Do you have a loved one you fear is falling under the tides of opioid addiction? There is an opioid crisis from coast to coast that’s so severe that over 70% of overdose deaths are because of it. And recently, the largest increase of synthetic opioid-related deaths has occurred on the West Coast. Because of this, an opioid addiction treatment center in California is invaluable.
Virtues Behavioral Health specializes in opioid addiction treatment in California for you or your loved ones. If any of these signs listed below strike true for you, call us at 855.579.8599 to learn more.
Opioid Addiction Risk Factors
Most opioid addictions start with a prescription given by a doctor or medical professional. If you’ve had surgery, you may have gotten a prescription for something like codeine or oxycodone. When administered by a doctor, they can help with intense pain. However, opioids work by releasing endorphins in the brain, making them incredibly addictive.
People may be especially at risk if they have:
- A family history of addiction
- A history of mental health disorders
- Excess stress
- Risk-taking behavior
With enough of these risk factors, it’s easy to misuse a prescription. Opioids can rewire a person’s brain to make them believe they need to keep using to survive. And once tolerance builds up, things get even more dangerous.
Physical Signs of Opioid Abuse
The symptoms of opioid addiction are similar to any other substance. You may notice a person experiencing slurred speech, nausea, or drowsiness. Their breathing may be slow or shallow, and they could be visibly shaking and sweating. They’ll likely be visibly exhausted and could have suddenly lost a lot of weight.
These signs on their own may not warrant going to an opioid addiction treatment center in California. It’s important to keep these symptoms in mind while also considering their behavioral and psychological state.
Behavioral Signs of Opioid Abuse
Opioid abuse has an effect on a person’s mental state as well as their body. When you see them, they may be depressed, but they also may be manic and hyperactive. The tricky part is that many of those addicted to opioids start to withdraw from their social and support groups. And they will toss aside all their important life responsibilities to use opioids.
Someone abusing opioids will have their scope of awareness narrowed down to when they could get their next dose. And if they are unable to get prescription opioids, they’re more likely to turn to harder drugs like heroin.
Effects of Opioid Addiction
Opioid abuse does more than damage a person’s present state. When used for long enough, it can trigger a variety of permanent physical illnesses. That is not limited to but includes:
- Endorphin deficiency
- Muscle weakness
- Vital organ damage
- The development of mental health disorders
And undeniable is the increased risk of a fatal opioid overdose, which ends the lives of 90 Americans every day. Because of that, if you believe you or a loved one is suffering from opioid abuse, that’s something you should address as soon as possible.
Reach Out to Virtues Behavioral Health’s Opioid Rehab Center in Los Angeles
Opioid abuse will not go away on its own, but Virtues Behavioral Health aims to help with our opioid rehab center in Los Angeles. We are a warm and welcoming environment that focuses on uniting the mind, body, and spirit. While we focus on meditation and yoga, we also teach the coping skills that those in recovery need to rediscover their place in the world.
Someone with an opioid use disorder may believe that the world is just them and their drugs, but we know it’s so much more than that. Call Virtues Behavioral Health at 855.579.8599 for help.
Virtues Behavioral Health is a substance abuse treatment center in Los Angeles, California. We offer addiction and mental health treatment at our outpatient rehab center. Our substance abuse treatment programs help clients avoid relapse and rebuild their lives. Contact our Los Angeles addiction treatment center at 855.265.7710