Are you concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from opioid addiction? If so, you are not alone. In fact, opioid addiction is a serious problem in the United States, with around 50,000 people dying from opioid-related issues in 2019 alone.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a classification of drugs that can include both illegal drugs, such as heroin, and prescription pain medications. When prescribed by a doctor as a pain medication, opioids are meant to treat persistent or severe pain, such as that which is associated with chronic pain disorders are caused by surgery or diseases such as cancer.
Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors on the nerve cells in the brain, on the spinal cord and in other parts of the body. The opioid then blocks the pain messages that are sent from the body to the spinal cord and the brain, thereby effectively preventing your body from experiencing the pain.
Signs of Opioid Addiction
While it is possible for someone who is addicted to opioids to hide their addiction from their loved ones, there are a number of signs that are commonly associated with opioid addiction. Some of these include:
- Changes in sleep habits
- Changes in exercise habits
- Decrease in libido
- Drowsiness
- Experiencing new financial difficulties
- Frequently experiencing flu-like symptoms
- Isolation from family or friends
- Poor hygiene
- Stealing from family, friends or the workplace
- Weight loss
If you yourself are using opioids and you find that you are unable to control your opioid use or you have uncontrollable craving for opioids, you may be struggling with addiction.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid addiction, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today to learn more about our suboxone treatment program.