Burden and Nutritional Deficiencies in Opiate Addiction- Systematic Review Article

Abstract

Addiction to the illicit and prescribed use of opiate is an alarming public health issue. Studies on addictive disorders have demonstrated severe nutritional deficiencies in opiate abusers with behavioral, physiological and cognitive symptoms. Opiate addiction is also link with a significant number of diseases including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and other blood borne diseases generally stem from the use of needles to inject heroin. The use of medication assisted treatment for opioid addicts in combination with behavioural therapies has been considered as a highly effective treatment. Methadone is a long-lasting μ-opioid agonist and a pharmacological tool which attenuates withdrawal symptoms effectively replacement therapies. This review article aims to explain opiate addiction mechanisms, epidemiology and disease burden with emphasis on dietary and nutritional status of opiate dependent patients in methadone maintenance therapy.

Introduction

Opiates such as heroin, morphine, and some other types are among the most extensively prescribed and efficient medications for the managing of chronic pain clinically. However, the consumption of these compounds due to the agile development and physical dependency has been so relentlessly troubled (1). Historically, addiction was perceived as disease of poor characteristics and was not systematically addressed by the medical and academic societies until 20th century. Drug abuse including opiates, methamphetamine, cannabis, and alcohol has already become a major public health problem (2, 3).

The extensive uptake of the morphine hypodermic syringes after 1805 by doctors to treat general symptoms caused converting many of their patients into drug abuse inadvertently (4–5). The intake of opiate and its dependence cause major health damage, including poor quality of life, increasing the risk of cancer, and many other damages (6–8). Major changes have been seen in past few decades about the culture and patterns of drug consumption, such as decreasing opioid injection or intravenous drug use and also prescription opioids have become more accessible, although, morbidity and mortality among opioid users are continuing by chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and premature death because of accidents and overdose (9–10).

Opiates have been well-known for their effects on human’s central nervous system, such as dizziness, relief, mental clouding, mood changes and loss of fine motor skills (11). Consequently, the frequent opiates consumption influence several neurotrans-mitter activity and neuropeptide systems in brain circuits which causes mood, behavior and other activities regulation. Some of activities including analgesia, species-regular behaviour, and reward are done by opioid receptors which are distributed across the brain and spinal cord. Researchers have shown three separated classes of opioid receptors, the kappa, delta, and mu, although it is likely that there are additional types. Opioids usually act independently of G proteins through calcium-dependent potassium channels contrary to the concept that opioids occasionally activate G proteins (12).

A dependence on opiates such as heroin or prescription painkillers is one of the most devastating addictions found in the treatment community. There are various types of opiate addiction treatment. The type of treatment that is most effective or which is safest for you will depend on various factors. One of the most effective treatments for opioid dependence is the use of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) with effective medications combined with behavioural therapies (13). One of the safest and efficient treatments of heroin abuse and dependence is Methadone for over forty years (14–15) as well as Buprenorphine which is authorised to use by licenced doctors (16). Similarly l-alpha-acetyl methanol (LAAM) and Naltrexone have also been used as a replacement therapies. Methadone meets most criteria for a pharmacological agent and long-term treatment of addiction which results in the normalization of many vital physiological processes that have been interrupted during opiates addiction (17). Metha-done treatment also effectively lowers blood-borne illnesses such as HIV infection and hepatitis C virus which in injecting drug users are common (18–19). However, extensive deviation and high level of mortality in this group which is caused by overdose, force government to set up the high regulated methadone maintenance treatment model (20). Advancement in scientific approaches has unveiled that there is a correlation between health and diet for various genders, ages and ecological conditions. The daily essential nutrients which are necessary for the human body to grow and maintain normal function of life are namely carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Studies have reported poor diets with overweight and obesity among people in recovery from opiates addiction. In most of the opiate addicts, serious nutritional deficiencies of key proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals exist which disrupt their ability to digest carbohydrates efficiently. Physical and biochemical changes that occur from drug and alcohol use also cause nutritional deficiencies in opiate addicts (21–22).

Therefore, this review aimed to assess the effects and mechanisms of opiate addiction with an emphasis on the nutritional status of opiate dependence patients during methadone maintenance therapy.

Opiate

A group of pain killer drugs are opiates, which comes from the poppy plant. Opiates derived from opium are used as anodyne and hypnagogic. The natural opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine. There are also some man-made substances called opioids (23). Although the most commonly used term is opiate, however the term “opiate” is sometimes used for close relatives of opium such as codeine, morphine and heroin, while the term “opioid’ is used for the entire class of drugs including synthetic opiates such as oxycontin (24).

