Opioids
Opioids are a class of drugs originally derived from the opium poppy plant. They include both prescription pain medications and illicit street drugs. You may recognize prescription opioids by names such as OxyContin, oxycodone, codeine, tramadol, hydrocodone, Vicodin, fentanyl, and morphine.
Illicit opioids are commonly known as heroin, smack, black tar, or simply “dope.”
Physicians prescribe opioids to manage pain because they work by blocking pain signals between the brain and the body. In addition to pain relief, opioids can produce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, or a “high,” which is why they carry a significant risk for dependence and addiction.
What Opioid Dependency Looks Like
Sometimes opioids are prescribed appropriately for pain management, yet even medically supervised use can lead to physical dependence. Opioids change how the brain and body respond to pain and reward, and with repeated use, the body may begin to adapt to the presence of the medication.
Recreational or illicit opioid use carries an even greater risk for dependence and addiction.
When opioid use begins to disrupt daily life, it may be diagnosed as Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) — a recognized medical condition, not a personal failure.
Opioid Use Disorder occurs when a person becomes unable to function normally without opioids. Over time, the brain may begin to treat the drug as essential, leading to cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and compulsive use despite negative consequences. OUD can affect every area of life, including health, relationships, work, and emotional well-being.
Common signs and symptoms may include:
- Tolerance — needing increasing amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect
- Cravings or strong urges to use opioids
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Excessive sweating
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Dizziness
- Itching
- Mood changes, irritability, or anxiety
- Flu-like symptoms when not using (withdrawal)
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Decreased motivation or energy
- Neglect of personal hygiene
- Withdrawal from family or loved ones
- Changes in social circles
- Financial or occupational difficulties
If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you love, effective treatment is available, and recovery is possible.
Withdrawing From Opioids
Opioid withdrawal can produce a range of uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms, including cravings, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors.
For most individuals, withdrawal symptoms begin within hours to a few days after the last use and typically last three to ten days, depending on the type of opioid used, duration of use, and individual health factors.
While opioid withdrawal is not usually life-threatening, it can be extremely distressing and difficult to manage without support. The severity of symptoms often leads people to return to opioid use simply to feel relief.
Medically supervised treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral counseling, can significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms, improve comfort, and greatly increase the chances of successful recovery.
If you or someone you love is dependent on opioids, YOU are NOT ALONE
4 out of 5 overdose deaths in the United States involve opioids.
- 1 in 3 American adults personally knows someone who is dependent on drugs.
- 1 in 4 people who try heroin will develop dependence.
- 1 in 4 people who are prescribed opioids misuse them.
- 8–12% of people who misuse prescription opioids go on to develop Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
- 4 out of 5 people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
- More than 2 million Americans are currently living with Opioid Use Disorder.
- Approximately 200 people die every day from drug overdoses in the United States.
