Helping an Adult Family Member with Opioid Addiction

Opioid Addiction in Older Adults

The prevalence of opioid addiction among Americans has substantially grown over the years, with the rising number of individuals living with substance use disorders and experiencing opioid overdose that can result in death for some. While there is often a misconception that drug abusers are young people in their teens or middle aged adults, there is a growing number of older adults that are struggling with addiction living with the uncertainty of a substance use disorder. The World Health Organization has reported that people over the age of 50 account for 39% of the opioid overdose related deaths. Of those opioid overdose related drug overdose deaths, 75% were linked to opioid abuse. 

To contact The Detox Center of Los Angeles to learn how to access our addiction treatment programs, call (888) 346-4350 today.

Signs of Opioid Addiction

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be struggling with addiction to opioids, there are common signs and symptoms of opioid abuse to be aware of that will help you know when it is appropriate to seek addiction treatment. Individuals engaging in opioid abuse will exhibit the following signs: 

• Isolating from friends or family 
• Loss of interest in activities that once brought joy 
• Changing social or friends groups to one that is centered around drug abusers 
• Having trouble staying awake or falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Individuals may have needle marks on the arm from injecting drugs 
• Itchy or flushed skin 
• Drastic mood swings that are out of character 
• Participating in high risk behavior including driving while under the influence 
• Lack of personal hygiene or change in personal grooming habits 
• Changes in appetite 
• Experiencing financial hardships due to opioid abuse 
• Decline in school or work performance 

How Opioid Addiction Develops

Drug abusers rarely had an original intention of developing substance use disorders. Oftentimes, people turn to alcohol or drug abuse as a way to cope with underlying emotions or traumas that have impacted their ability to manage any triggers or stressors that arise. What started out as a short term method of coping can easily turn into a drug addiction before you know it. The use of opioids typically begins after a health professional prescribes opioid painkillers to an individual to treat an ongoing medical condition. If you are experiencing struggles with coping with day to day life stressors or triggers, the allure of an escape through opioid abuse can become tempting. Many will slowly progress into opioid dependence and drug addiction that will require the support of an addiction treatment program to start overcoming addiction.

How To Help An Adult Family Member Battling Opioid Addiction

If you have a friend or family member that is struggling with addiction, you want to do whatever you can to support them in overcoming addiction. The first thing that you can do to support your loved ones is inform them that you care about their wellbeing and want to be there to support them anyway you can. Provide them with information about addiction treatment programs that are available for when they are ready to seek treatment programs. Lastly, it is important that you don’t use tactics such as guilt trips or shaming as drug abusers will feel those emotions already. As their friend or family member, you want to be there to reduce the stigma of drug addiction to empower them to find drug addiction treatment programs. 

Opioid Addiction Treatment at The Detox Center of Los Angeles

At The Detox Center of Los Angeles, our patients are treated with the utmost dignity and respect as they embark on the healing journey of drug addiction treatment programs. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, our team has the treatment programs you need within our continuum of care. Patients will be supported in overcoming addiction and opioid withdrawal symptoms with the support of a drug detox program. After overcoming the physical dependence to opioids, adults with substance use disorders will be invited to participate in substance abuse and mental health treatment methods that will support you in gaining an understanding of the underlying causes of your addiction to opioids while supporting you to gain the healthy coping skills and tools to remain in long term addiction recovery. Contact our compassionate team today to hear more about how we can support families affected by addiction to opioids through our comprehensive addiction treatment methods. Whether you are struggling with addiction or a family member or friend is, our team will provide reinforcement and family training to help you and your loved ones to support one another in healing from the hardships of addiction to opioids. 

References:

Opiate Symptoms And Warning Signs – Addiction Center

Opioid Abuse: Statistics, Signs & Symptoms – Made for This Moment (asahq.org)

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