The terms opiate and opioid are used interchangeably in medical practices because opiates and opioids affect the same receptors in the brain tissues and have the same effects on the central nervous system. However, there is a difference between the two terms. Opiates are naturally occurring drugs derived from the opium poppy plant, and include drugs like opium and morphine. Opioids are synthetic (man-made) drugs derived from morphine, and include synthetic drugs like oxycodone, herion,hydrocodone and fentanyl.
All opiates are considered opioids, but not all opioids are naturally occurring opiates. The term opioid is an umbrella term that encompasses both naturally occurring opiates and synthetic opioid drugs.
While opiates are prescribed to relieve acute pain, prolonged use can lead to opiate addiction (opioid addiction) and abuse. Common opioids include prescription painkillers such as dilaudid, oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl, as well as the illicit drug heroin. Opiate addiction (including opioid addiction) is the leading cause of the drug overdose in the United States, with 47,600 deaths attributed to prescription and illicit opioids in 2017. Opiate addiction is a disease that has destroyed the lives and families of millions. While there is no cure for opiate addiction, this disease can be treated in drug addiction rehabilitation or drug rehab.
