Opioid Use Disorder: Effects, Addiction & Treatment

Opioids are among the most commonly misused drugs, with a high potential for addiction regardless of whether they are prescribed by a doctor or obtained illegally. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, relieving pain while also triggering feelings of euphoria. While prescription opioids are used to manage pain, their misuse can lead to opioid use disorder. Understanding the dangers of opioids is crucial to preventing addiction and reducing the risk of overdose. 

What Are Opioids?  

Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. The chief characteristic of opioid drugs is that they relieve pain, though they are also prescribed to treat cough or diarrhea. Some people misuse opioids because of the sense of euphoria, or “high” they produce. 

Opioids are a class of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs. Natural opioids like morphine and opium are made from the seed pods of the opium poppy plant. These natural substances are known as opiates. Semi-synthetic opioids, such as heroin and oxycodone or hydrocodone, are made in laboratories by chemically processing natural opioids. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are manufactured in laboratories, with zero natural ingredients. 

Whether they are natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic, opioids can cause addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD).^1,2 

Opioids come in a wide range of strengths. Fentanyl, for example, has been found to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. This means that ingestion of even a small dose of fentanyl can be fatal. 

The use of opioids—either by themselves or in combination with other drugs—is a major driver of the drug overdose crisis in the U.S. The majority of overdose deaths in recent years has involved illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids. These synthetic opioids may be added to other drugs without the user knowing it.² 

Prescription vs Illicit Opioids  

Prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone are medications prescribed by doctors to treat pain and other conditions. Illicit opioids like heroin, on the other hand, are obtained illegally. 

Fentanyl, meanwhile, can be prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain such as from advanced-stage cancer, though it is also illegally made and distributed, often added to other illegal substances like heroin and MDMA

Commonly prescribed opioids include:³

• Oxycodone (also known as OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®) 

• Hydrocodone (also known as Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®) 

• Hydromorphone (also known as Dilaudid®, Exalgo®) 

• Buprenorphine (also known as Subutex®, Suboxone®) 

• Morphine 

• Codeine 

• Methadone 

• Tramadol 

• Fentanyl (also known as Duragesic® or Fentora®) 

Common illicit opioids include: 

• Heroin 

• Illicit fentanyl 

• Counterfeit prescription pills 

Opioid Dependence & Addiction  

The misuse of opioids can increase the risk of physical dependence and addiction, otherwise known as opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD is a complex illness characterized by the compulsive use of opioids even when you want to stop, or when using opioids negatively affects your physical or emotional well-being. 

Opioid misuse can include taking the drug in larger doses or more frequently than prescribed. People with certain health conditions or characteristics may be more sensitive to opioids’ effects, which could lead to misuse and overdose. These characteristics and conditions include people age (65 years and older), those with respiratory conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and impaired energy or strength.⁴ 

It should be noted, however, that physical dependence on opioids and opioid addiction are different conditions. Dependence is characterized by the body’s adaptation to the drug, leading to a higher tolerance, or the body’s ability to process ever-larger doses of the drug, and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if usage is stopped. Based on criteria outlined in the DSM-5 for opioid use disorder (OUD), opioid addiction is characterized by the following behaviors:⁵ 

• Craving or strong desire to use opioids 

• A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid use 

• Spending significant time seeking opioids, using opioids, or recovering from their effects 

• Neglecting important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of opioid use 

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using opioids 
• Continuing to use opioids despite their negative consequences, including legal, social, or physical health consequences 

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid dependence or addiction, Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City can help. Contact our team today to learn about your treatment options at our drug and alcohol rehab in Kansas City. 

Effects of Opioid Use   

Opioid drugs work by entering the bloodstream and binding to opioid receptors on nerve cells throughout the brain and body, dulling the perception of pain. These opioid receptors also play a role in essential functions like breathing and stress response, as well as in the brain’s reward system, which reinforces pleasurable behaviors. This is why opioids are effective pain relievers but also have a high potential for long-term use that can lead to dependency and addiction. 

Opioids have been known to cause side effects in users such as drowsiness, mental fog, nausea, and constipation. They may also induce respiratory depression, a major risk factor in fatal overdose. 

