ReVIDA® Recovery Investigates Opioid Tolerance

Fort Sanders, Tennessee -

Knoxville, TN - ReVIDA® Recovery posts regular blogs educating their community on substance use, and their latest information is about opioid tolerance. With opioids being so widely known in the news, ReVIDA® Recovery provides resources and treatment options for those who are managing an opioid use disorder.

“Tolerance is a common response to any type of medication. It means that your current dosage isn’t working anymore and you need to take a higher or more potent dose to achieve the same results. Anyone can develop a tolerance, even if they have only taken opioids via prescription. Opioid tolerance does not imply that the person has developed a dependence or opioid use disorder (OUD). It simply means that their body has adapted to the drug and the current dosage is no longer effective.

The opioid class of drugs includes natural opiates derived from poppy plants such as opium, morphine, and heroin, as well as synthetic man-made drugs like fentanyl, methadone, and buprenorphine. Pharmaceutical opioids administered by a doctor to manage pain can result in opioid tolerance but rarely result in addiction. When opioids are taken illegally, tolerance can quickly turn into dependence or an opioid use disorder, and the risk of overdose becomes high. Illicit synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are especially risky because they may contain higher doses than what the body can handle. Although opioid tolerance isn’t the same as dependence or OUD, it can be a warning sign that your relationship to opioids is no longer healthy,” the article reads.

Developing an opioid tolerance is not a specific science, as every person is different. Opioid tolerance occurs because the liver adapts and processes the substance more quickly. It also develops because the number of cell receptors that the opioid attaches to, or the strength of that attachment, lessens. As the brain and liver adapt and become less responsive to the drug, its physical and psychological effects diminish and the person needs to take larger doses to achieve the results they’ve become used to.

Tolerance is common in many different scenarios, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and illicit substances. When taking an opioid, the dose may no longer achieve the same effects as it once did, making the person want to increase the amount they take. This should always be done at a doctor’s discretion. Opioid tolerance does not necessarily signal an opioid use disorder, which is why it is best to discuss with a doctor any concerns.

“When a person’s regular dosage of a drug stops working for them, and they need more of that drug to achieve the same benefits, they have developed a drug tolerance. There is no way to know in advance when a tolerance will develop or how much usage it will take to get to that point. Some of its most common signs include withdrawal (tremors, headaches, anxiety, depression, vomiting, and more), prioritizing your substance of choice over your family/friends, and a decline in work or school performance,” the article continues.

ReVIDA® Recovery helps those with opioid use disorders find recovery throughout Appalachia. With a flexible program that includes group, individual, and family therapy, their treatment is great for those who have busy schedules and can’t afford to miss work. Their clinicians are able to recommend and provide medication-assisted treatment as well, as it has been proven beneficial for those with opioid use disorders.

For more information about ReVIDA® Recovery, call 423-631-0432 or visit their website.