Opioid Use Disorder: How Does It Occur and Who’s at Risk?

How dangerous is opioid use? Well, we’ve followed statistics on the opioid epidemic for decades, but instead of getting better, the numbers show it’s actually significantly worse.

The change in drug overdose fatalities from 1999 to 2021 has increased more than six times. In 2021, almost 107,000 people died from an overdose, and more than 75% of those deaths were related to opioid use.

If you or someone you love is using opioids, even if they’re prescription like Vicodin or Oxycodone, you or they are at risk of an addiction and overdose. And if you even suspect there may be a reliance on them, look for an opiate addiction treatment in Thousand Oaks or nearest you.

Even short term opioid use is dangerous. Educating yourself on how an opioid use disorder occurs and who is at risk may just save your life.

What is Opioid Use Disorder?

Anyone who takes opioids can develop an addiction to them called opioid use disorder. However, just because you take a prescription painkiller after a surgery or for an occasional acute pain relief, this doesn’t mean you’re an addict.

The problem is that it’s impossible to determine whether a short course of this medication will make you dependent on it or not. There’s no hard and fast rule that says “these type of people are more likely to become addicted.” With opioids, it could be anyone.

Misusing these drugs, whether legally or illegally, accounts for nearly 100 deaths in the US every day.

Why Are Opioids So Addictive?

Some substances, like alcohol or marijuana, can be addictive, but most people who use them socially don’t become addicts. On the other hand, the odds of becoming dependent on opioids skyrockets with every use.

What’s the difference between these and other drugs? Opioids trigger the reward center in your brain, releasing powerful hits of endorphins like dopamine that convince you that you feel amazing. This effect has a co-consequence of taking away your feelings of pain and depression, but the results don’t last long.

If they have to choose between taking an opioid and being in constant, life-altering pain or sadness, it’s easy to see why so many people choose the opioid.

Yet, there’s a catch. Like with any drug, your body eventually builds up a tolerance to opioids. The dosage that once put you “on top of the world” when you first started using barely makes a dent in your pain soon after. When you build up this numbing effect to the drug, you need to take more and more to get the desired results. If you don’t, you may have withdrawal symptoms like increased pain, anxiety, and fatigue.

Who is At Risk?

A huge red flag that you have opioid use disorder is that you need more to get the results you want. But there are other risk factors that you should be aware of that make you more likely to become addicted to opioids, such as:

● Taking opioids in any form other than which you were prescribed them,

● Taking too much medicine in a short time,

● Taking more than the prescribed dose,

● Using opioids for more than a few days,

● Taking opioids young, particularly as a teen or in the early 20s,

● Having a history of substance misuse,

● Having a stressful environment at home or at work,

● Taking part in other risky behaviors

● Using tobacco regularly.

Although all of these factors can apply to any gender, women tend to have more long-term pain, being prescribed opioid medications in high doses for long periods.

To prevent this disorder, if you must use opioids, limit your use to no longer than three days to manage your pain after a broken bone or surgery. Ask for the lowest possible dose, and tell your doctor not to agree with you if you ask for a higher dose or a refill. Alternatively, ask if any other medication is available that would provide similar effects without the extreme risk of addiction.

If it’s too late and you think you or someone you know has an opioid use disorder, don’t wait. Contact an opioid treatment center today to find out how you can get help.

The Emotional Impact of Home Disasters on Families and How to Cope

Home disasters, whether from natural events like floods and hurricanes or unexpected accidents like fires and water damage, can have a profound emotional impact on families. Our homes are more than just physical structures; they’re the backdrop to our lives, filled with memories and the sense of safety and security we build around our loved ones.

When disaster strikes, the loss can feel overwhelming, touching every aspect of our family life.

Recognizing the Emotional Toll

The first step in coping with the aftermath of a home disaster is acknowledging the range of emotions it can stir up. It’s normal to experience a whirlwind of feelings: sadness over lost possessions that held sentimental value, anxiety about the future, or even guilt for not being able to prevent it.

For children, the disruption can be particularly disorienting, as they might not fully understand what’s happened or why their routine has suddenly changed.

Creating a Supportive Environment

Open communication is crucial during this time. Encourage family members to express their feelings and share their concerns. When it comes to children, simple, honest explanations about what happened and what it means for the family can help alleviate fears.

Be patient with each other; everyone copes differently, and it’s important to support each other’s healing process.

Finding Stability in Routine

As much as possible, try to maintain or quickly re-establish family routines. Regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and even leisure activities can provide a sense of normalcy amid chaos.

If you’re temporarily displaced, small efforts like having dinner together at the same time each day or continuing a weekend family activity can make a significant difference in how secure your family feels.

Rebuilding Together

As you begin the process of rebuilding or repairing your home, involve the whole family. Decisions about changes or repairs can be made together, giving everyone a sense of control and participation in moving forward.

