What Are Opiates?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOpiates DefinitionTypes of OpiatesEffects on the BrainSide EffectsTolerance, Dependence, and WithdrawalOpiate MisuseHow to Get Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Opiates Definition

Types of Opiates

Effects on the Brain

Side Effects

Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal

Opiate Misuse

How to Get Help

What is the most important information I should know about opiates?Opiate-like medications such as Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), OxyContin (oxycodone), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), and Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) are often prescribed to treat pain.Such medications can be habit-forming and may lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal even when taken as directed.Opiates, sometimes known as narcotics, are a type of drug that act asdepressantson thecentral nervous system(CNS). Opiates come from opium, which can be produced naturally from poppy plants; opioids are chemically synthesized opiate-like drugs.Some of the most common opiates and opioids include:MorphineCodeineHydrocodoneFentanylOxycodoneHeroin is an illicit opiate.According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), heroin is a rapid-acting opiate that is highly addictive. It is a Schedule I substance in the U.S., meaning s there is not currently accepted medical use.An estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain.Opioid pain relievers are often prescribed to treat injury-related, dental, and back pain. Such medications can be habit-forming and lead to dependence, addiction, and withdrawal, even when taken exactly as prescribed.Opiates DefinitionOpiates can be defined as any drug that comes from the opium alkaloid compounds that naturally occur in the poppy plant. These substances affect the opioid receptors in the brain and body to produce pain relief.Opiates vs. OpioidsWhile an opiate is a naturally occurring compound found in poppy plants, an opioid refers to any natural or synthetic substance that binds to the opioid receptors in the brain to create opiate-like effects.Treatment for Opioid AddictionTypes of OpiatesThere are a few different types of opiates:CodeineMorphineOpiumThebaineOpium, morphine, and thebaine are Schedule II narcotics.That means they can be prescribed for medical reasons, but they have a high potential for dependence and abuse.Morphine and codeine are the two most common opiates. Thebaine is not used on its own as a pain medication, but it is used to produce synthetic opioid pain medications, including hydrocodone and buprenorphine.There are also a number of different synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids that have effects similar to those of natural opiates. Some of these include heroin, oxycodone, andmethadone. Some of these can be prescribed for medicinal uses, but others, like heroin, are illegal and have no known medical uses.How Opiates Affect the BrainBoth humans and animals have opiate receptors in the brain. These receptors act as action sites for different types of opiates, such as heroin and morphine.The reason the brain has these receptor sites is because of the existence of endogenous (internal)neurotransmittersthat act on these receptor sites and produce responses in the body that are similar to those of opiate drugs.Opiates and opioids bind to specific receptors in the brain, mimicking the effects of pain-relieving chemicals produced naturally.These drugs bind to opiate receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other locations in the body. This blocks the perception of pain.Side Effects of OpiatesWhile opiates can relieve pain, they can also produce many unwanted side effects. This may include:ConfusionConstipationDependenceDizzinessDrowsinessHypoxiaNauseaOverdoseSlowed breathingToleranceVomitingOpiates can have serious health risks, including reduced breathing rate, coma, and death. Even when taken exactly as directed, they may lead to physical and psychological dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.Tolerance, Dependence, and WithdrawalWhile opiates are often very effective in treating pain, people can eventually develop a tolerance. When this happens, people require higher doses to achieve the same effects.As opiate drugs become more tolerated, people may begin taking increasingly higher doses to experience the same pain-relieving effects and reduce symptoms ofwithdrawal.Symptoms ofopiate withdrawalcan include:Abdominal crampingAnxietyInsomniaIrritabilityMuscle achesNauseaRunny noseVomitingWhat makes prescription opiates so potentially dangerous? They affect powerful reward systems in the brain. Over time, the brain needs these substances to continue experiencing rewards and avoid withdrawal.Some people can even become addicted when taking them exactly as prescribed. Failing to take medications as directed or combining medications with other substances can increase this risk. There are also individual differences in genetic vulnerability to opiate addiction.The risk of developing an addiction to opiates or opioids increases when taking high doses, when using these medications for prolonged durations, or when using extended-release or long-acting formulations.Other risk factors include age, past substance use, environments that encourage misuse, and untreated mental health conditions.People who use opiates to control pain should contact their healthcare provider if they believe they may be developing a tolerance or addiction.Opiate MisuseOpiate and opioid use are on the rise globally, so it may come as no surprise that abuse and addiction to such substances have also increased in recent years. According to official statistics:Opioid prescriptions peaked in 2012 and have declined since. While overall rates have dropped, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that it remains high in certain areas of the U.S., with more than 142 million opioid prescriptions in 2020.In 2019, opioids were involves in 49,860 overdose deaths. This accounts for 70.6% of all drug overdose deaths.There were 49,860 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2019, 68,630 deaths in 2020,and 81,806 in 2022.Developing a dependence or addiction to prescription opiate-derived medication increases the risk of becoming addicted to illicit opioids. About 75% of all people with an opioid addiction disorder end up switching to heroin as a cheaper source of opioids.Nearly half a million U.S. adults are addicted to heroin.How to Get HelpIf you have developed a dependence or addiction to opiate or opioid medication such as Dilaudid, OxyContin, Vicodin, or Percocet, there are evidence-based treatments that can help. The first step is to talk to your doctor about what actions will help you stop using opiates.Your doctor may recommend gradually tapering your medication over a period of time to help minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms. They may also prescribe a medication such as buprenorphine or methadone to prevent withdrawal symptoms.Treatment for opiate and opioid addiction often involves psychotherapy, medication, and support groups. In some cases, inpatient treatment or intensive inpatient therapy may be needed.PsychotherapyTypes of therapy that are often utilized to treat opioid addiction include:Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of therapy that address the thought and behavior patterns that contribute to addictionMotivational enhancement therapy (MET): A type of therapy that focuses on helping people increase their motivation to changeFamily therapy: An approach that focuses on relationships and family dynamics to support a person’s recoveryMedicationsMedications may also support recovery from addiction. Some medications that may be prescribed include:Naltrexone: This medication binds to opioid receptors in the brain to block their effects and reduce cravings.Buprenorphine: This medication blocks opioid receptors in the brain. This prevents people from experiencing the effects of opioids and prevents withdrawal symptoms.Methadone: Methadone blocks the effects of opioids and allows people to withdraw from medication more easily.Support GroupsMany people find that12-step programsand support groups can encourage abstinence and help people get the support they need. While evidence of the efficacy of 12-step groups in opioid recovery is still limited,they can be a source of encouragement and acceptance.If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Treatment for Opioid Addiction

