Symptoms of Opioid Addiction

Opioid pain medications, commonly called opiates, include prescription medications like fentanyl, hydrocodone, and morphine. When taken as prescribed, these drugs are effective at relieving pain. They also provide a calming effect, however, and this side effect can be highly attractive to users. It eventually becomes habit forming and leads to ongoing abuse.

Opiate abuse can include taking one's prescribed medication in larger doses or more frequently than it was originally prescribed. This can quickly spiral out of control into a full blown addiction. Often, a dependence on or addiction to pain medication can be difficult to overcome without medical and therapeutic assistance. Individuals who worry that a loved one could be dealing with medication dependence should work to take action as soon as possible before the situation becomes more dangerous.

Early detection and treatment of opioid abuse is one of the best ways to prevent a full blown addiction from taking hold. If the symptoms are caught early, it is much easier to help the individual to fight off the physical issues that they are experiencing before they develop a full blown drug addiction.

There are numerous physical and behavioral warning signs that one can watch for to determine if a loved one is developing a drug dependence issue.

The typical signs of opiate abuse include:

• Marks from needles on the arms and legs from using injected drugs.
• Constricted pupils.
• Difficulty staying awake.
• Itchy, flushed skin.
• Disappearing from social activities
• Mood swings that are sudden and dramatic.
• Impulsive actions, poor decision making, and sudden actions that seem out of character.
• Taking part in risky activities.
• Seeing multiple doctors in an attempt to gain access to more medications.

If a substance abuse issue is recognized, it is crucial to take the time to seek help as soon as possible. In some cases, an individual can break free of a problem simply by adjusting a current medication to reduce availability. In other cases, a 12-step program or outpatient therapy may be helpful. However, if one has fallen victim to a full blown addiction, inpatient treatment may be necessary, or one may require treatment by a suboxone doctor to help control their symptoms.

Side Effects of Opiates 

The side effects of these pain medications will always depend on the specific drug, how much of it is ingested or injected, and the individuals' tolerance level. The effects usually take place within 30 minutes or less and may last up to a few hours.

The immediate side effects of using painkillers are:

• Shallow, slow breathing.
• Judgement impairment.
• Flushed or itchy skin.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Blurry vision.
• Weight loss over time.
• Hallucinations.
• Euphoric mood.

Individuals who have been using opioids for a long period of time may be unable to break free of this addiction without professional help. In these cases, a medical rehabilitation facility, suboxone doctor, or inpatient facility may be necessary to help them achieve a solid start to their recovery. If you or a loved one is suffering from a dependence on pain medications or is struggling with an addiction to opioids, contact [rehabilitation center]  today to learn more about the options available to you.