Opioids and Overdose

What is an opioid?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription medications and illicit drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl.

Opioids are typically used to treat pain and proven to be addictive. Using opioids by themselves or with other drugs is a major contributor to the overdose crisis. In recent years, illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids have been the main cause of overdose deaths, with these substances being added unknowingly to the illicit drug supply.

What is Opioid Use Disorder?

Opioid Use Disorder is a complex, persistent medical condition that can be treated. Opioid use disorder or another substance use disorder has a pattern of two or more symptoms and behaviors related to the individual’s substance use.

Some common indicators of Opioid Use Disorder include:

• Consuming the drug in larger amounts or for longer than intended.
• Persistently wanting to cut down or regulate drug use.
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug.
• Experiencing a strong desire to use the drug (craving).
• Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home because of drug use.
• Continuing drug use even if it causes significant social or interpersonal problems.
• Reducing or stopping other activities because of drug use.
• Repeatedly using the drug in situations when it is unsafe.
• Continuing drug use even when knowing that it causes physical or psychological problems.
• Developing tolerance.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping drug use.

What is an opioid overdose?

An opioid overdose occurs when too much of an opioid is ingested and attaches to too many opioid receptors in the brain and slows or stops breathing.

Signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Not responding to voice or touch.
• Blue or grey lips or fingernails.
• Slow, shallow, or no breathing.
• Unresponsive pupils (pinpointed).
• Pale or cold skin.
• Gurgling, gasping, or snoring sounds (also known as the death rattle).

Opioid overdose risk factors include:

• Experiencing a period of abstinence for as little as three days.
• Being pregnant or post-partum.
• Not having a history of opioid use.
• Using multiple substances or polysubstance use.
• Using alone.
• Prior overdose.
• Using prescription opioids for unintended reasons.
• Altering prescriptions to crush, snort, smoke, or inject a substance.
• Using opioids with an underlying heart or lung condition.
• Switching from prescription to illicit opioids.
• Taking extra doses of medication, whether it be accidental or intentional.
• Taking opioids prescribed to someone else.
• Mixing opioids with alcohol, sedatives, or over the counter drugs.