Opioid Dependence (prescription drug abuse) is an increasing issue in the United States. Today so many people are affected by opioid prescription painkiller addiction—millions of people. Some people start out taking opioid painkillers as an effective medication, and before they know it, they are addicted. If you have ever used opioid prescription pain relievers, I am sure you will agree they help with pain. However, if one is not aware of the power these little pill have, it can lead to a long road of fighting a powerful addiction.
The Hard Facts of Prescription Drug Use (Opioid Dependence)
Opioid dependence is much more popular than many people realize. It doesn’t discriminate when it comes to gender, race, education, or income. It’s also known as a prescription painkiller or heroin addiction. It is a rapidly growing problem that affects about two million Americans per year and can impact people from all walks of life. It’s a chronic medical disease that affects your brain and tricks it into thinking that opioids are a necessity for survival.
There is medication to help overcome this disease. Many people are not aware it’s available; its covered by most health insurance companies, and the users privacy is protected. It’s sad that people do not come forward to get help because they are scared or embarrassed that someone will find out. In my opinion, people should be more willing to help and less willing to point the finger. It’s sad, but happens all the time. I live in a small town, and if anyone finds out anything, they blast it all over the town. So I am sympathetic and understand people want to keep it private.
Get Help For Opioid Dependence
It’s easy to get addicted to pain medication on accident. It happens; you visit the doctor, and they give you a prescription for pain medications. Before you know it, you have an addiction to pain medication. Sure, some people go out looking for ways to get high, but everyone deserves a second chance. We are human beings; we make mistakes. Opioid dependence is hard to overcome on your own. Everyone I have known with the disease has visited a doctor, and guess what? Every last one of them kicked their habit. They are done with it—no more, no looking back.
Nobody is above this addiction either, not even myself. After I had my daughter, I hurt my back, and in no time at all, I was addicted. Eventually I found myself buying them off the shelves, spending an insane amount of money, stressing over where I would get my next pill and suffering from horrific withdrawals when I ran out. One day, I had enough. I had no idea what to do or where to turn All I knew was that I had to be a functioning human being and a mother to my children. I called a local counselor’s office and went into my appointment in tears, begging for help. The counselor was amazing; she got me referred to a doctor, and before I knew it, I was on my way to recovery. I was able to hold my job, be a good mother, and take care of my family, and since then, I have never stressed where I would get my next opioid or suffered those horrific withdrawals.
So, if you or someone you know is addicted to pain pills,. Just know there is help out there—all kinds of help. Don’t be scared to ask either, even if it’s turning to a local councilor or calling a help line. Just start somewhere. It’s a hard road but it’s a better road and if I am being honest, it’s easier than stressing where you are going to get your next fix for another day. Life is good, and it will be without pills.
2 comments
yes this is becoming a big problem..a lot of drs just give out meds without really checking out the patients.
Thank you so much for bringing this to attention with so much compassion and understanding. It is a scary epidemic that is kept hidden and shouldn’t, It is essentially synthetic heroin and and the doctors don;t tell you that. They also don’t ask or explain the dangers if you have preteen or older children to keep them safely away from there reach. It’s one of the easiest most accessible ways our young people are getting drugs and becoming addicted. Just from the medicine cabinet. Awareness and then compassion and support go a long ways.