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.