Opiate drugs are a class of narcotic, synthetically produced drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the body. Opiates can be used for pain relief, and doctors have prescribed them for their patients for centuries. In the past few decades, opiates have been abused because these drugs produce feelings of euphoria that can last an extended time. This blog post will talk about the most addictive opiate drugs and how to quit the addiction.
10 Most Addictive Opiate Drugs
1) Heroin
Heroin is a powerful narcotic that is created from opium poppy plants. It has been around for many years. After being made illegal in many countries, it became one of the most addictive substances on earth, with an estimated 200 million people using it at some point in their lives.
2) Oxycodone
It is a prescription drug that comes from various natural or synthetic sources, including codeine, natural opium alkaloids found in poppy straws, and morphine synthesized from certain chemical compounds like acetic anhydride. It is a popular painkiller and ranks among the most addictive opiate drugs.
3) Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a powerful opiate that has been around for decades and is found in various forms, such as the Vicodin pill. It often goes by brand names like Norco and Lortab. It ranks among some of the most addictive substances on earth, along with its chemical cousin oxycodone.
4) Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid drug often used to treat heroin and other opiate dependencies. It functions by binding to certain receptors in the brain, mimicking similar effects as these drugs, which help wean addicts off their addictions over time. Methadone has been around since 1960, and it can be very addictive if abused or taken with alcohol.
5) Demerol
Demerol is a powerful narcotic painkiller — a member of the phenylpiperidine class — which means it has an entirely different makeup than other opioids. It blocks pain receptors and can lead to tolerance, dependency, addiction if abused or misused, especially with alcohol.
6) Percocet
A prescription painkiller that is a mix of oxycodone and acetaminophen, Percocet is one of the most popular drugs on the market for managing moderate to severe pain. It can be addictive if abused and should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
7) Vicodin
Vicodin is a popular brand name for the drugs acetaminophen and hydrocodone. It ranks among some of the most addictive opiate drugs along with oxycodone as it can lead to dependency, tolerance, and addiction if not taken correctly or abused by crushing pills up to snort them or mix with alcohol.
8) Demadone
Demadone is a synthetic opioid that works by binding to certain brain and spinal cord receptors. It can be anywhere from 50-100 times stronger than morphine which means it has some of the highest risks for abuse, tolerance, dependency, addiction potential among all opiates or opioids.
9) Dilaudid
Also known as hydromorphone, Dilaudid is another powerful painkiller that has been around for decades. Like other opiates, it can be highly addictive if abused. It should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor to avoid dependency, tolerance, and addiction issues.
10) Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a prescription drug used in maintenance or detox treatment programs for opiate addicts. It can be addictive if abused, especially when taken by someone who isn’t addicted to opiates. It has been known to cause fatalities even at low doses, making it one of the most dangerous opioids on earth.
The Dangers of Addictive Opiate Drugs
There are many dangers associated with addictive opiate drugs. First and foremost, these drugs are highly addictive. Addiction can occur even after taking them for a short time or using them only once or twice. Once addicted, it’s very difficult to stop taking opiates without help from a professional rehab program.
There are other dangers of opiate drugs beyond addiction. Opiates can cause users to become drowsy, feel lightheaded and dizzy, or fall asleep while performing normal tasks like driving a car. Opiates are also very dangerous when mixed with other substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines (like Xanax).
You may experience various side effects if taking addictive opiate drugs, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased sweating and saliva production, itching skin rashes, or fever. Common withdrawal symptoms for people who have used heroin include restlessness, insomnia, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (including cramps). It can also cause nausea/vomiting severe enough to make the individual vomit blood; that can be life-threatening due to loss of fluids, weight loss, muscle spasms, and bone aches.
Tips to Quit Addictive Opiate Drugs
1) Get Immediate Medical Help
If you are taking opiates and not on a prescription for them, STOP. You should never take any drug recreationally; even over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen can be harmful when taken in high doses. If you have been prescribed painkillers by a doctor, make sure to talk with the physician about your plans before stopping the drugs completely!
2) Seek Professional Help
A medical professional can help you wean off of opiate drugs and offer support as well. If the idea of getting clean with no medication is too daunting, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about a prescription for Suboxone or any other opiate drug. These are both options that will alleviate withdrawal symptoms without taking away from your physical capabilities, as some other painkillers might do.
3) Find an Accountability Partner
This person will hold you accountable for what you say and do. They can be a family member such as your mom, dad, spouse, sibling, or cousin. However, they should be someone who is willing to tell you “no,” even when it’s hard. If it’s easy to fall back into old habits without them around, then make sure this person knows where you’ll be every day and that if anything suspicious happens, there should be consequences.
4) Get Support
Talk with others who are in the same situation as you. There is nothing wrong with accepting help from friends and family, but make sure to get support elsewhere too! Talking about it helps alleviate some of the stress that comes with quitting drugs.
Opiate drugs are very dangerous and can kill if taken in large enough doses. If you or someone else is using opiates, seek help immediately.
