All prescription medications come with risks and side effects. Many are manageable, and others are very rare. But did you know that some prescription medications come with a risk of dependence and addiction? Opioid misuse is one of the most common drug-related health crises in the world. It is estimated that one out of every four people on long-term opioid use will become addicted. Unfortunately, because of a lack of education, young people have been particularly affected by this phenomenon.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs used for their pain-relieving qualities. After they enter the bloodstream, opioids travel to the brain, where they bond with opioid receptors. By doing this, they block pain signals to the brain and boost feelings of pleasure. This class of drugs is commonly prescribed in hospital settings for acute pain or to be taken at home when recovering from surgery or an injury.
Opioids can be naturally derived; for example, the poppy plant was the original source of opioid medicines. Morphine is an example of a prescription opioid that is still naturally derived. However, many opioids are now synthetic, which means they are produced in a laboratory. Fentanyl is an example of a man-made, synthetic opioid. Other opioid drugs you may have heard of include:
- Codeine
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet)
- Methadone
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Meperidine
- Heroin
Most of these drugs can be obtained legally through a doctor’s prescription. The exception is heroin, which is an illegal non-prescription drug. However, misusing, distributing, and lying to obtain prescription opioids is also unlawful. The reason for this lies in the dangers of opioids. Because of their chemical effect on the brain, this class of drugs is highly addictive, and taking them can lead to tolerance, dependence, and substance use disorder (SUD), even if they are taken as prescribed.
Whenever taking opioids, it’s important to be aware of the risks and to monitor your tolerance of the drug carefully. Work closely with your doctor to make them aware of how the drug is affecting you. Most importantly, take the drug exactly as it is prescribed, and talk to your doctor if you feel symptoms of dependence or withdrawal. Symptoms may include:
- Craving the drug
- Thinking about the drug and your next dose more than necessary
- Feeling tempted to take a dose sooner than prescribed
- Experiencing pain again sooner after your last dose
- Feeling tempted to take a higher dose than prescribed
- Experiencing physical symptoms of withdrawal like shaking and sweating
Fentanyl and heroin are particularly dangerous opioids due to their potency and rapid onset of effects. Heroin, an illegal opioid derived from morphine, is often injected, snorted, or smoked for its euphoric effects. Its unpredictability in purity and potency increases the risk of overdose and death, especially when mixed with other substances.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine, is frequently manufactured illicitly and added to other drugs like heroin or counterfeit prescription pills without the user’s knowledge. Even small amounts of fentanyl can lead to respiratory depression and overdose, making it an extremely hazardous substance. Fentanyl’s potency poses significant challenges for overdose reversal with naloxone, requiring higher doses or multiple administrations. The presence of these potent opioids in illicit drug markets exacerbates the risk of overdoses. It also underscores the urgent need for harm reduction strategies and access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).
The Prevalence of Opioid Misuse Among Young People
Opioid misuse has been a problem in the US since the 1990s when opioids like OxyContin became regularly prescribed by doctors. Unfortunately, little was known at that time about the addictiveness of these drugs. As a result, millions of Americans became addicted to prescription opioids. Because the drugs were easily available to the public, they circulated through communities, causing widespread distribution. Heroin, an illegal stress opioid, was developed as a result and became the drug of choice for individuals who couldn’t obtain a prescription.
Because of the lack of research and education surrounding opioid use, teens and young adults were especially susceptible to opioid misuse. Within communities where addiction was normalized, teens were able to obtain opioids from friends and family members. In other cases, doctors would prescribe them for sport- or work-related injuries. Developing young adult brains are particularly affected by substance use and can become addicted much faster. The opioid problem for young people has continued from the 1990s to the present day. In 2019, a study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that 7.2% of US high school students were misusing prescription opioids.
This pattern is dangerous in itself, but the study also found that prescription opioid misuse was associated with misuse of other substances as well. Alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, and cocaine were commonly misused alongside prescription opioids. This combination can be extremely dangerous and often life-threatening, especially considering how common opioid overdoses are. The CDC estimates that 187 die every day from overdoses involving opioids. Young people are particularly at risk for overdose because of the lack of education surrounding drug use.
Risk Factors of Opioid Misuse for Teens and Young Adults
While opioid misuse is equal across many demographics of young people, there are some risk factors to be aware of. Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the likelihood of someone experiencing a particular problem or developing a certain condition. In simpler terms, risk factors are warning signs that suggest someone might be more likely to face a challenge. These factors can be anything from genetic predispositions and environmental influences to lifestyle choices and social circumstances. Identifying risk factors helps professionals understand who might be at higher risk for certain issues. This allows for targeted interventions or preventive measures to be put in place to reduce the likelihood of those problems occurring.
Risk factors for opioid misuse in teens and young adults include:
- A history of substance misuse
- Mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Familial history of addiction
- Poverty
- An unstable home environment
- Higher prescribed dose or longer prescribed duration
- Certain cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
- Taking an extended-release or long-acting opioid medicine
Healing the Next Generation: Preventing Opioid Misuse
The term “generational trauma” refers to the passing down of trauma and its effects across generations within a family or community. One way generational trauma manifests is through addiction. When individuals experience trauma, they may turn to substances like drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their pain, stress, or emotional distress. These coping mechanisms, though they initially provide relief, can lead to addiction and substance abuse over time. Moreover, the effects of trauma can alter brain chemistry and increase susceptibility to addiction.
Patterns of addiction can be perpetuated within families through learned behaviors and coping mechanisms passed down from parents to children. Children of parents with SUD may be exposed to environments characterized by substance abuse, neglect, or instability, increasing their risk of developing addictive behaviors themselves.
Breaking the cycle of generational trauma and addiction isn’t easy, but it is possible. It requires addressing underlying trauma, providing access to mental health support, and implementing preventive measures to interrupt intergenerational patterns of substance abuse. By recognizing and addressing these complex dynamics, individuals and communities can work toward healing and breaking free from the cycle of addiction.
Education
Educating the next generation is the first line of defense against the continued problem of opioid misuse. As the pool of research grows, it’s important that parents and teachers keep themselves in the know about the dangers of prescription opioids. Understanding how the drug works, its effect on the brain, and how addiction happens can help you and your teen make informed decisions when it comes to prescription drugs. It’s also important to know the signs and symptoms of dependence so that you’re able to catch it before it becomes addiction.
Discuss opioid use with your children in a way that encourages honest and non-judgmental discourse. By removing stigma from the conversation, teens will feel more comfortable asking questions and reaching out for help. The discussion may be difficult, but it could be a lifesaver in the future. It may also be helpful to talk with a doctor about non-opioid pain-relief options so that you and your child are aware of them in the future. Non-addictive alternative options may include:
- NSAIDs
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Mindfulness and relaxation practices
- Acupuncture
Answer any questions your teen has to the best of your ability, but don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know something. Doing research together can be a great way to engage your child in an inquisitive and open conversation about opioid use. Depending on your child’s age, you may need to tailor the conversation to be age-appropriate. If you feel stuck or anxious, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Doctors, counselors, and addiction specialists are available to help lead uncomfortable discussions surrounding substance use.
Open discourse is especially important if you have a family member who is struggling with SUD. Ignoring the issue or trying to shelter your children from it is not the solution. This can potentially normalize SUD in the eyes of a child. Instead, talk about the family member’s situation with honesty and empathy. Discuss why the family member is receiving treatment or why they are not. Allow your child to express how the family member’s addiction has made them feel, and validate their emotions. You can help battle stigma and educate your family on the realities of addiction.
Policy Intervention
Laws, regulations, and policies surrounding prescription opioids are an important way that citizens can make their voices heard. However, votes on these policies often get overlooked in favor of more hot-button issues. You may have to go digging to learn about the current and proposed regulations involving the prescription of opioid drugs.
Proposed regulations may include dosage and duration limitations, age restrictions, and lengthier assessment processes to prevent overprescribing. You and your teen should research the pros and cons of these policies and discuss them together. Encourage your child to exercise their right to vote when they are old enough, and express your own intention to do so. Activism is also a great way for young people to get involved in the prescription opioid discussion, even before they have reached the legal voting age.
Accessible Healthcare Services
Having access to reliable healthcare services is a vital component of preventing opioid misuse. Children, teens, and young adults should receive regular physical and mental health checkups to screen for risk factors and signs of opioid misuse. If you are aware that your child is at risk of substance misuse, it’s important to take preventative measures. Consider having your child or teenager attend counseling to identify and address any underlying issues, such as mental health disorders. This is especially important if there is a familial history of SUD, which can cause generational trauma that will affect your child.
If you are a parent who struggles with SUD, the best thing that you can do for your children is seek professional help. This is beneficial to your children in two ways. Firstly, it will demonstrate to your children that seeking professional help isn’t shameful and that it is the best thing to do when facing SUD. Secondly, it will instill a sense of trust in medical professionals in your children, which may save their lives in the future.
It’s important that young adults feel safe and comfortable reaching out for help from medical and mental health services. More than anything, you are setting an example for your child and showing that you care about the family enough to get the help you need.
Fostering Recovery for Young People at Rancho Recovery
At Rancho Recovery, we are dedicated to helping young people overcome SUD and reclaim their lives. We understand the unique challenges that young individuals face when grappling with addiction, and we’re here to provide comprehensive support tailored to your needs.
Detoxification is often the first step on the road to recovery. Our facility offers a safe and comfortable environment for individuals to undergo this crucial process under the care of experienced medical professionals. We prioritize the well-being and safety of our clients throughout the detoxification process, ensuring that they receive the support and medical attention they need to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
Following detoxification, our residential program provides a structured and supportive environment for young people to engage in intensive therapy and learn essential coping skills for maintaining sobriety. Our evidence-based modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing, form the foundation of our treatment approach. These approaches can help individuals address underlying issues and develop healthier behaviors and thought patterns.
In addition to evidence-based therapies, Rancho Recovery integrates holistic modalities into our treatment programs to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of recovery. From yoga and mindfulness practices to art therapy and adventure-based activities, we offer a range of holistic interventions designed to promote healing and self-discovery.
Our outpatient treatment program provides flexible options for individuals who may benefit from ongoing support while transitioning back to their daily lives. Through individual counseling, group therapy, and educational workshops, we empower young people to continue their journey of recovery while navigating the challenges of everyday life. We also recognize that addiction often co-occurs with other mental health conditions. These may include anxiety, depression, or trauma. That’s why we offer dual diagnosis treatment to address both substance use and underlying psychiatric disorders simultaneously, providing integrated care to support holistic healing.
We also understand that addiction affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. Our comprehensive family program is designed to educate and support families as they navigate the complexities of addiction and recovery. Through family therapy sessions, educational workshops, and ongoing support, we aim to empower families to heal together and strengthen their support networks.
Rancho Recovery is a place of healing and empowerment for people facing SUD. If you or your child has developed issues with opioid misuse, know that help is available to you. Early intervention is one of the best predictors of successful recovery from SUD, so reach out as soon as possible. We can provide a safe and compassionate environment for you or your loved one to embark on their healing journey. Whether you’re in need of evidence-based psychotherapy, a guiding hand through holistic treatment options, or a combination of both, we can provide you with a personalized treatment plan that works for you and your family. Call Rancho Recovery at (877) 484-1447 to learn more.