Opioids

All opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused (taken in a different way or in a larger quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription). Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose incidents, and deaths.

An opioid overdose can be reversed with the drug naloxone when given right away. Improvements have been seen in some regions of the country in the form of decreasing availability of prescription opioid pain relievers and decreasing misuse among the nation’s teens. However, since 2007, overdose deaths related to heroin have been increasing. Fortunately, effective medications exist to treat opioid use disorders, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

A NIDA study found that once treatment is initiated, both a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an extended release naltrexone formulation are similarly effective in treating opioid addiction. However, naltrexone requires full detoxification, so initiating treatment among active users was more difficult. These medications help many people recover from opioid addiction.

Learn more about:

• NIDA's Role in the NIH HEAL Initiative^℠
• Opioid Research Findings Funded by NIDA -  (PubMed - 2001 to present)

• NIDA for Teens Drug Facts on Prescription Pain Medications (Opioids) - Offers resources for teens and teen influencers. Get the latest on how drugs affect the brain and body. Features videos, games, blog posts, and more!
• Easy-to-Read Drug Facts on Pain Medicine (Oxy, Vike) - Has pictures and videos to help readers understand the text. The website also can read each page out loud.
• NIH Director’s Blog on Opioids
• NIH HEAL Initiative videos - View all HEAL related videos on the NIH YouTube Channel
• FDA launches public education campaign to encourage safe removal of unused opioid pain medicines from homes (FDA, April 2019)
• The Opioid Misuse Community Assessment Tool (NORC)
• Opioid Misuse in Rural America (USDA)
• Opioid Misuse Resource Map (USDA)
• Infographic - How Can USDA Help Address the Opioid Epidemic (USDA)
• FDA grants marketing authorization of the first device for use in helping to reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal (FDA, November 2017)
• The Federal Response to the Opioid Crisis - Testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (Senate Web Site, October 5, 2017)
• Opioid Prescribing (CDC: Vital Signs)
• Fact Sheets: Prescription Opioid Abuse and Heroin Use Epidemic (White House)
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit (SAMHSA)
• Treatment Improvement Protocol: Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (SAMHSA)
• Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women With Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants (SAMHSA)
• Opioids and Adolescents (Office of Adolescent Health)