Medical Providers:
Dr. Michael Vines, MD
Alex Spritzer, FNP, CARN-AP, PMHNP
Clinical Providers:
Natalie Foster, LPC-S, MS
Last Updated: December 16, 2022
Nearly 130 Americans lose their lives each day to opioid overdoses, and in 2011, the Centers for Disease Control officially declared opioid overdoses an epidemic.
Despite recent efforts by local and federal authorities, opioid addiction continues to pose a significant challenge.
Prescription opioids are typically used to manage moderate to severe chronic pain, as their chemical properties help relax and soothe the body. However, these same effects can lead to misuse and eventual addiction, even when the medication is taken exactly as prescribed.
Opioids are a class of drugs derived from the opium poppy plant. Some are naturally extracted from the plant, while others are synthetically produced in labs using the same chemical structure. This category includes both illegal drugs, like heroin, and prescription medications, such as oxycodone.
The opioid drug class includes a wide range of substances, some legally prescribed and others illegal.
Illegal opioids are often cut, or mixed, with other drugs making them more than just opioids. However, illegal opioids include:
Opioids are frequently obtained through a doctor’s prescription, and even when used as directed, they can lead to physical dependence and changes in brain chemistry. Common prescription opioids include:
Prescription opioids are available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, syrups, and injectable liquids.
Opium usually appears as a fine brown powder and can be consumed orally or smoked.
Heroin, in its purest form, is a fine white powder, but it is often cut with other substances, which can turn it brown or black.
These receptors are normally activated by endorphins and other naturally produced chemicals in the body. That’s why activities that boost endorphin levels, such as exercise, can help reduce pain and create a mild feeling of euphoria.
Opioid receptors are small sites located at the ends of nerve cells that stay inactive until triggered by specific chemicals. When the body experiences pain, electrical signals are sent to the brain to communicate it. Once activated, opioid receptors block these signals, preventing them from reaching the brain and providing pain relief.
Opioids are commonly used for pain management because of how they interact with the body. By occupying the opioid receptors, they block the normal perception of pain and trigger feelings of pleasure. It is this combination of pain relief and euphoria that gives opioids a high potential for abuse.
The length of time opioids remain in the body varies depending on the specific drug, dosage, individual metabolism, and the type of drug test used. Typically, opioids can be detected in urine for about 2 to 4 days, though some opioids with longer half-lives may be detectable for a longer period.
The addictive nature and associated risks of prescription opioids have contributed to one of the most significant health crises of the 21st century.
One of the earliest signs of opioid addiction is developing a tolerance to the drug. Over time, opioid use permanently alters brain chemistry, causing the body to respond less to the substance and requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects.
Individuals who develop a tolerance to opioids often experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. Common signs of opioid withdrawal include agitation, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and other physical and emotional challenges.
One of the most dangerous aspects of opioid addiction is the psychological dependence that develops over time. With repeated use and increasing doses, the brain adapts to function normally only when the drug is present, leading to abnormal functioning and distress when it is not.
When it comes to opioids, no single group is affected more than others, but certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of addiction. If you are prescribed opioids and are concerned about your risk, you can use the assessment tool available at drugabuse.gov to evaluate your potential for dependence.
People who have a close family member with a history of substance abuse face a greater risk of developing opioid addiction. This heightened vulnerability may result from genetic predisposition as well as emotional trauma experienced during childhood, which can contribute to using opioids as a form of self-medication.
As with many types of substance abuse, existing mental health conditions can greatly heighten the risk of addiction. Disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or OCD are often stronger predictors of substance dependence than anxiety or depression. Those experiencing both mental health challenges and addiction typically require integrated treatment through a Dual Diagnosis Program.
Women are more susceptible to developing opioid addiction, as biological differences can cause them to become dependent more quickly than men. They are also more likely to experience chronic pain, and when prescribed opioids, tend to receive longer prescriptions and higher doses compared to men.
Opioid addiction among young adults often develops in those with multiple risk factors. During early adulthood, access to prescription pills—often from friends or family—combined with a tendency toward risk-taking behaviors makes individuals between 18 and 25 especially vulnerable to addiction.
The Opioid Epidemic has impacted millions of Americans and was officially declared a national public health crisis in 2017.
Between 1997 and 2017, nearly 400,000 Americans lost their lives to opioid overdoses—more than the combined deaths from the Iraq, Vietnam, Korean, and Revolutionary Wars.
With the continued development and availability of effective addiction treatments, the number of opioid-related deaths can decline, bringing hope for an end to the epidemic. Contact our addiction specialists today to find a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Diagnosing opioid addiction requires a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a urine analysis or information gathered through a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Opioid use disorder is diagnosed when an individual displays two or more specific symptoms within a 12-month period, with the condition classified as severe if six or more symptoms are present.
