Learning More about Opioid Dependency

Many Americans deal with chronic pain each and every day. It can be so debilitating that being active in their daily activities is unattainable. Yes, the discomfort can be that bad.

Opioids are a narcotic pain medication to help give patients relief so they can return to some of their activities.

While opioids can help, physicians need to monitor their patients’ intake.  While it’s important that patients are treated with the right pain level medications, it’s equally important to learn more about this prescription drug.

A level of awareness has been raised regarding the possibility of opioid dependency.    

Opioid Medication and Lingering Concerns:

Recent research has shown that those who suffer from chronic pain and take opioids for a long period of time can become physically dependent on them. A physical dependency is when the body becomes accustomed to a drug. This happens when a person takes a medication on a regular basis. 

As mentioned before, those who live with chronic pain take opioids in order to live each day with less pain and discomfort. When their pain levels drop, they are able to take part in work and family activities.

Although many of these opioid taking patients will not become addicts, there is a serious concern about these painkillers.

For starters, some patients may be more prone to addiction if there is a family history of drug or alcohol abuse.

There is also a worry regarding prescription painkillers misuse. Emergency room visits in this country have risen due to the abuse of prescription drugs, climbing to more than 500,000 visits per year.

It’s estimated that over 12 million Americans have used prescription painkillers for nonmedical purposes. 

These numbers are causing both alarm and awareness when it comes to opioids. 

Signs of Opioid Addiction: 

Those who are addicted to opioids generally experience an “exhilarating high.” In order to maintain this feeling of euphoria, users will begin to increase their opioid dosage. As the opioid medication starts to deplete, addicts will show compulsive signs to search for more of this narcotic drug either by legal or illegal means.  

Some addictive behaviors include: 

•           Lying about losing an opioid prescription in order to get another one

•           Using opioids in various forms such as injecting or snorting

•           Taking more opioids and lying about the daily dosage

•           Seeking different doctors for a new prescription

•           Going to several pharmacies for refills to avoid a red flag alert  

This type of drug addiction can be extremely powerful – but remember, there is always help to break free from it. 

Understanding Opioid Addiction:

Opioid addiction is best understood as a neurobiological disease. This disease consists of the following components:

•           Genetic

•           Psychosocial

•           Environmental 

A craving, compulsive, and high dosage use highlights the addiction.

This type of substance abuse can cause harm and problems at home, work, and school.

For the user, accepting that there is an addiction is the first important step in the healing journey. There is nothing to be ashamed of – help is available. The right rehabilitation program can help a person break free from their addiction so they can begin to live their life to the fullest.  

Marijuana More Potent than Ever

Over the years, the potency levels in social marijuana drug use have been on a significant rise. Its psychoactive component, tetrahydracannabinol, otherwise known as THC has climbed.

The escalated THC percentages have health care professionals concerned regarding the mental health effects of marijuana in both teens and adults.

According to Rafael Lemaitre, a spokesperson for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, he clearly stated in a previous interview, "The potency of marijuana in the United States has doubled since the mid-1980s."

Lemaitre highlighted comparisons between 1983 to today. Back in the 1980s, he said, THC levels were less than four percent. Today, these THC levels are ranging much higher and more erratically from 9 percent to 37 percent.

Lemaitre went on to say that the reason for this peak is because of the more “sophisticated growing techniques.”

Those concerned about the higher THC levels are troubled that people may be more prone to addiction.  And illegal marijuana sellers are turning over huge profits margins, keeping them on a pathway of high and potent THC numbers for returning customers. 

Those in the drug and alcohol treatment fields are calling the THC potency numbers worrisome.

And this is especially true for teenagers. It appears that an increasing amount of teens being seen for addiction are higher than teen alcohol abusers.

Some health care professionals point out that the younger a person is who begins using marijuana, the more they are at risk for depression and other types of mental psychosis.

In a matter of minutes following someone smoking marijuana, the THC kicks in. The most common drug side-effects are:

·         Rise in heart rate

·         Decrease in coordination

·         Unstable balance

·         Dreamy state of mind

The rise in TCH levels make the above side-effects even more pronounced. Although the effects generally wear off in a few hours, if someone has inhaled too much marijuana, their thinking process can be extremely altered which can produce marked paranoia and anxiety.   

Driving under this influence can also cause an extreme dangerous impairment.

According to health care professionals, the long term side-effects may impact the lungs. Smoking one joint is often compared to smoking several traditional tobacco cigarettes and can cause throat and lung irritation.

A concern regarding marijuana use also leans in the direction of lessened memory and compromised cognitive abilities.   

As mentioned earlier, the rise in THC levels is showing addiction concerns. Just like any other drug addiction, marijuana can be abused when a user is controlled by the substance and they lose interest in the activities and desires they once had.

Like other drug addictions, it has the potential to negatively affect the user, their family and friends, and co-workers. 

Medical professionals often cite that marijuana abuse may also be coupled with other drugs, including alcohol. Either way, it is an addiction which can be treated.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment of marijuana abuse is performed first by determining any underlying mental health disorders.  From there, proper medications and therapies such as cognitive-behavioral and motivational therapy will follow. 

A therapy model of treatment offers good success rates towards healing and recovery.

An Overview on Meth Facts

Methamphetamine, also known as meth and crystal meth, is an extremely additive drug. Although it is a widely popular street drug, many are unaware of its past history, current history, and serious addiction potential.

