opioid epidemic

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Opioids epidemics generally refer to the growing number of hospitalization and deaths from opioids; this includes illicit drugs, analogs, and prescriptions. In the recent past, the rates of deaths have been reported to rise from the use of these drugs. An overdose of pills is the current leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, Opioid epidemics being the most significant cause. Opioids are a class of drugs which get derived from opium. Opiates have been in production for purposes of relieving pain and also in trials to make some drugs more addictive. Examples of opioid are heroin; morphine and ox condone (Davis 32)
Opioids have an addictive effect on the brain of a human with a time of consumption of opiates. Opioids attach themselves to a particular protein which contained in the brain receptor cells; they trigger the release of chemical endorphins which brings good feelings from the neurotransmitters. This chemical muffles a person’s perception of pain and boosts pleasure and sensations. This effect creates a temporal but powerful sense of well being (Perritano 56). With time an opioid dose wears off causing a desire from the brain to feel the pleasure again, these forms the first milestone to addiction.
Moreover, opioids become more addictive when a person uses a different method rather than the one prescribed. Rapid delivery of all the medicine to the body can easily cause an accidental overdose. Furthermore, taking more or even more often than prescribed of opioids also increases the risk of addiction (Solof 102)
The length of usage of opioids also plays a significant role in addiction.

Taking the medicines for more than few days increases the risk of longtime use leading to addiction. There are some factors which result in addition to opioids which include; genetic, environmental and psychological. Opioids misuse leads to several risks such as; poverty, severe depression, unemployment, and increased conflict level.
Works Cited
Davis, Mellar P. Opioids in Cancer Pain. Oxford UP, 2009.
Perritano, John. Opioids: Heroin, Oxycontin, and Painkillers. 2017.
Solof, Barry. The Therapist’s Guide to Addiction Medicine: A Handbook for Addiction Counselors and Therapists. 2013.