Opioid addiction: definition, types, symptoms, signs, long-term effects, withdrawal, and treatment
Opioid addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by the obsessive use of opioid medicines despite negative effects. It often involves physical dependence, where the body adapts to the drug, and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped.
The types of opioid addiction include heroin addiction, oxycodone addiction, hydrocodone addiction, morphine addiction, codeine addiction, fentanyl addiction, methadone addiction, buprenorphine addiction, hydromorphone addiction, oxymorphone addiction, and tramadol addiction.
The symptoms of opioid addiction are poor decision making, mood swings, irritability, depression, lowered motivation, anxiety attacks, and withdrawal symptoms.
Signs of addiction to opioids include shallow or slow breathing rate, physical agitation, abandoning responsibilities, drowsiness, confusion, constricted pupils, constipation, euphoria, tolerance, and continued use.
Long-term effects of opioid addiction manifest in physical, psychological, and socio-economic ways.
Symptoms of opioid addiction withdrawal are lacrimation or rhinorrhea, goosebumps, muscle pain, nausea/vomiting, insomnia, and extreme light sensitivity.
Treatment options for opioid addiction include medications (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, support groups, and motivational interviewing (MI).
What is opioid addiction?
Opioid addiction is defined as the inability to cut down or stop using opioids, whether they are legal painkillers like morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone or illicit narcotics like heroin.
Individuals with opioid addiction often develop physical dependence, where their bodies adapt to the presence of the drug, leading to tolerance (needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped.
How common is opioid addiction?
Opioid addiction is extremely common, affecting approximately 16 million people worldwide and 2.1 million in the United States, according to a continuing education activity titled, “Opioid Use Disorder” by Dydyk et al.,
The article added that opioid use disorder (OUD) is still a major factor in the US’s ongoing epidemic, severely lowering the quality of life for those who suffer from it.
What is the other name for opioid addiction?
The other name for opioid addiction is opioid use disorder (OUD). This clinical term is used to define the condition within the framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
What are the types of opioid addiction?
Types of opioid addiction encompass a wide range of categories and patterns of opioid misuse and dependency that individuals encounter. The types of opioid addiction are listed below.
- Heroin addiction
- Oxycodone addiction
- Hydrocodone addiction
- Morphine addiction
- Codeine addiction
- Fentanyl addiction
- Methadone addiction
- Buprenorphine addiction
- Hydromorphone addiction
- Oxymorphone addiction
- Tramadol addiction
1. Heroin addiction
Heroin addiction is a highly debilitating type of opioid use disorder marked by the uncontrollable use of heroin notwithstanding negative repercussions.
Heroin addiction statistics indicate that in 2022, 0.3% (or 900,000) of those who were 12 years of age or older reported having a heroin use disorder in the previous year, according to a 2023 publication titled, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Adults 26 years of age or older had the largest percentage of individuals with a heroin use disorder in the past year (0.4 percent, or 864,000 persons).
2. Oxycodone addiction
Oxycodone addiction is a chronic, recurrent illness characterized by the compulsive use of oxycodone, a strong opioid prescribed for pain relief.
The statistics available for oxycodone addiction from the article titled, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” published in November 2023 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reveal that in 2022, 2.5 million persons, or 30.7% of prescription painkiller abusers from the previous year, misused oxycodone medications, including generic oxycodone, Roxicodone, Percocet, Percodan, and OxyContin.
3. Hydrocodone addiction
Hydrocodone addiction is the constant, heavy consumption of the opioid pain reliever hydrocodone. The condition manifests itself in a wide range of negative health outcomes.
When it comes to statistics on hydrocodone addiction, SAMHSA, in its 2023 publication titled, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” stated that of the 8.5 million individuals in 2022 who were 12 years of age or older and had abused prescription painkillers in the previous year, 45.1%, or 3.7 million, had abused hydrocodone products.
4. Morphine addiction
Morphine addiction is a long-term, relapsing disease marked by the obsessive use of morphine, a potent opioid painkiller frequently given for severe pain treatment.
As for the figures on morphine addiction, the 22nd chapter of the book Global Emergency of Mental Disorders titled, “The opioid epidemic” by Moini et al., stated that in a recent National Institute on Drug Abuse research, 89% of men and women with opioid dependence tested positive for morphine.
5. Codeine addiction
Codeine addiction is the obsessive use of codeine, an opioid painkiller and cough suppressant present in numerous prescription drugs.
