Substance Abuse in Opioids Research Paper

Introduction

Opioids refer to a class of drugs that are chemically similar to alkaloids (Huada, Pg 223). Opioids have been used for long centuries and still they remain to be the most analgesic agents. They are regularly used to relieve pain that may result from trauma and extensive burns. In other instances, they are used by victims with extreme pains such cancer. In fact, many states have accepted and allowed limited usage of opioids due to their significance purpose of addressing pain. Not only that opioid is a potent analgesic, but also helps to control anxiety as well as creating a sense of well-being.

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Although there are few debates concerning the short-term effects of opioids, their usage is quite controversial. Therefore, there is an increasing unwillingness among several doctors to prescribe them to the patients. However, the primary issue is that the most potent opioid analgesics are subject to cause addiction and abuse (Arner & Meyerson, pg 18). The paper explains the prescription of opioid by illustrating its effect on the brain and other organs of an individual's body. It also discusses the relationship between Heroine and opioid. Besides, the paper briefly explains the aspect of opioids overdose, tolerance, addiction, and dependence concerning the life of an individual. Other explanations in the article include effects of the drug on pregnant mothers and their treatments among many others.

Prescription of Opioids and How They Are Misused

In most cases, opioids are used as medicine since they contain chemicals which are responsible for relieving severe pain as well as relaxing the body of an individual. For instance, there those which are used to treat diarrhoea and coughing. According to the scientists, consistence use of opioids is quite dangerous to the health of an individual (Arner & Meyerson, pg 19). For example, they lead to addictions, and if not well attended on time they cause death. From the beginning, opioids have mainly been used as painkillers though they have several potentials for misuse. From the survey, consistence use of opioids results to increased risks of developing an opioid disorder. From the past perceptions, the use of opiate drugs such as the heroine and misuse of available painkillers have a tremendous adverse health effect on the life of the user. Some opioids are prescribed by the doctor to relieve the pains. They include the oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone. Opioids that are mainly used to alleviate pain are only safe when taken according to doctor's prescriptions.

Individuals misuse opioids in several ways. Firstly, they take the dose without observing the guidance of the doctors. Out of ignorance, some use them in large amounts which finally results in their health complications. Secondly, an individual is said to misuse opioids when he /she decides to take another person's prescription medicine. When misusing opioid, one may tend to swallow the drug in its natural form. However, some individuals crush the pills into a fine powder and dissolve it in water. After mixing the powder into water, they inject the liquid into the r veins. In some rare instances, some sniff or even smoke the powder.

Effects of Opioid on the Brain

Opioids affect the brain in several ways. For example, once taken, it activates opioid receptors on the cells that are in many parts of the brain. Besides, it affects the spinal cord which leads to the paralyses of the whole functioning of the body organs. However, the most affected are individuals who experience intense feelings of pains and pleasure. After the opioid attaches itself to the receptors, they release dopamine in large amounts throughout the body by blocking pain signals that are being sent from the brain to the body. The large numbers of dopamine strengthen the action of taking the drug which eventually makes the user feel like repeating the experience in all the time (Johnson & North, pg 485).

On the other hand, misuse of opioid leads to slowed rates of breathing. As a result, an individual suffers from a severe condition called Hypoxia. Hypoxia is a condition that manifests when there is insufficient oxygen reaching the brain. In fact, Hypoxia has both short and long terms effects on neurological and psychological function. It can cause permanent damage to the brain or even death. However, researchers are still investigating to find whether it is easy to reverse addiction of the opioid in mind. Other harmful effects are associated with misuse of opioids. They include drowsiness, euphoria, and confusion among many others (Banta-Green, Pg 40).

Other Health Effects of Opioids Medications

According to the recent researches, it is true that older adults have high risks of misusing the drug. Their body possesses chronic diseases which increase the risk of drug-disease interactions. Besides, their conditions are said to have slowed metabolism processes which eventually affects the breakdown of the drugs. Furthermore, sharing of injection equipment contributes to higher risk of contracting severe diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

The Relationship Between Opioids and Heroine

Scientists confirm that opioids are chemically similar to some other drugs such as the heroine. It means once taken, they produce a similar highness or instead they have an equal impact on the body of the user. The majority prefer Heroine to opioids since they are cheaper in many places. It is evident that about 80% of Americans currently taking heroine has been misusing opioids before shifting to Heroine. Although misuse of opioids creates higher risks for starting the use of Heroine, it is only a minor percentage abusing the pain relievers who switches to Heroine. In other words, opioids are among the leading factor that contributes to misuse of heroine. On the other hand, there has been a lot of misunderstanding concerning the relationship between Heroine and opioid. The above incorrect interpretation imparts assumption that opioids are the best and safe drugs to abuse. However, the argument is not the case.

