Women, seniors, and adolescents are at the highest risk for addiction to prescription medications. But there are other risk factors too.

An inability to stop using prescription medication is a characteristic of addiction. Although most people would stop using a prescription drug if they knew it had destructive consequences, an addicted person cannot. After prolonged use of an addictive substance, the brain virtually becomes "re-wired." Accordingly, addicts are not simply weak-willed; they have differences in the way their brain reacts to drugs than do most people. Once started, they often cannot stop without help. (info about: physical effects of drug addiction)

Who is at risk for addiction to prescription medications?

The risk of prescription medication addiction is greatest among women, the elderly, and adolescents.

The following are also considered risk factors for addiction:

• Medical condition that requires pain medication
• Family history of addiction
• Excess alcohol consumption (info on alcohol abuse)
• Fatigue or overwork
• Poverty
• Depression, dependency, or poor self-concept, obesity

Women are two to three times more likely to be prescribed drugs such as sedatives; they are about two times more likely to become addicted. Seniors take more drugs than the rest of the population, increasing their odds of becoming addicted. Finally, recent national studies show that the sharpest increase of users of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes occur in the 12 to 17 and 18 to 25 age groups.

Do You Have a History of Drug Abuse?

Most likely you do not. Many individuals who become dependent on prescription drugs are referred to as "unwitting addicts." These are individuals who had no history of drug abuse or drug addiction. Rather, they first started using prescribed drugs for legitimate medical problems, physical or emotional. For example, it may have been a painkiller for a back injury or a sedative for anxiety. Then, at some point, these individuals started increasing dosages on their own because the drug made them feel better—relief from physical or emotional distress. The nature of the drug required that they continue escalating the dosages to get the desired effect. Gradually, the abuse became a full-blown addiction.

Sources:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs and Pain Medications.
• PrescriptionDrugAddiction.com

Covers the symptoms of prescription drug abuse or addiction and health risks associated with prescription drug abuse.

One of the main signs of prescription drug addiction is that the user develops an increased tolerance for the drug. When a person increases their tolerance for a prescription drug, more and more of the drug is required to get the desired effects.

Physical dependence is another primary symptom of prescription drug addiction. Physical dependence is when a person needs a certain amount of prescription drug in their system in order to function normally. The body adapts to the drug and needs it to perform. Withdrawal symptoms often occur when an addict quits using the prescription drug.

Here are some other common symptoms of prescription drug abuse or addiction:

• Alterations in mood
• Erratic behavior
• Confusion
• Hyperactive, increased alertness
• Suicidal tendencies
• Excessive sweating, urination or thirst
• Nausea and vomiting
• Uncontrollable diarrhea
• Spastic shaking
• Drowsiness, dizziness, and insomnia
• Unpleasant or painful symptoms when the substance is withdrawn

Just like illegal drugs, prescription drugs also have numerous side effects and toxicity from these drugs is common. Like all individuals who abuse illicit drugs, individuals who abuse prescription drugs also deny that they have a problem. The majority of these individuals have medical conditions which are obvious but the prescription drug problem is hidden. The majority of these individuals may have social, emotional problems, stress, depression, anxiety, financial woes or familial problems.

A gradual change in these individuals may give a hint to their problem of prescription drug abuse. These changes include:

• a change in friends
• declining interest in health
• decreased interest in school
• isolation from family and old friends
• repeated lies, stealing
• withdraws from social activities

Health Effects

The health risks associated with prescription drug abuse vary depending on the agent. Each class of drugs has its own particular set of side effects, but in general, the majority of prescription drugs can cause the following side effects:

• Side effects of Opioids (respiratory depression, low BP, nausea, vomiting)
• Side effects of Benzodiazepines (sedation, coma, decreased respiration, lethargy, mental confusion)
• Side effects of Stimulants (fever, fast heart rate, increased BP, seizures)

Read information about side effects of drug abuse.

