Given how many aspects of life and health opioid addiction can affect, it’s a condition that must be taken seriously. Recognizing the signs and symptoms early on is crucial, as the sooner you identify a potential problem, the sooner you can take meaningful steps toward recovery. Whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone you care about, understanding the common indicators of opioid addiction is a powerful first step.

Below is an overview of possible physical, psychological, and behavioral signs that may point to an opioid use disorder.

However, this is not an exhaustive list, nor does it capture every form addiction can take. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, always consult with a certified addiction specialist.

Physical Signs

Constricted Pupils and Drowsiness

Small, pinpoint pupils often signal opioid use and are typically accompanied by drowsiness or sedation. This reaction stems from how opioids bind to the opioid receptor in the brain and dull alertness and coordination.

Changes in Breathing and Heart Rate

Slowed breathing and reduced heart rate are serious signs of opioid use disorder. These symptoms increase the risk of an opioid overdose, particularly when potent drugs like fentanyl or hydromorphone are involved.

Gastrointestinal and Skin Issues

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common physical reactions to opioid drugs such as morphine or oxycodone. Flushed skin and itching may also occur due to the way opioids affect the nervous system and blood circulation.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Tolerance

A person may need higher doses over time to achieve the same euphoria or pain relief, a condition linked to tolerance. When not using, they may suffer from insomnia, muscle aches, and increased blood pressure.

Neglect of Physical Health

Visible weight loss, poor hygiene, and neglect of sleep or nutrition reflect a decline in overall health. These signs often indicate a patient prioritizing drug use over personal well-being and medical needs.

Psychological Signs

Mood Swings and Depression

Fluctuating emotions, irritability, and sadness are frequent as opioids disrupt endorphins and neurotransmitter balance in the brain. This can make coping with stress and daily challenges more difficult.

Anxiety and Paranoia

Anxiety may escalate due to withdrawal, while paranoia can emerge from prolonged use or high doses of opioids like oxymorphone.

Obsessive Thoughts About Drugs

Constant thoughts about obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of opioids point to a psychological dependency. This obsessive behavior interferes with responsibilities and personal relationships.

Distorted Thinking and Risky Decisions

Opioid addiction impairs decision-making and increases the likelihood of risky behavior. The person may deny the severity of their substance abuse or justify dangerous choices to maintain access to the drug.

Feelings of Hopelessness

A sense of despair can arise, especially when repeated relapse occurs despite attempts at therapy or support. Mental health risks, including suicidal thoughts, are heightened by the disease’s chronic nature.

Behavioral Signs

Doctor Shopping and Prescription Forgery

Individuals may visit multiple physicians or fake symptoms to obtain extra prescriptions for medication. This deceptive conduct is a major red flag of opioid addiction.

Isolation and Loss of Interest

A person might withdraw from social activities, family, and work to hide their addiction. They may replace meaningful interactions with solitary drug use, injecting or smoking substances in secret.

Neglect of Responsibilities

Work performance, parenting, and daily tasks often deteriorate due to the focus on drug acquisition. Missed appointments, neglected bills, and poor academic outcomes reflect this decline in behavior.

Engagement in Criminal or Violent Acts

Theft, violence, and illegal drug purchases may occur as the need for opioids intensifies. These behaviors can stem from desperation and conduct disorder influenced by prolonged substance abuse.

Frequent Visits to the Emergency Room

Repeat hospital trips for unexplained injuries, overdose symptoms, or requesting pain management can indicate opioid misuse. Naloxone administration during these visits may be necessary to prevent death.

If You’re Struggling With an Opioid Addiction, We Can Help

At Solstice Counseling & Wellness Center, we offer drug and alcohol addiction treatments in New Jersey to help individuals recover and walk toward a brighter future. If you’re interested in enrolling in our IOPs or want to discuss your addiction, contact our team today.

Watching a close friend or family member develop an addiction can be heartbreaking. While it’s only natural to want to help them, knowing what to do about their addiction—and how to even begin talking to them about it—can be confusing and challenging.

