Opioid Dependence – The Silent Epidemic
There is a serious health crisis of epidemic proportions in our country which affects millions of people. It is a medical condition called Opioid Dependency. It is growing exponentially. It affects all ages and all levels of society; most frightening it is growing rapidly among our youth. Many people become victims of this condition from misusing prescription medications for acute and chronic pain; others become addicted from recreational use. Opioid dependence ruins lives, physically, emotionally, financially and socially. It destroys families, jobs and professions.
Patients who become Opioid Dependent experience severe physical and mental pain if they do not continue to use opioids. This pain of withdrawal can be so horrible that it can reach psychotic mentation and delusions and actions. Thus, it is almost impossible to break this cycle of addiction without help.
When a person is addicted to drugs his main occupation is pursuing drugs, either from prescriptions from doctors or off the street. His family relationships suffer; his performance at work is impaired; his finances are impacted and destroyed, but he just don’t care. He is aware of the results of his addiction, but nothing else matters except getting more drugs.
