Am I An Opioid Addict?

Am I An Opioid Addict? Cliffside Malibu does not condone the use of the term “addict” when referring to people suffering from the disorder of addiction. However, we do understand that others still may use the term in order to find information. Many people may find themselves asking the question, “am I an opioid addict?” if they feel as if their use has spiraled out of control. There are many ways to find out if you may have become addicted to opioids, as well as ways to get help and find treatment. How Opioid Addiction Begins Nearly 80% of heroin users started with prescription opioids, which puts prescription drugs and pharmaceutical companies at the core of the opioid epidemic. Opioid medications were first deemed as safe and nonaddictive when they first came about in the 1990s. However, it very quickly became apparent that these drugs were, in fact, addictive once people started overdosing and dying at alarming rates. Opioids can be effective for individuals suffering from any type of chronic pain. This can include a traumatic injury, surgery, certain cancers or other chronic pain conditions. Opioids bind to receptors, interfering with the brain’s communication to nerves and pain points. This allows people in chronic pain to relax and get much-needed relief from their pain while they heal. However, opioids also offer an addictive euphoria, which makes it difficult to stop taking them after recovery from the injury is complete. Individuals may also turn to street ...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Addiction Addiction to Pharmaceuticals addiction treatment opioid opioid crisis opioids pharmaceutical addiction pharmaceutical drug abuse treatment Source Type: blogs