Is an affinity for opiates like Oxycodone related to a bio-preference?

[Brian Oblivion]

This post is not intended as anything negative against opiate users. It is just something that I've noticed.

I've never been one to desire opiates, although I have had them occasionally to manage pain. A few months ago, I developed a herniated disk in my back. The pain was so intense that I was placed on Percocets, and later Tylenol #3 (codeine). And I remained on the Tylenol #3s for about 8 weeks, but started tapering myself off of them at week 6.

I did experience the effects of the Percocets, and when I switched to the Tylenol #3s, I initially felt the effects as well. But it stopped after about one week, although the effect for pain management continued.

I absolutely "love" them for their ability to control the pain (the pain was shooting down my back, into my left buttocks and all the way down my left leg into my foot ). Being able to turn that off was sooo wonderful! But I don't feel drawn to them as a recreational drug. I still have a full bottle of Percocets, and 1/2 a bottle of Tylenol #3s in my medicine cabinet, just in case my back bothers me again.

This has made me wonder if there is some kind of biological disposition toward enjoying them as a recreational drug? I'm just asking more out of curiosity than for any other reason.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Negro-kitty]

Most definitely (and great question) ! There is wide variation in the pharmacogenetics of humans -- in the types and numbers of receptors, ion channels, transporters etc in the CNS. There is also substantial enzyme variation which affects the metabolism of drugs. While currently the fine details of these genetics are still being worked out, it is already clear that many if not most 'drug preferences' have a clear biological/genetic basis.

In terms of addiction, it is clear that addictive tendencies run in families and that some people are easily addicted to numerous drugs while other people fail to become addicted to any drug even if they experiment with many. It is most likely that these differences in addiction potential arise from variation in the reward pathways of the brain (e.g. mesolimbic dopamine pathways in the nucleus accumbens and the dorsal striatum).

I suggest you do some searches on pubmed for 'pharmacogenetics', 'pharmacology and genetics' etc...there is alot of information on these topics emerging right now and it's quite fascinating!

 

[Brian Oblivion]

^^^^
Thanks! That's really interesting stuff! I'll get on pubmed and Medline to investigate this further.

I'd suspect that this is a direction under investigation by many pharmaceutics companies to develop more effective treatment therapies, as well.

 

[Tri-nity]

Yeah, the way drugs and opiates effect the brain is very interesting and facinating.

 

[edarrin]

Fascinating topic. There is know doubt a genetic component to addiction and although I hadn't really thought of it in those terms-drug preference as well. I think of it as effect preference but same thing. Some people love uppers and some downers with a large grey area of polysubstance users. One thing no one has mentioned though is that the opiates you were using are probably among the weakest and least addictive (I realize what's in Percocets-you have to use so many to get a real buzz and all the acetaminophen sort of wrecks it). Some of the stronger opiates produce much stronger euphoria/sedation/numbness and would probably give you a better appreciation of their allure.

 

[Vaya]

bump

 

[vicodelicious]

what does "affinity" mean? heh.....

 

[deviate]

i think there is some biological basis for how people respond to opiates, but on the other hand, it's very normal for non opiate users to not feel any pleasurable effects from them. i had to attempt to use them recreationallly about 20 times before i got any enjoyment out of them, now i no longer get enjoyment out of them (hydrocodone at least). in theory, it should be possible for you to get high off opiates. if you keep taking them long enough i bet you will get high.

 

[Roman Holiday]

what does "affinity" mean? heh.....

It means "disposition toward." If I have an affinity for something, it means I like it.

In terms of pharmacology, different chemicals may have greater or lesser affinities for certain receptors, meaning that they are drawn to or or are not drawn to them to elicit a certain effect.