The Dangers of Opioid Drug Abuse and Addiction

The Dangers of Opioid Drug Abuse and Addiction Hello, I’m Dr. Vince Ntukogu, a pharmacist based in California. Today, I want to address a pressing public health issue that continues to affect countless individuals and families across our nation: the dangers of opioid drug abuse and addiction. While opioids can be effective for managing pain, their misuse poses significant risks that warrant our attention and action. Understanding Opioids Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and illegal substances such as heroin. They work by binding to specific receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals and producing feelings of euphoria. This mechanism is what makes them effective for pain relief but also what makes them highly addictive. The Rise of Opioid Abuse Over the past two decades, opioid prescriptions have skyrocketed, leading to increased availability and, unfortunately, misuse. According to the National Instit...