Opiates are a class of drugs that have been around for centuries, but their abuse has skyrocketed in the last decade. As opiate use has become more prevalent, so too has our knowledge of how they affect the body and brain. While there can be some short-term benefits to taking opiates, long-term use can lead…
Opiates are drugs made from or containing opium, including codeine, morphine, and heroin. They are most often used to treat pain or induce sleep. Opiates are particularly addictive because they bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Opiate addiction is more common than ever before. Opioids and opiates contribute to a significant portion…
Opioids can trigger a specific type of constipation known as opioid-induced constipation. Opioids work by binding to receptors in the body known as opioid receptors. When these receptors are activated, they block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. However, opioids can also affect the digestive system in a number of ways. For example,…
When you’re working toward sobriety, you may find that some approaches work better than others. Every person has different needs, and different environmental and sociological factors impact every addiction, so it’s no secret that individualized treatment can be more successful. However, this doesn’t mean that every method of detox and recovery is safe or recommended.…
Lately, there’s a lot of talk about how dangerous fentanyl is and how addictive a substance it can be. But what exactly is it, and how does fentanyl work? It’s a controlled substance, and it’s sometimes prescribed by doctors when a patient is in severe levels of pain. Fentanyl is made from opioids like morphine…
Fentanyl is a controlled substance that is sometimes prescribed to treat severe pain levels. Some people also use it recreationally or to self-medicate. It’s made from opioids, but it’s also much stronger than other commonly prescribed ones, like morphine or oxycodone. Although it can help people under a doctor’s orders, fentanyl is extremely addictive and…
Opioids are a class of drugs that work to relieve pain in the body. Prescription medications make up a good chunk of opioids that are legally circulating in the population. These addictive chemicals are so effective at easing pain that people frequently abuse them to achieve a state of euphoria and relaxation. Prescription medications have…
Doctors all across the nation prescribe drugs each and every day. The drugs may be intended to combat chronic pain or give a patient relief after surgery or injury, but prescription pain medication can easily be abused. Many of these medications lend themselves to addiction or dependency. Some people may visit multiple doctors to obtain…
Opioids are prescribed for pain management all over the country every single day. These drugs can be helpful for many to alleviate pain caused by a variety of injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, and other maladies, but their strong addictive qualities mean that they can do a lot of harm as well. Opioid addiction is quickly…
In the year 2017, it was estimated that approximately 18 million people misused prescription medications at least once in the past year. Opioid overdoses from prescriptions were five times higher in 2016 than in 1999. A final shocking statistic is that the number of prescription drugs being prescribed by doctors since the ’90s has increased. You…