Opioids are a class of drugs that depress the central nervous system and provide pain relief. Some opioids are prescription pain relievers, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and more. Other opioids like heroin are considered illegal because of the high risk of abuse and addiction.
Unfortunately, opioid addiction puts you at risk of experiencing life-threatening opioid overdoses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioids were responsible for 81,806 overdose deaths in the United States in 2022.[1]
If you believe that your loved one is addicted to opioids, it’s important to be aware of the signs. Sometimes, family and friends can recognize that an addiction is occurring before the affected individual realizes it. The main signs of opioid addiction include mood shifts, appearance changes, social isolation, extreme fatigue, difficulty with responsibilities, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and more.
Thankfully, opioid addiction is treatable with the help of a drug rehab center. Programs like Archstone Behavioral Health can offer the tools and support your loved one needs to maintain long-term recovery.
In this article, you will learn:
- What opioid use disorder (OUD) is
- The top 7 signs of opioid addiction
- How to determine if your loved one is suffering from opioid addiction
What are the 7 Signs of Opioid Abuse?
Opioid use disorder is a chronic condition that causes you to be unable to control how much opioids you use. It is characterized by mental and physical dependence and intense cravings to abuse opioids.[2]
Seven signs of opioid addiction include:
1. Shifts in Mood or Behavior
If your loved one is using opioids, they will begin to behave differently. Opioids are depressants, which means they cause dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and slowed reaction times.[3] If your loved one is under the influence of an opioid, they might act extremely tired, depressed, or slowed down.
If they are struggling with addiction, their behavior will change while they are sober as well. Because their brain and body rely on opioids to function properly, they might become irritable, moody, and even panicked when they cannot get high. You might notice mental health issues like anxiety or depression as well.
2. Changes in Hygiene and Appearance
Once your loved one is addicted to opioids, they might stop caring about other things that used to be important. They will have less energy to do everyday tasks, like brushing their hair, taking a shower, or caring for other hygiene needs.
In addition to poor hygiene, opioid addiction can lead to significant weight loss. Opioids like heroin might suppress your loved one’s appetite.[4] As a result, they might suddenly lose a lot of weight without being on a diet or exercising more.
3. Extreme Fatigue or “Nodding Off”
A major side effect of frequent opioid use is fatigue. Because opioids depress the central nervous system, your loved one might sleep more often than usual.
When they are awake, you might notice them frequently dozing off. If you see your loved one’s head randomly falling as they pass out, this is a major sign of opioid abuse. It is so common that there is a nickname for it, which is “nodding off.”
4. Social Isolation or New Friends
When your loved one is addicted to opioids, they might spend less time with their family and friends. This often occurs because they are nervous that those close to them will realize that they are abusing drugs.
Additionally, your loved one might enter a completely new social circle. It is common for addicts to begin associating themselves with other people who abuse substances, as they will cosign their opioid abuse instead of challenging them to get better.
5. Trouble at Home, School, or Work
Another major sign of an opioid use disorder is experiencing difficulties with responsibilities. For example, your loved one might not show up to school or work. If your loved one is married, they might not be picking up the slack at home anymore, leaving their partner to do all of the chores around the home.
This occurs because using and obtaining opioids becomes their number one priority. Instead of caring about things that used to be important to them, they are focused on their next high. Oftentimes, this isn’t intentional and only stems from the significant cravings they are experiencing.
6. Drug Paraphernalia
If your loved one is addicted to opioids, you might notice drug paraphernalia around their home.
Drug paraphernalia can vary based on how your loved one is abusing their opioids. The paraphernalia for opioid abuse might include:
- Swallowing pills – tons of empty prescription bottles or small plastic baggies.
- Snorting pills or powder – razor blades, white powdery residue on surfaces, or rolled-up dollar bills and straws.
- Smoking pills or powder – razor blades, burnt pieces of aluminum foil, and straws.
- Injecting opioids – burnt spoons, belts used to tie off, and used needles.
Any type of opioid abuse is dangerous and can lead to a life-threatening overdose. If your loved one is experiencing opioid addiction, you should consider obtaining Narcan nasal spray. This medication can reverse an opioid overdose before it becomes fatal.[5]
7. Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
Lastly, a tell-tale sign of opioid addiction is the presence of opioid withdrawal symptoms. If you notice your loved one experiencing physical symptoms when they cannot get high on opioids, they are probably struggling with addiction.
The common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:[6]
- Anxiety and agitation
- Teary eyes and runny nose
- Muscle aches and pains
- Excessive sweating
- Increased yawning
- Insomnia
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Goosebumps and shivering
Medical detox centers can offer treatment for opioid withdrawal. These programs can offer the support, health care, and therapies your loved one needs to recover from opioid addiction and succeed in their daily life.
Finding Help for Opioid Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from opioid addiction, it’s time to seek help. Long-term abuse of opioids increases your risk of experiencing a life-threatening overdose. Additionally, you could develop chronic health conditions like liver damage or heart complications.
Drug rehab programs like Archstone Behavioral Health can help you get back on track. With a combination of medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and community support, we can help you achieve long-term sobriety from opioids. Additionally, we use a compassionate approach to opioid addiction treatment, allowing you to feel comfortable and supported throughout our program.
Contact us today for more information on our top-rated opioid addiction treatment center.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Drug Overdose Death Rates
- Yale Medicine: Opioid Use Disorder
- Pain Physician Journal: Opioid Complications and Side Effects
- Karger Publishers: The Opioid System and Food Intake: Homeostatic and Hedonic Mechanisms
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray
- Medline Plus: Opiate and opioid withdrawal
