Opioid Addiction: Signs, Risks and How to Get Help

Opioid addiction can start from a legitimate prescription or from illegal drugs. One week of use can be enough for some people to develop a strong craving. If you or someone you care about is using more than prescribed, borrowing pills, or taking meds they weren’t given, pay attention — these are early warning signs.

Recognize the signs and the real risks

Look for changes in mood and behavior: sudden secrecy, missing work, or loss of interest in things they used to enjoy. Physical signs include drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, and poor coordination. Don’t ignore tolerance — needing higher doses to feel the same effect — or withdrawal symptoms like sweating, nausea, anxiety, and muscle aches when use stops.

Overdose is the biggest immediate danger. Slow or shallow breathing, blue lips or nails, unresponsiveness, and very small pupils are alarm signs. Naloxone (brand names Narcan, Evzio) can reverse an opioid overdose if given quickly. Friends and family can carry naloxone and learn how to use it — this simple step saves lives.

How to get help: practical, step-by-step options

If you want to stop, start by talking to a medical professional. Be honest about what you’re taking and how often. Treatment choices depend on the person, but evidence-based options include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone combined with counseling. MAT reduces cravings and overdose risk and makes it easier to focus on recovery work.

Behavioral therapies — cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and counseling — help change thinking and habits that keep addiction going. Peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous or local recovery meetings add accountability and community. Many people find combining MAT with counseling gives the best outcomes.

If immediate medical help is needed, call emergency services. For non-emergencies, ask your primary care doctor for referrals, or look for community addiction clinics and federally qualified health centers. Hotlines and local health departments can connect you to treatment options and financial help if cost is a concern.

Practical safety steps you can take right now: store all prescriptions in a locked place, never share meds, use a take-back program for unused opioids, and talk to your prescriber about non-opioid pain options. If you manage chronic pain, ask about lower-dose strategies or multimodal pain care that combines physical therapy and non-opioid drugs.

Recovery isn’t linear — relapses can happen, but they don’t mean failure. Each step toward treatment lowers risk and improves quality of life. If you need resources, check local public health sites, addiction treatment locators, or call a national helpline to find nearby programs. You don’t have to handle this alone; practical help is available and effective.