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Opiates
Dependence on opioids is a complex issue and has either directly or indirectly affected
everyone by either being dependent on the drugs themselves or having watched a loved one or
friend succumb to substance abuse disorder. To deal with the stress and fear of COVID people
turned to prescription pills as a way of coping with the inevitable situation we were all faced
with (Sign into your Account, n.d.).
Prescription opioids are used to treat chronic pain, but people unintentionally become
dependent on them. Physicians tried pain management programs to monitor the use of the
substance and to determine the amount being prescribed, but the same drugs are easily obtained
in the streets by various dealers as well as family and friends. Not only does there need to be
better plans implemented on managing pain, but there should also be more programs and or walk
in clinics, government funded that will provide different professionals and programs needed to
lead individuals on a path free of substances.
To help in preventing substance abuse in the youth, mandatory programs for children and
their families may be effective in properly educating them on the effects of drug abuse. Also,
school, spiritual and youth outreach programs may be effective in helping the youth become
leaders and advocates to educate their peers about the severity of drug abuse in their community
and schools (Substance Abuse Prevention | Youth.gov, n.d.).
While dependence on prescription pills was on the rise, accidental drug overdose due to
what looks like prescription pills but are being mixed with fentanyl have become even more
addictive and deadlier (Sign into your Account, n.d.). According to the CDC, approximately one
in four people have a challenging time balancing the use of opioids after being treated for a
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certain length of time (CDC, 2021). Once the body gets used to the substance in the blood stream
and the imbalance in the brain takes place, the body can no longer tell if it’s battling pain from
the illness or if the body is craving the substance in the system.
Unfortunately, opioids aren’t the only drugs that are being misused but all of them are
harmful to the body in one way or another. After a while the brain chemistry changes, drug
addiction weakens the immune system leading to more infections, Hep C is common during
substance abuse, internal organs become damaged and more (Common Health Conditions
Caused by Substance Abuse, n.d.).
Our bodies do not belong to us, they belong to God, and we are expected to be good
stewards and to take care of the temple where God’s spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). We are
also told to stay vigilant because the devil is seeking who he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). While
under the influence of drugs, a person is no longer in control of their mind, body, and spirit in
which the enemy has full control of to lead individuals deeper into destruction and some are led
to death.
Social issues because of substance abuse can lead to homelessness, criminal activity,
emotional stress on family members, destruction of marriages, abuse and neglect of children and
harm to the fetus during pregnancy. Substance abuse also contributes to disease transmission,
disability, psychiatric conditions, and high rates of suicide (Daley, 2019).
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References
CDC. (2021, June 17).>Prescription Opioids | CDC’s Response to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic
| CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/prescribed.html
Common Health Conditions Caused by Substance Abuse. (n.d.). Sunrise House. Retrieved
October 18, 2022, from https://sunrisehouse.com/addiction-info/health-conditions-
substance-abuse/.
Daley, D. C. (2019). Family and social aspects of substance use disorders and treatment.>Journal
of Food and Drug Analysis,>21(4), S73–S76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2013.09.038
Sign into your account. (n.d.). Login.microsoftonline.com.
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/462476/pages/watch-poisoned-americas-fentanyl-
crisis-part-1?module_item_id=53710251
Substance Abuse Prevention | Youth.gov. (n.d.). Youth.gov. Retrieved July 18, 2023, from
https://youth.gov/youth-topics/substance-abuse/evidence-based-programs-youth-
substance-abuse-prevention-and-treatment#:~:text=School%2D%20and%20family
%2Dbased%20programs.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2007).>Life application study Bible large print: New Living T
Translation.>Tyndale House Publishers.
