Reasons Why You Have To Fear Narcotic Drug Addiction
The goal of the therapeutic use of narcotics is to control acute or chronic pain caused by diseases or pain after a surgical procedures. Patients are prescribed a right dose of narcotics to reduce pain but not too high to cause addiction.
Patients suffering with pain should not fear to take prescribed narcotics. It’s impossible to develop narcotic dependence or addiction when the intake of this medicine is regulated by a medical professional. It is good for these patients to know the difference between tolerance, dependence and abuse to narcotics.
Narcotic tolerance
Narcotic tolerance occurs when the user takes the medicine but the desired effect isn’t achieved unless the dosage is increased. This happens when the medication is used over a period of time. When the patient develops tolerance, abuse to the drug develops.
Narcotic Addiction
People are considered to be abusing opioids when they are unable to do their routine activities and responsibilities. Abusers are displaying maladaptive behaviors which greatly affect their relationships at home, at work and in school. They neglect their recreational, occupational and social activities. They’re often involved in fights that may bring them interpersonal or legal problems.
Symptoms of Narcotic Abuse
People with narcotic addiction manifest a feeling of being “high” or euphoria. This is the effect of the medication that the abusers crave. Other narcotic abuse signs are pin point pupils, bloodshot eyes, itching and flushed skins, nausea and vomiting, constipation, sedation, slurred speech, confusion and poor judgment.
Narcotic Dependence
Narcotic dependence develops when a person compulsively uses the drug despite the knowledge of the health threats. This happens when abusers takes in huge amounts of narcotics for a long period of time. If the drug is stopped when the patient is in the stage of dependence, withdrawals from an addiction from narcotics occurs.
Withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are really painful but are not life-threatening. It occurs hours or days after the medicine is stopped. Symptoms manifested are opposite to narcotics addicted effects. Common symptoms are anxiety, irritability, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, runny nose, abdominal cramps, increase drug craving, diarrhea and excessive sweating.
Narcotics are useful if used under the guidelines of a medical practitioner. It is of high importance that you consult your doctor frequently if you are taking prescribed narcotics. Understanding the warning signs of tolerance, dependence and addiction is helpful to avoid these problems while on a narcotic treatment.
