Opiate Hub - Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties
Where to Find Treatment and Support Services
Treatment and support services for opiates and other substances can be found on the Board's Resource Guide page here. Provider agencies contracted with the Tri-County Board are also listed in the Service Provider Network page.
A comprehensive learning center about Substance Use Disorder may be found at the Case Western Reserve University's Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence.
Opiate vs. Opioid: Differences and Similarities
The following discussion comparing the terms "opiate" and "opioid" is crated with the assistance of an AI Large Language Model.
The primary difference between opiates and opioids is their origin: opiates are natural substances derived directly from the opium poppy plant, while opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic substances that are manufactured in a laboratory to mimic the effects of natural opiates. While they have different origins, both act on the same receptors in the brain to relieve pain and are highly addictive.
Shared Risks and Effects
Despite their different origins, both opiates and opioids function similarly by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, causing pain relief, sedation, and euphoria. Both carry significant risks, including:
Types of Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Treatment and support services for opiates and other substances can be found on the Board's Resource Guide page here. Provider agencies contracted with the Tri-County Board are also listed in the Service Provider Network page.
A comprehensive learning center about Substance Use Disorder may be found at the Case Western Reserve University's Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence.
Opiate vs. Opioid: Differences and Similarities
The following discussion comparing the terms "opiate" and "opioid" is crated with the assistance of an AI Large Language Model.
The primary difference between opiates and opioids is their origin: opiates are natural substances derived directly from the opium poppy plant, while opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic substances that are manufactured in a laboratory to mimic the effects of natural opiates. While they have different origins, both act on the same receptors in the brain to relieve pain and are highly addictive.
- Opioids is the broad, overarching term for the entire family of drugs (natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic).
- Opiates are a subset of opioids, specifically referring to natural compounds. Opiates (Natural)
- Examples: Morphine, Codeine, Opium.
- Note: Heroin is technically a semi-synthetic opiate created from morphine, but it is often grouped with natural opiates due to its direct derivation. Opioids (Synthetic and Semi-Synthetic)
- Semi-Synthetic: Created in a lab from natural opiates. Examples: Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
- Synthetic: Manufactured entirely in a laboratory. Examples: Fentanyl, Methadone, Tramadol. Key Differences at a Glance
Shared Risks and Effects
Despite their different origins, both opiates and opioids function similarly by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, causing pain relief, sedation, and euphoria. Both carry significant risks, including:
- Respiratory Depression: The primary cause of fatal overdose.
- Tolerance: Needing more of the drug to get the same effect.
- Physical Dependence and Addiction (Opioid Use Disorder): Chronic, relapsing brain disease.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Nausea, diarrhea, muscle pain, and anxiety. Note: In modern clinical settings, the term "opioid" is frequently used to refer to all substances in this family, whether they are natural or synthetic.
Types of Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Detailed information about medications for Opioid Use Disorder may be found at the Food and Drug Administration's webpage titled Information about Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).
- Detoxification (Detox). Detox treatment is generally short-term and used at the beginning of a treatment regimen to transition the client from active addiction to early recovery. Detox can be unpleasant and may have medical complications, and is best undertaken in a supervised environment.
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP). A structured program for drug or alcohol recovery that allows you to get high-level care without living at a treatment facility. It is designed as a "middle ground" for those who need more support than a weekly therapy session but don't require 24/7 supervision.
- Counseling. Regular sessions with licensed professionals to gain insight and control over impulses that lead to substance use. Frequency and intensity are based on individual assessments.
- Group Support (including 12-step programs). Regular meetings of persons generally but not always led by a licensed professional where persons in recovery gain emotional strength through shared stories, trust, and interdependence. Many so called "12-step" programs use aspects of Group Support.
- Peer Support. One-on-one support from a certified paraprofessional with lived experience in recovery. Peers can assist with the challenges faced during recovery and serve as examples of successful treatment.