What is the most important information I should know about opiates?

Opiate-like medications such as Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), OxyContin (oxycodone), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), and Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) are often prescribed to treat pain.Such medications can be habit-forming and may lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal even when taken as directed.

Opiates, sometimes known as narcotics, are a type of drug that act asdepressantson thecentral nervous system(CNS). Opiates come from opium, which can be produced naturally from poppy plants; opioids are chemically synthesized opiate-like drugs.

Some of the most common opiates and opioids include:

Heroin is an illicit opiate.According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), heroin is a rapid-acting opiate that is highly addictive. It is a Schedule I substance in the U.S., meaning s there is not currently accepted medical use.

An estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain.Opioid pain relievers are often prescribed to treat injury-related, dental, and back pain. Such medications can be habit-forming and lead to dependence, addiction, and withdrawal, even when taken exactly as prescribed.

Opiates can be defined as any drug that comes from the opium alkaloid compounds that naturally occur in the poppy plant. These substances affect the opioid receptors in the brain and body to produce pain relief.

Opiates vs. OpioidsWhile an opiate is a naturally occurring compound found in poppy plants, an opioid refers to any natural or synthetic substance that binds to the opioid receptors in the brain to create opiate-like effects.

Opiates vs. Opioids

While an opiate is a naturally occurring compound found in poppy plants, an opioid refers to any natural or synthetic substance that binds to the opioid receptors in the brain to create opiate-like effects.

Treatment for Opioid Addiction

There are a few different types of opiates:

Opium, morphine, and thebaine are Schedule II narcotics.That means they can be prescribed for medical reasons, but they have a high potential for dependence and abuse.

Morphine and codeine are the two most common opiates. Thebaine is not used on its own as a pain medication, but it is used to produce synthetic opioid pain medications, including hydrocodone and buprenorphine.

