Texas Women’s Opioid Addiction Treatment Center

How Do Women Develop an Opiate Addiction?

Opiate addiction is one of the most common substance addictions in the United States. This is due to the fact that many adults have opiates in their homes. Women who have chronic pain or have undergone surgery probably received prescription opiates, also known as painkillers. These substances, although legal, can be highly addictive.

This is especially true for women with chronic pain. Long-term opiate use often leads to dependency, which leads to addiction. The only way for women to combat the effects of opiate addiction is with the help of an opiate addiction treatment center. Otherwise, they run the risk of relying on opiates and moving onto illicit substances that produce similar effects, such as heroin.

Why Are Opiates So Addictive?

Opiates cause changes to the brain that lead to a surge of euphoria, followed by extreme relaxation. They do this by occupying opioid receptors in the brain. When women use these drugs, they also cause the body to release dopamine, which is a “feel good” hormone. Women who use them long-term eventually stop releasing dopamine naturally. This is why women who suddenly stop using opiates experience uncomfortable and sometimes painful withdrawal symptoms.

Signs of Opiate Abuse in Women

If someone in your life has an opiate addiction, the following signs may appear:

• Needing more of the substance to get the same effects (tolerance)
• Increases sensitivity to sights and sounds
• Erratic mood shifts and personality changes
• Withdrawal from family, friends, and activities
• Neglecting responsibilities at work and home
• More time spent using and recovering from the effects of the substance
• Doctor “shopping” to get more prescriptions
• Extreme weight loss and signs of malnutrition
• Withdrawal symptoms and cravings when substance use ends

The Risks of Opioid Use Disorder

Opioids are designed to reduce pain. In most cases, they are prescribed to patients after surgery, a painful injury, or an accident. Women who have experienced a traumatic injury that led to chronic pain are the most at risk of becoming addicted to opiates.

While the pain-relieving aspects of opiates can be viewed as a modern miracle, they come with several additional side effects that can be harmful to women after long-term use, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Slower respiratory rate
• Drowsiness and confusion
• Lower body temperature
• Memory lapses

Long-Term Side Effects of Opioid Abuse

Over the long term, the effects of opiate use can be devastating on both the mind and body. Because drugs tend to suppress appetite, they can lead to weight loss and even malnutrition. Chronic opioid use has been linked to the development of depression and other mood disorders. Some studies also suggest street opiates, like heroin, may damage the white matter in the brain, which may have a permanent effect even after the drug use ends. This is particularly concerning considering the fact that many women who start out abusing prescribed medication containing opioids may turn to heroin later on because the street drug is cheaper and easier to get.

These uncomfortable effects of opioid abuse are just the beginning. One of the most dangerous aspects of opiate use is that it leads to heroin use, which is incredibly dangerous and addictive.

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid abuse, contact The Fullbrook Center right away. We’ve helped countless women recover from opiate addiction at our quaint facility in Texas.