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People who take opioids are at risk of opioid use disorder, often called opioid addiction. Personal history and how long people use opioids play a role. But it's impossible to tell who could become dependent and misuse opioids. The misuse of opioids — legal, illegal, stolen or shared — is the reason 90 people die in the U.S. every day on average, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Addiction is a condition where something that started as pleasurable now feels like something you can't live without. Drug addiction is defined as an out-of-control feeling that you must use a medicine or drug and continue to use it even though it causes harm over and over again. Opioids are highly addictive, largely because they trigger powerful reward centers in your brain.

Opioids trigger the release of endorphins. They tell your brain that you feel good. Endorphins make it less likely that you'll feel pain. They also boost feelings of pleasure. This creates a sense of well-being that is powerful but lasts only a short time. When an opioid dose wears off, you may find yourself wanting those good feelings back as soon as possible. This is how opioid use disorder can begin.