Are you or a loved one struggling with an addiction to opiates or opioids? If so, you are not alone. The opioid epidemic is running rampant nationwide, and though days seem dark, help is available, and lasting recovery is possible. Of course, before seeking opioid addiction treatment, you must recognize and acknowledge that you have a substance abuse problem. Call Profound Treatment to begin your addiction treatment recovery journey today.
What Are Opiates and Opioids?
An opiate is any drug that is extracted naturally from the poppy plant. The opiate class of drugs typically includes morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Of the 259 million prescriptions written for opiate drugs such as these annually, about two million people become dependent or develop an opioid addiction.
Unfortunately, many of these individuals do not seek addiction treatment due to a variety of barriers, like addiction stigma. Not reaching out for support for drug addiction is detrimental to your health and well-being. Moreover, due to the high risk of overdose, opioid addiction has resulted in the loss of countless lives.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines opioids as “a class of drugs that include synthetic opioids such as fentanyl; pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine; the illegal drug heroin; and many others.” Using opioids significantly contributes to the opioid addiction epidemic, which is why prevention and education are critical for treatment, addiction recovery, and relapse prevention.
What Are the Differences Between Opiates and Opioids?
So, what is the difference between opiate and opioid drugs? The words opiate and opioid are sometimes used interchangeably. However, opiates refer to natural substances obtained from the poppy plant. While opioids may be natural, they are often created synthetically in a lab.
The Impact of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in California
Unfortunately, OUD has had a profound impact on California. In 2017 alone, there were over 2,000 overdose deaths involving opioids in California. That equates to about 5.3 deaths per 100,000 persons. Of these, the main driver was prescription opioids, coming in around 1,169 deaths in 2017.
In addition to the loss of life, the opioid crisis has had an economic impact on the state of California. Despite the prevalence of opioid addiction, loss of life, and economic impact, the cycle of harm can be stopped with effective addiction treatment programs. Through prevention services, education, and addiction treatment, the impact of opioid addiction in Southern California and across the country can be reduced. However, before substance abuse treatment can be possible, you must recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
The signs of opiate and opioid addiction can consist of emotional, behavioral, and physical health indicators. Some of the signs and symptoms of opioids to be mindful of include:
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Shallow and slow breathing
- Physical agitation
- Cognitive impairments
- Reduced decision-making skills
- Abandonment of professional and personal obligations
- Problems in your relationships
- Reckless and erratic behaviors
- Lying or stealing to continue substance abuse
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of opioid addiction showcases the impact opioids can have on your mental and physical health. The physical health and mental health symptoms of opioid addiction further highlight the intersecting relationship between substance abuse, like drug addiction and alcohol addiction, with mental health disorders.
Opiate Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders
Another key indicator of opioid addiction is the development of co-occurring mental health disorders. Many forms of substance use disorders have co-occurrence with a mental health disorder. For example, alcohol addiction commonly co-occurs with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Similarly, substance use disorders like drug addiction commonly co-occur with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. For opioid addiction, some of the other mental health disorders that co-occur include:
- Depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
The relationship between substance abuse and mental health disorders is complex because they share a bidirectional relationship. Alcohol addiction and drug addiction can contribute to the development of mental health disorders or exacerbate pre-existing mental health symptoms. Moreover, unaddressed mental health disorders can also contribute to the development of substance use disorder.
Access to addiction treatment programs and mental health treatment is invaluable to whole-person recovery. With access to co-occurring treatment like dual diagnosis treatment, you or your loved one can address those interconnected challenges.
Dual diagnosis treatment for drug and alcohol rehab programs and mental health treatment supports treating your unique needs for wellness. In addition to comprehensive, evidence-based drug rehab and mental health treatment, early detection is vital to sustaining your recovery journey. Through early detection, we can help you or your loved one prevent relapse and support better mental and physical health outcomes. If you recognize any of these symptoms within yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to seek behavioral health treatment in our addiction treatment center.
