While opioids are commonly prescribed for various ailments, they are also dangerously addictive and a leading cause of overdoses in the United States today. Prescription opioids are involved in a rapidly increasing number of overdose deaths across the United States. If you or someone you love uses prescription opioids, participating in an opioid rehab program is one of the best ways to avoid contributing to the disturbing opioid epidemic statistics.
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we recognize that people are more than their addiction and act accordingly. We are dedicated to ending the opioid epidemic with safe, effective treatment programs built on a supportive community foundation. Together, we can overcome. Reach us at 866.714.5630 to learn more about our opioid rehab program and other addiction treatment programs.
Understanding the Crisis Beyond Opioid Epidemic Statistics
The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis. It’s also a social, economic, and, most essentially, a human crisis. Any type of epidemic will affect people more than anything else. Opioids are powerful and highly addictive because they provide a temporary refuge from trauma, adversity, pain, isolation, hopelessness, and disenfranchisement. They also contain chemical components that intensely affect and alter the human brain and body to create said refuge.
A core component of the problem is supply. Opioids are more widely available than ever and are one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for various ailments. An overtaxed medical system prioritizes quick fixes to complex health issues and over-relies on one-dimensional band-aids such as opioids to address multidimensional problems.
So, what is a person affected by this crisis to do? If you or someone you love is affected by the opioid epidemic, you’re not alone, and help is available.
Reading the Signs of Opioid Abuse
The first step to healing from opioid addiction is recognizing the signs of drug abuse. Common signs and symptoms of opioid abuse include:
- Regularly taking an opioid in a way that is not explicitly prescribed or intended by the physician
- Lying about pain levels to get prescriptions or refills
- Preoccupation with getting or taking opioids
- Making appointments with multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions
- Mood swings from excessive irritability or hostility to elation
- Significant changes to sleep patterns
- Poor decision-making that puts self and others at risk
- Isolating from friends and family
- Scabs, sores, or puncture wounds that indicate IV drug use
- Unexplained absences
- Noticeable changes in hygiene, weight, and appearance
- Sudden, unprovoked outburst
- Paranoia
Opioids don’t just cause problems in living for the people who take them. Addiction can devastate whole families, even communities. Finding and pursuing opioid addiction treatment is the best and most effective way to work together to end this epidemic. Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for help.
Discover Life Beyond Opioids with Nashville Treatment Solutions
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we work tirelessly to create a drug-free refuge for people in recovery. We understand the complexity of trauma and adversity and are experienced in treating the root causes of addiction. In our community, everyone matters. Everyone is worthy of care and healing.
We take sobriety and recovery seriously at Nashville Treatment Solutions. That is why our team has a wealth of expertise that spans the field and plums the depths of addiction recovery. We utilize various evidence-based methods to address root causes and co-occurring conditions holistically and effectively.
We know that asking for help is the first, and sometimes hardest, step, and we want to make addiction treatment as accessible as possible for as many people as possible. If you or someone you love is struggling with opioids, we invite you to join our community. Contact us at 866.714.5630 to learn more about opioid epidemic statistics and our treatment programs.
