Opioids | Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C.

Opioids: A Worldwide Epidemic

Site Admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 16:16:52 +0000

Throughout the world, half a million deaths each year are attributed to drug use. Of these, more than 70 percent are related to opioid use. More than 30 percent of those deaths are caused by overdose. In 2017 alone, the World Health Organization estimates that 115,000 people died from opioid overdose. Yet, overdoses that do not lead to death are more common than those that do.

Symptoms of Opioid Overdose

A number of signs and symptoms are associated with opioid overdose. These include:

Difficulty breathing
Pinpoint pupils
Unconsciousness

Of course, an opioid overdose can also lead to death.

Risk Factors of Opioid Overdose

Several risk factors are associated with opioid overdose. These include:

Taking opioids by injection
Using opioids again after going for a period of time without (such as following a period of detoxification or being released from incarceration)
Using prescription opioids without medical supervision
Taking a high prescription of opioids of more than 100 mg of morphine or equivalent
Using opioids with alcohol or other substances or medicines that are known to suppress the respiratory function (i.e. barbiturates, anesthetics, benzodiazepines or certain pain medications)
Having other medical conditions such as liver disease, lung disease, HIV or a mental health condition
Having an opioid disorder

Unfortunately, the number of opioid overdoses has increased around the world in recent years. In the United States, the number of people dying from opioid overdose increased by 120 percent from 2010 to 2018. If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more about our suboxone treatment program.

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Understanding Opioids and Opiates

Site Admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 22:09:12 +0000

More than likely, you have heard that we are facing an opioid crisis. Yet, you may still find yourself feeling a bit confused by the various terms and other information that is available regarding this type of drug and the crisis that surrounds it. One common question asked about opioids is what is the difference between an opioid and an opiate and how exactly do these drugs work?

Opioid Vs. Opiate

Simply put, an opioid is a drug that is cultivated from the poppy plant. Once the plant is harvested, its dried ruminates can be manufactured to make opium, morphine and heroin. Opioids derived from the poppy plant have been in used since 3400 BC.

Opiates, on the other hand, are a synthetic version of opioids. As such, these drugs are produced in a laboratory and include prescription drugs such as OxyContin. While both terms are frequently used interchangeably, there technically is a difference between the two.

How Do Opioids and Opiates Work?

Opioids and opiates are intended to be used to help alleviate pain. When your body experiences pain, those pain signals travel through your nervous system’s sensory receptors. The signals pass through the A-Delta and C-Fibers before reaching the spinal cord and, ultimately, the brain. When you take one of these drugs, those pain signals are intercepted, thereby blocking the message and lowering the pain threshold.

While these drugs can help to reduce discomfort, overuse or abuse can suppress the body’s autonomic functions. This can cause breathing or your heart rate to slow or even stop. For these reasons and more, it is important to seek treatment right away. Contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today to learn more about how we can help you with our Suboxone treatment program.

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