Sources:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction, August 2005
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Nonmedical Users of Pain Relievers: Characteristics of Recent Initiates (PDF), 2006
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2006
• National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, 2006 Monitoring the Future Drug Data Tables, December 2006

Information on abuse of stimulants (ADHD drugs), the consequences of stimulant abuse, and treating addiction to stimulant medications.

Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, which are accompanied by increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.

Historically, stimulants were used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, and a variety of other ailments. As their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent, the use of stimulants began to wane. Now, stimulants are prescribed for treating only a few health conditions, including narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression that has not responded to other treatments. Stimulants may also be used for short-term treatment of obesity and for patients with asthma.

Stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) have chemical structures that are similar to key brain neurotransmitters called monoamines, which include norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants increase the levels of these chemicals in the brain and body. This, in turn, increases blood pressure and heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases blood glucose, and opens up the pathways of the respiratory system. In addition, the increase in dopamine is associated with a sense of euphoria that can accompany the use of stimulants.

Research indicates that people with ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, when taken in the form and dosage prescribed. However, when misused, stimulants can be addictive.

Stimulant Abuse is Dangerous

The consequences of stimulant abuse can be extremely dangerous. Taking high doses of a stimulant can result in an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure or seizures. Taking high doses of some stimulants repeatedly over a short period of time can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia in some individuals.

Stimulants should not be mixed with antidepressants or OTC cold medicines containing decongestants. Antidepressants may enhance the effects of a stimulant, and stimulants in combination with decongestants may cause blood pressure to become dangerously high or lead to irregular heart rhythms.

Treating Addiction to Stimulant Medications

Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, is based on behavioral therapies proven effective for treating cocaine addiction or methamphetamine addiction. At this time, there are no proven medications for the treatment of stimulant addiction. Antidepressants, however, may be used to manage the symptoms of depression that can accompany early abstinence from stimulants.

Depending on the patient's situation, the first step in treating prescription stimulant addiction may be to slowly decrease the drug's dose and attempt to treat withdrawal symptoms. This process of detoxification could then be followed by one of many behavioral therapies. Contingency management, for example, improves treatment outcomes by enabling patients to earn vouchers for drug-free urine tests; the vouchers can be exchanged for items that promote healthy living. Cognitive-behavioral therapies, which teach patients skills to recognize risky situations, avoid drug use, and cope more effectively with problems, are proving beneficial. Recovery support groups may also be effective in conjunction with behavioral therapy.

Sources:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs and Pain Medications.

Painkillers are highly addictive. Find out about opioids and options for treating addiction to prescription painkillers.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their effective analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. Studies have shown that properly managed medical use of opioid analgesic compounds is safe and rarely causes addiction. Taken exactly as prescribed, opioids can be used to manage pain effectively.

Among the compounds that fall within this class - sometimes referred to as narcotics--are morphine, codeine, and related medications. Morphine is often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Codeine is used for milder pain. Other examples of opioids that can be prescribed to alleviate pain include:

• oxycodone (OxyContin - an oral, controlled release form of the drug)
• propoxyphene (Darvon)
• hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• meperidine (Demerol) - which is used less often because of its side effects

In addition to their effective pain relieving properties, some of these medications can be used to relieve severe diarrhea (Lomotil, for example, which is diphenoxylate) or severe coughs (codeine).

Opioids act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. When these compounds attach to certain opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, they can effectively change the way a person experiences pain.

In addition, opioid medications can affect regions of the brain that mediate what we perceive as pleasure, resulting in the initial euphoria that many opioids produce. They can also produce drowsiness, cause constipation, and, depending upon the amount taken, depress breathing. Taking a large single dose could cause severe respiratory depression or death.

Opioids may interact with other medications and are only safe to use with other medications under a physician's supervision. Typically, they should not be used with substances such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines. Since these substances slow breathing, their combined effects could lead to life-threatening respiratory depression.

