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What is Opioid Addiction?

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There is a lot of talk nowadays around opioids. This is due to a spike in drug abuse as a result of opioid addiction, mostly to opioid painkillers. While the opioid epidemic rages across the country, many people are seeking to learn more about opioids in order to protect themselves. But what are opioids? And what is opioid addiction?

Opioids are a type of drug commonly used for pain relief.1, 2 This class of drugs can be derived from poppy plants or made synthetically.2 Some types of opioids are legal and can be obtained with a doctor’s prescription, while others are illegal in the United States.1, 2 The chemical compositions of prescription opioids and heroin are very close and they work in similar ways.3, 4

Opioid addiction is a disease that is marked by a compulsion to use opioids and the inability to stop using even after it’s created negative consequences.2, 4 It is a chronic disease that leads to severe impairment in one or more areas of a person’s life.2, 5 In those who are addicted to opioids, continued use creates changes in how the brain works, making it difficult to stop using.4

In 2018, about 2 million Americans aged 12 or older met the criteria for opioid use disorder.5, 6 Around 3 million Americans are dependent on opioids and fit the criteria for opioid addiction.5  opioid painkillers remain the most common opioid abuse, while over 800,000 people abused the similar narcotic heroin.6

Is Opioid Addiction a Disease?

Is opioid addiction a disease? The medical consensus is “yes,” addiction to opioids is a disease, and can be addressed with medical treatment. To be diagnosed with an opioid use disorder, a person must exhibit “a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress,” as well as a variety of symptoms that manifest physically, psychologically, and behaviorally.7 Addiction also involves an overwhelming urge to use opioids.4, 5 These cravings can be so consuming that it may be difficult to think of anything other than opioids.7 Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease that affects areas of the brain that control the reward system, behaviors, impulse control, anxiety, and emotions.2, 5, 7

Opioids are commonly prescribed to treat pain associated with severe injuries, surgery, cancer, or chronic pain.2, 4, 8 When taken for a short time, they are less likely to lead to addiction than if taken over a long period.8 Misusing opioids by taking them more often than prescribed, for longer than prescribed, using them when they haven’t been prescribed, or taking them in a different manner than intended can make you more likely to develop an addiction.2, 3. 4 Additionally, long term opioid use can have negative impacts upon your mental health as well.

Common Prescription Opioids & Clinical Purpose

It is estimated that 12-25% of people who are prescribed opioid medications misuse them.9

Prescription opioids include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), codeine, morphine, and fentanyl.5, 10 All opioids are prescribed as pain relievers though they vary in potency and the frequency of their prescription. For instance, fentanyl is a synthetic medication that is much stronger than heroin and is only prescribed for post-surgical and severe pain that can’t be controlled by other types of prescription opioids.4, 10 Opioid medications work by blocking pain signals between the body and the brain.4

Opioids are frequently prescribed to treat chronic pain, sometimes with addiction as a consequence.People who suffer from chronic pain and using opioid to treat it may be tempted to misuse opioids for relief. When opioids are prescribed in high doses, the person taking them may be more likely to misuse them, have difficulty controlling their use, develop an addiction, and may find them to be less effective at controlling pain.9 This is sadly how many an opioid addiction begins; a treatment for chronic pain gone awry. Indeed, up to half of all people who take opioid medications over a long period fit the criteria for a diagnosis of opioid use disorder.5

This link between chronic pain and long-term opioid pain medication can exacerbate the dangers of prescription opioid misuse. While they may not be obvious at first, the dangers of prescription opioid misuse will worsen over time. Physical dependence is often the first sign of prescription opioid misuse. Suffering withdrawal symptoms from stopping the medication can be another early sign of opioid addiction.

Side Effects of Opioid Use

The immediate opioid side effects can be readily apparent and may appear rapidly after consumption of the drug. Drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and other drugs such as heroin can induce these immediate opioid side effects:

  • Sedation.
  • Dizziness.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Impaired judgment.
  • Reduced motor skills.

Opioids taken long-term can have side effects as well. These include:4, 7

  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Increased risk of heart attack.
  • Depression.
  • Abdominal Pain.
  • Hormonal issues.

Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction

In order to be diagnosed with opioid addiction, a person must show at least two of the signs and symptoms of opioid addiction.7 The signs of opioid use disorder include both physical and behavioral symptoms. Physical symptoms can be seen in one’s physical health, while behavioral symptoms appear as changes or additions to one’s behavior or outlook.

Addiction can’t be diagnosed just by looking at a person; however, there are some red flags that a person may be using opioids. These physical symptoms of opioid addiction include:2, 4 , 5 , 7

  • Drowsiness.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Slurred Speech.
  • Poor Coordination.
  • Reduced motor skills.

The behavioral symptoms of opioid addiction may be more difficult to spot, or can be better hidden. The behavioral symptoms of opioid addiction include:4, 5, 7, 11

  • Excessive lying about opioid use.
  • Using larger quantities of opioid than prescribed.
  • Obtaining opioids illegally.
  • Legal troubles.
  • Forgoing responsibilities to use opioids.
  • New financial troubles.
  • Strained or broken relationships, usually due to opioid use.
  • Quitting previously loved hobbies.

Are You Struggling with Opioid Addiction?

If you aren’t sure if you, a loved one, or a family member has an opioid addiction, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you recognize one or more of these symptoms?
  • Are you looking for help but don’t know where to start?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may want to think about finding addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one. American Addiction Centers is a leading provider of opioid addiction treatment and operates facilities nationwide. We operate a 24/7 helpline for any questions you might have about treatment. We can be reached at .

American Addiction Centers (AAC) a leading provider of drug and alcohol addiction and dual diagnosis treatment nationwide. AAC is in network with many of the top insurance providers in the U.S. Use the form below to find out instantly if your insurance benefits cover some or all of the cost of treatment.