Source: Recovery Centers of America
Photo Source: Unsplash, Michael Longmire
Opiate vs. Opioid – Do You Know the Difference? Authored by: Audra Franchini Some Insight from Our Opiate Detox Centers Do you know the difference between an Opiate and an Opioid? It seems there are stories in the news every day about the dangers of opioids and opiates and how they are devastating families and communities. But few people know the difference between the two. Here are some facts about both.
The poppy plant creates opiates. Opiates are labeled “natural”, because nature creates the active ingredient molecules. Common opiates include opium, morphine and codeine, both made directly from poppy plants.
An opioid is a substance (molecule) that is synthetic or partly synthetic. This means the active ingredients are created chemically. Opioids act just like opiates in the human body, because of the similar molecules. Common opioids are OxyContin, hydrocodone, fentanyl and others.
Opiate – narcotic analgesic derived from an opium poppy (natural) Opioid – narcotic analgesic that is at least part synthetic, not found in nature
What about Heroin? Heroin is the most popular opiate, and a Schedule I narcotic under the Federal laws of the United States (no medicinal purpose, highly abused).
Genuine “heroin” is an opioid. Heroin is still synthetic, even though it uses molecules from the opium plant in it’s synthesis process.
People can use the terms interchangeably. On the street, “heroin” may mean synthetic, natural, or semi-synthetic compounds. Additionally, people may call manufactured opioids like Oxycontin “synthetic heroin”, adding more confusion.
Currently many references are using opioid to refer to all opium-like substances (including opiates and opioids), and limiting the use of “opiates” to only natural opium poppy derived drugs like morphine.
Authored By Audra Franchini
Audra Franchini holds a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing & English. As RCA's Communications Manager, Audra creates impactful content for RCA's website, advertisements, and internal and external communications to drive awareness to the disease of addiction and the importance of seeking help.
It has been reported by NBC that the same marketing firms and or opioid manufactures also take benefit in the recovery of the opioid epidemic as well as the creation of it. How is the opium wars of China different from the opioid epidemic? Who profited in each instance? Are there any conflicts of interest. Is this article written by marketers?
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