Opiates are very damaging to the brain and create a “feel good” vibe that can lead to an addiction in a short amount of time. It can be very difficult to feel normal without opiates but these symptoms are reversible and the brain can be healed.
If you or a loved one is suffering from opiate addiction and needs help, call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?) to speak with a caring specialist that can assist you. Though it is not easy to recover, it is much easier to take their recovery in the direction they need most when the addict understands how they work and the effect they have on the brain.
How Opioids Affect the Brain
The brain has a natural system that controls the human impulses and natural endorphins that produce dopamine, a chemical that acts as a reward system by creating a pleasure sensation in the individual. When a drug is introduced to the system, it activates the dopamine pathway and creates a need for more of it.
Depression is common during post-acute withdrawal from opioids.
Opiates are far more lethal and stimulate the natural endorphins far more, which makes them highly addictive.
The brain stops the production of natural endorphins and after up to a year, the chemicals begin to shrink and die off, which is very damaging to the brain. According to the NCBI, when an opiate drug goes through the blood stream to the brain, the chemicals will attach themselves to the mu opioid receptors (specialized proteins) on the surfaces of opiate-sensitive brain cells.
When opiate is prescribed therapeutically, it can relieve pain but if they are used without a prescription, it can motivate the individual to use them repeatedly for pleasure, causing an addiction.
When Opiates Stop Being Taken
It is not as simple as flicking a switch when an addict stops taking opiates and the natural chemical system needs time to recover from the damages made. The severe withdrawal symptoms can last up to seven days before it fades into a post acute withdrawal syndrome that can last years. Oftentimes, this can lead to a depression, lack of motivation, and sensitivity to bumps and bruises on the body.
Most people have enough endorphins to feel energized, motivated, and have a high tolerance for pain. However, opioid addicts have the base level of endorphins in their system and do not have these luxuries.
Many of those who suffer from opioid addiction who do not take replacement medication relapse because they cannot handle the feelings associated with post-acute withdrawal. It is important for those people to know that opioid receptors can return but it will take time and endurance to ensure that the brain recovers fully.
An example of these replacement medications is methadone. According to the NIDA, methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist medications that is long-lasting, can prevent these harsh withdrawal symptoms, and can reduce the cravings for opioid for addicts. It can block against illicit opioids and is only available with a prescription from a licensed physician.
Opioid addiction is very damaging to the brain because it lowers the amount of necessary endorphins it has. In a short amount of time, anyone can become an addict of him or she and the withdrawal symptoms can be severe but there are ways of helping him or her with treatments such as replacement medication, including methadone.
Without the medication, these people are exposed to very rough and intense withdrawal symptoms.
For immediate help finding a treatment center that can provide replacement medication to assist with withdrawal symptoms, call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?).
The Most Common Opium Abuse Side Effects -
Opium, and both the natural and synthetic drugs derived from it, can cause a number of side effects when the drug is abused. These side effects can range from annoying to severe, but the most common of them can all be problematic in their own way. Itchiness Opium causes the skin to become extremely itchy ... 
How Long Does Opium Withdrawal Last? -
Opium withdrawal is an uncomfortable process that usually lasts for at least several days. According to the NLM, “Withdrawal from opiates can occur whenever any chronic use is discontinued or reduced,” and this includes the natural narcotic opium. While it takes a while for dependence to build up and the general timeline “varies with each ... 
Can Addiction to Natural Opiates be Treated? -
Addiction to natural opiates can occur just as easily as addiction to synthetic opioids. Opium itself is highly addictive and is still abused recreationally by many individuals. Morphine is derived naturally from opium, and according to the National Library of Medicine, should only be taken by those who are already tolerant to and dependent on ... 
Find the Best Inpatient Treatment of Opiate Withdrawal -
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, inpatient treatment is one of the most effective ways to treat opiate abuse. In order to find the best inpatient treatment center, you need to consider all of the information about treatment centers. You need to look at who needs inpatient treatment and what basic services they ... 
Physical and Psychological Opium Withdrawal Symptoms -
Opium withdrawal causes a person to experience both physical and psychological symptoms which are not only awkward but often painful. While the NLM states that “opioid withdrawal reactions are very uncomfortable but are not life threatening,” they often last for about a week and can be so unbearable that many users relapse just to make ...