Young Adults and Opioid Addiction
According to the American Public Health Association Across the United States, 40 people die each day because of overdosing on narcotic prescription medications.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs are:
* opioid painkillers like Vicodin and codeine
* depressants, or medicines to treat anxiety and aid sleep, such as Valiumand Xanax
* stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall and Ritalin
Mental Health/Substance Abuse
Management Programs Mental health and substance abuse services do not require a referral from the Primary Care Physician. Blue Medicare HMO and Blue Medicare PPO plans delegate mental health and substance management and administration (including certification, concurrent review, discharge planning and case management) to Magellan Behavioral Health.
Break the addiction before it begins….
Adult Children
The first indication you should consider is whether or not your child has recently suffered an injury, had surgery, or treated a chronic condition using a prescription opioid. Often, a problem starts with a completely valid prescription and escalates into addiction. Examples of prescription opioids include morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. They may make mention of a strong painkiller but not specify a name, so think back to whether or not they sounded particularly euphoric while using it. Again, this won’t be an exact indication of abuse, but it’s a good place to start.
What to look for…
- Keep an eye out for physical signs of opioid abuse
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Drowsiness
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Constricted, or “pinpoint” pupils even in low light
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Drooping eyes
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Flushed face and neck
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Sudden scratching especially around the arms, legs, and stomach
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Slurred speech
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Intense calmness
