Know the Signs Of Opioid Addiction
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Many Southwest Ohio families know the pain of opioid addiction.
In 2019, Ohio had the nation’s third highest drug overdose death rate. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, an increase of more than 4 percent from 2018. Opioids accounted for about 70 percent of this toll – nearly 50,000.
And during 2020, the first year of the pandemic, our nation’s drug overdose death rate climbed nearly 30 percent, according to estimates from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics – to more than 93,000. Of these, nearly 70,000 are attributed to opioids.
“A key to protecting your loved ones,” says Michael Dulan, MD, “is knowing the signs of opioid addiction, so you can help them get treatment.”
- Not being able to stop using a drug – or using more than the recommended dose of a prescribed medication
- Poor coordination
- Drowsiness
- Shallow or slow breathing
- Nausea, vomiting
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Physical agitation
- Poor decision making and abandoning responsibilities
- Slurred speech
- Sleeping more or less than normal
- Euphoria (feeling high)
- Irritability
- Depression
- Lowered motivation
- Anxiety attacks
Prescription opioids contribute to 40 percent of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S., according to the CDC. Commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, these medications include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine and methadone.
If you suspect opioid addiction in yourself or a loved one, talk with your health care provider about treatment options. Medications are available to treat opioid addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends medication assisted treatment, which combines medications and behavioral counseling.
Find Your Perfect Match
Answer a few questions and we'll provide you with a list of primary care providers that best fit your needs.
Source: Michael Dulan, MD, Dulan and Moore Dulan Family Wellness Center; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FamilyDoctor.org; National Institute on Drug Abuse
