Introduction
The opioid epidemic is a serious problem in the United States and throughout the world. The rise in deaths from drug overdoses has been tied to increased use of opioids, which are prescription drugs that can be highly addictive when misused. Say’s Dr. William Siefert, Opioids are often prescribed for pain management, including after surgery or sports injuries; however, they can also be obtained illegally through illicit means such as theft or buying them on the black market. This article will give you an overview of what opioids are, how they work in your body, and how they affect users both physically and psychologically. We’ll also discuss some ways you can overcome an opioid addiction if you suffer from this condition yourself or know someone who does:
The rise of the opioid epidemic
The opioid epidemic is an international crisis, with the United States leading the way. The number of deaths due to opioids has quadrupled since 1999 and now exceeds that of gun violence or car accidents. In 2016 alone, 42,000 Americans died from drug overdoses related to opioids–more than died in car crashes or were murdered with guns that year.
The dangers of these drugs are well known: they can be highly addictive and lead users down a path toward death or incarceration if used improperly (or legally). But why did this problem begin? How did we get here? And what should we do about it?
What is an opioid?
Opioids are a class of painkillers that act on the nervous system to relieve pain. They include illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl, as well as prescription narcotics such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin) and codeine.
All opioids work similarly by attaching to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, where they reduce or block the perception of pain without interfering with other functions like breathing or heart rate. The effect lasts for several hours before it wears off–and during this time there’s no way to know how strong your dose will be or how long it will last.
How does it work?
Opioids are a class of drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and other tissues. There are three main types of opioid receptors: mu (MOR), delta (DOR) and kappa (KOR). Opioids produce their effects by activating these receptors, which can be found in areas of the body involved in experiencing pain relief or pleasure.
The abuse of opioids can cause changes to the way your brain works by interfering with normal communication between nerve cells. This disruption results in changes in mood, perception and thinking abilities that may lead to addiction if you continue using the drug over time.
Overcoming an opioid addiction can be a long and difficult process, but there are ways to get help.
Overcoming an opioid addiction can be a long and difficult process, but there are ways to get help.
The first step toward recovery is understanding the stages of addiction and the signs and symptoms of opioid abuse. Once you know what you’re dealing with, it’s time to explore treatment options for yourself or your loved one who has been struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD).
Conclusion
The opioid epidemic is a complex problem that has been brewing for decades. It’s not easy to tackle, but we can all do our part by learning more about the issue and sharing this knowledge with others. The more people who know about the risks of opioid use–whether they’re doctors prescribing these drugs or patients taking them as prescribed–the better equipped we will be at combating this crisis together!
