Highly addictive and widely available, it is no surprise that prescription opioids have become one of the most dangerous and highly sought after drugs on the planet. With the increase of the use of Fentanyl, prescription opioids have become even more dangerous than ever before. By learning more about prescription opioids, we hope to offer multiple avenues of treatment, as well as to help you answer the question: Am I addicted to prescription opioids?
What Are Prescription Opioids?
Prescription opioids are a classification of drugs derived from the opium of the poppy plant. Originally popularized in the form of heroin and morphine, opium began getting used more and more by the pharmaceutical industry during the late 20th century. Today, opium is found in many commonly prescribed medications including Oxycodone, OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Morphine, Codeine, and Fentanyl, among others.
Prescription opioids pose a particularly sinister threat as oftentimes they are legitimately prescribed by a licensed physician. In many cases, a person will begin taking an opioid via prescription as directed, but end up fully addicted to the drug by the time their prescription wears off. This often leads to risky and drug seeking behaviors in a person who did not have a drug problem until being prescribed an opioid. Knowing the dangers of opioids, as well as their potency could mean the difference between losing a life and saving one.
Am I Addicted to Prescription Opioids?
When determining whether or not you are addicted to prescription opioids, the first step is to learn both the signs of addiction and the symptoms of opioid dependence. Once these have been established, you will have a better baseline upon which to base your analysis. In those addicted to prescription opioids, signs of addiction may include but are not limited to:
- Appearing intoxicated
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Changes in mood
- Increase or decrease in appetite
- Mood swings
- Drug seeking behaviors
Knowing yourself or the person showing the signs of addiction will help to determine whether or not they are acting abnormally or just being themselves. When trying to determine the symptoms of dependence, there are a few key things to look for. Symptoms of dependence may include but are not limited to:
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Cold sweats
- Cravings
- Paranoia
What Do Prescription Opioids Do to the Body?
Prescription opioids are pain relievers primarily used to treat serious injuries or patients recovering from surgery. With sedative and pain relieving effects, many people become addicted without even knowing it through use of legitimate prescriptions. Even with a prescription, it is always imperative to exercise caution when dealing with any type of opioid. If abused, prescription opioids begin to affect the body in severely negative fashion. Damage to the prefrontal cortex of the brain, coupled with the constant risk of overdose are just two of the major dangers that prescription opioids pose to the body.
How Long Do Prescription Opioids Stay in Your System?
Now that we’ve answered the question, am I addicted to prescription opioids, it is time to explore how long opioids stay present inside the body. Typically, prescription opioids have a very short half-life, and become undetectable by most tests in under a week. Individual factors play a huge role in determining the outcome of this process, as weight, age, metabolism, dosage, and other individual factors can all come into play. Regardless of circumstance, it is generally accepted that opioids stay in the body for less than a week.
How to Detox from Prescription Opioids
When detoxing from prescription opioids, it is imperative to approach the detoxification process safely. This is best done by finding the appropriate system of support to have your back during the detoxification process. The proper team of appropriate medical professionals with your best interests at heart can make all the difference when entering the recovery process. Solo withdrawal is never recommended, as it most often leads to relapse and continued use. By finding the right people to have your back during detox, you give yourself the best chance of a successful and long lasting recovery.
Safely Detox From Prescription Drugs in Orange County
Here at Ocean Hills Recovery, we are ready to help you in your recovery journey. With locations in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Southern California, we are your one-stop shop for California recovery. Join the hundreds of clients that we have helped find sobriety and start living the life that you deserve. There has never been a better time to retake control of your dependency and your life. Go to our admissions page to take the first step in your personal recovery journey.
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