8/12/2019 Jun14 Addictions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/jun14-addictions 1/1Page 46 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — June 2014

in Illinois. Recently, lawmakers in Illinois created a task force to addressthe heroin epidemic in our state. According to WMBD, in a story theydid on the Face of Heroin in Central Illinois in April of this year, 15 ofthe 49 deaths in Peoria County related to illicit drugs and prescriptionmedications were from heroin use. Once a person becomes dependent on opioids, stopping it canbecome unbearable. Although generally not life threatening, withdrawalassociated with opioid dependence is serious and very uncomfortable.

According to the Substance Aubse and Mental Health Services Admin-istration TIP 45, signs and symptoms associated with opioid withdrawalinclude: fast pulse, sweating, enlarged pupils, yawning, tearing, runnynose, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bone/muscle pain, and anxiety. There are a number of resources available to those wishing tostop their use of opioids and/or prevent overdose. The medication,nalaxone, is given to prevent or reverse the effects of opioid overdose.Nalaxone has been used by emergency personnel for many years butwith the growing number of deaths associated with withdrawal, is nowavailable to the general public with brief training on how to use it. Fortunately, recovery from opioid addiction is possible. In additionto self-help groups and inpatient treatment options , there are a numberof outpatient treatment services available. With the use of medicatedassisted treatment (MAT), individuals can increase their probability ofsuccess in recovery and return to living a life without opioid depen-dence. Medications commonly used to treat opioid dependenceinclude methadone, Suboxone, and naltrexone. These medicationswork by reducing withdrawal symptoms and reducing the cravingspeople experience for opioids.

For more information about treatment options and other medi-cations used to help with opioid addiction and/or overdose, con-tact your doctor or True North Solutions at 309-589-1011 or visitwww.truenorthsolutions.org. True North Solutions offers outpatient treatment for opiatedependence. Chrissy Smith is a licensed clinical social worker atTrue North Solutions. Chrissy provides a variety of services for

adu lts and childre n. She speci al izes in anx iety dis order s, sub- stance use disorders , and children .

Photo credit: zona/Thinkstock

It’s been all over the news. Various celebrity deaths associated withthe overdose of opioids — primarily, heroin. Opioids are prescriptionmedications, such as Vicodin, codeine, Oxycontin, and morphine,

usually used to treat pain. There is also an opioid used that is pro-duced and sold illegally called heroin. These medications, taken forlong periods (with a prescription or off the street) or by taking more thanis prescribed, can be very addictive. Misused, opioids can produce aeuphoric effect but can also lead to overdose. Symptoms of opioidoverdose include: slow breathing, loss of consciousness, unrespon-sive, and pale/clammy skin. In addition, there are many risks associatedwith the misuse of opioids. These risks include: increased rates of HIVand hepatitis C through injection drug use, increased legal issues, andhigh costs to individuals and families (direct and indirect). These drugsare available to everyone — not just to celebrities or to certain groups

of people. Dependence to opioids affects all kinds of people, of allgenders, races, and ages, in all communities.According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “In 2011, 4.2

million Americans aged 12 or older (or 1.6 percent) had used heroin atleast once in their lives. It is estimated that about 23 percent of individu-als who use heroin become dependent on it.” Dependence to opioidshas become a growing problem not only in the United States, but also

Opioid DependenceBy Chrissy Smith, LCSW, True North Solutions

addictions

Holy CrossLutheran

Preschool & Child Care618 S. Maxwell Rd., Peoria

Quality Christian Child Care Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years

Developmentally AppropriateCurriculum

309-697-8450

Before/After School Care for Limestone Area Schools

Summer Program for School Age Children