Codeine addiction statistics show that codeine product abuse accounted for 22.2%, or 1.9 million individuals, of the prescription pain reliever abuse in the previous year among those aged 12 and up, as per a 2023 publication titled, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” from (SAMHSA).
6. Fentanyl addiction
Fentanyl addiction is a serious, frequently fatal substance dependence brought on by the misuse of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which has a far higher potency than heroin or morphine.
Statistics involving fentanyl addiction confirm that in 2022, 991,000 individuals aged 12 or older (or 0.4 percent) misused prescription fentanyl or used illegally manufactured fentanyl (IMF) in the previous year, according to an article titled, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” published in November 2023 by SAMHSA.
7. Methadone addiction
Methadone addiction is a condition in which people develop an over-reliance on the long-acting opioid that is usually prescribed as a pain reliever or used as part of an opioid replacement program for people who are addicted to heroin or other opioids.
Methadone addiction statistics provided by the United States Department of Justice’s 2003 publication titled, “Methadone Fast Facts” indicate that from 28,235 in 2000 to 36,265 in 2001, the number of patients treated for abuse of “other opiates” (a category that includes methadone) grew considerably, according to data from the Treatment Episode Data Set.
8. Buprenorphine addiction
Buprenorphine addiction is a condition defined by the chronic and obsessive consumption of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist commonly used to treat pain and opioid use disorder.
Sold under multiple brand names, including Subutex, buprenorphine is a major ingredient in Suboxone, a prescription that lowers the risk of misuse by combining buprenorphine and naloxone.
However, despite its intended use to aid in recovery from other opioid addictions, buprenorphine itself tends to become addictive. Suboxone addiction occurs when individuals misuse the medication to achieve euphoric effects or take it in higher doses than prescribed.
According to a 2021 study by Han et al., titled, “Trends in and Characteristics of Buprenorphine Misuse Among Adults in the US,” statistics on buprenorphine addiction indicate that in 2019, around 2.4 million adults in the United States utilized buprenorphine, with 0.7 million individuals (29.2%) engaging in its misuse.
9. Hydromorphone addiction
Hydromorphone addiction is characterized by an individual’s dependence on hydromorphone, a potent opioid analgesic that is employed to alleviate severe pain.
Hydromorphone addiction statistics affirm that within the previous year, prescription pain relievers were misused by 8.5 million individuals aged 12 or older in 2022. Of them, 102,000 people, or 1.2%, abused hydromorphone products, as per SAMHSA’s 2023 publication titled, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.”
10. Oxymorphone addiction
Oxymorphone addiction is a serious medical condition characterized by the misuse of oxymorphone, a potent opioid painkiller prescription for the treatment of severe pain.
Statistics concerning oxymorphone addiction from the article, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” published in November 2023 by SAMHSA demonstrate that during the year 2022, a total of 8.5 million individuals aged 12 or older engaged in the misuse of prescription pain medicines. Out of the total number, 1.4% (equivalent to 119,000 persons) were misusing oxymorphone products.
11. Tramadol addiction
Tramadol addiction is characterized by an individual’s dependence on tramadol, a synthetic opioid which is frequently prescribed for the alleviation of moderate to severe pain.
Statistics relating to tramadol addiction reveal that an estimated 1.6 to 1.8 million Americans reported any misuse of oral tramadol in the past year, either alone or in combination, from 2015 to 2017, according to a study titled, “Misuse of Tramadol in the United States: An Analysis of the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2002-2017” published in the June 2020 issue of Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment.
What are the symptoms of opioid addiction?
Symptoms of opioid addiction encompass several indications that someone is experiencing an opioid dependence. The symptoms of opioid addiction are listed below.
- Poor decision making: Individuals with opioid addiction often exhibit impaired judgment, leading them to make choices that they normally aren’t going to consider, such as driving under the influence, engaging in illegal activities to obtain the drug, or neglecting personal responsibilities. In a 2016 review by Biernacki et al., titled, “Decision-making ability in current and past users of opiates: A meta-analysis,” which evaluated heroin users’ decision-making abilities, chronic users consistently performed worse on a variety of decision-making activities, and these deficiencies persisted even after they had abstained from heroin for 1.5 years.
- Mood swings: Opioid addiction causes drastic fluctuations in mood, ranging from extreme euphoria when using the drug to deep sadness or irritability when not. These mood swings are driven by the drug’s impact on brain chemistry, particularly the reward and pleasure centers.
