Understanding the Opioid Crisis

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Close up of white pills

Merriam-Webster defines a crisis as an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending, especially one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome. While this word gets tossed around casually, such as a mid-life crisis, or an unemployment crisis in our country, there is another crisis that needs confronting, the opioid crisis. If you don’t think this crisis lives and breathes in your area, you are wrong, chances are someone with an opioid addiction could live next door and it needs to be addressed. The statistics are staggering. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIH, every day, 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of opioids includes illegal and synthetic versions. Roughly 21-29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain end up misusing them and becoming addicted. 
  • OxyContin
  • Heroin
  • Vicodin
  • Morphine
  • Hydrocodone
  • Other prescription pain relievers
  • Heroin
  • Fentanyl
The opioid crisis which has now spun out of control was born in the 1990s when pharmaceutical companies assured healthcare providers the pain-relieving drugs were not addictive. In turn, providers began prescribing them with high rates before it became known that the drugs were indeed, highly addictive. According to the Center for Disease Control the second wave of the crisis began in 2010 with a sobering increase in the number of overdose deaths, the third wave began in 2013 when the already volatile crisis started showing another ugly side with opioid combinations of heroin, counterfeit pulls, and cocaine.  

Short Term Effects:
What starts out as frequent and large quantities of painkillers than originally prescribed by a physician, can spiral out of control. Soon, the body craves more and more to have the same effect as the drug once had as the body adapts to the drug. Like any disease, early detection is key for favorable outcomes. Short term effects of opiates usually occur 15-30 minutes after it’s taken (or injected) and can last up to several hours. Just a few of the many side effects of painkillers include:
  • A relaxed state of mind
  • Impaired judgment
  • Feelings of calmness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • False confidence
  • Euphoric mood
  • Hallucinations
  • Weight loss
  • Blurred and impaired vision
  • Shallow breathing
Addiction:
While everyone responds to drugs differently, here are some common warning signs to watch for if you suspect a loved one is addicted to opiates. 
  • Having difficulty staying awake, or falling asleep during normal times
  • Needle marks on arms, or legs (due to injected abuse)
  • Flushed, itchy skin
  • Impulsive actions and reckless decision-making
  • Risky activities, such as driving under the influence 
  • Withdrawing from social activities
  • Visiting multiple doctors to seek prescriptions
  • Constricted pupils
If you suspect someone you know is abusing opioids, it is critical to seek help for them immediately. Generally speaking, if a person has become addicted they will require intensive care at an inpatient rehabilitation center. According to the NIH certain drugs, including buprenorphine, methadone, and extended-release naltrexone in a combination of behavioral counseling known as the “whole patient” approach has been effective in treating opioid abuse.

The opioid epidemic is something we all need to be aware of and luckily there is treatment available to help individuals combat their addiction. At A1 Affordable Cremation, we believe deeply in what we do, and we take great pride in our ability to help your family at a difficult time. We have 24-hour availability by phone at 386-405-3128 or visit our website for more information.







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