Narcotic abuse is a serious, but treatable disorder. When the problem is not treated, people who abuse narcotics usually suffer significant mental and physical problems. The sooner treatment begins, the more favorable the outcome. If you suspect you have a problem with narcotic abuse, contact your doctor immediately.
Narcotic abuse may begin with recreational (illegal) drug use, or it may begin when a patient takes a prescription painkiller too often or for too long a period. As the body builds up a tolerance for the drug, the user feels he or she needs more of the drug, and becomes dependent on it, both physically and psychologically.
These factors increase your chance of developing narcotic abuse. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors. Additionally, some personality traits and lifestyles can increase your tendency to abuse narcotics. These may include depression and low self-esteem, associating with other drug users, and experiencing high amounts of stress or chronic pain over an extended period.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. In some cases, your doctor may give you an injection of the drug naloxone hydrochloride. By judging your body’s reaction, your doctor can determine if you have over-used or become dependent on narcotics.
Because narcotic overdoses can cause trouble breathing and other life-threatening medical conditions, severe narcotic abuse often requires emergency treatment. Most non-emergency treatments also require some hospitalization to manage and monitor narcotic withdrawal symptoms.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
There are many ways of withdrawing from narcotics. Doctors may prescribe medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, a substitute narcotic, such as methadone, may be used.
Depending on the severity and length of your narcotic abuse, after the initial hospital treatment, your doctor might prescribe medicines to lessen the body’s feeling that it “needs” narcotics. In some cases, maintenance treatment with long-acting narcotics, such as methadone, may be used.
Many support groups exist for people who abuse narcotics. These groups operate much like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and similar organizations. Support groups typically hold small, informal meetings of people who have narcotic abuse problems and people who have successfully overcome narcotic abuse. Support groups provide behavioral counseling and recommend lifestyle changes to help you overcome narcotic abuse and avoid becoming dependent on narcotics again.
Behavioral therapy for individuals, couples, and families has been used to treat narcotic abuse for more than 30 years. In individual behavioral therapy, a therapist, usually a psychologist, talks directly with the narcotic abuser to help the person change the habits and thought processes that led to the use of narcotics. In family and couples therapy, a counselor or therapist speaks with the narcotic abuser and those close to him or her to overcome the problem of narcotic abuse as it affects all of their relationships.
If you are diagnosed as abusing narcotics, follow your doctor's instructions.
To help reduce your chances of having a problem with narcotic abuse, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
Narcotics Anonymous
http://www.na.org/
National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
United States Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.samhsa.gov/index.aspx
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Narcotics Anonymous
http://www.torontona.org/
Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Association of Nova Scotia
http://nadaca.ca/
References:
Alexander B, Pharm.D, BCPP. Management of Opiate Withdrawal, Clinical Psychopharmacology Seminar. Virtual Hospital website of The University of Iowa, 1996-2005. Available at: http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/psychiatry/CPS/34.html. Accessed . September 29, 2005.
Bykov SA. Narcotic abuse among young people as an indicator of dysadaptation. Russian Education and Society . 2001; 43:46-57.
Drug addiction treatment medications. NIDA InfoFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/treatmed.html . Accessed January 17, 2008.
Fals-Steward W, O’Farrell T, Birchler G. Behavioral couples therapy for substance abuse: rationale, methods, and findings. Science & Practice Perspectives . August 2004. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/Perspectives/vol2no2/04Perspectives-Behavioral.pdf . Accessed January 17, 2008.
Hannesdottir H, Tyrfingsson T, Piha J. Psychosocial functioning and psychiatric comorbidity among substance-abusing Icelandic adolescents. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry . 2001;55:43-48.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Theodor B. Rais, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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