Disease burden of opiate addiction

The intake of opiates and their dependence cause significant damage to health, increase mortality and morbidity and make a poor quality of life (25–26). Psychoactive substances including illicit drugs constitute 8.9 % of total burden of diseases which is recorded by World Health Report in 2002 (27). Opiate overdose may cause experiencing confusion and physical distress and even slowing down the persons’ respiration so much that breathing stops in severe cases (28).

Despite its adverse effects on health, opiates consumption is continued by different means including swallowing, smoking, and drinking in all over the world such as Southeast Asian countries (29).

Epidemiology of opiate addiction

Opiate addiction is now becoming a worldwide problem as 13-22 million people are afflicted and Asia encompasses more than half of that. Addiction to the illegal and prescribed use of opiate is an alarming public health issue. Three out of ten percent to 0.5% of the world population (i.e. 21-35 million people) used opioids (30). The prevalence of opiate use, particularly in young adults after the 1980s has been similar in the United States and Europe. Indeed, in early 1990s the problematic opiate use in the US was two-fold of that in the Western Europe. However, in a limited number of European countries the prevalence is now close to that of the United States (31). Opiate abuse and accidental mortality is rising in the U.S. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated that almost 74% of all version drug overdose mortalities in the U.S in 2008 occurred by consumption of opiate sedative drugs. Furthermore 22.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were illegitimate drug users reported from 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Canada, reported the use of prescription opioids over shadows the use of heroin (0.3% annual prevalence), while in Brazil and Chile the prevalence is 0.5% of the population. However, in South West and Central Asia, most of the countries i.e. Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the prevalence of opiate use is higher than the world average. There is no data available on drug consumption of many regions of Africa, Middle East and some parts of Asia (32). In Malaysia, The National Anti-Drug Agency has recorded 3611 drug abusers in 2010 which has been increased 110% over one year for corresponding period (33). There have been extensive regional differences in the use and abuse patterns of opiates. Heroin is the most widely used illegal drug in the majority of Africa, Europe and Asia, while hydrocodone, codeine, hydro morphine, morphine, oxycodone and meperidine are the main opioids of abuse in the Americas and Oceania, Although in the last decade, it is reported an increase of prescription opioid abuse in some African and Asian countries. Americans consume almost 80% of the world opioid supply while America has only 5% of the world population (30).

Fig. 1.

Illicit drug use at the global level, late 1990s-2010/11(Source: Estimates based on UNODC annual report questionnaire data)

Map. 1.

Prevalence of the use of opiates in 2010 (or latest years with available data (Source: UNODC estimates based on annual report questionnaire data and other official sources)

Mechanism of opiate addiction

In 1992, a specific opiate receptor by two groups working independently simulated successfully that was a major breakthrough for the first time (34–35). This achievement was followed by the cloning of μ- and κ- opioid receptors of rodents and in humans opened new doors for both animal and basic clinical research studies, as well as molecular and human genetics studies (36–38). Opiates (39), show their effects by connecting to three opioid receptor types in the body (μ, δ, and κ) and imitating the actions of endogenous opioid peptides which are the endorphins, endomorphins, encephalin, and dynorphins. Opiates act mainly as μ-Opioid receptors (MOP-r), Increases dopamine level significantly in the synaptic clefts of body in case of the reward track. On these receptors, heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone act partially with short period of operation, while cocaine- methamphetamine- act primarily to enhance synaptic dopamine by preventing of dopamine reuptake or an increased in emissions. A theory suggests that when the opiate attached to the opiate receptors on neurons, Gamma-amino butyric acid receptor (GABA) which is a neurotransmitter that inhibits dopamine will disperse less. This increment of dopamine causes feeling of extreme pleasure for the opiate addicts (40–41). Important advances have been made by humans on pathophysiology, as well as molecular and cellular neurobiology of opiate addiction over the last few decades. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) which is an important centre of DA activity is involved in opioid reward. A couple of studies on rats suggest that opioids in the VTA have a rewarding effect (42–43). Neurons were involved continuously in the valuable properties of opioids. Systematic administrations of opiates enhance dopamine turnover in the NA, which suggests that opioids increase dopamine activity (44). In 1992, DiChiara suggested that opioids, which reduce the inhibition on dopaminergic neurons projecting to the NA, hyper polarize GABA-interneurons in the VTA. Hence, increasing the amplification is associated with addiction. While this assumption is true, it has not been proven yet (39). Opiate usage damage on the psychomotor function in those who cannot quit the drug. Zacny and colleagues studied the intellectual, psychological and physiological effects of analgesics usually prescribed to weak patients who were previously healthy. Patients who cannot stop the drug and usually take prescribed amount of analgesics medications, experience subjective feelings a negative perception due to substance dependent incompatible withdrawing (45–47).

