You have likely heard of the continuing opioid crisis in America by this point. What does it mean though? Well, the number of opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths due to overdosing and the number of people who are abusing opioids continue to be very high. In fact, in some recent years, opioid-related deaths topped other deaths such as those from cancer and other health issues. It is crucial that everyone who abuses opioids or has an addiction to them, knows there are treatment programs available. You can get the help you need to save your own life.
Top Opioids Abused
There isn’t just one opioid that people are abusing. The opioid crisis includes a wide range of opioids including, but not limited to, the following:
- Demerol
- Codeine
- Heroin
- Dilaudid
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Methadone
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Morphine
Unfortunately, even those who do struggle with chronic pain can develop an addiction to opioids and start abusing them.
Beginning of the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic is not new in the United States. In fact, since the 1990s deaths related to opioid abuse continue to be on the rise. Sure, some years the numbers drop a bit, but they are still far too high.
Back in the 1990s pharmaceutical companies were pushing more use of these drugs. Back then, there were a lot more doctors prescribing opioids, as well. The research on how addictive opioid drugs were wasn’t there yet, either. However, now more and more doctors are trying safer, alternative routes to pain management for their patients. They know the dangers of these drugs and do what they can to help prevent as many opioid addictions as possible. There are still people who need a prescription for opioids, but a lot fewer people are being prescribed them.
Prescription Opioid Crisis
There are millions of people who are abusing opioids without having a prescription for the drug. However, the truth is that many of the people who in the opioid epidemic statistics started out by having a prescription for one of the drugs noted above.
When someone takes these drugs for a longer period of time, their body builds up a tolerance to the drug. They need more of it in higher dosages to get the effects they are looking for. In addition, when someone starts using these drugs – due to their addictive nature of them -, there is a high risk of becoming dependent or addicted to them.
Then, there are the withdrawal symptoms that must be noted. Some of these symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Goosebumps
- Water eyes
- Sweating
- Body aches
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Shaking
- Fever
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
When someone who uses opioids starts experiencing withdrawal symptoms, they are much more likely to take another dose, or even a higher dose than normal, of the opioids. Sometimes, that can cause an overdose which might even be fatal.
The truth is that people can withdraw from opioids safely. However, it is best to do so in the safety of an addiction treatment center. If you attend a detox program, you will get treatments and support from trained professionals, nurses, and doctors. You will have the opportunity to detox more comfortably, as well.
Who is Affected by The Opioid Crisis
Nobody is truly safe from the opioid crisis. Some people believe that since they don’t have a family or personal history of addiction, there isn’t a chance they will become dependent on or addicted to opioids if or when they take them. Sure, some people can take these drugs and not have any issues. However, opioids are addictive and even those with no family or personal history of addiction can fall into the opioid crisis. There are teenagers, young adults, college students, professionals, senior citizens, and many others who have an opioid use disorder or opioid addiction. If you are abusing these drugs, don’t be afraid to speak up and get the treatment you need.
Treatment Options for Opioid Addiction
The only way to knock down the statistics and get through this opioid crisis is to expand the education offered for opioid addiction treatment. It is vital that everyone knows there are many options available to help people overcome opioid addiction. If you don’t think you have an addiction, but you do struggle to stop using the drug, you can still reach out for help. You don’t have to be one of the statistics of opioid-related overdoses or deaths.
Don’t wait any longer to stop using opioids. Allow yourself to escape the opioid crisis and live a substance-free life in recovery instead. Contact us today, here at Harmony Recovery Center NC. We can get you into a treatment program, so you can get clean and start overcoming opioid addiction.