Opioids (PDF)

Opioids are the mainstay in pain treatment and can be invaluable medications in palliative care. However, they are also responsible for the vast majority of preventable deaths related to drug use. This book presents an overview of the social and pharmacological aspects of opioid effects, aiming to provide researchers and health professionals with a firm understanding of their effects and mechanisms of action. The first section reviews the history of opioids from ancient civilizations to the current opioid crisis, gives voice to opioid users through first-hand testimonies, analyzes the existing international drug treatment agreements, and presents structured interventions for persons who misuse opioids. The second section covers state-of-the-art advances in the medical use of opioids, opioid-induced signal transduction, opioids in pain management, opioid use disorders and their treatment. It also presentsan updated view of opioids as regulators of inflammation and host defense against pathogens and damage. The overall aim of this book is to provide the reader with a deeper knowledge of this field despite the complexities associated with the existence of numerous ligands, receptor subtypes, and complex pharmacological profiles. To this end, the chapter authors are specialists in the field who also have extensive experience in teaching, hoping to lend their expertise in translating complex concepts into comprehensive and clear explanations.