Healing the Core of Addiction Opioid or Morphine Derivative Prescription Drugs

Millions of people are affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) each year. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), in 2021, an average of 295 people died every day from a drug overdose. “Of this total, approximately 66% of overdose deaths were attributable to opioids.” Early intervention and treatment is the best way to reduce the risk of overdose. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab helps individuals and families heal from the damaging effects of misusing opioid or morphine-derivative prescription drugs.

What Are Opioid or Morphine Derivative Prescription Drugs?

Opioid or morphine-derivative prescription medications are used primarily to treat chronic pain. The drugs reduce the amount of pain a person experiences by blocking pain receptors in the brain and interrupting nerve signals. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but they can be misused.” Opioid misuse often leads to dependency and addiction.

Many opioid and morphine derivative medications are available to treat chronic pain or other health issues. Some examples of opioid and morphine derivative drugs include:

• Roxanol
• Duramorph
• Methadose (methadone)
• Dolophine
• Actiq
• Sublimaze
• Tylox
• Percodan
• Percocet
• Vicodin
• Lortab
• Lorcet
• Opana
• Numorphan
• Demerol
• Darvon

In some cases, medications like methadone are used to treat substance use disorder (SUD). Recovery specialists may use methadone or other opioid derivatives to taper clients carefully off more dangerous addictive substances. Methadone maintenance treatment has been used for decades to help people safely recover from SUD. Despite being commonly used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone and other opioid derivatives are addictive and may be misused. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab has a dedicated clinical team to ensure clients who take advantage of MAT transition off all substances within five to 10 days to reduce the risk of medication misuse.

Signs of Opioid Use Disorder

The signs of OUD vary depending on multiple factors, including the specific drug, the dose taken, and how long it was misused. Often, people have difficulty recognizing the signs of opioid misuse due to overlapping symptoms related to chronic pain or co-occurring mental health disorders.

Some of the most common signs of opioid misuse include:

• Stashing medication
• Secretive behaviors
• Lying or stealing to acquire more medication
• Stealing medication from friends or family
• Extreme cravings
• A preoccupation with acquiring or using prescription opioids
• Inability to control opioid use
• Decreased productivity at work
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Depressive episodes

Being able to identify the signs of OUD makes it easier for individuals and their loved ones to recognize when to reach out for help. Professional addiction recovery programs provide the best outcomes for people who misuse prescription opioids.

Side Effects of Misusing Opioid or Morphine Derivative Prescription Drugs

Misusing opioid medications affects overall health and causes mild to severe symptoms, including:

• Nausea or vomiting
• “Brain fog” and difficulty thinking
• Extreme drowsiness
• Constipation
• Slowed breathing
• Loss of consciousness

Opioid misuse can significantly slow breathing. Individuals with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) have an increased risk of experiencing hypoxia, coma, or overdose.

Treatment Options at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Exclusive Hawaii Rehab offers many treatment options to support individuals and families struggling with SUD. The dedicated care team has decades of combined experience treating substance abuse and mental health disorders. Treatment programs provide clients with essential resources, skill development, and a safe community where they can heal and grow.

Some of the treatment modalities used in our rehabilitation programs include:

• Nutritional Therapy and Education
• Emotional Freedom Technique or Neural Tapping
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Claiming a Life Purpose
• Life Contract
• Responsibility Square
• Mission Therapy
• Journaling
• Personal Development
• Art Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Experiential Therapy
• Traditional Hawaiian Therapies: Ho’oponopono
• Stimulus Belief Response
• Nature Immersion
• Harm Reduction
• Redefining Self-Narrative

Exclusive Hawaii Rehab also offers holistic treatments, including bodywork, yoga, massage therapy, and acupuncture. Clients enjoy a tailored treatment plan that includes naturopathic medicine and nutritional coaching. The care team also encourages loved ones to participate in the recovery process. Clients and their families are educated on the realities of substance misuse and provided the information they need to make informed decisions.

When creating and implementing treatment plans, the care team considers personal and cultural preferences to ensure clients feel safe, supported, and heard. Clinicians at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab are licensed to treat primary mental health disorders alongside SUD, ensuring clients have the tools they need to address core issues affecting their physical and psychological health.

The Community Impact of Opioid or Morphine Derivative Prescription Drugs

Derivative opioid abuse significantly impacts the families and communities in Hawaii. According to NIDA, an average of 40 individuals in Hawaii die every year due to opioid overdose or related health issues. Local treatment centers like Exclusive Hawaii Rehab provide families with resources, information, and professional addiction recovery services. Communities must work together to combat the effects of opioid misuse.

Recovery programs offer compassionate and evidence-based treatments to support individuals struggling with OUD. Community leaders and families in Hawaii can rely on Exclusive Hawaii Rehab to provide high-quality recovery services and treatment programs for their loved ones.