Opioids Are Addictive

Long-term use of prescription painkillers also can lead to physical dependence - the body adapts to the presence of the substance and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly. This can also include tolerance, which means that higher doses of a medication must be taken to obtain the same initial effects. Note that physical dependence is not the same as an addiction--physical dependence can occur even with appropriate long-term use of opioid and other medications. Addiction, as noted earlier, is defined as compulsive, often uncontrollable drug use in spite of negative consequences.

Individuals taking prescribed opioid medications should not only be given these medications under appropriate medical supervision but also should be medically supervised when stopping use in order to reduce or avoid withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), and involuntary leg movements.

Individuals who become addicted to prescription medications can be treated. Options for effectively treating addiction to prescription opioids are drawn from research on treating heroin addiction. Some pharmacological examples of available treatments follow:

• Methadone, a synthetic opioid that blocks the effects of heroin and other opioids, eliminates withdrawal symptoms and relieves craving. It has been used for more than 30 years to successfully treat people addicted to opioids.

• Buprenorphine, another synthetic opioid, is a recent addition to the arsenal of medications for treating addiction to heroin and other opiates.

• Naltrexone is a long-acting opioid blocker often used with highly motivated individuals in treatment programs promoting complete abstinence. Naltrexone also is used to prevent relapse.

• Naloxone counteracts the effects of opioids and is used to treat overdoses.

Sources:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs and Pain Medications. Last updated June 2007.

Opioids are produced naturally in the body, they occur in nature, and they can be man-made. Regardless of where they come from, all opioids work in very specific ways in the brain and throughout the body. How they do what they do is referred to as the opioids mechanism of action.

Opioids Mechanism of Action Creates Pleasure, Pain Relief

Opioids have powerful effects on people (What is Opioid Addiction and Why are Opioids so Addictive?). In general, upon taking opioids (either legally or illegally), people experience a rush of pleasure followed by a period of relaxation and freedom from pain. Breathing slows. Opioids cause other effects, too, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and decreased sex drive. Opioids are highly addictive. The opioids mechanism of action that creates these effects is one that happens in prominent locations within the body.

Opioids Work in Many Places to Alleviate Pain

All types of opioids are used to relieve pain. They also affect mood and appetite, control heart rate and breathing, and play a part in the functioning of other body symptoms such as the endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems. To create such sweeping effects, opioids act in the

• Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
• Peripheral nervous system (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord)
• Digestive tract
• Peripheral tissues (such as the joints)

Opioids have different mechanisms of action depending on where they are in the body. For example, in the brain, opioids change someone’s interpretation and experience of pain so that he might feel pain but in a way that doesn’t bother him (Opioids for Depression and Anxiety: Are They Effective?). In the spinal cord, opioids block the transmission of pain messages between neurons and prevent them from reaching the brain. Here, the result is analgesia or a reduced/eliminated sense of pain. In the brain stem, opioids act directly on the respiratory center to slow breathing. In the digestive tract, opioids can cause constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

This is where opioids work. Now, how do opioids work in the brain? How do opioids work in the body?

Opioids Mechanism of Action in the Brain and in the Body

Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors found in both body and brain, including the locations mentioned above. The receptors act like a magnetic lock and key system in which any of the opioids are attracted to them. Once the opioids attach, they unlock, or activate, the receptors.

Opioids stimulate all opioid systems at once, through the entire brain and body. This starts a cascade of chemical events that result in decreased pain, increased pleasure, and the other opioids side-effects.

People have four types of opioids receptors, each controlling different functions:

• Delta
• Kappa
• Mu
• Nociceptin

Each receptor attracts a different type of opioid, yet the effect is the same: a system-wide reaction occurs. When opioids attach to receptors, they activate the neurotransmitters that are the body’s natural opioids:

• Endorphins
• Endomorphins
• Dynorphins
• Enkephalins

The activation of these neurotransmitters is what affects mood, movement, digestion, pain sensations, sexual desire, breathing, and the brain’s reward system. This is what causes the pain relief, euphoria, and relaxation that opioids are known for.

