https://medlineplus.gov/opioidabuseandaddiction.html
Opioid Abuse and Addiction: MedlinePlus
Opioid Abuse and Addiction
Also called: Narcotics, Opiates
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hydrocodone and acetaminophen overdose
Hydrocodone/oxycodone overdose
Hydromorphone overdose
Methadone overdose
Opiate withdrawal
Opioid intoxication
Related Health Topics
Heroin
Prescription Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
The primary NIH organization for research on Opioid Abuse and Addiction is the National Institute on Drug Abuse
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic
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Summary
Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. Some opioids are made from the opium plant, and others are synthetic (man-made).
A doctor may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some doctors prescribe them for chronic pain.
Opioids can cause side effects such as drowsiness, mental fog, nausea, and constipation. They may also cause slowed breathing, which can lead to overdose deaths. If someone has signs of an overdose, call 9-1-1:
The person's face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
Their body goes limp
Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
Other risks of using prescription opioids include dependence and addiction. Dependence means feeling withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to compulsively seek out drugs, even though they cause harm. The risks of dependence and addiction are higher if you abuse the medicines. Abuse can include taking too much medicine, taking someone else's medicine, taking it in a different way than you are supposed to, or taking the medicine to get high.
Opioid abuse, addiction, and overdoses are serious public health problems in the United States. Another problem is that more women are abusing opioids during pregnancy. This can lead to babies being addicted and going through withdrawal, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Opioid abuse may sometimes also lead to heroin use, because some people switch from prescription opioids to heroin.
The main treatment for prescription opioid addiction is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It includes medicines, counseling, and support from family and friends. MAT can help you stop using the drug, get through withdrawal, and cope with cravings. There is also a medicine called naloxone which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and prevent death, if it is given in time.
To prevent problems with prescription opioids, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions when taking them. Do not share your medicines with anyone else. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about taking the medicines.
NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Start Here
Opioid Addiction (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Opioid Overdose (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Opioids: The Prescription Drug & Heroin Overdose Epidemic (Department of Health and Human Services)
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Latest News
Innovative Programs Help Addicts Get Off Opioids (12/21/2016, HealthDay)
Opioid Overdoses Burden U.S. Hospitals: Report (12/15/2016, HealthDay)
Rural Hospitals See Surge in Opioid-Dependent Babies (12/12/2016, HealthDay)
More News on Opioid Abuse and Addiction
Diagnosis and Tests
Signs of Painkiller Abuse and Addiction 
(National Institute on Drug Abuse)Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
Opioid Overdose Prevention: Safety Advice for Patients & Family Members (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
Safer, More Effective Pain Management (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids (Food and Drug Administration)Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
Facts about Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDFAlso in Spanish
Facts about Naltrexone for Treatment of Opioid Addiction (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDFAlso in Spanish
Medication for Opioid Overdose: Naloxone (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
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