Opiate addiction disproportionately affects the LBGTQ community. The pain-killing and psychologically numbing effects of opiates like fentanyl and morphine are often used as forms of self-medication. Many in the community struggle to find safe and inclusive medical and psychiatric support. Some struggle with difficult family situations and self-medicate to deal with prejudice, bigotry, and social pressures. Opiates are relatively easy to access and highly addictive. Meaning, once a person uses opiates, it’s hard to quit without medical support. Today, there are safe and inclusive LGBTQ drug and alcohol detox programs right here in Southern California ready to help.
If you struggle with opiate use, call La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center today. Our Southern California-based drug and alcohol detox programs provide safe and effective healing for the LGBTQ community. Begin opiate detox today. Call us at 888.903.9898 to speak with an intake specialist.
What Is an Opiate?
Opiates are naturally derived from opium. The opium poppy is long known for its pain-relieving effects. They are often confused with prescription opioids, which are synthetically designed to have the same effect. Doctors often prescribe synthetic opioids for pain management. They include morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and hydromorphone. Common opiates include:
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
While heroin is a popular street drug, morphine and codeine are commonly prescribed or used in hospitals. Designed for short-term use only, opiates and opioids alter a person’s brain chemistry, making them dependent on the drug and making it very difficult to stop.
Do I Have an Opiate Addiction?
While opiates temporarily reduce physical and emotional pain, their effects are meant to be targeted and short-lived. Regular opiate use can lead to the need for higher doses to receive the same result. A person can quickly move from occasional low-dose to frequent high-dose use. This often leads to heroin use as well. As opiates alter brain chemistry, the following symptoms may occur:
- Nausea, vomiting, and profuse sweating during withdrawal
- Mood swings
- Night terrors and insomnia,
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Aggression, agitation, emotional reactivity
- Irrational, reactionary behavior
- Paranoia
- Drug-seeking behavior
When a person suddenly stops taking opiates, their brain convinces the body it will not survive without more opiates. This can lead to dangerous drug-seeking behavior, self-harm, and overdose. If you or someone you love in the LGBTQ community is exhibiting the above signs from prescription opiates, don’t attempt to quit cold turkey. A reputable detox center can safely and effectively monitor opiate detox, minimizing relapse.
Inclusive Opiate Detox at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center
At La Fuente, many of our staff know just how hard opiate detox can be. Many of our compassionate staff members are in recovery themselves and are ready to support early recovery with medically assisted detox. Our combination of medically assisted detox and psychiatric support makes the initial days of early recovery safe and manageable. Medically assisted detox may include prescription drugs to wean users off opiates. This can reduce withdrawal effects and prevent health complications. With 24/7 access to medical staff, our clients are safely supported through detox, withdrawal, and post-recovery treatment plans.
Begin Opiate Detox at La Fuente Hollywood Today
Don’t let opiates control your life. If you or a loved one in the LGBTQ community needs help, La Fuente is here to help. Our inclusive LGBTQ detox center helps community members throughout Southern California overcome addiction from opiates, alcohol, party drugs, and other addictive substances. We pride ourselves on innovative treatment for the LGBTQ community. Pairing medically assisted detox with various therapies provides inclusive, holistic healing for individuals and the LGBTQ community at large. We believe we’re stronger together. Learn more about our inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs today.
Call La Fuente Hollywood at 888.903.9898 to get started, or visit us online to find the support you need.