DRUG ADDICTION
Drug addiction is a major health problem that affects many people around the world. One major type of drug that is usually abused is Opioids drug. This drug is normally prescribed by healthcare practitioners for medical purposes. In the year 2007, there was a sharp increase in new Opioid users for non-medical reasons in the United States. This rise was majorly attributed to the pharmacological use of the drug as a pain reliever. Many nurses in the United States have used it as a pharmacological intervention and management diagnosis. As a result, it has largely contributed to its use, making many patients get addicted to it even after recovering. Since 1999, deaths related to opioid addiction have increased tremendously in the United States, and the number is projected to rise in the future. Thus, the United States Healthcare fraternity has made intense efforts to deal with opioid addiction.
Opioid addiction has severe consequences for the victims. First, the drug usually damages the brain of the Opioid addicts. Opioid abusers have difficulty in remembering things and make good decisions. The neurobiology of the brain is also affected causing poor coordination of brain activities in the brain cells. When it is used in excess, a person may become dependent on the drug which makes the user crave more to the drugs. Also, environmental effects such as social pressure and stress contribute to addiction. It is because the drug acts as a pain reliever and thus used to numb the pain of the consumers. Many users use the drug because it gives them an intense feeling of pleasure. After taking the drug long enough, they become addicted to it.
Opioid addicts can become tolerant due to excessive intake of the drug. Opioid tolerance means that the users need to consume large amounts of Opioid drugs to achieve the desired opioid stimulation. This condition normally occurs when a person has opioid receptors that are slowly becoming less responsive to Opioid drugs. For instance, ….notes that more opioid drug is required to stimulate the brain cells Known as VTA to achieve the reward similar to that of DA and Nac. It, therefore, means that more opioid is required to curb the pain or stimulate pleasure compared to the previous intakes.
After becoming tolerant, the Opioid addicts may suffer drug dependency when the situation does not change. Opioid dependency stems from changes in a particular area of the brain known as the locus ceruleus (LC) due to continuous opioid intoxication. The neurons in locus ceruleus produce a chemical substance known as noradrenaline that is distributed in various sections of the brain. This chemical stimulates breathing, alertness, wakefulness, and blood pressure. When there is a low supply of noradrenaline in the brain cells due to low opioid intoxication, the victim is likely to show symptoms such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, and slow respiration. When the opioids drugs are present, they heighten the level of activity of the LC neurons making a person feel pleasure, alertness, and breathing. However, when the Opioid drugs are absent in the body of an addict, the brain chemical known as NA causes a person to get muscle cramps, anxiety, and diarrhea.
The victim transit to addiction because the opioid activates the brain and brings a good feeling to the users. The natural reward system promotes the continuous usage of the drug. After long enough, the person becomes dependent because the brain mechanism becomes used to opioid drugs. Drug users may also experience intense withdrawal symptoms making it even harder for them to go a day without using the drugs. Continuous use of opioid drugs produces permanent changes in the brain that leads to compulsive drug-seeking behavior which results in addictions.
General effects of the opioid to the victims
It is no doubt that the opioid drug has a significant effect on the victim. They include
Brain impairment
The excessive use of opioid drugs creates permanent changes in the brain. For instance, the prefrontal cortex is one area of the brain that is affected due to the high intake of opioids. As a result, a person abusing drugs may lack judgment, planning, and good memory.
Also, the base of the brain also known as locus ceruleus (LC) is severely affected due to high opioid intoxication which causes opioid cravings.
Stress and drug craving
It has been established by health experts that opioid addicts are more prone to stress than those who do not abuse the drug. This is because the opioid addicts depend on the drugs to feel happy. The experts explain that opioids tend to raise the level of cortisol hormone. This hormone plays a pivotal role in responding to stress in our bodies. The cortisol hormone normally raises the reward system in the human body. Thus, when a person takes opioid, it raises the cortisol level in the body which makes a person feel happy. It means that a person needs to continuously take more amounts of opioids to maintain the level of happiness leading to craving.
Emotional problems
People who are dependent on opioid drugs find it difficult to manage relationships with family, friends, and the general public. Some of them become moody or violent when they lack the drug. Their only source of happiness and well-being is after consuming the drug. Therefore, it is usually difficult to handle an addict who has not yet consumed the drug. Continuous consumption of the drug leads to compulsive drug-seeking behavior which makes it hard for a person to go for a day without the drug.
Death
In extreme cases, opioid leads to death of the victims. For instance, statistics indicate that death due to high levels of consuming opioids has risen significantly between the years 2009 to 2015. The United States health department agree that most deaths are as a result of brain damage due to opioid overdose. Clinical patients who are administered opioid drugs have now been advised to take low quantities of opioids to prevent them from getting addicted to the drug. In this way, it will help to lower the number of opioid addicts which will subsequently lead to a low number of deaths.
Management of Opioid addiction
Health experts agree that there are numerous challenges regarding the proper management of opioids. It is significant to help the patients manage their pain without using opioid drugs. To help achieve this, the following measures need to be taken into consideration.
- The system should disseminate information in the health care facilities to provide clinical services for people who are suffering from opioid addiction. In the current system, there are a lot of bureaucracies within the healthcare institution which has made it difficult for those who are suffering from opioid addiction to access affordable healthcare services.
- Health practitioners including nurses need to deploy new ways of dealing with pain besides using opioid drugs. One way of dealing with pain is through education. Education helps clinicians follow the appropriate guidelines when dealing with opioid addicts. It will also help them give effective care to healthcare services.
- The community can also reduce the stigma that is directed towards opioid users especially when they do not respond positively towards treatment. Societal stigma creates pain to opioid users and this has a direct negative effect on a person.
- New Programmes should be put in place to exterminate substance overdoses and addiction. This can be achieved through the formulation of policies involving drug abuse.
- An insurance program is also key to help those who are addicted to opioid get rehabilitative care. The insurance can help cover the opioid epidemic which can assist people during the pandemic.
- Pregnant mothers should be given alternative solutions to relieving pain instead of using opioid drugs. A considerable amount of financial resources should be allocated towards treating pregnant mothers after delivering babies.
- Laws should be passed to increase financial allocation towards opioids pandemic which will help reduce deaths linked to opioid consumption. For a long period, lack of funds has been a major problem when dealing with opioid addiction. Therefore, this approach will ensure that we build the capacity to deal with the opioid pandemic.
- Medicare program should be put in place to assist the opioid addicts through the healing process. Also, the program should ensure that it collects data of the opioid addicts, the prevalence of drug use, and how it can be prevented.
Conclusion
From the previous discussion, it is evident that opioid addiction has caused more harm than good not only in the United States but around the globe. Death due to high levels of consuming opioids has risen sharply between the years 2009 to 2013. The United States health department claim that most deaths are a result of brain damage due to opioid overdose. Also, health experts that opioid addicts are more prone to stress than those who do not abuse the drug.
This is because the opioid addicts depend on the drugs to feel happy. It is also interesting to note that people who are dependent on opioid drugs find it difficult to manage relationships with family, friends, and the general public. Thus, Health workers around the world remain committed to lead the battle against the opioid epidemic. Government and non-governmental agencies have partnered with health institutions, nurses, and other stakeholders to prevent and treat opioid patients. Laws have also been created to increase budgetary allocation to help deal with the opioid pandemic. New Programmes should be put in place to exterminate substance overdoses and addiction. This can be achieved through the formulation of policies involving drug abuse. Therefore, Opioid addiction is a serious health problem that needs effective intervention measures to prevent its effect on people.