Opiate Addiction

         In recent years, an alarming number of Americans have found themselves addicted to their doctor-prescribed pain medications. While these opiates, often referred to as narcotics, can be successful pain reducers, they can also create a sense of euphoria, cause drops in temperature, reduced libido, cause skin sensitivity, reduce respiratory rate, and become highly addictive. Common prescriptive narcotics are Morphine, Codeine, Oxycontin, Hydrocodone (marketed as Vicodin, Vicoprofen, Anexsia, Lorcet, & Lortab) and Dilaudid. There are also countless synthetic opiods that imitate the effects of opiates, but with fewer side effects, some of which are Methadone, Darvon, and Demerol.
         The street drug Heroin is the most widely used illegal opiate. A derivative of Morphine, heroin was once considered a cure for Morphine addiction. However, it has been illegal in the US since 1924, when they discovered it actually had a higher risk of addiction than Morphine. Today, Heroin is one of the most prevalent drugs in the United States, and among the most dangerous. While prescription opiates are manufactured under strict regulations, Heroin is developed on the streets with no assurance of quality, safety, or content.
         Both prescription opiates and street drugs can lead to devastating addictions. That is why Buprenorphine, the most recent drug developed for use in opiate detoxification, is good news for those ready to start rehabilitation. The drug helps by reducing the painful side effects normally associated with detox. Patients reportedly recovered with clearer heads and significantly less body ache and pain when using Buprenophine than without its assistance. The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) made Buprenophine available in the U.S. for the first time, restricting its use to physicians specially trained and licensed to administer the drug. Serenity offers Buprenorphine in a sublingual tablet produced by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, called Subutex. Patients undergoing opiate detoxification have reported a great success using Subutex here at Serenity.

Serenity Offers Subutex

         For individuals who are addicted to opiates, detoxification has long been a painful and agonizing process. Whether to street drugs or prescription medication, an addiction to opiates can be very difficult to break. The latest aid in this recovery process is a drug called Buprenorphine, which Serenity is able to offer those undergoing our opiate detoxification treatment.

As a non-profit organization Serenity’s aim is to help anyone suffering from addiction, regardless of the individual’s financial situation. That is why Serenity has worked with the state government to secure State funded beds in both Abilene and Fredericksburg, where insurance and private pay beds are also available. These beds are limited, and a rigorous financial means test is required by the State to qualify for this state assistance, but our professionals are available to help walk you through the process.

Many insurance companies will cover you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction, do not hesitate to call.