- Irritability: As the substance dependence progresses, individuals become increasingly irritable, especially when they are unable to access the drug. This irritability is often a response to the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms or the stress of maintaining their addiction.
- Depression: The correlation between opiate use and mental health is intricate and potentially reciprocal, as per a 2022 review titled, “Mood and Anxiety Symptoms in Persons Taking Prescription Opioids: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses of Longitudinal Studies” published in Pain Medicine. The study added that emerging evidence suggests that individuals with prior mental health conditions exhibit reduced responsiveness to nonpharmacological methods of pain management, making them more prone to receiving opioid prescriptions. Approximately 51% of all prescription opioids in the United States are prescribed to the 16% of adults who have depression and anxiety.
- Lowered motivation: Opioid addiction frequently results in a noticeable decline in motivation to engage in everyday activities. The individual’s focus shifts almost entirely to obtaining and using the drug, neglecting personal and professional responsibilities.
- Anxiety attacks: Anxiety attacks are common among those suffering from opioid addiction. In fact, anxiety disorders and opioid use disorder (OUD) occur at alarmingly high rates, according to a 2019 study by Langdon et al., titled, “Comorbidity of Opioid- and Anxiety-Related Symptoms and Disorders.” In addition, more than 60% of individuals with OUD have reported experiencing a lifetime anxiety-related disorder.
- Withdrawal symptoms: When an individual dependent on opioids stops using the drug or significantly reduces their intake, they experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is a physical response to the body’s dependence on the drug and it tends to be extremely uncomfortable, often driving the individual to resume use to alleviate the symptoms.
What are the signs of opioid addiction?
Signs of opioid addiction are apparent indicators that show an individual is experiencing a dependence on opiates. The signs of opioid addiction are listed below.
- Shallow or slow breathing rate: Opioid use depresses the respiratory system, leading to a noticeably slow or shallow breathing rate. A 2020 article titled, “Opioids depress breathing through two small brainstem sites” by Bachmutsky et al., explained that the primary mechanism by which this impact occurs is through the “preBötzinger Complex (preBötC)”, a crucial region in the brainstem that is responsible for creating the rhythm of breathing. These neurons play a vital role in regulating the respiratory pattern and exhibit a high degree of sensitivity to opioids.
- Physical agitation: While opioids typically cause drowsiness, withdrawal or lack of access to the drug leads to physical agitation. This behavior is often a response to the body’s craving for the drug and the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.
- Abandoning responsibilities: Individuals addicted to opioids often neglect their responsibilities at work, school, or home. This leads to poor performance, absenteeism, and a general decline in productivity. Personal relationships additionally suffer as the individual becomes increasingly preoccupied with obtaining and using the drug.
- Drowsiness: One of the most common signs of opioid use is excessive drowsiness. This sedation occurs because opioids depress the central nervous system, making the individual appear extremely sleepy or lethargic.
- Confusion: Opioid addiction often leads to cognitive impairments, resulting in confusion and disorientation. A 2021 research article by Moghaddam et al., titled, “Cognitive Impairment in Opium Use Disorder” revealed that when compared to healthy controls, patients with Opium Use Disorder (OUD) had notable deficits in working memory and information processing speed.
- Constricted pupils: A telltale physical sign of opioid use is constricted (pinpoint) pupils, even in low light conditions. Individuals who tolerate opioids may exhibit constricted pupils during active use, regardless of the presence of associated effects such as sedation and reduced respiratory drive, as per a continuing education activity titled, “Opioid Toxicity” last updated in July 2023 by StatPearls.
- Constipation: Opioid drugs have the ability to hinder the process of gastric emptying and peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a delay in the absorption of medications and an increase in the absorption of fluid, according to a continuing education activity titled, “Opioid-Induced Constipation” by Sizar et al., last updated in August 2023. Insufficient presence of fluid in the intestine results in the hardening of feces and the occurrence of constipation.
- Euphoria: This feeling of extreme happiness or well-being occurs because opioids increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Even though the euphoria is fleeting, it leaves users with a strong urge to keep using the substance in order to experience it again.
- Tolerance: The requirement for escalating doses to accomplish the desired effect is typically indicative of opioid tolerance, which is defined by a diminished sensitivity to an opioid agonist, such as morphine, according to a 2011 study by Michael M. Morgan and MacDonald J. Christie titled, “Analysis of opioid efficacy, tolerance, addiction and dependence from cell culture to human.”
