Prescription painkillers have quickly become one of the leading causes of opioid use disorder in the United States. Even though physicians prescribe these drugs, they can be highly addictive and cause various social, behavioral, and health problems. But how do you know if you’re addicted, and what can you do to deal with prescription opiate drug addiction?
What Are Prescription Opiates?
The first step in understanding prescription opiates is learning the difference between opiates and opioids. Opiates are derived from the poppy plant and include drugs such as:
- Opium
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
In contrast, the term “opioids” is an umbrella term for drugs that include naturally derived opiates and laboratory-formulated chemicals targeting the same opioid receptors. This includes all opiate drugs as well as:
- OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Vicodin (hydrocodone)
- Percocet (oxycodone-acetaminophen)
- Norco (hydrocodone-acetaminophen)
- Fentanyl
Often, people will use the term opiate and opioid interchangeably.
Medical Use
Opioids are prescribed as a treatment for pain. This includes chronic pain, short-term pain management, or long-term pain management. Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, which can muffle the effect of pain.1
Dangers of Prescription Opioids
Prescription opioid use is not without dangers. Opioids are highly addictive, and even a person who takes their medications as prescribed may end up meeting the criteria for opioid use disorder. Further, these medications can have several other side effects, including:2
- Drug interactions with other medications
- Slowed or shallow breathing
- Impaired motor coordination
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
It’s important to only take these medications as prescribed and to speak to your physician if you are experiencing serious side effects.
Addiction to Prescription Opioids
Opiate prescription drug addiction is perhaps the biggest risk of these medications.3 People who take opioids often experience intense euphoria, relaxation, and pleasure. As such, prescription opioids are frequently used in amounts that exceed medical recommendations. This can quickly develop tolerance and cause intense drug withdrawal when a person suddenly stops taking opioids.
Dangers of Opioid Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription opioid addiction can have devastating consequences for a person’s health and social and occupational functioning. Once a person has developed opioid use disorder, they may not be able to stop using on their own.
Behavioral Change
One of the key aspects of opiate prescription drug addiction is a host of behavioral changes. People with opioid use disorder may:
- Lose interest in favored hobbies or activities
- Spend all of their time using, seeking out, or recovering from opioid drug use
- Have sudden mood swings and outbursts
- Become irritable, anxious, or depressed
- Deal with chronic drowsiness or fatigue while under the effects of opioids
Even if they began by using opioids prescribed by their physician, a person with opioid use disorder may begin to seek out opiates from other sources. Some people who start taking prescription opioids may go on to abuse heroin or fentanyl in the future, putting them at greater risk of physical harm.
Drug Overdose
Drug overdose is the most severe harm of an opiate prescription drug addiction. In 2021, the CDC reported that there were over 100,000 overdose deaths in the past year.4 The vast majority of these deaths were related to synthetic opioids.
Synthetic Opioids
Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil are often laced into other opioids purchased on the street. Many people who seek to purchase prescription opioids from street sellers may purchase “pressed pills” — counterfeit drugs designed to look like they came from a drug pharmacy. Pressed pills can contain different drugs than described by sellers, including high levels of dangerous synthetic opioids.
Signs of Opioid Addiction
If you think you or a loved one may be addicted to prescription opioids, there are a few key signals that your drug use may have become a problem. These include:
- Continued opioid use despite consequences
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down on opioid use
- Increasing tolerance for opioids
- Withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop using opioids
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it might be time to get professional help to assist you in achieving recovery.
Get Help for Opioid Addiction at Clear Life Recovery
At Clear Life Recovery, we know exactly how difficult it can be to break free from opioid addiction. That’s why our addiction treatment center was built from the ground up to ensure that everyone has the best possible chances of recovery, no matter what stage they’re at in their addiction.
From our medical detox program to our evidence-based residential treatment options, all the way through outpatient treatment and beyond, we’ll be there to support you in building a lasting recovery. Don’t delay seeking treatment any longer — reach out to Clear Life Recovery today.
Sources:
[1] http://cornellpharmacology.com/faculty/labs/inturrisi/doc/ClinJPain%202002.pdf
[2] https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/174/11/1589.full.pdf
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553166/
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm
