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Opioid addiction does not always begin with illicit drug use. For some people, problems develop after using prescription opioids for pain. For others, opioid use may involve heroin, fentanyl, or other opioids. In either situation, recognizing that opioid use has become difficult to control can be an important first step toward getting help.
Opioid use disorder (OUD), commonly called opioid addiction, can affect a person’s health, behavior, relationships, responsibilities, and daily life. If you are concerned about your own opioid use or someone you care about, understanding the warning signs can help you determine when it may be time to seek professional support.
At Sunrise Detox Cherry Hill, opioid detox provides medically supervised care for people who have become physically dependent on opioids and need support taking the first step toward continued treatment.
Opioid use disorder is a medical condition characterized by a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress.
A person with OUD may have difficulty controlling how much or how often they use opioids, experience strong cravings, spend significant amounts of time obtaining or using opioids, or continue using despite problems involving their health, relationships, work, school, or other responsibilities.
Opioids include prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, as well as heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
Not everyone who takes an opioid develops OUD. However, opioid use can lead to tolerance and physical dependence, and some people develop patterns of use that become increasingly difficult to control.
Prescription opioids are commonly used to manage certain types of pain. A person may begin taking them exactly as directed and still develop physical dependence over time.
This can make an emerging problem difficult to recognize. Someone may think, “I have a prescription, so I can’t have an opioid problem,” or may interpret withdrawal symptoms as simply needing the medication for pain.
Warning signs that opioid use may be becoming problematic can include:
Prescription opioids include medications containing oxycodone, such as Percocet, and hydrocodone, such as Vicodin, as well as medications containing codeine or morphine.
If prescription opioid use has led to physical dependence, prescription drug detox may be part of the first stage of treatment.
Physical changes can sometimes alert someone that opioid use is occurring, but physical signs alone cannot determine whether a person has OUD.
Effects associated with opioid use or intoxication can include:
A person who has developed physical dependence may also experience withdrawal symptoms when opioid use stops or decreases. These can include restlessness, muscle aches, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, sleep problems, anxiety, and cravings.
Some physical changes require immediate attention. If someone is difficult to wake, has very slow or stopped breathing, or shows other signs of a possible opioid overdose, call 911 immediately.
Changes in behavior and daily functioning can be particularly important when trying to recognize OUD.
Possible warning signs include:
No single behavior proves that someone has OUD. The larger pattern matters, particularly when opioid use continues despite significant negative consequences.
Opioid use disorder can also affect how someone thinks, feels, and responds to everyday life.
Signs may include:
Mental health symptoms can have many causes, so anxiety, depression, or changes in mood should not automatically be assumed to mean someone has an opioid addiction.
What matters is whether these changes occur alongside a broader pattern of problematic opioid use.
It can be difficult to know what to do when you are worried about someone else’s opioid use. Changes may happen gradually, and people often hesitate to raise the subject because they are afraid of damaging the relationship or saying the wrong thing.
You may notice changes in their sleep, responsibilities, social life, finances, behavior, or overall health. They may become increasingly focused on obtaining medication, repeatedly run out of prescriptions early, withdraw from family or friends, or continue using opioids despite obvious problems.
Try to focus on specific changes you have observed rather than labels or accusations. A conversation centered on concern can be more productive than trying to force someone to admit they have an addiction.
You also do not need to diagnose OUD yourself. A qualified professional can evaluate patterns of opioid use and help determine what type of care may be appropriate.
Physical dependence and opioid addiction are related concepts, but they are not the same thing.
Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to regular opioid exposure. If the opioid is suddenly stopped or significantly reduced, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Tolerance means that the body has adapted so that the same amount of an opioid may produce less of an effect over time.
Both physical dependence and tolerance can develop in people who take opioid medications as prescribed. Their presence alone does not mean someone has opioid use disorder.
OUD involves a broader pattern of problematic opioid use. Signs may include loss of control over use, persistent cravings, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, neglecting responsibilities, or continuing to use despite harmful consequences.
This distinction is especially important for people taking prescription opioids. If you are concerned about your opioid use, do not abruptly stop a prescribed medication without discussing your concerns with an appropriate medical professional.
You do not need to wait until opioid use has caused a crisis before asking for help.
Consider speaking with a healthcare or addiction treatment professional if you:
If physical dependence has developed, suddenly stopping opioids can lead to withdrawal. Medical detox can provide assessment, monitoring, and symptom management while helping determine appropriate next steps for continued treatment.
Early signs may include taking opioids differently than intended, needing increasing amounts, repeatedly thinking about the next dose, unsuccessful attempts to cut back, strong cravings, or beginning to neglect responsibilities or activities because of opioid use.
There is no single sign that establishes OUD. Clinicians evaluate the overall pattern of opioid use and its effects on a person’s life.
Yes. Prescription opioids can lead to opioid use disorder, even when opioid use originally began for a legitimate medical reason.
Physical dependence can also develop during prescribed opioid treatment without a person having OUD. The distinction depends on the overall pattern of use and whether opioid use has become problematic or difficult to control.
Physical dependence means the body has adapted to regular opioid exposure and withdrawal symptoms may occur when use stops or decreases.
Opioid addiction, clinically called opioid use disorder, involves a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress. Physical dependence can occur without OUD.
Start by focusing on specific changes or behaviors that concern you rather than accusing or labeling the person. Encourage them to speak with a qualified healthcare or addiction treatment professional who can evaluate their opioid use and discuss treatment options.
If you believe they may be experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately.
Talking with a healthcare or addiction treatment professional is a good first step. Be open about what you are taking, how often you use it, whether you have tried to cut down, and whether you experience withdrawal or cravings.
If you are physically dependent on opioids, professional assessment can also help determine whether medically supervised detox is appropriate.
Recognizing that opioid use may have become a problem can be difficult, whether you are concerned about yourself or someone you love. You do not need to have every answer before asking for help.
Sunrise Detox provides medically supervised detox for opioid dependence and can help patients determine an appropriate next step after stabilization.
Call (856) 276-0873 to speak with our admissions team about treatment. You can also verify your insurance to learn more about your coverage for detox services.
