Opiate drug use and addiction can have many effects and consequences. In fact, opiates have led to a shocking number of opioid overdoses and drug-related deaths across the United States.
If you or a loved one are struggling with opiate addiction, the mental health and substance use disorder programs at Harmony Treatment and Wellness can guide you to sobriety and improved well-being.
What Is Considered an Opiate Addiction?
Opiate addiction is when a person is unable to stop abusing opiates despite harmful side effects.
This type of addiction involves misusing opiates, which should not be confused with opioids, which are synthetic (man-made). Opiates are derived from opium poppy plants and include substances like morphine and codeine.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we focus on helping people stop use of opioids by treating withdrawal symptoms, getting to the root cause of the addiction, and healing the side effects.
What Are the Causes of Opiate Addiction?
Opiate addiction is caused by several factors. Genetics, environmental influences, and changes in brain chemistry all affect whether someone develops an addiction.
Like other forms of drug addiction, opiate addiction usually begins with misusing prescription pain relievers or illegal drugs.
While under the influence of opiates, the brain’s pleasure and reward center releases dopamine, which generates intense feelings of happiness and reduces or eliminates pain. As such, people can easily become addicted to opiates, especially if they are seeking relief from physical or emotional pain.
Over time, people struggling with opiate addiction find themselves requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects due to tolerance, which deepens their dependence on opiates. Drug dependence is when a person needs a drug to function.
Who Is at Risk for Opioid Addiction?
Several risk factors are associated with opiate addiction. These include:
- Genetic factors: People with a family history of addiction have a higher chance of developing opiate addiction.
- Trauma history: Experiencing trauma or negative childhood events can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. As a result, people may have a higher chance of misusing opiates as a way to escape their emotional pain, which can ultimately lead to addiction.
- Mental health disorders: Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can make people more likely to become addicted. These conditions often lead individuals to use drugs or alcohol to escape their emotional pain.
- Chronic pain: Taking opiates for pain relief over a long period of time can lead to addiction.
- Peer influence: When people grow up around people who misuse substances, they are more likely to misuse opiates themselves.
- Socioeconomic status: People who do not have access to good healthcare and education are more likely to be addicted to opiates, especially if they struggle with chronic pain or mental health disorders.
Rates of Opiate Addiction in the U.S.
Opiate addiction affects people from all walks of life. Over time and with increased rates of abuse, it has become a public health issue.
Here are some key statistics about the rates of opiate addiction in the U.S.*
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 70% of the 70,630 drug overdose deaths in 2019 involved an opioid.
- Opioid overdose deaths increased by nearly 30% from 2019 to 2020, indicating an escalating trend in substance misuse.
- Research indicates that nearly half of people aged 18 to 25 with serious mental illness report illicit substance use in the past year.
*Note that the term “opioid” includes opiates as well as man-made opioids.
What Are the Warning Signs of Opiate Addiction?
There are many mental, physical, and behavioral warning signs associated with opiate addiction.
Examples of mental warning signs of opiate addiction include:
- Intense cravings for using opiates beyond prescribed amounts
- Constant thoughts about obtaining or using opiates
- Memory issues
- Mood swings
Examples of physical warning signs include:
- Mental fog
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Weight loss
Behavioral signs associated with opiate addiction include:
- Neglecting responsibilities, such as failing to meet work, school, or family obligations
- Social withdrawal or isolation from friends and family
- Risky behaviors while under the influence of opiates, such as driving under the influence
- Lack of hygiene
The side effects of opiates can be made worse by other prescription drugs, such as benzodiazepines.
If you suspect that a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction or opioid abuse, reach out to Harmony Treatment and Wellness today. Our healthcare professionals can listen to your story and help you and your loved one work toward sobriety and freedom from addiction.
List of Common Opiates that Cause Addiction
People often refer to opiates and opioids interchangeably. However, they should not be confused with one another.
Opioids refer to both opiates and opioids that are man-made or synthetic. Examples of opioids include hydrocodone, fentanyl, and heroin.
Meanwhile, opiates only refer specifically to natural compounds derived directly from the opium poppy. Although they have been used for centuries to alleviate pain, they also carry a significant risk for addiction.
Here are some common opiates that can lead to addiction:
- Morphine: A potent analgesic, morphine is often used in medical settings for severe pain management. People can easily get addicted to morphine because it can produce intense euphoria.
- Codeine: Often found in prescription cough syrups and pain relievers, codeine is less potent than morphine. However, it still poses a risk for dependency if misused.
- Opium: The raw extract from poppy plants, opium can be smoked or processed into other drugs like heroin. It has historically been used recreationally and medically.
- Heroin: Although technically not classified as an opiate due to slight chemical modifications, heroin is derived from morphine and, as such, is highly addictive.
