Opioid addiction
Last updated 16 May 2024
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Opioid addiction is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that can cause major health, social, and economic problems. Opioids are a class of drugs that act in the nervous system to produce feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Some opioids are legally prescribed by healthcare providers to manage severe and chronic pain. Commonly prescribed opioids include oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. Some other opioids, such as heroin, are illegal drugs of abuse.
Description
Opioid addiction is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that can cause major health, social, and economic problems. Opioids are a class of drugs that act in the nervous system to produce feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Some opioids are legally prescribed by healthcare providers to manage severe and chronic pain. Commonly prescribed opioids include oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. Some other opioids, such as heroin, are illegal drugs of abuse.
Opioid addiction is characterised by a powerful, compulsive urge to use opioid drugs, even when they are no longer required medically. Opioids have a high potential for causing addiction in some people, even when the medications are prescribed appropriately and taken as directed. Many prescription opioids are misused or diverted to others. Individuals who become addicted may prioritize getting and using these drugs over other activities in their lives, often negatively impacting their professional and personal relationships. It is unknown why some people are more likely to become addicted than others.
Opioids change the chemistry of the brain and lead to drug tolerance, which means that over time the dose needs to be increased to achieve the same effect. Taking opioids over a long period of time produces dependence, such that when people stop taking the drug, they have physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal (such as muscle cramping, diarrhea, and anxiety). Dependence is not the same thing as addiction; although everyone who takes opioids for an extended period will become dependent, only a small percentage also experience the compulsive, continuing need for the drug that characterizes addiction.
Opioid addiction can cause life-threatening health problems, including the risk of overdose. Overdose occurs when high doses of opioids cause breathing to slow or stop, leading to unconsciousness and death if the overdose is not treated immediately. Both legal and illegal opioids carry a risk of overdose if a person takes too much of the drug, or if opioids are combined with other drugs (particularly tranquilizers called benzodiazepines).
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Pattern unknown. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Opiate addiction
Opiate dependence
Opioid dependence
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Strong painkillers
Opioids cause dependence and addiction; in recent years we are becoming more aware that long-term opioid use is often not helpful, and guidelines are increasingly advising against it, as the risk of addiction is high and the pain control is not as successful as previously thought. Addiction : this is an excessive craving for the opioids. People.
Patient information leaflet
Painkillers
In 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated several of its guidances on painful conditions, including low back pain and sciatica. These highlight some of the risks of side effects of pain ... However, paracetamol can be very dangerous if too much is taken (overdose). Overdoses of paracetamol can happen by mistake,.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Codeine and Paracetamol together?
Asthma or breathing problems Codeine can dangerously slow your breathing. You must not take it if you have severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as it can lead to respiratory failure. Opioid addiction or long-term use Codeine is highly addictive. Using it for more than 3 days can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Co-codamol and Sertraline together?
Paracetamol overdose Co-codamol conta... Do not take it with any other paracetamol-containing products (such as cold and flu remedies), as this can lead to fatal liver damage. Opioid addiction and withdrawal Co-codamol contains codeine, which can cause addiction if used for more than 3 days. Stopping suddenly after long-term use can cause.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Morphine and Solifenacin together?
Important precautions Respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, COPD) Morphine can cause l... Do not take this medicine if you have severe asthma or breathing problems. Opioid dependence and withdrawal Morphine carries a high risk of addiction and dependence. Long-term use can lead to withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly; always follow a tapering.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Co-codamol and Omeprazole together?
Important precautions Paracetamol ove... Do not take it with any other paracetamol-containing products (such as cold and flu remedies), as this can lead to fatal liver damage. Opioid addiction and withdrawal Co-codamol contains codeine, which can cause addiction if used for more than 3 days. Stopping suddenly after long-term use can cause.
Further reading and references
- Opioid addiction; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- American Society of Addiction Medicine: Opioid Addiction 2016 Facts and Figures
- Crist RC, Berrettini WH. Pharmacogenetics of OPRM1. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2014 Aug;123:25-33. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.10.018. Epub 2013 Nov 5.
- Levran O, Yuferov V, Kreek MJ. The genetics of the opioid system and specific drug addictions. Hum Genet. 2012 Jun;131(6):823-42. doi: 10.1007/s00439-012-1172-4. Epub 2012 May 1.
- Mistry CJ, Bawor M, Desai D, Marsh DC, Samaan Z. Genetics of Opioid Dependence: A Review of the Genetic Contribution to Opioid Dependence. Curr Psychiatry Rev. 2014 May;10(2):156-167. doi: 10.2174/1573400510666140320000928.
- Reed B, Butelman ER, Yuferov V, Randesi M, Kreek MJ. Genetics of opiate addiction. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014 Nov;16(11):504. doi: 10.1007/s11920-014-0504-6.
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