Opium – Signs of use and what parents should do?
Opium abuse is a substance use disorder defined by extreme physical or mental dependence on opioids. Opium abuse can take over a person’s life and can cause chronic negative consequences associated with his/her health. Also, it greatly impacts the addict’s relationships, social life, career, etc. Addictions are responsible for causing malnutrition, poor academic performance among teenagers and also cause psychosis in some rare cases.
It is important to seek professional help in case you or someone you love is struggling with opium addiction. If you are a parent and suspect drug abuse in your child, we advise you to look for the following signs and symptoms of Opioid addiction in your child. Some of the ways to identify Opium abuse in kids are listed below:
- Spending time alone and avoiding time with family and friends
- Hanging out with new or different groups of friends than the usual ones.
- Unexplained disappearances
- Disappearing money from home
- Absenteeism to school/college
- Deteriorating academic performance
- Not bathing, changing clothes or brushing their teeth
- Unexplained chronic fatigue
- Eating more or less than usual
- Changed sleep patterns
- Losing interest in socialising and activities
- Being very tired and sad
- Sudden burst of Euphoria
- Talking fast and saying things that don’t make sense
- Cranky behaviour
- Quickly changing moods
- Getting into trouble with the law
- Attending work or school on an erratic schedule
- Experiencing financial hardship
- Rough marks/injuries indicating frequent injecting on the body
Understanding the consequences of Opium Abuse
Opium abuse can result in a number of health consequences as listed below.
- Compulsive cravings for substance abuse.
- Muscle cramping or muscle weakness during short periods of abstinence.
- Irregular functioning of brain, heart, and other vital organs.
- Lowered production of endorphins in the brain
- Development of mental health disorders like Psychosis and schizophrenia.
- Increased risk of opioid overdose
It is important to understand that these are the consequences of addiction and the child is not in control of his/her compulsive drug seeking as frequent abuse of Opium would have already led to dependency in them. Seeking immediate medical intervention before chronic illnesses manifest is the only way to recover.
Assure the child that overcoming addiction is very much possible but explain to them that they may require to stay at a rehab and get treated for a while to ensure complete recovery.
How to get help?
The first step is to consult a reliable physician or health professional who can help for the time being. Consequently, find a rehab that suits the requisitions of the child and contact for admission at the earliest. Because early treatments are always fruitful.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
