We keep hearing news reports about the opioid epidemic? What is it? What are opioids? Are we really experiencing an opioid epidemic?
Opioids might sound exotic, but they’re really just one category of drugs. Opioids are drugs related to opium. Opiates are another term for opioids. Some people use the term opiate when referring to more natural forms of opium-related drugs and the term opioid when referred to synthetic (man-made) drugs that are similar to opium.
To confuse things further, the body produces endorphins during physical activity or emotions. These natural opioids are known as endogenous opioids.
In addition to opium, opioids include some well-known and well-used drugs: heroin, codeine, morphine, OxyContin (oxycodone), hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Doctors prescribe all of these to treat pain, with the exception of heroin, of course. Doctors also prescribe another opioid, methadone, to help people withdraw from other opioids.
Doctors prescribe a lot of opioids. The trouble is, opioids can be very addictive. They affect the brain. People can become dependent on the ways opioids make them feel. Opioids often make people feel more relaxed. Users take more and more opioids to achieve the same level of relaxation they felt when they first started using opioids.
Since opioids are so common, they’re accessible to many. People without prescriptions to prescription opioids often steal them or buy them from dealers, much like illegal drugs. People who become hooked on prescription opioids sometimes turn to using heroin because this heroin is cheaper and more accessible, even though it’s illegal.
All across the United States, people are misusing heroin and prescription opioids. Many regions have seen increases in opioid use and overdoses. People are damaging their health and facing legal problems due to their drug abuse.
To combat this, the federal government has pledged more than $1 billion to fight prescription opioid abuse. There have also been calls to include stronger warning labels on opioid prescriptions. These proposals point to the powerful nature of opioids and the dangers of drug abuse.
