Via practica 9/2008

DRUG ADDICTION PROBLEM AND FACTS ABOUT OPIOIDS

Addiction is perceived especially with usage of illegal drugs. But many people can develope addiction to prescribed drugs, f.e. analgesics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, anaestetics, etc. We must evaluate systemic and apparatus-related toxicity as soon as their social and individual disutility. Within factors, which are responsible for somatic addiction, we include substance characteristics, dose, frequence and administration time. First of all drugs influencing mood and behaviour can cause addiction. When addiction is developed, his/her cells are adapted for new changed background. Patient must immediately stop administering drug followed with longterm rehabilitation. Example can be opioid misuse. Analgesic use as an addictive drugs led to strict limitations in order to ensure legal usage.

Keywords: drug addiction, tolerance, opioids.