Anxiety and Distress: Two Signs of Opioid Addiction

July 12, 2023

Written By: Buena Vista Recovery

If you use opioids, you may be experiencing anxiety and distress. These feelings can be caused by many factors. However, they also may be signs of opioid addiction. Understanding whether this may be the case for you is crucial. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, getting help is essential. Treatment for opioid addiction at Buena Vista Recovery incorporates individualized care, evidence-based treatment, and an environment where you will feel safe. Experiencing anxiety and distress is a challenge. However, with help, you can learn how to live your life without opioids and find freedom from addiction.

How Anxiety and Distress Contribute to Opioid Addiction

Opioids are a class of drugs that includes heroin, fentanyl, and other pain relief drugs. Opioids are usually used to alter how you feel. Taking opioids results in feelings of euphoria and helps you to feel relaxed. The dose and length of time used will determine your experience with opioids. 

If you have a history of anxiety and distress, you know how uncomfortable these feelings can be. Anxiety and distress can result from a mental health disorder, chronic pain, stress, or other factors. Regardless of the underlying reason for your anxiety and distress, you may have found yourself searching for a way to feel better.

Your response to anxiety and distress may partially cause your opioid addiction. This is because when you take opioids, this helps to decrease feelings of anxiety and distress. These medications alter your sense of the world and make you feel temporarily better. This is why opioids are commonly used with or without a prescription. If your opioid addiction is partially due to anxiety and distress, addressing these issues in treatment is crucial for finding freedom from addiction.

Anxiety and Distress Are Signs of Opioid Addiction

When you are struggling with an opioid addiction, your body becomes dependent on opioids. This means that your brain and body expect to receive more opioids. If you stop taking them, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms from opioid addiction will vary depending on many factors. This includes the amount of opioids you have been taking and the length of time you have been taking them. However, as opioids are highly addictive, you are likely to experience some withdrawal symptoms regardless.

While anxiety and distress can cause opioid addiction, they can also be signs of opioid addiction. This will manifest differently for each person. Your situation with anxiety and distress during opioid withdrawal will be unique. However, if you are experiencing anxiety and distress before taking your next dose of an opioid, this indicates that you have formed a physical dependency on the drug.

Opioid addiction is a complex situation. You likely started taking an opioid for a good reason. However, opioids are highly addictive. Because of this, it takes very careful administration to steer clear of physical dependence on opioids. Realizing that you are exhibiting signs of opioid addiction can feel distressing. However, when you become aware of your dependence, you are more likely to find the root cause and get the help you need to heal.

Finding the Root Cause of Your Addiction

When you are struggling with anxiety and distress and notice signs of opioid addiction, it is essential to delve into the root causes of your addiction. With opioids, this process can be difficult. You may have a history of pain. Perhaps you have used opioids to manage your discomfort. Additionally, you may have struggled with anxiety and have relied on opioids to cope.

Understanding the unique root causes of opioid addiction is important. This understanding can help you to discern which aspects of your life have contributed to your opioid use. At Buena Vista Recovery, you can receive opioid addiction treatment. A professional treatment center will provide support in finding your contributing factors. Additionally, you can learn new tools to manage these symptoms and reduce your risk of relapse after treatment.

Getting Help After Seeing Signs of Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction is a serious disease. When you are struggling with opioid addiction, your brain has been altered to steer you toward continuous opioid use. It may be tempting to go at it alone. However, getting help from a recovery center with trained professionals is the safest and most effective way to heal from opioid addiction.

When you see the signs of opioid addiction, it can be scary to take the first step. However, when you do, you will begin to address underlying challenges that have played a role in your addiction history. You’ll also receive tools that will help you in the future. There is a healthier and happier future out there for you. With support, you can make adjustments that will improve your life.

When you are using opioids, you may experience anxiety and distress due to pain and other underlying emotional reasons for opioid use. However, distress and anxiety can also be a sign of addiction. At Buena Vista Recovery, we understand that determining whether you are struggling with addiction to opioids can be complicated. We can help. Our staff members are highly knowledgeable and can help you to gain a clearer understanding of your relationships with opioids. We offer treatment programs with individualized care that will help you to heal mental health challenges. Additionally, we can offer you a variety of strategies and skills you can lean on to stay sober. To learn more call us today at (480) 741-9414.