Drug addiction is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual's life experiences. People with addiction use substances to engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.
What is the Opioid Epidemic
The epidemic of Opioid abuse has destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States. Many people have died from Opioid overdoses, and many more now suffer from debilitating addiction to drugs that they first used with a prescription to relieve pain. This catastrophe has unleashed death and misery across the country for over two decades, yet only recently have policymakers and the public begun to devote attention and greater resources to the problem. Opioid addiction is a terrible and life-threatening burden, one which no one chooses to bear. Fortunately, with personal determination and support from family, friends, and recovery experts, anyone can overcome the power of Opioids and regain their life and freedom.
The epidemic of Opioid abuse has destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States. Many people have died from Opioid overdoses, and many more now suffer from debilitating addiction to drugs that they first used with a prescription to relieve pain. This catastrophe has unleashed death and misery across the country for over two decades, yet only recently have policymakers and the public begun to devote attention and greater resources to the problem. Opioid addiction is a terrible and life-threatening burden, one which no one chooses to bear. Fortunately, with personal determination and support from family, friends, and recovery experts, anyone can overcome the power of Opioids and regain their life and freedom.
Signs of Heroin/Opioid Use
- Strange behavior: extremely happy or depressed for no apparent reason; mood swings; hostile, angry, uncooperative; not wanting to be around family/home or those who would be hurt by their use
- Messy, careless appearance, poor hygiene
- Dishonesty, lies
- Nodding OUT (chin on chest, sleepy, slow to respond)
- Sleeplessness; sleep all day/up all night
- Tired, lethargic, lack of concentration
- Forgetfulness: losing everyday things such as car keys, wallet, money
- Disinterest in hobbies, sports, family activities
- Cash flow problems
- Secretive – phone calls, locked bedroom door, strange numbers on cell phone
- Red or glassy eyes; dilated pupils; pinpoint pupils (opiates/heroin)
- Weight loss; rarely eat meals
- Missing money, jewelry, equipment (sell at pawn shop)
- Checks taken from center of checkbook
- Burn holes in clothing, bedding, furniture
- Dings and dents on car; burn holes in car; blood stains in car/on clothing
- Straws cut in half, empty pens (for snorting)
- Pill bottles
- Small folded wrappers, empty small baggies; breath mint containers; corners of baggies; small pieces of tinfoil; gem packs, pill capsules broken in half
- Small glass vials and/or bottle caps and covers
- Wide rubber bands and/or drawstrings from clothing(to tie arm)
- Syringes
Recognizing Overdose
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a person is just very high, or experiencing an overdose.
The following will present some information on how to tell the difference.
If you’re having a hard time telling the difference, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose – it could save someone’s life.
If someone is really high and using downers like heroin, or pills:
If the person is still conscious, walk them around, keep them awake, and monitor their breathing.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a person is just very high, or experiencing an overdose.
The following will present some information on how to tell the difference.
If you’re having a hard time telling the difference, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose – it could save someone’s life.
If someone is really high and using downers like heroin, or pills:
- Pupils will contract and appear small
- Muscles are slack and droopy
- They might “nod out”
- Scratch a lot due to itchy skin
- Speech may be slurred
If the person is still conscious, walk them around, keep them awake, and monitor their breathing.
When people survive, it’s because someone was there to respond.
When people survive, it’s because someone was there to respond.
Symptoms of Overdose
It is rare for someone to die immediately from an overdose.
- Body is very limp
- Face is pale or clammy
- Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black
- For lighter skinned people, skin tone turns bluish purple, for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen
- Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped
- Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all
- Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”) Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsive to outside stimulus
It is rare for someone to die immediately from an overdose.
To Learn More
National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/
Addiction Policy Organization: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/addiction-series/episode-1
Learn about medication assisted treatment: https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment
Watch your language: https://www.naabt.org/documents/NAABT_Language.pdf
National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/
Addiction Policy Organization: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/addiction-series/episode-1
Learn about medication assisted treatment: https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment
Watch your language: https://www.naabt.org/documents/NAABT_Language.pdf