Immediate opioid side effects include:⁶ 

• Pupil dilation 

• Drowsiness, loss of consciousness 

• Slowed or shallow breathing 

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Irregular heartbeat 

Long-term opioid side effects include:⁷ 

• Addiction or opioid use disorder (OUD) 

• Increased risk of overdose 

• Breathing problems, especially during sleep 

• Hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) 

• Weakened or compromised immune system 

• Chronic constipation or bowel obstruction 

• Myocardial infarction (reduction of blood flow to the heart) 

• Tooth decay 

Opioid Overdose Dangers 

Because opioids are highly addictive, they run a high risk of overdose when misused, or taken in larger doses or more frequently than prescribed. Combining opioids with respiratory depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines, or stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine, also heightens this risk of overdose significantly, as the combined effects are often stronger and more unpredictable.² 

Another risk of overdose can come during relapse, or using opioids after having not used them for an extended period, since the body’s tolerance to the drug is lowered.⁴ This is why a comprehensive opioid addiction treatment program, one that offers therapy and coping skills to avoid relapse, is highly recommended. 

The risk of overdose is also heightened when the user lives with a chronic health condition such as lung disease, hepatitis, or HIV. Opioid overdose signs include:² 

• Stupor or unconsciousness 

• Decrease in pupil size 

• Cyanosis, or blue or purple discoloration of the skin 

• Slowed or shallow breathing 

• Coma 

Opioid Withdrawal & Detox  

Opioid users can experience uncomfortable, often intense withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable but are not life-threatening. As a result, people attempting to quit using opioids can have a hard time staying sober. Some common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:⁹ 

• Intense cravings for opioids 

• Restlessness   

• Sweating and hypertension  

• Agitation and anxiety 

• Diarrhea  

• Nausea and vomiting  

• Muscle pain, stomach cramps, and bone pain 

• Insomnia 

A medically supervised opioid detox program can help those experiencing withdrawal symptoms safely quit opioids and manage their withdrawal symptoms. This eases the recovery process and sets the person up for long-term recovery. 

How is Opioid Addiction Treated?  

Opioid addiction is treated in various settings, though the first step of the recovery process should be detox. This allows the patient’s body to rid itself of opioids entirely. Detox typically takes between three and seven days. 

After detox, the patient will enter an OUD treatment program, which is designed to help them develop life skills and avoid relapse. These treatments may include inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and standard outpatient (OP). 

Many opioid treatment programs offer therapy alongside Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorders like OUD that involves using FDA-approved medications in combination with therapy and other support services to help individuals achieve and sustain recovery. 

Some addiction treatment plans offer dual diagnosis treatment, a therapeutic approach that simultaneously addresses both the addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

Finding the right opioid treatment depends on the patient’s health history, the substance to which they are addicted, and the length of their addiction. 

Opioid Addiction Treatment in Kansas City 

At Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City, we give our patients the education and skills they need to make a lasting change in their lives. Our OUD treatment can and will guide you through the challenges of long-term recovery from opioid addiction. 

We offer a range of opioid rehab programs to suit your unique needs. These include partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and outpatient (OP) rehab. All of our programs also include one full year of free recovery coaching to provide continued support after you’ve completed your program. 

Thinking about cost? We accept most major insurance plans. We can also work with most out-of-network insurance plans to ensure you receive the help you need. From verifying your benefits to going over the details of payment to ensuring you know what to expect to pay for rehab—including using insurance to pay for rehab—our admissions team is happy to help. If you’d like to learn more about our comprehensive, individualized OUD treatment, contact us today or verify your benefits online. 

References  

1. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Opioids. The Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/opioids 
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Opioids. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids 
3. Wyoming Department of Health (2025). Opioids and Other Drugs. Wyoming Department of Health. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/prevention/substanceabuseandsuicide/opioid-information-wyoming/ 
4. Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (n.d.). Risk Factors for Opioid Misuse, Addiction, and Overdose. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/opioids/riskfactors 
5. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/education-docs/dsm-5-dx-oud-8-28-2017.pdf 
6. MedLine Plus. (2024). Opioids and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://medlineplus.gov/opioidsandopioidusedisorderoud.html 
7. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2011). Long-Term Opioid Therapy Reconsidered. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3280085/ 
8. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
9. MedLine Plus.(2024). Opiate and opioid withdrawal. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm