Many people are rightfully nervous about the medical use of opiates because they have heard how addictive these drugs can be. People have recognized the euphoric effects of the opium poppy for nearly 10 millennia. Over the years, new forms of opiates, such as morphine and heroin, have been developed from the original plant. Additionally, synthetic compounds known as opioids have been created in laboratories, expanding the range of these powerful substances. Opioids have the same chemical properties and effects as opiates.
What are the main reasons for opiate use? As painkillers, opiates and opioids genuinely help many people experiencing acute pain, but long-term pain management with opiates is not recommended outside palliative care for those at the end of life. Prolonged use of opiates and opioids can rapidly result in tolerance, paving the way for dependence, addiction, or both. Do you know or care for someone who is at risk? There is compassionate professional opiate addiction help in Arden, NC, at Insight Recovery Center.
What are opiates prescribed for?
Opioids and opiates often make headlines for their dangers, yet they remain widely prescribed medications. This can be perplexing for many, leading to a common question: What are opioid and opiate medications used for? The simple answer is pain management.
Pain management is critically important for several reasons. Proper relief for those experiencing chronic or acute pain can:
- Improve quality of life
- Make it easier to function physically
- Relieve the mental health challenges of living with pain
- Enhance healing from wounds or surgeries
Opiates are also used in palliative care when someone is dealing with pain at the end of life. The main reasons for opiate abuse are more complex, with factors that include genetics, chance, physical make-up, and underlying stressors.
What are three commonly used opiates?
Some opiates are prescribed more extensively by physicians than others. Most medical professionals make their decisions based on specific need and pain level balanced against the projected duration of use, to effectively manage pain symptoms while mitigating the risk of tolerance, dependence, and abuse.
Three commonly used opiates are:
- Oxycodone, an opioid, can be a single ingredient medicine like OxyContin or combined with acetaminophen in a pharmaceutical such as Percocet
- Morphine, an opiate, is often used in the emergency department to quickly dull extreme pain, as well as administered via patch at the end of life
- Codeine, an opiate, is less potent than Oxy or morphine and is often used in prescription cough medicines
In a hospital setting, physicians will use fentanyl to handle the most severe pain. This opioid is 100 times more potent than morphine. Due to its availability on the street, fentanyl is currently responsible for global concerns about a second wave in the opioid epidemic.
How prolonged use of opiates can lead to dependence and addiction
Prolonged use of opiates, even for a short time, leads to the development of tolerance in the body. This means the same dose that once effectively managed pain becomes less effective over time. Higher doses are required to achieve the same effects as the body adapts to the drug. This phenomenon occurs with both medical and recreational use, highlighting the risks associated with continued opiate consumption. Whether it is pain management or euphoria someone is seeking, more of the opiate is needed to achieve the desired effects.
Tolerance is always the first step to dependence and addiction, but it is not guaranteed to lead to these outcomes. In many cases, by the time a patient and doctor confirm tolerance, the need for pain management has already diminished, allowing the medication to be discontinued without any negative effects. However, this does not apply to dependence or addiction.
Dependence and addiction often occur together, but they can also exist independently. Dependence is primarily physical, where the body experiences medical withdrawal symptoms when the drug is withheld, though the psychological and behavioral signs of addiction may not be present. In contrast, addiction involves changes in the brain and is characterized by compulsive behaviors, cravings, and psychological dependence. As a chronic health condition, addiction requires appropriate treatment.
Once dependence or addiction sets in, withdrawal is inevitable to stop using the medication. Many people suffering from these conditions seek illegal sources for the drug, or a similar drug, to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal and to alleviate cravings. When someone runs out of oxycodone refills, they may turn to the street to purchase it or switch to alternatives like heroin or fentanyl—whichever is more accessible and affordable. This can set off a difficult-to-break cycle of addiction, with devastating consequences.
Get opiate addiction help near Asheville, NC, at Insight Recovery Center today
If you are concerned about a loved one or someone in your care, and believe they are dependent or addicted to opioids, or both, it’s time to seek professional addiction treatment at Insight Recovery Center near Asheville, NC.
Our evidence-based treatments are proven to be effective for those with an opioid use disorder. Experiential therapies, mindfulness practices, and peer support at Insight Recovery Center also play integral roles in recovery. Call 828.826.1376 today or use our online form to connect with one of our staff.