Opioid addiction has turned into a huge problem in the U.S. in recent years. According to one study, about 3 million Americans either suffer from opioid use disorder right now or have in the past.
If you believe that someone you know might be addicted to opioids, you should look out for the signs of opioid addiction. They’ll let you know if a loved one is suffering from opioid abuse so that you can help them look into getting opioid addiction treatment.
Here are several signs that may suggest a person is dealing with an addiction problem and needs to learn about their treatment options.
Unnecessary Usage of Opioids
A lot of the people who become addicted to opioids actually start off using them for a good reason. They’ll use opioids in the aftermath of a surgery or an injury to help manage their pain.
But before long, they’re using these opioids even when they aren’t experiencing pain anymore. They might even go as far as to tell you that they’re using them “just in case” pain begins to affect them again.
This is typically one of the first signs of opioid addiction. It’ll suggest that a person isn’t able to make it through a day without taking opioids in some form or fashion.
Obvious Changes in Behavior
As a person begins to become more and more dependent on opioids, you might start to see some changes in how they behave. For example, they might have mood swings all the time and snap over the littlest things.
People who are addicted to opioids might also start to maintain strange sleep schedules. They might sleep all day or not sleep at all in some instances.
Whatever the case, you should monitor a person’s behavior over time to see how their behavior changes. If they seem to be trending in the wrong direction, you might want to talk to them about what’s going on.
Unexplained Sicknesses
Unless a loved one has access to a seemingly unlimited supply of opioids, there will be times when they won’t be able to take them. If they’re addicted to them, this will result in them getting sick in a lot of cases.
Dope sickness is very common among those addicted to things like prescription pills and even heroin. If you have a loved one who is always sick for no real reason, opioid addiction could be to blame.
Don’t Ignore the Signs of Opioid Addiction
It doesn’t take very long for someone to get addicted to opioids. It’s why you should pay close attention to see if you’re ever able to spot signs of opioid addiction.
The sooner you catch someone demonstrating that they might be addicted to opioids, the sooner you can discuss the idea of them going to a rehab facility. It may be the only way for you to safely get them the opioid addiction treatment they need.
Find more articles on drug abuse and addiction treatment by browsing through our other blog articles.