This opioids mechanism of action happens naturally when the brain releases endorphins or the other opioid neurotransmitters. Our natural opioids aren’t as strong as those originating outside of the body, so when someone takes prescription painkillers or an illegal drug like heroin, the opiate receptors go into overdrive, and the effects are much more intense. It doesn’t take long at all for the body to stop producing its own opiates and begin relying on outside sources (Opioids vs. Opiates: What’s the Difference?).

Opioids take over the body’s opioid receptor system in a way that leaves the brain and body needing more. Because of opioid’s mechanism of action, the risk of opioids addiction is high.

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List of commonly abused prescription medications and the effects of short and long-term use.

Although many prescription drugs can be abused, there are several classifications of medications that are commonly abused. Opioids (painkillers), CNS Depressants (anxiety and sleep medications), and Stimulants (ADHD drugs).

Some Commonly Prescribed Medications: Use and Consequences

The narcotics vs opioids question is a common one. Are opioids narcotics? The answer depends upon who is using the terms “narcotic” and “opioid.”

Where the term is used and what is meant by the term also has to do with whether narcotics and opioids are the same things. Here’s a straightforward look at the rather confusing use of these two drug-related terms.

Opioids vs. Narcotics, Technically Speaking

Opioid drugs used to be called narcotics. By extension, the term “narcotic” exclusively referred to opioids. Even today, opioids are classified as narcotics.

In official circles, such as the professional medical community, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), National Institute of Health, and more, the issue of narcotics vs opioids is actually a non-issue.

“Narcotics” technically refers to

• Opium
• Opium-derived drugs
• Partially or fully synthetic opioids

Part of the reason that there is no official difference between these two terms is that “narcotics” traditionally referred exclusively to opioids for the effects opioids have on the brain and body. By nature, narcotics (opioids) are substances that

• Decrease pain
• Slow breathing
• Decrease anxiety
• Lower aggression
• Increase calm, sedation
• Induce drowsiness
• Create a sense of apathy
• Interrupt one’s ability to concentrate
• Cause constipation
• Induce nausea and vomiting
• Carry a high risk of addiction and overdose

Narcotics—opioids—are available legally as prescription opioid pain killers (Vicodin, codeine, and more) as well as illegally (such as heroin).

Similar terms for the drugs that cause the above effects are

• Narcotics
• Opioids
• Analgesics
• Painkillers
• Drugs for pain

Narcotics vs Opioids, Unofficially Speaking

Opioids were traditionally classified as narcotics, and they still are narcotics. However, the term “narcotic” has become much like “Kleenex” or “Band-Aid.” When many people need a tissue, they ask for a Kleenex regardless of the brand sitting on the table. And when you get a cut, do you ask for a bandage or a Band-Aid? There’s a high likelihood that you ask for a Band-Aid. These are brand names that have become common words for all related products.

“Narcotic” is a term for a specific type of drugs (opioids) that has become common vernacular when discussing all drugs, especially of the illicit variety (Types of Opioids and Opioids Examples).

• A “narc” is a police officer or other agent who enforces drug laws; “Narc” is short for narcotics agent, and here narcotics refers to all drugs, not just opiates
• Narcotics Anonymous is a support group for anyone struggling with drug addiction—all drugs, not just opiates

Although it is technically incorrect, “narcotics” has come to be associated with all illegal drugs when in reality, though, it means both legal and illegal opiates. Because of this, in professional medical communities, the term “opioids” has replaced use of the word “narcotics” to refer to painkilling drugs.

Are opioids and narcotics the same thing? Technically, they are. There has been a separation in the use of the words, however. When you hear the use of opioids and narcotics, know that they might be the same thing, or narcotics might be used more broadly. Knowing the different meanings of narcotics vs opioids will help you make sense of what you’re hearing.

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Whether you're addicted to painkillers or other medications, treatment for prescription drug addiction is effective and comes in various forms.

