Opiates & Opioids: Addiction and Other Health Effects

Please note: This article is only talking about opiate prescription medications. Although heroin is an opioid and is derived from the opium poppy, it will not be talked about in this article.
The reader should understand that the term ‘opiate’ refers to the natural derivatives of opium. Opioids are the semi-synthetic derivatives of opiates.

Health Risks Associated with Opiates

It is important for anyone to know the health effects of opiate medications. All types of these drugs, opiates or opioids, have side effects ranging from moderate to severe. If the use of these drugs is not carefully monitored, frequent users of opiate or opioid medications can develop a tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Side Effects

Opiates are used to alleviate pain or relieve severe coughs in the user. Many opiates or opioids act either instantaneously or within a short time. The user may experience little or no pain, and a sense of euphoria.

The user may experience negative side effects; such as, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, itching, drowsiness. In high doses opiates and opioids can cause depressed breathing. These side effects are usually manageable, sometimes with the help of other medications. Adverse reactions, although rare, include: confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, and respiratory depression.

Low Testosterone Levels in Men

It is common for men taking moderate to high doses of the drug to have abnormally low testosterone levels. Therefore, they can develop osteoporosis or have a decrease in muscle strength. To prevent or reverse this, a doctor may prescribe supplemental testosterone patches.

Opiates and Opioids Create Euphoria and Can Lead to Misuse

Opiate and opioid medications are commonly abused because of the euphoric feeling they give to the user. As a result the abuse and misuse of the drugs commonly causes a tolerance and an addiction. Abuse of these drugs can cause serious health effects and overdose can happen easily; this can be fatal.

Drug Interactions

If a user combines any opiate or opioid medication with other medications, serious side effects may occur. If these drugs are combined with alcohol or any CNS depressant, slowed breathing, unconsciousness, and coma can occur. These situations can be life threatening.

Thousands Overdose Each Year

Every year, thousands of people overdose on opiate or opioid medications. When a user takes too much of the drug, they may experience repressed or slowed breathing. Their breathing will continue to slow until it stops. If this is not immediately treated, the person will die.

Small Amounts cab be Lethal

Between 120- 250 milligrams of morphine can be lethal, other opiate and opioid medications are similar. Some opiate or opioid medications are given to users through time release tablets. If these tablets are crushed or broken, too much of the drug may be released into the body at once and an overdose can occur.

Confusion to Death

Some opiate medications that have codeine in them also contain acetaminophen or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Taking too much of the opiate medication with acetaminophen can cause fatal liver damage. Too much of an opiate medication with acetylsalicylic acid can cause serious confusion, convulsions, coma, and death from respiratory failure.

Tolerance and Dependency

If a user takes opiate or opioid medications for a long period of time, their body may develop a tolerance. If this happens, the user will need more of the medication to get the same original feelings and effects. If a tolerance develops and the user continues to take the drugs, they will develop a dependence to the medication. Dependence is characterized by very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if the use of the medication abruptly stops. At this point addiction to opiates or opioids is right around the corner.

Fine Line Between Dependence and Addiction

The reader should note that there is a fine line between dependence and addiction. A person with a dependence to opiate or opioid medication may have used the drug correctly and long term, but their body has adapted to the medication. They may have withdrawal symptoms, but they are still able to control any desire they may have for the drug. Addiction is a disease, it is compulsive, often uncontrollable, and the user will normally do anything to get to the drug.

Withdrawal

If a user has a dependency or addiction and abruptly stops taking the medication, they may go through withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, chills, shakiness, diarrhea, and vomiting. The severity and duration of withdrawal will depend on how much and how long the user was taking the medication.

Physical Withdrawal

The user may experience a physical withdrawal during their detox. Once their symptoms are under control, a long term treatment plan can be developed. This is usually done with the help of councilors at a rehab treatment center. Research has shown behavioral therapy, one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and support meetings are all excellent for those in treatment for opiate or opioid addiction. During these therapies, the user will be able to learn the necessary skills to overcome their addiction. The user will have the support of the staff and be in a peaceful environment so that they can get their head clear and beat this terrible disease.

Some Medications can Help Ease the Withdrawal

If a user has an addiction to opiate or opioid medications, treatment should be sought. Treatment can aid in the withdrawal symptoms by slowly reducing the daily amount of the drug. With serious addictions, the user may be given other medications to help ease the withdrawal. These medications are: Buprenorphine, Methadone, Naltrexone, and Naloxone. All can help to eliminate withdrawal symptoms and relieve cravings. They are also given to heroin addicts. Naloxone can also be used to treat and instantly reverse the effects of overdoses.

Treatment is Available

Any person who has an addiction to opiate or opioid medications, should seek appropriate treatment. Before going to an in house rehab, the user may go through a 24-48 hour detoxification. This is not treatment, but allows the users body to get rid of the toxins that accumulated during drug use. This should normally be done at a hospital or under the care of medical professionals.

If you or anyone you know has an addiction to opiate or opioid medications, then it is vital that you get proper treatment. Contact The Cabin Chiang Mai today to being your treatment, and start a new drug free life.