Effects on opiates on addicts

Opiates are initially central nervous system (CNS) depressant and analgesics. Opiate usage normally makes physical and psychological dependence. Opiates have been well-known for their effects on the central nervous system, such as dizziness, sedation, mental clouding, mood changes and loss of fine motor skills. In particular, performance may be impaired on cognitive tasks that require decision-making that involves balancing short-term rewards and long-term consequences (54–55). The opiate addict’s brain, takes months and even years to get hold of its normal functioning. During this time, these opiate addicts experience lack of motivation, extreme fatigue, depression and sensitivity to pain. General symptoms of opiates intoxication are slurred speech, drowsiness, pupillary constriction, decreased level of consci-ousness, hypotension, rhinorrhea, piloerection, nausea; vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, respire-tory depression and hypothermia opiates induce tolerance. Following are few of the adverse effects if opiate use and misuse (56–57). Infectious side effects from opiate use are commonly caused by using a syringe to inject drugs, particularly heroin injection, that a significant number of HIV / AIDS and hepatitis cases have been reported. It is estimated that 60% to 90% of injection users are infected to hepatitis C virus (39–40), other infectious diseases, such as some of the common bacterial infections including Staphylococcus aurous and cellulitis, are transmitted by injections either (41). Metabolic problems and opiate abuse are unusual, but becomes more common as drug use rises. Metabolic problems often associated with heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy drug although there is a wide range of medical problems produced. The use of heroin has been implicated in blood sugar disorders in a number of mechanisms. Fasting insulin levels were found to be four times higher in heroin addicts than in control subjects and insulin resistance stemming from opioid use may be coupled with beta cell dysfunction. Acute insulin response in heroin addicts were found 42% lower than control subjects, accompanied by an 80% lower glucose disappearance rate, when they were given intravenous glucose (43–47). Opiate dependents do not usually have an ordinary life and they have many problems in their dietary and sleeping schedules. They usually ignore some of the basic requirements of life due to supply their daily usage of drugs. Hence, most of them become undernourished and impoverished. Moreover, they are more at risk of infectious diseases due to their drug abusing and lifestyle such as injection and risky sex behavior (48). The majority of substance dependent does not have an appropriate weight and their hormonal and immunological system usually remain imbalanced. In some cases a severe organ failure are observed among opiate dependents, like chronic liver failure (49).

Treatment options for opiate addicts

Opiate dependence has been treated by various approaches such as the use of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with behavioural therapies. Methadone, a schedule II opioid agonist and buprenorphine a schedule III partial opioid agonist are frequently employed as replacement therapies. Similarly l-alpha-acetyl methanol (LAAM) and Naltrexone have also been used as a replacement therapies. In the 1960’s, methadone gained appreciation as an effective treatment for heroin addicts. Methadone is a long-lasting μ-opi-oid agonist which assists patients in making the transition towards abstinence by mimicking some opiate actions (50). In 1999, almost 115,000 people who have been addicted to heroin participated in methadone maintenance therapy in the United

States (51). Methadone by itself is an opiate which causes depression of central nervous system. Methadone is a pharmacological that reduces the opiate craving as well as lessens withdrawal symptoms and if it coupled with counseling, enables to reach tolerance threshold although prevents from drowsiness and euphoria. Appropriate and safe daily dosage ranges from 20 to 30 mg in initial stages and average 60 to 100 mg at latter stages. Because of its long half-life of 24 to 36 hours, between 4 to 10 days is required to achieve a stable maintenance dosage (52–53). Several studies on methadone maintenance therapy have demonstrated conditions in which mortalities happened. Based on a cross sectional study most of the 238 patients who died in between 1990-1995 were drug users and suffered from medical illnesses. Almost 21% of the mortalities occurred in the first week of methadone treatment and 88% of these patients were polysubstance abusers. Only around 10% of deaths were related to the first week of MMT tested positive for methadone alone. In another study was reported 62 (71%) patients were involved illicit drug consumption from all 87 MMT patients ‘death. According to these studies, overdose during methadone maintenance therapy is related to polydrug use (54–56). Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid derivative and is a sectional μ-opioid agonist and κ-opioid antagonist which has less abuse potential than other opioids. Buprenorphine was initially proposed in 1978 for opioid addicts as an oral alternative opioid replacement therapy, because the intensity of the rewarding effect is milder at higher doses (57–59). Its use is promoted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the US Department of Health and Human Services (60). Buprenorphine acts on the same receptors as heroin and morphine, alleviating drug cravings without producing the same severe “high” or hazardous side effects. Due to wide metabolism in intestinal and liver tissues, buprenorphine has a very low oral bioavailability. Naltrexone and naloxone are the two most commonly used opioid (mu receptor) antagonists act centralized and subordinate, but have different pharmacokinetic indexes with different therapeutic uses.

