Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief. Opioid drugs include prescription pain medicine and illegal drugs. Some people use opioids because of the euphoria (“high”) they can produce. Opioid drugs can cause addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD). opioid, class of drugs derived from substances that occur naturally in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and that are widely used for pain relief and sedation. When used as directed by your doctor, opioid medicines safely help control severe pain, such as pain you may have after surgery. But there are risks when the medicines aren't used correctly. CDC is committed to addressing the opioid overdose epidemic and supporting states and communities as they continue work to identify outbreaks, collect data, respond to overdoses, and provide care to those in their communities. Opioids are used to provide relief from moderate-to-severe acute or chronic pain. They are also called opiates, opioid analgesics, narcotics, or narcotic analgesics. Some sources define the term opioid to exclude opiates, and others use opiate comprehensively instead of opioid, but opioid used inclusively is considered modern, preferred and is in wide use. Learn about the health effects of opioid use. Opioids are a class of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs. These include both prescription medications used to treat pain and illegal drugs like heroin. Opioids are addictive. Opioids are powerful drugs that relieve pain. Learn their medical uses and side effects, plus factors that may increase opioid use disorder risk. WHO recommends that naloxone be made available to people likely to witness an opioid overdose, as well as training in the management of opioid overdose. In suspected opioid overdose, first responders should focus on airway management, assisting ventilation and administering naloxone. While you may want to stop taking an opioid, your brain and reward system want more of it. You may feel psychologically and physically dependent on the drug. You may build your tolerance and seek out more of the drug to get the same effect. This could lead to a life-threatening opioid overdose.