Help! What are the Signs of Opiate Addiction?
The opium epidemic seems to reach every corner of the country and it’s a problem for many families. If you suspect a loved one has a heroin addiction, be sure to watch out for these signs of opiate addiction so you can get them help, fast.
Opiate addictions are becoming an epidemic in the United States. In the last five years alone, the amount of people addicted to them has climbed by almost 500%.
Moreover, this addiction isn’t just something young people are suffering from. Studies show that opioid addiction affects people across age demographics.
But how can you tell if someone you know or love is addicted to oxycodone, hydrocodone, or other illicit opiates?
Pay attention and look for the following signs of opiate addiction.
Signs of Opiate Addiction 101: Look for the Side Effects
While looking for side effects first may seem counterintuitive, it can be a tell-tale sign if someone you love has been abusing prescription or illegal drugs. Because the drug itself often causes people to be in a comatose state, you may not see them as often when they are high.
Signs of opiate addiction can be subtle, so it is important that you keep an eye out for the side effects that they may cause.
Side effects may include:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Bone pain
- Dry mouth
- Depressed respiration
- Abdominal cramping
- Depression
While these can be the side effects of many things, it is important to pay attention to the frequency in which they are happening. Yes, sometimes people are tired and nauseous, but if it is constant and they do want help with it, there may be something else eschew.
Look at Their Overall Appearance
While many people are good at keeping their addictions secret for a long time, the body’s appearance cannot tell a lie.
If someone you know is looking paler, constantly sick, tired, and look as though they have given up on their appearance (unkempt), these may all be signs that point to a person is becoming addicted or already being addicted to opiates.
A person’s weight is also often a give away to their drug use. If someone you know used to be a healthy weight or a heavier weight, and then began to lose weight or gain weight very quickly, it could be due to drug use.
Many people begin to look like themselves again after detoxing, but in the meantime, will have an appearance that may make their drug addiction obvious.
Their Personalities Have Changed
People with opioid dependency often only care about one relationship: the one that they have with their drugs.
At first, things can be subtle. For instance, your romantic partner is not as interested in you as they used to be. But it may come up in other ways as well.
They may become more cranky overall, have a shorter temper, and major mood swings when they are not high or on the medication.
They may also be more likely to be more forgetful, and struggle in things that used to come easy to them, like school or work.
Get Your Loved Ones Help
While many people with drug addiction are often in denial or keep this part of their life secret, it is important that we pay attention and look for signs of opiate addiction.
It’s a frightening fact, but seven people every hour die in the U.S. because of their opiate addictions.
Do not let your loved ones and friends become part of that statistic.
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