Substance Abuse – Opioids

Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a class of drugs with pain-relieving properties used primarily to treat pain. Opioids can produce feelings of intense pleasure and euphoria, making them highly addictive drugs that have the potential for problematic use. Opioids affect the region of your brain that controls your breathing. If an individual were to consume too much of an opioid, it would slow their breathing and possibly lead to an overdose.

The long-term effects may consist of increased tolerance, liver damage, or worsening pain. If you are prescribed opioids, it is important that you use them properly and safely. This would mean only consuming the amount you were prescribed, not consuming illegally produced or obtained opioids, and not using an opioid medicine that was not prescribed to you.