Opiods: Here’s the Facts
Photo by Clay Banks
While in 2020 we took on the Covid-19 pandemic that plagued every news broadcast and station, here in the United States we had been long fighting our own epidemic: the opioid crisis. According to the CDC, in 2020 there were 92,000 drug overdoses in the U.S. of which approximately 75% involved opioids (National Center for Health Statistics, 2021). This class of drug is responsible for the loss of many loved ones – even those in our own communities. Although the discussion of opioids has further progressed into a crisis, many Americans are unaware as to what opiods truly are and how to handle an opioid overdose situation. Here, I break down this sensitive topic providing information that could potentially lead to the support or saving a beloved family member or friend.
What are opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that are naturally occuring and extracted from the opium poppy plant. Although opioids span in the effects they have, the most prevalent effect of them all is relief. About three million US citizens currently suffer from an opioid disorder – 500,000 individuals in the US depend on Heroin (Azadfard, Huecke, & Leaming, 2023). Opioids span from prescription painkillers to illegal street drugs. Their main use is to prevent pain signals from being transmitted between the brain and the body. While their main use is to provide pain relief, people often rely on opioids for their “high” or intense relaxation and euphoria.
What are some common prescription opioids?
Many individuals are prescribed opioids as painkillers for post surgery, post injury, etc… Long term use of opioids can cause any individual to become hooked – even opioids prescribed by one’s doctor. As opioids are continually taken, the body’s production of endorphins begins to slow and the body relies on the opioids for pain relief. As this continues, the relief that the opioids provide begins to discontinue, requiring more doses of the opioids to bring the same amount of relief. This continues to cause opioid addiction. This is why it is important that you are aware of the risks that are accompanied by taking opioid painkillers, and to only take what is needed. Fortunately, many doctors are aware of the current opioid epidemic and are trying to be aware of this issue while prescribing painkillers, but not all.
Listed below are some of the most common prescribed opioids:
- Oxycodone*
- Oxycontin
- percocet
- Roxicodone
- Oxycet
- Hydrocodone-acetaminophen
- Vicodin
- Morphine*
- Fentanyl*
- Meperidine
- Demerol
*discussed further
- Naloxone, commonly sold under the name narcan, is a medicine used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It blocks the effects that the opiates have on the brain and attempts to restore breathing within the individuals who have overdosed. It takes about two to three minutes until naloxone takes effect, but if the individual does not awake upon three minutes of the first dose of naloxone, another dose should be administered. While waiting for naloxone to revive the individual, a bystander should administer “rescue breathing” (blowing air into a person’s mouth) to ensure that the overdosed individual is receiving as much oxygen as possible.
- Naloxone is commonly administered either through an injection (through the clothing into the muscle of the outer thigh) or sprayed directly into one’s nose.
- Naloxone wears off about 30-90 minutes after it has been administered which is why it is important to call 911 even if naloxone has been used to ensure the person does not stop breathing again/can receive the medical help they need.
- Naloxone is solely for opioid overdoses and cannot be used to reverse the effects of any other overdose. In a study conducted in 2017, about 81% of opioid overdoses were successfully reversed using naloxone (NIDA, 2017).
- If Naloxone is used on an individual that is not overdosing on opiods, there will be no adverse effects. If you suspect someone is overdosing on opiods, even if you are slightly unsure, it is better to administer the naloxone in case.
Signs of an overdose:
- Unresponsive/unable to talk
- Slow, erratic or no breathing
- Slow, erratic or no pulse
- Pale gray/blue skin
- Vomiting or choking