Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a serious problem in the United States. Each year, more than 2 million people suffer from opioid addiction. Opioid addiction can lead to serious health problems, including mental illness, coma, overdose and death.
Opioid addiction often begins with the use of prescription painkillers. People who take painkillers for a long time can become addicted to them. They may start taking more pills than prescribed, or they may take them more often than prescribed. This is something that has become even more prevalent during the Opioid Crisis.
The Opioid Crisis
The recent rise of opioids has taken place over the past few years, but the current overarching opioid crisis began in the late 1990s. This was when pharmaceutical companies started aggressively marketing opioids for pain relief. At the same time, there was an increase in prescribing opioids for pain relief.
The result was more people becoming addicted to opioids. In 2017, there were more than 47,000 overdose deaths from opioids. This is more than any other year on record.
There are many factors that have contributed to the opioid crisis. These include:
- The aggressive marketing of opioids by pharmaceutical companies
- The overprescribing of opioids by doctors
- The easy availability of opioids
- The illegal use of opioids
Unfortunately, these problems can lead to disastrous and dangerous effects.
Effects of Opioids
Opioid misuse can eventually evolve into a full-blown abuse and addiction problem which can lead to a number of other issues that can impact your physical health, mental health, financial situation, and more. Some of the common mental health side effects of opioid addiction include anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
Meanwhile, some of the common physical health problems include respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, and cardiovascular problems.
People who are addicted to opioids may turn to illegal drugs, such as heroin, to get the same high. Heroin is cheaper and easier to get than prescription painkillers.
Opioid Overdose Effects
Let’s take a look at some of the most common effects of opioid overdose so you can recognize a problem in an emergency.
Pale and Clammy
During an opioid overdose, the individual's skin will likely turn pale and white and clammy and cold to the touch.
Limp Body
An overdose will cause an individual to lose control of their body completely and become limp.
Lip Discoloration
It is common for a person's lips and even their fingernails to turn blue or purple during an overdose.
Vomiting
Despite being unresponsive or unconscious, it is still common for people who overdose to vomit.
Unconscious
This one may seem obvious but during an overdose the individual will go unconscious and unresponsive.
Depressed Respiration
Overdoses cause the individua's breathing and heart rate to slow and can even stop in some cases.
Opioid Addiction Treatment
People with opioid addiction often have trouble quitting on their own. They may need professional help to overcome their addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. There are a number of treatment options available, and the sooner you seek help, the better your chances are of recovering from this addiction.
Some common treatments for opioid addiction include:
Medication: There are a number of medications that can be used to treat opioid addiction. These include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
Behavior therapy: This type of therapy can help you change your behavior and thought patterns. It can also help you learn new coping skills.
Support groups: This type of support can be very helpful in recovery. There are a number of different groups available, and you can find one that meets your specific needs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, don’t hesitate to get help. There are a number of resources available, and treatment can be the difference between life and death in some cases.
Don’t hesitate. Call now.
What we know for sure is that substance abuse can lead to a number of issues including organ damage, financial problems, relationship problems, and mental health issues. So, what can you do?
Addiction is likely not something that you can solve on your own. You will likely need professional help.
Other Treatments
Learn more about other types of common addictions people deal with
