Question

Why do individuals misuse their opioid prescriptions? What is the result for the misuse as well ?

Answer 1

• Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some prescription opioids are made from the plant directly, and others are made by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure.
• Opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. Prescription opioids are used mostly to treat moderate to severe pain, though some opioids can be used to treat coughing and diarrhea.
• Opioids can also make people feel very relaxed and "high" - which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons.
• The misuse of and addiction to opioids including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.
• The broad availability of prescription pain medications, coupled with public misconceptions about the safety and addictive potential of these medications relative to illicit opiates, are factors contributing to the recent surge in non-medical use of prescription opioids.
• Use of opioids other than as prescribed can take several forms: misuse, abuse or dependence.Physiological dependence, which involves the presence of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, may occur even at prescribed doses in non-addicted individuals. Although only a small minority of individuals prescribed opioids for chronic pain will subsequently develop abuse or addiction. The presence of depression or anxiety disorders may contribute to increased risk of substance use disorders among long-term opioid users.
• Potential adverse effects associated with opioid medication use include respiratory suppression and overdose, medication interactions, infectious disease transmission (with intravenous use), and engagement in other risky behaviours, including alcohol and other drug abuse.
• Opioid misuse and related overdoses results in rising incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome due to opioid use and misuse during pregnancy. The increase in injection drug use has also contribute to the spread of infectious diseases including HIV and hepatitis C.