Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Use

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Appearance-     Appearance has Changed, Tired, Weight Loss

Paraphernalia- Water, Bottle Caps, Orange Syringe Caps, Cotton, Straws cut into small sizes,                                Burnt or Missing Spoons. 

Behavior -         Moodiness, Detachment, Loss of Pleasure in Activities, Distance from Family                                 or Relatives, Late Night Unexplained Trips, Change in friends,

                           Frequent Requests for Money

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Behavior at Work- Distracted, "messing up" work assignments, unable to focus on task, 

                                 missing or late, falling asleep.

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Other signs (things you can see) of symptoms (things they feel)

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irritability

upset stomach

constipation

sleep disruption

job loss

theft

detachment

avoidance

isolation

withdrawing

guilt

denial

blame-shift

positive self talk declines, replaced by negative self talk

(things they say or no longer say)

low self esteem

aggression

preoccupation with drug or

preoccupation with drug items

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Contributing factors

recently released from rehabilitation or jail

period of abstinence

new drug supply

new drug supplier

using alone

homelessness

mental health difficulty

loss of contact with others

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Informational Handbook by Partnership for Drug- Free kids and The Medicine Abuse Project.