The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Opiates

Opiates are used medicinally for treating pain and activity within the central nervous system. The term opiate refers to the alkaloids found in the extracts of the opium poppy. The main opiates from opium are morphine, codeine and thebaine. However, the term opiate is oftentimes incorrectly used to classify all drugs with opium or morphine-like medicinal actions. A more appropriate term to classify drugs such as these is the broader term opiod. Opioids are used medicinally as strong pain relievers. In fact, opioids are the strongest known pain relievers. They are used to treat post-operative pain, shortness of breath, coughing, chronic malignant pain, and chronic pain that is not associated with cancers. Opioids work by binding to opiod receptors and other tissues in the central nervous system. While opioids can be extremely helpful in treating pain related to mesothelioma and other cancers, tolerance, dependence and addiction can all result from the use of opioids. Tolerance is tendency of the body to adapt to the presence of opioids. Over time, the body requires a constant increase of dosage in order to achieve the same effects of the drug. Dependence results when the body becomes accustomed to the drug's presence. If the drug is not presence, the body produces unpleasant symptoms known as withdrawal symptoms. While all people taking opiods usually develop some level of tolerance and dependence, addiction is more typically associated with the use of opioids when they are not medically prescribed to them. Addiction is the psychological attachment to the euphoric and pain-relieving qualities of the opioids. Additionally, opioids are commonly associated with drug abuse, which makes the use of them medicinally extremely controversial. However, because they are the most effective painkillers available, doctors continue to use opioids in symptom relief.