If you need help reaching out and speaking to a loved one about their addiction, here’s an overview of what you should know beforehand to make your conversation easier.

Prepare to Speak With Them

Before starting a conversation with someone struggling with drug addiction, it is important to prepare yourself. This isn’t a normal everyday conversation, meaning it can be difficult to talk about if you aren’t ready.

Proper preparation strengthens your ability to communicate effectively without making them afraid, scared, or resistant to your help. As such, you should take time to reflect on what you want to say and how you want to say it.

Additionally, make sure to choose an appropriate setting—a quiet, private space without distractions can make the person feel safer. Avoid starting the conversation when they are under the influence, emotionally overwhelmed, or during a conflict. Proper timing can help increase the chances of more open dialogue with them.

Be Honest With Them

Honesty is essential when talking with someone about their addictive behavior. Addressing specific concerns, such as behavioral changes and unhealthy actions, directly gives them a clear sense of the risk they may be facing without attacking their character or choices.

Your honesty could be the catalyst for them to seek help from a health professional, enter therapy, or join a support group. Clear, sincere communication shows that you care about them and are willing to walk with them toward their recovery.

Never Shame Them

Shame is a powerful and destructive emotion that can drive someone deeper into their substance abuse—blaming, criticizing, or mocking their choices only reinforces the cycles of compulsive behavior and can stress them out. Instead, approach them with empathy and patience and understand that addiction is not a moral failure.

Additionally, be sure to avoid using judgmental language or focusing on past mistakes. Show them they are more than their addictive behavior and still deserving of support. When people feel accepted, they are more likely to seek help and take the first steps toward healing and rebuilding trust.

Check in Regularly

Recovery is not a one-time conversation but an ongoing process. Making an effort to check in on them regularly shows that you genuinely care and are present through the ups and downs. Ask how they are doing, listen without interrupting, and make sure to celebrate their progress. Be mindful of signs of relapse, shifts in mood, or sudden changes in sleep patterns or weight gain.

Ongoing communication also helps strengthen your role as a caregiver or supportive friend. You may be the closest person in their lives who notices when they keep refilling their prescriptions or scheduling a meeting with their physician. Your steady presence may offer the emotional anchor they need during moments of pain, coping, or doubt.

Know the Signs of an Addiction

Recognizing addiction early on can lead to timely support and a greater chance of recovery. Each person’s struggle looks different, but there are common indicators that something may be wrong.

• Behavioral shifts are often the first clues. You may see signs like withdrawal from social activities, lying about usage, or secretive actions. Keep an eye out for any new patterns that could relate to alcohol, methamphetamine, or opioid use, especially if paired with compulsive behavior or declining responsibilities at home, work, or school.
• Physical symptoms are another key signal. Unexpected weight loss, persistent fatigue, sudden sleep changes, or unexplained injuries may suggest a growing dependence. These could point to risks such as an opioid overdose, which require urgent attention,

Take Action Soon

Waiting to act only increases the risk of long-term damage. Early intervention can prevent their addiction from escalating and prevent it from affecting more aspects of their lives. If you suspect someone is struggling, act with urgency but not panic.

Help them schedule an appointment with a counselor or a visit to a clinic that specializes in addiction. You can also assist them in finding support groups or enrolling in a therapy program that offers tools for coping, emotional regulation, and healing. Remember, it’s never too early to help someone you care about!

If You Need Addiction Help, Visit Solstice Counseling & Wellness Center

At Solstice Counseling & Wellness Center, we provide professional drug addiction treatment services in New Jersey to help loved ones recover from opioid use disorders, substance abuse, and other addictions. At our welcoming treatment facility, we provide patients with individual counseling that incorporates all aspects of their identity in their path to recovery.

Call us today to learn more and speak with our staff of addiction treatment professionals.

