Opioids – Know the risk

What Are Opioids?

  • Opioids are medications that act on opioid receptors in both the spinal cord and brain to reduce the intensity of pain-signal perception.
  • They also affect brain areas that control emotion, which can further diminish the effects of painful stimuli.
  • The most common modern use of opioids is to treat acute pain. Some patients experience a worsening of their pain or an increased sensitivity to pain as a result of treatment with opioids, a phenomenon known as hyperalgesia.
  • Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.

The Opioid Crisis in CT

  • Over 8% of Connecticut high school students reported taking prescription pain medications without a prescription or differently than prescribed (Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2021).
  • In 2022, there were 1,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths in the state. There was a 4.7% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2022, compared to 2021. The percentage of overdose deaths caused by fentanyl in 2022 was 86%.
  • Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer often seen in combination with fentanyl, was found in 25% of overdose deaths.

What is Fentanyl?

  • Pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl is a legitimate opioid medication that is regulated and meets strict quality standards. It is carefully blended to ensure precise dosing and is
    administered by doctors. This fentanyl is often used as anesthesia for surgery and for chronic pain associated with terminal illnesses, like cancer.
  • However, like other opioids, it can lead to addiction when it’s misused.
  • Illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is the version of fentanyl that is illegally made and mixed into powders and pills. It is made in unsterile conditions, for example someone’s
    basement, leading to no quality control or dosing consistency, making it extremely dangerous for people.
  • Did you know?
    • If the medication is not prescribed for YOU and it doesn’t come from a retail pharmacy, it is not safe.
    • Even if it’s from a person you know, you don’t know where they got the pill from.
    • If you purchase pills from a third-party or get them from a friend, you don’t know where it came from, so it could contain deadly substances like fentanyl, which cause an overdose.
    • People who produce counterfeit pills go out of their way to make them look real. Without lab tests, it can be hard to tell the difference.

Opioid Physical Effects

  • How does it affect your brain?
  • They affect both the spinal cord and brain to reduce the intensity of pain-signal perception.
  • They can affect the brain areas that control emotion.
  • They can also affect the brain to cause euphoria or “high”.

How does it affect your body?

  • Opioids slow down the actions of the body, such as breathing and heartbeat.
  • Even a single dose of an opioid can cause severe respiratory depression (slowing or stopping of breathing) which can be fatal.
  • Taking opioids with alcohol or sedatives increases this risk.
  • Can lead to an overdose or Opioid Use Disorder.

Opioid Use Disorder

  • OUD is defined by the DSM-5TR as a chronic disorder with potential consequences such as disability, relapses, and death. Opioid use disorder is a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to problems or distress, with at least two of the following occurring within a 12-month period:
  • Taking larger amounts or taking drugs over a longer period than intended.
  • Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid use.
  • Spending a great deal of time obtaining or using the opioid or recovering from its effects.
  • Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use opioids
  • Problems fulfilling obligations at work, school or home.
  • Continued opioid use despite having recurring social or interpersonal problems.
  • Giving up or reducing activities because of opioid use.
  • Using opioids in physically hazardous situations such as driving while under the influence of opiates.
  • Continued opioid use despite ongoing physical or psychological problem likely to have been caused or worsened by opioids.
  • Tolerance (i.e., need for increased amounts or diminished effect with continued use of the same amount)
  • Experiencing withdrawal (opioid withdrawal syndrome) or taking opioids (or a closely related substance) to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

What is an overdose? 

Warning Signs of an Overdose

  • The individual has constricted pupils.
  • The individual is unresponsive or limp.
  • The individual is awake but unable to talk.
  • Their breathing is slow or erratic or they are not breathing.
  • Their pulse is slow or erratic or they do not have a pulse.
  • Their skin is pale gray or blue, especially around the fingernails and lips.
  • They are making deep, slow snoring, choking or gurgling sounds.
  • They are vomiting