What Are Semi-Synthetic Opioids?
The opioid epidemic has shifted and evolved over the past 25 years, but it continues to ruin lives and kill people every year, and the drugs that are behind these addictions and deaths have changed during this time as well. While there are natural drugs of this type that are derived from the poppy plant, such as morphine, the rise of semi synthetic opioids and fully synthetic opioids has driven the worst of the problem due to their higher potency and widespread availability on the black market. Among the list of opioids from strongest to weakest, semi-synthetic and synthetic opioids tend to be the worst offenders.
Table of contents
» How Are Semi-Synthetic Opioids Different from Natural Opioids?
» What Are the Most Common Semi-Synthetic Opioid Drugs?
» Are Semi-Synthetic Opioids More Addictive Than Others?
» How Are Semi-Synthetic Opioid Addictions Treated?
» Key Takeaways on Semi-Synthetic Opioids
» Resources
How Are Semi-Synthetic Opioids Different from Natural Opioids?
Opioids vary quite a bit in terms of potency and how they’re made, though they share a lot in common. All opioids work by affecting opioid receptors in the brain, leading to pain relief and cough suppression in medical settings, but also having the potential to cause euphoria, dependence, tolerance, and addiction as they’re used for long periods of time or misused.
Generally, opioids fall into one of three categories:
- Natural Opioids: These are natural substances, also referred to as opiates, that are made from the opium poppy plant seed pods. Natural opioids include morphine, codeine, and opium.
- Semi-Synthetic Opioids: These are made by processing and altering natural opioids in a lab, changing them into things like heroin as well as common painkiller pharmaceuticals like oxymorphone, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
- Synthetic Opioids: As their name implies, this type of opioid isn’t made by chemical processing of a natural opioid—instead, they’re entirely manufactured in laboratories. Fentanyl is the most common example of this type of opioid, though others are on the black market now as well.
No matter the type of opioid, people who use these drugs, especially those who misuse them, such as crushing up and snorting a tablet instead of taking it as directed, or who frequently use large doses of the drug, are at risk of suffering from crippling side effects. Opioids can be highly addictive, quickly leading to tolerance or the need to take more of the drug to feel the same impact, as well as physical dependence, or feeling like you need to take the drug to function and feel normal.
All too quickly, addiction can set in and at that point, intense cravings to continue using the drug will prompt many people to become stuck in the vicious cycle of getting, taking, and recovering from opioid use to an extent that can make it hard to keep up with daily life and continue functioning. Fortunately, drug rehab and opioid detox programs can help people get through opioid withdrawal and learn the skills and strength they’ll need to achieve long-lasting recovery without these drugs.
What Are the Most Common Semi-Synthetic Opioid Drugs?
As mentioned earlier, semi-synthetic opioids are created in laboratories by chemically processing a natural opioid, such as morphine. Many opioids of this type are prescription painkillers. However, there are other examples, such as buprenorphine, which is a prescription medication that can help people with opioid use disorder quit using other, more dangerous opioids and achieve recovery from addiction.
Common examples of semi-synthetic opioids include:
- Hydrocone: This prescription pain reliever goes by several brand names, including Vicodin, Lorcet, and Lortab.
- Oxycodone: Sold under the brand names OxyContin and Percocet, this is another prescription painkiller.
- Hydromorphone: Another prescription pain reliever, it is sold under the brand name Dilaudid.
- Oxymorphone: Sold under the brand name Opana, this is another prescription painkiller.
- Heroin: This illicit and illegal drug is a widely misused opioid that remains common on the illicit drug market today.
- Buprenorphine: This prescription painkiller is often used as a medication to help people with opioid use disorder, otherwise known as opioid addiction.
- Dihydrocodeine: This semi-synthetic opioid is another example of a prescription painkiller.
While many of these drugs are prescription painkillers that can be effective in helping patients manage and lessen chronic or acute pain, such as after a surgery or accident, they can still lead to tolerance, dependency, and addiction—just like any other kind of opioid. Semi-synthetic and synthetic opioids also tend to be more potent than natural drugs, meaning they have a higher risk of overdose and addiction.
Are Semi-Synthetic Opioids More Addictive Than Others?
The signs of opioid addiction can come about from use or misuse of any kind of opioid, with addiction warning signs including:
- Using more of the drug than intended, or using it for longer than planned.
- Repeatedly wanting to or trying to reduce or stop using the drug, but failing to do so.
- Spending an increasing amount of time trying to get, purchasing, using, or recovering from using opioids.
- Powerful cravings and urges to use the drug again.
- Missing deadlines and not meeting obligations at home, work, or school due to drug use.
- Using the drug over and over again, even though the person knows it’s causing them personal and social problems.
- Unsafe usage, such as driving while under the influence of opioids.
- Withdrawing from activities, places, and people that once brought them joy.
- An increasing tolerance, or the need to use more of the drug to feel the same effects.
- Suffering from withdrawal symptoms if they don’t use the drug.
While all opioids can lead to addiction, it is indeed true that fully synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids are usually more potent than natural drugs and that means they have a faster, more powerful effect on the user’s brain that can much more rapidly lead to dependence, tolerance, and severe addiction.
For example, fentanyl is widely regarded as one of the most addictive opioids, and it’s estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, which is a natural opioid. Many semi-synthetic opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers, are less potent than fentanyl but still much stronger than morphine.
What our customers are saying
How Are Semi-Synthetic Opioid Addictions Treated?
Addiction to any kind of opioid is a serious problem because of how hard it can be to quit and the many ways it ruins the user’s life. On top of that, opioid withdrawal can be fatal in some cases, which is why it’s so important not to try to quit cold turkey at home on your own. Fortunately, there are effective opioid addiction treatments that can help people break the chains of this disease and learn to live happy, healthy lives in long-lasting recovery.
Addiction treatment revolves around specially designed individual and group therapy that helps the patient better understand and identify flawed patterns of behaviors and ways of thinking that can keep them locked in the cycle of addiction, and then working to change these patterns to better support their future in recovery.
In addition to therapy, medication-assisted treatment can be especially helpful in helping people get through the brief but intense period of opioid withdrawal and then get back on their feet so they can focus on addressing the physical and mental aspects of their addiction. Other components of treatment include skills training, vocational assistance, and relapse prevention training, all of which will help ensure a successful recovery.
Key Takeaways on Semi-Synthetic Opioids
- The opioid epidemic continues to ruin lives and kill people today.
- Opioids are generally classified in one of three categories: Natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic.
- Semi-synthetic opioids are created by chemically processing and altering natural opioids like morphine in a lab.
- Semi-synthetic opioids include heroin and many prescription painkillers, including oxycodone and hydrocodone.
- Opioid addiction treatment can help people get through withdrawal and learn to live without the drug.
If you or someone you love is suffering from opioid addiction, it’s time to get help, and WhiteSands Treatment is here to help. Call our team at 877-855-3470 today to learn how to get started.
Resources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse – Opioids
- ScienceDirect – Semisynthetic Opioids
- Mayo Clinic – How Opioid Use Disorder Occurs
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
