Opioids are chemically correlated and interact with opioid receptors in the body and brain nerve cells. Opioid pain relievers are typically safe when taken for a short period and as prescribed by a physician, but because they deliver euphoria in addition to pain alleviation, they can be misused, taken in another way or in a more significant quantity than prescribed, or taken without a medic’s prescription. Even as prescribed by a doctor, regular use can show to addiction, and when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to dependence, overdose events, and deaths.
