about opiate addiction

Dependency on opiates / narcotics is a medical disease encompassing psychological, environmental, genetic and biochemical factors. Long-term opiate intake affects the central nervous system, changing the normal activity in the brain and neuro-receptors. Neurons (cells within the nervous system) normally produce their own, natural opiates called endorphins. The endorphins bind to neuro-receptors called kappa and mu receptors. This process creates general feelings of wellbeing and an ability to overcome pain. Narcotics act in the same way, also binding to kappa and mu receptors, but they are not created naturally. Continued use of opiates slows down and sometimes stops the natural release of endorphins, a devastating consequence within the nervous system.

For the addicted individual, the body has become entirely dependent upon external sources, and it no longer produces the endorphins necessary for survival. When the addicted individual is slowly withdrawn from the drug, he or she has no tolerance for pain and experiences increasing withdrawal discomfort. The experiences of opiate withdrawal can be compared to peeling a Band-Aid off very slowly.

In order to overcome the biochemical imbalance induced by opiate addiction, external opiates must first be removed from the system, allowing the body to renew its natural supply of endorphins. An abrupt removal of opiates often results in a traumatic stress disorder causing agonizing withdrawal that persists for a prolonged period of time. The nervous system becomes more active during withdrawal from opiates, no longer sedated by the drugs. During anesthesia assisted rapid opiate detoxification, the effects of withdrawal on the nervous system are clinically managed with FDA approved medications administered by experienced AAROD anesthesiologists. This allows the body to rid itself of the opiates and return to a normal state.