- Continued use: One of the defining signs of addiction is the inability to stop using opioids even when it causes harm. Problems with health, money, the law, and relationships are all examples of this. The individual often acknowledges these negative consequences but feels powerless to change their behavior.
What are the opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms?
Opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms refer to the range of effects that occur when an individual who is dependent on opioids reduces or stops their intake of the drug. The opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms are listed below.
- Lacrimation or rhinorrhea: During opioid withdrawal, individuals often experience excessive tearing (lacrimation) or a runny nose (rhinorrhea). A study titled, “Operational definition of precipitated opioid withdrawal” published in the April 2023 issue of Frontiers in Psychiatry, eyes tearing and nose running are among the primary symptoms of precipitated withdrawal, which is induced when an opioid antagonist (such as naloxone or naltrexone) or a partial agonist (such as buprenorphine) is administered to an individual who is physically dependent on opioids.
- Goosebumps: Goosebumps, or piloerection, are a common physical symptom during opioid withdrawal. They occur due to the body’s reaction to the sudden lack of opioids, causing the skin’s tiny muscles to contract and hair to stand up.
- Muscle pain: Muscle pain or aches are prevalent during opioid withdrawal as the body adjusts to functioning without the drug. A 2020 review by Pergolizzi Jr. et al., titled, “Opioid withdrawal symptoms, a consequence of chronic opioid use and opioid use disorder: Current understanding and approaches to management” stated that the release of an excessive amount of norepinephrine (NE) during opioid discontinuation is the cause of numerous acute physical signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including muscle cramps.
- Nausea/vomiting: The discomfort of nausea and the act of vomiting add to the overall physical distress of withdrawal. A 2012 review article by Smith et al., titled, “Opioid-induced nausea and vomiting” indicated that approximately 60% of patients with advanced cancer experience nausea, while 30% report vomiting. Opioids activate the vestibular apparatus, which makes it more sensitive, causing nausea and vomiting.
- Insomnia: Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, is a common withdrawal symptom that significantly impacts the individual’s recovery process. A 2020 mini review titled, “Bidirectional Relationship between Opioids and Disrupted Sleep: Putative Mechanisms” from the journal Molecular Pharmacology suggested that inadequate sleep tends to worsen depressive moods and cognitive deficits, which raises the risk of relapsing into opiate use. On the other hand, using opioids worsens sleep disorders, resulting in a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.
- Extreme light sensitivity: During drug withdrawal, individuals experience extreme sensitivity to light, otherwise known as photophobia. Upon cessation of opioid use, the sudden absence of the drug leads to a rebound effect, where the nervous system becomes hyperactive and overly sensitive to stimuli. This heightened state of the nervous system during withdrawal increases the sensitivity of the eyes to light.
What are the long-term effects of opioid addiction?
Long-term effects of opioid addiction refer to the various chronic physical, psychological, and socio-economic consequences that result from prolonged opioid abuse. The long-term effects of opioid addiction are listed below.
- Physical
- Psychological
- Socio-economic
1. Physical long-term effects of opioid addiction
The physical long-term effects of opioid addiction include gastrointestinal problems, respiratory issues, cardiovascular system complications, increased risk of falls and fractures, reproductive health-related problems, and a heightened risk for HIV and other infectious diseases.
These harmful effects, which impact several body systems as well as general health, are frequently severe and widespread. Opioid physical addiction exacerbates pre-existing health problems and keeps the body from mending through a pattern of usage that inhibits the body from healing.
2. Psychological long-term effects of opioid addiction
The psychological long-term effects of opioid addiction include persistent depression, anxiety disorders, and cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, impaired decision-making, and difficulty concentrating.
Chronic opioid use leads to persistent depression, as the brain’s ability to regulate mood becomes impaired. Anxiety disorders are likewise prevalent, characterized by elevated levels of panic and stress. Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating, result from the neurotoxic effects of prolonged opioid use. Psychological addiction to opioids keeps people’s mental health in a downward spiral.
3. Socio-economic long-term effects of opioid addiction
The socio-economic long-term effects of opioid addiction include job loss and unemployment, financial instability, housing insecurity, higher medical expenses, and higher costs for law enforcement.
Addiction to opioids drives these socio-economic consequences by mainly impairing an individual’s ability to maintain stable employment and manage finances.
What are the complications and dangers of opioid addiction?
The complications and dangers of opioid addiction include respiratory depression, bladder dysfunction, tolerance, physical dependence, mood disorders, overdose, and death.
