Opioids have been around for years after pharmaceutical companies pushed them out to doctors as effective painkillers. This term “opioids” includes compounds extracted naturally from the poppy seed as well as synthetic compounds with similar properties that interact with the opioid receptors in the brain. Some popular medications classified as opioids include: • Oxycodone • Hydrocodone (Vicodin) • Codeine • Morphine (Kadian, Avinza) Hydrocodone products are the most commonly prescribed opioids as they are often used to treat pains from injuries and dental work. Codeine is often used to treat milder pain. But generally, opioids are used to treat everything from post-surgical pain to osteoarthritis. However, prolonged use, non-medical use, use without supervision, and misuse, can lead to several health problems and opioid dependence. Research has shown that about 0.5 million deaths all over the world are attributed to drug use. Shockingly, over 70% of these deaths are related to opioids, with over 30% of those deaths caused by overdose. The truth is that what makes opioid medications effective for pain management can also make them dangerous.