In our Part 1 article, we discussed areas that not many can wrap their heads around. Maybe many thought they knew what opioid abuse entailed but realized they never asked the questions that may seem simple but include so much more detail than they could have imagined. Just when you think you have an idea of what opioid addiction is, you learn even more about it and what havoc it can wreak on people’s lives. In our Part 1 article, we answered the following questions: What are opioids? What is opioid misuse? What is opioid addiction/abuse? What are some signs of opioid abuse/addiction?

In Part 2 of Understanding Opioid Abuse, we will be discussing ways that YOU can help to end the epidemic.

WHY DON’T ADDICTS SEEK HELP?

When those seeking help look to Google or other means, rather than family, friends or other credible sources, they are often given the runaround or are sent to unreliable centers and sources that are only using their mark on Google [or social media platforms] to profit themselves, not the person seeking help. This long and sometimes seemingly impossible search for help will often deter and discourage addicts; unfortunately, this turns many of them back to their substance. Other drug abusers may be concerned with how they will be viewed: What will my family think? Will I lose my job? What if no one speaks to me? These are only a few of the many questions that we can imagine running through the minds of those seeking help.

WHO SUFFERS WHEN IT COMES TO OPIOID ADDICTION?

The simple answer: everyone. Everyone suffers when it comes to opioid addiction. Let’s use an example scenario: the abuser in question is a middle-aged parent of a teenager, with a spouse that works outside of the home. With an opioid addiction, this could mean easier access to opioids for the teen, which may also lead to easier access for his/her friends. It could be harmless curiosity, but it can easily take a turn towards experimentation and addiction for him/her.

Suppose the person addicted to opioids has several episodes of withdrawal, or other severe symptoms of addiction, that causes the other parent to have to leave work, leaving them appearing as unreliable or unstable as well. Or, suppose the person addicted to opioids decides they are having a worse day than normal and they need to take double the amount of opioids to feel “leveled out”; this could ultimately lead to death. No one wins with opioid addiction. When you are addicted, those around you suffer as well.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You may not be able to singlehandedly save the world from opioid addiction, but you can make a difference. First and foremost, keep opioid use to a minimum when they are prescribed to you, and if they are necessary, use them for the recommended time frame and recommended dosage. In an ideal situation, you could deny the use of opioids and ask your doctor for alternative pain medication.

Medication disposal should be a top priority when you or anyone in your household is prescribed an opioid. Use it if it is necessary, and the moment it is no longer needed, the moment it is expired, or the moment it is unwanted, dispose of it properly. This could help save the lives of you and those close to you.

At Rx Disposal, we see the tragic effects of the opioid epidemic on individuals, families, communities, cities, states, and more. We knew that there had to be a way to give everyone access to effective, cost efficient, and convenient medication disposal. That’s where NarcX comes into play. With NarcX, you can choose the size of liquid solution that best suits your needs. Simply place your unwanted, unused, or expired medications in the solution, tighten the cap, and items are rendered immediately non-retrievable and disposed of completely in as little as two hours. When you have used the solution up, you can simply throw it in your trash can for safe, eco-friendly disposal.

Call us today to be part of the solution (303) 434-1630.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/special-reports/opioids-pain/20180314/opioid-addiction

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/addiction-the-opioid-crisis-and-family-pain-2017110212664