Opioids are a substance that has become among the most addictive drugs in the United States. They are so heavily used that their use has become the opioid crisis. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that as many as 90 Americans die daily from an opioid overdose. Of those that don’t, in 2019 1o.1 million Americans over the age of 12 were abusing opioids in the United States, 9.7 million were abusing pain relievers, and 745,000 were using heroin.
The addiction often starts with a pain reliever prescription, and because they are so effective at that, many people misuse them. Experts at centers such as http://oceansrecovery.com/ will say that misuse will become an addiction. Learn more about how to detect the signs of opioid addiction right here.
What Does Opioid Addiction Look Like?
It is really difficult to tell if someone is addicted to opioids if you are not around them all the time, or if they do not talk about it. There might be some life indicators that suggest someone is addicted or struggling with this if they suddenly stop taking the substance. You might notice irritability, anger, sweating, and nausea. They may feel sick without really knowing why they feel sick, or without having a reason to be sick.
You may not notice the problem until there are significant life changes, like job changes, financial fluctuations, and social problems. If you are concerned about this in the life of a loved one, there are some signs to look for:
- Excess opioid use
- Cravings, talking about it a lot
- Drowsiness
- Sleep changes
- Flu-like symptoms – clamminess, nausea
- Decrease in libido
- Poor hygiene (obsession with taking and getting the medication)
- Socially isolating
- Financial problems
Some people are more at risk of developing an opioid addiction than others.
Risk Factors
There are a number of risk factors for opioid abuse, with opioid addicts getting younger and younger every day. Here are a few:
- Young, teens, and early twenties are a time to start
- Stressful life, high anxiety, or high levels of depression
- Below poverty line
- Family history
- Work problems
- Legal problems including DUIs
- Frequent contact with high-risk people
- Engage in risk-taking behavior
- Cigarette smoker
Although this is a starting list of risk factors for developing an opioid addiction, it is also known that just starting to take them for any purpose could trigger an opioid addiction. This addiction can happen with any age, race, or socioeconomic status as well. These risk factors are just that. They will increase the risk of starting this addiction. There is nobody immune from this addiction.
Seek Support
If you have a loved one that you think is showing the signs of opioid addiction, getting them help might be very difficult. If you think you have this problem and want it to end, there are several ways to get help. Experts like those at http://oceansrecovery.com/ and at facilities like this all across the country, will tell you that getting help with support will be the most successful way to do so. Once you recognize the signs, you can beat this by seeking support from your family or friends, or those that will not judge you, to get help.
