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Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that interact with opioid receptors on the nerve cells in the body and brain, and reduce feelings of pain. They are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers, synthetic opioids and heroin.
Abruptly stopping use of opioids can lead to severe symptoms including generalized pain, chills, cramps, diarrhea, dilated pupils, restlessness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and very intense cravings. Because these symptoms are severe it creates significant motivation to continue using opioids to prevent withdrawal.
Opioid Use Disorder Clinical trials, like those at CNS Healthcare, can help you explore new treatment options. Interested in trying a new Opioid Use Disorder treatment at no cost? Find out more about enrolling Opioid Use Disorder clinical trials available by selecting one of the below locations near you. Use the form on the page to schedule a free, in-office consultation to find out if an Opioid Use Disorder trial is right for you.
Anyone who takes opioids is at risk of developing addiction. Your personal history and the length of time you use opioids play a role, but it’s impossible to predict who’s vulnerable to eventual dependence on and abuse of these drugs. Opioids are highly addictive, in large part because they activate powerful reward centers in your brain.
Opioids trigger the release of endorphins, your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. Endorphins muffle your perception of pain and boost feelings of pleasure, creating a temporary but powerful sense of well-being. When an opioid dose wears off, you may find yourself wanting those good feelings back, as soon as possible. This is the first milestone on the path toward potential addiction.
Opioids produce high levels of positive reinforcement, increasing the odds that people will continue using them despite negative resulting consequences. Opioid use disorder is a chronic lifelong disorder, with serious potential consequences including disability, relapses, and death. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition describes opioid use disorder as a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to problems or distress, with at least two of the following occurring within a 12-month period:
Since opening our doors in 1996, CNS Healthcare has had the privilege of assisting in the development of some of the most widely prescribed medicines in the world. We continue to lead the way in providing the clinical research necessary to identify medications for the FDA to review and, once approved, physicians to prescribe. CNS has conducted thousands of clinical trials, improved millions of lives, and is proud to have helped in the FDA approval of nearly 100 new treatments.