Opioid addiction and opiate addiction are major public health crises in the U.S. and have killed hundreds of thousands of people in the last twenty years. In Ohio, prescription opiates and opioids are responsible for 7% of all drug overdose deaths, with fentanyl and its analogs causing 78% of deaths. Armada Recovery is fighting back by providing unwavering support, evidence-based strategies, and empathetic care to those struggling with opiate and opioid addiction. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to us today before the situation takes a potentially deadly turn.
The words opioid and opiate are closely related, and they are often used to mean the same thing. There is a technical difference, but when it comes to addiction and rehab treatment, they affect the body and brain in very similar ways.
Opiates are drugs that come directly from the opium poppy plant. These include heroin and a number of opiate medications that have been used for pain relief for centuries, but can also be highly addictive.
Opioids include opiates, plus lab-made or semi-synthetic drugs that are designed to work the same way in the brain. These drugs attach to opioid receptors, reducing pain, but also make you feel peaceful or extremely euphoric, which is what makes them prone to abuse.
| Stage | What Happens | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Use | Opioids are taken for pain relief after injury or surgery, or used recreationally to feel relaxed or euphoric. | The brain begins associating opioids with comfort, relief, or emotional escape. |
| Tolerance Builds | The body adapts, requiring higher or more frequent doses to achieve the same effect. | Increasing doses greatly raises the risk of overdose and dependence. |
| Physical Dependence | The brain relies on opioids for normal function, including pain regulation and emotional balance. | Stopping or reducing use triggers withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, pain, and insomnia. |
| Psychological Dependence | Cravings intensify and opioid use becomes compulsive, often to avoid discomfort or emotional distress. | Decision-making and self-control weaken, making it extremely hard to quit alone. |
| Addiction (OUD) | Use continues despite health problems, damaged relationships, or legal consequences. | The risk of overdose, serious illness, and death increases dramatically without treatment. |
Opiate and opioid addiction mean continuing to use the drugs even though the damage is obvious and the consequences are becoming more and more serious.
The condition is also called opiate use disorder or opioid use disorder (both commonly abbreviated to OUD), and it is one of the most common but dangerous forms of drug addiction.
At Armada Recovery, our treatment programs covering all major forms of opioid addiction. These include:
Opioid addiction can originate from a prescription that you received for pain or after surgery, which then escalates out of your control. It can also develop from using opiates and opioids to get “high” or to tranquilize or self-medicate.
In either case, opioids are so strong that if you use them for an extended period or in large amounts, the brain comes to expect them in your system. When this happens, it hands over pain management and other brain functions to the drugs. If you cut down how much you are taking or stop using them altogether, you then go into withdrawal. This is the physical bit of opiate addiction known scientifically as opiate dependence.
If you don’t get help to stop, this will soon be joined by a psychological dependence where opioid use becomes compulsive, and everything else in your life gets ignored or neglected. Once this happens, even if you want to quit, it can feel impossible to do on your own.
Symptoms of OUD may vary depending on the individual, the drug that is being abused, and how long they have been using it. Watching for warning signs is crucial because early treatment can help prevent serious health and personal risks. Some of the biggest signs of opiate addiction include:
If you notice these opiate addiction symptoms, you need to get professional help because your life is already in danger.
Anyone who uses opiates can potentially become addicted, but the chances increase if you:
Opiate addiction is a life-threatening illness, and many people tragically lose their lives before they get the help they need. Some of the biggest dangers include:
Care starts by helping your body clear opioids safely. Opioids cause withdrawal that can be painful and, in some cases, dangerous. Opiate detox at Armada Recovery happens in our inpatient center, so our medical staff can watch your symptoms and give you medication if you need it.
After detox, you will move into rehab, which stops you from returning to opioids. Opiate rehab delivers various forms of therapy that focus on your opioid use, personal struggles, daily habits, and the situations that lead you to use. Rehab services are available through our outpatient treatment centers in Akron and Dayton, with sessions scheduled for your convenience.
Once the main phase of opioid drug rehab is over, some people move into partial hospitalization for a short time, while others continue with outpatient care. This next step will be decided between you and our team to ensure you have everything you need to build on the progress you have made.
If opiates or opioids are putting you or someone you love at risk, Armada Recovery is here to help. Contact us today to talk through your situation and explore our safe, effective treatment options.
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