This is really a Christmas to enjoy. The past five years have been a blur that you would rather forget, but you are grateful o have moved out of that fog. In fact, five years ago if someone hold have asked you what is fentanyl you will have had little knowledge to share. Now, however, your entire family knows way too much about oxycodone withdrawal, heroin effects, and more than you ever wanted to know about what is fentanyl. Your older son has caused challenges that you never expected to face, but after finally finding a substance abuse treatment center that seemed to work, you are all together for the holidays again.
If you have a loved one who has suffered from drug addiction then there is likely a chance that this, or some very recent holidays, have been more than challenging. Opioid drugs have become a problem in this nation as many people have started on prescriptions for pain and then switched to far more dangerous substances. In fact, the This is really a Christmas to enjoy. The past five years have been a blur that you would rather forget, but you are grateful o have moved out of that fog. In fact, five years ago if someone hold have asked you what is fentanyl you will have had little knowledge to share. Now, however, your entire family knows way too much about oxycodone withdrawal, heroin effects, and more than you ever wanted to know about what is fentanyl. Your older son has caused challenges that you never expected to face, but after finally finding a substance abuse treatment center that seemed to work, you are all together for the holidays again.
If you have a loved one who has suffered from drug addiction then there is likely a chance that this, or some very recent holidays, have been more than challenging. Opioid drugs have become a problem in this nation as many people have started on prescriptions for pain and then switched to far more dangerous substances. In fact, the signs of heroin addiction are sometimes similar to the oxycodone withdrawal that some patients experience. Recent changes to government regulations, as well as aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies, have led to a dramatic increase in the last 25 years in prescriptions of oxycodone for long-term use in patients with pain that is chronic. Unfortunately, more than 2 million Americans each year are affected by prescription opioid misuse, a problem that not only affects individuals and families, but also entire communities.
What Is Fentanyl?
Presenting a high risk for addiction and dependence, fentanyl is a controlled substance that is classified as a narcotic. The fact that this drug can cause respiratory distress and death when taken in high doses or when combined with other substances, means that it is especially problematic when it is combined with alcohol. As individuals and their loved one deal with the devastation that a drug addiction can cause, it is important to note that entire communities are dealing with these repercussions as well. From needing more police officers on the streets to the overwhelming expenses that hospitals face when overdose cases are brought in, the problem is so bad in some large cities that health officials are calling it a crisis.
In a time when so many Americans are already dealing with chronic health issues, the addition of conditions that are caused by drug abuse are even more problematic. Understanding what is fentanyl before you begin taking any kind of prescription drug is important if you want to make sure that you, too, do not run into problems. Fortunately, there are other ways that people can deal with pain instead of just takin medication. For instance, yoga, stretching, acupuncture, and some kinds of chiropractic treatments allow people the relief that they need to make sure that they are not only relying on pain medications. Exercise, of course, is another option that helps many people get back to feeling themselves. Likewise, by following up on all of the recommendations for physical or occupational therapy allows many people to work through the pain that they experience after a surgery.
In contrast, patients who only rely on the pain medications that they are prescribed can find themselves struggling to return to normal activities or to lead a life where pain does not keep them from work and being active. Overuse of pain medications lie Vicodin or Percocet can lead to problems to some people who may be predisposed to addiction. Talking to your doctor and pharmacist about the correct ways to use these kinds of medications can allow you to not only get the pain relief that you need, but also avoid the dangers of overuse and addiction.
If this is the first Christmas that your family has enjoyed in awhile, you may be among the thousands of Americans who are dealing with addictions that may have rather innocently started with the use of prescription drug abuse. Closely monitoring the use of these dangerous drugs is important, as is making sure that you follow the prescribed use of any kind of narcotic. From this Christmas to next Christmas, everyone deserves to celebrate.
