Opiates vs. Opioids: What's the Difference?

Bottom Line:


If you haven't heard about the problems that opioids have caused over the past decade, you must be living under a rock! Did you know that many of the people dying from opioids aren't recreational drug users looking for the next high? In fact, they are people who were prescribed these drugs by their doctors for the treatment of chronic pain.


Why it Matters:


To understand how this epidemic started, it's essential to understand the differences between opioids and opiates.








- Fentanyl, a pain reliving opioid, is 100 times more potent than the opiate morphine.

- Opioids are highly addictive and not meant to be used for chronic pain.


Next Steps:


Next week, we'll be highlighting how you can go "beyond the pill," and we'll discuss a variety of nonpharmacological options that are very effective at treating pain.


 Science Source(s):


Association Between Utilization of Chiropractic Services for Treatment of Low Back Pain and Risk of Adverse Drug Events. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2018 CDC. The Opioid Epidemic. 2020