Respiratory depression and death are among the most feared complications associated with all opioids, according to a 2008 paper from the Pain Physician journal titled, “Opioid Complications and Side Effects.” Due to its effect on the central nervous system, opioids drastically reduce the rate of respiration.
Chronic opioid use leads to bladder dysfunction, causing issues such as urinary retention or difficulty urinating. This occurs because opioids affect the muscles and nerves controlling the bladder, disrupting normal function.
Tolerance to opioids develops when the body becomes accustomed to the drug, requiring increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effect. On the other hand, physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to the presence of opioids, leading to withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not available.
One of the most severe dangers of opioid addiction is the risk of drug overdose, which occurs when an individual consumes a toxic amount of the substance. A 2023 publication titled, “Opioid overdose” from the World Health Organization revealed that in 2019, substance use was responsible for approximately 600,000 fatalities worldwide. Opioids are responsible for nearly 80% of these deaths, with opioid overdose accounting for approximately 25% of these fatalities.
What are the treatments for opioid addiction?
Treatments for opioid addiction refer to a variety of medical, psychological, and supportive interventions that are intended to assist individuals in overcoming their opioid dependence. The treatments for opioid addiction are listed below.
- Medications (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone): Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist that, like other opioids, acts on brain opioid receptors to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as per a 2024 report titled, “How do medications to treat opioid use disorder work?” from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms as well. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids, preventing any feeling of euphoria from opioid use, and is used to prevent relapse.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Individuals struggling with opioid use disorder are able to find relief through CBT, a type of psychotherapy. People learn to deal with stress and its triggers with its help, as well as how to solve problems through organized sessions.
- Counseling: Counseling is a critical component of treatment and is typically necessary in conjunction with all medications, according to a 2016 publication titled, “Opioid Addiction Treatment: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends” from the American Society of Addiction Medicine. It additionally assists patients in addressing personal, social, or other issues which possibly contribute to their addiction.
- Support groups: Support groups offer mutual support and encouragement by forming a community of individuals who have experienced opioid addiction in a similar manner. Attending support group meetings on a consistent basis fosters accountability, reduces feelings of isolation, and enhances social support.
- Motivational interviewing (MI): Motivational interviewing (MI) is a useful, research-proven method for assisting clients in overcoming ambivalence around actions that inhibit change, according to a 2021 publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration titled, “Using Motivational Interviewing in Substance Use Disorder Treatment.” MI’s main objectives are to demonstrate empathy, as well as to elicit clients’ motivations for and commitment to modifying their use of drugs and other harmful behaviors.
Which opioid addiction treatment is the most effective?
The most effective treatment for opioid addiction is frequently the combination of medication, counseling, and other forms of support, according to a report titled, “Opioid Addiction Treatment: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends” published in 2016 by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
The treatment plan is better able to be customized to each patient’s specific needs by incorporating these components, which address the psychological as well as the physical aspects of addiction and greatly increase the likelihood of long-term recovery.
What is the success rate for opioid addiction treatment?
The success rate for opioid addiction treatment, particularly medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which includes medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, indicates that the program helped 75% of people stay off opioids and 59% stay off all illegal drugs after being in treatment for at least 90 days. After one year, these rates improved to 84% and 62%, respectively, according to a 2020 paper by Brunisholz et al., titled, “Trends in abstinence and retention associated with implementing a Medication Assisted Treatment program for people with opioid use disorders using a Collective Impact approach.”
On the other hand, another study by Roger D. Weiss and Vinod Rao published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence titled, “The Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study: What have we learned” found that when people stayed on the medication buprenorphine-naloxone (bup-nx), nearly half (49%) were able to stop using opioids or use them only occasionally. However, only 7-8% of people succeeded when they tried to taper off the medication and stop using it altogether.
Can you overcome opioid addiction without professional help?
No, you cannot overcome opioid addiction without professional help, as it is generally not advisable. Opioid addiction involves significant physical and psychological challenges, including severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings that are difficult to manage without medical supervision.
Without professional intervention, the risk of relapse and potential health complications increases significantly, making it much harder to achieve and sustain long-term recovery.
What are the issues with opioid addiction treatment?
The issues with opioid addiction treatment include social and internalized stigma related to using medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), logistical issues, treatment experiences, and knowledge gaps, a 2020 paper by Mackey et al., titled, “Barriers and Facilitators to the Use of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: a Rapid Review” revealed.
