Opioids are a category of drugs that help treat pain. When used accurately, they will provide pain relief for medical issues reminiscent of surgery, cancer treatment, and childbirth. But opioids are also highly addictive and infrequently abused. As the opioid epidemic affects communities across the country, it is important to remain informed so we will make a difference.
Below we’ll explain what opioids are and the right way to recognize them signs of addiction and the right way to prevent an overdose.
What are opioids?
Opioids define a category of drugs much like opium, a drug naturally present in poppy seeds. You might also hear them known as narcotics to tell apart them from over-the-counter painkillers. Some opioid medications are derived from the opium in poppy seeds, while others are synthetic versions of the substance.
When used accurately, as prescribed by your doctor, opioids can provide moderate to severe pain relief. But when abused or overused, opioids can worsen pain and grow to be addictive over time.
Medical uses of opioids
Prescription opioids reminiscent of OxyContin and Vicodin are often prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. But additionally they produce other medical uses, including anesthesia, suppression of diarrhea or cough, substitute therapy for opioid use disorders or withdrawal, and reversal of opioid overdose.
How long do opioids stay in your body?
The length of time an opioid might be detected in your system will depend on several aspects, including how often you utilize the drug and the type of opioid. Short-acting opiates like codeine can stay in your system for just a few days, but long-acting opioids like methadone can stay in your system for as much as per week.
It also will depend on what test is used to detect the presence of opioids. After the last use, opioids might be detected in saliva after 24-48 hours, in blood for a couple of day, in urine for up to a few days, and in hair for as much as 90 days.
Types of opioids
There are several types of opioids, including synthetic opioids, prescription painkillers, and illicit drugs.
Prescription opioids
Prescription opioids are often prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain and are secure for short-term use if prescribed by a physician. But they might be misused and are available with serious risks and unwanted effects reminiscent of addiction. Some of the commonest prescription opioids include:
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- oxycodone
synthetic opioids
Many prescription opioids are synthetic opioids. Synthetic opioids are created in the lab, but they aim the brain in the same areas as natural opioids. Fentanyl is the best-known synthetic opioid and is over and over stronger than other opioids. It’s used to treat severe pain in people in advanced stages of cancer. Other synthetic opioids include:
- Pethidine
- Levorphanol
- Methadone
- tramadol
- dextropropoxyphene
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, which are illegally manufactured and distributed as street drugs, are also on the rise in the United States and fueling the opioid epidemic.
Illegal opioids
Heroin, counterfeit prescription opioids, and other recreational drugs laced with fentanyl are illegal opioids. They are amongst the most dangerous drugs since you are not all the time sure what you are getting, which might result in overdose and death.
The opioid epidemic
The US is experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. Since 1999, a whole bunch of hundreds of people have died from opioid overdoses. But the problem has gotten much worse over the past few years, with opioid-related deaths increasing by nearly 30%. In Minnesota alone, opioid overdose deaths have increased by 35% since 2020.
Park Nicollet and HealthPartners are working to cut back opioid abuse by asking our clinicians to prescribe fewer painkillers, giving presentations on the topic to our peers in other health systems, and even influencing the state medical licensing board to vary its stance on opioids. We are proud to be at the forefront of helping our patients and communities find the safest and handiest pain relief.
Opioid addiction and addiction
Anyone who takes opioids could also be in danger of becoming addicted or hooked on opioids. Knowing how opioids work might help us higher understand opioid addiction.
Opioids are highly addictive because they activate powerful reward centers in the brain that trigger the release of endorphins. These endorphins can reduce pain and increase pleasure. When the dose of opioids wears off, many individuals need to regain that feeling as soon as possible, which is commonly the first sign of potential opioid addiction.
How does opioid addiction occur?
It’s not possible to predict who can be in danger for opioid dependence. Genetic, psychological and environmental aspects may play a task in addiction. Some known risk aspects for opioid dependence include:
- Young age
- Living in poverty
- Job loss or other stressful circumstances
- Severe depression, anxiety or other mental health problems
- History of drug, alcohol or tobacco abuse
- History of criminal activity or legal problems
- Contact with high-risk individuals or environments
- Risk taking or thrill looking for
The signs of opioid dependence can manifest themselves in alternative ways depending on the person. In case you or a loved one has experienced a minimum of two of the following symptoms in the last yr, it may very well be an indication of opioid addiction.
- More drugs are needed to get the desired effect
- Craving for opioids
- Inability to meet responsibilities at work, school or home
- Interpersonal problems with family, friends or co-workers as a consequence of opioid use
- Not participating in activities you used to enjoy because of your opioid use
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or taking opioids to avoid withdrawal
Opioid use disorder
You might hear an opioid use disorder known as opioid abuse, opioid dependence, or opioid dependence. Like other substance use disorders, opioid use disorder is a lifelong chronic condition. An individual living with an opioid use disorder may have different levels of treatment at different times.
For treatment to be effective, opioid use disorder often requires ongoing care, including:
- Individual treatment plans
- Access to drugs
- Behavioral interventions by trained professionals
- Long-term outpatient treatment and counseling
- Recovery services, peer groups and other support
Opioid withdrawal
When opioid users suddenly stop using, severe opioid withdrawal symptoms can occur, including pain, chills, cramps, diarrhea, dilated pupils, restlessness, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and really intense cravings. Because opioid withdrawal symptoms are so severe, it could be extremely difficult for users to give up smoking without support or medication-assisted treatment.
Opioid overdose
Opioid overdose might be recognized by pointed pupils, loss of consciousness, and difficulty respiratory. You are at greater risk of an opioid overdose if:
- They’ve an opioid use disorder
- Inject opioids
- Restart opioid use after an prolonged recovery period
- Use opioids with other drugs or alcohol
- You’ve got HIV, liver disease, lung disease or mental health problems
Opioid overdose prevention
Naloxone (Narcan or Evzio) is a potentially life-saving medication used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose. It will probably be given by injection or as a nasal spray and is used to dam the effects of opioids. It will probably also help an individual with an opioid overdose return to normal respiratory if it has slowed or stopped in consequence of the overdose.
Opioid addiction treatment
An excellent place to begin for getting help can also be seeing your GP. They’ll refer you to appropriate care, which can include getting help from an addiction medicine specialist, an addiction treatment program, or visiting one of the HealthPartners pain clinics in the Twin Cities subway. Treating chronic pain without opioids is greater than possible.
In case you need immediate assistance, call Crisis text line offers free 24/7 texting services with a compassionate advisor. Text HOME to 741741.
Or call the national helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4375) for twenty-four/7 confidential help and guidance.
You may as well discover a treatment facility near you via Administration of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.