Recognize Addiction: Heroin, Prescription Painkiller Addiction

Is someone you know using opiates?

Possibly a family member?

How can you tell?

Opiates are made from opium, a white liquid in the poppy plant. They’re also referred to as narcotics. Maybe you’ve heard of drugs called heroin, morphine or codeine. These are examples of opiates.

Opiates can produce a quick, intense feeling of pleasure followed by a sense of well-being and a calm drowsiness. But they can also become an addiction. If someone uses opiates again and again, his or her brain is likely to become dependent on them.

Some prescription drugs are also derived from opium, mainly to reduce pain.

Commonly used prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil).

How do you know if someone is using heroin? What about another opiate, such as OxyContin, maybe Percocet?

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia shows how a parent or concerned friend may detect the possible use of opiates in someone they know. This will help in detecting a problem before it turns into a drug addiction.

If you suspect someone you know may be using an opiate, here are some tips to look for:
•    Heroin is a white to dark brown powder or tar-like substance.
•    It is normally stored in very small plastic baggies, (like a miniature zip-lock baggie) or in the corner of a plastic baggie which is then tied  off or knotted. If you find small empty baggies with any residue in them this may suggest the use of heroin.
•    Prescription pain pills may also be stored in small baggies, as well as folded up pieces of paper, or in matchboxes and cigarette packs.
•    These may be stored in other pill bottles.
•     Discarded syringes, spoons hidden with burn marks on the bottom, with residue in them indicate drug use.

The person’s physical appearance will also give clues of possible drug use, for example,

•    Heroin or other opiates will cause the person to have constricted pupils which will appear like pinpoints or small dots, and
•    Another clue is that someone on opiates will usually itch and scratch frequently.
•    Depending on how the person is using the drug, their nose may be red and raw, if snorting, or they will have needle marks on their arms, behind the knees or ankles.
•    They may or not be very pale, sweating when the temperature is not hot.
•     If someone is withdrawing, they will have flu-like symptoms, cramps, and nausea and diarrhea. These will disappear immediately after using again.
•    They are usually very thirsty.

Opiates affect people in different ways: some may get very “hyper” (active or frantic) and run around working or looking busy while others get very lethargic (nodding or doping off).

The person may go around asking others for money. This will not be small change for cigarettes, but more like $20 or $40 here or there.

If you see these signs get help immediately.