Opioid Addiction
What is Opiate & Opioid?
Opiates are natural substances with pain-relieving properties that are derived from the poppy plant. They are usually prescribed to treat acute or chronic moderate to severe pain.
Some examples of opiates are:
- Opium
- Codeine
- Morphine
Although some people use the terms “opiates” and “opioids” interchangeably, there is a slight difference between the two.
Simply put, opiates are natural narcotics, whereas opioids are made artificially. Semi-synthetic opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, are synthesized from natural opiates, whereas synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl) are made in labs to mimic the effects of opiates but do not contain them.
Nonetheless, today the term “opioid” is commonly used as an umbrella term for all types of pain-relieving drugs that interact with opioid receptors, including opiates.
Both opiates and opioids can be very addictive, and opiate abuse can be life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 81,806 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2022. Around 13,500 of these deaths are linked to natural and semi-synthetic opioids specifically.
What are the symptoms of Opioids Addiction?
- Isolation, being secretive and avoiding interactions
- Changing to a new group of friends
- Unpredictability (including not showing up without notice)
- Abandonment of daily routines, hobbies or responsibilities
- Lack of care in personal hygiene and appearance
- Asking for money
- Drowsiness/Sedation
- Pinpoint (constricted) pupils
- Itching or Flushed Skin
- Slurred Speech
- Track Marks, most commonly on the inner elbow
- Changes in physical appearance, including weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Constipation
- Muscle aches or pains
- Withdrawal insomnia
- Dizziness and headache
- Runny nose
- Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Fever or sweating, sudden mood swings from irritability to euphoria
- Depression
- Anxiety
Decreased motivation Presence of Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia (ex: medication bottles with labels removed, burned tinfoil, bloodied cotton swabs, syringes/ needles, bent spoons or rolled up dollar bills)
Doctor shopping (ex: obtaining prescriptions from different doctors, saying prescriptions were lost or needing a stronger prescription)
Financial or Legal Issues
How is Opioid addiction treated?
Point Psychiatry specializes in medication-assisted treatment specifically for opioid addiction. The medications we prescribe can reduce your cravings and physical withdrawal symptoms so that you can focus on taking back your life. They include:
Buprenorphine
While buprenorphine is a partial opioid itself, it activates the brain to a far lesser degree than full agonist opioids such as heroin or most prescription medications. Since the brain’s opioid receptors are already activated, stronger opioids won’t be able to take effect. Thus, buprenorphine reduces cravings and helps manage withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone
Suboxone® is another FDA-approved medication for treating opioid addiction. A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, Suboxone® has the same benefits as buprenorphine alone, but in addition it deters misuse by causing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms immediately if someone tries to abuse the medication through injection.
As part of our individualized treatment plans, we also offer professional substance abuse counseling services that can heal your mind and spirit from the pain of addiction. You and our team can work together to customize your treatment with counseling options like:
Individual counseling
One-on-one counseling can help you address the emotional components of your addiction. Throughout your treatment, you’ll learn how to handle stress, manage cravings, work through any underlying trauma and develop individual recovery goals.