Opioids are powerful sedative depressants which can have powerful pain-killing and relaxing effects. This makes them one of the most dangerous drugs of abuse. Opioid abuse can easily lead to addiction, which can have extremely negative effects on one’s health and well-being.
What are opioids?
Opioid drugs or opioids refer to substances that bind to opioid receptors in the brain. These drugs are derived from the opium poppy plant and can be synthetic, semi-synthetic, or natural. Synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids are manufactured chemically in a lab, but natural opioids, known as opiates, occur naturally in the poppy plant.
When opioids enter the body, they bind to opioid receptors in the nervous system, which has a cascading effect on several vital bodily functions. As a depressant, opioids slow down the functions of the nervous system, which include breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This is the mechanism by which opioids have a sedative and relaxing effect. Opioids also affect pain perception and are commonly used to treat severe pain. When taken unnecessarily or at higher doses than prescribed, opioids cause feelings of euphoria.
Natural Opioids
Natural opiates occur naturally in the opium poppy plant. They are alkaloids and include:
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Thebaine
Semi-Synthetics
Semi-synthetics are created in labs by combining natural opiates with other compounds. Semi-synthetic opioids include:
- Oxycodone
- Heroin
- Hydromorphone
- Hydrocodone
Synthetics
Synthetic opioids are fully synthetic, without the presence of natural opiates. These are manufactured fully in labs and include:
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
Heroin
Heroin is a powerful illicit substance that causes intense feelings of euphoria and pain relief that is combined with deep relaxation. The semi-synthetic opioid is administered as a powder that is snorted or a brown crystallized rock that is smoked. It’s classed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) because of its high potential for abuse and addiction.
Morphine
Morphine is often used medically to treat severe pain including continuous pain management in patients undergoing or recovering from surgery. Morphine is also a vital component of several semi-synthetic drugs such as hydromorphone.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl abuse and addiction has become a growing problem in the United States. It’s commonly prescribed to treat severe pain or injury. Because it is more powerful than morphine, fentanyl overdose is more likely, particularly when it’s combined with other substances.
Codeine
Codeine is a prescription drug that can be used to reduce pain and alleviate cough. It’s a common ingredient in prescription cough syrup. It’s a natural opioid and can be combined with other substances when creating semi-synthetic opioids.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is prescribed to treat moderate pain and can be taken as a liquid, pills, or capsules. Oxycodone abuse leads to euphoric intoxication.
Methadone
Methadone is commonly used to treat opioid dependence. It’s a less potent opioid that can replace more powerful drugs like heroin to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and slowly reduce the level of opioids in the body.
Effects of opioid drugs
The short-term effects of opioid use include:
- Drowsiness
- Extreme relaxation
- Confusion
- Stupor
- Depressed breathing
- Depressed heart rate
- Slurred speech
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Itchiness
- Dry mouth
When used at high doses, these effects are typically amplified. If vital functions such as respiration are dangerously depressed or slowed, coma or death is possible. Other signs of respiratory depression include blue lips or cold, clammy skin.
Long-term effects of opioid drug use
Extended use of opioids can have a variety of detrimental effects on health and mental well-being. This results from the long-term changes caused by opioids on vital bodily functions. These long-term effects include:
- Depression or other mental health issues
- Lowered testosterone
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and heart disease
- Bowel obstruction that can result from regular constipation
- Respiratory problems
- Suppression of the immune system
- Tolerance and dependence that can lead to serious addiction
Understanding opioid abuse
Though opioid drugs are commonly prescribed for legitimate medical purposes, their potential for abuse cannot be understated. Their sedating and euphoric effects can be very addicting, so their use can quickly become problematic. It’s possible to abuse opioids even if the drugs were originally prescribed to treat pain or another condition. Opioid abuse occurs when they are taken at higher doses than prescribed, for a longer duration than prescribed, or in conjunction with other drugs or substances like alcohol.
Signs and symptoms of opioid addiction
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines some common signs of opioid use disorder. Only two or more of these signs are required to meet diagnostic criteria for opioid addiction:
- Use of opioids for non-medical reasons
- Continued opioid use despite the impairment and distress it may cause
- Inability to control the dose or length of time opioids are used
- Continued opioid use that affects one’s ability to fulfill professional or social obligations
- Continued opioid use despite making attempts to stop
- Intense cravings for opioids
- Increased amount of time invested obtaining opioids, using opioids, or recovering from opioid use
- Losing interest in hobbies or other enjoyable activities
- Tolerance that requires higher doses of opioids to achieve the same effects
- Withdrawal symptoms when opioid use is discontinued
Effects of combining opioids with other drugs
The potential for dangerous overdose is significantly increased when opioids are combined with other drugs. The effects of these drug interactions can be unpredictable and extremely powerful.
When combined with other nervous system depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines, the effects of opioid drugs are magnified. That’s because these other substances have the same effect on the nervous system, leading to dangerous depression of the heart or breathing that can cause coma or death.
When combined with nervous system stimulants, which have the opposite effect on the nervous system, opioids create a strain on the cardiovascular system and can lead to stroke. Stimulants that are commonly taken in conjunction with opioids include speed, ecstasy, or crystal meth.
Opioid withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal is uncomfortable due to distressing symptoms that can manifest when opioid use is discontinued. These symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle cramps
These symptoms make it difficult to quit using opioid drugs without medical support. To alleviate the effects of these withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is recommended. Medical detox takes place under the round-the-clock care of medical professionals who can monitor your vitals and alleviate these symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment can help you detox from opioid use by using a safer replacement such as methadone to slowly wean off the use of powerful or dangerous opioids.
Effective substance use treatment requires a careful assessment of each person’s needs and recovery goals.
At Austin Pines Ranch, we offer an extensive array of programs and services to accommodate those needs, taking into account personal and professional obligations and time commitment. With the help of a professional team, we will evaluate substance abuse history, mental health, and psychosocial status to determine the level of care that’s best suited for you.