Years of research have shown that addiction to any drug (illicit or prescribed) is a brain disease that, like other chronic diseases, can be treated effectively. No single type of treatment is appropriate for all individuals addicted to prescription drugs. Treatment must take into account the type of drug used and the needs of the individual. Successful treatment may need to incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling, and in some cases, the use of pharmacological therapies. Multiple courses of treatment may be needed for the patient to make a full recovery.

The good news is that treatment is available. And, treatment for addiction to prescription medications works. Studies by the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that 40 to 50 percent of those entering treatment programs are able to remain drug free for three to five years; the study also shows that another 30 percent significantly reduced their use of drugs.

Types of Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction

The two main categories of drug addiction treatment are behavioral and pharmacological. Behavioral treatments encourage patients to stop drug use and teach them how to function without drugs, handle cravings, avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, and handle a relapse should it occur. When delivered effectively, behavioral treatments-such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, contingency management, and cognitive-behavioral therapies also can help patients improve their personal relationships and their ability to function at work and in the community.

Some addictions, such as opioid addiction, can be treated with medications. These pharmacological treatments counter the effects of the drug on the brain and behavior, and can be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms, treat an overdose, or help overcome drug cravings. Although a behavioral or pharmacological approach alone may be effective for treating drug addiction, research shows that, at least in the case of opioid addiction, a combination of both is most effective.

Does Insurance Pay for Treatment?

Some insurance companies do pay for addiction treatment; however, over the past decade they have become more restrictive for both in-patient and out-patient treatment. The costs for a 28-day in-patient treatment program vary widely, ranging from $14,000 to $30,000.

Sources:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction.
• PrescriptionDrugAddiction.com

Opioids and opiates: both are common terms for a specific class of drugs. They refer to drugs, either natural or man-made, that have a painkilling and pleasure-inducing effect on the brain and body. Because the general meaning is the same, the terms opioids and opiates are often used interchangeably.

There isn’t a simple answer to the opioids vs opiates debate. Some medical professionals differentiate between the terms. Others do not, or if they do acknowledge a difference in meaning, they think it doesn’t matter because the end result of opioids, opiates use is the same: decreased pain, increased pleasure, and high risk of dependence and addiction.

The term opioid is more global than the term opiate. All opiates are opioids. Not all opioids, however, are opiates. The technical difference relates to two concepts:

• The source of the drug
• The precise effect the drug has on the body

Opioids, Opiates: Similarities

The reason these two terms are so often used interchangeably is that they are similar in nature. They’re classified as opiates because of what they do.

In medical terms, an opioid is any substance that binds to the opiate receptor sites throughout the body’s central nervous system and digestive system. Once they’ve attached to these receptors, the body no longer needs to produce its own opiates, the endorphins, endomorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins.

The result of the attachment to the opiate receptors is the same:

• Decreased pain
• Increased pleasure
• Slowed breathing

Opioids also affect body systems like the circulatory, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

Both terms—opioids, opiates—refer to drugs that act this way in the body. Some say that there’s no need to differentiate. Others speak of a difference. While they are subtle and not always viewed as important, there are minor differences between opioids and opiates.

Opiates vs Opioids: The Meaning of Opiates

Technically, opiates are natural. They are alkaloids, substances derived directly from opium obtained from the opium poppy plant.

Examples of opiates include

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Opium
• Thebaine

Opioids vs Opiates: The Meaning of Opioids

While opiates are natural, opioids are not. They are created by people, by either combining parts of the opium plant with man-made ingredients (semi-synthetic opioids) or by making them without any naturally derived ingredients (synthetic opioids).

A few examples of opioid drugs include:

• Demerol
• Oxycodone
• Percocet
• Percodan
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Methadone

Opioids, by definition, bind to the brain and body’s opioid receptors. There is a subtle, and quite technical, difference between where they attach that sometimes is used to differentiate between an opiate and an opioid.

The body has four different types of opioid receptors that all do slightly different things. Because they’re either partially or fully synthetic, opioids can be engineered and manipulated in a way that natural opiates can’t. They can be designed to be stronger or more sedating, for example.

