The difference between opiate and opioid is subtle, but also distinct. This doesn’t stop most people from using both terms interchangeably. An opiate is also an opioid, but it’s not the same in reverse.
An opiate comes from natural compounds of a poppy plant. Drugs under this category include heroin, morphine, and codeine. An opioid represents a broader class of chemically enhanced drugs. These include fentanyl, oxycodone, and methadone.
Opioid addiction can be devastating. Would you like to learn more about opioid addiction rehab? Call us today at 866.262.0531.
Understanding the Difference Between Opiate and Opioid
Increasing opioid medication is risky. It makes the person susceptible to abusing the drug. Eventually, they will develop and have to battle an addiction to opioids. However, an opiate and opioid addiction treatment program can aid them in their battle.
Of course, the same can happen with opiates. These drugs are derived from the natural substances of a poppy plant. Substances in opioids can include naturally derived opiates and synthetic materials.
Opioid refers to substances that interact with how the brain perceives pain. This drug uses proteins in nerve cells to change the level of pain a person feels. Low to moderate doses will not make the person feel “high.”
They will experience a mild sense of pleasure that simulates an endorphin rush. Using opioids for chronic pain relief can easily turn into tolerance. The person will need more of the drug to get the relief they need.
Effects of Opiate and Opioid on the Body and Brain
Opioids slow down how the body processes the drugs. A person abusing opioids will have slurred speech. They lose their ability to focus and concentrate. Taking large doses at once may cause them to go in and out of consciousness.
Body temperature begins to fluctuate as opioids continue to take control of their body. The person will begin having chills or hot flashes and mood swings. Higher doses lead them on a vicious cycle that increases their chances of an overdose.
Opiates can have the same effects, although they differ in potency from opioids. Another difference between opiate and opioid is the varying levels of strength for prescriptions.
This makes opiate morphine stronger than opiate codeine. Yet, the synthetic compound of opioid oxycodone is double the strength of morphine.
Getting Treatment for Opiate and Opioid Addiction
There really isn’t a difference between opiate and opioid in terms of treatment. Subsequently, a comprehensive addiction treatment program has many of the same components. Generally, the person and their severity of addiction is the only difference.
Furthermore, treatment must address the fact that addiction to opioids or opiates is a chronic brain disease. The person struggling with abuse and addiction will need detoxification to remove all traces of the drug from the body.
Treatment also addresses all aspects of the person’s addiction to help them maintain a drug-free life. Therapies may include cognitive behavioral therapy and dual diagnosis treatment if they have an underlying mental health disorder.
Come to Crestview Recovery for Comprehensive Care
Crestview Recovery offers a comprehensive treatment program for an opiate or opioid addiction. We provide a range of services such as:
Holistic Drug Rehab Therapy
This focuses on the individual as a whole. It seeks to treat not just the symptoms of addiction, but also its underlying causes, with therapies such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness exercises and physical activity. The goal of holistic drug rehab therapy is to help individuals recover from addiction in a healthy, sustainable way.
Extended Care
Extended care is typically offered after someone has completed an initial round of inpatient or outpatient drug rehab. This type of care can last several weeks, months, or even years, depending on the individual’s level of need and progress. The goal of extended care is to provide individuals with the tools they need to stay sober long-term and lead successful lives.
Family Therapy
Family therapy helps families understand the effects of addiction on the individual and family dynamics. It focuses on building healthier communication skills, resolving conflicts, identifying enabling behaviors, setting boundaries, and making positive changes in family life.
Intensive Outpatient Program
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides more intense treatment than traditional outpatient programs. This type of treatment typically involves attending therapy multiple days per week, often including both individual and group counseling sessions. IOPs are designed to provide individuals with the structure and support needed to maintain sobriety while still allowing them to continue working, attending school, or managing their home life.
Don’t Wait to Seek Treatment
The next step of your recovery journey can begin today with one phone call. Finally, contact us at 866.262.0531 to learn more about how we can help you defeat drug addiction.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
