What’s worse than doing drugs? Being addicted to drugs. After it was confirmed that opioid medication was found on Prince’s body and in his home by CNN, investigators have brought in the DEA to assist with the probe.

But just what are opioids?

Opioids are medications that relieve pain. Here are some examples of the drugs:

Medications that fall within this class include hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), codeine, and related drugs.

Now, there are various reports that suggest just which opioid Prince may have taken a fancy to. TMZ reported that just six days before the rockstar’s death, he had been carried off his jet due to a life-threatening Percocet overdose:

Percocet contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone.

Percocet is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Percocet may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Read more about Percocet HERE.

So, now that we got the basics out of the way go read what Prince’s former dealer, Doctor D, had to say about the star’s 25-year-long addiction to opiates, HERE.

The dealer, often to the stars, said Prince suffered crippling stage fright and could not get on stage and perform without the drugs – but had a phobia of doctors so could not obtain a prescription legally.

Oh, and there’s a difference between opiates and opioids, too.

opiate – narcotic analgesic derived from a opium poppy (natural)

opioid – narcotic analgesic that is at least part synthetic, not found in nature

Read more about that HERE.

[source: drugabuse&tmz&drugs&dailymail&cnn]