Opioid addiction is much deeper than what we
see from the outside. It involves how the drug changes the structure and
function of the brain that makes people continue to use it, leading to the
addiction.
Dr. Sol Snyder first studied the effects of
opioids in the 1970s at John Hopkins University. His team discovered opioid
receptors in the brain. This discovery helped them better understand why opioid
users feel euphoric, less pain, and become physically and psychologically
dependent.
How the Brain Responds to Opioids
Opioid addiction directly affects the brain’s
receptors in much of the same way other enjoyable activities do, such as sex or
eating. When we engage in pleasurable activities, our brain releases
neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters attach to mu receptors, which
activate the release of chemicals. These chemicals are what cause us to enjoy
what we are doing and reduce the sensation of pain.
When introduced into the body, enzymes in the
brain convert them into morphine. It’s the morphine that attaches and activates
opioid receptors, releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. The nervous system
uses dopamine to send messages between nerve cells. It also plays a significant
role in how we feel pleasure. The more dopamine there is, the more pleasure we
feel.
The brain is highly adaptable. After regular
use of opioids and the increased dopamine release, the brain begins to alter
its functioning to accommodate the increase in dopamine. The brain no longer
reacts as quickly and as powerfully to the drugs, which means lower feelings of
pleasure and increased pain sensitivity. The only way to bring back the
euphoria and higher pain thresholds is to introduce a higher dose of the drug.
Opioid addiction can occur quickly and easily,
depending on how fast it adapts to the increased dopamine levels. Once the
brain adapts to those higher levels, the only way to avoid feeling the
withdrawal effects is to continue the opioid drug dosage that produces higher
dopamine levels.
Long Term Effects on the Brain
Using opioids for many years can lead to
permanent changes to the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe of the
brain. These two areas of the brain are essential in:
- Memory
- Decision-making
- Thought processes
- Social behavior
- Reasoning skills
- Emotional processes
- Behavior control
Since opioid addiction can lead to those
permanent changes, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Opioid
addiction is not a lifelong sentence. Treatment can help the brain withdraw
from the elevated levels of dopamine and become accustomed to what the brain
naturally produces. Recovery helps with the mental and emotional dependency of
the drug to prevent relapse.
Intensive Treatment Systems offers
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), integrated care, counseling, peer support,
and much more to those who struggle with opioid and alcohol addiction. We have
many clinics conveniently located in and around the Phoenix area. Call us 24/7
at 623-247-1234 for additional information on how we can help you break free
from opioid addiction.
William Fox DNP, AGNP-C