Opioid addiction affects people from all walks of life. Both illicit and prescription opioids dampen physical, psychological, and emotional pain. For many in the LGBTQ community, opioids are an accessible way to self-medicate when faced with prejudice and bigotry. In many cases, self-soothing with opioids can help people deal with difficult relationships, unresolved trauma, and chronic pain. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ community is disproportionately affected by opioid addiction and often lacks safe opioid detox programs.
If you or someone you love in the LGBTQ community is struggling with opioid addiction, call La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center today. Our LGBTQ drug and alcohol rehab center provides cutting-edge treatment and includes an opioid detox program in Hollywood, CA. Call us now at 888.903.9898 to learn more about our opioid detox program.
Opioids and Addiction
Despite being relatively easy to get, opioids are highly addictive. Derived from the opium poppy, synthetic and semisynthetic opioids block pain receptors in the brain and release a rush of dopamine. This provides immediate pain relief and a euphoric sensation that may slow the nervous system, leave a person emotionally calm, or even result in hallucinations. Unfortunately, the effects of opioids are short-lived. For someone regularly using heroin, the effects may last 6 hours, sometimes less. Some prescription opioids last longer unless their time-release coating is removed before ingesting. The more frequently someone takes opioids, the more quickly they will build a tolerance. This means people need increasingly higher doses of opioids or need to mix opioids with other drugs or alcohol to achieve the same effects. An opioid tolerance can build quickly and lead to addiction.
Signs of opioid addiction include:
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low appetite
- Weight loss
- Acting intoxicated all the time
- Aggressive and impulsive behavior
- Paranoia
The first sign of opioid addiction is experiencing withdrawal. This happens when the brain and body become dependent on opioids for certain chemical functions. In the case of dopamine, the more often someone takes opioids, the less dopamine their brain will make.
Benefits of LGBTQ Opioid Addiction Treatment
It can be hard for members of the LGBTQ community to find safe, effective opioid addiction treatment. This can lead many people to attempt detox at home. Unfortunately, opioids can be especially hard to stop using. During withdrawal, willpower is often not enough to stop someone from reusing and overdosing. Withdrawal symptoms, often called “dope sickness,” can be unbearable. Medically assisted detox can help ease these symptoms while providing clients with a safe and inclusive environment for overall healing.
A medically assisted detox program is the best way to reduce the risk of reuse and overdose. Medications, supplements, and hydration can ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent health complications during detox. Medications like methadone and Suboxone can be especially vital to opioid recovery, allowing people to slowly reduce opioid use with medical supervision.
For the LGBTQ community, an opioid detox center can also promote psychological community healing. Group therapy provides clients the opportunity to understand the effects of addiction on the community as a whole and work towards sobriety together.
Southern California’s Premiere LGBTQ Opioid Detox Center
At La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, our mission is to provide addiction treatment and mental health services for the greater Hollywood community. Our Southern California opioid detox and addiction treatment programs specialize in cutting-edge detox and holistic therapy for a stronger community. With outpatient programs, alumni programs, and a range of addiction treatment services, we’re ready to help you and your loved one’s recovery with safe, inclusive treatment.
Learn More About Our Opioid Addiction Detox at La Fuente Hollywood Today
If you or someone you love is attempting to quit opioid use at home, call us now at 888.903.9898 to get started with our opioid detox programs.