For many young men (and some women) across the country, sports are not only a fun way to pass the time but can also serve as an extracurricular activity. High school students and college students alike enjoy the rush of adrenaline fueled by football, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, swimming, gymnastics, or even martial arts, but the fact of the matter is that the body dose like to protest a lot. Besides the frequent bruise, young athletes will suffer just as many injuries as their older counterparts and can experience overwhelming pain. As a result, opioids tend to be the go-to drug for many young men and women recovering from these irritatingly painful problems. Still, how do you prevent your teenaged or young adult children from abusing these potentially addictive drugs? Let’s take a closer look at some tips for parents and educators alike.
First, Some Stats
Needless to say, instructions are necessary in times like this. Did you know that roughly 3.2 million U.S. citizens (over 12 years of age) are currently abusing opioids? Simultaneously, 848,000 children and young adults ages 12 to 25 are currently suffering from opioid use disorder. In particular, athletes in high school can still be put at a higher risk of becoming addicts.
Tips for Prevention
Here is how you can keep your child (for parents) or your athletes (for coaches) from abusing painkillers:
- Make them understand that rest is just as beneficial as pain relief and not to overwork the injury (as many boys are ready to get back on the field).
- Read about the warning signs of drug addiction so you can better identify an addict.
- (For parents) Monitor your child’s intake of opioids.
- (For parents) Dispose of your child’s opioids in the proper manner.
- Seek out alternative forms of pain management for your child’s injury, which might not be severe enough to warrant opioids.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Opioids are extremely potent and dangerous drugs that have a high risk for abuse and addiction and can be particularly dangerous for both adults and teens alike. These substances can trigger severe dependency and a string of unpleasant health problems (including residual pain) as well. Although these drugs can easily help people cope with severe pain, opioids like fentanyl are still dangerous and have been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. If you have a history of substance abuse or addiction, we recommend you find an alternative to opioids. In the even that you are suffering from opioid use disorder, though, understand that you can always find the help you need.
Are you suffering from a severe case of opioid addiction? Do you have a friend or a family member who is coping with one of these issues, as well? On both accounts, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward combating the Opioid Crisis.
