Opioid  Resources

Opioids are a class of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs that include both prescription medications and illegal drugs like heroin. Prescription medications such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and others are mainly used for the treatment of pain. They can also help treat cough or diarrhea. However, like illegal opioids, prescription opioids can be addictive, particularly if they are misused.

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Natural opioids, such as morphine, codeine, opium, and thebaine are made from the seed pods of the opium poppy plant.  These natural substances are also known as opiates.

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Semi-synthetic opioids, such as heroin and the pain relievers oxycodone, hydrocodone, and oxymorphone, are made in laboratories by chemically processing natural opioids.

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Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl are manufactured entirely in laboratories, with no natural ingredients.

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Opioids differ in their strength, or potency. For example, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.  This means that even small doses of fentanyl can be fatal. Fentanyl can be even more dangerous when it is mixed with other drugs. This can happen without the knowledge of the person taking them.

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- National Institute on Drug Abuse