There are also a number of different synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids that have effects similar to those of natural opiates. Some of these include heroin, oxycodone, andmethadone. Some of these can be prescribed for medicinal uses, but others, like heroin, are illegal and have no known medical uses.

How Opiates Affect the Brain

Both humans and animals have opiate receptors in the brain. These receptors act as action sites for different types of opiates, such as heroin and morphine.

The reason the brain has these receptor sites is because of the existence of endogenous (internal)neurotransmittersthat act on these receptor sites and produce responses in the body that are similar to those of opiate drugs.

Opiates and opioids bind to specific receptors in the brain, mimicking the effects of pain-relieving chemicals produced naturally.

These drugs bind to opiate receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other locations in the body. This blocks the perception of pain.

Side Effects of Opiates

While opiates can relieve pain, they can also produce many unwanted side effects. This may include:

Opiates can have serious health risks, including reduced breathing rate, coma, and death. Even when taken exactly as directed, they may lead to physical and psychological dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.

While opiates are often very effective in treating pain, people can eventually develop a tolerance. When this happens, people require higher doses to achieve the same effects.

As opiate drugs become more tolerated, people may begin taking increasingly higher doses to experience the same pain-relieving effects and reduce symptoms ofwithdrawal.Symptoms ofopiate withdrawalcan include:

What makes prescription opiates so potentially dangerous? They affect powerful reward systems in the brain. Over time, the brain needs these substances to continue experiencing rewards and avoid withdrawal.

Some people can even become addicted when taking them exactly as prescribed. Failing to take medications as directed or combining medications with other substances can increase this risk. There are also individual differences in genetic vulnerability to opiate addiction.

The risk of developing an addiction to opiates or opioids increases when taking high doses, when using these medications for prolonged durations, or when using extended-release or long-acting formulations.

Other risk factors include age, past substance use, environments that encourage misuse, and untreated mental health conditions.People who use opiates to control pain should contact their healthcare provider if they believe they may be developing a tolerance or addiction.

Opiate and opioid use are on the rise globally, so it may come as no surprise that abuse and addiction to such substances have also increased in recent years. According to official statistics:

Developing a dependence or addiction to prescription opiate-derived medication increases the risk of becoming addicted to illicit opioids. About 75% of all people with an opioid addiction disorder end up switching to heroin as a cheaper source of opioids.Nearly half a million U.S. adults are addicted to heroin.

If you have developed a dependence or addiction to opiate or opioid medication such as Dilaudid, OxyContin, Vicodin, or Percocet, there are evidence-based treatments that can help. The first step is to talk to your doctor about what actions will help you stop using opiates.

Your doctor may recommend gradually tapering your medication over a period of time to help minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms. They may also prescribe a medication such as buprenorphine or methadone to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment for opiate and opioid addiction often involves psychotherapy, medication, and support groups. In some cases, inpatient treatment or intensive inpatient therapy may be needed.

Psychotherapy

Types of therapy that are often utilized to treat opioid addiction include:

Medications

Medications may also support recovery from addiction. Some medications that may be prescribed include:

Support Groups

Many people find that12-step programsand support groups can encourage abstinence and help people get the support they need. While evidence of the efficacy of 12-step groups in opioid recovery is still limited,they can be a source of encouragement and acceptance.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

17 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Kreek MJ, Reed B, Butelman ER.Current status of opioid addiction treatment and related preclinical research.Sci Adv. 2019;5(10):eaax9140. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax9140

Humphreys K, Barreto NB, Alessi SM, et al.Impact of 12 step mutual help groups on drug use disorder patients across six clinical trials.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020;215:108213. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108213

American Society of Addiction Medicine.Opioid addiction disease: 2016 facts and figures. 2016.Volkow ND.What science tells us about opioid abuse and addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

American Society of Addiction Medicine.Opioid addiction disease: 2016 facts and figures. 2016.

Volkow ND.What science tells us about opioid abuse and addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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What is the most important information I should know about opiates?#

Opiates vs. Opioids#

How Opiates Affect the Brain#

Side Effects of Opiates#

Psychotherapy#

Medications#

Support Groups#