Abstral Addiction and Abuse: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Abstral?

Abstral is an opioid analgesic, or narcotic, prescribed in order to help cancer patients when they experience breakthrough pain. Breakthrough pain is sudden, intense pain that occurs despite the other pain medications already present in their system.

Abstral has a powerful pain-relieving effect; it’s meant to stop an agonizing burst of pain for people who are constantly dealing with and battling pain. Due to its high potential for misuse, Abstral can only be obtained by cancer patients who are taking other opioids for pain management, and it can only be accessed through a restricted program via the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA approved Abstral for breakthrough pain in January 2011.

How is Abstral Used?

Due to the high risk for substance misuse, psychological addiction, or overdose, Abstral should only be taken as directed by a doctor. Increasing the amount without medical consent can lead to the psychological disease of addiction. Many doctors warn their patients of the risks associated with Abstral. The opioid should never be taken more than twice during one breakthrough episode.

Abstral is offered as a sublingual tablet, meaning the tablet is placed under the tongue to dissolve, and it should never be chewed or swallowed. Initial doses start around 100 mcg, although a doctor may change this depending on the frequency and intensity of the pain.

It is not recommended to take another dose of Abstral within two hours of the last tablet, as it may cause side effects andoverdoseif continued.

Commonside effects of Abstralinclude nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, constipation, and dry mouth.

Abstral Addiction

Most cancer patients already have a well-developed tolerance to opioid analgesics prior to taking Abstral. Unfortunately, this often increases the risk for the patient to misuse the drug. Misuse occurs when a person taking Abstral begins to increase their dose and take it more frequently without consulting their doctor. This does not mean they are addicted to Abstral, but the risk is far greater.

If someone is struggling with a substance use disorder, they begin to have uncontrollable cravings for Abstral and might start neglecting important aspects of life. Everyday life will begin to feel less important. Sometimes a person struggling with addiction will steal to obtain what they seek; this can cause problems with family members as well as trouble with the law.

If you know someone facing the challenges of opioid addiction, it’s critical for them to find theright treatmentto increase their chances for long-term recovery.

The Importance of Aftercare

Staying in recovery is difficult, and if someone attemptsdetoxalone, the risk for recurring use is much higher. Finding the best treatment program for you or a loved one can have a drastic impact on the future.

At The Recovery Village, our staff is dedicated to your comfort during recovery. That’s why we offer 24/7 medical support, medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, and welcoming group and therapy sessions. We can help you to start living a substance-free life today.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

• Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
• The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio,this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
• The Recovery Village Palmer Lake:In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
• The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington,this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
• The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida,this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
• IAFF Center of Excellence:Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
• Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
• The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
• The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
• The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
• The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.