Opioid addiction is a growing issue in our country, and has been for years. Despite that, you may not even know what opioid addiction or dependence is. In this article, we will let you know more. We will talk about this issue through the lens of stats, treatment, and spotting an issue. Hopefully, this article can help you if you are curious about opioid addiction or know someone who is currently going through this scary experience. We may even be able to help you spot if someone one know and love is suffering from opioid addiction.
Opioid Addiction Statistics
1. Since the advent of the 90s, fatalities from the use of prescription drugs (mostly opiates) have increased by more than 300%.
2. Pain relievers are the most common form of opiate that is abused.
3. Around 12 million users abuse prescription drugs.
4. It is estimated that over 5,000 people try these sorts of drugs each day for the first time.
5. Typically, users are those who are living in rural areas and are of a lower socioeconomic class.
6. Overdose deaths are also highest in rural areas.
7. Many of these people are originally prescribed the drugs by their doctors and become dependent over time.
8. Most of these patients have abused substances before.
9. Abusers of such drugs are at a higher risk for HIV.
10. Over half of major crimes committed in the US are currently linked to opiate abuse.
11. Due to all these risks, at least 36 states already have monitoring programs in place for prescription drug use. More states are considering taking further measures, as well.
What is Opioid Addiction or Dependence?
Opioid addiction is the inability to stop using opiates. These substances include heroin or opium, as well as medical drugs like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone. At this stage, using these substances can become more important to abusers than anything else. They often seek them out above everything and anything else. Tolerance is experienced by many users, which spurs them on to take more and more of the drugs. This behavior can lead to overdose. If a user attempts to quit using these drugs, they may experience symptoms of withdrawal. Only taking more drugs (or going through the process of withdrawal, completely, and stopping use) can relieve this symptoms.
Spotting Withdrawal
How can you spot dependence or withdrawal? Look for these symptoms:
• Dangerous drug seeking behavior
• Social withdrawal
• Mood swings
• Shivering
• Unexplained pain in muscles and joints
• Itching
• Nausea, cramps, and/or diarrhea
• Skin rashes
• Sneezing or nasal leakage
• Sleeping issues
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Financial issues
• Social and personal issues
• Concentration problems
• Panic attacks
• Restlessness, irritability, and paranoia
• Seizures
• Thoughts of or attempts of suicide
• Stroke
• Dehydration
• Aggression
Other symptoms may be part of either opiate use or withdrawal.
What to Do About Opioid Addiction
What can you do if you suspect that someone you know and love is suffering from opiate addiction? There is no ultimately right or wrong way to approach this issue. Try to be supportive. Have a calm, rational talk about your worries and concerns. In some cases, an intervention of family and friends might be best. In other cases, the only way to help may be to contact the authorities in the area. Still other users may respond well to treatment or counseling programs. Try to avoid any possibly physical or violent confrontation with any opiate users. Remember that the fact that all users will have to go through withdrawal makes these drugs even more appealing and hard to break free of.
There is Hope
No single treatment has yet been discovered that will work for all opiate addicts. Luckily, if you are seeking help, there is help. Treatment options out there include 12-step programs, like AA or NA after withdrawal has subsided. Some prescription treatments are still in the experimental stages, but more study is needed. Long-term treatment and care will be required to prevent relapse. Over time, however, users will see improvement in their mental and physical health. Their emotional health will also improve. Most users have a better chance of remaining off drugs if there are properly rehabilitated by professionals and integrated back into society through means of a job or education.
Getting Help Today
If you or someone you love needs help with opioid addiction or dependence, call a medical professional today. They can put you into contact with someone who can let you know more about options. They may also be able to offer helpful advice for you if you are wishing to confront a user about their issues. If you are an addict, medical professionals can put you in touch with resources to help break the chains of addiction. You are not alone. You can change if you want to change. All it takes is taking the first step.