Approximately 115 Americans die from opioid overdose every day! Research shows that in 2017 2/3 drug overdose involved opioids – just under 50 000 people died from opioid use in the United States alone! Statistics show that since 1997, rates of opioid addiction have increased six-fold. This is no longer just a problem – it’s a pandemic.



If you’re thinking “This will never affect me because I’m not a drug addict”, you may want to think again. Just under half (40%) of all opioid overdose deaths are caused by prescription drugs – yes, medications that are prescribed by doctors and sold by pharmacies. These medications can also lead to the use of street drugs: 80% of heroin addicts started with the use of a prescription opioid. This is an addiction that can affect anyone: from down-and-out “junkies” to teachers, doctors, lawyers and politicians. No one is immune.



But what exactly are opioids? These are a powerful class of drug which may be prescribed (legally) to treat severe pain or taken illegally for their mood-heightening and sedative effects. Drugs included in the opioid category range from painkillers (such as oxycodone, codeine, and morphine) to illegal and extremely dangerous drugs, such as heroin.



Worryingly, opioid addiction can arise after as little as five days of consecutive use. Yes, you read that right: just five days of use can leave you addicted. Let’s delve a bit deeper into this important question: What is an opioid addiction – What are the opioid addiction signs, and what are your treatment options?



Your Brain on Opioids

Opioids have a powerful effect, not just on the body and mind, but also on the brain. But, medically speaking, what is an opioid addiction? Addiction involves long term changes to the brain, which is why experts are now referring to this as a chronic brain disease. Importantly, opioids trigger a chemical cocktail in the brain that leads to feelings of euphoria. It’s this euphoria that keeps people hooked and coming back for more.



Additionally, the prefrontal cortex – which is the brain’s center for planning, reason and controlling of urges – gets hijacked by a flood of electricity and chemical activity from the deeper parts of the brain.



Furthermore, when you stop taking the opioid, your brain is going to respond with unpleasant features of withdrawal, including negative emotions, thoughts, and desires. In cases of true addiction, people may stop seeking out other basic sources of happiness and pleasure – such as food, socialization, work and love – opting rather to chase that opioid high.

Signs of an Opioid Addiction

Addiction can manifest in various ways. Here are some tell-tale opioid addiction signs:

- You can’t control your use of opioids

- You deny having a problem

- You neglect important obligations (such as school/work or family) in order to use opioids

- You have tried several times to stop using but have not managed

- You keep using opioids, even though you know this is negatively affecting your life and wellbeing

- You get powerful cravings

- You spend a large amount of time getting a hold of and taking opioids

- You develop a tolerance, meaning that more and more of the same drug is needed to achieve the same effect

- You isolate yourself from friends and family

- You experience weight loss and/or stop taking care of your personal hygiene

- You experience mood swings, irritability and depression, especially when you’re not using.



How is Opioid Addiction Different from Opioid Dependence?

Both addition and dependence refer to a person to a person's need to take opioids. However, dependence refers only to the physical aspects – tolerance and withdrawal. It is possible to be dependent without being addicted, although addiction will likely follow shortly after; and nearly all addicts are also physically (and psychologically) dependent.



Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction can be treated in many ways. For best effects, these treatment options may be combined at once.

1. Detoxification. This involves getting the drug out of your system by abstaining for a specified period of time. Usually, this will take place in a hospital or treatment facility so that you’re medically supported.

2. Opioid agonist therapy. This involves your doctor prescribing drugs (such as methadone or naloxone) which decrease withdrawal symptoms, thus allowing a person to evaluate and stabilize their life, without having to suffer through a distressing and dangerous withdrawal period.

3. Addiction treatment counseling. This is often provided by groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which allow for a structured 12-step program to get you through your cravings. At the same time, you’re connected with a supportive community as well as a personal mentor (called a sponsor) to keep you on track.

4. Psychotherapy. Psychological factors play a significant role in causing and maintaining addiction, not to mention triggering relapse. Therapy techniques (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy) can help you deal with stressors, environmental influences and social pressure which may otherwise cause you to relapse.

"The Danger is Real: Use With Caution"

Opioid addiction is a massive killer. Yet, not nearly enough people know the facts that are necessary to keep them and their loved ones safe. Evidence suggests that this pandemic is only worsening: too many prescriptions for opioids are being written up and not properly managed, leading to drastic and life-changing events and in many cases even death. This means that it’s incredibly important that prescription opioid users are aware of the risks involved. It’s also vital to know the signs to look out for, in order to stop addiction in its tracks. This is a major problem that needs to be addressed before more and more people’s lives are affected – and even ended – due uncontrolled and careless opioid use.