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Opiate (Heroin, Codeine, Morphine) & Opioid (Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Tramadol) Addiction

Opiates and Opioids are a class of pain-relieving drugs that work by interacting with opioid receptors in your nervous system (Brain and Spinal cord). They include the illegal drug heroin, and prescription medications such as fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine, hydrocodone and morphine.

Understanding the Epidemic:

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States:

  • From 1999 to 2016, more than 630,000 people have died from a drug overdose 
  • In 2017 alone 76,000 people died from opioid drug overdose.  This is more than the combined causalities from every war or military intervention since and including Vietnam.
  • Around 66% of the more than 63,600 drug overdose deaths in 2016 involved an opioid
  • In 2016, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was 5 times higher than in 1999
  • In 2021 all cause opiate and opioid overdose deaths rose to a new all time high of 80,411 Americans.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has also been monitoring the opioid epidemic and reports:

  • Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them
  • Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder
  • An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin
  • About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids
  • Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states
  • The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September 2017
  • Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54 percent in 16 states
 

Opioid and Opiate Withdrawal Signs & Symptoms

Opioid withdrawal symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on several factors, such as; drug, dosage, dependency, length of time using a particular drug, drug combinations, underlying medical conditions, history of addiction, previous trauma and stressful or unsupportive surroundings.

Early Signs & Symptoms:

  • Tearing up (watery eyes)
  • Runny nose
  • Yawning
  • Sneezing 
  • Muscle aches
  • Agitation
  • Trouble falling and staying asleep
  • Excessive yawning
  • Anxiety
  • Hot and Cold Sweats
  • Racing heart
  • Elevated Blood Pressure
  • Elevated Temperature

Late Signs & Symptoms:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Goosebumps ("Gooseflesh")
  • Stomach cramps and aches
  • Depression
  • Drug cravings
  • Bone or muscle aches and pains
 

Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction

Opiate and Opioid abuse and addiction is a serious health epidemic. If not addressed, can lead to death from overdose.  ASAP Educations goal is to provide the much needed counseling education to bring individuals into the field or expand the skillset of those already providing services.  Our goal is to assist counseling students in understanding not only the disease of addiction, but to recognize their full potential, free from chemical dependence.

The effects of opioid addiction can be far-reaching and devastating for all involved. Some of the most common effects from opioid abuse and addiction include:

  • Job loss
  • Financial Strain/Instability
  • Homelessness
  • Incarceration
  • Divorce
  • Single Parent
  • Abuse (domestic or child)
  • Broken relationships (family, friends, community)
  • Poor Hygiene
  • Declining Physical Appearance/Health
  • Liver Damage
  • Kidney Damage
  • Brain/Memory Damage
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Overdose
  • Death

Treatment for Heroin and Opiod Addiction

Several medical treatment options exist for opiate (heroin) and opioid (fentanyl, oxycodone) addiction, including both behavioral and pharmacological, also known as medicacaitons for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Both approaches help to restore brain function and behavior. Research has shown that integrating both medication assisted treatment and counseling is the most effective treatment for opiate and opioid addicted patients.  Addiction Services And Pharmacotherapy (Madison, West Allis and Kenosha) is ready to provide evidence based treatments to those suffering with opiate addiction.

Addiction Services And Pharmacotherapy Clinics offer:

  • Outpatient Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) - Treatment options include Methadone, Suboxone and Vivitrol which may be used to relieve and/or reduce opioid cravings. Read more about ASAP treatment facility benefits.
     
  • Individual and Group Counseling - Meeting with a counselor is a mainstay of treatment and is an essential part of you reaching your goals in recovery.  With out this you will never address the triggers or trauma leading to, or contributing to the addiction.
    Collaborating with counseling and clinical recommendations will help determine the type and frequency of behavioral treatment. A typical day at our addiction treatment center.

 

 

Training in the field of addiction counseling or advancement of your current skills is available through one of our courses

If you are ready to take the next step, please contact us.