Opioid addiction is a public health crisis impacting people around the globe. While heroin is one of the most commonly misused opioids, prescription medications are also misused. Highly addictive opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl are all highly addictive opioids that may be prescribed for pain management. Misusing these substances, whether you have a prescription or not, can put you at risk of adverse effects, including overdose.
At My 5 Palms, we help people overcome addiction because we understand how easily opioid overdose can happen and how families can be devasted by it. Get the help that you need to break from free of addiction by reaching out to us today. Find opioid addiction treatment in Florida today by calling 1.844.675.1022.
What Are the Effects of Opioid Abuse
Opioid misuse means using an opioid medication in a way other than prescribed by one’s health care provider. It can include taking the drug more often or in larger doses than advised. Also, if a person uses an opioid for which they do not have a prescription—not just an illicit opioid like heroin—it would be considered opioid misuse. The impact of misuse can be far-reaching not just for the person experiencing it, but also for their loved ones.
The Physical Effects
Misusing opioids can cause physical side effects like drowsiness, confusion, and slowed breathing. Repeated opioid abuse can also disrupt digestive health and lead to constipation.
Psychological Effects
Opioid abuse can be hazardous to an individual’s brain and mental health. One may experience mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, misusing opioids can impair cognitive function, affecting memory and learning capacity.
Social Effects
Over time, opioid misuse can fracture personal and professional relationships. It might also cause financial and legal issues, further straining someone’s closest bonds. People misusing opioids can tend to isolate themselves from their loved ones as well, increasing the emotional distance.
Addiction and Opioid Overdose
In addition to the above effects of opioid abuse, people who use opioids are extremely vulnerable to becoming addicted and experiencing overdose. This happens when individuals eventually build a tolerance to their usual dosage and require increasingly higher doses in order to experience the same effects. Taking higher doses of opioids makes it more likely that someone will have an overdose.
With addiction, the brain becomes dependent on the elevated activity of opioid receptors to instigate feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Without opioids, your brain will struggle to produce these positive feelings, which will create the urge to keep using opioids and fueling the addiction.
What Are the Signs of an Opioid Overdose?
Opioid overdoses have the potential to be fatal, so it is vital that you recognize whether someone may have overdosed. Be aware of the following signs of an opioid overdose:
- Pinpoint pupils – The pupils are constricted and appear very small
- Bluish tint to lips or fingertips – Lack of oxygen can lead to skin discoloration
- Slow or shallow breathing – Breathing may be erratic or the person may seem to struggle to breathe
- Loss of consciousness – The individual may appear unresponsive and cannot be awakened
- Limpness – The person’s body may feel limp or cold to the touch.
If you notice the above signs in someone you suspect has taken opioids, you need to reach out for emergency assistance immediately. They may advise you to administer naloxone if it is available. This is a life-saving drug that can reverse an opioid overdose.
The emergency operator may also guide you through rescue breathing if needed. Most importantly, stay with the person until help arrives and follow all instructions given by the technician.
Call My 5 Palms to Enroll in Opioid Addiction Treatment
Overcoming the effects of opioid abuse can be challenging, but when you have the team at My 5 Palms by your side, you have all the tools and support you need for a healthy recovery. To enroll in our opioid addiction treatment program, reach out at 1.844.675.1022 or fill out our online form today.
