How Do Opioids Rewire the Brain?

If you’re addicted to opioids, then you already know the feelings of constant cravings, much like the song Constant Craving by K.D. Lang.

Various studies have been conducted, hoping to find the reason that some people seem to get addicted to opioids more easily than others.

Do Some People Get Addicted to Opioids More Easily?

Yes, absolutely. Opioid addiction doesn’t affect everyone equally, and some individuals are definitely more prone to developing a dependence on these drugs than others. This is due to a complex interplay of factors, but here are some of the key reasons why some people might get addicted more easily:   

  • Genetics: Our genes play a significant role in how our brains respond to drugs. Some people may have genetic variations that make them more sensitive to the pleasurable effects of opioids or less sensitive to their negative effects, increasing their risk of addiction.
  • Family History: If you have a family history of addiction, particularly to opioids, you’re at a higher risk. This could be due to shared genetic factors and learned behaviors within the family environment.
  • Mental Health Conditions: People with pre-existing mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD are more vulnerable to opioid addiction. Opioids can temporarily mask emotional pain, but this can lead to dependence and worsen existing conditions.
  • Early Exposure: Early exposure to opioids, especially during adolescence when the brain is still developing, significantly increases the risk of addiction. This can happen through experimentation, peer pressure, or even prescribed use for medical reasons.
  • Trauma and Stress: Experiencing traumatic events or chronic stress can make individuals more vulnerable to substance abuse as a way to cope.
  • How Opioids Are Taken: Injecting or snorting opioids delivers the drug to the brain more rapidly, leading to a more intense high and a greater risk of dependence. Read more about how injecting opioids activates the brain differently than swallowing: www.nih.gov

How Does the Brain Get Rewired by Opioids?

1. Flooding the Reward Circuit:

  • Dopamine surge: Opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, particularly in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens, key areas of the reward circuit. This triggers a massive release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. The dopamine surge caused by opioids is far more intense and longer-lasting than those produced by natural rewards like food or sex.
  • Reinforcing drug use: This intense pleasure reinforces the act of taking opioids, making the brain “learn” that opioid use is highly desirable and should be repeated. This is a crucial step in the development of addiction.

2. Changing Brain Chemistry and Structure:

  • Reduced dopamine production: Over time, the brain adapts to the constant flood of dopamine caused by opioids. It becomes less sensitive to dopamine and starts producing less of it naturally. This leads to dependence, where a person needs opioids just to feel “normal” and avoid withdrawal symptoms.
  • Altered brain circuitry: Chronic opioid use can lead to changes in the brain’s structure and function, particularly in areas related to decision-making, impulse control, and stress response. This can make it harder for individuals to resist cravings and make sound choices.

3. Creating a Cycle of Dependence:

  • Tolerance: As the brain adapts, users need to take higher and higher doses of opioids to achieve the same effect. This is known as tolerance.
  • Withdrawal: When opioid use is stopped or reduced, the brain experiences a sharp drop in dopamine and other neurochemicals, leading to withdrawal symptoms. These can be extremely unpleasant, including intense cravings, anxiety, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Relapse: The intense discomfort of withdrawal and the powerful cravings drive many people to relapse, perpetuating the cycle of addiction.

Opioids hijack the brain’s reward system, altering its chemistry and structure to create a powerful dependence on the drug. This makes it challenging for individuals to overcome opioid addiction without professional help.

Getting Help – Essential Steps for Rewiring the Brain After Getting Addicted to Opioids

MAT, or Medication-Assisted Therapy for opioid addiction typically involves three distinct phases:

1. Induction:
This is the initial phase where a patient starts taking medication, usually buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone.
It focuses on managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings as the patient begins their recovery journey.
A crucial step in induction is the waiting period, where the patient abstains from opioids to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
The initial dose is carefully determined and adjusted based on the patient’s response and tolerance.
Close monitoring is essential during this phase to ensure safety and effectiveness.

2. Stabilization:
Once withdrawal symptoms are managed, the focus shifts to stabilizing the patient on an appropriate medication dose.
This phase aims to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and improve overall functioning.
The dosage may be adjusted during this phase to find the optimal level for the individual.
Counseling and therapy are often integrated into this phase to address underlying issues contributing to addiction.
The stabilization phase can last for several weeks or months, depending on the individual’s needs and progress.

3. Maintenance:
This is the long-term phase of MAT where the patient continues taking medication at a stable dose.
The goal is to maintain sobriety, prevent relapse, and support ongoing recovery.
Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor progress, address any concerns, and provide ongoing support.
The maintenance phase can last for months, years, or even indefinitely, depending on the individual’s needs and preferences.
Some individuals may gradually taper off the medication under medical supervision, while others may continue long-term.

Individualized Treatment
The duration and specifics of each phase can vary based on individual needs and responses. Each person’s recovery plan can and should be unique to their specific needs.
Comprehensive Approach: MAT is most effective when combined with counseling, therapy, and other support services.
Ongoing Support: Recovery is a continuous journey, and ongoing support is crucial for long-term success.

Group Recovery
Tennessee is host to many different types of group recovery, including 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous that can help provide a support system of like-minded individuals who are all on the same mission. Here are links to some of Tennessee’s group recovery meetings:

If You’re Addicted to Opiods, Please Ask for Help

When I was at the peak of my opioid addiction, I knew I needed help and was afraid to ask. I suffered another two years before finally building up the courage to tell the people closest to me that I was struggling with opioids. What surprised me more than anything was the amount of support and encouragement my friends and family offered me. Looking back, I should have asked for help a lot sooner.

Recovery is without a doubt the very best decision I have ever made in my entire life. No one is born hoping to become an addict. Addicts aren’t bad people trying to be good; They’re sick people who are trying to get well. Addiction has no demographic. Most anyone is susceptible to getting addicted to opioids, regardless of their status, career, financial means, etc.

If you’re addicted, please ask for help.

About Recovery Care’s Suboxone Telemedicine Program

Recovery Care’s 100% virtual Suboxone treatment program is proudly owned and operated by Tennesseean’s in recovery for Tennesseean’s seeking recovery. Video appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with special hours available on Wednesday until 8:30 PM.

Program Benefits

We accept all major insurance plans, including all Tennessee Medicaid, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup). You can receive and complete all treatment services from the privacy and comfort of your own home, including drug screening, counseling, case management, and appointments with our clinicians. When medically appropriate, medications prescribed by our clinicians will be sent electronically to your local pharmacy or shipped directly to your home through our partnered third-party mail-order pharmacy service (delivery fees apply).

Program Requirements

– A Tennessee driver’s license or state-issued photo ID.
– An electronic device capable of two-way audio-video communication.
– A high-speed wifi connection.
– Additional information will be provided after receiving your intake documentation.

Ready To Change Your Life?
To register for treatment, please click this link:
https://nashvilleaddictionclinic.com/suboxone-telemedicine-appointments/

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