The alarming part about meth is that it’s relatively cheap in price which makes it more readily available to a larger group of users. 

The History

The history of methamphetamine goes back to its chemical relative, amphetamine. Although their chemical compounds and structure is alike, meth is far more aggressive on the central nervous system.

According to historical documentation, amphetamines were created in the late 1800s while methamphetamines were made around 1919. These drugs were used to treat a variety of health issues, such as: 

1. Depression
2. Narcolepsy 
3.  Obesity 
4.  Inhaler ingredient for breathing difficulties 
5.  Alcoholism

It was just a matter of time before the medical community realized that these drugs were addictive and also caused extreme euphoria. 

When the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act were approved by Congress in 1971, it placed amphetamines and methamphetamines in a Schedule II Drugs class. This classification made them restrictive prescription drugs.Because of this serious limitation, the black market emerged, particularly for methamphetamines.

Meth User Population

Although meth abusers are of all ages and races, statistics show that highest numbers are in North America; and, the average meth user falls into the category of Caucasian males ranging from 30 to 40 years of age.  

Although this is the median age of users, unfortunately, recent statistics is showing a sharp increase in teenagers abusing this drug for the following reasons:

1. Gives users a longer stretch of high than marijuana or cocaine 
2. Meth is cheap in price 
3.  Easily available and accessible

There are various ways that meth users take the drug. While consuming an oral pill is one way, it’s not the typical method addicts would use since it does not produce the intense, “high” feeling. 

Instead, they generally take the drug via injecting, smoking or snorting. Some even use a suppository method, as well.  

According to healthcare professionals, the quicker meth enters the bloodstream the higher rate of addiction will occur.

Methamphetamine Monikers

Meth has an array of names which include crystal meth, go, tweak, and snap, crackle and pop. In Japan, the street drug is known as shabu. In the states, the Japanese street name is also used.

When Meth Enters The Central Nervous System

When meth enters the brain, it affects the dopamine portion of the central nervous system. A large flow of dopamine is released intensifying this euphoric feeling.  

Once the meth begins to work its way out of the body, the brain is starved of its dopamine levels which will jumpstart: 

1. Depression and sadness 
2.  Irritability 
3.  Increased appetite 
4.  Paranoia 
5. Tiredness 
6.  Psychosis

These side effects are likely to jumpstart another meth dose.

The effects of meth abuse can be extremely dangerous to one’s health and wellness, financial status, educational standing, legal ramifications, and homelessness.

With the right treatment, there is hope for an abuser of meth. The road to recovery takes optimal treatment, counselling, and patience. But remember, there is a helping hand out there.

Meth Study Reveals Drug May Be More Addictive In Teen Girls

A study published this year in Journal of Adolescent Health suggested that teenage girls who had succumbed to a methamphetamine addiction had a harder time breaking from the addiction than boys within the same age group.
The research study was conducted at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Although a small study, it garnered valuable information needed for health care professionals in the field of drug addiction treatment. For instance, it raised awareness in regard to how young females should be treated.

The study consisted of 10 females and 9 males around the age of 17 years old. The participants were methamphetamine abusers and included the following:

1. Participants were given counseling
2. Some participants received bupropion, an antidepressant 
3.  Other participants received a placebo

The group of teenagers who were on bupropion did not have significantly lower meth-free urine samples compared to those who had the placebo. Also for this particular study, bupropion was suggested as not being a purely effective methamphetamine addiction treatment.
Conversely, they discovered that the males, in both study groups, had double the amount of meth-free urine drug tests as opposed to the girls.  

In the university press release, health sciences assistant clinical professor, Dr. Keith Heinzerling shared, “The greater severity of methamphetamine problems in adolescent girls compared to boys -- combined with results of studies in adults that also found women to be more susceptible to methamphetamine than men -- suggests that the gender differences in methamphetamine addiction observed in adults may actually begin in adolescence.”

Not many people know that meth addiction actually started back in the 1930s.  Methamphetamine was a popular ingredient in inhalers for those with breathing challenges.  It wasn’t until after, users realized the ingredient was addicting due to its euphoric side-effects.

Like any addiction, the body becomes more resistant to the original dose amount, and needs to be increased.   

Teenagers are introduced to meth, particularly the street name of crystal meth.  It’s considered a party drug for the following intents:

1.  Stimulant
2. Keeps users up for hours without the need for sleep 
3. Gives users an euphoric state 
4.  Inhibitions go away 
5. Increases libido 
6. Relatively cheap to buy

Meth is also considered as a functional drug. In these cases, users take meth to stay up for a long stretch of hours and helps with weight loss.

In either case, some teens are viewing this drug as a need either in a party atmosphere, functional necessity, or both.  

Although signs of meth addiction vary from user to user, the typical side effects are the following:

1. Irritability 
2.  Paranoia 
3.   Mood swings 
4.  Fear 
5.   Dramatic weight loss 
6.  Odd sleep cycles
7.  Post nasal drip and other sinus issues 
8.   Tooth discoloration and decay 
9.    Pale skin discoloration 
10.   Cognitive challenges

Treatment for meth addiction is a journey, but it can be done.  And in order to overcome this addiction, chiefly with teen girls, new treatment methods may need to be considered and utilized.

For more information about drug rehab and non 12 step program visit Miramar Laguna Beach