Opiate drugs, such as morphine and hydrocodone, are frequently
prescribed medications to aid patients in need of chronic pain
relief – but they often come at a cost. Opioid addiction can
develop for those habitually talking these pain relievers,
leading to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms after
abrupt disuse. Now, researchers from the University of Adelaide
in Australia and the University of Colorado have found a way to
block addiction to opioids like morphine and heroin, while
increasing pain relief at the same time. Their results could
potentially lead to a new drug that could not only help people
with severe pain, but also help heroin users kick the habit. The
major breakthrough is part of a paradigm shift in the way to
treat drug addiction, according to the researchers. Opioid
dependence has become a widespread problem, with one in five
children experimenting with prescription opioids before the age
of 17. According to the National Institute of Health,
approximately 9 percent of the U.S. popula