What Is Opioid Use Disorder?

Understanding opioid use disorder, its mechanisms, and available treatment options is essential for addressing the ongoing public health challenge with these drugs. Comprehensive efforts involving education, prevention, and access to effective treatment are vital in mitigating the impact of the opioid crisis on individuals and communities.

This disorder is not just a personal struggle but a societal issue that affects families, workplaces, and healthcare systems. The rise in misuse has led to increased overdose deaths, economic strain, and significant challenges for law enforcement and public health organizations.

Addressing this epidemic requires a holistic approach that includes reducing stigma, supporting research, and expanding resources for those affected. By fostering awareness and providing timely intervention, we can create a path toward recovery and a healthier future for all.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids make up a class of drugs including natural or synthetic chemicals that act as analgesics (painkillers). Most can be classified into three categories:

• Illegal drugs like heroin
• Synthetic opiates like fentanyl
• Prescription painkillers like oxycodone, morphine, and codeine

The Numbers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides detailed and up-to-date statistics on drug overdose deaths in the United States. According to their provisional data, there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2023. For the most current and detailed information, you can refer to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports on drug overdose deaths.

In response to the crisis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognized the opioid outbreak as a public health emergency in 2017. This declaration underscored the critical need for increased awareness, understanding, and treatment of opioid use disorder.

How Do They Work?

Most opioid drugs are chemically similar, and all interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain.

By attaching to the opioid receptors in your body, they block pain signals being sent to your brain through the spinal cord. Since no pain signals reach your brain, you have no way of processing these signals and feeling the pain your body is experiencing. This mechanism mimics the effects of natural pain-relieving chemicals produced by your body.

However, taken in large doses, they can also cause temporary feelings of euphoria and relaxation, making them high-risk drugs for abuse.

What Is Opioid Use Disorder?

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is classified as the chronic use of opioids that causes clinically significant impairment or distress. OUD is often used interchangeably with opioid addiction and could have devastating effects on your physical and mental health.

Once you become addicted, you are incapable of controlling or stopping your use of the drugs on your own. You may also use them compulsively and with no regard to your well-being.

This condition not only affects the individual but can also disrupt relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Left untreated, opioid use disorder can lead to severe consequences such as financial problems, legal issues, or fatal overdose. Treatment is essential and often involves a combination of medical intervention, behavioral therapy, and support systems to help individuals regain control over their lives.

What Are the Different Types of Opioids?

Although most opioids provide similar effects, they can differ greatly in strength and their potential dangers.

Prescription Pain Medications

Prescription opioids are widely used to manage chronic pain or alleviate discomfort following surgery or medical procedures. They are also commonly prescribed for acute pain caused by injuries, during cancer treatment, for palliative care, or as part of end-of-life care.

Some of the most common prescription painkillers include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, codeine, tramadol, methadone, and fentanyl. Although prescribed by doctors, opioid medications like tramadol, methadone, and fentanyl are classified as synthetic opioids.

Synthetic Opioids

Natural opioids like morphine are typically derived from the opium poppy plant. Synthetic ones, on the other hand, are manufactured in labs. Both natural and synthetic opioids share similar chemical structures.

The most well-known synthetic opioid is fentanyl. It is 100 times stronger than morphine and even 50 times stronger than heroin. As a prescription drug, fentanyl is only used to treat severe pain and is extremely dangerous if misused, due to its ability to cause an overdose.

Other synthetic opioids like tramadol and methadone aren’t as potent as fentanyl but still have a significant potential for abuse.

Illegal Opioids

Heroin is the most commonly used illegal opioid. It is often smoked or injected and is an incredibly addictive drug. Many people addicted to prescription opioids eventually start using heroin as a cheaper, more easily accessible alternative, although its dangers are often overlooked.

How Are They Used?

Opioid narcotics can be swallowed, smoked, injected, or snorted. Some can also be absorbed through your skin, and can come in a range of forms, including:

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Powders
• Oral sprays
• Injections
• Lollipops
• Skin patches

How Do You Become Addicted to Opioids?

Most opioid addictions start with the use of prescription opioids to treat chronic or acute pain. No matter the type of opioid used, taking narcotics for an extensive period, even when prescribed to do so, can cause the development of tolerance.

Tolerance means you start needing more and more of the drug to feel the same effect. This is especially common if people misuse the drug for its euphoric effect and stop following their doctor’s prescription.

