Opiate and opioid drugs affect the same brain receptors and have the same effects on the central nervous system. Opiates are derived naturally, but opioids are man-made. However, while the term \u201copiates\u201d only describes natural drugs, \u201copioids\u201d is used as an umbrella term for both natural opiates and synthetic opioids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While opioids are prescribed to relieve acute pain, prolonged use can lead to abuse, addiction, tolerance and physical dependence. Common opioids include prescription painkillers such as Dilaudid<\/a>, oxycodone<\/a>, hydrocodone<\/a> and fentanyl<\/a>, as well as the illicit drug heroin<\/a>. Opioid addiction is a large contributor to overdose deaths in the United States. In 2019<\/a>, there were 70,630 fatal overdoses, and opioids were responsible for 70.6% of these deaths. Opioid addiction is a disease that has destroyed the lives and families of millions. While there is no cure for opioid addiction, this disease can be treated in drug addiction rehabilitation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To fully understand opioid addiction, it\u2019s important to understand why these drugs are so addictive and why they\u2019re used in medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Opioid Addiction Happens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n