Of course, some expert assistance also helps! For instance, if you’re struggling with water damage in Orlando FL, companies like DryMetrics, a tried-and-trusted restoration specialist, offer an abundance of expertise. Their quick response times and in-depth knowledge will make the rebuilding process smoother and help your family feel they’re taking positive steps toward recovery.

Seeking Professional Help

Sometimes, the emotional impact can be too much to handle alone, and that’s okay. Don’t hesitate to seek support from mental health professionals who can provide coping strategies for both adults and children. Schools can also be a resource for children, offering counseling services to help them process their emotions.

Focusing on the Positive

Despite the hardship, try to find and focus on positive outcomes. This might be the opportunity to declutter, the discovery of strength you didn’t know your family had, or the kindness of friends and community members who offer support.

Gratitude for what remains and what has been learned can be a powerful tool in overcoming the emotional challenges of a home disaster.

In A Nutshell

Home disasters can test the resilience of any family, but through open communication, support, and a focus on rebuilding together, it’s possible to navigate the emotional aftermath. Remember, it’s not just about repairing a building but healing the hearts of those who call it home.

With each other’s support, and help from professionals when necessary, families can emerge from these trials stronger and more united.

Detox Diets: What Are They And Do They Work?

Photo Credit (CC0 License)

During your quest to be a healthier human, you’ll encounter a long range of diets. Some claim to help you lose weight, others say they’re the most nutritionally beneficial, and then you have detox diets. 

These diets are popular with loads of people who wish to do both of the above: lose weight and be nutritionally healthy. You’ll find loads of companies and influencers peddling detox diets – but what are they and do they actually work? 

Detox Diets: A Quick Overview

What is a detox diet? Simply put, it’s a type of diet with a focus on ridding your body of toxins. The diets are proposed to work as such: 

  • You consume certain foods
  • The foods enter your system and flush out “toxins”
  • Your body becomes much healthier and you may lose weight

That’s a generalized example of detox diets, though other types exist as well. Some will involve a fasting period before overhauling your diet and making you eat certain foods. Others will be a liquid-only diet where you drink smoothies for all meals in a day. 

Then, you have some that are also known as cleanses. These detox diets make you take supplements that help cleanse your system – normally by having a laxative effect

Do Detox Diets Work?

In short, there is no evidence to suggest that detox diets work at all. People might lose weight following a diet like this, but it is usually temporary. Detox diets are extremely restrictive, so you’ll barely eat much every day. This means you’re bound to lose weight, though the diets themselves are unsustainable. 

After a few weeks, you’ll resort back to your old diet, undoing any weight loss you saw from a detox diet. Moreover, detox diets are not “healthy” at all. The body already has a natural way of removing toxins; it doesn’t need any extra help! Taking supplements or eating foods that encourage you to remove toxins will only result in you sitting on the toilet multiple times a day. 

It’s not a very nice way to live your life and you’ll probably feel far worse following a detox diet than you did before. 

Are Detoxes Ever Necessary?

Yes – but never from a weight loss perspective. The reason detox diets are popular is because medical detoxes are proven to be effective. You’ll find a medical detox if you search for a rehab center near me as they’re a popular treatment method as part of a residential addiction rehab program. 

Here, medical experts provide specific medication and supplements that encourage the release of toxins from the body. They work, but the core difference between a medical detox and a detox diet is that the former focuses on removing traces of drugs and alcohol from the body. These linger, which causes addiction cravings in individuals. Removing them helps the person recover from addiction – but medical detoxes also involve using things to calm down all the side effects of flushing toxins out of the body. 

In other words, detoxes like these are far more medically-based and backed by scientific research. They also involve constant support and attention from medical professionals while a detox diet involves you drinking special smoothies at home and then rushing to the toilet. 

So, yes, detoxes are necessary in some circumstances, but only when used as a medical treatment for things like drug or alcohol addiction. From a dietary standpoint, you will never need to “go on a cleanse” or follow a detox diet. 

The Best Alternatives To A Detox Diet

If a detox diet isn’t helpful, you’re probably wondering what alternatives there are. Should you try keto instead? What about the Atkins diet? Maybe you should find another specific diet to try as well. 

None of these are necessary. The best alternative to a detox diet is a healthy, balanced, diet that fits your health goals and aims. It doesn’t need to be crazy – your diet simply requires the following: 

  • A good selection of whole foods
  • At least five portions of fruit and veg a day
  • Portion sizes suited to your needs
  • A protein source with every meal
  • A decent amount of fiber
  • A good balance of calories to hit your targets

If you’re making meals that tick all of these boxes, you’re eating healthily. It’s genuinely that simple; there’s no need for detox diets or any other crazy diets out there. As long as you don’t have any specific medical requirements, a balanced diet comprised of whole foods and good protein sources is all you need.