3 Signs of Opiate Abuse
For some drugs and some addicts, the signs of intoxication are very obvious; this is not always the case with opiates. Opiates are a class of drug that includes heroin, Vicodin, Oxycontin, morphine, Fentanyl and many others. Because an opiate addict's body eventually develops a tolerance to the effects of opiates, someone who is abusing this class of drug may not appear obviously intoxicated.
Here are three signs to look for if you suspect that someone may be abusing opiates.
1. Pinpoint Pupils Opiates cause the pupils (the black hole in the center of the eye) to become very small. Normally, the pupil will change in size depending upon the amount of light in the environment, becoming larger in the dark and smaller in the light. If someone's pupils are very small, especially in a dimly lit room, this may be a sign that they are using opiates. Pupil size varies from person to person and tends to get smaller as we age, but if someone's pupils are much smaller than everyone else's in the same room, this may be a clue they have been using. This effect on pupil size remains present even when someone has developed a tolerance to the other effects of opiates, making it a particularly useful sign of intoxication.
2. "Nodding" Opiates are a central nervous system depressant. This means that someone taking an opiate will become less alert and may appear sleepy. With higher doses of opiates people can become completely unconscious (and may stop breathing). A classic sign of opiate intoxication is "nodding". This is when a person temporarily falls asleep at an unusual time like during a conversation or while standing. With prolonged use, people eventually develop a tolerance to the sedating effects of opiates and may seem completely alert despite being intoxicated. Therefore, just because someone is not nodding does not mean they are not using.
3. Withdrawal Withdrawal is the process an opiate addict's body goes through when they stop using. Because opiate addicts may not always be able to get their drugs, they will often show signs of withdrawal. These include sweating, goose bumps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. If someone who you suspect may be using seems to suddenly come down with the flu and then spontaneously recover shortly afterward, this may be a sign that they are abusing opiates. Pinpoint pupils, nodding, and withdrawal are all signs of opiate use and can help you determine if someone has been using opiates. Remember, however, that these are only guidelines and that a drug test is the most accurate way to tell. See also:
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Comments
Wife in need of answers
My husband and I have been going through a really rough time the past year. Lately I have noticed that he has been losing a great deal of weight and been very irritable with me. When I spend time with him alone his pupils are always very large and his eyes are almost twitching when he is trying to focus. He also sweats alot and it almost looks like he is fighting to stay awake. I am very nieve when it comes to addictions and things of that nature but I know that he needs help. If I even try to bring up my concerns with him, he immediately takes offense. I just don't know what to do. I think it would help if I knew what he was using, but he will never tell me the truth. It is so frustrating to know that someone you love and care about so much needs help and you have no idea how to do that!
I have been an oxy user for a
I have been an oxy user for a long time, on and off again Not just with that either, when one thing not available ill go for the next thing to raise my seratonin and adrenaline. My choice had been octet for a long time and being an addict to that you see a lot of other people making the same choice. The main thing is no matter how you approach a user they will be automatically defensive 9time out 10 the user knows they have a problem but the reality is the face of addiction will lie to the user and all is justified. The only way to get me to see through my addiction realize its the addiction talking. That has always seem to be the best first step, getting the user to see the problem and see how the addiction controls every aspect of their lifes when its bad. We as the user believe the justifications we say so when you try to argue with them you'll never win. After the addict knows they have a problem and will admit it to a loved one they will instantly feel free for that moment and thats what you want to do to help. Take them away from there routine and show them what they could be orvl couldn't. After the addict is ready to stop they need to get help to get off, I'm not saying detox but suboxone will make it300% better. It kills about 90-95% of the withdraws from opiates and give the addict control over their money sleep in general everything and that's the best feeling after being contepled for so long but defimitly atleast get help for the withdraws, it out there and not outta reach and will increase your sucess rate by atleast 90% maybe more. After there off and on suboxone or clonidine you will have an improvement within hours for withdraws and feel great within 2-3days and be functional during that period. The good thing is you have to wait atleast 12 hours to use suboxone and if you try to abuse it it will throw you in to the worst withdraws of your life. The reason I'm on and off again is because my support system and tools for mental dependancies aren't there so make sure you seek help for all of it, even though oxy are the worst thing ever, if you don't treat why you where self medicating, the problem is never completely solved. It might not be heroin or octet but you will eventurally go back because you know it was the best temp fix, Gl if you need help identifying triggers and such send me an email tintnut@yahoo.com Gl
Go to Al-Alanon. It will
Go to Al-Alanon. It will change your life.
I here that..... I have a
I here that..... I have a daughter that I know is on something to and it's so sad when you know they are doing some kind of drug and you can't help them as a mother!!!
This girl has went down hill since High School started in her junior at 17.5 year. She got with the wrong crowd a new BF of course and it has went down hill since from there. I even went to court trying to get a restraning order from this guy who was older then her and I got know help there with that either when the problem wasn't out of hand maybe to much and now she is 26 and still trying to find her way in life!!!
Here was a girl that had a 3.98 GPA, president of her Dance Class Team, had always talked about
being around drugs and how she would never be doing them before that in school, was active in all sorts of activities from singing, dancing, little acting, got offered interviews for some comercials, had auditions and was offered singing gig at 18 in a local lounge band, tried out for American Idol, had everything going for her and now she barley has a job, droped out of college when she tried that and it's a shame such a beautiful, talented, and smart girl has lost all that for some kind of pill addiction that someone a so called friend or boyfriend got her hooked on!!! It really sucks for her and what her future will be now if she doesn't get help and stick with it because we all know only the person doing the addiction can stop!!! It's very hard to stand back and watch a loved one go through this and you can't help them though so I know exactly how you feel!!! Take Care and I hope it all works out for you someday!
