Opioid Use Disorders

About 2.5 million Americans have opioid use disorder (OUD), but only about 20% get the latest evidence-based treatment. At Pacific View Recovery, esteemed addiction medicine specialist Sandeep Mann, MD, is changing that by making OUD treatment easier to access. Dr. Mann comes to you in the hospital, welcomes you at the Stockton, California, office, and supports you through telemedicine visits online. He’s ready to customize your treatment using proven approaches so you can manage your OUD and avoid relapse. Book an appointment online or phone the office now.

What is opioid use disorder?

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is the chronic use of pain-killing medications called opioids. Any opioid can be habit-forming. Some of the opioids that are most frequently abused include: 

• Oxycodone, such as OxyContin®
• Hydrocodone, such as Vicodin® and Lortab®
• Codeine, such as Tylenol® with codeine
• Fentanyl, such as Actiq® and Duragesic®
• Morphine, such as MS-Contin®
• Heroin

Opioids are especially dangerous because tolerance builds fast. Soon, you have to take twice as much (or more) to get the same effects. When you have OUD, it feels like your body genuinely needs the opioids because, in a way, it does. 

Your body becomes so accustomed to having the opioid that it rebels when you try to cut down or quit on your own. You may have unpleasant side effects like stomach cramps, cold sweats, and nausea if you try to quit without help. 

What signs indicate that I might have opioid use disorder?

OUD causes big changes in your life, but sometimes those things might sneak up on you. Some signs you could have OUD are:

• Running out of your prescription early
• Trying to ration your pills unsuccessfully
• Side effects like abdominal pain if you don’t use opioids
• Counting your opioids frequently
• Physical appearance changes, like weight loss or gain
• Irritability, impatience, and other mood changes
• Loss of interest in the hobbies or other activities you usually enjoy
• Poor concentration

If you think you could have OUD, it’s important to be proactive. You don’t have to keep up this struggle for the rest of your life. 

How is opioid use disorder treated?

Pacific View Recovery provides all-encompassing addiction medicine treatment. Dr. Mann can start your treatment in the hospital, helping to guide your detox safely. Then, you visit the office and have telemedicine visits as you recover. 

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has proven to be among the most successful ways to help people with OUD in their recovery.

With MAT, you receive a dose of a drug that blocks the opioid high and helps reduce the risk of relapse. Some MAT drugs also lessen the desire to use opioids and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

MAT works along with behavioral therapy and other proven approaches to help you reach a better quality of life and long-term success. 

Call Pacific View Recovery or reach out online for compassionate care now.