What Is Physical Opioid Dependence?

0:00What is physical opioid dependence?

0:04I'm going to tell you.

0:05I'm Dr. Rodriguez from Healing Sky.

0:07I'm also the medical director of the Delray Center for Healing.

0:11And today we're going to talk about what exactly is physical opioid dependence.

0:18Physical dependence is a natural byproduct of taking any opioid for any reason for an

0:24extended period of time.

0:26It is something that happens as the body adapts to the consumption of this substance,

0:34the opioid.

0:35The body sees opioids as a contaminant in the food supply and it does what it can to

0:40adapt to it so that it does not harm or kill the organism.

0:46One of the things that it does is it ends up developing physical dependence, meaning

0:51the body gets used to it being there.

0:53It adapts to its presence and then if you suddenly remove the contaminant, in this case

0:59the opioids, the body goes into a withdrawal syndrome.

1:02It will get sick, very sick.

1:06That is a sign of physical opioid dependence.

1:11Physical opioid dependence is a natural byproduct of consuming any opioid for an extended period

1:17of time.

1:18For any reason, meaning if you are prescribed opioids for pain, for a legitimate pain reason

1:25and you're taking it properly as prescribed, you will still develop opioid dependence.

1:31And if you stop them abruptly, you will experience opioid withdrawal, which is the manifestation

1:37of opioid dependence when the opioid has been removed from the body.

1:42That is unavoidable if you have opioid dependence.

1:46If you're taking it recreationally, you will also develop physical opioid dependence because

1:50your body, again, will get addicted to the opioid.

1:53This is something to keep in mind.

1:56It is, again, a part of natural medical treatment.

1:59It's just a natural course.

2:01It is managed by your prescriber.

2:04If you're doing opioids on your own recreationally, this is something that will happen and it

2:08will lead to trouble, which is part of why I recommend don't abuse opioids.

2:12I hope you find this information helpful.

2:15Please like, follow, and subscribe to my content here on Healing Sky.

2:19If you would like to see me as a physician, you can find me at delvercenter.com.

2:25Please look for my podcast in the fall of 2026.

2:29Thank you.