People who get addicted to opioids have different responses. Some of them end up with physical dependence that makes it hard for them to quit, while others show less severe symptoms.
Yet, any addiction will always end with harmful consequences, and people with uncomplicated opioid dependence are no exception.
In this post, we’ll understand what this term means and the importance of handling that condition.
What Is Uncomplicated Opioid Dependence?
Uncomplicated opioid dependence, or ICD 10, is a diagnostic term that doctors give to patients who meet the criteria for opioid dependence but don’t exhibit the usual physical and/or psychological complications resulting from opioid use.
Opioid analgesics are strong painkillers used to treat cases of severe pain. They achieve such results by binding to specific receptors in the brain and disrupting the pain signal reaching them.
They also stimulate the “satisfaction and fulfillment” feelings, which is why people with opioid abuse find it hard to stop. Even if they stop, such people will show withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, headaches, aches, diarrhea, and body pain.
A patient with ICD 10 will develop little to none of these signs despite using opioids for a considerable while. This patient will also have good mental health.
Does a Person With Uncomplicated Opioid Dependence Need Treatment?
The short answer is yes. Patients diagnosed with ICD 10 still need treatment. They may not show any significant signs of drug dependence or mental disorders, however, they’re still at risk of developing these signs in the future.
Add to that, such patients receive this diagnosis code because they’re still using opioids, which means they’re actively seeking the drug, spending money to get it, and risk falling into legal problems because of it.
Is It Easier to Treat a Person With Uncomplicated Opioid Dependence?
The hardest phase of treatment is arguably dealing with the withdrawal symptoms because the patients will keep struggling until they go back to substance use. Fortunately, that’s not something that ICD 10 patients have to deal with, which makes them more likely to be able to tolerate and benefit from the treatment. They’re less likely to have relapses as well.
Also, since these patients don’t have mental complications, they are more likely to be aware of the negative consequences of opioid use. This makes them more motivated to receive the treatment, leading to a better prognosis.
Final Words
Individuals with ICD 10 are people who “don’t” suffer from opioid addiction. However, the addiction element is there as they persist in using opioids, which makes the appearance of the symptoms inevitable in the future.
Despite being easier to handle, these patients shouldn’t be taken lightly. They should be well-informed about potential risks and encouraged to stop substance abuse.
Comments (0)