Narcotic abuse consistently leads to dangerous side effects in those who misuse these substances, and it is absolutely necessary to seek help in this instance. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “When abused, even a single large dose can cause severe respiratory depression and death.” This is only one of the reasons why it is important to avoid narcotic abuse, but if you have already begun to take opioid drugs in a way you were not prescribed to, you should absolutely seek treatment immediately.

Why Should I Seek Help?

There are many reasons why a person who has been misusing narcotics regularly should seek treatment.

• Opioid drug abuse can lead to deadly overdose due to respiratory depression.
• Abusing narcotics can lead to addiction as well as the many other consequences caused by this issue.
• Dependence and tolerance, two conditions that will only worsen with continued misuse, can both lead to more serious side effects.
• Withdrawal symptoms can occur and are often severe and painful, leading many individuals to relapse.
• Quitting narcotic abuse becomes harder the longer an individual does it.
• Seeking professional treatment makes a person more likely to be able to avoid relapse and other issues associated with recovery from drug abuse.

Once you seek treatment for opioid use, you are going down a much safer and more beneficial path that can help lead you to the kind of life you want. However, continuing to misuse these drugs––or even trying to quit on one’s own without treatment––is much less likely to create the kind of outcome one desires.

Do I Really Need Help Quitting?

As stated by the NIDA, “Several options are available for effectively treating prescription opioid addiction.” However, many individuals wonder if their current state requires them to need treatment. Ask yourself the questions below to find out if you need help quitting narcotics.

• Do you consistently abuse narcotics, whether you first began taking them as a medication or not?
• Do you feel that you cannot get through the day without taking opioids in high doses?
• Have you experienced a high tolerance for these drugs or severe withdrawal symptoms?
• Have you sacrificed things in your life that used to be important to you in order to abuse narcotics?
• Have you experienced severe consequences in different areas of your life (losing a job, ending a relationship, financial issues, etc.) as a result of your opioid use?
• In spite of these issues, do you still feel you are unable to stop abusing these drugs?

If you answered yes to these questions, it is important that you seek help right away. These are strong signs of addiction, and you will absolutely require treatment in order to stop abusing narcotics and to make a change in your life. However, even if you do not feel you are currently addicted to these drugs, you can seek treatment now to make a necessary change.

If you have been abusing narcotics, it is usually a good choice to seek help in order to stop. Opioids are dangerous drugs that can cause serious issues when misused, and seeking help is a good way to begin your recovery, now matter how serious your abuse is currently. Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) today to find a treatment center that is right for you.