There were over 100,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021, 75% of all of those deaths involved opioids. Unfortunately, with the increased presence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, this problem doesn’t seem to be going away.
Over the past two decades, you may have heard about the opioid epidemic which has ravaged the United States, creating an increasing number of drug-addicted individuals often via prescription. So what are opioids, exactly?
This class of drug is a narcotic analgesic and includes all of the following opioids:
- Heroin
- Synthetic opioids like fentanyl
- Prescription painkillers like hydrocodone and oxycodone
This drug attaches to the opioid receptors in your brain, fundamentally changing your brain’s functionality and can create what’s called drug dependence, which can lead to opioid addiction. In the short-term, opioids can help reduce anxiety and pain. Opioids numb both the mind and body, and can also bring about common side effects like drowsiness and nausea.
Opioids are a class of drug that affect the nervous system and attach to opioid receptors in the brain to produce pleasurable feelings and pain relief. Many opioid pain relievers are legally prescribed by healthcare providers to help patients with chronic pain management.
