In 2018, 2,311 people in California died from an opioid overdose. For some, the use of the pharmaceutical drug Naloxone may have saved their lives. But for many more, even the life-saving medication was not enough to end the deadly cycle of addiction even when administered within a treatment center. Costa Mesa isn’t immune to drug addiction, with UCI Health reporting 8% of the population suffering from an addiction.
What is Naloxone?
Developed to help combat the rising number of opioid deaths in America, Naloxone was designed to act as an “opioid antagonist” in the event of an overdose. The Harm Reduction Coalition explains that Naloxone is typically only designed to be administered by paramedics. Although, anyone can receive training to help themselves or a loved one. The drug is more commonly referred to under the brand name Narcan and is available at most local pharmacies.
Naloxone binds to the opioid receptors in the brain. In doing so, it can very quickly restore respiration back to a normal state. This is a benefit for someone who has slowed or stopped their breathing as a result of a heroin or opioid overdose. Generic brands of the drug are available in an injectable form. The brand Evzio provides a prefilled auto-injection device that makes it easier for non-medical individuals to deliver the dose. Lastly, Narcan is a prefilled, needle-free devise that sprays Naloxone into the nose. It has recently received generic approval by the FDA.
When You Need Naloxone
When someone knows they need to keep Naloxone on hand, it’s an obvious sign that their substance use is out of their control. By relying on Naloxone as a “lifesaver,” someone is accepting that their heavy use has reached its limits and that an overdose is more of a “when” than “if.”
Although using Naloxone can save the life of an individual overdosing on heroin or opioids, the drug doesn’t come without its own side effects, including:
- Diarrhea
- Cardia arrest
- Troubled breathing
- Fluid retention in the lungs
- Abnormal heart rate and rhythm
- Increase or decrease in blood pressure
Prevention is important, but no one should use Naloxone as a cure-all for opioid abuse. Naloxone does not save someone from dying entirely. It reverses the effects of an overdose for 20 to 90 minutes, but it will not ultimately be able to save someone without medical intervention. Naloxone is not a long-term solution to opioid overdose. Although it may give you or a loved one the second chance needed to recognize how much addiction has taken over and finally seek help.
True Recovery from Opioid Addiction at Treatment Center Costa Mesa
It may take almost dying from an overdose for some people to fully grasp the extent of their addiction. But no one should wait until they almost die to receive treatment. Finding the right opioid rehab is essential to long-lasting recovery. Rehab will provide the individual with personalized care and mental health services. They will enjoy the emotional support they need to make a lasting change in their lives. Many people fall into opioid addiction via prescription drug abuse. Therefore, it’s important to find a rehab that offers medication management or pain management therapy. Even if they do not use opioids like heroin to cope with physical pain, chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder need specialized treatment.
When choosing a rehab, it’s a good idea to look for one that offers a supervised detox center. Detox is the first step in treating addiction. Opioid withdrawal can be one of the most agonizing moments on the road to recovery, especially for those with severe addictions. Medication can be administered during detox by medical staff at select treatment centers. Costa Mesa is fortunate to have a handful of such centers to help reduce the side effects and help people stabilize as they move into a treatment program.
Anyone looking for help with opioid addiction should seek out a rehab that offers aftercare services and relapse prevention. Treating substance abuse is about so much more than getting sober today. Successful rehab is about considering the long-term, and looking at the “big picture” without becoming overwhelmed by it.
If you or a loved one is suffering from opioid addiction, contact your nearest hospital or contact one of our professionals at Clear Life Recovery. Reaching out for help is the best choice you can make for yourself today.
