the headly reality of the opioid epidemic

Did you know that the opioid epidemic is ongoing? Opioid abuse is one of the most serious forms of substance abuse due to the high potential for overdose and the availability of opioid medication, but too many people (including medical professionals) pretend not to see it. Opioid addiction is life-ruining if someone is unable to get help. It impacts the person with the substance use disorder as well as everyone around them. We’re here to talk about the facts behind the opioid and opiate epidemic. Keep reading to learn more.

First: Opiates vs Opioids

Many people aren’t aware that opiates and opioids aren’t the same things (although they are similar). Rather, it’s like the difference between a rectangle and a square. All opiates are opioids but not all opioids are opiates. “Opioid” is an umbrella term for both natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic chemicals that interact with the opioid center of the brain to reduce pain signals. Opioids include both legal and illegal drugs. Opiates, on the other hand, can only be natural. They include heroin, morphine, and codeine. Heroin is sometimes considered a class of its own, but it’s still an opioid and an opiate. When it comes to discussing the opioid epidemic, it’s important that you use the umbrella term. Many opioids that people develop addictions to are synthetic.

The Facts

Did you know that over 500,000 people have died from opioid overdoses since 1999? These opioids were both legal and illegal. Many people who develop addictions to opiates start by getting prescriptions for them. Opioids are popular due to their pain-relieving properties. They also give users a feeling of euphoria and warmth. Because opioids are so strong, people often become addicted because they’re no longer able to find as much joy or relief from other substances or activities that they once enjoyed. Research suggests that opioid use has increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This puts further stress on the healthcare system and puts people who are addicted to opioids at greater risk due to a lack of resources. Many people who use and overdose on opioids are people who are experiencing homelessness. With the increasing wealth inequality in the United States, homelessness is spreading, putting more people at risk. If the overburdened mental healthcare system in the United States can’t reach people who need help with their addictions, the problem will only continue to grow.

Where Do People Find Opioids?

Many people start their opioid addictions in a doctor’s office. Doctors tend to overprescribe opioid medications for people who are managing pain after an accident, after surgery, or after any other serious and painful medical condition. When someone is in severe pain, opioids are often the only option for swift pain relief. That said, doctors who prescribe too many opioid pills can influence addiction. People who take opioids for pain instead of pleasure don’t plan on being addicted. They trust their doctors and their pain killers. After taking opioids, though, nothing else compares and they may struggle to find relief through other medications. People who are addicted to opioids who can’t get prescriptions often turn to riskier options, like fentanyl. While some fentanyl is available via prescription, drug dealers often mix cheap fentanyl with heroin. Fentanyl is more potent than morphine and it only takes a small amount to cause an overdose.

What Are Side Effects of Opioid Abuse?

To put it bluntly: opioid abuse is deadly. There are plenty of side effects and dangers associated with opioid abuse. Some of them align with side effects from other kinds of substances. Side effects and dangers of opioid abuse include:

• Intense drowsiness
• Breathing problems or slowed breathing
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Mood disturbances
• Falling unconscious
• Coma
• Death

If you’re trying to determine if someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, look for signs including:

• An inability to talk
• Loss of consciousness
• Blue or gray lips and skin
• Clammy skin
• Vomiting
• Gurgling
• A slow pulse

If you have naloxone and you think that someone is experiencing an overdose, use it and contact medical services immediately.

Dangers and Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal

While opioid abuse is dangerous, opioid withdrawal is also dangerous. This is one of the biggest problems that people who are trying to break free of their opioid addictions face. It can cause people to give up on recovery to relieve their discomfort. Symptoms of withdrawal include (but aren’t limited to):

• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Flu symptoms
• High blood pressure

This is one of the reasons that people should go to professional detox and recovery centers where they can get care while they’re going through withdrawal symptoms.

Risk Factors for Opioid Abuse

Are you worried that your loved one is managing an opioid addiction? There are a few risk factors and signs that you should keep in mind. People who manage serious chronic pain are at risk for opioid abuse that starts off as a medical treatment. Because their pain won’t go away, it’s hard for them to cut out the opioid medication. People who are experiencing poverty are more likely to develop opioid addictions, as are people who have other mental health conditions or who are under intense stress. People with a family or personal history of substance abuse are more at risk for opioid abuse. If someone knows that they have several risk factors that could contribute to their potential for addiction, it’s important that they talk to their doctor before they receive pain relief medication.

The Opioid Epidemic Isn’t Over

Opioids don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Until the mental healthcare system in the United States is able to reach more people suffering from addiction, the opioid epidemic is going to continue taking lives. The epidemic is a serious and preventable health crisis. Are you worried that someone in your life is avoiding opioids? Don’t let them become a statistic. At Akasha Recovery, our experienced mental health professionals want to help everyone recover from their addictions and start their journey toward healing. Contact us today to learn about our admissions process.