Why are opioids addictive?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin as well as pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), ... read more

People choose to abuse opiates in order to lessen their pain and continue experiencing these euphoric feelings on demand. This is one of the main reasons opiates are so highly addictive and why opiate addiction (opioid addiction) is such a concern.There are several steps toward developing opiate addiction (opioid addiction). read more

But over time, opiates trick the brain into stopping the production of these endorphins naturally. At this point, the only way an opiate addict can experience positive feelings is by using the drug in question. This process is the reason why opiates are so addictive. read more

Every 19 minutes someone dies from an accidental drug overdose. Most of the time, it's from prescription narcotics called opioids. read more