From Pills to
Heroin:
Rates of Opioid Abuse High in New Hampshire
No one likes to be in pain.
Thus, it makes perfect sense for medical professionals to prescribe Opioid
pain-killers as a method of pain management for clients whom require such. When
Opioids are used as directed under
medical supervision, such medications can be both effective and non-addictive.
Unfortunately, this is not often the case and Opioid abuse has become a large problem within the state of New Hampshire.
The use of
prescription Opioids for other than
their medical purpose is considered abuse. Opioid
abuse is alarming for several reasons. Since Opioids are depressant drugs, they slow down the part of the brain
that controls breathing. They are also highly addictive and are associated with
detrimental long term social, financial and emotional effects. Opioid abuse may also cause menstrual
irregularities, mood swings, constipation and a decreased interest in sex. Opioid overdose can be fatal. Prescription Opioids are very expensive and can be difficult to obtain. As a result, addicted parties often turn to Heroin, (a cheaper and more easily obtainable drug with similar effects). In New Hampshire, authorities have seen a dramatic increase in Heroin use, even suggesting an ultimate high rate of Opioid abuse within the state.
The possession and distribution of Opioids is regulated by federal law. Use of such drugs is only legal when prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner. However, based on the high demand for Opioids, pills are often stolen from health facilities or sold to addicted parties by individuals with prescriptions.
Most Opioid addictions begin with a legal prescription. An individual may be prescribed Opioid pain-killers for pain-management and find that when their pain is gone and the prescription runs out, they are unable to stop using the medication. Soon, they are not thinking clearly and taking illegal measures to obtain pills. They may even resort to using Heroin when they can no longer afford the high price of illegal Opioid pain-killers.
How do You
Know that You are Addicted to Opioids?
If you were prescribed Opioid pain-killers and are concerned that addiction has already manifested or may manifest in the future, there are several questions that you might ask yourself:
- Do you
find yourself taking larger amounts of Opioids or taking Opioids
over a longer period than was intended?
- Do you
experience urges, cravings or strong desires to use Opioids?
- Do you
experience a persistent desire for Opioids?
- Have you
engaged in unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control Opioid use?
- Have you
spent a great deal of time in activities necessary to obtain, use, or
recover from the effects of the Opioid?
- Have you
continued to use Opioids
despite experiencing persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal
problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of Opioids?
- Do you use
Opioids in a fashion that
results in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or
home?
- Have you
given up or reduced important social, occupational, or recreational activities
because of Opioid use?
- Have you
continued to use Opioids in
physically hazardous situations?
- Do you
feel that you have developed a tolerance to Opioids, (either a need for increased amounts of Opioids to achieve intoxications or
desired effect, or a diminished effect with continued use of the same
amount of an Opioid)?
- Have you
continued to use Opioids
despite knowledge of having persistent or recurrent physical or
psychological problems that are likely to have been caused or worsened by
the substance?
- Have you
experienced withdrawal from Opioids?
