How Do Opioids Work?
Opioids attach to opioid receptors on your body’s nerve cells, triggering the release of “feel-good” chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins muffle your perception of pain and boost pleasurable feelings, creating a powerful but temporary sense of well-being.
What is Opiate Addiction?
When opioids wear off, your body may crave those good feelings and want them back as soon as possible. Opiate addiction occurs when the pleasant effects of opioids change to a craving you can’t ignore. Unfortunately, this often leads to compulsive and continued drug use despite ongoing harmful consequences. Opiate addiction affects over 16 million people worldwide, including over 2.1 million people in the United States, and significantly impacts one’s quality of life.
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The Effects of Opiate Addiction
When you take opioids repeatedly, your body slows its natural production of endorphins over time. This effect means that the same amount of opioids no longer triggers the same strength of positive feelings as when you started using the drugs. This effect is called tolerance and can lead you to increase your dose to gain the sense of well-being you have grown used to. In 2020, more people than ever — over 2,000 — died from opioid overdoses in Massachusetts (MA).
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Is Suboxone a Good Treatment for Opiate Addiction?
Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opiates and other addictions. Medication-assisted treatment using Suboxone works effectively at helping to stop opioid cravings by blocking opiate receptors. Suboxone can reduce your urge to take opioids and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. After a short time, this type of medication can allow you to stop being dependent on drugs and alcohol without withdrawal symptoms.