Distinguishing Opiates from Opioids: Fundamental Understanding
Millions of people in the United States are grappling with opioid use disorder, a condition characterized by an inability to control opioid use and difficulties fulfilling obligations.
Opioids, a broad term for substances that act on opioid receptors in the body, produce effects similar to opium. Opiates, a subset of opioids, are naturally derived from the opium poppy and include morphine, codeine, and heroin. In contrast, opioids also include semi-synthetic and fully synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, methadone, tramadol, and oxycodone.
Both opiates and opioids bind to opioid receptors in the nervous system, modulating pain and producing feelings of euphoria or sedation. These substances slow bodily functions, including central nervous system and respiratory activity, leading to pain relief but also risks of overdose.
The effects of opioids on the body are manifold. They provide pain relief by inhibiting pain signals, induce euphoria by activating receptors, cause sedation by depressing the central nervous system, and can dangerously slow or stop breathing, especially in overdose. Pupil constriction, or miosis, is a characteristic sign of opioid effect and overdose.
Opioids can also lead to physical dependence and addiction, with withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, diarrhea, high body temperature, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, sweating, chills, pain in the muscles and bones, and more.
In an overdose situation, calling 911 immediately is crucial. Emergency healthcare staff can prescribe naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose. In 2019, nearly 71,000 people in the United States died from a drug overdose, with more than 70% of these deaths involving an opioid.
Help for opioid use disorder can include medications like buprenorphine or methadone, counseling, and support groups. Common prescription opioids include hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and morphine.
It's important to note that while doctors may prescribe codeine or morphine, they do not prescribe illegal opiates, such as opium or heroin. Some opioids also interact with serotonin pathways in the brain, which can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition characterized by confusion, agitation, restlessness, headache, nausea, vomiting, shivering, sweating, and more.
Opioid pain medications are generally safe when taken for a short time or as prescribed, but misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and death. Opioid use disorder (OUD) can occur with all types of opioids, including opiates.
In summary, opiates are natural opioids, while opioids encompass a broader category including synthetic agents. All affect the body by binding to opioid receptors, resulting in pain relief, euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression with risks of addiction and overdose.
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Opioids. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids [2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Opioid Overdose. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/opioid-treatment-programs [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Opioid Overdose. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html [4] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. [5] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Opioids. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Opioids-Information-Page
- Chronic opioid use can lead to addiction, creating a persistent mental-health issue that requires medical attention.
- Science has developed Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, for the treatment of COVID-19, but it is not used for addiction treatment related to opioid use disorder.
- When it comes to contextualizing chronic diseases like opioid use disorder, it is crucial to consider the medical-conditions that may arise from the continuous use of these substances.
- In recent years, health-and-wellness initiatives have sought to combat opioid addiction by promoting alternative pain management strategies, such as physical therapy and mindfulness techniques.
- While the medical community often focuses on the physical effects of opioids, such as respiratory depression, it is equally important to address the underlying mental-health issues that contribute to opioid use disorder.
