The opioid epidemic has a hold on many people. It’s important to know the risks of taking prescription opioids and how they affect your body when you take them. Some may not know the strength of the drug or how they affect your biological functions as soon as you take them. Those who have taken prescribed opioids for a long time may also feel adverse effects.
If you or a loved one has been prescribed opioids and is struggling with addiction, you can seek legal aid. A West Virginia opioid litigation lawyer from DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC will fight for your rights and do everything to get you the compensation you need. We will look into opioid manufacturers and if your medical provider acted negligently when prescribing these drugs.
How Do Prescription Opioids Affect Your Brain and Body?
Prescription opioids are extremely addictive because of how they affect you. They stop pain messages from getting sent to your brain. Those who suffer from high levels of pain could depend on these drugs for relief. But opioids are also dangerous because they can slow down other functions, like breathing. It’s also important to remember that some opioid drugs are inherently more dangerous than others.
When people take opioids, the drugs cause your brain to release dopamine, which makes you feel relaxed and good. People often become addicted to this feeling. In addition to feeling euphoric and pain-free, people may also feel tired and confused. Opioids can also cause nausea and constipation.
What Happens When Patients Abuse Opioids?
Patients should use their prescription according to how their doctor prescribed it. Taking more than the prescribed amount increases the chances of forming an addiction. When the prescription runs out, those who are addicted may feel the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.
- Restlessness and sleeping problems.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
- Pain in your muscles and bones.
- Cold flashes.
If the addiction is strong enough, people may try to obtain opioids through other means. Opioids and heroin have similar chemical affects and can be cheap. Addicted people may switch to using heroin. Using illegal drugs has many risks and could have dangerous consequences. There’s no way to know the dosage or what the drug is made of, which could lead to an overdose.
What Are the Signs of an Overdose?
If someone overdoses, they need immediate medical attention. These are the signs of an overdose:
- Shaking.
- Blue lips or fingernails.
- Slow breathing.
- Skin is cold and damp.
- The person is vomiting.
Medical professionals can save the individual’s life, but they need to be there in time for the drug to work. People may worry about getting in trouble or that the person who overdosed will be mad at them, but an overdose will be fatal if they don’t get help.
Prescription opioids are hurting many people, especially in West Virginia. It’s not fair for pharmaceutical companies to pump all these drugs in this state and not have an answer for why people are addicted. Overdose fatalities are tragic and no one should have to lose someone unexpectedly to drugs. That’s why the lawyers at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC will stand by your side and help you with your claim.
