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Opioids are usually prescribed to relieve pain. However, if they are used for long periods, especially in high doses, opioid use disorder (also called opioid addiction or opioid abuse) can develop. Common opioids include prescription pain medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs like heroin.

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States, with 47,600 deaths being attributed to prescription and illicit opioids in 2017. Opioid use disorder can be treated with various types of rehabilitation programs.

To fully understand opioid addiction, it’s important to understand how these drugs are so addictive, as well as what their intended medical purposes are.

Opioids are quite addictive, making opioid use disorder possible for anyone who uses these drugs. When a person takes an opioid, the drug enters the brain through the bloodstream, creating a rush of endorphins and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that lead to feelings of euphoria, pleasure and satisfaction. This opioid high is not like a naturally-occurring rush of dopamine or endorphins. The only way a person can experience it again is by using an opioid again.