The opioid drug crisis has been a matter of intense public scrutiny for more than a decade. The numbers behind the crisis are staggering — heroin alone is involved in about 15,000 overdose deaths a year in the United States. Given the toll on individuals and society, we owe it to ourselves to understand the signs of opiate addiction — and when they are spotted, to seek treatment from our Columbus opiate rehab, or another facility like it closer to home.
No one sets out with the intent of becoming addicted to opioids. In fact, a substantial percentage of those who find themselves in the grip of these drugs do so in the aftermath of a prescription to manage pain for an illness or an injury. But it happens. And when it does, the right next step is treatment. So, keep an eye out for the signs of opiate addiction.
What are Opiates?
It’s hard to go a day without hearing about the tragedy brought on by opiates. But what are they and what are the signs of opiate addiction? Knowing the answers could help save your loved one from the pain of developing a habit that becomes hard to break.
Opiates are highly addictive compounds derived from the opium poppy plant. They have been around literally for thousands of years, used both for medicine and recreational purposes.
Prescription opiates include drugs such as Codeine, Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, and Darvon. The most widely known illegal opioid is heroin, also known as “black tar.”
Opioid abuse has been at epidemic proportions in the United States for the past few decades, despite being considered a public health emergency.
Signs of Opiate Addiction
Opioid substance abuse — or any substance abuse, for that matter — isn’t easy to spot. People who abuse substances get very skilled at hiding their behaviors. Another challenge in spotting abuse in a loved one is your fear of getting it wrong and creating friction in the relationship.
Chances are good, though, if your intuition is telling you something, that you should listen to it. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the most common signs of opiate addiction include:
- Moodiness
- Interrupted sleep
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- “Borrowing” medications from others
- Obtaining the same prescription from multiple doctors
Taken alone, any one of those signs of opiate addiction may not signal a problem. But if the problems happen in bunches, you may want to take note, and consider a consultation with Ohio addiction treatment programs, or other facilities offering similar services near you.
Alternatives to Opiates
Medically supported relief from pain is sometimes impossible to avoid. But opioids should only be taken as prescribed and under the care of a physician. Still, trying to address your pain in other ways may be the right strategy to reduce the risk of addiction. You may get relief in other ways, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, including:
- Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin
- Non-addictive anti-inflammatory compounds such as steroids
- Physical therapy, including massage, ultrasound or whirlpools
- Nerve blocks, involving numbing medication
- Surgery
Sometimes it’s a combination of these methods that provides the relief you need. Never make the decision to try one of these alternatives in a vacuum. Every decision has pluses and negatives; make sure you evaluate those with your doctor.
Treating Your Addiction
Opioid painkillers have helped countless individuals through painful illness or injury. But they’ve also caused pain of their own through their addictive qualities. It’s not your fault, and you don’t have to work through the challenge of addiction alone. If you’ve identified signs of opiate addiction in you or a loved one, consider getting help from our opiate addiction treatment center in Ohio — or a similar facility closer to home. The sooner you start, the sooner you can get back to living the life you deserve.
