Opioids vs Opiates

PEOPLE OFTEN USE THE TERMS OPIOIDS VS OPIATES INTERCHANGEABLY. HOWEVER, THERE ARE VAST DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS. SOMETHING THEY DO HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT BOTH TYPES OF DRUGS CAN BE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND INCUR A HIGH RISK OF ABUSE FROM USERS. ALSO, LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPIOIDS AND OPIATES.

If you have any further questions, then feel free to contact Pearl of the Sea Retreat. Learn more about our opiate addiction treatment program located in St. Augustine, FL, and get the help you need to overcome your dependency on drugs or alcohol.

OPIATES

Opiates are derived from the opium plant. Doctors use them to treat pain. The ingredients extracted from the opium plant occur naturally in the sap of the opium poppy. Opiates can also be created synthetically, as well as naturally. Furthermore, the synthetic versions of these opiates are known as Opioids (read below). These synthetic versions are human-made using a combination of other drugs or substances as well.

Additionally, Opiates are highly addictive and can lead to long-term dependency in which case an opiate addiction treatment center may be beneficial. They are used for both recreation and medicine. You can also find them everywhere from the pharmaceutical market to the streets. Examples of opiates include:
Morphine
Codeine
Narcotine
Thebaine
Papaverine
Narceine

Also, in their medical or pharmaceutical form, opiates are used to reduce or eliminate pain. If a patient suffers from ongoing or severe pain, they may want higher doses of opiates to offset the suffering. The more powerful painkillers can lead to more severe addiction.

OPIOIDS

Opioids have the same effect on opioid receptors as opiates do. The difference is that opioids are synthetic — i.e., artificial. Scientists create opioids in laboratories. Beyond being synthetic, opioids are essentially the same as opiates. In fact, opiates are a subclass of opioids. Thus, all drugs in this classification are essentially opioids.

For example, below are some examples of semi-synthetic and fully-synthetic opioids:
Semi-Synthetic

• Heroin
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin and Lortab)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet)
• Oxymorphone (Opana ER)

Fully Synthetic

• Methadone (Methadose and Dolophine)
• Fentanyl
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Tramadol (Ultram and Ultracet)

SIDE EFFECTS OF OPIOIDS VS OPIATES

Since opioids vs opiates come from the same plant, you may experience some of the same side effects including:

• Anxiety, agitation, and excessive sweating
• Watery eyes & runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Insomnia or yawning
• Dilated pupils or goosebumps
• Stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

Additionally, many of the side effects of Opioids do not start occurring until you are already addicted to the drug. By the time you start experiencing severe side effects, you may have already been taking the pills for several months.

OPIOIDS VS OPIATES: GET HELP FROM PEARL OF THE SEA FOR YOUR ADDICTION

In conclusion, if you are addicted to your pain medication, then now is the time to get off of the pills and stay off. Pearl of the Sea Retreat offers recovery programs for opioid and opiate addictions. We can help you find the right treatment and end your dependency. To find out more about our opioid addiction treatment center, call us today at 866-962-1907.