Questions About Opioids
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are synthetic forms of opium, which is made from poppy flower seeds. Opioids are a group of medications that are very good at relieving pain, which is why they are so often prescribed after surgery or injury. We produce natural opioids in our brain, called endorphins, that trigger the brain’s reward system. This system can be naturally activated by eating a good meal or having sex, and this can cause us feel euphoric, or “high.” Opioids also cause the release of the brain chemical dopamine, which leads to feelings of comfort, positive emotional experiences, and is an essential part of the reward system. These feelings are what an opioid abuser hopes for when they misuse these drugs.
What medications contain opioids?
Most opioids in pill form are mixed other medications, such as Vicodin which also contains Acetaminophen (ie Tylenol). Many medications you wouldn’t think of also contain them, including prescription cough syrup.
Here is a partial list of synthetic opioids:
Heroin (yes, it used to be a medication developed by the drug company Bayer)
Buprenex (aka suboxone, used to treat addiction)
Methadone (used to treat addiction but also abused)
Morphine
Demerol
Meperidine
Desmethylprodine
Nisentil/Prisilidine
Fentanyl
Tramadol/Ultram
Codeine/Codiene
Hydrocodone (including: Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Lorcet, Vicoprofen, Hysingla, Zohydro, Vantrela, Hycomine Compound, Azdone, Alor, Panasa, Tusnel, VasoTuss, Canges, Anaplex, Bromph, Drocon, Excof, Tri-Vent, Histex, Mintex, Tussionex, Pennkinetic, Zutripro, Notuss, Hydron, Hydrocof, Histussin, Cytuss, Zotex, Rindal, Endal, Tussinate, Narcof, Hydrocod, Pneumotussin, Vortex, Mintuss, Atuss, Hydrotussin, Hycofenix, Entuss, Decotuss, Hydromet, Hycodan, Tussigon, Hydromide, Ibudone, Reprexain, Xylon, Vetuss, Phenylephrine, Tusdec, Nalex, Lortuss, PhendaCof, Hycomal, Dicomal, Hycomine, Codamine, Prolex, Protuss, Marcof Expectorant, Entuss, Protuss, Procof, Rezira, Tussafin, Tussgen, Zymine, etc.)
Oxycodone (including: Oxycontin, Percocet, Roxicet, Endocet, Tylox, Percodan, Endodan, Roxiprin, Combunox, Targiniq, Troxyca, etc.)
Why are opioids so addictive?
This is a very complex subject, but at its core, taking synthetic opioids tells the brain it no longer has to make “natural opioids” like endorphins. Since the brain is getting what it wants from an outside source, why should it waste energy on making anything? And that is the problem; when a person stops taking the drugs, the brain isn’t making the brain chemicals it needs to function. So, symptoms of withdrawal occur, which leads to strong urges to find and take the synthetic opioids. It is a very precarious situation and because it is so complex, many people become addicted.
To find out more about opioids contact us to set up a presentation for you and your group with Phil’s Help!