Opiate abuse is very persuasive and very hard to treat in our society. Opiates like codeine and morphine are on the rise all across the U.S. These medicines have become just as deadly as “street drugs” like cocaine and ecstasy. Opiate abuse is a much bigger problem than you would think in the United States. In the year 2006, there was an estimated 17 million plus people that had abused opiates, whether they intended to or not. Opiate abuse is not limited to a certain age group. It is people of all ages. Although, a large majority of abusers are teens and young adults, it can be anyone.
If you see someone experiencing some of these symptoms, then you should try to help them see they are on a downward spiral and need help. Shallow breathing, excessive perspiration, shaking, vomiting, chills, constricted pupils and reduced vision, and drowsiness or lethargy. These are just some of the symptoms, but there are many more and everyone has different experiences when they abuse opiates.
There are very serious health concerns from opiate abuse, including overdose, collapsed veins, and if someone injects they could contract HIV/AIDS. Opiate abuse normally starts out from having an accident or even just a medical condition. Then, the doctor will prescribe a pain killer to ease the pain. Soon, the person will start taking more than the prescribed dose and will run out of pills and will find another way to get more pills to “ease the pain”. Those who abuse opiates, have a very hard time getting sober on their own. It is a very addictive drug and can be life threatening if they try to quit on their own. It can be a very hard struggle for someone to stop by themselves and most people will just continue abusing opiates because they are scared of the detox process. This is why if you or someone you know is an opiate abuser, you need to call A Forever Recovery to seek professional help and not go through it alone.
