What’s the Difference Between Opiates and Opioids?

The difference between opiates and opioids is how they are made.

Although the terms “opiates” and “opioids” are often used interchangeably, there is a difference. While some people are careful to distinguish between the two, others do use them

interchangeably, and recently, many people tend to refer to both of these drugs as “opioids.”

Both are used medically for:

• pain relief
• anesthesia
• cough suppression
• diarrhea suppression
• treatment of opiate/opioid use disorder

Both are also used illicitly by people with substance use disorder (SUD).

What Are Opiates?

Opiates refer to natural compounds that are extracted from natural opium poppy materials such as:

• opium
• heroin
• morphine
• codeine

What Are Opioids?

Opioids refer to all synthetic and semisynthetic compounds such as:

• methadone
• fentanyl
• oxycodone
• hydrocodone
• heroin

Opioids are not developed from natural plant matter. Most are made in a lab or “synthesized.” Although a few opioid molecules may be partially synthesized from chemicals in opium such as:

• hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet)
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Still others are designed and manufactured in labs. More than 500 different opioid molecules have been created by the pharmaceutical industry.

Which One is Riskier to Use?

Because of their high potential for misuse and the risk of becoming dependent, all opiates and opioids are controlled substances in the U.S. However, when used with proper medical supervision, they can be a safe method for pain management. As with all opiates and opioids, the correct dosage is critical. The higher the dose, the higher the chance of bad side effects and overdose. And, combining opioids or opiates with other substances or taking illicit opioids also increases your risks, because it’s hard to be sure of what you’re consuming.

The Fentanyl Problem

Because of the recent increases in overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, you might assume that synthetic opioids are innately dangerous. That’s not exactly true. Most opioid-related deaths involve illegally produced fentanyl, which is not the same as pharmaceutical fentanyl.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is made in regulated labs and comes with accurate dosing information. On the other hand, illegally made fentanyl comes from unregulated sources. It may be liquid, pill, or powder without any information about its potency. Frequently, it’s added to other drugs such as other illegally manufactured opioids and cocaine. Because it’s so powerful, consuming even a small amount can lead to an overdose.

How Are Opiates and Opioids Similar?

Both types of drugs are narcotics. The word “narcotic” literally means sleep-inducing or numbness-inducing. It’s most precise to refer to the groups as “opiates and opioids” but currently people often use the term “opioid” to refer to all of these drugs.

If a person becomes addicted to one certain opioid, whether it’s medically prescribed or illicit, they can switch to a different opioid to maintain their addiction when they can’t get their drug of choice. This means that substituting one opioid for another can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Many people who have actual pain become addicted to their prescription pain-relieving drugs. After a period of use, patients often build up a tolerance to the drug. Then, when the prescription runs out, they switch to illicit opioids or opiates like heroin which is generally easier to find and cheaper.

What’s the Difference Between Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction?

Why are Opiates and Opioids Addictive?

Because they trigger powerful reward centers in your brain, opioids are highly addictive. Opioids trigger the release of endorphins and tell your brain that you feel good. The endorphin release makes it less likely that you’ll feel pain. And while that is happening, they also increase your feelings of pleasure, creating a sense of well-being that is effective, but only lasts for a short time.

When the dose wears off, you’ll probably want those good feelings back ASAP. This is the beginning of OUD. Addiction is a condition where something pleasurable at first begins to feel like something you can’t live without. Even short-term opioid use can lead to addiction and often, overdose. Drug addiction has been defined as an out-of-control feeling that you have to use the drug over and over even though it causes you harm over and over again.

Using Opioids Safely

If you’ve been prescribed opioids for pain, you have the responsibility to help make sure that you’re getting the most effective and safest pain management possible. This is done by working with your healthcare provider to create a plan for managing your pain. You should:

• Know your options and ask about other ways to manage pain without opioids
• Talk to your doctor about side effects
• Make an informed decision with your doctor
• Follow up with your doctor regularly

Use and store your medication properly by:

• Never take opioids in larger amounts or more often than prescribed
• Always inform your doctor about side effects or concerns you have
• Avoid taking opioids with alcohol or other medications or substances. It is dangerous to combine opioids with other drugs, particularly ones that cause drowsiness such as:
• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
• Muscle relaxants (Soma, Flexeril)
• Hypnotics (Ambien, Lunesta)
• Other prescription opioids
• Don’t sell or share your medication
• Store your opioids in a secure place out of reach of others
• If you have unused medication at the end of your treatment you can:
• Take it to your community drug take-back program if there is one
• Give it to your pharmacy’s mail-back program if possible
• Flush them down the toilet

Key Facts

• Opioids are to be used for short-term relief of severe pain from an injury or after surgery.
• They help people manage cancer and other life-limiting diseases.
• Opioids can cause serious side effects even when being used according to your doctor’s directions.
• You can reduce the risk of serious side effects by avoiding alcohol, sedative medications, and illegal drugs while taking opioids.
• If you’re still having pain while taking prescription opioids, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Westwind Recovery® Can Assist With Opioid Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, Westwind Recovery® in Los Angeles, CA is here to help. We have outstanding professionals qualified in addiction and mental health treatment. Unfortunately, those two issues commonly go hand-in-hand, and we know that. Along with our addiction treatment programs, we also have a dual diagnosis program, created to treat individuals who are suffering from a mental health issue and substance use disorder. Our other treatment programs include: