Opioid dependence

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Opioid Dependence

Opioid dependence (pronunciation: /ˈoʊpiɔɪd dɪˈpɛndəns/) is a medical condition characterized by a person's inability to stop using opioids despite the negative consequences of continued use.

Etymology

The term "opioid" originates from the Greek word "opion", which means "poppy juice". The suffix "-oid" means "resembling". Dependence is derived from the Latin word "dependere", which means "to hang from". Thus, opioid dependence can be interpreted as a state resembling the need to hang from poppy juice.

Definition

Opioid dependence is a form of substance use disorder where an individual develops a physical or psychological reliance on opioids. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.

Symptoms

Symptoms of opioid dependence can include strong desire for opioids, inability to control or reduce use, continued use despite interference with major obligations or social functioning, use of larger amounts over time, development of tolerance, spending a great deal of time to obtain and use opioids, and withdrawal symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing use, such as negative mood, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, fever, and insomnia.

Treatment

Treatment for opioid dependence often involves a combination of medication, counseling, and behavioral therapies. This approach, known as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), is considered the gold standard in treating opioid dependence. Medications used in MAT include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.

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