Opioids: What it is, Why there are Addictive and the Addictions Signs and Symptoms

Opioids, commonly referred to as narcotics, are a class of powerful pain-relieving medications that are commonly prescribed to individuals suffering from severe pain or recovering from surgery. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, thus reducing the intensity of pain signals. While opioids have proven to be effective in managing pain, they also possess a high potential for addiction due to their euphoric effects and the way they interact with the brain’s reward system. This article aims to explore what opioids are, why they can be addictive, and the signs and symptoms of opioid addiction.

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both natural and synthetic substances derived from the opium poppy plant. They are primarily used for pain relief but can also produce euphoria, making them prone to misuse and addiction. Examples of opioids include prescription medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, as well as illegal drugs like heroin.

Why are Opioids Addictive?

Opioids are addictive because they bind to specific receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other body parts. This binding activates the reward system in the brain, causing a surge of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This dopamine surge produces euphoria or a “high” that users experience. The pleasurable feeling from this surge drives frequent use, leading to withdrawal symptoms when opioids are absent. This cycle creates pain without the drug and rewards it, reinforcing addiction.

Opioids induce rapid tolerance development. Over time, individuals require higher doses to achieve the same pain relief or euphoria. Continued opioid use leads to physical dependence. The body adapts to the drug’s presence, resulting in withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and anxiety.

Social and psychological factors contribute to opioid addiction. Individuals may use opioids to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression. Some begin recreational use and subsequently develop addiction. Genetic factors also increase the risk of developing opioid use disorder.

What is The Risk of Opioid Overdose?

The risks of opioid overdose include severe respiratory depression, where breathing becomes dangerously slow or stops completely. Without immediate treatment using naloxone, these breathing problems can quickly lead to brain damage or death. The dangers are particularly high with illicit opioids like heroin, as users cannot verify the drug’s strength or purity. Even prescription opioids carry substantial overdose risks, as their high potency means that taking just slightly more than prescribed can trigger a potentially fatal response.

What is the Role of Opioid Prescribing Practices in the Epidemic?

The role of opioid prescribing practices in the epidemic has been significant and multi-faceted. During the 1990s, healthcare providers dramatically increased opioid prescriptions after pharmaceutical companies provided false reassurance about these medications’ safety and addiction potential. This widespread prescribing for chronic pain directly contributed to increased opioid use and addiction rates across the United States. 

In response to this crisis, current medical protocols have established more restrictive prescribing guidelines and emphasize alternative pain management approaches. These newer practices focus on limiting opioid prescriptions, implementing stricter monitoring protocols, and prioritizing non-opioid pain treatments whenever clinically appropriate.

What are the Types of Opioid Addiction Treatment

The types of opioid addiction treatment include comprehensive medical interventions, structured rehabilitation programs, and flexible care options. From medically supervised detoxification and medication-assisted therapy to intensive residential care and outpatient support systems, treatment approaches vary in intensity and duration. Explore the detailed breakdown below to understand how each treatment option can support recovery from opioid dependency.

• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) provides an effective approach to treating opioid addiction by using medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Common medications in MAT include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Methadone and buprenorphine function as opioid agonists, activating brain receptors similarly to other opioids but with longer-lasting and less euphoric effects. Naltrexone acts as an opioid antagonist, blocking the effects of opioids in the brain.
• Inpatient Opioid Addiction Treatment: Inpatient treatment, or residential treatment, requires clients to stay in a facility for intensive care addressing opioid addiction. This option benefits individuals needing a structured environment to overcome addiction. During inpatient treatment, clients engage in therapeutic activities, including medication-assisted treatment, individual therapy, group therapy, and support for co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) deliver structured, intensive opioid addiction treatment between outpatient care and inpatient supervision. PHP participants engage in daily multi-hour treatment sessions across multiple weekdays, integrating medication-assisted treatment, individual therapy, group counseling, and mental health disorder management. The program incorporates comprehensive support through case management, vocational guidance, and family therapy services. PHP treatment benefits individuals transitioning from inpatient/IOP programs, those experiencing relapse, or patients with escalating addiction symptoms.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP): Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) delivers structured opioid addiction care several days weekly for multiple daily hours. IOP serves individuals requiring intensive addiction treatment without 24-hour medical supervision. The treatment protocol integrates medication-assisted therapy, personalized counseling, group sessions, and dual diagnosis mental health support. IOP serves two primary patient groups: recovery transition patients completing residential programs and individuals balancing recovery with life obligations. The treatment schedule consists of 3-hour daily sessions across 3-5 days, totaling 9-15 weekly treatment hours. Treatment duration spans 8-12 weeks based on patient progress and recovery goals.
• Outpatient Opioid Addiction Treatment: Outpatient addiction services deliver opioid treatment while patients maintain regular daily activities. Treatment combines medication assistance, individual/group therapy sessions, and mental health disorder support. The program functions as a transition pathway for inpatient/IOP graduates returning to daily routines, plus individuals requiring moderate support levels.

What Are The Types of Opioids?

The types of opioids are divided into two main categories: prescription opioids and illicit opioids. Prescription opioids are medications that healthcare providers prescribe to manage severe pain. These include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl. In contrast, illicit opioids are illegal drugs sold on the street, such as heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl.

What Are Common Opioid Brand Names?

Some common brand names for prescription opioids include OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, and Demerol. Heroin is an example of an illicit opioid, and fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can be prescribed or sold illegally.

Opioid Abuse Statistics

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioid abuse has become a serious public health crisis in the United States. In 2019, an estimated 10.1 million people misused prescription opioids, and 1.6 million had opioid use disorder. Additionally, over 50,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses in 2019 alone.

Choose Olympic Behavioral Health for Opioid Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, Olympic Behavioral Health can provide the support and treatment you need to overcome your addiction and reclaim your life. Our addiction treatment programs are evidence-based and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. These programs include medication-assisted treatment, individual and group therapy, and support for co-occurring mental health disorders.

Located in South Florida, Olympic Behavioral Health is conveniently located for anyone that needs addiction treatment. Experienced addiction treatment professionals are dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to help overcome addiction and achieve lasting recovery.

At Olympic Behavioral Health, we understand that addiction is a chronic disease that requires ongoing support and care. We offer relapse prevention programs to help our clients after treatment. Recovery management services include ongoing therapy, support groups, and access to community resources.

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction and need rehab in Florida, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Olympic Behavioral Health today to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and how we can help you achieve lasting recovery.