Opioids are powerful drugs that affect the brain and body and while they can relieve pain, they can also lead to addiction, overdose, and death. Whether legally prescribed or illegally obtained, opioids carry serious risks.
Understanding how they work, the types of opioids out there, and how to recognize the signs of overdose could save a life, maybe even yours.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same:
Opioids are commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain after surgery, injury, or for serious illnesses. When used as prescribed, they can be helpful in the short term.
But opioids also release a powerful sense of euphoria, making them easy to misuse and that misuse can quickly lead to dependence, addiction, or overdose.
Prescribed Opioids
Common prescribed opioids include:
Even when taken under a doctor’s care, opioids can cause physical dependence. When misused, taking too much, mixing with other drugs, or taking someone else’s medication, the risk of addiction and overdose rises sharply.
This is one of the biggest reasons overdose rates have surged in recent years. Many people don’t even realize they’re using fentanyl.
Overdose happens when opioids slow down breathing and heart rate to a life-threatening level. Today’s opioid supply is increasingly unpredictable, especially with fentanyl involved. Naloxone is safe, easy to use, and can reverse the effects of an overdose. Ask us how to get it.
Whether opioid use started from a prescription, street use, or an attempt to cope with pain or trauma, help is available. Addiction is a medical condition, not a failure of character.
We offer a compassionate, judgment-free path to recovery through:
