How does Opioid addiction work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There absolutely is a proven genetic component to whether opioids will give you the high and mask the pain. There is also a (different) genetic component to whether a person is more likely to become addicted to a high like this. Finally, there are environmental components that guide a person away from becoming addicted. There's a reason that the Vietnam vets who shot up on morphine during the war did not become permanently addicted. Some did, but the ones who didn't had strong safety nets and support and "reasons to live" when they came back home.

It sounds like a lottery ticket you don't want to win

[Anonymous]

I think it's genetic, honestly.

I freakin' love how I feel on painkillers. Love it. I've only had them twice in my life but I totally get the appeal and that's absolutely terrifying to me.

Genetically speaking, my dad is a recovered alcoholic and my sibling is a current alcoholic (who denies they have a problem), so addiction is definitely in my genes.

Even though I loved being on the painkillers and loved the way I felt while on them, there was still a part of my brain that knew that once I wasn't in pain, I didn't get to take them anymore. I'm pretty scared that the next time I have an issue that requires them, that part of my brain won't be there and I'll become addicted.

I had a minor break last summer and refused the Oxy the doctor was offering because of this fear. First of all, it wasn't that much pain and second of all, I was alone and the time and didn't have anyone in my life who would be able to immediately recognize if I developed a problem or was spiraling. After realizing how much I loved being on painkillers after the first time I got them, the next time they were prescribed to me, I made sure to tell someone I was on them and made sure they kind of just watched out for me.

[Anonymous]

Genetic predisposition is a cop-out. It's a matter of self-awareness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There absolutely is a proven genetic component to whether opioids will give you the high and mask the pain. There is also a (different) genetic component to whether a person is more likely to become addicted to a high like this. Finally, there are environmental components that guide a person away from becoming addicted. There's a reason that the Vietnam vets who shot up on morphine during the war did not become permanently addicted. Some did, but the ones who didn't had strong safety nets and support and "reasons to live" when they came back home.

Yes, exactly. It is not just about whether it works for you and/or you feel the euphoria. It's also whether you are predisposed physically/emotionally/mentally to become addicted. I have been prescribed painkillers a couple of times and thought they were fantastic but I always ended up with most of the pills in the cabinet for months or years because, ince I didn't need them, I forgot about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t get past the aweful nausea and constipation. So no oxy anything for me. Ever.

I had a hysterectomy a year ago and experienced minimal pain afterwards except for the gas pains. I took one oxy pill and it made me really constipated. That was it plus I realized I did not need the meds because I did not experience any severe pain. I disposed of them because I have teenagers and did not want them finding them or being curious with friends. My husband has had a lot of dental surgery. Each time the dentist prescribes powerful pain meds. He does not take them either. We get rid of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Genetic predisposition is a cop-out. It's a matter of self-awareness.

You do know genetics is a science right? There's a thing called a genome? They can link it to various things like cancer, stroke risk etc, diabetes, etc? IF I am "aware" of a genetic predisposition towards cancer - how does that help prevent cancer exactly - and how is that a "cop-out" when I do get breast cancer? I can see that knowing you have a disposition might help you seek help and avoid certain behaviors, but I don't think it's a "cop-out".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^I’m the opposite. The very smallest dose of an opioid medication like hydrocodone makes me feel amazing. I’ve had a problem with these meds in the past. Agree on the genetic component.

This is my experience too. Can't describe how good they make me feel. And the branches of my family are dripping with addicts, so, yeah, there's definitely genetics involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Genetic predisposition is a cop-out. It's a matter of self-awareness.

You also think alcoholism is a choice, don’t you? And depression? Anxiety? You sound very ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Genetic predisposition is a cop-out. It's a matter of self-awareness.

I'm not so sure about this. I'm the pp who said opioids did nothing for me. I'm self aware enough to notice that ibuprofun decreased my pain more, but I've also been told by doctors and dentists that I'm more "pain tolerant" than most. I definitely have a decent pain tolerance.

But I took the hydrocodone for the first time, and it's like my body/brain was immune to it. I experienced no reaction (positive or negative) whatsoever - albeit, I was disappointed, and genuinely a little curious. I don't like taking medication period, so it was no biggie and nothing lost on my part. I'm baffled by how anyone could get addicted to it, since it had zero effect on me - there HAS to be a genetic component there for some people.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the genetic predisposition.
I have had surgeries in the past, a couple of which got me prescriptions to some pretty heavy stuff. I liked how it made me feel and it definitely took the pain away, but once the pain was more tolerable and I realized I could go by without the heavy stuff, I’d switch to OTC. I am also very clumsy and have injured myself a lot in the past 5 years or so (shoulder sprain, ankle fracture, ankle sprain, knee sprain, dislocated knee) and they have also given me opioids for those. Last time I had an injury, I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory that worked wonders without the opioid I was given along with it. So even though the opioid would have made me feel great, I knew I wouldn’t need it.
I have so much opioid left over in my house, I’m sure I could get high for days. But I won’t. Once I build enough of a back up, I get rid of the excess because I don’t need that stuff in my house. However, I can see how a person who is predisposed to addictions (people normally refer to them as having an additive personality) would have gone down a rabbit hole and not been able to come back, had they been given the same cards I was dealt.

[Anonymous]

Genetic. If you are truly interested, please watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrN58NbI_8o

I have a family member who was in recovery at Cirque Lodge in Utah. I went for family week and saw Kevin McCauley talk about addiction. This video is basically what I heard him speak about. It was eye opening for me. While I knew there is a genetic component, I did not realize just how strong it is.

Addiction runs in families and can even skip generations.

[Anonymous]

It binds to pain receptors and if you take it long enough your receptors will "need" the opioids or you will go through withdrawals. The Sacklers are to blame.

[Anonymous]

I was prescribed bottles of opioids after my three major surgeries, and, frankly, I'd love to, at least once, experience the proverbial 'high', just to understand what people kill themselves over. No such luck. I took the pills as prescribed, they made me sleepy and queasy and mitigated the pain; that's it. I switched to OTC pills the fastest I could.

So, yeah, I don't have a large sample here, but, from my experience, some people are affected quicker (and in a more pronounced way) than others.

[Anonymous]

What do you do with the strong stuff leftover after surgery?

[Anonymous]

There has to be a genetic or biological reason why some people get addicted. I took heavy, heavy doses of narcotics for over a year when I had cancer. Including Fentynal. They helped with the pain, but I hated the way they made me feel. After my last surgery, I asked the doctor to remove the Morphine pump and just give me Toradol. I have a cabinet full of narcotics and zero desire to take any of them. They make me jumpy, angry, itchy, and anxious. And they cause awful constipation. I also hate feeling out of control. I keep them in case of emergency. They came in handy when my DH had a horrible toothache at 3am one morning.