Taking opioids for long-term pain may be useful, but it can also lead to addiction. Addiction is a serious and chronic condition that can lead to health, financial and personal problems.
Opioid abuse is a serious problem that is prevalent in the United States. In 2017, more than 10 million people were addicted to prescription or non-prescription opioids, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are many signs that a person is abusing drugs. Some are more noticeable to the person himself or herself, while others might be easier to spot to those around them, such as family and friends.
If you suspect that a loved one is abusing opioids, the first step is to ask yourself some questions. Perhaps you have noticed changes in their behavior that don’t seem to make sense, or your intuition is telling you something different from what you’ve seen in the past.
A doctor or other medical professional can diagnose an opioid use disorder and an opioid addiction based on the person’s symptoms. They will perform a physical and mental assessment, as well as testing for certain mental health conditions, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
In addition, the person might be asked about their drug history and if they have ever had a substance abuse problem before. This will help a doctor or other health professional identify the source of their opioid use disorder and start a treatment plan.
Experiencing euphoria after using opioids can be an early sign of a potential opioid abuse problem, especially if the euphoria is followed by intense cravings for more opioids. Over time, the euphoria diminishes and the user may need higher doses of the drug to get back to that state.
These changes in brain chemistry are the root cause of tolerance, dependence and addiction to opioids. They can produce a variety of withdrawal symptoms that range from mild to severe. These symptoms can last for weeks or even months after a person stops taking the drug, but they can be treated successfully with medications.
Withdrawal symptoms are the most common warning sign of opioid abuse and can be dangerous if left untreated. They include a combination of physical and psychological symptoms that vary from person to person, but generally involve anxiety, nausea, sweating, diarrhea and seizures.
If you or a loved one are suffering from withdrawal symptoms after consuming opioids, the CDC recommends seeking help immediately and starting a medication-assisted treatment program as soon as possible. This can include medications such as methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone.
The goal of treatment is to help a person stop using opioids and prevent them from abusing them in the future. While this is a challenging journey, it can be life-saving if you or your loved one is willing to get help.
Medications that treat opioid abuse are available through most physicians who can prescribe them. These medicines, such as methadone and buprenorphine, can ease the symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings for opioids.
