Opioids are very useful in the management of pain especially after surgery and for people with chronic conditions like cancer. Prolonged use of opioids can, however, lead to dependency which creates social and medical problems.

Treatment for opioid addiction is readily available in many centers but most addicted users easily relapse after treatment because of unbearable withdrawal symptoms. However, there is a treatment modality that does not cause withdrawal symptoms thus helping in relapse prevention in Las Vegas.

What Are Other Risks That Are Associated with Opioid Use Apart from Addiction?
Addiction is not the only problem that arises from opioid use. Other commonly overlooked problems include:

•    Chronic diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B because when needles are shared
•    Physical scarring of injection sites
•    Injury to blood vessels because of repeated injections
•    Though rarely reported, air emboli can be introduced in the bloodstream during injection

What Are the Common Misconceptions About Opioid Addiction?
1.    That opioid addiction can only happen to illicit drug users, rich people, city dwellers, young people, or other minority groups. This is a false belief. Opioid addiction can happen to anyone.

2.    When a person is given a doctor’s prescription of opioids, they will end up being addicted even if it’s for a few days. This is also false. The probability of being addicted depends on many predisposing factors. There are some people who are more prone to get addicted, for example:

•    People who have a history of childhood trauma or abuse
•    People with a family history of substance abuse
•    People who suffer from mental conditions like bipolar disorder
•    People who have been a history of addiction to other drugs

3.    It is not always easy for a doctor to determine who is likely to get addicted because some patients may withhold important past medical or family history.

4.    That opioid withdrawal is just like a bad case of the flu. This is false. Opioid withdrawal can present with unbearable symptoms and may be fatal at times.

5.    Opioid addiction is a choice. This is false. Some people become addicted to opioids during pain treatment for chronic conditions.

6.    Opioid addiction cannot be completely treated since people relapse after treatment. This is false. There are some people who have completely recovered from opioid use because there are treatment modalities which help to prevent relapse.

7.    Prescription opioids do not cause addiction as opposed to the illicit ones. This is false. Any type of opiate can cause addiction depending on the duration of use and the presence of predisposing factors.

8.    Imprisoning drug cartels will completely solve the opioid addiction crisis. This is not entirely true because some people get addicted after using prescription drugs.

9.    Changing a patient’s treatment with opioids will stop their addiction. This is false because once a person has been addicted, they need treatment to stop. Some people also buy opioids from the black market.

10.    Anyone can willfully stop their opioid addiction seeing that some people have very easily stopped taking opioids addiction. This is false. It differs from person to person.

Summary
Opioid addiction is a health problem that can happen to anyone. Opioid addicts should not be discriminated against but should be helped to seek medical treatment.