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What is opioid dependence?

Opioid dependence is a serious but treatable condition that can develop from the use of opioid-type pain relievers or narcotics. It often begins with prescribed painkillers.

Opioids effectively relieve pain – with prolonged use, however, their effectiveness diminishes, and the dosage required increases.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of opioid dependence?

Characteristic symptoms include a strong craving, pronounced tolerance development, significant physical withdrawal symptoms, and a loss of control over intake.

causes

What causes opioid dependence?

Dependence often begins with legitimate pain treatment. If the effect diminishes and the dose is increased, dependence can develop from this.

Prognose

Welche Prognose kann ich erwarten?

With standard-of-care treatment – often a substitution therapy in combination with psychosocial support – the prognosis is good.

Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for opioid dependence?

prolonged use of painkillers
chronic pain
previous addictive disorders
psychological stress

Treatment

What treatment methods are available for opioid dependence?

Withdrawal takes place under close medical supervision, often combined with medication-assisted stabilization and psychotherapeutic support. If underlying chronic pain is present, its treatment is also re-evaluated.

Opioid withdrawal should always be medically supervised.

Vorbeugung

Welche Vorbeugungen können getroffen werden?

Opioids should only be taken under strict medical supervision, for the shortest possible duration and at the lowest possible dose; address risk factors early.

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Our Team

Specialist Doctors, Therapists, Specialists.

Our team of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists, specialist doctors, and medical specialists accompanies each patient individually – in German, English, and Spanish. For international patients, interpreters can be arranged for doctor's appointments upon request.

Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

German-speaking psychiatrists and psychotherapists – outpatient, inpatient, or via video conference.

Specialist Medical Care

Neurology, Orthopedics, Hematology, ENT – specialists from various disciplines under one roof.

Regeneration & Longevity

Modern prevention and regeneration concepts – individually tailored to your situation.

Addiction & Withdrawal

Specialized support for addiction disorders – discreet, protected, without a waiting list.

Zeitlicher Ablauf

Wie verläuft der typische Zeitablauf?

Tolerance and physical dependence develop relatively quickly with opioids. Withdrawal symptoms are distressing but rarely life-threatening; withdrawal is medically supervised.

Komplilkationen

Welche Komplikationen können auftreten?

The greatest danger is an overdose. Possible complications:

life-threatening respiratory depression due to overdose
Infections, especially with intravenous use
a severe withdrawal syndrome
greatly increased risk with combined use of alcohol or sedatives

Clínica Es Castell

How does Clínica Es Castell help with opioid dependence?

Clínica Es Castell in Mallorca offers medically supervised opioid withdrawal in a protected environment, with 24/7 German-speaking medical care. If chronic pain is an underlying factor, we collaborate with Orthopedics & Pain Therapy together.

Learn more about our approach in the Addiction & Withdrawal.

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