Understanding Opioids

Learn about opioid and substance abuse

Opioids are a group of natural, partially synthetic, or synthetic drugs derived from the poppy plant or chemically synthesized in laboratory settings. This class of drugs includes both legal and illegal drugs. Legally prescribed opioids include morphine, codeine, and oxycodone. Illegal opioids include heroin.

Opioids are used to help individuals cope with pain. They bind to natural opioid receptors in the brain, mimicking specific chemicals that are related to sensations of pain relief, pleasure, and reward. When used as prescribed, legal opioids are one of the most effective forms of pain relief, especially when the pain is severe or other attempts to relieve the pain have proven unsuccessful. However, since opioids have both pain relieving properties and positive psychological properties, they are among the most abused types of substances currently available.

When opioids are abused or when illegal opioids, which have a significantly higher potency, are taken usually, the route of administration is altered. Often pills are ground and the powdered form is snorted, smoked, or mixed with water and injected. These methods of using the substance increase the speed of absorption, leading to a “rush,” a fast acting strong effect of positive sensations. Even when taken as prescribed however, the potential for abuse and addiction is high and treatment may be required. Repeated use can lead to physical dependence within 4-6 weeks, however psychological addiction can result in as little as two days.

Statistics

Opioid addiction statistics

In adults age 18 and over in the U.S. the prevalence rate of opioid use disorder has been estimated at .37 %. As there are many opioid users that are incarcerated at any given point, this rate is likely an underestimate.

While gender differences have been cited showing prevalence rates twice as high in men than in women (.49 percent compared to .26% respectively), these rates differ based on the type of drug. For legally prescribed narcotics, prevalence rates in men are only one and a half times the rates in women, while men abuse heroin 3 times as much as women. The lowest prevalence rates are found in those over the age of 64 (.09%), while the highest rates occur in those under the age of 30 (.29 %).

Co-Occurring Disorders

Opioid addiction and co-occurring disorders

There are a number of disorders that co-occur with opioids addiction. The most commonly co-occurring disorder with any substance abuse disorder is another substance abuse disorder. Disorders that are co-morbid to opioid addiction include:

Tobacco use
Alcohol abuse
Cannabis abuse
Stimulant abuse
Benzodiazepine abuse
Depression
Dysthymia
Anxiety
Insomnia
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
History of conduct disorder in childhood or adolescence

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors of opioid addiction

There is no direct evidence supporting an individual cause to explain any specific substance abuse disorder. However, research has supported links between certain factors and the subsequent development of substance related problems.

Genetic Factors– Family studies have shown that when an individual has a first degree relative with an opioid addiction they are more likely to develop the disorder than those who don’t have a similar family history.

Indirect Genetic Influences – It appears that some potential causes may function through genetic influences. For example, temperamental qualities, such as novelty seeking and impulsivity, believed to be inborn, have been linked to an increased risk for opioid addiction. Additionally, our nature influences what types of people we choose to be around. Thus, while peers can influence our choices as far as beginning and continuing to use a substance, we decide which peer groups to which we want to belong. Factors such as these are thought to result from an interaction between heredity and environment.

Coping Factors – For individuals who have difficulty tolerating negative mood states, due to the failure to learn effective coping mechanisms in childhood and adolescence, when distressed the search for relief may lead to substance use of opioids in particular, due to the pleasant effects that can counteract their negative mood. The resulting surge of euphoria can lead quickly to addiction.

Pleasure Experienced in the Brain – Everyone enjoys the experience of pleasure. It is important enough to our well-being that there is a pleasure and reward center located in our brains and specific chemicals responsible for neural communication are strongly related to our ability to experience pleasure, happiness, joy, and excitement. When we take opioids, the resulting sudden rush of pleasure we experience is stronger than what we may normally experience on a daily basis.

Signs and Symptoms