The US Food and Drug Administration confirmed Naltrexone and naloxone for opioid dependence treatment because of their pharmacologic profile primarily. One of the pharmacologic profiles is antagonism at the μ-opioid receptors by Naltrexone and naloxone that block opioid effects (61). Naloxone often is not oral bioavailability, effects immediately for reversal of opioids. But Naltrexone is useful in detoxification and maintenance therapy by a long duration of action and it is used orally. (62–63). Naltrexone is also used in anesthesia-assisted detoxification, in which naloxone is administered under general anesthesia to speedup withdrawal. This technique is also known as ultra-rapid or rapid detoxification (63).

Dietary and nutritional status of opiate addicts in methadone maintenance treatment

The development of effective treatments for opiates addiction is a high priority in public health because addiction poses a significant burden on suffered individuals. Studies about addiction disorders have proven extreme nutritional deficiencies on drug abusers such as weight loss and dietary patterns changes. Changes in specific nutrient status can lead to develop barriers in withdrawal from opiates addiction (64–65). In opiate addicts there have been shown unhealthy eating behaviors due to lack of nutritional knowledge, food preparation skills, and environments (66–68). It is reported that a good nutrition education and physical activity are quite effective for substance abusers to their withdrawal from opiates (69). During withdrawal from heroin, nicotine, marijuana, and cocaine, weight gain or loss occurs which is caused by major changes in food intake selection. Nutrition is related with conditions and diseases, such as diabetes which decreases sensitivity to dependence on morphine and vitamin D deficiency that slows down morphine dependency as well as protein deprivation which generates preferential fat intake with low cocaine use (70). Nutritional status also plays important role in the process of recovery and survival of an individual, such as in HIV infection which endangers nutritional status till may produce malnutrition (71).

Several studies have concluded that there is a correlation between drug addiction, education, income levels, and body mass index; the higher the body mass index, the higher the income and educational levels and vice versa (72–73). In 2011, Alves et al. assessed nutritional and socio demographic characteristics of heroin addicts during detoxification program, and it was found that heroin addicts consume less than the minimum amount of vegetable, fruit and grains recommended by the food pyramid and are more eager to have sweets (74). Several other studies have also demonstrated that the consumption of vegetables and fruit in drug addicts are less than general population and they are more prone to consume food with low vitamin content. Unfortunately, the scope of nutrition services has not been defined well in detoxification programs and it has not been seen as a main problem. Larson et al.. asserts that because of the major deficiencies and absorption problems, proper eating behavior, is not the only solution to overcome the depletion of nutrients in the beginning of a detoxification program. Pantothenic acid administered orally is not absorbed by the alcoholic patients as it is found through urine test (75–77). Increasing the dietary intake of protein and reducing simple carbohydrates in the form of vegetables and whole grains can manage the carbohydrate-metabolism health problems (78). Therefore, to recover from opiates addiction, patients need to consume even more amino acids and protein during the treatment process (79–80). Methadone maintenance treatment, itself, is not a favorable approach until is coupled with proper diet due to negative role of vitamins and minerals deficiencies in withdrawal process. Williams found that high alcohol intake in rat resulted in vitamin B6, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and pantothenic acid deficiencies (81). Despite proteins and key vitamins, as well as minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, chromium, magnesium, potassium and other essential nutrients should be prescribed in detoxification programs to recovering addicts. Zinc can help to improve immune system and proper brain function (82). Many opiate and alcohol addicts have shown calcium and magnesium deficiencies due to poor diet and inadequate intake of calcium. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies are the major factors of pain and nervous/muscular disorders among addicts and alcohol consumers during detoxification programs (22).

Conclusion

Opiate addiction - as a major public health problem in all over the world- is rising globally. Opiate dependents have several deficiencies such as nutritional deficiencies and weight deficits. The most efficient recovering program is methadone maintenance therapy but it seems not to be the favorable approach unless be associated with consuming proper and diverse diet to overcome nutritional deficiencies further studies are required to assess the impact of other factors, such as different gender, food behavior, dietary intake, exercise, non-dietary determinants of nutritional status in the opioid-using population. An accurate and efficient nutritional intervention among drug addicts during detoxification could decrease their nutritional deficiencies and subsequently, boost up their productivity.

Ethical considerations

Ethical issues (Including plagiarism, Informed Consent, misconduct, data fabrication and/or falsification, double publication and/or submission, redundancy, etc.) have been completely observed by the authors.