Opioids

powerful pain medications misused by millions

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both legal prescription medications and illegal substances. They are known for their pain-relieving properties, but they also have a high potential for addiction and abuse. The term “opioids” encompasses both opiates, which are derived naturally from the opium poppy, and synthetic or semi-synthetic medications that mimic the effects of natural opiates.


Get Help Now

In This Page

why still detox

Opioids Addiction Treatment Center

Still Detox recognizes that medical detox is an effective and safe way to help individuals suffering from opioids addiction, and emphasizes the importance of proper assessment and monitoring by a qualified medical professional during the detoxification process to ensure the safety and comfort of those struggling with opioids addiction.


Get Help Now


Insurance Verification

What are the types of opioids?

Type of Opioid Example Drugs
Natural Opiates Morphine, Codeine
Semi-Synthetic Opioids Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Heroin
Synthetic Opioids Fentanyl, Methadone, Tramadol
Meperidine Demerol

The opioid crisis in us

The opioid crisis, often referred to as the opioid epidemic, is a serious public health issue that has been particularly devastating in countries like the United States. It is characterized by a dramatic increase in the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs, leading to a significant rise in overdoses and fatalities. This crisis originated in part due to the over-prescription of opioid pain relievers in the late 1990s, when these medications were aggressively marketed to healthcare providers as non-addictive solutions for pain management. However, over time, it became clear that these drugs were highly addictive, leading to widespread misuse.

The situation was exacerbated by the availability of cheap synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is far more potent than heroin and morphine. The opioid epidemic has had far-reaching consequences, including a rise in opioid addiction, overdoses, and a subsequent increase in public health and economic burdens.

Efforts to address the crisis include enhancing prescription drug monitoring programs, improving access to treatment and recovery services, promoting the use of overdose-reversing drugs, and supporting research on pain and addiction.

Despite these efforts, the crisis remains a significant challenge, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and sustained response from healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities.

Opioids Addiction Treatment
in Boca Raton, Florida

At Still Detox, we get that everyone dealing with opioid addiction has their own story and challenges. That’s why our detox process is tailor-made for each person. We’re all about helping you get through the detox from opioids with care that’s personal and based on what really works for managing opioid withdrawal.

But detox is just the start. After that, we roll out our full-on addiction recovery program. It’s a mix of one-on-one and group counseling to dig into the deeper issues behind addiction. We also teach ways to prevent slipping back into old habits and keep offering support all through the journey to recovery.


Get Help Now


Insurance Verification

addiction treatment center in boca raton
a pill mill in operation

what is a pill mill?

Pill mills are essentially illegal setups that look like legitimate medical clinics or pharmacies but are in the business of prescribing and dispensing prescription drugs, mainly opioids, without the right medical oversight. These places focus more on making money than on patient care, often handing out prescriptions for strong painkillers just for cash, while skimping on proper medical check-ups or real pain management approaches.

Their role in the opioid crisis is significant. They make it too easy for people to get their hands on highly addictive meds, leading to higher addiction rates, more overdoses, and increased drug abuse. Law enforcement and regulatory bodies are heavily targeting these pill mills because of their illegal practices and the big part they play in keeping the cycle of drug abuse and addiction going.

which opioids were prescribed in pill mills?

During the pill mill crisis, oxycodone was the drug that was commonly prescribed. This drug, known for its powerful properties in combating pain, is found in painkillers like OxyContin and Percocet. The widespread availability of oxycodone, provided so freely, created the benchmark for the widespread misuse of this medication, and this in turn played a major role in the surge of addiction cases.

The Role of Pill Mills in Fueling U.S. Opioid Addiction

Pill mills, clinics that indiscriminately prescribed narcotics like oxycodone without legitimate medical purpose, significantly fueled the opioid addiction crisis in the United States, particularly in the early 2000s. In Florida, the epicenter of this epidemic, oxycodone caused 1,516 overdose deaths in 2010 alone, with the state hosting numerous pill mills that dispensed millions of opioid doses1. The easy availability not only increased misuse but also led many dependent users to begin “feening” for pills as tolerance and addiction developed.

By 2012, the DEA approved the manufacture of 98 million grams of oxycodone nationwide, a 40% increase from 2008, reflecting the massive supply driven by these operations1.

Research indicates that up to 7% of individuals prescribed opioid painkillers developed addiction, contributing to an estimated 4.7 million Americans dependent on painkillers by the mid-2010s2. The widespread availability of prescription opioids from pill mills led to a 145% increase in heroin users from 2007 to 2014, as many transitioned to cheaper illicit drugs when access to prescriptions tightened, exacerbating the addiction crisis1.

How long does opioids stay in the system?

Drug Name Hair Saliva Urine Blood
Drug Name: Morphine Hair: Up to 90 days Saliva: Up to 4 days Urine: Up to 3 days Blood: Up to 12 hours
Drug Name: Oxycodone Hair: Up to 90 days Saliva: Up to 48 hours Urine: Up to 4 days Blood: Up to 24 hours
Drug Name: Heroin Hair: Up to 90 days Saliva: Up to 5 days Urine: Up to 7 days Blood: Up to 6 hours
Drug Name: Fentanyl Hair: Up to 90 days Saliva: Up to 72 hours Urine: Up to 3 days Blood: Up to 12 hours


Read More

How Opioids Are Typically Abused

Opioids are commonly misused in several ways, contributing to their high potential for addiction and the risk of overdose. Misuse often begins with prescribed medications but can escalate into more dangerous practices. Common forms of opioid misuse include:

Taking a Higher Dose Than Prescribed

Some individuals may take more of the medication than directed by their healthcare provider to achieve a stronger effect.

Taking Medication More Frequently

Using the medication more often than prescribed can quickly lead to tolerance, dependence, and a higher risk of overdose.

Taking Someone Else’s Prescription

Using opioids prescribed for another person is illegal and dangerous, often resulting in unexpected adverse effects.

Taking Medication for Non-Medical Reasons

Using opioids to experience euphoria or a “high” rather than for legitimate pain management is a common form of misuse.

Altering the Form of the Medication

Crushing, snorting, or injecting opioids leads to a rapid and intense effect by bypassing the drug’s intended slow-release mechanism, significantly increasing the risk of overdose and death.

Combining with Other Substances

Mixing opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants greatly elevates the risk of respiratory depression, coma, and fatal overdose.

street names of opioids

Drug Common Street Names
Drug: Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) Common Street Names: Hillbilly Heroin, Oxy, Percs, Roxies
Drug: Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab) Common Street Names: Vikes, Hydros, Norco, Tabs
Drug: Fentanyl Common Street Names: Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash
Drug: Heroin Common Street Names: H, Smack, Horse, Dope, Black Tar, Chiva, Junk

Facts About opioids

At Still Detox, we provide professional, medically supervised detox services for individuals facing a range of substance use disorders. Our experienced clinical team is equipped to safely manage withdrawal symptoms and support the first stage of recovery for the following substances:

what are most 5 abused opioids in usa

Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a prescription opioid that is commonly abused. It is often prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain. In 2022, 3.8 million people aged 12 or older misused oxycodone in the past year.

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is another prescription opioid that is commonly abused. It is often prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain. In 2022, 3.6 million people aged 12 or older misused hydrocodone in the past year.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is often used to treat severe pain, such as pain from cancer. In 2022, 2.1 million people aged 12 or older misused fentanyl in the past year.

Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is often used to treat opioid addiction. In 2022, 1.8 million people aged 12 or older misused methadone in the past year.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid that is often used to treat opioid addiction. In 2022, 1.3 million people aged 12 or older misused buprenorphine in the past year.

opioids misuse stats

The number of drug overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, in 2021 was 10 times higher than in 1999. Overdoses involving opioids killed more than 80,000 people in 2021, with nearly 88% of those deaths involving synthetic opioids .(1)

The total number of U.S. overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, including opioids, rose from 547 in 1999 to 23,837 in 2020 and continued to increase to 32,537 deaths in 2021.(2)

Opioid-related deaths have been described as the most lethal drug epidemic in American history, with over 120,000 deaths per year worldwide and 47,000 deaths per year in the U.S.(3)

Substance abuse is widespread, with over 20 million people in the U.S. suffering from substance use disorder, including opioids. (3)

Sources
1. CDC Opioids
2. NIDA NIH
3. National Library of Medicine

cocaine addiction treatment florida

Get Help For Opioids Addiction

At Still Detox in Boca Raton Florida, the opioids detoxification process is tailored to meet each person’s unique needs. This detoxification program includes personalized medical care and evidence-based cocaine withdrawal treatment.


Get Help Now


Insurance Verification

opioids vs opiates

The term “opioid” is often used in a medical and scientific context to refer to all substances (natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic) that act on opioid receptors. In contrast, “opiate” is a more specific term referring only to those substances derived from the opium poppy. Both opioids and opiates are known for their potential for dependence and addiction, and their use is a significant public health concern due to the risk of overdose and other harmful effects.


Read More About Opioids vs Opiates

Opioids Addiction Treatment Near Me

Still Detox: A safe and supportive place to heal and grow

At Still Detox Luxury Rehab in Boca Raton, Florida, our expert team of therapists and practitioners are available 24/7 through our helpline to provide support and guidance to those in need for opioid addiction. Don’t wait to seek help – call Still Detox today to start your journey toward sobriety.


Call Now (561) 556-2677


Verify Insurance