Signs of Opioid Use: What to Look For

What is Opioid Addiction?

Opioid addiction happens when someone uses opioids—drugs meant to ease pain—so much that their body and mind really need them to feel normal. This need can mess up their daily life, making it hard to do homework, play, or hang out with friends and family like they used to.

Common Types and Names

This type of drug can be medicines that a doctor gives you, or they can be illegal drugs. Here are some of the examples::

– Prescription medication: These are drugs like oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), morphine, and fentanyl that doctors prescribe to help with pain from surgeries, injuries, or ongoing pain.
– Heroin: This is an illegal drug and is also considered an opioid.

This addiction is currently a very big health issue where a person can’t quit using them, even if they really want to. These drugs, which are sometimes given out by doctors to help with pain, can be super addictive.

How to Spot if Someone Might Be Using:

It might be tricky to notice if someone is using, but here are some clues:

– They might look really sleepy or tired a lot.
– They lose interest in activities they once loved.
– Their moods can flip quickly—they might be super happy one moment and really sad the next.
– Their pupils (the black part in the middle of the eyes) look smaller.
– They might move or talk slower than usual.

Opioids addiction

Opioid use leads to a painful life

Our Treatment Approach To Opioid Addiction

Treating opioid addiction is important because it helps people get back to their normal lives. Here’s how it can be treated:

  • Talking to a Doctor or Counselor: They can help understand why someone started using and teach ways to cope without them.
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): This includes medicines that help reduce the craving for opioids and manage withdrawal symptoms.
  • Support Groups: Meeting other people who are facing the same challenges can be very helpful. They can share experiences and support each other.

This family of drugs is a tough thing to deal with, but understanding it is the first step in helping ourselves or others to overcome it. With the right knowledge and support, people can recover and enjoy their lives again. Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s okay to ask for help—it shows strength, not weakness.

At Mudita Cara we aim to assist with the direction from a doctor to do a medical detox to simply reduce the pain over time. This process generally takes 3 weeks and has a higher success rate.