Facts about Prescription Opiate Abuse

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 100 people in the United States die from drug overdoses every day, and death rates as a result of drug overdoses have more than tripled since 1990. The CDC also reports that nearly three out of four prescription drug overdoses are caused by opiates. Opiates are commonly referred to as painkillers. They are derived from opium or synthetic versions of it and used in pain relief. Common opiates include Vicodin (hydrocodone), Percocet, OxyContin, oxycodone, Fentanyl, and codeine. They work by binding to the receptors in the brain to decrease the perception of pain. Side effects include sedation, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, and respiratory depression. In addition to decreasing the perception of pain, opiates can create a feeling of euphoria that some people find pleasing. This pleasant feeling can often lead to addiction and cause physiological dependence. As a result, the brain perceives needing more and more opiates and one may take larger doses to reduce withdrawal symptoms or simply produce a euphoric effect. Sedation and slowed respiration are effects of opiate use. In larger doses, respiration can become so slow that it eventually stops, leading to death. Prescription opiate addiction has surfaced in recent years as one of the most prevalent addictions. According to the CDC, research shows that some groups are particularly vulnerable to prescription overd...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Addiction Disorders General Medications Substance Abuse Treatment Alarming Statistics Cdc Research Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Cdc Death Rates Drug Overdoses Fentanyl Medi Source Type: blogs