Opioids are narcotics that either derive from or mimic natural substances that occur in the opium poppy plant. This class of drugs works in the brain to trigger effects that include pain relief.
Data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) indicate that 8.7 million U.S. adults misused prescription opioid painkillers in 2021. All opioids can cause addiction (opioid use disorder), even when used as prescribed. In the same year, 1.1 million U.S. over-18s used heroin, with over 1 million developing an addiction to the illicit opioid.
What Drugs Are Considered Opioids?
What are common opioids, then? There are several forms of opioids, including:
- Prescription opioid painkillers like Vicodin (hydrocodone) and OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Heroin
- Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids
What type of drugs are opioids? This class of drugs can be categorized as follows:
- Opioid analgesics: Commonly known as prescription opioids, opioid analgesics are indicated to treat moderate and severe pain in some patients. Natural opioid analgesics include codeine and morphine. Semi-synthetic opioid analgesics include drugs like hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone.
- Semi-synthetic opioids: Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid that is illegal and highly addictive, abused for its euphoric effects.
- Methadone: Methadone is a synthetic opioid that may be prescribed for pain relief or for use in MAT (medication-assisted treatment) for OUD (opioid use disorder).
- Other synthetic opioid analgesics: This category of fully synthetic opioids includes drugs like fentanyl and tramadol.
So what are opioids used to treat?
What are Opioids Used For?
Opioids are mainly used for pain relief. This class of drugs works by attaching to proteins called mu-opioid receptors in the brain, gut, and spinal cord. When this occurs, opioids disrupt pain messages that travel from the body to the brain, blunting the perception of pain.
Although opioids can be highly effective in relieving pain, these Schedule II controlled substances have the potential for abuse and addiction, especially when used for the long-term management of chronic pain.
What are Opioids Generally Prescribed For?
Prescription opioids are legally prescribed to relax the body and relieve symptoms of illnesses, injuries, or surgical procedures like:
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Post-surgical pain
- Severe pain triggered by trauma or disease
- Cancer pain
- Chronic pain
- Acute pain associated with injuries – sprains or broken bones
- Palliative care for those with terminal illnesses
Maybe your internet search history is filled with entries like “What are the short term effects of opioids” and “What are long term effects of opioids”. If so, read on to discover how abusing this class of medications can be dangerous and potentially deadly.
What Are the Effects of Opioids?
Opioids can be highly addictive and can trigger a serious array of adverse effects, including overdose and respiratory depression. You should only use opioids under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
Side Effects
What are the side effects of opioids? Evidence suggests that up to 80% of those undertaking opioid therapy experience unpleasant side effects. The most common of these adverse outcomes are as follows:
- Drowsiness and sedation: During the first phase of opioid treatment or when the dosage of opioids is increased, this often causes sleepiness and drowsiness. If you find you are also experiencing disordered thoughts or confusion, consult your physician immediately. When this occurs, the dosage can be tweaked, another medication introduced, or opioids discontinued completely.
- Constipation: Taking opioids can often cause constipation. If this occurs, increase exercise levels, dietary fiber, and fluid intake. You could also use laxatives or stool softeners.
- Nausea: Nausea frequently presents during the first few days of opioid use. This is sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Anti-nausea medications can help to mitigate these opioid side effects.
- Slowed breathing: High doses of opioids can cause breathing to slow down. This issue usually resolves when you are accustomed to opioids in your system.
Short Term Effects
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), taking opioids triggers these immediate and short-term effects:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Lethargy
- Sedation
- Respiratory depression
These side effects mean it is inadvisable and potentially hazardous to operate machinery or drive a vehicle when using opioids.
Although the short-term effects can be dangerous in certain situations, it is the long-term effects of opioid abuse that cause the most harm.
Long Term Effects
What are the long term effects of opioids?
Among the most serious adverse outcomes is opioid use disorder, the clinical descriptor for opioid addiction. In many cases, opioid use disorder involves both physical dependence and a fierce psychological aspect. This occurs due to the effect of opioids on the brain.
The long-term use of opioids can also lead to the following issues:
- Legal problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Financial stress
- Relationship problems and divorce
- Increased risk of suicide
- Impaired personal and professional performance
- Reduced life expectancy
The sustained use of opioids causes tolerance to form. As a result, you will need more opioids to get the same rewarding effects. Alternatively, you will need to use opioids more frequently. Taking opioids in higher dosages is known to cause many negative outcomes, including:
- Heightened risk of major depressive disorder
- More chance of kidney or liver disease
- Compromised immune system
- Hepatitis
- Increased risk of HIV and AIDS
- Cardiovascular problems
If you take high doses of opioids, this will suppress your central nervous system so much that breathing slows dramatically, sometimes stopping completely. If this occurs – the condition is known as hypoxia, you could experience brain damage or a life-threatening coma.
Beyond this, opioids can also cause problems in your digestive system, from nausea and vomiting to constipation and swelling in the abdomen. Bloating and discomfort can also accompany long-term opioid use.
Using opioids can affect the liver. This is especially damaging if you combine opioids with acetaminophen.
Get Treatment for Opioid Addiction and Withdrawal at California Detox
If you need treatment for opioid use disorder, we offer a variety of opioid addiction treatment programs here at California Detox in Laguna Beach, CA.
Before you engage in therapy to address the psychological aspect of opioid addiction, you must first detox. Most people addicted to opioids, whether prescription painkillers or heroin, benefit from detoxification at a licensed medical detox center. Here at our beachside facility in California, you can take advantage of medications to streamline opioid withdrawal and minimize cravings.
Clinical and emotional care on hand 24/7 will minimize your chance of relapse. Opioid detox usually lasts for seven to ten days. After this, you will be ready to choose from one of the following programs for opioid use disorder:
- Inpatient program (residential rehab)
- PHP (partial hospitalization program)
- IOP (intensive outpatient program)
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
Unlike some substance use disorders – stimulant use disorder, for instance – OUD responds favorably to MAT (medication-assisted treatment). Here at California Detox, your treatment team can prescribe FDA-approved medications to encourage abstinence and minimize opioid cravings. MAT is always most effective when it’s delivered together with psychotherapy like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and counseling, in both individual and group formats.
To start moving toward a life free from the effects of opioids, reach out to California Detox today by calling 949.694.8305.