When patients go home after receiving treatment at a healthcare facility, hospital staff often provide them with a detailed plan outlining their recovery after their departure. This is known as hospital discharge planning, and it’s also used for patients who have received treatments for mental health problems, addictions, and other serious issues. Discharge planning is important for a variety of reasons, so let’s review what it can encompass and the benefits it offers patients.

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As the internet becomes more and more prevalent in our daily lives, the mental health of many individuals suffers in the process. In fact, many old and young people alike are turning to therapists on social media like TikTok and Instagram for advice on their mental and physical health.

Although online therapy from qualified professionals is accessible — a lot of people are resorting to taking advice from unqualified influencers instead. Mental health content social media platforms can do much more harm than good. If you have an addiction, eating disorder, or other serious mental health problem, here’s a look at why you shouldn’t consult social media for therapy, or even just advice.

Inaccuracies Abound

A study examining the quality and accuracy of mental health advice on TikTok pertaining to ADHD found that roughly half of the videos contained false and misleading information. This means that for every two ADHD-related social media posts a user sees while using the application, one of them has a high chance of being inaccurate.

As young adults, teenagers, and other demographics continue to spend more time on TikTok and other apps, the number of misleading mental health tips they’ll come across will naturally grow higher. What’s worse, because the algorithms of these platforms directly target the interests of individual social media accounts, those who search for mental health advice will continue to be fed more potentially harmful posts.

Unlicensed Mental Health “Experts”

Given how important mental health issues are, becoming a licensed professional counselor or other expert requires specialized training and certifications. However, you don’t need to have a background in therapy to post social media content, meaning that anyone can upload videos on mental health topics without sufficient knowledge or experience.

This has naturally led to users trusting unlicensed influencers for their mental health care, resulting in them adopting unhealthy coping strategies, learning the incorrect meanings behind psychological terms, and other problems. As such, if you need clinical advice for your mental health issues, only listen to a licensed professional with the necessary certifications.

No Individualized Care

Even if two individuals experience the same mental health concerns, the origins of their struggles can vary substantially. During therapy sessions, counselors and other mental health professionals help patients reach the root causes of their unique problems — something that can’t take place on any social media platform.

When a social media therapist posts about a depressive disorder or other problem, they’re not speaking to you on an individual level. Instead, their mental health content is being shared amongst thousands, if not millions, of people. In some cases, their posts are designed to be engaging and accessible to everyone, which is a far cry from the patient-focused nature that mental health services are meant to be.

It’s Not a Safe Space

Many mental health conditions can be hard to talk about in public spaces, given how much they relate to an individual’s private, personal lives. While a closed-door therapy session provides patients with a safe space to speak freely with their therapist and reach the source of their problems, the same could not be said for social platforms. 

Many have used social media therapy as a means to discuss their mental health with others online who struggle with the same issues, but this comes at the cost of privacy. If you share private and highly personal information in a comment section, there’s no telling who might see it. Due to this limitation, it’s much harder to open up completely and reach the true source of your problems.

Additionally, there are some social media sites that heavily restrict what users can and can’t post about. Due to the serious and often uncomfortable nature of many mental health problems, they won’t be able to discuss their issues in full detail. 

If You Need Counseling and Wellness Services, Visit Our Professional Psychological Practice

The mental health profession shouldn’t be leveraged to gain a larger social media presence — it should be used to help patients receive the treatment they need. At Solstice Counseling and Wellness Center, our private practice provides individuals with a holistic approach to therapy. Reach out today to learn more about our individualized treatment programs and to meet our licensed professionals.

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Anger issues and feelings of intense frustration can have a profound impact on your life — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Through anger management counseling, you can gain a better understanding of your anger and learn healthier ways to process it. Let’s review five major anger management program benefits and how they can help improve your life.

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Knowing how to deal with withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly difficult — but it’s certainly not impossible. Numerous methods have emerged over the years that have helped individuals better cope with their symptoms and move forward on the road to recovery. If you want to learn how to deal with withdrawal symptoms, here are four strategies you should keep in mind.

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