Complications of Untreated Opiate Addiction
If left untreated, opiate addiction can lead to severe and damaging long-term complications that affect both physical health and overall quality of life.
Over time, using opiates can cause the following physical health issues:
- Respiratory depression: Opiates can suppress breathing, leading to dangerously low oxygen levels in the body.
- Overdose: Opiate addiction can easily lead to overdose. If you see someone overdosing on opiates, you can use naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Naloxone can restore breathing in under 5 minutes.
- Infectious diseases: Sharing needles or engaging in unsafe sexual practices increases the risk for diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
- Cardiovascular problems: Long-term opiate use may damage heart health, increasing the risk of heart attack or failure.
Untreated opiate addiction also poses substantial mental health challenges, including:
- Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia.
- Cognitive impairment that affects memory, attention, and decision-making abilities.
- Behavioral changes, including criminal activities or neglect of responsibilities.
Over time, untreated opiate addiction can have multiple long-term effects, including:
- Relationship strain: Addiction often causes significant tension and conflict within families and friendships, leading to isolation.
- Employment challenges: People struggling with untreated opiate addiction may suffer decreased productivity at work, leading to unemployment.
- Financial difficulties: People struggling with opiate addiction may be tempted to spend all or most of their money on opiates, leading to financial instability or legal troubles.
Opiate Addiction Treatment Options in Stuart, Florida
If you or your family members are battling opiate addiction, reach out to Harmony Treatment and Wellness in Stuart, Florida.
We provide several programs for treating opiate addiction, including opiate detox, medication-assisted therapy (MAT), outpatient programs, therapies, and mental health treatment.
Opiate detoxification or detox is usually the first step in opiate addiction treatment. It involves clearing the substance from the body.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, our experienced staff will provide supervision to ensure safety and comfort during this challenging phase. Our detox program is crucial for minimizing the risk of relapse and setting the stage for further recovery.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opiate addiction effectively.
It is a proven method that supports long-term recovery by addressing both physical dependence and psychological aspects of addiction.
Our medical providers will prescribe medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it easier for people to focus on their recovery journey.
Outpatient programs allow people to seek treatment without having to live at a facility. This means they can maintain their daily responsibilities while working toward sobriety.
Our outpatient programs provide access to counseling sessions, group therapy, and educational workshops that equip participants with coping strategies and relapse prevention skills.
Therapies play an important role in addressing the root causes of opiate addiction.
Depending on your diagnosis, our substance abuse and mental health experts may prescribe a range of therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing.
These therapies can help you understand your addiction triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Opiate addiction often coexists with mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Our integrated mental health treatment programs address these co-occurring conditions through personalized care plans that include psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychological support.
Now is the perfect time to begin to heal!
Find Opiate Treatment at Harmony Treatment and Wellness
If you or a loved one are struggling with opiate addiction, Harmony Treatment and Wellness is here to help.
We offer a comprehensive approach to overcoming opiate addiction, providing a supportive environment tailored to individual needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you begin your journey to sobriety and well-being.
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Opiate Addiction FAQs
Opiates are chemical compounds refined or extracted from natural plant matter. Examples include morphine, heroin, opium, and codeine.
Meanwhile, opioids generally refer to chemical compounds that are made in the lab. However, some opioid molecules, such as oxycodone, may be partially synthesized from opium-derived chemical components.
Both types of drugs carry significant risks for addiction and can harm your physical and mental health in similar ways. These substances can also cause physical dependence, making it difficult for users to stop without professional assistance.
Quitting opiates can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may vary in intensity depending on the duration and level of use. Common withdrawal symptoms include muscle aches, anxiety, irritability, depression, and intense cravings.
Professional treatment offered by health care providers such as Harmony Treatment and Wellness can help manage opiate and opioid addiction symptoms safely and effectively.
Sources
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Opioid use disorder.” Retrieved from: Opioid use disorder (hopkinsmedicine.org) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. “How opioid addiction occurs.” Retrieved from: How opioid addiction occurs (mayoclinic.org) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Prevalence and Impact of Substance Use among Emerging Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions.” Retrieved from: Prevalence and Impact of Substance Use among Emerging Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
- National Center for Health Statistics. “Drug overdose deaths.” Retrieved from: Drug overdose deaths (cdc.gov) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. “The Economic Burden of Prescription Opioid Overdose, Abuse and Dependence in the United States, 2013.” Retrieved from: The Economic Burden of Prescription Opioid Overdose, Abuse and Dependence in the United States, 2013 (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
- Oregon Department of Human Services. “Opiate & Opioid.” Retrieved from: Opiate & Opioid (oregon.gov) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Canada-US joint white paper: Substance use harms during COVID-19.” Retrieved from: Canada-US joint white paper: Substance use harms during COVID-19 (hhs.gov) Accessed on October 19, 2024.
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