When someone you care about changes before your eyes, it can be hard to know what’s really happening. Small shifts in mood, energy, and priorities can signal something deeper, including the early stages of opioid addiction.
At Gateway Rehab, we know that recognizing these warning signs is the first step toward healing. As a leading provider of opioid addiction treatment in Pennsylvania, our team is dedicated to helping individuals and families understand what’s happening and find hope through evidence-based care.
Below, we share five key signs of opioid addiction you shouldn’t ignore and how to move forward if you see them.
1. Sudden Behavioral or Mood Changes
One of the first signs of opioid addiction is a noticeable shift in mood or behavior. Opioids affect how the brain regulates emotions and decision-making, which can lead to dramatic personality changes.
Common behavioral red flags:
- Increased irritability or unexplained mood swings
- Secretive behavior or lying about whereabouts
- Loss of interest in hobbies, work, or relationships
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Uncharacteristic risk-taking
Loved ones often describe feeling like the person they knew has “changed.” If these behaviors persist, it may be time to ask if opioid use is playing a role.
2. Physical Symptoms of Dependence
Opioid addiction often manifests in physical ways that go beyond tiredness or illness. These symptoms may emerge after prolonged use or misuse of opioids, including prescription painkillers or heroin.
Physical signs of opioid use disorder symptoms include:
- Pinpoint pupils, even in dim lighting
- Drowsiness, 'nodding off,' or confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Constipation or gastrointestinal issues
- Frequent complaints of flu-like symptoms
Over time, individuals may also exhibit weight changes, lack of hygiene, or frequent illness—all signs that opioid use is affecting the body’s natural balance.
3. Developing Tolerance or Intense Cravings
As the brain adapts to opioid use, people often need higher doses to feel the same effects. This is called tolerance, and it’s a hallmark of dependence. Eventually, cravings become so strong they override rational decision-making.
Warning signs of increasing tolerance and cravings:
- Taking larger or more frequent doses than prescribed
- Obsessive thoughts about the next dose or where to get more
- Using opioids even when no longer needed for pain
- Inability to cut down despite wanting to stop
These behaviors are critical signs of opioid addiction and typically require professional support to address safely.
4. Neglecting Responsibilities or Life Commitments
As opioid use intensifies, everyday responsibilities often begin to fall through the cracks. This can affect school, work, and family life.
Examples of functional decline include:
- Poor performance or absences at work or school
- Missed family events, appointments, or deadlines
- Unpaid bills or legal troubles
- Sudden financial difficulties
- Loss of childcare or housing due to behavior
This decline is not a matter of willpower. Opioid use disorder changes brain function, making it difficult to prioritize anything beyond the next dose.
5. When and How to Seek Help
Recognizing opioid addiction symptoms is only the first step, knowing when and how to get help is just as important.
You should reach out for help if:
- You’ve noticed multiple signs listed above in yourself or someone else
- You’ve tried to stop but experienced withdrawal symptoms
- Opioid use is interfering with relationships, work, or health
- You feel overwhelmed, but know something needs to change
You are not alone. Opioid use disorder is treatable, and early intervention greatly improves outcomes.
At Gateway Rehab, we offer a full continuum of care, ranging from medically supervised detox and inpatient treatment to outpatient services and long-term recovery support. Our evidence-based programs include:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using Suboxone, Sublocade, or Vivitrol
- Therapy and counseling, both individual and group-based
- Family programs to support healing at home
- Telehealth and community recovery options to fit your schedule
- Peer-to-peer recovery coaching and relapse prevention
Our goal is not only to treat addiction, but to help each patient build a meaningful life in recovery.
Why Choose Gateway Rehab for Opioid Addiction Treatment
Gateway Rehab is recognized by the state of Pennsylvania as an Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence. That means we deliver comprehensive, coordinated care for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, and we do so with compassion, dignity, and proven results.
Since 1972, Gateway has been Western Pennsylvania’s trusted provider for substance use treatment. With locations across the region and services tailored to your needs, help is always within reach.
Explore treatment options, talk to a care coordinator, or simply ask questions. Our team is here to help.
Know the Signs. Find the Support. Begin Again.
Recognizing the signs of opioid addiction early can save a life, maybe even your own. If you or someone you love is struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Gateway Rehab offers the medical expertise and human support to help you heal and move forward.
Call us at 1-800-472-1177 or request an appointment online. Hope has a home here, and it starts with your first step.
