Many people use opioid prescription pain medication after a surgery or when enduring chronic pain. People are familiar with the term opioids because of the epidemic of opioid addiction in America. However, do you know the difference between opiate and opioid? These words are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. Let’s take a look at the meaning of these terms and where to find a great opioid detox center in Ft Lauderdale.
What are Opiates?
Opiates are the pure, natural substance that originates from opium. Opium is extracted from the flowering opium poppy plant. Some of its chemical substances include morphine and codeine. So, when you take morphine, you are taking an opiate, which means it’s purely from the poppy plant.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are semi-synthetic or fully-synthetic substances that bind to the opioid receptors in the brain. They act in a very similar way as opiates but are not completely naturally occurring. Opioids may be a synthetic substance, which doesn’t include any naturally occurring substance in it, such as fentanyl. Or it may be semi-synthetic which is partially manmade and partially natural. Examples of this type are Percocet.
What is the Difference Between Opiate and Opioid?
The main difference between whether a medication is an opiate or an opioid is whether it is derived from one hundred percent naturally occurring substance. If so, then it is an opiate. If any part of it is synthetic or chemically altered, then it is an opioid. However, the way the two work on the brain is basically the same. They both bind to the opioid receptors and both have a high propensity for addiction.
Addiction to Opioids and Opiates
When taking opioids or opiates for any length of time, you can develop tolerance which leads to taking too much. This is usually the first step to addiction. Withdrawal can be difficult without professional intervention. At an opioid detox center in Ft Lauderdale, trained specialists will ease you through the withdrawal process, thus decreasing your chances of relapse.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, our trained therapists, and staff use evidence-based means to bring you through the detox process. Through compassionate care and guidance, you can detox safely. In addition to opioid detox, we also offer several other programs such as:
- Alcohol Detox
- Cocaine Detox
- Marijuana Detox
- Xanax Detox
- Meth Detox
- Benzodiazepine Detox and Narcotic Detox
Begin your journey to health by starting with detox. This forms the foundation for your continued work with future therapy.
Don’t wait until opioids or opiates are dragging you down. Now that you know the difference between opiate and opioid, it’s time to seek help to overcome your addiction at a quality drug rehab. Contact us at 866.294.5306, and we’ll get you on the pathway to healing.
