What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription painkillers and illegal substances like heroin. [1] Common prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl. Doctors prescribe these medications to treat severe pain after surgery or injury.

These drugs work by binding to opioid receptors in your brain and nervous system. This blocks pain signals and creates feelings of euphoria. Your body naturally produces some opioid-like chemicals, but prescription and illegal opioids are much stronger.

Opioids are highly addictive because they change how your brain works. [2] Even when taken as prescribed, your body can develop tolerance and dependence. This means you need more of the drug to feel the same effects.

Many people who struggle with opioid addiction started with legitimate prescriptions for pain management. Others may have started with illegal drugs like heroin or fentanyl. Regardless of how addiction begins, professional treatment can help you recover and rebuild your life.

Statistics About Opiate Abuse

Over 105,000 people in the United States died from drug overdoses in 2023, with nearly 80,000 of those deaths involving opioids. [3] Recent data shows promising news, with provisional data indicating an almost 24 percent decline in drug overdose deaths for 2024 compared to the previous year. [4]

New Jersey has been significantly affected by the opiate crisis, with nearly 90 percent of drug overdoses in 2018 involving opioids, resulting in 2,583 deaths. New Jersey maintains one of the lowest opioid prescribing rates in the nation, with 26.3 opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons in 2023. The state saw 33,587 substance abuse treatment admissions for heroin in 2021, accounting for 38 percent of all New Jersey rehab admissions. [5]

Fentanyl has become increasingly deadly in New Jersey, with drug-related fatalities involving fentanyl increasing from 34 percent to approximately 80 percent between 2016 and 2020. [6] This shift highlights how the opiate crisis has evolved beyond prescription painkillers to include more dangerous synthetic substances that pose extreme risks to people struggling with addiction.

Why Are Opioids So Addictive?

Opioids bind to specific receptors in your brain called opioid receptors. [7] These receptors are naturally designed to respond to your body’s own pain-relieving chemicals. When opioids attach to these receptors, they block pain signals and flood your brain with dopamine. This creates intense feelings of euphoria and relief that your brain remembers and craves.

Your brain adapts quickly to opioids by reducing its natural production of feel-good chemicals. This means you need a higher dose of the drug to achieve the same effects. Your body also develops physical dependence, which means stopping the drug causes uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include nausea, muscle aches, anxiety, and intense cravings.

The addiction cycle becomes self-reinforcing as opioids change how your brain’s reward system functions. The areas of your brain that control decision-making and impulse control become less active, while the parts that drive cravings become hyperactive. This makes it extremely difficult to stop using opioids, even when you want to quit.

Types of Opioids

Opioids fall into several categories based on how they’re made and their intended use. [8]

Prescription Opioids

• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Fentanyl patches and prescriptions
• Tramadol
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Illegal Opioids

• Heroin
• Illegally manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
• Opium

Medication-Assisted Treatment Opioids

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex)
• Naltrexone (blocks opioid effects)

Is There a Difference Between Opiates and Opioids?

Opiates and opioids are often used interchangeably, but there is a technical difference. Opiates refer specifically to natural substances derived directly from the opium poppy plant, such as morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opioids are the broader umbrella term that includes opiates plus semi-synthetic drugs like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as wholly synthetic substances like fentanyl and tramadol.

For practical purposes, both terms describe substances that carry similar risks for addiction and require professional treatment to overcome.

The Long-Term Effects of Opioid Use

Long-term opioid use creates serious physical and mental health problems that can affect every aspect of your life. [9] These effects develop over time and often worsen without proper treatment and medical support:

• Respiratory depression and breathing problems
• Heart complications and irregular heartbeat
• Liver damage from acetaminophen in combination pills
• Kidney damage and chronic constipation
• Weakened immune system and frequent infections
• Collapsed veins and abscesses from injection use
• Increased risk of overdose and death
• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Cognitive problems and memory issues
• Sleep disorders and chronic fatigue
• Mood swings and emotional instability
• Increased suicide risk
• Social isolation and relationship problems
• Potential legal issues and criminal charges

Treatment for Opiate Addiction

Opiate addiction requires specialized care that addresses both physical dependence and underlying trauma. New Leaf Recovery Center takes a different approach by meeting you where you are and building the foundation you need for long-term success.

Levels of Care

• Detox Placement: We help connect you with appropriate medical detox facilities and stay with you throughout the process to ensure continuity of care.
• Partial Hospitalization Program: A PHP program is a full-time treatment option, typically running 5–6 days a week for 6–8 hours a day, offering intensive therapy and support.
• Intensive Outpatient Program: High-touch treatment with morning and evening sessions to accommodate work and family schedules.

Treatment Modalities

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to substance use.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches practical skills for managing emotions, handling stress, and improving relationships.
• EMDR Therapy: A gradual approach that addresses trauma when you have developed the necessary coping tools to process difficult experiences safely.
• Family Therapy: Integrates your family into the healing process with sessions designed to repair relationships and build healthy communication.
• Group Therapy: Small groups of no more than 10 people focused on identifying triggers, emotion regulation, goal setting, and relapse prevention.
• Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions at least weekly, with additional sessions available based on your specific treatment plan needs.
• Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT): Available to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.