Categories: All - effects - addiction - causes - families

by Ilana Burshtein 11 days ago

86

Opiate Addiction

The issue of opiate addiction has profound repercussions on both individuals and families. It often leads to unstable home environments, where parents struggle to consistently care for their children.

Opiate Addiction

Opiate Addiction

Impact on Families

Increased likelihood of bloodborne illnesses in babies of parents with opiate addiction, like hepatitis and HIV/AIDS
Loss of money, theft of resources from family to pay for drugs
Creates unstable family environment
Parents unable to look after children consistently

Treatments

Narcan to reverse an overdose
Behavioural & Talk Therapy
Contingency Management
Family Therapy
12-Step Programs like NA
Priscription Methadone

Effects

Overdose and death
75% of opioid deaths in Canada in 2024 involved Fentanyl
Cause physical dependency (addiction)
Withdrawal effects include anxiety, depression, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, muscle cramps, chills, trembling
Slow down heart rate and breathing
Constipation, lack of appetite
Cause neurons that produce dopamine to fire more frequently, resulting in a feeling of euphoria (extreme pleasure)

Causes

Exposure to drugs in childhood home
Self-medicating for mental illness or trauma
Peer pressure, experimentation
Injury, chronic pain, surgery