All You Need to Know About Opioids Abuse

All You Need to Know About Opioids Abuse

Opioids can be synthetic or natural substances. As they act on the brain’s so-called opiate receptors, they can also help lessen pain and anxiety. But there are some instances when opioids have been abused by its users because of the euphoric feeling associated with the intake of these substances. Some of the most commonly abused drugs under this category are Hydromorphone, Meperidine, Codeine, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.

What you should know about opioids

Opioids may bring that feeling of “rush” to its users. But after this somewhat satisfying feeling is a drowsy sensation that can last for several hours. During the period when one is under the influence of this substance, slow heart rate and breathing patterns are experienced.

Opioids may also result to physical effects like constriction of the pupils of the eye, skin flushing and sometimes a heavy feeling on the limb section. But as long as the drug is taken plainly to relieve pain and not to get that euphoric emotion, these side effects will not be experienced by the user. Addiction may take place in cases when one already craves for opioids even when it already does harm to the body.

Withdrawal from opioids is not that easy as a process for those who have already been addicted to the substance. Some withdrawal symptoms like nausea, difficulty in sleeping, vomiting, diarrhea, cold flashes and severe muscle and bone pain may get in the way.

How are opioids associated with date rape drugs?

The association between opioids and date rape drugs can be seen in the following things:

1. Effects of both substances in the body. Date rape drugs such as Rohypnol, Ketamine and GHB are all said to provide a different kind of “high” to the user. This is the same feeling that opioid users experience when taking this substance.

2. Side effects of these two substances. Withdrawal from opioids may cause nausea and severe muscle pain to the user. This is a familiar experience for Rohypnol users.

3. The purpose of seeking treatment for dependence on these substances. Opioid dependence requires a complex treatment process. The World Health Organization said that it is important to treat this condition the soonest possible time to avoid not only illicit drug abuse but also to reduce the mortality rate that may result from the in-take of these drugs.

This is also the same purpose behind treating dependence on date rape drugs. Since the year 1990, there were already 16,000 cases of GHB overdose. According to the Knowledge Application Program of the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there were 70 of these cases that resulted to death. With this alarming number, it is but important to monitor or treat the use of GHB.