Opiates and opioids are powerful pain-relieving medications that act on specific receptors in the brain and nervous system.

Opiates are naturally derived from the opium poppy plant. Common examples include morphine and codeine.(Source)

Opioids is a broader term that includes natural, semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic drugs that act on opioid receptors. Examples include hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, and buprenorphine.(Source)

In everyday language, many people and even medical professionals use the word “opiates” to refer to both opiates and opioids. At Cardinal Recovery, we treat addiction to both prescription and illicit opioids, including:

• Heroin (illicit opioid)
• Codeine
• Fentanyl (including illicitly manufactured fentanyl)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Methadone
• Morphine
• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
• Oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet)
• Buprenorphine (Suboxone and similar medications)

These medications may be taken as pills, liquids, or dissolving strips, and some (such as fentanyl) are also available as transdermal patches that deliver medication through the skin.(Source)

Your body naturally produces its own opioid-like chemicals (endorphins and enkephalins) to help manage pain and regulate mood. These natural opioids are relatively weak and short-acting.(Source)

When you take an opiate or opioid medication, the drug floods the brain with much stronger pain-blocking chemicals that bind to opioid receptors. This can:

• Rapidly reduce pain
• Slow breathing and heart rate
• Create a sense of relaxation and well-being
• In higher doses, produce intense euphoria or a “high”(Source)

When used exactly as prescribed and closely monitored, opioids can be effective for short-term, severe pain, such as after surgery or a serious injury.(Source) However, these medications carry a significant risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Tolerance means you need more of the drug over time to get the same effect. Physical dependence means your body has adapted to the presence of the drug and will develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop or cut back suddenly.(Source)

With ongoing use, the brain may reduce its own natural opioid production and change how it responds to pain and pleasure. As a result, people often feel physically and emotionally unwell without the drug, even when they want to stop. This cycle can quickly lead to opioid use disorder (OUD), commonly called opiate addiction.(Source)

Opiates and opioids can cause a wide range of short-term and long-term effects. These can vary based on dose, frequency of use, method of use (swallowing, snorting, injecting), other substances used, and individual health.

Common short-term effects may include:

• Pain relief
• Drowsiness or sedation
• Slowed breathing
• Constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Itching or flushing
• Constricted (pinpoint) pupils(Source)

Possible long-term effects of ongoing or heavy opiate use can include:

• Restlessness and/or insomnia
• Chronic muscle, bone, and joint pain
• Ongoing gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Changes in speech, memory, and cognition
• Hormonal changes, including reduced sex hormones
• Increased sensitivity to pain (opioid-induced hyperalgesia)
• Depression, anxiety, and mood instability
• Increased risk of overdose, especially when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines(Source)

Injecting opioids also carries additional risks, including skin and soft tissue infections, bloodstream infections, and transmission of HIV or hepatitis C when needles are shared.(Source)

While opiate addiction can be devastating in the short term, the long-term physical, emotional, and social consequences can be even more severe. Professional treatment can help you safely stop use, manage health complications, and rebuild your life.

It is possible to develop physical dependence on opiates in as little as a few weeks of regular use, especially at higher doses.(Source) When someone who is dependent on opioids cuts back or stops suddenly, withdrawal symptoms can begin within hours.

Early signs of problematic use can include:

• Running out of prescribed medication early
• Taking more pills than prescribed or taking them more often
• “Doctor shopping” to obtain multiple prescriptions
• Borrowing or stealing pills from friends or family
• Buying pills or heroin illegally when prescriptions run out

Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

• Generalized body aches and pain
• Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Sweating, chills, and goosebumps
• Runny nose, watery eyes, and yawning
• Anxiety, irritability, and agitation
• Restlessness and insomnia or extreme fatigue
• Dilated pupils
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Intense cravings for opiates(Source)

For short-acting opioids like heroin or many prescription pain pills, withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 6–12 hours of the last dose, peak around 24–72 hours, and improve over 5–10 days.(Source) Longer-acting opioids like methadone may have a later onset and more prolonged withdrawal.

While opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening on its own, it can be extremely uncomfortable and can worsen underlying medical or mental health conditions. Many people who try to quit on their own relapse simply to stop the distress of withdrawal. A medically supervised detox can greatly reduce discomfort, monitor safety, and improve the chances of successfully transitioning into ongoing treatment.(Source)

The opioid crisis continues to evolve, with a shift in recent years from prescription painkillers toward heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

Key statistics from recent national data show:

• In 2022, more than 80,000 people in the United States died from opioid-involved overdoses, accounting for the majority of all drug overdose deaths.(Source)
• On average, this equates to well over 200 opioid-related overdose deaths every day nationwide.(Source)
• Among people prescribed opioids for chronic pain, an estimated 8–12% develop an opioid use disorder, and a larger percentage engage in some form of misuse, such as taking higher doses or using the medication differently than prescribed.(Source)
• A large proportion of people who use heroin report prior nonmedical use of prescription opioids, highlighting the link between prescription misuse and later heroin use.(Source)

These numbers underscore how easily opioid use can progress from medical treatment to misuse, dependence, and addiction. Many people start with a prescription for a legitimate injury or surgery and later find themselves unable to cut back or stop without help.

Opiate addiction (opioid use disorder) involves more than just physical dependence. It includes changes in thinking, behavior, and priorities.

Common signs that opiate or heroin use may have become an addiction include:

• Spending a lot of time thinking about how to get more opiates
• Stealing pills or money from family members or friends
• Illegally purchasing pills, heroin, or fentanyl
• Using opioids in ways not prescribed (crushing, snorting, injecting)
• Feeling uneasy, sick, or anxious when you go too long without opiates
• Worrying constantly about running out of pills
• Continuing to use despite problems at work, school, or home
• Needing more of the drug to get the same effect (tolerance)
• Failed attempts to cut down or stop using
• Giving up activities or relationships because of drug use(Source)

If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you love, it may be time to seek professional help. Opiate addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and effective treatments are available.

Trying to stop opiates on your own can be overwhelming. The combination of physical withdrawal, intense cravings, and emotional distress often leads to relapse. Each relapse also increases the risk of overdose, especially after a period of abstinence when tolerance has decreased.(Source)

A professional treatment program can provide:

• Medically supervised detox

– 24/7 monitoring of withdrawal symptoms and vital signs
– Medications to reduce discomfort, cravings, and anxiety
– Support for co-occurring medical or mental health conditions

• Evidence-based therapies

– Individual counseling to explore the roots of addiction
– Group therapy and peer support
– Family education and support when appropriate

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when clinically appropriate

– Medications such as buprenorphine or methadone to stabilize brain chemistry and reduce cravings
– Naltrexone to help prevent relapse after detox
– MAT combined with counseling and behavioral therapies has been shown to reduce opioid use, overdose risk, and related harms.(Source)

• Aftercare and relapse-prevention planning

– Ongoing outpatient therapy or intensive outpatient programs
– Support groups and recovery communities
– Relapse-prevention skills and coping strategies

At Cardinal Recovery, we tailor treatment plans to each person’s needs, history, and goals. Our team understands the unique challenges of opiate addiction and provides compassionate, nonjudgmental care at every step.

Recovery from opiate addiction is possible with the right support. Cardinal Recovery offers a continuum of care designed to help you move safely from detox through treatment and into long-term recovery.

Depending on your needs and our current program offerings, your care plan may include:

• Comprehensive assessment

– Medical and psychiatric evaluation
– Substance use history and withdrawal risk assessment
– Review of current medications and health conditions

• Medically supervised detox

– Safe, supportive environment for withdrawal
– Medication management to ease symptoms and cravings
– Nutritional support, hydration, and rest

• Residential or day treatment (where available)

– Structured daily schedule of therapy and recovery activities
– Individual and group counseling
– Education on addiction, relapse prevention, and coping skills

• Outpatient and step-down care

– Flexible scheduling to support work, school, and family life
– Ongoing therapy and support groups
– Coordination with community resources and recovery supports

• Family involvement

– Education about opiate addiction and recovery
– Guidance on healthy boundaries and communication
– Support for loved ones affected by addiction

Our goal is not just to help you stop using opiates, but to help you build a meaningful, stable life in recovery.

If you are struggling with oxycodone, heroin, fentanyl, or any other opiate, you are not alone. Millions of people in the United States are living with opioid use disorder, and many have found lasting recovery with professional help.(Source)

You do not have to wait until things get worse to reach out. Whether you are worried about your own use or concerned about a loved one, Cardinal Recovery is here to answer your questions and discuss treatment options.

Contact us today to learn more about our opiate addiction treatment programs and take the first step toward getting your life back.