Opioid addiction is a serious issue in the United States and abroad. People who struggle with opioid addiction may feel like they need to continue using opioids to function, which can be incredibly scary. The truth is that there are many ways that you can help a friend or family member who has struggled with opioid addiction. 

Understanding what exactly opioids are and how they affect the body as well as identifying the signs of opioid addiction are important first steps in helping someone who struggles with this condition. In this article, we’ll walk you through different types of opioids, signs of opioid addiction, and ways you can help someone struggling with the help of opioid addiction Lexington KY. 

• Different types of opioids

There are many types of opioids, including heroin, prescription painkillers, and synthetic opioids. Understanding what types of opioids are most commonly abused can help you identify the signs of opioid addiction. Prescription painkillers are one of the most commonly abused types of opioids. These include medications such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and methadone. 

Synthetic opioids are another type of opioid that may be abused. Examples of synthetic opioids include substances such as heroin, methadone, fentanyl, and tramadol. Heroin is derived from opium, which comes from the seed pods of the Asian opium poppy plant. Synthetic opioids are created in a lab. Since each type of opioid affects the body differently, knowing what type of opioid your friend or loved one has abused can help you better understand what they’re going through.

• Signs of opioid addiction

If you notice a friend or family member exhibiting any of the following signs, they may be struggling with opioid addiction. Opioid addiction can cause someone for changes in their mood, including depression, anxiety and cravings. 

• Excessive fatigue: An opioid addiction can cause someone to feel extremely tired all the time, even after getting a full night’s rest. Weight changes: If your loved one has gained or lost a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time, this can be a sign of opioid addiction. 

• Changes in sleep patterns: Someone struggling with opioid addiction may have trouble sleeping or have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Changes in appetite: Someone who abuses opioids may experience changes in their appetite and notice that they aren’t as hungry as they used to be.

• Mood changes: Someone who has an opioid addiction may experience mood swings and may even become irritable and angry.

• Ways to help someone with opioid addiction

If you notice that a friend or family member is struggling with opioid addiction, there are several ways that you can help. One of the best ways that you can help someone with opioid addiction is by learning as much as you can about the disease. 

Understanding how opioids affect the body is a great place to start. You can also help by encouraging the person to seek treatment for this from Opioid Addiction Lexington KY. Let them know that you’re there for them and that you want to help them get the treatment that they need. Another great way to help is by making it clear that you won’t enable their behavior.