Understanding Opioid Abuse

Learn About Opioid Addiction

Opioids are a class of medications that are used to alleviate the presence of pain. The opioid category includes prescription pain medications such as Vicodin, codeine, OxyContin, and morphine, as well as the illicit drug heroin. These drugs work by attaching to a person’s opioid receptors and reducing pain sensations in the body. In addition to producing an analgesic effect, opioids also produce feelings of euphoria, wellbeing, and an overall sense of calm. These effects may prompt an individual to begin abusing these substances.

Long-term abuse of opioids can have severe detrimental health consequences, including irreversible brain damage. Furthermore, those who are addicted to opioids are at an increased risk for premature death, which is why it is essential to seek professional help as soon as possible. There are a number of treatment options for opioid abuse available that can help an individual get clean and stay clean.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Opioid Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders

The presence of an opioid addictions is often accompanied by the presence of an additional mental health condition. Examples of disorders that have been cited as co-occurring alongside the opioid abuse include the following:

Additional substance use disorders
Depressive disorders
Antisocial personality disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Borderline personality disorder

Statistics

Opioid Addiction Statistics

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that approximately 52 million people in the United States have experimented with using prescription painkillers for recreational purposes at some point in their lives. Furthermore, an estimated five million people in the U.S. meet criteria for a clinical diagnosis of opioid addiction. Tragically, it is estimated that, approximately 17,000 people die as a direct result of an opioid overdose in the United States each year.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Opioid Abuse

Multiple factors are believed to play a role in the development of an opioid addiction. Some of these factors include the following:

Genetic: Significant evidence has shown a strong hereditary link to the onset of addiction to substances such as opioids. Individuals who have biological family members who struggle with substance abuse and addiction are at heightened risk for struggling with chemical dependency concerns at some point in their lives.

Environmental: A number of environmental circumstances can heighten an individual’s vulnerability to experimenting with the abuse of substances, such as opioids, and consequently developing an addiction. For example, when people are exposed to the frequent use of drugs and/or alcohol, they will most likely view such behaviors as acceptable and may begin participating in them as well.

Risk Factors:

Being prescribed opioid medication for surgery, injury, or chronic pain
Personal or family history of mental illness
Family history of substance abuse and addiction
Personal history of abusing other types of drugs and/or alcohol
Ease of access to opioids
Peer pressure
Being exposed to crime and violence

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Abuse

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of opioid abuse can be difficult because drug users will often go to great lengths to hide their addiction and many of the obvious signs are not immediately apparent. However, over time a number of signs and symptoms will emerge that may indicate that an opioid problem may exist. Some of the symptoms and signs of opioid use may include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Visiting different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions for opioid
Stealing or constantly borrowing money from others
Taking someone else’s medication
Forging prescriptions
Frequently being absent from work
Loss of employment
Isolating oneself from friends and family
Failing to fulfill daily obligations
No longer participating in activities that were once enjoyed
Engaging in sudden, unprovoked angry outbursts
Possessing drug paraphernalia

Physical symptoms:

Frequent nausea
Decreased blood pressure
Slowed heart rate
Disturbances in sleeping patterns
Change in eating patterns
Constipation and diarrhea
Constricted pupils
No longer caring how one looks and lacking appropriate hygiene
Weight gain or loss
Track or needle marks
Drowsiness
Dizziness

Cognitive symptoms:

Significant memory disturbances
Altered states of perception
Irreversible cognitive impairment
Concentration difficulties
Hindered learning capabilities

Psychosocial symptoms:

Mood swings
Depression
Irritability
Anxiety
Agitation
Anger
Suicidal ideation

Effects

Effects of Opioid Addiction

The long-term abuse of opioids can manifest into a number of negative consequences in virtually all areas of a person’s life. Some of these adverse complications may include, but are not limited to, the following:

No longer meeting responsibilities at work or home
Job loss
Chronic unemployment
Financial difficulties
Isolation from family and friends
Significant relationship disturbances
Familial difficulties, possibly ending in divorce
Legal problems
Development of many physical complications
Decline in one’s overall mental health
Death from overdose, accidents, or medical conditions

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Opioid Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of opioid withdrawal: Symptoms that occur when opioid use is discontinued or reduced is known as opioid withdrawal. The symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal may be extremely unpleasant, but in most instances are not life threatening. Opioid withdrawal symptoms may include:

Runny nose
Watery eyes
Nausea and vomiting
Low energy
Irritability
Insomnia
Sweating
Muscle aches and pains
Abdominal cramping
Diarrhea
Anxiety
Depression
Paranoia
Panic attacks

Effects of opioid overdose: When an individual consumes a quantity of opioids that is more than his or her body can physically tolerate, an overdose will occur. Because an opioid overdose can be a life threatening situation, medical attention should be sought immediately. Signs that could indicate that someone has overdosed on opioids may include the following: