04/19/2024
What is opioid use disorder?
Painkillers, or opioids, are highly addictive substances. They interact with our brain’s opioid receptors, attaching to the receptors and creating a surge of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that signals the body to feel pleasure, which is recorded in the brain’s reward system.
With continued painkiller use, the neurotransmitters in the brain become altered, which leads to drug dependence. With prolonged use, the body requires higher doses more frequently in order to satisfy its physiological demands. As a result, dependence and addiction, or an opioid use disorder, can develop within weeks.
