Addiction Education at ASAP
What to Know about Addiction Symptoms, Effects, & Treatment
Part of addiction recovery is understanding the opioid epidemic, including the effects and consequences of substance abuse as well as symptoms of opiate withdrawal. ASAP is here to provide thorough addiction education, informing patients, families, and communities as a whole on this serious matter in order to reach as many as possible in need of help.
What Are Opiates and Opioids?
Opiates and Opioids are a class of pain-relieving drugs that work by interacting with opioid receptors in your nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
- Opiates – Heroin, Codeine, Morphine
- Opioids – Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Tramadol
Understanding the Opioid Addiction Epidemic
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States:
- From 1999 to 2016, more than 630,000 people have died from a drug overdose.
- In 2017 alone, 76,000 people died from opioid drug overdose. This is more than the combined causalities from every war or military intervention since and including Vietnam.
- Around 66% of the more than 63,600 drug overdose deaths in 2016 involved an opioid.
- In 2016, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was 5 times higher than in 1999.
- In 2021, all cause opiate and opioid overdose deaths rose to a new all-time high of 80,411 Americans.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has also been monitoring the opioid epidemic and reports:
- Roughly 21% to 29% of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
- Between 8% and 12% develop an opioid use disorder.
- An estimated 4% to 6% who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.
- About 80% of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
- Opioid overdoses increased 30% from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.
- The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70% from July 2016 through September 2017.
- Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54% in 16 states.
Opioid Withdrawal Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of opioid withdrawal may range from mild to severe depending on several factors, such as drug, dosage, dependency, length of time using a particular drug, drug combinations, underlying medical conditions, history of addiction, previous trauma, and stressful or unsupportive surroundings.
Early Signs & Symptoms of Opiate or Opioid Abuse:
- Tearing up
- Yawning
- Sneezing
- Muscle aches
- Agitation
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Excessive yawning
- Anxiety
- Nose running or nasal congestion
- Hot and cold sweats
- Racing heart
- Elevated blood pressure
- Elevated temperature
Late Signs & Symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Goosebumps (“Gooseflesh”)
- Stomach cramps and aches
- Depression
- Drug cravings
- Bone or muscle aches and pains
Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction
The effects of opioid addiction can be far-reaching and devastating for all involved. Some of the most common effects from opioid abuse and addiction include:
- Job loss
- Financial strain/instability
- Homelessness
- Incarceration
- Divorce
- Single Parent
- Abuse (domestic or child)
- Broken relationships (family, friends, community)
- Poor Hygiene
- Declining physical Appearance/health
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Brain/memory damage
- Seizures
- Coma
- Overdose
- Death
Treatment for Opioid and Opiate Addiction
Several addiction treatment plans exist for opiate and opioid addiction, including both behavioral and pharmacological, also known as Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). Both approaches help to restore brain function and behavior. Research has shown that integrating both types of treatment is most effective for opiate and opioid addicts. Contact us today to determine the best path for your recovery needs.
Are you or a loved one in need of addiction treatment? Qualified care is a phone call away.