiction.

The widespread availability of opiates through both medical channels and illicit markets has contributed to the current addiction crisis affecting communities across the country.[2] Initially prescribed for legitimate pain management, many people find themselves dependent on these substances without intending to misuse them. The transition from appropriate medical use to problematic dependence often occurs gradually and unexpectedly. For others, experimentation with illicit opiates leads to a similar outcome through different pathways. 

Despite public health efforts to address overprescribing and limit availability, opiates remain a significant challenge due to their powerful effects on the human body and brain chemistry. This complex relationship between beneficial medical applications and harmful potential means that specialized approaches to treatment and recovery are required – and The Embers always takes unique personal circumstances into account when developing a treatment plan for opioid addiction and abuse.

Opiate Addiction and Abuse 

Opiate addiction develops when regular use leads to changes in brain function, creating powerful cravings and compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite negative consequences.[3] The brain adapts to repeated exposure, reducing natural dopamine production and requiring increasing amounts of the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms. This progression from occasional use to dependence often happens gradually, with many people not recognizing the severity of their condition until addiction is firmly established.

Physical signs of opioid abuse include constricted pupils, drowsiness, slurred speech, and impaired coordination.[4] As tolerance builds, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop, including muscle aches, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, and gastrointestinal distress. These uncomfortable symptoms create a cycle where continued use becomes driven by the desire to avoid withdrawal rather than to experience euphoria.

What Are Some Common Opiates?

Opiates and synthetic opioids come in various forms, ranging from prescription medications to illegal street drugs. These substances vary in potency, duration, and legal status but share similar mechanisms of action in the body. 

• Morphine: Medical pain reliever used primarily in hospital settings for severe pain
• Codeine: Milder opiate often found in prescription cough syrups and pain relievers
• Oxycodone: Active ingredient in OxyContin and Percocet used for moderate to severe pain
• Hydrocodone: Found in Vicodin and Lortab combinations for pain management
• Fentanyl: Synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, used for severe pain

• Heroin: Illegal opiate derived from morphine with no accepted medical use
• Carfentanil: Extremely potent synthetic opioid intended for large animal sedation

The Facts About Opiate Use

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a significant global and national health crisis affecting millions of lives. Current statistics highlight both the widespread nature of opiate dependency and the substantial treatment gap that continues to exist. With over 16 million people worldwide and more than 2.1 million Americans affected by OUD, the need for accessible, effective treatment has never been more urgent.[5]

Furthermore, in 2022, approximately 3.7 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and older needed treatment for opiate use disorder, yet only about a quarter of these individuals (25.1 percent) received medications for OUD.[6] This disconnect between need and treatment access points to ongoing barriers including stigma, insufficient treatment infrastructure, insurance limitations, and geographical disparities in service availability. 

The consequences of untreated OUD are severe, contributing to increased mortality rates, family disruption, community harm, and continued cycles of substance dependence. 

How We Treat Opiate Addiction

The Embers Recovery provides comprehensive opiate addiction treatment that acknowledges the intense physical and psychological grip these substances can have. Our program combines medical support with therapeutic interventions specifically designed for opiate recovery. Patients receive personalized care in a supportive environment where they can safely navigate withdrawal symptoms, address underlying issues, and develop effective strategies for managing cravings and preventing relapse.

• Art Therapy: Creative outlets for emotional expression when words feel inadequate
• Cognitive-Behavior Therapy: Effective techniques to identify and change harmful thought patterns linked to addiction
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Skills training for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and better relationships
• EMDR: This therapy helps facilitate healing through bilateral stimulation techniques. These techniques help to reframe negative memories and improve coping skills.
• Experiential Therapy: Active engagement in meaningful activities to process emotions and build coping strategies, such as cold plunges and red light therapies
• Family Therapy: Healing sessions that address relationship dynamics and rebuild trust with loved ones
• Group Therapy: Supportive community settings where shared experiences foster connection and growth
• Hypnotherapy: Guided therapeutic trance state that accesses subconscious patterns to release limiting beliefs and create lasting behavioral change.
• Individual Therapy: Personalized one-on-one sessions tailored to specific recovery challenges
• Internal Family Systems: Transformative approach that recognizes inner parts to heal trauma and create self-led wholeness through compassionate integration
• Life Skills Development: Practical training for independent living and managing daily responsibilities
• Medication Management: Careful oversight of FDA-approved medications to support the recovery process
• Mindfulness Coaching: Present-moment awareness practices that help manage cravings and reduce stress
• Neurofeedback: Advanced brain training that measures electrical activity to help people regulate neural patterns for improved mental health and cognitive function
• Trauma-Informed Care: Compassionate approaches that recognize how past trauma influences substance use
• Yoga Therapy: Gentle movement and breathing techniques that support physical and emotional healing