Each year, nearly 9 million Americas contend with opioid abuse, and nearly 80,000 die from overdose annually. Fentanyl, morphine, heroin, codeine, tramadol, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone are all opioids.

Fortunately, we're finding out more and more about how to help people stop abusing these drugs.

A new study of more than 32,000 U.S. veterans published in the journal Addiction found that staying on medications for opioid use disorder — such as buprenorphine, methadone, or extended-release naltrexone — for two to four years (far longer than most people take them) increases the chance for survival significantly.

GLP-1 drugs (which decrease cravings for food and alcohol) seem to impact opioid and other drug cravings as well.

What can help someone get through the first days of withdrawal? Yoga. Really.

A randomized study in JAMA Psychiatry had 59 addicted guys do 10 supervised 45-minute sessions over 14 days along with standard buprenorphine treatment. They achieved withdrawal stabilization 4.4 times faster than control participants and showed significant improvements in heart rate variability, anxiety, sleep, and pain measures.

Yoga helps because its guided relaxation practices, postures, and breathing techniques positively impact the body's autonomic nervous system (which helps control functions such as heartbeat and breathing), help ease anxiety and pain, and promote better sleep.

If someone you know is working to overcome opioid abuse, explore findtreatment.gov.