If you are among the hundreds of thousands of Americans suffering from a dependence on heroin or another opiate, there is more help for you than ever before.

Changes in US law now permit doctors to treat opioid addiction as the chronic illness that it has always been. This means more personalized care, more access to professionals who can help you, and more confidentiality for those seeking treatment.

Effective programs and new treatments are available to overcome opioid addiction. However, recent data show that only about 100,000 people in need are seeking treatment.

Explore this site, and return here often to read about new treatment options and information about addiction and recovery.

Let us notify you when this site is updated with new information.

Understanding Opioid Dependence

Opioids are powerful drugs used to treat severe pain, coughs, and diarrhea.1 Also known as narcotics, they include prescription drugs as well as illegal substances like heroin, the fastest acting and most abused opioid.

Some opioids, such as morphine and codeine, come directly from a substance called opium, which is found naturally in the poppy plant. Others, like heroin, methadone, and meperidine are either partially or purely synthetic.3 That means they have been chemically altered, or created from scratch, in a laboratory.

Different, But The Same

Regardless of how they're made, all opioids act the same way. By attaching to proteins in your body called opiate receptors, they block the pain messages sent to your brain. At the same time, they affect the regions of the brain that regulate pleasure,1 which explains why opioids produce a sense of euphoria or "high." Opioids can also cause drowsiness, constipation, and slowed breathing. More importantly, continued use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction1 — with serious long-term complications.

Physical And Behavioral Changes

Generally, when the physical dependence on opioids is accompanied by a pattern of irresponsible behavior geared toward securing more of the drug, it is said that the affected person has developed a full-blown addiction. One of the hallmarks of addiction is that the addict will do anything, often resorting to lying, stealing, and other sorts of dishonesty to get the next fix.

There is an unfortunate belief among some in our society that drug abusers should be able to stop taking drugs simply by sheer force of will. This attitude, we now know, is inaccurate. Today, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that opioids have long-term effects on brain activity that turn drug abuse into a chronic, relapsing illness.4 The good news is, like many other illnesses, opioid addiction can be successfully treated.

An excellent first step on your road to recovery is to find a doctor near you who is prepared to help with the challenges of addiction and recovery.

Soon, this site will offer an MD Locator service that will help you find a qualified addiction therapy doctor in your area. Let us notify you when this feature is available.

Let us notify you when this site is updated with new information.

New Treatment Options

The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 opens up new options for people seeking freedom from opioid addiction. This law now gives physicians the ability to treat opiate dependence and counsel their patients in the privacy of their offices.

Soon, this site will offer an MD Locator service that will help you find a qualified addiction therapy doctor in your area. Let us notify you when this feature is available.