Typically, prescription opioids are used for pain relief and are safe when taken for a short time. Opioid addiction is a chronic condition in which an individual experiences intense physical and psychological reliance on opioids, leading to compulsive behavior that may have harmful consequences.
Opioid dependency leads to an uncontrollable urge, which increases the risk of overdose and continuation of substance use even after severe health issues. Prescribed opioid abuse is when you take a medication for a reason other than intended or in a higher amount than is prescribed. Even if taken as prescribed, tolerance can increase, which leads to the need for a higher prescribed dose.
There are measures to avoid overprescribing by physicians, but this can still be a very challenging task. Even though the opioid, in this case, is a prescription, the medicine can be highly addictive if consumed for a long time, especially if taken to boost feelings of pleasure.