What is the main difference between opiates and opioids?

The distinction between opiates and opioids is fundamentally based on their origins. Opiates are substances that are directly derived from the opium poppy plant. This naturally occurring class of drugs includes substances like morphine and codeine, which have been used for centuries in medicine to alleviate pain.

On the other hand, opioids encompass a broader category that includes both natural opiates and synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of opiates. Examples of opioids include drugs like oxycodone and fentanyl, which are chemically manufactured. This distinction is significant, especially in the context of understanding the potential effects, risks, and legal classifications of these substances in driver impairment cases and other legal situations.

This understanding underscores why the correct answer focuses on the natural origin of opiates compared to the more extensive category of opioids that can include man-made substances.