7 Signs You Should Seek Treatment for an Opioid Addiction
- Excessive Use of Opioid Painkillers
An opioid should never be considered a long-term solution, because extended use is what helps the brain develop a pattern for addiction. Researchers recommend taking opioids only in emergency situations and suggest use should be tapered off after three days. If you’ve been taking an opioid for longer than a week, or in higher doses than recommended, it may be time to talk to your doctor.
- Seeking Other Opioid Sources
- Failing to Meet Obligations
As the opioid addiction becomes more powerful, it will be the primary thought on the individual’s mind. They will spend most of their time thinking about their next high, trying to get the money to buy more drugs, or actually taking the drug. The addiction causes this to become an obsession to the point that the individual will begin to miss appointments and will fail to meet their obligations. They may lose their jobs, or run into problems at school.
- Relationship Issues
In addition to losing touch with obligations, the individual’s interpersonal relationships will likely suffer. As people become frustrated that the individual won’t accept that they have an addiction, they may begin to distance themselves from that person. This includes losing friendships, as well as romantic relationships. Over time, family members and other loved ones may also grow frustrated with the situation and distance themselves from the addict.
- Becoming Reclusive or Antisocial
As a result of strained relationships, the addict may also withdraw from social activities and may avoid public events. Partly, this will be due to the fact that the individual fears confrontations about his or her addiction. Additionally, attending events and socializing may take time away from their drug use, so they will prefer to stay home and use the opioid or heroin.
- Engaging in Risky Behavior
The euphoria that opioid use creates in the brain also inhibits judgment, so the user won’t recognize that certain situations are dangerous. This can include exposing oneself to attack in an effort to buy illegal drugs, or it can mean driving a vehicle under the influence. The individual may not recognize the risk, or they may rationalize the danger, so they won’t have to admit that their addiction is real. They will also engage in high-risk sexual practices, which can expose them to sexually transmitted diseases, or pregnancy.
- Withdrawal Symptoms Become More Prominent
The individual will spend less time in a sober state, because coming down means suffering increased withdrawal symptoms. They’ll experience headaches and migraines, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and many other symptoms of withdrawal. The user will equate being sober with feeling bad, so they will seek to remain high as often as possible. This cycle can only end in an overdose, unless the individual accepts that he has a problem and seeks treatment.
It’s never easy to recognize an addiction in oneself or in a loved one. If any of these signs seem familiar, it may be time to take a hard look at the opioid use and ask if a problem does exist. Admitting that you, or your loved one, may need help is the first step in recovering from addiction.
