Think Twice when the Doctor hands you some pills

Some may not know why addiction to opiates is so strong and why people continue to use despite the negative attention they draw and negative effects its use has on their many aspects of life.

The analgesic (painkiller) effects of opioids are a function of reduced perception of pain, decreased reaction to pain and an increase in tolerance to pain.

Side effects of Opioids include but are not limited to euphoria, constipation, sedation, respiratory depression and more effects.

Repeated doses of opiates at no specific frequency or time (as everyone is different) can lead to drug tolerance.  Essentially, there is decrease in pharmacologic response following repeated or prolonged drug administration.

This essentially means the patient has to take higher dosages to achieve an effect which is in all likelihood far above the current level of tolerance. I will not go into the in-depth pharmacokinetics of tolerance but I will help you to understand the behavioral effects associated with opioid tolerance.

At some point the body becomes physical and mentally addicted. This is a point at which not only will the body not have the same analgesic relief it did on a previous low dose, but now if the patient stops the medication he or she may experience flu like symptoms including rhinorrhea, body aches, chills, sweats, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting to name a few. Often time individuals do not want to stop using drugs because of this horrible withdrawal syndrome.  You can count on being out of work a few days with these symptoms.

Opiates principally act on the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract and so much of the side effects surround these symptoms and do the withdrawal symptoms.

At this day and age we are losing so many young and old patients losing their lives from opioids. Opioids have been easy to obtain as more pills than ever are being prescribed. With increasing street prices seen for such medicines as hydrocodone. Many have begun to seek and use heroin as it is quite a bit cheaper, however laced with bad and deadly other substances.

The ultimate goal is to get your loved one to find a practice and doctor first, stop using drugs and initiate treatment. Certain Steps are important as addiction surrounds and involves social, work and home life. Patients need to see a therapist, get rid of all paraphernalia and get rid of any phone numbers or reminders of the past practices.

The initial goal is to change the behavior of the patient (get used to living normal) but long term the goal is not to be on any treatment and able to remain opioid drug free without any crutch. Here is some anecdotal l information we have found from patients. 

Don't Judge them, they don't want to be that way either.

When I say don't judge them I am speaking of patients that may come into the hospital or office who seem to have an addiction to opiates for example. This terrible drug is affecting our youth, teenagers, adolescents and even adults. What we have seen in society is a drastic change in the price of drugs.

You can find that the Extra Strength Vicodin goes for about $5.00 per pill in Wisconsin. Oxycontin 45 MG for $65.

In one day a a young child or adolesent may spend 100-200/drugs. Simultaneoiusly they are ruining their body and hope of getting better, digging deeper into depression as they feel hopeless in a rollercoaster ride through hell. But honestly they don't want all this to go on. They want to feel normal, they want to have friends, they want to have back there trusting parents. They want to again enjoy the hobbies and activities they used to enjoy.

However it isn't easy for them. They are addicted to a drug and just as addicting smoking is that you can't stop addiction to opioids is probably worse. There is a physical dependence and a mental dependence.

There are multiple choices for treatment including outpatient care programs and inpatient detoxes. Despite having gone through detox many of these patients are just going to turn around and pick up again as they are again exposed to the same individuals they were connected with previously, lack self esteem and it is easier for them to say yes than to say no.

People need not judge these individuals, but help them. Think for example where many of these opiate addicted patients first built up this tolerance and dependence? It many times than not from their Orthopedic Surgeon or primary care doctor. They didn't have good followup and doctors lack knowledge of side effects of opioids and the damaging effects it may have on the lives of its victims, patients and families. There is hope though. There is alot of help out there. Good Bless you if you are struggleing.