Opiate Addiction: Percocet, Vicodin, Tylenol 3, Opium, Heroin, Morphine and Codeine

These drugs contain opiates. They are derived from the poppy plant and are used to relieve pain. They are usually prescribed for one or two weeks in order to relieve pain. It can be highly addictive. Taking more opiates than prescribed can lead to many problems.

Opiates are known to slow breathing rates because it works on the respiratory center of the brain. These can be very powerful pain relieving medications because they aide in producing endorphins when excessive pain is present.
The International Center for Advancement of Addiction Treatment defines an opiate as drugs found in or manufactured from opium and the main ingredients are morphine and codeine.

The Waismann Method, Advanced Treatment of Opiate Dependency, offers questions to consider when determining whether or not there is an addiction to opiates. These include prescriptions running out early, waking up in the morning thinking about taking pills and getting prescriptions from multiple doctors and buying medicine on the internet. The method defines opiate addiction as a central nervous system disorder, caused by continuous opiate intake. According to The Society for Neuroscience, scientists have found opiate receptors in the brain that has allowed them to study how drugs affect the body. "The discovery of opiate receptors was important because it suggested that opiate drugs work by mimicking natural opiate-like molecules made and used in the brain."

There are prescriptions that those who are addicted may take for addiction withdrawal. These include Subutex and Suboxone. "Subutex is intended for use at the beginning of treatment for drug abuse. The other, Suboxone, is intended to be used in maintenance treatment of opiate addiction. The drug naloxone has been added to Suboxone to guard against intravenous abuse of buprenorphine -- the main narcotic in both of these drugs -- by individuals physically dependent on opiates." (webmd.com)

The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment is a non-profit organization that works to help educate people about opioid addiction, reduce the stigma associated with addiction disorders and serves to connect patients in need of treatment to qualified providers. "The primary goal of NAABT is to increase the level of successful healthcare administered to patients who are addicted to opioids. Establishing the fact that opioid addiction is a chronic brain disease and not a 'bad habit' is critical." While experiences may very among addicts, some experiences include unpredictable mood swings, manipulative behaviors, extremely high and low feelings and neglecting relationships.