Opioid use disorder is a chronic and complex condition that affects millions of people in the United States. While opioids can be effective in managing acute or chronic pain, they also carry a high risk of addiction – even when used as prescribed.
Understanding how opioids affect your well-being and the severe risks associated with continued use can empower you to recognize when it’s time to seek help.
How Opioids Affect the Brain
Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and body. When activated, these receptors reduce the perception of pain and trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.
Over time, your brain will adapt to the presence of opioids and become less responsive to the medication and natural sources of pleasure, ultimately leading to:
- Increased tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect
- Physical dependence, with withdrawal symptoms appearing when the drug is not taken
- Compulsive cravings that can interfere with your judgment and behavior
These changes in brain chemistry make opioids addictive and challenging to stop using without professional help.
Warning Signs of Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder often develops gradually, making it difficult to recognize in the early stages. Some warning signs include:
- Taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed
- Inability to cut down or control your opioid use
- Spending a significant amount of time obtaining, using or recovering from opioids
- Neglecting your work, family or social responsibilities
- Using opioids in risky situations, such as while driving
- Withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit your medication
Behaviorally, someone with opioid use disorder may become withdrawn, irritable or secretive. They may have frequent mood swings, sleep disturbances or unexplained financial problems.
From Prescription Use to Heroin
For many people, opioid addiction begins with a legitimate prescription for pain relief. Over time, as your tolerance builds and your access to prescription medications becomes more restricted, you may turn to illicit opioids like heroin as a cheaper or more accessible alternative.
This transition is extremely dangerous, especially because the illicit drug supply is rife with fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that is far more potent and faster-acting than morphine. Fentanyl-laced heroin drives the current wave of the U.S. overdose crisis, and people often have no idea they have taken it until it is too late.
The Risk of Overdose
An opioid overdose can occur when you take more drugs than your body can handle. Opioids are central nervous system suppressants, which means they dramatically slow down your breathing and heart rate. These effects can quickly lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or death.
Warning signs of an overdose include:
- Shallow or stopped breathing
- Blue or gray lips and fingertips
- Loss of consciousness
- Limp body or inability to wake up
- Gurgling or choking sounds
The risk of overdose is higher than ever because of the unpredictability of the illicit drug supply and the potency of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, especially among people who use opioids obtained without a legitimate prescription.
As a hospital-based and fully accredited treatment center, Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat offers the safety, structure and medical expertise needed to support chronic pain and substance use disorders.
Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction Treatment
We understand how opioid use disorder can develop – even from well-intentioned pain management. We’ve specifically designed our California chronic pain and addiction treatment program to help clients who have relied on opioid painkillers and now face the harmful consequences of long-term use.
Our program is appropriate for people who:
- Have developed a high tolerance that interferes with effective pain relief
- Experience side effects like sedation, depression or cognitive impairment
- Are ready to explore alternatives to narcotic analgesics with professional help
Treatment begins with medically managed detoxification to minimize withdrawal symptoms while protecting against breakthrough pain. Once you’re stable, you’ll transition into a structured program that combines traditional addiction rehab with targeted therapies focused on pain management.
We help clients:
- Learn new strategies for managing pain without opioids
- Address the emotional and psychological impact of addiction
- Develop coping skills to prevent relapse
- Explore holistic approaches like physical therapy, mindfulness and behavioral interventions
If you struggle with opioid use and pain management, help is available. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive, compassionate approach to recovery.