You Are Not An Addict?

This label can carry a lot of harmful stigmas that make getting help harder, as it is often associated with criminal behavior and a lack of control. However, it's important to understand that narcotic chemical dependency is a medical condition, not a personal failure. It’s a physical problem, not a psychiatric one.

The physical symptoms make it a habit, not a mental disease. You are not an addict! You are a victim of a flawed system that prioritizes profits over your well-being. Consider getting help with the physical symptoms first and foremost, since physical suffering can be torture, and keep you in the chemical prison of chemical dependence.

The opioid crisis in America is a direct result of the pharmaceutical industry's encouragement to use specific drugs that treat symptoms rather than heal the root causes. The practice of treating symptoms with strong narcotics can be beneficial in some aspects, but it can also lead to chemical dependency. Chronic opioid users, who take opioids for at least several months and often many years, are considered "dependent" on opioids, meaning they experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop or cut back. They generally aren't considered "addicted," which is defined as compulsive drug-seeking and continuing drug use in spite of the large risk of harm, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The three most effective treatments for opioid dependence are

1. methadone,

2. buprenorphine, and

3. naltrexone,

all FDA-approved. They are essentially slower-acting, milder opioids that fend off withdrawal symptoms and cravings without providing the strong high that can intensify addiction and interfere with other aspects of living. They cut the risks of overdose by as much as half, but with regular use, they can lead to dependence, not addiction, like wearing nicotine patches to reduce tobacco cravings. This means they can modify and control behavior in safer directions heading toward sobriety.

It's important to understand that while opioids are effective pain-relieving medications, relying solely on chemicals to relieve pain without educating patients on alternative treatments or exit plans can be harmful. Treatment programs should assess patients for the presence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, as well as provide targeted risk-reduction counseling to help patients modify or change behaviors that place them at risk of contracting or spreading infectious diseases, according to NIDA’s Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide.

Chemical dependency can happen to anyone, and it's important to understand the many ways it can occur. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019, an estimated 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers. On the other hand, only 4.9 million people misused illicit drugs such as heroin or cocaine. This statistic highlights how prescription drug usage is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis!

It's important to know that you are not alone and that there is a solution. If you or someone you know is struggling with narcotic chemical dependency, seek help from Dr. Morris, who has successfully treated chemical dependency for well over 20 years. Dr. Morris educates his patients on the root causes behind dependency and provides them with the necessary tools and support to overcome it while reducing relapse. Successfully tapering patients and helping them recover altogether off of suboxone under 18 months.

Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug abuse. There is more that needs to be done to prevent the suffering of chronic withdrawal. Dr. Morris understands that chemical dependency is not just about stopping the use of drugs but also about addressing the origin or root cause of the dependence and repairing your body through total health optimization so that you don’t suffer at all when gaining freedom from the prison of chemical dependency.

Why suffer to become sober?

The opioid crisis in America is a result of a flawed system that prioritizes profits over patient well-being. But, it's important to remember that you are not an addict; you are a victim of incomplete medical advice. Seeking help can help you overcome chemical dependency without suffering, and get your life back!

Author

Medical Director Dr. Jerry W. Morris