Opioid use disorder is a chronic medical condition. The long-term use of opioids can actually create changes in the brain and can cause other secondary health concerns. Treatment intervention is critical to help avoid long-term health risks and problems associated with addiction to opioids.
Many people who suffer from prescription drug misuse require extended periods of treatment to break the cycle of dependency on and abuse of these medications. There are various opioids that you might be using, but all of them are addictive and can impact your long-term health.
The common symptoms of opioid use disorder are:
Some of these symptoms are most closely associated with periods of withdrawal when the supply of opioids runs out. Most users of these medications struggle to keep a steady supply on hand, causing cycles of withdrawal.
Opioid use disorder is often linked to being given prescription medications for an injury or after a surgery. Some people become addicted during this phase of use and then struggle to stop using these medications when their treatment with them has ended. Other people become addicted to opioids by buying illegal or street drugs and using them.
Sometimes mental health conditions are the reason for opioid use, and treating these conditions can help break the cycle of dependence upon opioids on a daily basis. There are many factors that contribute to opioid abuse, and finding out the root cause of this health condition can be very productive in treating it successfully.
Risk factors for opioid addiction are:
Diagnosis of this condition will require that your doctor take a full medical history. For those who are suffering from pain conditions or with long-term health problems, there might be further treatment that is needed to control these health problems. Your doctor will likely also have you take a survey that looks at the frequency with which you feel the need to take these medications, your drug-related cravings, and any physical symptoms that you are feeling related to drug use.
Diagnosis is often made on a scale from mild to severe, which helps providers who are caring for people suffering from this condition to meet their needs and provide proper care.
Prevention of opioid use disorder involves staying away from street drugs like heroin and street fentanyl and being cautious about taking prescription opioid medications for longer than absolutely necessary. If you are worried about pain management for a medical condition, you should speak with your doctor about alternative pain treatment therapies that you can use instead of opioids.
Treatment for opioid use disorder often involves the use of medications like methadone to try and help wean patients off the opioids they have been using without forcing them to go through withdrawals. Counselling and behavioural therapies are also used to help get to the root of self-esteem issues and problems at work and home that might be causing the overuse of these substances.
Residential inpatient treatment is also sometimes utilised to help break the cycle of addiction for those who do not have a good support system at home and who require extra care during treatment. Your doctor will work with mental health care providers to create the right treatment plan to help you to control your opioid use disorder.