The consequences of opiate addiction.
The short answer: No. Synthesized from morphine, heroin has seen a steady rise in potency since the 1990s.1 The result: One in four people who try heroin will become addicted.2 Take it from Donny S., who shared his story on the Heroes in Recovery community website. Today, Donny is a grandfather of four and a […]
Long-acting opioids are prescribed more and more for non-cancer related pain, even though the risk of overdose is high. A new study shows the risks of these medications extend far beyond the heightened chance of death by accidental overdose. The study appeared last month in JAMA. It followed patients prescribed long-acting opioids for chronic pain in […]
Opiate use can be tricky, because opiate and opioid drug use can quickly spiral out of control. It can be difficult for opioid users to see the effects of their substance use, but there are some key ways to identify if opiate use has become problematic. While each case is unique, there are some key […]
Opiates bind to specific receptors in the central nervous system to relieve pain and produce euphoria. Some opiates, like heroin, are illegal and can oftentimes lead to abuse and addiction. Prescription opiates include: hydrocodone (one brand name for it is Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet are commonly seen brand names for it), morphine (alias Kadian […]
Opiates are prescription narcotics and illicit drugs made from the opium poppy plant. Opiates include heroin and painkillers like morphine, hydrocodone, fentanyl and oxycodone. Intravenous opiate use, such as heroin injection, produces a powerful euphoric rush, but prescription narcotics can give users a strong high even when used to treat pain. Alcohol, like opiates, increases […]
The term “opiates” refers to a classification of narcotic drugs that suppress the central nervous system (CNS). Natural opiates come from the opium poppy plant; heroin and morphine are the most common of these. Synthetic opiates are manufactured in laboratories and have a similar chemical structure to natural opiates. The most common synthetic opiates include […]
The CDC is urging doctors to avoid prescribing powerful opiate painkillers for chronic pain patients in a 2016 landmark guideline. The guideline addresses physicians nationwide. The nation’s top federal health agency clearly indicates the risks from morphine-like drugs far outweigh the benefits for most people. Vicodin and OxyContin are examples of painkillers made from morphine. (more…)
Opiates refer to substances that are derived from the opium poppy. They have pain relieving effects when taken, and are used in some prescription painkillers. They also cause harmful highs. The following medications are classified as opiates: Morphine is the most common natural alkaloid in the opium poppy. It’s frequently prescribed to patients that have undergone major surgery […]
Drug abuse and addiction come with some major money and personal costs. The most obvious costs of addiction often add up in dollars and cents. These financial effects are both immediate and long term. They can affect a person and community long after active drug use has ended. (more…)
Regardless of whether use comes from following a doctor’s prescription or by a more recreational pursuit, opiates are medications that people frequently abuse. Developed originally for the relief of severe and chronic pain, the side effects of opiates can be rather unpredictable and dangerous. (more…)
