Anyone who takes opioids can develop opioid use disorder (OUD), which includes addiction, whether they take prescription opioids or illegal opioids such as heroin. However, treatment and support are available for people living with OUD.
Opioids are a class of drug that people
If people take opioids at all,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define OUD as a type of substance use disorder (SUD) in which a person develops a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment and distress. OUD is a chronic condition that can
According to the CDC, about
This article discusses why people take opioids, whether heroin differs from other opioids, what opioid use disorder is in more detail, and when to seek support.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
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People
Doctors
- undergone surgery
- experienced an injury
- had certain health conditions
People also take opioids recreationally. Opioids may make people feel:
- relaxed
- euphoric
- happy
However, people should only take opioids with professional medical advice and guidelines. Opioid misuse can cause serious side effects and addiction and possibly be fatal.
Both heroin and prescription opioids have similar effects. However, doctors do not use heroin as a medication in the U.S., as it is listed as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This means it has a high potential for misuse and no accepted medical use in the U.S.
According to research by the National Institute on Drug Use, if people misuse certain prescription drugs, they may then be more likely to use heroin.
When a person takes heroin, it rapidly enters their brain and binds to areas that control their:
- feelings of pain and pleasure
- sleeping
- heart rate
- breathing
Heroin has a short half-life of around
Therefore, people who use heroin may do so several times a day to maintain the effect. In contrast, prescription opioids such as methadone may have a half-life of
A person’s tolerance to heroin typically also increases over time. This means they may only get the same effect by taking increasingly stronger doses. Since heroin is illegal in the U.S., people can only obtain it in unregulated and unknown doses.
As they do not know how much heroin they are taking per dose, they may overdose. A heroin overdose can
A person should call 911 immediately if they recognize any signs of overdose in themselves or another person.
OUD refers to a problematic pattern of opioid use that
People with OUD
- an overpowering desire to take opioids
- increased opioid tolerance
- withdrawal symptoms if they stop using opioids
People who take prescription opioid medication have an
A person may also be more likely to develop OUD if they have risk factors
- a personal or family history of illegal drug use or alcohol misuse
- experience with sexual violence, if female
- opioid use at a young age
- adverse childhood experiences
- certain psychological conditions, including:
Doctors can
- having a strong desire to take opioids
- taking opioids despite disruption to their life
- taking opioids in a way that interferes with obligations
- taking opioids in physically dangerous situations
- increasing doses or experiencing increased tolerance to opioids
- having a desire to reduce opioid use
- spending a lot of time getting or using opioid medication
- reducing or not doing important activities due to opioid use
- having withdrawal symptoms if their dose reduces
- needing a higher dose of opioids
- continuing to take opioids despite physical or psychological problems
If a person thinks they or someone they know is experiencing any of the signs above, they should speak with a doctor about the possibility of having OUD. Each bullet point above counts as one criterion.
Doctors may treat OUD with a combination of medications and behavioral therapy.
Additional support is available for people with OUD. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral service for people with SUD.
The helpline is available 24-7, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish. The number to call is 800-662-4537.
Doctors may prescribe opioids for medical purposes. Heroin is an illegal opioid in the U.S.
People may develop OUD as a result of using prescription opioids or illegal opioids. However, developing OUD when taking prescription opioids under the guidance of a doctor and as prescribed is rare. Addiction is the most severe form of OUD.
However, people can recover from OUD, including heroin addiction, with professional help, support, and treatment. A person should speak with a doctor if they think they may be living with OUD. Additionally, SAMHSA offers free and confidential advice to help people with OUD begin their recovery.