Electronic Health Reporter

With the sheer number of people who have fallen victim to the opioid epidemic, friends and family may be left with many unanswered questions and feelings of helpless about what to do when they notice suspect their loved one may have an addiction. The abuse of opioids is not a recent phenomenon as it has been a prevalent concern starting around the turn of the century, making headlines since the nineties with thousands of victims who have perished from its misuse. While traditional treatment methods can still be considered effective, those who suffer from opioid addiction and are looking to get onto the road recovery can take advantage of the technological advances that make the process easier.

The challenge with opioids is that they are available in various forms, with some of the most accessible being prescription drugs. Fentanyl, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and other synthetic, man-made opioids can be easily found in the medicine cabinets of everyday people. While the intended purpose of these formulations has been pain relief for patients suffering from a variety of physical ailments or discomfort,  an unintended side effect for many of these medications has resulted from its highly addictive qualities.

Because opioids are prescribed routinely following both major and minor surgeries, as well as for managing conditions that cause chronic pain, it should come as no surprise that the soothing anesthetizing properties could potentially become addictive. A major step on the road to recovery is recognizing signs an addiction and taking action before the issue escalates. Some of the warning signs include patients who do not follow their doctor’s instructions, demonstrations of mood swings, voluntary isolation, questionable hygiene practices, changes in appetite, and any significant changes in one’s typical routine following certain types of opioid use.

Traditionally those suffering from opioid addiction would likely need to depend on the intervention of loved ones or community members once a situation has grown beyond their control. Another potential solution has been to admit oneself to professional rehabilitation. While those are still effective methods, those recovering from opioid addiction can also take advantage of the most powerful form of communication now available at the tap of a screen, click of a mouse, or push of a button, for even more ways to access different types of opioid treatment options.

One of the most common pathways to addiction is not necessarily from obtaining the infamous illegal forms of opioids such as heroin.  Oftentimes a patient may begin using a prescribed opioid responsibility but may find a low dosage to feel ineffective or inadequate. With the world wide web at a patient’s disposal, he or she can easily explore alternative medications for pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, that are less addictive. There are also several drug-free methods to explore. Whether a patient is interested in high-tech treatments such as those that utilize electrical signals and radio waves, surgical procedures, localized injections of anesthesia there is a wealth of information available.

When somebody is suffering through an addiction it can become tempting to become physically isolated and cut off from the world in general. Today, online forums can help prevent that from happening. Dedicated websites not only allow users to discuss and get support for virtually any topic that comes to mind, but many even allow users to post in an anonymous format if desired. This can be useful for individuals who are more private and may feel hesitant to share their struggle with friends and family who know them personally and can be done on forums specifically aimed at drug rehabilitation, or in general online Forums with user-generated content.

If somebody is suffering from a current addiction, simply trying to be proactive by avoiding one altogether, or researching Tips on fighting opioid withdrawals the seemingly infinite amount of information online can be invaluable. In the past, people may have had to rely on personal recommendations or hours of research to find the information that they are looking for. Compare this to the powerful search engines of today and a digital age where virtually every organization has a website to browse through in addition to many helpful resources which are literally a quick query away. A patient can refer to a general search or go directly to more reputable authorities in the medical community such as peer-reviewed journals and articles by professional organizations to find information on causes, symptoms, and treatment for opioid addiction.

A significant factor that can play a big role in many types of addiction is isolation. When a patient or a recovering addict lacks the social ties to keep grounded or receive regular feedback for their actions, it can become more tempting to resort to methods that can be considered harmful or dangerous. However, with all the communication tools that are now available through almost any digital platform, there are many ways to stay connected and receive ongoing support. No-cost or low-cost phone calls, texts, instant messages, emails, and video chat are just some ways for patients to maintain a line of communication with both loved ones and professionals who can support your efforts.

Regardless of any criticism that technology has today, it is difficult to completely deny how it can positively affect the rehabilitation efforts of those who have an addiction. By utilizing all the resources available, including those that just so happen to be of the technological variety, patients themselves or loved ones can better learn to be actively involved in the recovery process.