Isolation from familyor friends
What people see
Slurred speech, small pupils, drowsiness, and weight loss
Changes in personal grooming habits
Difficulty reducing opioid use
Increased tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms
Cravings
What people don’t see
Nausea, constipation,and mental fog
Financial challenges
Changes in sleep habits
Issues at work, school, or home
Nausea, constipation, and mental fog
Opioids often cause stomach problems like nausea and constipation. They can also cloud thinking, making it hard to focus or remember things.
Learn More
Isolation from family or friends
People with OUD may pull away from those they care about. They may feel judged or prefer being alone. Loved ones may notice canceled plans, missed events, or less interest in activities.
Changes in sleep habits
Opioids may disrupt sleep, causing insomnia, sleeping too much, or restless nights. Sleep problems can worsen exhaustion and mood challenges.
Slurred speech, small pupils, drowsiness, and weight loss
Opioids can change the body in noticeable ways. A person might experience droopy eyelids, slowed or slurred speech, extreme tiredness, or rapid weight loss. Friends and family may spot these changes first.
Increased tolerance
Opioids may become less effective over time. A person might need higher doses for the same relief — or to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Cravings
Intense urges to use opioids can be hard to resist, even when a person wants to stop. Cravings are common but challenging.
Difficulty reducing opioid use
Even when someone wants to quit or cut back, it can feel nearly impossible without support. This struggle is a core sign of OUD.
Withdrawal symptoms
Stopping opioids suddenly can cause intense withdrawal, such as sweating, chills, fever, diarrhea, or body aches. These symptoms show the body has adapted to the drug.
Learn More
Financial challenges
Opioid use can strain a person’s budget. They may miss bills, take on debt, or sell belongings to afford the drug.
Issues at work, school, or home
OUD can make it hard to keep up with responsibilities. Missed deadlines, school struggles, or family tension may be symptoms.
Changes in personal grooming habits
Daily routines like bathing, brushing teeth, or changing clothes may become less of a priority. This isn’t laziness — it’s often a sign the disorder is affecting a person’s ability to function day to day.
[OUD-10] Opioid Use Disorder Iceberg
MyHealthTeam
Created on August 26, 2025
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Transcript
Isolation from familyor friends
What people see
Slurred speech, small pupils, drowsiness, and weight loss
Changes in personal grooming habits
Difficulty reducing opioid use
Increased tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms
Cravings
What people don’t see
Nausea, constipation,and mental fog
Financial challenges
Changes in sleep habits
Issues at work, school, or home
Nausea, constipation, and mental fog
Opioids often cause stomach problems like nausea and constipation. They can also cloud thinking, making it hard to focus or remember things.
Learn More
Isolation from family or friends
People with OUD may pull away from those they care about. They may feel judged or prefer being alone. Loved ones may notice canceled plans, missed events, or less interest in activities.
Changes in sleep habits
Opioids may disrupt sleep, causing insomnia, sleeping too much, or restless nights. Sleep problems can worsen exhaustion and mood challenges.
Slurred speech, small pupils, drowsiness, and weight loss
Opioids can change the body in noticeable ways. A person might experience droopy eyelids, slowed or slurred speech, extreme tiredness, or rapid weight loss. Friends and family may spot these changes first.
Increased tolerance
Opioids may become less effective over time. A person might need higher doses for the same relief — or to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Cravings
Intense urges to use opioids can be hard to resist, even when a person wants to stop. Cravings are common but challenging.
Difficulty reducing opioid use
Even when someone wants to quit or cut back, it can feel nearly impossible without support. This struggle is a core sign of OUD.
Withdrawal symptoms
Stopping opioids suddenly can cause intense withdrawal, such as sweating, chills, fever, diarrhea, or body aches. These symptoms show the body has adapted to the drug.
Learn More
Financial challenges
Opioid use can strain a person’s budget. They may miss bills, take on debt, or sell belongings to afford the drug.
Issues at work, school, or home
OUD can make it hard to keep up with responsibilities. Missed deadlines, school struggles, or family tension may be symptoms.
Changes in personal grooming habits
Daily routines like bathing, brushing teeth, or changing clothes may become less of a priority. This isn’t laziness — it’s often a sign the disorder is affecting a person’s ability to function day to day.