Understanding Addiction to Opioids
Opioids are a type of drug that include both heroin (an illegal drug) and prescription pain medication, such as morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone.
Because these drugs are legally prescribed by doctors, they are much more readily available around the United States – and therefore much more likely to be a source of addiction. Prescription drug addiction begins because of the effect that opioids have on the brain. While the medication is primarily designed to relieve pain, prescription opioids also work to create pleasurable effects in the brain. This increased pleasure is what makes prescription drug addiction – particularly to opioids – so common.
Addiction to prescription opioids, and prescription drug addiction as a whole, is a rising issue in the United States for a variety of reasons. From drastic increases in the number of prescriptions to marketing measures from pharmaceutical companies, several factors have worked together to create a society in which prescription opioids are readily available.
In fact, the number of prescriptions for opioid pain relievers has risen to over 200 million per year. The result is that as of 2013, the United States accounts for the vast majority of the consumption of prescription opioids – both hydrocodone and oxycodone.
While using prescription opioids does not automatically lead to addiction, the truth is that this type of prescription medication is highly addictive.
It is important to understand that when the medication is combined with other social and psychological factors, addiction to prescription opioids is a reality for many people all around the United States. Thankfully, prescription drug addiction can be overcome – knowing the signs of addiction and withdrawal, as well as where to get help, can help you understand addiction to prescription opioids.
Signs of Addiction to Prescription Opioids
Prescription opioid addiction does not typically occur in a vacuum. Instead, there are usually other factors that lead a person from the valid use of prescription medication to prescription drug addiction. For instance, it is generally agreed that addiction is genetic – this means that someone whose relatives have struggled with addiction in the past is more likely to develop the same disorder. Facing a stressful situation or life circumstances is another underlying cause of prescription drug addiction, since opioids can be used as a means of coping with the situation. There is no single cause of prescription opioid addiction; however, some contributing factors include:
If you recognize any of these factors in your own life, you should be wary of the possibility of addiction. This is not to say that addiction is inevitable if you face any of these precursors; however, the circumstances described above can be substantially more detrimental when combined with sustained prescription opioid use.
In addition to being aware of the underlying factors that interplay with prescription drug addiction, it is also important to understand the specific signs and symptoms of opioid abuse – and more specifically prescription opioid addiction. These signs of addiction include psychological symptoms, behavioral symptoms, and physiological symptoms. First and foremost, the psychological and physiological symptoms of prescription opioid abuse include:
While the psychological or physiological symptoms of prescription opioid addiction may be the most apparent, it is also important to look for behavioral signs of opioid addiction. These can be observed over multiple days and even weeks, and show that an individual has gone beyond opioid use as it is prescribed. Behavioral signs of opioid addiction include:
- Taking opioids for longer or with higher doses
- The use of opioids keeps the individual from meeting their daily responsibilities at work, at school, or in the family
- The individual tries to reduce the level of opioids used, but is unsuccessful
- Social activities and opportunities are missed because of the opioid use
- The individual continues to use the prescription opioid, even after realizing that it is causing social, personal, and health issues
These are all signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction, and more specifically abuse of prescription opioids. Someone who is addicted to opioids is unlikely to experience all of these symptoms – however, if you see several of these signs either in yourself or someone you know, it is most likely time to get the help that you need.
Withdrawal from Prescription Opioids
Once your body becomes addicted to prescription opioids and accustomed to the effects of the drug, it will have to go through withdrawal in order to rid itself of the unwanted effects of opioids. As mentioned above, experiencing withdrawal symptoms in the first place is a major sign that prescription drug use has moved into prescription drug addiction. This is one of the primary things that sets drug dependence apart from drug addiction.
Withdrawal from prescription opioids can look very different depending on the individual, the type of prescription opioid that was being used, and how long they had been taken. The most common withdrawal symptoms for those who have used prescription opioids include:
These withdrawal symptoms become more intense the longer the individual has been addicted to opioids, particularly if they have a co-occurring disorder. In order to make sure that you go through these withdrawal symptoms and get well on your way to recovery, it is crucial to reach out for help from detoxification onward. Detox and rehab programs in Colorado can help you overcome prescription drug addiction. To learn more, you can find resources under the ‘Next Steps’ section below.