“Signs of Opiate Abuse.”

Opiates are powerful narcotics. The word “narcotic” which derives from a Greek word for stupor, referred originally to a class of substances which dulled the senses and alleviated pain. Unfortunately, opiates are widely abused. As such, it’s critical that family and friends watch out for signs of opiate abuse if they suspect someone they love has a problem. It is not uncommon for opiate abusers to overdose and even die from exposure to these toxic substances.

Opiates include the following:

How do opiates get used?

Doctors use opiates therapeutically to suppress coughs, induce anesthesia, to treat pain and alleviate diarrhea.

How do opiates get abused?

Addicts administer opiates in several ways. Orally, trans-dermally, through skin patches, intra-nasally or by injection.

When abused they’re typically sniffed, smoked or injected. Besides their medical effect, opiates create an overall sense of well-being as they take away tension, anxiety, and aggressive feelings and behavior. While such effects may be therapeutic if occurring in the right context, they also contribute to the abuse of these drugs.

Signs of opiate abuse: What to look for around the house.

. Small plastic baggies: Heroin is a powder or tar-like substance from white to light     brown. It’s typically stored in tiny plastic baggies or in the corner of a baggie tied off or knotted at one end. If you discover small baggies with a residue in them, you may have evidence of heroin. Pills are generally stored in small plastic, or pieces of paper which have been folded up, or stored in matchboxes or empty cigarette packs.

Watch out for…

• Discarded syringes
• Hidden spoons with burn marks on the bottom which have residue inside them.
• Bent spoons or ones which look like they’ve been used to crush pills.
•  Empty bottles of prescription medication for commonly abused opiates such as Darvocet, Oxycontin or Percocet.

Physical signs of opiate abuse

•  Constricted pupils which appear like pinpoints or small dots.
•  Itchy skin. Person and scratches often.
•   Nods or dopes off inappropriately.
•   Becomes very “hyper” (active or frantic) or alternatively is lethargic.
•  If snorting the opiate, their nose may be raw and red.
•  If injecting, they’ll have needle marks on their arms, behind their knees or on their ankles. Be suspicious of a person who wears long sleeve shirts when the weather is hot.
•  Very sick one day, then fine the next. Experiences cold-like symptoms, diarrhea, cramps or upset stomach.
•  Excessive pallor, though someone abusing opiates does not necessarily become pale.
• Excessive sweating even when it’s not hot.
• Extremely thirsty.

One of the primary signs of opiate abuse is that a person will try to borrow money and not in small amounts either. More like $20 to $40.

Signs of opiate abuse withdrawals

A drug abuser or addict who’s withdrawing from opiate abuse will show the following signs:

• Cramps,
• Flu-like symptoms,
• Diarrhea and nausea.

These signs will vanish immediately once they begin taking opiates again.

 As always, look for overall patterns:

Sudden changes in behavior to watch out for. These can clue you into drug abuse, particularly with adolescents.

• Keeping late hours can be a  sign
• New friends, new flashy clothes
• Sudden decline in school work.
• Becomes disinterested in former hobbies and pastimes.

• Asks to borrow money frequently.

• Mood changes. Is surly or sullen or has bouts of inexplicable euphoria.

Watch out for these potential signs of opiate abuse and if you see them, call for help. A person addicted to opiates is unlikely to be able to kick their habit without help.

Fritz Alders
Managing Partner, Georgia Alliance