Since 2000, opioid overdose is the cause of over 300,000 deaths in America, per DrugAbuse.gov. Some use these medications as prescribed and never suffer from an opioid abuse. However, others develop a dependency or start to abuse the drugs. Therefore, learning to recognize the signs of opioid abuse will allow you or a loved one to understand when it’s time to seek addiction treatment.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are medications that are usually prescribed to help you manage pain. They interfere with the way that your brain sends and receives pain signals. Therefore, you feel relief from discomfort when you take them.
When opioids enter your system, your brain releases neurotransmitters that make you feel good. Your reward center is triggered, and you may continue to use the medication because of this reinforcing power.
A derivative of the poppy, opioids have similar effects on the system as heroin. They’re powerful, and it’s important to talk to your doctor about weaning off of them if you feel like you’re exhibiting signs of opioid abuse.
Opioid Dependency
Some people take opioids over a long-term period to treat pain. Others abuse the drug because it produces a euphoric effect. If you take opioids continually, your body stops responding to the drugs. You begin to need to take a higher or more frequent dose to manage your pain. You may even have trouble feeling any pleasure whether or not you have the chemicals in your system.
This is a dependency, which is closely linked to abuse and addiction. When your body becomes dependent on the drug, it no longer produces its chemicals to help you feel good and manage pain. In other words, when you’re not taking the drug, you don’t feel good. In fact, you may even need to use the medication just to bring you to a baseline level of normalcy.
The Many Signs of Opioid Abuse
Dependency is one of the physical signs of opioid abuse. Addiction consists of physical and psychological elements. You can become dependent on the pills within about one month. In a more severe case, some become psychologically addicted within just a few days.
Some signs of opioid abuse are:
- Increased anxiety
- Abandonment of previous interests or routines
- Lowered motivation
- Preoccupation with getting and using the drugs
- Withdrawal symptoms when you don’t take the drugs
People who are addicted to opioids may believe that they cannot function or survive without the pills. They may do everything in their power to obtain the medication, even if it means acquiring it illegally.
Substance Abuse Requires Addiction Treatment
At Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we understand how easy it is to fall into opioid dependence. We offer this rehab blog to give people the information they need to help them find appropriate care for themselves or a loved one.
At our Arizona rehab facility, we offer trusted substance use treatment and addiction rehab for opioids and other drugs, including:
Discover our psychological and holistic therapy programs to conquer your opioid addiction. A lifelong recovery is just a phone call away at 866-377-4761.
