Opioid Addiction | Overview

What are opioids?

Opioids (say: “oh-pee-oyds”) are a kind of drug that is often used for pain control. People who take opioids can become addicted, especially if they don’t take the medicine as prescribed by their doctor or if they take the drug illegally.

What is addiction?

Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and your behavior. You have control over your choice to start using drugs, but once you start, their pleasurable effect makes you want to keep using them. Over time, your brain actually changes in certain ways so that a powerful urge to use drugs controls your behavior.