Opioid abuse is an ongoing public health crisis in the United States. Millions of Americans find themselves struggling with opioid use disorder every year. Yet, for many, recognizing the signs of opioid addiction can be difficult. This leads those who struggle with opioid use disorder to miss out on the treatment that is necessary to help them recover from their addiction.
We understand the necessity of getting the professional help you or a loved one needs. Getting help begins with recognizing the signs of opioid addiction. We can help you learn these signs and symptoms and how to get the necessary treatment. opioid use disorder is a chronic addiction, which can best be addressed through a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program. Our MAT program can help those with opioid use disorder learn how to manage and healthily cope with their addiction.
Some Common and Dangerous Opioids
Opioids are a class of drugs used primarily to ease and manage pain. There are numerous different prescription opioids. Yet, because opioids are potent, they require precise and attentive use. Even then, sometimes, individuals develop a dependency on the drug. Sometimes, when individuals develop an addiction to opioids, they turn to illegal opioids like heroin to meet their needs.
Prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone (OxyContin) and hydrocodone (Vicodin) are two common opioids. Often these medications are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain after an injury or surgery. Again, the potency of opioids can lead to misuse and cause someone to become addicted inadvertently. When this happens, individuals put themselves in a dangerous position of using these opioids too often or in risky dosages.
In some cases, knowing individuals are addicted and desperate for opioids, drug makers will lace the pain relievers they sell with fentanyl. This synthetic opiate is 50 times stronger than heroin. Its high potency means that fentanyl is the major contributing factor to opioid overdoses and deaths.
Signs of Opioid Addiction
The signs of opioid addiction are not always evident. A person can abuse opioids for several months or years before they or others are aware of the problem. Some of the signs of opioid addiction include:
- Increased obsession with the drug
- Withdrawal from normal routine, activities, or friends/family
- Drastic changes in appetite, sleep, mood, or behavior
- Possession of drug-related paraphernalia
- An overall decline in the quality of life
- Ignoring responsibilities at home, work, or school
Keep an eye out for these signs of opioid addiction. If someone exhibits more than one of these signs for a significant period, they likely need treatment.
There are also a variety of withdrawal symptoms that stem from the misuse and abuse of opioids. These symptoms will vary from individual to individual, but some common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Hypertension
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased heart rate
Opioid addiction frequently exacerbates any emotional or mental health issues an individual may have, like depression or anxiety. For that reason, when seeking treatment for opioid addiction, it is important that the addiction treatment center you choose offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.
Opioid Addiction Treatment Program
Continued misuse of opioids or the failure to see and treat the signs of opioid addiction can lead to a severely degraded quality of life. If opioid use disorder is left untreated, individuals will discover major disruptions to their ability to work, attend school, or manage family obligations. These, coupled with the significant health issues arising from opioid abuse, can irreparably damage an individual’s life and livelihood. Fortunately, there is help.
Addiction is a disease, and like any disease, requires professional help to overcome properly. Our patient-centered treatment can give you the support you need to return to full health. With a primary care physician on-site every week, our addiction treatment programs and addiction therapy services combine flexibility with quality care.
Our opioid addiction treatment program can help you recover and get back to living a healthy, fulfilled life. Reach out to us today at (855) 920-1104 to learn more about our addiction and mental health treatment programs.
