Appropriateness of Using Opioids. Psychology Term Paper

Appropriateness of Using Opioids Name Institution Affiliation
Appropriateness of Using OpioidsIntroductionPrescription opioids are a class of drugs used to treat both acute and chronic pain and are regarded as the most effective compared to other classes of painkillers such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and compound painkillers (Paulozzi, Mack & Hockenberry, 2014). The use of opioids in the management of chronic and acute severe pain associated with various diseases and disorders is considered the standard care in most countries around the world. Opioids naturally occur in the opium poppy plant. Some of the prescribed drugs are directly obtained from the plant, whereas others are synthetically created in the labs by scientists using the same chemical. The active chemical in opioids relieves body pain by binding with opioids receptors, mostly found in the central nervous system (CNS). While this class of painkillers is the most effective in alleviating pain, they have severe side effects such as addiction, hallucination, and physiological problems such as constipation, respiratory disorders, and nausea (Paulozzi, Mack & Hockenberry, 2014). Opioids are also associated with euphoria, stigma, sedation, and high cost. Consequently, there has been a heated debate on the appropriateness of using opioids in treating pain. Some scholars believe that opioids are appropriate in treating pain, whereas others believe that severe side effects and other limitations such as stigma and high cost do not necessitate the use of this class of painkillers. The current paper will examine the benefits and harms related to the use of opioids as pain-controlling agents in treatment of various diseases such as cancer because most hospitals have embraced the use of various opioids to control both acute and chronic pain. 
Benefits of OpioidsOpioids have been found more effective in relieving pain than other agents such as analgesics (Rosenblum et al., 2008). Pain medication is extremely helpful in certain situations, such as in cases of cancer, labor, and serious injuries like deep cuts and broken limbs. Opioids can reduce pain significantly in these situations and are crucial in managing complicated and difficult circumstances compared to most other common pain relievers such as aspirin and paracetamol. Apart from the treatment of pain, opioids are also medically used to suppress diarrhea, counteract an opioid overdose, as replacement therapy for opioid use disorder, and sometimes for execution of criminals in the United States (Rosenblum et al., 2008). Opioid analgesics comprise of various medicinal products that are obtained from the opium poppy plant, which include codeine and morphine. Opioids are either semi-synthetic drugs such as heroin that is derived from morphine and oxycodone obtained from thebaine or synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, methadone, and propoxyphene (Rosenblum et al., 2008). The drugs under this class can be administered orally, intravenously, or transdermal injections. Some chronic diseases such as cancer are usually accompanied by severe pain that most of the painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen cannot effectively relieve. In addition, pain associated with injuries suffered from various accidents cannot be relieved using these drugs (Rosenblum et al., 2008). Subsequently, medical products obtained from the opium poppy plant have been recommended in treatment of severe pain associated with acute and chronic diseases due to their high effectiveness in relieving pain. Analgesic EffectThere are three broad classes of opioid receptors, which include delta (δ), mu (μ), and k (κ), and they all have different mediation effects (Ghelardini, Mannelli & Bianchi, 2015). The three classes of receptors mediate spinal analgesia. Typically, opioid receptors are linked to inhibitory proteins called G-protein. When opioid active chemical binds to the receptor, various things happen, including inactivation of adenylate cyclase, which reduces the production of cAMP and other second messengers. Subsequently, there is an increased production of potassium, an act that leads to hyperpolarization of target cells, reducing their responsiveness to depolarizing pulses as well as inhibiting calcium influx (Ghelardini, Mannelli & Bianchi, 2015; Trivedi, Shaikh & Gwinnut, 2011). This cascade decreases the release of various neurotransmitters from nerve cells, which reduces the generation of postsynaptic impulses. Thus, as indicated by this pathway, opioids produce an analgesic effect through a complex neural interaction. These neurons relay analgesic information to inhibitory neurons located in the brainstem and inactivate them. The neurons in the brain are the ones that mediate pain. Once they are inhibited, a person under medication will not perceive the pain (Ghelardini, Mannelli & Bianchi, 2015). The ability of opioids to affect pain-mediating neurons in the brain makes them effective painkillers compared to other classes of painkillers.     Limitations of Prescription OpioidsWhile opioids have been praised for their effectiveness in relieving severe pain associated with serious injuries or disorders, this class of drugs has been criticized to have serious side effects that may jeopardize the health of individuals under medication. Some of the side effects that have been highlighted include emotional and behavioral consequences (Ricardo et al., 2008). Addiction is one of the common side effects of prescription opioids, where a patient becomes dependent on the drugs used. Prescription opioids affect the brain of the patient in a way that most other drugs do not because they can cause addiction more quickly and in small doses than other drugs (Ricardo et al., 2008). Some of the drugs, such as fentanyl used for medical purposes, can be used for recreational purposes. While fentanyl is more effective in the treatment of severe pain, it can be used illegally. It is usually mixed with other drugs such as heroin and cocaine to increase its euphoric effect with or without the knowledge of the user (CDC, 2019). Most of the deaths related to opioids overdose are related to fentanyl. What is unfortunate about this drug is, even when used legally it can result in high levels of addiction, which can lead to abuse among the patients. When a person becomes addicted to fentanyl, they will start taking it intentionally to satisfy their recreational needs either with or without knowledge that it contains other opiates (CDC, 2019). When one becomes addicted, their ability to control the use of the drug is reduced and may turn to other illegal drugs such as heroin to satisfy their needs.  Prescription opioids lead to the creation of sedation, which is a feeling of heaviness and drowsiness as well as difficulty in concentrating. Sedation reduces the awareness of patients to their surroundings and decreases their responsiveness to external stimulation (Ricardo et al., 2008). If the patient’s awareness of their surroundings is decreased, they are more likely to experience accidents such as animal attacks, fires, and attacks by malicious people, among other things. Thus, using opioids for a prolonged period can further jeopardize patient’s health.  Euphoria, which entails a feeling of agitation and restlessness, is another side effect of opioids (Ricardo et al., 2008). Opioids such as morphine induce a feeling of wellbeing and contentment, which is key to their analgesic effect. When anxiety is reduced, the patient feels relaxed. However, if opioids are used for a prolonged period, a patient can develop a feeling of...