What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that act on specific receptors located on nerve cells. For immediate help from Opioid/Opiate addiction, call: (800) 387-6907
Or visit us at: Https://BeginningsTreatment.com
Opioids include opiates, an older term that refers to drugs actually derived from opium-like heroin and morphine. Other opioids are semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Fentanyl. Opioids relieve pain, but they also produce an intense euphoria. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor. But because of the powerful high they produce and their highly addictive nature they are frequently misused. Regular use — even as prescribed by a doctor — can produce dependence and then addiction. Opioids are often the cause of fatal overdose. The current epidemic of prescription opioid abuse has also led to increased use of heroin, because a person who becomes addicted to prescription pills can often find illegal heroin easier to obtain and cheaper.
