Sacramento County Opioid Coalition
Sacramento County Opioid Coalition
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  • About
  • Resources
    • What are Opioids?
    • Fentanyl
    • Get Help
    • Naloxone
    • Pain Management Directory
    • Medical Personnel
    • Presentations
  • Programs
    • Hear to Heal
    • Gone too Soon
    • Naloxone Training
    • Anti-Stigma Campaign
  • Events Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • About
    • Resources
      • What are Opioids?
      • Fentanyl
      • Get Help
      • Naloxone
      • Pain Management Directory
      • Medical Personnel
      • Presentations
    • Programs
      • Hear to Heal
      • Gone too Soon
      • Naloxone Training
      • Anti-Stigma Campaign
    • Events Calendar
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • What are Opioids?
    • Fentanyl
    • Get Help
    • Naloxone
    • Pain Management Directory
    • Medical Personnel
    • Presentations
  • Programs
    • Hear to Heal
    • Gone too Soon
    • Naloxone Training
    • Anti-Stigma Campaign
  • Events Calendar
  • Contact Us

Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that can be natural (derived from the opium poppy plant), semi-synthetic (chemically processing natural opioids), and synthetic (no natural ingredients), which include prescription pain killers and illicit substances. Prescription opioids are used to relieve pain, relax the body, and relieve symptoms of an illness, injury, or surgical procedure. They can be taken in pill form, skin patch, and as an injection. 

Opioids differ in potency, but all opioids are addictive. On average, it takes about 2 to 3 uses of an opioid for someone to develop a dependence.  Once a dependence is formed, a tolerance develops as well, causing the individual to increase their regular dose over time to feel the same effect over time, which can lead to an overdose.

Once taken, opioids enter the bloodstream and travel through the body and brain. They bind to opioids receptors throughout nervous cells throughout the entire body. Opioid receptors are specifically found in the brain that triggers the release of endorphins, which are released as the body's natural reward system. 

Overdose Reversal

Learn more about Naloxone, how it reverses an opioid overdose, and where Naloxone is available.

Find out more

What is opioid use disorder?

Opioid use disorder is a complex illness characterized by compulsive use of opioids. Though opioids can be prescribed by a physician, use of both legal and illegal opioids can lead to OUD. 

Symptoms include the following:

  • Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms
  • Increasingly heavy, frequent, unhealthy use
  • Cravings regardless of consequences
  • Drowsiness, changes in sleep habits
  • Weight loss, decreased libido
  • Isolation or conflict with family members and friends

OUD can be treated in a number of ways. Learn more about that here.

What is an overdose?

An overdose happens opioids overwhelm the body, specifically the region in the brain that controls breathing. This leads to slowed to stopped breathing, causing oxygen starvation, brain damage, and even death.


Some signs of an overdose include:

  • Unconsciousness, won't respond to sounds or physical stimulus
  • Slow, shallow breathing and shallow/nonexistent pulse
  • Blueish, grayish fingertips and lips
  • Cold and clammy skin


When recognizing the signs of an overdose, call paramedic services and administer Naloxone if you have any on hand, and keep the person breathing through rescue breathing or CPR. 

get free naloxone

Our Opioid Data Dashboard

Our dashboard has information on Emergency Department visits and hospitalized cases suspecting opioid overdoses.

Check it out

Sacramento County Opioid Coalition

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