Effects of Opioids to the Pregnant Mothers

For the expectant mothers, they are expected to avoid using opioids. For example, when a pregnant mother abuses the drug, there is a likelihood that the baby will build up dependence as well as having symptoms for withdrawals during the birth. Such a situation is known as neonatal abstinence syndrome which can only be solved by further medicines. Additionally, using an opioid during pregnancy can lead to miscarriages and bearing of children who are underweight. In several cases, it is more difficult for an opioid addict to quit. However, pregnant mothers who seek medication and treatment possess better outcomes more than those who leave unexpectedly.

There are standard drugs to take care of pregnant women who are opioid dependent. They include the methadone and buprenorphine. In fact, a combination of methadone with prenatal care is more likely to improve the adverse results that are associated with opioid addiction that is untreated. In case a woman fails to quit prior becoming pregnant, it is advisable to recommend for Methadone or buprenorphine in the course of her pregnancy. The two drugs serve the purpose of improving the health of the baby at birth. In simple terms, it is always important to monitor women who try hard to quit the drug when they are still pregnant.

Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction to Opioid Abuse

Continuous use of opioid even under doctor's prescriptions can cause individuals to build up endurance. Tolerance means that such addicts depend on frequent opioid doses to achieve the preferred effects. On the other hand, consistency use of opioid results to dependence. In such situations, the neurons are likely to adopt such that for them to function effectively, there must be the presence of the drug. Therefore, the absence of drug in their body leads to various physiological reactions. For instance, such addicts are likely to encounter a potential life that is more threatening. As a result, it is essential to offer necessary support to all opioid addicts. Besides, misuse of opioid causes addiction. Addiction is the uncontrollable and use of drug however how the consequences are harmful.

Overdose on Prescribed Opioid

From recent researches, it is evident that an individual can overdose the opioid (Kate, Pg 90). For instance, opioid overdose happens when the user begins to manifest life-threatening symptoms or even death. However, there is a particular medication, and support one needs to undergo as a result of an opioid overdose. Firstly, when someone suspects an overdosed individual, he/she should call for immediate medical attention. Immediately the medical attendant arrives at the scene, he/she should administer naloxone. In almost all cases, naloxone is capable of treating opioid overdose if and only if it is given in the right way. It rapidly works by acting on the opioid receptors and hence blocking the entire impact of the drug. Several countries allow pharmacists to issue naloxone without personal instruction. As a result, friends and family members can easily access the medicine to save the life of an overdosed person.

Effects of addiction of opioid abuse Massive misuse of opioids can lead to a substance use disorder (SUD). SUD is a medical complication that ranges from mild to severe conditions or from temporary to chronic situations. SUD starts to manifest precisely when continued abuse of opioid interferes with the brain and result in health problems. In such cases, the addicts encounter other life challenges such as failures to observe and meet responsibilities at either home, work or in school. An opioid addict who tries to stop using the drug poses several withdrawal symptoms. However, such symptoms start quite early immediately after taking the medication. Such symptoms include bone and muscle pains, sleep difficulties, uncontrollable leg movements, severe cravings and many others. The above symptoms are incredibly uncomfortable, and hence many addicts find it challenging to abandon the use of opioid.

Strategies that Aid Withdrawals and Control of Opioid Abuse

In the event, there are new strategies that aim at helping individuals with opioid withdrawals challenges. For example, the U.S. Food has the sale of NSS-2 Bridge recently devise to help such victims. The device possesses electrical stimulating features, and it is put in the rear part of an individual's EAR. The invention is left to stay for up to five hours throughout the phase of withdrawal.

On the other hand, behavioural therapies are essential to modify the attitude of opioid addicts. For instance, they improve the health life skill of an individual which persist with other forms of medication. For example, cognitive therapies modify the expectations of the drug user. In fact, it helps the addict to manage stress and triggers appropriately. Other treatments developed for adults such as multidimensional family therapy addresses the concerns of family influences on drug usage and the overall functioning improvement.

Different Perception of Taking Opioids

Individuals have several reasons beyond the use opioid. For example, some have little or equally no any access to the healthcare they deserve. Therefore, they obtain such drugs to treat themselves whenever they experience injuries or anxiety. In spite of the motivations, opioid has swept the nation. In fact, the epidemic of opioids abuse has made the government agencies to intervene. For instance, the CDC has revised the rules and guidelines regarding the opioids such that they are discouraging doctors from issuing them to the patients.

The rates of non-medical abuse of opioid are relatively steady since the year 2002. Therefore, it is crucial to address the problem with an immediate effect. In al...