Because there is no official consensus on whether or not there is a significant difference between an opiate and an opioid, the opioids vs opiates debate isn’t a heated issue. Opioid drugs, whether natural opiates or synthetic opioids, produce the opioid effect in the body, a euphoric, dream-like state of reduced pain and slowed breathing as well as other negative side-effects. It is the end result rather than the exact terminology that is important.

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Many different types of opioids are available, some legally but others illegally, for people to put into their system. Opioids are specific drugs that attach to receptors in the brain and body and create a high that involves decreased pain and an increased sense of pleasure, sometimes referred to as the opioid effect.

Not all opioids are the same. The legal forms of these drugs, prescription painkillers, can be incredibly helpful for the millions of people needing pain relief and thus are legitimate opioids prescription medications. In fact, opioids are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs. In 2010 alone, 200 million prescriptions were written for painkillers (Foreman, 2014).

However, this creates a problem and has contributed to the opioid crisis in America. Opioids are highly addictive, and easily so. The trend is dangerous: a large number of people become addicted to legal opioids and then turn to illegal opioids because they’re cheaper, stronger, and sometimes easier to get than prescriptions (Nolan & Amilo, 2016; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2017). A recent study found that 80-percent of people who use heroin first had prescription painkillers.

Contributing to this problem is that it’s not always clear that something you’re taking is an opioid. If you know that a prescription painkiller is an opioid, you can be vigilant about how you’re taking it to prevent dependence. Here’s a look at the type of opioids that exist as well a list of which drugs are opioids so that you are equipped with the knowledge needed to prevent dependence, misuse, and opioid addiction.

Opioids Types

Very broadly, opioids are available in two types: prescription painkillers and illegal street drugs. This categorization, while useful, is a bit too vague. Types of opioids fall into four different classifications according to where/how they are made.

• Endogenous opioids are opioids that are actually made in the human brain
• Alkaloid opiates occur naturally in the opium plant and are harvested from the resin
• Semi-synthetic opiates are man-made but derived from natural opiates
• Fully synthetic opiates are completely man-made, in a laboratory or elsewhere

In addition to the classification system, opioids are grouped into one of two categories based on what they do with the opioid receptors in the brain and body.

• Opiate agonists are drugs that mimic the body’s own opiates and bind to opiate receptors, activating them in order to reduce pain and increase pleasure
• Opiate antagonists are drugs that block the action of an agonist and are used in pain treatment

See also: How Do Opioids Work? Mechanism of Action

Opioids Examples

While understanding opioids involves knowing the types, it’s especially helpful to know examples of opioids. The following is a partial list of common opioids in each category.

Endogenous opioids

• Endorphins
• Endomorphins
• Dynorphins
• Enkephalins

Natural (alkaloid) opioids

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Thebaine

Semi-synthetic opioids

• Hydromorphone
• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone
• Heroin

Fully synthetic opioids

• Fentanyl
• Pethidine
• Levorphanol
• Methadone
• Tramadol
• Dextropropoxyphene

Some common brand names you might recognize include, but aren’t limited to,

• OxyContin
• Percocet
• Vicodin
• Percodan
• Tylox
• Demerol

Some illegal opioids examples are

• Chinese molasses
• O
• Big H
• Smack
• White lady
• Brown
• Speed balls (a mix of the opiate heroin and non-opiate cocaine)
• Hillbilly heroin (oxycodone)
• Oxys
• OCs
• Dreams
• Dreck
• Horse
• Toys
• Zero
• Gong
• Skee
• Mojo

Considering the many types of opioids that exist and the long list of examples (that is only a partial list), it becomes clear that a reason for the current opioid epidemic is the availability of opioids. Something that can be acquired naturally, made with both natural and synthetic ingredients, or fully made synthetically can flood both pharmaceutical and illegal markets. Add to this the fact that opioids are highly addictive substances, and the consequences of taking opioids nonchalantly can be dire.

The more you know about opioids, including opioids types and opioids examples, the better equipped you will be to protect yourself and/or loved ones from addiction.

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