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Opioid Addiction: A Thorough Guide
Opioid Addiction: in Numbers
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Opioid Addiction in Numbers
In the United States, opioid overdose claims the lives of nearly 130 individuals each day. The Center for Disease Control designated opioid overdoses as an epidemic in 2011. Despite recent efforts by local and federal government bodies, opioid addiction continues to persist as a major concern.
Sun Coast Opioid Treatment Programs
At Sun Coast Recovery Ranch, individuals struggling with opioid addiction receive comprehensive assistance. This encompasses detoxification, rehabilitation, therapy, and aftercare services, which are customized to address the physical, psychological, and social facets of dependence. The ultimate goal is to facilitate enduring sobriety and promote better overall health.
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Understanding Opioids
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Prescription opioids are typically recommended for the management of moderate to severe chronic pain as their chemical composition induces relaxation and calmness in the body. Nonetheless, these effects are also the catalyst for opioid abuse and eventual addiction, even when consumed as directed by a physician.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a group of substances derived from the opium poppy plant. While some opioids are directly extracted from the plant, others are synthetically produced in laboratories, but with the same chemical structure. This drug category encompasses both illegal substances like heroin, and prescription medications such as oxycodone.
Types of Opioids
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Two Varieties of Opioids
The opioid drug category includes an extensive array of substances, with some being legally prescribed by healthcare providers, while others are obtained illicitly.
Illegal Opioids:
Illegal opioids are frequently mixed or adulterated with other drugs, leading to a combination of substances. Nonetheless, examples of illegal opioids include Heroin and Opium.
Prescribed Opioids:
Opioids are frequently acquired through medical prescriptions, and even when used as directed, can result in dependence and modify brain chemistry. The prescribed opioids may include Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, and others.
What is the Appearance of Opioids?
Prescription opioids are available in multiple formulations, such as tablets, capsules, syrups, and injectable liquids. Opium is generally distributed as a brownish, fine powder, and is either ingested or smoked. Heroin, in its purest form, appears as a white, fine powder, but it is commonly diluted or mixed with other substances, which alters its color to brown or black.
The Mechanism of Opioids
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Painkillers: The Science Behind Them
Opioids trigger a cascade of reactions by activating opioid receptors present on nerve cells. This activation results in pain relief and heightened sensations of pleasure due to the brain’s inability to perceive pain.
Natural Ways to Alleviate Pain
Normally, these receptors get stimulated by endorphins and various other chemicals generated within the human body. That’s why endorphin-producing activities such as exercising can mitigate pain and create a sense of mild euphoria.
The Function of Opioid Receptors
Opioid receptors are minuscule sites located at the end of nerve cells that remain inactive until they receive signals from certain chemicals. In the event of pain, electric pulses are generated to convey the pain message to the brain. Once activated, opioid receptors obstruct the transmission of such signals, consequently providing relief from pain.
Reasons for Opioid Misuse
Opioids are frequently prescribed for pain management because of their interaction with the body. They fill the receptors, thereby blocking the sensation of pain and inducing pleasure. These alterations are what increase the likelihood of opioid misuse among users.
Exploring Opioid Addiction from Within
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Three Aspects of Opioid Dependency
One of the primary symptoms of opioid addiction is the development of tolerance towards the substance being consumed. As time progresses, the chemistry of the brain gets permanently modified due to opioid usage. This leads to a decreased impact of the drug on the body, thereby necessitating larger doses to achieve the same level of euphoria.
Tolerance
Negative life events, traumatic experiences, and early exposure to alcohol are environmental factors that can impact an individual’s likelihood of alcohol abuse. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) assessment is a tool used to evaluate childhood experiences that may elevate the risk of alcohol misuse later in life.
Withdrawal
Mental health issues, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are prevalent risk factors for alcohol addiction. Often, individuals turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to cope with these conditions. When substance abuse and mental health disorders coexist, it is known as a dual diagnosis, necessitating specialized treatment programs to address both issues effectively.
Dependence
Effects of Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction is a persistent condition that can lead to significant health, social, and financial consequences. Individuals with opioid addiction often prioritize drug-seeking and consumption over other aspects of their lives.
Factors that Increase the Risk of Opioid Misuse
Individuals with a family history of substance abuse are at a greater risk of misusing opioids. This may suggest a biological variation that makes them more vulnerable, or it may imply that they have endured childhood trauma and turn to opioids as a form of self-medication.
Family History
As with several other substance abuse issues, the coexistence of a mental health condition can significantly influence the chances of developing addiction. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or OCD can raise the possibility of addiction more than anxiety or depression. Those with a mental health diagnosis necessitate a unique form of therapy known as a Dual Diagnosis Program.
Mental Health
Women are at a greater risk of opioid addiction due to their biological composition, which may make them more susceptible to dependence on opioids than men. Furthermore, women are more prone to chronic pain, and when prescribed opioids, physicians are more likely to issue women higher dosages and longer prescriptions than men.
Biological Gender
Young adults with multiple risk factors are more susceptible to opioid addiction. As people enter early adulthood, they often have access to pills through friends or family. When combined with increased risk-taking behavior, individuals between the ages of 18-25 are particularly vulnerable to opioid addiction.
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The Opioid Epidemic
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The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic
The Opioid Epidemic has significantly impacted millions of Americans, and was declared a public health crisis at the federal level in 2017. Over the course of two decades, from 1997 to 2017, this crisis led to the loss of nearly 400,000 American lives, which is higher than the combined casualties of the Revolutionary, Korean, Vietnam, and Iraq Wars. The adoption of innovative treatments to manage opioid addiction can help to decrease opioid overdose fatalities, and one day, bring an end to this epidemic. Please contact our addiction experts today to discover a treatment plan that is best suited for you.
Opioid Addiction Diagnosis
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In order to diagnose opioid addiction, clients undergo a comprehensive evaluation that may involve urine analysis or the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Opioid use disorder is characterized by the occurrence of two or more symptoms during the past 12 months. If a client displays six or more symptoms, the condition is deemed severe.
Criteria for Diagnosing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
The diagnostic criteria for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) includes:
- Persistent use despite deteriorating physical or psychological health
- Use leading to negative social consequences
- Reduced engagement in social or recreational activities
- Impairment in fulfilling personal obligations at work
- Spending excessive time taking opioids or recuperating from their effects
- Taking more opioids than intended
- Inability to reduce or stop opioid consumption
- Development of tolerance
- Using opioids even in hazardous conditions
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Statistics on Opioid Addiction
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Statistics on Opioid Use and Overdose in the U.S.
- Every day, 128 individuals in the United States die as a result of opioid overdose.
- Around 21% to 29% of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain end up misusing them.
- An estimated 8% to 12% of these individuals develop an opioid use disorder.
- Roughly 80% of people who begin using heroin initially misuse opioids.
