With the current opiate and opioid crisis raging all over the United States, it can be assumed that they are both the same thing and interchangeable terms for the same narcotics. This is not the case. In fact, many things differentiate opiates vs. opioids, and understanding the difference between them is important for knowing which type of substance may be abused by yourself or someone you know. Evoke Wellness at Miramar’s team of drug rehabilitation and treatment experts have created this guide to help distinguish between opioids vs. opiates and to make it an easier subject to understand.
What Are Opiates?
The first thing to understand when studying opiate vs. opioid addiction is what an opiate actually is. In short, you can imagine an opiate as the more “natural” of the two, being crafted from materials that are found naturally all over the world. 
The opiate for the masses seems to be the drug opium, which has been a popular choice for drug abusers since the 19th century and unfortunately still can be found as a mainstay choice for many addicts. Signs of opiate abuse are actually quite similar to those of opioids, with the main difference being what materials were used to create the narcotic. There is a false belief that since these substances come from natural sources, they should be safe for consumption. Take a quick look at deaths related to opium, morphine, or codeine overdoses, and you can see for yourself just how unfounded these claims are.
What Is an Opioid?
An opioid is similar to opiates in its effect on the user and their body. But when it comes to an opiate vs. an opioid, the main difference is in the manufacturing process. Where do opioids come from? To explain it simply, unnatural sources. Opioids are synthetically created alternatives to opiates that provide a similar effect and similar repercussions for use. The most famous opioid would be heroin, but many legal opioids have been abused by users to a similar level as heroin though not labeled as illegal. The most common abuse prescription opioids include Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, two very popular drugs among prescription drug addicts.
Available Drug Treatment Programs in Florida with Evoke
The Evoke Wellness at Miramar team is dedicated to giving addicts an avenue to a healthy and happy life. If you or somebody you know is in need of a drug detox in South Florida for opioids, opiates, or any other substance such as cocaine or alcohol, be sure to get in touch with our South Florida rehabilitation center. Start recovery today or read some of our other articles to learn more about drug addiction and its treatment.
