Substance Abuse - What is the difference between Opiate and Opioid?

So if Fentynl (sp?) is totally synthetic, it's a true opioid? Which its' main function is to kill pain, lift mood, and motivate. If that's what opiates do, why did chemists mess with a good thing? Meaning enhancing a more naturally derived pain killer. Obviously both are addictive. But the synthetic meds seem more dangerous and easier to overdose. Would you agree on that?

It is very difficult to grasp. I don't fully understand it myself. I can tell you that fentanyl was never meant to be prescribe to patients. It was designed for use during surgeries. A very dangerous drug for the mind when used chronically...

Wasn't sure if you got my follow up comment...

yes, fentanyl is a opioid but it was never meant to enhance moods, just kill surgical pain. A bad drug outside of hospital use...

It may have not been meant to enhance mood but it's an obvious "side affect." Same as Demerol and Dolophine. If people started calling methodone its' clinical name, the stigma of "recovering addict" may not be associated to that person.

they only enhanced my mood for a short time and then my tolerance was to high and they didn't do anything but make me dysphoric and very nasty..

Well, we certainly don't want a "nasty" alien coming down off of fentynal!

lol. i never found fentanyl that good really. it has a very short half life. Methadone has been the best painkiller for me and i've abused them all unfortunately...