What is an Opioid?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, codeine, morphine, and many others. When used correctly under a healthcare provider’s direction, prescription pain medicines are helpful.

However, misusing prescription opioids risks dependence and addiction.

Opioids are especially dangerous when taken in combination with alcohol and sedatives because both of these slow your breathing.

It’s important to learn about fentanyl specifically because it is becoming increasingly responsible for many of the recent overdose deaths. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and is frequently mixed into common street drugs like heroin and cocaine. Many of the people who purchase heroin and cocaine are not aware of the presence of fentanyl in the drugs, causing a large spike in overdose deaths. In recent years, fentanyl has been responsible for approximately half of all overdose deaths.

For more information on the LIVELOUD website.

Misuse or abuse includes taking medications in higher doses than prescribed, taking them for a purpose other than that for which it was prescribed, taking a medication that was prescribed for another person, or taking a drug obtained off the streets.

Stats:

48.5 million Americans have used illicit drugs or have misused prescription medications
Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them
Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder
An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin

For more information about the national epidemic, visit the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visit: DrugAbuse.Org

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