Table of Contents
Introduction
Addiction can be of many kinds!
But, any kind of opioid addiction can make things worse.
This is mostly because these medicines are prescribed by doctors, and they are readily available for everyone.
This is one of the reasons why we see people getting addicted to these substances after a major operation, or even at old age when they suffer from some disease and are prescribed opioids.
That being said, it is not something that cannot affect the teens, but the teens can only get it if someone in the house is being treated or they are mixing with the wrong crowd.
Thus, if you know someone who is acting a little more indifferent than how they normally do, then there is probably something they aren’t telling you.
In this excerpt below, we will be discussing the different signs of catching someone with opioid addiction. But, at the same time, we will also be talking about the different ways in which you could combat this deadly addiction.
Before we get into the excerpt below; we would like to remind you that,
Addiction is not the end of the world, and no matter how good the chemicals feel right now, they wouldn’t always remain like this.
Plus, nothing will compare with the fresh breath of sobriety and the fact that your health is not at risk anymore.
If you are someone suffering from this addiction or wish to help someone, then try new Infinite Recovery offerings.
Signs Of Opioid Addiction
These are some tell-tale signs that can get your suspicions proved about someone.
These are different signs but do not make any assumption until and unless you see all these signs together.
1. Physical Distress
They will always be agitated, like they are going through some sort of pain. Unfortunately, the worst part of opioid addiction is that the effect doesn’t stay for long.
So the moment the effects drain, the painful withdrawal starts with physical agitation.
2. Depression
Excessive depression is when the chemical effects of the drugs wear out, followed by excessive levels of euphoria.
If you are finding someone having these amount of mood swings, they are suffering from opioid addiction.
3. Anxiety Attacks
An anxiety attack can happen even when the person is under the effect of an opioid. It is nothing but hyperventilating because of the heart beating too fast.
This is again caused by the chemical reaction in the nervous system.
4. Responsibility Abandonment
For someone who was good in their academics and their work suddenly starts faltering could be because of the opioids.
This responsibility abandonment will start small but soon become a big problem when they don’t go to school anymore or refuse to go back to the office.
5. Hostile Behavior
Hostile behavior towards anyone who wishes to talk to them because that is how painful the whole thing can get.
They rather fight than go through the withdrawal.
Opioid Addiction & How To Recover From Them
Opioid addiction has one of the worst withdrawals of all time. Thus, you should be careful if your intentions are to help someone.
1. Intervention
Intervention is the first step to address opioid addiction for your close ones. If you are unsure about someone suffering from this addiction, you would never be able to help them.
At first, the patient has to accept that they have a problem and make peace with it. You cannot force recovery upon them. They have to want to recover themselves, and intervention is the first step to that realization.
2. Therapy
Therapy is the next step to recovery. However, the patient wouldn’t be making any progress unless and until they decipher the root of the addiction.
It is only through Cognitive behavioral therapy that they will be able to understand the reasoning and triggers. Thus starts the next part of opioid recovery.
3. Medical Detoxification
Medical Detox is when medical professionals detox the system out of opioids. Unfortunately, no true recovery can start when someone is still affected physically by the harmful chemicals of opioids.
Once medical detox begins, the patient goes through procedures and prescribes a medicinal routine that helps them drain the chemicals from their body to proceed to the next step.
5. Inpatient Rehabilitation
We have heard that people who suffer from opioid addiction do not want to give up because there is no pain worse than withdrawal.
So, when the patient goes through the actual withdrawal during recovery, they need 24/7 care and supervision.
Thus, if you are helping someone, think about enrolling them in a rehabilitation program and let the professionals help them through the withdrawal.
6. Self-Help Group
Self-help groups are very important for someone suffering from this addiction because this means they have someone to talk to.
Not a therapist!
Not a medical professional!
Someone who has suffered from the same pain and struggle and either has recovered or is recovering. This will prevent them from completely isolating, which is the worst thing a patient can do.
In these self-help groups, there are former patients who also volunteer. Listening to their stories is fresh and motivating to the struggling patients, who are hoping for a recovery soon.
7. Holistic Recovery
Holistic recovery is the last stage of recovery where patients get a therapist and a sober coach, and they teach them the holistic way of recovery.
They are either taught ways to distract themselves when there is this sudden urge to relapse—for example, physical exercise, yoga, and journaling.
Or, there are other therapeutic approaches that can help them express their feelings in a non-verbal way.
Recovery Is Possible!
With the right determination and the right help, recovery from opioid addiction is very much possible. All you need to do is get the patient to accept that,
Yes, there is a problem.
&
Yes, if they put their mind to it, they will be able to recover from the deadly clutches of opioid addiction.
This is one of the reasons why inpatient rehabilitation centers are there, to help patients see what they are doing and why they should stop.