Science Behind Opioid Addiction

What is currently the leading cause of overdose deaths in the world? Well, in 2020, 75% of 92000 overdose deaths involved an opioid (CDC, 2022). Ultimately, anyone is at risk of developing an opioid addiction, however, it is virtually impossible to predict who is most vulnerable to abuse and depend on these drugs (Mayo Clinic, 2022). 

Drug addiction is an irresistible urge or desire and repeated out-of-control use of a drug, regardless of its harmful consequences. Opioids are highly addictive as they’re able to activate high-powered reward centers inside your brain. In particular, they trigger the release of your brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitters, endorphins. Endorphins create a temporary yet powerful sense of well-being by boosting feelings of pleasure and muffling your perception of pain. Thus, one may find themselves craving those satisfying feelings when an opioid dose wears off, which is the first step towards addiction. As you start taking opioids regularly, your body slows the production of endorphins, resulting in tolerance. Now, the same dose of opioids triggers a weaker surge of good feelings, making people who develop tolerance to opioids feel more driven to increase their doses to trigger these good feelings. Moreover, opioids are notably most addictive when taken using a different method from the one prescribed. For instance, crushing a pill so that it can be injected or snorted. Rapidly delivering narcotics into your body may lead to an accidental overdose, and taking higher doses can increase your risk of opioid addiction. Furthermore, the duration you use prescribed opioids plays a significant role. According to research, taking opioid medications for several days increases your risk of long-term use, and the odds that you’ll develop an opioid addiction after one year start increasing after only five days of initial use (Mayo Clinic, 2022). 

If you're someone who has developed tolerance from taking opioids, ask your doctor for help. Stopping opioid medication abruptly can lead to severe side effects and pain worse before taking opioids. With the assistance of your doctor, you can safely and gradually start to taper off opioids. There are safer choices and treatments, such as non-pharmacological therapies and less-addictive pain medications, available for you to implement into your lifestyle to continue to feel well (Mayo Clinic, 2022). It's important to talk to an anesthesiologist or another physician about exploring alternative options or using opioids more safely and wisely if you or someone you know is contemplating taking opioids to manage pain (ASA, n.d.). Ultimately, you can help prevent opioid addiction in your community and family by safeguarding opioid medication while using them and disposing of unused opioids properly (Mayo Clinic, 2022). 

References

Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 12). How opioid addiction occurs. https://www.mayoclinic.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 14). Understanding Drug Overdoses and Death. https://www.cdc.gov