Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant, some are synthetic.
When legally prescribed by a doctor and used as directed opioids, also known as narcotics, can relax the body and relieve symptoms of an illness, an injury or a surgical procedure.
A person using opioids over time can develop tolerance, physical dependence and opioid use disorder (OUD), with the risk of overdose and death.
The risk of respiratory depression (slowing) or respiratory arrest (when breathing stops completely) is higher in people who:
- Are taking an opioid drug for the first time
- Are taking other medications that interact with the opioid
- Have a disease or condition that affects their ability to breathe.
Prescription opioid drugs include:
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Fentanyl
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Methadone
- Tramadol
- Buprenorphine
Heroin, an illegal street drug, is also an opioid.
OUD is a public health crisis in the United States. From 1999 to 2020, more than 800,000 Americans died from drug overdoses.
Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder
OUD is characterized by symptoms such as the following.
Physical dependence: This is a physiological change that occurs when using a substance. When the person stops taking the drug, they experience withdrawal symptoms such as cravings and sweating.
It is important to understand that a person can be physically dependent on opioids without unhealthy use. For example, a patient with cancer who has chronic pain may be physically dependent on opioids but not addicted to them.
Increasingly heavy, frequent, unhealthy or risky use: The person continues to use an opioid even though it causes problems with health, safety, financial security or personal relationships. A person with an opioid use disorder is unable to control the use of opioids, and behaviors associated with getting and using opioids increasingly interfere with daily life.
Cravings: These are overwhelming physical and emotional urges to take the drug, despite an understanding of potential consequences to well-being.
Other signs of an opioid use disorder: Someone struggling with an opioid use disorder may not show signs right away. Over time, there may be some signals that the person needs help, such as:
- Drowsiness
- Changes in sleep habits
- Weight loss
- Frequent flu-like symptoms
- Decreased libido
- Lack of hygiene
- Changes in exercise habits
- Isolation from family members or friends
- Stealing from family members, friends or businesses
- New financial difficulties
Opioid overdose treatment with naloxone can be used in an emergency situation when a person has taken an overdose of opioid drugs and has stopped breathing or is in danger of stopping breathing. Naloxone flushes the narcotic out of the brain’s receptors and can reverse the overdose, but it does not address the underlying opioid use disorder as addiction treatment would.
Even when suffering from a substance use disorder, a person may deny that the problem is serious and resist efforts to help for a long time. When ready and willing to start a recovery process, it is important for the person to have access to resources and to start treatment as quickly as possible.
sources: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids, https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/index.html, https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids