Many people are becoming dependent on opioids as one of the solutions for dealing with pain. It has become a crisis, but unless you are faced directly by addiction or overdose, you may think it is a distant issue that will not affect you or the people you love. Unfortunately, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every five people who see a doctor for pain unrelated to cancer is prescribed opioids. That means dependency on opioids such as oxycodone can affect people from all walks of life. If you want to try Oxycodone in Glendale, you must manage the risk of addiction, which means working with the right professionals. Likewise, it would help separate the myths from the facts to understand what opioid addiction is all about. Here are some common misconceptions that continue to mislead so many people:
Opioid addiction is only a psychological disorder.
There is so much stigma around opioid addiction. People tend to think that it is psychological or a weakness of character and that anyone addicted only lacks the willpower to stop. However, it is more complicated than that. Long-time opioid use addictively alters brain functioning. It leads to chronic and lasting changes in the brain reward system, making the person feel less motivated and demanding to find pleasure in other naturally occurring rewards. Eventually, opioids become necessary for the person and take more and more to activate the reward system.
If its doctor’s prescription, it cannot be addictive
If you have acute pain such as surgery or broken bone pain, opioids can be an effective solution. However, some continue to take medication even after they no longer need it. Some like how it makes them feel, or some become dependent on the drug and experience difficult withdrawal symptoms when they try to put a stop to it. Any drug that causes such a level of dependency, whether prescribed by a doctor or not, can be addictive. Likewise, opioids can also relieve chronic pain, but it is only for a short time, and doctors recommend trying other pain-relieving methods.
The more you take opioids, the better they work.
False. More is never equal to better, especially when it comes to any medication. Over time, the body builds up a tolerance to pain medicine. If you take too much of it, your body may gain tolerance much quicker, and if you are dealing with chronic pain, it might worsen.
Everyone who takes opioids is bound to get addicted.
The truth is, it all depends on your risk of addiction. That is why you should work with a reputable center and a doctor who will ask you about your risk factors, such as the family history of addiction, a personal history of alcohol or drug abuse, and psychiatric disorders. With such information, it becomes easier to control the chances of getting addicted.
Opioids can change lives. With them, people with certain types of brain function can enjoy a better quality of life. However, opioid dependence and addiction are real. Ensure you talk to your doctor and understand how you can manage your pain effectively while lowering the risk of opioid addiction.
