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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Anna Bawden

How opioid painkillers work, why they are addictive and how to avoid dependency

Opioids
A mixture of painkiller tablets
The effect of opioids is powerful, but this is reduced each subsequent time they are taken as the opioid receptors in the body become less sensitive. Photograph: Lauren Hurley/PA

A study has found that one in 10 people taking opioid painkillers are dependent on them, while one in eight are at risk of prescription opioid misuse. How concerned should you be?

What are the most common opioid painkillers and how do they work?

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