Education and Resources

Opioids 101

Opioids come from opium, a dried sap of the opium poppy, typically grown in Asia, North Africa, South America and the Middle East.

Commonly prescribed by medical professionals to relieve pain after surgery or to help patients with severe acute or chronic pain, opioids can be safe when taken as prescribed.

Opioids are highly addictive because they activate endorphins. Endorphins are the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain. With regular use, the brain develops a tolerance, which causes a need for increasingly more opioids to produce that “good” feeling.

Types of Opioids

Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet)
Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet)
Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
Morphine (Kadian, Avinza, MS Contin)
Codeine
Fentanyl (Duragesic)
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Meperidine (Dermerol)
Methodone

Street names: Hillbilly heroin, OC, oxy, percs, happy pills or vikes

Signs and Symptoms

A serious danger of opioid use is a reduction in heartbeat and breathing, reduced blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting, which could lead to death. There is also an increased risk of overdose.

Fatigue and repeated health complaints
Sudden mood changes, including irritability, negative attitude, personality changes, and general lack of interest in hobbies and activities
Secretiveness and withdrawing from family
Declining performance at home, work or school
Rapid weight loss or deterioration in personal appearance or hygiene
Pin-sized pupils, red or glazed eyes, or dark circles under eyes
Drug paraphernalia (lighters, syringes, cotton balls, burnt spoons or bottle caps)
Damaged relationships and joining a negative peer group
Deterioration in hygiene and personal appearance
Theft

Types of Treatments

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation recommends using a multifaceted approach to treat substance use disorder. It’s important to work with a team of certified counselors, licensed psychologists and psychiatrists, medical personnel, and wellness, recreational and spiritual specialists, as well as the patient’s family, to create an individualized assessment and treatment plan. Examples of multidisciplinary approaches are a dedication-assisted treatment with a Twelve-Step program and making a long-term recovery plan.

There are four critical components to recovering from opioid addiction.

Critical components for recovery

An intervention should be led only by a qualified professional, specifically an addiction expert.

It’s important to note that those with an addiction may be experiencing co-occurring disorders, or a dual diagnosis, which refers to having a simultaneous mental health disorder and substance use disorder. It is common for people with addictions to suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.

When a person stops taking opioids, they can experience very unpleasant, flu-like withdrawal symptoms. This perpetuates the desire to keep taking them.

Detox should only be led by a qualified professional, specifically addiction experts.

Medication-Assisted Treatment and Maintenance Therapy

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation recommends medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as an effective way to deal with opioid addiction.

Naltrexone is an opioid receptor blocker injected once a month to prevent opioids from producing a high. It is non-addictive and does not have a street value for sale.

Suboxone, a mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone, helps reduce cravings and relapse. It’s taken daily and is mainly used to treat withdrawal symptoms.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid typically taken as a pill or liquid, and it blocks other opioids from acting on the opioid receptors in the brain. It prevents the difficult withdrawal symptoms that come with ending the opioid use. Typically, patients visit a clinic or treatment center for a daily dose of methadone, where medication is calibrated for the person’s individual needs. Methadone does have a street value, so it is heavily regulated.

Residential and Outpatient Therapy

Medical and mental health professionals can help someone go through the detox process prior to entering a treatment program. Residential treatment programs can last from days to weeks, depending on the person’s needs. Outpatient programs may offer the same features of a residential treatment, but occur for only a few hours a day or a few days a week.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created an online treatment facility locator of more than 11,000 U.S. treatment programs for alcohol, drug abuse or mental health problems.