Opioid Addiction

Understanding and treating opioid-use disorder

Opioids are powerful drugs that act on the brain to dull the senses. They include both illegal drugs as well as opioid medications that doctors prescribe to relieve pain, such as after serious injury or surgery. Unfortunately, people can become addicted to opioids even when they are prescribed by a doctor.

Many people in the Detroit area and throughout Michigan struggle with opioid addiction, also known as opioid-use disorder. But there is hope, even for people who have tried treatment before. Our addiction specialists provide comprehensive treatment to people who need help to overcome opioid addiction.

Opioids include both synthetic, or artificial, drugs and those created from natural resources. These naturally derived drugs are sometimes called opiates. Some examples of opioids include:

Codeine

Fentanyl, a medication for severe chronic pain that may be abused in illegal/street drugs

Heroin

Hydrocodone, including Lortab, Vicodin, and other brands

Morphine

Oxycodone, including OxyContin

Take the First Step

Ready to stop letting drugs control your life? Our experts are ready to help you detox safely and guide you to recovery. Find out more about treatment options by talking to one of our addiction specialists.

Who is at risk for opioid addiction?

As opioids have become more available, both through prescription and nonprescription uses, more people in our area have struggled with this type of substance-use disorder. Opioid addiction is one of the two types of addiction we treat most often (along with alcohol addiction).

You may develop opioid addiction through:

Long-term use of opioid pain killers

Using illegal drugs or drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor

Using opioids in ways other than what a doctor prescribes

Opioid addiction can affect anyone. However, we often treat patients for this condition who share certain characteristics, including:

Younger age, including teens and adults ages 18 to 30

May use/abuse more than one type of drug, known as polysubstance-use disorder, with opioids as their preferred substance

Often start by using/abusing prescription medications and progressing to heroin, or other street medications

Patients with chronic pain may be at risk for addiction to pain medication without ever progressing to illegal/street drugs

Treatment options

Opioid addiction is medical condition that requires expert care to treat. Like any other illness, our addiction team treats opioid addiction with techniques backed by the latest science and research. We work with patients and their loved ones to create comprehensive, personalized treatment plans that meet their needs.