An opioid overdose occurs when a large amount of these substances is consumed. Opioids affect the part of the brain that controls breathing. Ingesting a very high dose can cause breathing to slow down or stop entirely.
According to the 2020 Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) published in 2021, Spain is the country with the third-highest consumption of fentanyl in the world, an analgesic opioid. The US is the leading consumer, followed by Germany. Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relief medications available in pharmacies.
At CCAdicciones, we offer detoxification treatment to overcome addiction to this substance and thus avoid suffering an opioid overdose.
Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose
The symptoms manifested during opioid intoxication are as follows:
- Loss of consciousness. Altered mental state, which may refer to confusion or loss of mental alertness.
- Pinpoint pupils, known as miosis. The pupils contract and become very small.
- Respiratory depression, or hypoventilation. This is slow or shallow breathing that does not provide adequate ventilation.
- Pale face
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
Risk Factors for Suffering an Opioid Overdose
Certain causes predispose an individual to an opioid overdose. The first is resuming opioid use after a long period of abstinence. For example, after entering a detox center and completing treatment to stop using. Having spent time without ingesting opioids, the body no longer has the same tolerance as before; if the same amount is consumed, intoxication due to excessive opioid intake will occur.
If opioids are ingested alongside alcohol or other medications that affect respiratory function, the combination will contribute to intoxication. Consuming medication without a prescription, as is the case with certain opioids, harms the user’s health because a medical professional has not analyzed the case or prescribed them based on the person’s suitability for the drug. If users decide to self-medicate without medical supervision, they expose themselves to side effects or incorrect dosages—elements that foster abuse and, eventually, addiction. Having comorbidities—suffering from another illness alongside the addiction disorder—is also a risk factor for experiencing an opioid overdose.
Opioid Addiction
Opioids are medications that medical professionals may prescribe to relieve pain. Addiction can be identified when a person feels a strong desire to consume this medication at all times and is unable to control their impulses. They generate dependence because they are highly addictive, activating the brain’s reward centers. They trigger the release of endorphins that produce a sense of well-being. However, how does this dependence develop?
Addiction can result from misuse, such as when a patient increases the dose or frequency of use, or continues taking the drug when the doctor deems it no longer necessary. Another situation that favors addiction is when a person decides to self-medicate, obtaining the medication through someone else’s prescription. The specific circumstances of each individual must always be taken into account.
Opioid Treatment
In the event of opioid addiction and, in the most severe cases, an overdose, it is recommended to consult addiction professionals and a detoxification center to start treatment and stop using.
As with any dependency, when consumption becomes uncontrolled, being in a detoxification center will facilitate the cessation of opioid use. The patient will be monitored at all times. The first hours and days without use are critical because the addict’s reaction and the potential for withdrawal syndrome are unknown. The security of having a medical team monitoring the patient prevents the development of adverse health effects.
The center’s professionals will provide the patient with detoxification treatment along with tools and methods to help the addict become aware of their harmful habits, break toxic consumption routines, and acquire new habits away from opioid use. This also helps them detect risk and relapse situations in the future.
CCAdicciones is a detoxification center that offers multiple services, both medical and therapeutic, and various activities. These include group, individual, and sports therapies, therapeutic workshops, and outdoor activities. All of these take place in a relaxed environment surrounded by nature, facilitating the recovery process.
Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
To identify an opioid addiction, one should look for the following symptoms that may warn of a dependence on these substances:
- Shallow and slow breathing
- Physical agitation
- Emotional ups and downs
- Irritability
- Depression
- Irritability
- Neglect of responsibilities
- Low motivation
- Anxiety
Classification of Opioids
Opioids can be organized according to their mechanism of action, which refers to their efficacy. Their classification is as follows:
– Pure agonists: agonist opioids include morphine, heroin, pethidine, methadone, fentanyl, and their derivatives.
– Mixed agonist-antagonists: these act as agonists at one receptor and as partial agonists or antagonists at another. When administered alongside a pure agonist, they can antagonize its effects and eliminate the analgesic effect. In subjects dependent on agonist opioids (heroin), they trigger withdrawal syndrome. These include pentazocine, butorphanol, or nalorphine.
– Partial agonists: these act on receptors with lower efficacy than pure agonists. They are analgesic if administered alone. Buprenorphine is the most common partial agonist drug.
– Pure antagonists: these prevent or reverse the action of agonists and lack analgesic effects. Naloxone and naltrexone belong to this group.
There is a Way Out
One should not wait to suffer an opioid overdose to seek a solution to leave addiction behind. At CCAdicciones, we have a medical team that will accompany the patient throughout the recovery process: from admission to the detox center until discharge. Even once integrated back into daily life, contact with professionals will continue to ensure recovery progresses correctly and to minimize the risk of relapse.
If you need treatment, please contact us and we will help you. We are at your disposal for whatever you need. Getting off drugs and living a new life is possible!
