Swapping Dope for Drugs
In its annual report, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration cited that the use of illicit drugs — cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin — among young adults and teens dropped last year.
Unfortunately, unauthorized use — abuse — of prescriptions drugs increased dramatically.
After a year of record-high deaths reportedly caused by heroin overdose, many of our kids are scared enough not to use it. But they’re uninformed enough to think that using prescription drugs (including, codeine, darvon, fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxycontin, percocet, percodan and vicodin) is safe.
My prediction: This year overdose deaths from prescription drugs will increase.
Why?
The high from opiates is wonderfully pleasurable. But even more significant, withdrawal from opiates is terribly painful. The user often cannot tolerate the discomfort; and he uses again to alleviate the symptoms. Or the user remembers the pain from a previous detox experience and fears repeating the ordeal. This fear is real and valid. Detox and withdrawal from opiates is among the most difficult to endure.
Common symptoms of opiate withdrawal include:
- Nausea
- Insomnia — Sometimes lasting for several, pain-filled consecutive nights
- Pain — Including muscle and bone pain, headache, stomach cramps
- Anxiety –Typically a root cause of initial drug use and subsequent addiction
- Depression — Another root cause of initial use and subsequent addiction
- Vomiting – Often to the point of vomiting blood
- Seizures
- Irritability
- Leg restlessness — Contributing to insomnia
- Diarrhea — Often to the point of bloody stools
Symptoms begin within hours of the last use, and gain steadily in severity until peaking within a day or so of cessation of use. Symptoms endure with intensity for a period of three or four days before gradually subsiding, although lingering symptoms of detox may persist for months. Addicts who use for prolonged periods of time, or who detox repeatedly, seem to experience an even longer period of intense symptoms.
It is dire, this epidemic of opiate use. Many will suffer. Many will die.
If you or someone you love is using, abusing or addicted to opiates, SEEK HELP! One excellent online resource: Choose Help. Here you’ll find information and resources including a free downloadable Guide to Affordable Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs.
TOMORROW: A personal account.