What are opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs commonly used to treat pain, cough, and other medical conditions. They can be derived from the opium poppy plant or synthesized in a laboratory. Opioids work by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain, producing feelings of pain relief, relaxation, and euphoria. There are several types of opioids, including prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. Other common opioids include fentanyl, codeine, and morphine.
What are opioids?
Opioids, sometimes known as narcotics, are a family of drugs recommended by doctors to relieve chronic or severe pain. Opioid medicine is prescribed to people who have persistent headaches and backaches, patients recovering from surgery or experiencing severe pain from cancer, and adults and children who have been injured playing sports or who have been severely wounded in falls or car accidents. Opioids also include illegal drugs like heroin.
Different types of prescription opioids
There are different types of opioids prescribed by doctors depending on the level and type of pain. Prescription opioids are legally used for pain management but carry a risk of misuse and addiction, especially when not used as directed. These medications are often sold under brand names such as OxyContin, Percocet, Palladone, and Vicodin.
The list of synthetic opioids are:
– Codeine – Fentanyl – Hydrocodone – Oxycodone – Oxymorphone – Morphine
Heroin is an illegal drug that is a highly addictive substance derived from morphine, which is obtained from opium poppy plants. Some prescription opioid pain relievers have similar effects to heroin. According to research, the misuse of these medicines may pave the way for heroin use.
Can you get addicted to opioids?
Yes, opioids can be highly addictive. When taken regularly, opioids can lead to physical dependence and tolerance, significantly increasing the risk of addiction. Opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder, is a chronic disease that affects the brain and behavior. It is characterized by a strong urge to use opioids, even when they are no longer needed for medical purposes, and despite negative consequences. This compulsive use can lead to severe health issues and disrupt daily life.
Definition of Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a type of substance use disorder characterized by the compulsive use of opioid drugs, despite negative consequences. It is a chronic disease that affects the brain and behavior, leading to physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Opioid addiction can result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The consequences of opioid addiction can be severe, including the risk of overdose, death, and significant damage to relationships, work, and overall health.
Can you get addicted to opioids?
Opioids are highly addictive if are taken for a long period. Opioid misuse often arises from a need to increase dosages due to developing tolerance, leading to addiction. Opioid addiction is defined by a strong, compulsive desire to use opioid medicines even when they are no longer medically necessary. Even when prescribed appropriately and consumed as instructed, opioids have a high potential for addiction in some people. Opioids give you a euphoric state and are pain relievers which is why you can’t stop taking them. You become addicted to opioids without realizing and you can’t control the urge to take the drug.
Opioid use disorder - who becomes addicted to opioids
People become addicted to opioids because they can combat the pain without any sort of physical or psychological addiction. They can also help the user make the pain feel better by blocking some of the nerves that receive messages from the brain. If a family member has a history of alcohol or drug abuse, the odds to have inherited genes are increased. According to research, hereditary**factors account for at least half of your chances of being addicted. Also, if a person is addicted to drugs, alcohol or tobacco, it is a high chance to get addicted to opioids too.
Addiction to opioids is frequently characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behaviour. To obtain higher doses of this medication a person may go to several doctors to seek new prescriptions. When a person is drug-dependent, she or he is unable to stop thinking about it, which interferes with daily activities and leads to the development of a spacing mechanism. Pathological cravings for these drugs can also lead people to borrow, purchase, or steal them from friends and family. As a last resort, some people may seek out heroin, an illegal opioid that is easily acquired on the streets. Despite the well-known consequences of heroin, it is generally easier and less expensive to obtain than opioid medications. However, there are some symptoms to tell if someone is addicted to opioids.
Drug dependence occurs when the body relies on opioids for normal functioning, leading to withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not available. This is different from drug tolerance, where the body requires higher doses to achieve the same effect, and addiction, which involves compulsive use despite harmful consequences. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in addressing the mechanisms and implications of opioid use.
Causes and Risk Factors
Opioid addiction is a complex disease caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Some of the risk factors for opioid addiction include:
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Family history of addiction
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Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety
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Trauma and stress
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Chronic pain
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History of substance abuse
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Easy access to opioids
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Social and environmental factors, such as poverty and lack of social support
Understanding these risk factors can help in identifying individuals who may be more susceptible to developing an addiction to opioids.
Symptoms of opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms are:
– the inability to control opioid use
– uncontrollable cravings
– drowsiness
– changes in sleep habits
– weight loss
– frequent flu-like symptoms
– decreased libido
– lack of hygiene
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms occur when an individual stops using opioids or reduces their dose. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening, and can include:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Abdominal pain
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Chills and fever
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Fatigue
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Depression and anxiety
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Insomnia
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Restlessness and irritability
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Muscle and bone pain
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Diarrhea
Managing withdrawal symptoms with medication and other treatments is a critical step in the recovery process. Proper management can help individuals overcome the physical challenges of withdrawal and move forward in their journey to recovery.
Opioid overdose
Overdoses are a terrible yet all-too-common side effect of opioid painkiller misuse. Drug overdose deaths have been increasing dramatically, particularly due to the higher potency of synthetic opioids and increased usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overdoses are frequently induced by taking too much of a substance at once or by combining multiple substances, particularly other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants such as Benzodiazepines and alcohol.
Some overdose symptoms related to taking these drugs are:
– unconsciousness
– confusion
– constricted pupils
– nausea
– vomiting
– shallow or restricted breathing
– cool or clammy skin
– frequent vomiting
– extreme sleepiness or inability to wake up
– intermittent loss of consciousness
Opioid addiction treatment
Opioids taken in big quantities for a long time can increase the chances of long-term changes to your brain. Opioid dependence, a disorder resulting from chronic opioid use, highlights a global treatment gap where many individuals suffering from opioid misuse and dependence do not receive necessary care. Fortunately, early treatment intervention can help you prevent some of the long-term health consequences of opioid addiction.
It takes a lot more than willpower to break free from prescription medication addiction, but you can do it. Although it is a long-term procedure, medication and counselling can increase your chances of success.
Medication for opioid addiction
Withdrawal symptoms from opioids such as large pupils, yawning, belly pain, nausea, vomiting, body aches, agitation and severe bad moods are major reasons for relapse and further prescription drug abuse. Also, psychologists and therapists noted that a stressful environment or work problems contribute to recurrence.
Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose) is a long-acting opioid that affects the same areas of your brain as the substance you’re addicted to but does not make you euphoric. You can take it every day, but you must visit a specialized clinic to obtain it. The optimum dose alleviates drug cravings and eliminates withdrawal symptoms. Another medicine approved for the treatment of opioid addiction is buprenorphine. It stimulates the same brain receptors, but not as intensely. It has a lower risk of lethal overdose, hence experts frequently recommend it. It can also be used in conjunction with naloxone.
Naltrexone inhibits opiate receptors. It does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms or cravings like methadone or buprenorphine. However, you will not get high if you utilize drugs while taking it. Naltrexone is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation treatment program.
Counselling therapies for opioid addiction treatment
There are a number of different counselling therapies that can be helpful for people in recovery from opioid addiction, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Research shows that CBT is effective at reducing substance use and relapse rates. It also experiences higher success rates than other types of counselling therapies. The success of CBT relies on the use of specific methods, including changing the perspective on how the person thinks about their situation and responding appropriately to their thoughts and feelings when they occur. Recovery from addiction is most likely to happen when treatment is combined with supportive resources like family, friends, and social support groups. These resources can help those who are recovering from their addiction better understand the triggers that lead them to use drugs again so that they can avoid these triggers in the future. Those who are close to you will strengthen your treatment and will help you to overcome this drug addiction.
Opioids addiction recovery
If you or a loved one need help with an opioid problem, we can facilitate urgent or pre-booked admissions for an opioid detox and recovery programme, today.
Do not waste another day being the slave of this drug. Rehab Today by PCP (Perry Clayman Project) can help you to overcome this addiction and live a better life. Call or contact us for more information on how we can help!
