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Narcotic addiction is a condition, in which a strong phsyical and psychological dependence – a compulsion to continue to use narcotics, occurs. Because tolerance develops, the dosage must be constantly increased to keep the same effects, and continued taking of the same or similar narcotics are required to prevent withdrawals. Narcotics, having a legitimate medical uses such as strong pain relievers are known as opiods and consist of oxycodone, codeine, hydromorphone, morphine, and meperidine. Heroin is the strongest narcotic and is illegal in the U.S. Individuals who are given narcotics to treat severe pain have small risks to become addicted, if narcotics are used as prescribed. Narcotics indicated to subside pain can have various side effets including drowsiness; warm or flushed skin; low blood pressure, low temperature of the body; slow heart beat; shallow, slow breathing; constricted pupils; and itching. Narcotics can also lead to luphoria. Symptoms of withdrawal include: fever, increased heart rate; agitation, hyperactivity, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness sense. The first withdrawal sign is usually rapid breathing, commonly accompanied by runny nose, crying, perspiration, and yawning. Other symptoms such as diarrhea, dilated pupils, gastrointestinal cramps, appetite loss, goose flesh, cold, and hot flashes, muscle twitching, tremor, and painful muscles may occur. Symptoms may happen as early as four to six hours after the use of narcotic stopped and usually peaks within three to four days. The symptoms of withdrawal are worse in individuals with use of large doses for a longer time period. Various complications, other than withdrawal may occur; such as viral hepatitis, osteomyelitis, myositis ossificans, skin sores, vomit or inhaling saliva, abscess, pneumonia, scarring, and pulmonary emboli. Addicts injecting drugs intravenously may lose the ability to fight infection, because they have immune system problems. HIV can spread through shared needles so many narcotic addicts develop AIDS. Individuals with narcotic addiction also may progress neurologic disorders, caused by inadequate flow of blood to the brain. Coma can happen. Such narcotics as Ozuinine, may result in paralysis, double vision, as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome Bacteria from unsterile needles may sometimes infect the person’s brain, resulting in brain abscess and meningitis. Other complications, such as blood clots, lymph and skin node infections, and skin absesses can develop. High doses of heroin inhaled or injected may lead to death. Use of narcotics during pregnancy is especially dangerous. Methadone and Heroin easily penetrates placenta into the fetus. An infant born by addicted mother can rapidly progress withdrawal symptoms such as rapid breathing, seizure, jitters, high-pitched crying, and tremors. Addicted mothers with HIV or hepatitis B can transmit the viruses to her fetus. A narcotic overdose requires prompt medical attention to avoid life threatening conditions. A doctor usually injects a medication Naloxone intravenously to block the action of the narcotic. Narcotic addicts must discuss their problems with a primary physician who may refer to an addiction center treatment. These centers may treat withdrawal symptoms while providing social and psychologic counseling. The acute withdrawal may be serious and last for a few days. The unpleasant symptom creates a strong urge to begin using the drugs again. Such symptoms generally are not life threatening and may be relieved with medications. Preferred methods to treat withdrawal are Methadone, that itself is a narcotic and is taken orally and alters the function of the brain lesser than other narcotics do. Methadone’s effects last much longer than other narcotics, so it may be used less often, generally once a day. For some, such treatment works but others might not be socially rehabilitated. Individuals with narcotic addicts should appear every day at office, where methadone is dispensed in the very small amount that prevents serious withdrawal symptoms from progressing. Several treatment clinics can dispense LAAM-L-alpha-acety-lmethadol – a longer acting type of methadone. Narcotic withdrawal symptoms may also be subsided by drugs like Clonidine, and Naltrexone. The therapeutic community concept exists about 25 years in response of addiction with heroin. Treatment consists of communal long term (about 15 months) stay in a residential setting to help people with narcotic addiction build new lives through redirection education, and training. Such programs helped many individuals in the past.
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