I pray every day for her that maybe she will meet someone one day and she turns her life around!!!
concerned wife
My husband comes home sometimes and his pupils are extremely small and he is extremely affectionate and sweet, his mouth usually has somewhat of a sweet taste to it, and he sweats a lot. I never see just one of these things in him it is always the full package. When I confront him he swears that there is nothing going on. I am a first year med student so I know that this will not only be a huge problem in our relationship but in my chosen career as well. This has been going on for 6 years now and I have yet to get him to confess that he has taken something. Are these common signs of any particular drug? Is it possible that his body may be going through something that will cause these symptoms that is not drug related? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Heroin
Sadly, heroin has gotten much cheaper over the past few years. It is showing up everywhere. Many users are under the belief that as long as they're not shooting it up (IV use), they're okay. Heroin is routinely cut with sugar which produces the sweet taste in their mouths. An unexpected side effect to that is seeking to reproduce the sweet taste when they aren't using (it helps curb the craving for moment). You may find a regular user gravitating toward concentrated sugar - lollipops and hard candies are very common.
Despite its increased affordability, it does cost. What's going on with joint finances? Look for ATM withdrawals - not just for frequency and how much, but ATM locations as well. Is your partner using ATM's in areas/towns you don't know them to normally frequent? Are they using ATM's in known drug areas? When ATM's aren't an option, many addicted to heroin will find ways to steal to get their need met. This can include stealing money or other items from home, work place, family member's homes, etc. Are items of value going missing? They may be small, but...
Trust your instincts. Get support for YOURSELF from other family members and/or friends. They can help you with an intervention which may be as simple as asking him to do a drug store urine drug test.
concerned wife,
I recently fuond out my wife was addicted to opiates. i suspected it for almst 6 months. Every time i confronted her she got angry , denied it and accused me of "how could I think something like that". each time we argued about it I always returned after things setteled down and explained how much i loved her and all i would want to do was to get her help. each time she continued to deny it. Finnaly i took her cell phone to work and as i suspected the dealers stared texting her . I responded with texts untill i had concrete evidence of her problem . When I confronted her she coninued to lie, she eventually agreed to go to detox (after I threatened divorce) She is out of detox in a 2 day a week rehab , but I am sure that she is using again. We have 4 kids and its heart wrenthcing to watch as she deystroys all of us for the cheap thrill of a pill. My life has been completley deystroyed by her addiction. I am still with her but I dont know how much longer I can put up with the lies. the lies are the most distressing part of this whol experience. good luck , if you dont have kids yet then i would suggest you leave him. no one is worth the pain that I have been through . think about this , A rational person would easily take a drug urine test , but make sure you administer it , addicts can fake these tests with ease .
Wife
I have the same problem with my wife she uses and denies but I can tell by her bank acc alsso she is talking to me and she falls falls to sleep and then she wakes up and tell me she never felt to sleep I am leaving her because she turns everything on me and make me look like I am the one with the problem
I was addicted to opiates for
I was addicted to opiates for about three years and those sounds like symptoms. Some other ways you can tell include his reaction when you ask him (he will probably get angry) and whether or not he's nodding off. I never reached the point where I wouldn't nod off like this article says.
Worst case scenario ask him to agree to a drug test...
i was an addict for a while
I have been taking Vicoden ES
Go off them very slowly
I had been on a low dose of percocet for some time. From my experience, I would suggest that you may want to take a couple months, more or less (depending on how much you now take), and reduce intake each week by very small ammounts. That way your body will adapt to the changes with little or no withdrawal symptoms. If you have already tried that and it was of no success, you may want to look into a drug called ibogaine that is ilegal in the United States but legal in Mexico. It is used to help people with opium, meth, and crack addictions (though can be expensive). Results tend to be fairly promising. Good luck.
Trading one addiction for another?
I'm guilty of this too. Meet me...the opiate addict. If i have any advice for those out there, don't go the suboxone route unless your track record plainly proves that you simply can't get clean after multiple attempts, and you plan on staying on suboxone for the rest of your life. I thought it was the answer for me after a relapse 2 years ago. 2 years later, i'm in rehab again. Your simply delaying the inevitable reality of detox and the painful process of learning to live sober again. It can buy you time, but it will offer you some aweful detox symptoms no better then the strongest of opiates available.
This is my experience. Clean and sober is the best and most rewarding solution.
Having had a lot of
Well, technically, poppy seed
Poppy seed bull
As a medical professional I will tell you this, the poppy seed excuse...bull! Yes the poppy seed and opiates come from the same plant...but science has proven that you would need a full cup of poppy seeds DAILY for an extended period to test positive for opiates. Do NOT believe this explanation!!!
I think the poppy seed bagel
Poppy Seed Bagels
will give one a false positive on opium-based drugs, not cannabis.
- LEGAL medical cannabis patient.
Poppy seed bagels can also
My boyfriend was sent home
opiate use signs
When they are using they will rub their nose a lot and their pupils are tiny. They will have surges of energy and then they will just be exhausted. Usually by day 3 or 4 after non-use, they will sleep A LOT, no sex-drive, sweating, goose-bumps, constant sneezing, loss of appetite, restless legs and then comes the insomnia.