The study explained that patients frequently encountered internalized stigma and social stigma associated with the use of OUD medications. Others perceived medication as a “crutch” and believed that its use did not imply genuine sobriety. Negative past experiences with OUD treatment, such as experiences of mistreatment or lack of support from staff, were likewise major obstacles.
Barriers related to logistics, such as costly charges, trouble locating providers, transportation problems, and prerequisites to first fail abstinence-based treatments, were identified. Finally, a lot of people had no idea what to anticipate from drugs like naltrexone and had little information about available treatments.
What are the risk factors for opioid addiction?
Risk factors for opioid addiction describe a person’s predisposition toward opioid dependence as a result of certain conditions, behaviors, or traits. The risk factors for opioid addiction are listed below.
- High dose: Taking high doses of opioids, especially over a prolonged period, significantly increases the risk of addiction. Higher doses lead to greater physical dependence as the body becomes accustomed to the drug’s effects.
- Past or current substance abuse: Individuals who have a history of substance dependence, including alcohol or other drugs, are more likely to develop an addiction to opioids. Prior substance abuse alters brain chemistry and increases susceptibility to addiction.
- Untreated psychiatric disorders: Mental health disorders increase the risk of opioid addiction, especially if left untreated. In fact, a 2019 review from the Annals of Emergency Medicine titled, “Risk Factors for Misuse of Prescribed Opioids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” found that individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders were twice as likely to misuse prescribed narcotics. Individuals may abuse prescribed medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, achieve psychological effects, or supplement or replace the use of other substances.
- Younger age: Young adults and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to opioid addiction. It has been suggested that younger people frequently abuse prescription medicines since they are easily obtained from friends and relatives, as per a 2019 paper by Cragg et al., titled, “Risk Factors for Misuse of Prescribed Opioids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Yet, findings of the study revealed that even with equal access to prescribed opioids for all age groups, younger people were still more likely to abuse them.
- Adverse social or familial situations that promote abuse: Growing up or living in environments where drug use is prevalent or accepted increases the risk of opioid addiction. Social influences, such as peer pressure and normalization of drug use, encourage experimentation and regular use of opioids.
Is there a connection between opioid addiction and ADHD?
Yes, there is a connection between opioid addiction and ADHD, as research has demonstrated that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to characteristics such as impulsivity and heightened reward seeking, which increase the likelihood of early experimentation with substances such as opioids, according to a 2020 study by Gupta et al., titled, “Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and its correlates in patients with opioid dependence: An exploratory study.”
The paper further stated that 18.2% of adults with opioid-dependence syndrome (ODS) additionally suffered from adult ADHD, which is in line with other research. Moreover, substance abuse is another way that people with ADHD symptoms self-medicate.
What are the causes of opioid addiction?
Causes of opioid addiction describe the different characteristics and factors that make someone dependent on opioids. The causes of opioid addiction are listed below.
- Genetic predisposition: Genetic factors influence how a person’s body responds to opioids, making them more susceptible to substance dependence. An article titled, “Opioid addiction” last updated in November 2017 by MedlinePlus stated that common variations in the OPRM1 gene seem to affect the body’s response to opioids, including the quantity of an opioid drug required to relieve pain.
- Trauma and stress: Experiencing significant trauma, whether from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, leads individuals to misuse opioids as a coping mechanism. In fact, a 2018 review by Torres-Berrio et al., titled, “Interaction Between Stress and Addiction: Contributions From Latin-American Neuroscience” stated that opioid-dependent persons commonly report having had stressful life events before seeking drugs or experiencing a relapse.
- Chronic pain: Individuals suffering from chronic pain turn to opioids for relief, which is likely to lead to dependency. Over time, the body develops tolerance, necessitating increased dosages to manage pain, increasing the risk of addiction. Chronic pain patients are particularly vulnerable if alternative pain management strategies are not utilized.
How long does it take to develop an opioid addiction?
The time it takes to develop an opioid addiction varies significantly based on numerous variables, such as a person’s genes, how often and for how long they use opioids, and whether or not they have any preexisting mental health issues.
It is important to note, however, that the development of tolerance occurs unexpectedly quickly, even in instances of acute pain; clinical proof of tolerance is often observed in as little as a few weeks, according to a 2013 article titled, “Long-Term Opioid Treatment” published in the AMA Journal of Ethics.
While tolerance is a component of addiction and is often an early step toward it, addiction itself is a broader and more severe condition that includes behavioral and psychological aspects.
