Opiate Addiction: An American Epidemic

There’s a growing drug addiction problem in America that’s getting worse each day. Tragically, opiate addiction has taken the lives of more Americans than those who died from the Vietnam War. Here in Minnesota, opiate-linked deaths in two of our state’s largest counties have increased significantly during the last ten years, according to a fairly recent Fox9.com news article. Here are some important facts about opitates.

Why Opiates Are So Addictive

Opiates, such as heroin and prescription pain medications like Vicodin, become addictive due to their effect on the brain. Opiates mimic the action of the body’s natural endorphin pain killers. After repeated use of opiates, the brain begins to stop producing it’s natural pain killers which can cause withdrawal, tolerance, and craving. These issues, combined with a person’s genetics and other evironmental factors can result in addiction.

Common Symptoms of Opiate Addiction

Addiction is complicated and can have wide ranging effects on a person’s life. Common physical symptoms of opiate addiction are withdrawal, tolerance, and craving.

Withdrawal occurs when drugs, like opiates, are taken in high amounts for long periods of time and then stopped. When taken over time, the brain becomes accustomed to and eventually overwhelmed by the presence of the drug.  When this happens, the brain alters it’s functioning. When the person stops using drugs, the brain begins to heal itself and starts to change back to it’s normal state. This healing process is called withdrawal and can be very uncomfortable for the person going through it. Withdrawal from opiates is sometimes referred to as being dope sick and often keeps people trapped in a cycle of addictive use.

Tolerance is defined as needing more of a drug to feel the same effect. Similar to withdrawal, tolerance occurs due to the brain altering it’s functioning. People who have used opiates in an addictive way often talk about chasing their first high or, in other words, trying to achieve the same experience as the first time they used. This is due to tolerance. Drugs change the brain and it’s these changes that cause a person to feel diminished effects of a drug after their first use.

Craving for a drug can be described as a mental and physical reaction to a trigger that causes a person to desire the use of an addictive substance. The phenomena of craving happens to everyone and occurs due to processes that have helped human beings survive for our entire history. People can experience cravings for food, sex, opiates, and many other things. The brain remembers environmental cues, or triggers, that are connected to the things that help our survival. Drugs of abuse, like opiates, high-jack this system. When a person who is addicted to opiates experiences a trigger, the brain unconsciously sends signals that it wants the drug. These unconscious signals result in a mental and physical desire to obtain and use the drug.

If you or someone you know are experiencing withdrawal, tolerance, or craving it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.

Treatment of Opiate Addiction

Opiate addiction, like all types of addiction, is treatable. Although there is no cure from addiction, current treatment strategies help people live a life in recovery every day. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016), addiction is a chronic brain disease that needs to be treated in multiple ways. Here are a few current treatment strategies for opiate addiction:

• Medication – Current prescription medication for opiate addiction includes buprenorphine (i.e. Suboxone, Subutex), methadone, and naltrexone (i.e. Vivitrol).
• Cognitive behavioral counseling and other evidenced based counseling practices – Many methods of psycho-social counseling have been shown to reduce relapse rates and increase overall functioning and life satisfaction.
• Mutual help groups – These groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, provide structure and support for the recovering person.

Ideally, all of these treatments would be combined, known as medication assisted treatment (MAT). This combination approach seeks to treat the entire person and allows them the best opportunity to achieve sobriety.

Are you struggling with an addiction problem? Perhaps you’re worried about a family member who’s addicted. It’s never too late to get help for yourself or a loved one. Based in Edina, Minnesota, our outpatient treatment center specializes in alcohol, drug and gambling addictions. Please contact the addiction specialists at Club Recovery and begin the journey to recovery.

References:

American Society of Addiction Medicine (2001). Definitions Related to the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of
Pain. Retrieved from: https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/public-policy-statements/1opioid-definitions-consensus-2-011.pdf

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016). The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Basics. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-abuse-addiction-basics

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2007). The Neurobiology of Drug Addiction. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/neurobiology-drug-addiction/section-iii-action-heroin-morphine/6-definition-tolerance

National Institute on Drug Abuse (N.D.). Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction

Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for clinical treatment or advice. If you, a friend, or a family member is struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues please call our main office at 952-926-2526. For emergencies, go to your nearest emergency room and/or dial 911.