The Pros And Cons To The Opioid Addiction Implant

Opioids are a class of drugs that interact with opioid receptors on the nerve cells in the brain to decrease pain and can create pleasurable effects. Drugs in this category include both illicit (heroin) and non-illicit (codeine, hydrocodone, fentanyl, morphine) types. Although prescription opioids have a purpose and can be safe when taken as directed, they still have a high risk of addiction. Of the 21.5 million Americans who had substance abuse problems in 2014, almost 2 million of them had an addiction to prescription pain relievers, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).