{"id":45660,"date":"2022-11-16T08:00:47","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T07:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccadicciones.es\/opioids-from-medication-to-drug\/"},"modified":"2022-11-16T08:00:47","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T07:00:47","slug":"opioids-from-medication-to-drug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccadicciones.es\/en\/opioids-from-medication-to-drug\/","title":{"rendered":"Opioids: From Medication to Drug"},"content":{"rendered":"

Opioids<\/strong> have transitioned from being a medication to a drug<\/strong>, especially in recent years with the well-known opioid crisis, more specifically in the United States, where the situation is unsustainable. According to statistics on medical prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies under the National Health System (SNS) published by the Ministry of Health, opioid consumption doubled between 2010 and 2021. The number of daily doses per inhabitant increased from 9.4 to 20.42. <\/p>\n

Opioids are a group of medications that can be obtained with a medical prescription. There are two distinct types of opioids: those derived from the opium plant and those that are synthetic, meaning they have been specifically manufactured by humans. Opioids, also called narcotics<\/strong>, are analgesics<\/strong> used to reduce and relieve pain<\/strong>. This applies to mild cases, such as temporary pain from a specific situation like an operation, or more severe cases, such as a chronic illness involving severe and constant pain. <\/p>\n

Repeated and prolonged misuse of opioids can eventually lead to addiction. CCAdicciones offers a treatment<\/strong><\/a> to combat addiction to all types of drugs. Permanently stopping opioid use is possible with professional help. <\/p>\n

Opioid Addiction: Medication or Drug?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to the 2021 EDADES Report<\/strong>, we can see the reasons why people start taking opioid analgesics. Mitigating some type of acute pain is the main reason, leading 57.4% of the population<\/strong> between 15 and 64 years old to consume them. What starts as a treatment for a health problem can end up becoming another illness: an addiction. Opioids can easily transition from medication to drug if their consumption is prolonged. This will eventually lead to physical dependence, an increased tolerance, meaning the dose will be increased more and more, and the chances of developing an addiction will be higher. <\/p>\n

But is opioid use bad? Why do opioids cause dependence? Controlled opioid use, always supervised by medical professionals, can be beneficial for alleviating acute pain. It can help individuals better cope with pain and manage it as effectively as possible. Opioids are a substance that significantly reduces the pain signals the body sends to the brain and modifies how the brain reacts to pain. When an opioid is consumed, endorphins are released, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that cause a feeling of well-being. The effect they produce is the disappearance of pain, making the person feel good, at least temporarily. This can lead a user to become addicted to these types of drugs to mask the pain they feel and avoid feeling pain. <\/p>\n

Signs of Opioid Addiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n

A person may consume opioids without questioning whether they are using them responsibly or developing a dependence on these types of drugs. Identifying the first signs of opioid addiction will help in seeking the necessary help as soon as possible and stopping abusive consumption. The symptoms that warn of opioid addiction are the following: <\/p>\n

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  • Physical and mental need to consume opioids<\/li>\n
  • Mood swings<\/li>\n
  • Irritability<\/li>\n
  • Generalized demotivation<\/li>\n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Anxiety<\/li>\n
  • Experiencing withdrawal syndrome if opioids are not consumed or if the usual amount ingested is reduced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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      Do you feel identified? Contact us and we will help you. <\/h3>\n<\/span>\n<\/span> \n<\/span>\n<\/span>\n