Opioid Rehab in Virginia

Opioids are a broad category of drugs that affect the opioid receptors of the human brain, causing euphoria and pain reduction. Included in this class of drugs are many different substances, illicit and controlled. Some opioids like fentanyl are used as a prescription drug to treat severe pain and are also manufactured illicitly. Opioids are highly addictive and deadly, and their overuse in America has led to a nationwide drug epidemic that continues to grow.

Opioids can vary widely in shape, size, color, and consistency. Many of them exist in pill form. There are also liquid preparations of opioids for oral and IV use, pain patches, etc. Opioids also exist in illicit forms like black tar heroin or fentanyl powder.

On average, it takes a few days to rid the body of opioids after consumption. Opioids stay in the human body for varying lengths, depending on the type consumed. Some opioids are long-acting and can take weeks to clear the system, like methadone. Others like fentanyl leave the system rapidly and may only be detectable in the urine for a day or two after using them. But most opioids have a duration of action of four to six hours and therefore are metabolized and excreted over 72 hours.

Opioids are so deadly because of their potential to cause an overdose. Opioid overdose is extremely dangerous because opioids depress breathing. Victims die from lack of oxygen almost uniformly. Suffocation is preceded by unconsciousness, so it can be too late if no one is around when they overdose and aren’t discovered within a few minutes. Opioid overdose reversal drugs like Narcan have become crucial in the fight, saving many lives since being approved. But even though Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose, it cannot undo the effects of oxygen depletion.

Opioids can be used in various ways, with the most prevalent methods consisting of oral ingestion and intravenous injection. Mainly, prescription opioids are abused by oral consumption, and illicit opioids like heroin by IV use. There can certainly be exceptions and many other ways to consume opioids. However, these are the most common.

The questions from DrugRehab.ca’s “Ask a Professional” are answered by Nickolaus Hayes. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at [email protected].