When it comes to a category of a drug intended to relieve pain, these are referred to as Opioids. This drug class covers all types of pain-relieving substances, whether man-made, natural, or a mixture of both.
These types of drugs are also called narcotics because of their high addictive potential when misused and abused. Each type of drug under this class has a specific reason for the prescription.
For instance, after undergoing surgery, the effect of the anesthetics wears off and the patient can start to feel pain from stitches and swollen parts. The usual prescription for this situation is morphine. Meanwhile, for people suffering from light to medium pain, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and others are prescribed.
There are numerous substances under this class of drug which includes the following: Morphine, Codeine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Demerol, Darvocet and Darvon, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Tramadol, Methadone, and others.
Aside from being medicinal, these drugs have caused a tremendous issue in Canada and the United States because of a spike in death count due to unintentional overdose. Consequently, this outbreak pushed several pharmacies and medical personnel from cutting the prescription of these pain relievers to patients.
Opioids, How They Work
After orally ingesting these drugs, it mixes in the blood and travels through the brain. In the brain, it attaches itself to the opioid receptors and blocks the brain from feeling pain. Likewise, they promote euphoric and relaxing feeling through the stimulation of dopamine secretion in the brain.
The euphoric feeling associated with using this drug enables the person to get attached and addicted to this rewarding sensation. Morphine is a good example of this drug. It has an excellent pain relieving action which is even used for acute stages of cancer. However, strict obedience on its prescribed dosage must be followed to avoid an overdose.
Addiction and Dangers
Despite their effective medicinal benefits, these drugs pose great dangers due to their high addictive potential brought about by the euphoric sensation they deliver. The danger of these drugs is further enhanced by lack of education and when other illicit substances are taken along with it.
People using these substances definitely feel both short and long-term effects. Some of its known common short-term effects include disorientation, difficult bowel movement, lethargy, brain fog, low sex drive, and headache.
Some of its short-term effects are not that dangerous as it can be alleviated and controlled. For instance, difficulty to induce bowel movement can be remedied by drinking lots of liquids or laxative.
Taking this drug even without any abuse or overdose still poses a high risk of dependence due to the nature of the substance. Consequently, the worse side effects of these drugs are an addiction and slower pumping of the lungs.
In terms of long-term effects, some of it includes gradual memory loss, slower brain function, depression, uncontrolled body movements, and impaired verbal communication.
Furthermore, the health consequences of these drugs can be magnified when other substances such as alcohol and tranquilizers are used along with. The overall result of this scenario is the sudden failure of the lungs to function. Consequently, it leads to paralysis and death.
Medications and Treatments
There are several medications and treatment programs available today which can help people who developed dependence on these drugs. However, the first step towards any treatment program is the acceptance for the need of external help and the willingness to have it.
Detecting the early signs of an overdose is important so that first aid treatments can be applied earlier. To know if a person suffers from an overdose, the following symptoms can be observed: smaller pupil even under regular lighting, breathing is slower or stops instantly, unresponsiveness, fingernails and lips become blue or purplish in color, nausea, pale face, and lack of body coordination.
In order to treat an overdose, the patient must take Naloxone. This medication targets the opioid receptors in the brain and attaches to it. After, it will counter the detrimental effects of the opioids.
Like any other treatment program, detoxification is the first stage of treatment. This process involves the flushing out of harmful chemicals inside the body and the abstinence from taking the drug.
Alongside, detoxification can cause a few withdrawal symptoms due to the gradual or sudden cessation from taking these drugs. Some of the typical withdrawal symptoms to observe include state of being irritable, increased pain sensitivity, nervousness, muscle spasm, watery eyes, and nasal irritation.
In terms of medication, the two common medicines for opioid abuse are methadone and buprenorphine. These two medications work the same way, it attaches itself in the opioid receptors of the brain and reduces the impacts of withdrawal symptoms and dependence.
Naloxone can also be prescribed for the medication of this addiction. This medication must be taken after the patient has undergone drug abstinence for 7 to 10 days.
Naloxone works in a different manner compared to buprenorphine and methadone. Its main operation is to eliminate the euphoric feeling associated with the use of opioids. In this way, the patient slowly losses appetite from craving for these drugs.
Aside from that, behavioral therapies are included in any treatment program. This is done in order to hasten the recovery process and reinforce positive behavior in the patient. Some of these therapies include Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, group counseling, and family counseling.
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the therapist assists the patient in recognizing unhealthy thoughts which trigger the craving for the drug. Likewise, the therapist helps the patient formulate positive means of managing these triggers.
In Motivational enhancement therapy, the therapist helps the patient build internal motivation to successfully complete the treatment program.
In Group Counseling, the patient is included in an anonymous group sharing the same condition. This intervention helps the patient feel one is not alone in facing this addiction. Likewise, communication skills and insight learning is fostered through the sharing of each members’ experiences and successes in handling opioid abuse.
Lastly, Family Counseling is an intervention that involves the loved ones and families of the patient. The main purpose of this therapy is to help mend family communication and ties between the patient and his loved ones. Moreover, it helps build motivation for the patient to recover and complete the treatment program.
