Opiates and opioids differ primarily in their origin, composition, and scope. Opiates are natural substances that are isolated from the opium poppy plant and include morphine and codeine, among others. On the other hand, opioids are a class of drugs that include opiates as well as man-made or at least chemically modified opiates that act on the same receptors in the brain – for example, fentanyl and oxycodone.
Regardless of their origin and how they are made, both substances may be used illegally by individuals with substance use disorder. This article will delve deeper into the must-knows on opiates and opioids.
What are Opiates?
Opiates are a class of opioids, and all opiates are derived from natural sources. Opiates are made from opium, which is obtained from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. Examples of opiates are morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone.
Opiates may be either synthetic or semi-synthetic, such as heroin. You can get a prescription from your doctor for codeine or morphine for the treatment of pain. However, illicit opiates like heroin do not have any medical purpose and are only acquired illegally. Users take these illegal opioids for pleasure because of their psychoactive properties.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are analgesics, or pain killers, that medical professionals prescribe to help relieve pain. They function by suppressing the central nervous system. The medications are very helpful in treating cancer and other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Opioids are synthetic opiates that act on the opiate receptors in the brain. They are used to relieve pain and can also lead to feelings of happiness.
Some opioids have an effect on the serotonin system in the brain as well. Serotonin is a hormone that helps maintain normal mental health and produces a feeling of happiness.
Medical Uses of Opioids and Opiates
Opioids and opiates are powerful drugs that are mainly prescribed for the treatment of pain. The drugs are very efficient in the management of pain that is mild to severe, short-acting and are sometimes used in the management of chronic pain in terminal diseases. These drugs include fentanyl, tramadol, codeine, and morphine. However, they should be used with caution as they are highly addictive, especially if used for a long time.
How Do These Substances Act on the Body?
Opioids and opiates work in the body through the central nervous system to provide pain relief. These drugs interact with opioid receptors found in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, and thus, interfere with the transmission of pain signals and alter the perception of pain.
These medicines are very useful in managing acute pain, especially pain of moderate to severe intensity. They are also used to treat chronic pain associated with certain conditions. However, compared with opiates, the effects of synthetic opioids are that they are more intense, they work faster, and they are more likely to lead to opioid overdose.
Moreover, their application is accompanied by several consequences, including dependence, which may occur when using the medicine for a long time. Dependence can be in the form of a physical desire for the medicine, the need to take more of the medicine to get the same effect that one felt initially (tolerance), or using the medicine for purposes other than the management of pain, such as to feel relaxed or to sleep.
Examples of Common Prescriptions (Opiates)
Morphine
Morphine is an analgesic used mainly for the management of severe pain and is used in palliative care. It can be in the form of tablets, injections, and patches.
Codeine
Codeine is used as an analgesic for mild to moderate pain and also for cough suppression. It is frequently used together with other drugs, for instance, paracetamol (acetaminophen).
Examples of Common Prescriptions (Opioids)
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic used in the management of moderate to severe pain. It is available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations, such as OxyContin.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone, commonly known under brand names such as Vicodin, is used for moderate to severe pain. It can be used together with Acetaminophen.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is used in the management of pain, especially in cancer patients who have severe pain. It comes in different forms, such as patches, lozenges, and injections.
Methadone
Methadone is used in the management of chronic pain and as a part of opioid detoxification treatment in substance-dependent patients. Given that it may be abused, it is prescribed and given under medical supervision.
Tramadol
Tramadol is used for moderate pain relief. However, it is only recommended for short-term pain relief. It has less chance of causing dependence as compared to the other strong opioids.
Potential Risks and Adverse Effects
Opioids in general are extensively used in the treatment of pain, however, they come with several dangers and potential complications. It is, therefore, important that both the health care providers and the patients have a proper knowledge of these risks.
Dependency and Addiction Potential
Opiates and opioids are known to be addictive and can create chemical dependence when used for a long time or if taken in larger quantities than the recommended dose. In 2023, there were 2,551 opiate-related deaths in England and Wales, which shows the severity of the problem of addiction. The characteristics of addiction include tolerance, where the body system of the user requires more opiates to get the same effect as before, withdrawal symptoms, which are experienced when opiate use is stopped, and craving, which is the inability to stop using opiates even when they are causing harm.
The Physical Effects of Opioid Addiction
Opioids can have numerous effects on the physical health of an individual, and gastrointestinal issues are one of them. A side effect of opioid use is constipation, which, if not managed properly, can cause many other complications. Also, opioids, when used for a long time, can affect the hormonal system, thereby causing low sex drive and infertility.
Psychological Effects
Opioids have been known to cause depression and anxiety disorders, among other conditions. Opioid-induced cognitive impairment is another well-recognised risk. It causes confusion, sedation, or other cognitive impairments that may lead to accidents and other problems. This risk is common among the elderly as they are more likely to get such conditions. These effects show the need for a close and attentive approach when it comes to opioid prescribing, especially in the case of prolonged use.
Opioid Overdose
Overdose or toxicity is a fatal complication of opioid use. Many factors can aggravate toxicity in patients. One of these is the presence of liver disease. Since these substances are metabolised in the liver, they can remain in the body for an extended period. In vulnerable populations, such as individuals with liver problems, opioid toxicity can occur rapidly, even with small doses.
In addition to this, the preparation of the drug also matters. For instance, the topical formulation of fentanyl can contribute to the toxicity of oral opiates as compared with fentanyl transdermal patches, which have a slow onset and take hours to peak.
The Bottomline
Opiates are natural or semi-synthetic drugs that are isolated from the opium poppy plant, while opioids are a group of drugs that include fully synthetic drugs that are opiates. Both of them work on the same receptors in the brain to reduce pain, but they vary in terms of strength and intensity of overdose side effects, as well as potency.
Although these drugs are very useful in pain management, they are associated with numerous adverse effects such as dependence, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and other severe medical and psychological complications when used for a long time. This is why the use in medical practice has to be careful – so that these risks do not outweigh the advantages.
Getting Help for Opiate or Opioid Addiction
The weight of addiction can be difficult to bear alone. Understand that support is at hand for those who are seeking recovery, no matter how severe you think your dependence is. It is never too late.
Sierra Recovery offers a wide range of services to manage opioid use disorder. Our team of experts is dedicated to supporting you with the help you need and deserve. From intake to aftercare, rest assured that you’ll receive quality service from our health team, which specialises in addiction medicine.
At Sierra Recovery, we can help you get your life back on track. Through proper support and intervention, we can break the cycle of addiction together.
