Prescription opioids are medically utilized to treat chronic and acute pain. Opioid drugs are vital in offering treatment if employed as prescribed. They are drugs found in the opium poppy plant and work in the brain when taken to produce a variety of effects. The drugs pose severe risks to their users, including death, overdoses, and addiction. Also known as painkillers, they are often prescribed to individuals with cancer and those suffering from moderate to severe pain due to an injury or surgery. Some common forms of this drug include tapentadol, methadone, morphine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone. Using the medicine has its related side effects even if utilized correctly. Possible side effects include constipation, physical dependence, depression, and confusion. It is highly associated with opioid deaths in America due to overdose. Prescription opioids are widely resorted to relieving pain; they may get misused, resulting in severe health conditions like overdose leading to death.
I picked the topic as it incorporates one of the most commonly misused drugs. It is frequently abused worldwide, becoming a health concern due to increased mortality and morbidity. In the United States of America, the number of deaths related to prescription opioids has quadrupled in the last ten years (Thomas et al., 2022). Its use globally has increased among adults averaging 0.7 percent, which accounts for about 33 million users (Thomas et al., 2022). Death cases resulting from opioid overdose average 91 individuals each day, with over 1000 people getting treatment for prescription opioid misuse in the emergency department (Ignaszewski, 2021). The severe health concern does affect not only men but also women. In recent research by Thomas et al. (2022), the number of women exposed to abuse has significantly increased compared to men. Women are more likely to be victims as they most likely get prescriptions for the drug.
Prescription opioids are utilized to help treat pain ranging from moderate to severe. Some of the drugs treat diarrhea and coughing as they can cause the body to relax. They relieve pain by binding to and activating the opioid receptors in the spinal cord, the brain, and many other areas (Harries et al., 2018). After attaching, they block pain signals sent from the brain to the body. They consequently release a lot of dopamine throughout the body. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid pain reliever, is more potent than other drugs (Volkow et al., 2019). It is used to treat more severe pain cases like advanced cancer pain. The drug is offered to individuals that have undergone surgeries to reduce the pain experienced before and after. Morphine is a common pain reliever that treats severe pain hence being categorized under the class identified as opioid analgesics.
Drugs are getting abused when they are consumed for non-medical purposes. Prescription opioids mostly misused include oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and hydrocodone (Thomas et al., 2022). The drugs are only safe when taken for pain relief within a short period as directed by the doctor. Its misuse and abuse are experienced through taking medicine for wrong purposes other than the required. The medication is also often adopted for the effect of one getting high, which is incorrect. When one takes another person’s prescription, this is misuse and abuse of the drug. Abuse of these drugs can occur knowingly or unknowingly when one accidentally overdoses (Thomas et al., 2022). The youths are the most vulnerable population that engages in the illegal use of drugs. Frequent drug usage results in dependence, making it difficult to stay without taking it; prescribed opioids are highly addictive.
The abuse of prescription opioids has led to numerous effects within society. Apart from addiction, drug abuse has resulted in many deaths. Young adults and children are at a higher risk of becoming addicted when exposed to the drug, unlike older individuals (Ignaszewski, 2021). Children born from mothers who abuse drug experience withdrawal syndrome. Family and personal distress are experienced by the users causing discomfort. The community is further affected by the loss of future productivity and additional healthcare costs, which become a burden. The abuse also results in increased admissions to substance abuse programs. In America, admissions between 2002 and 2010 increased from ninety-one thousand to 259 thousand (Harries et al., 2018). Additional healthcare issues like psychosocial dysfunctions, withdrawal, and apathy get experienced among the users.
A certified medical practitioner conducts opioid abuse treatment and decides on the most effective method. The three main medications employed in treating opioid use disorders are naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine (Volkow et al., 2019). One common antidote used to reverse the effects of an opioid is naloxone. It attaches itself to the opioid receptors blocking the resultant effects; it is only effective if administered on time. Behavioral therapy and medication are included in the recovery processes of all opioid abusers, although not all are compulsory. The four stages of treatment practiced are treatment initiation, early abstinence, maintaining abstinence, and advanced recovery. Social programs play a critical role in the treatment as they provide the interventions, resources, and activities that help a recovering person from relapsing.
The aftercare involves the recovery process of the drug abusers. Addiction is a medical concern, and treatment can help the victim to recover. The first step consists of the prevention of overdose death and seeking treatment. Treatment occurs in different settings depending on the victim’s individual needs, as it may take various forms and timelines (Volkow et al., 2019). Proper aftercare involves therapy and medications to facilitate an appropriate recovery. It may include sober living, outpatient care, 12-step meetings, and counseling. Adopting a good recovery plan is critical; drugs increase the chances of success as they help normalize brain chemistry (Volkow et al., 2019). It helps anticipate potential future challenges and enables the development of appropriate solutions. Family members and friends can participate in the aftercare treatment offering support to the victims. The move tends to encourage healthy benefits as one feels valued and loved.
Prescription opioids are highly acquired and handled by individuals of all ages. The drug is highly addictive; it is misused and abused, causing one of the leading health concerns globally. Drug abuse has led to many deaths and left some users critically ill. Its primary purpose is to help in treating mild and severe pain. When utilized for purposes other than the one it is meant for, that is abuse. The drug being misused has led to severe effects not only con individuals but also on society. Treating the addiction is easy and possible under medical supervision. The use of antidotes and other medication splay a critical role in the recovery process. Appropriate aftercare includes attending behavioral therapies and involving family and friends in the recovery journey.
References
Harries, M., Lust, K., Christenson, G., Redden, S., & Grant, J. (2018). Prescription opioid medication misuse among university students.The American Journal on Addictions, 27(8), 618-624.
Ignaszewski, M. (2021). The epidemiology of drug abuse. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 61(2), 10-16.
Thomas, A., Fields, K., Kaye, A., & Urman, R. (2022). Factors associated with heroin use among those reporting prescriptions opioid misuse: Results from a nationally representative sample.Journal of Opioid Management, 18(3), 243-255.
Volkow, N., Jones, E., Einstein, E., & Wargo, E. (2019). Prevention and treatment of opioid misuse and addiction.JAMA Psychiatry, 76(2), 01-09.