As you gradually increase your dose to maintain the drug’s effects, you may become dependent on these effects to get through your everyday life. This is known as physical or psychological dependence.

Once you have developed both tolerance and dependence, it can be challenging to reduce, control, or stop using the drug without experiencing opioid withdrawal.

Compulsively and continuously using opioids despite their negative effects on your health and well-being is one of the criteria used to diagnose an opioid use disorder and is a good indicator of addiction.

Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder

There is a range of symptoms you may experience if you have an opioid use disorder, including:

• Not being able to control your opioid use
• Intense cravings
• Constant drowsiness or fatigue
• Either difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Unexplained weight loss
• Recurring flu-like symptoms
• Poor hygiene
• Isolation from your loved ones
• Stealing or lying
• Experiencing financial difficulties
• Withdrawal symptoms whenever you try to stop or reduce your use

Common Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Opioid withdrawal can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience, often accompanied by a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Some common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Body aches and pains
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Elevated heart rate

How Is Opioid Use Disorder Diagnosed?

If you or a loved one is exhibiting a problematic pattern of opioid use and are worried it might be due to an undiagnosed opioid use disorder, the best way to get a definitive answer is to seek professional help and advice.

Opioid use disorders are diagnosed according to criteria set out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as the DSM-5.

The diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder include several symptoms and signs that can indicate a problem. These include taking opioids in larger doses or for longer periods than prescribed or intended, as well as unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control opioid use.

Individuals may spend a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of opioids. They may experience cravings or strong desires to use them.

Opioid use can lead to a failure to fulfill school, work, or family obligations and may persist despite causing social and interpersonal problems. People may also miss important social, familial, or occupational activities because they prioritize opioid use. Continuing to use opioids despite physical dangers or knowing it will harm mental and physical health is another critical sign.

Additionally, developing tolerance to opioids and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using them are hallmark features of opioid dependence. These criteria collectively highlight the severity and multifaceted nature of OUD.

The Dangers of Opioid Use Disorder

One of the greatest dangers of opioid abuse is an overdose. It is the leading cause of drug-related deaths and can occur quickly and unexpectedly. Opioid overdoses typically occur as a result of a couple of different reasons. Relapse and lacing are two significant dangers associated with opioid use.

Attempting to quit opioids without professional help can often lead to relapse after a few days or weeks. During this time, the body loses its tolerance to the high doses previously used. If an individual resumes using the same amount as before, the risk of overdose dramatically increases, as the body can no longer handle such quantities.

Another major risk is lacing, especially with heroin purchased on the street. This drug is frequently mixed with substances like fentanyl, which is far more potent and dangerous. Taking laced narcotics unknowingly can result in a fatal overdose, making street drugs particularly hazardous.

Preventing Opioid Use Disorder

Preventing opioid use disorder begins with minimizing the misuse of them, which can significantly reduce the spread of this serious condition. Effective prevention strategies include implementing prescription drug monitoring programs to track and manage prescriptions.

Ensuring that doctors prescribe and administer opioids correctly is crucial, as is educating patients about the risks of misuse and the importance of seeking help before an addiction takes hold.

Additionally, patients must be informed about the dangers of sharing medication and the importance of safe storage. Raising public awareness about the risks of abuse and overdose is also essential in curbing the prevalence of opioid use disorder.

How Is Opioid Use Disorder Treated?

Opioid use disorder is best treated by professionals in a rehab or recovery center. Due to the nature of opioid addiction and the high risk of overdosing, participating in medical detox is your best option, followed by entering either a residential or outpatient treatment program.

Long-term treatment programs for opioid abuse and substance use disorder should include the following to be most effective:

• Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy and one-on-one meetings with an experienced therapist can help you identify and address the underlying causes of addiction and what factors may be contributing to your use.
• Medication-assisted treatment: Using methadone or naloxone to manage withdrawal and prevent an overdose is often a vital part of recovering from opioid addiction.

• Counseling: Group counseling and support can play an essential role in your recovery. Discussing your experiences with like-minded individuals who are also undergoing addiction treatment could help you stay motivated to maintain your sobriety.

Opioid Treatment From Yellowstone Recovery

If a loved one or you have an opioid use disorder and needs help, get in touch with our team today at (844) 218-2146, or visit our dedicated opioid abuse page for more information and assistance in seeking treatment.