Hiding substance abuse is one way addicts try to appear healthy, but people cannot hide addiction forever. The consequences of drug abuse eventually threaten one’s way of life, so you can recognize this issue if you know what to look for. (more…)
Signs & Symptoms
How to recognize the signs and symptoms of opiate addiction.
Taking Inventory of Your Opiate Use: How Is It Affecting You?
Opiate use can be tricky, because opiate and opioid drug use can quickly spiral out of control. It can be difficult for opioid users to see the effects of their substance use, but there are some key ways to identify if opiate use has become problematic. While each case is unique, there are some key […]
The Difference Between Being Drunk and Being High on Opiates
Opiates are prescription narcotics and illicit drugs made from the opium poppy plant. Opiates include heroin and painkillers like morphine, hydrocodone, fentanyl and oxycodone. Intravenous opiate use, such as heroin injection, produces a powerful euphoric rush, but prescription narcotics can give users a strong high even when used to treat pain. Alcohol, like opiates, increases […]
Six Excuses People Make When They’re Addicted to Opiates
Most people will not readily admit that they are addicted to opiates, especially if doctors prescribe them for pain. Most people will shirk off questions about their drug use by offering a number of excuses for why they use opiates and don’t need to stop. While some of these may seem like valid reasons, they […]
Differences Between Side Effects of Opiate and Addiction Symptoms
Knowing what to expect when you take a drug is one of the first steps in preventing or identifying addiction. Separating early signs of tolerance and dependence from typical side effects of opiates allows you to take action and talk to your doctor if these unwanted symptoms appear. The American Public Health Association[1] states, “Primary […]
Unexpected Side Effects of Opiate Use
Regardless of whether use comes from following a doctor’s prescription or by a more recreational pursuit, opiates are medications that people frequently abuse. Developed originally for the relief of severe and chronic pain, the side effects of opiates can be rather unpredictable and dangerous. (more…)
7 Effects of Opiates on Everyday Life
Opiates are derived from the poppy plant and change the way the body perceives pain. Opiates also produce feelings of euphoria in the user. People who use opiates to control pain are at risk of addiction due to the highly habit-forming nature of the drugs. Some signs of opiate addiction include the following: Needing a […]
Can Opiates Affect My Memory?
Opiate addiction affects users differently, but one of the most troubling problems is the way it damages memory, especially short-term memory. You may struggle to process information if you abuse opiates, but you can recover if you seek professional help to get and stay clean. (more…)
Drug Paraphernalia Associated with Opiates
You may suspect that someone you love abuses opiates if you notice some telltale symptoms, such as constricted pupils, slurred speech and poor balance. However, people who know what items an opiate addict needs may more readily recognize addiction. Paraphernalia associated with opiate abuse include the following things: Sunglasses worn to hide small pupils Long […]
Opiate Addiction and Malnutrition
Opiates are one of the most famous groups of drugs. They are made from the opium poppy plant and can include the natural form, like heroin, or a synthetic, chemically engineered form found in many painkiller medications. They can be effective medications for treating chronic pain for patients who find pain unbearable in day-to-day life […]