Understanding the Opioid Crisis in 2019

Opioids have made headlines recently with a number of cities and counties across North America taking legal action against drugmakers and distributors in federal courts for the widespread damages caused by opioid addiction.

What are Opioids?

Opioids include the entire family of opiates (derived from the natural ingredients of opium). This includes synthetic and semi-synthetic substances (Gowan 2019).

Opioids include strong prescription pain relievers. It has been shown that a significant number of patients who use opioids for longer than the recommended period will develop a dependency (Medline Plus 2019; Charumilind 2018).

The Four Main Types of Opioids

• Endorphins
• Enkephalins
• Dynorphins
• Endomorphins

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Thebaine

• Diamorphine (heroin)
• Hydromorphone
• Oxycodone
• Buprenorphine

• Fentanyl
• Pethidine
• Methadone
• Tramadol
• Tapentadol