What Are Opioids and Why Are They Dangerous

What Are Opioids and Why Are They Dangerous

Published March 2018

Opioids are prescribed to those with suffer from severe acute or chronic pain. Unfortunately, this drug is extremely addictive and dangerous even when taken as prescribed by a doctor. Many people who take opioids become physically dependent on the drug, making it difficult to detach or ween off once the pain has subsided and the drug is no longer needed. In America, more than 95 million people have a prescription for opioids and today’s records show that nearly 100 people a day die from an overdose of this pain relieving and all too accessible substance. Chances are you know someone who has either lost their life to an opiate addiction or who is currently heavily medicated on an opioid prescription. This highly addictive drug typically comes in pill form and can be fatal when mixed with alcohol or heavy doses other prescription drugs. The number of those in their late teenage years to early twenties experimenting with opioids have been on the rise the last 5-10 years. There is no sign of the death toll from overdoses slowing down. Learn more so you can help educate those around you and hopefully get the help you need before it takes another precious life from this world.

Why do people take opioids?

• Back pain from an accident
• Post surgery pain relief
• Chronic pain due to cancer or other illness
• Others take opioids to get high and numb emotional pain and trauma
• Some take opioids due to peer pressure

Types of Opioids

• Oxycodone (OxyCotin, Percodan, Percocet)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet)
• Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
• Morphine (Kadian, Avinza, MS Contin)
• Codeine
• Fentanyl (Duragesic)
• Propoxyphene (Darvon)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Methadone

Street Names For Opioids

• Hillbilly heroin
• OC
• Oxy
• Percs
• Happy pills
• Vikes

How do opioids affect the human brain?

When opioids are consumed orally the substance compound attaches to proteins found in the brain, gastrointestinal tract, spinal cord and other organs in the body, called opioid receptors.  They affect areas of the brain that promote feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Opioids change the perception of pain in the brain, allowing the human body to feel relieved of chronic discomfort and in many cases, reach a floating high where a person is numbed down. This feeling is not only what keeps people coming back for more of the drug, but also the compulsion to keep using to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Depending on the amount taken, opioids can cause major drowsiness, constipation, difficulty in breathing properly, or sadly in many cases, death.

What happens when a person stops taking opioids?

• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Bone and muscle pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Insomnia
• Cold sweats
• Involuntary leg twitching or shaking
• Abdominal cramping