Opiates vs. Opioids: What is the Difference?

What is the difference between opiates vs. opioids? All opiates are opioids, but not all opioids are opiates. Opioids refer to substances that act on the brain’s opiate receptors. Opiates are natural alkaloids found in the opium poppy that act on the brain’s opiate receptors. If you are suffering from opioid addiction, an opiate addiction rehab center in Jacksonville, FL, can help you overcome your addiction.

Opiates vs. Opioids

Opioids may be opiates, partially synthetic opioids, or fully synthetic opioids.

Opiates:

• Codeine
• Morphine

Partially synthetic opioids:

• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone
• Heroin
• Buprenorphine

Fully Synthetic Opioids:

• Fentanyl
• Methadone

What Do They Do?

Both prescription opiates and opioids help pain management. Most prescription opioids treat moderate to severe pain. Partially or fully synthetic opioids like buprenorphine or methadone treat opiate addiction.

Which is More Potent?

Opiates vs. opioids, which is more potent? The most potent opioid is Fentanyl. The weakest opioid is the opiate codeine. However, morphine is an opiate that is more potent than semi-synthetic opioids like hydrocodone. Potency varies from one drug to another, making it difficult to say, which is stronger in general.

The Path to Addiction

Which is more addictive, opiates vs. opioids? There isn’t a clear answer to this question. It seems to vary from drug to drug more than from one type of opiate to another. Generally speaking, the stronger an opioid is, the more likely addiction is.

1 in 4 people who are prescribed opioids will develop an addiction. Hydrocodone seems to be the most commonly abused opioid drug. This statistic is likely because it is also the most frequently prescribed. In 2016, 2.6% of the population had misused hydrocodone. .5% reported abusing Oxycontin, the potent time-release form of oxycodone, and .4% had used heroin.

4 to 6% of people who develop an addiction from misusing an opioid prescription will go on to use heroin. When you think of a heroin addict, you likely think of someone from the inner city with a criminal record. Not the lady down the street that had surgery for knee pain and developed a dependence on pain medication.

Worldwide, 19 million people use opiates, while 34 million use opioids.

Which is More Dangerous?

In 2017, there were 47,600 overdose deaths involving some type of opioid. 15,400 involved heroin. 29,400 involved synthetic opiates. Most of these were due to the synthetic opioid Fentanyl. This makes Fentanyl, which is an opioid, by far the most dangerous in terms of overdose. However, both opiates and opioids have risks associated with their use. However, other opioids are not as hazardous as Fentanyl.

The Dangers of Fentanyl

Even riskier and addictive than heroin is Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used to treat severe pain. However, it is often made in underground laboratories and put in with heroin or used to make counterfeit pain pills. It is 100 times more potent than morphine.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

If you are suffering from opioid addiction, you can recover with the proper treatment. At Beaches Recovery, we offer many treatments and programs. Instead of a one size fits all approach, we will tailor your treatment to your specific needs. Holistic therapy, MAT, Recreational therapy, and Dual diagnosis are just a few of the treatments we offer. Contact us today to begin your journey to a better life through recovery at 866.605.0532.