Do You Know Someone Who Is Dependent on Heroin or Painkillers?
Certain drugs commonly prescribed for pain may lead to physical dependence in some people—even when they have been taken properly. These drugs, along with heroin, are known as opioids.

The condition called "opioid dependence" is more complicated than just being physically dependent. Opioid dependence is actually a disease with physical and behavioral traits.

Ask the Following Questions...
Identifying opioid dependence is the first step toward getting better. If you are concerned, consider the following questions:

1.	Have they ever felt the need to cut down on their use of prescription opioid pain medication or heroin?
2.	Have they ever given up activities to use prescription opioid pain medication or heroin?
3.	Are they spending more time on activities to get prescription opioid pain medication or heroin?
4.	Have they ever used prescription opioid pain medication or heroin despite negative consequences?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, someone you care about may have unintentionally become opioid dependent.

(NOTE: The above questions were adapted from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV.)

Why Do Some People Become Dependent on Opioids?
No one sets out to become dependent. Sometimes drug dependence can run in families. A person's genetic makeup can affect how the body processes a drug. It can also determine the drug's effect. These individual differences can make some people more likely to become dependent.

The Numbers Are Growing
Approximately 31 million Americans used prescription painkillers nonmedically in 2003, and another 2.4 million have used heroin at some time in their lives.

In 2001, approximately 2.5 million Americans used prescription painkillers nonmedically for the first time. This is a huge increase over the numbers from 1990, when an estimated 628,000 first-time users were recorded.

Opioid Dependence Is a Medical Condition That Can Last Months to Years
Addictive drugs such as opioids trigger the brain's reward system to make people feel good and want to keep taking more of the drug. Repeated use of prescription painkillers or heroin can cause physical changes in the brain. After long-term use, these changes continue even after the patient has stopped using the drug.

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