Opioids are so powerful that anyone, including those without a history of substance use, can develop an addiction or overdose. This is not about weakness or moral failing, this is about strong medications taking over and making us crave more and more.
What is problem use?
Problem use is when we feel like we want or need more to feel normal. This starts as a physical dependence (relying on a level of opioid use to feel normal) and can quickly become an addiction (feeling a need for more, and taking actions to access more).
Common signs that you or a loved one is developing problem use include:
When does opioid use become a concern?
Taking opioids not as prescribed, including self-medicating, sharing pills, or taking more than directed, can cause dependence, addiction, and overdose. Opioid use becomes a concern at the first signs of dependence or addiction, which includes craving opioids after extreme pain subsides.
Who can experience problems with prescription opioids?
Because opioid medications are so powerful, anyone can experience problem use. This includes wanting or craving more than you need to manage severe pain, or feeling unwell when you stop taking opioids. These are problems that can be addressed, and speaking up about your experience is important to protect you from more serious consequences.
Warning Signs to Look For
Common signs of addiction include:
- Unexplained changes in behavior, such as attitude, appetite, mood swings, sleep patterns, and irritability.
- Sudden changes in activities, such as friends or social activities or sudden shifts in jobs or hobbies.
- Engaging in secretive behaviors, such as hiding whereabouts or new friends.
What To Do If You Suspect Problem Use
There is no reason to hide if you or someone you know is developing problem use with opioids. Stop taking opioids immediately if you are experiencing cravings, and call your doctor. There are non-addictive alternatives that can help manage severe pain if necessary.
Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing.
When we have any other disease, like heart disease, we go to a doctor to get help. There is no difference with addiction. Support is available, so call your doctor or find the help you need.
How does problem use develop?
Opioids train our brain to want more and more of them. When taken in small doses for a short amount of time, the impact is usually low enough that we can stop taking them without any problems. But when we take higher doses or take opioids for a longer period of time, our brain and pain receptors learn to expect opioids. If we stop taking them, then it feels like something is wrong, causing us to want to take more. This quickly becomes problematic and can easily lead some to seek out more and more.
We also easily develop a tolerance to opioids, meaning we need to take more to feel the same effect. This results in us requiring high doses to feel “normal,” and also makes it even more difficult to stop taking opioids.
What do opioids have to do with heroin?
High rates of people who become addicted to prescription opioids and then start using heroin is no coincidence. Chemically, these substances are nearly identical and operate on the brain in the same way. So if someone cannot access more prescription opioids, they may turn to heroin to address their cravings. In fact, people who are addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to be addicted to heroin.
Get Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, reach out and find help. Recovery is possible, and support is available. Contact your doctor immediately or
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