Today, there are approximately 20 million Americans who are currently dealing with drug addiction and alcoholism. For many of these individuals, they are able to eventually overcome these addictions and live productive lives. However, there are also quite a few people who die from drug overdoses and alcoholism every year. With these factors in mind, many people wonder which is harder for an addict to stop, alcohol or opiates? Based on some recent data, opiates have proven to be the more difficult substance to stop using and overcome addiction.
While opiates have proven to be more difficult to stop, it also depends on a number of factors. These factors include genetics, mental health, access and affordability. It may also depend on the person’s reaction to these substances and their level of dependence. For many people, alcohol has proven to be very difficult to stop because many alcoholics continue to drink in excess throughout their entire lives while those who use drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine eventually stop using these substances within a year of receiving treatment. This all depends on the person’s effort and ability to resist the temptation of substance abuse and/or alcoholism.
Alcoholism
One of the most common addictions that people deal with is alcoholism. This is a situation where a person develops a dependence on consuming alcoholic beverages. An alcoholic is someone who regularly drinks in excess despite knowledge of its negative affects. Since alcohol is very easy to get access to, it is widely abused by people who seek to drink regularly.
When someone is dealing with an addiction to alcohol, they often have more than two drinks a day. In most cases, they drink in excess when not in social settings and at different times throughout the day. Alcoholics also drink a lot during a certain time of day as well. Anyone who consumes alcohol in excess may have issues with their mental health or have a genetic disposition to drink regularly. Whenever someone is an alcoholic, they will usually seek treatment through counseling and some medications. However, many alcoholics are unable to overcome their addiction and continue despite getting all of this treatment. There are also quite a few people who are able to overcome their alcohol addiction through these treatments and through their eventually knowledge of the hazards and willingness to stop. In most cases, alcoholism is easier to overcome than an addiction to opiates but it can also be lifelong for some people.
Opiate Drugs
As well as alcohol, there are some other substances that are widely abused. These types of substances are known as opiates, Today, there are quite a few opiates that have proven to be very difficult to stop using once you become addicted. The following are some of the opiate drugs that are widely abused by addicts:
Heroin
One of the most common opiate drugs, heroin is one of the most highly addictive substances that one can take. The drug provides a person with an immediate high as they become very relaxed and numb to any unpleasant feelings. It often results in pain relief as well. However, many people who use it become addicted and experience some difficulties such as nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, shakes, depression, anxiety and a lack of mental clarity. Once someone begins using heroin, it is very difficult to stop due to the need to take more in order to eliminate the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Prescription painkillers
Another widely used opiate that can be difficult to stop is prescription painkillers. These are legal drugs that are prescribed by a physician. They are often used in order to better cope with physical pain after an injury or a surgery. Prescriptions painkillers are highly addictive due to their ability to help someone develop a numbness to any physical discomfort. However, they are also difficult to stop since they continue to provide someone with relaxation when used. As a result, using these painkillers can become an issues if someone continues to seek the high that they provide for them.
Fentanyl
One of the newest drugs today is Fentanyl. This is a painkiller drug that is often given to those who are seeking relief from physical pain. While it can numb the pain and provide someone with more comfort, it is often highly addictive. A person will likely abuse this drug if they have a dependence for the relaxing effects it has on them. Similar to other types of opiates, Fentanyl has negative side effects such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dizziness, seizures and slowed breathing. Therefore, this can be a substance that can result in a person’s death if too much is used over time.
Whenever someone is coping with an addiction to opiates, they will need to get treatment. Fortunately for many people, they have plenty of options to help them overcome their addiction to opiates. With assistance from mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors, rehab centers and detox, a person can work towards putting an end to their drug use and improving their health within a matter of weeks.
Overcoming Your Addictions
One of the best ways to overcome an addiction to opiates and/or alcohol is substance abuse counseling. This type of counseling allows you to meet with a specialist who has experience in assisting people who are suffering from drug abuse and alcoholism. When getting substance abuse counseling, a person will meet with a counselor on a regular basis and discuss their addiction, how they began using the substance and getting advice on how to stop using these substances. This type of counseling can include treatment at a rehab center for a few months or regular sessions with a counselor each week.
Another way to treat alcoholism and drug addiction is through medication. A physician can prescribe a medication that helps eliminate the negative side effects of drugs and alcohol. It can also help someone get rid of their dependence for these substances as well. Getting medications is a very convenient form of treatment for those who are looking to overcome their addiction to opiates or alcohol.
Contact a Treatment Center Today
If you or someone you know is currently struggling with opiate addiction or alcoholism, there is help available. The first step is to contact a substance abuse counselor to get started. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day and are ready to assist you in ending your addiction to substance abuse. Call today at 772-266-5320 to begin getting the help you need.