What are opioids?

Opioids are a family of drugs that are generally prescribed to relieve moderate-to-severe pain. A health care professional may prescribe them as part of a treatment plan following an injury or surgery. While some types of opioids can be legally prescribed (such as oxycontin and morphine), other types of opioids are made for the illegal drug market (such as heroin and non-prescribed fentanyl). Opioids can make people feel very relaxed, which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. Anyone who takes opioids can become addicted to them.

Common types of opioids

Opioid Risks

All types of opioids are addictive. The body develops a tolerance to opioids very quickly, so more is needed to feel the same effect. This can lead to a dependence, meaning that not taking opioids may cause severe pain, discomfort, and other symptoms. This is known as withdrawals. This in turn can lead some people to use opioids even more. This cycle that can lead to Opioid Use Disorder. 

Opioid Use Disorder occurs when opioid use interferes with daily life. This may include challenges at home, at work, at school, or in relationships. Anyone who uses opioids can develop Opioid Use Disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the signs of Opioid Use Disorder include:

• Taking larger amounts of opioids or taking them over a longer period than prescribed.
• Having a strong desire or urge to use opioids.
• Having unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid use.
• Continuing to use opioids despite having recurring social or interpersonal issues due to using them.
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining or using opioids or recovering from their effects.
• Having issues fulfilling responsibilities at work, school, or home due to opioid use.
• Giving up or reducing activities because of opioid use.
• Continuing opioid use despite an ongoing physical or psychological problem that’s caused or worsened by opioids.
• Developing tolerance (need for increased amounts to get the same effect).
• Experiencing withdrawal or taking opioids to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is the most common drug involved in overdose deaths. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Because fentanyl is strong and cheap to produce, people who make illegal drugs use fentanyl to make their drugs more powerful and less expensive to make. Today, fentanyl is being found in all types of street drugs, such as counterfeit pills that are made to resemble prescription drugs.

The amount of fentanyl in illegal and counterfeit drugs pills is completely random. One portion or pill may have no fentanyl, while other portions and pills from the same supply may contain a lot of fentanyl. As a result, people may not know they're ingesting fentanyl, leading to an accidental poisoning. You are at risk for a fentanyl overdose if you buy drugs or pills from any source that is not a licensed pharmacy.

Fentanyl overdoses are often fatal. Because fentanyl is very strong, it does not take a lot of fentanyl to cause an overdose. Just two milligrams of fentanyl (that's about 10-to-15 grains of salt) is considered a lethal dose.

Tips to protect yourself

Opioids can harm you. If you or someone you know is taking opioids, here are some safety tips to reduce the risk of harm. While these tips won’t eliminate all the dangers associated with opioids, they can help you make more informed decisions.

1. Come up with an overdose plan. Talk to your family or friends about what they can do in case of an overdose.
2. NARCAN saves lives. NARCAN is a overdose reversal drug. Carry it with you. Let others know you have it. A trusted family member or friend can administer it to save your life.
3. It’s dangerous to take opioids when you are alone. If a trusted family member or friend is around, they can give NARCAN should an overdose occur.
4. Mixing drugs is risky. Combining opioids with other drugs, including alcohol, puts you at greater risk for an overdose.
5. Don't share your prescribed medicine. A recommended dose for one person could be harmful to another person.
6. Safely store your medicine out of reach of children and pets. Leaving opioids on counters or in easily accessible medicine cabinets can lead others taking your opioids without your knowledge.
7. Safely dispose of leftover medicine. Don't hang onto opioids you no longer need. Take leftover opioids to a medicine drop box.
8. Use fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl test strips can be used to check for the presence of fentanyl in drugs.