Arguably among the most addictive substances are opiates. An opiate is an entire classification of drug, sometimes referred to as an opioid (which used to be the term for the entire class of opiate drugs but it has since changed to be interchangeable with the word opiate). All opiates are derived from the poppy plant, which is where morphine comes from. Each opiate has a varying degree of morphine potency. The higher the potency, the more addictive the substance is. Currently there is an opiate epidemic affecting all corners of the nation, but why?
Many painkillers prescribed to patients after sustaining injuries, surgeries, and those who are in need to chronic pain management are prescribed highly addictive opiate pain medications. The abuse risk for opiate medications are high and easily hook those who are prescribed these medications physically. In essence this means those who are actively taking opiate medications become physically addicted to the substance. But how is this so?
Many who are experiencing great amounts of pain sometimes double dose, or take two pills when they’re only supposed to take one to treat their conditions. Opiates develop tolerance quickly within the body and establish a physical dependence quickly when taken outside of the parameters of the prescribed dosage of medication. Almost ten percent of the population will abuse opiates at one time in their lives.
