opi·ate 
/ˈoʊpijət/ noun
plural opi·ates /ˈoʊpijət/ noun [count] 1 : a drug (such as morphine or codeine) that is made from opium and that is used to reduce pain or cause sleep 2 disapproving : something that causes people to ignore problems and to relax instead of doing things that need to be done
▪ Many see television as an opiate of/for the masses.
▪ Many see television as an opiate of/for the masses.
