Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Addiction

1
Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Addiction

• 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.

2
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.

3
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

4
Signs of Opioid Addiction

• 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 show you need Opioid Addiction Treatment.
  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.