Not everyone who takes an opioid develops an addiction because we each have factors that either can be protective or lead us on the path to addiction. Factors that can lead to addiction are called Risk Factors for Addiction.
A person wth many risks factors is more likely to develop adiction than someone with few risk factors. Further, we are far from knowing all the risk factors for addiction, and in the end we cannot predict with any measure of certainty who will or will not develop addiction.
The science of addiction is in its infancy. Our escalating epidemic of opioid addiction verifies that what we know is just the tip of the iceberg. Still, we do know some of the risks. A fair number are well established, others require further study …show more content…
The high or feeling of well-being is a powerful enticement to use the opioid again and again eventually leading to addiction (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV). Heroin is especially powerful in producing pleasure and consequently is highly addictive.
Using opioids for pleasure is very likely to lead to addiction.
For example:
• Approximately 20 percent of persons who use opioids for pleasure will develop an addiction or other adverse consequences to them (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV).
• Approximately 5 percent of persons prescribed painkillers to manage pain will eventually develop an addiction to opioids (http://1.usa.gov/1LpnwPu).
Means of Administration
Intravenous injection of opioids, as opposed to snorting or swallowing, increases the risk for addiction. The high develops so quickly and with such intensity that it promotes enticement to use again and again.
Note: Abusing opioids by any route of administration can lead to addiction.
Associating with Active Substance Abusers
Associating with active substance abusers increases the risk for addiction. If friends, neighbors, fellow students, or coworkers abuse substances, it may seem that drug abuse is the norm, not the exception. This is the classic example of peer pressure which is so important to teenagers and young
A person wth many risks factors is more likely to develop adiction than someone with few risk factors. Further, we are far from knowing all the risk factors for addiction, and in the end we cannot predict with any measure of certainty who will or will not develop addiction.
The science of addiction is in its infancy. Our escalating epidemic of opioid addiction verifies that what we know is just the tip of the iceberg. Still, we do know some of the risks. A fair number are well established, others require further study …show more content…
The high or feeling of well-being is a powerful enticement to use the opioid again and again eventually leading to addiction (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV). Heroin is especially powerful in producing pleasure and consequently is highly addictive.
Using opioids for pleasure is very likely to lead to addiction.
For example:
• Approximately 20 percent of persons who use opioids for pleasure will develop an addiction or other adverse consequences to them (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV).
• Approximately 5 percent of persons prescribed painkillers to manage pain will eventually develop an addiction to opioids (http://1.usa.gov/1LpnwPu).
Means of Administration
Intravenous injection of opioids, as opposed to snorting or swallowing, increases the risk for addiction. The high develops so quickly and with such intensity that it promotes enticement to use again and again.
Note: Abusing opioids by any route of administration can lead to addiction.
Associating with Active Substance Abusers
Associating with active substance abusers increases the risk for addiction. If friends, neighbors, fellow students, or coworkers abuse substances, it may seem that drug abuse is the norm, not the exception. This is the classic example of peer pressure which is so important to teenagers and young