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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Conditions
  3. Opioid Use Disorder

Condition: Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition that is caused by changes in the chemistry of the brain that occur as a result of the use of opioids.

Opioids are drugs that work in the body the way opium does. Some are made directly from opium, such as morphine, and codeine, while others are man-made but similar chemically to opium, including the painkillers oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, better known by such brand names as Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet and Actiq. Heroin is also an opioid.

For many, the decision to begin taking drugs is voluntary: it may have started with medicine that your doctor prescribed for serious pain, or with recreational drug use with prescription pain medications or heroin. Regardless of how you became dependent, once dependence has developed it is considered a disease that requires treatment. And, once a person becomes addicted or dependent on a drug, he or she may find that willpower is no match for the chemical, behavioral, and psychological nature of opioid dependence.

Signs of Opioid Dependence

A person who shows three or more of the following behaviors over a 12-month period is most likely opioid-dependent:

  • Needing to take more of the drug to get the same effect—or getting a lesser effect from the same amount of drug;
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using opioids, or taking other drugs to help relieve withdrawal symptoms;
  • Taking larger amounts of opioids than planned, and for longer periods of time;
  • Persistently wanting to quit, or trying unsuccessfully to quit;
  • Spending a lot of time and effort to obtain, use, and recover from taking opioids;
  • Working less, missing work, or, if unemployed, not seriously looking for a job;
  • Spending less time seeing friends who don’t use opioids; skipping recreational activities;
  • Continuing to use opioids despite negative consequences.

 

Contents

  • Treatments & Procedures
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

Treatments and Procedures Related to Opioid Use Disorder

UAMS providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Providers Treating Opioid Use Disorder

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to Opioid Use Disorder. Review each provider for availability.

Filter the Providers


Nihit Kumar, M.D.

Nihit Kumar, M.D. Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

View Profile
Shona L. Ray-Griffith, M.D.

Shona L. Ray-Griffith, M.D. Psychiatrist

View Profile

Locations Where Providers Treat Opioid Use Disorder

Note that the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

Filter the Locations


Psychiatric Research Institute

Center for Addiction Services and Treatment (CAST)

4224 Shuffield Drive
Psychiatric Research Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
501-526-8400
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Psychiatric Research Institute

Women’s Mental Health Clinic

4224 Shuffield Drive
Psychiatric Research Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
501-526-8201
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for Opioid Use Disorder

Behavioral Health

Behavioral health care at UAMS Health includes a wide range of outpatient and inpatient services.

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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