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.
Learn more about Naloxone, how it reverses an opioid overdose, and where Naloxone is available.
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:
OUD can be treated in a number of ways. Learn more about that here.
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:
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.
Our dashboard has information on Emergency Department visits and hospitalized cases suspecting opioid overdoses.
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